| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09921879B2 |
Using queues corresponding to attribute values associated with units of work to select the units of work to process
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using queues corresponding to attribute values associated with units of work to select the units of work to process. A plurality of queues for each of a plurality of attribute types of attributes are associated with the units of work to process, wherein there are queues for different possible attribute values for each of the attribute types. A unit of work to process is received. A determination is made for each of the attribute types at least one of the queues corresponding to at least one attribute value for the attribute type associated with the received unit of work. A record for the received unit of work is added to each of the determined queues. |
| US09921878B1 |
Singleton coordination in an actor-based system
Techniques for singleton coordination in an actor-based system are described herein. In some examples, one or more actors within an actor based system may be designated as singleton actors. Each singleton actor is permitted to have only a single associated instance in the actor-based system. In some cases, when multiple executing instances (i.e., duplicates) of a singleton actor are detected, the duplicates may be resolved, for example, such that no more than a single instance of the singleton actor is retained. In some examples, one or more singleton coordinators may be responsible for selecting one or more hubs on which to generate new or re-generated singletons, monitoring existing singletons to ensure that they continue to execute, and re-generating existing singletons after termination. |
| US09921874B2 |
Storage medium, information processing device, and information processing method
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program causing a processor to execute a process, the process includes detecting input of data into a memory to which data is inputted in sequence, the data being a processing object of first processing; allocating the first processing, of which a processing object is the data, with respect to any node in a communicable node group; determining whether or not the data is provided with tail information, the tail information indicating tail data of a series of data that are processing objects of the first processing, when detecting input of the data; and allocating second processing, of which a processing object is a processing result of the first processing that is executed with respect to each piece of data of the series of data, to any node of the node group when determining that the data is provided with the tail information. |
| US09921871B2 |
Event processing systems and methods
An event processing system includes a multi-agent based system, which includes a core engine configured to define and deploy a plurality of agents configured to perform a first set of programmable tasks defined by one or more users. The first set of tasks operates with real time data. The multi-agent based system also includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor a lifecycle of the agents, communication amongst the agents and processing time of the tasks. The multi-agent based system further includes a computing engine coupled to the core engine and configured to execute the first set of tasks. The event processing system includes a batch processing system configured to enable deployment of a second set of programmable tasks that operates with non-real time data and a studio coupled to the multi-agent based system and configured to enable users to manage the multi-agent based system and the batch processing system. |
| US09921869B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method
A data processing apparatus generates by a stream processing control program, for a time-series first stream data group of stream data out of a time-series stream data sequence, first vector data including elements acquired by collecting respective pieces of stream data of the time-series first stream data group; generates, by the stream processing control program, for a time-series second stream data group including, as a head, a piece of intermediate stream data of the time-series first stream data group and having the same number of pieces of data as the time-series first stream data group, second vector data including elements acquired by collecting respective pieces of stream data of the time-series second stream data group; and inputs, by the stream processing control program, the first and second vector data generated respectively to a batch program to control the batch program to carry out a batch processing. |
| US09921868B2 |
Cooperated interrupt moderation for a virtualization environment
Generally, this disclosure describes systems (and methods) of moderating interrupts in a virtualization environment. An overflow interval is defined. The overflow interrupt interval is used to trigger activation of an inactive guest so that the guest may respond to a critical event. The guest, including a network application, may be active for a first time interval and inactive for a second time interval. A latency interrupt interval may be defined. The latency interrupt interval is configured for interrupt moderation when the network application associated with a packet flow is active, i.e., when the guest including the network application is active on a processor. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US09921865B2 |
Population of system tables by hypervisor
A system and method for system table modification in a virtualized computer system are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a hypervisor that is executed by a computer system detects an attempt by a guest operating system of a virtual machine to access a system table. In response to the detecting, the hypervisor determines a hardware configuration of the virtual machine, and populates one or more entries of the system table in view of the hardware configuration. |
| US09921859B2 |
Runtime compiler environment with dynamic co-located code execution
A system is provided for monitoring, regenerating and replacing the code of running applications with semantically equivalent, specialized code versions that reflect the demands of the execution environment. The system includes a co-designed compiler and runtime system that virtualizes a selected set of edges in a host program, where these edges provide hooks through which the runtime system may redirect execution into an intermediate representation utilized to optimize introspective and extrospective processes. |
| US09921851B2 |
Dynamically loading firmware based on workloads
Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for dynamically loading firmware based on workloads. A workload module determines a workload configured to be executed on a system. A firmware module determines a firmware configuration associated with the workload. A loading module dynamically accesses the firmware configuration associated with the workload from a remote data store, and loads the firmware configuration on the system prior to execution of the workload. |
| US09921850B2 |
Instruction sequence buffer to enhance branch prediction efficiency
A method for outputting alternative instruction sequences. The method includes tracking repetitive hits to determine a set of frequently hit instruction sequences for a microprocessor. A frequently miss-predicted branch instruction is identified, wherein the predicted outcome of the branch instruction is frequently wrong. An alternative instruction sequence for the branch instruction target is stored into a buffer. On a subsequent hit to the branch instruction where the predicted outcome of the branch instruction was wrong, the alternative instruction sequence is output from the buffer. |
| US09921845B2 |
Memory fragments for supporting code block execution by using virtual cores instantiated by partitionable engines
A system for executing instructions using a plurality of memory fragments for a processor. The system includes a global front end scheduler for receiving an incoming instruction sequence, wherein the global front end scheduler partitions the incoming instruction sequence into a plurality of code blocks of instructions and generates a plurality of inheritance vectors describing interdependencies between instructions of the code blocks. The system further includes a plurality of virtual cores of the processor coupled to receive code blocks allocated by the global front end scheduler, wherein each virtual core comprises a respective subset of resources of a plurality of partitionable engines, wherein the code blocks are executed by using the partitionable engines in accordance with a virtual core mode and in accordance with the respective inheritance vectors. A plurality memory fragments are coupled to the partitionable engines for providing data storage. |
| US09921843B2 |
Predictive fetching and decoding for selected instructions
Predictive fetching and decoding for selected instructions (e.g., operating system instructions, hypervisor instructions or other such instructions). A determination is made that a selected instruction, such as a system call instruction, an asynchronous interrupt, a return from system call instruction or return from asynchronous interrupt, is to be executed. Based on determining that such an instruction is to be executed, a predicted address is determined for the selected instruction, which is the address to which processing transfers in order to provide the requested services. Then, fetching of instructions beginning at the predicted address prior to execution of the selected instruction is commenced. Further, speculative state relating to a selected instruction, including, for instance, an indication of the privilege level of the selected instruction or instructions executed on behalf of the selected instruction, is predicted and maintained. |
| US09921837B2 |
Instruction for implementing iterations having an iteration dependent condition with a vector loop
A processor is described having an instruction execution pipeline. The instruction execution pipeline includes an instruction fetch stage to fetch an instruction. The instruction identifies an input vector operand whose input elements specify one or the other of two states. The instruction execution pipeline also includes an instruction decoder to decode the instruction. The instruction execution pipeline also includes a functional unit to execute the instruction and provide a resultant output vector. The functional unit includes logic circuitry to produce an element in a specific element position of the resultant output vector by performing an operation on a value derived from a base value using a stride in response to one but not the other of the two states being present in a corresponding element position of the input vector operand. |
| US09921836B2 |
Branch synthetic generation across multiple microarchitecture generations
Branch sequences for branch prediction performance test are generated by performing the following steps: (i) generating a branch node graph, by a branch node graph generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon a set of branch traces of a workload or benchmark code; (ii) generating a first assembly pattern file, for use with a first instruction set architecture (ISA)/microarchitecture set, by an assembly pattern generator machine logic set, based, at least in part, upon the branch node graph so as to mimic the control-flow pattern of the workload or benchmark code; and (iii) running the assembly pattern file on the first ISA/microarchitecture set to obtain first execution results. |
| US09921835B2 |
Control module for multiple mixed-signal resources management
The present solution targets independent or inter-dependent resource management scenarios such as multi-sensor and other scenarios of possible process/component sharing, intended for individual or group synchronized core task management as part of a flexible long-term solution for monitoring, self-calibration, built-in self-testing, measurements and/or group synchronization dependant strategies. An extension to I2C compatible instruments is described. Disclosed is a module comprising an interpreter sub-module, for receiving and responding to I2C sequences and a register bank module comprising a plurality of registers for storing values. The disclosed module and method of operation can be used for initialization, measurement, and resource management through mixed-signal analog bus scheduling, synchronization and group addressing for built-in calibration strategies for example. |
| US09921834B2 |
Prefetching of discontiguous storage locations in anticipation of transactional execution
Discontiguous storage locations are prefetched by a prefetch instruction. Addresses of the discontiguous storage locations are provided by a list directly or indirectly specified by a parameter of the prefetch instruction, along with metadata and information about the list entries. Fetching of corresponding data blocks to cache lines is initiated. A processor may enter transactional execution mode and memory instructions of a program may be executed using the prefetched data blocks. |
| US09921829B2 |
Synchronizing comments in source code with text documents
Various embodiments synchronize comments in a source code file with text of a source code document. In one embodiment, a source code document is compared to a corresponding source code file. The source code document comprises a set of text corresponding to a set of source code comment text in the corresponding source code file. The source code document is configured to display the set of text in a stylized format when presented to a user. The set of text in the source code document is determined to be different than the set of source code comment text in the source code file based on the comparison. At least the set of source code comment text in the source code file is automatically changed based on the set of text from the source code document and in response to the determination. |
| US09921823B2 |
Line replacement unit (LRU) replacement process
An improved integrated avionics system having a plurality of line replacement units (LRUs) is disclosed. At least one LRU stores in its memory software and configuration data stored and used by another LRU in the system. Upon detecting a new LRU installation, the at least one LRU may be configured to copy to its internal memory the software and configuration data loaded to the new LRU. The LRU may also store a table in its internal memory identifying each LRU that has been installed in the system, when each LRU was installed, and a copy of configuration and software data loaded to each LRU. If one of the LRUs in the system needs to be replaced, the LRU may determine which software and configuration data is applicable to the replaced LRU and load the determined software and configuration data to the new LRU, thereby improving the loading and installation process. |
| US09921822B2 |
End user programming for a mobile device
A tool for creating and editing applications on a mobile device. The tool searches the mobile device for one or more exposed features of a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device. The tool exposes a workspace using a graphical programming language on the mobile device. The tool receives a plurality of selections in the workspace. The tool receives a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace. The tool determines, based on the configuration of the received selections in the workspace, the application is complete. The tool prompts to save the completed application. |
| US09921821B2 |
Updating web resources
Updating web resources includes downloading an application to a client device, extracting web resources from the application to local files, and querying an external server for web resource updates specific to at least one operating condition of the client device. |
| US09921813B2 |
Compiler generating operator free code
A compiler 134 for compiling a first computer program 110 written in a first computer programming language into a second computer program written in a machine language, the compiler comprises a code generator to generate the second computer program by generating tables 142 and machine language code 144, the generated tables and the generated machine language code together forming the second computer program, wherein the generated machine language code references the tables and the generated machine language code does not contain arithmetic or logic machine instructions, the tables comprising pre-computed results of arithmetic and/or logic machine instructions. |
| US09921812B2 |
GUI-driven symbol management and code generator
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for modifying source code by managing symbols indicating executable instructions. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to receive one or more symbols indicating executable instructions to be implemented via source code and generate a visual display comprising a dialog box supporting modification of source code that implements the executable instructions indicated by the one or more symbols. Responsive to receiving a user interaction with the dialog box resulting in modified source code, embodiments of the present invention can be used to generate modified source code or a representation of the modified source code that is shorter than the modified source code. |
| US09921806B2 |
Method and apparatus for switching audio output device
A method for switching an audio output device includes after a predetermined event is captured on the information output interface, detecting whether a voice interface object representing a voice message is currently displayed on the information output interface. The method further includes detecting whether an external audio output device is currently connected to the mobile electronic apparatus. If it is detected that a voice interface object is currently displayed, and it is not detected that an external audio output device is connected to the mobile electronic apparatus, displaying an interface switching object on the information output interface, to correspondingly switch an audio output device of the mobile electronic apparatus according to an input operation of a user. |
| US09921803B2 |
Audio user interface apparatus and method
A method comprises converting an audio frequency domain signal into one or more voltage signals. Then the characteristics of the one or more voltage signals are determined. Afterwards the characteristics of the one or more voltage signals are compared with one or more characteristics of an audio trigger command. Activation of an audio user interface is then activated on the basis of the comparison. |
| US09921802B1 |
System for presenting media content
The present invention provides a system for presenting media content. A user device (such as a personal computer, tablet, or smart phone) receives media elements from a media repository. The media repository may be remote. The device displays references associated with the media elements in a display area. The device outputs media content (e.g., music or video) associated with each of the media elements for a limited duration (e.g., 30 seconds). While outputting, the references displayed in the display area are scrolled. The display area may be provided as a 3D drum. |
| US09921795B2 |
Mobile device, system and method for medical image displaying using multiple mobile devices
A system, mobile device and method for displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devices are disclosed. A master mobile device for displaying a medical image includes a communication unit, a device information collection unit, and an arrangement designation unit. The communication unit wirelessly communicates with surrounding mobile devices and a medical image provision system. The device information collection unit searches for surrounding slave mobile devices that are to operate as slaves via the communication unit, collects the device information of each of the retrieved slave mobile devices while communicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices, and control the communication unit to transmit device information of the master mobile device and the collected device information to the medical image provision system. The arrangement designation unit receives recommended arrangement information from the medical image provision system, and outputs the recommended arrangement information. |
| US09921789B2 |
Image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing using setting information
An image processing apparatus is configured to transmit setting related information to the portable terminal in response to performing one of receipt of identification information through a receiving unit and establishment of wireless communication with a portable terminal in a first communication method within a prescribed period of time from performing another of the receipt of the identification information through the receiving unit and the establishment of the wireless communication with the portable terminal in the first communication method. The setting related information is one of: setting information stored in a storage unit in association with identification information received through the receiving unit; and acquisition information used for acquiring the setting information stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information received through the receiving unit. |
| US09921784B2 |
Information processing program product, information processing apparatus, and information processing system
An information processing apparatus is connected to one or more apparatuses via a network and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires communication information for communicating with any of the one or more apparatuses and authority information for writing the communication information to a predetermined information medium, a determination unit that determines whether the writing the communication information to the information medium is permitted based on the acquired authority information, and an updating unit that writes the communication information to the information medium when it is determined that the writing the communication information is permitted, to update the information medium with the written communication information. |
| US09921780B2 |
Memory system and operating method thereof
A memory system may include a memory device including a plurality of memory blocks each memory block including a plurality of pages, and a controller suitable for storing data in a first memory block of the memory blocks, generating map data for the stored data in the first memory block by sorting map segments of the map data based on logical information of the data, and storing the map data in a second memory block of the memory blocks. |
| US09921779B2 |
Memory apparatus, memory system and memory controlling method
A memory apparatus, includes: a memory including memory regions; a table storing a memory address and a number of reading times of data; a first buffer storing first data from another memory apparatus and a first memory address of the first data; a second buffer storing second data to the another memory apparatus and a second memory address of the second data; and a controller configured to store, when a first number of reading times being minimum in the table is smaller than a second number of reading times of the first data, the first data and the first memory address into the first buffer and outputs third data in a memory region of the first number and a third memory address of the third data to the another memory apparatus via the second buffer, and rewrites the third data and memory address with the first data and memory address. |
| US09921778B2 |
Microcontroller with integrated interface enabling reading data randomly from serial flash memory
A microcontroller includes a microprocessor, a serial flash memory interface, and input/output (I/O) terminals for coupling the serial flash memory interface to external serial flash memory. The microprocessor is operable to generate instruction frames that trigger respective commands to read data from specified addresses in the external serial flash memory. The serial flash memory interface receives and processes the instruction frames, obtains the data contained in the specified addresses in the external serial flash memory regardless of whether the specified addresses are sequential or non-sequential, and provides the data for use by the microprocessor. |
| US09921774B2 |
Data storage management in a memory device
The disclosure is related to systems and methods of managing data storage in a memory device. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, in a data storage device, at least one data packet that has a size that is different from an allocated storage capacity of at least one physical destination location on a data storage medium in the data storage device for the at least one data packet. The method also includes storing the at least one received data packet in a non-volatile cache memory prior to transferring the at least one received data packet to the at least one physical destination location. |
| US09921773B2 |
Range-based data deduplication using a hash table with entries replaced based on address alignment information
Deduplicated data storage is provided by presenting a virtual volume mapped by a translation table to a physical volume of a physical data storage system. The translation table maps sets of ranges of duplicate data blocks of the virtual volume to corresponding individual ranges of shared data blocks of the physical volume. A hash table for identifying duplicate data is indexed by a portion of a hash value calculated from newly written data blocks, and has entries each identifying an address alignment of the corresponding data block. In operation, existing entries are replaced with new entries for colliding data blocks having better address alignment, promoting wider address-space separation of the entries. Upon occurrence of a hit in the hash table, for a given data block in a range of newly written data blocks, data blocks of the range are compared to corresponding blocks in a range identified by the hit to maximize a size of a region to be identified by the translation table as duplicate data. |
| US09921772B2 |
Semiconductor memory device that randomizes data and randomizer thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a NAND memory including a plurality of blocks, each of which is a unit of data erasing, and a controller. The controller is configured to select an initial value from a group of initial values, based on an address of the NAND memory in which data are to be written, set a value corresponding to the selected initial value to a linear feedback shift register circuit, randomize the data using an output value of the linear feedback shift register circuit, and write the randomized data to the address of the NAND memory. A size of each of the blocks S is smaller than 2n−1 bytes, n being a number of registers included in the linear feedback shift register circuit. |
| US09921769B2 |
Making more active use of a secondary storage system
Techniques are disclosed which allow a secondary storage system to provide data to non-production workloads in conjunction with performing data backup and protection tasks. As disclosed, a secondary storage system exposes backup data stored by the secondary storage system to other workloads, such as test and development applications, data analytics, etc. These non-production workloads can run at the same time the secondary storage system provides backup services to a primary storage system. This consolidation eliminates the need for an enterprise to deploy separate storage clusters for analytics, test and development applications, etc. and eliminates unnecessary copies of data. |
| US09921767B2 |
Enhanced low overhead data protection in data storage drives
To provide enhanced operation of data storage devices and systems, various systems, apparatuses, methods, and software are provided herein. In a first example, a data storage device is presented that performs a write process to store data on a storage medium of the data storage device responsive to one or more write operations received over a host interface. The data storage device monitors a quality of the write process and determines when the quality of the write process falls below a threshold quality. Responsive to the quality of the write process falling below the threshold quality, the data storage device indicates the quality of the write process to a data protection node for determination of data parity information that compensates for the quality of the write process, where the data parity information is provided by the data protection node for storage in a selected parity storage device. |
| US09921756B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing an index of data blocks stored in a storage system using a shared storage module
A storage system includes a first and second control modules (CMs) connected to a client and a storage module over a communication fabric. In response to a data fragment written to the storage module, the first CM is to create a table of contents (TOC) entry in a TOC page maintained in a first storage partition of the storage module, update its FTL map, determine whether the TOC page contains a predetermined number of TOC entries, and in response to determining that the TOC page contains the predetermined number of TOC entries, send a control signal to the second CM via an inter-processor link. In response to the control signal received from the first CM via the inter-processor link, the second CM is to copy the TOC page from the first storage partition to a memory associated with the second CM to allow the second CM to update its FTL map. |
| US09921753B2 |
Data replication across host systems via storage controller
Embodiments herein provide for redundant data storage. One storage system includes first and second host systems each comprising a memory and a persistent storage device. The storage system also includes first and second storage controllers each comprising a memory (e.g., DRAM). The memory of the first storage controller is mapped to the memory of the first host system and the memory of the second storage controller is mapped to the memory of the second host system. The first storage controller is operable to DMA data from the persistent storage device of the first host system to the memory of the first storage controller, and to direct the second storage controller to DMA the data to the persistent storage device of the second host system via the memory of the second storage controller. |
| US09921751B2 |
Methods and systems for mapping a peripheral function onto a legacy memory interface
A memory system includes a CPU that communicates commands and addresses to a main-memory module. The module includes a buffer circuit that relays commands and data between the CPU and the main memory. The memory module additionally includes an embedded processor that shares access to main memory in support of peripheral functionality, such as graphics processing, for improved overall system performance. The buffer circuit facilitates the communication of instructions and data between CPU and the peripheral processor in a manner that minimizes or eliminates the need to modify CPU, and consequently reduces practical barriers to the adoption of main-memory modules with integrated processing power. |
| US09921747B2 |
Unifying memory controller
A unifying memory controller (UMC) to send and receive data to and from a local host. The UMC also may manage data placement and retrieval by using an address mapper. The UMC may also selectively provide power to a plurality of memory locations. The UMC may also manage data placement based on a policy that can make use of a property stored in the metadata storage location. The property may be a property describing the data that is being managed. The UMC also may use its own local cache that may store copies of data managed by the circuit. |
| US09921743B2 |
Wet finger tracking on capacitive touchscreens
Techniques are presented for detection of a false touch on a touchscreen. The method includes recognizing a multi-touch instruction sequence, determining whether the multi-touch instruction sequence includes at least a first touch component corresponding to a predicted false touch, and in response to determining there is a false touch, disabling multi-touch functionality for the multi-touch instruction sequence. |
| US09921740B2 |
Dynamic content alignment in touch screen device
Methods, computer program products and systems for displaying content on a touch screen of a touch screen device. One method includes: obtaining data indicating a portion of the touch screen is obstructed during display of the content on the touch screen; and adjusting a position of the content as displayed on the touch screen in response to obtaining the data indicating the portion of the touch screen is obstructed. |
| US09921735B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for inputting a uniform resource locator
An intelligent terminal may comprise at least one processor-readable non-transitory storage medium and at least one processor in communication with the at least one storage medium. The at least one storage medium may comprise at least one set of instructions for automatically pasting a URL from a clipboard to an address bar of a web browser. The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one set of instructions to obtain a URL copied by a user from a clipboard; determine an intention of the user associated with whether to paste the candidate string in a designated location of an interface displayed on the intelligent terminal; and automatically display the candidate string in the designated location of the interface when the intention of the user is determined to paste the candidate string in the designated location of the interface. |
| US09921732B2 |
Radial graphs for visualizing data in real-time
Data values for various items are visualized in real-time or near real-time using radial-based techniques to produce data visualizations bearing some resemblance to, for example, pie charts, radial charts, etc. The data values are shown using indicators that encircle, or at least partially encircle, a central point. One or more characteristics of the indicator reflect the value that corresponds to the indicator. The characteristics may include, for instance, the color of the indicator and/or the distance of the indicator (or more specifically, a given point on the indicator) from the central point. The characteristics of the indicators change over time, in accordance with changes in the current values of the data items. A variety of indicators may be used, including, without limitation, points, icons, pie “wedges,” filled or partially-filled sectors of an ellipse or semi-circle, arcs or lines that span between the sides of such sectors, and so forth. |
| US09921730B2 |
Statistics time chart interface row mode drill down
In embodiments of statistics time chart interface row mode drill down, a first interface is displayed in a table format that includes columns each having a column heading comprising a different value, each different value associated with a particular event field, and includes rows each with a time increment and one or more aggregated metrics, each aggregated metric representing a number of events having a field-value pair that matches the different value represented in one of the columns and within the time increment over which the aggregated metric is calculated. A row that includes the time increment and the aggregated metrics can be emphasized in the first interface, and in response, a menu is displayed with selectable options to transition to a second interface based on a selected one of the options. |
| US09921729B2 |
Multi-conversation instant messaging
A method for facilitating multiple simultaneous instant messaging conversations includes: receiving a first online instant message from a first instant messaging conversation, where the user is a participant in the first instant messaging conversation; receiving a second online instant message from a second instant messaging conversation, in which the user is also a participant; integrating the first online instant message and the second online instant message into a sequence of instant messages; and displaying the sequence of instant messages such that the more recently received instant messages are displayed either below or above less recently received instant messages. If the user directs input at the displayed sequence of messages, a second sequence of messages primarily comprising messages from the first instant messaging conversation is displayed. |
| US09921724B2 |
Presenting data on a mobile device in communication with an on-demand database system
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for presenting data on a mobile device in communication with an on-demand database system. In some implementations, a mobile device receives information identifying one or more data objects stored in the on-demand database system based on captured behavioral data for a user of the mobile device. The captured behavioral data may be based on interactions with the one or more data objects. The mobile device provides the information for display in a user interface for a mobile application. The mobile device provides for display a subset of a plurality of information items in the user interface, the plurality of information items provided from the on-demand database system, the subset determined based on the identified one or more data objects and based on user input received via the user interface. In some implementations, the user input comprises a selected type of data object. |
| US09921723B2 |
Method for switching pages, and electronic device and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for performing same
A method for switching page includes creating several sequential virtual pages through loading a page script, and displaying the virtual pages on a touch screen of an electronic device; collecting touching positions of a user in the displayed virtual pages; and performing switching pages to the virtual pages displayed on the touch screen according to the touching positions. An electronic device for switching page includes a page virtual module used to create several sequential virtual pages through loading the page script, and display the virtual pages on the touch screen; a collecting module used to collect touching positions of a user in the displayed virtual page; and a processing module used to perform switching pages to the virtual page displayed on the touch screen according to said touching positions. |
| US09921722B2 |
Page transition system and method for alternate gesture mode and invocation thereof
A method and system for providing an alternate gesture interface. A computing device, such as an electronic personal display or e-reading device, includes a memory and a display screen having touch functionality. The memory stores instructions configured to enact a page transition operation for digital content rendered on the display screen upon receipt of a first gesture input action performed at a first portion of the display screen. The method comprises receiving a gesture-mode switch request; in response to the gesture-mode switch request, disabling the touch functionality of the display screen; activating the touch functionality in only a second portion of the display screen, the second portion being at least partly spatially exclusive of the first portion of the display screen; and enacting the page transition operation only when a predefined second gesture input action is received at the second portion of the display screen. |
| US09921720B2 |
Tab navigation and page view personalization
In some implementations, a system causes a set of main tabs to be displayed at a first portion of a display. The system is configured to receive a user selection of a selected main tab. In response, the system causes a set of secondary tabs to be displayed at a second portion of the display. The system is configured to receive user input to manipulate the secondary tabs causing a rearrangement of the secondary tabs into a new order and/or causing one or more of the secondary tabs to be hidden. Based on the user input, the system causes the manipulated set of secondary tabs to be displayed and stores information defining the manipulated set of secondary tabs. Upon a subsequent access by the user of a database object associated with the selected main tab, the system causes the manipulated set of secondary tabs to be displayed. |
| US09921717B2 |
Techniques for generating electronic menu graphical user interface layouts for use in connection with electronic devices
Certain exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for generating electronic menu (eMenu) graphical user interface layouts for use in connection with electronic devices (e.g., tablets, phablets, smart phones, etc.). A virtual grid-based layout including rows and columns that together constitute regularly sized and shaped grid cells is defined. Input identifying items to be included in the eMenu is received. Each item has associated length and width dimensions corresponding to a number of grid cells. At least some of the items are flagged for inclusion in the eMenu. Those items marked for inclusion are automatically and programmatically arranged in the eMenu in the grid cells of the grid-based layout in a manner that minimizes the number of unused grid cells. A tag-based representation of the layout corresponding to the formatted eMenu is stored. The file is made available to the electronic device in enabling the formatted eMenu to be displayed thereon. |
| US09921714B1 |
Graphical method to select formats
The present disclosure is directed to a method for managing a graphical interface viewable on a display. The method may include the step of presenting a plurality of layout options, a layout option is at least one of a full window layout or a divided window layout. The method may also include the step of receiving a selection of a layout option from the plurality of layout options. A further step of the method includes presenting a preview of the selected layout option on the display. The method also includes the step of presenting a plurality of icons, each icon corresponding to an application. A further step of the method includes receiving a selection of an icon for display within the selected layout option, the selected icon being compatible for display in the selected layout option. |
| US09921710B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting and displaying execution screens of a plurality of applications executed in device
A method and an apparatus for converting and displaying execution screens of a plurality of applications included a device in which the plurality of applications are provided. The method includes displaying an execution screen of a first application from among the plurality of applications, receiving an external input corresponding to the first application, generating a list of the plurality of applications according to the external input, selecting a second application from among the plurality of applications by using the list, and displaying an execution screen of the second application. |
| US09921709B2 |
Electrode member and touch window including the same
The electrode member according to the embodiment includes: a substrate; and an electrode part on the substrate, wherein the electrode part includes a sensing electrode and a wire electrode, at least one electrode of the sensing electrode and the wire electrode includes an opening part and the electrode part has a black color. |
| US09921708B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display including touch sensor
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a display substrate, an encapsulation substrate formed over the display substrate, and a window formed over the encapsulation substrate, wherein the window includes a surface facing the display substrate. The OLED display further includes a contact sensing layer formed on the surface of the window and a touch driver formed on the surface of the window and electrically connected to the contact sensing layer, wherein the touch driver is configured to drive the touch sensing layer. |
| US09921707B2 |
Operation console and image processing apparatus with the operation console
A touch key of an operation console includes a circuit board (310) having a light source (312, 314), a light transmitting portion (322) transmitting light, a non-transparent light shielding portion (324) and a semi-transparent operation panel (300) covering upper surfaces of the light transmitting portion and the light shielding portion. The light transmitting portion accommodates the light source. The surfaces of light transmitting portion and light shielding portion in contact with each other are tightly sealed, and the circuit board (310) and the light shielding portion (324) cover the light transmitting portion (322) such that the light is emitted only from the surface in contact with the operation panel (300). Thus, leakage of light from around a figure indicating a touch key can be prevented, and the operation console comes to have a high-class look. |
| US09921706B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking input positions via electric field communication
A method and apparatus for tracking input positions via Electric Field Communication (EFC) are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of receiving electrodes for EFC and a receiver unit. The receiving electrodes detect strengths of input electric fields. The receiver unit compares the strengths of the input electric fields with each other and generates position information regarding the input electric fields. |
| US09921705B2 |
Resistive film type touch panel having electrode grouping and routing wires arranged to miniaturize the touch panel, and a method of detecting a pressing position on the touch panel
A resistive film type touch panel includes a transparent insulating film, a plurality of upper electrodes, and a plurality of routing wires. The plurality of upper electrodes are formed on the lower surface of the transparent insulating film and are arranged in a direction, and includes a group of the electrodes electrically connected with each other. The electrical combinations of the detection electrodes adjacent with each other in the direction of a planned simultaneous detection number are different from one another. The plurality of routing wires extend from the plural upper electrodes, and are formed in a frame area outside of the plurality of upper electrodes on the lower surface. Thus, the number of the electrodes is increased in order to improve the resolution, while also miniaturizing the touch panel. |
| US09921697B2 |
Touch sensor device and manufacturing method thereof
A touch sensor device including a first conductive pattern disposed on a substrate and a first polymer layer disposed on the first conductive pattern. The first polymer layer includes a first conductive region and a first non-conductive region. The touch sensor device also includes a second polymer layer disposed on the first polymer layer. The second polymer layer includes a second conductive region and a second non-conductive region. |
| US09921694B2 |
Wearable computing device
