| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09933596B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A five-piece optical lens for capturing image and a five-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens which can have positive refractive power, and has an object-side surface which can be convex; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; a fourth lens with refractive power; and a fifth lens which can have negative refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and at least one surface of the fifth lens has an inflection point; both surfaces of each of the five lenses are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09933593B2 |
Driving apparatus and optical device
A driving apparatus comprises a plurality of vibrators vibrating by application of a high-frequency voltage thereto; a friction member in frictional contact with the vibrators; and a pressing portion for bringing the vibrators into pressed contact with the friction member. The plurality of vibrators are arranged to be juxtaposed and a single drive force is extracted by moving the plurality of vibrators relative to the friction member, and a position where the drive force is extracted is a central position of the plurality of vibrators in a direction in which the plurality of vibrators are juxtaposed and is close to a frictional contact position in a pressing direction of the pressing portion. |
| US09933592B1 |
Large aperture, passive optical athermalized beam expander for eye-safe lasers
A passive 5x athermalized afocal beam expander comprising a housing integrally formed of a single material. Using titanium for the housing as well as lens materials having a minimal change of index of refraction over changes in temperature provides for a 5x athermalized afocal beam expander constructed to operate in a wavelength range from about 1460 nm to about 1675 nm at temperatures ranging from about −40 degrees Celsius to about +75 degrees Celsius. |
| US09933591B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a lens barrel and a lens group accommodated in the lens barrel. The lens group includes a first lens and a second lens, each of the first lens and the second lens including an arc part and a peripheral part around the arc part. A matching structure is formed by the peripheral part of the second lens and the peripheral part of the first lens. By virtue of the matching structure, the lens module of the present disclosure has a high concentricity. |
| US09933588B2 |
Fiber optic equipment chassis and modules
Technologies are described for a fiber optic equipment chassis. The chassis may have a bottom plate and a top plate positioned such that the plates form a front chassis access and a rear chassis access. The chassis may include five module guides each having module guide channels for insertion and removal of fiber optic modules. The modules have two guide rails and movable tabs arranged in tab pairs to the front and to the rear. A tab catch on each of the tabs is configured to engage with guide catches and disengage when either tab pair is compressed toward a centerline of the module. The geometry of the modules provide a smaller total width than a distance between adjacent module guides while either pair of tabs is compressed. The smaller width can support removal of the fiber optic module from both the front access and the rear access. |
| US09933583B2 |
Optical fiber connector and optical fiber connector component system
An optical fiber connector includes a main body (1), a sleeve (2), and a plug (3). The main body (1) includes a first cube and a second cube that are formed by means of injection molding, where a first cavity (1o) is disposed inside the first cube, and the first cavity (1o) is used to adapt to an optical fiber sub-assembly inserted from a first end face of the first cube; at least two hook-like structures (1n) are formed, by means of injection molding, on the first cube extending from a second end face that is parallel to the first end face into the first cavity (1o), and the hook-like structures (1n) are used to tightly lock the optical fiber sub-assembly when the optical fiber sub-assembly is inserted from the first end face. |
| US09933576B2 |
Electro-optic device with an optical grating coupler having a grating period variation and methods of formation thereof
An electro-optic device may include a photonic chip including an insulator layer, and a semiconductor layer over the insulator layer and defining an optical grating coupler. The optical grating coupler may have a series of alternating curved ridges and valleys. The optical grating coupler has first and second sides and a medial portion. The medial portion has a medial grating period T based upon a targeting wavelength. One or more of the first and second sides have a side grating period different than T. |
| US09933570B2 |
Integration of V-grooves on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform for direct fiber coupling
A method for fabricating a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprises providing a wafer comprising an insulator layer positioned between a top semiconductor layer and a base semiconductor layer, patterning the top semiconductor layer to simultaneously define a waveguide and a first etch mask window for forming a fiber-guiding v-groove that substantially aligns to an axis of optical signal propagation of the waveguide, removing a first portion of the top semiconductor layer to form the waveguide according to the patterning, removing a second portion of the top semiconductor layer to form the first etch mask window according to the patterning, and forming the fiber-guiding v-groove according to the first etch mask window. |
| US09933568B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is an SOI substrate which has a substrate, an insulating layer formed over the substrate, and a semiconductor layer formed over the insulating layer. Optical waveguides are formed in the semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate. This substrate has a low resistance semiconductor layer and a high resistance semiconductor layer thereover. Further, wirings which are formed through insulating films are provided on the optical waveguides. In this manner, the low resistance semiconductor layer is arranged in the surface part of the substrate of the insulating films, thereby restraining an eddy current generated in the substrate due to an electric signal transmitted through the wirings. |
| US09933566B2 |
Photonic chip with an evanescent coupling interface
Embodiments herein describe a photonic chip which includes a coupling interface for evanescently coupling the chip to a waveguide on an external substrate. In one embodiment, the photonic chip includes a tapered waveguide that aligns with a tapered waveguide on the external substrate. The respective tapers of the two waveguides are inverted such that as the width of the waveguide in the photonic chip decreases, the width of the waveguide on the external substrate increases. In one embodiment, these two waveguides form an adiabatic structure where the optical signal transfers between the waveguides with minimal or no coupling of the optical signal to other non-intended modes. Using the two waveguides, optical signals can be transmitted between the photonic chip and the external substrate. |
| US09933558B2 |
Illumination device comprising first, second, and third reflectors, a lightguide, and a light-emitting layer and display device
According to one embodiment, an illumination device includes a lightguide, a light-emitting layer, a first reflector, a second reflector, and a third reflector. A distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is greater at a second position farther from the light-emitting layer than at a first position closer to the light-emitting layer. A distance between the lightguide and the third reflector is greater at a fourth position farther from the first reflector than at a third position closer to the first reflector. An emission portion for allowing emission of light emitted from the light-emitting layer is formed between the second reflector and the third reflector. |
| US09933553B2 |
Optical element and optical device
Provided are an optical element and an optical device using the optical element to which a manufacturing process for manufacturing a wire-grid structure can be basically applied, and besides, in which a higher polarization contrast ratio than that of a wire-grid element can be obtained. A wobbled wire element in an embodiment has a feature that a periodic structure having a period equal to or larger than a wavelength of an incident light wave is formed in a y direction. In this manner, in a wobbled wire element in a first embodiment, a polarization contrast ratio can be significantly improved. |
| US09933552B2 |
Optical element, optical device, and electronic device
An optical element includes a conductive fixed reflection film, a movable reflection film that faces the fixed reflection film, a transmissive second insulating film which is provided on a side of the fixed reflection film opposite to the movable reflection film, and a light receiving unit which is provided on a side of the second insulating film opposite to the fixed reflection film and within a light receiving region where the fixed reflection film, the movable reflection film, and the second insulating film overlap each other in an element plan view when seen from film thickness directions of the fixed reflection film and the movable reflection film, and which receives light emitted from the fixed reflection film. |
| US09933551B2 |
Display and information-printed matter
A display includes a substrate with a light-transmitting property, a relief structure-forming layer disposed on at least one surface of the substrate and including a relief-structured region on a surface thereof opposite to its surface in contact with the substrate, a light-reflecting layer disposed on the surface of the relief structure-forming layer including the relief-structured region, and a printed layer formed on a surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the relief structure-forming layer is disposed, or between the relief structure-forming layer and the light-reflecting layer, or on a side of the light-reflecting layer opposite to its surface in contact with the relief structure-forming layer. The relief-structured region is constituted by recessed or protruding portions arranged two-dimensionally, has low reflectivity and low diffusibility under a normal illumination condition, and exhibits a diffracted light-emitting property under a specific condition. |
| US09933547B2 |
Device for low contact cable cleaning
A method and cable cleaning device that includes a housing and at least one cleaning element attached to the housing. The cleaning element is configured to clean marine fouling from a cable. The cleaning element is at least partially rolled around the cable and its tautness is adjustable. |
| US09933543B2 |
Downhole inspection, detection, and imaging using conformable sensors
An example method for downhole surveying and measuring may include receiving a measurement from a receiver of a conformable sensor, the measurement corresponding to a response of a downhole element to an electromagnetic signal generated by a transmitter of the conformable sensor. A parameter of the downhole element may be determined based, at least in part, on the received measurement. A visualization of a feature of the downhole element may be generated based, at least in part, on at least one of the received measurement and the determined parameter. |
| US09933538B2 |
Adaptive optimization of output power, waveform and mode for improving acoustic tools performance
A method and system for enhancing the signal quality of received signals generated by acoustic tools by factoring in feedbacks from the rig operations in an adaptive optimization process. The system may include a transmitter driver circuit and transmitters which can implement signal transmission at selected power, mode and waveforms. The selected power, mode and transmit waveforms may further be generated in the system by making optimal calculations based on realtime information from the downhole data regarding the formation and borehole characteristics. |
| US09933533B2 |
Seismic acquisition method and apparatus
The presently disclosed seismic acquisition technique employs a receiver array and a processing methodology that are designed to attenuate the naturally occurring seismic background noise recorded along with the seismic data during the acquisition. The approach leverages the knowledge that naturally occurring seismic background noise moves with a slower phase velocity than the seismic signals used for imaging and inversion and, in some embodiments, may arrive from particular preferred directions. The disclosed technique comprises two steps: 1) determining from the naturally occurring seismic background noise in the preliminary seismic data a range of phase velocities and amplitudes that contain primarily noise and the degree to which that noise needs to be attenuated, and 2) designing an acquisition and processing method to attenuate that noise relative to the desired signal. |
| US09933532B2 |
Temperature correction of a gamma detector
A logging tool may include a stabilization source configured to emit gamma rays, a gamma ray detector configured to collect gamma rays from the stabilization source and a formation and an analysis module. The analysis module may be configured to determine a photopeak of the stabilization source in a gamma ray spectrum including counts of the gamma rays collected by the gamma ray detector and perform resolution calculations using the photopeak to determine a resolution of the gamma ray detector. |
| US09933529B2 |
Layered three-dimensional radiation position detector
A layered three-dimensional radiation position detector includes two-dimensional scintillator arrays that are pixelated by optically discontinuous surfaces and stacked on a light receiving surface of a light receiving element, responses of scintillator elements detecting radiations being made identifiable on the light receiving surface to obtain a three-dimensional radiation detection position. A scintillator array lying on a radiation incident surface side has a pixel pitch smaller than that of a scintillator array lying on a light receiving element side so that the scintillator array on the radiation incident surface side has increased resolution. A layered three-dimensional radiation position detector achieving both low cost and high resolution can thus be provided. |
| US09933528B2 |
Systems and methods for real time kinematic satellite positioning
A method for Real Time Kinematic satellite positioning includes receiving navigation satellite carrier signals, receiving phase correction signals from a reference station, calculating a set of integer phase ambiguities from double-differenced measurements of pseudo-range and phase, and calculating a relative position of the mobile receiver from the set of integer phase ambiguities and the double-differenced measurements of pseudo-range and phase. |
| US09933522B2 |
System and method for refining coordinate-based three-dimensional images obtained from a three-dimensional measurement system
A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target and generate a three-dimensional image of the target. The system may refine the three-dimensional image by reducing the stochastic components in the transformation parameters between video frame times. |
| US09933520B1 |
Orthogonal linear frequency modulation for MIMO radar
Disclosed herein are embodiments that relate to phase coded linear frequency modulation for a radar system. Embodiments include transmitting at least one signal pulse with a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) encoding. The method also includes receiving a signal associated with reflection of the at least one transmitted signal pulse. The received signal may include at least two channels. Further, the method may also include processing the received signal to determine target information. The processing may include performing a despread operation that provides a phase offset based on a filtering range. Additionally, the processing may include performing a reconstruction operation that comprises creating a virtual spatial channel based on combining the two received channels. Yet further, the processing may include determining the target information based on the virtual spatial channel. An autonomous vehicle may be controlled based on the determined target information. |
| US09933517B1 |
Time-alignment of motion detection signals using buffers
In a general aspect, a filter time aligns time varying RF-motion data. In some aspects, a method includes loading a first set of input signals (SISs) into an interference buffer over a first time period. The first SISs is based on a first set of wireless signals received by a wireless communication device (WCD) after being transmitted through a space. The method includes using the first SISs to determine an interference level. The method includes: in response to determining the interference level is below a threshold, executing a motion detection process in a second, subsequent time period over which a second SISs is loaded into the interference buffer. The motion detection process, using a subset of the first SISs, detects motion of an object in the space. The second SISs are based on a second set of wireless signals received by the WCD after being transmitted through the space. |
| US09933516B2 |
Multi-level pulser and related apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods are provided directed to a device, including at least one ultrasonic transducer, a multi-level pulser coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; the multi-level pulser including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a first transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode. |
| US09933512B2 |
Method and geodetic device for surveying at least one target
The invention relates to a method for surveying at least one target using a geodetic device. According to said method, a camera of the device captures a visual image and surveys an angle and/or a distance to the target with geodetic precision, the angle and/or distance surveillance being supported or controlled by the visual image. At the same time of capture of the visual image at least two distance points of a distance image are captured as the spatial distribution of discrete distance points in the area of detection. When the visual image and the distance image are correlated with each other, the target is recognized or the measuring process is controlled. |
| US09933509B2 |
System for tracking an object using pulsed frequency hopping
Tracking systems and methods for obtaining position coordinates of transmitters are provided. One or more transmitters send multiple carrier signals to multiple receivers, where the time difference of arrival of the multiple carrier signals are used to determine the location of each transmitter. Accuracy is obtained by using phase information of multiple carrier frequencies for time difference of arrival measurements. The accuracy obtained by a receiver depends on the quality of the received carrier signal; a received carrier signal may become distorted by the presence of multipath interference. By using multiple signals with different frequencies, the system can screen or compensate for multipath effects. This screening can be accomplished either through various signal-sampling techniques or by averaging the signals received at the receiver. Because signals with different frequencies have different multipath experiences, a computer can analyze and compensate for “good” and “bad” signals. |
| US09933497B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for determination of excitation profiles from excitation pulses
In a method for determining excitation profiles from excitation pulses in a magnetic resonance, a homogeneous phantom is placed within the measurement volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus, at least one measurement data set of the phantom is acquired by operating the apparatus with a test pulse sequence composed of one excitation pulse, of which the excitation profile is to be determined, and a test gradient that is already activated on at full strength while the excitation pulse (A) is irradiated. The intensity profile of at least one acquired measurement data set in the direction in which the test gradient was switched on is determined in a processor, and the excitation profile of the excitation pulse is determined from the calculated intensity profile. The determined excitation profile is saved. |
| US09933493B2 |
Battery management system
A battery management system for a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells connected in series is provided. The battery management system includes a first switching unit coupled to an anode of a first battery cell of the battery pack, having a first P-type transistor coupled to the anode of the first battery cell, a first resistor coupled between the anode of the first battery cell and a gate of the first P-type transistor, and a current mirror coupled to the gate of the first P-type transistor and the first resistor, draining a first mirror current from the first resistor in response to a control signal, so as to turn on the first P-type transistor. The system further includes a detection circuit coupled to the first switching unit. |
| US09933492B2 |
Method for safely and economically operating an electrolyser
A method for determining a safe and economic voltage operating range dependent on current density and/or a specific energy consumption operating range of a cell element of an electrolyser. A method for improving voltage results and/or specific energy consumption results, in which the voltage operating range and/or specific energy consumption operating range is determined depending on an operating parameter associated with the cell element. |
| US09933487B2 |
System and method for detecting, localizing, and quantifying stator winding faults in AC motors
A system and method for detecting, localizing and quantifying stator winding faults in AC electrical machines is disclosed. A diagnostic system configured to detect a stator winding fault in an AC electrical machine includes a processor programmed to receive measurements of three-phase voltages and currents provided to the AC electrical machine from voltage and current sensors associated with the electrical distribution circuit, compute positive, negative and zero sequence components of voltage and current from the three-phase voltages and currents, and calculate a fault severity index (FSI) based on at least a portion of the positive, negative and zero sequence components of voltage and current, wherein calculating the FSI further comprises identifying a voltage gain in one or more phases of the AC electrical machine due to a stator winding fault and localizing the stator winding fault to one or more phases in the AC electrical machine. |
| US09933484B2 |
Taps with TO-T2, T4 classes with, without topology selection logic
Topology discovery of a target system having a plurality of components coupled with a scan topology may be performed by driving a low logic value on the data input signal and a data output signal of the scan topology. An input data value and an output data value for each of the plurality of components is sampled and recorded. A low logic value is then scanned through the scan path and recorded at each component. The scan topology may be determined based on the recorded data values and the recorded scan values. |
| US09933483B2 |
Addressable tap domain selection circuit with instruction and linking circuits
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. |
| US09933480B2 |
Parametric pin measurement unit high voltage extension
An integrated circuit for measuring a signal, including a parametric pin measurement unit (PPMU) that sends a forced signal, the PPMU having a first amplifier, a second amplifier with an output terminal connected to the input terminals of the first amplifier through a common resistor; a voltage-to-current convertor connected to a PPMU output and having a first output and a second output; n channel MOSFETs connected to the first output of the voltage-to-current converter; p channel MOSFETs connected to the second output of the voltage-to-current converter; a buffered amplifier connected to an output port between the n channel MOSFETs and the p channel MOSFETs; and a resistance divider connected to the output of the buffered amplifier. |
| US09933476B2 |
Probe card and method for performing an unclamped inductive switching test using multiple equal-length interconnection lines emanating from a common connection node
A probe card with a ground contact, a first contact element and a second contact element is provided. The first contact element is coupled to an interconnection node via a first interconnection line having a definite length and the second contact element is coupled to the interconnection node via a second interconnection line having the same definite length. The interconnection node is directly connected to the ground contact. |
| US09933471B2 |
Calibration of a device for measuring an electric field in a conducting medium
A device for measuring an electric field in a conducting medium comprises: two electrodes separated by a volume of an insulating medium; a device for measuring current coupled to said electrodes; and adjustment elements making it possible to vary a quantity on which the electrical conductivity of the field measuring device depends. |
| US09933467B1 |
Group delay measurement apparatus and method
Measurement of group delay for a device under test (DUT). A test signal includes (i) a low frequency sine wave fLF, (ii) sine wave harmonics at a high frequency fHF, (iii) L pairs of sideband components at frequencies k·fHF±2·fLF, where k odd, and M pairs of sideband components at frequencies k·fHF±fLF, where k is even. At DUT output, (i) phase ϕLF at frequency fLF is measured, (ii) both sideband phase ϕright(k) at frequencies k·fHF+2·fLF and phase ϕleft(k) at frequencies k·fHF−2·fLF for odd k, are measured, and (iii) both sideband phases ϕright(k) at frequencies k·fHF+fLF and ϕleft(k) at frequencies k·fHF−fLF for even k, are measured. Group delay τk at frequencies k·FHF, are determined from: τk=(ϕright(k)−ϕleft(k)−4·ϕL)/(4·fLF) for k odd, and τk=(ϕright(k)−ϕleft(k)−2·ϕL)/(2·fLF) for k even. |
| US09933463B2 |
Current measurement
The present invention relates to current measurement apparatus. The current measurement apparatus comprises first and second measurement devices with each of the first and second measurement devices being operative to measure current in a respective one of a live conductor and a neutral conductor substantially simultaneously. The current measurement apparatus is operative to make plural different determinations in dependence on the substantially simultaneous current measurements. |
| US09933458B2 |
Band overlay separator
A test and measurement instrument including a splitter configured to split an input signal into at least two split signals, at least two harmonic mixers configured to mix an associated split signal with an associated harmonic signal to generate an associated mixed signal, at least two digitizers configured to digitize the associated mixed signal, at least two MIMO polyphase filter arrays configured to filter the associated digitized mixed signal of an associated digitizer of the at least two digitizers, at least two pairs of band separation filters configured to receive the associated digitized mixed signals from each of the MIMO polyphase filter arrays and output a low band of the input signal and a high band of the input signal based on a time different between the at least two digitizers and a phase drift of a local oscillator, and a combiner configured to combine the low band of the input signal and the high band of the input signal to form a reconstructed input signal. |
| US09933450B2 |
Mobility determination
A mobile device includes at least one accelerometer and a mobility state determiner to utilize the variance in output of the accelerometer(s) to distinguish at least between a walking state and a driving state of a user of the mobile device. |
| US09933447B2 |
Automatic analyzing device
A rinse mechanism rinses reaction cuvettes with first and second detergents. An R1 reagent pipetting mechanism 8 rinses the reaction cuvettes that have been rinsed by the rinse mechanism with a special detergent. A counting unit counts and stores in a storage unit a use frequency of each reaction cuvette for a specific reagent item. A determining unit determines whether the counted use frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold N1. A control unit controls the R1 reagent pipetting mechanism such that, in a case where the counted use frequency exceeds the predetermined threshold N1, the reaction cuvettes, which have exceeded the predetermined threshold N1, are soaked with the special detergent only for a period equal to or less than a value derived by multiplying a pipetting cycle time, which indicates a period when a sample is pipetted, by the total number of reaction cuvettes and a predetermined integer. |
| US09933445B1 |
System and method for target substance identification
Systems and techniques for detecting a target substance, such as THC, in a breath constituent sample are provided. |
| US09933444B2 |
Systems and methods for distinguishing cotinine from anabasine in a point-of-care testing device
A system for determining a level of Cotinine and Anabasine in a sample includes a test strip configured to receive a sample; and a meter configured to receive the test strip wherein the meter is configured to read the test strip and detect a level of Anabasine and Cotinine. |
| US09933442B2 |
Monoclonal antibody for analyzing high-molecular weight adiponectin and utilization of same
A monoclonal antibody that does not show a crossreactivity with middle-molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin and specifically reacts with high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin alone is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be produced by using HMW adiponectin as an antigen. According to the monoclonal antibody of the present invention, a convenient, high-accurate, and versatile reagent for analyzing HMW adiponectin can be provided. |
| US09933438B2 |
Method for diagnosing muscular dystrophy
A method for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of muscular dystrophy, by detecting titin or one or more fragments of titin in a bodily fluid is provided. |
| US09933437B2 |
Early determination of pregnancy status in ruminants
The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection schemes for ascertaining pregnancy status of an animal. The compositions and methods employ interferon-tau (IFNT) and/or antibodies specific for IFNT. Methods of the present invention detect the presence of IFNT in samples obtained from animals as an early indicator of pregnancy. Methods are provided to identify non-pregnant animals so that management decisions regarding rebreeding can be made earlier compared to existing approaches. |
| US09933434B2 |
Therapeutic antibodies against ROR-1 protein and methods for use of same
Therapeutic antibodies having binding specificity for ROR-1 expressed on cancer cells (particularly leukemic and lymphomic cells) and pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such antibodies for use in treating cancer. Methods for diagnosing such cancers through in vitro detection of binding to ROR-1 protein expressed on putative cancer cells are also provided. |
| US09933433B2 |
Anti-drug antibody assay
The invention provides an antibody binding specifically to Cynomolgus IgG characterized by not binding to Human IgG, and a method for the immunological determination of an immune complex (DA/ADA complex) of a drug antibody (DA) and an antibody against said drug antibody (anti-drug antibody, ADA) in a sample of a monkey species using a double antigen bridging immunoassay. |
| US09933428B2 |
Immunoassay test slide
An immunoassay test slide for use in a dry chemistry analytical instrument includes a slide housing or case formed from two matable sections—a slide cover piece and a slide bottom piece. The slide housing defines an interior cavity in which is situated a sheet-like porous carrier matrix. The slide cover piece has an opening formed through the thickness thereof to expose a central portion of the fluid flow matrix so that a precise volume of fluid sample of blood, serum or the like, preferably pre-mixed with a conjugate reagent, and precise volumes of a wash reagent and a substrate (detector reagent), may be deposited on the matrix through the cover opening by a metering device of the analytical instrument. The bottom piece of the immunoassay test slide is transparent, and the slide is moved by a transport mechanism of the analytical instrument over a reflectometer or a fluorometer for performing reflectance or fluorescence measurements. |
| US09933426B2 |
Method and kit for determining the probability that a patient will develop a severe case of dengue
A method for determining, in vitro, the probability of a patient developing severe dengue, based on a blood sample, according to a) the quantity in the blood sample of at least one marker, which is olfactomedin 4, is determined, b) the quantity of olfactomedin 4 determined in step a) is compared with a reference quantity of the marker obtained from a group of individuals who have been diagnosed with non-severe dengue, wherein, if the quantity of olfactomedin 4 determined in step a) is greater than the reference quantity established in step b), it is determined that the patient will develop severe dengue. |
| US09933422B2 |
Assay devices with integrated sample dilution and dilution verification and methods of using same
The invention is to devices and method for rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by various assays including immunoassays incorporating a sample dilution feature for forming a diluted sample for analysis. The devices and methods also include a dilution verification feature for verifying the degree of dilution of the diluted sample. The devices preferably are capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field is provided. |
| US09933421B2 |
Catalytic marking nanoparticles for ultrasensitive bioassay applications
Disclosed herein is a composition for ultrasensitive bioassay applications. The composition includes a plurality of dispersible, nanoparticles having a size less than 500 nm. The nanoparticles contain a metal catalyst or a metal catalyst precursor. The nanoparticles are conjugated to at least one biospecific binding reactant that is selectively reactive with a target analyte. The composition includes a dispersing medium. A method and a kit for conducting bioassays are described. |
| US09933420B2 |
Graphene nanomesh based charge sensor
A graphene nanomesh based charge sensor and method for producing a graphene nanomesh based charge sensor. The method includes generating multiple holes in graphene to create a graphene nanomesh with a patterned array of multiple holes; passivating an edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh to allow for functionalization of the graphene nanomesh; and functionalizing the passivated edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh with a chemical compound that facilitates chemical binding of a receptor of a target molecule to the edge of one or more of the multiple holes, wherein the receptor is a molecule that chemically binds to the target molecule, irrespective of the size of the target molecule. |
| US09933416B1 |
Detection and quantification of polypeptides in plants without a reference standard by mass spectrometry
A method is provided for detecting a polypeptide of interest in a plant without the use of a reference standard. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a plant expressing the polypeptide of interest and a negative control plant that does not express the polypeptide of interest, and analyzing a sample from each in an information-dependent acquisition (IDA) method. A method is also provided for determining the relative expression level of a polypeptide of interest in a plurality of plants without the use of a reference standard. This method comprises the steps of obtaining a plurality of plants expressing the polypeptide of interest and a negative control plant that does not express the polypeptide of interest, analyzing samples from each in an IDA method, and determining the relative expression level of the polypeptide in each of the plurality of plants. |
| US09933415B2 |
Internal focus reference beads for imaging cytometry
The invention generally relates to analytical and monitoring systems useful for analyzing and measuring cells and biological samples. More particularly, the invention provides systems and methods for internal calibration and focus reference for cytometry imaging. |
| US09933414B2 |
Sample analyzer and computer program product
A sample analyzer prepares a measurement sample from a blood sample or a body fluid sample which differs from the blood sample; measures the prepared measurement sample; obtains characteristic information representing characteristics of the components in the measurement sample; sets either a blood measurement mode for measuring the blood sample, or a body fluid measurement mode for measuring the body fluid sample as an operating mode; and measures the measurement sample prepared from the blood sample by executing operations in the blood measurement mode when the blood measurement mode has been set, and measuring the measurement sample prepared from the body fluid sample by executing operations in the body fluid measurement mode that differs from the operations in the blood measurement mode when the body fluid measurement mode has been set, is disclosed. A computer program product is also disclosed. |
| US09933402B2 |
Method and system for determining the location of a fecal insult
A method for determining the location of a fecal insult, includes: detecting the concentration of at least one gas indicative of feces at a plurality of locations in a defined space; and determining whether said concentration of said gas exceeds a predetermined first threshold value. The method includes: detecting the concentration of hydrogen gas at each of said locations; detecting the concentration of at least one further gas component being indicative of feces in said space; and determining that a fecal insult has occurred in a location where said detected concentration of hydrogen gas exceeds said first threshold value, provided that the detected concentration of said further gas component also exceeds a predetermined second threshold value in said location. |
| US09933401B2 |
System and apparatus for using a wireless smart device to perform field calculations
There is disclosed a system and apparatus for connecting remote and environmental sensors and other operating systems to a portable computing and communications device. The portable device configured to receive and process a set of data and transmit a response or message to at least the user on the quality of the data received. The portable device adapted to reconfigure the remote sensors or operating systems to produce a new set of data. |
| US09933400B1 |
Apparatus for imaging through a viscous substance
An optical system is for imaging a surface covered with a viscous substance using an illuminating beam having a spectral profile including an imaging waveband to which the viscous substance is transparent. The system includes a support frame, a flattening plate, a light source and a camera. The support frame has a front and a rear end, and has an abutment structure. The flattening plate is transparent to the imaging waveband, and is engageable with the viscous substance to flatten the substance into a substantially flat layer. The light source is operatively coupled to the support frame, and configured to project the illuminating beam towards the surface through the flattening plate. The camera is mounted onto the support frame, is sensitive to light in the imaging waveband, and has a field of view encompassing at least a portion of the surface illuminated by the illuminating beam. |
| US09933399B2 |
Separation efficiency in supercritical fluid chromatography
The present technology uses one or more separating segments, i.e. chromatography columns, aligned in series along a flow path. The separating segments are divided by a plurality of heating elements or are heated directly. The heating elements heat the supercritical mobile phase and sample to replace heat lost due to axial expansion of the mobile phase along the mobile phase flow path. |
| US09933398B2 |
Device and method for extracting compounds contained in a liquid sample with a view to analysing them
A device for extraction of at least one analyte contained in a liquid sample, including an extraction and desorption zone of the analyte with a stationary phase as the extraction zone, a liquid supply inlet to the extraction zone, a gas supply inlet to the extraction zone, an evacuation outlet from the extraction zone that will be connected to either a collection tank, or a device for analysis of the analytes, a valve configured to connect the extraction zone to one of the supply inlets, a valve configured to connect the extraction zone to one of the evacuation outlets, a mechanism heating the valve zone such that when the extraction zone is supplied with liquid, evacuation from the extraction zone takes place to the collection tank. |
| US09933393B2 |
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for inspecting a composite end portion of a part
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inspecting a composite end portion of a part are disclosed. The apparatus may include first and second members having first and second contact elements, respectively. The second member may be movably connected to the first member. The first and second members may be shaped to define a gap sized to receive the end portion. The apparatus may include at least one ultrasonic array supported by at least one of the first and second members. The at least one ultrasonic array may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the end portion. The apparatus may include a fluid conduit having first and second ends through one of the first and second members. The first end may be configured to be coupled to a suction system, and the second end of the fluid conduit may be configured to be adjacent to a contact surface of the part. |
| US09933392B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for non-destructive ultrasonic inspection
An apparatus, for non-destructively inspecting a sandwich panel defining an enclosed space, has an external and internal probe. The external probe is adjacent an external face-sheet of the sandwich panel and the internal probe is adjacent an internal face-sheet of the sandwich panel. The sandwich panel has a core material that is is interposed between the external and internal face-sheets of the sandwich panel. Each of the probes includes two elements that integrally form the probe. The external probe includes and is integrally formed from one of a magnetic field emitter and a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field emitter emitting a magnetic field, and one of an ultrasonic transmit transducer and an ultrasonic receive transducer. The internal probe includes and is integrally formed from the other of the magnetic field emitter and the magnetic field sensor and the other of the ultrasonic transmit transducer and the ultrasonic receive transducer. |
