| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09958896B2 |
Bearing member for pedal arm, pedal arm, and method for manufacturing pedal arm
A bearing member for a pedal arm, which is a tubular bearing member which is disposed so as to connect a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole formed respectively in a pair of plate members constituting right and left side walls of the pedal arm and through which a connecting shaft is passed so as to be rotatable relative to the bearing member, the bearing member includes: a large-diameter tubular portion configured to have an external diameter larger than a diameter of the first mounting hole and to be located between the pair of plate members; a first connecting portion configured to have an external diameter smaller than the diameter of the first mounting hole, to be formed so as to project from one end face of the large-diameter tubular portion coaxially with the large-diameter tubular portion, to be passed through the first mounting hole, and to be fixedly fitted to the first mounting hole by being compressed in an axial direction to be swaged so that a peripheral portion of the first mounting hole is held between a swaged portion, which is formed from the first connecting portion, and the one end face of the large-diameter tubular portion; and a second connecting portion configured to have an external diameter smaller than a diameter of the second mounting hole and a thickness larger than a thickness of the first connecting portion, to be formed so as to project from the other end face of the large-diameter tubular portion coaxially with the large-diameter tubular portion, to be passed through the second mounting hole, and to be fixedly fitted to the second mounting hole by being compressed in the axial direction to be bulged and deformed radially outward so that a portion of the second connecting portion, which is apart from the other end face of the large-diameter tubular portion by a predetermined distance, is brought into close contact with an inner peripheral wall of the second mounting hole. |
| US09958895B2 |
Bandgap reference apparatus and methods
Structure and methods for a compensated bandgap reference circuit. A first integrated circuit die having a first bandgap reference circuit with a non-zero temperature coefficient; and having a first output reference signal is provided, a second integrated circuit die having a second bandgap reference circuit with a non-zero temperature coefficient that is of opposite polarity from the temperature coefficient of the first bandgap reference circuit, and having a second output reference signal is provided; an adder circuit disposed on at least one of the first and second integrated circuit dies combines the first and second output reference signals, and outputs a combined reference signal; and connectors for connecting the first and second output signals to the adder circuit are provided. Methods are disclosed for pairing integrated circuit dies with bandgap reference circuits and coupling the dies to form temperature compensated signals. |
| US09958894B2 |
Latency-based micro demand response with bidirectional curtailment margins
A method includes separating a collection of devices configured for participation in a demand response (DR) event into an On-to-Off DR device set (On-to-Off set) and an Off-to-On DR device set (Off-to-On set). The method includes forming latency groups from devices of the Off-to-On set and the On-to-Off set based on a lower curtailment margin and an upper curtailment margin defined for a macro DR event. The method includes portioning one or more transition groups from the devices of the Off-to-On set and the On-to-Off set. The portioning is based on device curtailment capacities of the devices of the Off-to-On set and the On-to-Off set, a dynamic lower curtailment margin, and a dynamic upper curtailment margin. The method includes creating transition group pairs from the transition groups and executing a micro DR event such that an energy curtailment remains within the curtailment band. |
| US09958893B2 |
Method and system for enabling wireless control in tools by use of portable power supply systems with embedded communication components
Methods and systems are provided for enabling wireless control by use of portable power supply systems with embedded communication components. A power supply component, which is operable to store and discharge power, and which may be configured for use in a first device to supply power thereto in portable manner, may be configured to determine data associated with the power supply component. The data may comprise information relating to one or more conditions associated with use of power stored in the power supply component, in conjunction with operation of the first device. The power supply component may comprise a communication element, for wirelessly communicating messages to a second device that is physically separate from the first device, to control at least part of operations of the second device. Controlling operations of the second device may comprise activating or deactivating the second device based on use of power by the first device. |
| US09958890B2 |
Bias-starving circuit with precision monitoring loop for voltage regulators with enhanced stability
A regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator having a stability control input and an output for providing a regulated output voltage, an amplifier circuit having an input for receiving an error voltage of the voltage regulator, and an output, and a control circuit having an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and an output coupled to the stability control input of the voltage regulator, such that the regulator stability is maximized while the error voltage is minimized. The voltage regulator includes an LDO voltage regulator, the amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier circuit, and the control circuit includes a load-sensing or load-replicating circuit. |
| US09958889B2 |
High and low power voltage regulation circuit
The present disclosure relates to a voltage regulation circuit including a first transistor connected between an input of voltage to be regulated and an output of a regulated voltage. A first regulation loop controls the first transistor according to a difference between a reference voltage and a first feedback voltage derived from the regulated voltage. A second transistor is connected in series between the first transistor and the output. A second regulation loop controls the second transistor according to a difference between the reference voltage and a second feedback voltage derived from the regulated voltage. The second regulation loop is active in low and high power regulation modes. A switch circuit forces the first transistor into an on state in a low power regulation mode. |
| US09958886B2 |
Tunable DC voltage generating circuit
A tunable DC voltage generating circuit includes: a resonance circuit including an inductor and an input capacitor coupled in a series connection, and arranged to operably receive an input signal and to operably generate a resonance signal at an output node between the inductor and the input capacitor; a rectifying circuit arranged to operably rectify the resonance signal; a current control unit, coupled with an output of the rectifying circuit, and coupled with the inductor or the input capacitor in a parallel connection; a stabilizing capacitor, coupled with the output of the rectifying circuit, arranged to operably provide a DC output signal having a voltage level greater than that of the input signal; and a control circuit arranged to operably adjust a current passing through the current control unit according to a setting signal to thereby manipulate the DC output signal. |
| US09958884B1 |
Universal adaptive voltage scaling system
A method includes, in at least one aspect, determining a relative delay of a signal path with respect to a timing budget; determining that the signal path is active; determining a value of a voltage being supplied to the signal path; and causing an adjustment in the voltage being supplied to the signal path based on the relative delay, the signal path being active, and the value of the voltage being supplied to the signal path. |
| US09958879B2 |
Gas pressure regulator
A gas pressure regulator (10) is disclosed, comprising a body (12) fitted with a gas inlet stem (14), at a first end of the body (10), for receiving gas from a gas source at a first pressure, and a gas outlet stem or adaptor (16) at a second end of the body (10), for supplying gas at a desired pressure at the gas outlet stem (16). A pressure adjusting mechanism (18) is provided to enable a user to adjust and set the desired pressure, the pressure adjusting mechanism (18) comprising a movable piston arrangement (20). The gas pressure regulator (10) further comprises gas regulating means (22), to regulate gas flowing out of the gas outlet stem (16) to achieve the desired pressure set by the user. The gas regulating means (22) is securely fitted within the body (12) so as to be located within a gas flow path between the gas inlet stem (14) and the gas outlet stem (16), the gas regulating means (22) comprising an encapsulated valve (24) with a lever (26) that can be actuated by the movable piston arrangement (20) of the pressure adjusting mechanism (18). |
| US09958875B2 |
Autonomous cargo delivery system
An autonomous aerial system for delivering a payload to a waypoint. The autonomous aerial system may comprise an aerial vehicle to transport the payload to the waypoint and an onboard supervisory control system operatively coupled with the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may be configured to navigate to the waypoint and to land at a designated touchdown zone within a landing zone at the waypoint. The onboard supervisory control system having a processor operatively coupled with a non-volatile memory device and a sensor package. The processor may be configured to generate flight control signal data based at least in part on data received via the sensor package, the sensor package configured to (1) dynamically sense and avoid obstacles along a flight route to the waypoint, and (2) perceive physical characteristics of the landing zone. The processor may be configured to autonomously navigate the aerial vehicle to the waypoint and to determine whether to touchdown at the designated touchdown zone based at least in part on physical characteristics of the designated touchdown zone perceived via said sensor package. |
| US09958874B2 |
Aircraft attitude control methods
Systems and methods are provided for aircraft attitude control. The aircraft attitude control may take physical parameters of the aircraft into account. For example, one or more aircraft configuration parameters, such as moment of inertia, motor lift curve, and/or axial distance may be calculated and/or taken into account based on the aircraft physical parameters. The aircraft configuration parameters may include non-linear parameters. The control systems may include feedback control systems, and may optionally use a feedforward and feedback control for angular acceleration. |
| US09958873B2 |
System for efficient scheduling for multiple automated non-holonomic vehicles using a coordinated path planner
A method for coordinating path planning for one or more automated vehicles is described, including querying an online path planner for possible solutions for at least one executable task for each of the one or more automated vehicles, examining the results of the query, deciding a coordinated path plan for each vehicle, and communicating the coordinated path plan to a traffic manager, wherein the traffic manager ensures that the one or more automated vehicles perform each executable task according to the coordinated path plan. |
| US09958870B1 |
Environmental condition identification assistance for autonomous vehicles
Disclosed are various embodiments for non-mechanical assistance for autonomous vehicles. An unknown environmental condition may be detected that affects a navigation of the autonomous vehicle. A passenger and/or other source may be presented an inquiry requesting identification of the unknown environmental condition. A response to the inquiry may be used as an input by the vehicle control system in determining appropriate navigation of the autonomous vehicle. |
| US09958868B2 |
Moving object controller, moving object control method, and integrated circuit
A moving object controller efficiently generates an environmental map and performs highly accurate state estimation in a short time to appropriately control a moving object. An observation obtaining unit obtains observation data from an observable event. A landmark prediction unit generates a landmark prediction signal including predictive information about a landmark at a current time. A landmark detection unit detects information about the landmark at the current time, and generates a landmark detection signal indicating the detection result. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object to obtain data indicating an estimated internal state of the moving object at the current time, and estimates the environmental map based on the landmark detection signal to obtain data indicating an estimated environmental map at the current time. |
| US09958865B2 |
Systems and methods to enable or disable autonomous driving
An autonomous driving system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a location unit configured to determine a current location of the vehicle; a database storing mapping information; and a control unit coupled to the location unit and the database, the control unit configured to selectively generate autonomous driving commands for the current location in view of the mapping information. |
| US09958864B2 |
Coordination of dispatching and maintaining fleet of autonomous vehicles
Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide an autonomous vehicle fleet as a service. More specifically, systems, devices, and methods are configured to manage a fleet of autonomous vehicles. In particular, a method may include determining destination locations for autonomous vehicles, calculating, at an autonomous vehicle service platform, delivery locations to which the autonomous vehicles are directed, identifying data to implement a delivery location associated with an autonomous vehicle, and transmitting data representing a command to the autonomous vehicle. The command may be configured to cause navigation of the autonomous vehicle to the delivery location. |
| US09958862B2 |
Intuitive motion coordinate system for controlling an industrial robot
A method and apparatus for controlling an industrial robot relative to an intuitive motion coordinate system. The current 3D position of a touch-screen teach pendant relative to the robot is sensed, and an operator-centric frame of reference is developed relative to the robot-centric frame of reference. A simulacra of the robot is generated, oriented so as to correspond with an operator view of the robot from the current position of the controller, and displayed on the pendant. A motion-control construction, generated and displayed on the pendant, is adapted to receive jog commands from the operator indicative of a respective incremental movement of the simulacra in the operator-centric frame of reference. Each jog command is transformed from the operator-centric frame of reference to the robot-centric frame of reference, and the robot moved in accordance with the transformed jog command. Movement of the pendant relative to the robot is sensed and, in response, the displayed simulacra is reoriented to correspond to the new position of the pendant relative to the robot as viewed by the operator. |
| US09958861B2 |
Production control system and integrated production control system
Provided is a production control system of a factory including: a plurality of machines; an air conditioner; a power computation unit for monitoring power consumption of an entire factory; a temperature information generation unit for generating information on temperature inside the factory; wherein running status and processing condition of the machines and running status of the air conditioner are controlled to produce the products dictated by the production plan by a delivery deadline; and a machine learning unit that learns a relationship of operational status including the running status and the processing condition of the machines and the running status of the air conditioner to environmental status including production completion time according to the operational status, the temperature inside the factory, and the power consumption of the factory, and outputs operational status that brings the environmental status to a desired condition in accordance with the production plan. |
| US09958857B2 |
Motor control device, motor control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium recording motor control program
To provide a motor control device, motor control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium recording a motor control program, which add a backlash correction amount to a position command for a motor at the appropriate timing. Included are a first position detection part that detects a first position which is a position of a movable part; a second position detection part that detects a second position which is a position of a driven part; a positional error calculation part that calculates positional error, which is deviation between a converted first position detected value and a second position detected value; and a backlash correction part that adds a backlash correction amount when the absolute value for the variation of the positional error since reversal of a position command was detected exceeds the predetermined reference value. |
| US09958854B2 |
Systems and methods for robotic measurement of parts
Systems and methods for robotic measurement of parts are provided. One system includes one or more omni-directional ground vehicles configured to move within a facility defined work zone to a setup calibration station and an engineering defined work space, wherein the engineering defined work space includes a part to be measured. The system also includes a multi-axis robot removably coupled to each of the omni-direction ground vehicles and configured to move a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner of each of the multi-axis robots is configured to move in at least two linear directions and one rotational direction. The system further includes a processor configured to automatically generate a surface ready output file from measurement data received from the laser scanners, wherein the surface ready output file is configured to command a machine to manufacture a mating component to the part. |
| US09958849B2 |
Cement data telemetry via drill string
A method can include acquiring data via a receiver mounted in a drill string during tripping of the drill string downward into a wellbore (e.g., including a casing and a cement annulus about the casing) where the acquired data can be for evaluation of at least one characteristic of cement; buffering at least a portion of the acquired data to a memory device mounted in the drill string; and while pumping drilling fluid through a passage in the drill string, as disposed in the wellbore, transmitting at least a portion of the buffered data via mud-pulse telemetry. |
| US09958847B2 |
Universal box build
A method and apparatus for generating consumer electronics using a Universal Box Build (UBB) are disclosed herein. The method may include entering specifications of a product comprised of a printed circuit board (PCB), additional components (such as Central Processing Units (CPUs), memory modules, and heatsinks) into a chassis module, inserting a set of required components in the UBB, and generating the PCB assembly based on the entered specifications, wherein a robot is operatively connected to the interface module to automatically generate a product assembly. |
| US09958842B2 |
System and a method for configuring an intelligent electronic device
A system and a method for configuring an intelligent electronic device are described. A baseline configuration of the IED and a delta configuration are processed by a configurator to thereby obtain a target configuration for the IED. The delta configuration is responsive to a target operation of the IED, and the target operation is dependent on the target configuration. The baseline configuration is defined by default parametric values of the IED and the delta configuration is defined by delta parametric values. The delta parametric values are differences between the default parametric values of the IED and respective target parametric values of the target operation. |
| US09958838B2 |
Optimizing power delivered to an electrical actuator
A method for controlling an electrical actuator is disclosed. The method may include driving an electrical actuator at a power level during each of a plurality of actuation attempts and determining whether the electrical actuator actuated during each of the plurality of actuation attempts. The method may also include counting a number of failed actuation attempts, counting a number of successful actuation attempts. In addition, the method may include adjusting the power level based on at least one of the number of failed actuation attempts and the number of successful actuation attempts, and driving the electrical actuator at an adjusted power level. |
| US09958835B2 |
External part based on photostructurable glass
The invention relates to an external part including a first portion based on photostructurable glass, at least one second portion based on at least one second material. According to the invention, one surface of the first portion is made integral with a surface of the second portion so as to form a one-piece external part. |
| US09958834B2 |
Welded bimetal external timepiece component
A method of manufacturing an external timepiece component, including: a metallic base made of a first material including titanium and/or a first titanium alloy; at least one metallic cover plate made of a second material, this second material including a second metal selected from among gold and platinum and palladium, and/or a second alloy including at least gold or platinum or palladium, this at least one cover plate being of a thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 millimeters; the at least one cover plate is welded to the base to form a bimetallic blank; and the bimetallic blank is shaped and/or machined to give the structural component its final form. |
| US09958829B2 |
Sensory holograms
A sensory hologram system includes a holographic system generating a holographic image, a sensory imparting system augmenting the holographic image, a detector configured to detect a location of a target, and a processor synchronizing the holographic system and the sensory imparting system based on the location of the target. |
| US09958827B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling fuser
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fuser configured to fuse a print sheet on which toner is developed and a fuser driver configured to supply a heating element of the fuser with a power source supplied from an external alternating current (AC) so as to enable the fuser to have a preset target temperature. The fuser driver performs a control of the number of waveforms hours of an AC power source supplied to the heating element by varying a control cycle according to a temperature of the fuser. |
| US09958825B2 |
Drum cartridge
A drum cartridge, to which a developer cartridge containing toner therein and including a memory medium with an electric contact is detachably attached, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a drum frame to receive the developer cartridge; a lock lever configured to lock the developer cartridge to the drum frame; a first drum contact configured to be in contact with the electric contact in a state where the developer cartridge is locked to the drum frame; and a spring configured to urge the first drum contact toward the electric contact. In the state where the developer cartridge is locked to the drum frame, the first drum contact is pressed toward the electric contact by an urging force of the spring. |
| US09958824B2 |
Image forming apparatus suited for management of waste toner
Provided is an image forming apparatus that reduces replacement frequency for waste toner container, and efficiently performs waste toner accommodation with a waste toner container. The image forming apparatus includes a toner detection sensor detecting a quantity of a toner in a toner container; a waste toner detection sensor detecting an accommodation quantity of a waste toner removed from a photosensitive medium and accommodated in a waste toner container; a waste toner container full-state forecasting part that, upon toner detection sensor detecting empty state of toner container, forecasts whether waste toner container is filled up with waste toner before toner container newly loaded is emptied, on detection result by waste toner detection sensor; and a system control part that, upon waste toner container full-state forecasting part forecasting waste toner container being filled up, notifies a replacement message urging replacement of waste toner container to a panel part. |
| US09958822B2 |
Electrical connecting member and image forming apparatus
An electrical connecting member electrically connects between two conductive members. The electrical connecting member includes a coil spring part formed by winding a wire around a coil axis. The electrical connecting member comes into contact with one of the conductive members with elastic force in a circumferential direction around the coil axis and comes in contact with the other of the conductive members with elastic force in an axial direction of the coil axis so that the conductive members are electrically connected. |
| US09958818B2 |
Fixing device comprising endless belt and rotary body
A fixing device including an endless belt, a rotary body positioned outside of the endless belt, the rotary body having an axis extending in an axial direction, an elastic member positioned at an inner space of the endless belt and configured to nip the endless belt in cooperation with the rotary body, and an adhering member having rigidity higher than rigidity of the elastic member. The elastic member has a contact surface in contact with the endless belt. The adhering member has an adhered portion adhered to an opposite surface opposite to the contact surface. The adhering portion has a length in the axial direction smaller than the length of the elastic member in the axial direction. |
| US09958814B2 |
Image forming apparatus with function for determining recording material stiffness
An image forming apparatus includes first and second feeding units for feeding a recording material while nipping the recording material; a guiding member for guiding the recording material passed through the first feeding unit toward the second feeding unit; a measuring unit for measuring a time required for the recording material to pass from a first point to a second point provided downstream of the first point with respect to a recording material feeding direction; and a discriminating unit for discriminating stiffness of the recording material on the basis of a measurement result of the measuring unit. The guiding member is flexed and is in a non-overlapping state with a virtual line connecting a first nip where the first feeding unit nips the recording material and a second nip where the second feeding unit nips the recording material. |
| US09958813B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a transferring belt, photosensitive drums, primary transferring parts, a transfer voltage applying part, a resistance value measuring part, a cleaning device, a pre-brush, a pre-brush current detecting part and a transfer voltage correcting part. The pre-brush applies a cleaning charge voltage to the remained toner at an upstream side from the cleaning device in the rotation direction of the transferring belt. The transfer voltage correcting part, by a subject resistance value of the primary transferring part measured by the resistance value measuring part, corrects a transfer voltage of the primary transferring part. As a measurement condition, if a change quantity of the pre-brush current from the last transfer voltage correction is equal to or more than a predetermined change threshold, the resistance value measuring part executes measurement of the subject resistance value and the transfer voltage correcting part executes correction of the transfer voltage. |
| US09958812B2 |
Intermediate transferring belt and image-forming apparatus
The intermediate transferring belt is to be mounted in an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus. The intermediate transferring belt includes the following, in sequence, a substrate; an elastic layer; and a surface layer. The surface layer has an elongation of 5% or more and a stress of 5MPa or more at an elastic limit determined by a stress-strain curve obtained according to JIS K7161. |
| US09958810B2 |
Belt unit, transfer unit and image formation apparatus
A belt unit includes: a belt member; a roller rotatably placed on an inner peripheral surface of the belt member; and a meander restraint member facing an edge portion of the belt member and configured to restrain the belt member from meandering while the belt member is running. The edge portion of the belt member includes a modification layer. |
| US09958807B1 |
Toner cartridge
A toner cartridge comprises a tubular body, a sliding base, a swinging member and a returning member. A first end of the tubular body provides with an arc-shape rail and an imaginary axis. The sliding base is slidable along the rail. The swinging member includes a pivotal portion pivotally connected with the sliding base, an inner end portion, and an outer end portion that is farther from the imaginary axis than the pivotal portion is. The swinging member is swingable between an inward position and an outward position relative to the sliding base. The returning member is connected with the swinging member and applies a force returning the swinging member to the inward position. Accordingly, the toner cartridge can be rotated into positioned actually, so as to engage with an electronic image forming apparatus successfully, and a lock mechanism of the electronic image forming apparatus can be released actually. |
| US09958805B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device including a developer carrying member, a developer supplying member and a regulating member. Also provided are a first power source for the developer carrying member, a second power source for the regulating member, and a controller. In a period from a start of a developing operation to an end of the developing operation for printing an image on a single recording material, the controller effects control of a potential difference between the developer carrying member and the developing blade so that a force for urging the developer from the regulating member toward the developer carrying member acts on the developer at a contact portion between the regulating member and the developer carrying member. The force acting on the developer being is stronger at the end of the developing operation than at the start of the developing operation. |
| US09958804B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image processing apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an identifying unit configured to identify on basis of image data, a pixel to be corrected from a plurality of pixels of an image to be formed from the image data, a holding unit configured to hold a plurality of correction information pieces describing correction amounts for exposure amounts, and a correcting unit configured to select a correction information piece from the plurality of correction information pieces on basis of distances between one of the pixels to be corrected and a plurality of edges of the image formed from the image data and to correct an exposure amount to be applied by an exposing unit to the pixel to be corrected on basis of the selected correction information piece from an exposure amount corresponding to the image data. |
