Document Document Title
US09921607B2 Portable user input system operable in two modes
A portable user interface device receives user inputs in two modes. The user interface device includes a central portion attached to two side portions. Relative rotation between the central portion and the side portions converts the user interface device between the two modes. In the first mode, the user interface device is suspended on the front of a user's torso. In the second mode, the user interface device may be placed on a substantially flat horizontal surface.
US09921602B2 Methods of computing steady-state voltage stability margins of power systems
In steady-state voltage stability analysis, as load increases toward a maximum, conventional Newton-Raphson power flow Jacobian matrix becomes increasingly ill-conditioned so power flow fails to converge before reaching maximum loading. A method to directly eliminate this singularity reformulates the power flow problem by introducing an AQ bus with specified bus angle and reactive power consumption of a load bus. For steady-state voltage stability analysis, the angle separation between the swing bus and AQ bus can be varied to control power transfer to the load, rather than specifying the load power itself. For an AQ bus, the power flow formulation is only made up of a reactive power equation, thus reducing the size of the Jacobian matrix by one. This reduced Jacobian matrix is nonsingular at the critical voltage point, eliminating a major difficulty in voltage stability analysis for power system operations.
US09921599B2 Voltage switching circuit and power supply device with regulator
A voltage switching circuit of an example includes a switching element that switches an electrical connection between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first control circuit that controls the switch element, a regulator circuit that generates a first internal voltage and supply the first control circuit with the first internal voltage, a voltage selection circuit that selects one of a first voltage from the first terminal and a second voltage from the second terminal and supply the regulator circuit with the selected one of the first voltage and the second voltage, a second control circuit that controls the voltage selection circuit, and a voltage generation circuit that generates a second internal voltage using at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage, the second internal voltage is supplied to the voltage selection circuit and the second control circuit.
US09921597B2 Power control apparatus, power control system, and control method
A HEMS 200 connects to equipment provided in a consumer through a communication network and controls the equipment. The HEMS 200 comprises a transceiver unit 210 transmitting control information for controlling the equipment to the equipment in each control cycle T and a control unit 240 controlling a transmission of the control information; the control unit 240 controls the transceiver unit 210 to retransmit the control information to the equipment when response information corresponding to the control information is not received within a timeout period t set to be shorter than the control cycle T from the transmission of the control information from the transceiver unit 210. The control unit 240 changes the timeout period t by controlling a retransmission possible frequency of the control information within the period of the control cycle T.
US09921596B2 Power supply noise reduction circuit and power supply noise reduction method
A power supply noise reduction circuit and a power supply noise reduction method are provided. An integrated circuit includes an input node configured to receive a signal via a transmission line. The integrated circuit also includes termination circuitry configured to electrically couple the input node to a power rail of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit further includes a circuit component coupled to the power rail. The circuit component is configured to bleed off a portion of current on the power rail based on a determination that a voltage on the power rail meets or exceeds a high voltage threshold. The circuit component is also configured to bleed off a smaller portion of the current on the power rail based on a determination that the voltage on the power rail is less than the high voltage threshold.
US09921595B2 Circuit for generating stepped-down voltage
A circuit includes a PMOS transistor having a source coupled to an input node and a drain coupled to an output node, a control circuit operating with a voltage of an internal line to control a gate voltage of the PMOS transistor, a comparator operating with the voltage of the internal line to cause a comparator output to change from a first state to a second state in response to a drop of voltage of the input node, a switch circuit configured to connect the input node to the internal line when the comparator output is in the first state, and to connect the output node to the internal line when the comparator output is in the second state, and a block circuit configured to block a path from the output node to the input node through the PMOS transistor when the comparator output is in the second state.
US09921594B1 Low dropout regulator with thin pass device
Systems, methods and apparatus for efficient control and biasing of pass devices that include at least one thin pass device and a remaining of thick pass devices. When operated at extreme high and low voltages, the at least one thin pass device maintains operation in its saturation region of operation while the remaining pass devices may be driven into their triode regions of operation. The thin and thick pass devices are arranged in a cascode configuration that includes a plurality of stacked devices. Biasing of the thin and thick cascode devices can be according to a voltage division scheme which protects the devices when the voltage across the stack is high, and provides a skewed voltage division across the stacked devices that promotes a higher gate-to-source voltage of the thick pass devices for a lower RON. In one exemplary case, gate length of the at least one thin pass device may be reduced to provide a lower gate-to-source voltage of the thin pass device during operation in the saturation region. An exemplary implementation of an LDO controlling the pass devices for providing RF power to a power amplifier is described.
US09921592B2 Bandgap reference circuit with low output impedance stage and power-on detector
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a bandgap core to provide a control signal; and an output stage coupled to the bandgap core, the output stage to receive the control signal and to provide a low impedance output at an output node.
US09921589B2 Method and device for controlling a coasting operating mode in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine
A method and a device for automatically deactivating a coasting operating mode in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An activated coasting operating mode is deactivated if the current vehicle speed exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value is set as the sum of a minimum vehicle speed and of a maximum permissible increase in speed.
US09921588B2 Determination of fluid composition in a mass flow controller
A method for determining a fluid composition parameter, e.g., a fluid identifier, a mixing ratio or a parameter describing heat transfer properties, of an unknown fluid in a mass flow controller is disclosed. A control valve of the mass flow controller is set so as to establish a constant flow, preferably zero flow, through the mass flow controller. A heating element of the flow sensor is heated, and at least one temperature value is measured with temperature sensors arranged on both sides of the heater while the fluid contacts the flow sensor. First calibration data (LUT1) are retrieved. The first calibration data have, as input values, temperature values measured with the flow sensor at the previously established constant flow and have, as output values, values of the fluid composition parameter. The first calibration data are used to determine the fluid composition parameter from the measured temperature value.
US09921586B2 Celestial navigation system for an autonomous vehicle
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.
US09921585B2 Detailed map format for autonomous driving
A computer-readable detailed map format is disclosed. The map format can be used in the operation of an autonomous vehicle. The detailed map format includes a plurality of lane segments and a plurality of lane links. Each of the lane links can extend between two lane segments across a traffic intersection. Each of the lane links can also be associated with one of a plurality of traffic signals. A transition rule is associated with a first lane link and based on information associated with the one of the plurality of traffic signals associated with the first lane link. An interlock rule can be based on information associated with the one of the plurality of traffic signals associated with a second lane link. The first lane link and second lane link can be associated with different traffic signals and can extend between different lane segments across the traffic intersection.
US09921582B2 Reconfigurable automated guided vehicle system
An automated guided vehicle system may include a plurality of automated guided vehicles arranged in a predetermined relationship with respect to each other for supporting a payload. Each of the automated guided vehicles has a plurality of rollers extending from the automated guided vehicle and engaging a ground surface. Furthermore, at least one locator extends from the automated guided vehicle and engages the payload. Each of the automated guided vehicles also has an on-board controller arranged within a housing thereof, with one on-board controller acting as a master controller and the remaining of the on-board controllers acting as slave controllers. The master controller communicates with the slave controllers to maintain position and speed control of each automated guided vehicle in both a lateral and a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the slave controllers send feedback information to the master controller.
US09921581B2 Autonomous vehicle emergency operating mode
A vehicle computing device has a data storage medium and a processing device programmed to execute instructions stored on the data storage medium. The instructions include detecting an emergency vehicle near an autonomous host vehicle, receiving operational data from nearby vehicles, and transmitting the operational data to the emergency vehicle. The operational data indicates whether one or more of the nearby vehicles is operating in an autonomous mode.
US09921579B1 Human interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles
In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to affect an adjustment to the behavior of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Human gestures may include visible gestures, audible gestures, and other gestures capable of recognition by the unmanned vehicle.
US09921575B2 Process monitoring system, apparatus and method
A process monitoring system includes: a plurality of field devices configured to measure state quantities in an industrial process implemented in a plant; a trend calculation unit configured to determine the variation trend of the state quantities based on time-sequence data output from each of the plurality of field devices and classify each of the variation trends of the state quantities into one of a pre-established plurality of statuses; a state change judgment unit configured to judge the existence or non-existence of a pre-indicator of a change in the plant state, in accordance with the existence or non-existence of a change in at least one of the statuses classified by the trend calculation unit; and a notification unit configured to notify of judgment results of the state change judgment unit.
US09921572B2 Springback compensation in formed sheet metal parts
Finite element methods for compensating for springback in aircraft parts meet the visual appearance and aerodynamics of complex parts including those made of fabricated sheet metal. The methods can be used to make narrow parts (e.g., leading edge and slats) and double negative curvature parts, and do not need to leave marks on the surface of the sheet so that visual aspects are not adversely affected. The point to point compensation technique uses approach equations with constants adjustable for curves. The constant(s) used depend on geometry and type of forming (e.g., stretch or hydraulic press). Use of mechanical properties of the material is not required.
US09921563B2 System for updating a control program actively controlling an industrial process
The inventor has recognized that industrial controllers may be updated after they are deployed in the field, while actively controlling an industrial process and without costly downtime, by storing a replacement machine-readable component in an allocated program space, locating and modifying one or more dependent machine-readable components copied in the allocated program space to instead depend on the replacement machine-readable component, re-linking a copy of the control program in the allocated program space, and redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space. Replacement machine-readable components could be instructions, libraries, or subroutines of the control program, and are not limited to user logic. The control program in the allocated program space may optimally be tested by verifying an operation before redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space.
US09921561B2 Real time control of a remote device
According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors configured to determine an instruction to be performed by a remote device. The remote device includes a plurality of preloaded instructions, and the plurality of preloaded instructions includes a preloaded instruction that matches the instruction. The processors are further configured to determine a token associated with the instruction. The remote device further includes a plurality of preloaded tokens associated with the plurality of preloaded instructions. The plurality of preloaded tokens includes a preloaded token that matches the token, and the preloaded token is associated with the preloaded instruction. The processors are further configured to transmit the token to the remote device. The remote device is configured to match the token to the preloaded token. Based on the match, the remote device is further configured to determine the preloaded instruction and perform the preloaded instruction.
US09921560B2 Control device, control system, tool device, and collection instruction program
A control device is provided with a task execution unit, a collection unit which collects variables which have been referenced and updated in a user program and a management unit which manages the collected variables. The user program includes a collection instruction program which instructs the collection of the variables by the collection unit. The collection instruction program further includes distinguishing information for a user to distinguish the location of the collection instruction program in the user program. When the collection of the variables has been instructed by the collection instruction program, the management unit associates the variables collected by the collection unit with the distinguishing information of the collection instruction program.
US09921558B2 Methods for intelligently throwing a ball to a dynamically detected user and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a ball throwing management computing device that assists with intelligently throwing a ball to a dynamically detected user includes receiving health information associated with a user from a user computing device. A location and height of the user associated with the received health information is detected. A speed, a direction, a trajectory and a frequency at which the ball can be propelled to the user is determined based on the received health information and the detected location of the user without user intervention. Propelling the ball to the user based on the determined speed, direction and frequency is assisted.
US09921556B2 Machine controller and power consumption control of machine tool peripherals
A machine controller intercommunicates with, and issues machining program commands to, a plurality of peripherals. The controller receives work status information on the peripherals, calculates the total power consumption by the plurality of peripherals based on the received information, and decides the work start timing for the peripherals such that the total does not reach a preset upper limit.
US09921555B2 Device control system, host device, and control method of a host device
Devices can be controlled by group even when multiple devices compatible with different interface standards are connected. An iProduct identifier enabling recognition by the host side as interfaces in the same group is set in the USB 2.0 hub and USB 3.0 hub in the same publisher. The host side determines if the hubs belong to the same group based on the iProduct identifier, and coordinates operation of the USB devices to connected to the USB 2.0 hub and USB 3.0 hub determined to be in the same group.
US09921549B2 Device for assembling a casing ring in a watch case middle
A device is provided for assembling a casing ring in a watch case middle including a bearing surface on an inner wall thereof, the casing ring including a housing opening in a lateral face of the casing ring, and in an upper or lower face of the casing ring. The device includes a locking part pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation passing through the upper or lower opening from a first position, in which the locking part is housed in the housing, to a second position, in which the locking part protrudes and abuts against the bearing surface of the inner wall of the case middle so as to hold the casing ring in the case middle. The locking part is snap-fitted in the housing and is pivotable about the vertical axis of rotation. A timepiece and a watch case fitted with the assembly device are also provided.
US09921548B2 Electronic timepiece and movement
An electronic timepiece has a display device that displays display information, a drive mechanism that drives the display device, a crown that can perform a rotary operation, and a control device that corrects the display information displayed on the display device by the rotary operation of the crown. The control device has a single correction mode and a continuous correction mode which are selected by the rotary operation of the crown. In the single correction mode, a single correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a single correction quantity. In the continuous correction mode, a continuous correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a continuous correction quantity. The continuous correction quantity is set depending on types of the display information to be corrected in the continuous correction mode.
US09921546B2 Timepiece mechanism comprising a pivoting member provided with magnetic return means
The timepiece mechanism comprises a rotating wheel set, a support element, a pivoting member mounted on the support element and magnetic return means for returning one portion of the pivoting member against a surface of the rotating wheel set. The return means comprise a first magnet carried by the pivoting member and a second magnet carried by the support element. The first and second magnets are arranged such that, in normal operation, the interaction of their respective magnetic fields generates a magnetic force oriented to return said pivoting member portion towards said rotating wheel surface. At least one of the first and second magnets is arranged to permit reversal of its polarity, preferably with the aid of a tool, and thereby of the direction of the magnetic force acting on the pivoting member, said magnetic force then tending to move said pivoting member portion away from said rotating wheel set surface, which makes it easy to handle the various elements of the timepiece mechanism.
US09921544B2 Image forming apparatus, molded resin product for use with the image forming apparatus, and cartridge
A molded resin product for use with an image forming apparatus includes: a base portion formed of a resin material; a positioning portion provided on the base portion; and a movable member formed by injection molding so as to be movable relative to the base portion. When the molded resin product is connected to a connection part, the positioning portion positions the molded resin product and the connection part relative to each other, and the movable member is contactable to a contact portion of the connection part.
US09921543B2 Image-forming apparatus provided with support parts for supporting cartridge detached from housing
An image-forming apparatus includes: a housing formed with an opening part; and a process cartridge detachably attachable to the housing through the opening part in a first direction. The housing includes a first support part arranged at the opening part, and a cover movable between a closed position and an opened position. The cover includes a second support part positioned away from the first support part in the first direction when the cover is at the opened position. The process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge having a drum frame; and a toner cartridge detachably attachable to the drum frame. When the cover is at the opened position, the first support part and the second support part are configured to support the drum frame of the process cartridge detached from the housing to restrict displacement of the drum frame in the first direction.
US09921539B2 Driving assembly and developing cartridge
The present disclosure discloses a driving assembly. The driving assembly is configured to be arranged on one end of a developing cartridge, the driving assembly comprises a connector configured to engage with a driving head of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The connector comprises a sleeve, a guide rod, and at least one engaging claw. The sleeve has a protrusion portion at its distal end relative to the developing cartridge, the protrusion portion axially projects outwards and has a limiting groove with an outwards opening; the engaging claw is hinged at the second end of the guide rod; when the driving assembly rotates upon receiving driving forces, a side surface of the limiting groove contacts a side surface of the engaging claw. A developing cartridge comprising the driving assembly is also provided.
US09921536B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit, cartridge, and flange member
A flange member includes a first cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical portion disposed inside the first cylindrical portion coaxially with the first cylindrical portion, an inwardly protruding portion protruding from an inner circumference of the second cylindrical portion, a first wall extending in the central axis direction and connecting the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion together and is in contact with a shaft member between the first wall and the second wall to receive a driving force, a second wall opposed to the first wall, and a connecting portion connecting the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and connecting the first wall and the second wall. A groove is provided inside the first cylindrical portion and outside the second cylindrical portion. The connecting portion is disposed adjacent to the inwardly protruding portion with respect to the shaft member in the central axis direction.
US09921534B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a replenishment empty history recording portion, a post-empty attachment detecting portion, and an image creation restricting portion. The replenishment empty history recording portion records replenishment empty history information to a storage device in correspondence with one of the plurality of developer containers in which a replenishment empty state was detected in a first attachment portion. The post-empty attachment detecting portion detects whether or not a second attachment portion is in a post-empty container attached state where the developer container corresponding to the replenishment empty history information recorded in the storage device is attached to the second attachment portion. The image creation restricting portion, upon detection of the replenishment empty state, restricts an operation of an image creating device, and upon detection that the second attachment portion is in the post-empty container attached state, releases a restriction on the operation of the image creating device.
US09921531B2 Fixing device including heater, resin frame and metal frame having wall disposed between resin frame and heater
A fixing device includes an endless belt, a heater disposed inside the endless belt and being elongated in a longitudinal direction, the heater having a first end portion in the longitudinal direction and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the longitudinal direction, a resin frame having a recess portion opening toward an inner side of the endless belt, and a metal frame inserted into the recess portion of the resin frame. The metal frame has a first wall having a through-hole, and a second wall extending in a direction from the first end portion of the heater toward a second end portion of the heater, the second wall being disposed between the resin frame and the heater.
US09921530B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A frequency determining portion determines a driving frequency of an induction heater. A determination processing portion determines whether or not the driving frequency determined by the frequency determining portion is within a predetermined prohibited frequency band. A frequency changing portion, when the driving frequency determined by the frequency determining portion is within the prohibited frequency band and is lower than a predetermined threshold within the prohibited frequency band, changes the driving frequency to a frequency equal to or lower than a lower boundary frequency of the prohibited frequency band, and when the driving frequency is within the prohibited frequency band and is equal to or higher than the threshold, changes the driving frequency to a frequency equal to or higher than a higher boundary frequency of the prohibited frequency band. A heating control portion drives the induction heater by the driving frequency changed by the frequency changing portion.
US09921529B2 Method of controlling fuser with fuser controller and main controller and image forming apparatus including the fuser controller and the main controller
A fuser controller includes a memory configured to store a program, a processor configured to read the program from the memory and to execute the program, a communication unit configured to transmit/receive data to/from the main controller, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive an analog signal representing the temperature of the fuser from a thermistor and to convert the analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the processor controls power supplied to a fuser until the main controller completes initialization.
US09921526B2 Semiconductive resin composition, member for electrophotography and image forming apparatus
A semiconductive resin composition includes at least two thermoplastic resins and a conductive filler. Each of the two thermoplastic resins has a sea-island structure, and 40% to 75% of the conductive filler are present in the thermoplastic resin in an island portion of the sea-island structure at an areal ratio of a cross section observed with a scanning electron microscope.
US09921522B2 Toner cartridge for use in an image forming device
An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge having a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
US09921520B2 Developing device having developer coating regulation
A developing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member configured to carry a developer, and a regulating unit, formed of a resin material, configured to regulate an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member. The regulating unit includes a regulating portion configured to regulate the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member and a guiding portion, connected with an upstream end of the regulating portion with respect to a rotational direction of the developer carrying member, configured to guide the developer toward the regulating portion.
US09921516B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing power consumption by optimizing preliminary operation of a sensor. In the image forming apparatus, when tone characteristics adjustment is instructed (Step S1003: Y), tone characteristics adjustment (Step S1006) is executed after calibration (Step S1004), while when mixed-color correction is instructed (Step S1007: Y), mixed-color correction processing (Step S1009) is executed after calibration (Step S1008). Further, in the case where mixed-color correction is executed after tone characteristics adjustment, the preliminary light emission time in calibration is set shorter than when mixed-color correction is executed without performing gray adjustment first.
US09921515B2 Optical writing device, image forming apparatus, and temperature calculation method
An optical writing device having; a plurality of light-emitting points; a photodiode configured to output a signal which represents a quantity of incident light from a predetermined light-emitting point selected from the plurality of light-emitting points; and a calculation section for calculating a temperature of the photodiode based on a magnitude of a photodiode dark current included in the signal output from the photodiode while the predetermined light-emitting point is OFF.
US09921507B2 Electrostatic-image developing toner, electrostatic-image developer, and toner cartridge
An electrostatic-image developing toner includes toner particles each including a polyester resin and a styrene (meth)acrylic resin. In a micro-compression test where a load of 0.2 mN is applied to the toner particles at a loading rate of 0.098 mN/sec, the median of a distribution of the ratios (%) of deformations of the toner particles to the diameters of the toner particles is 8.0 or more and 18.0 or less, and a variation in the distribution of the ratios of deformations of the toner particles to the diameters of the toner particles is 0.02 or more and 0.40 or less.
US09921506B2 Electrophotographic image forming method and full color toner set for developing electrostatic image
Provided is a method of forming an electrophotographic image using a plurality of color toners, the method containing: a charging step; an exposing step; a developing step; and a transferring step, wherein the plurality of color toners each respectively contain toner particles including a binder resin, a coloring agent, a releasing agent, and a crystalline resin; the binder resin contains an amorphous vinyl polymer formed with a vinyl monomer; the toner particles contain the amorphous vinyl polymer in the range of 10 to 90 mass %; and a maximum value of an acid value difference of the color toners is in the range of 1 to 10 mg KOH/g.
US09921502B2 Thermosetting powder coating material and coating method
A thermosetting powder coating material includes a powder particle containing a thermosetting resin and a thermosetting agent and has a volume particle size distribution index GSDv of less than 1.20 and an average circularity of not less than 0.96.
US09921499B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, electrophotographic apparatus, and phthalocyanine pigment
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a substrate and a photosensitive layer containing a phthalocyanine pigment. The crystalline particles of the phthalocyanine pigment have a crystallite correlation length r and a particle size R of 400 nm or less, and a parameter k defined by r/R is in the range of 0.17 to 0.42.
US09921498B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support, an undercoat layer formed on the support, and a photosensitive layer formed on the undercoat layer, in which the undercoat layer contains a polymer of a composition containing a compound represented by the formula (1).
US09921496B2 Exposure apparatus, movable body apparatus, flat-panel display manufacturing method, and device manufacturing method
In a substrate stage, when a Y coarse movement stage moves in the Y-axis direction, an X coarse movement stage, a weight cancellation device, and an X guide move integrally in the Y-axis direction with the Y coarse movement stage, and when the X coarse movement stage moves in the X-axis direction on the Y coarse movement stage, the weight cancellation device move on the X guide in the X-axis direction integrally with the X coarse movement stage. Because the X guide is provided extending in the X-axis direction while covering the movement range of the weight cancellation device in the X-axis direction, the weight cancellation device is constantly supported by the X guide, regardless of its position. Accordingly, a substrate can be guided along the XY plane with good accuracy.
US09921492B2 Fixture for a photosensitive seal machine
A fixture for a photosensitive seal machine is deposited on a transfer paper on the photosensitive seal machine to locate at least one stamp, and the fixture has a frame. The frame has a top surface, a bottom surface, multiple locating recesses and multiple retaining faces. The bottom surface is opposite to the top surface. The locating recesses are formed through the top surface of the frame. The retaining faces are formed in the frame and respectively surround the locating recesses of the frame. Each stamp is located well by the fixture to increase the exposure effect of the stamps and raise the yield rate of the stamps.
US09921490B2 Substrate holding device, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A substrate holding device is equipped with a substrate holder that adsorbs and holds a substrate, and a plurality of vertical movement pin units that each have, at one end, an adsorption section to adsorb a rear surface of the substrate, and are movable relative to the substrate holder in a state of adsorbing the rear surface of the substrate with the adsorption section. The plurality of vertical movement pin units each have at least part including the adsorption section that is displaced in at least one direction, by an action of a force received from the adsorbed substrate.
US09921489B2 Focus monitoring arrangement and inspection apparatus including such an arrangement
An inspection apparatus (300) includes a focus monitoring arrangement (500, 500′). Focusing radiation (505) comprises radiation having a first wavelength and radiation having a second wavelength. Reference radiation and focusing radiation at each wavelength are provided with at least one relative frequency shift so that the interfering radiation detected in the detection system includes a time-varying component having a characteristic frequency. A focus detection system (520) comprises one or more lock-in detectors (520b, 520c, 900). Operating the lock-in detectors with reference to both the first and second characteristic frequencies allows the arrangement to select which of the first and second focusing radiation is used to determine whether the optical system is in focus. Good quality signals can be obtained from targets of different structure.
US09921486B2 Multiscale patterning of a sample with apparatus having both thermo-optical lithography capability and thermal scanning probe lithography capability
The present invention provides a method for multiscale patterning of a sample. The method includes: placing the sample in an apparatus having both thermo-optical lithography capability and thermal scanning probe lithography capability; and patterning two patterns onto the sample, respectively by: thermo-optical lithography, wherein light is emitted from a light source onto the sample to heat the latter and thereby write a first pattern that is the largest of the two patterns; and thermal scanning probe lithography, wherein the sample and a heated probe tip are brought in contact for writing a second pattern that has substantially smaller critical dimensions than the first pattern. There is also provided an apparatus for multiscale patterning of a sample.
US09921485B2 Method of performing model-based scanner tuning
A model-based tuning method for tuning a first lithography system utilizing a reference lithography system, each of which has tunable parameters for controlling imaging performance. The method includes the steps of defining a test pattern and an imaging model; imaging the test pattern utilizing the reference lithography system and measuring the imaging results; imaging the test pattern utilizing the first lithography system and measuring the imaging results; calibrating the imaging model utilizing the imaging results corresponding to the reference lithography system, where the calibrated imaging model has a first set of parameter values; tuning the calibrated imaging model utilizing the imaging results corresponding to the first lithography system, where the tuned calibrated model has a second set of parameter values; and adjusting the parameters of the first lithography system based on a difference between the first set of parameter values and the second set of parameter values.
US09921482B2 Exposure device and lighting unit
The present invention relates to an exposure device which forms an image of a pattern on a mask onto a substrate with microlens arrays to expose the substrate, and reduces a size of an lighting unit which emits an exposure light. Microlens arrays include plural microlenses which are arranged two-dimensionally and arranged in a direction intersecting a movement direction. Lighting unit includes an LD array bar in which plural laser diodes are arranged, and lighting optical system which transforms plural emitted lights emitted from the plural laser diodes into an exposure flux having a slit form. The slit form spreads across plural pieces of the microlenses, and which, with respect to the movement direction, is limited in an area not reaching a microlens arranged in an adjacent row in the movement direction, and illuminates plural microlenses arranged in a row with an exposure light by the exposure light flux.
US09921480B2 Extreme ultraviolet photoresist
The present disclosure provides a method for lithography patterning in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate; performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The photoresist layer includes a polymer backbone, an acid labile group (ALG) bonded to the polymer backbone, a first sensitizer that is bonded to the polymer backbone, a second sensitizer that is not bonded to the polymer backbone, and a photo-acid generator (PAG).
US09921478B2 Negative tone developer compatible photoresist composition and methods of use
Compositions and methods herein include negative tone developer compatible photoresist compositions and methods of using such compositions. This includes a positive tone photoresist that can be developed using negative tone developers in that unexposed portions of the positive tone photoresist are dissolvable by one or more negative tone developer solvents. One embodiment includes a negative tone developer compatible photoresist with little or no etch resistance. Non-resistive photoresist materials as described herein can include one or more radiation-sensitive attributes (for example, the photoresist can be patterned, de-protected, solubility shifted, interact with photo chemistries, and respond to exposure doses), except that these materials have effectively no etch resistance. Such compositions can be effectively free from components, functional groups, or additives that provide or increase etch resistivity to a wet or dry etch process.
US09921476B2 Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, and insulating film and OLED formed using the same
This invention relates to a positive-type photosensitive resin composition which includes an alkali soluble polyimide resin, a diazide-based photosensitive compound and a sensitivity enhancer, and in which the use of a polyimide resin wherein the degree of imidization of imidized polyimide resin is 50˜75% exhibits a light transmittance of 95% or more in the visible light wavelength range (400˜650 nm) as well as high developability in a patterning process, and to an insulating film and an OLED formed using the same.
US09921475B1 Photoacid-generating compound, polymer derived therefrom, photoresist composition including the photoacid-generating compound or polymer, and method of forming a photoresist relief image
A photoacid-generating compound has the structure where R1, R2, R3, R4, Q, and X are defined herein. The photoacid-generating compound can be used as a component of a photoresist composition, or as a monomer incorporated into a polymer useful in a photoresist composition. The photoacid-generating compound provides a desired balance of solubility and line width roughness.
US09921469B2 Imprint method, imprint apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides an imprint method comprising a deformation step of deforming a pattern surface of a mold so that the mold is gradually brought into contact with the imprint material outward from a central portion of the pattern surface, an obtaining step of obtaining a shift amount indicating how much a mark on the mold shifts in a direction parallel to a substrate surface due to deformation of the pattern surface, a detection step of detecting the mark on the mold and a mark on the substrate while the pattern surface is deformed, and obtaining relative positions of the mold and the substrate from a detection result, and an alignment step of aligning the mold and the substrate using the shift amount and the relative positions while the pattern surface is deformed.
US09921465B2 Reflective mask, reflective mask blank and manufacturing method therefor
A reflective mask reducing reflection of out-of-band light. The reflective mask includes a light shielding frame formed in a mask region corresponding to a boundary region of a chip on a semiconductor substrate multiply exposed. The substrate of the light shielding frame includes a layer having a different refractive index or includes pores to change the path of incident out-of-band light to thereby suppress the out-of-band light from being reflected off the conductive film. The substrate also includes a layer having a different refractive index relative to out-of-band light reflected off the conductive layer. With the reflective mask of this configuration, influence on the wiring pattern dimension can be reduced and productivity of the semiconductors can be improved.
US09921463B2 Video projecting structure, video projecting method, and video projecting window
A video projecting structure includes a substrate having a visible light transmittance greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 90%, a front haze greater than or equal to 4 and less than or equal to 40, and a rear haze greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 60. In a case where light is incident on a surface of the substrate at an angle of 45°, an intensity of a backward scattering light is lower than an intensity of a frontward scattering light.
US09921460B2 Storage case to accommodate a projector and to move the projector up and down
A storage case includes a storage space accommodating a projector, a cover body configured to open or close an upper opening of the storage space, an elevating mechanism provided in the storage space and configured to move the projector up and down, and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a projection direction of the projector moved up by the elevating mechanism.
US09921459B2 Actively stabilized payload support apparatus and methods
A payload stabilizer and methods for stabilizing a payload suitable for use with video camera payloads. The stabilizer has a feedback system providing supplemental torques to the payload through a gimbal.
US09921458B2 Camera module
There is provided a camera module including: a housing unit; a lens unit which is movable relative to the housing unit in an optical axis direction and directions perpendicular with respect to an optical axis; and an actuator unit moving the lens unit, wherein corners of the housing unit are provided with flat surfaces which are inclined with respect to an optical axis of the lens unit.
US09921456B2 Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes a light source, a light-receiving unit, and a light guide unit formed in an arc shape. The light guide unit includes a light incidence section on which light from the light source is incident. The light incidence section is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the light guide unit, and faces the light source. The light guide unit further includes a first reflecting section having a first and a second region, and a second reflecting section having first and second surfaces. The first surface reflects the light incident from the light incidence section toward the first region, and the second surface reflects the light incident from the light incidence section toward the second region. The light-receiving unit is disposed at a position between the first and the second surfaces.
US09921451B2 Colored electrophoretic displays
An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid, a first, light scattering particle (typically white) and second, third and fourth particles having three subtractive primary colors (typically magenta, cyan and yellow); at least two of these colored particles being non-light scattering. The first and second particles bear polymer coatings such that the electric field required to separate an aggregate formed by the third and the fourth particles is greater than that required to separate an aggregate formed from any other two types of particles. Methods for driving the medium to produce white, black, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, green and blue colors are also described.
US09921446B2 Display panel test structure
The present application discloses a display panel test structure for testing whether signal lines of a display panel are defective, the signal lines at least comprising a plurality of data lines which are divided into N groups, the display panel test structure comprising N first shorting bars arranged in a test area of the display panel, each of which being configured to short-circuit a group of data lines, wherein the display panel test structure further comprises a plurality of first test pads arranged in the test area, each of which connects with one shorting bar corresponding thereto, and each of the first test pads is configured to load a signal to a group of data lines corresponding thereto during a test.