| US09933390B2 |
Devices for extracting at least one analyte
A device for extracting at least one analyte may include: a sample reservoir configured to contain a sample comprising at least one target analyte and interfering materials; at least one extraction chamber connected to the sample reservoir; at least one porous structure lining one or more sides of the at least one extraction chamber; and a voltage source configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein, when the first voltage is provided, the at least one target analyte and the interfering materials move towards the at least one extraction chamber or to a predetermined area from the at least one extraction chamber, wherein, when the second voltage is provided, the interfering materials pass through and exit the at least one extraction chamber, and the at least one target analyte is stopped from exiting the at least one extraction chamber by means of the at least one porous structure. |
| US09933387B1 |
Miniaturized sub-nanoampere sensitivity low-noise potentiostat system
A miniaturized sub-nanoampere sensitivity low-noise potentiostat system is disclosed herein. The system includes an adjustable bias analog front end/potentiostat, a plurality of high input impedance and high gain difference amplifiers, means for signal filtering, a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter, and a sampling algorithm. |
| US09933380B2 |
Method for imaging a medium through electrical measurements with a contact impedance correction
An EIT or differential EIT method in which measurements of voltage differences between electrodes are performed according to a measurement configuration in which at least one of the electrodes injecting a current in the medium being investigated is also used for performing a measurement of the voltage difference. The contact impedances of the different electrodes are measured thanks to a counter-electrode having a contact area with the medium much higher than the contact area of a unit electrode. The measurement of a contact impedance is performed by impedance spectroscopy by comparison with the impedance spectrum of an equivalent circuit. The contact impedances allow voltage drops in the injection electrodes to be calculated the voltage differences between these electrodes and to be corrected. Alternatively, the contact impedances can be used to correct or complete the direct model. |
| US09933379B2 |
Device for determining the characteristic impedance spectrum of a token
The present invention relates to a device for determining the characteristic impedance spectrum of a token such as a monetary coin, said device comprising: —a point impedance transducer having an inducing element for inducing an ultrasonic movement in the token and a sensing element for detecting the resistance of the token to that induced movement; —a closed system for housing said point impedance transducer; and processing means connected to the point impedance transducer for determining the characteristic impedance spectrum of said token. In particular, the present invention relates to testing whether a token or coin is genuine or a forgery, of sorting coins including from differing monetary systems and/or their denominations, and also providing a “fingerprint” for forged coins. |
| US09933372B2 |
Lighting domes with reflective gradient and broad spectrum light source
A lighting dome that can be used to inspect semiconductor wafers can include a small aperture, backlighting, a reflectance gradient and/or a broad spectrum light source. |
| US09933370B2 |
Inspection apparatus
When a size of a block on a wafer is equal to or smaller than an optical resolution of imaging optics, room for improvement in a signal-to-noise ratio has not been sufficiently considered in a conventional technique. One feature of the defect determination of the present invention is to include a filter processing for setting a predetermined partial area serving as a predetermined matrix for a first difference image, scanning the first difference image in the partial area, and outputting a second difference image, and a first threshold processing using a first threshold value for the second difference image. As a result, highly sensitive defect detection can be achieved. |
| US09933369B2 |
Method for measuring concentration of dissolved substance
A reagent includes a coloring agent allowing a measured solution to develop a color transmitting a region component light for a dissolved-substance concentration measurement selected from three region component lights of red, green, and blue obtained by transmitting a light including a visible light region to the measured solution colored by addition of the reagent to the sample, and dividing a light of the visible light region of a transmitted light thereof into roughly three portions. Based on the transmitted light from the measured solution with the coloring agent added, an absorbance of the region component light for the dissolved-substance concentration measurement, and an absorbance A3 of another region component light resulted only from the coloring agent are calculated. Whether or not the reagent in a necessary quantity is added to the sample can be judged by comparing the absorbance A3 and a standard absorbance A0. |
| US09933366B2 |
Assay method using surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy
Provided is an assay method utilizing surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy, which suppresses fluctuations in an absolute value of a background signal that is referred to as a resonance angle or an optical blank by improving the effect when a whole blood sample is used, specifically, the effect by the blood cell components remaining in a measurement liquid during a SPFS measurement, with regards to a photometric condition setting step, which is a characteristic step in assay methods utilizing SPFS. The above-mentioned problem is solved by an assay method utilizing surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy, including a primary reaction step of a sample, a first washing step, a labeling reaction step, and a measurement step, wherein the method includes a step for evaluating a blood cell component quantity between the primary reaction step and the labeling reaction step. |
| US09933365B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatuses for testing and calibrating fluorescent scanners
Disclosed are calibration apparatuses for fluorescent microscopy instruments and methods of making and using them. Specifically, disclosed are calibration apparatuses with a fluorescent layer, such as photoresist, deposited on a substrate, with an optional layer of a reflective material, such as chrome. Illumination of the fluorescent and/or reflective layers, and detection and analysis of the resulting emissions allows evaluation of the instrument with respect to both reflective and fluorescent channels. Selection of appropriate fluorescent materials for the one or more fluorescent layers allows the evaluation of an instrument with respect to different fluorophores, as would be used with an instrument capable of two color detection. Inclusion of a reflective layer further allows the evaluation and calibration of all optical channels of an instrument, including the reflective channel and two or more fluorescent channels, with a single calibration apparatus for imaging criteria such as uniformity, contrast and emission signal strength. |
| US09933343B2 |
Integrated membrane for preservation of biomolecules
The apparatus of the present invention comprises an integrated membrane for separation and preservation of biomolecules. Biomolecules, such as those in blood, can be separated and preserved. The apparatus includes a housing having a matrix portion, and a fluid collection portion disposed within an inner cavity. The housing further includes an aperture permitting access to the inner cavity. The apparatus also includes a matrix disposed within the matrix portion. The matrix includes a first layer for collecting cells from the fluid, a second layer for protein adsorption, and a third layer for nucleic acid adsorption. Fluid enters the housing through the aperture, passes through the matrix, and into the fluid collection portion. Cells from the fluid in a layer of the matrix are collected; adsorbing protein from the fluid in a layer of the matrix; and adsorbing nucleic acid from the fluid in a layer of the matrix. |
| US09933342B2 |
Method for rendering biological material transparent and processing kit for rendering biological material transparent
A method according to the present invention for making a biological material transparent, includes the step of: making the biological material transparent by causing a solution containing fructose to permeate into the biological material, and a kit according to the present invention for a clearing treatment for making a biological material transparent, includes a solution containing fructose. |
| US09933341B2 |
Sample preparation for flow cytometry
Described herein are methods and reagents for identifying and analyzing at least one microorganism (e.g. bacteria) in a sample and reducing the background signal intensity obtained when analyzing the sample by flow cytometry. The sample is prepared by combining the sample with a background signal-reducing molecule or with a nucleic acid stain covalently linked to a quencher. A portion of the particulate matter in the sample can optionally be removed with a resin prior to staining with a nucleic acid stain. |
| US09933340B2 |
Method for performing immunoassays under weightlessness
A method for controlled movement of magnetic carriers in a sample volume for performing immunoassays under weightless or reduced-weight conditions, wherein the magnetic carriers are moved inside the sample volume by means of permanent magnets movably arranged relative to at least one spatial axis of the sample volume. |
| US09933337B2 |
Wheel end sensor for heavy-duty vehicles
A wireless sensor for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle is provided. The wheel end assembly includes a wheel hub and a hub cap mounted on the wheel hub. The sensor includes mounting means disposed in the hub cap. Sensing means are mounted on the mounting means to sense at least one condition of the vehicle. A processor is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing means to process data from the sensing means. Communication means are mounted on the mounting means and are electrically connected to the processor to communicate the processed data to a user. An electrical energy storage device is mounted on the mounting means and is electrically connected to the sensing means, the processor and the communication means, enabling the sensor to be independent from the vehicle power supply. The sensor also accommodates components of a tire inflation system. |
| US09933336B2 |
Gas turbine having fuel monitoring
The invention relates to a method for detecting a fuel leakage in the fuel distribution system between a fuel control valve and at least one burner of a gas turbine during the operation of the gas turbine. In order to detect a fuel leakage, the fuel consumption is approximated in accordance with the mechanical power of the gas turbine, the fuel amount fed to the fuel distribution system is determined, and the leakage flow is determined from the difference between the fed fuel amount and the fuel consumption. The invention further relates to a gas turbine for performing such a method. |
| US09933335B2 |
Combustion gas sensor assembly for engine control
An optical sensor for sensing combustion products avoids fouling and damage to optical components by using a “windowless” design in which an air curtain through an orifice provides a constantly refreshing transparent shield protecting the optical components from corrosive combustion gases and resisting the accumulation of particulates that might otherwise foul a static window. |
| US09933334B2 |
Cylinder head acceleration measurement for valve train diagnostics system and method
In one embodiment, a system includes an engine control system configured to control an engine. The engine control system comprises a processor configured to receive a vibration signal sensed by a knock sensor disposed in an engine, and to receive a crankshaft signal sensed by a crank angle sensor disposed in the engine, wherein the crankshaft signal is representative of an engine crank angle. The processor is further configured to monitor a valve timing by deriving a cylinder head acceleration measurement via the vibration signal received by the knock sensor, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the valve timing by deriving a valve lash based on the vibration signal, the engine crank angle, and a threshold valve lash model. |
| US09933330B2 |
Boundary layer flow sensor
Apparatus and methods described herein provide for boundary layer flow sensor and corresponding determination of the flow characteristics of an ambient airflow over an aerodynamic surface. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, the boundary layer flow sensor includes a body configured for mounting within or below the aerodynamic surface, a pressure port configurable between an open state for taking pressure measurements within the boundary layer of the ambient airflow and a closed state that protects the pressure port from contaminants when not in use. |
| US09933329B2 |
Multi-sensor inspection for identification of pressurized pipe defects that leak
The system utilizes conductivity equipment as well as a camera, pressure sensor, and acoustic hydrophone within a probe deployed via cable into a pipe to be inspected. The probe completes an electric circuit back to ground when the probe is adjacent a defect through which electric currents can pass, thus producing varying electric current. The camera, incorporated into the electric probe, is utilized for both inspection and navigation through the pipe by providing a close-circuit video data feed. The pressure sensor detects alterations in the pressure and flow field of the fluidic region in the area of a leak. The acoustic hydrophone listens for the sound leaks in a pressurized pipeline. The inspection device is tethered to a cable and inserted a measured distance into the pipeline, typically with the pipeline under pressure, via a launch tube. Multi-sensor data versus pipeline position is thus obtained. |
| US09933325B2 |
Pico test leak
Test leak device including a gas-filled container and a capillary extending through a container wall. The gas including at least 10% of atmospheric air. |
| US09933324B2 |
System for field measurement of center of gravity
A platform less center of mass measurement system employs independently positionable load cell units whose locations can be identified and combined with load cell measurements to compute a center of mass for arbitrarily shaped large structures without the need for precise or predetermined locating of the load cell units on a platform or the like. |
| US09933322B2 |
Device and method for spatially resolved measurement of temperature strain, or both by brillouin scattering
Device for spatially resolved measurement of temperature, strain, or both by Brillouin scattering, with a laser light source (1) for generating a laser radiation, an optical fiber (5) used for the measurement, into which the laser radiation can be coupled in and from which Brillouin signals generated by Brillouin scattering can be coupled out, sensors for detecting the coupled-out Brillouin signals, evaluators for determining spatially resolved from the detected Brillouin signals the temperature, strain, or both of sections of the optical fiber (5), a polarization beam splitter (10, 11) capable of splitting the coupled-out Brillouin—signals into two components (12, 13) having mutually different polarizations, and an optical coupler (16, 17) for admixing a laser radiation to the Brillouin signal. |
| US09933321B2 |
High gage factor strain gage
A metal resistance strain gage with a high gage factor is provided. The electrical resistance strain gage includes a strain sensitive metallic element and has a chemical composition on a weight basis of approximately 63% to 84% Ni and approximately 16% to 37% Fe and a gage factor greater than 5. |
| US09933317B2 |
Power up of semiconductor device having a temperature circuit and method therefor
A semiconductor device that may include at least one temperature sensing circuit is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various operating parameters to improve the operation of the semiconductor device over a wide temperature range. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at other operating temperatures. The temperature sensing circuit may provide a plurality of temperature ranges for setting the operational parameters. Each temperature range can include a temperature range upper limit value and a temperature range lower limit value and adjacent temperature ranges may overlap. The temperature ranges may be set in accordance with a count value that can incrementally change in response to the at least one temperature sensing circuit. |
| US09933314B2 |
Semiconductor workpiece temperature measurement system
An improved system and method of measuring the temperature of a workpiece being processed is disclosed. The temperature measurement system determines a temperature of a workpiece by measuring the amount of expansion in the workpiece due to thermal expansion. The amount of expansion may be measured using a number of different techniques. In certain embodiments, a light source and a light sensor are disposed on opposite sides of the workpiece. The total intensity of the signal received by the light sensor may be indicative of the dimension of the workpiece. In another embodiment, an optical micrometer may be used. In another embodiment, a light sensor may be used in conjunction with a separate device that measures the position of the workpiece. |
| US09933313B2 |
Method for determining circumferential sensor positioning
A method for positioning sensors about a sensor ring includes the steps of assigning each sensor in a plurality of sensors a sensor number selected from a set of sensor numbers, where the set of sensor numbers is a whole number in the range of 0 to N, and where N is the total number of sensors in said plurality of sensors minus one, disposing a first sensor at a circumferential angular position zero on the sensor ring, and disposing each sensor in the plurality of sensors at a circumferential angular position about the sensor ring, wherein the circumferential angular position is defined by an offset from a circumferential angular position zero and the offset is equal to a base arc length between sensors multiplied by the sensor number of the sensor plus a base offset arc length multiplied by the sensor number of the sensor. |
| US09933312B2 |
Bolometer fluid flow and temperature sensor
The sensor comprises a reference bolometer and a plurality of sensing bolometers. Each sensing bolometer is arranged adjacent to the reference bolometer. Each bolometer comprises (i) a substrate, (ii) a cap structure connected to the substrate, the cap structure configured to define a cavity between an inner surface of the cap structure and a first surface of the substrate, (iii) an absorber connected the substrate and arranged within the cavity, the absorber configured to absorb infrared radiation within the cavity, and (iv) a readout circuit connected to the absorber and configured to provide a signal that indicates an amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the absorber. The cap structure of the reference bolometer blocks infrared radiation from entering the cavity from outside the cap structure. The cap structure of each sensing bolometers allows infrared radiation to enter the cavity from outside the cap structure. |
| US09933309B2 |
Device for detecting radiation including an encapsulating structure having an improved mechanical strength
A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation is provided, including a substrate; a matrix of thermal detectors disposed on the substrate; and a structure encapsulating the matrix of thermal detectors, including an encapsulating layer extending continuously around and above the matrix of thermal detectors so as to define with the substrate a cavity in which the matrix of thermal detectors is disposed, the encapsulating layer including at least one internal bearing section, which bears directly against the substrate between two adjacent thermal detectors of said matrix, said at least one internal bearing section including a sidewall and a peripheral wall, the sidewall being separate from the peripheral wall in a plane parallel to a plane of the substrate, and the peripheral wall encircling the matrix of thermal detectors. |
| US09933308B2 |
Method for determining spectrally tuned mixed-color LED light engines
A method of determining a modified spectral content of a light emitting diode (LED) light engine includes separating spectral data from the LED light engine into at least two spectral component bands, calculating respective efficacies for each of the at least two spectral components, simulating a first LED spectral component for a predetermined peak position and intensity, modifying spectral data from an existing LED to match a predetermined peak wavelength, applying factorial design-of-experiment techniques to the simulated first LED spectral component and the modified spectral data to obtain a selection of spectra, and selecting a spectrum from the results of the applying step, wherein the selected spectrum includes characteristics of the modified spectral content. The method includes the step of producing a LED light engine/electronic driver combination having the selected spectrum. A non-transitory medium having computer executable instructions is disclosed. |
| US09933304B2 |
Active photonic device having a Darlington configuration with feedback
An active photonic device having a Darlington configuration is disclosed. The active photonic device has a collector layer over a substrate, a base layer over the collector layer, and an emitter layer over the base layer. A connector structure electrically couples an inner emitter region with an outer base region, wherein the collector layer, base layer, the emitter layer and the connector structure are substantially centered within a first region over the substrate. A feedback resistor is coupled between an inner collector region and an inner base region. At least a portion of the feedback resistor is arc-shaped and resides over a first arcuate path defined by a substantially constant first radius centered in the first region. |
| US09933301B2 |
Integrated electronic device for detecting ultraviolet radiation
An integrated electronic device for detecting the composition of ultraviolet radiation includes a cathode region formed by a semiconductor material with a first type of conductivity. A first anode region and a second anode region are laterally staggered with respect to one another and are set in contact with the cathode region. The cathode region and the first anode region form a first sensor. The cathode region and the second anode region form a second sensor. In a spectral range formed by the UVA band and by the UVB band, the first and second sensors have, respectively, a first spectral responsivity and a second spectral responsivity different from one another. |
| US09933289B2 |
Orifice plate assembly
An orifice plate assembly including a plurality of ring members, each having an inner facing surface including a first annular recess extending therein, and a plurality of inner annular seals, wherein a different inner annular seal of the plurality is overmolded to the first annular recess of each of the plurality of ring members to seal against a facing surface of an orifice plate captured between the plurality of ring members. |
| US09933286B2 |
Sensor and method for producing a sensor
A sensor comprises a sensor element configured to provide a sensor signal representing at least one measurand detected by the sensor element, an electrical circuit configured to process the sensor signal to form a data signal, a photovoltaic cell configured to provide electrical energy for the sensor element and the electrical circuit, and a housing, in which the sensor element, the electrical circuit and the photovoltaic cell are positioned, the housing including a recess in which the photovoltaic cell is positioned, and a rim surrounding the recess and protruding beyond the photovoltaic cell. A method is also provided. |
| US09933284B2 |
Multi-track absolute encoder
An optical position encoder includes a scale having multiple tracks separated in a direction perpendicular to travel, the tracks including an incremental track and an absolute track, the scale interacting with an incident first light beam to generate a second light beam having components carrying respective optical patterns produced by the incremental track and absolute track respectively. The encoder further includes a set of optical detectors including at least first and second detector arrays of differing properties to detect the respective optical patterns produced by the incremental track and absolute track respectively, each of the first and second detector arrays spanning multiple tracks of the scale and configured to respond to a respective detector-specific component of the second light beam more strongly than to another component of the second beam specific to another of the detector arrays. |
| US09933283B2 |
Robust rotary encoder for power tool
A displacement sensor for a power tool includes: a stator element, having a first conductive pattern, and a rotor element, having a second conductive pattern, for relative movement along a measurement path, wherein the first and second conductive patterns are mutually inductively coupled so that the first conductive pattern receives an excitation signal and the second conductive pattern generates an intermediate signal. The intermediate signal indicates relative displacement between the stator and rotor elements, wherein the excitation signal is a constant amplitude high-frequency signal. A signal processor circuit receives and processes a single phase receive signal corresponding to the intermediate signal to provide an output signal indicating relative displacement between the rotor and stator elements. A phase detector circuit processes the single phase receive signal to detect a phase difference between the receive signal and a reference signal corresponding to the excitation signal to provide the output signal. |
| US09933282B2 |
Sensing device for a digital linear position sensor
A sensing device for a digital linear position sensor is disclosed. The sensing device may have a mounting device including a mounting surface. The sensing device may also have a plurality of resistors mounted on the mounting surface. The plurality of resistors may be electrically connected between a first voltage node (Uin) and a second voltage node (GND). Further, the sensing device may have a plurality of Hall switches mounted on the mounting surface at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the mounting device. Each of the plurality of Hall switches may be configured to adjust a total resistance of the plurality of resistors between the first voltage node (Uin) and the second voltage node (GND) upon actuation by an applied magnetic field. |
| US09933276B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoder interpolation
Methods and apparatus disclosed herein implement or otherwise embody a technique that compensates for cyclic position errors in encoder-based position detection, wherein the cyclic position errors arise from the presence of harmonic components in the encoder signals relied upon for position determination. Using position-domain compensation for errors arising in the encoder domain offers computational simplicity and impressive compensation performance, even when compensating for a plurality of higher harmonics in the encoder signals, e.g., third harmonic, fifth harmonic, etc. Consequently, even high-precision position monitoring or control can use relatively inexpensive types of encoders known to output encoder signals having significant harmonic components. |
| US09933271B2 |
System for directing a driver to a passenger based on a destination location specified by the driver
In one embodiment an indication of a driver destination location is received from a driver associated with a taxi service. The driver destination location specifies a location that the driver desires to travel to after transporting one or more passengers. A passenger pick-up location of a first passenger is provided. The first passenger is selected based on the driver destination location and a destination location specified by the first passenger. |
| US09933269B2 |
Midpoint-based map-agnostic navigation routing
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for determining a navigation route. A route is requested by a navigation device between a starting location and a destination location. The route request is received by an external processor for analysis. A navigation route is determined by the external processor and its associated map version. The determined navigation route is then encoded with geographic data for each path segment along the route. The encoded navigation route is transmitted to the navigation device. |
| US09933265B2 |
Way finder using proximity events
A system that provides a way finder throughout a facility includes an array of sensors distributed throughout the facility, each sensor able to transmit a wireless beacon signal, each beacon signal including a unique sensor ID; at least one mobile device able to receive the wireless beacon signal from a first sensor from the array of sensors and generate a request for a route to a destination and further able to receive the wireless beacon signal from a second sensor from the array of sensors and generate an update request; and a server able to receive the request for the route and generate the route based on the fixed location of the first sensor and a location of the destination, the route traversing a section of the at least one path, where the server updates the route to the destination based on the fixed location of the second sensor. |
| US09933264B2 |
System and method for achieving fast and reliable time-to-contact estimation using vision and range sensor data for autonomous navigation
Described is a robotic system for detecting obstacles reliably with their ranges by a combination of two-dimensional and three-dimensional sensing. In operation, the system receives an image from a monocular video and range depth data from a range sensor of a scene proximate a mobile platform. The image is segmented into multiple object regions of interest and time-to-contact (TTC) value are calculated by estimating motion field and operating on image intensities. A two-dimensional (2D) TTC map is then generated by estimating average TTC values over the multiple object regions of interest. A three-dimensional TTC map is then generated by fusing the range depth data with image. Finally, a range-fused TTC map is generated by averaging the 2D TTC map and the 3D TTC map. |
| US09933262B2 |
Positioning system having a master-slave configuration
A positioning system for generating pose information of a machine includes a primary positioning controller and a plurality of local positioning controllers coupled to the primary positioning controller. The primary positioning controller is configured to generate primary pose information of the machine. The primary pose information reflects an overall pose of the machine. Each of the local positioning controllers is configured to generate local pose information based on at least the primary pose information. The local pose information reflects a local pose of a portion of the machine corresponding to the local positioning controller. |
| US09933261B2 |
Physical quantity sensor, electronic apparatus and moving object
A physical quantity sensor includes a vibration element that performs drive vibration, an acceleration detection chip that detects an acceleration, a semiconductor element which is electrically connected to at least one of the vibration element and the acceleration detection chip, and a package that has a storage space for storing the vibration element, the acceleration detection chip and the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element is fixed to the package, the acceleration detection chip is fixed to the package with the semiconductor element interposed therebetween, and at least a portion of the acceleration detection chip overlaps the vibration element when the package is seen in a plan view. |
| US09933255B2 |
Process mapping of melt pool geometry
Conducting a plurality of tests of a manufacturing process, with each test conducted at a different combination of a first process variable and a second process variable. Each test includes locally heating a region of a part, wherein the local heating results in the formation of a thermal field in the part, and assessing a dimension of the thermal field. In some cases, based on the results of the plurality of tests, a process map of the dimension of the thermal field is generated as a function of the first process variable and the second process variable. |
| US09933250B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus, lithographic apparatus, lithographic processing cell and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The lithographic apparatus includes a scatterometer configured to measure a property of the substrate. The scatterometer includes a radiation source configured to produce a radiated spot on a target on the substrate, where the radiated spot includes positions on the target. The scatterometer further includes a detector configured to generate measurement signals that correspond to respective ones of the positions of the radiated spot and a processor configured to output, based on the measurement signals, a single value that is representative of the property of the substrate. |
| US09933247B2 |
Mandrel configuration monitoring system
A method and system for monitoring a mandrel. A first plurality of transmitting devices is positioned with respect to the mandrel. Signals from a portion of the first plurality of transmitting devices are received at a receiving device. The signals are processed to determine a configuration of the mandrel. |
| US09933244B2 |
Reduced back reflection optical coherence tomography probe
A beam-shaping optical system suitable for use with optical coherence tomography including a sheath defining a central cavity, a beam-shaping insert defining a beam-shaping element positioned within the central cavity, and an optical fiber having a core and a cladding. The optical fiber defines an angularly prepared fiber end configured to emit an electromagnetic beam toward the beam-shaping element with the core of the optical fiber locally expanded at the fiber end. |
| US09933233B1 |
Ballistic vest and holster combination
A combination of a ballistic vest and a removable firearm holster is disclosed, for providing a ballistic vest with an optional, external, readily accessible yet secure chest firearm holster. The holster has a firearm receiving section formed between a holster rear panel and a holster front panel. The panels are connected along a bottom and optionally along a lower portion of each of the sides. A top region of the front panel can be pulled away from the rear panel to gain access to a firearm stored in the holster. The panels are coupled via a quick-release fastening material disposed along the upper portion of each side, facilitating pulling off the front panel. One or more shoulder strap engaging portions extend from the holster rear panel to secure the holster rear panel to one or more shoulder straps of the ballistic vest. |
| US09933227B2 |
Trigger simulation device
A device is disclosed that is used temporarily to replace a trigger assembly of a weapon. In one embodiment, the device is self-resetting, including a biasing mechanism to reset a trigger lever to a firing position. As such, the feel of depressing a cocked trigger with each simulated trigger pull is simulated. This device allows the user to experience a more realistic dry fire training session, allowing the user to still cycle the gun action normally if they choose. |
| US09933219B2 |
Toy projectile launchers with two trigger safety locks
Crossbows having two trigger safety locks. Operatively connected to a trigger is a trigger lock element that in one position prevents the trigger from moving. To prevent inadvertent contact between a cocking slide and a released stretched cord of the crossbow, a slide lock element engages the trigger lock element until the slide lock element is disengaged by the cocking slide moving out of the way. To prevent an improperly configured projectile from being discharged a projectile lock element engages the trigger lock element until a properly configured projectile is loaded onto a drum causing the projectile lock element to disengage from the trigger lock element. |
| US09933216B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes a bundle of tubes, which can be inserted into a tubular housing. Exhaust gas can flow through the tubes. A coolant duct can be arranged between the tubes. The bundle of tubes can have at least one grid-like securing structure which supports the bundle in the housing. The behavior of the heat exchanger with respect to vibrations is affected by outwardly curved metallic springs attached to the bundle of tubes which may be deformed in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the bundle into the housing. The spring force is directed against the housing in order to dampen vibrations. The heat exchanger can also include an elastic device for permitting a change in length caused by temperature changes. |
| US09933213B1 |
Composite structures with ordered three-dimensional (3D) continuous interpenetrating phases
A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) composite structure includes: securing a mask between a collimated light source and a volume of a photo-monomer; directing a collimated light beam from the collimated light source to the mask for a period of exposure time such that a portion of the collimated light beam passes through the mask and is guided by a plurality of apertures into the photo-monomer to form a plurality of waveguides through a portion of the volume of the photo-monomer; removing any uncured photo-monomer to leave behind a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure to define an open volume and a structure of a first continuous material of the three-dimensional composite material; and placing a second continuous material in the open volume, wherein the second continuous material and the first continuous material share an interface between each other, and wherein the interface is everywhere continuous. |
| US09933211B2 |
Plate heat exchanger
Provided is a plate heat exchanger that includes a plurality of heat transfer plates stacked to each other, a gasket interposed between each adjacent heat transfer plates, and a regulating member formed to be able to support at least partially the gasket. Each heat transfer plate has a fitting recessed portion formed in recessed manner on the side on which the gasket fitting groove is formed. The fitting recessed portion crosses the recessed strip while extending along the gasket fitting groove. The support part is arranged along the gasket fitting groove when the regulating member is held in fitting engagement with the fitting recessed portion. The support part is arranged along the gasket fitting groove when the regulating member is held in fitting engagement with the fitting recessed portion. |
| US09933210B2 |
Exhaust gas cooler
An exhaust gas cooler may include a plurality of stacked disc pairs. A first flow chamber for a coolant flow may be disposed between two discs of at least a first disc pair of the plurality of disc pairs. A second flow chamber for an exhaust gas flow may be disposed between two second disc pairs of the plurality of disc pairs arranged mutually adjacent with respect to one another. The plurality of stacked disc pairs may include at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet. The first disc pair may include a plurality of coolant inlets and a plurality of coolant outlets surrounding an edge of the first disc pair to facilitate peripheral edge cooling. |
| US09933206B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining an article at a temperature that is less than the temperature of the ambient air
An apparatus for maintaining the temperature of an article at a temperature that is below the ambient air temperature includes an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an interior chamber for holding a volume of sealed air. An insert is disposed inside of the chamber and has a body that is made of a porous graphite foam material. A vacuum pump penetrates the outer wall and fluidly connects the sealed air in the interior chamber with the ambient air outside of the enclosure. The temperatures of the insert and article is maintained at temperatures that are below the ambient air temperature when a volume of a liquid is wicked into the pores of the porous insert and the vacuum pump is activated to reduce the pressure of a volume of sealed air within the interior chamber to a pressure that is below the vapor pressure of the liquid. |
| US09933205B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An outdoor unit is configured to include a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger. Indoor units are configured to include first expansion devices and use side heat exchangers, and air-condition an air-conditioned space. Branching devices, connected by pipes to the outdoor unit by a plurality of main pipes and connected by pipes to each indoor unit by a plurality of branch pipes, are configured to branch a refrigerant from a side of the main pipes and circulate the refrigerant to the branch pipes, and converge the refrigerant from a side of the branch pipes and circulate the refrigerant to the main pipes. A refrigerant concentration detecting device is installed in a non-air-conditioned space. A shutoff valve control device is configured, upon determining that the refrigerant has leaked, to control shutoff devices and to shut off the refrigerant flows. |
| US09933202B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator capable of opening a first door with a small force using an auxiliary opening apparatus that decreases an opening force for opening the first door. A refrigerator includes a main body, a first door rotatably provided in the front of the main body and including an opening, a second door rotatably provided in front of the first door and configured to open or close the opening, a first handle coupled to a front surface of the first door and configured to open or close the first door, an auxiliary opening apparatus configured to separate the first door from the main body and decrease an opening force of the first door, a handle lever that is provided at the first handle and configured to operate the auxiliary opening apparatus, and a door cap coupled to an upper portion of the first door. |
| US09933200B2 |
Defrost operation management
In various implementations, defrost operations may be managed. A change in the temperature of a heat exchanger may be determined. A determination whether to allow a defrost operation may be at least partially based on the determined change in the temperature of the heat exchanger. |