| US09958803B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image processing apparatus
In a case where another first region exists which faces the edge pixel across a second region on a line in a predetermined direction passing through the edge pixel of the first region, the correcting unit selects a correction amount for correcting the exposure amount applied by the exposing unit for the pixel to be corrected from information describing a plurality of correction amounts in accordance with a first number of pixels being a number of pixels on the line within the second region between the first region and the other first region and corrects the exposure amount for the pixel to be corrected in accordance with the selected correction amount. |
| US09958799B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each having: a sea-like domain substantially formed from a plurality of resins including at least a polyester resin containing an alcohol component having a carbon number of 2-6; and a plurality of island-like domains distributed in an island-like pattern in the sea-like domain. The island-like domains are substantially formed from a resin containing a nigrosine pigment. A dispersion diameter of the island-like domains is 0.1-1.0 μm. The polyester resin containing the alcohol component having a carbon number of 2-6 is contained in the sea-like domain in an amount of 5-50% by mass relative to a total amount of constituent resins (the plurality of resins). A ratio of an SP value of the resins forming the sea-like domain to an SP value of the resin forming the island-like domain is no greater than 0.98 or at least 1.20. |
| US09958798B2 |
Toner set
There is provided a toner set including a yellow toner, a cyan toner and a magenta toner, the toners each comprising an external additive and colored resin particles comprising a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent. An absolute value of an average of q/d for any of the yellow, cyan and magenta toners is expressed by charge amount q (fC) and particle diameter d (μm). It is obtained by measurement using an electric field detachment-type charge amount distribution measurement device. It is in a range of 2.0 to 6.5 fC/10 μm, and a standard deviation (SD) of q/d is 13 fC/10 μm or less. A difference between average values of q/d for any two of the yellow, cyan and magenta toners is 2.0 fC/10 μm or less. A difference (ΔSD) between standard deviations of q/d for the two toners is 5.0 fC/10 μm or less. |
| US09958797B1 |
Toner process comprising synthesizing amphiphilic block copolymers via emulsion polymerization
A toner process comprising (a) providing at least one amphiphilic block copolymer prepared by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization comprising: dissolving a hydrophilic monomer in water; adding a hydrophobic monomer; adding a feed initiator to produce a colloidal dispersion of amphiphilic block copolymer; and optionally, discharging the amphiphilic block copolymer; (b) contacting one or more of a latex polymer, a wax; and a colorant with the colloidal dispersion of amphiphilic block copolymer to form a blend; or contacting the discharged amphiphilic block copolymer with one or more of a latex polymer, a wax dispersion, and a colorant dispersion, and forming a further dispersion; (c) heating the blend or further dispersion at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the latex polymer to form aggregated toner particles; (d) adding a coalescing agent to the toner particles thereby coalescing the toner particles; and (e) recovering the toner particles. |
| US09958794B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus of semiconductor device and management method of manufacturing apparatus of semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a management method of a manufacturing apparatus of a semiconductor device, the method includes measuring a weight of a pre-exposure substrate including a semiconductor substrate and a resist film provided on the semiconductor substrate, performing an exposure process for the resist film, measuring a weight of a post-exposure substrate including the semiconductor substrate and the resist film after the exposure process is performed, and acquiring a weight difference between the weight of the pre-exposure substrate and the weight of the post-exposure substrate. |
| US09958781B2 |
Method for film formation, and pattern-forming method
A method comprises applying a composition on a substrate to form a coating film on the substrate. The coating film is heated in an atmosphere in which an oxygen concentration is less than 1% by volume and a temperature is higher than 450° C. and 800° C. or lower, to form a film on the substrate. The composition comprises a compound comprising an aromatic ring. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere during the heating of the coating film is preferably no greater than 0.1% by volume. The temperature in the atmosphere during the heating of the coating film is preferably 500° C. or higher and 600° C. or lower. |
| US09958767B1 |
Projection mapped augmentation of mechanically animated objects
A display system configured to provide projection mapped augmentation of mechanically animated objects. These mechanically animated objects may take the form of a screen assembly with a projection surface, and a screen actuator may be included in the display system that is operated by a controller to move, to expand, or other otherwise operate the screen assembly so as to modify or morph the projection surface to move and/or change its shape and/or size. Hence, the screen assembly is animated. The display system further includes a projector operated by the controller, in a synchronized manner with the screen actuator, to project content onto the projection surface as it is moved and/or has its shape and/or size changed over time. The projected content is mapped to the various states and movement of the projection surface to avoid blow-by and to suit the changes of the projection surface. |
| US09958763B2 |
Projection device, projection control method, and storage medium, suitable for projector or the like using semiconductor light-emitting element as light source
A projection device includes a semiconductor light-emitting element, a rotary wheel configured to emit lights of a plurality of colors in a time-division manner by using light which the semiconductor light-emitting element emits, and a controller configured to start, at a time of activating the device, rotation of the rotary wheel and output of a signal, which instructs a turn-on timing, to the semiconductor light-emitting element, in a state in which supply of power to the semiconductor light-emitting element is stopped, and to start, thereafter, the supply of the power to the semiconductor light-emitting element, based on a predetermined condition relating to an activation state. |
| US09958762B2 |
Single and multi-modulator projector systems with global dimming
Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulator are disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris, adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of lowering the luminance of the light source illuminating the first modulator. A second modulator may be provided. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. The display system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering a projected image by a combination of such control signals. |
| US09958761B2 |
Laser speckle-removing optical component, laser source and laser projection equipment
This disclosure provides a laser speckle-removing optical component, including a beam-shrinking lens group and a diffusion sheet arranged on a laser emergent optical path, where the beam-shrinking lens group includes a first beam-shrinking lens and a second beam-shrinking lens, and the diffusion sheet is located between the first beam-shrinking lens and the second beam-shrinking lens. The arrangement of the diffusion sheet between the first beam-shrinking lens and the second beam-shrinking lens, increases the area of speckles received by the diffusion sheet component, reduces energy density of the light received, and is able to alleviate the accumulation phenomenon of dust particles on the diffusion sheet, therefore, alleviating light attenuation phenomenon, and prolonging the service life of the laser source. This disclosure also provides a double-color laser source, a three-color laser source and a laser projection equipment applying the above laser speckle-removing optical component. |
| US09958760B2 |
Projection apparatus with heat dissipating module
A projection apparatus includes a housing, a projection module, an electronic assembly and a heat dissipating module. The housing has first to fourth sides. The first and second sides are provided with air outlet and first air inlet respectively. A containing space is defined in the housing and has first and second areas. The heat dissipating module includes first to third heat dissipating members and first to second fans. The first, second, third heat dissipating members are connected to a light source module of the projection module. The first heat dissipating member is close to the air outlet. The second heat dissipating member is in the first area. The third heat dissipating member is in the first area and close to the second air inlet. |
| US09958757B2 |
Ring light
This invention relates to a collapsible ring light assembly comprising: a first arcuate tubular member and a second arcuate tubular member. The arcuate tubular members can be attached to and detached from each other. Each arcuate tubular member includes a plurality of standard light sockets adapted for use with a wide variety of bulbs. The ring light assembly has a diameter of at least about 24 inches. |
| US09958752B2 |
Electrophoresis display device and electronic apparatus
An electrophoresis display device includes an element substrate (first substrate); a counter substrate (second substrate) arranged facing the element substrate; an electrophoresis layer arranged between the element substrate and the counter substrate and which includes a dispersion liquid which contains electrophoretic particles and a dispersion medium in which the electrophoretic particles are dispersed; a dividing wall arranged to partition the electrophoresis layer into a plurality of cells; and a sealing layer arranged between the counter substrate and the dividing wall. The sealing layer has a modulus of elasticity at 25° C. of 1 MPa or more to 100 MPa or less. |
| US09958746B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display in which a hole is shared by thin-film transistors to thereby improve the aperture ratio. The liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a first thin-film transistor and a second thin-film transistor on the substrate. In the planarization film, a single hole is disposed to expose a portion of the source electrode or the drain electrode from each of the first thin-film transistor and the second thin-film transistor. Each of the first and second pixel electrodes is connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode of the first and second thin-film transistors via the single hole in the planarization film. Accordingly, the area of a black matrix is reduced and thus the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display 100 can be improved. |
| US09958742B2 |
Optical element with conductive composite layer
The present application relates to an optical element. The exemplary optical element may have a variable transmittance by whether an external signal is applied or not. Also, since the optical element may apply the external signal by using a composite layer having a low transmittance to light in an infrared region, the optical element may block heat, and save energy. Such an optical element may be usefully employed in various optical devices, for example, a sunroof. |
| US09958739B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes an insulation substrate, a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulation substrate, where each pixel has a shape elongated in a horizontal direction, and includes a thin film transistor formation region and a display area; and a reference voltage line extending in a vertical direction along a center of the display area, where the display area includes a single high-gray subpixel area and two low-gray subpixel areas, and the single high-gray subpixel area is positioned between the two low-gray subpixel areas. |
| US09958734B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and mother substrate
In a liquid crystal display device including a TFT substrate and a counter substrate, when an organic passivation film is not formed in the TFT substrate, the distance between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in the display area of a liquid crystal display panel is provided by a cylindrical spacer. Also, the distance in the area where pixels, scan lines, and image signal lines are not formed within the liquid crystal display panel is provided by the cylindrical spacer. In this case, it is necessary to form a mount. The layer structure of the mount is the same as that of the TFT substrate with which the cylindrical spacer in the display area comes into contact. This makes it possible to equalize the distance of the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display panel without an increase in production cost, and to prevent uneven brightness or color. |
| US09958733B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus is provided. The LCD apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate, each including a display area and a non-display area, a sealant disposed between the non-display area of the first substrate and the non-display area of the second substrate, and a first contact area and a light shielding pattern that are disposed in the non-display area of the first substrate. The light shielding pattern is disposed on one outermost side of the first substrate, the first contact area is disposed between the light shielding pattern and the display area, and the sealant contacts the first substrate in the first contact area. |
| US09958732B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display device
The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal display panel and a display device. A spacer of the liquid crystal display panel includes a connection part and a support part which are formed integrally, and the connection part has a cross section larger than that of the support part in a direction parallel to a first substrate and a second substrate. The connection part is connected to the first substrate and the support part supports the second substrate. |
| US09958729B2 |
Display panel and display apparatus
The display panel includes multiple sub-pixel areas, a first substrate and a second substrate oppositely arranged to form a cell; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second substrate includes a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode disposed in each of multiple areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixel areas, a protruded object is disposed in a gap between the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, which are adjacent to each other and are respectively included in different sub-pixel areas, and a projection of the protruded object at least partially overlaps an area of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the gap. |
| US09958708B1 |
Method of short optical pulse generation
The present application is directed to a method of short pulse generation. The method includes the step of creating, via electrical circuitry in a master oscillator, a square wave pulse with a predetermined pulse repetition rate. The method includes the step of retiming the square pulse with a clock. The method includes the step of recovering an electrical signal from the retimed square pulse. Further, the method includes the step of sending the recovered electrical signal to a modulator for modulating an optical signal. |
| US09958705B2 |
Electro-active opthalmic lens having an optical power blending region
A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame. |
| US09958702B1 |
Eyeglasses assembly structure having nose support
An eyeglasses assembly structure having a nose support is disclosed herein. It comprises a frame having an assembly holder disposed in a middle bottom portion thereof, wherein the assembly holder is provided with a receiving slot, and the receiving slot is provided with a first inner surface having a protrusion thereof and a second inner surface having a recess thereon; and a nose support having an inserting part for inserting into the receiving slot of the assembly holder of the frame, wherein the inserting part is provided with a first outer surface having an engaging slot for correspondingly engaging with the protrusion and a second outer surface having an engaging block for correspondingly engaging with the recess. |
| US09958699B2 |
Hybrid polarizing beam splitter
Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described. |
| US09958695B2 |
System and methods for using modified driving waveforms to inhibit acoustic noise during driving of a liquid crystal polarization rotator
In some embodiments, a system and/or method may operate a liquid crystal device. The method may include increasing a voltage provided to a driven level to a liquid crystal addressable element of the liquid crystal device. Said increasing may be performed over a time period greater than 1 ms. The liquid crystal addressable element may be in a driven state at the driven level. The method may include reducing the provided voltage to a relaxed level. The liquid crystal addressable element may be in a relaxed state at the relaxed level. Said increasing the voltage over the time period to the driven level may result in a reduced acoustical noise associated with the provided voltage. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal device may include a three-dimensional (3D) display. |
| US09958694B2 |
Minimized-thickness angular scanner of electromagnetic radiation
A minimized-thickness angular scanner of electromagnetic radiation includes an optical sandwich having a two-dimensional (2D) image source, and a scanning assembly that includes a first optic and a second optic, wherein at least one of the first optic and the second optic are oscillatorily translating. Translation of the optics provides for generation of a three-dimensional (3D) image, while the optical sandwich design provides for compact implementation of 3D displays. |
| US09958693B2 |
System for 3D image projections and viewing
Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses with spectrally complementary filters disposed thereon. The filters curved surface lenses are configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. Complementary images are projected for viewing through projection filters having passbands that pre-shift to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts. At least one filter may have more than 3 primary passbands. For example, two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional passbands may be utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used. The shaped glasses and projection filters together may be utilized as a system for projecting and viewing 3D images. |
| US09958692B2 |
Multiview display device
The invention provides an autostereoscopic display device having an adjuster for adjusting the direction of a light beam (5). The adjuster (1) has an off-state and on-state and comprises a stack (10) of layers. The stack (10) comprises a first solid material layer (100) having a first optic axis (111), a second solid material layer (200) having a second optic axis (211), and switchable birefringent twisted nematic liquid crystal material (30) or chiral nematic liquid crystal material. Further, the stack includes a first interface (130) between the first solid material layer (100) and birefringent material (30) and a second interface (230) between the second solid material layer (200) and birefringent material (30). In the off-state, the birefringent material (30) at the first interface (130) is configured to have an optic axis parallel to the first optic axis (111) and the birefringent material (30) at the second interface (230) is configured to have an optic axis parallel to the second optic axis (211). In the on-state, the birefringent material (30) at the first interface (130) is configured to have an optic axis perpendicular to the first optic axis (111) and the birefringent material (30) at the second interface (230) is configured to have an optic axis perpendicular to the second optic axis (211). |
| US09958685B2 |
Dual-axis tilt platform for head mounted display
A tilt platform for use in an HMD comprises a monolithic spring structure including a first outer planar structure, a second outer planar structure, a middle planar structure disposed between the first and second outer planar structures, a first hinge structure coupling the first outer planar structure and the middle planar structure to each other, and a second hinge structure coupling the second outer planar structure and the middle planar structure to each other. The first and second hinge structures have respective first and second hinge axes that are orthogonal to each other. The tilt platform further comprises a first adjustment mechanism configured for tilting the first outer planar structure and the middle planar structure relative to each other about the first hinge axis, and a second adjustment mechanism configured for tilting the second outer planar structure and the middle planar structure relative to each other about the second hinge axis. |
| US09958676B2 |
Projector device
A projector device is provided. The projector device includes a projector unit, an optical beam splitting module and a first image forming element. The projector unit forms a beam projecting image. The horizontal projection width of the beam projecting image is smaller than the vertical projection width of the beam projecting image. The optical beam splitting module projects one or multiple projection sub-images according to the beam projecting image. The projection sub-images are projected to the first image forming element to form one or multiple projection images. Thus, the projector device obtains multiple projection images from a single image source, and the placement of the image forming elements in the projector unit may be adjusted to obtain the projection images with the best image ratios and the best resolutions. The projector device may be suitable for a head up display. |
| US09958671B2 |
Optical scanner, manufacturing method of optical scanner, image display device, and head mounted display
An optical scanner includes a first Si layer, a second Si layer, and an SiO2 layer present between the Si layers. The optical scanner includes a movable section and shaft sections formed from the first Si layer, a holding section formed from the second Si layer and disposed to be separated from the movable section, a coupling section formed from the SiO2 layer and configured to couple the movable section and the holding section, and a light reflecting section provided on the upper surface of the holding section and configured to reflect light. The movable section and the coupling section are joined by direct joining. |
| US09958670B2 |
Scanning system and method for scanning an object
A scanning system that includes an illumination module that is configured to scan, at a first direction, an elongated radiation spot over an object; and a collection module that is configured to (a) collect a collected radiation beam from the object, and (b) optically manipulate the collected radiation beam to provide a counter-scan beam is directed towards a set of detection units and has a focal point that is positioned at a same location regardless of the propagation of the elongated radiation spot along the first direction. |
| US09958669B2 |
Method for operating an illuminating device
Various embodiments may relate to a method for operating an illuminating device with a pump radiation source for emitting pump radiation, and a phosphor wheel, on which a first phosphor for emitting first conversion light and a second phosphor for emitting second conversion light are provided, in which method the phosphor wheel rotates about a rotation axis and in the process is irradiated with the pump radiation in an irradiation region eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis in such a way that a circular track is irradiated owing to the rotation of the phosphor wheel, wherein during a 360° revolution of the phosphor wheel the first phosphor is irradiated with a first pump radiation power and the second phosphor is irradiated with a second pump radiation power, which is different than the first pump radiation power. |
| US09958668B2 |
Image pickup unit
There is provided an image pickup unit which is capable of achieving a focused image of a favorable depth of field while changing a visual field direction of observation.An image pickup unit, comprises a front group which includes a prism that can be rotated for changing a visual field direction, and a rear group which includes a lens group and an image pickup element, wherein the image pickup unit includes a prism rotating section which rotates the prism for changing the visual field direction, and a focusing section which does not change a focused range, as an angle of visual field direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the image pickup unit becomes smaller than a specific angle, and which moves the focused range toward a near-point side, as an angle of visual field direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the image pickup unit becomes larger than the specific angle, in accordance with a rotation of the prism, and the focusing section, in a case in which the specific angle is not smaller than 30°, moves the focused range toward the near-point side. |
| US09958664B2 |
Device for forming an immersion film
A device for forming an immersion film between a front lens of a microscope objective and a preparation on an inverted microscope. The device includes a protection device for preventing fluid leakage from the immersion film region, and an apparatus for supplying the immersion fluid (auto-immersion) to the immersion film region. The protection device is arranged statically in the main part of the microscope stand and the means for supplying immersion fluid to the immersion film region is connected to the protection device by means of an Aquastop system. |
| US09958662B2 |
Microscope system and illumination operation device
A microscope system includes: a stage on which a specimen is configured to be placed; an objective lens disposed so as to face the stage; an oblique illumination unit having a plurality of light emitting units arranged annularly around or outside the objective lens, the oblique illumination unit being configured to emit oblique illumination light for irradiating the specimen; an input unit configured to receive an instruction signal that instructs a rotation mode for changing, at regular intervals, a light emitting area where one or more light emitting units of the plurality of light emitting units are caused to emit the oblique illumination light; and an illumination controller configured to change the light emitting area at the regular intervals by controlling light emitting timing of each of the plurality of light emitting units when the input unit receives the instruction signal. |
| US09958657B2 |
Optical element for focusing approximately collimated rays
A one-piece optical element for focusing an input bundle of collimated rays around an optical axis in a focal region around a focal point. The optical element is bounded on the entry side by a truncated cone centered relative to the optical axis with a top surface pointing toward the light entry and bounded on the exit side by a cone with a cone tip pointing toward the light exit on the optical axis and a rotationally symmetric aspheric boundary surface arranged around the cone. The cone is formed as a complementary cone to the truncated cone. The aspheric boundary surface is formed as a partial surface of the convex surface of a plano-convex aspheric converging lens with a focal point located behind the light exit of the optical element on the optical axis. The lateral surfaces of the truncated cone and of the cone are formed reflecting inwardly and spaced apart along the optical axis so that the approximately collimated input bundle is directed from the inner side of the lateral surface of the cone to the inner side of the lateral surface of the truncated cone. |
| US09958655B2 |
Projection lens system with magnification-varying capability and projector
A projection lens system includes a first lens group including a 1a-th lens group having a negative refractive power, a 1b-th lens group having a positive or negative refractive power, and a 1c-th lens group having a positive or negative refractive power. During a zoom, the first lens group remains stationary on an optical axis. During a focus from a remote distance side to a close distance side, the 1a-th lens group remains stationary on the optical axis while the 1b-th and 1c-th lens groups move toward the enlargement conjugate side along different loci respectively. Conditional formula −4.7 |
| US09958654B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens including, in order from an object side to an image side, first to fourth lens units having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers, respectively. In the zoom lens, during zooming, the first lens unit and the third lens unit do not move, and the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit move with loci different from each other, the first lens unit consists of, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens G11, a positive lens G12, and a positive lens G13, and an Abbe number ν1n of a material of the negative lens G11, an average value N1ave of refractive indices of materials of three lenses included in the first lens unit, a focal length f1 of the first lens unit, and a focal length f2 of the second lens unit are appropriately set. |
| US09958653B2 |
Imaging optical system and optical apparatus including the same
An imaging optical system includes, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, the first lens unit includes a first negative lens and a first cemented lens, the second lens unit G2 includes a second cemented lens, one or more positive lens components, and a third cemented lens, and the first cemented lens includes a negative lens and has a surface having a concave surface facing toward the reduction side, the second cemented lens has a positive refractive power and has a surface having a concave surface facing toward the enlargement side, and the third cemented lens has a positive refractive power and includes a negative lens on the reduction side. |
| US09958652B2 |
Imaging optical system, image projection optical system and image projection apparatus
The imaging optical system makes magnification conjugate side and reduction conjugate side predetermined positions conjugate to each other and forms an intermediate image conjugate to both the predetermined positions. The optical system includes a magnification side positive lens as a first lens disposed on the magnification conjugate side further than an intermediate imaging position, a reduction side positive lens as a third lens disposed on the reduction conjugate side further than the intermediate imaging position, and a negative lens as a second lens disposed between these positive lenses. Conditions of 5<ν2−ν1<80, 5<ν2−ν3<80, 0.03 |
| US09958650B1 |
Optical lens set
An optical-lens-set includes a first lens element of positive refractive power, a second lens element of an image surface with a concave portion near the optical-axis, no air gap between a third lens element and a fourth lens element, at least one of an object surface and an image surface of a fifth lens element being aspherical, both an object surface and an image surface of a sixth lens element being aspherical so that the total thickness ALT of all six lens element, the distance TL from an object surface of the first lens element to the image surface of the sixth lens element and total five air gaps AAG satisfy ALT/AAG≤4.5 or TL/AAG≤5.5. |