Some forms relate to wearable computing devices that include a “touch pad” like interface. In some forms, the example wearable computing devices may be integrated with (or attached to) textiles (i.e. clothing). In other forms, the example wearable computing devices may be attached directly to the skin of someone (i.e., similar to a bandage) that utilizes any of the example wearable computing devices. The example wearable computing devices include a flexible touch pad that may allow a user of the wearable computing device to more easily operate the wearable computing device. The example wearable computing devices described herein may include a variety of electronics. Some examples include a power supply and/or a communication device among other types of electronics. |
| US09921689B2 |
Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing method including: storing sequential data relating to movements of a target object over a specified plane, sequentially estimating a plurality of first likelihoods of a position of the target object in a direction of the specified plane based on the sequential data, each of the plurality of first likelihoods associating with each hypothesis on the movements of the target object, sequentially estimating a plurality of second likelihoods of touch of the target object on the specified plain based on the sequential data, each of the plurality of second likelihoods corresponding to each of the plurality of first likelihoods, and updating the plurality of first likelihoods based on the plurality of second likelihoods. |
| US09921680B2 |
Performing searches using computing devices equipped with pressure-sensitive displays
Techniques include receiving a pressure input from a user of a user device at a pressure-sensitive display of the device and determining that the display is covered (e.g., obscured from the user's view) using the device. The techniques further include, in response to receiving the pressure input and determining that the display is covered, receiving a search query from the user at the device via voice input, transmitting the query to a search system via a network using the device, and receiving search results from the system at the device subsequent to transmitting the query. The techniques also include performing one or more actions associated with the search results using the user device (e.g., displaying the results to the user at the display, providing a text-to-speech or playback output for the results to the user, and/or forwarding the results to another computing device for display and/or text-to-speech or playback output). |
| US09921675B2 |
Touch devices, driving methods therefor, array substrates, and liquid crystal display panels
A touch device includes a plurality of touch electrodes and a touch circuit. The touch electrodes are respectively connected with a plurality of interfaces on the touch circuit by touch detection lines and a switch is provided on the touch detection line corresponding to each of at least one of the touch electrodes. The switch has a first work state in which the switch is turned on and a second work state in which the switch is turned off. |
| US09921672B2 |
Electronic devices, near field communication methods and near field communication systems
A first electronic device includes a display unit, a first conductive unit and a processing circuit. The first conductive unit is configured for transmitting a first signal to a second conductive unit of a second electronic device when the first conductive unit is in proximity with the second conductive unit. The processing circuit is configured for providing the first signal to the conductive unit. The first conductive unit includes a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode. |
| US09921663B2 |
Moving object detecting apparatus, moving object detecting method, pointing device, and storage medium
Even when a user is gazing at one point intentionally but the eyeball of the user is actually moving slightly, the slight movement is not reproduced as it is as the position of a cursor but a determination is made that the user is gazing at one point intentionally, that is, the eyeball is stopping. Thus, when a determination is made that the eyeball is stopping, the cursor is displayed still even when the gazing point is moving slightly depending on the slight movement. Furthermore, when a determination is made that the cursor is stopped, selection of an object such as other icon displayed at a position where the cursor is displayed is identified. |
| US09921656B2 |
Eccentric rotating mass actuator optimization for haptic effect
A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator. |
| US09921653B2 |
Haptic authoring tool using a haptification model
A system for authoring one or more haptic effects using a haptic effect authoring tool receives a haptification model that is based on a predetermined haptic effect style. The system receives an input that includes at least one of audio and video and a plurality of events. The system then, using the haptification model, recommends a haptic effect to be associated with a corresponding event from the input. |
| US09921650B2 |
Systems and methods for haptically-enabled curved devices
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a curved device that includes a curved outer housing, The illustrative system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with the curved device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative system additionally includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor; determine a user interaction based on the sensor signal, determine a first haptic effect based at least in part on the user interaction, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the first haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the first haptic effect. |
| US09921643B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting static pattern based on output of event-based sensor
A method of extracting a static pattern from an output of an event-based sensor. The method may include receiving an event signal from the event-based sensor in response to dynamic input, and extracting a static pattern associated with the dynamic input based on an identifier and time included in the event signal. The static pattern may be extracted from a map generated based on the identifier and time. |
| US09921642B2 |
Hand-held controllers for virtual reality system
A hand-held controller includes a user-input surface, a grip coupled to the user-input surface, and a cage coupled to the user-input surface at two points without the grip interposed between the user-input surface and the cage. The hand-held controller includes may further include a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage. |
| US09921640B2 |
Integrated voltage regulators with magnetically enhanced inductors
Magnetically enhanced inductors integrated with microelectronic devices at chip-level. In embodiments, magnetically enhanced inductors include a through substrate vias (TSVs) with fill metal to carry an electrical current proximate to a magnetic layer disposed on a substrate through which the TSV passes. In certain magnetically enhanced inductor embodiments, a TSV fill metal is disposed within a magnetic material lining the TSV. In certain magnetically enhanced inductor embodiments, a magnetically enhanced inductor includes a plurality of interconnected TSVs disposed proximate to a magnetic material layer on a side of a substrate. In embodiments, voltage regulation circuitry disposed on a first side of a substrate is integrated with one or more magnetically enhanced inductors utilizing a TSV passing through the substrate. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry on a same substrate as the magnetically enhanced inductor, or on another substrate stacked thereon, completes the VR and/or is powered by the VR circuitry. |
| US09921636B2 |
Terminal device for reducing power consumption and method for controlling the same
Disclosed are a terminal device and a method for controlling the terminal device that can reduce power consumption. The disclosed terminal device includes: a response time establisher unit which establishes a response time of an interactive application executed on the terminal device, with a frequency of a processor within the terminal device and a priority value of the interactive application as variables; a frequency determiner unit which determines the frequency of the processor based on a default priority value such that the response time does not exceed a preset response time threshold; a priority value determiner unit which determines the priority value based on the determined frequency such that the response time does not exceed the response time threshold; and an executor unit which runs the interactive application based on the determined frequency and the determined priority value. |
| US09921634B2 |
Method of communicating between phases of an AC power system
A differential coupling path is provided for power measurement communication between a host device and a line side device. The line side device couples to AC power grid to extract voltage signals and current signals using various voltage and current sensors. The extracted voltage signal and current signal are converted to digital signals by internal A/D converters within the line device and then sent to the host device through the differential coupling path coupled between the host device and the line side device. The host device may couple to one or more line side devices via multiple differential coupling paths. |
| US09921631B2 |
Methods and apparatus for saving power
In one example embodiment, a device uses a camera and an eye detection service to determine whether a user is looking at a display of the device during periods when the user is not actively interacting with the device. In response to a determination that the user is not looking at the display, the display is automatically powered off. In response to the user's resumption of looking at the display, the display may be automatically powered back on. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09921625B1 |
Chassis structure capable of sensing temperature of media storage device
A chassis structure capable of sensing temperature of a media storage device includes a tray. The tray includes a body, an accommodating space formed in the body, a connector disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor juxtaposed with the connector. The media storage device is electrically coupled to the connector and contacts the temperature sensor. A working temperature is measured by a temperature sensor directly attached to an outer housing of the media storage device, thereby avoiding influences such as air flow and undesired heat conduction of the chassis structure. |
| US09921624B1 |
Apparatus, system, and method for temperature-based regulation of electrical power output
The disclosed apparatus may include (1) at least one power interface that unites a plurality of power supplies that output electrical power for consumption by a network device that facilitates network traffic within a network and (2) a power-management unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of power supplies, wherein the power-management unit (A) detects an operating temperature of a power supply within the plurality of power supplies that output electrical power for consumption by the network device, (B) determines that the operating temperature of the power supply exceeds a temperature threshold, and then (C) modifies an amount of electrical power being output by the power supply to account for the operating temperature exceeding the temperature threshold. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09921619B2 |
Method for containing computer system components
An apparatus includes a component bay having an operational height and an expanded height. The component bay is moveable between the operational height and the expanded height. A thermal element divides the component bay into one or more compartments, each compartment configured to receive a system component. The component bay at the operational height provides thermal contact between the received system component and the thermal element. |
| US09921616B1 |
Riser card and motherboard module thereof
A riser card is used for inserting into a motherboard module including a casing and a motherboard disposed in the casing, and includes a handle bar, a main body and first and second linkage mechanisms pivoted to the main body. A side wall of the casing corresponding to a slot of the motherboard has first and second support pillars. The handle bar moves between non-pressed and pressed positions with swinging of the first and second linkage mechanisms. When the first and second linkage mechanisms are supported by the first and second support pillars and the handle bar is pressed to the pressed position, the handle bar is collinear with the first and second linkage mechanisms, and the first and second linkage mechanisms abut against the first and second support pillars to move and rotate for generating lever torques to insert a card pin of the riser card into the slot. |
| US09921613B2 |
Biaxial hinge and terminal device using the same
A biaxial hinge has a first hinge portion which includes a first A hinge shaft, a second A hinge shaft, and a first radial direction coupling unit for coupling the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft. The biaxial hinge also has a second hinge portion which includes a first B hinge shaft and a second B hinge shaft, and a second radial direction coupling unit for coupling the first B hinge shaft and the second B hinge shaft. The biaxial hinge also has an axial direction coupling unit. |
| US09921612B2 |
Variable friction hinge for electronic devices
An embodiment provides a method, including detecting, using a touch sensor, a touch input; and operating, using a control unit, a variable friction hinge to achieve a low friction mode in response to the touch input. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09921611B2 |
Electronic device and flexible connection device
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device and a flexible connection device. The electronic device comprises a first body; a second body; and a flexible connection device, configured to connect the first body and the second body. The flexible connection device comprises N shafts; and N−1 transmission structures, wherein each of the transmission structures connects two adjacent shafts, to connect the N shafts together in order, wherein N is an integer which is larger than 3 or equals to 3. When an action force is applied onto the first body and/or the second body so that relative positions of the first body and the second body are changed, the N shafts and the N−1 transmission structures are driven sequentially so that the flexible connection device is flexibly bent while keeping the length of the inner arc of the flexible connection device constant. |
| US09921609B2 |
Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects
Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device. |
| US09921608B2 |
Electronic device with wrapped display
An electronic device may have a hollow display cover structure. The hollow display cover structure may be formed from a structure having an inner surface. The structure may be an elongated member having a longitudinal axis. A material such as sapphire, other crystalline materials, or other transparent materials may be used in forming the hollow display cover structure. A flexible display layer such as an organic light-emitting diode display layer or other flexible display structure may be wrapped around the longitudinal axis to cover the interior surface of the hollow display cover structure. The electronic device may have a touch sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensors for gathering input such as user input. The electronic device may use one or more sensors to gather information on rotational motion of the device and can display content on the flexible display layer accordingly. |
| US09921606B2 |
Low-profile swing gate to support service element interface hardware
An apparatus for positioning service element interface devices is provided. A gate is affixed to a computing rack by a gate hinge, wherein the gate hinge rotates on a first axis. A first tray affixed to the gate at a side edge of the first tray. A second tray affixed to the first tray at a bottom edge of the first tray by a hinge that rotates on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A first display and a first keyboard affixed to an outer surface of the first tray. A second display and a second keyboard affixed to an outer surface of the second tray. |
| US09921601B2 |
Fractional bandgap circuit with low supply voltage and low current
Disclosed is a fractional bandgap circuit and method to provide a same reference voltage value in a variety of circumstances of operation, including variations in manufacturing process, temperature, and a supply voltage. The disclosed fractional bandgap circuit and method also allows for low supply voltage operation within a compact layout area. |
| US09921600B1 |
Ultra-low power bias current generation and utilization in current and voltage source and regulator devices
A bias current topology with embodiments in current source, current reference, (pseudo bandgap) voltage reference, and bandgap voltage reference that operate at ultra low currents and low power supply voltages which may use main stream standard digital Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) processes. The bias current topology uses chiefly a self cascode (SC), whose active resistor MOSFET is paced in series with the gate input of the MOSFETs that help generate the proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage that is applied to the active resistor MOSFET to produce a bias current. |
| US09921598B1 |
Analog boost circuit for fast recovery of mirrored current
A current mirror includes an input transistor and an output transistor, wherein the sources of the input and output transistor are connected to supply voltage node. The gates of the input and output transistor are connected through a switch. A first current source is coupled to the input transistor to provide an input current. A copy transistor has a source connected to the supply node and a gate connected to the gate of the input transistor at a mirror node. A second current source is coupled to the copy transistor to provide a copy current. A source-follower transistor has its source connected to the mirror node and its gate connected to the drain of the copy transistor. Charge sharing at a mirror node occurs in response to actuation of the switch and the source-follower transistor is turned on in response thereto to discharge the mirror node. |
| US09921593B2 |
Wideband low dropout voltage regulator with power supply rejection boost
The present disclosure provides a detailed description of techniques for implementing a wideband low dropout voltage regulator with power supply rejection boost. More specifically, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a voltage regulator comprising a voltage regulator core powered by a supply voltage and providing a regulated voltage output, and a power supply feed forward injection module delivering an injection signal to the voltage regulator core to effect a power supply rejection of the supply voltage variation from the regulated voltage. In one or more embodiments, the injection signal is determined from the supply voltage variation and a gain factor that is based on various design attributes of the output stage of the voltage regulator core. In one or more embodiments, the power supply feed forward injection module comprises a supply voltage sense circuit, a low pass filter, and one or more selectable transconductance amplifiers. |
| US09921587B1 |
Spherica weight-shifting integral free-rolling tumbler
A spherical weight-shifting integral free-rolling tumbler (SWIFT) is provided for rolling along a surface in a command direction. The SWIFT includes a spherical shell, a cubic box within the shell held by spars, and a controller. The box has six panels, and each panel connects to a weight-shifter. Each weight-shifter includes an actuator and a movable mass. The controller for selectively activates the weight-shifter among the panels to translate the mass from the default position to the active position. The controller operates a first switch that corresponds to panels facing away from the surface, and in combination operates a second switch that corresponds to a weight-shifter approximately facing the command direction to roll the shell accordingly. |
| US09921584B2 |
Route examination system and method
A route examination system includes a thermographic camera configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route. The thermographic camera is also configured to sense infrared radiation emitted or reflected from the route and to generate a sensed thermal signature representative of the infrared radiation that is sensed. The system also includes a computer readable memory device configured to store a designated thermal signature representative of infrared radiation emitted from a segment of the route that is not damaged. The system also includes an analysis processor configured to determine a condition of a first portion of the route relative to other portions of the route at least in part by comparing the sensed thermal signature and the designated thermal signature. |
| US09921576B2 |
Virtual transmitter for bioreactor automation system
A bioreactor monitoring and/or control system utilizing only non-dedicated user input and information display devices, a digital controller and software, which system comprises: i) at least one diagnostic probe for measuring operating conditions in a bioreactor; ii) signal conditioning and communication electronics which supply operating current and/or voltage to the probe and which convert the diagnostic signal into a format accessible by a digital controller which directly receives the format converted signal and transmits it to software which enables the display device to show the converted signal, and also instruct the controller to implement changes in the operating conditions in the reactor, and iii) a software-based virtual transmitter which substantially replicates the keyboard, display, menu-tree and response of a physical sensor transmitter. |
| US09921574B1 |
Dynamic interactive robot dialogue creation incorporating disparate information sources and collective feedback analysis
A system and methods for incorporating disparate sources of collective feedback in the preparation and execution of an initial interaction between a social robot and a human being is disclosed. These methods include retrieving interaction content, assigning a life cycle to new content, detecting and removing expired life cycle content, modifying interaction scripts to include new interaction content and sending the modified interaction script to at least one social robot, wherein the at least one social robot executes the modified script during the period of time specified by the life cycle associated with the interaction topic to obtain an improved interaction with a human receiving, by the data management system, interaction log data. |
| US09921573B2 |
Slice image creation device, three-dimensional printing system and slice image creation method
In a slice image creation device, a peeling processor performs peeling on a peeling line segment in a circulation direction of the peeling line segment. When the peeling reaches an intersection at which line segments of contours cross each other, an intersection information acquisition processor acquires intersection information including an intersection angle defined at the intersection by the peeling line segment and each candidate line segment connected to the intersection in a direction that is the same as the circulation direction of the peeling line segment. A transfer processor sets one of the candidate line segments that has the smallest intersection angle as the line segment to which the peeling is going to be transferred next from the peeling line segment at the intersection. A creation processor sets the line segments on which the peeling has been performed continuously as one generated contour and divides a target slice model into a printing region and a non-printing region based on the generated contour to create a target slice image. |
| US09921567B2 |
High speed smooth tool path
Improvements in a high speed smooth tool path is presented where the high speed smooth tool path to be used for primarily finishing for finishing any type of walls (negative/positive drafted) for any given bounded region be it 3, 4, 5, . . . n sided shape. The tool path incorporates a combined strategy for finishing the walls while removing any excess material leftover from a previous larger diameter cutter. This tool-motion can be utilized for roughing the regions by approximating the walls by offsetting the regions inwards. The finished boundaries are offset inwards and then cut using these methods. This is optimized as opposed to moving the cutter at a consistent speed in the cutting path. This is performed to eliminate the wasted tool-motion to the maximum extent. This technique is implemented for roughing any closed or open bounded areas regardless of the walls being straight, drafted (negative/positive or both). |
| US09921565B2 |
Programming assist device for programmable logic controller program and programming assist method for the program
A programming assist device for a PLC program and a programming assist method for a PLC program capable of easily preparing separate executable files for causing redundant CPUs of a PLC to operate and reliably preventing an emergency stop of the PLC due to a failure in converter software are provided. First and second intermediate codes are generated from an original program. An inverse conversion program is generated from the first intermediate code. A reconverted first intermediate code and a reconverted second intermediate code are generated from the inverse conversion program. In the case where the intermediate codes and the reconverted intermediate codes match each other, a first executable file is generated from the reconverted first intermediate code, and a second executable file is generated from the reconverted second intermediate code. The executable files are transferred to the PLC. |
| US09921564B2 |
Programmable logic controller
A PLC compares previously acquired device data with currently acquired device data when collecting device data on a control target device over three or more times within one polling time, and stores changed device data as changed data when they are different from each other. When transmitting the changed data to a PC in each polling, the PLC compares the changed data with collected device data. When the total amount of changed data is equal to or larger than the total amount of collected device data, the PLC restores collected device data by using the changed data and transmits the restored device data to the PC, and, when the total amount of changed data is smaller than the total amount of collected device data, the PLC transmits the changed data to the PC. |
| US09921559B2 |
Electronic appliance control method and electronic appliance control device
A condition control of a robot cleaner is performed or service is provided with a user using the robot cleaner to improve the convenience of the user. Various data items obtained through a network connection are used in the condition control or service providing to estimate/determine a behavior, condition, or request of the user. Specifically, the operation of the robot cleaner is controlled based on operations of other associated devices disposed in the same room where the robot cleaner runs. |
| US09921554B2 |
Computer based energy management
Aspects include an adaptor and a method for providing computer based energy management. Commands specifying a control device from energy management host software located on a host system are received at an adaptor via a server network. The commands include control instructions and requests for energy usage data. Energy usage data are received from the control device in response to a command including a request for energy usage data. The energy usage data includes energy usage for one or more energy devices. The energy usage data are transmitted to the energy management host software. Sensor data are received from one or more sensors and transmitted to the energy management host software. Control commands are received from the energy management host software. The control commands are transmitted to the control device to alter a function of at least one of the one or more energy devices. |
| US09921553B2 |
Audio signal processing apparatus for parameter assignment
A specification of one of a plurality of controls is accepted, a specification of a plurality of items is accepted with respect to parameters, and among the plurality of controls, a plurality of controls to which parameter items are to be assigned are determined with reference to the control for which the specification is accepted. To each of the determined plurality of controls, one of the plurality of items for which the specification is accepted is assigned, and each of the plurality of controls is made to function as a control for operating the set value of the item assigned to this control. |
| US09921551B2 |
Electronic device, and control method of an electronic device
An electronic timepiece has a receiving device that receives satellite signals; a reception control unit that operates the receiving device and runs a reception process; a chronograph unit that executes a measuring process; an input device; a detection device that detects operation of the input device to start the chronograph, and outputs a chronograph operation signal when this operation is detected; a hand used both to indicate information related to the reception process and information related to the measuring process; and an operating control unit that operates the chronograph unit in addition to the operating reception control unit, and controls operation of the hand that is indicating information related to the reception process to indicate the measured time, if the chronograph operation signal is input while the reception process is running. |
| US09921550B2 |
Collapsible chess clock
A collapsible chess clock including four interconnected generally planar panels that are operable to be erected into opposing player, digital time information centers wherein two of the panels reflect a player time decrement pause capacity upon completion of a player move and an on the clock position of an opposing player and two the panels reflect each player's time remaining to forfeiture of the game. |
| US09921545B2 |
Unit detachable along an insertion/removal trajectory formed in an image forming apparatus main body, and image forming apparatus therewith
A detachable unit has a unit housing and a grip portion thereon. The detachable unit is insertable and removal along an insertion/removal trajectory formed inside the body of an image forming apparatus and forming a depression angle as seen from the removal direction. The grip portion has a pressed face facing the upstream side of the unit housing in its removal direction and substantially perpendicular to the insertion/removal trajectory, a first side extending along the lower-end edge of the pressed face, and a second side extending along the upper-end edge of the pressed face. No face extending on the upstream side of the unit housing in the removal direction connects to the first side, and a finger insertion portion into which a finger can be inserted from the side of the first side along the pressed face is formed in the first side. |
| US09921542B2 |
Image forming apparatus for forming image using developer, method for regulating attachment/detachment of developer storage portion
An image forming apparatus includes a lock mechanism, a first determination processing portion, and a regulation processing portion. The lock mechanism is configured to regulate attachment and detachment of the developer storage portion attached to the attachment portion. The first determination processing portion determines whether or not the developer storage portion attached to the attachment portion is a developer storage portion of a predetermined specific type. The regulation processing portion, when the developer storage portion attached to the attachment portion has been determined to be a developer storage portion of the specific type, causes the lock mechanism to regulate attachment and detachment of the developer storage portion. |
| US09921541B2 |
Developing device, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge incorporating same
A developing device includes a developer bearer to carry, by rotation, developer including toner and magnetic carrier to a developing range facing a latent image bearer; a casing including a developer container and an opening to expose a part of the developer bearer disposed in the casing; an opposing face of the casing including a conductive material and opposing to a surface of the developer bearer downstream from the developing range in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer; a developing bias source to apply a developing bias to the developer bearer; and an insulation layer disposed on the opposing face of the casing. The opposing face is disposed across, from the developer bearer, a casing gap sized to allow the developer borne on the developer bearer to contact the opposing face. |
| US09921535B2 |
Motor driving device, sheet conveying device, and image forming apparatus
A speed control portion of a motor driving device performs a deceleration control of decelerating a rotation speed of a driving motor based on a first pulse signal for the deceleration control that includes a plurality of pulses whose pulse width corresponds to each commanded speed to the driving motor. A pulse signal output portion generates the first pulse signal and a second pulse signal and outputs the second pulse signal to the speed control portion after outputting the first pulse signal to the speed control portion, wherein the pulse width of the first pulse signal changes by obeying a predetermined rule that corresponds to a deceleration tendency of the rotation speed during the deceleration control, and the second pulse signal does not obey the predetermined rule. When a determination processing portion determines that the second pulse signal is included in an input signal, the deceleration control is ended. |
| US09921528B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method to convey a sheet, and computer readable medium for the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a temperature sensor, and a controller to execute a printing operation is provided. The printing operation is conducted at one of a first high-temperature printing pace, a first low-temperature printing pace, a second high-temperature printing pace, and a second low-temperature printing pace depending on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The first low-temperature printing pace is one of lower and equal to the first high-temperature printing pace. The second low-temperature printing pace is one of lower and equal to the second high-temperature printing pace. An absolute difference between the second high-temperature printing pace and the second low-temperature printing pace is greater than an absolute difference between the first high-temperature printing pace and the first low-temperature printing pace. |
| US09921527B2 |
Image forming apparatus that uses temperature values to control transfer voltage applied to transfer unit of the apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit having a conducive roller member formed with a conductive elastic body on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft of the conductive roller member for transferring, to a recording medium, development images formed on an image carrier based on a transfer voltage applied thereto, a voltage application unit for applying the transfer voltage to the transfer unit; a voltage control unit controlling the transfer voltage to be applied from the voltage application unit to the transfer unit, and a temperature measuring unit measuring shaft, temperature of the conductive roller member, wherein the voltage control unit controls the transfer voltage applied to the transfer unit based on the shaft temperature measured with the temperature measuring unit. |
| US09921524B2 |
Image formation apparatus and method for controlling image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus comprising: a belt member suspended by a plurality of supporting rotating bodies and thus rotating; a cleaning member removing toner adhering to the belt member; a tray receiving waste toner removed from the belt member by the cleaning member; a vibration mechanism vibrating the tray to move the waste toner toward a lower side of the tray; a steering control mechanism to perform movement control to move the belt member in an axial direction of the supporting rotating bodies while the belt member rotates; and a vibration adjustment mechanism to change a manner of vibration of the vibration mechanism, based on the movement control by the steering control mechanism. |
| US09921523B1 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling developer refreshing process therein
An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit attachment part to which developing units are to be attached, each of the developing units being associated with a first criteria for performing developer refreshing and a second criteria for performing developer refreshing, wherein the second criteria is defined so as to be met prior to the first criteria, and a controller configured to control a timing of developer refreshing executed for each of the developing units according to the first and second criteria values thereof. When the first criteria for performing developer refreshing is met for at least one of the developing units, the controller causes developer refreshing to be performed for all developing units whose first or second criteria is met. |
| US09921518B2 |
Developing roller, with conductive elastic layer having exposed protrusions, cartridge and apparatus
It is directed to providing a developing roller capable of forming a high-quality electrophotographic image. The developing roller includes a substrate, an electro-conductive elastic layer on the substrate, and a plurality of electrical insulating domains on the electro-conductive elastic layer. The developing roller has a length L of 200 mm or more in a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction thereof. The surface of the developing roller includes the surfaces of the domains and an exposed portion of the electro-conductive elastic layer, the exposed portion being uncovered with the domains. The developing roller has protrusions on the surface thereof, the protrusion being formed by the domains. The electro-conductive elastic layer has a plurality of protrusions at the exposed portion. The developing roller has an Asker C hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. |
| US09921513B2 |
Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
A charging member capable of inhibiting the effect of the contact mark on the electrophotographic image, even after in contact with another member for a long term, is provided. The charging member has a surface layer on a support, the surface layer containing a polymer compound having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1): In the formula (1), A represents an aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon group; R1 represents a specific hydrocarbon group. L represents a polysiloxane having at least one of an SiO3/2 unit (T) and an SiO2/2 unit (D). U represents an integer of 1 or more. |
| US09921511B2 |
Polymer-encapsulated metallic ink particles and metallic electrophotographic inks
In an example of a method for making polymer-encapsulated metallic ink pigment particles, a layer of a transparent resin dispersion is disposed on a flexible substrate. The resin dispersion layer is substantially dried, and a base resin layer is formed. A slurry is disposed onto the base resin layer. The slurry includes metallic pigment particles and polymer particles dispersed in a non-aqueous carrier. The slurry is dried to form a metallic pigment-polymer sheet. Another layer of the transparent resin dispersion is disposed on the metallic pigment-polymer sheet and is dried. A coating resin layer is formed. The metallic pigment-polymer sheet and the base and coating transparent resin layers form a tri-layer film having the metallic pigment particles encapsulated between the base and coating transparent resin layers. |
| US09921510B2 |
Magnetic carrier for electrophotographic developer and process for producing the same, and two-component system developer
The present invention relates to a magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer comprising spherical magnetic composite particles comprising a phenol resin as a binder and ferromagnetic iron oxide particles bonded to each other through the phenol resin, wherein the spherical magnetic composite particles have a ten-point mean roughness Rz of 0.3 to 2.0 μm. The magnetic carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention exhibits an excellent durability against peeling-off and abrasion of coating resins formed thereon and a high stability to mechanical stress exerted onto the carrier, is free from occurrence of spent toner, can be stably held over a long period of time without occurrence of fogging and unevenness in density of toner images, and can keep high-quality images with an excellent gradation for a long period of time. |
| US09921509B2 |
Process for preparing novel composite charge control agents and novel composite charge control agents prepared by the process
A composite charge control agent for use in electrostatic imaging comprises porous, inorganic core particles of at least 0.08 microns in diameter, impregnated with 2% to 50% by weight of one or more charge control chemicals and up to 50% by weight of one or more additional compounds such as a polymer, a wax, a dye, or other organic chemicals. |
| US09921503B2 |
Toner, developer, and image formation device
A toner including: a pigment; polyester resin A that is insoluble in tetrahydrofuran (THF); and polyester resin B that is soluble in THF, wherein the toner satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) the polyester resin A includes one or more aliphatic diols including from 3 through 10 carbon atoms, as a component constituting the polyester resin A; (2) the polyester resin B includes at least an alkylene glycol in an amount of 40 mol % or more, as a component constituting the polyester resin B; and (3) a glass transition temperature (Tg1st) of the toner at first heating in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the toner is from 20° C. through 50° C. |
| US09921501B2 |
Toner and process for producing toner
A toner having a toner particle which contains a binder resin, a fatty acid metal salt, and a resin having an ionic functional group, in which the fatty acid metal salt is a fatty acid metal salt of a polyvalent metal with valency of 2 or higher and a fatty acid with carbon atom number of at least 8 and not more than 28, and the acid dissociation constant pKa of the resin having an ionic functional group is at least 6.0 and not more than 9.0. |
| US09921495B2 |
Magnetic sensor calibration and servo for planar motor stage
A stage assembly for positioning a device includes: (i) a stage that retains the device; (ii) a base; (iii) a mover assembly that moves the stage along a first axis, along a second axis, and along a third axis relative to the base; (iv) a magnetic sensor system that monitors the movement of the stage along the first, second and third axes, the magnetic sensor system generating a magnetic sensor signal; (v) a second sensor system that monitors the movement of the stage along the first, second and third axes, the second sensor system generating a second sensor signal; and (vi) a control system that controls the mover assembly using at least one of the magnetic sensor signal and the second sensor signal. |
| US09921494B2 |
Lithographic apparatus comprising an actuator, and method for protecting such actuator
A lithographic apparatus comprises a system. The system comprises a first part, a second part and an energy absorbing element. The second part is configured to move relatively to the first part. The system has a gap located between the first part and the second part during an operation mode of the system. The energy absorbing element is for absorbing energy between the first part and the second part when the first part and the second part crash onto each other in a failure mode of the system. The energy absorbing element is outside the gap. |
| US09921487B2 |
Method for inspecting photoresist pattern
Example embodiments of inventive concepts provide a method for inspecting and/or observing photoresist patterns. The inspecting and/or observing methods may include forming at least an anti-reflective layer on a substrate, forming a fluorescent photoresist pattern on the anti-reflective layer, the fluorescent photoresist pattern having fluorescence, and observing and/or inspecting a shape of the fluorescent photoresist pattern using a fluorescence microscope. |
| US09921484B2 |
Illumination system and illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography
An illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography guides illumination light toward an object field. A field facet mirror of the illumination optical unit has a multiplicity of individual mirrors which are switchable between at least two tilting positions. A pupil facet mirror of the illumination optical unit has a plurality of stationary pupil facets and is disposed downstream of the field facet mirror in the beam path of the illumination light. The pupil facets serve for the at least sectionally superimposing imaging of a group of the individual mirrors of the field facet mirror into the object field via a group-mirror illumination channel. |
| US09921477B2 |
Photoactivable nitrogen bases
Compounds of the Formula (I), (II) and (III) wherein Aris is for example phenylene, biphenylene or naphthylene, all of which are unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4-alkyl, C2-C4-alkenyl, CN, OR11, SR11, CH2OR11, COOR12, CONR12R13 or halogen; R1, R2, R7 and R8 independently of one another other are hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; R3 and R5 together and R4 and R6 together form a C2-C6-alkylene bridge which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1-C4-alkyl; R11 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; R12 and R13 independently of one another for example are hydrogen, phenyl, C1-C18-alkyl, C1-C18-alkyl which is interrupted by one or more O; n is 1-10; X is O, S or NR10; A and A1 are suitable linking groups; are suitable as photolatent bases. |
| US09921472B2 |
Photosensitive compositions and quantum dot polymer composite patterns including the same
A photosensitive composition and a quantum dot-polymer composite pattern formed from the photosensitive composition are disclosed, and the photosensitive composition includes: a plurality of quantum dots; a color filter material including an absorption dye, an absorption pigment, or a combination thereof; a polymer binder; a photopolymerizable monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond; a photoinitiator; and a solvent, wherein in a normalized photoluminescence spectrum of the quantum dot and a normalized ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the color filter material, a photoluminescence peak wavelength (PL peak wavelength) of the quantum dot and a wavelength of maximum absorbance of the color filter material do not overlap with each other, and the color filter material is included in an amount of less than or equal to 1 part by weight per 10 parts by weight of the plurality of quantum dots. |