| US09933199B2 |
Method of deciding when to terminate a defrosting cycle within a refrigerated container
The present invention relates to a method, device and computer program for terminating a defrosting cycle within a refrigerated transport container. The container may include: a transport volume, a cooling unit comprising an evaporator arranged in a cooling space, a return air grid arranged to separate said cooling space from said transport volume, means for sensing temperature indicative of the return air temperature of air returning to said cooling space from said transport volume or the temperature of the return air grid, means for actively heating said evaporator during defrosting cycles, and a processor configured for controlling the duration of said defrosting cycles. The method includes: establishing an indicator(s) indicative of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid, and terminating a defrosting cycle when an indicator(s) of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid indicates that said return air grid is free of frost and/or ice. |
| US09933195B2 |
Evaporator assembly for ice-making apparatus and method
An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity. |
| US09933190B2 |
Vertically arranged heat pump and method of manufacturing the vertically arranged heat pump
In a heat pump with an evaporator and a liquefier as well as a gas region extending between the evaporator and the liquefier, the liquefier is arranged above the evaporator in a setup direction for operation of the heat pump. |
| US09933189B2 |
Cooling a target using electrons
In an embodiment, a method includes, impinging a plurality of particles on a target such that electrons are emitted from the target and transporting the electrons from the target to a heat sink through a transporting medium. The target and the heat sink may be separated by a distance. The method further includes cooling the electrons using the heat sink and returning the electrons from the heat sink to the target. |
| US09933187B2 |
System and method for geothermal heat exchange
Apparatus and method transfer heat between a geothermal mass and a geothermal heat exchange unit embedded within the geothermal mass, utilizing a geothermal heat exchange system comprised of the heat exchange unit. The unit includes a chamber enclosed by plate-like walls presenting a very large heat transfer area. The walls are spaced apart by a small distance compared to the heat transfer area, configuring the chamber to contain a thin, film-like volume of a liquid heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium is flowed into and out of the chamber at a prescribed rate of flow, and the capacity of the chamber is such that the volume of heat exchange medium contained within the chamber during operation of the geothermal heat exchange system is great enough to enable the flowing heat exchange medium to mix with static, dwelled heat exchange medium maintained within the chamber as heat exchange medium flows through the chamber at the prescribed rate of flow and is circulated in the system. |
| US09933179B2 |
HVAC controller having keypad input and method of operation thereof
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controller, a method of receiving signals from a keypad and an HVAC system incorporating the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a keypad having at least first and second banks, (2) a reference signal source configured to generate a time-varying untransformed reference signal and provide the untransformed reference signal to the first bank, (3) transformation circuitry configured to transform the untransformed reference signal into a transformed reference signal and provide the transformed reference signal to the second bank and (4) a processor having interrupt pins coupled to corresponding keys of both the first and second banks and a further interrupt pin coupled to receive one of the untransformed and transformed reference signal. |
| US09933177B2 |
Enhanced automated environmental control system scheduling using a preference function
In an embodiment, an electronic device may include storage containing processor-executable instructions and a current setpoint schedule, and a processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions may cause the processor to control an environmental control system based at least in part on the current setpoint schedule, and to determine the current setpoint schedule by detecting user behavior that indicates satisfaction with setpoints, based at least in part on the detected user behavior, determining a preference function that maps weights indicating user preferences for setpoints, determining candidate setpoint schedules, scoring the candidate setpoint schedules against the weights of the preference function to obtain first scores, where candidate setpoint schedules that best fit the weights of the preference function have the highest first scores, modifying the first scores to obtain second scores, and selecting the candidate setpoint schedule with the highest second score as a new current setpoint schedule. |
| US09933176B2 |
Latent capacity adjustment
Systems and methods of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system are disclosed that may include starting a timer substantially concurrently with the HVAC system, entering a cooling cycle, and preventing a multi-speed blower in the HVAC system from changing speeds until the timer expires. |
| US09933175B2 |
Apparatus and method for improved control of a mini split HVAC system
A controller for a Heating Ventilation or Air Conditioning system (HVAC system) such as a mini split system is disclosed for adding control features that incorporate an observed operational status and occupancy/motion detection utilizing control commands already provided as part of the HVAC system as manufactured. |
| US09933174B2 |
HVAC unit, a method of generating a network address for a HVAC unit and a HVAC controller therefor
An HVAC controller, a method for operating a HVAC unit and a HVAC unit are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory configured to store a unique default network address for the controller and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate the unique default network address based on a seed value that is uniquely associated with the HVAC unit. |
| US09933172B2 |
Trench-conformable geothermal heat exchange reservoirs and related methods and systems
The disclosure describes trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction. |
| US09933169B2 |
Compressor
A compressor is to be used in an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes the compressor, an evaporator, and a container. The evaporator generates condensed water during operation. The container receives the condensed water generated by the evaporator. The compressor includes a main body and a textile member that is capable of transferring moisture and is quick drying. The main body is to be disposed in the container. The textile member covers at least a part of the main body, and is to be used for absorbing the condensed water. |
| US09933168B2 |
Air supply apparatus used for air conditioner and air conditioner indoor unit having the same
An air supply apparatus used for an air conditioner, includes: an annular outer frame (21), having an outer surface formed as a partial spherical surface and having an accommodating space (24) therein; and the impeller assembly (22) provided in the accommodating space (24) and pivotally connected to the outer frame (21), in which the impeller assembly (22) has an air suction side and an air outlet side. Also disclosed is an air conditioner having the air supply apparatus. |
| US09933164B2 |
Annular turbomachine combustion chamber
An annular combustion chamber (10) for a turbomachine (100), the combustion chamber presenting an axial direction (X), a radial direction, and an azimuth direction, and comprising a first annular wall (12) and a second annular wall (14), each wall delimiting at least a portion of the volume of the annular combustion chamber (10), the first and second walls (12, 14) presenting complementary fitting elements (12d, 14d), the first wall (12) presenting at least one first through hole (12f), while the second wall (14) presents at least one second through hole (14f), the combustion chamber (10) also having at least one pin (18) engaged in a pair of holes comprising a first hole (12f) and a second hole (14f), said pin (18) locking the fitting of the first and second walls (12, 14). |
| US09933163B2 |
Combustor arrangement with slidable multi-cone premix burner
A combustor arrangement includes a combustion chamber with a front panel, and a premix burner of the multi-cone type, which is connected to the front panel through an elongated mixing zone in an axially moveable fashion by a sealed sliding joint. A wide range of axial variation of the burner with a minimized influence of the leakage air flow on the oxidation process within the flame is achieved by positioning the sealed sliding joint upstream of the mixing zone. |
| US09933156B2 |
Pressurized fluidized furnace equipment
Pressurized fluidized furnace equipment includes a fluidized bed furnace (1) that pressurizes combustion air (B) and combusts a material to be treated (A) while fluidizing the same; an air preheater (3) that exchanges heat between a combustion exhaust gas (C) discharged from the fluidized bed furnace (1) and the combustion air (B); a dust collector (4) that removes dust from the combustion exhaust gas (C); and first and second superchargers (5, 6) to which the combustion exhaust gas (C), having undergone the heat exchange in the air preheater (3) and the dust removal in the dust collector (4), is supplied to generate compressed air (D, E). The first compressed air (D) generated in the first supercharger (5) is supplied as the combustion air (B) to the fluidized bed furnace (1) by way of the air preheater (3), and the second compressed air (E) generated in the second supercharger (6) is made to have a higher pressure than that of the first compressed air (D). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the equipment from having more superchargers than is necessary for normal use although a plurality of first and second superchargers are provided, and to efficiently use the surplus combustion exhaust gas. |
| US09933147B2 |
Terminal block assembly
A terminal block assembly includes a block housing, a surge protection device, a plurality of cable-receiving seats, a plurality of connector sets and a first fuse. The block housing defines an accommodating space that confines the surge protection device. The cable-receiving seats and the connector sets are mounted on the block housing. Each of the connector sets includes at least one first connector that is electrically connected to a light-emitting module of an outdoor lamp, and a second connector that extends into the accommodating space and that is electrically connected to the surge protection device. The first fuse is mounted to the block housing, and is electrically connected to the surge protection device. |
| US09933143B2 |
Engagement system and method for mounting lighting fixture
Provided is a system for attachment to a lighting fixture including lens components within a recess of a substantially flat surface. The system includes a tension mechanism configured for rotatable movement in response to an applied force. The system also includes a tether configured to provide the applied force and facilitate movement of the tension mechanism from a minimum tension position to a maximum tension position. The tether attaches to the tension mechanism and is assessable at a position approximate to the lens components of the lighting fixture. Also provided is a method for mounting the lighting fixture using the tension mechanism engaged by the tether. |
| US09933136B2 |
Lighting apparatus having a perforated panel
A lighting apparatus, in particular in the form of ceiling spots, with a perforated panel having at least one aperture for light to pass through, as well as a lens arranged so as to be concealed behind the perforated panel to emit a bundle of light beams that narrows on its way from the lens to the perforated panel, passes through the aperture for light to pass through, and broadens again after leaving the perforated panel. The lens is shaped in such a manner that a direct beam portion and/or direct light portion emitted without reflection from the lens and an indirect beam portion and/or indirect light portion emitted with reflection from the lens have essentially identical beam angles, and each essentially completely make up and/or fill out the overall bundle of light beams emitted by the lens. |
| US09933135B2 |
Stage lighting optical system having spot and beam effects
A stage lighting optical system includes a light source assembly from which condensed light can be emitted, an object assembly, and a zoom lens assembly, which are located in a same primary optical axis direction. Light from the light source assembly is cast by the object assembly and the zoom lens assembly. The object assembly includes an object for beam mode assembly and an object for gobo mode assembly that can be switched with each other and enter to the primary optical axis. The light source assembly can move forward or backward along the primary optical axis with respect to the object assembly. When the light source assembly moves forward to a first position with respect to the object assembly, the beam mode assembly is switched to the primary optical axis. When the object for beam mode assembly moves backwards to a second position with respect to the object assembly, the object for gobo mode assembly is switched into the primary optical axis. |
| US09933134B2 |
Lighting device with phosphor surface
A lighting device may include a light generating unit configured to generate at least two light beams; at least one phosphor surface which is illuminatable by the light beams; and at least one movable deflection mirror for the scanning deflection of the light beams onto the phosphor surface, such that the light beams impinge on the at least one phosphor surface in a spaced-apart fashion, and such that at least one region of the phosphor surface is illuminatable by at least two light beams in a manner spaced apart temporally. |
| US09933132B2 |
Quantum dot composite film and backlight unit using same
Provided is a quantum dot composite film. The quantum dot composite film includes a first barrier film, a quantum dot phosphor film disposed on the first barrier film, and a second barrier film disposed on the quantum dot phosphor film, wherein the first barrier film or the second barrier film is a dichroic mirror barrier film. Therefore, since the quantum dot composite film bonded to various optical functional films is provided, the number of optical films requires for a typical thin-film-type lighting apparatus may be effectively reduced. |
| US09933130B2 |
Lighting member
A lighting member includes a light guiding element, and a housing including a cover element and a light-guiding-element attachment claw. The cover element is formed as a frame shape, is capable of deforming elastically, and covers an outer peripheral face of the light guiding element over the entire circumference. The light-guiding-element attachment claw is disposed integrally with the cover element, and protrudes diametrically toward an inner side beyond the outer peripheral face of the light guiding element. The housing has an inner peripheral face facing the outer peripheral face of the light guiding element, and further includes a larger-clearance portion and smaller-clearance portion. The larger-clearance portion provides a larger clearance between the inner peripheral face of the cover element and the outer peripheral face of the light guiding element than does the smaller-clearance portion between them. |
| US09933123B2 |
Light strip system
A light strip system comprises an elongate carrier arrangement formed by mounting rail elements that are open towards the lower face, a shaped part which consists at least partly of a flexible material and forms an accommodation space formed in the carrier arrangement and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a lighting module component arranged in the accommodation space. In order to hold the lighting module component it is arranged so as to push against contact regions of the carrier arrangement, on two opposite sides, each time with the interposition of regions of the shaped part. |
| US09933122B2 |
Lighting device with central and peripheral illumination
A light assembly includes a light source and a reflector having a reflective interior surface and a central opening. A toroidal-shaped toroid optic includes a central bore and the light source is positioned in the central bore. The toroid optic is positioned within the central opening of the reflector. A broadening lens is attached to the reflector and positioned adjacent to the toroid optic. The broadening lens includes a central optic. |
| US09933114B2 |
Intelligent CNG fuel distributor
According to the described embodiments, an intelligent compressed natural gas distributing system is inserted into an existing compressed natural gas fueling station. A means to distribute compress natural gas associated with designated primary dispenser as determined by fueling situations. The system maintains a high differential of pressure during fueling as to decrease time of fueling by means of control valves on the dispenser lines. Within the system, at least one of the dispenser line is determined to be the primary active dispenser and is fueled directly from a compressor when pressure is detected under optimal threshold. The subordinate lines are subject to a bypass in which fueling is directly sourced from a high-pressure storage and receiving excess gas from the primary active dispenser. |
| US09933113B2 |
Systems and methods for freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials
A system for using freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a holder and a container for holding biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity and the container is received in the cavity. The holder includes a first portion and second portion. The container is received between the first portion and the second portion to connect the container to the holder. The holder includes an interior cradle having a bottom and edges extending from the bottom. The cradle bounds the cavity. An outer rim is connected to the cradle and separated from the cavity. The bottom includes an inner surface facing the cavity receiving the container and an outer surface. The outer surface of the bottom is recessed relative to an outer surface of the outer rim. |
| US09933107B2 |
Display wall mount
A display mount includes roll, yaw, and pitch adjustments to precisely position the display. A wall mount is secured to a room wall. A roll axis is provided by a first vertical plate pivotally engaging a horizontal stud held by the wall mount. A first horizontal plate is fixed to the first vertical plate. A yaw axis is provided by a vertical stud pivotally attaching a second horizontal plate to the first horizontal plate. A second vertical plate is fixed to the second horizontal plate. A pitch axis is provided by a second horizontal stud pivotally attaching a third vertical plate to the second vertical plate. The third vertical plate includes a display engaging clamp or mount. Cork clutch disks residing between pivoting surfaces provide a clutching function retaining hand adjustments. |
| US09933102B2 |
Valve insert
An insert is provided for insertion through an opening in the surface of a conduit, the insert comprising an insert body having first and second open ends defining an axis of flow therebetween. The insert further comprises a valve flap connected to the insert body. The valve flap is moveable between a closed position in which it creates a closure, thereby preventing flow along said axis, and an open position in which the valve flap allows flow along the axis. The valve flap is arranged so that, when in the open position, it is substantially U-shaped in side cross-section and is oriented with respect to the insert body so that said U-shape arches over the axis of flow. |
| US09933101B2 |
Valve housing with a spindle guide and method for production thereof
A valve and a method for making the valve, the valve including a valve housing with a central part and with two connection ends, wherein internally of the central part there is arranged a valve body in a valve seat and connected to a valve spindle that is arranged in a spindle guide stub on the valve housing. The method includes a tubular workpiece being provided with a cutout, a plate-shaped workpiece being provided that is plastically deformed to form a collar on it whereby a spindle guide stub is formed with a collar along its lower edge and a cutout in its upper surface. The spindle guide stub is laser welded on the tubular workpiece providing an internal welding seam running along the edge of the inner opening in the collar of the spindle guide stub, along the cutout and at the outer side of the tubular workpiece. |
| US09933100B2 |
Multi-layered gas-filled bladder for accommodating changes in fluid characteristics within a fluid delivery system
An absorber for use in a fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a housing defining an interior chamber, a connective fitting extending from the housing in fluid communication with the interior chamber for connecting the housing to the fluid delivery system, and at least one gas-filled bladder or cell disposed within the interior chamber of the housing to accommodate changes in fluid characteristics, such as, for example, pressure and volume, within the fluid delivery system, the gas-filled bladder or cell having a predetermined pre-charge pressure and a multi-layered flexible polymeric shell including a plurality of successive relatively thin polymeric shell layers to inhibit the formation of leak paths through the shell in the event that a single shell layer fails. |
| US09933095B2 |
Fastener having an inner undercut region
A fastening means, in particular for a bellows, comprises a male end segment and a female end segment complementary to the male end segment. The fastening means can be used to fasten bellows to joint housings and/or shafts. The fastening means has an inner undercut region in order to provide an improved closing behavior of the fastening means. |
| US09933090B2 |
Pipe retainer
A pipe retainer assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a mount including one of a slot and a projection, and a pipe retainer including a latch and the other of a slot and a projection. The slot is received in the projection and the latch is engaged with the mount. The assembly further includes a fluid conduit held in place by the mount and the pipe retainer. A method is also disclosed. |
| US09933089B2 |
Decompression insert for rotary valve and rotary valve provided with such an insert
A rotary valve for fluid flowing in a pipe. The valve has a body provided with upstream and downstream segments located on either side of a central recess constituting a seat into which a rotary sealing element, including a through-channel, is inserted. A decompression insert is arranged in the upstream segment and provided with a first cylindrical section having an outer cross-section equal to the cross-section of the upstream segment, a second cylindrical section having a cross-section that is narrower than the first cylindrical section, and a third section, referred to as frusta-conical connection section, for connecting the first and second sections. The decompression insert has a plurality of radial openings provided in at least one of the walls of the second and/or the third sections in order to diffuse the fluid toward the through-channel of the sealing element during a partial opening phase of the rotary valve. |
| US09933088B2 |
Rotary actuated valve with position indicator
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a positioning device that includes an actuator assembly configured to actuate an output shaft based on an input signal, and a position sensor assembly. The position sensor assembly includes a position sensor configured to detect a position of an input shaft not directly coupled to the output shaft, a first input receiver configured to receive the input signal, a first output transmitter configured to provide an output signal based on the position of the input shaft, and a second output transmitter configured to provide another output signal indicative of a failure of at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft. A moveable member is coupled to both the output shaft and the input shaft and is configured to alter the positional configuration of the input shaft and to be actuated by the output shaft. |
| US09933084B2 |
Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators
Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators are described. An example method includes positioning a biasing element in a cavity defined by a housing of an actuator such that the biasing element is in an uncompressed state and at least a portion of the biasing element is to extend outside of the cavity beyond an end defined by the housing; compressing the biasing element to a compressed state until the portion of the biasing element extending outside of the cavity is positioned inside the cavity; coupling a cover to the end of the housing to capture the biasing element in the cavity; and maintaining the biasing element in the compressed state during the coupling such that the biasing element does not engage the cover. |
| US09933081B2 |
Bursting disc with thermal insulation
A bursting disc with a flange area for attachment to an edge of an opening in a wall of a ventilation system, the central area adjacent the flange area along a predetermined breaking line equipped with thermal insulation on the bursting disc side which stretches at least not across the mounting element of the flange area so a niche is formed, bordered by the flange area and the thermal insulation on the bursting disc side. A bursting disc arrangement in which the bursting disc is mounted at the edge of an opening in a wall of a ventilation system and closes the opening, the wall equipped with thermal insulation on the system side which stretches to the flange area of the bursting disc, a gap corresponding to the niche is formed between at least one thermal insulation on the bursting disc side and the thermal insulation on the system side. |
| US09933076B2 |
Fluid control valve system and methods
A diaphragm-type control valve (10) having a valve body (12) holding a diaphragm (100) and an expansion member (150) is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. An inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member (26). The expansion member (150) biases the diaphragm (100) to a seated position within the valve. |
| US09933074B2 |
Sliding seal and seal structure
A sliding seal seals an annular gap between a first member and a second member to separate a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side from each other, the first member being movable relative to the second member. The sliding seal is provided at an annular attaching groove provided at the second member. The sliding seal includes: a pressure fluid seal configured to slidingly contact a sliding surface of the first member; and a lubricant holding piece provided at the high-pressure side of the pressure fluid seal, a lubricant storage space being formed between the lubricant holding piece and the pressure fluid seal. |
| US09933073B2 |
Aircraft
An aircraft including: a penetration member that penetrates an airframe between an inside and an outside via an opening provided in the airframe; a seal that seals a gap set between an opening formation member forming the opening and the penetration member; and a retainer that presses the seal against the penetration member and the opening formation member, wherein each of the penetration member and the opening formation member includes a receiving section that receives the seal, both of the receiving sections are arranged along a direction connecting one side and the other side of the gap with the gap therebetween, and the seal is fixed to only one of the receiving section of the penetration member and the receiving section of the opening formation member. |
| US09933070B2 |
Coating method for vehicle shift fork and shift fork with amorphous coating layer formed by same
Provided herein is a coating method for a vehicle shift fork, and the method includes: preparing a Fe—Cr—Mo-based composition such as a powder; pretreating the shift fork by washing a pad part of the shift fork to remove impurities; forming a coating layer on the pad part using the Fe—Cr—Mo-based powder by high velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF) method; and cooling the coating layer at a rate of about 106 to about 108 K/s to form an amorphous coating layer. Further provided are an amorphous coating formed by high velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF) method and a shift fork including the amorphous coating. |
| US09933063B2 |
Silent sprocket/gear for transmission chains, in particular for motorcycles, and mold components for its production
A silenced sprocket comprises, adjacent to the base of its teeth, a circular channel, or bilateral channel, on the metal body of the sprocket itself. The bilateral channel has a minimal radial extension, a silencing rubber element (106′), and a bilateral channel. The bilateral channel creates its own housing and has a minimal radial extension compared to the sprocket radius. The silenced sprocket is made by a molding technique that uses special molding components, adapted to apply the rubber silencing element on the sprocket metal body. These components are of annular circular shape, U cross section and a width essentially corresponding to the channel width, rendering the mold independent from the specific shape of the sprocket metal body. |
| US09933059B2 |
Dual-rate linear actuator
An electromechanical actuator (EMA) is provided. The EMA may comprise a ball nut having an annular geometry centered about an axis. A dual ball screw may be disposed radially inward from the ball nut and configured to rotate about the axis. The dual ball screw may also be mechanically coupled to the ball nut. A ball screw may be disposed radially inward from the ball nut and configured to rotate about the axis. The ball screw may also be mechanically coupled to the dual ball screw. |
| US09933058B1 |
Redundant extension linear actuator and methods of use
An actuator having an output slidable between extended and retracted positions is provided. The actuator includes a primary module having a power drive, power screw rotatable by the power drive, and a nut operable to translate rotation of the power screw to linear motion of the nut across the power screw. The actuator includes a secondary module having a power drive, a shaft rotatable by the power drive, a power screw, and a nut. The power screw is slidably coupled to and rotatable by the shaft, and coupled to the output. The nut is coupled to the power screw and is operable to slide linearly across the shaft by rotating through the nut. Both the primary nut and secondary power screw are operable to move the output to the extended position or the retracted position depending on the rotational direction of the primary power screw and secondary power screw. |
| US09933057B1 |
Linear actuator with a modular support device
A linear actuator includes a linear module including a base, a screw rod mounted in the base and a transmission carriage threaded onto the screw rod, and a support module including two support carriages movably mounted on the screw rod at two opposite sides relative to the transmission carriage, a protective cover disposed at one side of the base and connected to the two support carriages, two pulley blocks mounted at the two opposite ends of the protective cover and a cable wound round the pulleys of the pulley blocks and connected to the transmission carriage and the base by a respective cable connection plate. Thus, the transmission carriage utilizes the cable to carry one pulley block and then the protective cover, causing the protective cover to carry the two support carriages and the other pulley block, achieving the effect of supporting the screw rod. |
| US09933056B2 |
Deflection means for inspection systems
A deflection device for an inspection device is provided, wherein the deflection device has a working appliance having a main body and a pivoting element. The pivoting element is arranged pivotably about a pivot axis relative to the main body, a flexible fixation element, having a first end and a second end, wherein the main body is arranged at the first end, and a pulling element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the pulling element is fixed at the pivoting element, and wherein the second end of the pulling element is fixed in the region of the second end of the fixation element. |
| US09933052B2 |
Chain guide element
A chain guide element having a pair of guide rails spaced from each other to guide a moving chain therebetween. A coupling element extends from one guide rail for receiving a transversely arranged holding element for allowing pivotal movement of the chain guide element relative to the holding element. A securing element is carried by the holding element for engagement with the coupling element. |
| US09933045B1 |
Multi-speed planetary transmission
A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include three clutches and three brakes. |
| US09933043B2 |
Transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a drive shaft, an output shaft, at least four planetary gear sets, whereas each of the planetary gear sets comprises one sun gear, at least one planet, one planetary carrier and one ring gear. The transmission includes several shift elements in the form of at least three clutches and at least three brakes. The drive shaft is connectable through the second clutch to the planetary carrier of the first planetary gear set. The planetary carrier of the first planetary gear set is connected to the second brake. The ring gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set. The planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set is connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set. The sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set is connected to the third brake. The planetary carrier of the third planetary gear set is connected to the output shaft. The ring gear of the third planetary gear set is connected to the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The third clutch is connected to the first brake. The third clutch is connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. |
| US09933040B2 |
Hybrid chain timing belt
A hybrid chain belt which includes a toothed rubber belt and a pair of chains comprising a plurality of interleaved or laced sets of inner chain links and a plurality of interleaved outer or external links immediately adjacent the inner links mounted to the sides of the toothed belt. Each of the inner links and outer links has a pair of spaced apertures for receiving at least one pin which passes through the apertures of the links. The pins extend through the teeth of the rubber belt. Alternatively, the pair of chains may be replaced with outer links with either two apertures or a single aperture. |
| US09933039B2 |
Hybrid drivetrain having active torsional vibration damping, and method for carrying out the active torsional damping
A drivetrain having an active torsional vibration damping and a method for carrying out the active torsional vibration damping, having an internal combustion engine being affected by torsional vibrations and having a crankshaft, a torsional vibration damper that is operatively connected to the crankshaft and has at least one operating point of low vibration isolation of the torsional vibrations and has a primary inertial mass associated with the crankshaft and an inertial mass associated with a gear input shaft of a gearbox, the inertial mass being rotatable relatively and limitedly with respect to the primary inertial mass against the action of a spring device. The drivetrain also includes an electric motor having a rotating mass operatively connected to the gearbox input shaft, and a control unit, the spring device being formed by linear springs, the rotating mass of the electric motor being designed as a secondary inertial mass. |
| US09933036B2 |
Damping rubber spring for an automobile suspension
A damping rubber spring for an automobile suspension, including: n rubber layers (2), n being a natural number not less than 3; n+1 metal partition layers (1) including an upper partition layer (4) and a lower partition layer (5), the n rubber layers (2) and the n+1 metal partition layers (1) being laminated alternately with each other, and the upper partition layer (4) being disposed in parallel with the lower partition layer (5), wherein an m-th rubber layer (2) starting from the upper partition layer (4) has a thickness or cross section area that is the same as that of an m-th rubber layer (2) starting from the lower partition layer (5). |
| US09933035B2 |
Methods for the preparation of a friction material and for the manufacture of a brake pad using such friction material
Method for manufacturing an asbestos-free friction material having as component materials inorganic and/or organic and/or metallic fibers, at least one organic binder, at least one friction modifier or lubricant and at least a filler or abrasive. The raw components of the friction material are mixed together to obtain a raw mixture which is then molded to obtain a block or layer of friction material. The mixing step includes a first step of hot blending of at least part of the organic binder with at least part of the other components of the friction material by a rolling mill blender that is open to atmospheric pressure at a temperature lower than the polymerization temperature of the organic binder but greater than or equal to its softening temperature, in order to obtain a semifinished solid product. A second step of grinding the semifinished solid product reduces the product to a powder. |
| US09933031B2 |
Systems and methods for forming a layer onto a surface of a solid substrate and products formed thereby
A method for forming a vehicular brake rotor involving loading a shaped metal substrate with a mixture of metal alloying components and ceramic particles in a dieheating the contents of the die while applying pressure to melt at least one of the metal components of the alloying mixture whereby to densify the contents of the die and form a ceramic particle-containing metal matrix composite coating on the metallic substrate; and cooling the resulting coated product. |
| US09933030B2 |
Brake disc with symmetric groove pattern
A brake disc for a wheeled vehicle; said brake disc including opposing annular braking surfaces; each of said surfaces provided with an identical pattern of disparate arcuate groove segments; said groove segments arranged in groups oriented in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions; each of said groups including, one series of at least two arcuate groove segments lying along a common arc extending from proximate a hub of said braking surface to proximate the periphery of said braking surface, one inward arcuate groove segment extending from proximate said hub to a point intermediate said hub and said periphery, and one outward arcuate groove segment extending from a point intermediate said hub and said periphery to proximate said periphery. |
| US09933029B2 |
Reduced-diameter brake rotor for heavy-duty vehicles
The invention is directed to a reduced-diameter brake rotor for heavy-duty vehicles. The rotor has a reduced diameter to enable it to be used in conjunction with reduced-diameter wheel end configurations. The rotor includes a radially-extending disc that in turn includes an inboard surface and an outboard surface, and a solid, constant cross-section between the inboard and outboard surfaces. The rotor also includes a radially-extending mounting flange for mounting the rotor to a wheel hub of the vehicle. An axially-extending sleeve is integrally formed with and extends between the disc and the mounting flange. The solid disc and other features of the rotor desirably reduce the peak temperature of the rotor by increasing its mass, reduce coning of the rotor during braking, and desirably maintain the heat transfer properties of the rotor while decreasing the brittleness and improving the hot strength of the rotor. |
| US09933028B2 |
Caliper disc brake of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, and holding-down device of such a brake
A caliper disc brake of a vehicle has a brake disc with an axis of rotation, a brake caliper, a brake anchor plate, a force transmission element, such asa lining support and/or a pressure plate, a holding-down spring for holding down the force transmission element, and a holding-down device (36) which is held and supported on the caliper by a holding device, which pretensions the holding-down spring adially against the force transmission device and tangentially in the direction of rotation against the force transmission device during forwards travel. The holding device has a center line parallel to the axis of rotation. The tangential pre-tensioning is at least partially due to the dimensions (V1, V2) of the holding-down device in the tangential direction from the center line (M) being larger on the disc exit side than on the disc entry side. |
| US09933024B2 |
Variable two-way over-running clutch
A clutch assembly is provided that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a housing, a two-way over-running clutch, and a friction clutch assembly. The two-way over-running clutch includes an inner race and an outer race. At least one torque transmitting member is disposed between the inner race and the outer race that selectively transfers torque from the inner race to the outer race. The inner race defines at least one cam that receives the torque transmitting member. An inner race actuator selectively controls lock-up of the two-way over-running clutch by moving the inner race relative to the first shaft and the outer race between a concentric position and at least one eccentric position. |
| US09933023B2 |
Disconnect clutch with dual one-way clutches and solenoid actuator for a wedge one-way clutch
A disconnect clutch for a torque transfer device for a vehicle, including: an axis of rotation; an input shaft arranged to receive torque from a torque generating or transmitting device for the vehicle; an output shaft arranged to transmit the torque; a forward clutch having a first torque-carrying capacity; a reverse clutch having a second torque-carrying capacity less than the first torque-carrying capacity; and an actuator system. For a forward connect mode in which the input shaft is rotating in a first rotational direction, the actuator system is arranged to close the forward clutch to non-rotatably connect the input and output shafts. For a reverse connect mode in which the input shaft is rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the actuator system is arranged to close the reverse clutch to close the reverse clutch to non-rotatably connect the input and output shafts. |
| US09933016B2 |
Rolling bearing device