US09921445B2 Liquid crystal display device
To provide a liquid crystal display device capable of controlling deterioration of contrast even in the case where an opening is formed in an organic flattened film and the film has unevenness. In the liquid crystal display device that includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate and that drives the liquid crystal with a lateral electric field, the TFT substrate has the organic flattened film in which a through hole for contacting a source electrode of the TFT and a pixel electrode and a sectional shape of the through hole is asymmetrical between a side on which the pixel electrode extends and the other side.
US09921440B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole.
US09921434B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes, a first insulation substrate, a first subpixel electrode disposed on the first insulation substrate, an insulation layer disposed on the first subpixel electrode, a second subpixel electrode disposed on the insulation layer, a liquid crystal layer disposed on the second subpixel electrode, a common electrode disposed on the liquid crystal layer, and a second insulation substrate disposed on the common electrode. In the liquid crystal display device, the second subpixel electrode and the common electrode are spaced apart by a second distance in a second region in which the second subpixel electrode is disposed, the first subpixel electrode and the common electrode are spaced apart by a first distance in a first region in which the first subpixel electrode is disposed, excluding the second region, and the first distance and the second distance are different from each other.
US09921432B2 Manufacturing method for VA type LCD panel
The invention provides a manufacturing method for VA type LCD panel. The manufacturing method of the present invention adds a photo-initiator and a polymeric monomer to LC material, and uses UV light to irradiate through a mask so that the polymeric monomer polymerizes in accordance with the mask pattern to form polymer protrusions on the array substrate side to achieve the effect similar to protrusion or slit. The method is applicable for the LC molecules to form the pre-tilt angle so that the LC molecules in the panel are lined up along the normal direction. The method is simple, eliminates ITO etching process on the array substrate side, and reduces costs.
US09921425B2 Switchable projection panel
A panel apparatus comprises a first layer. The first layer includes a liquid crystal microdroplet display (LCMD) switchable between transparent and opaque states in response to a change in an applied electrical voltage. The panel apparatus further comprises a second layer spaced apart from and coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes a transparent panel.
US09921424B2 Portable device and method of manufacturing a display device
A portable device and method of manufacturing a display device includes a display panel having a glass substrate and a polarizer adhered to the glass substrate, a touch panel which is made of resin material and adhered to the polarizer of the display panel by a first adhesive material, and a front window which is made of glass and adhered to the touch panel by a second adhesive material. One of the first adhesive material and the second adhesive material is an adhesive sheet, and an other of the first adhesive material and the second adhesive material is an ultraviolet-curing adhesive material.
US09921422B2 Electro-optic display with edge seal
Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
US09921421B2 Optical filter comprising a variable transmittance layer
A optical filter comprising a variable transmittance layer having a first spectrum in a dark state, and a second spectrum in a faded state; and a color balancing layer having a third spectrum; each of the first, second and third spectra comprising a visible portion; the first and third spectra combining to provide a dark state spectrum approximating a dark state target color; and the second and third spectra combining to provide a fades state spectrum approximating a faded state target color. The optical filter may further comprise a light attenuating layer. The optical filter may further comprise part of a laminated glass.
US09921419B2 Annular device
The object of the present invention is to provide an annular device superior to a conventional annular device in the stability over an eyeball when being worn, which overcomes problems caused by wearing a conventional annular device.The above object is attained by preparing an annular device to be worn over the surface of the sclera, the annular device including an opening exposing the cornea and one or a plurality of approximately encircling grooves on an intermediate part between an inner rim part and an outer rim part. The annular device has a maximum thickness preferably in the intermediate part.
US09921418B2 Spectacle lens supply system, program therefor, prism amount determination device, prism amount determination method, and method for producing spectacle lens
An aligning prism amount determination device to determine an aligning prism amount for correcting fixation disparity of a spectacle wearer, having the fixation disparity, includes a determiner to determine an aligning prism amount to be uniformly included in the spectacle lens for correcting the fixation disparity, based on a first aligning prism amount obtained by measuring an aligning prism amount of the spectacle wearer at an eye examination distance corresponding to a first distance, a second aligning prism amount obtained by measurement at an eye examination distance corresponding to a second distance shorter than the first distance, and information used for allocation of the first aligning prism amount and the second aligning prism amount, within a prism prescription range between the first aligning prism amount and the second aligning prism amount.
US09921415B2 Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror with anti-speckle cover
Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror comprising: —a movable scanning micro-mirror (101), being pivotally connected to a MEMS body (102) substantially surrounding the lateral sides of the micro-mirror, —a transparent window (202) substantially covering the reflection side of the micro-mirror; —wherein a piezo-actuator assembly (500) and a layer of deformable transparent material (501) are provided on the outer portion of said window (202); —the piezo-actuator assembly (500) being arranged at the periphery of the layer of transparent material (501); —said piezo-actuator assembly (500) and transparent material (501) cooperating so that when actuated, the piezo-actuator assembly (500) causes micro-deformation of the transparent material (501), thereby providing an anti-speckle effect. The invention also provides the corresponding micro-projection system and method for reducing speckle.
US09921412B2 Method and system for shaped glasses and viewing 3D images
Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses and spectrally complementary filters disposed on the curved surface lenses configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. The spectrally complementary filters include guard bands to prevent crosstalk between spectrally complementary portions of a 3D image viewed through the shaped glasses. In one embodiment, the spectrally complementary filters are disposed on the curved lenses with increasing layer thickness towards edges of the lenses. The projected complementary images may also be pre-shifted to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts occurring while viewing the images.
US09921411B2 Stereoscopic lighting device and vehicle lighting device using the same
Provided are a stereoscopic display device capable of implementing a deep three-dimensional effect via a light source module having a thin thickness and a vehicle lighting device using the stereoscopic display device, the stereoscopic lighting device, including: a base substrate; a light source on the base substrate; a reflective layer disposed on one surface of the base substrate; a light guide layer burying the light source and the reflective layer; and a first half mirror layer disposed on the light guide layer.
US09921406B2 Targeted dual-axes confocal imaging apparatus with vertical scanning capabilities
An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.
US09921401B2 Measuring device with alignment and reference position for measurement object
A measuring device includes: a placement unit that places thereon a measurement object; an alignment microscope that observes an area including a measurement reference position of the measurement object placed on the placement unit; an capturing unit that captures an image of the area including the measurement reference position observed by the alignment microscope; a detection unit that detects the measurement reference position based on image data of the image captured by the capturing unit; a reference coordinate creating unit that creates a reference coordinate system based on the measurement reference position detected by the detection unit; a specifying unit that specifies a predetermined measurement position of the measurement object in the reference coordinate system created by the reference coordinate creating unit; and a measuring unit that measures at least one of surface roughness and surface shape of the predetermined measurement position of the measurement object specified by the specifying unit.
US09921400B2 System and method for manipulating an object for imaging
A method for manipulating an object for imaging by an imaging device includes the steps of rotating the object about a rotation axis into a plurality of angular positions; capturing an image of the object at each of the plurality of angular positions; and determining a respective translation required of the object for the plurality of angular positions, the translation being along a plane substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis; wherein the respective translation is arranged to align the object to the rotation axis so as to maintain the object within a field of view of the imaging device.
US09921399B2 System and method for continuous, asynchronous autofocus of optical instruments
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded. In one embodiment the autofocus detector comprises a beam splitter arranged to split the autofocus light beam into a plurality (n) of down-stream light beams and a photodetector arrangement for registering the intensity of each one of the down-stream light beams.
US09921398B2 Drive control method for objective lens and fluorescence microscope system
Provided is a driving control method of an objective lens in which an optical-axis chromatic aberration can be corrected by driving the objective lens, and an image can be quickly captured by realizing a quick driving and stabilizing of the objective lens so as to acquire a three-dimensional image at a high speed. A driving control method of the objective lens driven by a piezoelectric actuator provided in a fluorescence microscope includes a first step of applying a pulse voltage larger than a displacement voltage making the objective lens move to a focal position of an observation target to the piezoelectric actuator for a predetermined time so as to move the objective lens near the focal position, and a second step of applying the displacement voltage to the piezoelectric actuator after the first step to stabilize the objective lens.
US09921389B2 Camera module having a ball
A camera module is provided, the camera module including a mover mounted with a lens, a stator movably supporting the mover to an optical axis direction of the lens, and a ball interposed between the mover and the stator, wherein a first rail is provided on the mover to allow a relative movement of the ball to the mover to the optical axis direction, and a second rail is provided on the stator opposite to the first rail to allow a relative movement of the ball to the stator to the optical axis direction, and wherein the ball linearly travels along the optical axis direction when the mover and the stator relatively move.
US09921388B2 Lens moving apparatus and camera module and optical device including the same
Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a bobbin including a first coil disposed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a housing provided with first and second magnets for moving the bobbin by interaction with the first coil, upper and lower elastic members each coupled to both the bobbin and the housing, and a first position sensor for detecting a sum of intensities of magnetic fields of the first and second magnets, wherein the first position sensor is disposed in a space between the first magnet and the second magnet when the bobbin is disposed at an initial position.
US09921386B2 Lens module
A lens module includes a lens barrel having a top wall that has a bottom surface, and a lens group received by the lens barrel. The lens group includes a first lens adjacent to the top wall and a second lens attached to the first lens. A first complementary configuration is arranged between the first lens and the top wall of the lens barrel for ensuring a concentricity between the lens group and the lens barrel, and a second complementary configuration is arranged between the first lens and the second lens for ensuring a concentricity between the first lens and the second lens.
US09921382B2 Telecommunications enclosure with dual extending cable port walls
Example telecommunications apparatus (100) include an enclosure (103) having an enclosure base (101) and a enclosure cover (102) that join together at a sealed interface. The enclosure cover (102) is latchable to the enclosure base (101). A splice tray assembly (106) is disposed within the interior (104) of the enclosure (103). The splice tray assembly (106) includes splice trays (150) mounted to a manager insert. A splitter (192) may be provided on the manager insert. The manager insert also may include a groove plate (160) latched to abase plate (180). One or more port assemblies (107-109) enable cables to enter and/or exit the enclosure (103) through sealed cable ports (145-147). The port assemblies (107-109) may provide anchors (214, 234) for cable strength members and/or organizers (243, 244, 253, 254) for fiber tubes.
US09921380B2 Composite cable
An optical fiber cable comprising a stack of optical fiber ribbons. The stack comprises corner fibers at the corners of the stack, edge fibers the edges of the stack, and internal fibers that are internal to the stack. The corner fibers have a higher tolerance to fiber bending (or lower sensitivity to bending) than the internal fibers.
US09921376B2 Optical fiber with connector
An optical fiber with a connector includes a first connector and a plurality of optical fibers attached to the first connector. The first connector includes: at least one fiber-shaped member; and a ferrule including a first end surface and a second end surface arranged in a first direction, and a holding portion holding the optical fibers and the fiber-shaped member. In the holding portion, a plurality of fiber insertion holes extending from the first end surface in the first direction is formed such that the optical fibers and the fiber-shaped member are insertable thereinto. One end of the optical fiber and one end of the fiber-shaped member are held by the holding portion in a state of being inserted into the fiber insertion hole. The optical fiber extends to the outside of the ferrule. The other end of the fiber-shaped member is located inside the ferrule.
US09921375B2 Ferrule-based fiber optic connectors with ferrule retraction balancing using axial gap geometry
Ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule-retraction balancing characteristic are disclosed. An example fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly and a connector sleeve assembly. The connector assembly includes a ferrule, a resilient member, and a connector body having a latch point and a ferrule stop. The connector sleeve assembly includes a ferrule sleeve and a sleeve housing having a latch, a first stop, and a second stop. The connector assembly is disposed in the passageway of the sleeve housing, and the ferrule of the connector assembly is disposed in the ferrule sleeve in a direction extending from the first stop. When the fiber optic connector is in an unmated state, a gap GL1 is present between the at least one latch and the at least one latch point, and a gap GS1 is present between the first stop and a first end of the ferrule sleeve.
US09921374B2 Connector
An optical connector may include a vibrational element and a pair of traces to power the element. A corresponding connector receptacle includes a pair of pins to provide power to the vibrational element via the traces.
US09921367B2 Display device and backlight assembly thereof
The present invention relates to a display device and a backlight assembly thereof. The backlight assembly according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a circuit board on which a circuitry member for controlling the display device is mounted; a cover bottom which covers the rear surface of the display device, in which an insertion hole corresponding to the circuit board is punched on the bottom thereof, and in which the circuit board is installed to be accommodated in the interior of the insertion hole; a first coupling part coupled to the circuit board; and a second coupling part coupled to the cover bottom. The backlight assembly comprises a bracket that fixes the circuit board to the cover bottom.
US09921364B2 Lighting arrangement
A lighting arrangement can include a casing, a mounting bracket, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a driving circuit. The casing can have a perimeter wall extending about a central axis and bottom lip projecting from the perimeter wall. The mounting bracket can be configured to be affixed to a ceiling. A cavity can be defined vertically between the bottom lip and the mounting bracket and defined radially by the perimeter wall. The driving circuit can be configured to power the plurality of light emitting diodes with AC power. The driving circuit can be transformer-less and include a powering circuit portion electronically communicating with the plurality of light emitting diodes. The driving circuit is disposed in the cavity.
US09921359B2 Light source module
A light source module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting film, and a plurality of edge-type light emitting diode (LED) units. Grooves are defined in a lower surface of the light guide plate. The reflecting film is below the lower surface and covers the entire lower surface and the grooves. An air gap is defined between the reflecting film and the lower surface. The edge-type LED units are located in the grooves. Each edge-type LED unit includes an LED chip, a wavelength converting layer, and a light reflecting layer. Light emitted is converted by the wavelength converting layer, reflected towards sidewalls of the wavelength converting layer, and transmitted to the lower surface. The reflecting film reflects light that enters the air gap towards an upper surface of the light guide plate, enabling uniform emission of light from the upper surface.
US09921358B2 Display including a film lightguide bent around a guide element
In one aspect, a display comprises a light source, a film-based lightguide with a light emitting region positioned adjacent to and directing light to an active area of a spatial light modulator in a thickness direction. The film may have a light mixing region positioned between a light input region and the light emitting region. In one aspect the display comprises a guide element having a surface curved in a first plane positioned along a first edge of the spatial light modulator, wherein the film is folded along the curved surface at a first fold such that the first fold positions a portion of the light mixing region above or below the active area, the light mixing region comprises the first fold, and an inner surface of the film in the light mixing region is in contact with and curved along the curved surface of the guide element.
US09921354B2 Optical fiber assembly, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is an optical fiber assembly comprising a launching fiber having a receiving end and a transmitting end; an illuminating fiber having a receiving end and a transmitting end; where the receiving end of the launching fiber is operative to receive light from a light source and the transmitting end of the launching fiber is operative to transmit light to the receiving end of the illuminating fiber; where the launching fiber contacts the illuminating fiber in a manner so as to be offset from a center of a cross-sectional area of the illuminating fiber; and where the launching fiber has a diameter that is ⅛ to ½ of a diameter of the illuminating fiber; and a lens that is operative to contact the transmitting end of the illuminating fiber.
US09921352B1 Biased fast axis retarder system
A retarder system that comprises at least two plates, each of which comprise two surfaces that are parallel to, or substantially parallel to one another, said plates being tipped with respect to one another so that the surfaces of one thereof are not parallel to the surfaces of the other, each said plate further comprising a biased fast axis that is neither parallel to, or perpendicular to surfaces of said plates.
US09921350B2 Grid polarization element, and optical alignment device
An absorptive grid polarization element includes a transparent substrate, and a stripe-like grid provided on the transparent substrate. Each of a plurality of linear parts which form the grid absorbs more s polarization light than p polarization light, and thus achieves a polarizing action. The transparent substrate is made of quartz glass. Each of the linear parts includes a second layer formed on the transparent substrate, and a first layer formed on the second layer. The first layers are formed from amorphous titanium oxide. The second layers are formed from amorphous silicon.
US09921349B2 Display device
A display device is provided. The display device includes an anti-reflection film. The anti-reflection film includes a base film, a retardation coating layer disposed on a first side of the base film so as to delay a phase of transmitted light, and a polarizer coating layer disposed on a second side of the base film so as to allow a polarization component of the transmitted light in a specific direction to pass through, wherein the retardation coating layer and the polarizer coating layer are formed by applying a liquid crystal on the base film.
US09921348B2 Multilayered optical film and display device
An optical film includes: a first optical phase retardation layer having a relation nx1≥ny1≥nz1; a second optical phase retardation layer disposed under the first optical phase retardation layer and having a relation nx2≈ny2
US09921345B2 Optical systems having variable viewing angles
Optical systems are described that include a lighting component, a switchable diffuser adjacent the lighting component, and a low-absorbing optical component disposed adjacent the switchable diffuser opposite the lighting component or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the switchable diffuser or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the display panel. The switchable diffuser is capable of being in either a substantially clear state or in a first hazy state. The low-absorbing optical component provides a collimating effect or a turning effect when the lighting component is illuminated and the switchable diffuser is in the substantially clear state.
US09921339B2 Apparatus and method for solar energy resource micro-forecasts for solar generation sources and utilities
The present invention is an apparatus and method of forecasting solar energy irradiance potential and subsequent photovoltaic output in a region. The apparatus and method includes collecting meteorological data for a given region and then estimating irradiance levels using parameters collected from the meteorological data. Solar energy production is then simulated using the collected meteorological data, estimated irradiance levels, and physical characteristics of a solar generating system in the given region at a predetermined time.
US09921333B2 Antenna assembly using ferrites within an interposed sleeve for wellbore logging tools
An antenna assembly includes a bobbin positionable about an outer surface of a tool mandrel and providing an outer bobbin surface. A coil is wrapped about and extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer bobbin surface. An inner sleeve interposes the bobbin and the tool mandrel and receives a plurality of ferrites that interpose the tool mandrel and the coil.
US09921332B2 Crosstalk suppression or removal for galvanic measurements
Apparatus and techniques are described, such as for obtaining information indicative of a formation resistivity, such as using information from a galvanic measurement apparatus. A resistive parameter related to a geologic formation is estimated through use of a model. An electrical excitation is coupled from a well tool in a borehole to the geologic formation. Induced voltages resulting from the excitation are received using monitor electrodes selected according to the specified excitation mode, including receiving magnitude and phase information corresponding to the induced voltages. The resistive parameter of the model is then determined using the magnitude and phase information of the received voltages, and using magnitude and phase information about the excitation.
US09921330B2 High power current switch
A high power switching circuit suitable for injection of high currents, typically several tens of Amperes, at high drive voltages of up to 5-10 kV, is provided using a combination of electromechanical and semiconductor switching elements that, while providing switchable polarity, substantially bypasses semiconductor switching element(s) during a substantial portion of current injection duty cycles. In this way, thermal heating of switching elements can be reduced/managed in a way that improves long term reliability of geophysical survey equipment. In addition, circuit protections can be provided to address backflow currents generated upon collapse of electromagnetic fields in inductive loads, such as is typical in geophysical surveys.
US09921327B2 Submerged front end buoy
A submerged front end buoy has a body with a connecting mechanism for connecting to a lead-in cable and a seismic streamer. A depth adjustment mechanism is disposed within the body to set a depth of the submerged front end buoy and includes an adjustable buoyancy mechanism and a plurality of wings extending from an exterior surface of the body.
US09921317B2 Device and method for detecting radiation particles
A device for detecting radiation particles comprising at least one sensor for sensing radiation particles, capable of supplying an electrical pulse when it is traversed by at least one radiation particle, and at least one detection circuit comprising a voltage-controlled oscillator to which said electrical pulse originating from the sensor is supplied as the control voltage. The voltage-controlled oscillator is a ring oscillator.
US09921316B2 Thermal management system, an X-ray detection device and a computerized tomography apparatus
The present invention provides a thermal management system, an X-ray detection device and a CT apparatus. The thermal management system comprises a heater, an air mixing portion and a fan. The heater is provided at an air inlet of the air mixing portion. The air mixing portion provides an air mixing space for mixing exterior air that enters the air mixing portion with interior air of the air mixing portion. The fan is provided at an air outlet of the air mixing portion, and supplies the mixed air in the air mixing portion to a target object to be thermally managed. Therefore, a response time of the thermal management system to operate for an external temperature change may be lengthened, thus occurrence of abrupt change in a temperature of the target object as the external temperature changes abruptly may be avoided, improving a reliability of the thermal management system.
US09921313B2 Global positioning system phased array using all-digital beam forming and direct digital waveform synthesis methods
An apparatus includes: a Global Positioning System (GPS) phased array comprising a plurality of digital beam forming elements (DBFEs), wherein at least one of the DBFEs includes: an antenna configured to transmit a GPS signal; a radio frequency (RF) electronics section operably connected to the antenna and digital electronics sections; and a digital electronics section operably connected to the RF electronics section. An apparatus includes: a GPS phased array comprising a plurality of DBFEs, wherein at least one of the DBFEs includes: an antenna configured to transmit a GPS signal; an RF electronics section operably connected to the antenna and digital electronics sections; and a digital electronics section operably connected an RF electronic section; a navigation encoder and frequency generator (NEFU) unit operably connected to the GPS phased array; and an atomic frequency standard operably connected to the NEFU unit.
US09921310B2 Proximity sensor and proximity sensing method using event-based vision sensor
A proximity sensor and a proximity sensing method using an event-based vision sensor are provided. The proximity sensor may include a point identification (ID) unit which identifies a point at which an output light output from a focused light source is reflected from an object in an image taken by the proximity sensor; and a distance determination unit which determines a distance between the object and the proximity sensor based on a position of the point.
US09921309B1 Visible-light and sound-based passive tracking system
A passive-tracking system for passively tracking a living being is described herein. The system can include a visible-light sensor to generate visible-light frames based on visible light reflected off an object and a sound transducer to generate sound frames based on sound reflected off the object. The system can also include a processor that can receive the visible-light and sound frames and based on data of these frames, generate a novelty representation of the object through a merging of the data of the frames. Based on the data of the visible-light and sound frames, the processor can determine the object is a living being, and when the processor does, it can generate, based on the novelty representation, a 3D position of the living-being object and can passively track the living-being object over time by, based on the novelty representation, selectively updating the 3D position of the living-being object.
US09921307B2 Combined RADAR sensor and LIDAR sensor processing
Arrangements related to sensing systems and methods are described. A sensing system can include one or more LIDAR sensors. The one or more LIDAR sensors can be configured to output signals. The sensing system can include one or more RADAR sensors. The one or more RADAR sensors can be configured to output signals. The sensing system can include a processor. The processor can be operatively connected to receive signals output by the LIDAR sensor(s) and the RADAR sensor(s). The processor can be configured to process signals received from both the LIDAR sensor(s) and the RADAR sensor(s) together. In some arrangements, the LIDAR sensor(s) and the RADAR sensor(s) can be located within the same housing. In one or more arrangements, the LIDAR sensor(s) and/or the RADAR sensor(s) can be configured as a phased array. In one or more arrangements, the sensing system can be used in connection with a vehicle.
US09921305B2 Radar apparatus and object sensing method
A radar apparatus includes an antenna that receives echo signals, each of the echo signals being a radar signal reflected by one or more objects; a Doppler-frequency acquirer that acquires Doppler frequencies at each range bin from the received echo signals; a direction correlation power-value calculator that calculates direction correlation power values for respective combinations of the Doppler frequencies and at least one of a distance to the one or more objects and an arrival direction of the echo signals, each direction correlation power value indicating a strength of a corresponding echo signal; and a normalized direction correlation-value calculator that calculates, for the respective combinations, normalized direction correlation values, each normalized direction correlation value indicating a probability of the arrival direction of the corresponding echo signal.
US09921304B2 Object detection apparatus
In an apparatus for detecting and determining identicality of at least one object present within a region around a subject vehicle to be monitored, having a first detector adapted to detect the at least one object, a second detector adapted to detect the at least one object, and an identicality determiner adapted to determine whether the at least one object detected by the first and second detectors are identical, it is configured that the identicality determiner determines that, when the first detector detects the objects in a plural number in a first direction and the second detector detects the object in a single number in a second direction that is same as the first direction, one among the objects ahead and nearest to the subject vehicle detected by the first detector and the object detected by the second detector are identical.
US09921303B2 Object detection apparatus and method
Provided are an object detection apparatus and method. The object detection apparatus includes an amplifier configured to amplify a reflected ultrasonic wave signal with a variable gain, a gain controller configured to set the variable gain such that the reflected ultrasonic wave signal received in at least one predetermined time zone is amplified with a high gain, compared to in other time zones, a comparator configured to compare a signal on an envelope corresponding to the signal amplified by the amplifier with a predetermined threshold and output the signal on the envelope when the signal is greater than the threshold, a calculator configured to calculate an absolute value of a first-order differential value of the signal on the envelope, and a time at which a maximum of the absolute value of the first-order differential value is calculated, and a detector configured to detect an object using a third time, the third time being a time at which the maximum is calculated, before a second time, the second time being a time at which the signal greater than the threshold is output.
US09921301B2 Acoustic wave measuring apparatus
An acoustic wave measuring apparatus includes: a probe having a plurality of transducers that are capable of converting an acoustic wave into an electric signal and vice versa; a transmitting and receiving unit that includes a plurality of channels connected to the probe, generates an acoustic wave from the probe, and obtains a reception signal of the probe; a plurality of switches that switch connections between the transducers and the channels; and an image generating unit that generates an image from the reception signal. The transducers include a central element row and an end portion element row, and the plurality of channels are respectively connected to the transducers on the central element row and the transducers on the end portion element row alternately via the switches.
US09921300B2 Waveform reconstruction in a time-of-flight sensor
A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is provided that is capable of accurately recovering waveforms of reflected light pulses incident on the sensor's photo-receiver array using a low sampling rate. A number of samples for a received light pulse incident on a given photo-receiver are obtained by emitting a light pulse to the viewing field, integrating the electrical output generated by the photo receiver over an integration period, and adding the integral values for respective integration cycles to yield an accumulation value. This process is repeated for multiple accumulation cycles; however, for each consecutive accumulation cycle the start of the integration period is delayed relative the start time of the integration period for the previous cycle by a delay period. Sampled values for the waveform are obtained by determining the difference values between consecutive accumulation values for the respective accumulation cycles.
US09921295B2 Multiple chirp generation in a radar system
A radar device is provided that includes a timing control component operable to generate, for each chirp of a sequence of chirps according to a set of chirp configuration parameters and a chirp profile for the chirp, chirp control signals to cause the radar device to transmit the chirp, the timing control component having chirp configuration parameter inputs, chirp profile parameter inputs, a chirp address output, and chirp control signal outputs, a chirp configuration storage component having chirp configuration parameter outputs coupled to corresponding inputs of the configuration parameter inputs of the timing control component, a chirp profile address output, and a chirp address input coupled to the chirp address output, and a chirp profile storage component having chirp profile parameter outputs coupled to the chirp profile parameter inputs of the timing control component; and a chirp profile address input coupled to the chirp profile address output.
US09921293B2 System and method for location estimation in environments unsuitable for GPS technology
A device and method for providing location estimations. The device may be configured to estimate its location by transmitting and/or receiving signals of respective transmission ranges. The device may also be configured to transition from a client device operational mode to a location beacon operational mode once an accurate location estimation has been obtained.
US09921291B2 Multi-tiered distance travelled estimator
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile device to perform a distance travelled estimate with a mobile device. The distance travelled estimate is performed by determining a quality of displacement between a base position and each new position for the mobile device, which is determined based on the displacement between the positions and their associated uncertainties. If the quality of displacement is sufficient, the distance travelled estimate is updated using the displacement between the positions. Multiple tiers may be used, where, for example, if the quality of displacement is sufficiently high, the displacement associated with a preceding position may be excised from the distance travelled estimate and replaced with the displacement associated with the new position. Additionally, if the quality of displacement is even greater, the new position may be set as the base position.
US09921288B2 Electronic device with flexible data and power interface
Electronic modules with small and flexible interfaces are disclosed. One example electronic module includes a power supply terminal configured to receive power for the electronic module and circuitry configured to carry out various functions. The functions carried out by the electronic module circuitry include simultaneously receiving both of the following via the power supply terminal: a power signal for carrying out a mission mode operation of the electronic module, and a data signal.
US09921287B2 Method for calibrating a test rig
A method for calibrating a test apparatus, having a first and a second directional coupler, for gauging a two-port test object that has a first port and a second port in a calibration plane, wherein for the purpose of calibrating the test apparatus a vectorial network analyzer having a 1st-6th test port is connected to the first and second ports in the calibration plane such that the first and second test ports are connected to respective port in the calibration plane, the third and fourth test ports are connected to the first directional coupler and the fifth and sixth test ports are connected to the second directional coupler via a respective waveguide for electromagnetic waves. For different calibration standards, scatter parameters are determined for each desired frequency point. For the different calibration standards, corrections to the scatter matrix are made in order to obtain a corrected scatter matrix. The scatter parameters of the corrected scatter matrix are used to determine terms for error matrices.
US09921277B2 Portable device for emergency magnetic field shutdown
Devices and methods are provided for shutting down a magnet system. The device includes a portable housing, a communication unit, and a switch on the portable housing. The portable housing encloses a field shutdown initiation circuitry. The communication unit is disposed at least partially in the portable housing and the communication unit is configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system. The switch is configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system.
US09921275B2 Magnetic sensor including two bias magnetic field generation units for generating stable bias magnetic field
A magnetic sensor includes an MR element and two bias magnetic field generation units. The two bias magnetic field generation units are spaced apart from each other along a first direction and configured to cooperate with each other to generate a bias magnetic field. Each bias magnetic field generation unit includes a ferromagnetic layer and an antiferromagnetic layer stacked along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. An element placement region is formed between the two bias magnetic field generation units when viewed in the second direction in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the second direction and intersecting the MR element. The element placement region includes a middle region and two end regions. The MR element is placed to lie within the middle region in the imaginary plane.
US09921272B2 System for determining a discharge power limit value and a charge power limit value of a battery cell
A system for determining a discharge power limit value and a charge power limit of the battery cell is provided. The system has a microprocessor that calculates a maximum allowed voltage drop value of the battery cell. The microprocessor calculates a first current level through the battery cell for a predetermined amount of time to obtain the maximum allowed voltage drop value. The microprocessor calculates a first discharge power limit value, if the first current level is less than or equal to a maximum allowed discharge current. The microprocessor calculates a second discharge power limit value, if the first current level is greater than the maximum allowed discharge current.
US09921263B2 Electronic identification slave connector
The present document describes a connector for use with a harness under test by an automated test equipment (ATE). The harness is electrically connected to a reference. The connector comprises connection points having a layout, namely a connector layout, electronic identifiers and a switch. Each one of the electronic identifiers is connected to a respective one of the connection points. The switch is either for connecting the ATE to the reference via the electronic identifiers, either for connecting the ATE to the reference while bypassing the electronic identifiers.
US09921261B2 Method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of sheet resistance and shunt resistance of p-n junctions
Non-Contact measurement of characteristics of p-n junctions includes illuminating an illumination area of a surface of a p-n junction with light, measuring a first junction photovoltage (JPV) signal from a first area of the p-n junction with a first electrode, measuring a second JPV signal from a second area with a second electrode, measuring a third JPV signal from a third area with a reference electrode, and determining a sheet resistance of the p-n junction top layer with a corrected first JPV signal, a corrected second JPV signal, a corrected first calibration JPV signal, a corrected second calibration JPV signal or the known sheet resistance of the calibration p-n junction.