| US09921466B2 |
Method for monitoring focus in EUV lithography
Obtaining optimal focus for exposing a photoresist in an EUV lithography with an EUV mask containing a pattern with an assist feature is disclosed. The EUV mask contains a repeating pattern, wherein the repeating pattern has two different pitches, i.e. a first pitch and a second pitch, and contains an assist feature between main features. Because the two different pitches have different focus offsets, the difference between linewidths of said gratings provides a calibration curve which is a measure of focus. The method for monitoring focus is performing a EUV exposure using a focus position with a pre-determined focus position as calibrated using the linewidth difference between the two gratings. The EUV mask for monitoring focus of present invention is applicable to both test and product masks. |
| US09921462B2 |
Light source optical system and projection display apparatus employing the same
A light source optical system includes a micro lens array, a condenser lens unit, and a dichroic surface. In a direction orthogonal to an optical axis in a cross section parallel to a normal of the dichroic surface and the optical axis of the condenser lens unit, a width of the dichroic surface is narrower than a width of the condenser lens unit. A light source optical system satisfies a predetermined conditional expression. |
| US09921454B2 |
Imaging apparatus capable of generating an image with a weight of a signal corresponding to each type of spectral sensitivity characteristics and method of controlling the apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a photometric lens for forming a secondary image of object light that has been transmitted through a lens unit and had a primary image formed by the lens unit, a photometric sensor for outputting a signal of the object light that has had the secondary image formed, and a PN liquid crystal panel located in the vicinity of a primary imaging plane. The imaging apparatus generates an image obtained by subjecting an output signal of the photometric sensor to reforming processing on the basis of an output signal of the photometric sensor when the PN liquid crystal panel serves as an object. Thus, the imaging apparatus can suppress a deterioration in the image that could be caused by various factors including a manufacturing error, a change over time, a change in temperature, and a change in humidity. |
| US09921448B2 |
Display device
A display device capable of significantly reducing variation of a capacitance formed by a pixel electrode and a data line, the display device including: a first gate line; first and second data lines intersecting the first gate line; a pixel electrode adjacent to the second data line; a switching element connected to the first gate line, the first data line, and the pixel electrode; and a first extension portion extending from the pixel electrode and intersecting the second data line. |
| US09921447B2 |
Liquid crystal display and panel therefor
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display having excellent visibility.A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: gate lines formed on an insulating substrate; data lines insulated from the gate lines and intersecting the gate lines; first pixel electrodes disposed on pixel areas defined by intersections of the gate lines and the data lines; first thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to one of the gate lines, one of the data lines, and one of the first pixel electrodes; second pixel electrodes disposed on the pixel areas and capacitively coupled to the first pixel electrodes; and second thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to a previous gate line, a storage electrode line or one of the data lines, and one of the second pixel electrodes. |
| US09921443B2 |
Display device including shorting bar
A display device includes a substrate including an array area in which an image is displayed and a pad area in which an image is not displayed, gate lines in the array area and elongated in a first direction on the substrate, gate lines pads in the pad area and respectively electrically connected to the gate lines, floating patterns disposed in the pad area, a first shorting bar in the pad area and with which electrostatic energy from the floating patterns is dissipated; and first shorting bar lines in the pad area and defined by first lines respectively connected to the floating patterns and second lines spaced apart from the first lines and connected to the first shorting bar, wherein ends of the second lines respectively face ends of the first lines. |
| US09921442B2 |
Method for forming an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device and display device manufactured thereby
A novel method of forming an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device includes the steps of providing a substrate (e.g., a processed silicon wafer, etc.) having an alignment layer material deposited thereon and applying a series of pulses from a pulse laser to anneal portions of the alignment layer material and alter its surface morphology. The method can include the step of depositing the alignment layer material (e.g., a spin-on dielectric including SiO2) over the substrate using a spin-on process prior to laser annealing. Applying the series of laser pulses creates a repetitive pattern of features that facilitate alignment of liquid crystals according to a laser scan trace. Liquid crystal display devices with laser-annealed alignment layer(s) are also disclosed. The alignment layers of the invention are quickly and inexpensively applied and are very robust under prolonged, high-intensity light stress. |
| US09921441B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal display device having the same and method for manufacturing the same thereof
An array substrate, including a substrate, a multi-layer electrode and a switch element, is provided. The multi-layer electrode is disposed on the substrate and comprises an electric conductive layer and a first etch-stop layer. The electric conductive layer covers the first etch-stop layer. The switch element is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the multi-layer electrode, and has a second etch-stop layer. |
| US09921439B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A first substrate includes a gate line extending in a first direction, a first interlayer insulating film covering the gate line, a first common electrode formed on the first interlayer insulating film extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a second interlayer insulating film covering the first common electrode, a source line extending in the second direction, and a third interlayer insulating film covering the source line. A pixel electrode includes a main pixel electrode extending in the second direction on the third interlayer insulating film. A second common electrode includes a second main common electrode extending in the second direction on the third interlayer insulating film and facing the source line. The second common electrode is set to the same potential as the first common electrode. A first alignment film covers the pixel electrode and the second common electrode. |
| US09921437B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including an organic insulation film including a first contact hole penetrating to the switching element, an island-shaped relay electrode and a common electrode which are formed on the organic insulation film, an interlayer insulation film including a second contact hole at a position different from a position of the first contact hole, a pixel electrode which is formed on the interlayer insulation film and includes a slit which is opposed to the common electrode, and an alignment film covering the pixel electrode and the interlayer insulation film. |
| US09921436B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and liquid crystal display including the same
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode electrically connected with a drain electrode through a first contact hole and a second contact hole, respectively. The first subpixel electrode and the second subpixel electrode include a plurality of vertical stems, a plurality of horizontal stems, and a plurality of branch electrodes. The first subpixel electrode is formed above a gate line and the second subpixel electrode is formed below a gate line. The thin film transistor array panel further includes a first protrusion formed in the plurality of vertical stems of the first subpixel electrode and the plurality of vertical stems of the second subpixel electrode. |
| US09921429B2 |
Display device
There is provided a display device including a first base material, a second base material, an optical layer placed between the first base material and the second base material, and a first retardation layer placed in contact with the first base material, wherein the first base material and the second base material are formed from a polyimide, and the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer are liquid crystal layers which are vertically aligned. Providing the first and second retardation layers in contact with the first and second base materials make it possible to achieve a reduction in the thickness of the display device. |
| US09921428B2 |
Light devices, display devices, backlighting devices, edge-lighting devices, combination backlighting and edge-lighting devices
In some embodiments, an LCD device comprising (1) liquid crystals, (2) at least one lighting device that emits BSY-1, BSY-2, BSR, BSG-1, BSG-2 and/or BSG-3 light, (3) solid state light emitters (430-480 nm) and luminescent material (555-585 nm, 595-625 nm, or 510-560 nm), and/or (4) a light guide, a reflector and/or a light polarizer. In some embodiments, a light device comprising (1) at least one lighting device that emits BSY-1, BSY-2, BSR, BSG-1, BSG-2 and/or BSG-3 light, (2) a light guide, a reflector and/or a light polarizer, and/or (3) solid state light emitters (430-480 nm) and luminescent material (555-585 nm, 595-625 nm, or 510-560 nm). |
| US09921427B2 |
Method for manufacturing color filter, color filter, and liquid crystal display panel
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a color filter, a color filter, and a liquid crystal panel. The method comprises: providing a substrate; and forming a plurality of color resistances on the substrate one by one using a color resistance forming process, with boundaries of adjacent color resistances being overlapped with each other. The color resistance forming process comprises: coating a photoresist material on the substrate to form a color resistance unit thereof; exposing the color resistance unit, with a light intensity received at the boundary of the color resistance unit being smaller than that received by the main body of the color resistance unit. Through the present invention, dark pixel lines at the boundary overlaps can be eliminated, and transmittance of the product can be enhanced. |
| US09921423B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present system and method includes: a first substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the first substrate; a passivation layer disposed on the thin film transistor and including a first portion and a second portion thicker than the first portion; a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode disposed on the passivation layer, spaced apart from each other, and positioned on one pixel region; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first sub-pixel electrode is disposed on the second portion of the passivation layer, and the second sub-pixel electrode is disposed on the first portion of the passivation layer. |
| US09921417B2 |
Optical image stabilizer and camera module including the same
An optical image stabilizer including an offset remover configured to remove a direct current offset of an angular velocity signal and output a corrected angular velocity signal; an idle state determiner configured to determine a moving-state or an idle state of the optical image stabilizer based on the corrected angular velocity signal; a switching filter configured to filter the corrected angular velocity signal using a second filter during a stabilization time and subsequently filter the corrected angular velocity signal using a first filter switched from the second filter when the optical image stabilizer is in the moving-state; and an integrator configured to integrate the filtered corrected angular velocity signal from the switching filter to output an angular position signal. |
| US09921409B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
Provided is an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup optical system including a protection lens, which is arranged closest to a light incident side and has a convex-shaped surface on light incident side; and a housing houses the image pickup optical system, in which the image pickup optical system includes an aperture stop, and an optical systems A and B, which are arranged on an image side of aperture stop to be selectively placed in an optical path of image pickup optical system, the optical systems A and B having mutually different optical characteristics, and in which the housing separates a medium outside of housing and an inside of housing, and in which the image pickup apparatus further includes a switching unit selectively places one of optical systems A and B in optical path of image pickup optical system depending on a medium outside housing. |
| US09921407B2 |
Fiber-optic scanner having vibration damping member and illuminating device and observation instrument having the fiber-optic scanner
A fiber-optic scanner equipped with a light-guiding optical fiber; the fiber-optic scanner including a plurality of vibration generating units disposed circumferentially at equal intervals on an outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber located on a base end side thereof at a predetermined distance from the emission end of the optical fiber to vibrate an emission end of the optical fiber in a plurality of directions; and a vibration damping member disposed at least in a position between base end-side edges of the vibration generating units and the emission end of the optical fiber, wherein the vibration damping member has a uniform shape of a rotating body rotated around the axis line of the optical fiber. |
| US09921405B2 |
Electrostatically actuated oscillating structure with oscillation starting phase control, and manufacturing and driving method thereof
An electrostatically actuated oscillating structure includes a first stator subregion, a second stator subregion, a first rotor subregion and a second rotor subregion. Torsional elastic elements mounted to the first and second rotor subregions define an axis of rotation. A mobile element is coupled to the torsional elastic elements. The stator subregions are electrostatically coupled to respective regions of actuation on the mobile element. The stator subregions exhibit an element of structural asymmetry such that the electrostatic coupling surface between the first stator subregion and the first actuation region differs from the electrostatic coupling surface between the second stator subregion and the second actuation region. |
| US09921403B2 |
Optical filter including ring-shaped electrode having a slit
An optical filter includes: a first substrate; a second substrate opposed to the first substrate; a first reflecting film provided to the first substrate; a second reflecting film provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first reflecting film; a first electrode provided to the first substrate in a peripheral area of the first reflecting film; a second electrode provided to the first substrate in a peripheral area of the first electrode; a third electrode provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first electrode; and a fourth electrode provided to the second substrate and opposed to the second electrode. |
| US09921395B1 |
Beam focusing and beam collecting optics with wavelength dependent filter element adjustment of beam area
A reflective optics system that requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces. Application thereof achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved. This invention is also a combination of a focusing element and a filtering element that provides an optimum electromagnetic beam cross-sectional area based on optimizing the beam cross-sectional area in view of conflicting effects of aberration and diffraction inherent in said focusing element, which, for each wavelength, vary oppositely to one another with electromagnetic beam cross-sectional area. |
| US09921387B2 |
Lens driving apparatus
Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base, a yoke coupled to the base, having an upper surface formed with a hole, a closed side surface, and an opened bottom surface, a bobbin movably installed in an inner portion of the yoke, a lens module coupled to the bobbin to go in and out the hole according to movement of the bobbin, a magnet fixed to an inner portion of the yoke, a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets, and springs coupled to the bobbin to provide restoration force to the bobbin. |
| US09921383B2 |
High-density modular WDM system—high density passive fiber module (PFM), tray and chassis interchangeable solution
A rack system comprising a plurality of removable housing modules each configured to hold a plurality of electronic modules in stepped rows, with the housing modules being arranged on a tray at least partly within a housing in a dense configuration, thereby providing ease of access to the electronic modules for routing wire connectors to each of the electronic modules in an organized manner. |
| US09921381B2 |
Loose-tube optical fiber cables
An optical fiber cable comprising 200 micrometer (μm) optical fibers (fibers with an outer diameter of approximately 200 μm) that are located within buffer tubes. This permits fiber packing densities of 3.8 fibers/mm2 or higher. The buffer tubes have wall thicknesses (tbuffer) between approximately 7.5 percent (7.5%) and approximately 30% of the buffer tube's outer diameter (ODbuffer), and a Young's modulus that is between approximately 750 mega-pascals (MPa) and 2,200 MPa, thereby providing the necessary structural integrity to resist kinking yet maintain flexibility. |
| US09921378B2 |
Optical bench for aligning an optical device
An optical device may include an optical bench used align a photonic chip to a receptacle. In one embodiment, a surface of the optical bench defines an alignment plane. When a fiber stub in the receptacle is disposed on the surface, an optical path in the stub is parallel with the alignment plane. By disposing the photonic chip on the same surface, the chip and the stub can be aligned such that optical signals can be transmitted between the stub and an optical component (e.g., light source or waveguide) in the photonic chip. In one embodiment, the optical path in the stub and the optical component may have the same height relative to the optical bench. Moreover, the optical device may include a direct thermal connection between the assembly and the heat sink, and thus, have better thermal coupling relative to using thermal pads. |
| US09921377B2 |
Interposer registration elements
A substrate comprises multiple interposers. Each interposer includes interposer elements, where an optical device is coupled to at least some of the interposer elements; two passages formed through the interposer, where each passage is registered with respect to the interposer elements; two blind holes formed in a surface of the interposer, where each blind hole is concentric with a different passage; two annular troughs formed in the surface, each concentric with a different passage, and an annular area separates the annular troughs from an outer diameter of the corresponding concentric passage; and two spherical registration elements, where each registration element is positioned on uncured adhesive on one of the annular areas, where the passages enable a vacuum to be drawn through such that the registration elements are pulled toward the surface of the interposer to self-align to the inner diameter of the blind holes. |
| US09921372B2 |
Optical plug having a translating cover and a complimentary receptacle
Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing. |
| US09921370B2 |
Waveguide for extraction of light at low levels of reflection
A waveguide for the extraction of light at low levels of reflection arranged to guide light from an electro-optical component on a chip to a facet on the chip for extraction includes a first part and a second part. The first part (4) is extended, the second part (5) includes a surface (JK) through which the light exits from the waveguide (1). A non-adiabatic longitudinal section (GHLM) is located after the first part (4) but before the surface (JK) in the direction of propagation of the light, and the surface (JK) forms in the plane of the chip a first angle (V1) with the optical axis (A) of the first part (4) that lies between 5 and 80 degrees. |
| US09921368B2 |
Edge-lit light guide panel
An edge-lit light guide panel includes a gripper and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned within the gripper. The edge-lit light guide panel further includes a light guide having a narrow edge positioned within the gripper. The narrow edge is positioned proximal to the one or more LEDs. The light guide is to receive light from the one or more LEDs through the narrow edge and to emit a portion of the light through at least one broad side of the light guide. |
| US09921366B2 |
Display with heat radiation
This display includes a light source portion, a first heat radiation member for radiating heat generated by the light source portion, a rear housing covering the first heat radiation member in a state in contact with the first heat radiation member, and a cover member covering a rear surface of the rear housing so that the rear surface of the rear housing is partially exposed outward. The first heat radiation member is arranged on a region corresponding to a region of the rear housing exposed outward from the cover member as viewed from the side of the rear surface. |
| US09921361B2 |
Display screen frame eliminating apparatus and display device
The disclosure relates to the field of liquid crystal display, specifically to a display screen frame eliminating apparatus and a display device. The display screen frame eliminating apparatus comprises a light source, a light tube and a drive module. The light tube comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and the light source is located within the light tube or under the lower surface of the light tube. The light tube enables the light emitted by the light source to dispersedly exit from the upper surface. The drive module drives the light source to emit light based on the luminous condition of the edge pixels of the display area in the display screen. In this way, the light source emits light rays similar as the edge pixels of the display area in the display screen, and the light rays dispersedly exit from the upper surface of the light tube by means of the layered light tube structure. Therefore, to the human eyes, the display influence of the frame can be eliminated in all directions, and the display effect of the display device can be improved. |
| US09921360B2 |
Illumination device and display device
A backlight device is provided with: LEDs; a light guide plate having a light-receiving face, a light-exiting surface, and an opposite plate surface; a prism sheet including a plurality of light-exiting side unit prisms aligned along a second direction; a light-exiting surface-side prism portion including a plurality of light-exiting surface-side prism units aligned along the second direction; a light emission reflection portion including a plurality of reflection units aligned along a first direction at an interval; an opposite plate surface-side prism portion including a plurality of opposite plate surface-side unit prisms aligned along the second direction; and bow-shaped portions disposed into such a form as to be adjacent to the light-exiting surface-side prism units in the second direction while extending along the first direction, the bow-shaped portions having a bow-shaped cross-section. |
| US09921357B2 |
Thin backlight with recycling to reduce the bezel width
A backlight unit includes a lightguide, a light source that emits light to the lightguide, and a barrier layer positioned over the lightguide in a light emitting direction relative to the lightguide. The barrier layer defines a bezel area of the backlight unit, and an active area of the backlight unit from which light is emitted from the lightguide is an area adjacent to a boundary of the bezel area. A prism structure is positioned in the bezel area, wherein stray light emitted from the light source uncoupled to the lightguide is at least partially coupled into the lightguide by the prism structure or directed to a greater degree along the lightguide. The prism structure may be configured as a plurality of lenticular triangular prisms, and may be mounted to a mounting frame, back reflector, or flat panel connector of the backlight unit. |
| US09921355B2 |
Chiral fiber apparatus and method for controllable light extraction from optical waveguides
The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc. To achieve the above-noted beneficial functions, the system and method of the present invention utilize a physical property of a standard, or a specialty, chiral optical fiber to scatter light signals entering the fiber in directions away from the fiber core (through the fiber cladding), to thereby advantageously enable selective and controllable extraction of light signals of a desired predetermined wavelength (or, optionally of a predetermined range of wavelengths) therefrom. |
| US09921353B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device (1) comprising a light source (2) adapted for, in operation, emitting light (13) with a first spectral distribution, a first light guide (3) comprising a first light input surface (31) and a first light exit surface (32) arranged opposite to one another, and further comprising an end surface (35) extending perpendicular with respect to the first light input surface (31), and a second light guide (4) comprising a second light input surface (41) and a second light exit surface (42) extending perpendicular with respect to one another. The first light guide (3) is adapted for receiving the light with the first spectral distribution from the light source (2) at the first light input surface (31), guiding the light with the first spectral distribution to the first light exit surface (32) and to the end surface (35) and coupling a part of the light with the first spectral distribution out of the first light exit surface (32) into the second light guide (4) and coupling another part of the light with the first spectral distribution out of the end surface (35). The second light guide (4) is adapted for receiving light with the first spectral distribution coupled out of the first light guide (3) at the second light input surface (41), guiding the light to the second light exit surface (42), converting at least a part of the light (13) with the first spectral distribution to light (14) with a second spectral distribution and coupling the light with the second spectral distribution out of the second light exit surface (42). |
| US09921347B2 |
Alignment film, method of manufacturing the alignment film, retardation film, method of manufacturing the retardation film, and display
An alignment film capable of reducing occurrence of alignment disorder in a simple manner, a method of manufacturing the alignment film, a retardation film, a method of manufacturing the retardation film, and a display are provided. An alignment film is configured of an anchor layer and an alignment layer stacked in this order on a base. The alignment layer includes a groove region having a plurality of fine grooves on a surface thereof, and a groove region having a plurality of fine grooves on a surface thereof. The anchor layer provided between the base and the alignment layer is provided with an antistatic function in addition to a function of bringing the alignment layer into close contact with the base. |
| US09921346B2 |
Optical films for reducing color shift and organic light-emitting display apparatuses employing the same
Optical films for reducing color shift, and organic light-emitting display apparatuses, employing the same include a first lens pattern layer including a plurality of first grooves, and a second lens pattern layer on the first lens pattern layer having the plurality of first grooves. The second lens pattern layer has a plurality of second grooves crossing the plurality of first grooves. The plurality of first and second grooves are each shaped in the form of a stripe. |
| US09921343B2 |
Quantum dot polarizer and manufacturing method thereof
The invention provides the following advantages: the present invention provides a quantum dot polarizer and manufacturing method thereof. The quantum dot polarizer comprises a first protective layer and a second protective layer, and the first protective layer or the second protective layer being a complex film comprising quantum dots. As such, without increasing the thickness of display, the invention can improve color spectrum and transmittance, and is applicable to ultra-thin display devices at low cost. The manufacturing method adds the quantum dots to the cotton glue for forming protective layers by extension or coating process to obtain quantum dot protective layer used for quantum dot polarizer. As such, the invention can avoid humidity and oxygen affecting the quantum dots and reduce cost by eliminating manufacturing independent quantum dot element separately. |
| US09921342B2 |
Polarizing plate and optical laminate
A polarizing plate of the present invention includes: a first adhesion layer, a transparent protective layer, a second adhesion layer, and a polarizing film in the stated order, wherein: the first adhesion layer has a thickness of 10 μm or more; the transparent protective layer has a thickness of 30 μm or less; the transparent protective layer has a moisture permeability of 200 g/m2/24 hr or less; the second adhesion layer has a bulk water absorption ratio of 10 wt % or less; the polarizing film has a thickness of 10 μm or less; and the polarizing film has a boric acid content of 18 wt % or less with respect to a weight of the polarizing film. |
| US09921337B2 |
Method and system for calibrating a downhole imaging tool
System and methods of generating calibrated downhole images of a subterranean formation (110) surrounding a wellbore (105). The method involves placing a pad at a distance from a highly conductive surface and measuring a current between return electrodes of the pad and the highly conductive surface. The current may be used to determine a theoretic impedance of the current path, and impedance amplitude and impedance phase may be calibrated using theoretical impedance phase and theoretical impedance amplitude. Multiple standoff calibrations and temperature variation calibrations may also be used. |
| US09921336B2 |
Device and method for recognizing 3D posture and location of a movable body
Accordingly the embodiment herein provides a device for recognizing a 3D posture and a location of a movable body. The device includes: a plurality of polarization modules individually attached to a plurality of surfaces of a 3D figure; a plurality of illumination modules individually corresponding to the polarization modules and generating and outputting illumination value information in which polarized light emitted from a polarization light source penetrates the corresponding polarization module to be received; and an interpretation unit generating posture information and location information of the movable body by using the illumination value information received from the illumination modules corresponding to the polarization modules attached to at least three considered target surfaces. |
| US09921331B2 |
Multi-sensor system for airborne geophysical prospecting and method
A multi-sensor electromagnetic (EM) system and method for measuring gradients of EM signals. The multi-sensor EM system includes a frame; a transmitter device attached to the frame and configured to generate a primary EM field; a receiver device attached to the frame and configured to record a secondary EM field generated by the earth after being excited by the primary EM field; and a gradient sensor device attached to the frame and configured to record a gradient of the secondary EM field. |
| US09921328B2 |
Adaptable seismic source for seismic surveys and method
Method, source array and seismic vibro-acoustic source element for seismic data acquisition. The method includes storing in a controller a library of beam form factor sets associated with a source array and corresponding regions to be surveyed; towing the source array along survey lines over the regions to be surveyed; selecting a beam form factor set from the library to be applied to the source array for each region; and actuating the source array based on the selected set of beam form factors and a position of the source array relative to the regions. Each set of beam form factors maps to a corresponding region of an area to be surveyed. |
| US09921325B2 |
Wavefield separation based on a matching operator between sensor responses in multi-component streamers
This disclosure is directed to systems and methods of wavefield separation based on matching operators that represents the relationship between co-located pressure and particle motions sensors. A pressure wavefield and a particle motion wavefield emitted from a subterranean formation are measured using co-located pressure and particle motion sensors located along one or more streamers of a seismic data acquisition system. A matching operator that relates pressure sensor and particle motion sensor responses for co-located pressure and particle motion sensors is computed based on depth of the co-located pressure and particle motion sensors and on the measured pressure and particle motion wavefields. The matching operator and the measured pressure and particle motion wavefields may then be used to compute up-going and down-going wavefields. |
| US09921324B2 |
Systems and methods employing upward beam propagation for target-oriented seismic imaging
A system and method for performing a target-oriented reverse time migration may include obtaining a seismic dataset and a geologic model representative of the subsurface volume of interest; identifying a target based on the seismic dataset and the geologic model; calculating a normal to represent a structural dip direction for at least one point on the target; upward propagating a cluster of beams from the at least one point on the target to a surface representing an acquisition surface of the seismic data; identifying valid source-receiver beam pairs based on coverage of the seismic dataset; accumulating coverage of the valid source-receiver beam pairs; identifying traces from the seismic dataset that fall within the accumulated beam pair coverage; and performing a target-oriented reverse time migration using the identified traces to produce a seismic image. |
| US09921323B2 |
Foldable-fixing type 3D seismic survey apparatus for small ship, and method of seismic survey using the same
The present invention relates to a 3D seismic marine survey apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a foldable-fixing type 3D seismic survey apparatus for a small ship and a method of 3D seismic survey using the foldable-fixing type 3D seismic survey apparatus. The foldable-fixing type 3D seismic survey apparatus for a small ship includes: a seismic wave generator; and a seismic unit that includes a plurality of floating board units, and foldable fixing-frames connecting and fixing the floating board units to each other in a floating board array such that relative positions of the floating board units are fixed, and being folded for transporting and unfolded for installing, in which the seismic unit receives 3D seismic waves while being towed behind the seismic wave generator after being moved and unfolded at a survey location. |
| US09921322B2 |
Segmented base plate seismic sweeps
Vibrators for producing seismic signals for use in oil and gas exploration are equipped with segmented base plates, each segment being independently controlled and activated. The use of an array of base plate segments allows the individual segments of the array to be activated in a particular pattern, thus generating S-waves and other unconventional wave patterns for seismic use. |
| US09921321B2 |
Seismic acquisition method and system
Seismic pulses are emitted are emitted with consecutive time intervals that follow a pattern described by several Golomb rulers, wherein at least two of the Golomb rulers have at least four marks, such that pair-wise time intervals between seismic pulse emissions are different, to distinguish seismic reflections stemming from different seismic pulses and/or seismic sources from each other. This allows executing seismic surveys with several simultaneously operated seismic source arrays, thereby reducing the survey cost. In a marine environment the seismic sources may be air-gun arrays towed by one or more vessels, and the method can be also applied onshore. |
| US09921320B2 |
Radiation detecting apparatus, input-output calibration method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first detector, a second detector, and a controller. The first detector is configured to detect first radiation at a first frequency within a first time by at least a first radiation detecting element and a second radiation detecting element that are positioned near to each other, and output a first signal. The second detector is configured to detect second radiation at a second frequency less than the first frequency within a second time by at least the first radiation detecting element and the second radiation detecting element, and output a second signal. The controller is configured to generate a third signal representing a difference between the first signal and the second signal, and calculate energy using the third signal. |
| US09921318B2 |
Devices for the simultaneous measurement in real time of energy and of flux of mono-energetic beams of hadrons of low energy
Systems and methods for measuring mono-energetic hadron beams are provided. Such systems and methods include a first detection unit having a planar sensor with a sensing area segmented into a matrix of pixels, each pixel being adapted to provide a transit signal indicative of transit of a particle therethrough, and a counting circuit coupled to the sensor for providing an output signal indicative of number of particles Np of the beam crossing said sensing area in a time interval, based on the transit signals provided by said pixels, and a second detection unit arranged downstream of the first detection unit which includes at least one ionization detector for providing an output signal proportional to the total charge Qion released by the beam (B) in the ionization detector in such time interval. |
| US09921315B2 |
X-ray and gamma-ray radiation detector
Disclosed is a semiconductor radiation detector for detecting X-ray and/or gamma-ray radiation. The detector comprises a converter element for converting incident X-ray and gamma-ray photons into electron-hole pairs, at least one cathode, a plurality of detector electrodes arranged with a pitch (P) along a first axis, a plurality of drift electrodes, a readout circuitry being configured to read out signals from the plurality of detector electrodes; and a processing unit connected to the readout circuitry and being configured to detect an event in the converter element. The readout circuitry is further configured to read out signals from the plurality of drift electrodes, and the processing unit is further configured to estimate a location of the event along the first axis by processing signals obtained from both the detector electrodes and the drift electrodes, the location of the event along said first axis is estimated with a precision being greater than the pitch (P). |
| US09921314B2 |
Using code minus carrier measurements to mitigate spatial decorrelation errors caused by ionosphere delays
A Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) includes a plurality of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) reference receivers configured to receive and process GNSS satellite measurements. The GBAS further includes at least one processing module communicatively coupled to the plurality of GNSS reference receivers, configured to: determine a respective ionosphere quality metric along lines of sight for of observable GNSS satellites using code minus carrier measurements from the observable GNSS satellites; define one or more valid ionosphere regions where at least one respective ionosphere quality metric meets a threshold; determine which of the observable GNSS satellites have an ionosphere pierce point within the one or more valid ionosphere regions; and output at least one overbounded Vertical Ionosphere Gradient standard deviation (σvig) corresponding to the one or more valid ionosphere regions and an indication of which observable GNSS satellites have an ionosphere pierce point within the one or more valid ionosphere regions. |
| US09921312B2 |
Three-dimensional measuring device and three-dimensional measuring method
In a ranging system using a TOF method, an unwanted reflected light component included in reflected light is reduced or removed. A light source unit emits light at the timing indicated by a light emission control signal and can adjust for each of at least two irradiation regions the amount of light to be emitted. A light receiving unit is exposed to light from a region including a target object and produces three-dimensional information from the total exposure amount. An image processing unit generates a distance image based on the three-dimensional information received from the light receiving unit. The light source unit emits light according to a radiation pattern indicated by a region light amount signal. The radiation pattern is setting of the amount of light to be emitted to each irradiation region. |
| US09921306B1 |
Active optimal reduced state estimator
An active state estimation system comprises radar systems for obtaining sensor measurements, data storage devices for storing the sensor measurements, and computer processors in communication with the data storage devices. A memory stores program instructions which cause the computer processors to initialize a system having state variables and also having unknown, multidimensional, arbitrarily time-varying parameters, but which are subject to known bounded values. Sensor measurements for the object being tracked are then received, and applied to an estimating filter that explicitly uses a mean square optimization criterion that separately accounts for measurement errors and said bounding values, to produce estimates of the true state of the system. The system also determines whether a regime change has occurred based on the estimates of the true state of the system, and if so, determines updated known bounded values that are used to update the boundaries used by the system. |
| US09921302B2 |
Detection system
A detection system includes: a detection portion that has an output function outputting a detection wave toward surroundings of a vehicle, and a detection function detecting an object around the vehicle based on a reflected wave; a determination section that determines that the object is definitely present around the vehicle when a number of times of detection of the object by the detection function exceeds a predetermined number of times; a control section that causes operation of the detection function without operation of the output function when the vehicle travels at a predetermined speed or higher; and an adjustment section that adjusts and increases the predetermined number of times designated for the determination section when the object is detected by the detection function operated by the control section during traveling of the vehicle at the predetermined speed or higher. |
| US09921298B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing the resolution of a time of flight pixel array
An apparatus is described having an image signal processor. The image signal processor has a plurality of depth calculation units to calculate a respective time of flight depth value for different pixel array locations. Each of the plurality of depth calculation units is to receive a response signal from a same pixel in a pixel array so that the plurality of depth calculation units are able to calculate multiple depth values for the different locations of the pixel array from respective response signals from different groups of pixels in the pixel array of which the pixel is a member. Each of the groups include pixels of different receive clock phases sufficient to calculate a respective depth value. Another apparatus is also described where multiple depth values are similarly calculated from different groups of pixels that each include a same pixel but where a depth calculation unit calculates each of the multiple depth values. |
| US09921297B2 |
Range enhancement for LIDAR system and IR camera systems
A system includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The system further includes a LIDAR target. The LIDAR device is configured to direct a light beam at the LIDAR target. The system also includes a retro-reflective material in contact with the LIDAR target. |
| US09921294B2 |
Geo-location of a WLAN device using mobile monitoring station
A passive geo-location scheme of Wi-Fi access points is described using one or more mobile measuring stations. The methods and arrangements herein relate to, in one embodiment, using the TSF timer in beacons received by the measuring station, the reported TODs, the TOAs measured by the measuring station and synchronization between the timers of the wireless device and the measuring station. The synchronization includes applying a factor α for correcting the timer associated with the measuring station when the measuring station receives the beacons, applying a factor β for correcting a ratio of timer rates between the timer associated with the wireless device and the timer associated with the measuring station, and applying a factor γ for correcting changes in a timer rate ratio between the first timer associated with the wireless device and the timer associated with the measuring station. |
| US09921290B2 |
System and method for situational awareness
A method providing persons in a group information about the whereabouts of others in the group, including whether persons in the group have moved away from an associated vehicle. The method includes receiving information into a computer system derived from measured rf signal strength sent in digital form from one or more portable devices. The information indicates whether any of the persons has moved from a first relatively close position with respect to an associated vehicle and farther away from the associated vehicle than the first position. A timer function may be initiated if the received information indicates that a first person has moved farther away from the associated vehicle than the first position. Updated information may be received, indicating whether the first person remains farther away from, or has moved to a position at least as close as the first relatively close position is to, the associated vehicle. |