A rolling bearing device includes a rolling bearing; and a spacer provided adjacent to one side of the rolling bearing in an axial direction and having a grease reservoir and a flow path, the grease reservoir being in a form of a groove, extending along a circumferential direction, and having grease reserved in the grease reservoir, and the flow path providing communication between the grease reservoir and an inner part of the rolling bearing. The spacer includes an annular wall surface that defines an inner periphery of the grease reservoir. An end of the annular wall surface on a side of the rolling bearing in the axial direction of the grease reservoir is continuous with an opposed end face of the spacer that is opposed to the rolling bearing. An entire area of the annular wall surface is constituted by a flat surface. |
| US09933015B2 |
Rolling element bearing
The invention relates to a rolling element bearing having at least one inner bearing inner and at least one outer bearing ring. Rolling elements are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and the rolling elements are guided by a cage. To improve the lubrication of the bearing the invention proposes that the cage includes at least one opening, preferably a bore. The opening penetrates the cage from a radial inner surface to a radial outer surface. |
| US09933013B2 |
Alignment meter for a rail system
An alignment meter for a rail system includes a housing defining a cavity, a flexible member connected to the housing, and at least one strain measuring element provided on the flexible member. The strain measuring element may be configured to measure the strain experienced by the flexible member. At least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a horizontal direction relative to the flexible member. The at least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a vertical direction relative to the flexible member. |
| US09933012B1 |
Bearing centering spring with integral outer rings
A bearing centering spring includes a cylindrical body with outer rings at each end, wherein each outer ring has outer raceways on the inner surface of the body. There is also a retaining feature on an end of the body and ports through the body that are positioned between the outer rings. |
| US09933010B2 |
Tiered axial bearing
An axial roller bearing includes a first bearing including a first cage and a first plurality of rollers and a second bearing including a second cage and a second plurality of rollers. The axial roller bearing further includes a first washer positioned on a side of the first bearing, a second washer positioned on a side of the second washer which is opposite from the side of the first bearing on which the first washer is positioned, and a connecting washer positioned between the first bearing and the second bearing. The first cage is attached at an inner side to the first washer and at an outer side to the connecting washer. The second cage is attached at an inner side to the connecting washer and at an outer side to the second washer. |
| US09933007B2 |
Sliding bearing
Provided is a sliding bearing that has a bearing inner peripheral surface covered by a resin overlay layer configured from a binder resin and a solid lubricant and/or hard substance, reduces the running-in time during an operation start, and can obtain the effect of increasing wear resistance and the effect of reducing friction. In the sliding bearing, halved members resulting from halving a cylinder parallel to the axial direction are disposed at the top and bottom, the inner peripheral surfaces of the top and bottom halved members are covered by a resin overlay layer configured from a binder resin and a solid lubricant and/or hard substance, and a fine groove is provided to an axial-direction end of the bottom halved member in the peripheral direction from the mating surface at the downstream side in the rotational direction to a predetermined bearing angle. |
| US09933000B2 |
Clip assembly for use holding sinuous springs
A piece of furniture includes a rectangular frame for supporting a plurality of sinuous springs. A plurality of clip assemblies are secured to opposed side walls of the frame. Each clip assembly comprises a metallic clip having tabs for holding a plastic liner inside a curved portion of the clip assembly. Each clip assembly also has a detent which inhibits movement of the sinuous spring and has tacks for insertion into the frame. Flexible connectors may be located in grooves of the clip assembly to collate multiple clip assemblies. |
| US09932997B2 |
Trim and tilt apparatus for marine vessel propulsion machine and marine vessel propulsion machine
There are provided a bar-shaped piston rod having one end portion attached to a marine vessel propulsion machine main body; an inner cylinder; an inner piston mounted in the other end portion of the piston rod, is accommodated in the inner cylinder, and divides a space in the inner cylinder into a fourth chamber on the one end portion side and a fifth chamber on the other end portion side; an outer cylinder accommodating the inner cylinder therein; and an outer piston covering an opening portion of one end portion of the inner cylinder in a state where the piston rod is exposed, divides a space in the outer cylinder into a second chamber on one end portion side and a first chamber on the other end portion side, and is formed with a through hole that allows the fourth chamber and the second chamber to communicate with each other. |
| US09932996B2 |
Electrohydraulic implement pressure cutoff
An electrohydraulic implement pressure cutoff system is disclosed that includes a pump, one or more hydraulic functions, at least one valve, sensors and control unit. The pump powers the functions, and the valves control flow between the pump and their associated function. The sensor readings indicate system parameters. The control unit receives the readings and controls the valves. When the readings indicate a function is at or beyond a threshold, the control unit closes the associated valve to prevent flow to or from that function. The sensors can be pressure, position or other types of sensors. Operator control signals can be provided to control the functions. When the readings indicate a function is at or beyond a threshold in a stalled direction and the operator signals keep commanding the function in the stalled direction, the control unit can close the associated valve regardless of the operator signals. |
| US09932994B2 |
Hydraulic circuit for construction machine and control device therefor
A hydraulic circuit for a construction machine including a direction control valve group including direction control valves provided in tandem to a center bypass passage, a bleed-off valve provided to the center bypass passage downstream of the direction control valve group, and a control valve controlling an amount of pressure oil to be supplied to the direction control valve. |
| US09932990B2 |
Ventilation device, in particular for heating, cooling, and/or humidifying air in residential buildings
A ventilation device, in particular for heating, cooling and/or humidifying air in residential buildings, includes a duct-shaped housing (1) with an air inlet opening (2) and an air outlet opening (3), and a fan impeller (6) as well as a filter unit, heat exchange unit and/or heating coil unit (14) arranged in the main flow direction (Z) of an air flow generated by the fan impeller (6). An air guiding device (17) is arranged in the flow direction (Z) of the air flow in front of a suction nozzle (16)—configured as a flow conditioner, includes a bar structure with air guiding bars-such that a flow inlet opening is configured on the suction side at an axial height in front of the flow inlet opening (15) by the bar structure whose opening surface is smaller than the opening surface of the flow inlet opening (15). |
| US09932989B1 |
Produced liquids compressor cooler
A method, apparatus and system for cooling compressed gases at a well site without the need for fans. Wherein produced liquids act as a continuously-flowing heat sink for gases entering stages of compression. Heat sinks can be automatically bypassed such that gases are compressed without first cooling them based upon outputs of temperature sensors. |
| US09932987B2 |
Rotor disc and rotor for a vacuum pump
A rotor disc for a vacuum pump, in particular a turbo molecular pump, having an inner ring. The inner ring is connected to a plurality of blade elements extending radially outward. The inner ring has at least one expansion joint. For assembly, the inner ring can be surrounded by a retaining ring and arranged on a hollow cylindrical carrier element as applicable. |
| US09932986B2 |
Variable preloaded duplex thrust bearing system for a geared turbofan engine
A bearing system for a gas turbine engine includes an outer housing and a first ball bearing assembly disposed radially inward from the outer housing relative a center axis of the outer housing. The bearing system also includes a second ball bearing assembly disposed radially inward from the outer housing and positioned axially aft of the first ball bearing assembly. The bearing system also includes a resilient member that is connected to the outer housing and compressed against at least one of a first outer race of the first ball bearing assembly and a second outer race of the second ball bearing assembly in an axial direction parallel to the center axis. |
| US09932980B2 |
Gear pump bearing dam
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes a gear pump includes gears having a gear root diameter and teeth having an addendum and pressure angle. A housing includes a fluid inlet and discharge, bearings configured to position the gear teeth in intermeshing contact across a fluid dam. The fluid dam includes a first face arranged at an angle to a split line, spaced apart from a center line at the split line a first distance towards the inlet, and extending from the first gear root diameter away from the center line to the first gear root diameter, and a second face arranged approximately perpendicular to the split line, spaced apart from the center line at the split line a second distance towards the outlet, and extending between the first gear root diameter and the second gear root diameter. |
| US09932978B2 |
Method for controlling the operation of a compressor
In a method for controlling the operation of a compressor, the compressor is switched off by a controller in order to prevent thermal damage if an estimated temperature value calculated by the controller exceeds an upper threshold value. The controller calculates a cooling function as a state variable utilizing the estimated temperature value, the cooling function representing the chronological course of the cooling of the compressor. The controller determines the cooling function based on at least one first and one second estimated temperature value which are associated with points of the compressor that are at spatial distances to each other. The calculation of the cooling function is based on a temperature difference between the first and second estimated temperature values. |
| US09932976B2 |
Starting valve for a fluid operating machine working in a vacuum system
A starting valve (100) for a fluid operating machine (200) for a vacuum system (1000). The starting valve (100) comprises:—a valve body (10) with an opening (17) to let a gas in; and an actuating piston (13) splined on a stem (16) free to slide in a guide (18A). The actuating piston (13), with a portion of the valve body (10), defines a chamber (30). The actuating piston (13) is subject to the action of a deformable diaphragm (15). A calibrated throttling hole (16B) is provided in series with a through hole (16A) in line with the stem (16) to establish a fluid communication between the chamber (30) and a fluid-dynamic line (500) of the vacuum system (1000). A shutter (20) is furthermore provided also splined on the stem (16). The shutter (20) closes a gas passage opening (10B) as a function of the pressure difference between the chamber (30) and the fluid-dynamic line (500). The calibrated throttling hole (16B) and the through hole (16A) establish a fluid communication between the space enclosed by a connection (25) and a space (22) defined by a cover element (23) positioned in the upper part of the valve body (10). |
| US09932974B2 |
Duct having oscillatory side wall
A pump system includes a particulate consolidator pump that has a pump outlet. A duct is coupled to the pump outlet. The duct has a wall that is coupled with an oscillator. The oscillator is operable to oscillate the wall at a controlled frequency. The controlled frequency is selected with respect to breaking static bridging of particulate in the duct due, at least in part, to consolidation of the particulate from a downstream check valve. |
| US09932970B1 |
Hybrid thermal power and desalination apparatus and methods
Rankine Cycle power generation facility having a plurality of thermal inputs and at least one heat sink, where the heat sink includes a thermal chimney or a natural convective cooling tower. In a preferred embodiment, the power facility generates electricity and/or fresh water with a zero carbon footprint, such as by using a combination of solar and geothermal heating to drive a Rankine Cycle heat engine. In one embodiment, a thermal stack is mounted in the base of the thermal chimney, the thermal stack for using waste heat from the plurality of thermal inputs to drive a natural convective flow of air in the thermal chimney, the convective flow having sufficient momentum to drive additional power generation in an air turbine mounted in the chimney and to drive an evaporative cycle for concentratively extracting fresh water from geothermal brines. |
| US09932969B2 |
Air-gap secure system for a wind turbine
Disclosed is a wind turbine, which comprises a rotatable structure being coupled to a hub of the wind turbine and to a generator rotor comprising a brake disc, a stationary structure being coupled to a generator stator and comprising a stator frame and a safety bearing element. The rotatable structure is rotatably coupled to the stationary structure, wherein the stator frame comprises a brake mounting section to which a calliper brake is mountable such that the brake disc is breakable by the mounted calliper brake. The safety bearing element is mounted to the brake mounting section such that the brake disc is in slidable contact with the safety bearing element if a distance between the brake mounting section and the brake disc is reduced below a predetermined reference value. |
| US09932966B2 |
Method for avoiding voltage instability in an electrical grid of an offshore wind park
Method for avoiding voltage instability in an electrical grid of an offshore wind park, the offshore wind park electrical grid being connected at a first end of a high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission and the main land electrical grid being connected at a second end of the HVAC transmission, each of the wind turbines being connected to the wind park electrical grid, the method comprises determining a main land phase angle at or near the second end of the HVAC transmission; measuring an individual wind turbine phase angle at one or more wind turbines; determining the difference between each of the measured individual wind turbine phase angles and the main land phase angle; and determining whether the difference between one of the measured individual wind turbine phase angle and the main land phase angle exceeds a threshold phase angle difference. |
| US09932963B2 |
Method for adjusting the azimuth of a wind power plant, azimuth adjustment system and wind power plant
A method for adjusting the azimuth of a wind power plant, in which, during an azimuthal rotation of a machine housing with a rotor on a tower of the wind power plant, a constant residual pressure for generating a constant residual holding torque is applied to at least one azimuth braking device. Also an azimuth adjustment system for a wind power plant and to a wind power plant. In the disclosed method, the constant residual pressure and/or the constant residual holding torque are/is set as a function of at least one wind speed parameter before commencement of the azimuthal rotation, and the residual pressure and/or the residual holding torque are/is not changed during the azimuthal rotation, in particular during energization of azimuth drive motors. |
| US09932955B2 |
Ignition apparatus
An ignition apparatus inputs energy during a predetermined energy input period after the interruption of a primary electric current by an ignition switch and a discharge of an ignition plug caused by a secondary electric current. Moreover, the ignition apparatus includes a blow-off detection unit that detects, during the energy input period IGW after the start of the discharge by the ignition plug, occurrence of blow-off of the discharge. When the secondary electric current I2 drops below a blow-off detection electric current threshold value Ibo at a time instant tbo in a “second region” where it is impossible to perform a re-discharge after blow-off, the blow-off detection unit determines that blow-off has occurred and the ignition apparatus stops the energy input from an energy input unit to an ignition coil. By preventing unnecessary energy input, it is possible to suppress unnecessary electric power consumption and wear of electrodes of the ignition plug. |
| US09932950B2 |
High-pressure pump
A high-pressure pump has a metering valve and a valve stopper. The stopper has a regulation portion which an end surface of the valve is brought into contact with. An outer diameter of the regulation portion is equal to an outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the valve. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the regulation portion. When the end surface of the valve is in contact with the regulation portion, the sleeve covers a tapered surface of the valve. |
| US09932948B2 |
Valve for metering a fluid
A valve for metering a fluid, which is used in particular as a fuel injector for internal combustion engines, includes an electromagnetic actuator and a valve needle, which is actuatable by the actuator, and is used for actuating a valve closing body, which interacts with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. An armature of the actuator has a through hole, through which the valve needle extends. The armature is guided on the valve needle movably and with clearance. Furthermore, a stop surface which is fixed in place with respect to the valve needle is provided, on which the armature strikes with its end face in conjunction with an actuation. During an axial alignment of the armature with respect to the valve needle, an angle offset is predefined between the stop surface and the end face of the armature. |
| US09932947B2 |
Actuator with residual magnetic hysteresis reset
An electromagnetic actuation system includes an electrical coil, a magnetic core, an armature, a controllable bi-directional drive circuit for selectively driving current through the coil in either of two directions, and a control module providing an actuator command to the drive circuit. Current is driven though the electrical coil in a first direction when an actuation is desired. When the actuation is not desired current is driven through the electrical coil including in a second direction sufficient to reduce residual flux within the actuator below a level passively attained within the actuator at zero coil current. |
| US09932943B2 |
Filter element
A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive. |
| US09932940B2 |
Gas turbine engine fuel cooled cooling air heat exchanger
A fuel cooled cooling air heat exchanger includes a fuel injector and an airflow body. The fuel injector has a fuel flow passage formed therein that includes a fuel inlet port and a fuel outlet port. The airflow body is coupled to and surrounds at least a portion of the fuel injector. The airflow body has an inner surface that is spaced apart from the fuel injector to define an airflow passage between the airflow body and the fuel injector, and the airflow passage includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port. |
| US09932930B2 |
Piston with reduced top land height and tight top land piston profile
An assembly includes a cylinder having a bore diameter, and a piston disposed within the cylinder. The piston is provided with a top land and a top ring groove. The top land and the cylinder are provided with a tight top land clearance. The ratio of the top land height to the bore diameter is less than or equal to 0.075. |
| US09932929B2 |
Method for manufacturing piston for direct injection engine
A piston for a diesel engine is prepared as a piston for a direct injection engine, a cavity face of the piston is grinded, and a squish face thereof is masked. Next, a high-purity aluminum coating is formed on the cavity face, and the masking of the squish face is removed and the entire area of the piston top face is subjected to an anodizing treatment. Thereafter, the cavity face is masked, and the squish face is subjected to a sealing treatment. |
| US09932924B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis device for blow-by gas returning apparatus
A blow-by gas returning (BGV) apparatus includes a blow-by gas storage unit, a throttle device placed in an intake passage, a BGV passage for allowing blow-by gas to flow to the intake passage downstream of the throttle device for recirculation, and a PCV valve for regulating a flow rate of blow-by gas. An abnormality diagnosis device includes an air flow meter to detect an intake amount in the intake passage upstream of the throttle device and an electronic control unit (ECU) for diagnosis. The ECU controls the PCV valve to a first opening degree and a second opening degree when an engine is during deceleration fuel cut, and diagnoses abnormality of the BGV apparatus based on a first intake amount detected under control with the first opening degree and a second intake amount detected under control with the second opening degree. |
| US09932923B2 |
Abnormality determination apparatus
An internal combustion engine to which the apparatus is applied is a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine that includes a passage injection valve and a cylinder injection valve and that can use gasoline and alcohol as fuel. The apparatus performs abnormality determination for a determination object device, based on a detection signal of an oxygen sensor provided in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The concentration sensor detects alcohol concentration ALp of the fuel in a first fuel passage through which the fuel is fed to the passage injection valve, and alcohol concentration ALd of the fuel in a second fuel passage through which the fuel is fed to the cylinder injection valve. When a difference ΔAL between the alcohol concentrations ALp, ALd is a determination value or greater (S13: YES), the execution of the abnormality determination is prohibited (S12). |
| US09932922B2 |
Post-catalyst cylinder imbalance monitor
Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder air-fuel imbalance. In one example, a method may include adjusting engine operation based on an indication of cylinder air-fuel imbalance. The imbalance may be detected based on output from a second exhaust gas sensor and a plurality of individual cylinder weighting factors, the second sensor located in an exhaust system downstream of a first sensor located in the exhaust system. |
| US09932920B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device includes a cylinder pressure sensor, a driving condition detector, a reference crank angle setter, a reference cylinder pressure calculator, an EGR ratio estimator, and a controller. The cylinder pressure sensor detects a cylinder pressure inside a cylinder. The driving condition detector detects a driving condition in an internal combustion engine. The reference crank angle setter calculates, according to the driving condition, a reference crank angle immediately before which mixture gas starts combusting. The reference cylinder pressure calculator calculates a reference cylinder pressure at the reference crank angle based on temperature characteristics of a heat capacity ratio of the mixture gas under a condition. The EGR ratio estimator calculates an EGR ratio based on a pressure difference between the reference cylinder pressure and the cylinder pressure at the reference crank angle. The controller controls the internal combustion engine according to the EGR ratio. |
| US09932919B2 |
Engine
In an engine, a controller is configured to fully close the opening of EGR valve when a cut condition is satisfied and variably control the opening when a cut release condition is satisfied. An operating zone is defined as a zone surrounded by a characteristic curve indicating a relationship between rotation speed and torque. The operating zone comprises a high operating zone containing an NTE zone, and a low operating zone that is set at a lower torque side and at a lower rotation speed side with respect to the high operating zone. The cut condition is that an operating condition specified by the rotation speed and the torque is kept within the low operating zone during a predetermined time or more. The cut release condition is that the operating condition falls within the high operating zone. |
| US09932914B2 |
Method for increasing electric operation in hybrid electric vehicles
A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide power to traction wheels, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to the engine being off and a power request exceeding an engine-start threshold, delay an engine start when vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Delaying an engine start may include providing an engine-start-threshold offset. The offset decreases as vehicle speed increases. The engine is started when the power request exceeds a sum of the engine-start threshold and the engine-start-threshold offset. |
| US09932912B2 |
Methods and systems for emissions control in a dual fuel engine
Various methods and systems are provided for an engine with an exhaust gas treatment system. In one example, under a first condition, a first fuel is delivered for combustion in the engine. Under a second condition, a second fuel is delivered for combustion in the engine, the second fuel different than the first fuel. Under a third condition, the first fuel is delivered as a reductant for the exhaust gas treatment system. |
| US09932911B2 |
Propane fuel supplement system and method
A propane injection system for supplementing gasoline or diesel engines in vehicles such as automobiles and marine vessels. The invention would also be appropriate for use in turbines and jet engines by providing a secondary fuel source for improved fuel economy. A propane tank is mounted into the vehicle, such as within a cavity within the trunk of an automobile, and is connected to the air intake, exhaust, and turbo charger of the vehicle's stock engine system. A switch is used to activate the injection of propane directly into the engine cycle at two points to increase engine performance. The switch could be incorporated into an existing switch, such as the cruise control of an automobile, and may be canceled by depressing the brake pedal of the vehicle. |
| US09932909B1 |
Method of engine cam control for cabin heating
A method of controlling intake and exhaust cam phase in an internal combustion engine for optimal HVAC performance in a motor vehicle includes requesting a cabin heating value, sensing an engine speed and an engine load of the internal combustion engine, utilizing the cabin heating value, the engine speed and the engine load in one or more lookup tables to determine intake phaser constraint values and exhaust phaser constraint values for cabin heating, and transitioning the intake phaser constraint values and the exhaust phaser constraint values for cabin heating to intake phaser constraint values and exhaust phaser constraint values based on one or more lookup tables for normal operation without a cabin heating request. |
| US09932908B2 |
System and method for controlling valve timing of continuous variable valve duration engine
The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration. The method may include: classifying a plurality of control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine speed; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve in a first control region; maintaining the maximum duration of the intake valve and controlling the exhaust valve to reach a maximum duration in a second control region; advancing intake valve closing (IVC) timing and exhaust valve closing (EVC) timing in a third control region; controlling the IVC timing to be close to bottom dead center (BDC) in a fourth control region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened and controlling the IVC timing to an angle after BDC in a fifth control region; and controlling the throttle valve to be fully opened and advancing the IVC timing in a sixth control region. |
| US09932906B2 |
Gas turbine engine uncontrolled high thrust detection system and method
A system and method of detecting an uncontrolled high thrust (UHT) condition in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes processing data to determine when a current commanded fan speed value is greater than a predetermined speed value. A current UHT commanded fan speed value is processed to determine if it will cause a target fan speed value to increase, remain steady, or decrease. The target fan speed value is set equal to the current UHT commanded fan speed value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to increase or remain steady, and to a deceleration threshold value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to decrease. An uncontrolled high thrust alert signal is generated when actual engine fan speed exceeds the target fan speed value by a predetermined amount for a preset time period. |
| US09932904B2 |
Exhaust gas turbocharger
An exhaust gas turbocharger may include a compressor housing and a turbine housing. The turbine housing may be connected to the compressor housing via a plurality of spacer pins composed of a heat-insulating material. The plurality of spacer pins may respectively include a head and at least one axial pin. |
| US09932903B2 |
Fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement
A fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement has a fuel manifold and at least one fuel injector. The fuel injector has main and pilot fuel nozzles. The fuel manifold has at least one fuel pipe segment and each fuel pipe segment has an outer pipe, an intermediate pipe arranged within the outer pipe and an inner pipe arranged within the intermediate pipe. A thermally insulating medium is provided in a chamber defined between the outer pipe and the intermediate pipe. The chamber between the intermediate pipe and the inner pipe is fluidly connected to a first fuel supply and the chamber within the inner pipe is fluidly connected to a second fuel supply. The at least one pilot fuel nozzle is fluidly connected to the chamber between the intermediate pipe and the inner pipe and the main fuel nozzle is fluidly connected to the chamber within the inner pipe. |
| US09932901B2 |
Shroud retention system with retention springs
A shroud retention system may generally include a shroud hanger and first and second hooked components extending from an outer hanger wall of the hanger. The first hooked component may include a first wall extending from the outer hanger wall and a first rail extending from the first wall. The second hooked component may include a second wall extending from the outer hanger wall and a second rail extending from the second wall. In addition, the system may also include a shroud segment having a shroud wall configured to be positioned radially between the outer hanger wall and the first and second rails. Moreover, the system may include a retention spring positioned within a radial space defined between the outer hanger wall and the first and second rails that is configured to apply a radial spring force against the shroud segment. |
| US09932900B2 |
Thermal protection device for equipment in a turbomachine engine compartment
A thermal protection device for equipment positioned in an engine compartment of an aircraft turbomachine is disclosed. The device comprises at least one heat shield arranged at least partially between the equipment and a thermally radiative wall of the engine compartment exposed to a heating source. The heat shield comprises an air-channeling elements connected to a cooling air source and configured to direct cooling air toward the equipment. |
| US09932899B2 |
Bearing lubricating structure for gas turbine engine
When A denotes a required oil lower limit amount for one bearing near an oil supply source, and B and C respectively denote a required oil lower limit amount and a safety surplus oil amount for the other bearing away from the source, an amount of oil equal to A+B+C is supplied from the source and a hole diameter and the number of first oil holes are set such that an amount of oil to be supplied to the one bearing is equal to the amount A. Thus, the oil with the amount A can be securely supplied to the one bearing. Also, oil with the sum of the amounts B and C is supplied to the other bearing so that the oil with the amount B can be securely supplied to the other bearing which tends to receive oil insufficiently because of its remoteness from the source. |
| US09932896B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger
The invention relates to an exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a compressor housing (3), having a bearing housing (28) which can be connected at one end to the compressor housing (3) by means of a first fastening device (19), and having a turbine housing (2) which can be connected to the bearing housing (28) at the other end of the latter by means of a second fastening device (20), with the compressor housing (3), the bearing housing (28) and the turbine housing (2) extending along an exhaust-gas turbocharger longitudinal axis (R), wherein the first fastening device (19) is designed as a plug-and-twist connecting device. |
| US09932893B2 |
Base-frame assembly for a combustion engine
A system includes a cast mounting tower having an upper portion configured to support an engine, a generator, or any combination thereof and a plurality of ribs coupled to and supporting the upper portion of the mounting tower. The plurality of ribs extend from the upper portion in a direction crosswise to the upper portion, the upper portion and the plurality of ribs are integrally coupled as a one-piece structure of the cast mounting tower, and the cast mounting tower is configured to couple to a frame. |
| US09932886B2 |
Turbocharger with rotary bypass valve operable to selectively configure the turbine volute as single-scroll or twin-scroll
A turbocharger has an annular bypass valve disposed in an annular portion of a bypass passage of the turbine housing. The turbine housing defines an exhaust gas chamber having separate half-annular first and second scrolls, and a portion of the bypass passage is sector-divided by a pair of dividing walls that create two 180-degree bypass sectors respectively connected to the first and second scrolls. Each dividing wall has a through-hole. The valve rotor defines a pair of valve members that close the through-holes when the bypass valve is fully closed. When the valve rotor begins to rotate toward an open position, first the valve members open the through-holes to connect the two bypass sectors, and then the bypass flow passages begin to open. |
| US09932885B2 |
Tunable turbocharger compressor cover
A turbocharger compressor housing is configured to allow a releasable fixed adjustment of a geometry of a compressor housing to increase at least one of responsiveness, efficiency or the ultimate power obtainable by a turbocharged system. Adjustability can be provided by an air intake pipe that is threadably connected with a central portion of the compressor housing to allow an air gap between the housing and the intake pipe to be adjusted to create an effect similar to adjusting the inducer area of a compressor wheel disposed in the housing, whereby power can be exchanged for efficiency and responsiveness. Set screws may be used to releasably fix the position of the intake pipe relative to the compressor housing. |
| US09932883B2 |
Spark-ignition direct-injection engine
A controller injects fuel into a cylinder at a high fuel pressure of 30 MPa or higher, at least in a period between a terminal stage of a compression stroke and an initial stage of an expansion stroke when an operating mode of an engine body is at least in a first specified sub-range of a low load range, and at least in a second specified sub-range of a high load range. The controller sets an EGR ratio in the first specified sub-range to be higher than an EGR ratio in the second specified sub-range, and advances start of fuel injection in the first specified sub-range to start of fuel injection in the second specified sub-range. |
| US09932878B2 |
Particulate matter sensor
Methods and systems are provided for sensing particulate matter in an exhaust system of a vehicle. An example system comprises a particulate matter sensor inside a tube configured to receive a portion of exhaust gas in an exhaust passage. |
| US09932876B2 |
Systems and method for exhaust warm-up strategy
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine to adjust exhaust warm-up strategy based on a vehicle network information. In one example, in response to an expected decrease in temperature of a catalyst of a vehicle below a threshold and an estimated duration thereof based on communications external from the vehicle, a method may include delaying catalyst heating actions, when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be unable to heat up the catalyst to threshold temperatures. However, the catalyst heating actions may be enabled when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be able to achieve the threshold temperature within the duration. |
| US09932873B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying device
An exhaust gas purifying device includes a honeycomb catalyst body, a plugged honeycomb structure and a can member to receive therein the honeycomb catalyst body and the plugged honeycomb structure, and the plugged honeycomb structure disposed at a position on a downstream side of the honeycomb catalyst body is designed so that a pressure loss in an end face central region of at least one of a second inflow side end face and a second outflow side end face of a second honeycomb substrate is larger than a pressure loss of an end face circumferential region positioned around the end face central region. |
| US09932869B2 |
Crankcase ventilation apparatus
A vehicle may include an internal combustion engine having a crankcase and a supercharging apparatus, and a crankcase ventilation apparatus having at least one oil-separating apparatus including at least one oil separator. An oil return line may communicate separated oil from the crankcase ventilation apparatus to the crankcase. An ejector pump may be driven via a compressed air flow of the supercharging apparatus and may be configured to generate an underpressure for driving a blow-by gas. The crankcase ventilation apparatus may include a pump control valve configured to at least one of regulate and control the compressed air flow through the ejector pump. |
| US09932868B2 |
Apparatus for providing fine filtration to hydraulic systems and internal combustion engines
The present invention teaches a method and apparatus to quickly and inexpensively implement advanced, bypass grade, fine, or additional filtration to engines and hydraulic systems using any filter media through a single conduit means. The present invention has the ability to make quick hydraulic connection to the engine or hydraulic system, where oil is super cleaned, without major modifications as is the paradigm by traditional bypass filtration systems and without removing any lubricant from the engine or system that the present invention is connected to, as is the paradigm of traditional bypass filtering systems. When connected to the normally provided stud for the spin-on oil filter in an engine or hydraulic system, the net effect of interest to the present invention is that by simply placing the adapter at the point of connection of the spin-on oil filter, many of the necessary plumbing associated with the traditional bypass filter installation is obviated, as is the energy and labor intensive process of seeking for a pressure point and a return of the oil. For canister type filters in engine or other applications, a single access point to the lubrication system is all that is needed. The present invention relies on the variable pressure of the working fluid, be it engine oil or hydraulic fluid, to route through a single bidirectional conduit means first to route to the high efficiency filter an amount of dirty oil and then to return same amount minus the inside volume of the single conduit an amount of super filtered oil from a combination of an accumulator, a high efficiency filter media and strategically located check valves to control such bidirectional flows through the single connection conduit. |
| US09932866B2 |
Valve timing controller
A valve timing controller includes: an outer rotor; an inner rotor relatively rotating inside of the outer rotor; a torsion coil spring having a fixed end connected with the inner rotor, and a free end connected with the outer rotor; and a bush rotor coaxially projected from the outer rotor or the inner rotor to support the torsion coil spring in a radial direction. The torsion coil spring biases the inner rotor while being connected with the outer rotor by being torsionally deformed according to a relative rotation of the inner rotor to the outer rotor. A load acting from a first turn of the torsion coil spring adjacent to the free end is smaller than a load acting from a wound part of the torsion coil spring between the first turn and the fixed end. |
| US09932855B2 |
Nacelle compression rods
A compression rod may include a plunger and a spring. A proximal end and a distal end of the compression rod may contact engagement features in a core cowl of a gas turbine engine. The compression rod may transmit loads between halves of the core cowl. The spring may cause the plunger to extend and contract in response to vibrations or other relative movement between halves of the core cowl. |
| US09932849B2 |
Fluid seal structure of heat engine including steam turbine
A fluid seal structure of a heat engine including a steam turbine includes an inner case which houses a turbine rotor rotatably inside, an outer case which houses the inner case and forms a space through which a fluid can flow between the outer case and an exterior surface of the inner case, a protruding portion protruding into the space from one of the exterior surface of the inner case or an interior surface of the outer case, and a partitioning plate extending into the space from the other one of the exterior surface or the interior surface and being formed annularly in a circumferential direction of the surface. The partitioning plate partitions the space into first and second space sections, and is flexurally deformable in the axial direction of the turbine rotor by an internal fluid pressure difference between the first and second space sections. |
| US09932847B2 |
Guide blade for a gas turbine