| US09958647B2 |
Six-piece wide-angle lens module
A six-piece wide-angle lens module includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens group, an aperture and a second lens group. The first lens group consists of a negative first lens, a negative second lens and a positive third lens, each lens having an object side surface facing the object side and an image side surface facing the image side, the first lens is a meniscus lens having a convex object side surface, the second lens has a concave image side surface, the third lens has a convex object side surface. The second lens group consists of a positive fourth lens, a negative fifth lens and a positive sixth lens, the fourth lens is a biconvex lens, the fifth lens has a concave image side surface, the sixth lens has a convex object side surface, the second lens group has a positive focal length. |
| US09958643B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A four-piece optical lens for capturing image and a five-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In the order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens with positive refractive power; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; and a fourth lens with refractive power; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the four lens elements are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09958640B2 |
Optical imaging lens
Present embodiments provide for an optical imaging lens. The optical imaging lens may comprise four lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened. |
| US09958638B2 |
Optimal kinematic mount for large mirrors
A high performance kinematic mirror mount facilitating the reduction of thermally and mechanically induced optical distortion of a precision mirror is disclosed. The mirror mount assembly includes a mirror with a front reflective surface and a rear support surface. A set of sub-tier mounting assemblies are provided being affixed to the rear support surface of the mirror utilizing a number of strut pairs and a number of bonded mount pads arranged so as to connect the sub-tier mounting assemblies to the mirror with numerous strut pairs arranged as bipods. |
| US09958632B2 |
Optical lens assembly
An optical lens assembly includes a first lens element and a second lens element. The first lens element has at least one contacting surface. The second lens element has at least one contacting surface. The contacting surface of the first lens element comes in contact with the contacting surface of the second lens element, and at least one air duct is disposed on at least one of the contacting surface of the first lens element and the contacting surface of the second lens element. |
| US09958629B2 |
Slidable fiber optic connection module with cable slack management
A telecommunications device includes a rack defining right, left, front, rear, top, and bottom sides, the rack defining mounting locations in a stacked arrangement from the bottom to the top, the mounting locations for receiving modules defining connection locations. A cable storage bay is located at one of the right and left sides of the rack and defines front and rear cable storage areas. Both the front and rear cable storage areas include cable management structures for managing and guiding cables toward and away from the connection locations. A trough is defined at the top of the rack, the trough configured for extending cables to other racks in a front to rear direction, the trough also defining a cable drop-off communicating with the cable storage bay for extending cables to either of the front or rear cable storage areas for further connection to the connection locations. |
| US09958628B2 |
Fiber optic enclosure for retrofitting pedestals in the field
A telecommunications device includes a module that mounts within an interior of a housing. The housing has a door that latches closed. The module includes a module frame having a bulkhead that divides the interior of the housing into first and second regions. Fiber optic adapters are mounted to the bulkhead. First ports of the adapters are accessible at the first region of the housing interior and second ports are accessible at the second region of the housing interior. The module includes a removable cover for restricting access to the first region. The removable cover including a latch catch that interlocks with the door latch to secure the door in the closed position. The module includes a tray mounted to the module frame within the first region of the housing. |
| US09958621B2 |
Latching connector with remote release
Switchable housings and connector assemblies for connections to high density panels are disclosed, as well as components thereof. A connector assembly may include cable assembly connectors configured to engage with a mating connector in a first direction. A latching portion may be configured to engage and selectively disengage the cable assembly connector with the mating connector. A switchable housing may contain release members configured to contact the latching portion and provide a compressing force sufficient to selectively disengage the cable assembly connector from the mating connector and a pull tab assembly in contact with the release members. Movement of the pull tab assembly in a second direction may cause the pull tab assembly to compress the one or more release members, thereby causing the one or more release members to provide the compressing force to disengage the cable assembly connector from the mating connector. |
| US09958618B2 |
Method for assembling optical fiber connector
A method for assembling an optical fiber connector is disclosed. According to the method, an optical fiber including strips is provided. The optical fiber connector including a fiber fastening device and a housing is provided. The optical fiber is put in the fiber fastening device and the strips are fixed on the fiber fastening device. Finally, the fiber fastening device is inserted into the housing. |
| US09958614B2 |
Fiber coupler for silicon photonics
An apparatus for converting fiber mode to waveguide mode. The apparatus includes a silicon substrate member and a dielectric member having an elongated body. Part of the elongated body from a back end overlies the silicon substrate member and remaining part of the elongated body up to a front end is separated from the silicon substrate member by a second dielectric material at an under region. The apparatus also includes a waveguide including a segment from the back end to a tail end formed on the dielectric member at least partially overlying the remaining part of the elongated body. The segment is buried in a cladding overlying entirely the dielectric member. The cladding has a refractive index that is less than the waveguide but includes an index-graded section with decreasing index that is formed at least over the segment from the tail end toward the back end. |
| US09958613B2 |
Light divider
A light divider includes a light guide having first and second surfaces that reflect light incident on the guide and cause the light to propagate through a portion between the first and second surfaces. A first light dividing layer on the second surface reflects part of the light having propagated through the guide and transmits part thereof so that the light is divided into light fluxes. A first transparent piece on the second surface in a position where the light that the first light dividing layer has transmitted is incident, the first transparent piece having a first reflection surface that reflects the incident light, a second transparent piece that is provided on the second surface in a position where the light reflected off the first light dividing layer and reflected off the first surface is incident, the second transparent piece has a second reflection surface that reflects the incident light. |
| US09958612B2 |
Node device and method for controlling node device
In order to prevent a signal which a terminal station does not require from being intercepted by the terminal station without greatly changing the power of optical signals to be transmitted from a node to the terminal station, a node device is provided with: a first optical unit which outputs a first optical signal received from a first terminal station and addressed to a second terminal station, and a second optical signal received from the first terminal station, addressed to a third terminal station, and having a different wavelength band from the first optical signal; and a second optical unit to which the first and second optical signals outputted from the first optical unit are inputted, and which shifts the frequency of the first optical signal by a predetermined amount to create a fourth optical signal, passes the second optical signal without any change, couples the second and fourth optical signals, and transmits a resultant signal to the third terminal station. |
| US09958610B2 |
Optical fiber stripper
An optical fiber stripper includes handles, two stripping blades and an optical fiber positioning reference block, on which optical fiber jacket stripping sub-channel, covered wire/cable jacket stripping sub-channel, and bare fiber coating stripping sub-channel are disposed in parallel, and the stripping blade, respectively, contains optical fiber jacket stripping port, first port, and sharp-angle port. The present invention can be used to strip various layers through the ports on the stripping blades, to ensure that the optical fiber is not broken when stripping optical fiber, and to prevent optical fiber surface from attaching to debris, so that the optical fiber jointing efficiency is improved greatly. |
| US09958599B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit, a bottom cover and a reflective member. The bottom cover defines a bottom portion thereof on which the backlight unit is supported. The bottom portion defines a plurality of edges thereof. The bottom portion is bent at a first edge thereof to define a first sidewall of the bottom cover, the first sidewall facing a light incident surface of a light guide plate. The first sidewall is bent to define a support portion of the bottom cover at the light incident surface of the light guide plate, the support portion extended to face the bottom portion and support the display panel thereon. The reflective member is coupled to the support portion, partially overlaps an emission surface of the light guide plate and has a same thickness as the support portion. |
| US09958598B2 |
Light source module
A light source module includes a light guide plate (LGP), at least one light emitting element, a reflector, and a plurality of spacer units. The LGP has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a light incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a plurality of optical microstructures. The light emitting element is located adjacent to the light incident surface. The reflector is adhered to the second surface through an adhesive gel. The spacer units are located between the LGP and the reflector, and sizes of the spacer units are larger than or equal to 1 micrometer. The adhesive gel includes a first adhesive gel and a second adhesive gel. The first adhesive gel is located between the spacer units and the LGP, and the second adhesive gel is located between the spacer units and the reflector. |
| US09958594B2 |
Backlight module and display device
The present invention provides a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module comprises a glue frame, a light source, a circuit board, a light guide plate and a quantum dot film, and the light source comprises a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface and a first illuminating surface, and the first illuminating surface intersects with the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, and the light guide plate comprises an incident surface, a bottom surface and a second illuminating surface, and the incident surface intersects with the bottom surface and the second illuminating surface, respectively, and the bottom surface and the second illuminating surface are oppositely located, and the incident surface of the light guide plate is located adjacent to the first illuminating surface, and the quantum dot film is located corresponding to the second lateral surface and the second illuminating surface. |
| US09958585B2 |
Computer vision depth sensing at video rate using depth from defocus
Example embodiments simultaneously acquire multiple different focus state images for a scene at a video rate. The focus state images are acquired from a static arrangement of static optical elements. The focus state images are suitable for and sufficient for determining the depth of an object in the scene using depth from defocus (DFD) processing. The depth of the object in the scene is determined from the focus state images using DFD processing. The static optical elements may be off-the-shelf components that are used without modification. The static elements may include image sensors aligned to a common optical path, a beam splitter in the common optical path, and telecentric lenses that correct light in multiple optical paths produced by the beam splitter. The multiple optical paths may differ by a defocus delta. Simultaneous acquisition of the multiple focus state images facilitates mitigating motion blur associated with conventional DFD processing. |
| US09958579B2 |
UV protective coating for lens assemblies having protective layer between light absorber and adhesive
A lens assembly including a lens; a light absorber that does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 250 nm to less than or equal to about 400 nm; a lens holder; and an adhesive configure to adhere the lens to the lens holder. The light absorber is positioned such that light having a wavelength from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm is not incident to the adhesive. A method including applying a light absorber, which does not transmit light with wavelengths from greater than or equal to about 190 nm to less than or equal to about 500 nm, to a lens; and configuring the light absorber and the adhesive so that the absorbed light is not incident to the adhesive. |
| US09958574B2 |
Hail sensor
The invention relates to a hail sensor having an impact surface, on which precipitation can impinge, and at least one converter, which is arranged and formed in such a way that, in the event of a deflection of the impact surface as a result of precipitation striking the impact surface, the converter outputs a corresponding converter output signal. The impact surface is formed from wires or wire sections, cords or cord sections, or the like which are guided at at least approximately equal distances from one another and do not cross, which are each assigned a converter and which are arranged in such a way that, between the wires, cords, or the like, there is a distance through which liquid precipitation can easily pass after striking the impact surface. |
| US09958571B2 |
Machines for reservoir simulation with automated well completions and reservoir grid data quality assurance
Machine, computer readable medium, program code, and computer-implemented methods for performing a reservoir simulation with well completion and reservoir grid data quality assurance, are provided. An exemplary embodiment can include a data quality analyzing machine having memory containing data quality analyzing instructions configured to simulate a reservoir model with automated well completion and reservoir grid data quality assurance. |
| US09958570B2 |
Analysis of a reservoir fluid using a molecular factor computational system
A method of analyzing a reservoir fluid comprising: providing an analyzer, wherein the analyzer is a molecular factor computational system; and determining at least one property of the reservoir fluid using the analyzer, wherein the step of determining comprises: causing or allowing energy to interact with the reservoir fluid; and detecting the interaction between the energy and the reservoir fluid. |
| US09958569B2 |
Mobile imaging system and method for detection of contraband
The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required. |
| US09958564B2 |
Multi-vessel seismic acquisition system and method
Method and system for acquiring seismic data. The system includes a first streamer vessel configured to tow a first source array and a first streamer spread; a first source vessel configured to tow a second source array; and a second source vessel configured to tow a third source array. The first to third source arrays are distributed along a non-linear profile while the first streamer vessel and the first to second source vessels move along an inline direction (X). |
| US09958560B1 |
Neutron imager with spaced diamond detector arrays
A neutron detector system, with a detector having a pair of spaced diamond detector layers, sandwiched between outer silicon layers. In response to incident neutrons, the detector system measures pulse heights and response times, and from those measurements, calculates the carbon recoil energy and time of flight of scattered neutrons. This data is further used to calculate a “direction cone”, which represents the approximate angle of arrival of the incident neutron. These direction cones can be used to image neutron events. |
| US09958556B1 |
Direct conversion radiation detector
The present invention relates to a direct conversion radiation detector for wherein the direct conversion material comprises a garnet with a composition of Z3(AlxGay)O12:Ce, wherein Z is Lu, Gd, Y, Tb or combinations thereof and wherein y is equal to or greater than x; and preferably Z comprises Gd. Suitable garnets directly convert radiation, such as x-rays or gamma-rays, into electronic signals. Preferably photoluminescence of the garnet is low or absent. The detector is particularly suitable for use in x-ray imaging devices, such as computed tomography. In some embodiments photoluminescence of garnets might be used to construct a hybrid direct-indirect conversion detector, which may be particularly suitable for use with Time-of-Flight PET. |
| US09958546B2 |
Laser rangefinder and method of measuring distance and direction
A laser rangefinder includes: a MEMS mirror that changes a traveling direction of laser light; a first photodetector that reflects a portion of the laser light directed in a predetermined direction by the MEMS mirror and receives another portion of the laser light; a second photodetector that receives first reflected light that is reflection of the laser light from a target object outside an enclosure and second reflected light that is reflection of the portion of the laser light from the first photodetector; and a signal processor that calculates a distance from the laser rangefinder to the target object by subtracting, from a first distance from the laser diode to the target object calculated using the first reflected light, a second distance from the laser diode to the first photodetector calculated using the second reflected light, and calculates a direction of the target object with respect to the laser rangefinder. |
| US09958541B2 |
Radar device, vehicle, and moving object speed detection method
A radar device mounted in a moving object includes a radar transmitter and a radar receiver. The radar receiver includes a plurality of antenna brunch processors that perform correlation processing of the received returning signals and the radar transmission signal, and generate respective correlation signals each including arrival delay information of each of the received returning signals, an electric power profile generator that generates an electric power profiles for each arrival direction of the received returning signals and Doppler frequency component, using the generated correlation signals, and a stationary object group distribution generator that, based on the generated electric power profiles, obtains a first distribution of a Doppler frequency components of a stationary object group including a plurality of stationary objects as the plurality of targets in the perimeter of the moving object, for each azimuth angle. |
| US09958533B2 |
Method and system for locating wireless devices within a local region
A method for locating wireless devices within a local region, comprising: determining respective global locations of two or more of the wireless devices; determining whether the wireless devices are within the local region by calculating respective distances between the global locations; determining respective ranges between the wireless devices within the local region; and, determining respective relative locations of the wireless devices within the local region by triangulation using the ranges. |
| US09958532B2 |
Electrode configuration for position detection and method for position detection
Provided is a method for detecting a position of an object relative to an electrode configuration with at least three electrodes, wherein a first electrode substantially is arranged parallel or concentrically to a second electrode, a third electrode is arranged in an acute angle or excentric relative to the first electrode, the first electrode is loaded with a first generator signal, and wherein the second electrode may be loaded with a second generator signal. The second generator signal preferably is inverse with respect to the first generator signal. In addition, provided for the method is a suitable electrode configuration with at least three electrodes. |
| US09958530B2 |
Distress beacon integrated in the vertical tailplane of an aircraft
The vertical tailplane of the aircraft is equipped with a distress beacon. The floatability of the vertical tailplane is taken advantage of in order to keep the distress beacon on the surface of the water in the case of an accident caused by a forced landing on the sea. |
| US09958529B2 |
Radio frequency localization
A system for localization of a radio frequency source in a region includes a first plurality of antennas disposed about the region, a second plurality of antennas disposed about the region, a first radio frequency positioning module in communication with the first plurality of antennas and configured to determine a plurality of spatially separated candidate locations in the region for the radio frequency source, a second radio frequency positioning module in communication with the second plurality of antennas and configured to determine a sub-region of the region, the sub-region including the radio frequency source, and a resolution module for identifying a subset of the candidate locations in the sub-region of the region. |
| US09958528B2 |
Determining a yaw direction of a wind turbine
A method for determining a yaw direction of a wind turbine includes the following steps, receiving at a component of the wind turbine a signal broadcasted from a source, determining a direction from the component towards the source based on the received signal, determining the yaw direction of the wind turbine in relation to the determined direction towards the source is provided. Further, a wind turbine and a device as well as a computer program product and a computer readable medium are disclosed for performing the method. |
| US09958527B2 |
Method and a sensor for determining a direction-of-arrival of impingent radiation
A sensor for determining a direction-of-arrival of radiation impingent on the sensor which has antennas positioned in a particular set-up different from a rectangle, so that information may be derived between two pairs of the antennas, positioned in corners of a rectangular grid and additional information may be derived from an additional antenna, combined with one of the “grid” antennas forming a third pair of antennas. The additional antenna is positioned away from the corners and other pre-defined lines of the rectangle/grid. In this manner, such as from phase differences between the pairs of antennas, more information may be derived compared to antennas positioned merely at the corners of a rectangle to remove ambiguous angles of direction-of-arrival without compromising accuracy of an angular determination. |
| US09958508B2 |
Degraded performance recovery method for lithium ion secondary battery
Provided is a method by which the degraded performance of a lithium ion secondary battery containing phosphorus atoms (P) in a nonaqueous electrolytic solution can be restored by subjecting the lithium ion secondary battery in which a coating film including P is formed on a positive electrode surface, to a comparatively simple treatment. The degraded performance recovery method for a lithium ion secondary battery disclosed herein includes an ultrasound treatment step of applying ultrasound to the lithium ion secondary battery. In the ultrasound treatment step, the frequency of the generated ultrasound is 900 kHz or higher, and the period of time in which the ultrasound is applied to the lithium ion secondary battery continuously is 5 min or more. |
| US09958507B2 |
Channel verification of multiple channels on one chip
A battery monitoring system and method are disclosed. A battery monitor compares data in parallel register files. If voltage deviation above a certain threshold is detected in one register file, the system generates an alert that a fault exists upstream in the system. In order to better detect errors, the system may intentionally alter the voltages on the batteries to be monitored. |
| US09958505B2 |
Voltage sensing circuit and battery pack monitoring system
A voltage sensing circuit includes a difference voltage sensing circuit and a leakage cancelling circuit. The difference voltage sensing circuit includes two sensing capacitors, a first sensing switch, a second sensing switch, and a third sensing switch. A first group including the first sensing switch and the second sensing switch and a second group including the third sensing switch are complementally turned on and turned off. The leakage cancelling circuit includes two compensation capacitors, a first compensation switch, a second compensation switch, and a third compensation switch. A third group including the first compensation switch and the second compensation switch and a fourth group including the third compensation switch are complementally turned on and turned off. |
| US09958503B2 |
Tap SPC with tap state machine reset and clock control
An optimized JTAG interface is used to access JTAG Tap Domains within an integrated circuit. The interface requires fewer pins than the conventional JTAG interface and is thus more applicable than conventional JTAG interfaces on an integrated circuit where the availability of pins is limited. The interface may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related integrated circuit test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations. |
| US09958501B1 |
System for electrical measurements of objects in a vacuumed environment
A system for electrically testing an object, the system may include a scanning electron microscope that comprises a column; and nano-probe modules that are mechanically connected to the column; wherein the column is configured to illuminate areas of the object, with a beam of charged particles; wherein nano-probes of the nano-probe modules are configured to electrically contact elements of the object, during electrical tests of the object, wherein the elements of the object are located within the areas of the object. |
| US09958498B2 |
Test handler and circulation method of test trays in test handler
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a circulation method of a test tray in a test handler, the method comprising: in case of a first mode of test of temperature condition, firstly circulating the test tray along a first circulation path; and in case of a second mode of test of temperature condition different from the first mode, secondly circulating the test tray along a second circulation path, wherein the first circulation path and the second circulation path are different from each other in the transfer direction of the test tray at least in some sections. |
| US09958495B2 |
Computing device executing program performing method of analyzing power noise in semiconductor device, semiconductor device design method, and program storage medium storing program
A method of analyzing power noise in a semiconductor device includes; generating modified current information by modifying present current information based on a previous analysis result, updating a current vector based on the modified current information, and generating a present analysis result by calculating a voltage vector from the updated current vector. |
| US09958490B2 |
Electrical monitoring system and assembly
An electrical monitoring system is configured to monitor one or more systems of a vehicle. The electrical monitoring system may include a housing, a loop resistance test (LRT) unit contained within the housing, a network analyzer unit contained with the housing, and a time domain reflectometer (TDR) unit contained within the housing. The LRT unit is configured to conduct loop resistance tests with respect to the system(s) of the vehicle. The network analyzer unit is configured to conduct network analysis with respect to the system(s) of the vehicle. The TDR unit is configured to conduct time domain reflectometry with respect to the system(s) of the vehicle. |
| US09958489B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a control pilot line
A method for checking a control pilot, referred to below as CP, line of a charging socket of an electrically drivable transportation means. The method includes closing the charging socket, as a result of which an electrical, in particular galvanic, connection is closed between the CP line and a line of the charging socket providing electrical energy, and checking a signal received via the CP line in response to the closing. Also disclosed is a corresponding apparatus. |
| US09958488B2 |
Capacitance measurement
A capacitance measurement circuit comprises a differential amplifier with first and second inputs and an output, first and second feedback capacitances, and a reset mechanism. The first input is coupled to a modulated reference voltage and the second input is coupled with a sensor electrode. A first feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. A second feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. The reset mechanism resets the first feedback capacitance to a first level of charge and the second feedback capacitance to a second level of charge. During an absolute capacitance measurement phase, the differential amplifier charges the sensor electrode while balancing voltages on the first and second inputs to a voltage level associated with the modulated reference voltage and integrates charge on the sensor electrode to measure capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object. |
| US09958483B2 |
Methods of detecting change in object and apparatuses for performing the methods
A detecting apparatus includes a first resonator configured to generate a first resonance signal based on power output from a power supply in response to an object changing within a range of a field of the first resonator, a switch configured to connect the first resonator to the power supply in response to a control signal, and a controller configured to sample a value of an envelope of the first resonance signal to detect a change in the object. |
| US09958479B2 |
Digital oscilloscope and a method with parallel acquisition and signal post-processing
A method for measuring at least one signal with a digital oscilloscope according to the invention acquires sampled values of the at least one signal in individual time ranges which are each defined in relation to a trigger time of a trigger event, which is detected in the at least one signal in each case by the digital oscilloscope. A post-processing of the sampled values acquired in each case in the individual time ranges then takes place. According to the invention, the acquisition and the post-processing are implemented in parallel. |
| US09958466B2 |
Reflex testing of samples using residual materials from a prior test
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for performing automated assays, and particularly to performing sequential assays on a sample on an automated instrument. |
| US09958457B2 |
Device and method for detection of analytes