| US09921286B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method
The MRI apparatus includes a data processor, which time-serially performs undersampling on MR signals respectively received by coil channels included in a radio frequency (RF) multi-coil to acquire undersampled K-t space data, and an image processor that acquires a time-space correlation coefficient, based on noise information of the coil channels, and restores pieces of unacquired line data from the undersampled K-t space data by using the time-space correlation coefficient to acquire restored K-t space data, thereby increasing an accuracy of the time-space correlation coefficient to improve a quality of an image. |
| US09921284B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method, configured to adjust multi-dimensional selective excitation pulse
In order to provide a technique for improving image quality by selectively exciting only a target region with high precision in either of a two-dimensional spatial selective excitation method or a three-dimensional spatial selective excitation method, selecting a k-space trajectory restraining excitation in a non-target region by side lobes is received. At this time, an excitation region of the selected k-space trajectory is presented to an operator, and the operator can adjust the excitation region through the display. After the adjustment of the excitation region by the operator is reflected, a multi-dimensional spatial selective excitation pulse is stabilized. |
| US09921282B2 |
Method for determining fat or moisture content
A method of measuring NMR response in an NMR instrument includes heating a sample at a heater temperature that is higher than the temperature of the interior of the NMR instrument, positioning the heated sample in the NMR instrument, and measuring the NMR response of the heat sample. Typically, the sample is dry and includes fat. Furthermore, a method of determining an amount of a component of a sample includes positioning a sample in an NMR instrument, applying a sequence of radio-frequency pulses to the sample, measuring the amplitudes of the signals produced by the application of the sequence of radio-frequency pulses, and determining the amount of a component in the sample using the measured amplitudes of the signals. The disclosed methods typically provide accurate analysis of samples in a shorter time period than traditional NMR techniques and solvent-based analysis techniques. |
| US09921281B2 |
Shielding for a magnetic resonance tomography device and magnetic resonance tomography device equipped therewith
A shielding for a magnetic resonance tomography device, in the form of a shell of a cylinder, for arrangement radially between a radially outer gradient coil system for generating a magnetic field gradient in an examination space of the MRT device and a radially inner RF coil system for sending and/or receiving RF signals into the examination space and from the examination space, is provided. The shielding includes strips that are arranged on a shielding surface, are electrically conductive and are separated from one another by slits. The strips have respectively angled and/or rounded profile segments to create a two-dimensional pattern of shielding rings on the shielding surface. |
| US09921279B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging device
An open-type magnetic resonance imaging device provides uniformity of a magnetic field without the necessity of lowering the degree of openness, and without increasing the superconducting wire material. The device includes at least one pair of main coils; at least one pair of shield coils; a pair of annular first magnetic substances disposed on an inner radial side of the main coils so that the first magnetic substances are plane symmetrical to each other; and second magnetic substances as protrusion portions disposed on an outer circumferential side of an end surface of the first magnetic substances on an opposite side of the first magnetic substances. |
| US09921278B2 |
NMR apparatus comprising a superconducting magnet assembly and cooled probe components
A superconducting magnet assembly includes a cryostat, a vacuum vessel and a refrigeration stage. An NMR probe using the assembly includes comprises cooled probe components, a two-stage cryocooler, and a counter flow heat exchanger. A cooling circuit guides coolant from one outlet of the counter flow heat exchanger back to an inlet of the counter flow heat exchanger via the second cooling stage, a cooled probe component, and a heat exchanger in the cryostat or a heat exchanger in a helium suspension tube. Both the intake temperature of the coolant flowing into the heat exchanger in the cryostat or in the suspension tube and the return flow temperature of the emerging coolant are at least 5 K lower than the operating temperature of the first cooling stage. Excess cooling capacity of the cryocooler reduces the evaporation rate of liquid helium or cools a superconducting magnet in a cryogen-free cryostat. |
| US09921276B2 |
Simulated bone or tissue manipulation
A tissue manipulation system includes Programmable Markers configured to be implanted on opposite sides of one or more portions of tissue within a patient's body, Markers communicating with one another to enable a determination of their relative positions and External Device receiving and transmitting signals to Markers containing information as to Marker's positions. Device is configured to: capture an image of the tissue portions with Markers; manipulate the image of the tissue portions in a virtual environment or a simulated environment to a desired restored orientation; determine desired positions Markers will have when the tissue portions are in the desired restored orientation; program implanted Markers with the desired orientations. Device generates an indicator signal upon Markers being manipulated into the desired orientations; and manipulate the tissue portions after Markers have been programmed, until an indicator signal is generated indicating that the desired restored orientation has been substantially achieved. |
| US09921271B2 |
Method and device for determining the remaining run time of a battery
The invention relates to a method for determining the remaining run time (Δti) of a battery (4) that is supplying power to an appliance (2). The method comprises the steps of: —during operation of the appliance (2) measuring the voltage (Ui) supplied by the battery (4) at different points in time (ti) in order to obtain time-voltage-pairs (t,U,), and—calculating the remaining run time (Δti) of the battery (4), wherein the calculation is based on the measured time-voltage-pairs (ti, Ui) and on a relationship between the measured voltage (Ui), the corresponding point in time (ti) and the total run time (T1) of the battery (4) which can be derived from a time dependent formulation of the Nernst equation for this relationship. |
| US09921270B2 |
Battery system with cell voltage detecting units
A battery system with at least one module includes a plurality of battery cells. A cell voltage detecting circuit is associated with each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The cell voltage detecting circuits of the at least one module are connected to a multiplexer. An output of the multiplexer is connected to a communication bus via an analog-digital converter. The communication bus is connected to an evaluating unit. The multiplexer is additionally connected to at least one auxiliary voltage source that is known to the evaluating unit. In a method for monitoring a battery system with at least one module including a plurality of battery cells, a voltage of each of the battery cells is detected and fed to an evaluating unit via a cell voltage detecting unit. An output signal of the cell voltage detecting unit is tested for plausibility. |
| US09921269B2 |
Comparison device and method for comparing test pattern files of a wafer tester
A comparison device for comparing test pattern files of a wafer tester includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The comparison device stores a first to-be-compared file and a second to-be-compared file into the storage unit. The processing unit reads the first to-be-compared file and the second to-be-compared file from the storage unit to process and executes comparison operation, so as to generate a comparison result. The comparison operation compares the words in a first section of the first to-be-compared file with the words in a second section of the second to-be-compared file in a one-to-one manner, wherein, if the first section ending point is not the end of the first to-be-compared file or the second section ending point is not the end of the second to-be-compared file, the processing unit resets the first section and the second section, and executes comparison operation again. |
| US09921267B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing semiconductor
Provided is an apparatus for testing a semiconductor. The apparatus includes a chuck on which a wafer is disposed, a probe card disposed on the chuck to provide a test signal to the wafer, a sensor disposed in the probe card, a base unit connected to the probe card to transmit the test signal to the probe card, and a pressure device connecting the base unit to the probe card, the pressure device correcting deformation of the probe card. |
| US09921265B2 |
Thermal clutch for thermal control unit and methods related thereto
Featured are devices, systems and methods for testing an electronic device, such as an integrated chip. Such a testing method includes disposing a thermal clutch between a variable heat sink that absorbs heat energy and a heat source member that selectively delivers heat energy. When the thermal clutch is operated in a first manner the thermal clutch thermally couples the variable heat sink to the electronic device under test (DUT) and when operated in the second manner, the thermal clutch thermally de-couples the variable heat sink from the DUT. Also, when the thermal clutch is operated in the second manner, the heat source member is thermally coupled to the DUT and is operated so as to produce heat energy which is thus provided to the thermally coupled DUT. |
| US09921262B2 |
Method and apparatus for a probe card
An integrated apparatus and method to provide test, diagnostics and characterization access to backplane electrical signals during electronic product development is presented. The apparatus removes need for manual and ad hoc connections made in an engineering laboratory or assembly line which make the process prone to damage of the components, inaccurate measurements and arbitrary fluctuations in function. The method and apparatus is a mechanized way to connect backplane signals to corresponding drivers, receivers and test equipment through probes placed on equidistant electrical traces, reducing inter signal variations. |
| US09921255B2 |
Sensing radiation metrics through mode-pickup sensors
A sensing structure includes an integrated circuit substrate, and a first sensor formed on or above the integrated circuit substrate adapted to detect a first part of an electromagnetic field in the integrated circuit substrate. A sensing structure includes a dielectric substrate and a first sensor formed on or above the dielectric substrate adapted to detect a first part of an electromagnetic field in the integrated circuit substrate. A sensing structure includes an integrated circuit substrate and a multitude of sensors formed on or above the integrated circuit substrate adapted to detect a multitude of parts of an electromagnetic field in the integrated circuit substrate. A method for sensing a first part of an electromagnetic field includes providing an integrated circuit substrate, forming a first sensor on or above the integrated circuit substrate, and detecting the first part of the electromagnetic field in the integrated circuit substrate. |
| US09921254B2 |
Circuit and method for bandwidth measurement
A circuit for measuring a bandwidth of an amplifier includes a switch-capacitor circuit and a controller. The switch-capacitor circuit is coupled to an output and an input of the amplifier. The switch-capacitor circuit is switchable between a sampling mode and an amplification mode. The controller is coupled to the switch-capacitor circuit and the output of the amplifier. The controller is configured to switch the switch-capacitor circuit between the sampling mode and the amplification mode, control the amplification mode to have various durations, and determine the bandwidth of the amplifier based on the various durations of the amplification mode and corresponding voltages at the output of the amplifier. |
| US09921253B1 |
Method for reducing power requirements in active load pull system
A method and test setup for reducing the RF power requirement m active load pull uses impedance tuners between the output of the test transistor and the active RF power injection network. The active network uses either a closed loop (active load) configuration or an open loop network employing split or synchronized signal sources. The impedance tuners are wideband (fundamental) tuners, harmonic rejection tuners or multi-harmonic tuners. A 7:1 transforming ratio of the tuners represents the best compromise between power matching and tuner loss, yielding a reduction of 11 dB in power requirements from the active load or the synchronized source(s); if only the fundamental signal is injected at the output of the DUT, a multi-harmonic tuner or a harmonic rejection tuner is used for independent harmonic tuning; if multiple harmonic signals are injected, a multi-harmonic tuner is used and creates passive harmonic loads while reducing at the same time the power requirements from the harmonic injection sources. |
| US09921251B2 |
Microfabricated calorimeter for RF power measurement
Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) power calorimeter having a load electrically coupled to a RF input, a variable low-frequency power source electrically coupled to the load and configured to apply low-frequency bias to the load. The RF power calorimeter includes a thermal medium thermally coupled to the load. Additionally, the RF power calorimeter includes an outlet temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal medium, the outlet temperature sensor being positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal medium due to heating by the load. The RF power calorimeter also has circuitry configured to use temperature measurements of the thermal medium in thermal contact with an RF load in combination with the low-frequency bias to measure average power of an RF source electrically coupled to the RF input. Also disclosed in a method of measuring RF power using the RF power calorimeter. |
| US09921250B2 |
Structure of mounting current sensor to battery cable
A structure of mounting a current sensor to a battery cable includes a battery cable, a thermal fusion bonding tape wound around an outer circumference of the battery cable, and a current sensor. The current sensor includes a housing including a current detecting part configured to detect a current flowing through the battery cable, and a holder configured to hold and compress a thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion in cooperation with the housing to deform a cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion into an elliptical shape. The thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is a portion where the thermal fusion bonding tape is wound around the battery cable. Upon a compression between the housing and the holder being released, the elliptical shape of the cross-sectional shape of the thermal fusion bonding tape mounting portion is maintained. |
| US09921247B2 |
Current measurement device, control method for same, recording medium, and power measurement device
A microcomputer section operates by use of electric power from a power supply section. The microcomputer section carries out control so that any one of a plurality of switching circuits is selected, the selected one of the plurality of switching circuits causes an electric current from a corresponding current transformer of a plurality of current transformers to flow to the microcomputer section, whereas the other unselected switching circuits cause electric currents from respective current transformers of the plurality of current transformers to flow to the power supply section, and the selection is carried out successively with respect to each of the plurality of switching circuits. |
| US09921246B2 |
Capacitive electric-field sensor and method of making same
A capacitive sensor to sense an electric field has a shield tube that extends axially along its own axis and has a first open end, an electric field sensor positioned within the shield tube, a source electrode, and a mass of dielectric insulating material positioned within the shield tube and around the shield tube. The shield tube is formed by a jacket having a plurality of first through openings that each have an area comprised between a minimum of 0.1 mm2 and a maximum of 3 mm2. |
| US09921243B2 |
System and method for voltage and current sensing
An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes a radio frequency output stage configured to output at least one radio frequency waveform and a current sensor coupled to the output stage and configured to output a first differentiated signal corresponding to a current of the at least one radio frequency waveform, the current sensor coupled to a first conditioning circuit configured to integrate the first differentiated signal to output a processed current signal indicative of the current. The system further includes a voltage sensor coupled to the output stage and configured to output a second differentiated signal corresponding to a voltage of the at least one radio frequency waveform, the voltage sensor coupled to a second conditioning circuit configured to integrate the second differentiated signal to output a processed voltage signal indicative of the voltage, wherein the first and second conditioning circuits have a substantially similar bandpass and phase response. |
| US09921240B2 |
Probe actuation system with feedback controller
A probe actuation system has a detection system arranged to measure a position or angle of a probe to generate a detection signal. An illumination system is arranged to illuminate the probe. Varying the illumination of the probe causes the probe to deform which in turn causes the detection signal to vary. A probe controller is arranged to generate a desired value which varies with time. A feedback controller is arranged to vary the illumination of the probe according to the detection signal and the desired value so that the detection signal is driven towards the desired value. The probe controller receives as its inputs a detection signal and a desired value, but unlike conventional feedback systems this desired value varies with time. Such a time-varying desired value enables the probe to be driven so that it follows a trajectory with a predetermined speed. A position or angle of the probe is measured to generate the detection signal and the desired value represents a desired position or angle of the probe. |
| US09921237B2 |
Vehicle wheel speed detection system and method
A sensor apparatus for detecting a wheel speed of a vehicle has a rod-shaped sensor carrier and a sensor, which is introduced into the sensor carrier and, in order to detect the wheel speed, senses the rotation of a rotor rotating together with the wheel. The sensor apparatus has a carrier structure for accommodating the sensor and a potting compound for filling the sensor carrier. The surface, in particular the lateral surface, of the sensor carrier is formed by a plurality of interrupted, metal surface areas of the carrier structure and areas filled with the potting compound, wherein at least two metal surface areas are in the form of contact surfaces. |
| US09921235B2 |
Automatic analyzer and sample dispensing method for the automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer capable of avoiding carry-over between samples, and a sample dispensing method, are provided. To that end, an automatic analyzer (1) for performing analysis of both assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level and assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, includes: a first sample dispensing apparatus (6) loaded with a disposable tip (60a) for sample dispensing for assay menu with a high carry-over avoiding level, and for subdividing and dispensing a sample for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level; an aliquot container (9) for subdividing and containing a sample for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level, subdivided and dispensed by the first sample dispensing apparatus (6); and a second sample dispensing apparatus (5) loaded with a reusable probe (50), for sample dispensing for assay menu with a low carry-over avoiding level. |
| US09921232B2 |
Ellagic acid formulations for use in coagulation assays
The present invention relates to ellagic acid formulations for performing coagulation assays that are highly stable for long term storage and reduce assay time. Particularly, aspects of the present invention are directed to a composition and method of preparing ellagic acid in a highly soluble format for use in a coagulation assay. For example, the ellagic acid may be solubilized in one or more of sodium hydroxide, methanol, a polyether compound, particularly polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, or polyoxyethylene, and a cyclodextrin guest-host complex. |
| US09921230B2 |
Methods for diagnosis and treatment of concussion or brain injury
This invention relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating concussion/mTBI. |
| US09921221B2 |
Predicting and treating diabetic complications
Compositions and methods for diagnosing, predicting risk of and/or treating diabetic nephropathy (DN). |
| US09921220B2 |
Process and materials for the rapid detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae employing purified antigen-specific antibodies
Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific. |
| US09921219B2 |
Bacteriophage-based biosensor for microbial detection
A biosensor for detecting a microorganism in a sample includes a polymer matrix and an immobilized layer of bacteriophages on the surface of the polymer matrix, wherein interaction of the bacteriophage with the microorganism causes a detectable physicochemical change in the polymer matrix. A method of detecting a microorganism in a sample using the biosensor includes the steps of contacting the sample with the biosensor; allowing the bacteriophage to bind to the microorganism in the sample; and detecting a physicochemical change in the polymer matrix, the change being indicative of the presence of the microorganism. |
| US09921218B2 |
Signal amplification in lateral flow and related immunoassays
The present invention provides methods, devices, compositions (e.g., capture complexes), and kits useful for enhancing the detection of antibodies in a test sample. The methods, devices, and compositions utilize detectable Fc-binding molecules such as Protein A, Protein G, and/or an Fc-specific antibody to amplify the signal of a detected antibody in immunoassays, such as lateral flow assays. |
| US09921216B2 |
Nanoelectronic-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay system and method
The present invention relates to a device and method for determining the presence of a specific compound in solution. The device includes a nanosensor having an electrically conducting pathway between at least a first and second contact. The device also includes a first receptor, suitable for binding a specific compound in the solution, attached to the nanosensor, and a second receptor also suitable for binding the specific compound while the specific compound is bound to the first receptor. The second receptor is attached to an enzyme added to the solution. When the solution having the second receptor is added to the device, and a second compound that is a substrate for the enzyme is subsequently added to the solution, a measured difference in an electrical property in the device before and after the application of the second compound is indicative of the presence of the specific compound in the solution. |
| US09921207B2 |
Method for determining wear of a connector contact using atom transfer radical polymerization
A method for examining wear of a connector contact using atom transfer radical polymerization. Metals in the connector contact are involved in atom transfer radical polymerization. In the method, polymers are formed via atom transfer radical polymerization. An average molecular weight and a polydispersity index of the polymers are determined. The exposure of underlying metal layers of the connector contact is determined based on the average molecular weight and atom transfer radical polymerization. |
| US09921206B2 |
Integrated and intelligent paint management
Methods, systems, and computer readable-medium with instructions for receiving data and providing calculated adjustments to a paint application process can comprise receiving at the server a first operating parameter associated with a first paint processing machine at a first painting facility. The method can also comprise receiving at the server a first quality control measurement from an analysis of a finished first paint product. Additionally, the method can comprise accessing from a database a set of historical operating parameters associated with the first painting processing machine. Further, the method can comprise automatically identifying a deficiency in the finished first paint product based upon the first quality control measurement. Further still, the method can comprise transmitting to a mobile computing device screen a proposed adjustment to the first operating parameter that will correct the deficiency. |
| US09921203B2 |
Method for predicting sediment content of a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon product
Disclosed herein is a method of predicting sediment content of a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon product. The method involves: (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; (d) determining asphaltene content of the liquid sample from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the liquid sample from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics; and (f) correlating the asphaltene content and one of the asphaltene stability parameters of the liquid sample with at least two operation conditions associated with a refinery to predict sediment content. |
| US09921200B2 |
Oxygen detecting multilayer body, as well as oxygen detecting packaging material and oxygen absorber package using the same
An oxygen detecting multilayer body allows easy detection of a color change of an oxygen detecting layer, and prevention of crazing of an oxygen detecting layer. The oxygen detecting multilayer body includes a transparent resin layer, a heat seal layer, and an oxygen detecting layer containing an oxygen detecting component, placed occupying a part of a space between the transparent resin layer and the heat seal layer, wherein a spacer is placed to occupy at least a part of a space between the transparent resin layer and the heat seal layer, where the oxygen detecting layer is not provided, so as to make up a missing thickness of the oxygen detecting multilayer body, wherein the thickness of the oxygen detecting layer is from 0.5 to 40 μm, and the ratio of the thickness of the oxygen detecting layer to the thickness of the spacer is from 15:1 to 1:10. |
| US09921199B2 |
Method for indicating moisture based on bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complexes
Compositions that include bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complexes bound to metal oxide solid supports are provided. In some embodiments the compositions include nickel dimethylglyoxime and the metal oxide supports can be alumina or silica. These compositions can be used to make a colorimetric moisture-indicating sensor that changes visible reflection spectrum quantitatively and reversibly according to the amount of moisture in contact with the sensor. Also provided is a method of detecting moisture using the provided compositions. |
| US09921196B2 |
Gas chromatograph having an absorption spectrometer and method for analyzing a gas mixture via gas chromatography
A method in which a sample of a gas mixture to be analyzed via gas chromatography is conducted through a chromatographic separating device via a carrier gas, separated components of the gas mixture are subsequently quantitatively determined in an absorption spectrometer having a wavelength-adaptable light source, and in order to increase the speed of analysis and to be able to also determine components that cannot be measured via absorption spectroscopy, the wavelength of the light source can be adapted to an absorption line of the carrier gas, where the individual components of the gas mixture are determined indirectly via a concentration reduction of the carrier gas. |
| US09921195B2 |
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device
This invention improves the sensitivity of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device by reducing the number of neutral particles that are not ionized during ionization and the number of low-molecular ions from a solvent used in the liquid chromatography. Said liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry device is provided with ion sources, a mass spectrometry unit, a detector, and three electrodes laid out so as to be parallel to each other. The first electrode and the second electrode have openings that allow ions to pass therethrough. The trajectories of said ions are deflected between the second electrode and the third electrode, thereby directing ions generated by the ion sources towards the mass spectrometry unit. |
| US09921193B2 |
Bottle pressurization delivery system
A container assembly for use with a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument is disclosed, in which the container assembly, when coupled to a source of pressurized gas, provides fluid medium to the HPLC instrument at positive pressure. The container assembly has an external exterior container shell, an internal fluid container for holding fluid medium, an interstitial volume between the external exterior container shell and the internal fluid container, a port for fluidly connecting the volume to a pressurized gas source, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal fluid container to the HPLC instrument. As a pressurized gas in the interstitial volume increases, fluid medium flows out of the port connected to the internal fluid bag and container assembly at a positive pressure. A system incorporating the container assembly, and method of use of the same, are also disclosed. |
| US09921187B2 |
Real-time pavement profile sensing system using air-coupled surface wave
A non-contact testing system and method using acoustic sensors and a mobile sensing system using this system and method is disclosed. The leaky surface wave is recorded with directional microphones. A fast inversion analysis algorithm is introduced to estimate the shear velocity profile and elastic modulus for the subsurface layers of pavement structures, using the dispersion curves obtained from the acoustic signals. An electrical hammer is used to produce impact impulses automatically. A mobile sensing system is integrated on a mobile cart to perform the mobile subsurface sensing for pavement structures. |
| US09921186B2 |
Method and device for the non-destructive inspection of a rotationally symmetric workpiece having sections with difference diameters
A method and a device for the non-destructive inspection of a rotationally symmetric workpiece having sections with different diameters by a non-destructive inspection technique, such as ultrasound, are provided. Within the context of the method, a test data set characterizing the material properties of the workpiece is generated by the inspection technique. An azimuth angle-dependent indicated value set is generated therefrom. Subsequently, a representation of the workpiece is generated, wherein the elements of the indicated value set are depicted in the representation in a spatially resolved manner. In particular, a graphic representation of the surface of the workpiece can be generated in which flaw signals are displayed that may have been found. |
| US09921181B2 |
Detection of translocation events using graphene-based nanopore assemblies
Translocation events are sensed using composite nanopore assemblies including nanopores formed in graphene sheets. Single molecule detection and characterization and multi-molecule characterization and identification are provided using such assemblies. Multiple electrodes associated with nanofluidic sensors facilitate detection of ionic current through a nanopore as well as tunneling currents. Current signals of individual molecules are estimated from the combination of an ionic current signal through the nanopore and tunneling current signals obtained at specific locations within the nanopore. |
| US09921179B2 |
Fluids detection sensor and rail, in particular for automotive fuels
A sensor for detecting the properties of the fuel of an internal combustion engine includes at least one pair of internal electrodes (12, 13), extending in an axial direction relative to a further or third external electrode (14) which surrounds them. The invention also relates to a fuel rail (2) to which the sensor may be mounted, and a method for detecting the properties of the fluid. |
| US09921177B2 |
Method of measuring and monitoring conductivity in-situ in high temperature aqueous systems
Monitoring of conductivity within a steam generating system may proceed in real time and without interruption of the steam generating system by use of a boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor placed within the steam generating system. The boron doped diamond based electrochemical band sensor has a diamond body and a plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes disposed within the diamond body. At least a portion of each of the plurality of boron doped diamond band electrodes is doped with boron to provide metallic conduction. |
| US09921176B2 |
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes determining concentrations of first and second analytes in a sample. The first and second analytes may be, for example, glucose and hydroxybutyrate. In this form, an indication related to the measured concentration of hydroxybutyrate is provided in response to determining that the concentration of hydroxybutyrate is above a predetermined value. In a further aspect of this form, a quantitative indication representative of the measured glucose concentration is automatically provided regardless of the value of the measured glucose concentration. In another embodiment, a system includes a meter configured to interact with a test element to assess first and second analytes in a sample. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the description and drawings. |
| US09921175B2 |
Sensor and method for manufacturing a sensor
The present invention refers to a sensor (10) having a layer arrangement (12), wherein the layer arrangement (12) comprises at least a base layer (14), a middle layer (16) and an outer layer (18), wherein the middle layer (16) is arranged at least partly upon and in contact with the base layer (14) and wherein the outer layer (18) is arranged at least partly upon and in contact with the middle layer (16), wherein the base layer (14) comprises a metal, wherein the middle layer (16) comprises a metal oxide, and wherein the outer layer (18) is porous and comprises a material selected from the group comprising electrically conductive carbon compounds such as, more particularly, graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), organic electrical conductors and base metals, and wherein electrical contacts can be formed with the base layer (14) and outer layer (18) for a conductivity measurement and/or a resistance measurement. Such a sensor (10) provides a high sensitivity with a high selectivity already at ambient temperature and is furthermore producible especially cost-saving. The present invention further refers to a method for producing a sensor (10). The present invention further refers to the use of a sensor (10) according to the invention as gas sensor and/or as liquid sensor. |
| US09921171B2 |
X-ray computer-tomography apparatus
An X-ray computer-tomography (CT) apparatus includes an X-ray detector, a reading unit, and a read control unit. The X-ray detector has a first region and a second region at least a part of which is aligned with the first region along a channel direction, the first region in which a plurality of first detection devices that detect X-rays are arranged, the second region in which a plurality of second detection devices having a width smaller in a slice direction than that of the first detection device are arranged. The reading unit reads a signal of the X-rays detected. The read control unit adjusts timing of reading signals from the first detection device and the second detection device according to difference between the size of the first and the second detection device in such a manner that time difference in the reading signals in the slice direction decreases. |
| US09921165B2 |
Optical analyte detection systems and methods of use
Various embodiments are drawn to systems and methods for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample including an optical sensor, a capture probe attached to a surface of the optical sensor wherein the capture probe is capable of binding to the analyte to form a duplex or complex, and an antibody capable of binding to the analyte, duplex, or complex. In several embodiments, systems and methods further include a particle attached to the antibody or capable of binding to the antibody. In several embodiments, systems and methods for analyte detection feature one or more of the following: high detection sensitivity and specificity, scalability and multiplex capacity, ability to analyze large analytes, and ability to detect or measure multiple individual binding events in real-time. |
| US09921162B2 |
Determination of a fungal infection of a plant by chlorophyll fluorescence induced by different excitation wavelengths
The present invention relates to a method for determining a fungal infection of a plant—The method comprises: emitting excitation radiation by one or more radiation sources to the plant, said radiation comprising first excitation wavelengths being within the absorption band of a compound whose content in the plant is affected by a fungal infection, in particular a phenolic compound, and second excitation wavelengths being outside the absorption band of said compound, thereby inducing chlorophyll fluorescence; detecting chlorophyll fluorescence radiation from the plant; and obtaining a value being indicative for the fungal infection of the plant, said value is dependent from the detected chlorophyll fluorescence radiation induced by excitation radiation of the first excitation wavelengths and the detected chlorophyll fluorescence radiation induced by excitation radiation of the second excitation wavelengths. Moreover, the present invention relates to a detection device, in particular a mobile detection device, for carrying out this method. |
| US09921160B2 |
Multichannel analysis device
A laser beam 6 irradiated from a side face of a microchip 1 in which plural channels 2 fill ed with a member of a refractive index n2 in an inner portion of a member of a refractive index n1 (n2 |
| US09921153B2 |
Method for segmenting the data of a 3D sensor produced in the presence of aerosol clouds for increasing the situational awareness and the location detection of obstacles
A method for segmenting the data of a 3D sensor produced in the presence of aerosol clouds and for increasing the situation awareness and the location detection of obstacles involves transforming the sensor data are transformed into a 3D measurement point cloud, determining related subsets as measurement point clusters from the 3D measurement point cloud of an single measurement cycle of the 3D sensor based on the local measurement point density, determining at least one of the characteristic parameters of the individual measurement point clusters, the characteristic parameters including position, orientation in space, and shape, and determining a time variation of the characteristic parameters using the recorded parameters calculated from subsequent measurement cycles, from which the association of a measurement point cluster with a real obstacle or with the aerosol cloud results. |
| US09921147B2 |
Method for characterizing a liquid sample containing particles
The invention is a method for characterizing a liquid sample, said liquid sample containing particles, the method comprising the following steps: a) illuminating said sample using a light source that is able to emit an incident light wave towards the sample; b) detecting, using a photodetector, a light wave transmitted by the sample thus illuminated; c) characterizing the sample depending on an intensity of the light wave detected by the photodetector. The method comprises, prior to step c), applying an acoustic wave to the sample, said acoustic wave forming pressure nodes and pressure antinodes in the sample, so as to separate, in the latter, a poor portion, poor in particles, and rich portion, rich in particles, such that, in step c), the sample is characterized: either on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the poor portion; or on the basis of the intensity of the light wave transmitted by the rich portion. |
| US09921145B2 |
Method for determining degradation of thermoplastics
A method of determining degradation of a thermoplastic when exposed to light and heat includes illuminating the thermoplastic with a desired wavelength of light at a desired irradiance while maintaining the ambient air surrounding the thermoplastic at a desired temperature. The method is useful to measure the discoloration rate of transparent, translucent and opaque thermoplastics such as polycarbonates, the discoloration rate being determined by transmission or reflectance spectra of transmitted or reflected white light through or from the thermoplastic. |
| US09921144B2 |
Particulate matter detector
Devices and methods for detecting particulate matter are described herein. One device includes a laser, a reflector, an ellipsoidal reflector, and a detector, wherein the laser is configured to emit a beam, the reflector is configured to reflect the beam toward the ellipsoidal reflector, and the ellipsoidal reflector has a first focal region located on a path of the reflected beam, and a second focal region located at a surface of the detector. |
| US09921141B2 |
Centrifugal microfluidic device and methods of use
Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of heterogeneous analyte. In some embodiments, the systems and methods herein utilize an analyte holding portion that receives a volume of analyte. The analyte holding portion may include an analyte receiving portion and a microfluidic separation channel, A rotatable carrier holding the analyte holding portion may be rotated by a rotational actuator so as to apply a centrifugal force to the volume of analyte such that the analyte is separated into at least two components. |
| US09921140B2 |
Air sample tracking system and method
A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated. |
| US09921136B2 |
Wireless collection and analysis of machine data
A sensor unit is configured as a single body, removably mounted in its entirety to a test point location on a machine so machine vibrations propagate into the single body. Within are an accelerometer, circuit board, wireless interface, signal processor, and battery. The sensor unit transmits sensor data wirelessly in real time to a data collection unit. A technician with data collection unit in hand goes from machine to machine, along a route of multiple test point locations on multiple machines, mounting and dismounting the sensor unit and collecting machine vibration data. The sensor unit is configured to reduce frequency response impacts of the mass and volume of the circuit board, wireless interface, signal processor, and battery on dynamic behavior of the sensor unit with respect to machine vibrations to achieve a frequency response rating comparable to a wired sensor. |
| US09921133B2 |
Tread depth measuring system
An tread depth measuring system includes a tread measuring apparatus, a processor, a supporter, and a warning apparatus. The tread measuring apparatus is positioned on the ground and configured to measure a tread depth. The processor is coupled to the tread measuring apparatus and configured to compare the tread depth measured by the tread measuring apparatus with a preset critical depth. The supporter stands on the ground. The warning apparatus is supported by the supporter and coupled to the processor. When the tread depth measured by the tread measuring apparatus is less than the preset critical depth, the processor sends a control signal to actuate the warning apparatus. |
| US09921132B2 |
Automated magnetic particle and fluorescent penetrant defect detection system
A system and method to inspect flaws associated with a part. The system includes a first image capturing device configured to capture a first set of images of the part and a computer operably associated with first image capturing device and configured to receive and analyze the first set of images. The method includes treating the part with a magnetic particle and fluorescent penetrant processing, capturing a first set of images of an outer surface of the part with the first image capturing device, and identifying a part defect with an algorithm associated with the computer. |
| US09921128B2 |
Method and apparatus for residual stress measurement through indentation with in-situ generated reference
Methods and apparatuses for measurement of residual stresses are provided. For example, a method includes indenting a first portion of a sample having residual stress and generating a residual stress reference zone at a second portion of the sample. Indenting and generating a residual stress reference zone may be performed in situ (e.g., on the same instrument platform, etc.). The present disclosure also provides a method for generating a residual stress reference, the method including providing a first sample having a residual stress and reducing the residual stress in at least a portion of the sample, wherein reducing the residual stress includes raster scanning wear, or exposure to laser energy, ion beam energy, electron beam microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, heat energy, vibration energy; and exposing the sample to ultrasonic energy. An apparatus includes an indenter device structured and arranged to indent a first portion of a sample and a reference-generating device structured and arranged to generate a residual stress reference zone (e.g., in situ) in the sample. |
| US09921125B2 |
Leak detector using capacitance sensor
A system that holds a liquid such as water includes an electrode coupling the system to a surface. A capacitance sensor is coupled to the electrode. A processor is coupled to the capacitance sensor. The processor is adapted to receive a signal from the capacitance sensor to determine whether the liquid is present at the surface and to send one or more indication signals if liquid is present at the surface. A response circuit coupled to the processor causes the system to take responsive action in response to receipt of an indication signal. Responsive action includes causing the system to perform a failsafe action, such as automatic shutdown. A communication circuit notifies a user that a fault has occurred in the system over a network. |