A guide blade for a gas turbine is disclosed. The guide blade includes a blade leaf having a receptacle in which at least one sealing element is arranged, where the sealing element is movable relative to the blade leaf between a sealing setting, in which the sealing element is at least partially moved out of the receptacle, and a storage setting, in which the sealing element is moved back into the receptacle. The guide blade further includes at least one fluid channel by which fluid under pressure can be routed into the receptacle in order to move the sealing element from the storage setting into the sealing setting. An inlet opening of the fluid channel is formed on a pressure-side surface of the blade leaf. A housing as well as a gas turbine having at least one guide blade is also disclosed. |
| US09932843B2 |
Double flow turbine housing turbocharger
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to turbine assemblies for turbocharger systems. In some implementations, turbine housings include a body that defines an inlet for fluid communication with a fluid source, and a wall, the wall dividing the inlet into an inner inlet and an outer inlet, and a fluid guide assembly disposed within the housing, the fluid guide assembly including a plurality of vanes that demarcate an inner volute and an outer volute within the housing, the inner volute being in fluid communication with the inner inlet and the outer volute being in fluid communication with the outer inlet, each vane of the plurality of vanes being fixed at a respective angle relative to a radial direction, the plurality of vanes guiding fluid flow from the outer volute to the inner volute. |
| US09932839B2 |
Cutting blade tips
A blade includes a blade body extending from a blade root to an opposed blade tip surface along a longitudinal axis. The blade body defines a pressure side and a suction side. The blade body includes a cutting edge defined where the tip surface of the blade body meets the pressure side of the blade body. The cutting edge is configured to abrade a seal section of an engine case. A method for manufacturing a blade includes forming an airfoil with a root and an opposed tip surface along a longitudinal axis, wherein the airfoil defines a pressure side and a suction side. The method also includes forming a cutting edge where the tip surface of the airfoil meets the pressure side of the airfoil. |
| US09932834B2 |
Rotor blade with a conic spline fillet at an intersection between a platform and a neck
A rotor blade for a turbine engine includes an airfoil that is connected to a base. The base includes a platform, a neck and a fillet. The fillet extends along at least a portion of an intersection between the platform and the neck. The fillet has a radius that substantially continuously changes as the fillet extends from the platform to the neck. |
| US09932833B2 |
Method for Building stages of centrifugal radial turbines
A method for building centrifugal radial stages of turbines, in which the first and the second end of each blade (4) are connected to respective two support rings (2, 3) joining, by means of laser welding, at least a first semi-portion (10) belonging to the respective end of the blade (4) to a respective second semi-portion (10) belonging to the respective support ring (2, 3) so as to form a resilient yielding connecting portion (10, 15) along a radial direction, and providing at least a stop portion (11) belonging to the end of the blade (4) facing, along the radial direction, at least a stop element (14) of the respective support ring (2, 3). The resilient yielding connecting portion (10, 15) enables the stop portion (11) to enter into contact with the stop element (14) when the stage (1) is subjected to the functioning loads of the turbine. |
| US09932832B2 |
Method of balancing a spool of a gas turbine engine
A method of balancing a spool of a gas turbine engine, the spool including a forward rotor assembly and an aft rotor assembly separated by a spacer, the method comprising: balancing the forward rotor assembly and the aft rotor assembly independently from one another using conventional balancing techniques; and mathematically modeling the spool; applying a modeled axial load to the modeled spool to determine a trim weight which would balance the spool when subjected to the modeled axial load; and physically placing the trim weight to one of the forward rotor assembly and the aft rotor assembly. |
| US09932829B2 |
Expander
In order to suppress the damage and the degradation in durability of a bearing of an expander, simplify the configuration of the expander, and reduce the manufacturing cost thereof, an expander of the present invention includes an expander rotor that is rotationally driven by an expanding force transmitted from vapor of a working medium introduced into an expansion chamber and a first bearing that supports a first rotation shaft of the expander rotor to a vapor inlet, a casing includes therein first bearing chambers that have a pressure lower than that of the vapor inlet and accommodate the first bearing, and a passage that leads lubricant to a low-pressure portion having a pressure lower than that of the first bearing chamber is connected to a position above the lowermost portion of the first bearing in the first bearing chamber. |
| US09932827B2 |
Hydraulic radial piston devices
A radial piston device includes a housing and a pintle fixed thereto that includes an inlet and an outlet, each aligned with a pintle axis. A rotor is rotatably disposed around the pintle and includes radially oriented cylinders. A piston is axially displaceable in each cylinder and includes a head defining a spherical contact surface. A thrust ring is rotatably disposed within the housing about the rotor and is in contact with each piston, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the thrust ring. An inner surface of the thrust ring defines a toroidal contact surface. A contact location between the spherical contact surface and the toroidal contact surface varies as the rotor rotates about the pintle. A drive shaft is engaged with the rotor, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the drive shaft. |
| US09932826B2 |
Mobile mining
The present disclosure relates to a mobile mining machine which may comprise a movable machine base frame, a rotatable tool drum and including excavating tools. The mobile mining machine may further comprise a cantilever unit including a front support arm part and a base part, and a pivotal device to pivot the cantilever unit. The mobile mining machine may further comprise a tilt device to tilt the cantilever unit and a rotary mechanism to rotate the support arm part and the tool drum. Thus, a mobile mining machine with which tunnels, galleries or shafts may be continuously driven in even in hard rock with a high mining output and low tool wear may be provided. |
| US09932824B2 |
Compression and transmission of measurements from downhole tool
A method for transmitting data from a downhole tool is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring data for a formation fluid through downhole fluid analysis with a downhole tool in a well. The acquired data can include optical spectrum data measured with a spectrometer and other data. The method also includes generating time blocks of the acquired data and transmitting the time blocks from the downhole tool. More particularly, generating the time blocks may include compressing at least some of the optical spectrum data according to a first compression technique and compressing at least some of the other data according to one or more additional compression techniques. The compressed data can be packaged into the time blocks such that at least some of the time blocks include both compressed optical spectrum data and compressed other data for the formation fluid. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed. |
| US09932819B2 |
Method of orienting a second borehole relative to a first borehole
A method for creating a second borehole in an earth formation at a selected orientation relative to a first borehole, wherein a position parameter represents a position of the first borehole. The method comprises: a) providing a borehole element that generates a magnetic field; b) measuring the magnetic field; c) installing the borehole element in the first borehole; d) measuring the magnetic field in the second borehole; e) providing a finite element model of the magnetic field; f) calculating the magnetic field in the second borehole using the finite element model, and determining a difference between the calculated magnetic field in the second borehole and the measured magnetic field in the second borehole; g) adjusting the position parameter so as to minimize said difference; and h) determining a selected direction dependent on the adjusted position parameter and further drilling the second borehole in the selected direction. |
| US09932813B2 |
Method and system for performing friction factor calibration
Calibrating Friction Factors. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: calibrating friction factor for a drilling operation by: plotting on a display device the expected hook load versus depth for the drilling operation; displaying plot points on the display device, each plot point indicative of a measured hook load versus depth for the drilling operation; selecting a plot point associated with a depth, the selecting responsive to a cursor hovering over the plot point on the display device; displaying a friction factor values which correlates the expected hook load versus depth for the particular depth to the measured hook load versus depth for the plot point, selecting the value responsive to the cursor hovering over the value; and then shifting on the display device at least a portion of the indication of expected hook load versus depth based on the value of friction factor. |
| US09932812B2 |
Excavation status monitoring system for tunneling machine
An excavation status monitoring system for a tunneling machine that includes a detecting portion mounted on a cutter head of the tunneling machine, including an accelerometer that detects a vibration or an acoustic sensor that detects a sound wave and a sound output portion that outputs a signal detected by the detecting portion as sound. |
| US09932809B2 |
Method and apparatus for hydraulic fracture geometry evaluation
A method of hydraulic fracturing geometry evaluation, comprising injecting a fracturing fluid comprising a magnetic material into a fracture, measuring a field affected by the fracturing fluid in the fracture, and modeling, based on the measuring, a geometry of the fracture. |
| US09932806B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for reducing gas to liquid ratios in submersible pump applications
An apparatus, system and method for reducing gas to liquid ratios in submersible pump applications are described. A method for reducing a gas to liquid ratio (GLR) in a pumped fluid includes pumping a gas laden fluid to a surface of a subsurface formation using a downhole electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly including an ESP pump and an ESP motor, monitoring one of a load of the ESP motor, intake pressure of the ESP pump, temperature of the gas laden fluid, or a combination thereof to obtain ESP assembly condition data, determining whether a GLR of the gas laden fluid exceeds a predetermined allowable maximum based on the ESP assembly condition data, injecting liquid from an external source into the gas laden fluid, and varying a rate that the external liquid is injected based on the GLR so determined. |
| US09932805B2 |
Pad-type plunger
A downhole tool, e.g., a plunger, and a method for manufacturing a plunger. The downhole tool includes a mandrel including a flow-restriction recess, and a plurality of sealing pads configured to be disposed around the mandrel, biased radially-outward therefrom, and interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of sealing pads includes a flow-restriction tab having an axial thickness that varies as proceeding circumferentially around the mandrel. The flow-restriction tab of each of the plurality of sealing pads is configured to be disposed in the flow-restriction recess when the plurality of sealing pads are disposed on the mandrel. |
| US09932804B2 |
Entwined pipes
A repeatedly usable downhole pumping assembly including; a conduit comprising a plurality of pipes, wherein the pipes are uniformly entwined together along their length to provide multiple fluid passageways, wherein the conduit is to be wound onto a reel and off the reel repeatedly; a rotatably mounted reel, upon which the conduit is adapted to be wound without collapsing; a pump for pumping fluid through the conduit; and a driving means to lower and raise the conduit relative to the bore. |
| US09932803B2 |
High power laser-fluid guided beam for open hole oriented fracturing
A laser-jet apparatus for creating a penetration through a stress region adjacent to a wellbore includes an outer tool housing, the outer tool housing having a housing central bore. A laser assembly includes a lens case with an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the housing central bore, defining an annular passage between the outer tool housing and the lens case. A focusing lens and a collimating lens are located within the lens case. The focusing lens is shaped to control the divergence of a laser beam and the collimating lens is shaped to fix the diameter of the laser beam. A jet fluid path is located in the annular passage, the jet fluid path shaped to merge jet fluid with the laser beam. The outer tool housing has a frusto-conical tip for directing the combined jet fluid and laser beam to the stress region. |
| US09932802B2 |
Downhole slot cutter
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a downhole slot cutter. The downhole slot cutter a housing of the downhole slot cutter configured to be inserted into a tubular positioned within a wellbore, and a plurality of dies supported by the housing, wherein the plurality of dies is configured to extend radially outward from the housing. |
| US09932801B2 |
Method for stabilizing a cavity in a well
A method for stabilizing a cavity at a production or injection zone in an underground well includes providing a filtering element in the well at the cavity that is to be stabilized. The filtering element is formed with openings. The method further includes injecting a first fluid including expandable particles through the filtering element into the cavity. The expandable particles have a non-expanded state with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the openings of the filtering element. The method further includes injecting a second fluid through the filtering element. The second fluid is configured to react with the expandable particles such that the expandable particles expand to a diameter larger than the diameter of the openings in the filtering element, whereby the expanded particles and the filtering element form a filter at the production or injection zone in the well. |
| US09932796B2 |
Tool cemented in a wellbore containing a port plug dissolved by galvanic corrosion
A method of performing an operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes introducing a tool into the wellbore. The tool comprises a mandrel comprising a port; and a plug located within the port. The plug comprises at least a first material that partially or wholly dissolves via corrosion. The method further includes introducing a cement composition into an annulus located between the outside of the tool at least at the location of the port and the inside of the wellbore, and causing or allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. The step of causing or allowing is performed after the step of introducing the cement composition. |
| US09932795B2 |
Lateral seal for blowout preventer shear blocks
Present embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a seal assembly for generating a seal between two opposing shear blades of a ram unit after shearing a tubular. The seal assembly may include at least a wiper, a sealing element, and an energizer. The wiper may clean a surface of a shear blade as the blade moves relative to the seal assembly. The sealing element may include an elastomeric material that can be deformed into engagement with the shear blade to generate the seal. The energizer may be a hard component that energizes the sealing element against the cleaned surface of the shear blade as the blade moves further relative to the seal assembly. The wiper may clean the sealing surface of the blade by removing debris from the surface prior to the energizer activating the seal. |
| US09932794B2 |
Rotating locking device with secondary release mechanism
A rotating locking device includes a locking arm, including a throughbore, coupled to a housing and axially rotatable relative to the housing. The rotating locking device also includes a plunger including a biasing profile disposed within the throughbore and a locking head coupled to a distal end of the locking arm, the locking head including a recess to at least partially receive the distal end of the locking arm. The rotating locking device further comprises a load pin that couples the locking head to the distal end of the locking arm and is configured to resist separation of the locking head and the locking arm when in a securing position. Axial translation of the plunger causes the biasing profile to engage the load pin and cause the load pin to transition to a breakaway position. |
| US09932777B2 |
Drill string inground isolator in an MWD system and associated method
An inground isolator and associated method can provide an electrically isolated break in a drill string using electrical insulating members/isolators that are supported by a housing. During drill string operations, the isolators are subject only compressive forces responsive to both extension (pushing) and retraction (pulling) by the drill string. The isolators can be formed from an electrically insulating material such as a ceramic material. An interchangeable inground tool system is described which integrally serves to provide an electrically isolating gap in the drill string. |
| US09932775B2 |
Drill rod having internally projecting portions
A threaded drill string component having a hollow elongate body with a box end portion, an opposing pin end portion and a cylindrical mid-body portion that extends longitudinally between the respective box and pin end portions and has a variable wall diameter. The mid-body inner wall of the mid-body portion has at least one projecting portion or upset that is spaced from both the box and pin end portions and extends inwardly toward a central longitudinal axis of the hollow body and a plurality of troughs defined in the mid-body inner wall of the mid-body portion. |
| US09932772B2 |
Systems and methods for limiting torque transmission
A drill string for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a shaft connectable to a first drill string portion and a housing connectable to a second drill string portion. A torque relief section is disposed between the shaft and housing. The torque relief section includes a slip section operable to slip and release torque buildup when torque applied between the shaft and housing exceeds a threshold torque. The threshold torque of the torque relief section is selected to be within the range of about 110% and 150% of the operating torque and below the peak operating torque for the drill string. |
| US09932771B1 |
Ladder safety rails
A collapsible ladder safety system for a ladder having first and second vertical ladder rail and a plurality of step rungs extending between the first and second vertical rails, the system comprising first and second upright tubular hand rails and a cross member pivotally attached to each of the first and second parallel upright tubular hand rails. The tubular hand rails or cross member are releasably securable to an upper end of the ladder. The first and second upright tubular hand rails are collapsible against the cross member when not secured to the ladder. |
| US09932770B1 |
Podium ladder adapter
A podium ladder adapter permits the supporting of tools or materials to be used at a construction site. The podium ladder adapter is especially useful for supporting a cart on a podium ladder, when the cart contains those tools or materials. The podium ladder adapter is used to support a cart used for transporting the required tools and materials around the construction site and support that cart on a podium ladder. |
| US09932769B2 |
Hidden insect screen system for double hung, tilt-to-clean windows
A hidden insect screen system for tilt-to-clean, double hung windows whereby raising the bottom sash (104) causes resultant opening to fill with insect screen (115a) dispensed from an ordinary self-storing roller mechanism (114) mounted inside bottom rail (109) of said sash and whereby lowering the upper sash (105) causes resultant opening to fill with insect screen (115b) dispensed from an ordinary self-storing roller mechanism (122) mounted inside window head frame (103), all furnished such that vertical edges of the screens are protected from insect passage by contacting weatherstrip-like edge seals (127), and arranged such that insect protection is maintained with minimal interruption when each sash is tilted and its glazing is cleaned, the lower end of the upper screen being attached so as to be quickly repositioned from top to bottom of said upper sash. |
| US09932767B2 |
Fire door
A fire door includes an intermediate member formed in the shape of a plate and arranged between a first plate member and a second plate member; a first heat insulating material arranged between the first plate member and the intermediate member; a second heat insulating material arranged between the second plate member and the intermediate member; a first coupling member for coupling the first plate member and the intermediate member, arranged so as to extend through the first heat insulating material; and a second coupling member for coupling the second plate member and the intermediate member, arranged so as to extend through the second heat insulating material. The first coupling member is arranged so as to be spaced away from both of the second plate member and the second coupling member. The second coupling member is arranged so as to be spaced away from the first plate member, and the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged so as to be spaced away from each other. |
| US09932766B2 |
Electric vault cover
An approach for creation of an electrical vault cover that is able to generate power that is stored in a battery for use by a heater to maintain the temperature above a minimum in a utility vault. |
| US09932764B2 |
Flexible vault
The invention is a bag, suitcase, wallet, money belt, purse or briefcase; a flexible vault of the present invention includes an outer pouch having a multilayer construction. The multilayer construction includes at least an inner layer, an outer layer, a first middle layer, and a second middle layer. In addition to the outer pouch, the flexible vault can also include an inner pouch having an extendable roll up portion which extends through an opening in the outer pouch when the outer pouch and the inner pouch are in an open position. The front panel, back panel, and fold over panel of the outer pouch each include an aperture. When the outer pouch is in a closed position the apertures align, enabling a locking mechanism to be threaded through all the apertures which secures the pouch in the closed position. |
| US09932762B2 |
Door-equipped housing
A door-equipped housing includes a box body having an opening formed on one side thereof, and a door to close the opening, the door being supported by the box body to be rotatable about a rotational axis. The box body has a projecting portion formed on an inside of a wall of the box body extending from the opening toward a deep side of the box body. The door includes a hook portion to engage the projected portion for preventing the door from opening, the hook portion being located on a deeper side of the box body than the projecting portion as the door closes the opening, and a flexible part extending in a direction away from a surface of the wall having the projected portion formed thereon as the door closes the opening. The flexible part bends together with a movement of the hook portion to climb over the projecting portion during an opening/closing operation of the door. |
| US09932760B1 |
Method of securing a pivot handled tool
An apparatus and method to secure a bolt cutter, wire cutter, cable cutter or other type of pivot handled tool with two protruding tabs whose apertures align with each other as the handles of the pivot handled tool enter a closed position. A shackle of a padlock may be inserted through the aligned apertures to lock the handles in the closed position. |
| US09932758B2 |
Watertight door or window
A watertight door or window comprising a frame and a leaf mounted on the frame and arranged movably with respect thereto between an open position and closed position, and further comprising: a striker element arranged on the leaf, a locking element arranged on the frame and provided with a hook end designed to engage with the striker element so as to lock the leaf against the frame following closing of the leaf, and a striker actuating mechanism arranged on the leaf and able to be actuated when the leaf is in a closed position and the locking element is engaged with the striker element. The actuating mechanism is provided for releasing the striker element from a closed position, where the striker element is positioned inside a recess in the hook end of the locking element, to an open position, where the striker element is extracted from the recess in the hook end of the locking element. The actuating mechanism can be reset when the leaf is closed again. |
| US09932756B1 |
Electronic barrel lock and key system
An electronic barrel lock and key system that functions in combination with a computer that codes an electronic master key, or an electronic standard key, or an electronic programming module and includes an electronic lock having a lock security device. The master key has no restrictions, based on how it is programmed, therefore it can open any of the locks. The standard key includes restrictions that precludes the key from opening the lock. The programming module cannot open a lock it is only used to program or reprogram a lock. The lock security device is utilized to prevent a person from opening the lock by applying a high temperature to the lock. The security device utilizes a low-melt alloy that is isolated from the electronic elements located within the lock. When the low-melt alloy melts it causes the lock to be placed in a permanent locked state. The system also has a non-rotating non-keyed interface between the key and the lock. |
| US09932755B2 |
Door security device
In combination with a door, a door jamb and a latch bolt, a door security device for preventing the jimmying of a door latch bolt comprising a strike plate; a barrier plate comprising a base portion, a barrier portion and a hinge providing mechanical connection between said base portion and said barrier portion, the barrier plate designed and configured to conform to and fill the gap formed between the door and the door jamb upon closing the door into the door jamb; and one or more fasteners for installing the door security device into the door jamb. |
| US09932751B2 |
Access tunnel system for the sheltered guidance of persons
An access tunnel system comprising at least one access tunnel for the sheltered guidance of persons to a vehicle, an aircraft, a building or the like. In accordance with the invention, a node element is provided at which the access tunnel opens and which at least one further access tunnel adjoins. |
| US09932749B2 |
Supporting frame assembly
A supporting frame includes a truss composed of an upper straight frame member and a parallel lower straight frame member supported at their ends in spaced relationship relative to each other. At least two spans of divergent inclined brace member extend between them with the ends of the brace member spans each being securable to the upper or lower straight frame member by means of a fastener. Limited relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower straight frame members is permitted before a fastener is secured to fix the positions at which the ends of the brace member spans are attached to the upper and lower straight frame members. In one application two trusses meet at a corner with a pylon being urged in the plane of the supporting frame into a corner between two frame members of each pair of trusses to extend at right angles to the frame. |
| US09932746B2 |
Integral retaining utility strap for inflatable pool
A utility storage mechanism for an inflatable swimming pool includes a substantially elastic outer wall having a top perimeter, an interior surface of the outer wall defining a fluid-containing interior, the utility storage mechanism comprising a strap adapted to encircle the outer wall proximate the top perimeter, wherein when a tensioning force is placed upon the strap, the strap substantially conforms to elastic movements of the outer wall. At least one bracket is coupled to the strap at a bracket-connection portion, the at least one bracket including a receiving member for receiving at least one pool utility fixture, wherein the bracket is coupled to the bracket-connection portion and is in a substantially abutting relationship with an exterior surface of the outer wall. |
| US09932744B2 |
Carpentry tool
A carpentry tool for pushing deck, flooring or other boards toward one another on a joist or underlying substructure. The tool can be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand free for installation of a fastener. The tool can leave an area adjacent the joist and board exposed so that a fastener can be installed in the board and joist in that area. The tool can include a pusher cam rotatably joined with a base, and fixedly joined with a lever. A joist cam and joist blade can be joined with the base, disposed opposite one another across a variable width joist recess. The pusher cam and joist cam can be mechanically coupled to the base so that rotation of the pusher cam urges rotation of the joist cam, thereby causing the joist cam to dynamically grip the joist and prevent the tool from rocking and/or moving away from the pushed board. |
| US09932740B2 |
Cladding tie
A cladding tie for providing a support connection between cladding and a vertical backup wall is disclosed. The tie has a base and a retainer assembly. The base has a shaft extending from a back plate. The retainer assembly has a retainer member, and a cladding connection member. The retainer member has a cladding connection member recess. The cladding connection member is movable relative to the retainer to permit differential movement between the cladding connection member and the retainer when the cladding connection member is connected to the retainer. |
| US09932736B2 |
Tunable specular acoustic deck
According to the present invention, an acoustic deck includes a deck member defining a cavity and a movable tunable insert disposed at least partially within the cavity of the deck member. The tunable insert is rotatable or translatable relative to the deck member to alter acoustic effects of the acoustic deck. The acoustic deck can be installed in a room, and the acoustic tunable insert rotated or translated in order to achieve desired acoustic effects in the room. Also disclosed is a system of acoustic decks and a method of operating the acoustic deck. |
| US09932734B1 |
Deck component with post sleeve and flanges
Deck components comprising a post sleeve and flanges extending away from side walls of the post sleeve are described. The post sleeve has a rectangular cross section. Interior flanges can comprise attachment holes for affixing the interior flanges to box-frame-segments having square-cut edges. Box-frame-segments and box-frame-segment attachments with square-cut edges can abut the exterior surface of a post sleeve side wall. Use of the post sleeve can reduce or eliminate the need to produce beveled joints box-frame-segments and box-frame-segment attachments. |
| US09932729B1 |
Control handle module available for toilets of different specifications
A control handle module includes a flush handle, a first lever and a second lever. The flush handle has an extension. The first lever is secured on the extension. The first lever includes a body section, a fixing portion and a pivot base. The pivot base has an arcuate periphery which is provided with a first stop rib and a second stop rib. The second lever has a first shank and a second shank. The second shank has a resting face and a pivot ear. The pivot ear is pivotally connected with the pivot base. The resting face rests on the first stop rib or the second stop rib. |
| US09932726B2 |
Fast installation structure on faucet table
A fast installation structure on a faucet table, comprising: a table plane and a bottom seat. The bottom seat is disposed on the table plane, and is used to install a faucet, including: a connection tube; a lock tight device, disposed and screwed around the connection tube; and at least two position holding block, disposed at a lower portion of the connection tube, and are repulsive to each other magnetically. The lock tight device is a lock tight ring or a lock tight screw. The outer threads are provided on the connection tube, while inner threads are provided on the lock tight ring, such that the lock tight ring and the connection tube are connected through threading. At least two installation slots are disposed symmetrically at a lower portion of the connection tube, for receiving the position holding blocks. |
| US09932723B2 |
Locking device for a wear member of an earth moving machine
Locking devices and components for wear assemblies for securing a wear part to the blade or lip of an excavator. The wear part will usually be a tooth adaptor, and when placed on the blade both parts determine a channel where the locking device is placed. The locking device will usually include a C-clamp member for mounting in the rearward of the channel, a front structure to engage to the frontward of the channel and a wedge structure placed between the C-clamp member and the front structure. |
| US09932722B2 |
Shovel
A shovel may be provided with a main pump, hydraulic actuators including a swing hydraulic motor, a control valve that controls a flow of a working oil between the main pump and the hydraulic actuators, and two accumulators connected between the swing hydraulic motor and the control valve. The two accumulators can respectively release the working oil at an upstream of the main pump. |
| US09932717B2 |
Pile for tower foundation
A foundation pile includes a first flange section, a second flange section, and a web section. The first flange section, second flange section, and web section are formed from a single length of material and each comprises at least two layers of the material. A second end of the length of material is wrapped 180-degrees around a first end of the length of material to form a wrapped-around portion in the length of material and a three-layered overlapping region in the first flange section. One or more tabs protrude perpendicularly from the first end of the length of material, such that the tabs are not bent relative to the first end. The one or more tabs extend into respective one or more slots in the length of material adjacent the second end of the length of material. The respective one or more slots are formed in the wrapped-around portion. |
| US09932715B2 |
Systems and methods for automating the application of friction-modifying coatings
A system and method for the application of friction-modifying coatings to roadways, walkways, pathways and other areas subject to vehicular, human or animal traffic, the system and method comprising the controlled, simultaneous application of binder and filler to a surface of a substrate, using a mobile device which passes over the substrate as the binder and filler are being applied. The system includes a frame coupled to a vehicle. A spray bar is mounted on the frame and includes an array of spray nozzles coupled to a resin container. An air knife is mounted on the frame and coupled to an air compressor for generating an air curtain. An aggregate dispenser bar including at least one aggregate dispenser is coupled to an aggregate bin and mounted on the frame for dispensing aggregate. |
| US09932714B2 |
Systems, apparatuses and methods for material flow control for wide-width paving
A paving machine for wide-width paving includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system. |
| US09932713B2 |
Method of forming a substrate for a sports surface of a sports pitch, such a substrate as well as a sports pitch provided with such substrate
A method of forming a substrate for a sports surface of a sports pitch includes the steps of: a) Agglomerating plastics materials; b) Granulating the agglomerated plastics materials to form granules having a predetermined range of sizes; c) In situ coating the granules with a binding material so that they form a fluent material; d) Forming a layer of the fluent material on the site of the sports pitch; and e) Setting the laid material such that the granules adhere where they contact each other to form a voided water permeable structure. |
| US09932707B2 |
Bagasse fractionation for cellulosic ethanol and chemical production
A process is defined for the continuous steam pretreatment and fractionation of bagasse to produce a concentrated cellulose solid stream that is sensitive to enzymatic hydrolysis. Valuable chemicals are recovered by fractionating the liquid and vapor stream composed of hydrolysis and degradation products of the hemicellulose. Cellulosic derived glucose is produced for fermentation to biofuels. A hemicellulose concentrate is recovered that can be converted to value added products including ethanol. |
| US09932703B2 |
Carbon fiber sizing agent, carbon fiber strand, and fiber-reinforced composite
A carbon fiber sizing agent imparts good bonding performance to carbon fiber, is used to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix resin, and provides a carbon fiber strand applied with the sizing agent and a fiber-reinforced composite reinforced with the carbon fiber strand. The sizing agent for carbon fiber is used to reinforce thermoplastic matrix resin. The sizing agent essentially contains a polymer component having a glass transition temperature of at least 20 deg.C. and exhibits no endothermic peaks indicating an endothermic heat of fusion due to crystalline melting of at least 3 J/g in a determination with a DSC. The weight ratio of the polymer component is 10 to 100 wt % of the nonvolatile components of the sizing agent. The polymer component is at least one component selected from the group consisting of an aromatic polyester resin, aromatic polyester-polyurethane resin and amine-modified aromatic epoxy resin. |
| US09932700B2 |
Cleaning apparatus and method
The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of substrates, the apparatus comprising housing means (1) having a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage (2), a second lower chamber located beneath said cylindrical cage (2), at least one recirculation means, access means, pumping means, and a multiplicity of delivery means, whereby both the apparatus and the method find particular application in the cleaning of soiled textile fabrics. |
| US09932696B2 |
System and method for transport of fibers to/from a circular needle-punching loom
A circular needle loom comprises a bed plate for receiving a transport layer. Engagement members may be disposed proximate to the bed plate, such that the engagement members interface with a positional structure of the transport layer that is used to position and rotate the transport layer around the bed plate. The engagement members may be configured to rotate the transport layer around the bed plate until a predetermined number of fibers and/or layers are deposited on the transport layer and/or bed plate in order to create a needled preform. |
| US09932691B2 |
Method for growing a single crystal by crystallizing the single crystal from a float zone
A single crystal is grown in a float zone which is inductively heated and the crystallizing single crystal is rotated in a direction of rotation which is periodically reversed at intervals in accordance with an alternating plan, wherein a dwell time during which the single crystal is in a state of rest because of the reversal of the direction of rotation is limited to no more than 60 ms. |
| US09932685B2 |
Synthesis of palladium nanoparticles
A method of synthesizing metal nanoparticles is provided. The method includes submerging an electrically conductive substrate in a polysaccharide solution containing a predetermined concentration of a metal salt; applying an electric potential between the electrically conductive substrate and the polysaccharide solution for a predetermined period of time to form a polysaccharide layer containing metal nanoparticles on the electrically conductive substrate; re-dissolving the polysaccharide layer in a solvent to form a solution including the polysaccharide and the metal nanoparticles; and separating the metal nanoparticles from the polysaccharide. |
| US09932683B2 |
Method for metal electrowinning and an electrowinning cell
The invention relates to a method for electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte in an electrowinning cell that comprises an electrolysis tank, one or more anodes, and one or more cathodes, which anodes and cathodes are housed in the electrolysis tank. The method comprises supplying sulfur dioxide to the anode to depolarize the anode process and to reduce the energy consumption of the electrowinning cell. |
| US09932678B2 |
Microetching solution for copper, replenishment solution therefor and method for production of wiring board
Disclosed is a microetching solution for copper, a replenishment solution therefor and a method for production of a wiring board. The microetching solution of the present invention consists of an aqueous solution containing a cupric ion, an organic acid, a halide ion, an amino group-containing compound having a molecular weight of 17 to 400 and a polymer. The polymer is a water-soluble polymer including a polyamine chain and/or a cationic group and having a weight average molecular weight of 1000 or more. When a concentration of the amino group-containing compound is A % by weight and a concentration of the polymer is B % by weight, a value of A/B of the microetching solution of the present invention is 50 to 6000. According to the present invention, an adhesion between copper and a resin or the like may be maintained even with a low etching amount. |
| US09932674B2 |
Film deposition apparatus, film deposition method, and computer-readable recording medium
A film deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber into which first and second gases are sequentially supplied for a plural times, a rotation table including a first surface having a receiving area and rotating the receiving area inside the vacuum chamber, a first part supplying the first gas to a first region, a second part supplying the second gas to a second region separated from the first region in a peripheral direction of the rotation table via a separation region, a plasma gas part supplying a plasma generation gas into a plasma region inside the vacuum chamber, an antenna facing the first surface of the rotation table and generating plasma from the plasma generation gas inside a plasma space by inductive coupling, and a faraday shield being grounded and provided between the antenna and the plasma space and including slits aligned in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the antenna. |