A detection device and associated systems and methods for detecting analytes from a multiplex reaction are described. In particular, a device for conducting at least one detection reaction using a modified ELISA method including a surface with a detection region and a reference region, a detection sensor, and a light source. The detection device may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The device may be used to measure and report discrete quantities or combinations of discrete analytes, providing information to aid in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of altered states of health in vertebrates. |
| US09958455B2 |
Intact mass determination of protein conjugated agent compounds
The present invention provides methods and systems for the rapid determination of the intact mass of non-covalently associated antibody heavy chains (HC) and light chains (LC) which result from the attachment of drug conjugates to interchain cysteine residues. By analyzing the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) using native desalting conditions, the intact-bivalent structure of the ADC, which ordinarily would decompose as a consequence of denaturing chromatographic conditions typically used for LCMS, is maintained. The mass of the desalted ADC is subsequently determined using desolvation and ionization ESI-MS conditions. The methods described herein provide for direct measurement of the intact mass of an ADC conjugated at interchain cysteine residues. The methods described herein also provide for the relative quantitation of the individual ADC species. |
| US09958453B2 |
Biological sensing method for separating biomolecule
A biological sensing device and a method for separating a biomolecule are provided. The biological sensing device includes an amino acid sequence and a signal-generating unit. The amino acid sequence includes SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, and is for binding with UlaG protein labeled on a biomolecule. The signal-generating unit connects to the amino acid sequence. |
| US09958451B2 |
Near-infrared fluorescent dyes with large stokes shifts
Embodiments of near-infrared (NIR) dyes are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the NIR dyes. The NIR dyes have a structure according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together forms a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl. |
| US09958450B2 |
L-glucose derivatives having fluorescent chromophore
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for accurately evaluating the specific incorporation of D-glucose into cells. The present invention as a means for achieving the object is characterized by comprising contacting a D-glucose derivative that has a fluorescent chromophore in the molecule and is specifically incorporated into cells and an L-glucose derivative that has a fluorescent chromophore in the molecule with different cells in the same cell strain to be evaluated, respectively, comparing the fluorescence emitted by the D-glucose derivative that has a fluorescent chromophore in the molecule and is specifically incorporated into cells with the fluorescence emitted by the L-glucose derivative that has a fluorescent chromophore in the molecule, and evaluating the specific incorporation of D-glucose into cells relative to L-glucose by taking the difference between the two kinds of fluorescence intensities. |
| US09958447B2 |
Immunoassay of S-adenosylmethionine in personalized medicine and health or cancer evaluation
The invention provides a method of detecting the presence or absence of a disease in a patient wherein said disease is accompanied by deficient levels of S-adenosylmethionine comprising: identifying a patient that is suspected of having said disease or is at risk of having said disease; obtaining a biological sample from said patient; determining the level of S-adenosylmethionine in said biological sample using an antibody derived from a hapten analog of S-adenosylmethionine; and correlating the level of S-adenosylmethionine in said biological sample with the presence, absence, or severity of said disease. The invention also provides methods for measuring SAH which is used to determine the methylation index (ratio of SAM/SAH) in biological fluids which is indicative of the health status of an individual. Additionally, the invention includes test strips which are useful for determining S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. |
| US09958442B2 |
Sensors incorporating antibodies and methods of making and using the same
A sensor comprising an electronic circuit electrically coupled to a type III-V semiconductor material, for example indium arsenide (InAs) and an antibody contacting the type III-V semiconductor material. The sensor produces measurable N changes in the electrical properties of the semiconductor upon antibody-antigen binding events. Electrical properties measurable by the electronic device may include resistivity, capacitance, impedance, and inductance. A method of detecting an antigen using sensors of the invention. A method of detecting a reaction of an analyte to a stimulus using sensors of the invention. Sensor arrays comprising multiple sensors of the invention. |
| US09958437B2 |
Method of quantifying peptide-derivative libraries using phage display
The present application provides a method of quantifying an amount of a derivatized peptide displayed on a phage by phage display, the method comprising: providing a phage containing the target peptide thereon; reacting the phage containing the target peptide with a first reagent to derivatize the target peptide to form a derivatized peptide, reacting the derivatized peptide with a capture agent comprising a detection marker, thereby incorporating the detection marker within the derivatized peptide; and determining an amount of the detection marker, thereby quantifying the amount of the derivatized peptide displayed on the phage. A kit comprising a capture agent comprising a detection marker for quantifying the phage displayed derivatized peptides is also provided. |
| US09958436B2 |
Determination of cell chirality
Methods for determining cell chirality using micropatterned substrates are disclosed. Also provided are methods for diagnosing diseases such as genetic diseases or cancer by comparing the chirality of sample cells from a subject with normal cells, and determining a difference in chirality between the sample cells and normal cells. |
| US09958433B2 |
Method and system for in vitro developmental toxicity testing
A method and system of in vitro developmental toxicity testing comprising the steps of micropatterning an extracellular matrix; growing embryonic stem cells on the micropatterned extracellular matrix in the presence of mesoendodermal induction and testing for change of the geometrical mesoendoderm structure in the presence or absence of a test compound wherein (1) a decrease in mesoendodermal differentiation and/or (2) a change in morphology of the geometrical mesoendoderm structure in the presence of the test compound compared to cells in the absence of the test compound indicates that the test compound is a developmental toxic agent. |
| US09958432B2 |
Cellular cis-co-culture systems for analysis
The invention relates to systems and methods for studying patient cancer samples in cis-co-culture with stromal cells from the same patient. For example, the invention provide systems and methods for testing therapeutic agents in vitro in an environment that simulates an in vivo environment to identify agents that are therapeutically effective for the patient. |
| US09958430B2 |
Device for monitoring spatial coagulation of blood and of components thereof
The invention relates to the field of medicine and biology. A device for monitoring of spatial coagulation of blood and its uses for diagnostic and research purposes is described. The device includes a thermostatically controlled chamber, at least one means of illumination, a means of recording connected to the thermostatically controlled chamber. The thermostatically controlled chamber includes a cuvette to place a sample of a test medium, a light trap, and is filled with a substance suitable for temperature regulation. The light trap is formed by geometry of the inner surfaces of the thermostatically controlled chamber. |
| US09958429B2 |
Substrate for controlling movement direction of animal cells, and cell identification method and cell separation method using the same
The present invention provides a control substrate for controlling a movement direction of animal cells. The control substrate for controlling a movement direction of animal cells has a surface which includes a plurality of grooves, the grooves are formed from a bottom between opposing walls and the opposing walls forming the grooves wherein the walls include a plurality of columnar protrusions. Vertex parts of the columnar protrusion are formed to face between vertex parts of two columnar protrusions formed in the opposing wall and such vertex parts face the same direction. |
| US09958428B2 |
Scanning system for wood
A scanning system to analyze wood and determine defects includes at least two ultrasonic transducers configured to scan the wood from edge to edge by triangulating the wood. The at least two ultrasonic transducers are configured to find splits and shakes. |
| US09958425B1 |
Quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite sensor array for chemical vapor sensing
A method of detecting the presence of a chemical vapor of interest using a quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite sensor array is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of sensors respectively of different nanocomposite films and a plurality of QDs. The plurality of sensors are exposed to a target chemical vapor and impingement by an excitation light source. Fluorescence emission intensity of the sensors is measured for a preselected duration of time and then the sensors are placed into contact with a chemical vapor. The changes in fluorescence emission intensity for all sensors are detected over time and the combined changes in fluorescence are compared to establish a unique combined response to identify the target chemical vapor. |
| US09958424B2 |
Method of identifying airborne molecular contamination source
The present disclosure provides a method of identifying an airborne molecular contamination (AMC) leaking source in a fab. The method includes distributing a sensor in the fab, executing a forward computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of an air flow in the fab, setting an inversed modeling of the forward CFD simulation of the air flow in the fab, building up a database of a spatial response probability distribution matrix of the sensor using an AMC measurement data in the fab, and identifying the AMC leaking source using the database of the spatial response probability distribution matrix of the sensor. |
| US09958423B2 |
Simulation of a chromatographic run
The present invention relates to a method for simulating a chromatographic run on a chromatograph (5) with a computation device (3) comprising at least one processor (7) and an associated digital memory (9), wherein the chromatographic run uses a mobile phase (31) comprising a mixture of at least two eluent constituents having different chromatographic properties and forming an eluent profile (33). The invention also relates to a computer program for performing the method, and an apparatus comprising a computation device and a chromatograph for performing the method. |
| US09958422B2 |
Methods for quantitating water using ionic liquid salts
This disclosure provides methods and devices for quantitating, separating and/or detecting water in a liquid, gas or solid sample comprising one or more chemicals, the method comprising: providing the liquid, gas or solid sample comprising water and the one or more chemicals; and exposing said liquid, gas or solid sample to at least one solid support including at least one dicationic and/or tricationic species of Formula I or II adsorbed, absorbed or immobilized on the solid support. |
| US09958421B2 |
Method for dry packing chromatography columns
The invention provides a packing method for high efficiency chromatography columns starting from dry swellable particles, as well as columns packed by the method and the use of the columns in separation of biomolecules. In the packing method, an amount of dry swellable particles sufficient to give a swollen volume in a liquid of about 105-120% of the column chamber volume is transferred to the column, the column is closed and the liquid is provided to the column. |
| US09958417B2 |
Non-traversing tube inspection system
Tube inspections are performed by combining the use of APR technology with GW technology. The reflections measured by both technologies are compared to each other and used to more specifically identify the type and location of a flaw or anomaly that appears in the interior of the tube. Further, embodiments of novel probes to be used in GW technique for inspecting tubes with mechanical waves having bandwidth that is equal to 150 KHz or more are disclosed. |
| US09958414B2 |
Apparatus for measuring analytes including chemical sensor array
Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays including large FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions. |
| US09958412B2 |
Gas sensor element
A gas sensor element having a porous protective layer with excellent water repellency. Provided is a gas sensor element having a detection portion, which has a stack of a solid electrolyte body having a pair of electrodes on opposite sides thereof and a heat generating body including a heat generating source, and a porous protective layer formed around the detection portion. The porous protective layer has thermal conductivity λ in the range of 0.2 to 5 W/mK, and has λCpρ, which is the product of the thermal conductivity λ(W/mK), density ρ(g/m3), and specific heat Cp(J/gK), in the range of 5.3×105 to 2.1×107 WJ/m4K2. |
| US09958409B2 |
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis
Systems and methods for multiple analyte analysis are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes determining concentrations of first and second analytes in a sample. The first and second analytes may be, for example, glucose and hydroxybutyrate. In this form, an indication related to the measured concentration of hydroxybutyrate is provided in response to determining that the concentration of hydroxybutyrate is above a predetermined value. In a further aspect of this form, a quantitative indication representative of the measured glucose concentration is automatically provided regardless of the value of the measured glucose concentration. In another embodiment, a system includes a meter configured to interact with a test element to assess first and second analytes in a sample. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the description and drawings. |
| US09958408B2 |
Smart capacitance sensors for use with electrical capacitance volume tomography and capacitance sensing applications
A stretchable capacitance sensor having multiple components for communicating signals to a data acquisition system for reconstructing an image of an area or object located in a subject being sensed, and for calculating the shape or conformity that it is in. The stretchable sensor consists of an inner layer of plates that provide the capacitance data, a middle layer of plates that provide the geometry-sensing data, and an outer layer of plates that serves as the shielding ground layer. The configuration of all three components can be variably changed to increase the capacitance data channels, increase or decrease flexibility and stretchability of the sensor, and increase the spatial resolution of the geometry sensing feature. The sensor is adapted to communicate signals to a data acquisition system for providing an image of the area or object between the capacitance plates. |
| US09958404B2 |
X-ray analyzing system for x-ray scattering analysis
An X-ray analyzing system for x-ray scattering analysis having an x-ray source for generating a beam of x-rays propagating along a transmission axis (3), at least one hybrid slit (5b) with an aperture which defines the shape of the cross section of the beam, a sample on which the beam shaped by the hybrid slit (5b) is directed and an X-ray detector for detecting x-rays originating from the sample. The hybrid slit (5b) has at least three hybrid slit elements (7), each hybrid slit element (7) having a single crystal substrate (8) bonded to a base (9) with a taper angle α≠0. The single crystal substrates (8) of the hybrid slit elements (7) limit the aperture and the hybrid slit elements (7) are staggered with an offset along the transmission axis (3). The X-ray analyzing system has improved resolution and signal to noise ratio. |
| US09958403B1 |
Arrangement for X-Ray tomography
A method of investigating a specimen using X-ray tomography, comprising (a) mounting the specimen to a specimen holder, (b) irradiating the specimen with a beam of X-rays along a first line of sight through the specimen, and (c) detecting a flux of X-rays transmitted through the specimen and forming a first image. Then (d) repeating the steps (b) and (c) for a series of different lines of sight through the specimen, thereby producing a corresponding series of images. The method further comprises (e) performing a mathematical reconstruction on said series of images, so as produce a tomogram of at least part of the specimen, wherein the specimen is disposed within a substantially cylindrical metallic shell with an associated cylindrical axis, the beam of X-rays is produced by directing a beam of charged particles onto a zone of said metallic shell, so as to produce a confined X-ray source at said zone, and the series of different lines of sight is achieved by rotating said shell about said cylindrical axis, thereby causing relative motion of said zone relative to the specimen. |
| US09958401B2 |
Method and device for determining at least one concentration of coal particles in a gas flow
The present embodiments relate to a device and a method for determining at least one concentration of coal particles in a gas flow flowing through a channel, wherein at least part of the gas flow having coal particles contained therein is measured by at least one microwave sensor and at least one measurement signal characterizing the concentration of the coal particles is provided, wherein an autocorrelation function of the measurement signal is determined and at least one distance value characterizing a distance of a point of the gas flow belonging to the concentration from the microwave sensor is determined in dependence on the autocorrelation function. |
| US09958397B1 |
Self-indicating porous metal hydroxides incorporating metal reactants for toxic chemical removal and sensing
Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. |
| US09958395B2 |
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) apparatus for the detection of mineral and metal contamination in liquid samples
This invention discloses an improved laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) apparatus and method for the detection of mineral and metal contamination in liquid samples. The mineral and metal contaminant is first collected by filtering the liquid sample with a membrane filter. The membrane filter with the mineral and metal contaminant is then measured by a LIBS apparatus. The LIBS apparatus is based on a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser produces a train of laser pulses at a high repetition rate in the kHz (or even higher) range. When the laser beam hits the surface of the membrane filter, it generates several thousands of micro-plasma emissions per second. Synchronized miniature CCD array optical spectrometer modules collect the LIBS signal from these micro-plasma emissions. By adjusting the integration time of the spectrometer to cover a plurality of periods of the laser pulse train, the spectrometer integrates the LIBS signal produced by this plurality of laser pulses. Hence the intensity of the obtained LIBS spectrum can be greatly improved to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and lower the level of detection (LOD). |
| US09958392B2 |
Optical filter system and fluorescence observation system
An optical filter system for florescence observation comprises an illumination light filter (I) and an observation light filter (O). The observation light filter has plural transmitting regions (D1O,D2O) allowing fluorescent light to traverse the observation light filter. Blocking regions (S0O,S1O) separate the transmitting regions. The illumination light filter has transmitting regions (D0I,D1I) where the observation light filter has a corresponding blocking region. The illumination light filter has blocking regions (S1I,S2I) where the observation light filter has a corresponding transmitting region. The plural transmitting regions of the illumination light filter hallow for an improved color impression in the normal light observation. |
| US09958387B1 |
Methods and systems for capturing the condition of a physical structure via chemical detection
In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D scanner generates 3D data. A point cloud or 3D model is constructed from the 3D data. The point cloud or 3D model is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure. |
| US09958385B2 |
Scanning in angle-resolved reflectometry and algorithmically eliminating diffraction from optical metrology
Angle-resolved reflectometers and reflectometry methods are provided, which comprise a coherent light source, an optical system arranged to scan a test pattern using a spot of coherent light from the light source to yield realizations of the light distribution in the collected pupil, wherein the spot covers a part of the test pattern and the scanning is carried out optically or mechanically according to a scanning pattern, and a processing unit arranged to generate a composite image of the collected pupil distribution by combining the pupil images. Metrology systems and methods are provided, which reduce diffraction errors by estimating, quantitatively, a functional dependency of measurement parameters on aperture sizes and deriving, from identified diffraction components of the functional dependency which relate to the aperture sizes, correction terms for the measurement parameters with respect to the measurement conditions. |
| US09958383B2 |
Range camera
An active illumination range camera that acquires a range and a picture image of a scene and provides a reflectance for a feature in the scene responsive to a distance for the feature provided by the range image, a registered irradiance for the feature provided by the picture image and registered irradiance for a region of a calibration surface corresponding to the feature provided by an image of the calibration surface acquired by the range camera. |
| US09958381B2 |
Carbon dioxide sensor
A device includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, an electronic part capable of processing a signal output from the light receiving element, an optical member covering the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and a board on which the light emitting element, the light receiving element, the electronic part, and the optical member are mounted. The board includes conductor wiring electrically connected to the light receiving element. |
| US09958380B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for optical hydrocarbon gas composition monitoring
The disclosure relates to spectroscopic systems and spectrometers configured for hydrocarbon gas composition monitoring which provides compound speciation capability and function. In certain embodiments, the system identifies two or more bands of spectral data—e.g., including a band in each of (i) the near infrared and (ii) mid infrared wavelength regions, though bands covering subsets from about 800 nm to about 12 μm can be used—from the signal corresponding to the hydrocarbon fluid in the gas flow cell, where the two or more bands are not contiguous (e.g., there is at least a 50 nm separation between the nearest ends of two bands). A combined spectrum is then formed from the two or more non-contiguous bands of spectral data and processed to identify and/or quantify the constituents of the hydrocarbon fluid. |
| US09958375B2 |
Microparticle sorting apparatus and delay time determination method
A microparticle sorting apparatus includes a detection unit which detects microparticles flowing through a flow path; an imaging device which images a droplet containing the microparticles which is discharged from an orifice provided on an edge portion of the flow path; a charge unit which applies a charge to the droplets; and a control unit which determines a delay time as from a time that the microparticles are detected by the detection unit to the time at which a number of bright spots in a standard region, which is set beforehand, of image information imaged by the imaging device reaches the maximum, making it possible for the charge unit to apply a charge to the microparticles once the delay time has lapsed after the microparticles are detected by the detection unit. |
| US09958373B2 |
Protocol adaptive computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument
A protocol adaptive, computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument, capable of self-adaptive adjustments to measurement interval, rezero frequency and independent zero go-no-go. |
| US09958367B2 |
Apparatus for measuring rheological parameters and methods for its operation
An apparatus for measuring rheological parameters of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber containing a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multiphase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member includes a first set of threads formed on a first portion of the rotor member submersed in the first phase of the multi-phase fluid and a second set of threads formed on a second portion of the rotor member submersed in the second phase of the multi-phase fluid. |
| US09958363B2 |
Fluorous affinity extraction for ionic liquid-based sample preparation
A method for removing an ionic liquid from an aqueous sample is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: (a) combining an aqueous sample including an ionic liquid with an ion exchanger composition including an ion exchanger counterion to produce a solution including a fluorous salt of the ionic liquid, where at least one of the ionic liquid and the ion exchanger counterion is fluorinated; (b) contacting the solution with a fluorous affinity material, thereby removing fluorous salt from the solution and producing an aqueous eluate; and (c) collecting the aqueous eluate. In certain embodiments, the method further includes: contacting a cell with an ionic liquid composition to lyse the cell and produce an aqueous sample; and contacting the aqueous sample with a reverse phase substrate, thereby adsorbing proteins and/or lipids of the cell on the substrate. Compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods are also provided. |
| US09958357B2 |
Detecting irregularities in a rotation of roller bodies in a roller bearing
An apparatus for detecting irregularities in a rotation of roller bodies in a roller bearing, the apparatus comprising a measurement module and a processor module. The measurement module is operable to provide a deformation signal indicative of a deformation of a surface region of a bearing ring of the roller bearing, wherein the deformation is due to the rotation of the roller bodies over the surface region. The processor module is operable to extract one or more signal quantities of interest from the deformation signal and operable to provide statistical information on the one or more extracted signal quantities of interest. |
| US09958349B2 |
Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor comprises a deformable membrane deflecting in response to pressure applied, a first stationary electrode, and a second electrode coupled to the deformable membrane, for determining a change in a capacitance between the first and the second electrode in response to the pressure applied. At least one of the first and the second electrode comprises a getter material for collecting gas molecules. |
| US09958348B2 |
Micromechanical pressure sensor device and corresponding manufacturing method
A micromechanical pressure sensor device and a corresponding manufacturing method. The micromechanical pressure sensor device includes an ASIC wafer having a front side and a rear side, and a rewiring system, formed on the front side of the ASIC wafer, which includes a plurality of stacked strip conductor levels and insulation layers. The pressure sensor device also includes a MEMS wafer having a front side and a rear side, a first micromechanical functional layer which is formed above the front side of the MEMS wafer, and a second micromechanical functional layer which is formed above the first micromechanical functional layer. |
| US09958346B2 |
Mechanical strain-based weather sensor
Weather sensors and particularly collect weather data by measuring bending and compression stresses in a weather sensor device. The sensors are based upon the principle of bending stresses and the linear variation of stress between the maximum and minimum point. The sensors model deformation of a hollow shaft or rod. The sensors encompass measuring compression, bending, and/or torsional stresses on other cross-sectional shapes using the appropriate relationship for the particular cross-section that finds use in the technology. |
| US09958341B2 |
Semiconductor device having temperature sensor circuit that detects a temperature range upper limit value and a temperature range lower limit value
A method can include, in response to a power supply voltage transition, setting a temperature window to a first temperature range by operation of a temperature circuit formed on a semiconductor device. In response to a temperature of the semiconductor device being determined to be outside of the first temperature range, changing the temperature range of the temperature window until the temperature of the semiconductor device is determined to be within the temperature window. |
| US09958333B2 |
Sensor tag and manufacturing method for sensor tag
A sensor tag (10) includes a crystal vibrator (110) and an antenna (102). The antenna (102) is composed of a radiating conductor (121) and connection conductors (122). A crystal vibrator (110) is mounted on land conductors (120) provided at an end portion of the connection conductors (122) on the opposite side to the antenna (121). The antenna (102) is formed in a shape such that an amount of shift (ΔF) of a radiation frequency of the sensor tag (10) falls within an acceptable range in accordance with a resonant frequency (Fxs) and an equivalent inductance (Lxs) of the crystal vibrator (110) and a self-resonant frequency (Fant) and an equivalent inductance (Lant) of the antenna (102). |
| US09958325B2 |
Multi-scan optical system
The present disclosure relates to the field of optical systems. The envisaged multi-scan optical system is compact and stable. The system comprises an excitation source, a hydra fiber cable, a wavelength selector, an optical element, and a detector. The excitation source is configured to emit composite light. The hydra fiber cable has a head and a plurality of tentacles, and is configured to receive the composite light via a second lens. The plurality of tentacles is configured to emit the composite light towards the wavelength selector which includes a plurality of optical slits (s1-s8) and a plurality of shutters. The wavelength selector is configured to selectively collect and filter the composite light directed by a first lens and the plurality of tentacles by means of the plurality of shutters. The detector is configured to detect the plurality of spectral line scans reflected by the optical element for spectrometric analysis. |
| US09958322B2 |
Device for preventing intensity reduction of optical signal, optical emission spectrometer, optical instrument, and mass spectrometer including the same