US09921258B2 Network topology
A network analyzer device, including a control unit configured to determine network topology information related to impedance mismatches in a voltage distribution network on the basis of an evaluation of measured signals received from the voltage distribution network in response to probe signals supplied to the voltage distribution network and/or phase or running time information about noise signal components generated by appliances connected to the voltage distribution network and received by the network analyzer via different receiving paths. The network analyzer device outputs network information related to impedance mismatches in the voltage distribution network, wherein the output network information contains information about a total number of the impedance mismatches, wiring lengths between impedance mismatches, and characteristics of the impedance mismatches.
US09921249B2 Systems and methods for high voltage bridge bias generation and low voltage readout circuitry
A multi voltage sensor system includes one or more charge pumps, a sensor bridge and readout circuitry. The one or more charge pumps are configured to provide a high voltage. The sensor bridge is biased by the high voltage and is configured to provide sensor values. The readout circuitry includes only low voltage components. The readout circuitry is configured to receive the sensor values.
US09921245B2 Electricity meter forms module
An improved meter base assembly supports the various meter forms used in modern electrical energy distribution systems. The disclosed assembly combines a customized design for each meter form with a universal base used in a plurality of meter forms to create a meter base assembly that is optimized for best performance while maintaining a reduced part cost. In addition, the concept allows the meter terminals to be attached to the meter base assembly without any hardware, may reduce assembly errors, allows for simplified assembly that may be automated, and speeds up the creation of future meter designs.
US09921244B1 Production-level modularized load board produced using a general universal device interface for automatic test equipment for semiconductor testing
Embodiments of the present utilize a specialized modular load board in combination with previously-tested daughter boards to yield a final design for generating a new printed circuit board (PCB) for testing. Since the electrical characteristics of the daughter board are already known by the client and well established during previous testing procedures, similar test programs can be used for production-level testing that were used in client prototyping processes that involved the use of the previously-tested daughter board. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure can use the features of the specialized modular load board and a client's tested daughter board to develop more reliable, production-ready circuits.
US09921242B2 Automated atomic force microscope and the operation thereof
Improvements for rapidly calibrating and automatically operating a scanning probe microscope are disclosed. A central component of the SPM is the force transducer, typically a consumable cantilever element. By automatically calibrating transducer characteristics along with other instrumental parameters, scanning parameters can be rapidly and easily optimized, resulting in high-throughput, repeatable and accurate measurements. In contrast to dynamic optimization schemes, this can be accomplished before the surface is contacted, avoiding tip or sample damage from the beginning of the measurement process.
US09921241B2 Scanning probe microscope and measurement range adjusting method for scanning probe microscope
A scanning probe microscope has a cantilever having: a probe that is to be contacted or approached on a surface of a sample; and a processor that operates to perform a process including: calculating a measurement width MW and an offset value OV from a minimum value Smin and a maximum value Smax of a signal indicating a displacement of the cantilever with the following Equations (1) and (2) when a prescanning operation is performed before the measurement data is acquired by the probe microscope controller; and adjusting at least one of the offset value OV and the measurement width MW based on a temporal variation of the signal at the same position on the surface of the sample when the prescanning operation is performed. MW=(Smax−Smin)  Equation (1) OV=(MW/2)+Smin  Equation (2)
US09921238B2 Sensor and its manufacturing method
According to one embodiment, a sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate, a first fixed electrode arranged on the substrate, a movable electrode arranged above the first fixed electrode and being movable non-parallely, a second fixed electrode arranged above the movable electrode. The sensor further includes a detector to detect a difference between a first capacitance between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second capacitance between the movable electrode and the second fixed electrode.
US09921233B2 Combined DESI and optical imaging analysis of tissues
The invention generally relates to mass spectral analysis. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve analyzing a lipid containing sample using a mass spectrometry technique, in which the technique utilizes a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis.
US09921231B2 Mass spectrometry assay for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Methods are provided for detecting the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes (i.e., pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone, deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisol) in a sample by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing one or more CAH panel analytes in a sample and quantifying the generated ions to determine the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes in the sample. In methods where amounts of multiple CAH panel analytes are detected, the amounts of multiple analytes are detected in the same sample injection.
US09921229B2 Immunochromatography devices, methods, and kits
A membrane-based assay device, methods and kits for determining the presence or quantity of an analyte in a test sample are provided. The immunochromatographic device comprises a membrane having a capture antibody bound thereto at a test zone, wherein the capture antibody is capable of binding with an analyte, in particular a Z-AAT protein present in a sample from a PiZ gene carrier.
US09921228B2 Electronic lateral flow test arrangement and method
A lateral test flow arrangement for a test molecule is disclosed, comprising: a test strip for transporting an analyte away from a sampling region and towards an absorbing region, the test strip having therein and remote from the sampling region, a test region for functionalization with a molecule which binds to the test molecule or to a conjugate of the test molecule; a sensing test capacitor having electrodes extending across the test strip at least partially aligned with the test region and being physically isolated therefrom; a reference test capacitor having electrodes extending across the test strip and being physically isolated therefrom; and an electronic circuit configured to measure a time-dependant capacitance difference between the sensing test capacitor and the reference test capacitor. A method for carrying out that lateral flow tests is also disclosed, as are test systems and in particular pregnancy test systems.
US09921224B2 Use of CD36 to identify cancer subjects for treatment
Provided herein are methods for identifying a subject with cancer for treatment with a Psap peptides. The subject is identified based on a level of CD36. Also provided herein are compositions and methods for treatment of a subject with cancer based on a level of CD36.
US09921223B2 Analysis of genomic DNA, RNA, and proteins in exosomes for diagnosis and theranosis
The present invention provides that exosomes from human body fluid samples contain double stranded genomic DNA that spans all chromosomes and may be used to determine the mutation status of genes of interest in diseases, such as cancer. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of exosomes to produce therapeutic proteins and for their use in therapy as well as the detection of cancer cell-derived exosomes to diagnose cancer and monitor therapeutic response.
US09921217B1 Rapid diagnostic test device by driven flow technology
A test device uses driven flow technology in a simplified testing format, such as dip format, to provide a rapid diagnostic test device that shortens the interpretation time of the test result to less than one minute and minimizes manufacturing costs. The test device shortens the distance between the opening on the front side housing and the conjugate pad without squeezing the sample pad and without requiring a separate component, such as a cap, to squeeze the sample pad. The test device utilizes a single, integral housing made from, for example, a flexible transparent material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that integrates the traditional base and top, or inner and outer tubes, into one to save the manufacturing costs.
US09921212B2 Preventive and therapeutic drug for cartilaginous hyperplasia and method of screening for the same
A method of screening for a therapeutic and/or preventive drug for cartilaginous hyperplasia and a therapeutic and/or preventive drug for cartilaginous hyperplasia are provided.The following are provided: a method of screening for a therapeutic and/or preventive drug for cartilaginous hyperplasia, comprising a step of culturing chondroprogenitor cells under conditions in which the cells are brought into contact with a test substance and conditions in which the cells are not brought into contact with the test substance and a step of determining the SOX9 promoter activity, cAMP level, or degree of phosphorylation of CREB in the cells or the extracellular matrix volume in a culture; and a therapeutic and/or preventive drug for cartilaginous hyperplasia, comprising as an active ingredient an adenylate cyclase inhibitor.
US09921210B2 High mannose glycans
Methods and compositions related to high mannose glycans are described.
US09921208B2 Apparatus and methods for reducing electrical shock hazard from biosensor meters
A biosensor meter (10a) is provided for determining an analyte concentration in a fluid, such as glucose in blood. The biosensor meter includes a USB port (14a) having a first data signal port terminal (32d′), and a detection circuit (50a) including a first input terminal and an output terminal. The first input terminal of the detection circuit (50a) is coupled to the first data signal port terminal (32d′). The detection circuit (50a) provides at the output terminal a first output signal when a current sensed at the first input terminal is greater than or equal to a first predetermined amount, and a second output signal when the current sensed at the first input terminal is less than the first predetermined amount. The detection circuit is configured to detect whether the USB port (14a) of the biosensor meter (10a) is connected to the USB port (14b) of another electronic device, such as a computer (12), and to prompt the meter's user for not carrying out a measurement in order to reduce the risk of electrical shock.
US09921198B2 Method to determine the crocetin and its derivative amounts and the derivative composition from gardenia yellow
The invention relates to a method for the determination of crocetin and its derivative amounts and the derivative composition from gardenia yellow. The method mainly comprises of following steps: the absorbance measurement of a gardenia yellow aqueous solution at known concentration by UV-VIS, the absorption coefficient measurement of total crocetin derivative, the total crocetin derivative amount calculation according to Lambert-Beer law, the relative amount calculation of each crocetin derivative from its absorption coefficient and peak area on HPLC, the amount calculation of each crocetin derivative from the total amount of crocetin derivative and the relative amount of each crocetin derivative, and finally total crocetin amount calculation. In practice, the absorption coefficient of each crocetin derivative is calculated from that of its root structure, crocetin, based on the negative correlation-ship of absorbance with molecular mass of the molecule while the molecular mass of each crocetin derivative is substituted by the m/z value of its parent ion.
US09921197B2 Both ultraviolet-visible and double monochromatic fluorescence dual detector for high performance liquid chromatography
A both ultraviolet-visible and double monochromatic fluorescence dual detector has a small inner-casing, which combines both ultraviolet-visible and double monochromatic fluorescence dual detector widely used in the high performance liquid chromatography by taking the first to use deuterium lamp as the individual light source of the dual detectors, the individual sample detection cell and the individual electrical circuit, the device comprises a detection optical member, which including a first monochromatic spectroscopic device—raster G1, a second monochromatic spectroscopic device—raster G2, a light source, four groups of lens needed for processing the light paths; and a detection electromechanical member, which includes: a central controller, a proposed amplifying module, an auto gain module, a noise processing module and a logarithm amplifying module. The dual detector realizes the sensitivity and stability, also the elimination of noise and drift.
US09921188B2 Detection system and detection method
According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensor nodes and a sensor module. The plurality of sensor nodes detects sound waves generated from a prestressed concrete and converts the detected sound waves into detection signals. The sensor module is connected to the plurality of sensor nodes and receives the detection signals. The plurality of sensor nodes includes the sensor nodes in an operating state and the sensor nodes in a dormant state in which power consumption is held down as compared to the operating state. When magnitude of the detection signals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the sensor module switches the sensor node in the dormant state to the operating state.
US09921178B2 Electrochemical sensor for sensing nitrous oxide
There is presented an electrochemical sensor (100) for sensing nitrous oxide (N2O) in an associated volume (106), the sensor comprising a primary chamber (110), a secondary chamber (120) being placed adjacent the primary chamber (110), the secondary chamber (120) comprising electrodes for performing electrochemical measurements and furthermore an electrolyte comprising an aprotic solvent. A first membrane (114) and a secondary membrane (124) are permeable to nitrous oxide and may be arranged so as to separate the associated volume (106) from a primary volume (116) within the primary chamber (110), and the primary volume (116) from a secondary volume (126) within the secondary chamber (120), where the primary chamber (110) comprises means for hindering oxygen in passing into the secondary volume (126), and wherein the working electrode (104) comprises indium (In).
US09921170B2 Apparatus and techniques for Fourier transform millimeter-wave spectroscopy
Examples herein include apparatus and techniques that can be used to perform rotational spectroscopy on gas-phase samples. Such techniques can include using a spectrometer providing frequency synthesis and pulse modulation to provide excitation (e.g., pump or probe pulses) of a gas-phase sample at mm-wave frequencies. Synthesis of such mm-wave frequencies can include use of a frequency multiplier, such as an active multiplier chain (AMC). A free induction decay (FID) elicited by the excitation or other time-domain information can be obtained from the sample, such as down-converted and digitized. A frequency domain representation of the digitized information, such as a Fourier transformed representation, can be used to provide a rotational spectrum.
US09921169B2 Method of detecting defect location using multi-surface specular reflection
A method for detecting defects includes directing a scanning beam to a location on a surface of a transparent sample, measuring top and bottom surface specular reflection intensity, and storing coordinate values of the first location and the top and bottom surface specular reflection intensity in a memory. The method may further include comparing the top surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a first threshold value, comparing the bottom surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a second threshold value, and determining if a defect is present at each location and on which surface the defect is present. The method may further include comparing the top surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a first intensity range, comparing the bottom surface specular reflection intensity measured at each location with a second intensity range, and determining on which surface the defect is present.
US09921161B1 Structured light active localization microscopy
Methods and systems are provided for estimating locations of sub-wavelength-sized emitters, which may be sparsely arrayed among inactive emitters, in one or more dimensions to synthesize a super-resolved image. The emitter emits light in response to structured illumination, which may be acousto-optically generated. The structured illumination is translated, and a detector, such as a camera pixel, senses the emitted linear or nonlinear response, producing a periodic signal. A processor computes a phase of the signal using phase shifting interferometry and uses it to estimate the emitter location with resolution finer than a quarter of the illumination wavelength. Modulation depth and/or amplitude of the signal may be used to estimate emitter size and/or evaluate location fidelity. Optical sectioning or extended depth of field may be provided by controlling spatial coherence of the illumination. Encoding and decoding emitter locations with non-periodic patterns is also described.
US09921157B2 Optical system and assay chip for probing, detecting and analyzing molecules
Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.
US09921154B2 Multiplexed digital assays
System, including methods and apparatus, for performing a multiplexed digital assay.
US09921152B2 Systems and methods for extended infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry
Methods and systems for performing simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of semiconductor structures at ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths are presented herein. In another aspect, wavelength errors are reduced by orienting the direction of wavelength dispersion on the detector surface perpendicular to the projection of the plane of incidence onto the detector surface. In another aspect, a broad range of infrared wavelengths are detected by a detector that includes multiple photosensitive areas having different sensitivity characteristics. Collected light is linearly dispersed across the surface of the detector according to wavelength. Each different photosensitive area is arranged on the detector to sense a different range of incident wavelengths. In this manner, a broad range of infrared wavelengths are detected with high signal to noise ratio by a single detector. These features enable high throughput measurements of high aspect ratio structures with high throughput, precision, and accuracy.
US09921151B2 Correction of optical device throughput errors using integrated computational elements
An optical computing device utilizes an Integrated Computational Element (“ICE”) core to correct calibration transfer errors in the device.
US09921150B2 Imaging system for fuel tank analysis
A method can include transmitting, from a light source, light through a fuel tank ullage, and determining, by a processing device, an amount of absorption of at least one wavelength of the transmitted light. The method can further include determining, by the processing device based on the amount of absorption of the at least one wavelength of the transmitted light, a chemical composition of the fuel tank ullage.
US09921148B2 Polarized light imaging apparatus and methods thereof for separating light from a surface of a sample its deeper diffuse layers
A polarized light imaging apparatus is provided. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source for producing light beams; an illumination optic coupled to the light source for guiding the light beams towards the sample; a linear polarizer coupled to the illumination optic and configured to produce a linearly polarized light towards the sample respective of the light beams; a TIR birefringent polarizing prism (BPP) coupled to the sample to maximize a refraction difference between ordinary waves and extraordinary waves of light returning from the sample; and a detection optic unit coupled to the non-TIR BPP for guiding the light waves returning from the sample towards a single polarization sensitive sensor element (SE), the SE is configured to capture at least one frame of the sample respective of the light waves returning from the superficial single-scattering layer of the sample apart from the deeper diffuse layer.
US09921142B2 Portable hydraulic brinell testing apparatus
A portable testing apparatus for a Brinell test meeting the load time requirements of the ASTM E10 standard. The apparatus incorporates a hydraulic accumulator acting on a cylinder which is connected to an indenter. The accumulator keeps a constant force on the indenter for the period of time of the test despite hydraulic leakage or creep of the indenter into the material that would cause a reduction in pressure if not for the accumulator. Usually, the test time length is 10 seconds. Pressure is set using springs usually in a settable sequence valve.
US09921139B1 Handheld, underwater suction sampler
A portable, hand-held sampler for collection of aquatic biotic samples. A pump with an exhaust tube and a water intake tube is attached to a frame. A battery is attached to the frame and electrically connected to the pump. A handle is attached to the bottom of the frame for an operator to hold the sampler in one hand. A switch is electrically connected to the pump and to the battery and attached to the frame near the handle for the operator to control activation of the pump with the same single hand. A venturi tube assembly with a sample intake tube is attached to the exhaust tube. The pump draws water into the water intake tube and sample material into the sample intake tube and the venturi tube diverts the sample material away from the pump and into a sample collection reservoir to prevent damage to the sample material.
US09921137B2 Reciprocating microtome drive system
An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.
US09921134B2 System and method for determining tire wear
System for determining tire wear for tires of a wheeled motor vehicle including a direct tire pressure determination unit being configured to measure at least the tire pressure of the tires; an indirect tire pressure determination unit being configured to determine for at least some of the tires a roll radius factor corresponding to or depending from the roll radius of the respective tire; a tire force determination unit being configured to determine a vertical force factor corresponding to or depending from a vertical force applied to the tires; and a processing unit for determining the tire wear for such tires of the motor vehicle for which the indirect tire pressure determination unit provides the respective roll radius factor, namely by compensating the roll radius factor of the tires provided by the indirect tire pressure determination unit.
US09921130B2 Fatigue testing device
A fatigue testing device 1 comprises a fixing member 4 constituted by a lower jig 2 and an upper jig 3. The lower jig 2 and the upper jig 3 are fixed with a bolt 5, and a sheet or plate-shaped metal plate 6 is fixed in a cantilever state such that it is interposed between the lower jig 2 and the upper jig 3. The lower jig 2 has a fixing surface 2a to which the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed, and the fixing surface 2a has a curved shape such that the space between the fixing surface 2a and the metal sheet or plate 6 increases with increasing distance from the location where the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed to the fixing surface 2a. The upper jig 3 also has a fixing surface 3a to which the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed, and the fixing surface 3a has a curved shape such that the space between the fixing surface 3a and the metal sheet or plate 6 increases with increasing distance from the location where the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed to the fixing surface 3a.
US09921129B2 Method and system for the continuous remote monitoring of deformations in a pressurized pipeline
A method and system are described, for the continuous remote monitoring of deformations in a pipeline (10) suitable for the transportation of a pressurized fluids, such as, for example, pipelines designed for the transportation of low- and high-pressure fluids (natural gas, crude oil, water, oil products) that cannot be controlled by using Intelligent Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) systems, or sections of pipeline exposed to the risk of landslides and/or earthquakes in which catastrophic breakages can be generated, with a consequent interruption in the transportation service. The method and system envisage the application of the guided wave technique for the remote-controlled monitoring of the tensional state of the pipeline (10) also on extensive sections, having a length equal to hundreds of meters, using a relatively reduced number of sensors (12) installed on the outer surface of the pipeline (10).
US09921127B2 Assembly and seal test
An assembly and method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and a layer of flexible pipe body; energizing the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member; energizing the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.
US09921120B2 Industrial process device utilizing piezoelectric transducer
A process device for coupling to an industrial process for use in monitoring or controlling the process includes a device housing configured to physically couple to the industrial process. A process variable sensor is configured to measure a process variable and measurement circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor provides an output related to the sensed process variable. A piezoelectric transducer provides an electrical output related to pressure pulsations in the industrial process. Electrical circuitry in the housing includes an input configured to receive the electrical output from the piezoelectric sensor.
US09921115B2 Optical fiber coupled photonic crystal slab strain sensor, system and method of fabrication and use
The present disclosure is generally directed to a strain sensor, system and method of fabrication and use that includes an optical fiber, an optical signal generator that transmits an optical signal through the optical fiber, at least two photonic crystal slabs within the optical fiber separated by a first segment of optical fiber, a photo-detector that detects a reflected optical signal from the at least two photonic crystal slabs, and a processor that computes a mechanical strain over the first segment of optical fiber based on the reflected optical signal detected by the photo-detector.
US09921114B2 Pressure sensor, acoustic microphone, blood pressure sensor, and touch panel
According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.
US09921108B2 Color conversion information generating apparatus and method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A color conversion information generating apparatus includes the following elements. A specific color value obtaining unit obtains a specific color value of a device-dependent color space. A first color element value obtaining unit obtains a first color element value of a device-independent color space by converting the specific color value in accordance with color reproduction characteristics of a display device displaying an image of a subject. A second color element value obtaining unit obtains a second color element value of the device-independent color space by converting a colorimetric value of a color sample which approximates to the specific color value on the basis of a reference value. A generating unit generates, if the first color element value approximates to the second color element value, color conversion information for converting plural color values of the device-dependent color space into plural color values of the device-independent color space.
US09921107B2 Adaptation of field use spectroscopy equipment
A spectrometer system comprising a housing configured as a handheld device with a screen; a source of narrow band illumination; a sensor that detects Raman scattering signals; a source of wide band illumination; an optical element that detect Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) signals; a memory device comprising a library of information with Raman scattering reference information and FTIR reference information; and a processor configured to execute software instructions, wherein the software instructions are configured to: direct the narrow band illumination to the sample; detect the Raman scattering signals; direct the wide band illumination to the sample; detect the FTIR signals; determine a composition of the sample from a similarity between the Raman scattering spectral information and the Raman scattering reference information, and from a similarity between the FTIR spectral information and the FTIR reference information; and display the composition of the sample on the screen.
US09921099B1 Spherical occulter coronagraph cubesat
The present invention relates to a space-based instrument which provides continuous coronal electron temperature and velocity images, for a predetermined period of time, thereby improving the understanding of coronal evolution and how the solar wind and Coronal Mass Ejection transients evolve from the low solar atmosphere through the heliosphere for an entire solar rotation. Specifically, the present invention relates to using a 6U spherical occulter coronagraph CubeSat, and a relative navigational system (RNS) that controls the position of the spacecraft relative to the occulting sphere. The present invention innovatively deploys a free-flying spherical occulter, and after deployment, the actively controlled CubeSat will provide an inertial formation flying with the spherical occulter and Sun.
US09921098B2 Optical unit and endoscope system
An optical unit includes an optical element serving as a light guide path, which includes an incident entrance, an emitter, a light coupler which is arranged in the case where a plurality of incident entrances are arranged, and which couples a primary light, and a light separator which is arranged in the case where a plurality of emitters are arranged, and which separates the primary light to each of the emitters. The optical unit further includes a detector which directly or indirectly detects a leakage light leaking outside of the light guide path from the light guide path.
US09921096B2 Mechanical system for centering and holding a coax conductor in the center of an outer conductor
A coaxial fluid level sensor can be easily assembled and maintained with a minimum of required tooling by using U-shaped spacers to center an inner rod within an outer shell. The U-shaped spacers can be snapped onto the inner rod before or as the inner rod is inserted into the outer shell. The sensor can be extended by attaching additional inner rods and outer shells end to end.
US09921088B2 Device for determining temperature as well as measuring arrangement for determining flow
A device (1) for determining temperature and a measuring arrangement for determining flow that allows for a secure attachment on an object. The device has a measuring element (2) with a temperature-dependent electric resistance value. The measuring element (2) is surrounded by a thermally conductive fixing element (5) and is encompassed by a retaining bracket (6).
US09921086B2 Position measurement system having material measure, transmitter winding arrangement, and receiver coils, and calibration method thereof
A position measurement system includes a material measure and a sampling device, arranged movably with respect to one another relative to a measurement direction. The material measure includes a multiplicity of markings arranged in a row relative to the measurement direction. The sampling device includes a transmitter winding arrangement and a plurality of receiver coils. The receiver coils are arranged in a row relative to the measurement direction such that inductive coupling between the transmitter winding arrangement and the receiver coils is dependent on a position of the sampling device relative to the material measure. The sampling device further includes an operational amplifier having a first and a second output terminal. The receiver coils are connected via a switching device to the operational amplifier such that a single coil or a pair of receiver coils is configured for selective connection on an input side to the operational amplifier.
US09921082B2 Position measurement system having receiver coils which are differentially interconnectable via switching means
A position measurement system including a material measure and a scanning device movable relative to one another with respect to a measurement direction. The material measure has a plurality of markings which are arranged in a row with respect to the measurement direction, wherein the scanning device includes a transmitter winding arrangement. Multiple receiver coils are provided which are arranged in a row with respect to the measurement direction. The inductive coupling between the transmitter winding arrangement and the receiver coils is a function of the position of the scanning device with respect to the material measure. The transmitter winding arrangement defines multiple separate transmitter areas which are arranged in a row with respect to the measurement direction. A maximum of one single receiver coil is situated in each of the transmitter areas. At least one switching means is provided via which the two adjacent receiver coils are differentially interconnectable.
US09921078B2 Personal navigation assistance systems and methods
An exemplary method includes a personal navigation assistance system detecting an upcoming trip of a user to a destination, accessing data associated with the upcoming trip from a plurality of disparate information sources, aggregating the accessed data associated with the upcoming trip, generating, based on the aggregated data, navigational assistance content for the upcoming trip, and providing the navigational assistance content for the upcoming trip to a computing device for presentation to the user. In certain examples, aggregated data includes real-time parking space availability information, and the navigational assistance content includes parking assistance content generated based on the real-time parking space availability information. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
US09921074B2 Creating route based on image analysis or reasoning
A method, system and computer program product for creating a route are disclosed. In embodiments, the method comprises identifying a start location and a destination for a user; identifying defined needs of the user; obtaining satellite imagery of a specified area between the start location and the destination. The satellite imagery is analyzed to identify defined local features affecting the defined needs of the user in the specified area; and a route is selected for the user, from the start location to the destination, based on the defined local features in the specified area. In embodiments, selecting the route includes identifying a plurality of candidate routes from the start location to the destination; generating a score for each of the candidate routes using the defined local features, and selecting one of the candidate routes based on the generated scores for the candidate routes.
US09921068B2 Devices and methods to facilitate escape from a venue with a sudden hazard
A device and associated methods for escaping from a venue when a threat is detected is described. Venues can be buildings or outside areas and contain the area where the threat constitutes a hazard to a protected person. Threats include fire, terrorists, gunmen, explosion, collapse, loss of critical resources and crowd panic. The device incorporates a machine learning system implemented with a neural network or other pattern matching system and is trained in steps. Pre-training is based on general requirements such as edge-detection and audio analysis. Principles and data for venue layouts and human behavior can be included. The produced model is further trained from data gathered from sensors and servers after entry into the venue. Operation of the model produces warnings of threats and a plan of escape with steps of the plan communicated to the protected person by audio, visual or tactile sensory channels.
US09921067B2 Systems and methods for materials handling vehicle odometry calibration
Systems and methods for calibrating odometry of a materials handling vehicle. One embodiment of a method includes determining a current location of the materials handling vehicle, determining an odometry distance from the current location to a destination based on a calculation of a determined number of rotations of a wheel and a circumference of the wheel, and determining a positioning system distance from the current location to the destination. Some embodiments include comparing the odometry distance with data from the positioning system distance to calculate a scaling factor, applying the scaling factor to a fast alpha filter to achieve a fast filter result, and applying the scaling factor to a slow alpha filter to achieve a slow filter result. Similarly, some embodiments include applying the fast alpha filter to the scaling factor to smooth noise, calculating an updated odometry distance utilizing the scaling factor, and utilizing the updated odometry distance.
US09921064B2 Method and system for guidance of off-road vehicles
A method and system for guidance of an off-road vehicle comprises a crop row sensor for sensing position data for one or more crop rows. A primary guidance path of the vehicle is determined based on the sensed position data for the one or more crop rows if there not a material gap in the crop row for the current location of the vehicle. Alternately or cumulatively, a secondary guidance path of the vehicle is determined based on a historic path heading of the vehicle if there is the material gap in a crop row for a current location of the vehicle.
US09921063B2 Systems and methods for calibrating and adjusting a heading reference system
Systems and methods of calibrating and adjusting for deviations in a vehicle's heading system, such as the attitude heading and reference system of an aircraft or the heading system of a ship, positioned along the Earth's surface involve calibrating magnetometers for hard iron and misalignment errors using single heading measurements. This can be accomplished by obtaining both actual and theoretical readings for the magnetometer of the heading system, and comparing these values to obtain calibration values for the heading system. The vehicle may be repositioned, such as to North, South, East, and west magnetic headings, with the procedure repeated at each of these headings, and the calibration values averaged, further increasing the accuracy.
US09921062B2 Surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument, which comprises a horizontal rotating unit, a measuring unit installed on the horizontal rotating unit, a coupler for mechanically coupling the horizontal rotating unit with the measuring unit, and a connector for electrically connecting the horizontal rotating unit with the measuring unit, wherein the coupler couples the horizontal rotating unit with the measuring unit and can separate from each other, the connector can electrically connect the horizontal rotating unit with the measuring unit and can separate from each other, wherein the horizontal rotating unit comprises a driving unit for rotating the measuring unit, a horizontal angle detector for detecting a horizontal angle, and a horizontal angle control unit for calculating horizontal angle data based on a signal from the horizontal angle detector and for controlling the driving unit, wherein the measuring unit comprises a distance measuring unit for performing a distance measurement, a vertical angle detector for detecting a vertical angle at a time of distance measurement, a vertical angle control unit for calculating vertical angle data based on detection results from the vertical angle detector, a coordinate calculating unit, and a main control unit, wherein the horizontal angle control unit transmits the horizontal angle data at the time of distance measurement to the coordinate calculating unit via the connector based on a control signal from the main control unit and distance measurement data by the distance measuring unit and the vertical angle data from the vertical angle control unit are inputted to the coordinate calculating unit, and the coordinate calculating unit is constituted so as to calculate three-dimensional data based on the horizontal angle data, the distance measurement data and the vertical angle data.
US09921056B2 Devices and methods for adjustable resolution depth mapping
Devices and methods are described that provide for scanning surfaces and generating 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the depth of the measured surface at each point. In general, the devices and methods utilize scanning mirror(s) that reflect a laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. When the raster pattern of scan lines is directed at a surface, reflections of the laser beam from the surface are received and used to the generate 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. The motion of the scanning mirror(s) can be dynamically adjusted to modify the characteristics of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud of the surface. For example, the adjustment of the scanning mirror motion can modify the resolution or data density of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud that describes the measured depths of the surface.
US09921051B2 Thickness measuring apparatus and thickness measuring method
Provided are a thickness measuring apparatus and a thickness measuring method. The thickness measuring method includes irradiating a first laser beam of a first wavelength λ1 to a transparent substrate and measuring intensity of the first laser beam transmitting through the transparent substrate; irradiating a second laser beam of a second wavelength λ2 to the transparent substrate and measuring intensity of the second laser beam transmitting through the transparent substrate; and extracting a rotation angle on a Lissajous graph using the first and second laser beams transmitting through the transparent substrate. A phase difference between adjacent rays by multiple internal reflection of the first laser beam and a phase difference between adjacent rays by multiple internal reflection of the second laser beam is maintained at π/2.
US09921047B2 Optical coherence tomography device
An optical coherence tomography device includes an SS-OCT optical system which includes a wavelength swept optical source which sweeps an emission wavelength, an optical splitter which splits an interference signal light caused by interference between a measurement light and a reference light into a first interference signal light and a second interference signal light having a phase difference from the first interference signal light, a balance detector which includes a first detector configured to detect the first interference signal light and a second detector configured to detect the second interference signal light, and which processes detection signals from the first and second detectors to perform balance detection, and an optical member which is disposed between the optical splitter and one of the first detector and the second detector to generate a fixed pattern noise by one of the first interference signal light and the second interference signal light.
US09921044B2 Surface property measuring apparatus and method for controlling the same
A surface property measuring apparatus includes a control unit, configured to control operations of a roughness measuring instrument and a relative moving mechanism, including: a measuring force command module configured to output a measuring command; and a measuring force control module configured to control the direction and magnitude of the measuring force, wherein the measuring force control module instructs a measuring force application unit of the roughness measuring instrument to generate therein the measuring force whose magnitude and direction are designated by the measuring force command when a displacement speed of a measuring arm is equal to or slower than a predetermined threshold, and the measuring force control module instructs the measuring force application unit to generate therein a force in a direction in which the distal end of the measuring arm is raised upwards when the displacement speed of the measuring arm exceeds the predetermined threshold.