| US09921124B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring the integrity of a weld seam
A weld seam monitoring apparatus includes a layer of sealant applied to the area surrounding the weld seam; a first layer of sheet material adapted to provide an air space and overlying the weld seam; a second layer of sheet material overlying the first layer of sheet material; and a fluid impermeable sealant overlying the second layer of sheet material. An air tight space is formed between the second layer of sheet material and the weld seam. The apparatus further includes a vacuum source, and the air tight space is in fluid communication with the vacuum source. The apparatus further includes vacuum monitoring means configured to monitor the status of a vacuum created in the air tight space. |
| US09921123B2 |
Pipe mapping probe apparatus for searching pipe route position
A Pipe Mapping Probe Apparatus for Searching Pipe Route Position includes: a first disc fitted and fastened on a shaft member thread-fastened to the inner side of a connection shaft at a first side of an internal body of a first pig; a cap coupled to a side of the shaft member outside the first disc; a first pig coupled to the shaft member; elastic members composed of three flexible springs coupled to a second side of an external body of the first pig; a cable that electrically connects a battery, a sensor unit, and a control board of the first pig and an encoder of a second pig, is connected with the battery through a first cable socket coupled to the external body of the first pig, and is connected to an encoder through a second cable socket disposed at the center of the second plate coupled to a first side of the second pig and through an encoder socket on the top of the encoder disposed in an internal body of the second pig; the second pig coupled to second sides of the elastic members at the first side of the second pig and coupled to a second plate, which is coupled to the second cable socket at the center, at the first side; and a second disc disposed on a second side of the external body of the second pig. |
| US09921122B2 |
Torque wrench calibration
A calibration rig (1), for calibrating a torque wrench (9), comprises a support structure (3) for supporting the torque wrench (9) during calibration. The support structure (3) comprises: a support member (7) which is free to move substantially vertically; means for applying a balance force (14, 15) to the support member (7), wherein the balance force acts counter to a force exerted by the weight of the torque wrench (9) when a handle of the torque wrench (9) is received by the support member (7); means for applying a measured torque (6) to the torque wrench (7); and means for resisting rotation (16) of the torque wrench (9) as a result of the applied torque. |
| US09921121B2 |
Pressure measuring instrument
A pressure measuring instrument having a sensor carrier, a casing, a plug connector, evaluation electronics, and a pressure sensor. The sensor carrier supports the pressure sensor adapted to output a pressure-proportional, electrically detectable pressure signal. The sensor carrier has a base body, a pressure terminal formed together with the base body to be connected to the source of the pressure to be detected, and a seat having several different circle geometries, each having an annular surface adapted for mounting a pressure sensor. The pressure terminal has a connecting channel opening inside the seat, and the annular surfaces of the individual circle geometries are axially staggered with respect to the port of the connecting channel, wherein the annular surface having the smallest diameter is closest to the connecting channel port. |
| US09921118B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for power measurement at a crank axle and crank arm
A power measurement assembly mounted within an axle. In a specific example, the axle is a spindle that is interconnects the cranks of a bicycle, exercise, bicycle, or other fitness equipment. The power measurement assembly may include strain gauges connected with an appropriate circuit (e.g., Wheatstone bridge) that provides an output of the force on the axle by a rider pedaling the crank. In the case of an axle, the strain gauges measure the torsion due to the applied torque on the crank. The value is converted to a power value by a processor and that value is then wirelessly transmitted for display. The processor and/or the transmitter may be mounted within the axle. A separate power measurement assembly may be mounted on one of the cranks, which may include its own processor and transmitter or may take advantage of the processor and transmitter within the axle. |
| US09921116B2 |
System and method for estimating temperatures of a hydraulic fluid circulated by a hydraulic pump of a transmission
A system including a current module, a second module, and a temperature module. The current module is configured to determine an amount of current drawn from a power source by a hydraulic pump of a transmission based on a current signal received from a current sensor. The current signal is indicative of the current drawn by the hydraulic pump. The second module is configured to determine (i) a speed of the hydraulic pump based on a speed signal received from a speed sensor, or (ii) an output torque of the hydraulic pump based on the amount of current drawn by the hydraulic pump. The speed signal is indicative of the speed of the hydraulic pump. The temperature module is configured to estimate a temperature of a hydraulic fluid circulated by the hydraulic pump based on (i) the amount of current drawn by the hydraulic pump, and (ii) the speed or the output torque of the hydraulic pump. The second module is configured to adjust the speed of the hydraulic pump based on the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. |
| US09921113B2 |
Fiber optic temperature sensing system and method utilizing Brillouin scattering for large, well-ventilated spaces
A temperature change detection apparatus for monitoring temperature change in various portions of a large space includes a trip logic unit configured to execute a trip operation based on receipt of a trip signal at the trip logic unit; a plurality of temperature sensors each including a sensing portion composed of optical fiber cable and each being configured to generate light information indicating an amount of Brillouin scattering that occurs within the sensing portion; a plurality of monitoring units configured such that each monitoring unit determines a temperature value corresponding to each temperature sensor connected to the monitoring unit based on an amount of Brillouin scattering indicated by the light information generated by each of the connected temperature sensors, an each monitoring unit generates a trip signal when a determined temperature value exceeds a running average by more than a threshold amount. |
| US09921112B2 |
System and method for automatic measurement and recording
A method and apparatus for automatically measuring and storing a various measured values of an item, or a sequence of measured values of one or more item(s) suitable for single-handed use by a user. In particular, the present invention relates to a mobile computing device with one or more sensors for determining when to measure and record a particular value of one or more items. The mobile computing device may automatically measure the values based on sensing a change in the temperature value or through using proximity as detected by one or more onboard sensors. Additionally, the mobile computing device may automatically measure the values based on coming within range of an external proximity device. In response to automatically measuring the values, the measured values are stored along with additional information for record keeping purposes. |
| US09921111B2 |
Method and apparatus for wavefront sensing
A method for performing optical wavefront sensing includes providing an amplitude transmission mask having a light input side, a light output side, and an optical transmission axis passing from the light input side to the light output side. The amplitude transmission mask is characterized by a checkerboard pattern having a square unit cell of size Λ. The method also includes directing an incident light field having a wavelength λ to be incident on the light input side and propagating the incident light field through the amplitude transmission mask. The method further includes producing a plurality of diffracted light fields on the light output side and detecting, at a detector disposed a distance L from the amplitude transmission mask, an interferogram associated with the plurality of diffracted light fields. The relation 0 < L < 1 8 Λ 2 λ or 1 4 Λ 2 λ ( 2 n - 1 ) < L < 1 4 Λ 2 λ ( 2 n + 1 ) is satisfied, where n is an integer greater than zero. |
| US09921110B2 |
On-chip calibration system and method for infrared sensor
A radiation sensor includes an integrated circuit radiation sensor chip (1A) including first (7) and second (8) thermopile junctions connected in series to form a thermopile (7,8) within a dielectric stack (3). The first thermopile junction (7) is insulated from a substrate (2) of the chip. A resistive heater (6) in the dielectric stack for heating the first thermopile junction is coupled to a calibration circuit (67) for calibrating responsivity of the thermopile (7,8). The calibration circuit causes a current flow in the heater and multiplies the current by a resulting voltage across the heater to determine power dissipation. A resulting thermoelectric voltage (Vout) of the thermopile (7,8) is divided by the power to provide the responsivity of the sensor. |
| US09921109B2 |
Polarization-characterizing methods using phase-shifting targets
Methods for characterizing a beam parameter associated with an electromagnetic beam of a light source. The light source exposes a phase-shifted target through a set of focal distances relative to a focal plane of a substrate. At each focal distance of the set, registration values are measured and used to determine one or more registration slopes as a function of focal distance. The registration slopes are compared with baseline registration slopes to characterize the current relative state of the beam parameter in question. Beam parameters that may be characterized in this manner include degree of polarization and polarization rotation relative to an initial polarization direction. Phase shift test patterns advantageously used for beam characterization are described. |
| US09921106B1 |
Integrated imaging spectrometer for hyperspectral imaging systems
An integrated imaging spectrometer for hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system is disclosed. The integrated imaging spectrometer features photonic PLCs that include an array of input channel waveguides, one for each pixel of an image scene. Spectral grating filters are positioned along the length of each waveguide to extract the spectral components as the light propagates to the end of the waveguide. The filters route the optical energy to photodetectors and the detected electrical signals are captured by a read out integrated circuit (ROIC). Together the PLC, detectors, and ROIC form an imaging layer. Stacking imaging layers generates a device capable of recording an entire 3D high-resolution spatial/spectral image data cube in real-time. |
| US09921105B2 |
Mobile cellular spectroscopy
The present invention discloses a spectrometer apparatus comprising a mobile device including an integrated camera, having a camera lens and an image sensor. The camera lens is located within a body of the mobile device that comprises a detachable housing coupled to the body of the mobile device. The detachable housing includes a first end and a second end opposed to the first end. The first end includes an optical input and the second end includes an opening that is substantially aligned with the camera lens. An optical spectrometer device is located within the housing and optically coupled to both the optical input at the first end of the housing and the camera lens at the second end of the housing. The optical spectrometer device receives a target image from the optical input and generates a spectral image that is received by the image sensor via the camera lens. |
| US09921104B2 |
Simultaneous multi-angle spectroscopy
Methods and systems for performing simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of semiconductor structures over a broad range of angles of incidence (AOI), azimuth angles, or both, are presented herein. Spectra including two or more sub-ranges of angles of incidence, azimuth angles, or both, are simultaneously measured over different sensor areas at high throughput. Collected light is linearly dispersed across different photosensitive areas of one or more detectors according to wavelength for each subrange of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both. Each different photosensitive area is arranged on the one or more detectors to perform a separate spectroscopic measurement for each different range of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both. In this manner, a broad range of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both, are detected with high signal to noise ratio, simultaneously. This approach enables high throughput measurements of high aspect ratio structures with high throughput, precision, and accuracy. |
| US09921103B2 |
Spectrometer, and spectrometer production method
A spectrometer includes a light detection element provided with a light passing part and a light detection part, a support fixed to the light detection element such that a space is formed between the light passing part and the light detection part, a first reflection part provided in the support and configured to reflect light passing through the light passing part in the space, a second reflection part provided in the light detection element and configured to reflect the light reflected by the first reflection part in the space, and a dispersive part provided in the support and configured to disperse and reflect the light reflected by the second reflection part to the light detection part in the space. |
| US09921102B2 |
Moving platform borne infrared image-spectrum associated detection system and method
A moving platform borne infrared image-spectrum associated detection system includes an optical hood, a broadband optical system, a two-dimensional servo system, an infrared optical fiber, a Fourier interference spectrum module, an image-spectrum associated detection processing module, a power supply module, and a display module. Incident light enters from the optical hood to the broadband optical system, and is split by a spectroscope. Transmitted light is focused by a long-wave imaging lens group on an infrared detector for imaging. Reflected light is focused by a broadband spectrum lens group to an optical fiber coupler, enters the Fourier interference spectrum module through the infrared optical fiber to form an interference pattern, and undergoes Fourier transform to obtain spectral data. |
| US09921097B2 |
Sensor device, vibration detection system, sensor unit, information processing device, vibration detection method, and program
A sensor device includes: a first sensor group (13) in which a plurality of first vibration sensors for detecting vibration acceleration in one direction with respect to an object to be detected are arranged to face the same direction; a phase difference calculation unit (220) which, based on a plurality of first signals indicating the vibration acceleration detected by each of the plurality of first vibration sensors included in the first sensor group (13), calculates a first phase difference indicating the phase difference between the plurality of first signals; and an acceleration calculation unit (230) which, using the first phase difference and the plurality of first signals, calculates vibration acceleration in a first direction perpendicular to a surface on which the plurality of first vibration sensors are arranged, and vibration acceleration in a second direction parallel to the surface on which the plurality of first vibration sensors are arranged. |
| US09921093B2 |
Coriolis mass flow meter
A first magnetic holder is attached to a U-shaped curved tube portion of a synthetic resin made measurement tube, and a magnetomotive body having a magnetic pole surface facing forward is embedded in a distal end of the first magnetic holder. A second magnetic holder is provided on a substrate at a position facing the distal end of the first magnetic holder with a space apart therefrom. The second magnetic holder includes a permanent magnet disposed to face the magnetomotive body in the first magnetic holder with a magnetic pole surface facing toward the first magnetic holder, so that the magnetic pole surface having a magnetic pole opposite to that of the magnetomotive body face each other. The permanent magnet of the second magnetic holder retains the curved tube portion of the measurement tube elastically with a space apart therefrom by attracting the magnetomotive body with a magnetic attraction force. |
| US09921092B2 |
Velocity based method for determining air-fuel ratio of a fluid flow
A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity. |
| US09921091B2 |
Thermal mass flowmeter
In order to provide a thermal mass flowmeter which makes higher accuracy of gas flowrate measurement possible while reliability in the thermal mass flowmeter is ensured (while deterioration or breakage caused by droplet adhesion is prevented), the thermal mass flowmeter according to the present invention has a heating element for generating heat by conduction, a temperature detection bridge circuit for detecting a temperature of the heating element, and a sensor element driving circuit portion connected to the heating element and the temperature detection bridge circuit and executing conduction control to the heating element, in which the sensor element driving circuit portion has an output mechanism and an output impedance adjustment mechanism and the output impedance adjustment mechanism is disposed between the output mechanism and the heating element and its output impedance is higher than an electric resistance value of the heating element and less than 1 MΩ. |
| US09921090B2 |
Outer wall-heated two-phase flow detector
A temperature sensing device comprising a plurality of thermocouples in a hollow tube, where the thermocouples sensing tips contact the outer wall of the tube, and a heat flux source that heats the hollow tube. The hollow tube is inserted through a cross section of a pipe perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apparatus measures a void fraction in a two-phase flow of a liquid-gas mixture flowing through the pipe. A process of measuring void fraction whereby the hollow tube is heated to an initial temperature, and in the presence of a liquid-gas mixture flow through the pipe the difference is calculated between the initial temperature of the tube and the temperature during liquid-gas mixture flow, to determine the void fraction in the two-phase flow of liquid-gas mixture through the pipe. |
| US09921085B2 |
Method for active sensor signal optimization
A system and method for optimizing a fiber optic sensor by properly clocking or rotationally orienting a window with a fiber optic focuser. This method may include shining light through the focuser into the window and receiving with a reflectometer a first reflection from a first surface of the window and a second reflection from a second surface of the window. Next, the method may include calculating a delta of intensities between the first and second reflections, and then rotating an orientation of the window to a next rotational orientation. The steps of rotating the orientation of the window, receiving reflections, and calculating their delta may be repeated any plurality of times to solve for a plurality of deltas. Then, the method may include the steps of determining which one of the deltas is the largest and fixing the window to the focuser at a rotational orientation associated therewith. |
| US09921084B2 |
Fastening device for a sensor at a fitting
A fastening device for a sensor at a fitting including a quick clamping mechanism (4) which clamps the fitting (14), characterized in that the quick clamping mechanism (4) is supported at a first holding part (2) which is connected to a second holding part (3) which supports the sensor (12), with the first holding part and the second holding part (2, 3) forming a clamping device, wherein the first holding part (2) includes two hoops (5, 6), wherein at least one hoop (5) engages behind a fitting support unit (10) of the second holding part (3) and the quick clamping mechanism (4) is fastened between the two hoops (5, 6) of the first holding part (2), wherein the quick clamping mechanism (4) is led or rotatably supported at an axle (9) which connects the hoops (5, 6). |
| US09921081B2 |
Method for monitoring a rotation of a compressor wheel
In a method for monitoring a rotation of a compressor wheel of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, which compressor wheel has on the peripheral side a number n of blades, an inductive sensor is provided for detecting the speed or rotational frequency, which sensor produces at least one output signal as a function of eddy currents generated as the blades pass by, and the rotational speed of the compressor wheel is inferred from a fundamental frequency of the output signal. In addition, information about a fault of the compressor wheel is derived from at least one modulation of the output signal, e.g., amplitude modulation, and an imbalance of the compressor wheel is detected. |
| US09921080B2 |
Using hall sensors to detect insertion and locking of a portable device in a base
A mounting assembly and method that utilize Hall effect sensors to detect orientation and insertion of a portable device in a base are provided. Hall effect sensors positioned on one of a portable device and a base are arranged to interact with one or more magnets positioned on the other of the portable device or the base such that a change in proximity of at least one of the magnets to at least one of the sensors will cause the sensor to output a voltage signal that differs depending on the nearness of the magnet. Depending on at least one of the magnitude of the signal, the profile of the signal over time, and the identity of the sensor that output the signal, it is determined whether the orientation of the portable device in the base is correct and/or if the portable device is fully inserted in the base. |
| US09921079B2 |
Takeover information transmission system, takeover information transmission device, information terminal, takeover information transmission method, and takeover information transmission program
A takeover information transmission system includes a takeover information acquisition unit that acquires takeover information for transferring a first travel route, on which a terminal device provides guidance, to an in-vehicle device as a second travel route on the basis of information pertaining to the first travel route, and a takeover information transmission unit that transmits the takeover information acquired by the takeover information acquisition unit to the in-vehicle device. |
| US09921075B2 |
Route guidance using text
A computer implemented method for performing route guidance using text includes obtaining an optimal route that connects a start point and an end point of a route input by a user; comparing a route history stored in a memory with the optimal route and extracting a route portion from the optimal route, the route portion being replaceable by a route portion in the route history; creating route guidance for the route portion extracted from the optimal route by using a text indication known to the user, the known text indication specifying the replaceable route portion in the route history; and creating route guidance for a route portion in the optimal route, the route portion being not replaceable by a route portion in the route history, by using a new text indication that specifies the route portion that is not replaceable. |
| US09921072B2 |
Systems and methods for route prediction
Predicting the future location of a user based on predicting the route that the user might take is disclosed. The routes used by the user in the past are indexed to generate a dictionary of routes which can be further augmented with contextual data. The prior routes are encoded within the dictionary such that each term representing a respective one of the prior routes comprises a collection of unique identifiers wherein each of the unique identifiers represents a segment of the respective one of the prior routes. Techniques of text prediction, term frequency for dictionary scores and other language processing techniques are used to predict the further route of the user. |
| US09921066B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing the use of mobile resources
A system for analyzing the use of a mobile resource, such as a vehicle, includes a central processing unit adapted to receive a plurality of geographic locations and create an optimal travel route between the geographic locations, and an analyzer device incorporating global positioning satellite (GPS) technology being positionable with a mobile resource for comparing an actual route traveled by the mobile resource with the optimal travel route created by the central processing unit. The central processing unit includes mobile resource management software stored therein adapted to use pre-selected criteria for creating the optimal travel route. The pre-selected criteria may include time, distance, cost, load parameters, territory, and customer requirements. |
| US09921055B2 |
Shape measurement device, structure production system, shape measurement method, structure production method, and shape measurement program
The time and labor required to set an extraction region of point cloud data is decreased. A shape measuring apparatus includes a projecting unit that projects a measurement beam onto a measurement region of a measurement target, an imaging unit that captures an image of the measurement target onto which the measurement beam is projected, a movement mechanism that relatively moves the projecting unit or the imaging unit with respect to the measurement target so that a position of the measurement region of the measurement target changes, and an extraction region setting unit that sets an extraction region for image information used for calculating a position of the measurement target from capture images captured by the imaging unit, on the basis of positions of images of the measurement beam captured by the imaging unit when the measurement beam is projected onto different measurement regions. |
| US09921053B2 |
Method and sensor for positioning of a flexible element
Sensor for enabling positioning of a flexible element subject to applied forces, the sensor includes at least two spatially separated light permeable tubes, 10 each having a first end 1a, 10a arranged on a first frame portion 11a and a second end 1b, 10b arranged on a second frame portion 11b of the flexible element. Each of the light permeable tubes in the sensor includes a light detecting device 3, that is connectable to a processing unit 4, and arranged at a light detecting position of each of the light permeable tubes and configured to detect light emitted from a light emitting source 2 through each 10 of the at least two light permeable tubes 1, 10 and configured to transfer information including information relating to the detected light to the processing unit 4. |
| US09921042B1 |
Superdetonation devices and methods for making and using the same
Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices comprising energetic materials capable of superdetonation and methods of making and using such devices. The devices disclosed herein comprise components, dimensions, and configurations optimized to utilize superdetonation velocities produced by the energetic materials disclosed herein. |
| US09921040B2 |
Longitudinally sectioned firearms projectiles
The present invention relates to longitudinally sectioned bullets and methods that pertain to a projectile structured to be discharged from a firearm and comprising at least two separable longitudinal body sections and at least one binding element that holds the at least two longitudinal body sections together, such as before impact with a target. Said projectile is thus capable of controlled fragmentation against a soft target. Said projectile is adapted to also contain at least one supplemental payload deliverable to a target to further damage said target. |
| US09921039B2 |
High velocity ignition system for ammunition
A high velocity ignition system for ammunition including an casing, a primer, a payload, a first propellant region, a flash tube, a second propellant and at least one channel. The casing has a base portion and a forward portion. The primer is provided in the base portion. The payload is provided proximate the forward portion. The first propellant region is located in the casing intermediate the primer and the payload. The flash tube substantially extends between the primer and the first propellant region. The second propellant region is located in the casing intermediate the first propellant region and the base portion. The at least one channel extends between the first propellant region and the second propellant region. A separator with a forward extending cup and a rearward extending cup has a cylindrical portion that engages the inside surface of the casing, spans the internal distance in the casing, and defines flash pathways between the primer and main propellant and between the main propellant and the secondary propellant. |
| US09921038B2 |
Glass-bonded metal powder charge liners
The shaped composites of the present disclosure have metal powder bonded with glass powder. This feature provides the advantages of metal, metal powder, or glass composite materials, without suffering from the disadvantages. The composite is prepared with simple sintering methods, and can easily be formed into any number of desired shapes with dimensional characteristics and ingredients suited to a particular application. |
| US09921036B2 |
Firearm accessory mount
A system for mounting an accessory to an accessory rail of a firearm includes an accessory mount which provides a plurality of rotational positions of the accessory relative to the firearm. The accessory mount also provides one-handed insertion and removal of the accessory without touching the accessory mount. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US09921031B2 |
Firearm holster facilitating rapid magazine replacement
A holster facilitating rapid magazine replacement includes a pistol sleeve and a spare magazine holder including at least one well configured for receiving a spare magazine. The spare magazine is supported at a predetermined angle relative to the grip of the pistol in the pistol sleeve to allow for straightforward exchange. The spare magazine may be substantially parallel or at least near-parallel to the magazine loaded in the grip of the pistol in the pistol sleeve. The holster preferably includes two wells in a vertical stack, each configured to receive a spare magazine at substantially the same angle. One or more fasteners may be provided for adjusting the frictional engagement of the spare magazine disposed in each well. The spare magazine(s) may be disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the pistol, and this plane may be offset from the plane defined by the grip and the barrel of the gun. |
| US09921029B2 |
Connector
An accessory mounting interface and method are disclosed. The interface has an upper portion having a firearm accessory and at least one through hole extending from a first surface to a second surface of the upper portion, the upper portion having a first post portion with a first side surface and a first flange. A first elongated fastener is arranged through the through hole and has a first end extending below the second surface of the upper portion. The interface also has a second post portion that is movable between a first configuration defining a first transverse distance between the first and second side surfaces and a second configuration defining a second transverse distance between the first and second side surfaces, the first transverse distance greater than the second transverse distance. The first flange substantially opposes the second flange when the second post portion is in the first configuration. |
| US09921028B2 |
Apparatus and method for powering and networking a rail of a firearm
A method, apparatus and system for networking accessories to a firearm or weapon wherein the accessories are conductively powered from the rail and data is transferred between the accessories and the rail via conductive coupling. In one embodiment, a weapon is provided, the weapon having: an upper receiver; a lower receiver; a powered accessory mounted to a rail of the upper receiver; and an apparatus for conductively networking a microcontroller of the powered accessory to a microcontroller of the upper receiver and a microcontroller of the lower receiver, wherein the data is exclusively provided to the powered accessory from the rail. |
| US09921026B1 |
Elongated-draw compact crossbow
An improved elongated-draw compact crossbow (150) includes a riser (101), stirrup (100), right and left split limbs (102) each having a first end coupled to the riser (101), right and left cams (104 and 103) with axles coupled to respective second ends of the right and left split limbs (102), string (105) and harness coupled to right and left cams (104 and 103), and a rifle-type stock (110) with a substantially rectangular-shaped barrel (109) having a bore end and butt end and being coupled to the stock (110). When the string (105) of the crossbow (150) is fully drawn and cocked, covers (108 and 107) may be pivoted on the cylindrical rods of respective brackets (106) until they rest against the side of the barrel (109) and cover the string (105) when cocked. Another improved elongated-draw compact crossbow (160) includes a single cover (113) coupled to a hinge (112) the top side of the barrel (109) that rotates on the hinge (112) down until it rests against the top side of the barrel (109) and two portions of the cover (113) extend down over the string (105) when cocked. |
| US09921020B2 |
Sound suppressor with replaceable components
A sound suppressor having a housing and a baffle. The housing is integrally formed and has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bore. The bore of the housing is defined by the inner surface of the housing and extends longitudinally. A serial number for the sound suppressor is provided on the outer surface of the housing. The baffle is removable from the housing and has an annulus. The annulus of the baffle is in communication with the inner surface of the housing when the baffle is at least partially disposed within the bore of the housing. |
| US09921018B2 |
Multi-mode weapon
A multi-mode and/or multi-ammunition weapon is described, whereupon being removed from a stored position is always initially in a first mode that is intended to disable or stun a subject. If deadly force is required, the weapon is easily and quickly placed in a second mode that is deadly. When returned to the stored position, the weapon is automatically placed in the first mode. Different mechanisms for disabling and/or stunning a subject are also described. A mechanism is optionally included for recording sequences of attack modes and/or ammunition types fired to provide an un-alterable record of events when the weapon is fired. |
| US09921017B1 |
User identification for weapons and site sensing fire control
Firearms or other projectile weapons include a GPS sensor, World Time RF sensor, orientation sensor for detecting the angle, acceleration (launch velocity), and direction in which the projectile will be launched along with a stored updatable list of times, GPS coordinates, distances from the GPS coordinates such that the weapon is disabled for use in these restricted areas if the projectile shall enter the restricted area. In addition, acceleration is used to detect a dropped or potentially damaged weapon such that the weapon is disabled and an emergency RF beacon is enabled (alternatively selected by the user). |
| US09921011B2 |
Valve control in an HVAC system with sensors
The present disclosure is directed towards a method of controlling opening of a valve (10) in an HVAC system (100). The method includes controlling the opening of the valve (10) according to a default control mode in dependence of a default sensor signal. The method further includes determining, while controlling the opening of the valve (10) according to the default control mode, whether the default sensor signal is faulty and switching, in case of the default sensor signal being faulty, to controlling the opening of the valve (10) according to a fallback control mode, with the opening of the valve (10) being controlled independently of the faulty sensor signal in the fallback control mode. The present invention is further directed towards a corresponding control device opening of a valve (10) in an HVAC system as well as a corresponding computer program product. |
| US09921010B2 |
Partitioning member for total heat exchange element, total heat exchange element and total heat exchange ventilator using the partitioning member for total heat exchange element
Partitioning member (1) for total heat exchange element includes porous base material (2), and porous base material (2) is filled with hydrophilic polymer compound (3) at a surface and an inside thereof. Hydrophilic polymer compound (3) is formed by polymerizing a low-molecular-weight organic compound having a quaternary ammonium group and an amide group, and represented by chemical formula (1): wherein A is a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R1, R2 and R3 are linear or branched alkyl groups each independently having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and Y has a polymerizable functional group, and is polymerized to form a main chain of the hydrophilic polymer compound. |
| US09921009B2 |
Dual-use ram-primary/regen hx
A regenerative heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The heat exchanger is configured to operate in two modes. A first mode uses only an ambient flow to cool a hot flow and a second mode uses both the ambient flow and a regenerative flow to cool the hot flow. |
| US09921004B2 |
Polymer-based microfabricated thermal ground plane
Embodiments described herein relate to the concept and designs of a polymer-based thermal ground plane. In accordance with one embodiment, a polymer is utilized as the material to fabricate the thermal ground plane. Other embodiments include am optimized wicking structure design utilizing two arrays of micropillars, use of lithography-based microfabrication of the TGP using copper/polymer processing, micro-posts, throttled releasing holes embedded in the micro-posts, atomic layer deposition (ALD) hydrophilic coating, throttled fluid charging structure and sealing method, defect-free ALD hermetic coating, and compliant structural design. |
| US09921003B2 |
Wickless heat pipe and thermal ground plane
A wickless heat pipe including a first tube and a second tube. The first tube may form a first shape extending longitudinally in a first direction. The second tube may form a second shape extending longitudinally in a second direction different from the first direction. The first tube and the second tube intersect at at least one location. The two tubes may intersect at a right angle or an oblique angle. The first and second tube may intersect at a plurality of locations. The tubes may be formed from a metal plate used as a thermal ground plane. |
| US09920999B2 |
Heat exchanger and integrated air-conditioning assembly including such exchanger
The invention relates to a heat-exchanger for an air-conditioning circuit that includes a first pipe (110) defining a path for a flow of fluid, the first pipe being spirally wound about a so-called exchanger axis (A). According to the invention, the heat exchanger (9) further includes at least one second pipe (120a, 120b) defining a path for a flow of a second fluid, said second pipe being provided against a surface of the first pipe (110) and spirally wound together with said first pipe (110) about said axis (A). The invention can be used in air-conditioning circuits operating with a super-critical coolant, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). |
| US09920998B2 |
Air cooled condenser and power generating apparatus provided with the same
Disclosed are an air cooled condenser capable of preventing air from being mixed into a working medium flow path, and a power generating apparatus including the air cooled condenser. The air cooled condenser includes a heat exchanger for air-cooling a working medium indirectly through a wall, a fan, a sensor for measuring a pressure value of the working medium at an outlet of the heat exchanger, and a controller for controlling the rotating speed of the fan such that the pressure value obtained by the sensor comes closer to a target value set to be equal to or larger than an atmospheric pressure. |
| US09920997B2 |
Cooling apparatus and system including the same
Cooling apparatuses and a system including the same may be provided. The cooling apparatus including a freezer, a first cooling unit configured to cool a first cooling water supplied to the freezer in open air, and a second cooling unit configured to cool a second cooling water supplied to the first cooling unit may be provided. According to a temperature difference between the open air and the first cooling water, the second cooling unit may circulate the second cooling water separately with respect to the first cooling water or mix the second cooling water into the first cooling water. |
| US09920995B2 |
Sand dispensing system and method of dispensing sand into a metal making furnace
A sand dispensing system with a compact movable sand reservoir, mounted for movement atop a metal making furnace, is refillable with a predetermined amount of sand, and tilts with the furnace. The reservoir dispenses a directed stream of the predetermined amount of sand through a nozzle in a sump panel door to fill a tap hole in the furnace. One end of the nozzle receives the directed stream of sand. The opposite end of the nozzle projects into the furnace, to direct the sand stream into the tap hole when the sand reservoir is in the dispensing position. An imaging device may be used to inspect the tap hole before and after the sand is directed into the tap hole. A remote control may be used to operate the sand dispensing system. The predetermined amount may be adjusted as the fill volume of the tap hole increases. |
| US09920994B2 |
Dental pressing furnace
The invention relates to a dental pressing furnace for producing a dental restoration element in a muffle (8) by heating and pressing a blank (14). The dental pressing furnace comprises a combustion chamber (6), comprising at least one guide opening (11) that is opened towards the outside and a pressing stamp (4) guided in the guiding opening (11) and protruding into the combustion chamber (6) for applying pressing force to the heated blank (14) in the muffle (8). A temperature transmitter (36) guided at least in part by the pressing stamp (4) is configured to guide a temperature (50) of the blank (14) in the combustion chamber (6) from said combustion chamber, and a temperature sensor (34) connected to the temperature transmitter (36) outside of the combustion chamber captures the temperature (50). |
| US09920975B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a mid-frame positioned on a front surface of the main body wall and a heater configured to heat the mid-frame and provided at the mid-frame. The mid-frame includes a front frame provided to cover at least a part of a front surface of the at least one inner box configured to form the main body wall, and an extension frame formed to extend rearward from the front frame and including an edge portion in which an end portion of the extension frame has a thickness greater than that of an adjacent extension frame. |
| US09920966B2 |
Apparatus and method for increasing removal rate of residue
An apparatus and a method of removing a high boiling point residue from a waste refrigerant are provided to improve a reuse rate of the waste refrigerant by improving an oil removal rate at which oil is separated from the waste refrigerant. The apparatus includes a vaporizer that is configured to vaporize a waste refrigerant collected from a vehicle and includes an oil outlet configured to exhaust oil separated from the waste refrigerant. In addition, an oil separator is configured to receive the vaporized waste refrigerant transferred from the vaporizer and separate oil mists remaining in the waste refrigerant from the waste refrigerant. |
| US09920964B2 |
Hybrid indirect/direct contactor for thermal management of counter-current processes
The invention relates to contactors suitable for use, for example, in manufacturing and chemical refinement processes. In an aspect is a hybrid indirect/direct contactor for thermal management of counter-current processes, the contactor comprising a vertical reactor column, an array of interconnected heat transfer tubes within the reactor column, and a plurality of stream path diverters, wherein the tubes and diverters are configured to block all straight-line paths from the top to bottom ends of the reactor column. |
| US09920962B2 |
Packaged terminal air conditioner unit
A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit can include a heater bank jumper configured to couple one or more heater banks to a controller associated with the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The heater bank jumper can be selectively configurable to provide at least one shunt line to couple at least one contact point associated with the controller to at least one contact point associated with the one or more heater banks. In this manner, the heater bank jumper can be configured based at least in part on an amount of current provided to the packaged terminal air conditioner unit by an electric service. |
| US09920960B2 |
Heat pump system having a pre-processing module
A heat pump system may be selectively operated in a defrost mode or cycle. The system includes an energy recovery module that receives and conditions air in a regeneration air channel. A pre-processing module is positioned downstream of the energy recovery module. The pre-processing module receives and heats air from the energy recovery module. A regeneration air heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the pre-processing module. The regeneration air heat exchanger receives and conditions air from the pre-processing module. The pre-processing module heats the air from the energy recovery module to increase an efficiency of the regeneration air heat exchanger. During the defrost mode, a loop of regeneration air may be recirculated between the supply air channel and the regeneration air channel in order to defrost the regeneration air heat exchanger. |
| US09920958B2 |
Photovoltaic module mounting assembly