A device for a device for preventing the intensity reduction of an optical signal, an optical emission spectrometer, an optical instrument, and a mass spectrometer including the same are provided. The device for preventing the intensity reduction includes a shielding filter which has a mesh structure capable of blocking RF electromagnetic waves radiated from a plasma field for a wafer processing, is installed in the front of an optical window of an optical emission spectrometer for measuring the plasma field from an emission spectrum image of the plasma field, and collects charging particles passing through the mesh. |
| US09958321B2 |
Transverse optical transmission probe
A transverse optical transmission probe having a probe body and a probe tip. The probe use optical fibers to both transmit radiation from an instrument to the probe tip and to return the sample affected radiation to the instrument. The fibers are in parallel and contained in the probe body. The probe tip includes two optical elements that protrude into the sample and are configured to define a sample gap so that incident radiation pass through the sample in a direction transverse to the axis to the probe and eventually reaches the receiving fiber. Each of the optical elements may be formed from a single piece of material or may be a composite formed by adhering two or more pieces of material together. One or more lensed surfaces may be used to cause the end of the transmitting fiber to be imaged on the end of the receiving fiber. |
| US09958319B2 |
Method and device for determining a critical angle of an excitation light beam
A method for determining a critical angle of total reflection based upon images captured at different angles of incidence of a light beam includes illuminating a sample with an excitation light beam, capturing images of at least part of the sample at a plurality of different angles of incidence of the excitation light beam, and determining a critical angle of total reflection at an interface of the sample based upon analysis of the images. An apparatus for determining a critical angle of total reflection at an interface of a sample includes a light source arrangement to illuminate a sample with an angle of incidence, an image capturing arrangement to capture an image of the sample, and a processing arrangement to determine the critical angle of total reflection at an interface of the sample on the basis of an analysis of images captured at a plurality of different angles of incidence. |
| US09958313B2 |
Surgery table load monitoring system
A surgery table load monitoring system utilizing a base member fixed to a surgery table support. The base member is connected to at least one platform structural member to determine load forces due to the weight of a patient on the platform structured member. Detectors are used to indicate particular stresses and generate a signal which may be employed to disable movement of the surgery table. |
| US09958312B1 |
Liquid level gauge for pressurized tanks
A liquid level gauge for determining the level or volume of liquid within a tank includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the tank, a gauge assembly connected to one side of the mounting head, and an elongate sensing probe assembly extending into the tank. The gauge assembly includes a rotatable gauge plate with a scale located thereon and a rotatable indicator that moves across the scale in response to a change in liquid level. The gauge plate is weighted for rotation toward a gravitational force vector for orientation with an upper surface of the liquid in the tank independent of tank tilt. The sensing probe includes a float rod with an integral coil spring hinge to facilitate installation of the gauge within the tank. A counterweight is adjustable along the float rod to fine-tune float weight or buoyancy for a particular gauge configuration and liquid type. |
| US09958311B2 |
Radar-based fill level measurement device having a security device
A radar-based fill level measurement device having a signal generator for the purpose of generating electromagnetic waves, and an antenna for the purpose of emitting the electromagnetic waves into a container, as well as for the purpose of receiving electromagnetic waves reflected out of the container, having a security device for the purpose of verifying the functional capability or improving the measurement quality of the radar-based fill level measurement device, wherein the security device has a reflector and an adjusting device, and is suitably designed to move the reflector between at least a first position, in which it reflects the electromagnetic waves, and a second position, in which it reflects the electromagnetic waves to a reduced degree, and wherein the security device has a drive which acts on the adjusting device. |
| US09958308B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the depth of liquid in a drum
Apparatus and method for determining: proper operation of a cleaning system, the depth of liquid in a drum, the predicted failure of a pump, improving the ability to monitor cleaning system, improving the ability to monitor dairy wash systems, improving the ability to monitor animal husbandry systems, and/or increasing the efficiency with which various types of equipment, fluid levels, and/or systems can be serviced or monitored. |
| US09958296B2 |
Inductive position-measuring device for absolute position determination
An inductive position-measuring device for absolute position determination includes a scale having a first measuring graduation extending in a measurement direction and a second measuring graduation disposed opposite to the first measuring graduation and extending parallel thereto. A scanner is disposed in a gap between the first measuring graduation and the second measuring graduation. The scanner is displaceable relative to the scale in the measurement direction for purposes of position measurement. The scanner includes a first coil arrangement for scanning the first measuring graduation and generating a first position-dependent scanning signal, and a second coil arrangement, disposed opposite to the first coil arrangement, for scanning the second measuring graduation and generating a second position-dependent scanning signal. At least one intermediate layer of soft magnetic material disposed between the first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement. |
| US09958295B2 |
Device for compensating external magnetic stray fields or for compensating the influence of a magnetic field gradient on a magnetic field sensor
A device compensates for the an influence of a magnetic field gradient which may be generated due to a component geometry of a component (1). The device includes at least two magnetic field sensors (17, 18) which are arranged outside of the magnetic balance of the ferromagnetic component (1). The at least two magnetic field sensors (17, 18) each have a differing sensitivity. One of the magnetic field sensors (17, 18) is exposed to the influence of the magnetic field gradient to a greater extent compared to the other magnetic field sensor due to its spatial arrangement relative to the ferromagnetic component (1). The one magnetic field sensor may have a sensitivity lower than the other magnetic field sensor. |
| US09958293B2 |
Sensor with shielding element
A sensor assembly is provided having a first sensor (pedal travel sensor) and a second sensor (motor position sensor). The first sensor having a first coil and a first coupler. The second sensor having a second coil and a second coupler. A shield element is positioned at least partially between the first coupler and the second coupler so as to prevent unwanted interaction between the first coil and the second coil. In one embodiment, the shield element is made of ferrite. In other embodiments, the shield element includes at least one layer of ferrite and at least one layer of aluminum, wherein the shield element include a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of ferrite. More specifically, the shield element is a flux field directional material (FFDM). |
| US09958292B1 |
Sensor package with double-sided capacitor attach on same leads and method of fabrication
A sensor package includes a lead frame, a sensor component, and first and second capacitors. The lead frame has a sensor mounting area and first and second leads. The sensor mounting area, the first lead, and the second lead are characterized by a first side and a second side. The sensor component is attached to the first side of the sensor mounting area of the lead frame. The first capacitor is interconnected between the first and second leads, with the first capacitor being attached to the first side of each of the leads. The second capacitor is interconnected between the first and second leads, with the second capacitor being attached to the second side of each of the leads. The first and second capacitors are arranged in stacked relation with one another on opposing sides of the leads, and the sensor component and capacitors are located in a single housing. |
| US09958291B1 |
Self-service connection, data collection, and automation of metering and building systems, controls, and devices
A system and method may be used to control a plurality of services for one or more facilities. A data store may receive a first meter catalog that identifies a first meter, and a second meter catalog that identifies a second meter. The data store may also receive first and second meter readings from the first and second meters. The first and second meter readings may be indicative of provision of services to the one or more facilities. A processor may automatically process the first and second meter readings to provide first and second processed meter readings that are more readily understood by a user. A display screen may display the first and second processed meter readings. An input device may receive user input that establishes control and/or user reporting related to provision of the services. |
| US09958290B2 |
Utility meter controlling the conversion range of an ADC
A utility meter for measuring a utility parameter is disclosed, the utility meter including a measuring system, an analog-to-digital converter having a conversion range, and a control unit, the measurement system being able to transmit a measurement signal representative of the utility parameter to the analog-to-digital converter, and the analog-to-digital converter being able to convert the measurement signal into a digital bit number and transmit the digital bit number to the control unit. The control unit controls the transmission of an ADC control signal based on a set of digital bit numbers to the analog-to-digital converter so as to control the conversion range. Furthermore, a method of operating a utility meter is disclosed. |
| US09958289B2 |
Controlling navigation software on a portable device from the head unit of a vehicle
A mapping between controls of the head unit of a vehicle and functions of a navigation service application running on a portable device is received. Subsequently, an indication that one of the controls has been actuated is received via a communication link between the portable device and the head unit. A function is selected from among the functions of the navigation service application in accordance with the received mapping and the received indication. The selected function of the navigation software application then is executed. In this manner, the navigation service application is safely and efficiently controlled via the head unit. |
| US09958288B2 |
Planning under destination uncertainty
The subject disclosure is directed towards resolving an uncertain transportation context by suggesting one or more potential diversions. An automated routing system may generate routing information that includes map data as well as a location of a diversion having an expected cost in compliance with the uncertain transportation context. Such a diversion may be a waypoint that satisfies one or more user needs given an unknown/uncertain destination. |
| US09958284B2 |
Routing based on detected stops
In some implementations, a computing device receives a start location and a destination location, determines routes between the start location and the destination location, identifies stop signs and stop lights along the determined routes, determines delays attributable to stop signs or stop lights along the determined routes, determines travel times for routes based on the delays attributable to stop signs or stop lights along the determined routes, and presents a suggested departure time determined based on the stop sign and stop light information. |
| US09958283B2 |
Determining speed information
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are presented for determining a speed profile for a selected link of a travel network. Map data representing, at least in part, a travel network is obtained or held available. At least one speed profile for at least one selected link of the travel network is determined at least partially based on speed represented by a plurality of probe data points of one or more probe data sets of a plurality of probe data sets and a weighting function for weighting the speeds represented by the plurality of probe data points of one or more probe data sets of the plurality of probe data sets. The one or more probe data sets are associated with the selected link for which the speed profile is determined. |
| US09958281B2 |
Service providing apparatus and method for supporting creation of route
Provided are service providing apparatus and method for supporting creation of a route, and more particularly, to service providing apparatus and method for supporting creation of a route which supports creation of a personal route for only a user by selecting a transportation up to a destination and positions for getting on and off. According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure expandability of route provision by supporting an optimal route which is known by a user to be directly created by the user when there is no user's desired route among recommended routes, providing the created personalized route together with the recommended route to support the personalized route to be guided as the optimal route, and simultaneously, providing various routes using the public transportation. |
| US09958276B2 |
Method for calculating the surface speed of at least one vessel and method for deducing each drift vector at every point on the path of said vessel
A method for calculating the surface vector of at least one vessel progressing under engine at cruising speed. When the vessel is in a defined position, the parameters of the vessel, including its position, its heading, its speed over ground and its course over ground, are obtained. Wind and/or current measurements in the proximity of the vessel are obtained using a device external to the vessel. The drift vector is determined from wind and/or current measurements. The over-ground vector is determined from the parameters selected from the position, the speed over ground and the course over ground of the vessel. The magnitude and the direction of the surface vector of the vessel is calculated. |
| US09958274B2 |
Magnetic field based location determination
A method may include obtaining magnetic field information that corresponds to a location. The magnetic field information may be based on an output reading of a magnetometer of an electronic device. The method may further include obtaining orientation information that corresponds to a device orientation of the electronic device that corresponds to the magnetic field information. The orientation information may be based on an output reading of one or more inertial sensors and may indicate the device orientation. The method may further include adjusting the magnetic field information based on the orientation information to generate normalized magnetic field information that is normalized with respect to a map-coordinate system of a magnetic field map. The normalized magnetic field information and the magnetic field map may be used to determine that the electronic device is at the location at the time that the output reading of the magnetometer is obtained. |
| US09958272B2 |
Real-time computation of vehicle service routes
A route scheduling system for a vehicle or fleet of vehicles can recalculate a scheduled route based on input received after the formulation and/or dispatch of the initial route. The additional inputs can be used for recalculation and changes in route selection, which may include a variety of inputs, such as weather conditions, traffic conditions, customer needs, vehicle inventory, and emergency situations. The recalculation of the routes can allow for route selection to be performed in real-time in order for fleets and vehicles to optimize the allocation of resources. |
| US09958269B2 |
Positioning method for a surveying instrument and said surveying instrument
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for determining the position data of a geodesic surveying instrument by comparing of a reference data set extracted from data of an image of the surroundings of the surveying instrument position with position-referenced data sets which consists of data of a corresponding type, and determining the position data using the position reference of the selected position-referenced data set that has a comparatively important level of match with the reference data set. |
| US09958268B2 |
Three-dimensional measuring method and surveying system
The invention provides a surveying system comprising a total station installed at a known point and having a tracking function, at least one movable measuring device having a prism for retro-reflecting a distance measuring light and a tracking light projected from the total station and capable of moving and of performing three-dimensional measurement on an object to be measured and an arithmetic control part, wherein the movable measuring device has an auxiliary measuring unit capable of measuring a distance and an angle of the object to be measured and an attitude detector capable of detecting a measuring direction, a tilting and a tilting direction of the movable measuring device, wherein the movable measuring device performs three-dimensional measurement on the object to be measured with reference to direction of the total station based on the measurement result of the auxiliary measuring unit and on the detection result of the attitude detector at an arbitrary measurement position as being sighted from the total station, wherein the total station performs three-dimensional measurement on the measurement position, and wherein the arithmetic control part performs three-dimensional measurement on the object to be measured with reference to the total station based on the result of three-dimensional measurement obtained by the movable measuring device and on the measurement result by the total station. |
| US09958266B2 |
Chromatic range sensor including dynamic intensity compensation function
A chromatic point sensor (CPS) system is provided, which compensates for potential errors due to input spectral profile intensity inconsistencies that arise when driving a CPS illumination source using different power levels. The CPS system includes an optical pen comprising a confocal optical path including a chromatically dispersive element and configured to focus different wavelengths at different distances proximate to a workpiece surface to be measured, an illumination source, and CPS electronics. The CPS electronics include: an illumination source control portion configured to drive the illumination source using different power levels; a CPS wavelength detector comprising a plurality of pixels distributed along a measurement axis of the CPS wavelength detector to provide output spectral profile data; and a power level spectral compensation portion configured to compensate the output spectral profile data to remove or reduce potential errors due to input spectral profile intensity inconsistencies that arise when driving the CPS illumination source using the different power levels. |
| US09958264B2 |
Portable contact angle measuring device
In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device above the drop positioned on the surface. In some embodiments, the system may include a light emitter. The light emitter may emit, during use, a beam of light substantially parallel to the surface at the drop. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustable support coupled to the stage. The adjustable support may adjust, during use, an angle of the stage relative to the surface. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a contact angle of the drop relative to the surface. |
| US09958261B2 |
Device and method for surface profilometry for the control of wafers during processing
A device or apparatus is provided for carrying out measurements of shape on a first surface of a wafer relative to structures present beneath the first surface including (i) profilometry apparatus arranged in order to carry out measurements of shape on the first surface of the wafer according to at least one measurement field; (ii) imaging apparatus facing the profilometry apparatus and arranged in order to acquire a reference image of the structures on or through a second surface of the wafer opposite to the first surface according to at least one imaging field; the profilometry apparatus and said imaging apparatus being arranged so that the measurement and imaging fields are referenced in position within a common frame of reference.A method is also provided to be implemented in this device or this apparatus. |
| US09958260B2 |
Apparatus and method for extracting feature point for recognizing obstacle using laser scanner
An apparatus and method for extracting a feature point to recognize an obstacle using a laser scanner are provided. The apparatus includes a laser scanner that is installed at a front of a traveling vehicle and is configured to obtain laser scanner data having a plurality of layers in real time. In addition, a controller is configured to separate the laser scanner data obtained by the laser scanner into a plurality of layers to extract measurement data present in each layer and determine feature points of the measurement data to classify a type of obstacle based on a plurality of stored feature points. |
| US09958259B2 |
Depth value measurement
A depth value of an object is measured. The object is illuminated with a luminaire comprising at least three or more pixel-layers including a first pixel-layer, a second pixel-layer and a third pixel-layer, each pixel-layer including a rectangular array of pixels. One or more images are captured of the object illuminated by the pixel-layers of the luminaire. The depth value of a point on the surface of the object is determined based on the one or more captured images. The spaced-apart pixel-layers of the luminaire are grouped into at least a front group and a back group, and the front group is separated from the back group by a distance that is relatively large as compared to a distance by which the spaced-apart pixel-layers within any one group are separated. |
| US09958256B2 |
System and method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions
A system to digitally scan an object in three dimensions is disclosed. The system includes a server system, a memory system, a website and a scanner that scans an object and transfers any number of scanner data to the memory system, the scanner data resides on the digitally scan an object in three dimensions non-transitory storage media and includes any number of object dimensions such as length, width and height of the object, a three-dimensional object file and any number of raw video or any number of images of the object. The system includes a corresponding method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions. |
| US09958255B2 |
Agile imaging system
An agile optical imaging system for optical coherence tomography imaging using a tunable source comprising a wavelength tunable VCL laser is disclosed. The tunable source has long coherence length and is capable of high sweep repetition rate, as well as changing the sweep trajectory, sweep speed, sweep repetition rate, sweep linearity, and emission wavelength range on the fly to support multiple modes of OCT imaging. The imaging system also offers new enhanced dynamic range imaging capability for accommodating bright reflections. Multiscale imaging capability allows measurement over orders of magnitude dimensional scales. The imaging system and methods for generating the waveforms to drive the tunable laser in flexible and agile modes of operation are also described. |
| US09958251B1 |
Single snap-shot fringe projection system
A cycloidal diffraction waveplate is combined with a pixelated phase mask (PPM) sensor in a dynamic fringe-projection interferometer to obtain phase-shifted interferograms in a single snap-shot camera operation that provides the phase information required to measure test surfaces with micrometer precision. Such mode of operation enables a portable embodiment for use in environments subject to vibration. A shifting mechanism coupled to the cycloidal waveplate allows temporal out-of-phase measurements used to remove noise due to test-surface characteristics. Two or more pixels of each unit cell of the PPM are combined to create super-pixels where the sum of the phases of the pixels is a multiple of 180 degrees, so that fringes are eliminated to facilitate operator focusing. By assigning colors or cross-hatch patterns to different ranges of modulation measured at the detector, the areas of best focus within the field of view are identified quantitatively to ensure measurements under best-focus conditions. |
| US09958250B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining location and/or speed of a moving object and use of the arrangement
A method and an arrangement is provided for determining the location and/or speed of an object configured to move along a controlled trajectory, in connection with which object is fitted a measuring device measuring at least the magnetic field acting on the object in its different locations, which measuring device comprises a device configured to measure the magnetic field, from the measuring data received from which device a magnetic footprint describing the magnetic field acting on the object in its different locations is formed, which magnetic footprint is recorded in connection with a teaching run, or with self-learning, for later use. The location of the object after a teaching run is determined by measuring in essentially real-time in the direction of the three coordinates X, Y, Z of the magnetic field acting on the object moving along a controlled trajectory and by comparing the measurement results to a magnetic footprint recorded in advance and also by deducing as a result of the comparison the exact location of the object on its path of travel. |
| US09958249B2 |
Indexing head with two rotating axes
Indexing head with two rotating axes, with a first rotating axis A perpendicular to the fixing direction with regard to the mode of operation of the head, and with a second rotating axis B of the fixing direction, in turn defining an upper part of the fixed head in relation to the B axis and a lower part of the head, which moves in relation to axes A and B; and which has a principal servomotor A (40) and a position locking mechanism on the A axis arranged 10 on the part of the lower head; and a principal servomotor B (21) for rotation on the B axis with a position locking mechanism on the B axis arranged on said upper part of the head. |
| US09958248B2 |
High spot material gauging device
A high spot material gauging device applies high spot detection material in multiple depths to provide a basis for correctly determining a depth of material to be removed to produce a planar surface. The device includes a block having a planar first face. Each of a plurality of channels extends into the first face of the block. Each channel has a planar bottom surface parallel to the face of the block. The bottom surface of each channel is a unique respective depth measured transversely from the face of the block such that each channel is configured for applying a unique thickness of high spot material onto a planar control surface. |
| US09958244B2 |
Composite projectile and cartridge with composite projectile
A projectile includes a toughened polymer resin, a curative agent and a particulate filler. The curative agent cures the toughened polymer resin. The particulate filler is distributed throughout the resin. The particulate filler has a density greater than a density of the resin. In some embodiments, the cured toughened polymer resin can be 20 to 30 percent by weight of the total projectile composition. The projectile has an average density that is less than the density of lead. In certain embodiments, the particulate filler can be 70 to 80 percent by weight of the total projectile composition. The particulate filler can include at least one of copper, tungsten, lead, iron and steel. |
| US09958242B2 |
Payload carrying arrangement for a non-lethal projectile
A payload dispersion system for a non-lethal projectile including a resilient layer and a marker packet having a hollow body including a lower surface, at least a partial opening centrally disposed, an upper surface, a volume formed by the lower surface, the at least a partial opening and the upper surface and a payload contained within the volume. The upper surface of the marker packet includes a wall and at least one weakened portion within the wall. The lower surface of the marker packet contacts an upper surface of the resilient layer. |
| US09958241B2 |
Caliber shell with rigid mounting to housing of stabilizing fins
The invention relates to ammunition for firearms, as smooth and a rifled barrel. The projectile with rigid attached to the housing stabilizing fletching block, plates of fletching block have a continuation on the housing, centering the projectile in the barrel. In the offered variant, on the friction and heat of the bullet and the barrel takes about 1% of the shot energy, besides low vibration. The rest of energy escapes to destination, and that's good. Erasing minimal of the barrel. Application of the projectile in the shotgun and rifle barrels increases the service life of barrels. Use of such projectiles increases the initial speed, and with the sleeve-nozzle and a second charge, allows to increase the speed and specialization of the projectile. At the expense of the aerodynamic and gyroscopic effects, increases the lethal effect over long distances, due to the greater energy saved, improve the close grouping of shots and flat trajectory. |
| US09958239B1 |
Target with splatter pack
A target system has a splatter pack attached to a target panel. The splatter pack acts as a receptacle for a fluid that provides visual confirmation that the target has been hit as the pack bursts upon impact by a projectile. As the pack bursts, the fluid explodes out and leaves a splatter pattern on or about the target panel. The burst and residual splatter allow the marksman to see whether or not an accurate shot was delivered without having to closely examine the target. The splatter pack is removably secured to the target panel by an adhesive layer and once a pack has burst, another pack can be readily attached in its place. If only a portion of the splatter pack has been hit and not all chambers have burst, individual chambers may be inserted in place of the previously burst chambers. |
| US09958238B2 |
Blast/impact frequency tuning and mitigation
A protective device and method of design to protect against multiple blast and impact events for use in any application in which a delicate target has to be protected. The protective device for mitigating the effects of blast or impact employs a first layer having a first acoustic impedance and a second layer having a second acoustic impedance. The second acoustic impedance is different than the first acoustic impedance. The second layer is proximate to the first layer. The first layer and the second layer are chosen collectively to tune the stress waves from the blast or impact events to one or more specific tuned frequencies. A third layer of a visco-elastic material is employed having a critical damping frequency that matches one or more specific tuned frequencies to dissipate the stress waves of the blast and impact event. The third layer is proximate to the second layer. |