US09921043B2 Measurement tool and method of measuring brake stroke
A measurement tool and a method of measuring brake stroke of a brake assembly. The method may include installing the measurement tool on the brake assembly. An actuator shaft may be actuated with a lever tool. The measurement tool may measure the brake stroke when the actuator shaft is actuated.
US09921035B2 Mortar training device
A training device for a mortar that includes a firing tube with a front, open end, a rear end, a tube wall and a removal opening for removing a round of mortar training ammunition from the firing tube. The training device further includes a base plate to which the rear end of the firing tube is pivotably connected and a support with an aiming and alignment device. The firing tube is movably connected to the support on a front area by the aiming and alignment device. The training device also includes a transport device arranged on the rear and of the firing tube with which rounds of mortar training ammunition can be automatically transported away out of the firing tube through the removal opening.
US09921034B2 Sight device
The invention relates to a sight device (1), in particular a reflector sight or telescopic sight, which sight device has a lighting apparatus (2) for producing or illuminating a target mark, wherein the lighting apparatus (2) comprises an light guide (3) made of photoluminescent, in particular fluorescent material and a radioluminescent light source (7) coupled to the light guide (3), wherein the light guide (3) is designed to receive ambient light and convert said ambient light into photoluminescence light along at least one segment (4) of the longitudinal extent of the light guide, and wherein the absorption spectrum (10) of the photoluminescent material of the light guide (3) and the emission spectrum (9) of the radioluminescent light source (7) in the visible range can both be characterized by a spectral bandwidth and a center wavelength. In order to increase the luminance of the lighting apparatus and thus the visibility of the target mark, the center wavelength of the emission spectrum (9) of the radioluminescent light source (7) is greater than the center wavelength of the absorption spectrum (10) of the photoluminescent material of the light guide (3).
US09921033B2 Peep sight with contrasting/color/tones for guns and bows
A sight, especially a peep sight for bows or firearms, having two parts of contrasting colors including a first housing part or a first color and a second insert part of a second, contrasting color/tone, received within a bore formed through the first housing part. The insert can have one of a plurality of selectable aperture widths depending upon the lighting conditions and use desired and may be permanently press fit into the housing or, alternately, threaded into the housing so that the peep includes an insert having contrasting color/tone with the housing to thereby create concentric rings of different colors around the peep hole.
US09921032B2 Weapon equipment and projectile especially adapted for such weapon equipment
Weapon equipment including a launcher and a projectile, the projectile having an operating head, a tail and a weight between 750 g and 1000 g. The tail includes a tube made of an aluminum alloy having an inner diameter between 21.5 and 22.5 mm, a stroke between first and second locations between 110 mm and 120 mm, and a thickness in the vicinity of the first location between 4.6 mm and 5 mm, a piston movable between the first and second locations and defining with the tube a hermetically-sealed propulsion chamber, a propulsion charge placed in the propulsion chamber, the propulsion charge including a powder having a heat of combustion between 3500 J/g and 4000 J/g, the propulsion charge having a mass greater than 2.4 g and less than 3.7 g.
US09921027B2 Firearm handgrip assembly with laser gunsight system
A firearm handgrip assembly with laser gunsight system has a first grip frame element adapted for mounting to a first portion of the firearm frame, the first grip frame element including at least one of an illuminator, a battery, a switch, and a controller, a cover portion of the grip defining an interior channel adapted to closely receive at least a major portion of the first portion of the firearm frame and the first grip frame element, the cover portion having a contoured exterior surface adapted for gripping by a user's hand, and a fastener operably engaging the cover portion to the firearm frame. The firearm frame may be a curved butt frame of a revolver. The interior channel of the cover portion may be curved. The fastener may include a threaded element connected to a lower end of the firearm frame.
US09921024B2 Cleaning device for paintball equipment
Among other things, there is disclosed a cylindrical device which is used to remove broken paintballs and other unwanted material from the barrel of a paintball marker or from other paintball equipment. Cylindrical cleaning devices currently known in the art are prone to separation and failure after use. The present disclosure includes structure such as barbs and/or openings, a snap-fit sleeve element, and/or one or more spacers to limit or prevent such failure. Structure for cleaning, including squeegee elements movable between an insertion configuration and a cleaning configuration, and other materials and configurations, are also disclosed.
US09921023B2 Paintball swab
There are disclosed embodiments for a paintball swab. For example, embodiments can include a rod with at least one tab extending radially and a hollow tube connected to a cleaning element. The tube can include an internal ring to fit over or beyond the tab.
US09921022B1 Firearm with gas-assist recoil operation system
A firearm comprising a barrel assembly, forward receiver, and receiver brake. The barrel assembly comprises a barrel, compression spring, gas tube, and front and rear bushings. The gas tube is situated around the barrel between the front and rear bushings and is not attached to the barrel. The compression spring is situated around the barrel between the front and rear bushings and inside of the gas tube. The front and rear bushings are fixedly attached to the forward receiver. The barrel comprises a gas port that is covered by a gas regulator and is in fluid communication with a gas chamber situated between the front bushing and the gas regulator, which is fixedly attached to the barrel. The receiver brake is fixedly attached to the forward receiver on its distal end.
US09921021B1 Firearm attachment locking systems and methods
The invention relates to devices for attaching or detaching a sound suppressor or an auxiliary device to a firearm. The device has a mount body that is attached by threads to a muzzle attachment device that is attached to the muzzle of a firearm. The muzzle attachment device has external mounting threads, a gas seal, an engagement surface, and a locking surface on the rear of the muzzle attachment device. The engagement surface simultaneously provides an alignment function and a forward locking function. A rotating collar is attached by threads to the mount body, and a locking spring with locking surfaces is attached to the mount body by threads, with the locking spring fitting inside the rotating collar. The rotating collar, when rotated, forces the locking spring and its locking surfaces downwards against the rear locking surface on the muzzle attachment device, providing force against the rear locking surface and securing the sound suppressor or auxiliary device to the muzzle attachment device through the combination of the forward engagement surface and the rear locking surface.
US09921019B2 Gas vent for firearm
A barrel for a firearm including a chamber configured to receive a round of ammunition, and a shoulder at least partially extending from an exterior surface of the barrel. The barrel also has a gas vent feature formed in the exterior surface of the barrel to vent gases from the chamber. The gas vent feature may include at least one channel formed in the exterior surface of the barrel, and the at least one channel may have a predetermined depth and at least partially extend into the shoulder of the barrel.
US09921014B2 Pistol with horizontal magazine beneath the barrel
A striker fired semi-automatic pistol or handgun that utilizes a magazine positioned horizontally and in front of the grip. The pistol of the invention includes two recoil springs and two locking lugs positioned on each side of the barrel (1 per side) which has a corresponding set of locking blocks. A sliding stripper rail is utilized to move cartridges from the magazine to the barrel. The grip is detachable and completely customizable, using a small solid tang to connect the grip to the firearm.
US09921013B1 Adjustable buffer system
An adjustable buffer system, including at least some of a buffer, wherein the buffer element includes a collar cavity and a spacer cavity, wherein a bolt aperture is formed between the collar cavity and the spacer cavity, and wherein two or more longitudinally extending slots are formed in at least a portion of the buffer element; an adjustment bolt, wherein the adjustment bolt comprises an externally threaded body portion; a slidable collar than includes a ring portion surrounding a core portion and spaced apart by two or more legs, and wherein prong apertures are defined between the ring portion, the core portion, and the legs, wherein each of the legs corresponds to a longitudinally extending slot, such that the slidable collar is repeatably slidable along at least a portion of the buffer element as rotational force is applied to the adjustment bolt.
US09921012B2 Water heating apparatus
A water heating apparatus includes a burner, a heat exchanger for heating hot and cold water with use of heat from the burner, a scale detector for detecting occurrence of scale clogging in the heat exchanger, a notifying unit for notifying an error when the scale detector detects occurrence of a scale greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and a controller performing a control of allowing the notifying unit to notify an error and prohibiting combustion operation of the burner when the scale detector detects occurrence of a scale greater than or equal to the predetermined amount. The controller is configured to start a cleaning mode for cleaning inside the heat exchanger when the controller detects shifting operation to the cleaning mode after the combustion operation of the burner is prohibited.
US09921006B2 Systems and methods of manufacturing microchannel arrays
The present application relates to apparatus and methods of reducing the cost of microchannel array production and operation. In a representative embodiment, a microchannel array can comprise a first lamina having one or more flanges and a plurality of elongated bosses. The one or more flanges can extend along a perimeter of the first lamina, the plurality of elongated bosses can at least partially define a plurality of first flow paths, and the first lamina can define at least one opening. The microchannel array can also comprise a second lamina having a plurality of second flow paths, and can define at least one opening. The second lamina can be disposed above the first lamina such that the second lamina encloses the first flow paths of the first lamina and the at least one opening of the first lamina is coaxial with the at least one opening of the second lamina.
US09921005B2 Heat exchanger with sealed gasket carrier plate
A heat exchanger has a heat exchanging element with a first terminal plate closing the heat exchanging element on one of its sides and with at least one opening provided with a socket for fluids for the heat exchanger element. At least a first gasket carrier plate has a first lateral face arranged adjacent to the first terminal plate and an opposite second lateral face. The first gasket carrier plate has at least one passage opening leading from the first to the second lateral face for taking up at least one socket of the first terminal plate. A first sealing element is provided between the first terminal plate and the first gasket carrier plate. A second sealing element is provided adjacent to the second lateral face. The at least one socket of the first terminal plate is bulged outwardly to adjoin to the second sealing element at least in sections.
US09920993B2 Heat treatment method and heat treatment apparatus for heating substrate by irradiating substrate with light
A photodetector element for receiving radiated light from a surface of a semiconductor wafer loses a detection function because the intensity of the received light exceeds a detection limit while a flash lamp emits light. Measurement is not performed during the above-mentioned period, and the intensity of the radiated light from the surface of the semiconductor wafer is measured after the flash lamp stops emitting light and the photodetector element restores the detection function. Then, the temperature of the surface of the semiconductor wafer heated by irradiation with a flash of light is calculated based on the measured intensity of the radiated light. Accordingly, even in a case where intense irradiation is performed in an extremely short period of time, such as flash irradiation, the flash of light does not act as ambient light, which enables to obtain the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer.
US09920990B2 Laundry press apparatus and method
A press for pressing batches of fabric articles to remove excess fluid therefrom utilizes a specially configured frame having upper and lower plates. The frame supports a vessel having an interior that receives a batch of fabric articles therein. A press having a ram and a disk is supported at the lower end portion of the ram. The disk engages an upper surface portion of the batch of articles. The ram and disk move between upper and lower positions, the lower position being a pressing position that engages the disk with the fabric articles. The frame includes a plurality of rods that connect to the upper and lower plates, spacing the plates apart. The rods each have upper and lower end portions, each with a diameter that is larger than the diameter of a central portion of said rod that is positioned in between the upper and lower plates.
US09920988B2 Main heat exchange system and method for reboiling
A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.
US09920987B2 Mixing column for single mixed refrigerant (SMR) process
A system and method of gas liquefaction having a compression sequence for a mixed refrigerant in which a mixing column is used to provide liquid and vapor product streams at least one step of the compression sequence in which a phase separation is desirable. In addition, the compression sequence may optionally or alternatively use a stripper column in at least one step in the compression sequence in which a phase separation is desirable.
US09920986B2 Configurations and methods for nitrogen rejection, LNG and NGL production from high nitrogen feed gases
Variable N2 content in feed gas ranging from 3 mol % to 50 mol % can be rejected from the process using a feed exchanger that is fluidly coupled with a cold separator and a single fractionation column to produce a nitrogen vent stream and streams that are suitable to be further processed for NGL recovery and LNG production.
US09920982B2 Refrigerator camera module
A refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening. The refrigerator also includes a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, a camera fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a first region for storing of food arranged in an external space of the drawer and a second region for storing of food arranged in an internal space of the drawer, and a controller configured to separate, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a first region picture and a second region picture from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.
US09920981B2 Refrigerator with camera and control thereof
A refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening. The refrigerator also includes a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, a camera fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a first region for storing of food arranged in an external space of the drawer and a second region for storing of food arranged in an internal space of the drawer, and a controller configured to separate, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a first region picture and a second region picture from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.
US09920980B2 Refrigerator with camera and control method for the same
A refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening. The refrigerator also includes a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, a camera fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a first region for storing of food arranged in an external space of the drawer and a second region for storing of food arranged in an internal space of the drawer, and a controller configured to separate, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a first region picture and a second region picture from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.
US09920977B1 Ice chest or cooler with detachable drawers
The ice chest or cooler with detachable drawers is an organizational kit used with a wheeled cooler. The ice chest or cooler with detachable drawers comprises a plurality of compartmented spaces that can be added to the wheeled cooler for the purpose of separating foodstuffs. The ice chest or cooler with detachable drawers comprises a cabinet, a first container, and a second container. The cabinet attaches to the exterior of the wheeled cooler. The first container and the second container are inserted into the interior of the wheeled cooler.
US09920973B2 Air conditioner exhaust recycling
An air conditioning system includes an air conditioning portion configured to condition a volume of air flowing there-through and an exhaust portion configured to exchange heat with the air conditioning portion through a working fluid. A portion of the volume of air exiting the air conditioning portion is mechanically diverted into the exhaust portion.
US09920968B2 Variable PID enable for compressor control algorithm
A control system, which may be a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control system, controls a component by adjusting the control input and the execution of the control output whenever a change in a state of a component exceeds a certain value. A method is also described.
US09920959B2 Refrigeration device
A refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, intake electromagnetic valves and exhaust electromagnetic valves, two-position three-way electromagnetic valves or two-position five-way electromagnetic valves, a cylinder group, a volume-variable airproof container, two-position two-way electromagnetic valves and a generator. The cylinder group is composed of two or more cylinders, refrigerant flows successively through the compressor, the intake electromagnetic valves, the cylinder group, the exhaust electromagnetic valves, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator and finally enters the compressor from the evaporator, the cylinder group can do work to generate electricity through atmospheric pressure in the volume-variable airproof container and compensates for electric energy consumed by the compressor, and therefore the electric energy can be saved.
US09920957B2 Drive with integrated inclination sensor
A drive can include a positional sensor within an outer housing of the drive so as to provide an output indicative of a position of the drive. The positional sensor can be an inclinometer. The inclinometer can be used for feedback control of an inclination of the drive. The drive can further include control electronics within the same housing, so as to provide feedback control of a motor of the drive. The control electronics can include an input for receiving a requested inclination and can be configured to drive the motor until the inclinometer outputs a signal indicative of the requested angle.
US09920955B2 Water jacket for solid particle solar receiver
A solar receiver includes: water jacket panels each having a light-receiving side and a back side with a watertight sealed plenum defined in-between; light apertures passing through the watertight sealed plenums to receive light from the light-receiving sides of the water jacket panels; a heat transfer medium gap defined between the back sides of the water jacket panels and a cylindrical back plate; and light channeling tubes optically coupled with the light apertures and extending into the heat transfer medium gap. In some embodiments ends of the light apertures at the light receiving side of the water jacket panel are welded together to define at least a portion of the light-receiving side. A cylindrical solar receiver may be constructed using a plurality of such water jacket panels arranged with their light-receiving sides facing outward.
US09920953B2 Water heater appliance
A water heater appliance includes a tank and a heated water conduit extending from the tank. A mixing valve is coupled to the heated water conduit, and a heat trap is mounted to the heated water conduit upstream of the mixing valve. The heat trap includes a membrane disposed within the heated water conduit. The membrane of the heat trap may assist with obstructing recirculation of heated water from the tank into the heated water conduit.
US09920952B2 Water stratification drum for water heater
A water stratification drum for use in an electric and condensing water heater is disposed in a lower portion of the water holding tank and across the circumferential side wall of the tank. The water stratification drum has a pair of plates held spaced-apart by support members which extend between the pair of plates to maintain the plates in substantially parallel relationship. A cold water zone is defined between the plates and cool domestic water is introduced in the tank between the plates. The plates are flat disc plates formed on non-corrosive material and water there between is diffused in a controlled manner to other regions of the tank through at least one of the plates being perforated. The diffusion of the water prevents premature actuation of the heat source by not causing an abrupt change in the temperature of the hot water in the tank.
US09920949B2 Air conditioning system and energy management method of air conditioning system
In an air conditioning system of the present disclosure, the controlling module determines state of the indoor unit. If the indoor unit is under off state, the controlling module determines whether an indoor temperature is smaller than a preset temperature. If yes, the controlling module controls the indoor unit to heat according to a first heating temperature. If the indoor unit is under heating state, the controlling module sets a second heating temperature of the indoor unit to the first heating temperature, and controls the indoor unit to heat according to the first heating temperature. The first heating temperature is smaller than the second heating temperature. If the indoor unit is under cooling state, the controlling module sets a first cooling temperature to a second cooling temperature which is greater than the first cooling temperature, and controls the indoor unit to cool according to the second cooling temperature.
US09920939B2 Dehumidifer/cooler and method
The dehumidifier uses an all-plastic air-to-air heat exchanger together with an integral chiller to cool the incoming air to remove water vapor, and then exchange heat with incoming air to cool the incoming air and re-heat the outgoing air. The degree of dehumidification and the temperature of the outgoing air can be controlled by varying the speed of a variable speed fan so as to provide varying degrees of cooling as well as dehumidification. A programmable controller can be used to operate the dehumidifier automatically, either together with a humidistat and thermostat, or in accordance with a predetermined time profile for the conditioned space.
US09920937B2 Heating system
This invention materially enhances the quality of the environment and mankind by contributing to the restoration or maintenance of the basic life-sustaining natural elements, by reducing the amount of carbon monoxide introduced to the atmosphere from a combustion system, achieved by furnishing a system's approach to optimize the amount of oxygen to be chemically combined with fuel upon ignition of both allowing the correct amount of carbon to combine with the correct amount of oxygen thus fully release the thermal energy stored therein.
US09920935B2 Oven rack assemblies with release mechanisms and catches
An oven rack assembly (2000) can be used with an oven (128′) having sets of liner ribs (1004). The oven rack assembly (2000) includes an oven rack (208), slide system (2018) and subframe (2040). The oven rack assembly (2000) also includes a retention/release assembly (2060) for facilitating retention of a position of the subframe (2040) onto liner ribs (2004) and for facilitating release of the subframe (2040) when a user wishes to remove or move the assembly (2000) from the oven. Attachment plates (2065) can also be included, with the plates (2065) mounted to side stampings (2022). The oven rack assembly (2000) also includes protruding forms (2122) on the subframe (2040) which interact with forms (2124) positioned along the liner ribs (2004) to prevent tipping of the subframe (2040) when the oven rack (2008) is moved to an extended position.
US09920933B2 Waist-high broiler for off-grid propane gas range appliance
The invention relates to an off-grid propane gas range appliance incorporating a waist-high broiler, the gas range operating without electricity in off-grid applications. The off-grid propane gas range appliance comprises an oven compartment having a first heating element or baking burner arranged at the bottom of the oven compartment and a second heating element or a broiling burner arranged at the top of the oven compartment eliminating the need for a separate broiler drawer. The first and second heating elements are arranged and connected to the main gas manifold of the gas range so that only one of the heating elements is operable at a single time.
US09920932B2 Mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine
A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer with fuel injection holes located between at least one radial swirler and at least one axial swirler, wherein the fuel injected into the main mixer is atomized and dispersed by the air flowing through the radial swirler and the axial swirler.
US09920930B2 Thermopile assembly with heat sink
A heat sink assembly draws heat away from the cold junction of a thermopile element to increase the thermopile's power output. In one example, the heat sink assembly includes a first thermally conductive securing mechanism, a second thermally conductive securing mechanism, and a thermally conductive tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the thermally conductive tube is secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. In some cases, the first end of the thermally conductive tube may include a flanged region adjacent the first end with at least part of the flange region secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. The flange may help with heat transfer to the thermally conductive tube.
US09920926B1 Pulse combustion heat exchanger system and method
A pulse combustion heat exchanger having a longitudinal axis is configured to accept oxidant and fuel and output a cooled combustion stream. The pulse combustion heat exchanger includes an oxidant inlet section that accepts oxidant, a fuel inlet section that accepts fuel, a mixing section that mixes oxidant with fuel, a combustion section that receives the oxidant and fuel and produces a pulsating combustion stream, and a heat transfer section configured to receive the pulsating combustion stream, the heat transfer section includes one or more resonance conduits. Coolant is employed at a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart transition sections to remove heat.
US09920922B2 Automatic light intensity compensating device of surgical light
An automatic light intensity compensating device of a surgical light includes a suspension or support system and one or multiple light heads carried on the suspension or support system. Each of the light head includes a housing, one or multiple grips mounted to the housing for hand holding and moving the light head to a desired position, one or multiple light sources mounted in the housing for illumination, a focus adjustment mechanism for adjusting the focal length of illumination, a focusing detection mechanism for detecting a position of the focus adjustment mechanism within a variation range, and an automatic illuminance compensation device, which automatically increases or decreases luminance of the light source according to the position of the focus adjustment mechanism.
US09920919B2 Light emitting device and lighting device provided with same
A light emitting device includes a substrate with a circuit incorporated in the substrate, an interposer having a circuit connected to the circuit of the substrate, a light emitting element disposed on the interposer, a transmissive component disposed positioned to the light emitting element, and a frame body having an opening in which the transmissive component is disposed. The light emitting device further includes a ring-shaped body that encompasses the frame body on the substrate, and a sealant making the substrate and the ring-shaped body tightly contact one another. The frame body is disposed so as to encompass the light emitting element on the substrate. This provides the light emitting device with waterproof function.
US09920914B2 Moving head light fixture with yoke and head position encoding means
The present invention relates to a moving head light fixture comprising: a base; a yoke rotatable connected to the base; a head rotatable connected to the yoke. The head comprises at least one light source generating light. An actuator is adapted to rotate the yoke or the head. Magnetic means is attached to the axel of the actuator and generated a magnetic field, which is perpendicular to the actuator axel. A magnetic encoder is fixed in relation to the axel and provides at an axel position signal based the magnetic field is indicative of the angular position of the axel in relation to the magnetic encoder. Indication means provides an indication signal when the yoke or head is positioned at a number of predetermined angular positions in relation. Processing means are adapted to control the moving head light fixture based on the actuator axel position signal and the indication signal.
US09920913B2 Color assurance light system
A color assurance device houses an array of distinct LEDs lighting sources with each LED array having a distinct color metric index for simulating a distinct light condition to permit color samples to be viewed under multiple simulated colored lighting conditions. Each color lighting condition is at a temperature range that simulates a well-known lighting condition.
US09920908B2 Lighting device with off-state white appearance
A lighting device (400) with an off-state white appearance is provided. The lighting device comprises a light source (403), having a white appearance in an on-state and a colored appearance in an off-state, and a switchable optical element (404) downstream from the light source. The colored appearance of the light source is caused by a photoluminescent material in the light source. The switchable optical element has at least a transmissive state and a state being reflective in the wavelength region in which the light source absorbs light, resulting in a white appearance when the light source is in its off-state and the switchable optical element is in its reflective state. According to an embodiment of the invention, the lighting device (400) is arranged as a luminaire further comprising an optical cavity (401) and a window (402) covering the optical cavity. The light source (403) is arranged inside the optical cavity and the window is provided with the switchable optical element (404).
US09920907B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a base having a light reflecting surface and having a first side on which the light reflecting surface is provided, light sources mounted on the first side, and a half mirror disposed opposite to the base to reflect a part of incident light and to transmit another part of the incident light. Each of the light sources includes a reflecting layer on an upper surface of each of the light sources. The half mirror has an oblique reflectance with respect to wavelengths of light emitted from the light sources in a case where the light travels obliquely toward the half mirror. The half mirror has a perpendicular reflectance with respect to the wavelengths in a case where the light travels perpendicularly toward the half mirror. The oblique reflectance is smaller than the perpendicular reflectance.
US09920903B2 Lenses and lighting devices including same
Optical components for lighting devices and lighting devices including such components are described. In some embodiments the optical components are in the form of a lens that alter the distribution of light produced by a lighting fixture. In some embodiments, the lenses are in the form of a downlight to wallwash lens which, when placed in a downlight fixture, convert the light distribution to that of a wallwash fixture, e.g., causing the downlight to produce an off-axis light distribution, without changing the fixture. The lens includes a body with a light source facing side and an opposite room facing side having two optically active regions, each including structures that redirect a portion of light received through the light source facing side and incident thereon. The first region includes structures that redirect, via refraction, and the second region includes structures that redirect, in part via total internal reflection.
US09920902B2 Laser source for exiting a phosphor and light source comprising a phosphor
A laser source is described. The laser source is configured for providing collimated laser beams arranged in a ring-shape for exiting a phosphor. The laser source has laser diodes arranged in a ring-shaped manner around a symmetry axis. Parallel parts of the laser beams form a hollow tube. Further, a light source is described. The light source has a phosphor, an optical element and a light source configured for providing collimated laser beams arranged in a ring-shape for exiting the phosphor. The light source is arranged such that the collimated laser beams are directed opposite to the collimated luminance.
US09920900B2 Maritime light source
The present invention relates to a maritime light source comprising a bottom housing and a lid attached thereto. The lid comprises an integrated lens portion and a button portion, wherein the lens portion is adapted to scatter light from an associated light source over an angle of at least 160 degrees in a substantially uniform manner. The button portion comprises an integrated and flexible push button membrane. A water proof sealing is formed between the bottom housing and the lid.
US09920895B2 Street light
A street light has a hollow standard having a lower end and an upper end. The standard is root mounted at its lower end and supports a lamp and a solar panel. An illumination circuit is mounted in the base compartment and connects a battery to the lamp for control of the lamp. A charging circuit connects the battery to the solar panel and to an electricity connection for charging. A control circuit inside the base compartment controls the brightness. The electricity connection extends from the root portion of the standard for connection of the light to an AC electricity supply. The charging circuit is programmed to connect the battery to the electricity supply at low electricity tariff times and to disconnect the battery from the mains before high electricity tariff times. The charging circuit is programmed to connect the battery to the solar panel for charging during daylight.
US09920891B2 Wavelength conversion element and light source provided with same
A light source using a wavelength conversion member is increased in brightness. A wavelength conversion element 11 includes a plurality of wavelength conversion members 12 bundled together, each containing a dispersion medium and phosphor powder dispersed in the dispersion medium.
US09920890B2 Source of broadband white light generated on oxide matrices highly doped with rare earth ions, excited by infrared radiation
An exemplary embodiment provides for a source of white light having at least one white light emitting device composed of a transparent glass/quartz chamber, a vacuum chamber including an optically active element, a spacer, a focusing lens, an IR laser diode, where the optically active element arranged in the vacuum chamber is a thin-layer oxide matrix doped with rare earth ions selected from the group of Nd, Yb, the concentration of dopant ions being in the range of 0.0001 to 100 at %.
US09920884B2 Automated gas canister filler
A device for filling a small portable pressure vessel from a larger pressure vessel with a compressed fluid such as carbon dioxide. The device comprises an inlet adapted to receive fluid from a pressurized source, and an outlet adapted to connect to a pressure vessel. Between the inlet and the outlet there is a fill valve and a vent valve and at least one cam shaft configured to rotate and operate the valves.
US09920883B2 Damage indicator for a composite pressure tank
A composite fuel tank, formed by winding filaments or strips around a plastic liner and binding the material with a curable binder. Embedded within the wrapped material at predetermined depths from the surface which provides a color indication of the level of damage due to tears, gashes, cuts and the like. The color indicator is part of a visual inspection method to determine tank damage and the extent of repair necessary.
US09920877B2 Magnetic object suspension apparatus and associated methods and systems
Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes a carrier including a chamber and a focusing member coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may further include a magnet disposed in contact with the focusing member such that an attraction surface of the magnet is exposed by the chamber to permit direct contact between the magnet and the item. The focusing member may be formed to focus a magnetic field of the magnet towards the attraction surface. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.
US09920876B2 Accessory mount
An accessory mount is disclosed and may include a base, a foot, an accessory receiver, and at least two elastic bindings. The accessory receiver may rotatably couple an accessory to the base, and may include an accessory adapter and a base connector. The base may include a plurality of attachment points distributed at different locations around the base. The foot may include a non-slip surface on a first side, and a plurality of projections on a second side that mate with a corresponding plurality of recesses in a bottom surface of the base.
US09920875B2 Articulating arm
A swivel joint for an articulating arm comprising a section having a bore with an annular groove where the bore is sized for a stud, with another annular groove, of a plate to slide into the bore. A retaining ring seats in the annular grooves to swivelly couple the section with the plate. The arm may be advantageously used in a camera assembly, such as a bullet camera, to point the camera once mounted on a wall or ceiling.
US09920874B2 Linkage rod including limited-displacement flexible mechanism
A linkage rod including a limited-displacement flexible mechanism has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linkage rod including at least one limited-displacement flexible mechanism, wherein the limited-displacement flexible mechanism comprises at least one limited-displacement flexible joint which comprises: a flexible member; and at least one bend limitation section which is arranged in parallel with the flexible member so that the bend limitation section limits a bend of the flexible member.
US09920872B2 Renovation liner, and method for installing renovation liner to pipework
A renovation liner is installed in a pipework. More particularly, an end of the renovation liner is closed by an elastic end piece. The renovation liner is impregnated with a hardening impregnating agent. The renovation liner, together with its end piece, is slipped into a position in the pipework to be renovated. A pressure is provided and maintained in a space formed by the renovation liner and the elastic end piece in order to press the renovation liner against walls of the pipework until the impregnating agent of the renovation liner has hardened in shape. The elastic end piece is removed.
US09920871B2 Blast protection damper
A blast wave damper comprises a section of duct, with a multiplicity of rigid elements each extending across the duct. All the elements are parallel to each other, and they are arranged in an array consisting of a multiplicity of lines, each such line extending across the duct. The elements in one line are staggered relative to the elements in an adjacent line, and the gaps between successive elements within a line are no wider than the widths of the elements. There may be ten columns of tubular elements in a regular array. This may be combined with a louver mechanism arranged to shut if the pressure drop exceeds a threshold.
US09920870B2 High pressure pipe and fitting restraint system
A restraint system for use in securing temporary flow lines that include multiple pipe sections, each pair of pipe sections connected together with a fitting or coupling such as a hammer joint coupling. The system includes multiple pluralities of endless loop slings connected end to end with a cow hitch or girth hitch knot. Disconnectable fittings (e.g., shackles) are placed every three or more slings so that easy disassembly is afforded in case of leakage or other failure.
US09920866B2 Hybrid push-to-connect fitting, device and assembly
A fitting device includes a fitting body having an interior surface defining an interior, a packing assembly maintained within the fitting body interior, a retaining nut, and a shoe member maintained between the retaining nut and the axially outer rim of the fitting body, whereupon inserted tubes or pipes can be securely inserted into the fitting interior and maintained therein.
US09920860B2 As-molded plastic unit cell structures and welded fluid flow assemblies of the unit cell structures
Methods and apparatus are described for producing welded assemblies of plastic parts for use in fluid flow applications. A unit cell structure is disclosed for use in an assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, an assembly of welded plastic parts for a fluid flow application includes a plurality of as-molded plastic unit cell structures, each cell structure having a hollow tubular body portion, a first tubular portion extending axially from a first end of the tubular body portion, and second and third opposed transverse tubular portions extending from an intermediate portion of the tubular body portion transverse to the first tubular portion. The first tubular portion of a first unit cell structure is welded to the first tubular body portion of a second unit cell structure in an axially aligned configuration.
US09920858B2 Mounting device for tubular elements
A mounting device for tubular elements includes a base having a curved surface and a slot for connecting to and being mounted on an existing tubular structural element. The base has a plurality of radially extending fingers forming semi-circular recesses between them. Projections within the recesses having a width less than the width of the mounting device deform a multiplicity of tubular elements such as hydraulic air or water lines to be removably inserted and held within the semi-circular recesses.