| US09932673B2 |
Microwave plasma apparatus and method for materials processing
A microwave plasma apparatus for processing a material includes a plasma chamber, a microwave radiation source, and a waveguide guiding microwave radiation from the microwave radiation source to the plasma chamber. A process gas flows through the plasma chamber and the microwave radiation couples to the process gas to produce a plasma jet. A process material is introduced to the plasma chamber, becomes entrained in the plasma jet, and is thereby transformed to a stream of product material droplets or particles. The product material droplets or particles are substantially more uniform in size, velocity, temperature, and melt state than are droplets or particles produced by prior devices. |
| US09932666B2 |
Fluid-assisted thermal management of evaporation sources
In various embodiments, evaporation sources for deposition systems are heated and/or cooled via a fluid-based thermal management system. |
| US09932664B2 |
Methods for directed irradiation synthesis with ion and thermal beams
A method for fabricating structures on substrate having a substrate surface includes providing a set of control parameters to an ion beam source and thermal source corresponding to a desired nanostructure topology. The method also includes forming a plurality of nanostructures in a first surface area of the substrate by exposing the substrate surface to an ion beam from the ion beam source and thermal energy from the thermal source. The ion beam has a first area of effect on the substrate surface, and the thermal energy has an second area of effect on the substrate surface Each of the first area and the second area includes the first surface area. In other words, the coincident beams under the set of control parameters produces a plurality of nano structures. |
| US09932662B2 |
Mask frame assembly, method of manufacturing the same and method of manufacturing display device by using the same
A mask frame assembly includes a mask having pattern openings and a frame including a first support portion configured to support an end of the mask and having a clamping slot and a support slot adjacent to the clamping slot; and a second support portion connected to the first support portion. |
| US09932661B2 |
Process for producing a high-temperature protective coating
Disclosed is a process for producing a high-temperature protective coating for metallic components, in particular components of turbomachines which are subjected to thermal loading. The process comprises producing a slip from MCrAlY powder, in which M is at least one metal, and from a Cr powder, applying the slip to the component to be coated and subsequently alitizing the component provided with the slip. |
| US09932656B2 |
Nickel-based alloy with silicon, aluminum, and chromium
A nickel-based alloy, consisting of (in mass %) 1.5-3.0% Si, 1.5-3.0% Al, and >0.1-3.0% Cr, where Al+Si+Cr is ≥4.0 and ≤8.0 for the contents of Si, Al, and Cr in %; 0.005-0.20% Fe, 0.01-0.20% Y, and <0.001-0.20% of one or more the elements Hf, Zr, La, Ce, Ti, where Y+0.5*Hf+Zr+1.8*Ti+0.6*(La+Ce) is ≥0.02 and ≤0.30 for the contents of Y, Hf, Zr, La, Ce, and Ti in %; 0.001-0.10% C; 0.0005-0.10% N; 0.001-0.20% Mn; 0.0001-0.08% Mg; 0.0001-0.010% O; max. 0.015% S; max. 0.80% Cu; Ni remainder; and the usual production-related impurities. |
| US09932655B2 |
Ni-based alloy
A Ni-based alloy includes, as a chemical composition, C, Si, Mn, Cr, Mo, Co, Al, Ti, B, P, S, and a balance consisting of Ni and impurities. The average grain size d is 10 μm to 300 μm, when the average grain size d is an average grain size in unit of μm of a γ phase included in a metallographic structure of the Ni-based alloy. Precipitates with a major axis of 100 nm or more are absent in the metallographic structure. An area fraction ρ is f2 or more, when the area fraction ρ and the f2 are expressed by using the average grain size d and amounts in mass % of each element in the chemical composition. |
| US09932654B2 |
Extraction of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid
A system for extracting uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA), includes an ion exchange resin or solvent extractor for separating uranium from WPA to produce a loaded uranium solution stream and a uranium depleted WPA stream. An ion exchange resin is positioned to receive the loaded uranium solution stream and bind uranium species thereto. An anion solution stream is positioned to feed a solution comprising anions onto the ion exchange resin to form a loaded uranium eluant stream. The loaded uranium eluant stream may then be treated to provide a uranium containing product. |
| US09932649B2 |
Fixed-type electric furnace and molten steel production method
Provided are a fixed-type electric furnace enabling continuous operation which allows melting without the interruption of power supply and tapping in a fixed state, and a fixed-type electric furnace and a molten steel production method using same. The fixed-type electric furnace comprises: a preheating furnace which is disposed on the side of a melting furnace and preheats an iron source (scrap) using exhaust gas from the melting furnace; a supply means for supplying the iron source, which has been preheated in the preheating furnace, to the melting furnace; the melting furnace comprising electrodes for melting the preheated iron source; and a fixed-type discharge means for discharging molten steel which has been melted in the melting furnace, wherein the preheating furnace is integrally connected to the melting furnace. |
| US09932647B2 |
Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum var. nov. strain and use thereof as bio-nematicide
Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum var. nov. strain deposited under BCCM deposit number 54871, comprising the sequence identified by SEQ ID NO: 1; composition comprising said strain, 2:1 smectite clays, metal ions and chitin and use thereof as bio-nematicide. The invention also discloses a composition comprising said strain, fungicides, bio-fungicides, insecticides, bio-insecticides, nematicides and bio-nematicides. |
| US09932646B2 |
Detection and use of antiviral resistance mutations
The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. Vaccines and diagnostic assays are also contemplated herein. |
| US09932645B2 |
Method for detecting bacteriolytic conditions in a sample
The present invention relates to a method for detecting bacteriolytic conditions in a test sample comprising the step of contacting the test sample with a bacterial strain and a substrate which undergoes a detectable change when cleaved by a specific enzyme of said bacterial strain, wherein the bacterial strain is unable of: (a) uptaking the substrate from the medium and (b) secreting the enzyme specific for the substrate outside of the cell and wherein detecting a change in the test sample due to the cleavage of the substrate by its specific bacterial enzyme indicates that bacteriolytic conditions exist in the test sample. The invention further provides a kit for performing the method of the invention. |
| US09932644B2 |
Glucose sensors and methods of use thereof
Described herein are glucose and insulin sensors. The sensors are composed of host cells with DNA specifically designed to produce fluorescence when the cells come into contact with glucose and/or insulin in the sample. Once the fluorescence has been quantified, it can be correlated with the amount of glucose and/or insulin present in the sample. |
| US09932643B2 |
Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
The present methods pertain to amplifying and/or detecting Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) nucleic acids based on a combined detection of ldh1 as a SA marker and mecA as a MRSA marker. In certain embodiments the methods also pertain to amplifying and/or detecting one or more SCCmec integration sites or bridge regions. Primers and probes are suitable to be used in the present methods to detect SA and MRSA simultaneously in a single reaction or in separate reactions. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (“FRET”), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like. |
| US09932640B1 |
Clinical use of an Alu element based bioinformatics methodology for the detection and treatment of cancer
The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. More specifically, this invention relates to the clinical application of a bioinformatics methodology described in patent application Ser. No. 14/154,303 for the early detection of cancer. Said clinical application relates to obtaining the genome sequence from an individual's healthy tissue and comparing it to the DNA sequence obtained from that same individual's body tissues, wastes and/or fluids. Said method inspects the DNA sequence obtained from body tissues, wastes and/or fluids for the presence of DNA damage at bioinformatically predicted genetically unstable loci within cancer-linked regions of the patients healthy DNA. The identification of DNA damage within a predicted locus is considered to be evidence of cancer. Said method then uses the unique signature of any damaged DNA sequence which has occurred at predicted unstable cancer-linked loci to construct patient-specific cancer biomarker(s). These biomarkers can be used for monitoring the progression of cancer and for treatment of the cancer in a patient. |
| US09932638B2 |
Single nucleotide polymorphism in HLA-B*15:02 and use thereof
Disclosed herein is a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in HLA-B*15:02 that can be used as a biomarker for carbamazepine-induced severe adverse skin reactions in Asians. Also provided herein are methods and reagents for assessing the specific SNP, and applying the SNP in predicting an increased risk of carbamazepine-induced severe adverse skin reactions. |
| US09932636B2 |
Array-based translocation and rearrangement assays
Methods for detecting genomic rearrangements are provided. In one embodiment, methods are provided for the use of paired end tags from restriction fragments to detect genomic rearrangements. Sequences from the ends of the fragments are brought together to form ditags and the ditags are detected. Combinations of ditags are detected by an on-chip sequencing strategy that is described herein, using inosine for de novo sequencing of short segments of DNA. In another aspect, translocations are identified by using target specific capture and analysis of the captured products on a tiling array. |
| US09932623B2 |
Nucleotide analogs
Provided herein is technology relating to the manipulation and detection of nucleic acids, including but not limited to compositions, systems, methods, and kits related to nucleotides comprising 3′-O-propargyl deoxynucleotides wherein the 3′-O-propargyl deoxynucleotides are linked to a nucleic acid by a polymerase. |
| US09932621B2 |
Modulators for Sirt5 and assays for screening same
Sirt5, a mitochondrial Sirtuin, has been identified herein as an efficient demalonylase and desuccinylase. Disclosed herein are assays to identify Sirt5 modulators based on this robust enzymatic activity. Sirt5-specific modulators can be used study the biological function of Sirt5 and to target Sirt5 activities in treating human diseases. |
| US09932619B2 |
Methods and materials for biosynthesis of mogroside compounds
The invention relates to methods for producing mogrosides with the aid of enzymes. In particular the invention proposes various biosynthetic pathways useful for mogroside production and enzymes useful for mogroside production are provided. Furthermore, the invention provides recombinant hosts useful in performing the methods of the invention. |
| US09932618B2 |
Continuous production method of adenosine triphosphate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) using photosynthetic membrane vesicle
The present invention relates to a composition for production of photosynthetic light-reaction products comprising photosynthetic membrane vesicles, and a production method for the photosynthetic light-reaction products by using the composition. In addition, the present invention relates to a preparation method for a photosynthetic light-reaction monomer comprising a step of isolating vesicles from the cell membrane of photosynthetic bacteria or algae. |
| US09932612B2 |
Microbial succinic acid producers and purification of succinic acid
The present invention relates to bacterial strains, capable of utilizing glycerol as a carbon source for the fermentative production of succinic acid, wherein said strains are genetically modified so that they comprise a deregulation of their endogenous pyruvate-formate-lyase enzyme activity, as well as to methods of producing organic acids, in particular succinic acid, by making use of such microorganism. The present invention also relates to the downstream processing of the produced organic acids by cation exchange chromatography. |
| US09932611B2 |
Microorganisms and methods for enhancing the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol, and for producing succinate related thereto
Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as succinate. Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce succinate. |
| US09932610B2 |
Methods of making vanillin via the microbial fermentation of ferulic acid from eugenol using a plant dehydrogenase
A bioconversion method of making vanillin including expressing VaoA gene in a mixture, expressing MtSAD1 gene in the mixture, feeding eugenol to the mixture, and converting ferulic acid to vanillin by incubating with a microbial Amycolatopsis sp. strain (Zhp06) and/or a recombinant E. coli strain. |
| US09932608B2 |
Method for enhanced fermentation through the destruction of mitochondrial DNA in yeast
Methods for enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material through the genetic modification of yeast comprising stably integrating into a yeast an inducible promoter operably linked to a mitochondrial targeting signal as well as at least one restriction enzyme and inducing the expression of the at least one restriction enzyme, wherein the restriction enzyme targets and destroys the mitochondrial DNA of the yeast. DNA constructs comprising at least an inducible promoter operably linked to a mitochondrial targeting signal as well as at least one restriction enzyme for induced expression of at least one restriction enzyme for destruction of mitochondrial DNA as well as transgenic yeast expressing a DNA construct for destruction of mitochondrial DNA and enhanced fermentation, are also disclosed. |
| US09932606B2 |
Subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector, and methods for constructing and for using the same
A method for reconstructing a replication-selective oncolytic adenovirus using a subgroup B recombinant human adenovirus vector Ad11-5EP. The method includes: 1) deleting E1A CR2 gene and/or anti-apoptotic gene E1B 21K that is necessary for viability of an adenovirus in normal cells but not necessary in tumor cells; 2) inserting a tumor-specific promoter to drive the expression of E1A gene; 3) re-directing a cellular tropism of Ad11-5EP according to receptors on a tumor cell surface; or 4) allowing adenovirus to selectively replicate in tumor cells. |
| US09932605B2 |
Enhanced expression and stability regions
Expression-enhancing nucleotide sequences for expression in eukaryotic systems are provided that allow for enhanced and stable expression of recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells. Enhanced expression and stability regions (EESYRs) are provided for expression of a gene of interest in a eukaryotic cell. Chromosomal loci, sequences, and vectors are provided for enhanced and stable expression of genes in eukaryotic cells. |
| US09932604B1 |
Inbred corn line XHE21
An inbred corn line, designated XHE21, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line XHE21, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line XHE21 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line XHE21 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XHE21, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XHE21 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods. |
| US09932597B2 |
Vectors for transgene expression
The present invention relates to a vector system involving replacement of a Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Element (WPRE) sequence with an unrelated short spacer sequence for efficient expression of nucleotides of interest in a retroviral vector system and methods of delivering and expressing nucleotides of interest to target cells. |
| US09932596B2 |
Recombinant microorganism producing 1,3-diaminopropane and method for producing 1,3-diaminopropane using the same
The present disclosure relates to a recombinant microorganism producing 1,3-diaminopropane, and a method for producing 1,3-diaminopropane using the same, and specifically, to a recombinant microorganism producing 1,3-diaminopropane into which genes encoding an enzyme involved in a metabolic pathway of 1,3-diaminopropane, dat and ddc, are introduced, and a method for producing 1,3-diaminopropane using the same.When the recombinant microorganism producing the 1,3-diaminopropane according to the present disclosure is used, 1,3-diaminopropane may be mass-produced to be industrially useful in various fields such as pharmaceutical products, agricultural products, fibers for clothing, etc. |
| US09932590B2 |
Control of Varroa mite infestation
Nucleic acid agents for reducing or removing infestations of the Varroa destructor mite are described. Compositions comprising the nucleic acid agents and methods for controlling mite infestations using the nucleic acid agents and compositions are also disclosed. |
| US09932587B2 |
Methods of identifying and treating poor prognosis cancers
The present invention relates generally to methods for identifying cancer patients with a poor prognosis, and to therapeutic modalities for improving prognosis by combating metastasis and abrogating chemoresistance in cancer cells. Embodiments of the present invention provide an objective means of prognostication regarding the long-term outcome of an incident of cancer, breast cancer in particular. Therapeutic modalities include immunotherapy and anti-sense therapy. Prognosis is determined by measuring the number of copies of the metadherin gene in the patient's cells. |
| US09932583B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating liver injury
Compositions and methods for detecting, inhibiting, treating, and/or preventing a liver disease or disorder such as cholestasis or fibrotic liver disease are provided. |
| US09932582B2 |
Materials and methods for modulation of tendon healing
The invention relates to the use of microRNA 29 and precursors and mimics thereof for the modulation of tendon injury and the biomechanical properties of tendon. In particular, the invention derives from the finding that synthesis of type 1 collagen in tenocytes is less sensitive to miR-29 than is synthesis of type 3 collagen, thus enabling the balance between the collagen subtypes to be modulated in favor of type 1 collagen, mitigating reduction in biomechanical properties during healing. |
| US09932578B2 |
Double-stranded oligonucleotide molecules to P53 and methods of use thereof
The present application relates to nucleic acid compounds, compositions comprising same and methods of use thereof for treatment of various diseases, disorders and conditions. The compounds are preferably chemically synthesized and modified double-stranded nucleic acid molecules which down regulate expression of a p53 gene. |
| US09932573B2 |
Labeled enzyme compositions, methods and systems
Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are labeled polymerase conjugates including a polymerase linked to one or more labels, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit enhanced biological activity and/or superior detectability as compared to conventional labeled polymerases. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing. |
| US09932572B2 |
Modified Caspase polypeptides and uses thereof
The technology relates in part to compositions comprising modified Caspase-9 polypeptides, compositions comprising nucleic acids coding for modified Caspase-9 polypeptides, chimeric modified Caspase-9 polypeptides, and methods of use thereof, including methods for cell therapy. Methods for cell therapy include modifying transfused cells to express an inducible modified Caspase-9 protein, with reduced basal activity in the absence of the inducer. |
| US09932570B2 |
Anthrax lethal factor substrates and methods of use thereof
Disclosed herein is a peptide substrate that is cleaved specifically by anthrax lethal factor (LF), and assays for detecting the presence of anthrax lethal factor in a sample using the peptide substrate. In some cases, the sample may be obtained from an individual at an early stage of an anthrax infection. Kits that include the peptide substrate and that find use in carrying out the assays are also disclosed. |
| US09932566B2 |
CIS-blocked guide RNA
This invention discloses reagents and methods for increasing specificity and efficiency of RNA-guided genome editing. |
| US09932560B2 |
Use of Zscan4 and Zscan4-dependent genes for direct reprogramming of somatic cells
Disclosed herein is the finding that Zscan4 is an early embryonic factor that facilitates cellular reprogramming. In particular, Zscan4 can replace the oncogenic reprogramming factor c-Myc to produce induced pluripotent stem cells when co-expressed with Klf4, Oct4 and Sox2. In addition, several Zscan4-dependent genes were identified that promote iPSC formation when co-expressed with known reprogramming factors. Thus, the present disclosure provides an ex vivo method of producing an iPS cell by reprogramming of a somatic cell. The method includes contacting the somatic cell with a Zscan4, or a Zscan4-dependent gene, and at least one reprogramming factor. Also provided are iPS cells produced by the disclosed method and non-human animals generated from such iPS cells. |
| US09932555B2 |
Incubator conveying system, incubator depository and isolator system
The present invention includes a conveyor body which partitions a plurality of storage chambers, a connection opening connected to an external device, and a conveying chamber that connects the plurality of storage chambers to the connection opening, a plurality of incubators detachably stored in the plurality of incubators, a conveyor device that conveys one of the plurality of incubators from the storage chamber to the connection opening, and an environment control device that individually controls an interior environment of the plurality of incubators by supplying and discharging gas to and from each incubator. |
| US09932554B2 |
Microalgae fermentation using controlled Illumination
Bioreactors and methods for cultivating microalgae are provided herein. The bioreactor and methods include features and modifications to improve heterotrophic growth efficiency by providing a light signal. |
| US09932553B2 |
Methods and apparatus for gas stream mass transfer with a liquid
A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A first opening is formed on the container so as to communicate with the compartment. A liquid is disposed within the compartment and having a top surface disposed below the first opening. A gas is blown through the first opening so that the gas passes over at least a portion of the top surface of the liquid, the gas producing turbulence on the top surface of the liquid that is sufficient to produce a mass transfer between the gas and the liquid. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment. |
| US09932547B2 |
Fermentation monitoring and management
A fermentation monitoring system may measure the weight of a fermenting product to determine the progress of fermentation. The weight of a fermenting batch may decrease as carbon dioxide is given off, and a continuous or periodic weight measurement may be used as a control input to a fermentation system, which may adjust temperature to control fermentation or detect that fermentation is not progressing as expected. Such a system may be to use a weight scale attached to a fermentation vessel and have a control system capable of adjusting the temperature of the fermenting contents. One implementation may have a scale mounted inside a temperature controlled fermentation cabinet. |
| US09932544B1 |
Play moldable soap composition
The present invention provides a starch-based moldable play composition, including: corn starch; mineral oil; propylene glycol; glyceryl stearate; sodium laureth sulfate; sodium chloride; potassium sorbate; phenoxyethanol; water; fragrance; and pigment dye, selected from the group consisting of yellow 3, yellow 4, red 14, red 17, blue 1, blue 2, and titanium dioxide. |
| US09932543B2 |
Bacterial spore compositions for industrial uses
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a plant or plant part coated with a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound. In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant or plant part comprising coating such plant or plant part with such a composition. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound where such components are maintained in an inactive form. The present invention also relates to use of the compositions in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, oil recovery, aquaculture systems, and direct fed microbials. |
| US09932537B2 |
Wilderness survival device
A fire starter device and method for producing the same capable of igniting a fire sustaining fuel source in adverse conditions typically associated with wilderness survival or emergency situations. A wick element facilitates ignition of the fire starter and extends through a generally cubical outer shell into a solid fuel inner core. The wick element can include one or more wicks associated with a wax, each wick including multiple strands of one or more wicking materials. The outer shell provides a hard, non-greasy external surface for the fire starter and substantially encapsulates the solid fuel inner core. The solid fuel inner core includes a fibrous material associated with a wax and can provide fuel to the flame of the fire starter. |
| US09932536B2 |
Gasoline composition, method and use
A gasoline composition comprising, as an additive, one or more quaternary ammonium salt(s) (i) formed by the reaction of a compound of formula (A): and a compound formed by the reaction of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and an amine of formula (B1) or (B2): wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or alkylaryl group; R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having up to 36 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are the same or different alkyl groups having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms; X is an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n is from 0 to 20; m is from 1 to 5; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1 to C36 alkyl group. |
| US09932534B2 |
Homogeneous solution of a treated fuel and oxygen from the air for use in a combustion chamber
In accordance with the present invention, a fuel/oxygen solution is provided for use in the operation of any type of combustion chamber. Operationally, the fuel/oxygen solution is created by a solvent which includes a hydrocarbon based fuel that has been treated with an electromagnetically modified ethanol additive, and a solute that includes paramagnetic oxygen molecules. Chemically, the solvent additive has increased InterMolecular Forces (IMFs) and dispersion forces for hydrocarbon molecules in a treated fuel to make these respective forces effectively comparable with IMFs and dispersion forces of a solute of paramagnetic oxygen molecules. Thus, when atomized in a combustion chamber, the treated fuel acts as a more efficient solvent for dissolving oxygen from the air, to thereby create the fuel/oxygen solution for use in the combustion chamber. |
| US09932528B2 |
System and method of delivering dilution water droplets within an oil-and-water stream
A system for desalting a crude oil stream includes vessel that has an interior piping structure that releases wash water into a crude oil flow within the vessel. The piping structure, which may have more than one level, has a plurality of spray nozzles for dispersing or releasing the wash water into the flowing crude oil stream. The spray nozzles may be located on a same side or opposite sides of the piping structure. Where multiple levels are used, the number of spray nozzles on each level may be the same as or different than the number of spray nozzles on other levels. The pressure drop through each spray nozzle is no greater than 300 psi and the nozzles deliver a dilution water droplet no larger than 300 microns in diameter. A mixing valve, static mixer, or both can be placed downstream of the vessel. |
| US09932526B2 |
Method of treating crude oil with ultrasound vibrations and microwave energy
The present invention relates to methods of treating heavy crude oil on the surface or in situ. The methods of the present invention include: (a) mixing the heavy crude oil with a solvent; (b) subjecting the mixture to ultrasonic vibrations; and (c) subjecting mixture treated with ultrasonic vibrations to microwave energy. |
| US09932519B2 |
Method of making particles having a ridge portion for use as proppant
A method for forming particles having a ridge portion includes inducing flow of a slurry of particles and a reactant through one or more orifices, detaching an amount of the slurry from the slurry flow following exit from the one or more orifices, the detached amount forming a slurry body, forming the slurry body into a particle shape, contacting the particle shaped slurry body with a coagulation solution to form a stabilized particle having the ridge portion, and drying and/or sintering the particle having the ridge portion. |
| US09932515B2 |
Fracturing fluid containing a viscosifying agent and curable resin additive
A fracturing fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; proppant; and an additive, wherein the additive: (i) is a cross-linkable polymer, wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide comprising a backbone and pendant functional groups, wherein the polysaccharide is derivatized by substituting one or more of the pendant functional groups with furan; (ii) is a viscosifying agent; and (iii) is a curable resin for consolidating the proppant. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: introducing the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; and creating or enhancing one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. |
| US09932511B2 |
Natural oil-derived wellbore compositions and methods of use
Compositions useful as wellbore fluids are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the compositions include polymerizable olefinic surfactant compositions, which, under certain conditions, can polymerize via free-radical polymerization to form surfactant polymers. In some embodiments, the compositions are introduced to an oil well as part of the drilling or extraction process, e.g., to assist in flushing hydrocarbon material out of subterranean formations. |
| US09932509B2 |
Use of a calcium potassium nitrate salt for the manufacture of a heat transfer fluid
The present invention relates to the use of a double salt of Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 for the manufacture of a melt, in particular a nitrate-based heat transfer fluid (HTF) and/or thermal energy storage fluid, for example in solar energy applications, such as in solar electrical power plant systems using a parabolic through, a central receiver or a linear Fresnel, which have both a low melting temperature and a high decomposition temperature, as well as to methods for the manufacture thereof. Using said double salt, a melt could be manufactured comprising at least NaNO3, KNO3 and Ca(NO3)2, preferably, an eutectic ternary melt comprising Ca(NO3)2, NaNO3 and KNO3 in a weight ratio of about 42:15:43 with an operating temperature of about 131° C. to about 560° C. |
| US09932508B2 |
Silicone composition and method for manufacturing heat-conductive silicone composition
A silicone composition that contains an organopolysiloxane having at least two aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon groups per molecule, a filler containing an aluminum powder and a zinc oxide powder, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having two or more SiH groups per molecule, and a platinum group metal catalyst, in which when a storage and loss elastic modulus G″ of the silicone composition is measured by means a viscoelasticity measurement apparatus capable of measuring shear modulus, the silicone composition can provide a cured product wherein G′ after 3,000 seconds from the start of holding is 10,000 Pa or less, G′ after 7,200 seconds from the start of holding is 100,000 Pa or less, and G′ exceeds G″ after 800 seconds or more from the start of holding. As a result, there is provided a silicone composition excellent in crushability, spreadability, and heat conductivity, and further provided a method for manufacturing a heat-conductive silicone composition. |
| US09932507B2 |
Compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to a composition comprising HFO-1234yf, or trans-HFO-1234ze, or a mixture thereof; HFC-32; and HFC-152a, HFO-1243zf, or a mixture thereof, wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of: (I) a first composition, wherein said HFO-1234yf or trans-HFO-1234ze or a mixture thereof is at least 56 weight percent of said first composition; (II) a second composition, wherein said HFC-32 is at most 29 weight percent of said second composition; (III) a third composition, wherein said HFC-152a is at least 56 weight percent said third composition; (IV) a fourth composition, wherein said HFC-32 is at least 56 weight percent of said fourth composition; (V) a fifth composition comprising trans-HFO-1234ze, HFC-32, and HFC-152a, HFO-1243zf, or a mixture thereof; and (VI) a sixth composition, wherein said HFO-1243zf or mixture thereof with HFC-152a is at most 20 weight percent of said sixth composition. |
| US09932502B2 |
Reactive polyolefin hot melt adhesive with low adhesion to uncoated aluminum tools and use thereof as a laminating hot melt
A hot melt adhesive composition is provided which contains at least one silane group-containing thermoplastic poly-α-olefin which is solid at 25° C. and at least one paraffin wax. The hot melt adhesive composition has only low adhesion to uncoated aluminum tool surfaces, wherein at the same time they have high final strengths and thermal stabilities comparable to conventional adhesives, as well as good resistance to environmental influences. The hot melt adhesive is suitable as a laminating adhesive for laminating films made of thermoplastic olefins, which have sufficient stability for subsequent deep-draw lamination. |
| US09932501B2 |
Hydrocarbon tackifiers for low temperature application adhesive compositions
The present invention is related to an adhesive composition comprising a 50-95 wt % polymer blend and a tackifier. The blend has a first and second propylene-based polymer, both different homopolymers of propylene or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or a C4 to C10 alpha-olefin. The blend has a melt viscosity, measured at 190° C., of 1,000 to 30,000 cP and a crystallization temperature of greater than 60° C. The tackifier has a softening point of 85° C. to 105° C., an aromaticity of 5 mol % to 15 mol % aromatic protons, and a Cloud Point of 45° C. to 75° C. |
| US09932494B2 |
Carbon nanomaterial-containing resin composition and molded plastic product
Disclosed are a resin composition and a molded product obtained using the same. By using the resin composition according to the present invention, a molded product having excellent tensile strength, tensile modulus, electromagnetic shielding effects, anti-static effects, and the like may be provided. |
| US09932489B2 |
Redispersible dry composition of polymer finishes or other products for the construction
The invention relates to improved non-efflorescing cement-free and water-dispersible powder building material compositions comprising a homopolymer or copolymer as binder, useful for the preparation of wet formulations of plasters grouts, waterproofing coatings or mortars for the construction and the civil engineering industry. The binder is obtained by spray-drying or lyophilization of a dispersion containing a polymer and a protective colloid. These compositions also comprise a deprotection agent and a specific adsorbent filler. The invention also refers to the methods of preparation of these dry compositions and wet formulations, the application of these latter onto the surface of buildings or civil engineering works, the so obtained coatings as well as the so coated elements. The hardened products obtained therefrom are remarkably water-resistant, non efflorescent and easy to obtain. |
| US09932484B2 |
Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces and biological applications thereof
A self-healing, scratch resistant slippery surface that is manufactured by wicking a chemically-inert, high-density liquid coating over a roughened solid surface featuring micro and nanoscale topographies is described. Such a slippery surface shows anti-wetting properties, as well as exhibits significant reduction of adhesion of a broad range of biological materials, including particles in suspension or solution. Specifically, the slippery surfaces can be applied to medical devices and equipment to effectively repel biological materials such as blood, and prevent, reduce, or delay coagulation and surface-mediated clot formation. Moreover, the slippery surfaces can be used to prevent fouling by microorganisms such as bacteria. |
| US09932481B2 |
Actuatable microstructures and methods of making the same
Actuatable microstructures and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example a sheet includes a first side including an elastomeric material and a second side opposite the first side. The sheet defines sealed channels. In response to a pressure differential across the elastomeric material, the elastomeric material is to be in a deformed position relative to the sealed channels to define microstructures. |
| US09932478B2 |
Bituminous compositions based on phosphoric derivatives
The invention relates to a package of performance additives for bitumen or bituminous compositions including an acidic adjuvant and a H2S scavenger chosen from organic or inorganic copper salts. The invention also relates to the use of said H2S scavenger in order to reduce the H2S emissions of bitumen or of a bituminous composition treated with the acidic adjuvant. The invention additionally relates to a process for the preparation of a bituminous composition. The preparation process according to the invention makes it possible to obtain bitumen/crosslinked polymer compositions having better mechanical and dynamic properties in comparison with the bitumen/crosslinked polymer compositions of the prior art, while substantially reducing the releases of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). |
| US09932469B2 |
Heterophasic polypropylene polymer
A heterophasic propylene ethylene copolymer having an MFR2 of 0.5 to 100 g/10 m in and obtained using single site catalysis comprising: (i) a propylene homopolymer or propylene ethylene copolymer matrix having up to 4 wt % ethylene; and (ii) an ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) dispersed in the matrix; said heterophasic propylene ethylene copolymer having a xylene cold soluble content (XS) of 20 to 40%; wherein the ethylene content of the xylene cold soluble fraction of said heterophasic propylene ethylene copolymer is between 70 and 90 wt. %; wherein the xylene cold soluble fraction of said heterophasic propylene ethylene copolymer has an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 3.0 dl/g or more; and wherein the melting enthalpy (ΔHM) of the heterophasic propylene ethylene copolymer is between 10 and 30 J/g at a temperature of 0 to 130° C. |
| US09932466B2 |
Hinge polymer
A polymer suitable for use in a thin film hinge (living hinge) comprising from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of a C4-8 comonomer and the balance ethylene, said composition having a density as determined according to ASTM D 792 from about 0.945 to about 0.965 g/cm3; a melt index as determined according to ASTM D1238 (2.16 kg/190° C.) from about 10 to about 20 g/10 min; a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from about 45,000 to about 55,000 g/mol; a polydispersity from about 2.5 to about 3.1 and when molded into a strip having a length of about 13 cm and gross thickness from about 50 to about 70 mil (about 1 to about 2 mm) and completely bent over end to end four times to create a thinned region or crease having a thickness from about 15 to about 30 mil (about 0.3 to about 0.7 mm) tested by bending and releasing the deformed thinned region of the strip through a radius of curvature from about 180 to about 190° about a rounded plate goes through not less than 500 cycles without breaking. |
| US09932465B1 |
Polymerization process in the presence of antistatic agent
A process for preparing a polyolefin, including polymerizing olefins in the presence of an antistatic agent made from or containing an alkylene oxide derived polymer made from or containing in average from about 10 to about 200 repeating units —(CH2—CHR—O)— with R being hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the alkylene oxide derived polymer is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and other alkylene oxides and a ratio of n:m is in the range of from 6:1 to 1:1, wherein (n) is the average number of repeating units —(CH2—CH2—O)— derived from ethylene oxide and (m) is the average number of repeating units —(CH2—CHR′—O)— derived from the other alkylene oxides with R′ being an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the end groups of the alkylene oxide derived polymer are —OH groups. |
| US09932462B2 |
Rubber composition for tire rim cushion or rubber finishing, and pneumatic tire
A rubber composition for a tire rim cushion or rubber finishing contains a diene rubber and a filler containing a carbon black. The diene rubber contains a natural rubber and/or an isoprene rubber, and a modified polymer that is obtained by reacting a nitrone compound with a double bond of a conjugated diene polymer. The content of the natural rubber and/or the isoprene rubber in the diene rubber is from 30 to 60 mass %, the content of the modified polymer in the diene rubber is from 8 to 70 mass %, the content of the filler is from 60 to 90 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, and the nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of the carbon black is from 60 to 150 m2/g. Such rubber composition has excellent low heat build-up and ozone resistance when formed into a tire. |
| US09932460B2 |
Rubber composition and pneumatic tire