| US09958237B2 |
Method and system for planning and launching a plurality of missiles to be included in the same mission
A method for planning and launching two or more missiles, to be included in the same mission, and where this is done from one or more aircraft in such a way that the missiles arrive at same target approximately at the same time without interfering with each other on the way to the target. The planning of the mission is performed by sending a set of identical mission data to the missiles prior to launch; letting each missile be assigned a unique identity, letting each missile calculate identical trajectories and a unique offset to this, in one or more of four dimensions, where a resulting offset trajectory is unique for each missile and based on the identical mission data and unique identity, and launching the missiles included in the same mission. |
| US09958235B2 |
Adjusting apparatus for setting a rifle scope, and rifle scope equipped with the adjusting apparatus
An adjusting apparatus for setting a rifle scope has a manually actuable adjusting element which is mounted such that it can be rotated about a rotational axis relative to a base. A latching device is arranged between the base and the adjusting element and has latching depressions which are distributed about the rotational axis over the circumference. A first latching element lies opposite one of the latching depressions and is dependent on the rotary position of the adjusting element relative to the base. A locking device has a manually actuable locking element which can be moved from a released position into a locked position, the locking element being coupled to the first latching element via an actuating drive. The first latching element is fixed in the latching depression which lies opposite in each case in the locked position by means of the actuating drive. |
| US09958229B1 |
Dust cover for a firearm
A cover, or dust cover, for use in a firearm, the firearm being operable for firing a cartridge having a projectile and having a receiver portion including an elongated passageway, a magnetic reciprocatable firing mechanism operable to fire the cartridge, a charging handle connected to the firing mechanism, and a barrel adapted to receive the projectile after the cartridge is fired. The dust cover is adapted for movement and to substantially cover a portion of the passageway. A magnet is connected to the dust cover and is magnetically attracted to the firing mechanism such that the dust cover is drawn towards and substantially follows the firing mechanism as the firing mechanism reciprocates with respect to the receiver upon firing the cartridge, wherein the dust cover intermittently uncovers and covers the portion of the passageway as the firing mechanism reciprocates. |
| US09958226B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a multi-shot firearm
The present invention relates to firearms. In some cases, the firearms include a firing pin; a first ignition chamber that is configured to house a round of ammunition and to move proximally with respect to the firing pin so that when the round is in the first chamber and the firearm is fired, a portion of the round is struck against the firing pin. In some cases, the firearms also include a follower configured to be movable proximally and distally within the firearm and to be biased against a primer or proximal end of the round such that the follower is configured to selectively hold the round within the first chamber as the first chamber moves proximally, and such that proximal movement of the follower stops when the round strikes the firing pin, so that the follower acts as a bolt face for the round. Other implementations are also described. |
| US09958225B1 |
Trigger shield apparatus
Shrouds for preventing unintentional engagement or initiation of firearm triggers during handling of the firearm are described. |
| US09958222B2 |
Breech bolt for firearm
A firearm including a receiver, a barrel, a breech bolt assembly, and a trigger assembly. The bolt assembly has a bolt including a body portion, a lug portion, and a firing pin bore. The lug portion includes outward extending lugs, a cartridge recess, and an off-center hole. The bolt assembly also includes an extractor and an ejector pin. At least some of the lugs on the lug portion of the bolt have a tapering outer face so that a rearward face of the respective lug is taller than a forward face of the respective lug. In another aspect, at least some of the lugs on the lug portion of the bolt have tapering side faces so that a rearward face of the respective lug is wider than a forward face of the respective lug. |
| US09958221B2 |
Device for changing a flow direction through a heat exchanger and use thereof
A device for changing a flow direction through a heat exchanger, comprising a valve housing and a rotatable valve member arranged inside the valve housing. The valve housing comprises first and second ends and a center axis (B) extending between them. The device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. The first end is provided with the first port, and the second end is provided with the third and fourth ports, wherein the valve member is rotatable between a first position and a second position and, in the first position, defines a conduit between the first port and the third port and, in the second position, defines a conduit between the first port and the fourth port. The valve member is rotatable around an axis of rotation offset from the center axis (B) and extending through the center of the first port, and the first port is angularly displaced 90° around the center axis (B) in relation to the third and fourth ports. |
| US09958220B2 |
Debris filtration apparatus
A debris filtration apparatus that includes a support unit including first to n-th unit supports arranged in a radial shape in a circumferential direction around a support housing disposed on an upper portion of a rotor unit configured to rotate at a predetermined speed in a chamber housing; a screen unit including first to n-th unit screens disposed between the first to n-th unit supports and configured to filter out debris from cooling water; and a bypass unit configured, when a load applied to the screen unit is increased to a predetermined level by debris deposited on the screen unit, to selectively rotate each of the first to n-th unit screens relative to the support unit and allow the cooling water to flow. |
| US09958215B2 |
Heat transfer surface with nested tabs
A heat transfer surface for a heat exchanger has a corrugated member having parallel spaced apart ridges and planar fin surfaces extending the ridges. Tabs are formed in the planar fin surfaces for forming counter-rotating vortices in the fluid flowing over the heat transfer surface, the tabs being lifted out of the surface of the planar fin surface and extending into or nesting within the openings formed by the corresponding tabs in the adjacent planar fin surface so as to achieve high fin density. |
| US09958212B2 |
Superposed heat exchanger
Disclosed is a superposed heat exchanger, including a plurality of fins superposed up. Two opposite side edges of each fin are bent upwards to form a ventilating air path in coordination with an upper fin, and adjacent fins are arranged in a mode of vertical-horizontal alternating so as to form horizontal air paths and vertical air paths independent from each other with up-down intervals. |
| US09958207B2 |
Sintering furnace for components consisting of a sintering material, in particular for dental components, and a method for sintering such components
The invention relates to a sintering furnace for components consisting of sintering material, especially dental components and in particular components consisting of ceramic, and a method for sintering such components. The sintering furnace 1 comprises a heatable furnace chamber 2 for the component 9 to be sintered, the furnace chamber 2 having a wall section 6 to be opened for inserting the component 9 to be sintered into the furnace chamber 2. Drive means 10 are provided for mechanized opening and closing of the wall section 6, and a control 11 is provided for the drive means 10 that has an actuation element 12 for the drive means 10. Furthermore, a heating device 5 for the furnace chamber 2 is provided, and the control 11 causes the furnace chamber 2 to be heated. Actuating the control element 12 triggers the loading sequence of the control 11, and the drive means 10 are automatically actuated by the control 11 corresponding to the loading sequence. An additional subject is a method for operating the sintering furnace, as well as a computer program therefor. |
| US09958206B1 |
Curing oven
A curing oven provides a structure which is supportive such that structural members extending the axial length of the oven are not necessary. Additionally, the curing oven provides structures which extend transverse to the axial length of the oven but do not extend through the walls of the oven. Thus, conductive heat transfer is limited and reduced. |
| US09958197B2 |
Traveling harness system
A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing. |
| US09958196B2 |
Refrigerator door frame apparatus and method
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator door frame apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a refrigerator door frame: a first side section forming a first side of the door frame; a second side section forming a second side of the door frame; a third side section forming a third side of the door frame, the third side section integrally coupled to the first side section and the second side section; and a fourth side section forming a fourth side of the door frame; the fourth side section integrally coupled to the first side section and the second side section; wherein the first side section, the second side section, the third side section, and the fourth side section are integrally formed with one another, and one or more ribs are formed on one or more of the first side section, the second side section, the third side section, and the fourth side section. |
| US09958193B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a power supply unit configured to power the refrigerator using commercial power, a battery coupled to the power supply unit and configured to supply auxiliary power to the refrigerator, a power detection unit coupled to the power supply unit and the battery and configured to detect whether power is being supplied from the power supply unit, a driving unit to provide cold air, and a controller configured to control an operational mode of the driving unit based on the detection at the power detection unit. When the power supply unit is supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a normal operation mode, and when the power supply unit is not supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a power failure operation mode and to control the power to be supplied from the battery. |
| US09958189B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor having a suction unit and a plurality of injection inlets, an inside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a heating operation, an outside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a cooling operation, a plurality of refrigerant separation devices through which refrigerant condensed in the inside heat exchanger or the outside heat exchanger pass, a plurality of injection flow paths which extends from the three refrigerant separation devices to the plurality of injection inlets, and a bypass flow path which extends from any one injection flow path among the plurality of injection flow paths to the suction unit of the compressor. |
| US09958188B2 |
Air conditioner and method of operating an air conditioner
An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include a heat pump having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that condenses or evaporates a refrigerant by heat exchange with heat source water; a heat source water flow path connected to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path; and a variable flow valve controller that controls an opening degree of the variable flow valve. The variable flow valve controller may include a heat source water minimum flow manipulator that manipulates a minimum flow rate of the heat source water and regulates the opening degree of the variable flow valve according to the manipulation of the heat source water minimum flow manipulator. Accordingly, a user or installation personnel may selectively regulate power consumption and efficiency as desired. |
| US09958185B2 |
Solar thermal concentrator and method of forming same
A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion. |
| US09958184B2 |
Vent proving system
A vent proving system is described for use with a gas fired appliance. The gas fired appliance includes a gas burner, a vent damper for selectively opening or closing an exhaust vent from the gas fired appliance and a relay control for operatively controlling the vent damper and the gas burner to open the damper if the gas burner is on. The vent proving system comprises a sensor for sensing a variable in the vent representing air flow direction in the vent. An electrical switch is connected in series between the relay control and the vent damper. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor, the electrical switch and to the relay control. The controller determines if a back draft condition is present in the vent when the gas burner is on and selectively operates the electrical switch to open the connection between the relay control and the vent damper if a back draft condition is present in the vent when the gas burner is on. |
| US09958180B2 |
Alarm-clock triggered systems
In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may offer a user the comforts of automatically controlling HVAC settings based at least in part on an alarm. The automation system may provide automatically meet desired HVAC conditions at select times and provide a more comfortable living situation. In some embodiments, the increased comfort level may enable or ease household activities. For example, if a person sleeps with a cooler temperature, it may be harder for the person to get out of bed. But an automated HVAC system may adjust the temperature such that when a person desires to wake up, the temperature is comfortable and may ease a transition from day to night. |
| US09958179B2 |
Air-conditioning system
A control unit includes a mode control unit that, when a test operation switch is turned on, transmits information indicating that a test operation mode is performed to a centralized management device via an adapter and an external network. When the information indicating that the test operation mode is performed is received, the centralized management device restricts an operation on the operation terminal to prevent an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus from being changed via the operation terminal. |
| US09958174B2 |
Device employable in different circuit configurations using parallel wiring harnesses, a HVAC system employing the device and a method of manufacturing a HVAC unit
A HVAC unit manufacturing method and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: a controller having control board terminals, a parallel wiring harness having a first and a second connection header, the first connection header coupled to the control board terminals, and a switch having terminals. The terminals of the switch including: a pair of functional terminals configured to indicate a status of the switch and a pair of jumpered terminals independent of the pair of functional terminals and internally connected together within the switch, wherein designated combinations of the terminals indicate a circuit configuration for employing the switch in the HVAC system with each of the terminals having a particular design that dictates a specific corresponding connection header be used for each of the designated combinations, wherein a single one of the designated combinations of the terminals corresponds to the second connection header. |
| US09958166B2 |
Household appliance having a latch retainer for an all glass inner door
A household cooking appliance including a housing having an oven chamber accessible through an opening. The opening has a seal surrounding a perimeter of the opening. A door covers the opening and is moveable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a door skin forming an outer surface of the door and a full glass inner panel forming an inner surface of the door. The full glass inner panel abuts the seal when the door is in a closed position. A latch retainer is coupled to the door skin and an oven lock is moveable between a lock position in which the oven lock engages the latch retainer and locks the door in the closed position during a self-cleaning process, and an unlock position in which the oven lock is disengaged from the latch retainer. |
| US09958163B2 |
Cooling structure for gas turbine combustor liner
A gas turbine combustor is provided in which product reliability and heat transfer promotion are compatible while suppressing an increase in pressure loss.In a gas turbine combustor comprising a combustor liner, an outer tube provided around an outer periphery of the combustor liner, and an annular flow passage in which a cooling medium (cooling air) flows and which is formed between an outer surface of the combustor liner and an inner surface of the outer tube, the outer tube includes an inner diameter reduced portion and a taper portion smoothly connecting the inner diameter reduced portion and an inner peripheral portion on an upstream side, and is provided at an inner surface of the taper portion with longitudinal vortex generating means generating a vortex that has a central rotation axis in a flowing direction of the cooling medium (cooling air). |
| US09958161B2 |
Combustor for gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine comprises an annular combustor chamber formed between an inner liner and an outer liner. An annular upstream zone is adapted to receive fuel and air from an annular nozzle. An annular mixing zone is located downstream of the upstream zone. The mixing zone has a reduced radial height relative a downstream combustion zone of the combustion chamber, the mixing zone defined by straight wall sections. |
| US09958160B2 |
Gas turbine engine component with upstream-directed cooling film holes
A component within a gas turbine engine includes a surface with one or more upstream-directed cooling film holes therethrough. |
| US09958154B2 |
System and method for flattening a flame
A charge electrode configured to impart a time-varying charge to a flame and a shape electrode located outside the flame may be driven synchronously by a voltage source through time varying voltage(s). The flame may be flattened or compressed responsive to an electric field produced by the shape electrode acting on the charges imparted to the flame. |
| US09958152B2 |
Multi-functional fuel nozzle with an atomizer array
A nozzle cap (82) is disposed at a downstream end of the nozzle. The nozzle cap includes a bore arranged to accommodate a downstream portion of a fluid-injecting lance that extends along a longitudinal axis (18) of the nozzle. The downstream portion of the fluid-injecting lance includes a centrally-located atomizer (80) to form a first atomized ejection cone. An array of atomizers (84) is disposed in the nozzle cap. The array of atomizers is circumferentially disposed about the longitudinal axis of the lance. The array of atomizers may be positioned radially outwardly relative to the centrally-located atomizer to form an array of respective second atomized ejection cones. |
| US09958147B2 |
Waterproof socket-type halogen lamp for livestock barn with improved handling
A waterproof socket-type halogen lamp for a livestock barn comprises a fixing body forming a hollow part, a side plate finishing the outside of the fixing body, a contact point, a wire, an annular insulator insulating the fixing body, a spring which is embedded in the hollow part and of which an outer side is supported by the side plate, an inner side supports the outer side of the annular insulator to provide restoration force while supporting one terminal of the tube halogen lamp through the contact point, and an inner waterproof packing which prevents moisture or dust from penetrating to the inner end of the fixing body and has a closed curve shape with a terminal passing groove through which a lamp terminal housing passes, and a tube halogen lamp in which lamp terminals at both ends are connected with the contact point by two socket parts. |
| US09958143B2 |
Weapon mounted light and operation thereof
A flashlight assembly includes a bistable safety bail to prevent inadvertent depression of an operational push button switch. The flashlight assembly further includes a bistable pivoting mode selection lever which controls operational modes of the flashlight. Further, the flashlight operates with a thermal optimization circuit which automatically, over time, reduces the duty cycle of the control circuit to reduce the temperature of the LED junction, improve LED performance and increase battery life. |
| US09958140B2 |
Military projector with relatively movable negative and positive lenses
A military projector comprises a tubular housing that contains a high intensity lamp, a reflecting mirror behind the high intensity lamp, a negative lens which is carried in a first mounting member located in front of the lamp, and a pair of positive meniscus lenses which axe mounted in a second mounting member spaced from and movable relative to the negative lens so that the distance between the negative and positive lenses can be varied. A carrier member having a clear opening and an opening containing a filter is located between the negative and positive lenses. A moving means moves the carrier member between a first position in which the light passes through the filter before reaching the positive meniscus lenses and a second position in which the light passes through the clear opening. An elongated tubular electromagnetic shield extends beyond the meniscus lenses. |
| US09958139B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus which uses laser light emitted by a light source is provided. The illumination apparatus includes a housing which is tubular, internally includes an optical path for the laser light, and includes a first end surface having an opening through which the laser light passing through the optical path is released. A light emitter is opposed to the opening, receives the laser light released through the opening, converts the laser light into light having a different wavelength of a predetermined color, and emits the light. A cap is removably attached to a first end portion of the housing and through which the light emitted by the light emitter is released. A shutter opens the optical path when the cap is attached to the housing and closes the optical path when the cap is detached from the housing. |
| US09958136B2 |
Sensor device with indicator and related methods
Devices and methods for providing sensor indication are disclosed. The sensor device includes utilizing the signal to activate a light source, transmitting light into a first indicator layer with the light source, and the first indicator layer optionally includes a fluorophore. The indicator layer provides visibility of light around the sensor device. |
| US09958135B2 |
Cover element for flat luminaire
A frame-like cover element for a luminaire including a box-shaped luminaire housing, which has a light exit opening on one side, is designed to be arranged on the housing in the region of the light exit opening thereof and in the process to enclose, in frame-like fashion, a light output region of the luminaire, wherein the cover element is connected integrally to at least one optical element, which extend into the inner region of the luminaire housing and is intended to influence the light output by the luminaire. |
| US09958133B2 |
Optical lens, lens array, and lighting apparatus
An optical lens includes: a first lens surface which defines a space for housing a light emitting diode (LED) light source; a second lens surface formed in a convex shape; and a third lens surface formed continuously from a rear edge portion of the second lens surface, which is on a side opposite an illumination target side. The first lens surface includes a first light-entering surface through which a portion of light from the LED light source enters, and a second light-entering surface through which another portion of the light enters. The third lens surface totally reflects, to a substrate, at least a portion of the light. An angle between the third lens surface and a principal surface of the substrate on a virtual plane which includes an optical axis is smaller than an angle between the second light-entering surface and the principal surface on the virtual plane. |
| US09958132B2 |
Optical element and light emitting device including the same
An optical element includes a lens includes a surface of incidence on which light is incident from a light source, a first optical surface recessed toward the light source, and a second optical surface extending from the first optical surface, and a cover arranged on the lens to cover at least a part of the first optical surface. |
| US09958129B2 |
Optical module for vehicle headlight
The invention relates to an optical module comprising a radiator having one or more heat dissipation surfaces, a fan capable of conveying air onto the heat dissipation surface, and a light source supported by the radiator. The principle characteristic of a module according to the invention is the radiator is formed from folded metal sheets, the fan being secured to the radiator by securing means provided in the folded metal sheet. |
| US09958127B2 |
Vehicle lamp
In a vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, a lamp body is made of an acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) resin, which has a glass transition temperature lower than that of a poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA resin constituting a light transmissive cover. That is, with respect to the glass transition temperature Tg1 of the PMMA resin constituting the light transmissive cover, the glass transition temperature of the ASA resin constituting the lamp body is set to Tg1>Tg2. Thus, it is possible to generate not a tensile residual stress but a compressive residual stress in a welding portion between the lamp body and the light transmissive cover, thereby enhancing the solvent resistance of the light transmissive cover. And, thus, an annealing process after the welding is unnecessary, or simply performed. |
| US09958124B2 |
Vehicular lamp
Disclosed is a vehicular lamp. The vehicular lamp includes an LED, a light guide guiding light emitted from the LED, and a light transmissive cover disposed in front of the light guide. The light guide includes a first end surface, a second end surface, a rear side surface with a plurality of steps, and a front side surface. A notched portion is formed on the front side surface. A notched surface is formed in the notched portion to cross the extension direction of the light guide. The steps reflect first light toward the front side surface and second light toward the notched surface. The light transmissive cover includes first and second emission portions causing the first and second lights to pass therethrough, respectively. An angle formed by the notched surface and the incidence surface of the second emission portion is within a range of 0 to 45 degrees. |
| US09958119B2 |
Lighting device and system
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to lighting devices and, more particularly, to elongate lighting devices having components adapted for interconnection, as well as lighting systems including such lighting devices. In one embodiment, the invention provides a lighting device comprising: an elongate housing; at least one light-emitting device within the housing; and a first connection device at a first end of the elongate housing, the first connection device being electrically connected to the at least one light-emitting device. |
| US09958117B2 |
Semiconductor-tubular lamp, tube therefor, and production method
The invention relates to a tube (42) for a semiconductor tubular lamp (41), which tube has at least one holding projection for holding at least one printed circuit board (5) on the inside of the tube, wherein the tube (42) is a glass tube, and the at least one holding projection is an inwardly bulging, reshaped burling region (43-46) of the tube (42). A semiconductor tubular lamp (41) has a tube (42) and at least one printed circuit board (5) fitted with a semiconductor light source (6), which is accommodated in the tube (42) and is held transversely to a longitudinal direction (L) of the tube (42) by means of at least one burling region (43-46) in a form-fitted manner. A method serves to produce a tube (42), wherein the tube (42) is provided, locally heated, and pressed inwardly at the at least one locally heated point for generating the at least one burling area (43-46). The invention is in particular applicable to LED retrofit lamps for fluorescent lamps, in particular for replacing conventional tube lamps or flashlights of type T5 or T8. |
| US09958116B2 |
Glass jacketed LED lamp
A glass jacketed led lamp is characterized by a prismatic LED module positioned coaxial to the axis of a cylindrical glass jacket having an inside diameter D1, wherein the LED module comprises: a prismatic LED carrier structure having N longitudinal sides, and LEDs that are operationally mounted on at least one of the N sides; wherein: the carrier structure was formed by folding a single metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) into a convex prismatic polyhedron; the prism cross section is an irregular and incomplete polygon such that the N sides are bounded by N+1 longitudinal fold edges, wherein a first edge and the (N+1)th edge are back edges that are spaced apart by a first separation GAP1. |
| US09958107B1 |
Expandable sockets for use with portable media players
An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case. The expandable socket generally includes a platform, a skin coupled to the platform, a button coupled to the skin opposite the platform, and a biasing element. The skin includes an outer wall, an inner wall spaced radially inward of the outer wall, and a cavity defined by the inner wall, wherein the skin is deformable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The biasing element is arranged within the cavity of the skin between the platform and the button, such that the biasing element is at least partially surrounded by the inner wall of the skin. The biasing element is configured to bias the skin into the expanded configuration. |
| US09958106B2 |
Insulating material protective cover for valve unit
The present invention relates to an insulating material protective cover for a valve unit. The insulating material protective cover for a valve unit, according to the present invention, comprises: a first split body including a first plate, first finishing chassis respectively coupled to both end portions of the first plate in the widthwise direction, and second plates perpendicular to the first plate and respectively coupled thereto; a second split body including a third plate, second finishing chassis respectively coupled to both end portions of the third plate in the widthwise direction, and fourth plates perpendicular to the third plate and respectively coupled thereto; and a third split body including a fifth plate, a second finishing chassis coupled to a first end portion of the fifth plate in the widthwise direction, a first finishing chassis coupled to a second end portion of the fifth plate in the widthwise direction, and a sixth plate perpendicular to the fifth plate and coupled thereto. |
| US09958103B1 |
Internal anticorrosive and abrasive resistant protection coating for steel pipes
The present invention includes an inner anticorrosive and abrasive resistant coating (10) for steel pipes (1) used for the transport of fluids. The coating includes: a layer of epoxy resin (2) having free hydroxyl groups, which are applied directly to the inside 1a of the steel pipe (1); a layer of thermoplastic adhesive (3) applied directly onto the layer of epoxy resin; and a layer of 12-Aminododecanoic acid lactam with the formula (C12H23NO), which is applied directly onto the layer of adhesive. |