US09920853B2 Electromagnetically operable high-pressure gas valve
The invention relates to an electromagnetically operable high-pressure gas valve, which is embodied as a pilot valve with a pilot seat and a pilot opening and a main seat with a main opening, with the pilot opening connecting a high-pressure side with a low-pressure side of the valve and it being possible to close it via a main sealing element, the main opening connecting the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side of the valve and it being possible to close it by a main sealing element, and the valve comprising a pilot anchor which acts upon the pilot sealing element, and comprising a main anchor, which acts upon the main sealing element, with the valve comprising a coil that is suitably embodied and arranged to act upon the pilot anchor and the main anchor such that a pilot stroke and a main stroke are independent from each other.
US09920843B2 Spring gasket for a valve housing
A valve and a method for producing a valve for regulating a fluid, having a valve housing with a central part and with two connection ends, the connection ends extending away from the central part, wherein internally of the central part there is arranged a valve body including at least a shutoff part and a through-flow part. The valve seat is arranged in the valve housing and resiliently bears against the valve body, a resilient structural part has a spring action that acts in a direction substantially parallel with the flow direction of the valve and has at least one annular flange part adapted for bearing on the valve body. The resilient valve seat includes a fixing member for mechanical fixing of the valve seat in the valve housing. The fixing member has a flange part fixed in the valve housing by plastic deformation.
US09920841B2 Interface and fluid-transfer system
A fluid transfer system (100) includes a transfer device (104) and an interface device (102). The transfer device (104) includes a fluid transfer member (164) and a transfer coupling member (125) to align the fluid transfer member (164) with the interface device (102). The interface device (102) includes a reservoir port (108), a fluid transfer member receptacle (144), an interface coupling member (124), and a reservoir valve (110). The interface coupling member (124) is configured to close the fluid transfer member receptacle (144) and to couple to the transfer coupling member (125) and open the fluid transfer member receptacle (144) to receive the fluid transfer member (164). The reservoir valve (110), e.g., a sliding seal, is configured to close the reservoir port (108) from the fluid transfer member receptacle (144) and to open the reservoir port (108) to the fluid transfer member (164) when the fluid transfer member (164) is positioned in the fluid transfer member receptacle (144). The fluid transfer member (164) can include a plunger assembly configured to open and close the reservoir port (108).
US09920839B1 Hydrostatic mechanical face seal
A controlled leakage, hydrostatic, mechanical seal that eliminates sources of contact friction; advantageously locating contact friction forces to be in alignment with the seal face centroid; optimizes the seal face design to achieve maximum hydrostatic film stiffness and minimum sensitivity to radial taper; eliminating unnecessary O-rings and other sources of significant force variation; utilizes a design-for-manufacture approach to design hardware that can be consistently manufactured to precise tolerances; optimizes the double delta channel seal to achieve adequate compression, minimal frictional drag force, and maximum wear resistance; eliminates sources of circumferential waviness such as bolt preload and other non-axisymmetric features; and, thermally isolates components of different materials to mitigate the deformation due to differential thermal expansion.
US09920836B2 Piston ring for internal combustion engine
Provided is a piston ring for an internal combustion engine capable of preventing aluminum cohesion for a long time under conditions with high temperature and a high load and also suppressing the wearing of a piston member. A piston ring 1 for the internal combustion engine including a piston ring body 11 having at least one of an upper side face and a lower side face coated with an aluminum cohesion resistance film 12, wherein the aluminum cohesion resistance film 12 has a first coating film 12a made of first ceramics material formed on the piston ring body and a second coating film having Vickers hardness HV smaller than that of the first ceramics material formed on the first coating film 12a.
US09920832B2 Signal processing device for rotation sensor
An instantaneous revolution speed Nm of an input shaft is calculated from an input period of a pulse signal from a revolution sensor, a revolution speed Nf is calculated by filter processing the instantaneous revolution speed Nm, a determination is made that a belt slip occurs when, during a stop of a vehicle, a state in which the revolution speed Nf is equal to or higher than a slip determination speed NSL is continued for a time equal to or longer than slip determination time TSL, and an immediately prior revolution speed Nf is held until a time of a pulse signal no input exceeds a road wheel lock corresponding time TWL which is longer than a slip determination time TSL.
US09920817B2 Planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle includes: an input shaft from an engine; an output shaft; and first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each including three rotating elements. The gear train also includes eight shafts for selectively connecting the planetary gear sets and the input and output shafts in various configurations to achieve at least 11 forward speeds and at least one reverse speed.
US09920815B2 Energy guiding chain and monitoring system for protecting against line breaks
An energy guiding chain (12) with additional protection against a line break is proposed. It includes link members (20) or segments for guiding one or more lines like cables, hoses or the like, wherein the link members or segments can be angled relative to each other to form a direction-changing curve (28). The protection means includes a detector for monitoring the energy guiding chain. The detector (16) is mechanically operatively connected to a low-stretch triggering cord (30) and has a sensor (36) for detecting a kinematic parameter of the triggering cord (30). A break (13) in the energy guiding chain (12 can be detected in good time by a change in the kinematic parameter. In that way guided cables, hoses or the like can be protected against a line break.
US09920814B2 Clevis structure
A clevis structure includes a main body, a bridge member and a load member. The bridge member has a base section and at least one arm section pivotally connected with the main body, whereby the bridge member and the main body can freely swing relative to each other. The base section is formed with a guide slot extending to the arm section. The arm section is further formed with a through hole in a position where the arm section is pivotally connected with the main body. The through hole has a diameter larger than a width of the guide slot. The load member has two ends, one of which is enlarged to form a pivotal hanging head section and the other of which is formed as a connection ring. A neck section is formed between the pivotal hanging head section and the connection ring.
US09920810B2 Damping valve for a shock absorber
The present invention relates to a damping valve for a shock absorber, comprising a base body with a first support body and with a second support body and comprising one or more valve spring discs which separate a first damping fluid space from a second damping fluid space, wherein the valve spring discs are supported against the first support body via an inner edge support, and against the second support body via an outer edge support, and which control a passage of damping fluid in both directions by virtue of the fact that the valve spring discs lift-off either from the inner edge support or from the outer edge support, by elastic deflection. According to the invention, a stroke movable control body is provided which is prestressed against the valve spring discs, so that the control behaviour of the valve spring discs can be adjusted via the edge supports by the prestress of the control body.
US09920803B2 Single-side double-inclined-surface disc-type brake
The invention relates to a disc-type brake which can use the energy of a transport machine during its traveling to brake, has a huge self-energizing action and is used for a motorcycle, a car, a truck, a train and an elevator. The brake has a very small control force (power), is simple and reliable and has a small volume. The brake is very easily designed as an electrically controlled disc-type brake system (EMB), the power and volume of an electrically controlled motor of the brake can be several times—more than a dozen of times less than that of an electrically controlled motor in the prior art, after its promotion, the brake can greatly improve the safety of the car and the motorcycle. The brake can reduce many parts, components and mechanisms and save much cost and bring us tremendous social and economic benefits and is a landmark brake.
US09920801B2 Brake pad and caliper device
A brake pad 10 can brake a rotation of a disc 200. The brake pad 10 includes a friction material 12 provided on the side of the disc 200 and a back plate 11 bonded to the friction material 12 on the opposite side of the disc 200. A thickness of a central region of the back plate 11 in a rotational direction of the disc 200 is larger than thicknesses of both end regions of the back plate 11 in the rotational direction of the disc. In the case where a minimum value of the thicknesses of the end regions of the back plate 11 is defined as “h1 [mm]” and a maximum value of the thickness of the central region of the back plate 11 is defined as “h2 [mm]”, h1 and h2 preferably satisfy a relationship of “h2−h1<3”.
US09920797B2 Method for avoiding safety-critical activation of a clutch in a hybrid module of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for avoiding safety-critical activation of a clutch in a hybrid module of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, wherein the hybrid module is effective between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and has an electric drive, the clutch and a freewheel, and the clutch is used to start the internal combustion engine by transmitting a torque, supplied by the electric drive or the drivetrain, by a frictionally locking connection to the electric drive or the drivetrain, or for disconnecting the internal combustion engine from the drivetrain for purely electric driving. In a method for avoiding safety-critical activation of a clutch in a hybrid module in which safety-critical driving situations are reliably prevented, a critical interference torque of the clutch is set as a function of ambient conditions of the motor vehicle and/or peripheral conditions of the vehicle, in order to set a safety distance to be maintained by the open clutch.
US09920790B2 Active airbearing device
The present invention discloses an active airbearing device, including a airbearing body, a gas film active adjusting unit, a support body detection unit and a drive control unit, wherein the support body detection device measures a state of airbearing, the drive control system generates a control signal according to a detection signal, drives and controls the gas film active adjusting device to generate an active action, and dynamically adjusts the form of gas films on a airbearing surface, so as to dynamically adjust pressure distribution of gaps between the gas films of the airbearing device, thereby improving dynamic stiffness characteristics of the airbearing. Through the present invention, the dynamic stiffness characteristics of the airbearing can be improved significantly, and the purpose of stabilizing the airbearing is achieved; in addition, the active airbearing device according to the present invention also has the characteristics of a compact structure, convenient operation and control, and high precision, and thus is especially suitable for occasions such as ultra-precision machining or high speed spindle which has high requirements for dynamic stiffness of support.
US09920788B2 Linking arm assembly
A linking arm assembly incorporating an improved connection between an elongated rod portion and an engagement element such as a ball stud or the like adapted to join the linking arm to another structure. The linking arm assembly may incorporate an improved ball and socket connection. The socket may include an arrangement of flexible rib elements that are compressed when the ball stud is inserted so as to bias against the ball during use.
US09920785B2 Article with selectively actuatable suction cup construction
A selectively actuatable suction cup construction is configured to be incorporated into an article, such as a kitchen accessory (e.g., a combined trivet and oven mitt product) or other product and is configured such that it can be placed in either an “actuated mode” or an “inactive mode”.
US09920782B2 Armrest lock
An armrest lock may include a lever coupled to one side of the sliding cover, a rod provided in the sliding cover such that one side thereof is coupled to the lever, a trigger coupled to the other side of the rod and configured to operate in response to a motion of the lever, and a locking element coupled to the opening door and the armrest body and configured to be unlocked from at least one of the opening door and the armrest body when coming into contact with the trigger.
US09920778B2 Valve for the temperature-dependent control of at least one hydraulic load
A valve (10) for the temperature-dependent control of at least one hydraulic load includes a valve housing (12) with a tank connection (T), a working connection (A), and a supply connection (P). A control piston (30) controls the connections (A, P, T), is moveable in the valve housing (12) and is preloaded by a working spring (74). A thermal element (62) can be supplied with a fluid at a specifiable temperature (TFIuid) and is actively coupled to the control piston (30). The control piston can be moved by control pressure present at the supply connection (P). The thermal element (62) interacts with the working spring (74) such that the thermal element causes a temperature-dependent change of the preload force acting on the control piston (30).
US09920773B2 Threaded connection having different upper and lower threads for submersible well pump modules
An electrical submersible pump assembly has pump, motor and pressure equalizer modules. A first adapter, which secures to the first module, has an external set of first adapter threads. A second adapter, which secures to the second module, has an external set of second adapter threads. A collar has an internal set of collar first threads that engage the first adapter threads, and an internal set of collar second threads that engage the second adapter threads. The collar first and second threads differ from each other, such that rotation of the collar relative to the first and second modules pulls the first and second modules toward each other. The pitches of the collar first and second threads may differ. Or, the collar first and second threads may turn in opposite directions.
US09920771B2 Integrated crossflow blower motor apparatus and system
Some embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for a crossflow blower motor. An apparatus may comprise one or more motors operative to control a crossflow blower. The one or more motors may comprise one or more stator assemblies having a stator coil and a bent stator. The one or more motors may be configured to control a crossflow blower arranged to generate a flow of air in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the crossflow blower. Other embodiments are described.
US09920766B2 Sump pump remote monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods for sump pump remote monitoring can include control circuitry integrated into a portable housing, with a backup sump pump connected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can be powered by a line power and when the line power is not available, the control circuitry can be powered by a battery power. The control circuitry can be connected to a control panel, and the control circuitry can include a pressure transducer, the pressure transducer to measure a pressure in a fluid level sensor, and based on the measured pressure, the control circuitry to adjust the speed of the backup sump pump. A wireless controller can be connected to the control circuitry, the wireless controller for wirelessly receiving monitoring instructions and wirelessly transmitting backup sump pump status data, with the control circuitry providing an indication of the backup sump pump status data to the control panel.
US09920760B2 Scroll compressor
A scroll compressor is provided. An interference prevention portion may be formed on a side wall surface of at least one of a fixed wrap or an orbiting wrap. With such a configuration, an end of the fixed wrap may not interfere with the orbiting wrap at an arc compression surface of the orbiting wrap, but rather, be inserted into the interference prevention portion. Accordingly, occurrence of a gap between the fixed wrap and the orbiting wrap may be prevented, and thus, compression efficiency enhanced.
US09920759B2 Scroll compressor with back pressure device
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a casing; a discharge cover fixed to an inner space of the casing, that divides the inner space of the case into a suction space and a discharge space; a main frame in the casing, and spaced from the discharge cover; an orbital scroll that performs an orbital motion on the main frame; a non-orbital scroll coupled to the main frame so as to be movable up and down with respect to the orbital scroll, that forms a suction chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber, and a discharge chamber together with the orbital scroll; and a back pressure plate provided between the discharge cover and the non-orbital scroll, that forms a back pressure chamber that communicates with the intermediate pressure chamber. With such a configuration, a bypass valve may be easily installed, and application of an overload minimized.
US09920757B2 Variable displacement lubricant pump
A variable displacement lubricant pump for providing a pressurized lubricant for an internal combustion engine includes a shiftable control ring, a hydraulic control chamber which directly actuates the control ring, a pump rotor comprising a plurality of slidable vanes which rotate in the control ring, a control chamber wall, a temperature control opening arranged in the control chamber wall, and a temperature control valve which connects or disconnects the temperature control opening to an atmospheric pressure. The temperature control valve comprises a valve plunger which is axially shiftable so as to block or leave open a lubricant passage, and a first bimetal actuator sheet which directly actuates the valve plunger. The first bimetal actuator sheet comprises a first switching temperature. The valve plunger is in an open position if a lubricant temperature exceeds the first switching temperature.
US09920755B2 Pump integrated with two independently driven prime movers
A pump having at least two fluid drivers and a method of delivering fluid from an inlet of the pump to an outlet of the pump using the at least two fluid drivers. Each of the fluid drives includes a prime mover and a fluid displacement member. The prime mover drives the fluid displacement member to transfer fluid. The fluid drivers are independently operated. However, the fluid drivers are operated such that contact between the fluid drivers is synchronized. That is, operation of the fluid drivers is synchronized such that the fluid displacement member in each fluid driver makes contact with another fluid displacement member. The contact can include at least one contact point, contact line, or contact area.
US09920752B2 Fluid pump
A fluid pump includes a pump body having a fluid path with an inlet and an outlet. The fluid pump also includes a diaphragm disposed along the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, a non-return valve to control direction of flow along the fluid path, and a diaphragm actuating unit. The diaphragm actuating unit includes an unbalanced motor. Further, a steam generator may include the fluid pump.
US09920751B2 Hydraulic axial piston machine
A hydraulic axial piston machine includes a drive shaft, a swashplate pivotable about a pivot axis to change inclination relative to a drive shaft axis, and an actuating piston approximately parallel to the drive shaft axis. The actuating piston has a first end which engages and adjusts the swashplate and a second end which bounds an actuating chamber. Fluid flows to the actuating chamber to pivot the swashplate one direction and is forced out of the actuating chamber when the swashplate pivots the other direction. A return element on the actuating piston incorporates a position of the actuating piston and thus the inclination of the swashplate into a control valve. The return element is positioned such that its longitudinal axis and an actuating piston longitudinal axis span a plane that differs from a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.
US09920746B2 Method for controlling an electric generator
The invention relates to a method for controlling a generator of electric energy that is connected to an electrical supply grid on a grid connection point, comprising the following steps: feeding electrical power into the electrical supply grid, whereby the generator is operated in a first operating point, interrupting the feeding so that no power is fed into the supply grid if a fault in the electrical supply grid or a fault of the feeding into the electrical supply grid exists or is displayed, resuming the feeding so that electrical power is again fed into the supply grid, whereby the generator resumes the feeding in a second operating point or is gradually increased in said second operating point, and the second operating point is designed in such a way that it feeds into the supply grid with a higher stability reserve than the first operating point.
US09920744B2 System and method for detecting rotor asymmetry
The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for detecting rotor asymmetry of a wind turbine. The method includes measuring wind condition at a location downwind of the rotor for a plurality of rotor positions. Another step includes storing the measured wind condition(s) in predetermined wind bins. The method also includes analyzing the stored wind conditions for each of the predetermined wind bins. If a particular wind bin reaches a certain threshold of captured data points, then the method includes determining a variance between each of the stored wind conditions for the predetermined wind bins that have reached the threshold, wherein a variance between any one of the measured wind conditions greater than a predetermined amount is indicative of rotor asymmetry.
US09920742B2 Dynamic cut-in wind speed for wind turbines
The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for operating a wind turbine. More specifically, the system and method determines a dynamic cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on one or more environmental conditions. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a predetermined cut-in wind speed for the wind turbine based on at least one estimated environmental condition for a wind turbine site; determining one or more actual environmental conditions near the wind turbine for a predetermined time period at the wind turbine site; determining a variance between the at least one estimated environmental condition and the one or more actual environmental conditions; calculating a dynamic cut-in wind speed based on the variance; and, operating the wind turbine based on the dynamic cut-in wind speed so as to increase wind turbine operational efficiency.
US09920741B2 Wind turbine blade having a geometric sweep
A swept wind turbine blade (20) includes a blade body (24) extending along a length between a root (26) and a tip (28) of the blade (20). A pitch axis (36) extends through the root (26) of the blade (20). A reference line (48) defines a deviation from the pitch axis (36) and corresponds to a swept shape of the blade (20) along its length. The reference line (48) has a zero sweep at the root (26), a zero slope at the root (26), and a positive curvature (66) along a segment within 25% of the length from the root (26) to the tip (28) of the blade (20).
US09920738B2 Method and device for introducing microwave energy into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine
A method for introducing microwave energy into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine in which the microwaves reach a combustion chamber through a microwave window, wherein the microwaves are run about a circumference of the combustion chamber and radially coupled into the combustion chamber after passing through the microwave window. Accordingly a device for introducing microwave energy into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder with a cylinder head and a combustion chamber in the cylinder includes at least one circumferential annular hollow conductor cavity extending about the combustion chamber and including at least one feed for the microwave and at least one outlet opening for the microwave arranged between the annular hollow conductor cavity and the combustion chamber. An internal combustion engine includes the features of the device.
US09920732B2 Engine starting device and engine automatic stop and restart control device
An engine starting device is provided with a battery, a starter motor, an inrush current limit circuit and a control unit. The inrush current limit circuit has a resistor and a bypass relay connected in parallel. The inrush current limit circuit is interposed between the battery and the starter motor. The bypass relay has a normally open contact that is configured to be closed at a time of engine startup. The control unit is programmed to include a fault identification unit that identifies a location of fault occurrence in the inrush current limit circuit based on a minimum voltage of the battery existing while the starter motor is determined to be in operation and an amount of decrease in voltage of the battery existing while the normally open contact is determined to be actuated in a closing direction.
US09920731B2 Method and apparatus for restart when SSC is released
A method for restart when Start-Stop Coasting (SSC) is released may include: determining whether a traveling vehicle satisfies a condition for releasing SSC after entry into SSC (S100); determining whether emergency startup of the vehicle is required (S200) when the traveling vehicle satisfies the condition for releasing SSC after entry into SSC; and performing a first startup process (S300) in which a clutch (420) is engaged along with an operation of a starter motor (430) when the emergency startup of the vehicle is required.
US09920730B2 Method of starting an internal combustion engine
In a method of starting an internal combustion engine having a plurality of piston-cylinder units wherein there are dead volumes upstream of the piston-cylinder units, wherein upon an attempt at starting the internal combustion engine, the pistons are driven in the cylinders by an auxiliary motor. The maximum permissible duration of a starting attempt is restricted by a predetermined starting time (ts) of the internal combustion engine. The starting time (ts) is calculated and predetermined prior to or at the beginning of a starting attempt of the internal combustion engine depending on a state of the internal combustion engine and/or the auxiliary motor.
US09920721B2 Distribution module for distributing an inlet mixture
The invention relates to a distribution module (11) for distributing an inlet mixture to at least two cylinders of a heat engine, this inlet mixture selectively comprising:—cooled inlet air, or—non-cooled inlet air, or—recirculation gas, or—a combination of at least two of the above elements, the module (11) comprising:—a first inlet (21) for conveying cooled inlet air into the module (11),—a second inlet (22) for conveying non-cooled inlet air into the module (11),—a third inlet (23) for conveying recirculation gas into the module (11), the module being arranged to distribute the inlet mixture substantially equally between said at least two cylinders.
US09920716B2 Method and system for predictive emission maintenance of an engine
Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.
US09920711B2 Natural gas fuel system for an internal combustion engine
A natural gas fueling system supplies methane gas to an engine and includes a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a gas inlet configured to receive inlet gas and a methane permeable filter configured to separate methane gas and first contaminant gases from the inlet gas. The natural gas fueling system also includes a reformer apparatus configured to convert the first contaminant gases into a reformed gas stream including methane gas. The reformed gas is supplied to the gas inlet and is recirculated through the filter assembly to extract the methane gas from the reformed gas stream.
US09920710B2 Multi-nozzle flow diverter for jet engine
An exhaust system for a variable cycle aircraft engine. The exhaust system comprises a core exhaust for bypass air and hot gases of combustion. The core exhaust includes a convergent-divergent nozzle. The convergent-divergent nozzle is formed from a plurality of flaps and seals. The exhaust system comprises a third air duct for a third stream of air. The third stream of air is selectively exhausted from the third duct through a secondary nozzle or divergent slots in the convergent-divergent nozzle, or both depending upon the flight mode. A diverter valve is positioned in the third stream duct to selectively control the flow of third stream air through the secondary nozzle, the divergent slots and combinations thereof.
US09920709B2 Dielectric elastomer device to fill steps or gaps in a thrust reverser
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a thrust reverser of an aircraft, comprising: a wall having a first surface that partially forms a flow channel associated with an air flow, a blocker door having a second surface that partially forms the flow channel, and a dielectric elastomeric device that is configured to selectively expand and contract within a cavity formed between the wall and the blocker door where the cavity is substantially radially adjacent to the flow channel when the thrust reverser is in a stowed state.
US09920703B2 Fuel injection control system of internal combustion engine
At least after off of an injection pulse of partial lift injection, a first filtered voltage Vsm1 being a negative terminal voltage Vm of a fuel injection valve filtered by a first low-pass filter having a first frequency f1 as a cutoff frequency, the first frequency f1 being lower than a frequency of a noise component, is acquired, and a second filtered voltage Vsm2 being the negative terminal voltage Vm filtered by a second low-pass filter having a second frequency f2 as a cutoff frequency, the second frequency f2 being lower than the first frequency f1, is acquired. Time from a predetermined reference timing to a timing when a difference Vdiff (=Vsm1−Vsm2) between the filtered voltages has an inflection point is calculated as voltage inflection time Tdiff, and the injection pulse of the partial lift injection is corrected based on the voltage inflection time Tdiff.
US09920700B2 Method for operation of an internal combustion engine
A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders includes: measuring, by exhaust gas sensors arranged at an exhaust gas of every cylinder for which cylinder-specific combustion control is carried out, for each respective cylinder, at least one actual combustion value; comparing each respective measured actual combustion value with a reference combustion value to determine at least one cylinder-specific control deviation for every cylinder for which cylinder-specific combustion control is carried out; determining at least one cylinder-specific control variable for every cylinder for which cylinder-specific combustion control is carried out based on the cylinder-specific control deviation or on every cylinder-specific control deviation; and operating each cylinder for which cylinder-specific combustion control is carried out based on the respective cylinder-specific control variable to bring the respective actual combustion value closer to the respective reference combustion value and minimize the respective control deviation.
US09920699B1 Methods and system for exhaust gas recirculation estimation via an exhaust oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for estimating an amount of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust passage into an intake passage of an engine system by operating an exhaust oxygen sensor in a variable voltage (VVs) mode. In one example, a method includes during operation of an exhaust oxygen sensor in the VVs mode where a reference voltage of the exhaust oxygen sensor is adjusted from a lower, first voltage to a higher, second voltage, adjusting engine operation based on the EGR amount estimated based on an output of the exhaust oxygen sensor and a learned correction factor based on the second voltage. In this way, the exhaust oxygen sensor may be used to correct for variations arising due to changing fuel composition and ambient humidity and further used to estimate the amount of EGR being recirculated in the system, thereby enhancing engine fueling and EGR control.
US09920696B2 Method for operating a gas turbine and gas turbine unit useful for carrying out the method
A method for operating a gas turbine (11) having a compressor (12), a turbine (14) and a combustor (13) with a pilot burner group (15a), a rich premix burner group (15b) and a lean premix burner group (15c), under changing composition of the incoming fuel gas (16), includes the steps of: continuously measuring, in real time, the composition of the fuel gas (16); and controlling the operation of the gas turbine (11) and the combustion of the burners (15a-c) by using the real time fuel gas composition measurements.
US09920695B2 Thrust recovery in airplanes
Several embodiments include a system and method for providing thrust recovery in an aircraft engine. The system and method enables a wider range of safe operation for aircraft where the aircraft engine is rapidly reactivated from a substantially deactivated state. The method thereby reduces noise output and fuel usage during descent and shortens runway lengths and occupancy time required for landing. Thrust recovery is provided via the use of stored bleed air being re-injected back into the aircraft engine. An onboard air storage tank and a system of valves facilitating this method are disclosed.
US09920693B2 Hollow-wall heat shield for fuel injector component
A fuel injector component includes a body, an elongate void and a plurality of bores. The body has a first surface and a second surface. The elongate void is enclosed by the body and is integrally formed between portions of the body defining the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of bores extends into the second surface to intersect the elongate void. A process for making a fuel injector component includes building an injector component body having a void and a plurality of ports connected to the void using an additive manufacturing process that utilizes a powdered building material, and removing residual powdered building material from void through the plurality of ports.
US09920685B2 Mesh anchored combustion internal combustion engine
An engine with mesh anchored combustion with a pressure regulating auxiliary chamber for providing controlled internal combustion at essentially a constant pressure. The engine comprises a main cylinder and piston with an auxiliary chamber and piston integral therewith. The auxiliary chamber is adjacent to the main cylinder head, connected thereto through a relatively narrow throat. A mesh is positioned in the throat at the boundary of the main cylinder and the auxiliary chamber. Accordingly, when the main piston compresses a charge in the main cylinder during its compression stroke, the charge is pushed through the mesh into the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber piston pushes the charge in the reverse direction back through the mesh into the main cylinder. As the charge passes through the mesh back into the main chamber, its combustion forces the main piston back down toward bottom dead center.
US09920680B1 Cooling system with debris outlet for a marine engine
A cooling system for a marine engine has a cooling jacket disposed in thermal communication with a heat-emitting portion of the marine engine. The cooling jacket has a water inlet, and a water outlet on an upper portion of the cooling jacket. A pump is connected in fluid communication with the water inlet and/or the water outlet that causes water to flow through the cooling jacket in order to cool the heat-emitting portion, wherein a flow velocity of water in the cooling jacket is low such that debris sinks to a lower portion of the cooling jacket. A debris outlet is in the lower portion of the cooling jacket that expels the debris from the cooling jacket.
US09920679B2 Method and system for reducing particulate emissions
Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.
US09920678B2 Heat recovery device
The present invention relates to a heat recovery device particularly suitable for internal combustion engines, and more particularly suitable for engines incorporating a WHRS (waste heat recovery system). The device of the invention relates to the occasional recovery of heat from the exhaust gases where the invention carries out this function such that the main conduit where the exhaust gases circulate is not affected by a noticeable increase in heat loss due to the incorporation of said device. It provides a heat exchanger (3.6) and a bypass flap valve (3.8) upstream for selectively diverting the exhaust gases to the main exhaust conduit (1) or to the heat exchanger (3.6).
US09920674B2 Variable spray angle injector arrangement
An injector, comprising, an injector body comprising, an inner wall that defines an injector cavity for fluid, at least one inlet channel into the injector cavity, and at least one outlet channel from the injector cavity, a plunger that defines at least one passageway between the injector cavity and the at least one outlet channel, the plunger being movable longitudinally in the injector cavity between at least: a first open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a first position, and a second open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a second position different from the first position.
US09920673B2 Tempered SCR-line and tempered SCR-line bundles
The invention relates to an SCR line for treatment of exhaust from an internal combustion engine and including a first hose to carry a reducing agent, a second hose to carry a tempering agent and a pipe enclosing the two hoses. The two hoses are arranged in the pipe so as to run side by side in parallel. Each of the same-side ends of the first hose and of the pipe are connected to a reducing agent coupling housing. The ends of the second hose are each connected to a tempering agent coupling part separate from the reducing agent coupling housing. At least one of the reducing agent coupling housings has a through-opening at the outer perimeter. The second hose runs from the interior of the pipe through the through-opening to the outside. Furthermore, the invention relates to an SCR line bundle with an SCR line.
US09920672B2 Method for heating a delivery device
A method for heating a device for delivering a liquid additive, the device having at least one pump having at least one pump chamber and at least one movable pump chamber wall, the movable pump chamber wall being displaceable for the delivery of the liquid additive, includes: a) generating a vibration movement by at least one actuator; b) transmitting the vibration movement to the movable pump chamber wall; and c) converting the vibration movement into heat in the movable pump chamber wall.
US09920666B2 Vane oil pump
A vane fluid pump for a vehicle component is provided with an inner rotor supported within a cam. The inner rotor has an outer wall extending between first and second end faces, the outer wall defining a series of slots spaced apart about the outer wall to provide a series of outer wall sections. One of the wall sections defines a groove. Another of the wall sections is independent of grooves or is ungrooved. The pump has vanes positioned within respective slots of the inner rotor and extending outwardly to contact the continuous inner wall of the cam. The groove on the inner rotor is configured fluidly couple with a notch on the housing to provide fluid flow to the discharge port from an upstream pumping chamber to disrupt harmonics during operation to reduce pressure ripples and associated tonal noise.
US09920665B2 Continuous variable valve duration apparatus and control method using the same
A control method using a continuous variable duration apparatus provided to adjust opening duration of an intake valve of an engine may include: setting a desired deceleration speed when a vehicle starts decelerating, determining a pumping loss by the engine that is required for the desired deceleration speed, setting desired duration for the required pumping loss by the engine, and controlling duration of the intake valve on the basis of the set desired duration.
US09920662B2 Cam cap
A cam cap is placed on a journal of a camshaft attached to a sprocket to constitute a bearing supporting the journal. The cam cap includes an accommodating groove in which a thrust plate provided on the journal is accommodated, an oil passage having an opening at a position facing a camshaft oil groove of the journal, the oil passage communicating with the accommodating groove, and an oil reservoir provided in a first sidewall of the accommodating groove. The cam cap is placed on the journal such that the accommodating groove is located at a position closer to the sprocket than is the opening of the oil passage. When the thrust plate is accommodated in the accommodating groove, the oil passage and the oil reservoir communicate with each other at a position outward of an outer peripheral edge of the thrust plate in a radial direction of the thrust plate.
US09920656B2 Coating for isolating metallic components from composite components
A barrier coating for isolating a metallic support component from a composite component in a gas turbine engine is provided. The barrier coating may be applied to the metallic support component so that when the ceramic component is mounted on the metallic support component the barrier coating is engaged.