A mounting assembly (70c) for installing solar cell or photovoltaic modules (58) on a building surface (34) is disclosed. The mounting assembly (70c) includes a mounting device (74), a stud (114) that may be threaded to the mounting device (74), a clamping member (142) that may be positioned on the stud (114), and a nut (128) that may be threaded onto the stud (114) to secure the clamping member (142) to the mounting device (74). A mounting plate (110′) is disposed somewhere between the clamping member (142) and the mounting device (74). This mounting plate (110′) includes a raised structure or dome (174) on its upper surface (170) for positionally registering modules (58) thereto, a plurality of grounding projections (172) on this same upper surface (170), and a plurality of wiring tabs or clips (178) on its lower surface (176). |
| US09920956B2 |
Absorber tube and method for the reversible loading and unloading of a getter material
An absorber tube, especially for solar collectors in solar thermal power plants with at least one collector mirror, is provided. The absorber tube includes a metal tube for supplying and heating a heat transfer medium, a sheath tube surrounding the metal tube to form an annular space that can be evacuated, a wall extending through the sheath tube and the metal tube to seal the annular space, and a getter material binding free hydrogen in the annular space. The absorber tube has a temperature variation device that changes the temperature of the getter material and the wall. |
| US09920948B2 |
Asynchronous reporting system
An asynchronous reporting mechanism for a remote device in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning environment. Using gateway information, such as a device address, report information may be sent to the user account, or using another approach, the information may be sent directly to the user. An asynchronous message may be sent without user intervention or request. |
| US09920945B2 |
Air-conditioning control apparatus, air-conditioning control system, and air-conditioning control method
An air-conditioning control apparatus controlling a plurality of air conditioners calculates an adjustment time for adjusting a temperature of an area to be adjusted by the air conditioners to be controlled to between a desired temperature and an allowable temperature, generates a control schedule based on the adjustment time, and controls the air conditioners with the generated control schedule, instead of controlling with a preset stop time which is fixed, in order to bring the temperature around the air conditioners to the desired temperature. Thus, the air conditioners can be made to stop heat exchange before the desired temperature is reached, so that power consumption can be reduced. |
| US09920944B2 |
Wall module display modification and sharing
A wall module for controlling a temperature in a building space includes a housing and a temperature sensor disposed within the housing. A touch screen display is mounted relative to the housing and a controller is configured to control what is displayed on the touch screen display and to accept inputs received via the touch screen display. A communication port is operatively coupled to the controller for communicating with an HVAC controller that is remote from the wall module. The controller is configured to permit a user to alter a display arrangement of information displayed on the touch screen display, and to transmit the altered display arrangement to the HVAC controller such that the HVAC controller can subsequently provide the altered display arrangement back to the wall module and/or share the altered display arrangement with other wall modules. |
| US09920943B2 |
Normalized indices for feedback control loops
A feedback controller for generating and using a normalized performance index for a feedback control loop is shown and described. The feedback controller is configured to generate an input for a control process, identify an error signal representing a difference between a setpoint and a feedback signal from the control process, compute a first exponentially-weighted moving average (EWMA) of a first function of the error signal and a second EWMA of a second function of the error signal, and to generate a normalized performance index using the first EWMA and the second EWMA. |
| US09920941B2 |
Controlling a central air-conditioning system that conditions at least heating operation of a plurality of rooms in a house
An air-conditioning control apparatus controls an air-conditioning unit used in a central air-conditioning system that conditions a plurality of rooms in a house by a single air-conditioning unit. In the apparatus, a microcomputer starts an output of an ON command signal when started, subsequently continues the output of the ON command signal when a detected temperature inside a room is lower than a predetermined determination temperature, and stop the output of the ON command signal when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined determination temperature. A protective opening and closing unit closes a first power supply path between a voltage input terminal and an internal alternating-current power supply line when the ON command signal outputted from the microcomputer is supplied, and opens the first power supply path when the supply of the ON command signal is stopped. |
| US09920940B2 |
Rotary wheel sealing system
A rotary wheel assembly is configured for use with a system for conditioning air to be supplied to an enclosed structure. The rotary wheel is configured to be positioned within a supply air stream and an exhaust air stream. The assembly includes a cassette frame, a wheel rotatably secured within the cassette frame, and a self-adjusting seal subassembly configured to maintain sealing engagement with respect to a surface of the wheel. The self-adjusting seal subassembly includes at least one seal member. |
| US09920938B2 |
Packaged terminal air conditioner unit
A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, an interior coil, an exterior coil and a reversing valve are positioned within the casing. The reversing valve is configured for selectively reversing a flow direction of compressed refrigerant from the compressor. The packaged terminal air conditioner also includes at least one phase separator and at least one ejector. |
| US09920929B2 |
Method for reducing slag in biomass combustion
Biomass is quickly becoming an important feedstock for energy generation in power plants. Due to their composition and nature, certain biomass fuels contribute to slagging, fouling, and corrosion. This invention provides a novel method of reducing or suppressing slag deposition and/or cleaning deposited slag in energy production processes in which potassium-containing solid fuels are combusted. Besides acting as a slag suppressant, further advantages of this invention are that the additive has no detrimental side-effects on capital equipment, increases slag friability, decreases slag fouling rate, reduces heat transfer corrosion as well as increasing the lifetime of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst. |
| US09920928B2 |
Waste processing
This invention provides a system (10) for generating energy from waste material. The system comprises a first batch processing oven (12) for generating syngas and a second batch processing oven (14) for generating syngas. At least one thermal treatment chamber (20) heats the syngas after it is produced, and an energy converter (22) converts energy from the syngas to electrical energy. |
| US09920927B2 |
Low NOx burner
A low NOx burner has a housing that includes a burner head defining a gas manifold and a primary flame zone downstream of the burner head. The burner has a gas inlet for receiving gas. Flow-through air vents are disposed around a center of the burner head and extending through the burner head thereby enabling cold core air to flow from an annular core space upstream of the burner head to the primary flame zone downstream of the burner head. The burner also includes a plurality of premix air vents in fluid communication with the manifold for premixing air and gas within the manifold and for emitting premixed air and gas into the primary flame zone. A plurality of staging pipes extend from the manifold into the primary flame zone for conveying gas into the primary flame zone. The burner includes an ignition device extending into the primary flame zone. |
| US09920925B2 |
Steam generator sludge lance apparatus
A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate. |
| US09920923B2 |
High pressure direct contact oxy-fired steam generator
A method and apparatus for direct contact steam generation for a variety of industrial processes including heavy oil recovery, power generation and pulp and paper applications. The steam generation system consists of a combustor and steam generator and is constructed to be operable at elevated pressures. The fuel, at least one oxidant and a fluid supply including water are supplied at pressure to the combustor. Flue gas from the combustor is delivered to the direct contact steam generator at pressure, and upon direct contact with water produces a flue gas stream consisting primarily of steam. This product stream can then be cleansed and used for industrial application. The combustor can be operated with low grade fuel and low quality water with high solids and hydrocarbon contents. The apparatus and method reduce the environmental footprint by reducing air emission, concentrating CO2 to enable capture and reducing clean water requirements. |
| US09920920B2 |
Illumination device for an electrical household appliance
An electrical household appliance includes an appliance body having a body interior, into which a shelf for storing objects is inserted, and an illumination device having a light source, and a light-directing structure which couples one portion of the light generated by the light source into a narrow side of the shelf, and directs another portion of the light generated by the light source into the body interior. |
| US09920918B1 |
Portable light
A portable light having a light head with a plurality of light elements and a rotatable diffuser to selectively diffuse the light produced by the light elements. The diffuser is operable by an actuator. The actuator further includes a switch for controlling the dimming level of the light elements. A separate switch controls whether the light is “on” or “off”. |
| US09920917B1 |
House lighting device
A house number light includes a frame defining an opening in a central portion and having a side opening along an inside face. The frame includes light sources, first and second power sources configured to provide electric power to the light sources, and a control circuit connected between the first power source and the light sources and connected between the second power source and the light sources. The control circuit electrically couples one of the first and the second power sources to the light sources at a time. If the first power source is electrically coupled to the light sources, electrical energy from the first power source passes through the control circuit to the light sources, and if the second power source is electrically coupled to the light sources, electrical energy provided by the second power source passes through the control circuit to the light sources. |
| US09920916B2 |
Card type LED driver and transportation means with card type driver
The present invention relates to a card type LED driver and transportation means with the card type driver, characterized in that the card type LED driver includes an installation card tray and a replaceable driving circuit board, the installation card tray being secured to an LED module or an LED lamp with the LED module so as to drive and/or control the LED module through an electrical interface in the installation card tray; the replaceable driving circuit board has at least one AC directly driven LED driving unit, the replaceable driving circuit board being pluggably secured to the installation card tray, thus making possible selectively installing a corresponding replaceable driving circuit board according to lighting scenario requirements, dimming requirements, and electrical characteristics of the LED module. |
| US09920912B1 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a mount, a first seat, a switch and a fixture. When the mount is connected to the fixture, the fixture contacts the switch to activate the circuit, and the second seat on the fixture, the light source and the first seat are electrically connected to the exterior power source. When the fixture is removed from the mount, the switch is shut off to protect the users from electrical hazard. |
| US09920910B2 |
Method for mounting light-emitting elements
In a first aspect of the present invention, it is suggested that a mounting method for mounting light-emitting elements as evenly as possible in a mounting area of a lighting device may permit increased number of light-emitting elements. In a second aspect of the present invention, a lighting device including a substrate with a circular mounting area, a plurality of light-emitting elements configured to be positioned at centers of equal smaller circular areas that are calculated to be equal in size in the circular mounting area, the equal smaller circular areas being equal in size to each other and set as large as possible without an overlapping portion in the circular mounting area, a total area of the equal smaller circular areas being smaller than the circular mounting area, and the light-emitting elements and the equal smaller circular areas being the same in number is suggested. |
| US09920909B2 |
Lighting driver and housing having internal electromagnetic shielding layer configured for direct connection to circuit ground
An apparatus (200, 300, 400, 500) includes a lighting driver circuit (210, 310, 410, 510) and a housing (220, 420, 520) in which the lighting driver circuit is disposed. The lighting driver circuit is configured to receive an input voltage (10) between a pair of input terminals (305) and in response thereto to supply power to one or more light sources (20). The housing has an electrically insulating inner surface (222, 422, 522) and an electrically insulating outer surface (228, 428, 528) and an electrically conductive electromagnetic shield layer (226, 426, 526). The electrically conductive electromagnetic shield layer is disposed between the electrically insulating inner surface and the outer electrically insulating surface. The lighting driver circuit is electrically connected to the electrically conductive electromagnetic shield layer of the housing. |
| US09920906B2 |
White LED lighting device and a lighting appliance
An LED lighting device (6) having an LED (8) emitting white light and optical filter means (12) suitable for filtering the white light emitted by the LED (8). The optical filter means comprise at least two optical filters (12) that have different transmission coefficients and that are positionable to filter the light emitted by the LED (8) individually. The lighting device (6) includes a power supply unit (10) suitable for delivering different power supply currents to the LED (8) depending on whether one or the other of the optical filters (12) is positioned to filter the light from the LED (8), so as to modify the color temperature of the light emitted by the LED (8). |
| US09920905B2 |
Light fixture
The present disclosure describes a light fixture for general lighting. The light fixture is includes a light source assembly that uses a point source of light such as an LED, an aspheric reflector, and a lightguide made of transparent materials, that redirects and distributes the light from the point source to an area light. The novel light fixture is not only functional and provides low-glare illumination, it also has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. |
| US09920901B2 |
LED lensing arrangement
An LED lensing arrangement for lighting fixtures includes (1) a rigid light-transmissive outer structure having an outwardly-facing light-exit surface and an outer-structure light-input surface, (2) an optically-clear molded polymeric inner structure having a light-entrance surface and a light-output surface which is adhered to the outer-structure light-input surface, the inner structure being of a material which is pourable upon molding, one example being a liquid silicone rubber (LSR) material, and (3) at least one LED light source secured with respect to and optically coupled to the inner-structure light-entrance surface. |
| US09920899B2 |
Luminaire
A luminaire includes a support, a lens, an LED sheet, a top cover, a driver, an end bracket, and an end cap. The lens is connected to the support. The LED sheet is connected to the support between the lens and the support. The LED sheet has a plurality of LEDs, wherein a first LED is positioned in a first direction and a second LED is positioned in a second direction different from said first direction. The top cover is connected to the support. The driver is positioned in the support and electrically connected to the plurality of LEDs. The end bracket is connected to the support and the end cap is connected to the support covering the end bracket. |
| US09920897B2 |
Head lamp for vehicle
A head lamp for a vehicle is provided that is capable of irradiating a low beam pattern to the front of the vehicle, without using a separate reflector. |
| US09920896B2 |
Combination solar/low-voltage lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of lighting elements coupled to the housing, wherein a first subset of the plurality of lighting elements is powered by a solar power source and a second subset of the plurality of lighting elements is powered by a low-voltage electrical power source, and a switch for selectively switching between operation of the first subset and the second subset. |
| US09920893B2 |
Busline LED module
A bus line LED module includes a printed circuit board on which LEDs are mounted and lens portion formed over the LEDs. A pair of wires is positioned beneath the printed circuit board within a bottom portion assembly to form a top portion assembly. A pair of windows within a bottom portion assembly enables access to a portion of the wires where a metal-to-metal contact to the metal inner portion of the wires is made. A pair of metal connectors extends from the printed circuit board to make metal-to-metal contact with the metal wires. A sealing connection is made between the top portion assembly and the bottom portion assembly. |
| US09920889B2 |
Lighting device including phosphor cover and method of manufacturing the same
In a first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a lighting device includes a light source including a light-emitting surface, and a phosphor cover including a spiral surface that covers the light-emitting surface of the light source. In a second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a phosphor cover including a spiral surface may include one or more layers. In a third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a method manufacturing a lighting device includes: rolling up a phosphor film from one end to another end to form a roll with spiral surfaces both ends of the roll of the phosphor film. |
| US09920886B2 |
Hydroelectric control valve for remote locations
A hydroelectric control valve (HCV) for a fluid pipeline including an inlet and outlet section attached to a pipeline wherein fluid flows into and out of the HCV that comprises a bell section and a seat reservoir section which are both capped, where the bell section and the seat reservoir section are aligned with each other and are also perpendicular to fluid flowing through the pipeline. An electrical poppet channel is attached to the bell section, such that the bell section includes a bell relief channel in fluid communication with an outlet section and also a separate hydroelectric poppet channel in communication with a locating needle head as well as including a turbine and turbine channel where the turbine channel connects the input section and the seat reservoir and where the seat reservoir section includes a seat reservoir relief channel also in fluid communication with the output section. |
| US09920881B2 |
Pressure container
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure container configured so that a seal member is excellent at maintainability and has a simple structure. The container includes a hollow plastic liner (2) provided with a projected cylindrical neck portion (2b), and to reserve gas or liquid; a mouthpiece member (3) disposed outside the neck portion (2b) in a radial direction; a reinforced layer (4) covering outsides of the plastic liner (2) and the mouthpiece member (3); an attachment member (5) capable of being inserted between the neck portion (2b) and the mouthpiece member (3), and attachable to and detachable from the mouthpiece member (3); and a first seal member (6) disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the neck portion (2b) and an inner peripheral surface of the attachment member (5). |
| US09920880B2 |
Deaerating assembly
An example method of deaerating a mixture of fluid and air includes communicating a mixture of fluid and air directly against a wall of a reservoir to separate the fluid from the air. The method reuses the fluid held within the reservoir after the separating. |
| US09920879B2 |
Lubricant reservoir low level indicator
A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a motorized pump, a follower plate, a stationary rod, a movable sleeve, and a flexible connection. The motorized pump is disposed to pump fluid from the lubricant reservoir to lubricant work lines. The follower plate is situated within the lubricant reservoir. The stationary rod has a colored indicator portion. The movable sleeve disposed concentrically about the stationary rod. The flexible connection extends between the follower plate and the stationary colored rod, such that the flexible connection pulls the movable sleeve away from the stationary rod to reveal the colored indicator portion as the follower plate drops towards a bottom of the lubricant reservoir. |
| US09920873B1 |
Bursting head device
Provided are articulating, rotating pipe bursting head devices for bursting a buried pipe and simultaneously pulling a replacement pipe through the same location. The bursting heads can comprise an integrated, substantially hollow cone body having one or more cutting knives arranged radially about its outer surface, and an end cap at its posterior end. Protruding from the posterior end of the end cap is a swiveling quick release coupling means for linking the bursting head to a replacement pipe carrier such as a universal duct puller. The swiveling quick release coupling means allows for rotation and articulation of the replacement pipe relative to the bursting head during operation, enhancing entry of the replacement pipe into an existing pipe underground. The bursting head body further can comprise an axial opening at its anterior end for receiving a cable, an internal magnetized cable gripping mechanism and a quick-release tool. |
| US09920869B2 |
Cooling systems for gas turbine engine components
A transfer tube includes a conduit with an inlet and an opposed outlet. The transfer tube also includes a retention tab extending from the inlet and a locking spring tab extending from the outlet. The locking spring tab includes a claw portion extending radially from the locking spring tab of the transfer tube. |
| US09920868B2 |
Extendable stand pipe and flex joint modules
The disclosure teaches an adjustable/extendable piping system/module for associating fluid access products (such as fire hydrants) to a buried fluid source. The piping system defines an adjustable configuration that allows for the overall length of the piping system to be modified to compensate for different bury depths. The disclosure further teaches a flex module configured for associating a fluid product with a piping system connected to a fluid source. The flex module is configured to flex a predefined amount to prevent damage to the system from low energy impacts. |
| US09920864B2 |
Connecting device, and corresponding thermal exchanger, particularly for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a connecting device having a female part and a complementary male part, wherein the female part is a sleeve able to receive at least partially the associated male part with a gap between the sleeve and the male part for receiving a brazing material. The sleeve at least partially has a conical shape. The conical shape has a first substantially conical part having a complementary shape to the male part, with a first inclination angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The conical shape also has a second substantially conical part with a second inclination angle with respect to the axis, with the second inclination angle being larger than the first inclination angle. |
| US09920862B2 |
Fluid conduit
A fluid conduit comprises a wall defining a fluid flow path and a confinement feature within the wall and being configured to confine energy within a cavity, wherein at least a portion of the fluid flow path extends through the cavity. The confinement feature may be configured to confine electromagnetic energy. The fluid conduit may comprise an oscillator defined by the cavity and a positive feedback arrangement. The fluid conduit may be configured for sensing a property of a fluid present in or flowing through the fluid conduit or for use in sensing a property of a fluid present in or flowing through the fluid conduit. |
| US09920861B2 |
Multilayer reinforced polymeric pipe and system of pipes for water transportation
The invention relates to the design of a multilayer reinforced polymeric pipe. The multilayer reinforced polymeric pipe comprises a polymeric base layer, at least one barrier layer, at least one reinforcing layer, an adhesive layer and a protective layer. The adhesive layer is made from a material which does not adhere to a material of the reinforcing layer and forms channels for the reversible movement of the fibers of the reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer is made of high-strength and high-modular polymeric fibers, preferably aramid, polyester, or polyethylene fibers. The barrier layer is made of polar and nonpolar polymers. The protective layer is made of polyethylene of medium density. A system of pipes for transportation of water, preferably hot water in district heating and water supply networks, consisting of two or more multilayer reinforced polymeric pipes. |
| US09920850B2 |
Adjustable pilot operated flow control valve
A flow control valve including a main valve and a pilot valve for controlling a piston of the main valve. The pilot valve is controlled in part with relatively high pressure fluid ported from a high pressure port of a flow sensor and relatively low pressure fluid ported from a low pressure port of a flow sensor, and also controlled with a control fluid applied to a control plate acting on a compression spring to bias the pilot valve. The pressure in the control fluid is controlled by pressurizing a control fluid reservoir with a mechanism accessible from outside the valve and the piping in which the valve is installed. The flow sensor and the reservoir are preferably disposed within the flange of the valve. |
| US09920847B2 |
Apparatus to interface with a corrugated diaphragm
Apparatus to interface with a corrugated profile are disclosed. An example apparatus for use with a fluid regulator includes an elastomeric ring having a corrugated profile that corresponds to a corrugated profile of a diaphragm of the fluid regulator. The elastomeric ring is to be positioned between a valve body and a bonnet of the fluid regulator to clamp the diaphragm between the valve body and the bonnet. The example apparatus includes a metallic ring positioned between the valve body and the bonnet to contact the elastomeric ring to support the elastomeric ring. |
| US09920844B2 |
Valve manifold deadleg elimination via reentrant flow path
A gas delivery system for a substrate processing system includes first and second valves, a first gas channel, and a cylinder. The first valve includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The first outlet is in fluid communication with a processing chamber of the substrate processing system. The second valve includes a second inlet and a second outlet. The cylinder defines a second gas channel having a first end and a second end. The cylinder is at least partially disposed within the first gas channel such that the cylinder and the first gas channel collectively define a flow channel. The flow channel is in fluid communication with the first end of the second gas channel and with the first inlet. A third gas channel is in fluid communication with the second end of the second gas channel and with the second inlet. |
| US09920842B1 |
Low-torque choke valve for well automation
A choke valve body of a valve apparatus includes a lower stem that terminating at a lower end thereof with a plug. A conduit traverses a lower portion of the lower stem between at least one plug aperture traversing the plug to at least one top aperture traversing an upper end of the lower portion. The lower portion is slidably retained within the valve chamber between closed and open positions. A bonnet fixed with the valve body has a bonnet chamber for receiving the lower portion, and a bore with at least one annular seal for slidably retaining an upper portion. A yoke assembly is fixed with the bonnet, terminates at an upper end with a drive mechanism, and includes an upper stem with a threaded upper end that is driven between raised and lowered positions by the drive mechanism, the upper stem fixed with the lower stem. |
| US09920840B2 |
Valve with different threads for preventing rotation of and locking bonnet within valve
The present invention provides a valve with different threads for preventing rotation of and locking a bonnet with the valve. |
| US09920838B2 |
Brush seal
A brush seal for a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, is disclosed. The brush seal includes a support ring which has a support plate and a support structure, where the support structure is arranged downstream with respect to the support plate. The brush seal also includes bristles which are arranged upstream with respect to the support ring, where ends of the bristles protrude radially inward beyond the support plate. The support structure yields when a scraping force acting radially outward occurs on a first lateral surface of the support structure, where the first lateral surface is directed radially inward, and the support structure does not yield when an axial operating force occurs on a second lateral surface of the support structure. |
| US09920837B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device suppresses deterioration of sealing properties due to plastic deformation (settling) of an outer circumferential lip, including a packing (10) having an outer circumferential lip (12) provided on a sealed fluid side and an inner circumferential lip (13) on an inner circumferential side, and a metal spring member (20) mounted in a mounting groove (11) and having an outer circumferential pressing portion (21) that extends radially outward and toward the sealed fluid side from a groove bottom of the mounting groove (11) and presses the outer circumferential lip (12) radially outward, and an inner circumferential pressing portion (22) that extends radially inward and toward the sealed fluid side from the groove bottom of the mounting groove (11) and presses the inner circumferential lip (13) radially inward. Among the outer circumferential lip (12) and the inner circumferential lip (13), a protrusion (13a) for preventing the spring member (20) from coming off is provided only on the inner circumferential lip (13). |
| US09920835B2 |
Piston device and pressure regulator using same
A piston device and a pressure regulator including the piston device. The piston device includes a piston body and a baffle plate having a surface provided with openings. The baffle plate is arranged in the piston body and divides the piston body into an upper first area and a lower second area. The piston device beneficially improves the stress balance of the first area and the second area, thereby improving the stability of the overall system. |
| US09920834B2 |
Park lock mechanism
A park lock having an actuator assembly for pivoting a pawl relative to a dog ring. The actuator assembly has a first linear actuator, a locking mechanism, a first biasing spring and a second linear actuator. The first linear actuator has a first output member that is movable along a movement axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively couple the first output member and a cam for common movement along the movement axis. The first biasing spring is configured to move the cam along the movement axis relative to the first output member when the locking mechanism decouples the cam from the first output member. The second linear actuator is configured to move the cam along the movement axis and against the first biasing spring when the cam is decoupled from the first output member. |
| US09920828B2 |
Differential with lubricant control
A system for regulating lubricant temperature within a vehicle axle is provided. A differential housing has a primary chamber that contains the differential, and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber. A sump is in the primary chamber for collecting lubricant. An inlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant to flow from the primary chamber into the secondary chamber. An outlet to the secondary chamber allows the lubricant stored therein to be purged into the sump. When the lubricant is below a certain threshold temperature, a temperature-responsive valve is configured to close to inhibit the fluid to travel through the outlet. When the temperature of the lubricant rises to exceed the threshold, the valve is configured to open and permit the fluid to travel through the outlet. |
| US09920825B2 |
Device for measuring moving range of side gear
A moving range measurement device of a side gear used in a differential unit, the differential unit including: a differential case; a side gear arranged inside the differential case; and a spring that biases the side gear in a direction parallel to a central axis, in which: the device includes: a jig in which a slope is formed, the jig being slidable in a direction vertical to the central axis of the side gear; and an actuator that slides the jig, and the actuator slides the jig to make the jig move toward the side gear in a state in which the slope is in contact with the side gear, to thereby move the side gear along the slope. |
| US09920824B1 |
Power transmission apparatus for vehicle
A power transmission apparatus may include an first shifting member receiving the torque of the engine from the second input shaft, changing the torque of the engine into first and second preliminarily shifted torques, and outputting the first and second preliminarily shifted torques; a second shifting member receiving the torque of the engine from the third input shaft, changing the torque of the engine into third and fourth preliminarily shifted torques, and outputting the third and fourth preliminarily shifted torques; and a third shifting member changing the torque of the engine selectively transmitted from the first input shaft and the first preliminarily shifted torque to the fourth preliminarily shifted torque selectively transmitted from the first shifting member or the second shifting member into eleven forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage, and outputting the eleven forward speed stages and the one reverse speed stage. |
| US09920822B2 |
Double nut ball screw capable of sensing preload
A double nut ball screw capable of sensing preload includes a screw rod, two nuts, a connection key, multiple balls, a deformable annular platform having a U-shaped cross section with a bottom wall portion and two sidewall portions integrally connected with two opposite lateral sides of the bottom wall portion, and an annular force sensor mounted on the bottom wall portion of the deformable annular platform and located between the two sidewall portions. The deformable annular platform has a protruded portion located at the outer surface of the bottom wall portion opposite to the force sensor, and is disposed in the gap between the two nuts and wedged between two mating surfaces of the two nuts with the distal ends of the sidewall portions abutted against the mating surface of one nut and the protruded portion abutted against the mating surface of the other nut. |
| US09920821B2 |
Driving apparatus for high-load linear actuator
A high-load linear actuator includes a driving mechanism, a worm shaft, a worm wheel assembly, a lead screw, a telescopic pipe and an outer pipe. The driving mechanism includes a base and a motor. The base has a supporting portion and an accommodating portion. The motor is fixed to the supporting portion. The worm shaft extends from the motor into the supporting portion. The worm wheel assembly includes a worm wheel and two bearings for supporting the worm wheel in the accommodating portion. The worm wheel is engaged with the worm shaft. The lead screw is disposed through the worm wheel and driven by the motor for rotation. The telescopic pipe slips on the lead screw to be threadedly connected therewith. The outer pipe slips on the telescopic pipe. The rotation of the lead screw drives the telescopic pipe to linearly extend or retract relative to the outer pipe. |
| US09920819B2 |
Tensioner
A tensioner comprising a base, a first pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a first pulley journalled to the first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotally engaged to the base, a second pulley journalled to the second pivot arm, a flexible tensile member having a toothed engagement with the first pivot arm and a toothed engagement with the second pivot arm whereby the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm move in a coordinated manner, and a tensioner assembly pivotally engaged to the base and engaged with the flexible tensile member. |
| US09920812B2 |
Vibration damper
To prevent response delay and to damp torsional vibration transmitted to a power transmission route. A vibration damper includes a first route R1 provided with a coil spring 43 as an elastic member, and a second route R2 provided with a sun gear 5s as an inertial body formed to be parallel as power transmission routes between an engine 10 to a transmission 20, and by switching the first route R1 and the second route R2 by a first clutch C1 and a second clutch C2, switchover to a state in which an inertial torque acts on the power transmission route by the sun gear 5s and a state in which the inertial torque is not generated is carried out. |
| US09920808B2 |
Micromechanical spring
A micromechanical spring including at least two bar sections which, in the undeflected state of the spring, are oriented substantially parallel to one another or are at an angle of less than 45° with respect to one another, and one or more connecting sections which connect the bar sections to one another, wherein the bar sections can be displaced relative to one another in their longitudinal direction, and wherein the spring has, in the direction of its bar sections, a substantially adjustable, in particular linear force-deflecting behavior. |
| US09920807B2 |
Method for reducing the weight of a friction lining carrier plate
The invention relates to a friction lining carrier plate (1), which has a metal sheet, to a friction lining, to a friction lining receptacle and to a brake. The metal sheet is formed in such a manner that it has a first and second recess (11, 20) on the friction lining side, wherein the metal sheet has at least a second recess (20) on the friction lining side, wherein the first and second recesses (11, 20) have a differing depth. The first and second recesses on the friction lining side are each formed as an elevation on the side of the actuation means. |
| US09920806B2 |
Friction material
[OBJECT]The present invention provides a friction material used for a disc brake pad, which is manufactured by forming a non-asbestos-organic (NAO) friction material composition, which is able to suppress an occurrence of noise just before a vehicle stops, while satisfying laws and regulations relating to the required amount of the content of the copper component.[MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM]The friction material for the disc brake pad is manufactured by forming the NAO friction material composition that is free of the copper component, the friction material composition practically does not include an iron component but includes 15-22 weight % of a non-whisker-like titanate, relative to the total amount of the friction material composition, as a titanate, 15-25 weight % of zirconium oxide with the average particle diameter of 1.0-4.0 μm, relative to the total amount of the friction material composition, as the inorganic friction modifier, and 4-6 weight % of cleavable mineral particles, relative to the total amount of the friction material composition, as the inorganic friction modifier. |
| US09920804B2 |
Electric drum or drum-in-hat park brake
A linear actuation assembly comprising: (a) a differential assembly and (b) a pair of linear actuators in communication with the differential assembly; wherein the pair of linear actuators are movable along an axis so that during movement of each of the pair of linear actuators a pair of brake shoes are moved to create a brake force or moved to release a brake force, and wherein the differential assembly distributes power equally to each of the pair of linear actuators until resistance of one of the brake shoes increases then the differential assembly ceases to provide power to the brake shoe with increased resistance and distributes the power from the brake shoe with increased resistance to a brake shoe of lower resistance until a brake force is created. |
| US09920800B2 |
Brake assembly having a bridge
A brake assembly having a brake carrier, a housing, and a bridge. The brake carrier may support at least one brake pad assembly. The housing may be disposed on the brake carrier. The bridge may be fixedly disposed on the housing. The bridge may extend over the brake pad assembly. |
| US09920798B2 |
Braking device
To provide a braking device that achieves unidirectionality without limiting the direction of rotation of a rotor. The present invention is characterized by being equipped with a housing (10), a rotor (20) provided inside the housing (10), brake shoes (30) provided between the rotor (20) and the housing (10), first protruding parts (40) that move together with the brake shoes (30), and second protruding parts (50) that move in conjunction with the rotation of the rotor (20), with the first protruding parts (40) riding up on the second protruding parts only when the rotor (20) rotates in the normal direction, and thereby generating greater friction between the brake shoes (30) and the housing (10) than the friction that can be generated between the brake shoes (30) and the housing (10) when the rotor (20) rotates in the reverse direction. |
| US09920794B2 |
Torque limiter, variable transmission ratio device, and tolerance ring
A torque limiter is configured from a ring body and a spring-form part provided in the ring body. The ring body includes a band-form metal plate and is bent approximately into a C-shape along the circumferential direction of a motor shaft and a lock holder. The spring-form part is formed so as to be capable of radial elastic deformation. The spring-form part is configured from main protrusions arranged in a compressed state between the motor shaft and the lock holder, and from sub-protrusions arranged in a non-compressed state. Further, grease is stored in a part or all of the concavities formed by the main protrusions and the sub-protrusions. |
| US09920789B2 |
Universal joint with simplified structure
A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, a first stiffener whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second stiffener whose ends are joined to the second band. A stem extends between the first stiffener and the second stiffener. A crown is around the stem. Four torsion bars exist, of which two extend between the crown and the first band and two extend between the crown and the second band. |
| US09920787B2 |
Connecting rod and internal combustion engine
A connecting rod (10) has a big end bearing eye (11) for attachment to a crankshaft, a small end bearing eye (12) for attachment to a piston, and an eccentric adjusting device (13) for adjusting an effective connecting rod length. The eccentric adjusting device (13) has eccentric rods (15, 16) that engage on an eccentric lever (14), an eccentric (36) that is guided in an aperture in the eccentric lever (14) and in the small end bearing eye (12) and an aperture for accommodating a piston pin (37). Lubricating oil bores (38, 39) are introduced into the small end bearing eye (12) via which a lubricating oil film can be built up between the small end bearing eye (12) and the eccentric (36). The small end bearing eye (12) has a larger radial wall thickness in those regions in which the lubricating oil bores (38, 39). |
| US09920786B2 |
Hybrid shaft for motor vehicles
A hybrid shaft is provided, particularly a hybrid shaft for a vehicle, for transmitting a torque. The hybrid shaft includes a hollow shaft made of metal, wherein the hollow shaft has at least one reinforcement layer made of fiber-reinforced plastic on an outer surface of the hollow shaft in at least one reinforcement section. The hollow shaft has an external diameter varying in a longitudinal direction of the hollow shaft inside the at least one reinforcement section. |
| US09920784B2 |
Assembly with at least two components that are fixed together
The invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle comprising at least a first component and a second component, for example a carrier and a guide rail of a window lifter which are fixed together by means of at least one fastening element, in this case by a plurality of rivets. A fastening element engages into openings of which one opening respectively is formed in a receiving portion of the first component and one on a protrusion of the second component, wherein a protrusion respectively protrudes in an associated receiving portion and a flexible or elastic edge section of a receiving portion can be shifted in the direction of the associated protrusion. The at least one edge section that can be shifted in a flexible manner is designed and provided for compensating manufacturing tolerances, such that the two components automatically align to one another in the area of the flexible edge section during the fastening process and can form a solid connection as intended, wherein the protruding section is locked in the receiving portion by the edge section which is shifted and pushed against the protruding section. |
| US09920783B2 |
Article support using peel release adhesives
An adhesive mounting article includes a flexible adhesive tape structure having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface. The flexible adhesive tape structure includes a peelable adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface and a first separable connecting member disposed on the second major surface. The peelable adhesive layer is capable of adhering to a mounting surface and thereafter being manually removable from the mounting surface by peeling. A rigid faceplate structure includes a rigid faceplate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, and a second separable connecting member disposed on the first major surface of the rigid faceplate. The first and second separable connecting members engage with each other to form a separable connection to connect the flexible adhesive tape structure and the rigid faceplate structure. |