| US09958102B2 |
Condensate removal device
An orifice condensate trap (i.e. a condensate removal device (10) having a condensate drainage channel (26) with a constricted passage (30) therein) in which a magnet (50) is disposed upstream of the orifice to capture impurities, e.g. magnetic particles, suspended or otherwise carried in the condensable gas or condensate. The magnet may be used in tandem with a mechanical filter, e.g. strainer. The magnet may be formed as part of a cap or plug (48) for closing an access opening (36) opposite to an upstream opening of the constricted passage (30). For example, the plug (48) may be formed of magnetic material, e.g. a magnetic variant of stainless steel. |
| US09958096B2 |
Split test boot
A boot assembly that reliably seals the secondary containment area utilizing a split boot device that can be installed without disconnecting the primary piping is disclosed. The seal includes first and second containment housings, each supporting a pair of partial ring shaped seals. The containment housings can be positioned about the primary and secondary pipes from opposing sides thereof so that disconnection of the primary pipe is not required to secure the seal in place. A clamp secures the first containment housing relative to the second containment housing in a secured position in which a first pair of partial ring seals associated with the first containment housing and a second pair of partial ring shaped seals associated with the second containment housing cooperate to form a pair of continuous ring shaped sealing surfaces including a first continuous ring shaped sealing surface including one of the first pair of partial ring shaped seals and one of the second pair of partial ring shaped seals, and a second continuous ring shaped sealing surface including a second one of the first pair of partial ring shaped seals and a second one of the second pair of partial ring shaped seals. |
| US09958095B2 |
Coupling and seal
A mechanical coupling for joining pipe elements end to end has a channel that receives a ring seal. The channel is defined by oppositely disposed sidewalls and the ring seal has lobes on opposite sides. The lobes have surfaces facing the side surfaces of the channel. When the ring seal is seated within the channel, each lobe surface contacts a respective side surface such that the lobes deform inwardly toward the center of the channel. |
| US09958092B2 |
Diaphragm bellows
In a diaphragm bellows, diaphragms that follow one another are welded together alternately in region of their inner and outer edges. At least one guide part is provided for guiding on a surface of a rod passing through an inner through-opening in the diaphragm bellows or of a tube surrounding the diaphragm bellows. The at least one guide part is made of sheet metal and has a holding portion which, in the case of guiding on a rod, is located, in a region of an outer edge, between adjacent diaphragms and is welded to the adjacent diaphragms and, in the case of guiding on a tube, is located, in the region of an inner edge, between adjacent diaphragms and is welded to the adjacent diaphragms. The holding portion is connected to a guide portion for guiding on the surface of the rod or of the tube. |
| US09958091B1 |
Pipe with embedded wire
A corrugated pipe includes a corrugated pipe body circumscribing a hollow conduit and including alternating ribs and valleys extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end thereof. An electrically conductive wire is embedded in the corrugated pipe body, so that the wire spans adjacent ribs and valleys and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. |
| US09958084B2 |
Valve actuator
A combination mechanical/electrical valve actuator providing tactile feedback similar to a purely mechanical valve actuator is disclosed. |
| US09958079B2 |
Device for a plumbing installation
A device for a plumbing installation, the device, for example, may be a valve, such as valve (1), or a fluid flow meter (6), and has a casing (10) that is hydraulically formed from metal tubing so as to have a wall surrounding a void interior. The casing (10) is provided with one or more formations, such as shoulders (64) and (65) and at least one inlet opening (14) and at least one outlet opening (18). A cartridge (12) is at least partly located in the void interior of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) has at least two openings, being a first opening (20) and a second opening (22). Seals (46), (48) and (50) are provided between the casing (10) and the cartridge (12). The cartridge (12) is accommodated in the casing (10) by the one or more formations of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) is provided with the operational components of the device (1). The inlet opening (14) of the casing (10) and the first opening (20) of the cartridge (12) are in fluid communication. Similarly, the second opening (22), of the cartridge (12) and the outlet opening (18) of the casing (10) are in fluid communication. A fluid flow path is thereby created through the device (1) from the inlet opening (14) of the casing (10), through the cartridge (12), to the outlet opening (18) of the casing (10). |
| US09958078B2 |
Ball valves with translating seating assemblies
A valve including a flow control assembly having an adaptive, floating closure member is provided. In one embodiment, a ball valve includes a floating closure member having a shoulder enclosed within a recess of the valve body. The recess is larger than the shoulder of the closure member and allows axial movement of the closure member with respect to the valve body and along a flow path through the valve. Additional valve systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09958075B2 |
Water tap body and installation
A water tap body has a mechanical mixing valve which is operable selectively to allow water to flow only from a first water inlet to a water outlet of the mixing valve, to allow water to flow only from a second water inlet to the water outlet, and to allow a mix of water to flow to the water outlet. The water tap body also has a mechanical selector valve which is operable selectively to allow water to flow only from a first water inlet to a water outlet and to allow water to flow only from a second water inlet to the water outlet of the mechanical selector valve. The water outlet of the mechanical mixing valve is in fluid communication with a first tap body outlet. The water outlet of the mechanical selector valve is in fluid communication with a second tap body outlet. |
| US09958072B2 |
Line blind valve assembly having an injection sealing system
A blind assembly for use in a piping circuit that includes a blind element and an injection system. The blind element has a planar portion that is transversely mounted in the piping circuit to block flow through the piping circuit. When the blind element is installed, it has one or more flat surfaces that are in sealing contact with another component of the piping circuit, such as a flange face, to define a sealing interface. A primary seal is provided between the blind element and the other component of the piping circuit and which circumscribes at least a portion of the sealing interface. The injection system is in communication with the sealing interface, and selectively injects a sealant material into the sealing interface to form a redundant seal in the sealing interface and around the primary seal. An injection fitting can mount to the flange for injecting the sealant. |
| US09958069B2 |
Piston unit of a working cylinder
A piston unit of a working cylinder has first and second coupling partners. The first coupling partner is a piston. The second coupling partner is a piston rod. The piston rod is inserted axially into the piston. Each of the coupling partners has an annular groove, the groove of the piston rod is an external groove, the groove of the piston is an internal groove. The grooves of the coupling partners lie opposite one another. The unit has a spring-loaded coupling ring. The coupling ring, when deformed in a tensioning direction, is fully accommodated by the groove of one coupling partner and which, when deformed in a release direction, engages in the grooves of both coupling partners. The engagement of the coupling ring in the grooves produces a form-locking connection between the partners. The piston rod is oversized in relation to the piston and provides an additional frictional connection. |
| US09958064B2 |
Fast indexing mechanisms for CVT's
A fast indexing mechanism that can be used to quickly and accurately change the axial position of a cone of a CVT. Said indexing mechanism comprises of a Rotation Providing Mechanism that is powered by springs that are tensioned by a pneumatic/hydraulic actuator (see FIGS. 41 and 42), a Rotation to Linear Converting Mover Mechanism (see FIG. 44), and an Indexing and Clutching Mechanism (see FIG. 43). |
| US09958060B2 |
Hydraulic system for a torque converter
A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter. |
| US09958056B2 |
Power transmission apparatus
A power transmission apparatus including a transmission, a case that accommodates the transmission, a counter drive gear to which power from the transmission is transmitted, and a counter driven gear that meshes with the counter drive gear, the power transmission apparatus including: a brake that fixes any rotational element of the transmission to the case so as not to be rotatable; and supporting member that is fixed to the case via a fastening member and that supports the counter drive gear so as to be rotatable, wherein the supporting member is integrally molded with a cylindrical drum portion that functions as a brake drum of the brake. |
| US09958051B2 |
Torsionally compliant sprocket with locking mechanism
A torsionally compliant sprocket system includes a first sprocket (250); a second sprocket (230) mounted in side-by-side relation to the first sprocket (250); a resilient member (270) that resiliently couples the second sprocket (230) to the first sprocket (250) to allow limited angular rotation of the second sprocket (230) with respect to the first sprocket (250); and a locking structure (300, 600, 700) that is biased toward an engaged position in which angular motion of the second sprocket (230) with respect to the first sprocket (250) is restrained and moves in response to rotation of the first sprocket (250) to a disengaged position in which angular motion of the second sprocket (230) with respect to the first sprocket (250) is permitted. |
| US09958046B2 |
Torque converter turbine including core ring having thinned sections
A torque converter turbine core ring is provided. The turbine core ring includes a plurality of arc sections having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and a plurality of weakened sections connecting the arc sections to each other. The weakened sections each having a lesser strength than each of the arc sections. A torque converter turbine, a torque converter and a method of forming a torque converter turbine are also provided. |
| US09958044B2 |
Power transmission switching mechanism and transmission
Provided are a power transmission switching mechanism allowing reduction in size and weight in a simple configuration with a minimized piece-part count, and a transmission provided therewith. The power transmission switching mechanism includes a sleeve that moves in an axial direction of a rotation shaft, a hub section provided integrally with a gear for holding a sleeve axially slidably and unrotatably, and a dog spline installed to a pulley piston fixed to the rotation shaft for meshing the sleeve. In a state in which the sleeve is held to the hub section, the rotation shaft is disengaged with the gear and a relative rotation thereof is allowed. Meanwhile, when the sleeve axially moves from the hub section, the rotation shaft engages with the gear and both thereof rotate integrally. |
| US09958042B2 |
Actuating device of the type provided with an actuating element and sensing means for revealing the positioning of the actuating element
An actuating device which comprises a housing inside of which a slidably displaceable actuating element and sensing means adapted to detect the positioning of the actuating element are provided, wherein the actuating element is coupled to at least one triggering part and the housing comprises at least one reading opening through which the positioning of the at least one triggering part at at least one sensing position can be detected; further wherein the sensing means are placed outside the housing at the reading opening and the at least one triggering part is completely housed inside the housing, the at least one reading opening being sealed with a cover made of a material adapted to allow the detection of the triggering part when placed at the at least one sensing position. |
| US09958040B2 |
Tensioner and rocking lever
An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner and a rocking lever that have simple configurations and that enable an increase in the volume of a space provided inside a plunger, the tensioner and the rocking lever being capable of preventing a stopper pin from being damaged or falling out. A plunger pin hole 121 is formed in a plunger 120 of a tensioner 100. In a tensioner body 110, a body pin hole 113 is formed in a tip protruding portion 112 provided so as to protrude from a side of an opening of the plunger housing hole 121. One of lips 154 provided on opposite sides, in a width direction, of the pressing surface 153 of a rocking lever 150 so as to protrude from the pressing surface 153, has a thinned portion 155 thinned in the width direction. |
| US09958039B1 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission includes: an input shaft; an output shaft; first to fifth planetary gear sets each including first to third rotation elements, fourth to sixth rotation elements, seventh to ninth rotation elements, tenth to twelfth rotation elements, and thirteenth to fifteenth rotational elements; a first shaft connected with the second rotation element and the input shaft; a second shaft connected with the fourteenth rotation element and the output shaft; a third shaft connected with the third and thirteenth rotation elements; a fourth shaft connected with the sixth and fifteenth rotation elements; a fifth shaft connected with the first, eighth, and twelfth rotation elements; a sixth shaft connected with the fourth and ninth rotation elements; a seventh shaft connected with the fifth and eleventh rotation elements; an eighth shaft connected with the seventh rotation element; and a ninth shaft connected with the tenth rotation element. |
| US09958035B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle, the planetary gear train may include an input shaft receiving power from an engine, an output shaft outputting shifted power of the engine, a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotating elements, a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotating elements, a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotating elements, a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotating elements, and six control elements which are disposed at positions where at least one of the rotating elements is selectively connectable with another of the rotating elements or disposed at positions where rotating elements are selectively connectable to a transmission housing. |
| US09958034B2 |
Multi-stage transmission for vehicle
A multi-stage transmission for a vehicle is provided that has at least nine forward shifting stages and one reverse shifting stage with a relatively small number of parts and a configuration such that an engine may be operated at desired operation points, thereby increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the engine may be operated more quietly, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle. |
| US09958032B2 |
Transmission for vehicle
A transmission includes: a first input shaft selectively receiving power from an engine; a second input shaft continuously receiving power from the engine; a first output shaft arranged in parallel with the first input shaft and the second input shaft; a differential drawing power from the first output shaft and a second output shaft; a first shift unit providing desired gear shifts; a second shift unit to carry out duplicate gear shifts; and a one-way clutch to transmit power from the engine to the differential. In particular, the duplicate gear shifts has a gear ratio substantially identical to a gear ratio of one of the gear shifts made by the first shift unit, and the one-way clutch is arranged in a power transmission line for transmitting the power from the engine to the differential through the second shift unit. |
| US09958022B2 |
Energy dissipating device
An energy dissipating device which is capable of dissipating energy through its plastic axial deformation without undergoing buckling comprises at least three hysteretic elements, being interconnected in series in such a way, that at least one hysteretic element will be subjected to compression while at least another hysteretic element is subjected to tension when an external load is applied to the energy dissipating device. |
| US09958020B2 |
Disc brake having a clearance-monitoring device, and method for monitoring clearance
A disc brake, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a brake-application device having a brake lever. An adjustment device, which is coupled to the brake-application device, in particular to the brake lever, is provided in order to adjust for the wear of brake pads and a brake disc. A wear sensor detects a wear value of brake pads and the brake disc. A brake control unit controls the disc brake. The disc brake has a clearance-monitoring device having a control device, which is connected to the wear sensor and the brake control unit. A corresponding method for monitoring a clearance of a disc brake is provided. |
| US09958014B2 |
Coupling system
A coupling (1) for a shaft-end (2) having a square cross-section includes a front plate (6), a locking plate (7) and a rear plate (8) provided with square openings (9, 10, 11), in which the square shaft-end can be inserted. The locking plate can be rotated back and forth between an unlocked position (I), in which the square openings in the front plate, the rear plate and the locking plate coincide, and a locked position (II), in which the openings do not coincide. In the unlocked position the square shaft-end can be inserted through the coinciding square openings. Subsequently, the locking plate is rotated so that the shaft-end cannot be pulled out until the locking plate is returned into the unlocked position. The coupling can be used for easily interconnecting different types of parts, for example, applicable with exercise bicycles, bicycles, etc. |
| US09958009B2 |
Roller bearing
A roller bearing includes an inner ring having an inner-ring raceway surface on an outer periphery of the inner ring, an outer ring arranged concentric with and peripherally outside the inner ring and having, on an inner periphery of the outer ring, an outer-ring raceway surface that faces the inner-ring raceway surface, a plurality of rollers interposed between the inner-ring raceway surface and the outer-ring raceway surface in a rollable manner, and a cage that holds the rollers at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction. Opposite end portions of the outer-ring raceway surface in an axial direction serve as guide surfaces or which rotation of the cage is guided. Or an outer periphery of the cage, slidable contact surfaces are formed which slidably contact the guide surfaces and which are arranged to face the respective guide surfaces across a labyrinth clearance. |
| US09958008B2 |
Bearing and connecting rod
A bearing may include a substrate and a metallic layer disposed in contact with the substrate. An adhesive layer may be disposed in contact with the metallic layer. A supporting layer may be disposed in contact with the adhesive layer. According to an example, a polymer layer may be disposed in contact with the adhesive layer. According to another example, a polymer layer may be disposed in contact with the supporting layer. |
| US09957996B2 |
Quick turn fastener
A fastener for use in connection with a tubular boss has a shaft with at least one rib along the length thereof and at least one thread segment extending at least partially around the shaft. The shaft is inserted into the boss in first position, and rotated to a second position wherein the at least one thread segment engages at least one column formed in the tubular boss. The shaft can be integrally formed with a first molded part to be fastened to a second molded part with an integrally formed tubular boss. Various locking features for locking the shaft in the boss are also disclosed. |
| US09957995B2 |
Power-operated tightening nut
The invention relates to a power-operated tightening nut (1) for axially tightening a fastening bolt, using an adjusting system (1) for adjusting the tightening force acting on the fastening bolt (2). The invention further provides an integrated display (24) for displaying the tightening force acting on the fastening bolt (2). |
| US09957994B2 |
Screw
A screw includes a shank, a first thread, and a second thread. The shank includes a screw-in portion, a head portion, and a straight rod portion between the screw-in portion and the head portion. The first thread surrounds the shank spirally and includes an upper thread portion formed around the straight rod portion, a lower thread portion formed around the screw-in portion, and a middle thread portion continuously connected between the upper and lower thread portions. A plurality of serrate cutting teeth is provided on the middle thread portion of the first thread. The second thread is helically formed around the screw-in portion of the shank and includes a plurality of thread convolutions spaced from thread convolutions of the lower thread portion of the first thread. The screw can be quickly driven into articles to be joined without degradation of binding capacity between the screw and the articles. |
| US09957993B2 |
Recessed head fastener and driver combination
A screw recess and driver combination that comprises the use of varying frustums of differing cones to provide driver/recess contact faces that are elliptical. |
| US09957991B2 |
Clamp assembly for mounting panels to I-beams
A clamp assembly is provided for securing a panel or fairing to an I-beam, and comprises a pair of side blocks and a clamping block, together with a single bolt to secure them in place. Each of the side blocks as an inclined wedge surface, and the T-shaped clamping block has similarly sloped wedge surfaces along the sides of the leg of the T. When a bolt this passed through side legs of the side blocks, and through or under the clamping block, a sliding and wedging action between the inclined and sloped wedge surfaces occurs. Moreover, a clamping action between the top surface of the clamping block and the lower surface of the lower flanges of the I-beam is also induced. |
| US09957986B2 |
Structural assembly and method of assembly thereof
Some embodiments are directed to an assembly having a first cardboard assembly member, a second cardboard assembly member and a connection arrangement. The connection arrangement can connect together the first and second cardboard assembly members, and can include a set of first connector elements and a set of second connector elements. Each of the first connector elements can have a first segment fixedly received within the first assembly member, and a second segment that projects from the first assembly member and received within the second assembly member, the second segment extending along a first longitudinal axis parallel to two parallel faces of the second assembly member. Each of the second connector elements can extend along a second longitudinal axis normal to the first longitudinal axis, and be received within the second assembly member and pass through the two parallel faces of the second assembly member. |
| US09957984B2 |
Method for making a detection device for detecting the position of a movable rod of a pneumatic actuator and detection device obtainable with that method
A method for making a detection device (2) for detecting a position of a movable rod (4) of a pneumatic actuator (1) comprises a step of taking a first body (17) comprising a connecting portion (19), a supporting portion (20), an electrical connector (21), a detection sensor (15) for detecting a magnetic field and electrical connecting means (22). The method then comprises a step of taking a second body (18) comprising a housing (14) in which the supporting portion (20) can be inserted, a step of inserting the supporting portion (20) and the detection sensor (15) positioned on it in the housing (14) and a step of irremovably constraining the first body (17) to the second body (18). The first body (17) and the second body (18) comprise, one at least one projecting element (25) and the other at least one corresponding hole (26); during the insertion step the projecting element (25) is inserted in the hole (26). During the constraining step the first body (17) is irremovably constrained to the second body (18) by plastically deforming the projecting element (25) to prevent it from being extracted from the hole (26) in which it is inserted. |
| US09957983B2 |
Pressurized actuator
A linear actuator contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A hollow piston is positioned within the housing to slidably engage with an inner wall of the housing. A sealed gas chamber is formed within the hollow piston and contains stored gas for driving the piston upon activation of the actuator. |
| US09957982B2 |
Lifting device
An electromagnetic switching valve, for which the maximum opening is set to be small, is disposed on piping between a lift cylinder and a hydraulic pump motor. A pilot check valve, for which the maximum opening is set to be larger than the electromagnetic switching valve, is disposed on piping, different from the piping, between the lift cylinder and the hydraulic pump motor. In addition, during lowering operations, first, the electromagnetic switching valve is opened, and then after the same is opened, the pilot check valve is opened after a prescribed time has passed. Thus, the shock generated when lowering an object to be raised/lowered is reduced and a fork is operated quickly. |
| US09957980B2 |
Vane with sealed lattice in a shroud of an axial turbomachine compressor
The present application relates to a stator of an axial turbomachine compressor. The stator includes a circular wall, such as an internal shroud, with a guiding surface in order to guide the primary flow of the turbomachine. The stator further includes a circular row of stator vanes, each of them including an airfoil which extends radially in the primary flow of the turbomachine, and a securing portion. The securing portion of the vane includes a lattice which has rods and which is secured and/or sealed in the shroud in order to fix the vanes to the shroud via the lattices. The stator includes a joint of abradable material which is arranged inside the internal shroud, and in which the lattice is secured in order to ensure retention, a fixing between the vane and the internal shroud. The vane is produced by means of additive production. |
| US09957978B2 |
Ventilation system and ventilation fan housing thereof
A ventilation fan housing includes: a shield body having a receiving space, a maintenance opening and a wire-positioning opening adjacent to the maintenance opening, with the maintenance opening and wire-positioning opening penetrating a wall of the shield body and communicating with the receiving space, and with a lid connecting with the shield body detachably to cover the maintenance opening. |
| US09957973B2 |
Blade with an S-shaped profile for an axial turbomachine compressor
The present disclosure provides a subsonic rotor and/or stator blade profile of an axial turbomachine compressor, such as a turbojet. The blade comprises a leading edge with an S-shaped lateral profile in its mid-plane. Specifically, the profile includes, from its inner end to the outer end, a first convex portion including the foremost point of the blade, and a second concave portion including the rearmost area of the blade. This profile enables the fluid flow between 20% and 80% of the blade's length to be redistributed. This so-called “sweep” profile increases the performance of the stage with such blades because it reduces blade tip vortex losses as well as secondary losses. |
| US09957971B2 |
Method for preventing a fan from burning down at activation
A method for preventing a fan from burning down includes steps of: using a central processing unit (CPU) to detect rotational speed of forward operation of a fan and defining as a highest backward rotational speed value; using the CPU to detect operation direction and rotational speed of backward operation of the fan; and using the CPU to activate the fan to operate forward or activate a rotation stop control signal to stop the fan when the fan impeller rotates forward or backward by return air, if the rotational speed of the rotation stop control signal is smaller or larger than the highest backward rotational speed value, the CPU activating the fan to operate forward or making the fan to generate a warning signal and keeping providing the rotation stop control signal. The method can prevent the fan from burning down and enhance the stability. |
| US09957969B2 |
Device for controlling a gas flow, an exhaust aftertreatment system and a system for propelling a vehicle
A device for controlling a gas flow through a passage includes a plurality of pivotable gas flow control vanes. The pivot axes of a first and a second adjacent vane are spaced so that a trailing edge of the first vane overlaps a leading edge of the second vane when the first and second adjacent vanes are positioned in a first mutual end state for substantially restricting the gas flow through the passage. The second vane includes a recess with such a shape that the trailing edge of the first vane is at least partly received in the recess when the first and second adjacent vanes are positioned in the first mutual end state. |
| US09957968B2 |
Rotating oil union with centerline mounted displacement probe, system for measuring displacement of regulation system of variable pitch axial fan and method thereof
A system is disclosed for measuring displacement of a regulation system for a variable pitch axial fan. The system includes a hub having a plurality of adjustable pitch fan blades. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the hub. A piston is disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. The piston is coupled to a piston shaft that is axially movable with respect to the hub. The piston shaft is coupled to an actuation assembly for adjusting the pitch of the plurality of adjustable pitch fan blades in response to an axial movement of the piston. A rotating oil union includes a housing and an interior element, the interior element coupled to the hydraulic cylinder so that rotation of the cylinder and the hub causes rotation of the interior element. The rotating oil union includes a static housing and a central probe fixed to the static housing. The central probe extends through respective openings in the interior element, the hydraulic cylinder, and the piston. The central probe is configured to sense an axial position of the piston and to generate a signal representative of said axial position. A method for using the system is also disclosed. |
| US09957967B2 |
Direct-current fan control chip