The present invention provides a rubber composition that can enhance the fuel economy, wet-grip performance, and abrasion resistance in a balanced manner, and a pneumatic tire using this rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition that contains a rubber component, silica, and a liquid resin having a softening point of −20 to 20° C., wherein the rubber component contains, based on 100% by mass of the rubber component, not less than 5% by mass of a conjugated diene polymer containing a constituent unit based on a conjugated diene and a constituent unit represented by formula (I) below, at least one terminal of the polymer being modified with a specific compound; and an amount of the silica is 5 to 150 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. |
| US09932456B2 |
Process for recovering polyester from polyester/wool blend
The present disclosure relates to a process for recovering a polyester component and products of a non-polyester component from a fabric containing a polyester blend. The polyester component of the present disclosure is polyethylene terephthalate and the non-polyester component is wool. The process includes hydrolyzing the article using at least one hydrolyzing agent to convert the non-polyester component into products of the non-polyester component and release the polyester component. |
| US09932452B2 |
Release film and process for producing the same
A release film is provided for supporting an ultrathin ceramic green sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 μm, and the release film due to containing modified organic particles and an antistatic agent has a slippery releasing surface with a low friction coefficient and hence excellent coatability and releasing properties; resulted in that when the release film is rolled up, the rolled surfaces do not adhere to each other, and when the ultrathin ceramic green sheet is peeled off from the release film, the ultrathin ceramic green sheet due to a relatively small electrostatic force being generated is without breaking; so that the release film contributes to increasing the yield of ultrathin ceramic green sheet. |
| US09932449B2 |
Hydrogen sulfide sensor and method
A hydrogen sulfide sensor is disclosed. The hydrogen sulfide sensor includes a substrate, a pair of interdigitated electrodes supported by the substrate, and a nanocomposite based sensing layer deposited on the interdigitated electrodes and configured to interact with hydrogen sulfide. |
| US09932448B2 |
Purification systems and methods
A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes applying a solution including a plurality of hydrogel particles to a stir cell. A retentate side of a filter defines a lower surface of the stir cell. The filter has the retentate side and a permeate side. The method further includes, while stirring the solution within the stir cell, dispensing a buffer solution at a first flow rate to the stir cell and drawing a permeate from the permeate side of the filter using a pump at a second flow rate, the permeate including a subset of the plurality of hydrogel particles. |
| US09932446B2 |
Method of manufacturing a purified product of alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane, a cosmetic raw material, and cosmetics
To provide a method for manufacturing a purified product of an alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane that is practically odorless and compatible with other cosmetic raw materials. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of: [A] synthesizing an alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane by subjecting a hydrosilyl-containing polydimethylsiloxane and an C2-C30 α-olefin to a hydrosilation reaction, and [B] subjecting the crude alkyl-modified polydimethylsiloxane obtained in Step [A] to a treatment of rendering it odorless by a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent (c) that is essentially free of active hydrogen atoms and has a boiling point equal to or greater than 70° C. |
| US09932438B2 |
Oxirane-containing bisanhydrohexitol derivatives and uses thereof
Epoxy compounds that are bisanhydrohexitol derivatives (i.e., isosorbide derivatives, isomannide derivatives, isoidide derivatives, or mixtures thereof) having two terminal oxirane groups are provided. Additionally, curable compositions that include these epoxy compounds, cured compositions prepared from the curable compositions, and articles containing the cured compositions are described. The cured compositions can be used, for example, as a structural adhesive or as a coating. |
| US09932437B2 |
Moisture curable silylated polymer compositions containing reactive modifiers
Moisture-curable resin compositions comprising (a) a moisture-curable polymer having at least one hydrolysable silyl group; (b) a reactive modifier; (c) a catalyst for catalyzing the reaction between the moisture-curable polymer (a) and reactive modifier (b) under curing conditions; and cured compositions produced by contacting such resin compositions with water are disclosed. The moisture-curable resin composition is useful in the production of adhesives, including hot melt adhesives, primers, sealants, and coatings. |
| US09932436B2 |
Modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resins stabilized by a salicylic acid
The invention relates to a process for improving the stability of a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin (such as an amine-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin). The process comprises the step of reacting a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin with a salicylic acid to stabilize the base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to a modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the stabilizing process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. |
| US09932434B2 |
Nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber, cross-linkable rubber composition, and cross-linked rubber
A nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber contains α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer units in a ratio of 10 to 60 wt % and has a Z-average radius of gyration of 100 nm or more. Preferably, the nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber has an iodine value of 120 or less. Further, preferably, the nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber has a plasticity number of 14 to 90. It is possible to provide a nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber able to give a cross-linked rubber excellent in tensile stress, compression set resistance, and low heat buildup property. |
| US09932433B2 |
Method for preparing nitrile-based rubber
Provided are a method for preparing a nitrile-based rubber having an amount of ethylenically unsaturated nitrile of 34 wt % or less including preparing a polymer by performing a polymerization reaction by adding an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile-based monomer in two or more portions to a conjugated diene-based monomer, and coagulating the polymer by adding a sulfur-based coagulant to the polymer, and a nitrile-based rubber thus prepared having improved mechanical properties as well as excellent processability and low temperature characteristics. |
| US09932429B2 |
Method for producing porous articles from alternating poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) and articles produced therefrom
Poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) polymers having an average molecular weight of at least 300,000 g/mol and a melt enthalpy of at least 57 J/g are provided. The ETFE polymer may include at least one additional comonomer. The ETFE polymer is used to form a porous tape or membrane that has a node and fibril structure. A porous ETFE tape may be formed by lubricating the ETFE polymer and subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the ETFE polymer. Optionally, the ETFE tape may be expanded at a temperature below the melting temperature of the ETFE polymer to form an expanded ETFE membrane. Alternatively, the ETFE polymer may subjected to heat and pressure without the addition of a lubricant to form a dense preform. The dense preform may be subsequently slit in a length direction and stretched to form a dense ETFE fiber. |
| US09932428B2 |
Thermoplastic resin composition and molding product made therefrom
A thermoplastic resin composition and a molding product made therefrom are provided. The thermoplastic resin composition includes a branched copolymer obtained from a copolymerization of a urethane compound and a copolymerizable monomer, wherein the urethane compound is obtained from reaction of a (meth)acrylate compound containing hydroxyl group and a triisocyanate compound. |
| US09932425B2 |
Processes to control fouling and improve compositions
Improved reaction processes comprise reacting a mixture to form a product comprising a metal alkyl, metal oxide, or mixture thereof and then passing said product to a post-reactor heat exchanger. The improvement comprises one or more of the following: (1) reacting said metal alkyl compound with an acid to produce a soluble metal ester; or (2) adding an ionic surfactant; or (3) adding a mixture comprising an antioxidant to the product under conditions sufficient to avoid formation of significant amounts of insoluble metal or metal compounds derived from said metal alkyl compound; or (4) purging said post-reactor heat exchanger with an inert gas under conditions to remove metal oxide from the post-reactor heat exchanger. |
| US09932419B2 |
Polymeric binders for ink jet inks
A process for improving a latex comprising the steps of (a) providing a latex comprising a polymer binder, wherein said polymer binder is formed by polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid functional monomer, and (b) passing said latex comprising said polymer binder over a cation exchange resin. |
| US09932414B2 |
Methods of pretreating cellulosic material with a family 61 polypeptide
The present invention relates to methods of degrading or converting a cellulosic material pretreated with a composition comprising one or more GH61 polypeptides. |
| US09932413B2 |
Murine, chimeric, humanized or human anti-IL-6 antibodies
The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of bispecific antibodies comprising at least one anti-TNF-α antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof and at least one anti-IL-6 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Preferably, the bispecific antibody is in the form of a DNL® complex. The anti-TNF-α or anti-IL-6 antibodies may comprise specific CDR sequences disclosed herein. The compositions and methods are of use to treat autoimmune disease, immune system dysfunction or inflammatory disease, as disclosed herein. |
| US09932408B2 |
ADAM6 mice
Mice are provided that comprise a reduction or deletion of ADAM6 activity from an endogenous ADAM6 locus, or that lack an endogenous locus encoding a mouse ADAM6 protein, wherein the mice comprise a sequence encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or fragment thereof that is functional in a male mouse. In one embodiment, the sequence is an ectopic ADAM6 sequence or a sequence that confers upon a male mouse the ability to generate offspring by mating. Mice and cells with genetically modified immunoglobulin heavy chain loci that comprise an ectopic nucleotide sequence encoding a mouse ADAM6 or functional fragment or homolog or ortholog thereof are also provided. |
| US09932407B2 |
Stem cell enhancing therapeutics
The present application disclose a method for treating a patient who would benefit from stimulation of the patient's stem cells, comprising administering to the patient an antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of the MUC1 protein expressed on human undifferentiated stem cells. |
| US09932403B2 |
Biological materials related to HER3
The present disclosure relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) HER3, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences (also referred to herein as “amino acid sequences of the invention”, “compounds of the invention”, and “polypeptides of the invention”, respectively). The disclosure also relates to nucleic acids encoding such amino acid sequences and polypeptides (also referred to herein as “nucleic acids of the invention” or “nucleotide sequences of the invention”); to methods for 10 preparing such amino acid sequences and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such amino acid sequences or polypeptides; to compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such amino acid sequences, polypeptides, nucleic acids and/or host cells; and to uses of such amino acid sequences or polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells and/or compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes mentioned herein. |
| US09932401B2 |
Antibodies specific for claudin 6 (CLDN6)
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing Claudin-6 (CLDN6), including tumor-related diseases such as ovarian cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, hepatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, malignant melanoma, head and neck cancer, sarcoma, bile duct cancer, cancer of the urinary bladder, kidney cancer, colon cancer, placental choriocarcinoma, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, and uterine cancer. |
| US09932397B2 |
VEGFA/Ang2 Compounds
The present invention relates to compounds that bind to human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and human angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), and may be useful for treating angiogenic eye diseases, such as diabetic and other proliferative retinopathies, and for cancer, especially solid tumors driven by VEGFA and Ang2, including gastric, lung, hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian, colorectal, and breast cancers. |
| US09932395B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding complement component C5 antibodies
The present disclosure relates to antibodies and polynucleotides encoding the same, that may be used to prevent, control, or reduce the activity of the complement pathway. In addition, the disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases mediated by or involving complement C5. Specifically, the disclosure is related to C5 antibodies. |
| US09932394B2 |
Single chain intrabodies that alter huntingtin mutant degradation
Compositions and methods of use are provided for intrabodies that bind and alter the effects of poly-glutamate protein aggregation in poly-glutamate associated diseases, such as in Huntington's disease. Intrabodies are provided that prevent poly-glutamate aggregation, gene dysregulation, and negative effects of Huntington's disease. |
| US09932391B2 |
Proteins with repetitive bacterial-IG-like (Big) domains present in Leptospira species
The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance. |
| US09932389B2 |
Silk-elastin like protein polymers for embolization and chemoembolization to treat cancer
A chemoembolic agent is disclosed that includes an injectable, recombinantly synthesized silk-elastin like protein copolymer and one or more chemotherapeutic agents. Upon injection, the chemoembolic agent blocks the tumor vasculature, including the capillary bed, and may optionally release chemotherapeutic agents. The chemoembolic agent may be used to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma. |
| US09932388B2 |
Chromatographic process for producing high purity fibrinogen and thrombin
The present invention relates to a chromatographic process for obtaining purified fibrinogen and thrombin from human plasma. The purified fibrinogen and thrombin preparations contain plasminogen in amounts less than 1 ug/mL. The low levels of plasminogen eliminates use of a proteolytic inhibitor, such as aprotinin in fibrin sealant kits which are used for human therapeutic applications. |
| US09932385B2 |
Mutant proteins and methods for their production
The present invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which have increased conformational stability when compared to their parent protein, methods of selection and production. In particular the invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which are mutated in or in the proximity of the transmembrane alpha helices or in a kinked region or in an alpha-helix adjacent to a kink. The mutant transmembrane proteins have use in crystallization studies and also in screening to identify compounds for use in drug discovery and therapy. |
| US09932382B2 |
Kv2.1 channel-derived peptides and methods of use
Peptides capable of interfering with the Kv2.1-mediated apoptotic K+ current surge that leads to neuronal cell death are described. The disclosed peptides are derived from the C-terminal region of Kv2.1, which mediates binding to the SNARE protein syntaxin. Disruption of Kv2.1 binding to syntaxin inhibits the apoptotic K+ current surge that leads to neuronal cell death. The present disclosure provides methods of inhibiting binding of Kv2.1 to syntaxin in a cell (in vitro or in vivo), such as for neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury, or during the course of a neurodegenerative disease, or any other condition associated with neuronal cell death. |
| US09932381B2 |
Exendin-4 derivatives as selective glucagon receptor agonists
The present invention relates to glucagon receptor agonists and their medical use, for example in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. |
| US09932374B2 |
Clostridium difficile polypeptides as vaccine
The invention provides methods, proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies for preventing or treating a C. difficile infection in a mammal. |
| US09932373B2 |
Polypeptides and immunizing compositions containing gram positive polypeptides and methods of use
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides. |
| US09932370B2 |
Stabilized mosaic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) GP140 envelope (ENV) trimers
The invention features isolated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope (Env) trimers, in which the amino acid sequence of the Env polypeptides is optimized to stabilize formation of the trimers. The invention also features vaccines, nucleic acids, and vectors to deliver and/or facilitate production of the stabilized HIV Env trimers. In addition, the invention features methods of making and using the stabilized HIV Env trimers of the invention. |
| US09932368B2 |
Peptides for the stimulation of collagen formation
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) (R1-Arg-Gly-Asp-Gly-Ala-Asn-Pro-Asn-Ala-Ala-Gly-R2), formula II (R5-Arg-Gly-Asp-Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly-Pro-Gln-R6), or formula III (R9-Trp-Arg-Phe-Gln-Trp-Gln-Phe-Glu-Gln-R10), and to compositions comprising a compound of formulas I, II or III, as well as the use of said compounds and/or said compositions in the cosmetic treatment of skin and/or hair, and to the use thereof for inducing the formation of collagen. |
| US09932367B2 |
Modification of polypeptides
The invention provides a method for conjugating a peptide displayed on a genetic display system to a molecular scaffold performed on an ion exchange resin. |
| US09932359B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
A compound having a structure according to wherein Y is a carbene moeity coordinated to a trivalent copper atom Cu is disclosed. In Formula I, L1, L2, and L3 are three monodentate ligands. In Formula II, L1, L2, and L3 represent a single tridentate ligand chelated by X, wherein X is B—H, C—H, N, P, or P═O. |
| US09932357B2 |
Synthetic method of fused heteroaromatic compound and fused heteroaromatic compound and intermediate therefor
A synthetic method of a fused heteroaromatic compound includes preparing a first intermediate represented by Chemical Formula 1, obtaining a second intermediate by reacting the first intermediate and an aldehyde compound, obtain a third intermediate by performing deprotection and reduction reactions on the second intermediate, and obtaining a fused heteroaromatic compound by performing a cyclization reaction on the third intermediate. |
| US09932350B2 |
Inhibitors of IRAK4 activity
The present invention relates to inhibitors of IRAK4 of Formula I and provides compositions comprising such inhibitors, as well as methods therewith for treating IRAK4-mediated or -associated conditions or diseases. |
| US09932346B2 |
Pyrrolopyrimidines for use in influenza virus infection
The invention relates to compounds having the structure of formula (I) which can be used for the treatment of or against influenza infections. |
| US09932341B2 |
Use of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives for the treatment of PI3K-delta related disorders
The present application provides methods of treating PI3Kδ related disorders using compounds of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US09932340B2 |
Substituted indoles
The invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 have any of the values defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as agents in the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated and modulated by SUV420H1. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprised of one or more compounds of formula (I). |
| US09932329B2 |
Benzimidazole derivatives as RLK and ITK inhibitors
The present disclosure is directed to certain inhibitors of RLK and ITK of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and method of treating diseases mediated by inhibition of RLK and ITK. |
| US09932328B2 |
3-(6-alkoxy-5-chlorobenzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)propanoic acid useful as kynurenine monooxygenase inhibitors
Compound of formula (I) wherein: R1 is heteroaryl either unsubstituted or substituted by methyl, ethyl, halo or ═O; and R2 is H, methyl or ethyl; and salts thereof are KMO inhibitors and may be useful in the treatment of various disorders, for example acute pancreatitis, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney disease, acute kidney injury, other conditions associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, Parkinson's disease, AIDS-dementia complex, HIV infection, amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression, schizophrenia, sepsis, cardiovascular shock, severe trauma, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cholecystitis, severe burns, pneumonia, extensive surgical procedures, ischemic bowel, severe acute hepatic disease, severe acute hepatic encephalopathy or acute renal failure. |
| US09932316B2 |
Imidazolium salts having liquid crystal characteristics, useful as electrolytes
Novel imidazolium salts of formula (I) are described in which R is a C1-C14 alkyl group, optionally substituted by one or more fluorine atoms, or a C2-C18 alkoxyalkyl group, R′ is an alkyl group containing at least 8 carbon atoms, at least 6 of which are partially or entirely fluorinated, R″ is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl, Z is an organic or inorganic anion, and Q is further defined. The compounds of formula (I) are liquid crystals over a wide temperature range, and are characterized by high conductivity, hydrophobicity and stability. These properties made them ideally suitable for use in devices based on electrochemical reactions, such as solar cells, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, lithium batteries and capacitors, etc. |
| US09932315B2 |
Persistent carbene adducts and related methods
Persistent carbene adducts and methods of forming the same are generally described, as well as compositions comprising the persistent carbene adduct. In some embodiments, methods are provided comprising heating a persistent carbene to relatively high temperatures to convert the persistent carbene into a persistent carbene-carbodiimide adduct. In certain embodiments, the percent of the persistent carbene that is converted to the persistent carbene-carbodiimide adduct is relatively high (e.g., at least about 50%). In some embodiments, the persistent carbene-carbodiimide adducts formed via the methods described herein may be relatively stable. Compositions comprising the persistent carbene-carbodiimide adducts of the present invention may be useful for applications involving catalysis, organometallic chemistry, sensing, and surface functionalization, amongst others. |
| US09932313B2 |
Pyrazolyl guanidine F1F0-ATPase inhibitors and therapeutic uses thereof
The invention provides pyrazolyl guanidine compounds that inhibit F1Fo-ATPase, and methods of using pyrazolyl guanidine compounds as therapeutic agents to treat medical disorders, such as an immune disorder, inflammatory condition, or cancer. |
| US09932311B2 |
Antidiabetic tricyclic compounds
Novel compounds of the structural formula (I), and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are agonists of G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) and may be useful in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the G-protein-coupled receptor 40. The compounds of the present invention may be useful in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and of conditions that are often associated with this disease, including obesity and lipid disorders, such as mixed or diabetic dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. |
| US09932310B2 |
DNA2 inhibitors for cancer treatment
Disclosed herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods for inhibiting DNA2. |
| US09932308B2 |
Method for producing indoline compound
Provided is a salt including a compound represented by a formula (4) and a compound represented by a formula (5). A method for producing the salt includes reacting a compound represented by a formula (2) with a compound represented by a formula (3) in the presence of a quaternary onium salt and a base to form the compound represented by the formula (4); and mixing the compound represented by the formula (4) with the compound represented by the formula (5). A method for producing a compound represented by a formula (6) includes removing, from the salt including the compounds of formulae (4) and (5), a protecting group P1. In the following formulae, P1 and P2 are both protecting groups. |
| US09932304B2 |
Thromboxane receptor antagonists
The invention relates to novel chemical entities that act as thromboxane (TX) A2 receptor, or T prostanoid receptor (TP), antagonists and to their use in the treatment of human diseases in which thromboxane (TX) A and of all other agents that act as incidental ligands of TP, including the endoperoxide prostaglandin (PG)G2/PGH2, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and the free-radical derived isoprostanes (e.g., 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG)F2α), play a role. Compounds of the invention preferably include a benzenesulfonyl urea in which the benzene is substituted by a substituted biphenylyloxy group (e.g., at the 2 position) and by a nitrile group (e.g., at the 5 position), which compounds show promising results as TP-isoform selective TP antagonists. |
| US09932297B2 |
Alkynes and methods of reacting alkynes with 1,3-dipole-functional compounds
1,3-Dipole-functional compounds (e.g., azide functional compounds) can be reacted with certain alkynes in a cyclization reaction to form heterocyclic compounds. Useful alkynes (e.g., strained, cyclic alkynes) and methods of making such alkynes are also disclosed. The reaction of 1,3-dipole-functional compounds with alkynes can be used for a wide variety of applications including the immobilization of biomolecules on a substrate. |
| US09932296B2 |
Method of producing cycloalkanone oxime
A method of producing a cycloalkanone oxime by a photochemical reaction of a cycloalkane with a photo nitrosating agent in a liquid by light irradiation includes irradiating the liquid with a light source configured to emit light satisfying conditions that, in an emission energy distribution with respect to wavelength of light, a wavelength providing a maximum value of emission energy is 550 nm to 700 nm and a continuous wavelength range including the wavelength providing the maximum value and outputting energy of or over 5% of the maximum value is equal to or less than 150 nm, wherein a ratio ηE/V of a light irradiation energy ηE out of electric power E input into the light source to a reaction volume V which is a volume of a space for the photochemical reaction of the cycloalkane with the photo nitrosating agent is equal to or greater than 5.5 w/L. |
| US09932284B2 |
Process for the separation of 1,4-butanediol and co-products
The present invention provides a process for the recovery of 1,4-butanediol and at least one co-product selected from γ-butyrolactone, n-butanol and tetrahydrofuran from an aqueous stream, said process comprising the steps of providing the aqueous stream, providing a first solvent stream, combining said aqueous stream with said first solvent stream and recovering at least a portion of the 1,4-butanediol and at least a portion of at least one of the co-products by liquid-liquid extraction. |
| US09932283B2 |
Cross coupling of 2-bromo-1-phenyl indenes with phenyl acetylenes and other substituted acetylenes in water
The cross-coupling reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenyl indenes with phenyl acetylenes or propargyl alcohol is disclosed. The cross-coupling reaction uses a palladium catalyst with triphenylphosphine in the absence of a copper co-catalyst. The reaction is carried out with pyrrolidine as the base in water at 120° C. |
| US09932282B2 |
Method for producing trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
A method for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene efficiently from an intermediate product having a low reactivity is provided. A method for producing trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene comprising reacting a halogenated hydrocarbon compound having 3 carbon atoms represented by Formula (1) shown below in a gas phase with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of chlorine is provided. C3HXClYFZ (1) wherein X is 2 or 3; and when X=2, Y is an integer from 1 to 4, Z is an integer from 0 to 3, and Y+Z=4; and when X=3, Y is an integer from 1 to 5, Z is an integer from 0 to 4, and Y+Z=5; provided that Formula (1) shown above represents a halogenated hydrocarbon compound having 3 carbon atoms excluding trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. |
| US09932281B2 |
Process and plant for the production of olefins
The present invention relates to a process for the production of olefins from oxygenates, comprising the following steps: (i) heterogeneously catalyzed conversion of methanol to a product stream containing a C3− and a C4+ fraction, (ii) distillation of the product stream for separating the C3− fraction from a bottom product, and (iii) distillation of the bottom product for separating a stream containing the C4+ fraction and dimethyl ether from a stream containing water and methanol. Furthermore, the invention also comprises a plant for carrying out this process. |
| US09932279B2 |
Process and apparatus for the selective dimerization of terpenes and poly-alpha-olefins with a single-stage reactor and a single-stage fractionation system
An improved process and apparatus for the selective reaction of terpenes (including mono-, sesqui-, di-terpenes, and others in the terpene family), alpha-olefin oligomers (OOA's), and related olefins to their respective dimeric product in high purity using heterogeneous acid catalyst concurrent with full utilization of energy created in the process. Embodiments of the invention carry out a unique and highly efficient dimerization of terpenes, alpha-olefin oligomers (OOA's), and olefins using cost effective catalysts and low cost equipment that are ideally suited for commercialization of jet/turbine and diesel biofuel processes producing fuels with high flashpoints and superb cold flow properties. |
| US09932273B2 |
Piezoelectric material, piezoelectric element, and electronic equipment
There is provided a lead- and potassium-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a satisfactory insulation property and a piezoelectric element that includes the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material contains a perovskite-type metal oxide having the general formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (wherein x satisfies 0.80≤x≤0.95, and y satisfies 0.85≤y≤0.95); and at least one rare-earth element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, wherein the rare-earth element content is more than 0 mol % and 5 mol % or less of the amount of perovskite-type metal oxide. The piezoelectric element includes the piezoelectric material. |
| US09932268B2 |
Use of polyurethane powder as inner additive of redispersible polymer powder
A powdered polyurethane, preferably a powdered recycled polyurethane rigid foam is co-dried with a water insoluble film-forming polymer to obtain a redispersible polymer powder composite for use in hydraulic binders or cementitious compositions to improve performance of cementitious compositions or mortar, in applications such as cement based the adhesives (CBTA), or external thermal insulating composite systems (ETICS). |
| US09932261B2 |
Doped ultra-low expansion glass and methods for annealing the same
A doped silica-titania (“DST”) glass article that includes a glass article having a glass composition comprising a silica-titania base glass containing titania at 7 to 14 wt. % and a balance of silica, and a dopant selected from the group consisting of (a) F at 0.7 to 1.5 wt. %, (b) B2O3 at 1.5 to 5 wt. %, (c) OH at 1000 to 3000 ppm, and (d) B2O3 at 0.5 to 2.5 wt. % and OH at 100 to 1400 ppm. The glass article has an expansivity slope of less than about 1.3 ppb/K2 at 20° C. For DST glass articles doped with F or B2O3, the OH level can be held to less than 10 ppm, or less than 100 ppm, respectively. In many aspects, the DST glass articles are substantially free of titania in crystalline form. |
| US09932257B2 |
Systems and methods for producing regenerant brine and desalinated water from high temperature produced water
A process treats high temperature produced water by passing a stream to an electrocoagulation unit and then to a membrane distillation (MD) unit where the stream contacts a hydrophobic membrane on a feed side and deionized water contacts the membrane on a product side. A distilled water stream is recovered and collected with the product side stream to form a volume-depleted exit produced water stream on the feed side of the hydrophobic membrane. The exit product side stream is passed through a heat exchanger to form a stream that is returned to a location upstream of the MD unit for an additional pass through the MD unit, thereby recovering additional water. The stream can be returned multiple times to achieve high recovery and to form a final stream leaving the MD unit having a temperature from 40-60 ° C., a total oil and grease content no greater than 500 mg/L, and a suspended solids content no greater than 200 mg/L. A portion of the distilled water stream from the membrane distillation unit can be used to form a brine solution used to regenerate used ion exchange resin in a water softening system. |
| US09932253B2 |
Apparatus for purifying a fluid and method for purifying a fluid, in particular by means of the aforesaid apparatus
Apparatus for purifying a fluid, which comprises an ion absorption cell (2) traversed by a fluid to be treated (F1) containing cationic particles and/or anionic particles, provided with a containment structure (3) defining at its interior two operating chambers (4, 5) traversed by the fluid to be treated (F1), and each delimited by a respective electrode (10, 11) that can be power supplied to opposite polarities. Between the two operating chambers (4, 5), a third evacuation chamber (13) is interposed, containing a porous electrical conductor (18) traversed by a washing fluid (F2) and delimited by two opposite walls (16, 17) which together with the electrodes (10, 11) define the aforesaid operating chambers (4, 5). The aforesaid walls (16, 17) have at least one ion-selective area associated, which is susceptible to being traversed by charged particles with corresponding polarity contained in the two contiguous operating chambers (4, 5) subjected to the action of the electric field generated by the electrodes. The porous electrical conductor (18) is in turn susceptible to reduce the electric field inside the third evacuation chamber (13) such that the ion-selective areas of the walls of the third evacuation chamber (13) are capable of repelling the charged particles with corresponding polarity contained in the third evacuation chamber (13) and subjected to the action of the electric field reduced due to the shielding effect of the porous electrical conductor (18). |
| US09932252B2 |
System and method for treating water systems with high voltage discharge and ozone
A system and method for treating flowing water systems with a plasma discharge to remove or control growth of microbiological species. Components of the water system are protected from being damaged by excess energy from the electrohydraulic treatment. Ozone gas generated by a high voltage generator that powers the plasma discharge is recycled to further treat the water. A gas infusion system may be used to create fine bubbles of ozone, air, or other gases in the water being treated to aid in plasma generation, particularly when the conductivity of the water is high. An electrode mounting assembly maintains a high voltage electrode and ground electrode at a fixed distance from each other to optimize plasma generation. An open support structure for the high voltage generator circuit physically separates spark gap electrodes and resists metal deposits that may disrupt discharge of a high voltage pulse to create the plasma. |
| US09932247B1 |
Passive grease trap using separator technology
An apparatus and method for a grease trap for separating grease and solid waste from waste water. The grease trap includes a tank having a downwardly shaped bottom. An upwardly shaped baffle insert divides the tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. An outlet port near an upper part of the baffle allows waste into the upper chamber. An inlet invert in the tank receives incoming waste water, while an outlet invert removes water from the tank. A removable cover covers the tank and allows access for removal of accumulated grease and solid wastes. |
| US09932246B2 |
Pulse cavitation processor and method of using same
A liquid treatment apparatus includes a supply chamber for receiving a fluid, a discharge chamber for discharging the fluid, and a cavitation generating chamber extending from the supply chamber to the discharge chamber. The cavitation generating chamber is operable to generate cavitation bubbles. A method of treating a liquid comprises directing a fluid from a supply chamber into a cavitation generating chamber by constricting the fluid through an orifice, wherein the orifice has a cross dimension that is substantially less than a cross dimension of the supply chamber, such that a fluid jet is formed. The method further includes allowing the fluid jet to expand downstream of the orifice such that the velocity of the fluid is reduced so that the jet axial velocity head at the chamber outlet is less than the difference between the static pressure within the discharge chamber and the vapor pressure of the fluid. The method also includes discharging the fluid into a discharge chamber via a chamber outlet. |
| US09932245B2 |
UV sanitizing assemblies with high dose features and methods for controlling the same
A purifying system for treating a fluid with UV light including a housing defining: a chamber having a treatment zone; an inlet; and an outlet. The light source supplies UV light to the treatment zone. The inlet, the tubular housing, or the outlet may extend inward into the chamber so that the fluid passes close to the light source and has a relatively increased duration in the treatment zone. The purifying system may also have a sensor coupled to the housing or light source for generating a first signal indicative of a first parameter of the treatment zone. A microcontroller can control the light source based on a signal from the sensor and data characterizing the light source. The microcontroller may also vary operation of the light source and collect data to create the data characterizing the light source. |
| US09932244B2 |
Proppants for removal of contaminants from fluid streams and methods of using same
The invention relates to the proppants and proppant substrates treated with active compounds that reduce the presence of contaminants in fluids, methods of using those materials, as well as methods of making those materials. The invention further provides that the contaminated fluids are associated with wells, including oil and gas wells. |
| US09932242B2 |
Method for manufacturing cathode active material for lithium secondary battery
Provided is a method for manufacturing a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery, the method including heat-treating a precursor aqueous solution containing a lithium precursor, a transition metal precursor, and an organic acid containing a carboxyl group, and having a chelation index (C.I) value less than 1 and 0.5 or more, wherein the chelation index value is defined by transmittance of a peak located in a wavenumber from 1,700 to 1,710 cm−1 and transmittance of a peak located in a wavenumber from 1,550 to 1,610 cm−1 in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectrum. |
| US09932241B2 |
Method for quickly extracting lithium carbonate from saline lake water
The present invention discloses a method for quickly extracting lithium carbonate from saline lake water and a system for the same. The method comprises: first quick-freezing the saline lake water to obtain lithium-rich brine, then evaporating under reduced pressure to enable lithium carbonate to be rapidly precipitated out. The method has advantages of short process flow and less labor consumption, thereby enabling continuous automatic operation, high energy utilization and environment-friendly. Further, the crystallization rate is several times faster than that of the salt-pan process and the grade of lithium carbonate salt mine obtained can reach 95% or more, therefore the method of the present invention is particularly suitable for industrial production in the remote saline lake region. The system comprises a reduced-pressure evaporation crystallizer, a vacuum-pumping apparatus, a brine preheating apparatus and a brine cooling apparatus, which concentrates the brine by quick-evaporation of the water, promotes lithium carbonate to form non-uniform nucleus, and improves the crystallization efficiency. |
| US09932240B2 |
Method for producing zeolite crystals and/or zeolite-like crystals
The present invention pertains to a method for producing zeolite or zeolite-like crystals using a composition comprising one or more fluorine-containing compounds as a mineralizing agent. Crystals produced by such a method are smaller in size than crystals available in the art and contain few defects. The invention also relates to zeolite and/or zeolite-like crystals obtainable by a method as provided herein as well as crystals defined by any of the structural characteristics provided herein, and the usage thereof such as in the manufacture of thin films and membranes, absorbents, catalysts etc. |
| US09932233B2 |
Process for making precision nanoparticles by hydrothermal flow manufacturing
A continuous reaction system (CRS) allows a method to prepare quantum dots (QDs) in a continuous manner with high precision. The CRS pumps a plurality of reagent fluids into one or more mixing sites to form a reaction fluid that is carried through a heating chamber at elevated pressures to carry out hydrothermal growth of the QDs. The pumps and heating chamber are controlled with a high precision by employing a detector downstream of the heating chamber to provide a signal that is dependent on the composition and size of the QDs. The signal is provided to a signal processor that provides a signal that control the flow rates and temperature parameters in the system. The QDs produced in this manner are consistent in size and composition and can be of a single semiconductor composition or can be core-shell QDs with a shell semiconductor formed on a core semiconductor. |