| US09920775B2 |
Distributed piston elastomeric accumulator
The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer. |
| US09920772B2 |
Reversible fan module
A system may include a reversible fan module that creates an airflow. The reversible fan module may include a set of attachment members, disposed on a face of the reversible fan module, that secure the reversible fan module a first orientation or a second orientation. The system may further include a chassis that include a divider that divides an interior region of the chassis into a front compartment and a rear compartment, a window, disposed on the divider, that allows airflow between the front compartment and the rear compartment, a first opening in the chassis that opens the front compartment to a first external region, a second opening in the chassis that opens the rear compartment to a second external region, and a bay that receives the reversible fan module. |
| US09920770B2 |
Flow machine
A flow machine with a rotor-side shaft includes: a stator-side housing in which the rotor-side shaft is mounted; a seal bushing configured to seal a gap between the stator-side housing and the rotor-side shaft; a retaining bolt configured to center the seal bushing at the stator-side housing in a heat-resilient manner; and a clamp configured to fix the seal bushing in a positively engaging manner at the stator-side housing while ensuring a radial displaceability of the seal bushing relative to the stator-side housing. |
| US09920768B2 |
Centrifugal fan assembly
A centrifugal fan assembly includes an impeller assembly which has a fixed stator and a rotating impeller having a base plate, a hub connected to the base plate a plurality of backward curved first blades, and a plurality of backward curved second blades. Each first blade has an inner end which is connected to the hub. Each second blade has an inner end which is spaced apart from the hub and which tapers to a point. The first and second blades have different profiles or shapes. The axial length of the first blades is different from the axial length of the second blades. Each second blade forms an apex which projects axially from the base plate. |
| US09920764B2 |
Pump devices
The disclosure provides pumps that include improvements in construction, which involve bearing surfaces, recirculation paths, mounting footprints, impeller vane starting diameters, canister assemblies, and rotor assembly bushing configurations. |
| US09920762B2 |
Scroll compressor with tilting slider block
A scroll compressor that includes a housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the housing. The scroll bodies include a first scroll body and a second scroll body. The first and second scroll bodies have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases. Further, the scroll ribs mutually engage such that the second scroll body is movable relative to the first scroll body to compress fluid. A drive shaft has an eccentric drive pin configured to engage a drive hub on the second scroll body. The scroll compress also includes a slider block that fits over the drive pin. The slider block has a first drive surface configured to engage a second drive surface of the drive pin. In particular embodiments, the slider block can tilt about one or more edges of the second drive surface when the drive shaft is deflected under load. |
| US09920761B2 |
Vacuum pump rotor for a vacuum pump having a roots pumping mechanism
The present invention relates to a rotor for a vacuum pump 150 having a roots pumping mechanism, the rotor comprising at least two hollow lobes 160, 162, 164, 166, each lobe having an outer wall 208 which defines a lobe profile, a hollow cavity 210 generally inward of the outer wall, and at least one strengthening rib 226 located in the cavity to resist stress on the lobes generated during rotation. |
| US09920758B2 |
Eccentric screw pump with overpressure protection
An eccentric screw pump comprising an outer part (2) and an inner part (3) therein, one of the parts (2, 3) being driven rotatably and the other part (2, 3) being able to move eccentrically relative to the other part (3, 2). The screwthreads (5a, 5b) of the outer part (2) extend angularly over less than an entire helix along the axial length (L) of the part, so that during operation pumping chambers that are open to both ends are created, through which sudden pressure relief takes place. |
| US09920756B2 |
Rotary pump with a plastic composite structure
A rotary pump including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid, and a delivery chamber connected to the inlet and outlet; a delivery rotor rotatable in the delivery chamber about a rotational axis has a structure which is central in relation to the rotational axis; and a setting structure surrounding the delivery rotor and with the delivery rotor forms delivery cells, delivering the fluid from the inlet to the outlet, can be moved back and forth relative to the delivery rotor, in order to adjust a delivery volume of the rotary pump. At least one of the setting structure and/or the rotor structure is a material composite structure including a molded region made of plastic and a functional region which is fixedly connected to the molded region and made of a functional material which has a different chemical composition to the plastic of the molded region. |
| US09920754B2 |
Air maintenance tire pump simulator
An air maintenance tire pump simulator that simulates the environment of an air maintenance tire system is provided. The simulator includes at least one pneumatic cylinder, a structure that forms a closed cavity, and a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the pneumatic cylinder and the closed cavity. A cam is operably connected to a motor, and is also operably connected to the pneumatic cylinder. Engagement of the motor actuates rotation of the cam, which in turn actuates operation of the pneumatic cylinder to increase a pressure in the closed cavity. A method of simulating an air maintenance tire system is also provided. |
| US09920750B1 |
Energy production from waste heat using a shape memory drive or heat engine
A data center includes computing devices, an air handling system, a heat engine, and a generator. Air moved by the air handling system flows across heat-producing components in the computing devices in the data center. Heat from air that has flowed over the heat-producing components heats a hot section of the heat engine. The heat engine generates mechanical work based on a temperature differential between a hot section of the heat engine and a cold section of the heat engine. The generator generates electricity from the mechanical work generated by the heat engine. |
| US09920748B2 |
Method and tool for assembling tower elements
Tooling and a method of using the tooling for aligning flanges of a wind turbine tower segment of a tower section to correct deformities that might otherwise prevent fasteners from passing through apertures of adjacent flanges to gather the segments into tower sections. |
| US09920739B2 |
System and method for securing a conductive cable within a wind turbine rotor blade
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for securing a lightning protection cable (e.g. a conductor) of a lightning protection system within a wind turbine rotor blade. The lightning protection system includes a plurality of lightning receptors configured along either or both of the pressure or suction sides of the rotor blade. The lightning receptors are connected via the conductor so as to form a conductive circuit. Further, a cover assembly defining a passageway therethrough is configured to receive at least a portion of the conductor along a length thereof. Thus, the cover assembly can be secured to an inner surface of the internal cavity so as to maintain a location of the conductor. Accordingly, the conductor is free to move within the cover assembly since the wire is not directly attached to the rotor blade. |
| US09920736B2 |
Ignition control circuit with current slope detection
In a general aspect, a circuit for controlling operation of an ignition circuit including an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device can include a current slope detection circuit configured to detect a slope of a current in a primary winding of an ignition coil included in the ignition circuit and a driver circuit coupled with the current slope detection circuit. The current slope detection circuit can be further configured to, during charging of the ignition coil, if the detected slope is above a first limit, provide a first indication to the driver circuit; and, if the detected slope is below a second limit, provide a second indication to the driver circuit. The driver circuit can be configured to, in response to receiving the first indication or the second indication, modify operation of the ignition circuit. |
| US09920733B2 |
System and method for preventing unauthorized modification to engine control software or an engine control system
A system and method for preventing unauthorized modification to engine control software or an engine control system of, for example, a refrigerated transport application is provided. Particularly, the embodiments described herein prevent unauthorized parties from inadvertently or intentionally making changes to the engine control software used for controlling the engine or the engine control system that could, for example, potentially bypass emission strategies implemented in the refrigerated transport application. Accordingly, emission strategies such as, for example, EPA Tier IV not-to-exceed (“NTE”) regulations can be maintained. |
| US09920726B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A first spring axially urges a needle valve toward an injection hole. A second spring axially urges a movable core toward a stationary core with an urging force that is smaller than an urging force of the first spring. A stopper is placed on one axial side of the movable core where the injection hole is located. The stopper limits movement of the movable core toward the injection hole to limit an amount of compression of the second spring. |
| US09920723B2 |
Multilayered motor vehicle pipeline
A multilayered motor vehicle pipeline, wherein the pipeline has at least two layers, preferably at least three layers of plastic. At least one surface of at least one layer connected to another layer is configured profiled, wherein the profiling has maxima and minima. The height difference Δh between the maxima and the minima directly adjacent to the maxima is between 1 and 100 μm. |
| US09920720B2 |
Blowby gas treatment device, intake manifold and internal combustion engine
A blowby gas treatment device is configured to discharge blowby gas inside an internal combustion engine to an intake passage inside an intake manifold. The blowby gas treatment device includes a blowby gas passage, a flow control valve, a communication hole, and a lid. The blowby gas passage includes an engine gas passage and an intake manifold gas passage. The communication hole is provided in the intake manifold. The communication hole is configured to connect outside of the intake manifold and a part of the intake manifold gas passage on a downstream side of the flow control valve in a gas flow direction. The communication hole opens the intake manifold gas passage to the atmosphere. A lid is configured to open and close the communication hole. |
| US09920719B2 |
Filter device, in particular for gas filtration
A filter device is provided with a filter housing and a housing cover closing off the filter housing. A filter element is disposed in the filter housing. The filter element comprises a first form-fit part projecting past an outer wall surface of the filter element. The housing cover is provided with a second form-fit part correlated with the first form-fit part. The first and second form-fit parts engage each other in a mounted state of the filter element on the housing cover. The first form-fit part is a laterally projecting hook. |
| US09920718B2 |
Air flow control system of vehicle
An air flow control system of a vehicle may include an engine mixing air and fuel and generating a rotation force by combusting the mixture of the air and the fuel in a combustion chamber, main ducts provided in a front side of the vehicle to transmit air to the combustion chamber of the engine, heat dissipation members provided adjacent to the main ducts to cool a fluid flowing inside thereof through heat exchange with external air, assistant ducts branched from the main ducts to transmit air flowing in the main ducts to the heat dissipation members, and control valves provided in the assistant ducts to control air supplied to the heat dissipation members. |
| US09920715B2 |
Method and system for EGR control for ambient conditions
Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a flow of exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises controlling a flow of exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation system of an engine system based on a choke level of a turbocharger. For example, the flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system may be reduced to within a threshold of a choke level of the turbocharger, in response to an ambient condition. |
| US09920712B1 |
Method for forming a plurality of plugs of carbonaceous material
A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas. |
| US09920707B2 |
Container unit-type engine generator device having pipe coupling function
The container unit type cogeneration engine generator comprises a long generator container in which an engine and components on a generator main body side including a generator driven by the engine are accommodated, and a short exhaust heat utilizing container in which a boiler that generates steam and hot water for hot-water supply by utilizing exhaust heat of the engine and an exhaust heat utilizing apparatus including a heat exchanger are accommodated. A combination container unit is configured so that shorter walls on one end side of the both containers in a longer direction are positioned on a same straight line, and making both longer walls of the long generator container and the short exhaust heat utilizing container to face each other. Both containers are coupled with a plurality of pipes along the shorter direction of the containers across the facing walls along which the both containers are arranged. |
| US09920706B1 |
Methods of laser powering unmanned aerial vehicles with heat engines
Methods of laser powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with heat engines are disclosed. The laser powered heat engines are used in conjunction with devices for absorbing laser optical radiation, turning the laser optical radiation into heat, supplying the heat to a working fluid of the heat engine and harvesting mechanical work from expanding working fluid in the heat engine. |
| US09920705B2 |
Fuel injection system and method
A combination port fuel injection (PFI) and direct injection (DI) dual path fuel injection system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that switches between the PFI portion and the DI portion depending on the engine operating point and fuel flow requirements. During transitions in engine loading, the ECU instructs the PFI portion to increase injection for a limited amount of time, while instructing the DI portion to maintain a current injection. Subsequently, fueling is transitioned from the PFI portion back to the DI portion. Advantageously, the combination PFI and DI dual path fuel injection system mitigates the emission of particles during transient engine operating conditions. |
| US09920701B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
It is determined whether the execution conditions for the injection quantity variation correction are met, based on whether all of following conditions are satisfied: the engine operation is the stationary operation, the injection quantity of a fuel injection valve falls within the predetermined range, and the fuel pressure falls within the predetermined range. When the execution conditions are met, the fuel pressure decrease caused by the fuel injection of the fuel injection valve for each cylinder is calculated based on the output of a fuel pressure sensor, and the injection quantity variation correction to correct the injection quantity variation of the fuel injection valve for each cylinder is performed based on the fuel pressure decrease caused by the fuel injection of each cylinder. Thus, the fuel pressure decrease can be accurately calculated, the injection quantity variation of each cylinder is precisely corrected. |
| US09920697B2 |
Engine control systems and methods for future torque request increases
An engine control method includes: generating a torque request for an engine based on a driver input; and based on the torque request, controlling: opening of a wastegate of a turbocharger; opening of a throttle valve based on the torque request; and an intake valve phaser and an exhaust valve phaser. The engine control method also includes selectively determining an expected future increase in the torque request. The engine control method also includes, based on the expected future increase and before the torque request increases based on the expected future increase: decreasing the opening of the wastegate; and at least one of: decreasing the opening of the throttle valve; and adjusting at least one of the intake valve phaser and the exhaust valve phaser to decrease a volumetric efficiency of the engine. |
| US09920692B2 |
Cooling systems and methods using pressurized fuel
Provided are systems and methods for cooling to increase efficiency in power-generation facilities, to cool various other apparatus including buildings, and/or to generate water, including, but not limited to, systems for increasing the efficiency of power-generating turbines via inlet-cooling, optionally by expanding a portion of a pressurized fuel source that also feeds the turbine. |
| US09920689B2 |
Hybrid wave rotor propulsion system
A hybrid propulsion system includes a wave rotor combustion engine operating in parallel with an electrical motor-generator element. The motor-generator element is coupled to the turbine shaft to selectively drive or be driven by the turbine shaft. In one mode of operation, the motor of the motor generator element is powered by a battery to provide rotational energy to the turbine shaft. In another mode of operation, the wave rotor combustion engine drives the generator to recharge the battery. The wave rotor combustion engine may be further directly coupled to auxiliary components without a gearbox to drive the components at substantially the same speed as the turbine shaft. The turbine rotor of the combustion engine includes a plurality of chambers defined by circumferentially spaced curved vanes that improves specific fuel consumption for the engine. |
| US09920688B2 |
Rotary internal combustion engine with rotary valve
Combustion engine having a rotor, a housing and at least two combustion chambers which are formed between the rotor and the housing, wherein the housing has at least one ignition recess on the side thereof which faces the rotor, into which ignition recess a fuel feed and ignition system opens. At least one valve device which is mounted rotatably in the housing is configured for dividing the combustion chambers at least temporarily into an ignition chamber and a compression chamber. The valve device has at least one rotor passage section, at least one closing section and at least one gas passage section. Alternatively, the valve device temporarily at the same time disconnects a compression chamber from a first combustion chamber and an ignition chamber from a second combustion chamber, wherein there is a fluidic connection during this time between the ignition chamber and the compression chamber. |
| US09920687B2 |
Rotary engine and rotary unit thereof
A rotary engine and a rotary unit thereof are provided. The rotary engine includes an air-compressed rotary unit provided in an engine body and a power rotary unit moving in coordination with the air-compressed rotary unit. Each rotary unit includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor provided eccentrically within the outer rotor, inner teeth constituted by convex arc surfaces are formed in an inner circumference of the outer rotor and outer teeth constituted by concave arc surfaces are formed in an outer circumference of the inner rotor, such that intake and compression strokes of the air-compressed rotary unit and power and exhaust strokes of the power rotary unit are achieved during the engagement and disengagement between the inner and outer teeth. The rotary engine has a compact structure, a smooth output torque, a high power per liter, and can be widely used in fields of vehicle, power machinery, etc. |
| US09920686B2 |
Water-cooled charge air cooler with integrated multi-stage cooling
A charge air cooler includes a plurality of plate assemblies. Each of the plate assemblies includes a unitary first plate and a unitary second plate. The first plate and the second plate each have a channel forming surface. The channel forming surface of the first plate cooperating with the channel forming surface of the second plate to form a first flow channel for receiving a first coolant and a second flow channel for receiving a second coolant. A plurality of fins is interposed between the plate assemblies. |
| US09920684B2 |
Fuel-stratified combustion chamber in a direct-injected internal combustion engine
A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the chamber bounded by a cylinder bore, a primary end, and a secondary end. The secondary end reciprocates between a TDC position nearest the primary end and a BDC position. Induction and exhaust ports are timed to open and close to transfer air into, and gasses from, the chamber. The chamber becomes fuel stratified when the secondary end is positioned within a stratified distance of the primary end. When stratified, the chamber is comprised of a central region, a perimeter region, and a transfer passageway between regions. A fuel injector at the primary end injects fuel only into the central region and only prior to ignition. The perimeter region pumps air into the central region prior to ignition, creating tumble turbulence. Combustion is initiated near TDC in the central region and concluded near TDC in the transfer passageway. |
| US09920683B2 |
Systems and method for controlling auto-ignition
Various methods and systems are provided for maintaining combustion stability in a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a system comprises a first fuel system to deliver liquid fuel to at least one cylinder of an engine, a second fuel system to deliver gaseous fuel to the at least one cylinder, and a controller. The controller is configured to supply the gaseous fuel to the at least one cylinder, inject the liquid fuel to the at least one cylinder thereby to ignite the liquid fuel and the gaseous fuel in the at least one cylinder via compression-ignition, and adjust an amount of the gaseous fuel relative to an amount of the liquid fuel based on a measured parameter associated with auto-ignition of end gases subsequent to the compression-ignition of the liquid fuel. |
| US09920682B2 |
Water-temperature-sensor backup system
Water-temperature sensors for detection of temperature of cooling water 12 having passed through an engine 1 are increased in number into two (18 and 19). A controller 20 is provided to confirm that each of detection values of the water-temperature sensors 18 and 19 is within a normal range and then employ either of the detection values as temperature of the cooling water 12. The controller 20 is configured such that, when either of the detection values of the water-temperature sensors 18 and 19 is out of the normal range, the remaining detection value within the normal range is employed as temperature of the cooling water 12. |
| US09920681B2 |
Cooling apparatus for internal combustion engine
A cooling apparatus for an engine includes a main circuit, a warm-up circuit, a coolant passage, a coolant pump, a pre-branching passage, a coolant temperature sensor and an agitator. The warm-up circuit allows a coolant to bypass the main circuit. The coolant passage is provided inside an engine body. The coolant pump is configured to cause the coolant to flow through the coolant passage. The pre-branching passage is communicated with an outlet side of the coolant passage, and communicated with the main circuit and the warm-up circuit. The coolant temperature sensor is configured to detect a coolant temperature inside the pre-branching passage. The agitator is disposed downstream of the coolant temperature sensor in a direction of coolant flow when the coolant pump is operating. The agitator is disposed at a boundary between the pre-branching passage and the main circuit or in a vicinity of the boundary. |
| US09920677B2 |
Method for producing a delivery module for installation into a tank
A method for producing a delivery module having an electric PTC heater, for installation into a tank for storing a liquid additive, includes: a) fixing a maximum electrical power that is made available to the delivery module; b) determining a thermal conductivity of the delivery module from a location of the electric PTC heater into the tank; c) calculating a switching temperature of the PTC heater based on the maximum electrical power and the thermal conductivity; and d) mounting a PTC material with a corresponding switching temperature for the PTC heater at the location. |
| US09920671B2 |
Airstream treatment apparatus (ATA) and methods of use thereof
An exhaust treatment apparatus (ATA) for reducing one or more components of the airstream directed through the ATA. The ATA includes an airstream inlet, an airstream outlet, and an airstream path directed through the ATA from the airstream inlet to the airstream outlet, and at least one corona/NTP generating region for altering a composition of an airstream. The ATA includes an outer enclosure forming one electrode surface and a second electrode surface positioned within and electrically insulated from the outer enclosure electrode surface, where an area between the outer enclosure electrode surface and the second electrode surface forms at least a part of the airstream path directed through the ATA. The second electrode surface includes a series of ridges directed towards the outer enclosure that encourage corona generation. A method is provided for using the ATA for treating an airstream, including an exhaust airstream from a combustion engine, as well as an exhaust airstream from a compression-ignition (diesel) engine. |
| US09920670B1 |
Muffler for a powerboat engine
A powerboat muffler is disclosed that balances decreasing exhaust noise and producing power. A muffler cannister has concentric inlet tubes, forming an inlet baffle, where exhaust gas and engine coolant enters the muffler, a V-shaped baffle within the cannister, a funneled outlet, and concentric outlet tubes, forming an outlet baffle. The inlet baffle comprises concentric outer and inner tubes and the front wall of the muffler, which together form an toroidal inlet space. The inner inlet tube extends a certain distance into the muffler cannister. The inside wall of the inner inlet tube is shaped to create a venturi. Through the front wall, within the toroidal inlet space, small venturi-shaped openings are disposed radially between the outer and inner tubes to allow engine exhaust and coolant to enter the muffler. At the outlet end of the muffler, a tapered nozzle funnels exhaust to an outlet tube with a venturi contour. The outlet tube extends out from the outlet nozzle a certain distance. Surrounding and concentric with the outlet tube is an outer outlet tube. The outer outlet tube, the inner outlet tube and the outside surface of the outlet nozzle form another toroidal baffling space at the tail end of the muffler. |
| US09920669B2 |
Method to control the sealing of a blow-by gas breather circuit of an internal combustion engine
Method to control the sealing of a blow-by gas breather circuit of an internal combustion engine, comprising a separator device to agglomerate the particles of finely atomised lubricating oil and to remove the solid particulate particles and having an outlet connected by a pipe to an intake pipe through which the gas purified from the lubricating oil and the particulate flows out and a pressure sensor; the method providing the following steps: acquiring the signal coming from said pressure sensor; filtering the signal coming from the pressure sensor; integrating over time the square of the filtrated signal coming from the pressure sensor; and determining the sealing of the pipe according to the integrated signal which is the combustion energy generated by the internal combustion engine. |
| US09920668B2 |
Filter device
A filter device may include a filter housing cover defining a chamber and an annular filter element arranged within the receiving chamber. The filter device may further include a housing and at least one intermediate piece arranged between the filter housing cover and the housing when the cover is secured to the housing. An inlet duct may be in communication with an untreated side of the filter element and an outlet duct may be in communication with a clean side of the filter element. A drainage duct may be arranged in the housing for draining the chamber during removal of the cover. A closure device may be arrange in the intermediate piece and have a closure element configured to close the drainage duct. |
| US09920667B2 |
Water drain system for oil reserve tank
The present invention relates to a water drain system of an oil reserve tank, which comprises: an oil reserve tank; an oil and water separator for separating the drained water coming from the oil reserve tank; a drain pipe extended from the oil reserve tank to the oil and water separator, the drain pipe having a vertical part to form a step; and a water detection sensor installed in the vertical part. |
| US09920664B2 |
Actuator for an electrohydraulic gas-exchange valve train of a combustion engine
An actuator for an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve train of a combustion engine is provided. The actuator has an actuator housing which can be mounted on the combustion engine with a borehole, a hydraulic piston, which is mounted therein such that it can carry out a reciprocating movement, for actuating the gas exchange valve and an axial stop which, when the actuator housing is in the unmounted state relative to the combustion engine, limits the piston stroke out of the borehole to a mounting stroke (T). This mounting stroke is smaller than a maximum operating stroke (L) with which the hydraulic piston actuates the gas exchange valve, the piston stroke being only temporarily limited to the mounting stroke by the axial stop and no longer being limited to the mounting stroke once the actuator is in operation. |
| US09920663B2 |
Hollow poppet valve
A hollow poppet valve (10) having an improved heat transfer capability is provided. The valve has an internal cavity (S), extending from within a valve head (14) into a stem (12) of the valve, is loaded with a coolant (19) together with an inert gas. The coolant in the valve head (14) is stirred by swirl flows of the coolant generated during reciprocal motions of the valve. A multiplicity of swirl-forming protrusions are formed on at least on one of the bottom and the ceiling of the valve head cavity (S1) in such a way that swirl flows (F20, F30) of coolant are generated by the protrusions in the valve head cavity (S1) during reciprocal motions of the valve to thereby stir the coolant in the circumferential direction of the cavity (S1). |
| US09920661B2 |
Camshaft phaser with a rotor nose oil feed adapter
A camshaft phaser, including: a drive sprocket; a phaser section including a rotor with a first radially aligned channels, first axially aligned channels connected to the first radially aligned channels, and chambers formed by the rotor and a stator; and a rotor nose separately formed from the phaser section and non-rotatably connected to the phaser section, extending past a front side of the phaser section in an axial direction, and including second radially aligned channels and second axially aligned channels connected to the second radially aligned channels and the first axially aligned channels. The second radially aligned channels are arranged to receive fluid for the plurality of chambers to phase the phaser. The first radially aligned channels and the first and second axially aligned channels form respective flow paths for the fluid from the second radially aligned channels to the plurality of chambers. |
| US09920660B2 |
Camshaft adjuster and method for operating a camshaft adjuster
A method for operating a camshaft adjuster, which includes an adjusting transmission with an input shaft, an output shaft connected in a non-rotatable manner with a camshaft, and an adjusting shaft, whereby the adjusting shaft is driven by an actuator, characterized by the fact that the actuator drives the adjusting shaft by overcoming a torque that is dependent on its angular position. |
| US09920659B2 |
Coupling pin anti-rotation for a switchable roller finger follower
A coupling pin anti-rotation arrangement is provided for a switchable roller finger follower within a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The coupling pin, located on one of the levers, has a first locking surface, and includes at least one coupling pin-side anti-rotation flat; the other lever, with a second locking surface, is configured with at least one lever-side anti-rotation flat. The at least one lever-side anti-rotation flat slidably guides the at least one coupling pin-side anti-rotation flat such that the first locking surface is aligned with the second locking surface throughout longitudinal displacement of the coupling pin within a coupling pin bore. The coupling pin anti-rotation arrangement is adaptable to various switchable roller finger follower designs that incorporate different valve lift strategies and lever configurations. |
| US09920657B2 |
Aid device
An aid device for mounting and/or dismantling a guide ring segment which is to be attached or is held on a support, in particular a turbine guide blade guide support of a gas turbine is disclosed. The aid device having a main body, which can be fastened releasably fastened to the guide ring segment, and having a holding device, to which a traction mechanism can be fastened releasably, wherein the holding device is configured to transmit a pulling force to the main body, which pulling force acts via the traction mechanism in an installing direction or an expelling direction of the guide ring segment. |
| US09920655B2 |
Gas turbine
A gas turbine having a guide vane assembly (2) and a securing ring (1) for axially locking the guide vane assembly in position that has a radially outer rim (1A) which is configured in a housing-side groove (3.1), a radially inner rim (1B) which is configured outside of the groove, and a slot (10) which extends from the radially outer rim to the radially inner rim, and a first flank having a radially inner rim section (12) and an undercut portion (11), the radially inner rim section forming an angle (α) of at least 50° with the radially inner rim. |
| US09920654B2 |
Intermediate casing extension of improved design
The invention relates to an extension (30) of an intermediate frame for an aircraft turbine engine, that will project downstream from an outer ring of the intermediate frame, this extension comprising a downstream annular connecting part (64) preferably forming an annular groove (66) open radially outwards, into which the nacelle cowls will fit (38), the end (64) comprising at least one first angular sector (76b). According to the invention, the extension comprises a body (77) made from a single piece comprising a junction ring (74) and at least one second angular sector (76a) of said downstream annular connecting part (64), the first angular sector being added onto the extension body (77). |
| US09920653B2 |
Low pressure ratio fan engine having a dimensional relationship between inlet and fan size
According to an example embodiment, a gas turbine engine assembly includes, among other things, a fan that has a plurality of fan blades. A diameter of the fan has a dimension D that is based on a dimension of the fan blades. Each fan blade has a leading edge. An inlet portion is situated forward of the fan. A length of the inlet portion has a dimension L between a location of the leading edge of at least some of the fan blades and a forward edge on the inlet portion. A dimensional relationship of L/D is between about 0.2 and 0.45. |
| US09920650B2 |
Retention of damping media
An example method of assembling a particle damped gas turbine engine component according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, holding damping media within a cavity of a gas turbine engine component using magnetic force. |
| US09920647B2 |
Dual source cooling air shroud arrangement for a gas turbine engine
A seal segment of a shroud arrangement for bounding a hot gas flow path within a gas turbine engine is described. The seal segment is upstream of a second component of the gas turbine engine relative to the hot gas flow path. The seal segment comprises: a plate having: a downstream trailing edge; an inboard side which faces the hot gas flow path when in use; an outboard side; and a first part of a two part seal attached on the outboard side, wherein a second part of the two part seal is attached to the second component such that in an assembled gas turbine engine the two part seal provides an isolation chamber which is in fluid communication with the hot gas flow path via the trailing edge of the plate. A gas turbine having the seal segment is also described. |
| US09920645B2 |
Sealing system for a turbomachine
Disclosed is a sealing system for a turbomachine, in particular for a gas turbine, the sealing system being formed in an annular space between a flow-limiting wall of the turbomachine and at least one rotor blade tip of a rotor blade or an outer shroud arranged on the rotor blade tip, and comprising at least one sealing point. The sealing point comprises at least one run-in coating arranged on the rotor blade tip or on the outer shroud in the direction of the flow-limiting wall of the turbomachine. The invention furthermore encompasses a gas turbine comprising the sealing system. |
| US09920635B2 |
Turbine blades and methods of forming turbine blades having lifted rib turbulator structures
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of cooling circuits, turbine blades with cooling circuits, and methods of forming such turbine blades, having raised rib turbulator structures, which may be used in gas turbine engines. In one exemplary embodiment, a cooling circuit for directing a flow of fluid is disclosed, the cooling circuit includes a cooling circuit wall and a plurality of raised turbulator ribs, each turbulator rib of the plurality of raised turbulator ribs being spaced apart from the cooling circuit wall to allow the fluid to flow between the cooling circuit wall and the plurality of turbulator ribs. |
| US09920634B2 |
Method of manufacturing a turbomachine component, an airfoil and a gas turbine engine
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method of manufacturing a component for a turbomachine, such as an airfoil. Another embodiment is a unique airfoil. Yet another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for cooled gas turbine engine components. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. |
| US09920632B2 |
Moving turbine blade
A moving blade of a low pressure turbine includes a foot and a vane having an upper surface and a lower surface, the foot having a stilt linking the vane to the foot, wherein the stilt is formed such that the transverse section of the stilt has: a first straight portion, a second curved portion and a third straight portion, the curved portion having an outer face matching the profile of the upper surface of the vane and an inner face matching the profile of the lower surface of the vane. |
| US09920631B2 |
Method for disassembling a reinforcement from a part
A method of disassembling reinforcement from a part, the method including: fastening at least one metal stud on one side wall of the reinforcement and at least one other metal stud on the other side wall of the reinforcement, the studs extending substantially perpendicularly to the side walls on which they are fastened; moving the studs apart from each other to space apart the side walls of reinforcement and disengage snap-fastener mechanisms thereof from complementary mechanisms of the part; and removing the reinforcement from the part. |
| US09920630B2 |
Wind turbine blade with transition region
A wind turbine blade (1) is formed of a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising a polymer matrix. The blade (1) further comprises a first region (11), a second region (12) and a transition region (13) between the first and the second region (11, 12). The first region (11) is reinforced predominantly with a first reinforcement fiber material (21). The second region (12) is reinforced predominantly with a second reinforcement fiber material (22). The first and the second reinforcement fiber material differ from each other and has differing E-modulus. The transition region (13) additionally comprises a third type of reinforcement fiber material (23) differing from both the first and the second reinforcement fiber material (21; 22) and having an E-modulus between that of the first reinforcement fiber material (21) and that of the second reinforcement fiber material (22). |
| US09920628B2 |
Steam turbine with resonance chamber
A steam turbine with a resonance chamber in the outer annulus opposite a rotating blade row. The resonance chamber provides passive resonance to place the excitation at a frequency away from the natural frequency of the blades. |
| US09920625B2 |
Turbine blade with laterally biased airfoil and platform centers of mass
A turbine blade airfoil (32) with a center of mass (ACM) that is laterally offset from the center of mass (PCM) of a platform (42) to which the airfoil is attached. Respective offsets (da, dp) balance these centers of mass (ACM, PCM) about an attachment plane (64) of the blade root (30), providing balanced centrifugal loading on opposite lobes (51, 52) or other attachment surfaces of the root. The attachment plane (64) may be a plane of bilateral symmetry of the root, and/or it may include an attachment axis (65) that passes through the root center of mass (RCM) along a radius of rotation of the airfoil. The airfoil and platform centers of mass (ACM, PCM) may be dynamically balanced about the attachment axis (65) and/or the attachment plane (64). |
| US09920624B2 |
System and method of detecting dull and worn cutter bits
A mining machine including a chassis, an actuator, a cutter drum supported by the chassis, the cutter drum driven by the actuator, a cutter bit coupled to the cutter drum, and a controller. The controller includes a processor and memory and is configured to measure a characteristic of the actuator, determine the cutter bit is worn based on the measured characteristic of the actuator, and output a signal when the cutter bit is determined to be worn. |
| US09920617B2 |
Removeable electronic component access member for a downhole system
A downhole tool includes a tool body having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion and a recess formed in one of the outer surface portion and inner surface portion. At least one removable electronic component access member is detachably mounted to the tool body. The removable electronic component access member provides access to electronic components housed in the recess. A metallic seal is provided on at least one of the tool body and the removable electronic component access member. The metallic seal prevents fluid ingress into the recess through the at least one removable electronic component access member. |
| US09920606B2 |
Preparation method, formulation and application of chemically retarded mineral acid for oilfield use
An aqueous composition comprising a mineral acid, a fixing agent and water present in an amount sufficient to dissolve the mineral acid and the fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises at least one of an amine and/or an amide containing compound having a dipole moment of at least 3 when in the aqueous composition. |
| US09920602B2 |
Swing chamber pump (SCP)
A swing chamber pump can be situated within a horizontal wellbore for pumping wellbore fluids to surface using a power gas. The pump has two fluidly independent and separate pump chambers, each having a self-orienting gas valve and a self-orienting fluid outlet. A switch alternately directs the power gas into a chamber for conveying stored fluid therein to a production string, while the other chamber passively fills with wellbore fluids. A latency device converts a continuous motion into a sudden snap actuation of the switch and controls a period of delay between the actuation of the switch. |
| US09920601B2 |
Disintegrating plugs to delay production through inflow control devices
An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus includes an inflow control device having an opening in fluid communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular, a first particulate control device forming a first fluid stream conveyed to the inflow control device; and at least one degradable flow blocker blocking fluid flow through the inflow control device. |
| US09920600B2 |
Multi-stage downhole hydraulic stimulation assembly
An assembly for performing multiple downhole hydraulic stimulation applications in a well. The different applications may be performed without removal of the assembly from the well between the different applications. So, for example, even a hydraulic perforating application may be performed with prior or subsequent clean-out applications. Yet, there is no need to remove the assembly for manual surface adjustment of the hydraulic perforating tool in order to allow for such clean-outs. |
| US09920597B2 |
System for subsea pumping or compressing
A system for subsea pumping or compressing includes an ESP (electrical submersible pump), a flowline jumper, a connector part in either end of the flowline jumper, and a truss structure or longitudinal rib-arrangement that acts as a stiffening arrangement. The ESP may be arranged in the flowline jumper which may be orientated in a substantially horizontal direction. The stiffening arrangement may function to ensure that the ESP shaft is straight at all times during lifting, installation and operation. The system may also include a load limiting arrangement for limiting or eliminating the load on structure and seabed supporting the system. |
| US09920595B2 |
Wellbore filtration tool with novel wiper cup
The present invention provides wellbore cleaning tool and method featuring a wiper assembly which allows fluid to bypass the tool in one direction while diverting the well fluid through a filter screen in another direction. This may be achieved by either circulation of the fluid in the wellbore or by moving the tool relative to the fluid in the wellbore. The wiper assembly includes multiple groups or series of wiper elements wherein one petal shaped element aligns with a slot to form a seal when the tool body is retrieved from the well. |
| US09920594B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting cables within coil tubing