US09920649B2 Valve sequencing system and method for controlling turbomachine acoustic signature
A system and method for controlling the acoustic signature of a turbomachine having a plurality of valves wherein an operating load is identified and an arc of admission across a plurality of nozzles is associated therewith. A valve sequencing scheme is selected and implemented to activate the arc of admission for a particular operating load so as to minimize valve noise by adjusting valves simultaneously rather than consecutively.
US09920648B2 Concentric three chamber heat exchanger
System, method and apparatus providing power generation and demand management using a thermal hydraulic generator. Also a more efficient (full time cycle) and stable thermal hydraulic generators and heat exchangers are disclosed.
US09920646B2 Turbine abradable layer with compound angle, asymmetric surface area ridge and groove pattern
Turbine and compressor casing/housing abradable component embodiments for turbine engines, have abradable surfaces with asymmetric forward and aft ridge surface area density. The forward ridges have greater surface area density than the aft ridges to compensate for greater ridge erosion in the forward zone during engine operation and reduce blade tip wear in the aft zone. Some abradable component embodiments increase forward zone ridge surface area density by incorporating wider ridges than those in the aft zone.
US09920642B2 Compressor airfoil
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods of a vane design utilizing welding techniques. The present invention concerns a method for preventing cracking within a vane assembly utilizing full penetration welding. Additional embodiments concern a vane design that, when assembled with another vane, comprises an axial slot that prevents cracking within a vane assembly.
US09920641B2 Gas turbine engine mid-turbine frame configuration
A gas turbine engine includes a core flow path that extends axially about an engine axis. A turbine section is arranged in the core flow path. A mid-turbine frame includes multiple circumferentially spaced vanes that extend radially between and interconnect inner and outer flow path surfaces that define a portion of the core flow path. The vanes and inner and outer flow path surfaces are provided by a unitary, one-piece cast structure. The inner flow path surface provides inlet and exit inner diameters relative to the engine axis. The outer flow path surface provides inlet and exit outer diameters relative to the engine axis. The inner flow path surface extends an axial length from the inlet inner diameter to the exit inner diameter. A ratio of the exit outer diameter to the axial length is greater than 3.0 to 1.
US09920639B2 Gas turbine combustion chamber having a flow sleeve with a plurality of integrated segments
A gas turbine combustion chamber is provided, including a flow sleeve structure with an improved anti-vibration performance. A gas turbine combustion chamber of the present invention includes a liner, a transition piece, and a flow sleeve including a plurality of segments and integrated by welding a tie piece along joint portions of the segments. The tie piece includes a first member and a second member, the first member continuously extending along a longitudinal direction of the joint portions of the segments and being arranged to cover the joint portions, and the second member being formed at an end portion of the first member, having a width wider than the first member, and including a recess.
US09920636B2 Turbine blade or vane
The invention relates to a turbine blade, including a blade having a front edge and a rear edge, which blade transitions by means of a shaft into a blade root designed for fastening the turbine blade, and including a platform, which is arranged at the lower end of the blade in order to bound a flow channel. The platform is designed as a separate component and can be connected to the blade in a form-fit manner. Flexible application is achieved in that the platform is composed of several individual platform elements, which enclose the blade in the assembled state.
US09920622B2 Transmitting data across electrically insulating gaps in a drill string
A range of apparatus and methods for providing local and long range data telemetry within a wellbore is described. These apparatus and methods may be combined in a wide variety of ways. In some embodiments data is transmitted across a gap in a drill string using signals of a higher frequency for which an electrical impedance of the gap or of a filter connected across the gap is low. Low-frequency EM telemetry signals may be applied across the gap. The gap and any filter connected across the gap present a high impedance to the low-frequency EM telemetry signals. The described technology may be applied for transferring sensor readings between downhole electrical packages. In some embodiments sensors are electrically connected across electrically insulating gaps in the drill string.
US09920620B2 Well tools having magnetic shielding for magnetic sensor
A well tool can include a magnetic sensor having opposite sides, and a magnetic shield that conducts an undesired magnetic field from one side to the other side of the sensor. Another well tool can include a magnetic sensor in a housing, the sensor having opposite longitudinal sides relative to a housing longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between the housing and each of the opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensor. Another well tool can include at least two magnetic sensors, one magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented orthogonal to the housing longitudinal axis, and another magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between a housing and each of opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensors.
US09920619B2 System and method for determining drilling parameters based on hydraulic pressure associated with a directional drilling system
A system and method for determining drilling parameters based on hydraulic pressure associated with a directional drilling system are disclosed. A drilling parameter associated with a directional drilling system may be determined by measuring hydraulic pressure associated with the directional drilling system during drilling of a wellbore, detecting a change in the hydraulic pressure, and determining a drilling parameter based on the detected change in hydraulic pressure.
US09920611B2 Inverted shroud for submersible well pump
A well pump assembly includes rotary pump and a submersible motor. A shroud surrounds the pump intake and the motor. The shroud has an open upper end in fluid communication with the pump intake. A tubular member of smaller diameter is secured to and extends downward from a lower end of the shroud. The tubular member may have an open lower end for drawing well fluid along a lower flow path up the tubular member to the pump intake. An upper flow path at the upper end of the shroud may have a minimum flow area that is smaller than a minimum flow area of the lower flow path. The tubular member has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the shroud. The tubular member may have a closed lower end to define a debris collection chamber with a drain valve.
US09920610B2 Method of using diverter and proppant mixture
The flow of well treatment fluids may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability zone within a fracture network within a subterranean formation by use of a mixture comprising a dissolvable diverter and a proppant. At least a portion of the high permeability zone is propped open with the proppant of the mixture and at least a portion of the high permeability zone is blocked with the diverter. A fluid is then pumped into the subterranean formation and into a lower permeability zone of the formation farther from the wellbore. The diverter in the high permeability zones may then be dissolved at in-situ reservoir conditions and hydrocarbons produced from the high permeability propped zones of the fracture network. The mixture has particular applicability in the enhancement of production or hydrocarbons from high permeability zones in a fracture network located near the wellbore.
US09920608B2 Method of improving hydraulic fracturing by decreasing formation temperature
A method for producing fractures in a formation to release hydrocarbons (such as a hydrocarbon gas or liquid) from the formation is disclosed. The method comprises reducing the in-situ temperature at a location in a formation having a first temperature by contacting the location with a first fluid and contacting the location with a fracturing fluid to produce fractures in the formation while the location is at a second temperature below the first temperature to release hydrocarbons from the formation. The method can include using an endothermic process to reduce the temperature at the location in the formation.
US09920605B2 Frac and storage tank exchanger
An exchanger for a tank is described herein. The exchanger may be relied upon in a trailer tank, for example, or any other type of tank that stores fluid. The exchanger includes an inlet, a central fluid conduit, one or more exchanger extension arms having fluid apertures that direct fluid into a tank at various locations, and one or more supports that support the central fluid conduit and the exchanger extension arms. The fluid apertures may be positioned relatively evenly across the exchanger extension arms and/or the central conduit to direct fluid up or at various directions into the tank. Thus, fluid pumped into the inlet of the exchanger may flow through the central conduit, into the exchanger extension arms, and out through the fluid apertures at various locations into the tank. As such, heated fluid, for example, may be more evenly and quickly distributed into the tank.
US09920604B2 Wellbore fluids comprising mineral particles and methods relating thereto
Mineral particles may provide for wellbore fluids with tailorable properties and capabilities, and methods relating thereto. Mineral particles may be utilized in methods that include introducing a wellbore fluid having a density of about 7 ppg to about 50 ppg into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellbore fluid comprising a base fluid and a plurality of mineral particles, and the wellbore fluid having a first viscosity; contacting at least some of the mineral particles with a linking agent so as to link the at least some of the mineral particles, thereby increasing the first viscosity to a second viscosity.
US09920598B2 Cabling system corrugated centertube umbilical
An umbilical (2) has a center tube (4) that is a steel tube, and that the cross section of the center tube (4) at the extremity of the umbilical (2) is made corrugated on a length that extends substantially from the extremity to a distance from the extremity so that fatigue strain on non corrugated parts of the steel tube is avoided when the extremity of the umbilical (2) is inserted into a bend stiffener (1).
US09920596B2 Coal bed methane recovery
In-situ heating of coal facilitates desorption and diffusion of the methane for production of the methane through a wellbore. Water within fractures of the coal forms an electrical conduit through which current is passed. The heating relies at least in part on resistivity of the water, which thereby preheats the coal for the recovering of the methane.
US09920592B2 Well tool with indexing device
A well tool can include an operator device with an operator profile and at least two routes, and an indexing device with a cam and a cam follower including a structure. The structure engages the routes in succession in response to relative displacement between the operator profile and cam. A method can include causing relative displacement between an operator device and an indexing device in one direction, thereby causing a structure to disengage from one route of the operator device and displace an initial distance between two routes in response to engagement between the cam follower and a cam, and causing relative displacement between the operator and indexing devices in an opposite direction, thereby causing the structure to displace a remaining distance between the routes in response to engagement between the cam follower and an operator profile of the operator device, and to displace along the second route.
US09920591B2 Toe circulation sub
A toe circulation sub for a wellbore liner, the toe circulation sub comprising: a body including a connection for connecting the body to a wellbore liner to define an inner facing portion open to an inner diameter of the liner and an outer facing portion open to an outer surface of the liner; a bore through the body from the inner facing portion to the outer facing portion; and, a ball seat in the bore formed to stop and seal with a ball to plug flow through the bore to close the toe circulation sub. The toe circulation sub is useful for methods and may be installed in a wellbore liner.
US09920590B2 Tubing hanger annulus access perforated stem design
A wellhead assembly including a tubing hanger adapted to be connected to a tubing string and landed in a wellhead, and defining a tubing annulus between the tubing string and casing in a well. The wellhead assembly also includes a tubing annulus upper access bore extending downward from an upper end of the tubing hanger, and a tubing annulus lower access bore extending upward from a lower end of the tubing hanger and misaligned with the upper access bore, the lower access bore adapted to communicated with the tubing annulus. A communication cavity connects the upper and lower access bores within the tubing hanger. A remotely actuated valve is in the communication cavity for selectively opening and closing communication between the lower access bore and the upper access bore.
US09920587B2 Testable isolation packer
Certain aspects are directed to a testable isolation packer that sets and provides the ability to test upper and lower packer elements. In one aspect, the testable isolation packer includes at least two packer elements, a packer element setting system, a bypass system, and a testing subassembly. The testing subassembly generally includes a moveable element with an outer port and a sealing element, an inner mandrel with an inner port, and a shear mechanism to cause travel of the moveable element close the bypass system and to open the testing subassembly.
US09920585B2 Syntactic foam frac ball and methods of using same
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a flowable component comprising syntactic foam, communicating the flowable component into a wellbore, and allowing the flowable component to be removed from the wellbore.
US09920580B2 Offshore drilling vessel
A monohull offshore drilling vessel includes a hull having a moonpool; a multiple firing line hoist system mounted on the hull at the moonpool and including a mast having a top side and a base connected to the hull, wherein the mast has a hollow construction with a first side and an opposed second side; a first hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a first firing line extending on the outside of and adjacent to the first side of the mast; a second hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a second firing line, which on the outside of and adjacent to the second side of the mast; wherein the first and second hoisting devices each include cable(s) and associated winch(es), the winches disposed in the hollow construction of the mast, to manipulate the position of each of the load attachment devices relative to the mast.
US09920577B2 Polycrystalline compacts including nanoparticulate inclusions and methods of forming such compacts
Polycrystalline compacts include non-catalytic nanoparticles in interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include sintering hard particles and non-catalytic nanoparticles to form a polycrystalline material. Methods of forming cutting elements include infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of non-catalytic nanoparticles.
US09920576B2 Cutting elements for earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements, and related methods
A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a substrate and a volume of superabrasive material disposed on a substrate. The volume of superabrasive material has an exposed outer surface with a non-planar geometry. The cutting element is configured to be located and oriented on an earth-boring tool so as to remove subterranean earth formation material by compressing and fracturing or plastically deforming the formation material with at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the volume of superabrasive material during use of the earth-boring tool in an earth-boring operation. The exposed outer surface of the volume of superabrasive material includes a first area having a first average surface finish roughness and a second area having a second average surface finish roughness greater than the first average surface finish roughness. Earth-boring tools carrying such cutting elements and methods of forming such earth-boring tools are also disclosed.
US09920573B1 Subterranean well drilling method
A drill string coupling and uncoupling method includes forming a well bore by conducting a drilling operation using a drill string having a first drill string segment and a second drill string segment detachably coupled to the first drill string segment; immobilizing the second drill string segment in the well bore; uncoupling the first drill string segment from the second drill string segment; at least partially retracting the first drill string segment in the well bore away from the second drill string segment; reinserting the first drill string segment in the well bore to the second drill string segment; and re-coupling the first drill string segment to the second drill string segment.
US09920572B2 Stepladders and related methods
Stepladders and related methods of using and manufacturing stepladders are provided. In one embodiment, a stepladder is provided that comprises a top cap, a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a pair of spaced apart rails pivotally coupled with the top cap. The second assembly includes at least one rail pivotally coupled with the top cap. The first assembly and second assembly are configured to be displaced relative one another such that the stepladder is selectively positionable between a first, deployed state and a second, collapsed state. The first assembly, the second assembly and the top cap are cooperatively configured such that the at least one rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested within an envelope defined by the pair of spaced apart rails of the first assembly with the step ladder is in a collapsed state.
US09920554B2 Door latch assembly
A vehicle door latch assembly for maintaining the vehicle door in a closed position including during an angled impact to the door latch of the vehicle. The latch assembly includes a catch, a pawl, and an actuator coupled to a door latch base. The catch is movable to and from a closed position wherein the catch is configured to grasp a portion of a striker coupled to the vehicle to maintain the door closed. The catch is also movable to and from an open position wherein the catch is configured to release the striker to allow the door to open. The pawl is configured to maintain the catch in the closed position until the door handle is actuated. The latch assembly includes a blocking plate including an extension member which is deformable during an impact to align with one of or both a pawl lifter and the pawl member to prevent their rotation and thereby maintain the latch assembly and the vehicle door in a latched position during such an impact.
US09920553B2 Point-of-care hand hygiene dispenser having security features
Various embodiments of a point-of-care hygiene dispenser and an electronic hand hygiene event monitoring system are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispenser and a corresponding electronic monitoring system, wherein the point-of-care dispenser is movable between predetermined zones of interest. Another embodiment is directed to a secure point-of-care dispenser having corresponding dispenser cover and main body interlocks. A still further embodiment is directed to point-of-care dispensing system comprising a point-of-care dispenser having a dispenser cover and a main body, a locking mechanism configured to secure the dispenser covers with the main body in a closed condition, and a docking unit configured for mounting with the point-of-care dispenser.
US09920552B2 Locking device with configurable electrical connector key and internal circuit board for electronic door locks
Locks, systems and methods of monitoring a lock, the lock having a hub with a slot rotatable by a handle to open and close a latchbolt. A locking member is moveable into and out of engagement with the hub slot to prevent and permit movement of the hub and latchbolt. A sensor on the lock, adjacent the hub and locking member, monitors a moving lock component. The sensor may sense the position of the locking member in or out of engagement with the hub slot. The sensor may be a reed switch actuated by a magnet on the moving lock component. The lock may further include a magnet mounted on the hub and the sensor may comprise a reed switch capable of being actuated by the magnet on the hub. The lock and system may include an external control unit having an alarm for controlling operation of the lock.
US09920551B2 Electromechanical cylinder lock
An electromechanical cylinder lock includes an outer lock shell and a rotatable lock barrel located therein which is controlled by dual locking features. A side bar or fence selectively blocks and permits rotation of the barrel with respect to the shell in response to insertion of a key into a keyway in the barrel. A slider bar is movable between a blocking position in which the side bar is prevented from permitting rotation of the barrel, and an unblocking position in which the side bar permits rotation of the barrel. Alternately, a blocking mechanism is provided to block motion of tumbler pins in the cylinder lock. A shape memory alloy actuator, such as a wire made of nitinol, disposed in the barrel is activated by an electric current in response to determination by an electronic control device whether an attempt to open the lock is authorized. Thermal interlock protection from external heating of the lock is also provided.
US09920550B2 Electronically monitored safety lockout devices, systems and methods
A system for monitoring a lockout condition of a component includes a lockout device, a lock unit, and a reader. The lockout device is moveable between a lockout condition blocking operation of the component and an access condition permitting operation of the component. The lock unit is configured to be secured to a lockout interface of the lockout device to secure the lockout device in the lockout condition. One of the lockout device and the lock unit includes a communication module configured to communicate a data signal including an identification code identifying the one of the lockout device and the lock unit. The reader is remote from the one of the lockout device and the lock unit, and is configured to receive the data signal at least when the lockout device is assembled with the component and the lock unit is secured to the lockout interface of the lockout device.
US09920546B2 Components of automatic pool cleaners
Components of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. The components may include brushes configured to attach to blades of scrubbers of the APCs. The flexible brushes may rotate as their associated blades rotate and have fingers which flex so as to adduce contact between a to-be-cleaned pool or spa surface and bristles protruding outward from sides of the fingers.
US09920542B1 Truss setting bracket and method for use
A truss setting bracket and a method relating to setting a truss using the truss setting bracket are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the truss setting bracket includes an elongated body member having a first cradle, a second cradle, an elongated catch guide, and a locking arm. In other embodiments, the truss setting bracket includes an elongated body member having a first cradle, a bracket, an elongated catch guide, and a locking arm. In yet other embodiments, the method of setting the truss may include sliding the truss setting bracket over a member of a first truss, lifting the first truss towards a second truss, and removably locking the truss setting bracket to a member of the second truss.
US09920540B2 Modular roof mounted staging bracket with safety rails
An apparatus for supporting workers and materials above-grade on both the eave and gable ends of a structure is disclosed. The apparatus can be combined with one or more additional staging apparatuses to create a staging system for the support of persons or materials while work is being done on a structure, e.g., roofing, siding, etc. The modular design of the apparatus simplifies installation, such that it can be readily attached to a roof or other support member of a structure by a single person, and facilitates the adjustable vertical positioning of people or materials along the walls of the structure. The staging system can also include a rail member for safety support and alternative scaffolding arrangements.
US09920539B1 Adjustable arch measuring tool and associated use thereof
An adjustable arch measuring tool measures an arcuate curvature of one of a window and a door and thereby assists a user to layout a radius of the arcuate curvature on an existing cutting surface. The adjustable arch measuring tool includes a first member having an arcuate slot defining an adjustable fulcrum axis formed at a proximal end thereof, a second member having an aperture formed at a proximal end thereof, and a fastener removably inserted through the aperture and selectively locked along a curvilinear longitudinal length of the arcuate slot. Advantageously, the second member is selectively pivoted about the adjustable fulcrum axis defined along the arcuate slot of the first member. With the use of reference points and guide pins, each half of the arch can be easily drawn directly on the working surface.
US09920538B2 Precast segment for wind turbine tower and method for building a wind turbine tower using said precast segment
Precast segment for wind turbine tower especially designed to be used in wind turbine towers installed in cold climates, and which comprises joint flanges showing a configuration intended to establish the boundaries for forming the joints between said precast segment and an adjacent precast segment and which comprises conduits provided with an inlet and an outlet, situated in the proximity of the joint flanges of the precast segment intended to house some heating cables that generate heat. The method comprises the use of the described precast segment and the stages of introducing heating cables in the conduits of the precast segment, applying current to said cables and removing the cables when a filler material used in the joint between precast segments has set.
US09920535B2 Device of helping a vehicle to negotiate an obstacle
A device (1) for helping a wheeled vehicle to negotiate an obstacle, characterized in that it comprises a stationary frame (10) and at least one deployable ramp (2), said ramp having a bottom end intended to come into contact with the ground (3) and an opposite top end mechanically connected to at least one ramp lifting lever that lifts the top end of said ramp over an end-of-extraction-travel portion, said lifting lever being in the form of a foot mounted so as to pivot on the ramp between an inactive flapped-down position and an end position in which said foot at least partially supports the weight of the top end of said ramp, said foot having a lifting function over a travel portion adjacent to the end position and being kept in contact with the ground.
US09920533B2 Drain
The present invention is to provide a system and a method for effectively preventing that gases/heat from an outlet are ascending from a gully and form ice, in addition to effectively drain liquids through a gully. The present invention is obtained by arranging a float so that said float and a portion of the gully define a closable opening for through flow, further arranged such that the float is preventing gases/heat from the outlet to ascend up from the gully and form ice and/or so that the float prevents that gas is drawn into the gully.
US09920532B1 Skylight framing system
A skylight assembly, having framing members that define an interior space and rafters that span the interior space between framing members, the framing members having an upper support surface for supporting panes of glass, each pane having at least one structural glass panel and a thermal panel. A structural thermal break connected to each framing member provides a lower support surface. The structural glass panels are fully supported by the upper support surface. The thermal panel is supported by the lower support surface, and is sealed to the upper support surface by a spacer, forming an insulating glass unit therewith. The full support of the structural glass, independent of the support of the thermal panel, allows the skylight to be thermally insulated and walkable.
US09920527B1 Building panel structure
A building panel structure and a process for manufacturing the structure are disclosed. The structure comprises a concrete layer disposed on the outside of a building, an insulating material comprising polyurethane in the center of the structure and a corrugated steel layer on the inside of the building. A steel plate overlays the top of the panel and a lip member attached to the plate and perpendicular to it covers a portion of the corrugated steel layer exposed surface. U-shaped loops are welded to the plate and embedded in the concrete to provide structural integrity and shear resistance to the structure. The process of manufacturing the building structure comprises positioning the plate, lip and loop assembly in a container, setting the concrete on the bottom of the container over the loops and forming the polyurethane layer between the concrete and corrugated steel layers by an in-situ chemical reaction.
US09920526B2 Coated structural members having improved resistance to cracking
Structural systems having coated structural members with enhanced durability are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Structural members including at least one coating material applied to a substrate that comprises at least one protrusion may exhibit increased strength and/or durability and may be less likely fail during use. For example, structural members as described herein exhibit an improved resistance to cracking when a force is applied to the protrusion. Structural systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be suitable for use in a variety of applications, including in ready-to-assemble furniture or cabinetry applications or as building and construction materials such as wall board, flooring, trim, and the like.
US09920524B2 Trim strip system for use with underhung ceiling panels
In combination, extruded aluminum trim strips joined end-to-end and a splice plate, the trim strips together, the trim strip cross-sections including a web and a pair of opposed angles, the angles and web forming a track for receiving a mid-section of the splice plate with a close sliding fit, the splice plate having lever tabs at opposite ends, notches at sides of the plate, the plate being disposed in the tracks of both lengths of trim strips, the lever tabs and associated edges of the lever tabs formed by the notches being outside of the tracks, the associated edge being arranged in a locking manner with outer surfaces of the angles as a result of the lever tabs being bent in place towards the web.
US09920522B2 Demountable barrier system
An exemplary demountable barrier system includes a panel, a frame structure having a channel to receive the panel, and a seal compressing against the panel to hold the panel. The seal is slideably attached to the frame structure.
US09920519B2 Column protector and column protection system
An apparatus for protection of an elongated structural support from impact, the apparatus includes an elongated impact protection component in the form of a unitary part having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of orthogonally-oriented projections spaced along a length of the elongated impact protection component. The projections of the elongated impact protection component include integrally formed connectors for interlocking connection to other same type impact protection components.
US09920518B2 Energy efficient refrigerated room with optionally associated geothermal earth loop system
A walk-in refrigeration room system effective for providing and defining an interior chilled air space includes an outer wall layer, a framing layer defining a series of spaces having a depth of at least 6″ inside the outer wall layer, an outer layer of insulation that has been sprayed into the framing layer spaces, a middle wall layer, an inner foamboard insulation layer, a vapor barrier layer, an optional inner wall layer, a door to permit walk-in access to the interior chilled air space, and one or more functional openings to permit electrical connections and/or chilled air to enter or exit the chilled air space. The inner wall layer forms an air-tight envelope when any doors or windows in the inner wall layer are closed. The outer insulation layer and the inner insulation layer overlap in a manner that does not contain any insulation gaps or thermal bridges.
US09920514B1 Valley truss tie
A valley truss tie for connecting a valley truss to an underlying support truss of a roof has a front plate and a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another. The valley truss tie also has a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the valley truss tie into the underlying support truss. The fastener guidance system has a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates.
US09920513B2 Relocatable habitat unit
A construction set and method for assembling a single level Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) requiring a plurality of flat panels that include male (M) and female (F) lock connectors located on their respective peripheries and a frame constructed from a plurality vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. The panels are a wall panel, a ceiling panel, or a floor panel. The entire RHU can be assembled using a single, hand-operated tool to engage a selected M lock with a selected F lock in addition to other securing hardware. First the floor is established and leveled. Next, starting at a corner, the walls are erected around the floor using vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. Finally, the roof is created. The hand-operated tool is used for each task.
US09920504B2 Self-locking connector pin for demountably securing consumable ground digging components to containers of earth moving equipment
A method and apparatus for installing and removing shrouds from the lips of an earth moving bucket. The lips have forwardly converging upper and lower surfaces which are engaged by correspondingly rearwardly diverging legs of the shrouds that overly and are in contact with the lip surfaces. A hole is provided in the lip and an oblong hole in one of the legs that is aligned with the hole and has axially extending, spaced-apart flat walls which define engagement ledges that face and overlap the bore. A connector for securing the shroud to the lip is placed in the bore and the hole and has shaped exterior surfaces for positioning between the walls so that the connector is axially movable along the walls and past the engagement ledges while relative rotations between the connector and the hole in the leg are prevented.
US09920500B2 Apparatus and method for mat installation
In one aspect, an apparatus for placement of a mat underwater is provided that includes a frame configured to be attached to a lifting mechanism and a connector mechanism disposed on the frame configured to couple to a first side of the mat and support the mat when coupled to and lifted by the first side. The apparatus also includes a release mechanism coupled to the connector mechanism and configured to release the mat from the connector mechanism upon receiving an input.
US09920493B2 Articulating fluid application device and method
A liquid spray device is described for applying a variety of liquids, such as paint, to a surface. In one embodiment, the liquid spray device comprises a frame, an axel mounted to the frame, two wheels, each attached to the axel at opposing ends of the axel, a spray gun mount coupled to the axel, and a spray gun mounted to the spray gun mount comprising a nozzle in substantially vertical alignment with the axel, for applying the liquid under pressure to a surface.
US09920490B2 Modular pavement system
A prefabricated paving slab includes specialized combinations of substantially vertical passages and cavities to enable “drop in” installation. The paving slab may include retractable coupling rods aligned using spacers having seating surfaces and alignment surfaces. Cavities of the paving slab, each configured for receiving a coupling rod, preferably are arranged in orientation(s) and pattern(s) selected for receiving and transferring the stresses of loads travelling in a pre-determined direction.
US09920487B2 Track maintenance apparatus and method
In an aspect, a track maintenance vehicle includes a body, a work head, and a controller. The work head performs track maintenance and is coupled to the body. The controller is configured to operate the vehicle in an autonomous mode. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor includes first and second jaws and an actuator. The jaws pivot about a single axis. The actuator causes the jaws to rotate about the axis. In another aspect, an anchor adjustor assembly includes a first pair of jaws, a second pair of jaws and an actuator. The first and second pairs of jaws open and close about a rail in a track. The actuator causes the closed first pair of jaws to translate towards the closed second pair of jaws along a longitudinal direction of the rail.
US09920480B2 Process of using a characteristic of a first papermaking fabric to form a second papermaking fabric
A process of forming a papermaking fabric. A value of at least one characteristic of a first papermaking fabric is determined. The at least one characteristic is related to one of (i) knuckles in the first papermaking fabric, (ii) pockets in the first papermaking fabric, and (iii) both knuckles and pockets in the first papermaking fabric. A second papermaking fabric is formed. The second papermaking fabric is configured such that a value of the at least one characteristic in the second papermaking fabric is different from the value of the characteristic in the first papermaking fabric.
US09920479B2 Apparatus, system, and process for determining characteristics of a surface of a papermaking fabric
A process of analyzing wear on a papermaking fabric includes forming a first representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. A first image is generated based on the first representation. At least one characteristic related to the surface of the fabric is determined using the first image. The fabric is worn. A second representation of a portion of the surface of the fabric is formed showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. A second image of the knuckles of the fabric is generated based on the second representation. At least one characteristic related to the surface of the fabric is determined using the second image. The determining steps are performed using an image analysis program stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium.
US09920477B2 Wet paper web transfer belt
The object of the present invention is to reduce the wear of the doctor blade applied to the wet paper web transfer belt and the wear of the guide rolls supporting the wet paper web transfer belt while maintaining the wear resistance of the wet paper web contacting surface and the machine contacting surface of the wet paper web transfer belt together with the adhesive and releasing properties of the wet paper web on the wet paper web contacting surface of conventional wet paper web transfer belts.This is achieved by a wet paper web transfer belt in which a polyurethane is integrated with a reinforcing base material comprising a wet paper web-side surface and a machine-side surface, at least the wet paper web-side surface of the reinforcing base material is embedded in the polyurethane, an outer circumferential layer comprising a wet paper web contacting surface is constituted by some of the polyurethane; wherein, at least the outer circumferential layer comprises a spherical filler.
US09920472B2 Flame retardant synthetic leather
Flame retardant synthetic leather having high flame retardancy and excellent physical properties (light resistance, heat resistance and feeling).The flame retardant synthetic leather contains an organic phosphorus compound (component A) represented by the following formula (1). (In the formula, X1 and X2 are the same or different and each an aromatic substituted alkyl group represented by the following formula (2).) AL(Ar)n  (2) (In the formula, AL is a branched or linear aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and Ar is a phenyl group, naphthyl group or anthryl group, all of which may have a substituent. “n” is an integer of 1 to 3, and Ar may be bonded to any carbon atom contained in AL.)
US09920471B2 Process of manufacturing rain waterproof breathable fabric
A rain-test resistant, high-vapor-permeable, water-repellent and water-resistant manufacturing process for making such fabrics is provided. It is used in the dyeing and finishing process of fabric in which the fabric is treated with the treatment roller, knife roller, and spray methods. These combined methods can coat water-repellent agent on the fabric and form a very thin film on the fabric. This protective film on the fabric enhances the wash resistance of the fabric while it will not adversely affect the water repellence and water resistance of the fabric. Moreover, this technique of forming a very thin water-repellent film on the fabric rules out the conventional method with which the water-repellent agent dipped within the fabric structure is easily washed out with regular laundry of the fabric due to the lesser amount of the agent being attached onto the fabric.
US09920468B2 Household cleaning appliance with a non-bulk dispensing system convertible to a household cleaning appliance with a bulk dispensing system
A household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber and a non-bulk dispensing system coupled with the treating chamber and having a portion of material configured to be removable wherein the non-bulk dispensing system is configured to receive a removable cartridge containing a treating chemistry when such material is removed.
US09920464B2 Camouflage clothing woven using dyed threads and jacquard weaving machine and method of weaving the same
A method of manufacturing camouflage clothing worn by soldiers is provided. The optimum camouflage clothing satisfying clothing functionality, aesthetics, and camouflaging effect, which is an important function for military uniforms, is provided while the optimum camouflage clothing is economical. The camouflage clothing is formed by dyeing threads i.e. row material, using the dyed threads as warp threads and weft threads, and weaving the camouflage clothing using a jacquard weaving machine. Herein, the warp threads and the weft threads are gradationally arranged to form a delicate-colored checked pattern while a three-dimensional pattern is displayed by the jacquard weaving machine.
US09920461B2 Knitted shoe components and methods of making the same
In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.
US09920458B2 Process for manufacturing flame-retardant yarns
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a yarn constituted by a multi-filament core coated in a polymer sheath. The sheath is made by depositing a miscible mixture of molten polymers on the multi-filament core, the mixture comprising: at least one flame-retarding agent; and at least two polymers that, in the molten state, do not establish mutual permanent chemical bonds, with one of the polymers, referred to as the co-flame-retarding polymer, presenting both a glass transition temperature that is significantly lower than the glass transition temperature of the other polymer, referred to as the base polymer, and also a melting temperature that is likewise significantly lower than the melting temperature of the base polymer; said deposition being followed by a cooling step during which the base polymer freezes first and the co-flame-retarding polymer migrates outwards entraining at least a fraction of the flame-retarding agent therewith.