| US09932231B2 |
Air-permeable texture providing oxygen and negative oxygen ions
The present disclosure describes an air-permeable texture providing oxygen and negative oxygen ions which comprises substances supplying oxygen and substances supplying negative ions and is embedded into several household articles or devices such as band-aids, dressings over wounds, masks, clothes, air conditioners or air purifiers. |
| US09932230B2 |
Conversion of greenhouse gases by dry reforming
A method for conversion of greenhouse gases comprises: introducing a flow of a dehumidified gaseous source of carbon dioxide into a reaction vessel; introducing a flow of a dehumidified gaseous source of methane into the reaction vessel; and irradiating catalytic material in the reaction vessel with microwave energy. The irradiated catalytic material is heated and catalyzes an endothermic reaction of carbon dioxide and methane that produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide. At least a portion of heat required to maintain a temperature within the reaction vessel is supplied by the microwave energy. A mixture that includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen can undergo catalyzed reactions producing multiple-carbon reaction products in a lower-temperature portion of the reaction vessel. |
| US09932229B2 |
Method and system for production of hydrogen rich gas mixtures
The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen containing gas mixture comprising the following steps: (i) providing a preheated mixture comprising a fossil fuel, preferably methane, and steam, (ii) conducting an adiabatic reaction between the fossil fuel and the steam, in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a first reaction product mixture is formed comprising methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and (iii) conducting an oxygen-assisted reforming reaction in the presence of a catalyst between said first reaction product mixture and an oxygen comprising stream, wherein the oxygen comprising stream comprises at least 40 vol % oxygen, forming a second reaction product mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The invention also relates to a system suitable for hydrogen production from a hydrocarbon feed according to the present invention. |
| US09932227B2 |
Production of graphene from metal alkoxide
A process for producing grapheme is disclosed. The process comprises introducing a solution (102) of a metal alkoxide in a solvent into a decomposition apparatus, wherein the decomposition apparatus includes a first region having a sufficiently high temperature to cause thermal decomposition of the metal alkoxide, to produce graphene. |
| US09932226B2 |
Composite material containing graphene
In one aspect, a composite material is disclosed herein that includes graphene platelets dispersed in a matrix. In some cases, the graphene platelets are randomly oriented within the matrix. The composite material can provide improved thermal conductivity and may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic, electrical components and semiconductor devices. |
| US09932223B2 |
Method for manufacturing microelectromechanical structures in a layer sequence and a corresponding electronic component having a microelectromechanical structure
A method for manufacturing microelectromechanical structures in a layer sequence and a corresponding electronic component having a microelectromechanical structure. The method includes provision of a carrier substrate including a first surface, an application of an insulation layer onto the first surface, an epitaxial growth of a first silicon layer onto the insulation layer, a structuring of the first silicon layer for forming trenches in the first silicon layer, a passivation of the first silicon layer, whereby the trenches are filled and a passivation layer is formed on a side facing away from the first surface, a structuring of the passivation layer, sacrificial areas and functional areas being formed in the first silicon layer, and the sacrificial areas are free of the passivation layer, at least at some points, on a side facing away from the carrier substrate, and, finally, removal of the sacrificial areas. |
| US09932221B1 |
Semiconductor package with multiple compartments
A semiconductor device may include a first substrate, a first electrical component, a lid, a second substrate, and a second electrical component. The first substrate may include an upper surface, a lower surface, and an upper cavity in the upper surface. The first electrical component may reside in the upper cavity of the first substrate. The lid may cover the upper cavity and may include a port that permits fluid to flow between an environment external to the semiconductor device and the upper cavity. The second substrate may include the second electrical component mounted to an upper surface of the second substrate. The lower surface of the first substrate and the upper surface of the second substrate may fluidically seal the second electrical component from the upper cavity. |
| US09932220B1 |
Mobile distribution station with aisle walkway
A distribution station includes reels that are arranged on first and second opposed sides in a mobile trailer, with an aisle walkway down the middle of the mobile trailer. The aisle walkway has an aisle width and the mobile trailer has a trailer width, and a ratio of the trailer width to the aisle width is no greater than 5. The reels have a reel diameter, and the aisle width is greater than the reel diameter by a factor of at least 1.3. |
| US09932216B2 |
Touch screen for a beverage dispensing system
A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state. |
| US09932214B1 |
Lift truck platform apparatus and methods for transporting rolling racks
A lift truck platform apparatus for transporting rolling racks provides a platform and a frame extending upwardly from the platform. A clamp is attached to the frame. The clamp is vertically moveable relative to the platform for selectively engaging and securing in place the rolling racks when the rolling racks are loaded on the platform. The clamp is vertically moveable away from the platform for releasing the rolling racks. |
| US09932212B2 |
Mechanical overload sensor system
A mechanical overload sensor system for a planetary winch having a biasing means that when overcome by the force on a ring gear, opens an electric switch which terminates power to the winch. |
| US09932211B2 |
Line stabilizer
A stabilizer for a line may include a guide configured for arrangement on the line to resist and/or damp lateral motions of the line where the guide may include a guide jacket having a static sleeve configured to allow the line to pass through the guide and a fortifying bracket configured to reinforce the guide jacket and configured to interface with a hanging system to support the guide jacket and maintain the guide jacket in position on the line. |
| US09932209B2 |
Vehicle top lift and storage system
A vehicle top lift and storage system is disclosed herein. The vehicle top lift and storage system includes a lift mechanism configured to attach to a vehicle top and to suspend the vehicle top. The left mechanism may include various configurations of straps, hooks, or pulleys, as described herein, to aid in removal of the vehicle top from a vehicle. |
| US09932208B2 |
Lifting harness
A lifting harness is described herein. The lifting harness includes a waist belt adapted to extend around a waistline of a user and a shoulder support assembly coupled to the waist belt. The shoulder support assembly is adapted to extend across each shoulder of the user and includes a pair of shoulder support straps. A pair of lifting strap assemblies is coupled to the shoulder support assembly. Each lifting strap assembly includes a lifting strap having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The middle portion is coupled to a corresponding shoulder support strap and adapted to extend across a corresponding shoulder of the user. The first end is coupled to the second end to form a shoulder loop. An attachment device is coupled to the first end of the lifting strap. A lifting device is detachably coupled to the attachment device. |
| US09932205B2 |
Asymmetric and steered sheaves for twisted multi-belt elevator systems
An elevator system includes an elevator car located in a hoistway. One or more belts are operably connected to the elevator car to drive and/or support the elevator car along the hoistway. The one or more belts are routed over one or more sheaves. The one or more sheaves include an outer surface rotatable about a central axis and a flange located at at least one lateral end of the sheave. The sheave further includes a tracking compensator to limit lateral motion of the belt along the outer surface to prevent the belt from contacting the flange. |
| US09932204B2 |
Drive unit for multiphase permanent magnet synchronous motor
A conveyance system includes a car; a machine for imparting motion to the car, the machine including a stator and a rotor, the stator including 12*k stator teeth, the rotor including 11*k rotor poles, wherein k is a natural even number, the machine including windings located at the stator teeth, the windings arranged in 6 phases; and a drive unit for providing drive signals to the machine, the drive unit including a plurality of drives, the number of drives being an integer multiple of 2. |
| US09932200B2 |
Portable strap dispenser
A portable strap dispenser includes a main body. The main body has a first frame and a second frame which are symmetrically disposed. A fixing sleeve is provided at the joint of the first frame and the second frame. The portable strap dispenser further includes a strap disc. The strap disc is provided with a pivot penetrating through the strap disc. Two ends of the pivot are pivoted to the first frame and the second frame, respectively. The first frame is pivotally provided with a brake device. During transportation, the portable strap dispenser can be disassembled to reduce its size so as to increase cargo capacity and lower transportation cost. |
| US09932199B2 |
Sheet processing device and image formation apparatus provided with the same
A sheet processing device includes a plurality of first units and a second unit. The first units each include, as one unit, a pressing member that presses a folding loop, a frame that movably holds the pressing member in a sheet pressing direction, and an elastic member that is disposed between the frame and the pressing member to bias the pressing member in the sheet pressing direction. The second unit supports, as one unit, a plurality of rows of first units such that the first units of each row are arranged, as a pair, so as to be opposed to each other and that an interval between the pairs is reduced stepwise from a downstream side to an upstream side in a moving direction of the second unit. |
| US09932198B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
There is provided a sheet processing apparatus with improved visibility of a sheet bundle discharged without post-processing thereto. The CPU circuit receives the conveyed sheet, drives and controls the sheet-returning paddle, the rack part, the rear end regulation part, the alignment plate and the like and forms sheet bundle comprising of a plural number of sheets as received. Further, the CPU circuit drives and controls the alignment plate when discharging the sheet bundle S from the processing tray, the sheet bundle S exceeding the number of sheets which can be post-processed by the stapler. Therefore, the sheet bundle S which includes sheets equal to the allowable number of sheets for post-processing of the sheet processing unit is discharged to the second discharge position which is different from the first discharge position. |
| US09932197B1 |
Document folder having a controlled drop feeder
This disclosure describes various aspect of a unique standalone document handler that is coupable to and controllable by a fulfillment. The standalone documents handler is attachable to a standard printer or copier and has a drop chute that is designed to hold groups of fulfillment documents and drop them into a fulfillment receptacle positioned under the document handler. Upper and lower scanners scan document identification codes placed on one or more pages of the fulfillment document, which allows a system controller to control the timing of dispensing the correct documents in the designated fulfillment receptacle at the correct time. |
| US09932194B2 |
Sheet discharge apparatus and image forming apparatus having same
A sheet discharge apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet discharged by a discharging portion is stacked, and a control portion configured to control a moving unit such that a height position of an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion becomes a first height position. In a case where a sheet detection portion detects that the height position of the uppermost sheet is above a second height position, the control portion sets a sheet discharge speed of the discharging portion to a first sheet discharge speed. In a case where the sheet detection portion detects that the height position of the uppermost sheet becomes lower than the second height position, the control portion controls the sheet discharge speed to be a second sheet discharge speed faster than the first sheet discharge speed. |
| US09932191B2 |
Sheet post-processing device
There is provided a sheet post-processing device that has a first tray, outlet rollers, and a control section. The first tray holds sheets for post-processing with respect to the sheets supplied from an image forming device. The outlet rollers discharge the sheet to the first tray. The control section controls a rotational speed of the outlet rollers to be decelerated after a leading end portion of the sheet passes through the outlet rollers and before the leading end portion of the sheet comes into contact with the first tray. |
| US09932189B2 |
Image forming system with selective skew correction of continuous sheets, image forming apparatus with selective skew correction of continuous sheets, and skew correction method
An image forming system includes: a sheet conveying section configured to convey a long sheet; an image forming/fixing section configured to execute an image forming/fixing operation to form and fix a toner image on the long sheet to be conveyed by the sheet conveying section; a skew detection section configured to detect a skew of the long sheet to be conveyed by the sheet conveying section; a skew correction section configured to execute a skew correction operation to correct the skew of the long sheet; and a control section configured to perform control to execute the skew correction operation when the skew has been detected in a first area where the skew correction operation does not affect the image forming/fixing operation, and perform control to execute the skew correction operation when the skew has been detected in a second area where the skew correction operation affects the image forming/fixing operation. |
| US09932186B2 |
Apparatus and method for winding and unwinding web material
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for winding and unwinding web materials, the web materials having a plurality of narrow lanes which form a spool. In a first aspect of the invention each lane of web material is defined by a width measured in the axial direction of the spool and between a minimum and a maximum radial height measured radially from a central axis of the spool. Each lane is wound, in turn, with web material up to the maximum radial height, the web material is folded by a first, second, third and fourth folds so that the web material is realigned parallel to the adjacent lane and wound to form the adjacent lane. |
| US09932180B2 |
Tray stack dispenser
A packaging dispenser, for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device, has a frame, a first conveyor for conveying and supporting a first plurality of stacks of nested trays in a first level, and a second conveyor downstream of the first conveyor for receiving stacks of nested trays from the first conveyor. The packaging dispenser also includes a vertical chute underneath the second conveyor for dispensing stacks of nested trays to a packing device. The second conveyor has a pair of laterally spaced conveyor elements for supporting only lateral edge regions of a stack of nested trays. The laterally spaced conveyor elements are retractable to allow a stack of nested trays, supported thereon, to be released into the chute. The packaging dispenser can further be provided with a tray separator upstream of the chute for loosening individual trays of a stack, while keeping the trays in a stacked and nested arrangement. |
| US09932174B2 |
Pedal waste bin optimized for partial or full factory automation
A trash bin having parts optimized for partial or full automated assembly. Components are fabricated of materials that are easily manipulated by factory automation equipment as well as those that may be selectively deformed during the assembly or installation process. Elastic or deformable characteristics also facilitate the retention of assembled or installed parts. A barbed element deforms during installation into a received aperture, then returns to a relaxed state in which one or more barbs inhibit the dislocation of the element from the aperture. A post having an aperture for receiving an axle therein is formed of resilient materials such that the post flexes outward under the urging of the axle until the axle is aligned with the aperture, at which point the post resumes a neutral position with the axle engaged in the aperture. Interfaces between components are selected in order to simplify the mechanical mating of components. |
| US09932172B2 |
Versatile container and pipe
A versatile container a versatile pipe section comprising a sleeve and a tube inserted into the sleeve, the tube being held in place using a first capping element at a first end, at least one mounting element in a middle portion and a second capping element at a second end. The first and second capping elements are provided with an opening of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the tube for allowing liquid or gas to flow through the tube. Also, a versatile container comprising a sleeve, at least one liquid or gas holding compartment adapted to be positioned within the sleeve, the at least one compartment being held in place using at least one mounting element. The sleeves are adapted to hold the contents of the tube or the at least one compartment in case of a leak. |
| US09932171B1 |
Bridging apparatus
A bridging apparatus which may be used to span the gap. The apparatus may be used to span the gap between a vertically movable storage container and a stationary floor structure when a landing of the storage container is planar to a landing of the stationary floor structure. In this invention, the bridging apparatus comprises a bracket, an overlay plate, a hinge comprising a rod, glides, and a switch, which interact with each other and with the vertically movable storage container and the stationary floor structure. As the storage container ascends, the glide of the overlay plate slides angularly contacts a vertical wall of the stationary floor structure and glides along the wall. When the storage container landing is planar with the stationary floor structure landing, the overlay plate rotates downward to a 90-degree angle, resting in a recess in the stationary floor structure landing, engaging the switch to terminate power to the vertically movable storage container. |
| US09932168B2 |
Beverage delivery pod and methods of use and manufacture
A pod containing one or more beverage ingredients is provided, where the pod comprises a generally rigid outer member (12) with an open top and an outlet opening in the bottom, with an internal filter (16) adjacent a bottom portion of the outer member, one or more beverage ingredients disposed above the filter, and a lid (14) closing the open top. The outer member has an outer peripheral sidewall (20) defining the open top and extending downwardly from the open top toward the bottom portion and inwardly converging toward the outlet opening. The bottom portion of the sidewall defines a plurality of ribs (36) extending inwardly in the interior of the outer member toward the outlet opening. Beverage outlet flow paths are disposed between adjacent ribs and directed toward the outlet opening. The filter is supported above the outlet opening and the beverage outlet flow paths by the ribs. |
| US09932167B2 |
Remaining-amount reduction member
An object of the present invention is to provide a remaining-amount reduction member capable of preventing the generation of space whose periphery is closed by pressurized fluid, reducing a final remaining amount of a content to be ejected, stabilizing an ejection amount of the content per unit time, and smoothly ejecting the content to the end.Provided is a remaining-amount reduction member 110 that is attached inside a flexible interior bag 102 arranged inside an aerosol container 100, the remaining-amount reduction member including: an attachment part 120 attached such that the content F is capable of flowing in an inflow port 103 of the interior bag 102; and a guiding part 130 having a plurality of grooved blocks 132, each of which has a guiding groove 131 in a longitudinal direction, connected in the longitudinal direction. |
| US09932164B1 |
Sponge for insertion into a mud pan
A sponge for insertion into the open upper end of a mud pan which acts as a plug to prevent the mud in the mud pan from drying out during periods of non-use of the mud pan. |
| US09932155B2 |
Devices for controlling fluid outflow from a bottle
Some embodiments relate to a cap for controlling fluid flow from a bottle that includes an opening for dispensing the fluid. The cap includes a first section and a second section. The first section defines an orifice and a plurality of air channels. The opening of the bottle is in flow communication with the orifice and the plurality of air channels. The second section includes a first plurality of rings for securing the opening of the bottle, such that at least one of the air channels and the orifice creates an air-lock to secure the fluid within the bottle. |
| US09932152B2 |
Metal cans with peelable lids
A method of sealing a peelable lid to a circumferential and inwardly projecting flange formed in a tubular metal can body, where the flange has a sealing surface having a substantially V-shaped profile. The method comprises pressing the peelable lid against the sealing surface of the flange using a punch, an engagement surface of the punch having a generally V-shaped profile such that the apex of the punch presses the peelable lid into the valley of the engagement surface of the flange. |
| US09932147B1 |
Two bottle container
According to certain aspect, the present invention provides a two-bottle package design comprising a first bottle and a second bottle. The second bottle can be frictionally inserted into an opening in the middle of the first bottle during normal storage and separated from the first bottle for mixing before actual application of the stored products. In one embodiment, the package comprises a first bottle to contain a liquid product and the second bottle to contain a concentrate refill of the first product. In another embodiment, the package comprises a first bottle to contain the first product, and a second bottle to contain a second product to be mixed with the first product before actual application of the mixture. |
| US09932140B2 |
Stabilized load tray
The invention provides a stabilized load tray for supporting a load stack, the stabilized load tray comprising: a horizontal floor; vertical side walls connected to the floor; a top connected to the side walls; and a deployable lip connected to the top, wherein the deployable lip can be folded from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position adjacent the load stack. |
| US09932137B2 |
Corner geometry-based wrapping
A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner geometry-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed at least in part based on the geometrical relationship between one or more corners of a load and a packaging material dispenser. |
| US09932133B2 |
Therapeutic jewelry
Therapeutic jewelry is provided that can provide a therapeutic heating or cooling effect to a user. The therapeutic jewelry includes a thread, a first therapeutic container portion, a second therapeutic container portion, and a cap. The first therapeutic container portion defines a first internal cavity, includes a receiving member extending across, and has a hollow interior open at opposite sides of the first therapeutic portion to receive the thread there through. The second therapeutic container portion defines a second internal cavity and is connectable to the first container portion forming a jewelry element body such that the first and second internal cavities cooperatively form an interior fluid cavity. At least one of the first or second container portions define a filling aperture open to the interior fluid cavity of the jewelry element body, enabling filling the interior fluid cavity. The cap is operably connectable to seal the filling opening so that the interior fluid cavity is sealed to fluid therein, while maintaining the opening of the hollow interior of the receiving member open to receive the support device. |
| US09932132B2 |
Can with fold lines, method and device for production thereof
A can, and device and method for producing same, includes two circular end elements forming a base and lid. The can further includes a sleeve which has fold lines forming edges, the can sleeve having a circular cross-sectional area at both ends and a polygonal-sectional area in its central region. The polygonal cross-sectional area in the central region is at most decagonal. |
| US09932128B1 |
External aircraft emergency lighting
A light assembly for an aircraft evacuation system may comprise a first casing including a weighted portion. A light source may be disposed within the first casing. A second casing may be coupled to the first casing by a bearing. The first casing may be configured to rotate with respect to the second casing about an axis. A center of mass of the first casing may be offset from the axis. |
| US09932120B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a turboprop engine
A turboprop control system 10 for use with a turboprop 2 having a turbine engine 12 operably coupled to and rotationally driving a propeller 14 having variable pitch blades 16 to control the engine speed, propeller speed, and propeller pitch. The pilot provides, by a single power control lever 30, the control input used to control the engine and propeller. |
| US09932118B2 |
Vertical take-off and landing aircraft using hybrid electric propulsion system
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft using a hybrid electric propulsion system includes an engine, a generator that produces electric power using power supplied by the engine, and a battery that stores the produced electric power. A motor receives the electric power stored in the battery and electric power produced by the generator but not stored in the battery and provides the power to a thrust generating apparatus. A controller selects either silence mode or normal mode, and determines the amount of electric power stored in the battery and the amount of electric power not stored in the battery from the electric power supplied to the motor. In the silence mode, the controller supplies only the electric power stored in the battery and controls a duration by adjusting output power of motor. In the normal mode, the controller supplies electric power not stored in the battery. |
| US09932117B1 |
4-bar side canopy release
A parachute canopy release assembly includes a frame assembly with first and second upstanding members. A latching member has a pivot end and a latch end, the pivot end pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the first upstanding member. A riser bar has a pivot end and latch engaging end, the pivot end of the riser bar pivotally coupled to a top portion of the second upstanding member, the latch engaging end retained by the latch end of the latching member in the locked state. A release linkage assembly includes a lock member configured to transition from a first state to a second state, retain the latching member in a first position in the first, locked state and retain the latching member in a second position in the second, unlocked state. |
| US09932115B2 |
Aircraft wing element
An aircraft wing element comprises two temperature sensors that are situated on each side of an electrothermal mat, between a structure portion and a shield of said wing element. A shield temperature can be measured more accurately, and a thermal energy flow that is transferred to the shield can be evaluated. |
| US09932113B1 |
Restraint assembly for cargo system
A restraint assembly includes a fitting base, a bushing, and a restraint roller disk, according to various embodiments. The fitting base includes a fitting lower surface and a fitting upper surface that is angled relative to the fitting lower surface, according to various embodiments. The fitting base may be configured to be coupled, via an anchor, to a rail upper surface of a guide rail of the cargo system. In various embodiments, the bushing is configured to be disposed about the anchor. In various embodiments, the restraint roller disk includes a roller upper surface and a roller lower surface, wherein the restraint roller disk is configured to be rotatably coupled about the bushing and the roller lower surface is configured to engage the fitting upper surface of the fitting base. |
| US09932111B2 |
Methods and systems for assessing an emergency situation
A method and system for assessing a situation using an unmanned vehicle is disclosed. An unmanned vehicle receives a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location, and then navigates to the designated location. The unmanned vehicle may reach the designated location via air or ground travel, or a combination thereof. The unmanned vehicle receives signals from a first subset of sensors indicating information concerning an environment at the designated location and from a second subset of sensors indicating information concerning one or more objects associated with the situation. The unmanned vehicle then sends one or more transmissions based on the received signals, facilitating rapid determination of the situation. |
| US09932104B2 |
Aircraft with a subfloor region that accommodates an auxiliary compartment
An aircraft with a fuselage and a floor structure that is arranged inside the fuselage, the floor structure and the fuselage defining a subfloor region between the floor structure and a fuselage underside of the fuselage, the subfloor region accommodating at least one auxiliary compartment, wherein an equipment bay with at least one auxiliary equipment is arranged within the subfloor region, the at least one auxiliary equipment being at least essentially stowable in the equipment bay in a stow mode and the at least one auxiliary compartment being at least partly arranged in a region between the equipment bay and the floor structure such that the at least one auxiliary compartment separates the equipment bay from the floor structure. |
| US09932103B2 |
Control method and device for aircraft door and aircraft door incorporating same
A device and a control method are described for a swinging aircraft door (3), mobile around a swinging axis (21) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft via a motorized mechanism and having integrated boarding stairs (31). The method includes the capture of electromagnetic or ultrasonic radiation using at least one sensor (401, 501); the detection of something on the stairs on the basis of captured electromagnetic or ultrasonic radiation, in order to deduce therefrom whether a detection condition is satisfied or not; and, driving of the motorized mechanism in order to control the closure of the door in response to a closure command except in case of detection of something on the stairway. |
| US09932102B2 |
Lock assemblies for female drive receptacles
Lock assemblies for locking female drive receptacles include a portion with a feature that is configured to permit selective insertion of the portion of the lock assembly into the female drive receptacle when the portion is in a first rotational orientation and to selectively restrict removal of the portion from the non-circular receptacle when the portion is in a second rotational orientation that is offset from the first rotational orientation. The lock assembly is configured to receive a padlock to restrict rotation of the portion from the second rotational orientation to the first rotational orientation and thereby lock the lock assembly to the female drive receptacle. |
| US09932099B1 |
Marine drives having exhaust systems that discharge exhaust gas through a gearcase housing
A marine drive has an internal combustion engine that rotates a propulsor shaft that is operatively coupled to a propulsor to impart a propulsive thrust in water. The marine drive has a gearcase housing having an upper portion above a lower portion, the lower portion supporting the propulsor shaft. An exhaust passage in the gearcase housing is configured to convey exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. An exhaust outlet on the upper portion of the gearcase housing is configured to discharge the exhaust gas from the exhaust passage to the water. The exhaust outlet faces the propulsor so that the exhaust gas is discharged into the water and towards the propulsor so as to aerate the water encountered by the propulsor. |
| US09932098B1 |
Systems and methods for continuously adapting a toe angle between marine propulsion devices
Systems and methods for reducing steering pressures of marine propulsion device steering actuators are disclosed. First and second sensors sense first and second conditions of first and second steering actuators. A third sensor senses an operating characteristic of the marine vessel. A controller is in signal communication with the first, second, and third sensors. In response to the marine vessel travelling generally straight ahead, the controller determines a target toe angle between the first and second marine propulsion devices based on the operating characteristic. The controller commands the first and second steering actuators to position the first and second marine propulsion devices at the target toe angle. The controller thereafter gradually adapts the target toe angle between the first and second marine propulsion devices until the controller determines that an absolute difference between the first condition and the second condition reaches a calibrated value. |
| US09932096B1 |
Boat leveling system
A boat leveling system includes a boat that has a port side, a starboard side, a port fuel tank, a starboard fuel tank, a port fuel line, a starboard fuel line, an engine, an engine fuel return line and a fuel vent line. A leveling unit is positioned within the boat. The leveling unit is in fluid communication with the engine fuel return line to receive fuel. The leveling unit is in fluid communication with each of the port fuel line and the starboard fuel line. The leveling unit diverts the fuel to the port fuel line when the boat is listing to the starboard side. Thus, the port fuel unit receives additional fuel to level the boat. The leveling unit diverts the fuel to the starboard fuel line when the boat is listing to the port side. Thus, the starboard fuel unit receives additional fuel to level the boat. |
| US09932094B1 |
Diving equipment organizing apparatus
A diving equipment organizing apparatus having a housing assembly with a sidewall that extends from a top edge to an end. The end inserts into an aperture that typically serves as a rod holder of a watercraft. A frame assembly has a frame having at least one base connector. Further having a strap assembly, a basket, and at least one hook assembly. The housing assembly further has a hinge assembly having a lower connector, an upper connector, and an actuator. The actuator is rotated to unlock the hinge assembly to permit angling the upper connector to a desired angle with respect to the lower connector. The housing assembly defines a cavity and the end has at least one notch. |
| US09932093B2 |
Towing methods and systems for geophysical surveys
Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling spread and/or depth in a geophysical survey. An embodiment discloses a submersible deflector, comprising: an upper portion comprising an upper fin section and upper foils disposed below the upper fin section, wherein at least one slot is defined between the upper foils; and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion and disposed below the upper portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a lower fin section and lower foils disposed above the lower fin section, wherein at least one slot is defined between the lower foils. Also disclosed are marine geophysical survey systems and methods of performing geophysical surveys. |
| US09932090B2 |
Bicycle rear sprocket assembly
A bicycle rear sprocket assembly has a rotational center axis. The bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes a first sprocket body and a first chain-engagement structure. The first sprocket body is made of a non-metallic material. The first chain-engagement structure is made of a metallic material and is configured to engage with a bicycle chain. The second sprocket includes a second sprocket body and a second chain-engagement structure. The second sprocket body is made of a non-metallic material and attached to the first sprocket body. The second chain-engagement structure is made of a metallic material and is configured to engage with the bicycle chain. |
| US09932087B2 |
Vehicle drivable in use by a person walking or running whilst seated and the use of such vehicle
The invention provides a vehicle drivable in use by a person walking or running while seated comprising: a frame; a large diameter front wheel non-steerable with respect to the frame, a seat for supporting a user's weight while walking or running, the frame configured to carry the seat suspended on the front wheel, a small diameter, steerable rear wheel journalled to the frame at a steering pivot axis, the seat being rotatable forwardly with respect to the front wheel and comprising a seat base for supporting a user and further comprising a backrest for engaging the user's back in use. The large front wheel may be of approximate diameter of a user's leg (typically an adult human), thus the large front wheel may be of similar size to a bicycle wheel for the user. |
| US09932080B2 |
Straddle-type vehicle
A motorcycle comprises a vehicle body frame; a seat mounted to the vehicle body frame and including a seat section on which a rider is seated; and a pair of rear side cowlings which are placed on right and left sides of the seat and mounted to the vehicle body frame, the pair of rear side cowlings including protruding sections, respectively, protruding farther upward than the seat section, when viewed from a side. |
| US09932072B2 |
Vehicle structure
A vehicle structure includes a battery, a chamber that is arranged on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the battery and provided on part of an exhaust pipe through which emission gas from a fuel cell system is emitted outside a vehicle, and a side frame that is arranged between the battery and the chamber in the vehicle width direction and extends in a fore-and-aft direction. A slider member inclined inward in the vehicle width direction toward a lower side of the vehicle is arranged between the chamber and the side frame. A lower end portion of the slider member is in a position lower than a position of a lower end portion of the battery. |
| US09932071B1 |
Energy absorbing assembly
An energy absorbing assembly includes a beam that extends in a first direction, a structural member that extends in a second direction transverse to the beam, a load transfer structure that restrains motion of the beam relative to the structural member by transferring lateral loads between the beam and the structural member, and a recess defined in the structural member. The beam is connected to the structural member within the recess and extends out of the recess. The beam is configured to shorten during an impact to define a failed portion of the beam, and the beam is connected to the structural member such that the failed portion of the beam is at least partially receivable in the recess. |
| US09932068B2 |
Integrated power steering system for front and rear wheels of vehicle and control method thereof
A power steering system of a vehicle and a control method are provided. The system includes a main hydraulic motor that receives engine power and generates a hydraulic pressure and an auxiliary hydraulic motor that generates a hydraulic pressure. A front wheel steering cylinder receives hydraulic pressure and generates power for steering front wheels and auxiliary steering of a driver. A rear wheel steering cylinder receives hydraulic pressure and generates power for steering rear wheels. An integrated control valve connected to the hydraulic motors and the steering cylinders through hydraulic pressure pipelines, and adjusts the hydraulic pressure of a main hydraulic motor to supply the pressure to the front wheel steering cylinder and adjusts the hydraulic pressure generated of the auxiliary hydraulic motor to supply the pressure to the front or rear wheel steering cylinder. |
| US09932064B1 |
Power steering system
A power steering system for a motorcycle is provided. The motorcycle includes a front fork having a first vertical bar and a second vertical bar. The power steering system include at least one motor. A first belt portion includes a first end secured to the first vertical bar and a second end operatively connected to the motor. A second belt portion includes a first end secured to the second vertical bar and a second end operatively connected to the motor. A power source is electrically connected to the motor by wiring through a switch. The switch includes a switch knob operable to activate the switch from an off position to a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes the motor pulling the first belt portion and the second mode includes the motor pulling the second belt portion. |
| US09932063B2 |
Vehicles and vehicle systems for restricting rotation of a vehicle steering system
Vehicles and vehicle systems including locking devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a front wheel, a steering rack assembly that includes a rack coupled to the front wheel, where the rack extends in a vehicle lateral direction and is translatable with respect to a unibody of the vehicle in the vehicle lateral direction, and a locking device coupled to the steering rack assembly, where the locking device includes a deactivated configuration that allows translation of the rack and an activated configuration that restricts translation of the rack. |