A method of hanging a cable within a coiled tubing string includes the steps of determining a length of coiled tubing required within a well having a wellhead; determining a length of a cable required within the coiled tubing, the cable having a structural component along the length of the cable sufficient to support the weight of the cable; cutting the tubing string and installing a hanger sub in the coiled tubing string toward, the wellhead attachment section relative to the downhole end, the hanger sub comprising an inner shoulder that extends radially into the hanger sub and defines an opening; and attaching an outer shoulder to the cable and inserting the cable into the coiled tubing string until the outer shoulder of the cable engages the inner shoulder of the hanger sub such that the inner shoulder positions the cable below the outer shoulder. |
| US09920593B2 |
Dual barrier injection valve with a variable orifice
A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, which may damage the seat. |
| US09920589B2 |
Methods of completing a well and apparatus therefor
A system for use with a well can include a perforating assembly with at least one perforator, the perforating assembly conveyed through a wellbore with fluid flow through the wellbore, and plugging devices spaced apart from the perforating assembly in the wellbore, the plugging devices conveyed through the wellbore with the fluid flow. A method of deploying plugging devices in a wellbore can include conveying a perforating assembly including a dispensing tool through the wellbore, the dispensing tool including a container, and then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at a downhole location. Another method of deploying plugging devices in a wellbore can include conveying the plugging devices through the wellbore with fluid flow through the wellbore, and conveying a perforating assembly through the wellbore while the plugging devices are being conveyed through the wellbore. |
| US09920588B2 |
Anchoring seal
The present invention generally relates to an anchor seal for an expandable tubular assembly. In one aspect, an anchoring seal assembly for creating a seal portion and an anchor portion between a first tubular that is disposed within a second tubular is provided. The anchoring seal assembly includes an expandable annular member attached to the first tubular. The annular member has an outer surface and an inner surface. The anchoring seal assembly further includes a seal member disposed in a groove formed in the outer surface of the expandable annular member. The seal member has one or more anti-extrusion spring bands embedded within the seal member, wherein the outer surface of the expandable annular member adjacent the groove includes a rough surface. The anchoring seal assembly also includes an expander sleeve that is configured to radially expand the expandable annular member to create the seal portion and the anchor portion. |
| US09920584B2 |
Collet lock assembly and method for downhole load diversion
A collet lock assembly for use on a downhole tool allows repeat cycling of a “RELEASE” and “SET” position. In the “RELEASE” position, the collet lock assembly allows bi-directional relative movement of the mandrel in relation to the collet lock assembly, while in the “SET” position, the assembly allows bi-directional load transfer along the mandrel directly into the slip assembly while diverting axial loads away from components positioned along the downhole tool. |
| US09920583B2 |
Drill string check valve
Drill string check valve apparatus comprises a tubular body and a flapper valve mounted in the body with a flapper movable between an open position and a closed position. An axially extending valve retainer is also mounted in the body and is translatable from a running position to a drilling position. In the running position the valve retainer extends through the valve to maintain the flapper in the open position. In the drilling position the valve retainer permits the flapper to move to the closed position to prevent flow up through the body. |
| US09920582B2 |
Water-based wellbore servicing fluids with high temperature fluid loss control additive
A method for reducing fluid loss from a water-based wellbore servicing fluid is disclosed. The method includes preparing a fluid loss control additive that is substantially stable even at a high temperature of about 350° F. The fluid loss control additive may be formulated by dry mixing of a natural starch and sodium monochloroacetate for a first predetermined reaction time period; spraying an alkaline solution onto the dry mixture for a second predetermined reaction time period to form a complex starch mixture; and treating the complex starch mixture for a third predetermined reaction time period with a diluted cross-linking agent. |
| US09920575B2 |
Formation-engaging element placement on earth-boring tools and related methods
Earth-boring tools include a cutting element positioned on a drill bit body at a radial distance from a longitudinal axis thereof. At least two formation-engaging elements are positioned at the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis as the cutting element. The formation-engaging elements are recessed from a cutting profile of the cutting element by a distance within about 10% of d, wherein d=(α*x)/(1800*y), where α is an angle between the formation-engaging element and the cutting element, x is a rate of penetration of the drill bit body, and y is a rotation speed of the drill bit body. Additional earth-boring tools include at least one cutting element and at least two formation-engaging elements recessed from a cutting profile of the at least one cutting element at a common angle. Methods relate to forming such earth-boring tools. |
| US09920574B2 |
In situ pump for downhole applications
An apparatus for providing pressurized fluid to a formation that includes a power source body configured to contain a gas-generating fuel and a tool body comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is configured to hold a fluid, and the second chamber is configured to receive gas from the gas-generating fuel within the power source body. The apparatus further comprises a piston sealed between the first chamber and the second chamber and configured to stroke through the first chamber in response to a pressure increase within the second chamber, and a hose configured to generate a high-pressure jet of the fluid and to extend from the tool body or a diverter sub into the formation when the piston strokes through the first chamber. |
| US09920570B2 |
Window sill flashing
The present invention is directed towards a window sill flashing comprising a base having a substantially rectangular shape. A front flange projects perpendicularly downward from a front edge of the base and at least one side flange extends vertically from a side edge of the base. The side flange includes a front surface. The window sill flashing is made from a rigid homopolymer vinyl film. |
| US09920569B2 |
Closure member and the method of making the same
A closure member of a preferred configuration and the method of making the same. The closure member has a board with a major axis and two panels to sandwich a hollow interior that is partitioned by a plurality of ribs positioned at intervals within the hollow interior, the hollow interior is delimited in a first direction by a pair of opposite end walls. The hollow interior is accessible in a second direction which is substantially traverse to the first direction, and at least one of the two panels is textured during the formation of the board to form a textured outer surface of the closure member, or the hollow interior is filled with a preferred reinforcement means. |
| US09920565B2 |
Systems and methods for marking individuals with an indentifying susbstance
The present application discloses systems and methods for marking an individual with an identifying substance. The system includes a spray delivery device configured to release a pressurized substance in response to an activation signal, an activation device configured to transmit an activation signal to the spray delivery device, and a power supply, configured to provide power to at least one of the activation devices and the spray delivery devices. The method includes storing a pressurized substance, receiving an activation signal at a spray delivery device, and releasing the pressurized substance in response to the received activation signal. |
| US09920563B2 |
Damping assembly, in particular for a flap of a vehicle
A damping unit includes a cylinder which is filled with a damping fluid and in which a piston rod is guided, the piston rod associated with a bottom surface which has at least one axial through-hole which defines an effective flow cross section for the damping fluid; wherein the piston rod includes: a sleeve element which is fixed on the piston rod in the axial direction; a piston bottom element which is supported on the piston rod so as to be axially slidable and includes the bottom surface; a resilient element; and a termination element which is fixed on the piston rod in the axial direction and forms an indirect or direct stop for the piston bottom element in the insertion direction of the piston rod. |
| US09920561B2 |
Combination hydraulic and pneumatic door closer
A door closer capable of adjusting door closing speed, includes a pneumatic cylinder on the door frame, a hydraulic cylinder on the door, and a lever. One end of the lever is movably connected to the pneumatic cylinder, and the other end is connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder includes a sliding rail, and a sliding member cooperated with the sliding rail. A hermetic chamber is formed by the sliding member and the sliding rail. An adjusting valve, for adjusting the air exhaust of the hermetic chamber, is provided on a wall of the hermetic chamber. |
| US09920560B2 |
Window assembly with a movable pane and a defrost assembly
In at least some implementations, a motor vehicle window assembly includes a guide rail, a movable pane movable along the guide rail between open and closed positions and a defroster. First and second guide rail conductors are carried by the guide rail and adapted to be connected to a power source. First and second movable conductors are each electrically communicated with a respective one of the first and second guide rail conductors, each electrically coupled to the defroster and each movable with the movable pane relative to guide rail when the movable pane is moved between the open and closed positions. To provide power to the defroster, the movable conductors are in contact with the guide rail conductors when the movable pane is in the closed position and during movement of the movable pane between the open and closed positions. |
| US09920559B2 |
Adjustable sliding screen apparatus
An adjustable sliding privacy screen for a premium class passenger suite may include a guide rail mounted to a wall partition. The adjustable sliding privacy screen may also include a yaw and roll adjustment bracket slidingly attached to the guide rail and to the screen. The yaw and roll adjustment bracket may include a flanged adjustment screw for adjusting the yaw and roll of the screen and a locking screw for securing the yaw and roll adjustment of the screen. The screen may also include a ball joint adjustment bracket slidingly attached to the guide rail and to the screen. The ball joint adjustment bracket may include a ball joint and adjustment screw for adjusting the pitch of the screen and a locking nut for securing the pitch adjustment of the screen. The device of the present invention thus allows for the adjustment of the yaw, roll, and pitch of the screen. |
| US09920556B2 |
Apparatus for opening and closing tailgate for vehicle
An apparatus for opening and closing a tailgate for a vehicle includes a latch device provided in the tailgate and an actuator. The latch device includes a claw to engage with a striker provided at a vehicle body side, a pawl to engage with the claw to maintain the claw in a locked position, and an unlocking lever to operate the pawl to unlock the claw. The actuator includes a cinching/release lever to selectively operate a cinching cable connected to the claw to rotate the claw from an unlocked position to the locked position, and a release cable connected to the unlocking lever to operate the claw from the locked position to the unlocked position. |
| US09920555B2 |
Lock for a motor vehicle
A lock with a locking mechanism includes a rotary catch and a pawl for engaging the rotary catch, and a releasing lever for opening or releasing the locking mechanism. The lock may include a blocking lever capable of blocking the pawl if the latter is located in its catching position. If the releasing lever is actuated, the pawl or the blocking lever is thereby moved out of its blocking position if the releasing lever is not excessively accelerated. If excessively large accelerations of the releasing lever occur, as can be caused by a crash, then an arresting device of the lock prevents the releasing lever from being able to move the pawl or the blocking lever out of its blocking or latching position, respectively. The lock is therefore incapable of opening if the releasing lever is accelerated in the event of a crash. |
| US09920549B2 |
Combination padlock
Some designs of combination padlock allow users of the padlocks to set the combinations that unlock the padlocks. However, the operations which a user must perform to set the combination of a padlock typically involve manipulating the shank of the padlock by pulling the shank away from the housing of the padlock or pushing part of the shank further into the housing of the padlock, rotating the shank through a certain angle, and holding or fixing the shank in this position while rotating dials of the padlock to change the combination. Such operations are fiddly, and it can be difficult to remember what steps are required to change the combination. Thus there is provided a combination padlock which goes some way towards overcoming or at least ameliorating one or more of the above problems. |
| US09920547B1 |
Bicycle storage unit
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a bicycle storage unit that comprises an enclosure defining an interior compartment that is sized to hold a bicycle. The enclosure has first and second sidewalls, each of the first and second sidewalls having a frame with a curved upper element and one or more side panels. The enclosure also comprises a curved rear panel and a curved door panel, the curved door panel being movable between a closed position and an open position. Embodiments of the bicycle storage unit are configured so that when the door is in the open position, the bicycle storage unit does not take up any more public space than when the door is in the closed position. Moreover, embodiments of the bicycle storage unit include a locking mechanism that allows a user to utilize a conventional bicycle U-lock to secure the door in a closed position. |
| US09920544B1 |
Plunger wave generator apparatus for efficiently producing waves in a body of water
An apparatus for creating a surfing wave in a body of water. An apparatus for the purpose of efficiently producing a variety of surfing waves having a repetition rate and size suitable for surfing. The waves are generated using a controlled up and down motion of mechanical plungers in a way that allows the control of the shape and therefore surf characteristics of the wave. A linear array of plungers is used so that they interact in different ways with bathometry of the body of water and can be changed to further alter the surfing characteristics of the waves. The motion of the individual plungers can be adjusted so that effects of different wave travel distance to the bathometry can be compensated for consistent wave characteristics. |
| US09920536B2 |
Stair tread overlay and method of manufacturing the same
A stair tread overlay for a staircase includes a generally planar stair tread having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and a rounded nosing extending from an end surface thereof; and a scotia element joined to the stair tread, the scotia element including a front contoured surface and a planar back side surface, wherein the bottom surface of the stair tread includes one of a tongue or groove and an upper surface of the scotia element includes the other of a tongue or groove and the tongue and groove of the tread and the scotia element are secured together to form a joint to thereby connect the scotia element to the tread. |
| US09920534B2 |
Integrated support system and canopy
A trellis system having a trellis structure that is installable to extend generally outwardly from a vertical supporting member. The trellis structure includes at least one internal mounting bracket by which the trellis structure is securable to the vertical supporting member. The internal mounting bracket has a unitary member having a flange portion and a web portion, the flange portion being securable to the vertical supportable member by fasteners and the web portion extending outwardly orthogonally from the flange portion and being couplable to one of the plurality of outwardly extending tube structures. A tube structure has a flange opening and a front opening sized to receive the web portion. The web portion passes through the front opening. The web portion has an alignment structure sized to be received within one of the outwardly extending tube structures in close fitting relation to an interior of the outwardly extending tube structure. |
| US09920530B2 |
Heat-managing composite structures
Light-weight, heat-managing structures feature open-cell lattice, honeycomb, and/or corrugated (prismatic) arrangements in their substructures, combined with heat pipe/heat plate arrangements for managing heat to which the structures are subjected. The structures are well suited to aerospace applications and may be employed in the leading edge of wings or other airfoil-shaped components; gas turbine engine components; rocket nozzles; and other high-heat, high-stress environments. |
| US09920529B2 |
Method and system for interconnecting structural panels
Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels. |
| US09920523B2 |
Pressure-sensitive roof structure for screened enclosures of swimming pools, spas or patios
A pressure-sensitive relief panel for screened enclosures of swimming pools, spas or patios is disclosed. By securing the panels with a pressure release system the structure and panels can remain intact year round. If a weather event occurs either with or without warning the panels will automatically provide relief from loads or forces imposed by the event that could cause damage or even collapse of the structure. |
| US09920520B2 |
Privacy screen apparatus
A privacy screen apparatus can include a body having a plurality of elongated recesses and between elongated pillow regions. The pillow regions can have a larger width than the recesses. In some embodiments, the body can be configured to bend about the elongated recesses to different configurations. A plurality of stand elements can be connected to the bottom of the body to permit the body to be free standing. In other embodiments, a plurality of connectors can be connected to the body for connecting the body to an article of furniture, such as a tabletop or a desktop. |
| US09920516B2 |
Roof insulation systems
An insulation system includes roof sheathing panels, spaced apart structural members, a plurality of pins, insulation support material, and insulation. The plurality of pins are secured to the roof sheathing panels, the structural members, or both. The insulation support material is connected to the pins to form an insulation cavity below the roof sheathing panels and below the structural members. Insulation is disposed on the insulation support material, between the spaced apart structural members and directly under the bottommost surfaces of the structural members. |
| US09920509B2 |
Flexible conduit element
The current invention comprises a flexible conduit means for an exhaust system of a combustion engine vehicle, comprising a bellows member (2), an outer flexible braided or knitted member (3) enclosing the bellows member, a resilient member (4), that is elastically deformable and encloses the outer braided or knitted member at least partially and abuts against it, whereas the bellows member comprises two corrugated portions (21), a connecting portion (24) between the corrugated portions, and the resilient member (4) encloses the connecting portion at least partially, the connecting portion (24) comprises flanks (25) that are formed at its axial ends and extend at least in a radial direction, and a curved portion (26) which connects the flanks with each other and which is at least partially enclosed by the resilient member (4). |
| US09920505B2 |
Confined Hypersonic Evaprotranspiration Chamber and a method of extraction of water
The present invention illustrates a Confined Hypersonic Evapotranspiration (COHET) Chamber and a method of extraction of water from the Earth's atmosphere, air or other gases, using a technique called Confined Hypersonic Evaprotranspiration inside a closed chamber. It is used to extract extremely low atmospheric water, typically as low as 10 ppm (10 parts per million). Application includes extraction of water from the atmosphere, air or any other gas for the purpose of, for example, drinking and agriculture, quick analysis of pollutants in the lower and upper atmosphere, to study rain formation in confined space, and evaprotranspiration process in nature. |
| US09920502B2 |
Control system for hybrid construction machine
A control system for hybrid construction machine includes a regeneration motor configured to be rotated by working fluid introduced from a turning circuit, a pressure detector configured to detect a turning pressure during a turning operation of the turning motor or a braking pressure during a braking operation of the turning motor, a switching valve for turning regeneration configured to perform turning regeneration by introducing the working fluid from the turning circuit to the regeneration motor when being switched to an open position by a pressure of pilot fluid, an electromagnetic proportional pressure reducing valve configured to be switched to an open position and generate a pilot secondary pressure for switching the switching valve for turning regeneration to the open position when a pressure detected by the pressure detector reaches a first set pressure, and a pilot switching valve configured to allow the passage of the pilot fluid for switching the switching valve for turning regeneration to the open position by being switched to an open position when the pressure of the turning circuit reaches a second set pressure. |
| US09920499B2 |
Device for heat stabilization of perennial permafrost soils
The invention relates to thermal engineering construction, particularly to individual seasonal cooling devices, or temperature stabilizers of soils. The solution is aimed to expand temperature ranges at which temperature stabilizers can be installed and to prevent debris from sealing materials from entering into the well cavity having a coolant. The device contains a temperature stabilizer that functions as a two-phase thermal siphon and includes an aboveground condensing part and underground transporting and vaporizing parts. The temperature stabilizer is placed into the well along with coolant. The well is a hollow cylindrical body with a bottom and a capping element at a top end. The capping element includes a hole for receiving of the temperature stabilizer. The capping element is a detachable stuffing-box seal that includes a support ring installed on a round step in the well, a pressure ring, and thermally expanded graphite rings pressed therebetween. |
| US09920495B1 |
Animal waste removal apparatus
An animal waste removal and collection system may include a waste removal apparatus with a handle, a blade connected proximate to an end of the handle, and a comb connected proximate to the end of the handle opposite the blade. The waste removal apparatus is configured to be supported on a support surface at a first contact point of the blade with the support surface and at multiple second contact points of the comb with the support surface. The animal waste removal and collection system may also include a waste collection apparatus with another handle and a pan connected proximate to an end of the second handle. The pan includes a base and walls extending upwardly from the base, where one of the walls includes a slot to interface with the blade and another one of the walls includes a second comb to interface with the first comb. |
| US09920492B2 |
Ground milling machine having a replaceable milling part and method for replacing a milling part of a ground milling machine
The present invention relates to a ground milling machine, in particular, a road cold milling machine, having a replaceable milling drum unit. To make this replacement procedure easier, the present invention proposes a fastening device between the milling part and the machine part of the ground milling machine. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for replacing a milling part on the ground milling machine, a fastening device being used for this purpose. |
| US09920489B2 |
Roadway widening structure
A roadway widening structure including a first portion configured to bear on a support and configured to support a first part of the roadway, the first portion including a frame which has a parallelepiped shape and which includes an enclosure having a parallelepiped shape and configured to receive ballast so as to immobilize the first portion on the support, a lower enclosure wall of the enclosure including a first lattice, a second portion cantilevered, secured to the first portion by a lateral wall and configured to support a second part of the roadway, a lateral enclosure wall of the enclosure, facing the second portion of the roadway widening structure, including a second lattice, and for fastening the first portion and the second portion. |
| US09920488B2 |
Railroad tie plugging system
Systems and methods for automated repair and maintenance operations on a railroad track comprise a work head that is automatically moved over the railroad track according to a predetermined pattern, such as the movement of an applicator for tie plugging compound according to a predetermined pattern of spike holes. The automated repair and maintenance operations may be coupled to systems and methods for automatically detecting a feature on a railroad track that comprise two or more distance measurement sensors that travel over the railroad track. Features on the railroad track are detected where the distance measured by each sensor falls within two different predetermined distance ranges. |
| US09920486B2 |
Décor paper having improved optical performance comprising treated inorganic particles
The disclosure provides a décor paper prepared from a dispersion having improved optical performance without negatively impacting mechanical strength, wherein the dispersion comprises a TiO2 particle slurry comprising a treated TiO2 particle having a surface area of at least about 30 m2/g, and a cationic polymer; wherein the treatment comprises an oxide of silicon, aluminum, phosphorus or mixtures thereof; and the treatment is present in the amount of at least 15% based on the total weight of the treated titanium dioxide particle; paper pulp; and a cationic polymer; wherein the cationic polymer in the slurry and the cationic polymer in the dispersion are compatible; wherein for equal optical performance, the amount of treated TiO2 particle in the dispersion is reduced by about 10% when compared to a dispersion not comprising the treated TiO2 particle of (a). These décor papers are useful in preparing paper laminates. |
| US09920473B2 |
Method for colour-fixing processing of textile and device therefor
A device for color-fixing processing on textiles includes a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid unit, a fixing liquid storage tank (2) and a fixing reactor (9). The fixing liquid storage tank (2) is below the fixing reactor (9) and sealed connected by a connecting device (6). The fixing liquid storage tank (2) has a cylindrical cavity in which a fluid distributor (4) is mounted. The fluid distributor (4) is composed of several interconnected pipes which bend down with the nozzles downward, and one of the pipes is used as circulated fluid inlet (1) connected with the supercritical carbon dioxide fluid unit, and the rest of the pipes are used as circulated fluid outlets. |
| US09920469B2 |
Dryer appliance and a method for operating a dryer appliance
A dryer appliance is provided. The dryer appliance includes a filter assembly with a filter medium. A first portion of the filter medium is disposed within an exhaust conduit when the filter medium is in a first position. A second portion of the filter medium is disposed within the exhaust conduit when the filter medium is in a second position. A method for operating a dryer appliance is also provided. |
| US09920460B2 |
Down-proof woven fabric
A down-proof woven fabric includes a cloth composed of synthetic fibers with a yarn fineness of 33 decitex or less and having a weight per unit area of 50 g/m2 or less and a cover factor of 1,400 to 1,800, wherein the cloth is coated at least on one surface thereof with a resin by an amount of 0.1 g/m2 to 5 g/m2 as a solid component. |
| US09920451B2 |
High throughput multi-wafer epitaxial reactor
An epitaxial reactor enabling simultaneous deposition of thin films on a multiplicity of wafers is disclosed. During deposition, a number of wafers are contained within a wafer sleeve comprising a number of wafer carrier plates spaced closely apart to minimize the process volume. Process gases flow preferentially into the interior volume of the wafer sleeve, which is heated by one or more lamp modules. Purge gases flow outside the wafer sleeve within a reactor chamber to minimize deposition on the chamber walls. Sequencing of the illumination of the individual lamps in the lamp module may further improve the linearity of variation in deposition rates within the wafer sleeve. To improve uniformity, the direction of process gas flow may be varied in a cross-flow configuration. Combining lamp sequencing with cross-flow processing in a multiple reactor system enables high throughput deposition with good film uniformities and efficient use of process gases. |
| US09920448B2 |
Inert anode electroplating processor and replenisher with anionic membranes
An electroplating system includes a processor has a vessel having a first or upper compartment and a second or lower compartment containing catholyte and anolyte, respectively, with an processor anionic membrane between them. An inert anode is located in the second compartment. A replenisher is connected to the vessel via catholyte return and supply lines and anolyte return and supply lines, to circulate catholyte and anolyte through compartments in the replenisher separated by a replenisher anionic membrane. The replenisher adds metal ions into the catholyte by moving ions from a bulk metal source, and moves anions from the anolyte through the anionic membrane and into the catholyte. Concentrations or metal ions and anions in the catholyte and the anolyte remain balanced. |
| US09920444B2 |
Co-bonded electroformed abrasion strip
A system, method, and apparatus for a co-bonded electroformed abrasion strip are disclosed. A disclosed method for making a unitary abrasion strip for a fluid dynamic surface includes manufacturing or identifying a first metallic section having an overlap region on a first end of the first metallic section. The method further includes manufacturing or identifying an overlap region disposed on the first end of the first metallic section by preparing the first end of the first metallic section. Also, the method includes creating a second metallic section onto the overlap region on the first end of the first metallic section by performing a first electro-deposition process on the first end of the first metallic section; where the first metallic section, the overlap region, and the second metallic section together form a unitary, inseparable abrasion strip for a fluid dynamic surface. |
| US09920441B2 |
Ozone water generating device
An ozonated water generating device includes a first housing, a second housing on the first housing, and a catalytic electrode disposed in a space in the first and second housings. The catalytic electrode includes an anode, a cation exchange membrane, and a cathode. The device includes a cushion at least one between the anode and the first housing and between the cathode and the second housing, and at least one pusher in at least one of the first housing and the second housing. The pusher penetrates the first or second housing to push the cushion toward the catalytic electrode, or to directly push the catalytic electrode. The pusher is positioned to ensure pushing on at least the center of the catalytic electrode. And the pressure of the pusher brings the anode, the cation exchange membrane, and the cathode into pressure contact with each other. |
| US09920439B2 |
Water splitting method
The present invention provides a method for splitting water. In the present method, first, prepared is a water splitting device comprising: cathode and anode containers in which first and second electrolyte solutions are stored respectively; a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween; a cathode electrode in contact with the first electrolyte solution and comprises a metal or metal compound; and an anode electrode in contact with the second electrolyte solution and comprises a nitride semiconductor layer. Then, the anode electrode is irradiated with light to split water contained in the first electrolyte solution. The anode electrode comprises a cobalt oxide layer formed of Co3O4 as a main component on a surface of the nitride semiconductor layer; the surface of the nitride semiconductor layer being in contact with the second electrolyte solution. The cathode electrode is electrically connected to the anode electrode without an external power supply. |
| US09920435B2 |
Methodology for three-dimensional morphological and quantitative determination of micro and nanocavities produced by chemical and microbiological corrosion in metallic materials
The present invention refers to a procedure which includes the following objectives: a) To determine the morphology of the micro and nanocavities produced by chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, in the space of three dimensions as well as the effective advance of corrosion, the true length of corrosion cavities and their associated parameters: corrosion vectors, corrosion intensity and determination of the cavities diameter/true length of corrosion ratio, applying scanning electron microscopy (MEB) techniques, and analytic, gravimetric and volumetric formulations; b) To quantitatively determine the rate of chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, through their volumetric and gravimetric properties; and c) To obtain a graphic interface to access the numeric information and the micrographs in a simple and friendly manner. More specifically, the present invention is related to the laboratory procedures, analytic expressions, devices, procedures and calculations required to characterize the micro and nanocavities of coupons and biocoupons, caused by chemical and/or microbiological pitting and uniform corrosion. |
| US09920434B2 |
Oxidation of copper in a copper etching solution by the use of oxygen and/or air as an oxidizing agent
The present invention relates to a process of oxidizing copper in a copper etching solution by using oxygen gas and/or air as an oxidizing agent, the process comprising the steps of: a) introducing the oxidizing agent into an acidic reduced copper etching solution comprising Cl− and Cu+, b) stirring the solution obtained in step a), and thereby allowing the reaction 2Cu++½O2 (aq)+2H+→2Cu2++H2O to occur, thereby producing an oxidized copper etching solution comprising less Cu+ than the reduced copper etching solution. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved process at least in terms of the speed of the oxidation and the quality of the etching. |
| US09920433B2 |
Additive metal deposition process
A build piece is made from a build plan by an additive metal deposition process, the build plan created from a three dimensional definition of a desired part, the build plan having a first set of dimensions corresponding to the desired part and includes a support structure. The build piece is to a chemical etchant such that the support structure is removed from the build piece and the dimensions of the build piece corresponding to the desired part are reduced to a second set of dimensions. |
| US09920432B2 |
Adhesion promoting agents for metallization of substrate surfaces
A method is provided for metallization of substrates providing a high adhesion of the deposited metal to the substrate material and thereby forming a durable bond. The method applies novel adhesion promoting agents comprising nanometer-sized particles prior to metallization. The particles have at least one attachment group bearing a functional chemical group suitable for binding to the substrate. |
| US09920431B2 |
Process for preparing a substrate for thermal spraying of a metal coating
A method of preparing a substrate to receive a metal coating deposited by thermal spraying, the method including the following steps: a) depositing a layer of adhesive on the zone to be coated, the layer having a uniform thickness greater than 10 μm and less than 100 μm; b) before the adhesive dries, cold spraying a metal powder onto the zone to be coated, so that powder particles become embedded at least in part in the layer of adhesive; and c) drying the adhesive in which the powder particles remain held captive, thereby forming an undercoat suitable for receiving a metal coating deposited by thermal spraying. The method is applicable to protecting the leading edges of fan blades. |
| US09920427B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a reaction chamber in which a semiconductor substrate is capable of being accommodated when a deposited film is to be formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A first supplier supplies a source gas to a first area in the reaction chamber. A second supplier supplies an oxidation gas to a second area in the reaction chamber. A third supplier supplies a hydrogen gas to a third area between the first area and the second area in the reaction chamber. A stage moves the semiconductor substrate to any one of the first to third areas. |
| US09920425B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a chamber that is capable of accommodating therein a plurality of semiconductor substrates. A gas supply part supplies process gas to the chamber. A top exhaust port is connected to a top portion of the chamber and exhausts gas within the chamber. A bottom exhaust port is connected to a bottom portion of the chamber and exhausts gas within the chamber. A controller controls a timing of supplying process gas from the gas supply part and a timing of switching between exhaust from the top exhaust port and exhaust from the bottom exhaust port. |
| US09920423B2 |
Surface-coated cutting tool and process for producing same
Provided is a surface-coated cutting tool having both high wear resistance and high fracture resistance and having an indicator function that significantly facilitates the determination of the usage of a cutting edge. A surface-coated cutting tool according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate and a coating formed on the substrate. The coating includes a plurality of layers. A surface layer of the plurality of layers is a titanium boride layer made of TixBy (where x and y are expressed as atomic percentages and satisfy 1.5 |
| US09920421B2 |
Transparent body for a touch panel manufacturing method and system for manufacturing a transparent body for a touch screen panel
A process for manufacturing a transparent body for a touch screen panel is described. The process includes: depositing a first transparent layer stack over a flexible transparent substrate, wherein said first transparent layer stack includes at least a first dielectric film with a first refractive index, and a second dielectric film with a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; providing a transparent conductive film over the first transparent layer stack; depositing a layer of a conductive material over the transparent conductive film; providing a polymer layer over the layer of a conductive material; imprinting a pattern, e.g. a 3D pattern, on the polymer layer; etching the layer of the conductive material based upon the pattern to form conductive paths for the touch screen panel; and etching the transparent conductive film based upon the pattern to form a structured transparent conductive pattern for touch detection. |
| US09920419B2 |
Drum sputtering device
A drum sputtering device that can uniformly deposit target atoms on all over particles is provided. The drum sputtering device includes a vacuum container 2 that contains particles, a tubular drum 10 that is arranged inside the vacuum container 2 and at least one end face 10c of which is open, and a sputtering target 16 that is arranged inside the drum 10. With a supporting arm 11, a drive motor 12 for rotation, a drive motor 13 for swing, a first gear member 14, and a second gear member 15, the drum can be rotated around the axis of the drum 10 and the drum 10 can be swung so that one end portion 10e and the other end portion 10f in the axial direction of the drum 10 are relatively vertically switched. |
| US09920418B1 |
Physical vapor deposition apparatus having a tapered chamber
A physical vapor deposition (PVD) apparatus having a deposition chamber and a source chamber of minimal volume, which can be selectively isolated from each other by a various load-lock valves. Exemplary embodiments can include a tapered high vacuum chamber disposed between the deposition chamber and the source chamber. The pump down time of the apparatus can be reduced, as compared to conventional PVD systems, due to the combined reduced volume of the chambers. Coating uniformity can also be improved by spinning each part to be coated on its' own axis while selectively exposing to a deposition source with minimal particle generation. |
| US09920414B2 |
Method for producing a ceramic layer on a surface formed from an Ni base alloy
A method for producing a ceramic layer on a surface formed from a Ni base alloy, includes the following steps: producing on the surface a ceramic layer containing ZrO2 as a main constituent; producing a gas phase having a temperature in the range from 400 to 900° C., in which a vapor formed from a salt melt with the components alkali chloride, alkali sulphate and ZnCl2 is contained in a carrier gas formed from an inert gas with an addition from 0.5 to 10% by weight HCl; and bringing the ceramic layer into contact with the gas phase for a period of time that is sufficient for an intermediate layer having a thickness of at least 0.1 μm to form between the ceramic layer and the surface. |
| US09920412B2 |
Chromium-free thermal spray composition, method, and apparatus
A composition, method for depositing the composition on a downhole component, and a downhole tool. The composition includes about 0.25 wt % to about 1.25 wt % of carbon, about 1.0 wt % to about 3.5 wt % of manganese, about 0.1 wt % to about 1.4 wt % of silicon, about 1.0 wt % to about 3.0 wt % of nickel, about 0.0 to about 2.0 wt % of molybdenum, about 0.7 wt % to about 2.5 wt % of aluminum, about 1.0 wt % to about 2.7 wt % of vanadium, about 1.5 wt % to about 3.0 wt % of titanium, about 0.0 wt % to about 6.0 wt % of niobium, about 3.5 wt % to about 5.5 wt % of boron, about 0.0 wt % to about 10.0 wt % tungsten, and a balance of iron. |
| US09920408B2 |
Hot stamping product with enhanced toughness and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a hot stamping part with enhanced toughness and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the hot stamping part has a tensile strength (TS) of 700-1,200 MPa after hot stamping while guaranteeing elongation (EL) of 12% or more by adjusting alloy components and controlling process conditions. |
| US09920406B2 |
Method for manufacturing high-performance NdFeB rare earth permanent magnetic device
A method for manufacturing a high-performance NdFeB rare earth permanent magnetic device which is made of an R—Fe—Co—B-M strip casting alloy, a micro-crystal HR—Fe alloy fiber, and TmGn compound micro-powder, includes steps of: manufacturing the R—Fe—Co—B-M strip casting alloy, manufacturing the micro-crystal HR—Fe alloy fiber, providing hydrogen decrepitating, pre-mixing, powdering with jet milling, post-mixing, providing magnetic field pressing, sintering and ageing, wherein after a sintered NdFeB permanent magnet is manufactured, machining and surface-treating the sintered NdFeB permanent magnet for forming a rare earth permanent device. |
| US09920401B2 |
Aluminum base alloy with high thermal conductivity for die casting
The present invention relates to an aluminum base alloy with high thermal conductivity, and more particularly, to an alloy for die casting that does not become brittle and has high thermal conductivity, so as to be easily used for LED lighting parts, and contains 0.2 to 2.0 wt % of Mg, 0.1 to 0.3 wt % of Fe, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of Co, with the remainder being Al. |
| US09920400B2 |
Bulk nickel-based glasses bearing chromium, niobium, phosphorus and silicon
The disclosure is directed to Ni—Cr—P eutectic alloys bearing Nb as substitution for Cr that are capable of forming metallic glasses with critical rod diameter of at least 1 mm or more. With further minority addition of Si as replacement for P, such alloys are capable of forming metallic glasses with critical rod diameters as high as 10 mm or more. Specifically, Ni-based compositions with a Cr content of between 5 and 14 atomic percent, Nb content of between 3 and 4 atomic percent, P content of between 17.5 and 19 atomic percent, and Si content of between 1 and 2 atomic percent, were capable of forming bulk metallic glass rods with diameters as large as 6 mm or larger. |
| US09920398B2 |
Zinc production method
A zinc production method includes a reaction step such as a leaching step (101) of bringing electric arc furnace dust (1) containing zinc oxide or the like into contact with a chlorine gas (8) to obtain a zinc oxide component in the electric arc furnace dust (1) or the like as crude zinc chloride (3), a purification step (102) of heating the crude zinc chloride (3) obtained at the reaction step to produce zinc chloride vapor, and cooling and condensing the zinc chloride vapor, thereby obtaining purified zinc chloride (6), and an electrolysis step (103) of electrolyzing the purified zinc chloride (6) obtained at the purification step (102) in a molten state to obtain a zinc melt (9) and the chlorine gas (8). |
| US09920397B2 |
Removal of ferric iron as hematite at atmospheric pressure
A process for the removal of ferric iron as hematite from a nickel solution containing ferric and ferrous ions including the steps of: raising the temperature of the nickel solution to between 90° C. and the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure; raising the pH of the nickel solution to be between 2 and 3; and adding a hematite seed to facilitate hematite precipitation, wherein ferric ions are precipitated as hematite in a predominantly crystalline form. |