US09920457B2 Method for manufacturing cord yarn with excellent dimensional stability
A method for manufacturing a cord yarn, which has at least one filament strand, includes applying a first twist so that a K1 value has a value of 0.1837763/D1n or below, applying a second twist so that a K2 value has a value between 0.0166819/D2n and 0.3183099/D2n, and applying a third twist so that a K3 value has a value between 0.0278485/D3 and 0.2968288/D3, wherein the twists are applied so that the cord yarn has roundness of 50% or above, and when the filament is a multi filament, so that porosity between strands of the cord yarn is less than 40%.
US09920455B2 Cellulosic fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of forming thereof
A cellulosic fiber includes a fiber body including a cellulosic material and non-encapsulated phase change material dispersed within the cellulosic material. The non-encapsulated phase change material forms a plurality of distinct domains dispersed within the cellulosic material. The non-encapsulated phase change material has a latent heat of at least 40 Joules per gram and the cellulosic fiber has a latent heat between 9.8 Joules per gram and 132 Joules per gram and a transition temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., and cellulosic fiber provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature.
US09920453B2 Generation of library of soluble random polypeptides linked to mRNA
Methods and compositions are provided for producing libraries of soluble random polypeptides. In the methods, the fraction of hydrophilic residues in the polypeptide is controlled so as to maintain the solubility of the polypeptide constructs.
US09920452B2 Method of preparing a monocrystalline diamond abrasive grain
The present invention relates to method of preparing a monocrystalline diamond abrasive grain comprising the steps of: sufficiently dispersing a micron-scale monocrystalline diamond and at least a micron-scale metal powder in a sol containing at least a nano-scale metal powder, and controlling the suitable ratio of the two kinds of metal powder with different order of magnitude of particle size, accordingly the micron-scale metal powder can be stuffed into voids among the monocrystalline diamond grains, and only a suitable amount of nano-scale metal powder is required to let the micron-scale metal powder and nano-scale metal powder coat together on the surface of the micron-scale diamond to form an integral and uniform coating layer including at least two kinds of metal grains, thus the resulting monocrystalline diamond abrasive grains have a unique rough-surface morphology, a plurality of contact points and contact surfaces resenting in the grinding process and good self-sharpening.
US09920450B2 Silicon carbide powder, method for manufacturing the same and method for growing single crystal
A silicon carbide powder according to the embodiment includes nitrogen having a concentration in a range of about 100 ppm to about 5000 ppm. A method for manufacturing silicon carbide powder according to the embodiment includes preparing a mixture by mixing a silicon source including silicon with a solid carbon source or a carbon source including an organic carbon compound; heating the mixture; cooling the mixture; and supplying a nitrogen-based gas into the mixture.
US09920449B2 Production method of SiC single crystal
The production method of an SiC single crystal is a production method of an SiC single crystal by a solution growth process. The production method includes a contact step A, a contact step B, and a growth step. In the contact step A, a partial region of the principal surface is brought into contact with a stored Si—C solution. In the contact step B, a contact region between the principal surface and the stored Si—C solution expands, due to a wetting phenomenon, starting from an initial contact region which is the partial region brought into contact in the contact step A. In the growth step, an SiC single crystal is grown on the principal surface which is in contact with the stored Si—C solution.
US09920446B2 Polymer coated substrate for packaging applications and a method for producing said coated substrate
This relates to a coated substrate for packaging applications and a method for producing the coated substrate.
US09920445B2 Process for manufacturing a recovery annealed coated steel substrate for packaging applications and a packaging steel product produced thereby
This relates to a process for manufacturing a recovery annealed coated steel substrate for packaging applications and a packaging steel product produced thereby.
US09920443B2 Modular cathode assemblies and methods of using the same for electrochemical reduction
Modular cathode assemblies are useable in electrolytic reduction systems and include a basket through which fluid electrolyte may pass and exchange charge with a material to be reduced in the basket. The basket can be divided into upper and lower sections to provide entry for the material. Example embodiment cathode assemblies may have any shape to permit modular placement at any position in reduction systems. Modular cathode assemblies include a cathode plate in the basket, to which unique and opposite electrical power may be supplied. Example embodiment modular cathode assemblies may have standardized electrical connectors. Modular cathode assemblies may be supported by a top plate of an electrolytic reduction system. Electrolytic oxide reduction systems are operated by positioning modular cathode and anode assemblies at desired positions, placing a material in the basket, and charging the modular assemblies to reduce the metal oxide.
US09920442B2 Integrated gas treatment
Systems and methods for reducing the capital and operating costs of a smelting process system and improving the environmental impact of the smelting process using an IGT system to remove and filter environmentally hazardous gases and particulates from each electrolytic cell in the smelting process system.
US09920440B2 Electrochemical stack device
The invention relates to an electrochemical device intended for the production of products through electrochemical reaction of reactants, said electrochemical device comprising a stack of electrochemical cells (10), each cell (10) comprising a structure (16), two bipolar plates (18a, 18b) shared with adjacent cells (10), a membrane/electrode assembly (20) and two intermediate elements (21, 22) arranged to carry a current and the reactants/products to/from the membrane/electrode assembly (20).According to the invention, said structure (16) of the cell (10) comprises a single frame (23) made in one piece, said frame (23) having upper and lower faces respectively arranged to form a plane contact with the bipolar plates (18a, 18b) disposed on either side of said frame (23), and a central opening (26) arranged to receive the membrane/electrode assembly (20) and the two intermediate elements (21, 22), said frame (23) comprising all the orifices (38, 40, 42, 44) necessary for feeding reactants and evacuating products, and housings (34, 54a, 58a, 60a) arranged to receive sealing means (36, 56a, 56b; 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b) ensuring the sealing of each reactant and product.
US09920438B2 Methods and apparatus for ultrathin catalyst layer for photoelectrode
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a photoelectrode includes a semiconductor for photocarrier generation, and a catalyst layer for altering the reaction rate in an adjacent electrolyte. The catalyst layer covers part of the semiconductor. The thickness of the catalyst layer is less than 60% of its minority carrier diffusion distance. If the photoelectrode is a photoanode, it has an OEP that is more than the potential of the valance band edge but less than the potential of the Fermi level of the semiconductor. If it is a photocathode, it has an RHE potential that is less than the potential of the conduction band edge but more than the potential of the Fermi level of the semiconductor. The absolute value of difference (OEP minus potential of valence band edge, or RHE potential minus potential of conduction band edge) is greater than zero and less than or equal to 0.2V.
US09920436B2 Method for surface treatment of metals using bacteria
Provided is a method for surface-treatment of a metal using bacteria, and more particularly, a method for surface-treatment of a metal using bacteria including immersing the metal having a surface layer on which a deformed layer is formed in a culture fluid cultured with metal-oxidizing bacteria, such that the metal-oxidizing bacteria selectively oxidize and leach-remove the deformed layer of the metal to perform micro-machining, thereby minimizing a damage to a metal basic material to effectively remove the deformed layer of the metal, and further including partly coating a surface of the metal to produce fine patterns of which sizes and shapes are various.
US09920429B2 Method for manufacturing polymer-metal composite structural component
A composite structural component is disclosed. The composite structural component can include a lattice structure, a casing disposed about at least a portion of the lattice structure, and a skin adhered to a surface of the casing. The lattice structure and the casing can be formed of a polymeric material and the skin can be formed of a metallic material. A method of manufacturing a composite structural component is disclosed. The method can include creating a casing of a polymeric material and creating a lattice structure of a polymeric material disposed about at least a portion of the casing. The method can include sealing the porosity of the casing and lattice structure. The method can include adhering a skin of a metallic material to at least a portion of the casing. At least one of creating a lattice structure and creating a casing comprises utilizing an additive manufacturing process.
US09920428B2 Film deposition method
A film deposition apparatus includes: a plasma generating section configured to generate plasma between a cathode target and an anode; a film deposition chamber in which a base material is placed; and a magnetic-field filter section configured to remove a particle from the plasma by a magnetic field and to transfer the plasma to the film deposition chamber. The magnetic-field filter section includes: a first housing area to which a first voltage is applied; and a second housing area, provided downstream of the first housing area in the moving direction of the plasma, to which a second voltage is applied.
US09920422B2 Method and apparatus of forming silicon nitride film
Provided is a method of forming a silicon nitride film on a surface to be processed of a target object, which includes: repeating a first process a first predetermined number of times, the process including supplying a silicon source gas containing silicon toward the surface to be processed and supplying a decomposition accelerating gas containing a material for accelerating decomposition of the silicon source gas toward the surface to be processed; performing a second process of supplying a nitriding gas containing nitrogen toward the surface to be processed a second predetermine number of times; and performing one cycle a third predetermined number of times, the one cycle being a sequence including the repetition of the first process and the performance of the second process to form the silicon nitride film on the surface to be processed.
US09920416B2 Blackening treatment solution for black Cr—Co alloy plating film
The present invention provides a blackening treatment method for a black Cr—Co alloy plating film, the method comprising bringing a black Cr—Co alloy plating film having a Cr content of 1 to 15 wt. % into contact with a blackening treatment solution comprising an aqueous solution with a pH value of −1 to 5. According to the present invention, the blackish color of a less blackish plating film formed from a plating bath containing trivalent chromium is enhanced to further improve decorativeness. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the film can be more improved by performing electrolytic chromate treatment after blackening treatment.
US09920415B2 Mitigation and elimination of tin whiskers
A method of mitigating tin whisker formation on electronic assemblies includes exposing tin metal in the electronic assembly to a mitigating agent that interacts with the tin metal to produce a product that is resistant to forming tin whiskers.
US09920403B2 Magnesium alloy member and production method therefor
A high-strength magnesium alloy member is suitable for products in which at least one of bending stress and twisting stress primarily acts. The member has required elongation and 0.2% proof stress, whereby strength and formability are superior, and has higher strength and large compressive residual stress in the vicinity of the surface of a wire rod. In the magnesium alloy member formed as a wire rod in which at least one of bending stress and twisting stress primarily acts, the wire rod includes a surface portion having the highest hardness of 170 HV or more in the vicinity of the surface and an inner portion having a 0.2% proof stress of 550 MPa or more and an elongation of 5% or more, and the wire rod has the highest compressive residue stress in the vicinity of the surface of 50 MPa or more.
US09920395B2 Method for recovering gold from refractory ore
A method of recovering gold from refractory ore containing a carbonaceous material, a sulfide and gold is provided. Gypsum seed crystals are added to a slurry containing a roasted refractory ore or a pressure-oxidized refractory ore to decrease gypsum encapsulation of gold and improve gold recovery.
US09920391B2 High-strength hot-rolled steel strip or sheet with excellent formability and fatigue performance and a method of manufacturing said steel strip or sheet
A high-strength hot-rolled steel strip or sheet with tensile strength of 570 to 870 MPa and an excellent combination of total elongation, stretch-flange formability, as well as fatigue resistance and to a method of manufacturing the steel strip or sheet and a chassis part made thereof.
US09920389B2 Method for mixed biomass hydrolysis
Methods and systems are disclosed for the hydrolysis of mixed biomass. The methods include forming a mixture of at least two modified biomass feedstocks to achieve various benefits, such as maximizing sugar yields and minimizing the formation of degradation products.
US09920388B2 Process for the production of sugars from biomass
Process for the production of sugars from biomass including at least one polysaccharide which comprises putting a biomass in contact with an aqueous solution of at least one organic acid having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the pH of said aqueous solution being ranging from 0.6 to 1.6, preferably ranging from 0.9 to 1.3. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as carbon sources in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), lipids, or other intermediates or products. Said alcohols, diols, lipids, or other intermediates or products, can be advantageously used in the chemical industry or in the formulation of fuels for motor vehicles. Said alcohols and said diols can also be advantageously used in the bio-butadiene production.
US09920386B2 High throughput nucleic acid sequencing by expansion
Nucleic acid sequencing methods and related products are disclosed. Methods for sequencing a target nucleic acid comprise providing a daughter strand produced by a template-directed synthesis, the daughter strand comprising a plurality of subunits coupled in a sequence corresponding to a contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid, wherein the individual subunits comprise a tether, at least one probe or nucleobase residue, and at least one selectively cleavable bond. The selectively cleavable bond(s) is/are cleaved to yield an Xpandomer of a length longer than the plurality of the subunits of the daughter strand, the Xpandomer comprising the tethers and reporter elements for parsing genetic information in a sequence corresponding to the contiguous nucleotide sequence of all or a portion of the target nucleic acid. Reporter elements of the Xpandomer are then detected. Corresponding products, including Xpandomers and oligomeric and monomeric substrate constructs are also disclosed.
US09920382B2 Compositions and methods for detecting nucleic acid from mollicutes
Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares.
US09920381B2 Compositions and methods for detecting MECC-containing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of mecC-containing Staphylococcus aureus (mecC-MRSA) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the genes for mecC-MRSA, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of mecC-MRSA.
US09920379B2 Nucleic acids related to MiR-29B-1-5P and uses thereof
Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.
US09920377B2 FALZ for use as a target for therapies to treat cancer
The disclosure provides methods for predicting and/or determining whether a subject has cancer based on the level of expression of BPTF. The disclosure also provides methods for determining whether a cancer in a subject is progressing or regressing based upon the change of expression levels of BPTF between two time points. The disclosure further provides methods to treat a subject with a cancer by administering a polynucleotide comprising an inhibitory BPTF nucleic acid and/or an agent that inhibits the expression or activity of BPTF.
US09920373B2 Biomarkers of response to proteasome inhibitors
Disclosed are markers associated with sensitivity to treatment with proteasome inhibitors. Sensitivity is observed when RAS gene is wild type in tumor cells. Compositions and methods are further provided to assess markers of marker genes to predict outcome of treatment using proteasome inhibitors to patients having a solid tumor, such as a lung tumor or a colon tumor.
US09920370B2 Haplotying of HLA loci with ultra-deep shotgun sequencing
Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.
US09920369B2 Treatment of colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3) related diseases by inhibition of natural antisene transcript to CSF3
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of CSF3.
US09920368B2 Methods for detecting DNA polymorphisms in Atlantic salmon
The Invention relates to a method of predicting resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis in salmon, the method comprising determining the alleles present at a DNA polymorphism in the salmon and predicting whether or not the salmon is resistant to infectious pancreatic necrosis based on the determination of the alleles. The invention also relates to a method of selecting a salmon for use as broodstock, wherein the salmon is selected based on the prediction by the first method that the salmon will have resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis.
US09920367B2 High resolution analysis of mammalian transcriptome using gene pool specific primers
The present invention provides methods and systems for analyzing mammalian transcriptomes, particularly, for low abundant transcripts, and with the use of high throughput technologies. Heptamer primers and sequence tags generated by the iterative randomized algorithm, as well as the sequencing-library generation system for amplifying and synthesis-based sequencing low abundant transcripts using the heptamer primers are also provided. The present invention further provides the use of the invention system and method for identifying key embryological lineage specific transcripts that anticipate differentiation of specific cell types.
US09920366B2 Methods and systems for detecting genetic variants
Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.
US09920364B2 Cyclic single molecule sequencing process
The invention relates to a process for parallel high throughput sequencing of nucleic acid molecules, in particular in the single molecule format.
US09920361B2 Methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acid
Technology provided herein relates in part to methods, processes, compositions and apparatuses for analyzing nucleic acid.
US09920358B2 Helicase suppression of non-template amplification
Provided herein is a method for reducing amplification of non-template molecules in a nucleic acid sample. In certain embodiments, the method involves adding a helicase to a reaction mixture for non-helicase-dependent amplification of target nucleic acid.
US09920357B2 Systems and methods for identifying cosmetic agents for hair/scalp care compositions
Provided are methods and systems for determining functional relationships between a cosmetic agent and a hair biology condition of interest. Also provided are methods and systems for identifying cosmetic agents that affect a hair biology condition, as well as the use of agents identified by such methods and systems for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, personal care products, or both.
US09920355B2 Method for fragmenting and ligating adaptors onto a nucleic acid, and kit for performing the same
Providing herein, among other things, is a method for preparing a nucleic acid for sequencing. In some embodiments, the method comprises a) amplifying a nucleic acid template using a dNTP mix that contains 5-methyl dCTP, thereby producing product nucleic acid molecules that contains methylcytosines; b) digesting the product nucleic acid molecules with a methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease, thereby cleaving the product nucleic acid molecules at sites that are adjacent to at least some of the methylcytosine and producing fragments of the product nucleic acid molecules; and c) ligating double-stranded adaptors onto the ends of the fragments to produce adaptor-ligated products.
US09920354B2 Generic matrix for control nucleic acids
The present invention is in the field of in-vitro diagnostics. Within this field, it provides the amplification of at least a first target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes and at least one external control nucleic acid in an aqueous buffer. It further provides an analytical system comprising an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes and at least one external control nucleic acid in an aqueous buffer.
US09920352B2 Acoustic radiation for ejecting and monitoring pathogenic fluids
Method and system for monitoring for a change in the amount and/or concentration of a pathogen in a pathogenic fluid. The method includes providing a pathogen-impermeable enclosure enclosing the pathogenic fluid, wherein the pathogenic fluid includes a pathogen and a carrier fluid. Additionally, the method includes acoustically monitoring for a change in the amount and/or concentration of the pathogen enclosed in the pathogen-impermeable enclosure. The acoustically monitoring for a change in the amount and/or concentration of the pathogen enclosed in the pathogen-impermeable enclosure includes generating acoustic radiation directed towards the pathogen-impermeable enclosure, transmitting the acoustic radiation through the pathogen-impermeable enclosure or reflecting the acoustic radiation by the pathogenic fluid, receiving the acoustic radiation transmitted through the pathogen-impermeable enclosure or receiving the acoustic radiation reflected by the pathogenic fluid, and analyzing the received acoustic radiation.
US09920349B2 Methods and materials for enzymatic synthesis of mogroside compounds
Methods and materials for enzymatic synthesis of mogroside compounds described.
US09920342B2 Process for the preparation of Droxidopa
A novel process for the preparation of L-threo-dihydroxyphenylserine (Droxidopa) is described. It comprises of enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic (DL)-threo-N-acetyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine using commercially available L-amino acylase from Aspergillus sp. (EC 3.5.1.14) in the presence of cobalt ions, to obtain (L)-threo-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine followed by dealkylation to obtain Droxidopa. Protecting the amino group of (L)-threo-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-serine using either benzyloxycarbonyl or phthaloyl group before dealkylation followed by deprotection of the amino group results in obtaining Droxidopa in high yields and purity.
US09920332B2 Hybrid brassica plants and methods for producing same
Provided are transgenic Brassica plants, plant material and seeds, particularly oilseed rape plants, characterized in that these plants harbor a novel combination of two specific transformation events, namely MS-B2 comprising a male-sterility transgene and RF-BN1 comprising a fertility-restoration transgene. Also provided are pairs of Brassica plants comprising each one of the events, and the use thereof in the production of hybrid seed.
US09920331B2 Maize cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) S-type restorer gene Rf3
A newly identified protein that is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence associated with cytoplasmic male sterility restorer activity (Rf3) is described. The cytoplasmic male sterility restorer gene can be inserted through breeding introgression into plant genomes to restore cytoplasmic male sterility in plants. Further applications of the newly identified polynucleotide sequence associated with cytoplasmic male sterility restorer activity include a mutation (rf3) which results in cytoplasmic male sterility. The cytoplasmic male sterility restorer gene can be inserted through breeding introgression into plant genomes to result in cytoplasmic male sterility in plants. Methods for detecting the cytoplasmic male sterility restorer (Rf3) and the cytoplasmic male sterility (rf3) gene sequences are further described.
US09920330B2 Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and methods of using same for increasing plant yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, abiotic stress tolerance of plants and nitrogen use efficiency
Provided are isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 422, 362-421, 423-601, 2429-4085 and 4086, such as a polynucleotide which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 260, 1-259, 261-361, 602-2427 and 2428, nucleic acid constructs comprising same, plant cells comprising same, transgenic plants expressing same, and methods of generating thereof for increasing the yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, fiber yield, fiber quality, nitrogen use efficiency and/or abiotic stress tolerance of a plant.
US09920329B2 Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides, and methods of using same for increasing plant yield and/or agricultural characteristics
Provided are isolated polypeptides which are at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 474-643, 645-679, 681-755, 757-760, 4806-6390, 6395-6396, 6401-6895, 6897-7249, 7251-7685, 7687-7693, 7695-7700, 7702-7708, 7710-7796, 7798-7816, 7818, 7820-7837, 7839-7840, 7842-7861, 7863-8134, 8136-8163 or 8164, isolated polynucleotides which are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 1-170, 172-267, 269-424, 426-473, 761-2486, 2489-2494, 2496-4803 or 4804, nucleic acid constructs comprising same, transgenic cells expressing same, transgenic plants expressing same and method of using same for increasing yield, harvest index, abiotic stress tolerance, growth rate, biomass, vigor, oil content, photosynthetic capacity, seed yield, fiber yield, fiber quality, fiber length, and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant.
US09920314B2 Compositions for and methods of identifying antigens
Replicable libraries having discrete members in defined locations for screening for antigens to a pathogenic organism are provided. Also provided are methods for using such libraries as well as a specific antigen, CT788, which induces T-cell activation during a Chlamydia infection.
US09920312B2 Mutations in iron-sulfur cluster proteins that improve xylose utilization
There is provided an engineered host cells comprising (a) one or more mutations in one or more endogenous genes encoding a protein associated with iron metabolism; and (b) at least one gene encoding a polypeptide having xylose isomerase activity, and methods of their use thereof.
US09920305B2 Reverse transcriptase with enhanced properties
Compositions and methods are provided for improved reverse transcriptases and their uses in reverse transcription where the improvement may include increased temperature, increased salt, increased activity and/or increased dUTP tolerance.
US09920300B2 Induction of germ cells from pluripotent cells
Methods and compositions are provided for promoting germ cell differentiation from pluripotent cells, and for identifying agents that modulate germ cell differentiation.
US09920297B2 Salmonella-based vectors for cancer immunotherapy targeting wilms' tumor gene WT1
The present invention relates to an attenuated mutant strain of Salmonella comprising a recombinant DNA molecule encoding Wilms' tumor Protein 1. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of said attenuated mutant strain of Salmonella in cancer immunotherapy.
US09920296B2 Paenibacillus alvei strain TS-15 and its use in controlling pathogenic organisms on crops
The present invention provides a newly isolated bacterial strain of Paenibacillus, designated Paenibacillus alvei strain TS-15 for use as a biocontrol agent in the inhibition and/or elimination of a human foodborne pathogen, e.g., Salmonella, on a plant or plant organ, e.g., a tomato or tomato plant. Strain TS-15 or mutants thereof may also be used in the control of plant pathogens.
US09920294B2 Devices and methods for purification, detection and use of biological cells
This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying, detecting and using biological cells. A variety of cell types including viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a column, including a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Purified viable cells can be detected on the column or eluted from the column and detected. Cells on a column can be used as a stationary phase for liquid chromatography. Cells may be removed, recovered and analyzed.
US09920291B1 Biochemical reactor with tank inlet disposed above lower divider
This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with tank inlet disposed above lower divider. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include a tank recirculation port disposed proximate to a second end. The biochemical reactor may include a tank inlet configured for feeding fluid into the tank. The biochemical reactor may include a tank outlet configured for drawing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet may be disposed proximate to a first end. The biochemical reactor may include a first divider and a second divider. The tank inlet may be disposed between the first divider and the second divider.
US09920290B2 Continuous fermentation apparatus and multi-step continuous fermentation process using the same
The present disclosure relates to a continuous fermentation apparatus and a multi-step continuous fermentation process using the same.
US09920289B2 Method and apparatus for processing vegetable products
A method for processing, in a container, a vegetable product containing a solid part suspended in a liquid part, comprises controlling the pressure of a gas in said container for modifying the specific weight of said solid part, so as to prevent said solid part from floating on said liquid part until drying; an apparatus comprises a timing device arranged for opening and/or closing, in a cyclical manner, a venting arrangement comprised in an operating chamber of a vinifying apparatus, so as to alternatively make said operating chamber communicate with an external environment and/or separate said operating chamber from said external environment and consequently decrease and/or increase a pressure of a gas in said operating chamber.
US09920285B2 Thermoplastic resin composition for cleaning molding processing machine
A thermoplastic resin composition for cleaning a molding processing machine, which has good cleaning performance and workability in cleaning an inner side of a molding processing machine of thermoplastic resin composition, such as an extruder and an injection molding and includes (A) an olefin-based resin, (B) a thermoplastic resin which is not compatible with the olefin-based resin of the component (A), (C) a thermoplastic resin for making the olefin-based resin of the component (A) and the thermoplastic resin of the component (B) compatible with each other, (D) an alkaline metal salt of a fatty acid, (E) a nonionic surfactant, and (F) a metal salt of an acidic phosphoric ester.
US09920283B2 Composition
A dishwasher detergent composition, preferably pH neutral, and comprising a strong biodegradable builder and optionally a bleach, and optionally a sulfonated polymer.
US09920282B2 Composition and method
A low-foaming composition for cleaning a ware-washing machine comprises water, an alkoxylate, an acid (preferably citric acid), and preferably a phase separation promoter (for example a polyethylene glycol or an ionic salt). The composition is in two separate layers under ambient conditions.
US09920281B2 Soil resistant surface treatment
A soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided. In particular, a laminate composition comprising a multilayer composition of a clean surface and a dried layer of a soil resistant agent are disclosed. Soil resistant agents according to the invention include copolymers of a maleic/olefin, an olefin/acrylate and combinations thereof and are suitable for delivery with a water or other organic solvent carrier. A kit and methods for treating a clean surface using a soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided by the present invention.
US09920280B2 Non-aqueous siloxane solvent compositions for cleaning a metal or plastic surface
This invention relates to non aqueous non-volatile alkylated siloxane compositions having low VOC and vapor pressure of about 31 millimeters of mercury at 20° C. consisting essentially of a mixture of a linear or open-chain methyl alkylated siloxane having two silicon atoms and a siloxane having three silicon atoms alkylated with methyl groups.
US09920275B2 Alkoxylated amides, esters, and anti-wear agents in lubricant compositions and racing oil compositions
A lubricant composition includes a base oil, an alkoxylated amide, an ester, and an anti-wear agent including phosphorus. The alkoxylated amide and ester have general formulas (I) and (II), respectively. The lubricant composition may be further defined as a racing oil composition. Also disclosed is a method for maximizing the effectiveness of a friction modifier in a racing oil composition thus increasing the fuel economy of a racing vehicle. The method includes providing the racing oil composition and lubricating an internal combustion engine of a racing vehicle to increase the fuel economy of the racing vehicle.
US09920274B2 Lubricant composition, use thereof and aliphatic ether compound
The present invention provides a lubricant composition having high moisture resistance and having physical properties including low viscosity, low evaporability, low-temperature fluidity, and a high viscosity index. The lubricant composition contains (i) an aliphatic ether compound as a base oil and (ii) an antioxidant made from at least alkylated phenylnaphthylamine and phosphite ester, wherein a sum of individual amounts of the alkylated phenylnaphthylamine and the phosphite ester is a predetermined amount, and the alkylated phenylnaphthylamine and the phosphite ester are used in a predetermined ratio.
US09920271B2 Method for the production of a low emission biomass fuel composition from waste materials
The present disclosure provides a novel method for the production of a biomass composition from waste materials including the steps of evaluating the waste material for emissions related factors, treating the evaluated waste material with the additive composition to form a low emissions biomass composition and shaping the biomass composition into solid fuel formations. The present invention further provides an additive composition used in the treatment of the waste materials that comprises an emission sponge, a filler and optional BTU modifier. The treating step includes the steps of sizing selected waste materials, blending the sized waste materials with the additive composition formulated specifically for the waste material and forming the blended waste materials into solid fuel formations. The resulting biomass solid fuel formations produce lower emissions than typically produced by coal and may be combined with, or used in place of coal in coal burning structures and devices.
US09920266B2 Method and apparatus for mixing and atomizing a hydrocarbon stream using a diluent/dispersion stream
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mixing and atomizing a hydrocarbon stream using a diluent/dispersion stream. The apparatus includes an inner conduit having an inlet for receiving the diluent/dispersion stream; an outer conduit having an inlet for receiving the hydrocarbon stream and an outlet for dispensing a mixture including the hydrocarbon and the dispersion/diluent streams; the outer conduit concentric to the inner conduit to define at least a first annular space and a second annular space; the first annular space being located downstream of the inlet of the outer conduit, the first annular space enabling formation of a thin film of the hydrocarbon stream between an outer surface of the inner conduit and an inner surface of the outer conduit; the second annular space being located downstream of the first annular space, the second annular space having a width greater than a width of the first annular space; and the inner conduit located at about the second annular space includes a first set orifices disposed on a periphery thereof for dispensing a first portion of the dispersion/diluent stream into the thin film of hydrocarbon stream to cross-shear the thin film and form the mixture including the hydrocarbon and the dispersion/diluent streams.
US09920265B2 Selective series-flow hydroprocessing system
Aromatic extraction and hydrocracking processes are integrated to optimize the hydrocracking units design and/or performance. By processing aromatics-rich and aromatic-lean fractions separately, the hydrocracking operating severity and or catalyst reactor volume requirement decreases.
US09920264B2 Process of hydroconversion-distillation of heavy and/or extra-heavy crude oils
A process for hydroconversion-distillation of heavy and/or extra-heavy crude oils, which comprises four stages: 1) desalting and separation of the feedstock; 2) catalytic hydrotreating of light fraction (optional); 3) catalytic hydroconversion of heavy fraction, and 4) distillation of hydrotreated products to provide products that can be processed in conventional refining schemes designed to operate with light and intermediate crude oils.
US09920262B1 Methods of separation of pyrolysis oils
Methods for processing pyrolysis oil employs two or more of the following steps: A first separation creates (a) a lighter fraction and heavier fraction, (b) subjecting the lighter fraction to distillation and (c) subjecting the heavy fraction to removal of at least one of sulfur and nitrogen.
US09920257B2 Method and apparatus for making hybrid crude oils and fuels
A simplified process is provided for creating hybrid crude oils and hybrid crude fractions with characteristics superior to the original. The process uniquely combines gases with crude oil or crude fractions in an effervescent turbulent manner at low temperatures and pressures and without the further aid of catalysts. The process breaks large chain hydrocarbons into smaller chain hydrocarbons, molecularly combines carbon, hydrogen, and/or hydrocarbon molecules from the gases with and into hydrocarbon molecules of the crude or crude fraction, and separates contaminants and impurities.
US09920255B2 Method and apparatus for energy-efficient processing of secondary deposits
Method for the depolymerization of plastics material (1), in particular pre- or post-consumer plastics wastes, by means of heat introduction, wherein the plastics material (1) is molten to form a plastics melt and degassed before being passed to a depolymerization reactor (3), adding a fraction obtained from crude oil as a solvent (6) to the plastics melt, thereby lowering the viscosity of the plastics melt solution supplied to the depolymerization reactor (3) relative to the viscosity of the plastics melt.
US09920254B2 Oil forming composition, method of producing crude oil, and method of producing volatile liquid
An oil forming composition and a method of producing a synthetic crude oil are provided. The oil forming composition includes a mixture of an organic material selected from the group consisting of a member of the lactuca genus, nuts, nut derivatives, vegetable oils, pine tree derivatives, animal protoplasm, and combinations thereof; and a mineral aggregate selected from the group consisting of a silica containing mineral aggregate and a quartz containing mineral aggregate. The method of producing synthetic crude oil includes positioning a first heating enclosure adjacent to a heating surface, providing an oil forming composition within the first heating enclosure, positioning a lid over the oil forming composition, simultaneously applying pressure to the lid and heating the oil forming composition, cooling the oil forming composition to form a pre-volatile oil product, and heating the pre-volatile oil product while exposed to air to form the synthetic volatile fuel.
US09920249B2 Liquid crystal composition
A liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal film and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal composition can be uniformly aligned with no problems such as dewetting in an operation of aligning horizontally alignable liquid crystals. Also, a state of the aligned liquid crystal compound can be stably maintained.
US09920248B2 Compounds and liquid-crystalline medium
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises one or more compounds of formula I, defined herein, for use in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula II and one or more compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, defined herein.
US09920244B2 Nitride phosphor and method for producing the same
The present invention related to a nitride phosphor represented by the following general formula (1), the nitride phosphor having an x value of less than 0.43 in luminescent color coordinates (x, y) upon being excited with excitation light of 455 nm, and a reflectance Ra of 89% or more at 770 nm; LnxSiyNn:Z  (1), wherein Ln is a rare-earth element excluding the element used as an activator, Z is an activator, x satisfies 2.7≦x≦3.3, y satisfies 5.4≦y≦6.6, and n satisfies 10≦n≦12.
US09920243B2 Scintillator, radiation detector, and method for detecting radiation
The present invention aims at providing a scintillator for high temperature environments which has satisfactory light emission characteristics under high temperature environments; and a method for measuring radiation under high temperature environments. The scintillator for high temperature environments comprises a colquiriite-type crystal represented by the chemical formula LiM1M2X6 (where M1 is at least one alkaline earth metal element selected from Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, M2 is at least one metal element selected from Al, Ga and Sc, and X is at least one halogen element selected from F, Cl, Br and I), for example, typified by LiCaAlF6, and the crystal optionally containing a lanthanoid element such as Ce or Eu. The method for measuring radiation under high temperature environments uses the scintillator.
US09920242B2 Metal-assisted delayed fluorescent materials as co-host materials for fluorescent OLEDs
A light emitting device includes a first electrode, a hole transporting layer in contact with the first electrode, a second electrode, an electron transporting layer in contact with the second electrode; and an emissive layer between the hole transporting layer and the electron transporting layer. The emissive layer includes a metal-assisted delayed fluorescent (MADF) emitter, a fluorescent emitter, and a host, and the MADF emitter harvests electrogenerated excitons and transfers energy to the fluorescent emitter.
US09920241B2 Breakers containing iron compounds and their methods of use
Methods and well treatment fluids for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore are provided, the method comprising injecting a well treatment fluid into the well bore at a pressure and flow rate sufficient to fracture the subterranean formation, wherein the well treatment fluid comprises an iron-containing breaker compound. The methods can be used to reduce viscosity of well treatment fluids.
US09920238B2 Fluorosurfactant extraction process for carbonate reservoirs
A process for recovering oil from a carbonate reservoir of high salinity, wherein supercritical CO2 floodings are combined with a fluorosurfactant in the tertiary recovery. Embodiments include alternating injection and co-injection schemes of the supercritical CO2 and the fluorosurfactant. A stable fluorosurfactant-CO2 foam that is not susceptible to the harsh conditions of the reservoir (temperature, pressure and salinity) can be successfully generated, leading to a reduction in the mobility of CO2, an increase in the mobility of the reservoir oil, higher contact between the injected fluid with the oil and a better sweep efficiency of the oil.
US09920235B2 Cement set activators for set-delayed cement compositions and associated methods
Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation is described. The method may comprise providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; activating the set-delayed cement composition with a liquid additive to produce an activated cement composition, wherein the liquid additive comprises a monovalent salt, a polyphosphate, a dispersant, and water; and allowing the activated cement composition to set.
US09920234B2 Sealing fluid for setting a packer
A method and a sealing fluid for setting a packer in an annulus between a well bore and a well tubular is provided, which by adjusting i.a. the density, viscosity and setting time of the sealing fluid is able to provide among other things a full radial seal with an acceptable axial dispersion, in particular in highly deviated wells and/or in wells having eccentric annuli.
US09920233B2 Drilling fluids with nano and granular particles and their use for wellbore strengthening
There is described a drilling fluid for wellbore strengthening having nanoparticles and granular particles. In one aspect described herein, the drilling fluid is an invert emulsion based fluid. In a further aspect, the nanoparticles are iron hydroxide or calcium carbonate, and in a further aspect from about 1 to 30 nm in size. In one aspect described herein, the granular particles are graphite or calcium carbonate and in a further aspect, up to 250 μm in size. The nanoparticles and granular particles plug fractures in the wellbore to strengthen the wellbore.
US09920232B2 Method of manufacturing metal composite material, metal composite material, method of manufacturing heat dissipating component, and heat dissipating component
A method of manufacturing a metal composite material includes applying a mechanical impact force to a carbon material and a metal powder at such an intensity as capable of pulverizing the carbon material, thereby adhering the carbon material to a surface of the metal powder.
US09920229B2 Cross-linkable masses based on organyl-oxysilane-terminated polymers
Moisture curable compositions having a low modulus and a high resilience are prepared by curing a composition containing a first polymer which predominately contains two moisture-curable silyl groups, and a second polymer which is terminated by an alkoxy group and contains but a single moisture-curable silyl group, or a hydroxyl group.
US09920228B2 Composite wood particulate products with aldehyde-free adhesives and methods for making same
The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.
US09920226B2 Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, conductive adhesive composition and adhesive tape made therefrom
The present invention provides a thermally curable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, which, based on the total weight of the composition, comprises the following components: a) 35-99% by weight of a reactive polymethacrylate component having a glass transition temperature Tg of −35° C. to 32° C., and having a reactive functional group which can react with benzoxazine to form an interpenetrating polymer network; and b) 1-65% by weight of a benzoxazine component of the following formula: wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of a covalent bond, C1-C6 alkylene, C3-C10 cycloalkylene group, C═O, S, S═O or O═S═O R1 and R2 are the same or different and independently of each other selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, or C5-C14 aryl, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl. The present invention also provides an electrically conductive adhesive composition and an adhesive tape comprising the above-described composition, and provides for the use of the composition for preparing membranes used for electronic and electrical products, automobile products and new energy equipment.
US09920225B2 Vibration damping adhesives
Adhesive compositions are described which are useful for damping vibration associated with hard disk drives. The adhesive compositions include a combination of at least two partially immiscible acrylic copolymers such that the compositions exhibit at least two distinct glass transition temperatures. Also described are label assemblies utilizing such adhesives and related methods of use.
US09920221B2 Hydrogenated natural oils in rust preventative coatings
A coating composition of a first triglyceride having a melting point of at least 35° C.; a second triglyceride having a melting point of less than 35° C.; a hydrocarbon-soluble ester-containing polymer; a carboxylic diacid or polyacid having at least 10 carbon atoms; and a metal salt of an alkylarylsulfonate in a hydrocarbon oil, provides good rust protection.
US09920220B2 Conductive films and devices comprised thereof
Embodiments of films and material layers comprising PEDOT. These embodiments are the result of methods that utilize polymerization processes including vapor phase polymerization (VPP) to form the conductive film comprising PEDOT. In one embodiment, the film can result from a method that includes steps for depositing a coating solution onto a substrate, exposing the substrate to a monomer source, and cleaning the substrate after polymerization. The coating solution can comprise an initiating oxidant, which facilitates growth of PEDOT from 3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), as well as a quenching agent that neutralizes acid that results from polymerization.
US09920215B2 Coating material compositions and low-temperature-curable coatings produced therefrom, and use thereof
A nonaqueous coating material composition and coatings thereof are provided. The composition contains an oligomeric and/or polymeric compound (A) having at least two hydroxyl groups, an oligomeric and/or polymeric compound (B) having at least two alkylidene-1,3-dioxolan-2-one groups of formula (I′), and a catalyst (D) where # stands for the attachment to the polymer backbone and R1, R2 independently of one another are hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy-C1-C4 alkyl, C5-C6 cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl-C1-C4 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy-C1-C4 alkyl, C5-C6 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-C1-C4 alkyl; A is a chemical bond or C1-C4 alkanediyl; X is O or NR7; Z is a chemical bond, PO2, SO2, or C═O, Y is a chemical bond, CH2, or CHCH3, and R7 where present is C1-C6 alkyl.
US09920214B2 Solvent-based paint composition and fluorine-containing copolymer
Provided is a paint composition which can give a coating having excellent stretchability and further having excellent contamination resistance. A solvent-based paint composition comprises a fluorocopolymer (I), and an organic solvent (II), the fluorocopolymer (I) including: a perhaloolefin structural unit (a) that contains two carbon atoms, a vinyl acetate structural unit (b), a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer structural unit (c) represented by the following formula (1): CH2═CH—O—(CH2)n—OH wherein n is an integer of 2 or more, and a carboxyl group-containing monomer structural unit (d) represented by the following formula (2): R1R2C═CR3—(CH2)m—COOH wherein R1, R2, and R3 are the same as or different from one another, and each a hydrogen atom or a C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl group; and m is an integer of 2 or more.
US09920213B2 White inkjet ink printing
An inkjet printing method includes the steps of: a) printing a first print job by jetting a free radical UV curable white inkjet ink from a white ink print head and one or more free radical UV curable color inkjet inks from one or more other print heads in a UV curable inkjet printer; b) filling the white ink print head in the UV curable inkjet printer with a safeguard liquid including one or more free radical polymerizable monomers; c) printing a second print job employing only the one or more other print heads in the UV curable inkjet printer for jetting one or more free radical UV curable color inkjet inks; d) replacing the safeguard liquid of the white ink print head in the UV curable inkjet printer by UV curable white inkjet ink; and e) printing a third print job by jetting free radical UV curable white inkjet ink from the white ink print head and jetting one or more free radical UV curable color inkjet inks from one or more other print heads in the UV curable inkjet printer.
US09920209B2 Aqueous inkjet ink compositions
Disclosed herein are aqueous inkjet ink compositions and coating compositions comprising: at least one pigment; at least one polymer; and at least one water-soluble compound having a hydroxyl number of at least 40, wherein the at least one water-soluble compound is selected from ethoxylated C3-C20 polyols, C4-C20 polyols having three or more hydroxyl groups, and polyether polyols, and wherein the at least one water-soluble compound is present in an amount ranging from 1% to by 60% weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition comprises a total amount of water-soluble organic components ranging from 25% to 60% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
US09920206B2 Soft-feel coatings
Soft feel coating compositions, particularly for plastic substrates, having improved chemical resistance and methods of improving the chemical resistance of soft-feel coatings are provided.
US09920202B2 Lignocellulosic composite articles
A lignocellulosic composite article includes a plurality of lignocellulosic pieces and an adhesive system disposed on the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces for bonding the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces. The adhesive system includes a binder component and a compatibilizer component. An example of a suitable binder component is an isocyanate component, e.g. a diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), a polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), and combinations thereof. The compatibilizer component includes a trialkyl phosphate. The compatibilizer component is utilized in an amount of at least about 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the binder component. The compatibilizer component is useful for reducing the amount of press time required during manufacture of the composite article. The adhesive system can include additional components, such as an isocyanate-reactive component. The composite article may be various lignocellulosic composites, such as oriented strand board (OSB), particleboard (PB), fiberboard (e.g. medium density fiberboard; MDF), etc.
US09920201B2 Compositions of biomass materials for refining
The present invention relates to a composition and a method for preparing said composition where the composition comprises a lignin, a solvent, a carrier liquid, and a fatty acid, wherein the lignin constitutes at least 4 weight % of the composition and has a weight average molecular weight of not more than 5,000 g/mol, wherein the solvent is an alcohol, ether, organic ester, sulfoxide, ketone, aldehyde or a combination thereof, and wherein the carrier liquid is a hydrocarbon oil.
US09920197B2 Liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials
A liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials in the fabrication of resin-infusible preform is disclosed. The binder composition is an aqueous dispersion containing (a) one or more multifunctional epoxy resins, (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer, (c) one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof, (d) water, and is essentially free of organic solvents. Also disclosed is an emulsification process for producing the liquid binder composition.
US09920196B2 Propylene-based block copolymer
An object of the present invention is to prevent an occurrence of flow-mark molding defects to improve an appearance of molded articles, and as a means for achieving the object, a propylene-based block copolymer is used as an appearance improver, the copolymer comprising 80 to 60% by weight of crystalline propylene polymer portion which has an intrinsic viscosity [η]p of 0.90 dL/g or less and 20 to 40% by weight of propylene/ethylene random copolymer portion which has an ethylene content of 35 to 50% by weight and an intrinsic viscosity [η]c of 7.0 dL/g or higher ([η]c/[η]p being 7.5 to 30), in which the propylene-based block copolymer has a MFR of 10 to 50 g/10 min.
US09920195B2 Thermoplastic polyolefin composition
Composition comprising a polypropylene matrix (M-PP), at least one elastomeric copolymer (EP), a high density polyethylene (HDPE) being bimodal or multimodal, and a filler (F).
US09920191B2 Surface property improving agent for molded bodies made of polyolefin resins, resin composition containing the same, and resin molded body made thereof
A surface property-improving agent for molded bodies made of polyolefin resins contains 50.0 parts to 90.0 parts by mass of a non-polar wax with a melting point of 50° C. to 100° C. and 10.0 parts to 50.0 parts by mass of a vinyl copolymer obtained by copolymerizing two types of monomers (b1) and (b2). The sum of the non-polar wax and the vinyl copolymer is 100.0 parts by mass. The monomer (b1) is styrene and/or acrylonitrile. The vinyl copolymer contains 0.1 parts to 49.9 parts by mass of the monomer (b1) and 0.1 parts to 9.9 parts by mass of the monomer (b2) wherein the sum of the monomer (b1) and the monomer (b2) is 10.0 parts to 50.0 parts by mass. To 100.0 parts by mass of a polyolefin resin, 0.5 parts to 10.0 parts by mass of the agent is added. The monomer (b2) is a methacryloxypropyl polyorganosiloxane.
US09920190B2 Multimodal polyethylene composition with high pressure resistance
The present invention relates to a multimodal polyethylene composition which can be manufactured into pipes showing improved pressure resistance comprising a high density multimodal ethylene polymer component (A) having a density of at least 930 kg/m3, and a MFR21 of not more than 15 g/10 min, wherein said composition exhibits a LAOS-NLF defined as L ⁢ ⁢ A ⁢ ⁢ O ⁢ ⁢ S - N ⁢ ⁢ L ⁢ ⁢ F =  G 1 ′ G 3 ′  where G1′—first order Fourier Coefficient G3′—third order Fourier Coefficient of at least 1.7. Such a polyethylene composition is useful for the manufacture of pressure pipes that exhibit improved pressure resistance and creep resistance and do not undergo sagging. Further disclosed is a process for the production of a pipe using such a multimodal polyethylene composition and a pipe comprising such a multimodal polyethylene composition.
US09920184B2 Production method for rubber composition
A production method for a rubber composition, comprising: using an internal mixer to mix/disperse a rubber wet masterbatch containing a carbon black, a hydrazide compound, an antiaging agent, and sulfur, wherein a timing when the hydrazide compound is charged into the internal mixer is not the same timing when the antiaging agent is charged thereinto but the same timing when the component sulfur is charged thereinto.
US09920180B2 Polyester resin composition and method for producing same
An object is to provide a polyester resin having excellent hydrolysis resistance and good color tone and a method of producing the same. There is provided a polyester resin composition comprising a polyester resin that is prepared from a dicarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester and a diol as main raw material and mixed with: a copper halide; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of compounds expressed by a formula (i) and compounds expressed by a formula (ii): MXn . . . (i) (where M denotes an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, X denotes at least one element selected from bromine, iodine and chlorine, and n=1 or 2); and (RCOO)nM . . . (ii) (where R denotes hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms, M denotes an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and n=1 or 2).
US09920179B2 Encapsulation of fly ash by polymers
A method for preparing composites of polymer and fly ash particles, wherein the fly ash particles contains heterogeneous compositions of carbon and metal oxides, the method including: the steps of mixing the fly ash particles and an aqueous coating solution, including: a coating component selected from the group consisting of monomers, oligomers, pre-polymers, polymers, and combinations thereof, and an aqueous solvent serving to dissolve the coating component; and, while performing the step of mixing, initiating polymerization or crosslinking or both polymerization and crosslinking of the coating component to at least partially coat the fly ash particles with polymer or a crosslinked polymer network that agglomerates the fly ash particles and coats the surface of the fly ash particles, wherein the polymer or crosslinked polymer network formed in the step of initiating is hydrophobic.
US09920176B2 Single site catalyst supportation
This invention relates to catalyst supports having high surface area (SA≥400 m2/g), low pore volume (PV≤2 mL/g), a specific mean pore diameter range (PD=1-20 nm), and high average particle size (PS≥30 μm), supported catalysts, and supportation processes; and further relates to: high porosity (≥15%) and/or low pore diameter (PD<165 μm) propylene polymers; bimodal polymers and/or heterophasic copolymers based on the high porosity and/or low pore diameter propylene polymers; propylene polymerization processes using the supported catalysts and/or to prepare the high porosity and/or low pore diameter propylene polymers, bimodal polymers and/or heterophasic copolymers.
US09920175B2 Polyurethane prepreg and composite fiber element produced therefrom
The invention relates to prepregs and to a method for producing storage-stable polyurethane prepregs (pre-impregnated fibers) using polyols with a high content of secondary hydroxyl end groups, to composite fiber components (composite components) which are produced from the prepregs and which can be obtained by impregnating fiber-shaped materials such as woven fabrics and fleece, and to a method for producing said composite fiber components.
US09920173B2 Mixing and processing of rubber compositions containing polar fillers
Rubber compounds comprising one or more rubber with polar functionality and one or more polar filler are prepared by a method comprising the steps: (i) adding a polar volatile liquid to the polar filler; (ii) mixing the one or more rubber with polar functionality with the polar volatile liquid and polar filler to produce a dispersion of the polar filler in the one or more rubber; and (iii) removing the polar volatile liquid from the dispersion. The invention Improves the consistency and uniformity of mixing of rubber compounds based on elastomers having polar functionality, such as epoxidized natural rubber, containing polar reinforcing fillers, such as precipitated silica, The compounds, when vulcanized, have improved mechanical properties. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of vehicle tires.
US09920172B2 Method for processing polyethylene
A method can include consecutively batch processing at least two different polyethylene grades in pellet form in a pellet handling unit. A ratio of a melt flow index (MI) of a first polyethylene in pellet form (MIf) to a MI of a later processed polyethylene in pellet form (MIl) can be smaller than 0.30. The method can include processing an intermediate polyethylene grade in pellet form. An amount of intermediate polyethylene grade processed can be at most 1/100th of a handling capacity of the pellet handling unit. The intermediate polyethylene grade can have the same MI as the later processed polyethylene in pellet form.
US09920169B2 Curable composition
According to the present invention, a curable composition can be provided, said composition being characterized by comprising: (A) an episulfide compound; and (B) a photobase generator comprising an organoboron compound represented by general formula (1) below: (In general formula (1), R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 may be the same as or different from one another and independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 may be the same as or different from one another and independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthracenyl group and a phenanthryl group, each of which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group and a heterocyclic group.)
US09920167B2 Polymer and organic light-emitting diode including the same
A polymer having a repeating unit represented by Formula 1, wherein R1 through R14, X1, and Ar1 are the same as defined in the detailed description, and an organic light-emitting diode including the polymer are described.
US09920166B2 Halogen-free flame retardant TPU with very high LOI
The present invention relates to flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions, and more particularly to flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane compositions comprising non-halogen flame retardants. The TPU compositions are useful for applications where high flame performance, and optionally low smoke properties, as well as high tensile strength are desirable, such as wire and cable applications, film applications, molding applications, and the like. This invention also relates to processes to produce the non-halogen flame retardant TPU compositions and processes to produce wire and cable jacketing from such compositions.
US09920165B2 Phthalonitriles derived from polyphenols
A method of making an organic salt comprising: reacting a polyphenol with a base and optionally a dihaloaromatic compound. The polyphenol is resveratrol; dihydroresveratrol; 4,4′-(but-2-ene-1,4-diyl)bis-2-methoxyphenol; 4,4′-(1,4-butane-diyl)bis-2-methoxyphenol; 1-ethyl-2-methyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxyindane; 4,4′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)diphenol; 5,5′-methylenebis(2-methoxy-4-methylphenol); 4,4′-methylenebis(5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); 4,4′-(1-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediyl)bisphenol; or 5,5′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(2-methoxy-4-methylphenol. The dihaloaromatic compound if present comprises a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, or a phosphoryl group. There is a molar excess of the hydroxy groups of the polyphenol relative to halo groups of the dihaloaromatic compound if present. The corresponding phthalonitrile monomers and thermosets made from the organic salts are disclosed.
US09920164B2 Method for producing monohydroxypolyalkylene oxides
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of monohydroxypolyalkylene oxides (MPAO) which are substantially free of diols, comprising the reaction of at least one monoalcohol as a starter with at least one alkylene oxide in the presence of at least one basic catalyst, the catalyst being used as a solution in water or alcohol or in solvent mixtures which comprise water and/or alcohol.
US09920163B2 Polyester polyol for use in polyurethane
The present invention relates to a polyester polyol, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, the polyester polyol having an ABA-structure, in which A represents a lactide-oligomer and in which B represents an initiator. The initiator includes a reaction product having long chain dicarboxylic acid components having 18 or more carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of the polyester polyol. The invention further pertains to polyurethanes including the before-mentioned polyester polyol as well as the use of these polyurethanes as an elastomer having a high toughness. The toughness is believed to originate from the combination of the hydrophobic character of the initiator and the hydrophilic character of the lactide parts in the polyol structure. The strength of the invented polylactide-polyurethane elastomers can be further improved by incorporating a carbodiimide in the elastomer material.
US09920162B2 Heat-shrinkable polyester film
The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester film with high mechanical strength in a width direction that is orthogonal to the main shrinking direction and high tensile rupture elongation in the film width direction after being subjected to an aging treatment in a high-temperature environment. The heat-shrinkable polyester film is made from a polyester resin containing ethylene terephthalate as the main component and a monomer component that can serve as an amorphous component in an amount of 0 mol % or more and less than 1 mol % relative to the total amount of polyester resin components.
US09920161B2 Epoxy systems for composites
Compositions and methods for forming epoxy resin systems are provided. In one embodiment, a composition is provided for an epoxy resin system including a reaction product of an epoxy resin component and a curing agent component comprising a first amine compound having the formula R1R2R3N, wherein R1 and R2 are independently an aliphatic or alicyclic organic functional group and R3 is an alkyl group, having a backbone of 2-18 carbon atoms, and a second amine compound having one or more primary or secondary amine groups, with the stoichiometic ratio of —NH bonds of the second amine compound to the epoxy groups of the epoxy resin component being from 1:20 to about 21:20. The composition may be used to form composites, such as used in commercial wind turbine blade manufacturing.
US09920160B2 Method for synthesis of polymer containing multiple epoxy groups
A method for a synthesis of a polymer containing multiple epoxy groups includes steps of: under protection of nitrogen or argon, with a photosensitive free radical initiator under an ultraviolet light irradiation, initiating a mixture of a dithiol compound and alkynyl glycidyl ether or other alkynyl-containing compounds to proceed a thiol-yne polymerization, so as to obtain the polymer. The number of the epoxy groups is able to be adjusted through changing a type of a dithiol monomer, a mixing ratio of the dithiol monomer, and a mixing ratio between the alkynyl glycidyl ether and other alkynyl compounds. The present invention has advantages of: fast reaction, convenient process, easy post-processing, a large number of the epoxy groups, and adjustable and controllable content. The obtained polymer has a wide potential application in fields of coating, adhesive, ink, encapsulating material, resin for composite material, additive, high performance material, function material, and so on.
US09920158B2 Coating composition having smooth texture for one-coat-one bake coating
A coating composition for one-coat-one bake coating includes a resin, a pigment, a solvent, and a general additive. The resin is an acryl modified urethane resin manufactured by polymerizing polycarbonate diol, polyester diol, an acryl resin, and an isocyanate monomer. The coating composition using one-coat-one bake coating can provide soft texture, excellent chemical resistance, and adhesion.
US09920153B2 Method of preparing thermoplastic resin composition having superior surface clearness and gloss
Disclosed are a method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composition having superior surface clearness and gloss. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a superior thermoplastic resin composition which has superior surface clearness and superior gloss and may prevent mold deposition during a high speed injection process, by using a reactive emulsifier during emulsion polymerization of rubber latex composed of polybutadiene, preparing resin latex using a hydrophobic initiator during graft copolymerization of rubber latex, an aromatic vinyl monomer, and a vinyl cyan monomer, compression dehydrating a moisture content to less than 10% using a compression type dehydrator after agglomerating the resin latex, and performing a wet powder extrusion process.
US09920151B2 Highly swellable polymers
The present invention relates to a method for producing polymers that are suitable for absorbing and storing aqueous liquids, and to polymers that can be obtained by this method. This invention further related to the use of such polymers. The method comprises the following steps: i. crosslinking free-radical polymerization of a monomer composition M comprising a) at least one monomer A having an ethylenic double bond and at least one neutralizable acid group or a group hydrolyzable to a neutralizable acid group, b) optionally one or more comonomers B which are different than the monomers A and have one ethylenic double bond, and c) 0.05 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one crosslinker C, in the presence of at least one polysaccharide-comprising substance S, in an aqueous liquid, where the weight ratio of the monomer composition M to the substance S is in the range from 9:1 to 1:9; and ii. at least partial neutralization of the acid groups and/or hydrolysis of the groups hydrolyzable to neutralizable acid groups in the polymer obtained in step i.; wherein the polymerization and/or the neutralization is performed in the presence of urea.
US09920150B2 Phosphorylated polymers
A process is described for the production of phosphorus-containing organic polymers through reaction of dialkyl phosphites with organic polymers comprising carbon-carbon double bonds in the presence of organic compounds that form free radicals under the reaction conditions, with covalent linkage of the phosphorus atom of the dialkyl phosphite to a carbon atom of the organic polymer.
US09920149B2 Silane-containing carboxy-terminated polymers
Polymers are functionalized at chain ends thereof with silane-containing carboxyl groups of the formula (I) where R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each an H, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, alkaryl, alkaryloxy, aralkyl or aralkoxy radical; R3 and R4 are the same or different and are each an H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl radical; and A is a divalent organic radical.
US09920148B2 Vehicle part cover including methacrylic-based resin
A vehicle part cover including a methacrylic-based resin (I) having a weight average molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of 65,000 to 300,000, the methacrylic-based resin (I) comprising: 50 to 97% by mass of a methacrylate monomer unit (A); 3 to 30% by mass of a structural unit (B) having a ring structure in its main chain, and being at least one selected from the group consisting of a maleimide-based structural unit, a glutaric anhydride structural unit, a glutarimide-based structural unit, and a lactone ring structural unit; and 0 to 20% by mass of another vinyl monomer unit (C) that is copolymerizable with a methacrylate monomer.
US09920146B2 Methods of treatment to improve the quality of alcoholic beverages using vinyl lactam-derived polymer-hydrogen peroxide complexes
Provided is a method of treatment of an alcoholic beverage, particularly beer or wine, for removing ingredient(s) causing undesirable sulfury and/or fatty flavor(s), by contacting the beverage with a composition having a polymer-hydrogen peroxide complex, wherein the polymer is derived from at least one N-vinyl lactam monomer, and wherein the hydrogen peroxide is present in an amount from about 1% by weight to about 50% by weight of the complex. Provided further is a method of treatment of an alcoholic beverage to remove at least (a) at least one ingredient causing at least one undesirable sulfury and/or fatty flavor, and (b) at least one ingredient causing colloidal haze, including contacting the beverage with a composition described herein. Provided furthermore is an alcoholic beverage obtained by the method(s) of treatment described herein.
US09920145B2 Tackifier compounds and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to tackifier compounds and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a tackifier compound including independently substituted or unsubstituted fused rings A and B each independently chosen from (C5-C10)cycloalkyl and (C2-C10)heterocyclyl. Fused ring A is substituted with (R1)1-8 and fused ring B is substituted with —(OC(O)R′C(O)R2)1-8. At each occurrence R′ is independently chosen from (C2-C10)alkanylene, (C2-C10)alkenylene, (C2-C10)alkynylene, C5-C20(arylene), and (C1-C20)heteroarylene, wherein R′ is unsubstituted or substituted. At each occurrence R1 is independently selected from —OH, —OR3, and —OC(O)R′C(O)R2. At each occurrence R2 is independently chosen from —OH, —OR3, —NH2, —NHR3, and —NR32. At each occurrence R3 is independently chosen from (C1-C10)alkanyl, (C2-C10)alkenyl, (C2-C10)alkynyl, C5-C20(aryl), and (C1-C20)heteroaryl, wherein R3 is unsubstituted or substituted.
US09920141B2 Process for manufacturing a dispersion of a vinylidene fluoride polymer
A process for manufacturing a dispersions of a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) thermoplastic polymer [polymer (F)], said process comprising polymerizing VDF in an aqueous phase comprising: at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of non-fluorinated surfactants [surfactant (HS)] and fluorinated surfactants having a molecular weight of less than 400 [surfactant (FS)]; and at least one functional (per)fluoropolyether (functional PFPE) comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain [chain (R′F)] and at least one functional group, said functional PFPE having a number average molecular weight of at least 1000 and a solubility in water of less than 1% by weight at 25° C., wherein said functional PFPE is present in the aqueous phase in an amount of 0.001 to 0.3 g/l.
US09920139B2 Suspensions in aqueous media
Provided is a suspension comprising liquid droplets dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein said droplets comprise (a) one or more water-insoluble compounds, and (b) a vinyl polyelectrolyte (PED) having a polarity, and wherein said aqueous medium comprises a polyelectrolyte (PEW) having a polarity that is opposite to the polarity of said polyelectrolyte (PED). Also provided are a method of making such a suspension and a method using such a suspension in a process of suspension polymerization.
US09920133B2 Anti-tissue factor monoclonal antibody
Monoclonal antibodies against human and mouse tissue factor, and fragments thereof, are disclosed, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and compositions for drug delivery containing the same. Therapeutic methods using the same are also disclosed.
US09920129B2 Diagnosis and treatment of cancer using anti-ITM2A antibody
Disclosed is a monoclonal antibody binding to an ITM2A protein. This antibody is useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer such as Ewing's sarcoma, T cell leukemia, T cell lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, B cell tumor, and multiple myeloma. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition, a cell growth inhibitor, and an anticancer agent containing the antibody as an active ingredient, and a method for treating cancer, a method for predicting the efficacy of cancer treatment, and a method for determining the presence of cancer in a test subject using the antibody.
US09920127B2 Methods of treating pain with compositions comprising RANK/RANKL antagonists and related compounds
Disclosed herein are methods of treating pain using RANK/RANKL antagonists.
US09920122B2 Compositions and methods to enhance the immune system
The invention relates to the field of molecular medicine. In particular, it relates to compositions and methods to enhance the clearance of aberrant cells, e.g. cancer cells or virus-infected cells, by the host's immune system. Provided is a composition comprising (i) a therapeutic compound that can trigger a host's immune effector cells against an aberrant cell, such as a therapeutic antibody, and (ii) at least one agent capable of reducing or preventing inhibitory signal transduction initiated via SIRPalpha.
US09920119B2 Chimeric molecule involving oligomerized FasL extracellular domain
New chimeric molecules involving in their structure, a combination of the extracellular domain (EC) of the FasL protein and a domain enabling oligomerisation of this Fas Ligand (FasL) EC domain, such as the Ig-like (so-called Ig in the following pages) domain of the gp190 receptor for the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), or involving in their structure variants of the domains. Also, compositions including the chimeric molecule defined herein and the use of these chimeric molecules especially to trigger cytotoxic activity toward cells sensitive to FasL.