A direct-current fan control chip comprises a magnetoresistive sensor, a controller, a driver and a substrate. The magnetoresistive sensor, the controller and the driver are integrated on the substrate. The sensing direction of the magnetoresistive sensor is perpendicular to or parallel to the surface of the direct-current fan control chip. The magnetoresistive sensor provides the controller with a rotor position signal, a rotor speed signal, and rotor a rotation direction signal for the controller. The controller outputs a control signal to the driver according to the received signals. After receiving the control signals, the driver outputs a drive signal. This control chip has the advantages of good temperature stability, good frequency response and so on. |
| US09957964B2 |
Airfoil shape for a compressor
An article of manufacture having a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z set forth in a scalable TABLE 1, wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z by a number, and wherein X and Y are coordinates which, when connected by continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z height, the airfoil profile sections at each Z height being joined with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. |
| US09957963B2 |
Powder metal scrolls with modified tip designs
Scroll members for scroll compressors made from one or more near-net shaped powder metal processes, either wholly or partially fabricated together from sections. In certain variations, the involute scroll portion of the scroll member has a modified terminal end region. The terminal end region may include an as-sintered coupling feature comprising a tip component that forms a contact surface for contacting an opposing scroll member during compressor operation. The tip component can be a tip seal or a tip cap received by the as-sintered coupling feature. The tip cap may be sinter-bonded or otherwise coupled to the terminal end region. In other variations, a terminal end region may comprise a second material including a tribological material that forms a contact surface. Methods of making such scroll members for scroll compressors are also provided. |
| US09957962B2 |
Scroll compressor
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a casing including a rotational shaft, a first scroll rotated by rotation of the rotational shaft, the first scroll including a first head plate and a first wrap that extends from the first head plate in a first direction, and a second scroll that defines a plurality of compression chambers together with the first scroll, the second scroll including a second head plate and a second wrap that extends from the second head plate in a second direction. Each of the first and second wraps spirally may extend from an outer end toward an inner start end, and the first wrap may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the second wrap. |
| US09957960B2 |
System for sealing a pump cassette against a cassette control assembly
A system and method for pumping fluid using a pump cassette is disclosed. The system includes a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder. |
| US09957950B2 |
Blade pitching
A blade pitch system for a wind turbine comprising a motor coupled to a central reduction gearing, wherein a rotatable output of the central reduction gearing is fixed to a mobile link that in use is joined to the blade and allows rotation of the blade around its longitudinal axis and a static part of the central reduction gearing or the motor is fixed to a static link that in use is joined to a wind turbine hub, wherein the system further comprises one or more flexible couplings to couple the central reduction gearing or the motor and the static or the mobile link such that torque about a blade longitudinal axis is transmitted between the blade and the reduction gearing while substantially limiting the transmission of other loads. |
| US09957949B2 |
Perforated vacuum membrane for fibre reinforced laminates
A composite component for a wind turbine blade is provided. The composite component includes a stack of at least one fiber layer and a membrane which has a first surface and a second surface which is an opposite surface with respect to the first surface. The membrane is arranged with the first surface on top of the stack. The membrane is perforated with openings, wherein the membrane is formed in such a way that the openings are permeable for a fluid flowing along a first direction directing from the first surface to the second surface and impermeable for a fluid flowing along a second direction directing from the second surface to the first surface. |
| US09957948B2 |
Ignition unit and system
An ignition unit produces an ignition in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine in the following manner. The ignition unit comprises a radiofrequency resonator that radiates a plasma-creating radiofrequency field into the combustion chamber. The ignition unit further comprises a microwave resonator that radiates a plasma-boosting microwave field into the combustion chamber. In an embodiment, the microwave resonator has an output surface to which the combustion chamber is exposed when the ignition unit is fitted on the combustion engine. The radiofrequency resonator may comprise an electrode that is at least partially embedded in the microwave resonator. The electrode may have a tip that is located at a distance from the output surface so that the microwave resonator provides a barrier between the tip and the output surface. |
| US09957947B2 |
Method for introducing microwave energy into a combustion chamber of a combustion engine and combustion engine
A method for introducing microwave energy into a combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder with a cylinder head in which the microwaves reach the combustion chamber through a microwave window, wherein the microwaves are run about a circumference of the combustion chamber and radially injected into the combustion chamber through at least a portion of a combustion chamber wall functioning as a microwave window. The method and the internal combustion engine facilitate a precise control of a beginning of a space ignition of a fuel air mix in the combustion chamber so that an optimum low emission combustion of a fuel is achieved with an efficiency that is higher compared to conventional reciprocating piston combustion engines. In general the invention provides safe ignition of lean fuel air mixtures. |
| US09957945B2 |
Method for controlling a corona ignition device
Disclosed is an inventive method for controlling a corona ignition device of an internal combustion engine. A corona discharge, which ignites fuel in a combustion chamber of the engine, is generated by applying a voltage to the corona ignition device. An actual value that is characteristic of the nitrogen oxide concentration of the exhaust gas is compared with a setpoint value, and, if the actual value deviates from the setpoint value by more than a specified threshold value and the actual value is greater than the setpoint value, the voltage is reduced after the comparison. |
| US09957944B2 |
Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine
An ignition apparatus includes a blow-off determining unit 5b. The blow-off determining unit 5b determines, when the value ΔI2 of the time derivative of a secondary electric current exceeds a predetermined threshold value Z during a determination period, that blow-off has occurred; the determination period is a predetermined time period ΔT from the start of a spark discharge by a main ignition circuit 3. Further, when it is determined that blow-off has occurred during a main ignition (full-transistor ignition), it is controlled to perform a continuing spark discharge after the main ignition in a next cycle. Moreover, a secondary electric current command value in performing the continuing spark discharge is set to an electric current value that is obtained by adding a predetermined electric current value α to the secondary electric current value I2x immediately before the occurrence of blow-off. Consequently, in the next cycle, it is possible to reliably prevent blow-off, thereby reliably preventing misfire. |
| US09957941B1 |
Intermittent restart for automatic engine stop start system
A disclosed method of automatically stopping and restarting a vehicle engine determines if one or more stop/start enablement condition has been met. If the stop/start enablement condition or conditions have been met, the method initiates an engine shutdown. If a restart request is made before the engine comes to a complete stop, an intermittent engine restart is initiated. |
| US09957937B2 |
Fuel injection system having a fuel-carrying component, a fuel injector and a suspension
A suspension for fuel injection systems is used for connecting a fuel injector to a fuel-carrying component. A connecting body having a receiving space is provided for this purpose. The connecting body has an opening, via which a fuel fitting of the fuel injector is insertible at least partially into the receiving space of the connecting body. Furthermore, an annular element and an elastically deformable element are provided. Fuel fitting is supported via the annular element and the elastically deformable element along an axis of the receiving space of the connecting body. A fuel injection system having such a suspension is also indicated. The suspension allows for a soft coupling of the fuel injector to the fuel-carrying component at a desired target stiffness. |
| US09957936B2 |
Fuel gas feed and ignition apparatus for a gas engine
A combustion chamber injection nozzle (12) having a plurality of injection channels (37) for a main fuel gas, a pre-combustion chamber, and a plurality of torch channels (52) for hot combustion gas connected to the pre-combustion chamber (15), the injection channels (37) and the torch channels (52) communicating with peripheral openings arranged next to one another so as to alternate in a circumferential direction. |
| US09957932B2 |
Filter assembly for separating water from fuel
A filter assembly is configured to prevent water from infiltrating a fuel tank and/or engine. The filter assembly may include a housing having a fuel inlet line and a fuel outlet line. The housing defines an internal chamber in fluid communication with the fuel inlet line and the fuel outlet line. Fuel passes into the internal chamber through the fuel inlet, and filtered fuel passes out of the internal chamber to the fuel tank and/or the engine through the fuel outlet line. A filtering frame may be secured within the internal chamber, and may include a coalescing frame portion that is configured to allow water to coalesce thereon and sink toward a bottom of the internal chamber, and a hydrophobic frame portion that is configured to repel the water from a valve coupled to the fuel outlet line. A flow restrictor is configured to float on the water toward the valve. The flow restrictor sealingly engages the valve to prevent fluid from flowing through the valve when a surface level of the water is proximate to the valve. |
| US09957926B2 |
Cooling system provided with intercooler and control method thereof
A cooling system may include an intercooler configured to heat-exchange a coolant and air, a radiator configured to cool a coolant heated in an engine through heat-exchange with air, a low temperature radiator configured to cool the coolant of the intercooler, a thermostat selectively fluid-connected to the radiator or the intercooler to supply the coolant from the radiator or the intercooler to the engine, a first control valve configured to selectively supply the coolant which has passed through the intercooler to the radiator, a second control valve configured to selectively supply the coolant which has passed through the engine to the intercooler or the first control valve, and a controller configured to control operations of the thermostat, the first control valve, and the second control valve according to a temperature of the coolant of the engine and a temperature of intake air. |
| US09957924B2 |
Evaporative emissions system check valve monitor for GTDI engines
Methods and systems are provided for conducting a dual test monitor for the presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions in a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions control system. In one example, the dual test monitor includes conducting an evaporative emissions test diagnostic procedure during both boosted and non-boosted conditions during a single drive cycle. In this way, results from the test diagnostic procedure conducted under boost conditions may be compared to the results of the test diagnostic procedure under non-boosted conditions, to unambiguously diagnose functionality of a plurality of components in the fuel system and evaporative emissions system, which may thus reduce undesired evaporative emissions. |
| US09957916B2 |
Internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine. An object of the invention is to allow an effect produced by an anodic oxide film to be exerted while suppressing a decrease in the combustion rate. A piston 10 includes a cavity portion 20 and a tapered portion 26 that is formed so as to surround the cavity portion 20 on an outer side thereof. The diameter of the tapered portion 26 decreases progressively in the downward direction from the top face side of the piston. A squish portion 28 is formed on an outer side of the tapered portion 26. An anodic oxide film 30 is formed on a surface (tapered face) of the tapered portion 26 and a surface (squish face) of the squish portion 28. The anodic oxide film 30 is not formed on the surface (cavity face) of the cavity portion 20. |
| US09957914B2 |
Engine block of a diesel engine with integrated cylinder head, and casting method
An engine block of a diesel engine cast integrally with the cylinder head, with a number of cylinders in line, including an outer wall (21) and a cylinder wall (13) for each cylinder with a first cooling space (22) for a liquid cooling medium and with a second cooling space (25) on top of a cylinder ceiling (14) with openings (15,16) for gas exchange valves, the first cooling space (22) enclosing all the cylinder walls (13) entirely. In order to strengthen and cooling the vulnerable zone at the transition from cylinder wall (13) to cylinder ceiling (14) the first cooling space of adjacent cylinders forms a gap (23) with a width (35) constant or increasing from top to bottom. |
| US09957909B2 |
Device and method for controlling an injection valve
The present disclosure relates to injection valves. The teachings thereof may be embodied in various valves, fuel injectors, and methods for controlling valves. An example method for setting operational parameters of a fuel injector may include: determining a measurement-specific maximum current value; applying a voltage pulse to the coil drive of the fuel injector; detecting a time curve of the current intensity of a current flowing through the coil drive; ending the voltage pulse when the detected current intensity reaches the maximum current value; and storing the time curve of the detected current intensity. The method may include generating a plurality of differential curves each based on two stored time curves of the detected current intensity for successive measurements; determining a peak current for driving the actuator of the fuel injector based at least in part on the plurality of differential curves; and operating the coil at the determined peak current. |
| US09957906B2 |
Methods and systems for PCV flow estimation with an intake oxygen sensor
Methods and systems are provided for estimating a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel canister purge are disabled, PCV flow may be estimated based on a difference between a first output of the sensor with boost enabled and a second output of the sensor with boost disabled. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR is enabled, PCV flow is enabled, and purge is disabled, a third output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated PCV flow. |
| US09957905B2 |
Engine system and control method for engine system
An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a forced induction device, an ejector device, a blow-by gas passage, and a controller. The ejector device has an ejector and a drive gas passage connected to an intake passage of the engine in a manner bypassing a compressor of the forced induction device. The controller is adapted to execute a temperature raising control when the controller determines that condensate water is likely to freeze in the ejector device. In the temperature raising control, the controller raises intake air pressure in a downstream portion of the intake passage with respect to the compressor compared to when the controller determines that the condensate water is unlikely to freeze and adjusts an intake air amount of the engine to restrain increase of the intake air amount that would be caused by increase in the intake air pressure. |
| US09957902B2 |
Isothermal compression based combustion engine
Systems and methods are disclosed that include operating an isothermal compression based combustion (IsoC) engine by injecting isothermally compressed air into a combustion engine immediately prior to a combustion event in order to increase the efficiency of the engine, improve emissions, and substantially eliminate autoignition and associated design constraints. The IsoC engine utilizes an intercooled compressor to isothermally compress air that is stored in a plurality of capacitance tanks prior to delivery of the compressed air to the combustion engine. The IsoC engine allows combustion to be selectively terminated to increase fuel efficiency, thereby resulting in a hybrid compressed air-motor and internal combustion operated IsoC engine. |
| US09957901B2 |
Fuel limiter for a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine
Control of fuel flow in a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine includes limiting an amount of torque or fuel in response to a torque demand, based upon a comparison and a selection of fuel delivery options derived from a global airflow parameter and/or a trapped airflow parameter. |
| US09957897B2 |
Gimbal tube systems for tangential onboard injectors
A gimbal tube system for an onboard injector (OBI) includes a transfer tube having a first transfer tube end that can be mounted to an inner diameter of a stator platform and a second transfer tube end defining a transfer tube pivot connector. The system also includes a gimbal tube including a first gimbal tube end that defines a gimbal tube pivot connector that can movably mount to the transfer tube pivot connector such that the gimbal tube and the transfer tube can move relative to each other at a pivot joint defined between the transfer tube and the gimbal tube. The gimbal tube further includes a second gimbal tube end defining a nozzle that can be inserted into the OBI. |
| US09957882B2 |
Internal combustion engine with turbine
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a turbine within an internal combustion engine. In one example, a turbine system within an internal combustion engine may include at least one turbine with a housing that may further include at least one impeller mounted on a rotatable shaft, inlet and outlet regions, and at least one overpressure line including a self-controlling valve for controlling the flow of exhaust gas. |
| US09957881B2 |
Charge air cooling system and charge air cooler for the same
A charge air cooler cools charge air compressed with a compressor. The charge air cooler includes a shell and an inner tube, which is accommodated in the shell and exposed to an interior of the shell. The shell has an inlet and an inlet to enable charge air to flow through the inlet, the interior of the shell, and the inlet and to pass around the inner tube in the shell. The inner tube is configured to draw working fluid from a transmission device of the vehicle or an engine and to conduct heat exchange between charge air, which flows through the interior of the shell, and working fluid to warm working fluid. |
| US09957878B2 |
Cooling system for engine
A cooling system for an engine is provided. The cooling system includes coolant flow paths including a first flow path and a second flow path and where coolant circulates, a coolant pump for circulating the coolant within the coolant flow paths, a flow rate control valve for adjusting a flow rate of the coolant through the second flow path, a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the coolant within the first flow path, a valve controller for adjusting an opening of the flow rate control valve based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and an output level determiner for determining an output level of the engine based on at least one of a fuel injection amount for the engine and an engine speed. |
| US09957877B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that includes an intercooler and an electrically driven water pump configured to circulate cooling water so as to flow through the intercooler is configured to calculate a required intercooler cooling efficiency ηreq obtained by dividing a difference between a cooler inflow gas temperature Tgin and a cooler outflow gas temperature Tgout by a difference between the cooler inflow gas temperature Tgin and a cooling water temperature Tw. A required circulation flow rate Qwreq is calculated based on the required intercooler cooling efficiency ηreq and a cooler passing-through gas flow rate G. The electrically driven water pump is driven so that a cooling water flow rate Qw approaches the required intercooler cooling efficiency ηreq. |
| US09957875B2 |
Coolant pump control systems and methods for backpressure compensation
A target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump of the vehicle. A speed adjustment module determines a speed adjustment based on a position of a valve, wherein a backpressure of the engine coolant pump changes when the position of the valve changes. An adjusted target speed module determines an adjusted target speed for the engine coolant pump based on the target speed and the speed adjustment. A speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the adjusted target speed. |
| US09957871B2 |
Exhaust heat recovery and hydrocarbon trapping
Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and hydrocarbon trapping at an exhaust bypass assembly. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and each of a HC trap and a heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. The HC trap may be purged with the hot exhaust and heat from the exhaust may be recovered at the heat exchanger. |
| US09957866B2 |
Exhaust treatment apparatus and method
The present invention relates to an exhaust treatment apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a catalyst chamber containing a catalyst. One or more exhaust gas inlets are provided for supplying exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine to the catalyst chamber. An exhaust gas outlet for supplying exhaust gases from the catalyst chamber to a turbocharger. An injection nozzle is provided for introducing a reductant into the exhaust gases between the catalyst and the turbocharger. The reductant and the exhaust gases can undergo mixing as they pass through the turbocharger. The catalyst can have a three-dimensional open structure to facilitate the flow of exhaust gases. The invention also relates to a method of treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. |
| US09957865B2 |
Method of forcibly regenerating gasoline particulate filter
A method of forcibly regenerating a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) includes a first operation of starting an engine, a second operation of determining whether a coolant temperature in the on-state of the engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, a third operation of determining whether an idle state of the engine is maintained for a predetermined time or longer when the coolant temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, and a fourth operation of switching a fuel injection to an air-fuel (A/F) lean injection and forcibly regenerating the GPF by performing the A/F lean injection when the idle state of the engine is maintained for the predetermined time or longer. |
| US09957864B2 |
System and method for SCR inducement
A system and method of inducing proper operation of a diesel engine exhaust after-treatment system employing SCR technology monitors components to detect a fault condition representing one of a DEF level fault, a DEF quality fault, and a tampering fault, activates a trigger event indicator in response to detecting the fault condition. The trigger event indicator provides an indicium to an operator of the presence of the fault condition. The system and method also activates an inducement event indicator in response to activating the trigger event indicator. The inducement event indicator provides an indicium to the operator that the engine will be shut down if the fault condition is not addressed within a predetermined time period. The system and method causes shutdown of the engine when the fault condition is not addressed within the predetermined time period. |
| US09957860B2 |
Oil separator for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine
An oil separator may be used in a variety of contexts, one of which is for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine. The oil separator may include a hollow member that extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive a gas flow that is charged with oil. The oil separator may also include an oil separation member disposed within the hollow member and against which the gas flow flows. A redirection member may be disposed proximate the oil separation member in the hollow member, wherein the redirection member redirects at least a portion of the gas flow traveling substantially along the longitudinal axis radially outwards so as to impact an inner side of the oil separation member. As a result of an impactor effect from the gas flow striking the oil separation member as well as the inertia of the oil, the oil may remain in and/or pass through the oil separation member. |
| US09957856B2 |
Hydraulic valve drive of an internal combustion engine
A hydraulic valve brake for a hydraulic valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve brake includes a housing with a housing wall and with a housing base, and includes a piston which moves axially in the housing and one end side of which, together with the housing wall and the housing base, delimits a hydraulic pressure chamber and the other end side of which actuates a gas exchange valve. The housing wall is perforated in the region of the pressure chamber by one or more overflow openings, the opening cross sections of which are controlled by a control edge, which delimits the end side at the pressure chamber side, of the piston. In this case, it is the intention for the axial distance (h) between the control edge of the piston, when the latter is fully retracted into the housing, and the housing base to be set by a spacer of predetermined thickness (d). |
| US09957854B2 |
Valve for a valve device
A valve for a valve device may include a valve stem, which in an axial direction relative to a valve stem axis merges into a valve disc projecting from the valve stem radially. A valve cap may be included composed of a metal. The valve cap may be attached to an axial end portion of the valve stem facing away from the valve disc. The valve cap may cover a face end of the valve stem facing away from the valve disc and may envelope the axial end portion of the valve stem at least partially. |
| US09957853B2 |
Camshaft phaser
A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber with the input member; a camshaft phaser attachment bolt which clamps the camshaft phaser to a camshaft, the camshaft phaser attachment bolt having a bolt valve bore extending along an axis. A valve sleeve is located coaxially within the bolt valve bore such that an annular clearance is provided radially therebetween. A valve spool is located coaxially within the valve sleeve such that the valve spool is moved coaxially between an advance position and a retard position. A compliant sealing ring radially between the bolt valve bore and the valve sleeve prevents fluid communication through the annular clearance axially between opposing axial sides of the sealing ring and isolates the valve sleeve from radial expansion of the camshaft phaser attachment bolt. |
| US09957840B2 |
Acoustic treatment to mitigate fan noise
A gas turbine engine has a propulsor including a fan and a liner positioned upstream of the fan. The liner has a backing plate, a cellular structure with cells extending from the backing plate, and a perforated sheet with a depth defined as a distance between the perforated sheet and the backing sheet. The depth is selected to achieve a desired ratio of the depth relative to a gap?. A depth to gap ratio is substantially in a range of 0.035 to 0.08. A method is also disclosed. |
| US09957838B2 |
Tank device of an aero engine with an appliance for introducing oil
A tank device of an aero engine, which has an inlet appliance for the supply of an air-oil volume flow into a tank space of the tank device, a separation appliance for the separation of oil from the air-oil volume flow that is supplied to the tank space, a conduit area which is confined by at least one wall and in which an air-oil volume flow can be guided in the area of the tank space at least in certain areas, and an outlet appliance, in the area of which a volume flow can be discharged via a valve appliance from the tank space of the tank device. At least one appliance for introducing oil is provided, by means of which oil can be supplied into the area of the conduit area substantially against a flow direction of the air-oil volume flow which is forming during operation in the conduit area. |
| US09957835B2 |
Fan track liner assembly
A fan track liner assembly for a ducted fan engine which provides for ease of installation and replacement. The assembly includes a plurality of panels; and a plurality of fastening members which are arranged to secure the panels to the fan case of the engine, wherein: each fastening member has a base portion and an elongate arm member, and further wherein: the base portion has an attachment portion which is used to secure the fastening member to the fan case; and the arm member extends from the base portion, and each panel has slotted edge portions on opposing edges at one end of the panel which are each arranged to engage with respective arm members of fastening members on either side of the panel when the panel is assembled with the fastening members by sliding the panel onto the fastening members or vice-versa. |
| US09957834B2 |
Rotor blade tip clearance
A system includes, in one example, a shroud configured to circumscribe a plurality of rotor blades of a gas rotor engine, and at least one rub button including a head portion having a height configured to extend into a flow path region of the shroud along a central axis of the rub button that extends radially into the flow path region. The head portion includes a profile, orthogonal to the central axis, that varies according to a defined function of the height of the head portion. |
| US09957822B2 |
Asymmetric twin scroll volute
An asymmetric twin scroll turbine 10 combined with an integrated exhaust manifold cylinder head 20 may be designed to accommodate mixed, radial or axial flow turbines. The asymmetric twin scroll turbine 10 includes a first scroll 11 and second scroll 12 wherein the first scroll 11 is larger and has greater mass flow capacity than the second scroll 12. The larger volute increases flow capacity and counteracts backpressure creating evenly balanced or equalized peak pressures and pulsations between both volutes and balancing of gas flow between cylinder sets. By equalizing peak pressures, pulsations, and gas flow between cylinder sets, engine self-ignition can be avoided in the cylinder set that would have had the largest peak pressures and pulsations. By in creasing flow capacity of the larger volute and balancing gas flow between cylinder sets, the turbine pressure differential is reduced and the engine can operate more efficiently, improving fuel economy. |
| US09957821B2 |
Gas turbine engine composite airfoil trailing edge
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes first pressure and suction side layers forming a cavity and terminating in ends near a trailing edge. The first and second suction side layers are constructed from a composite material. A bridge is wrapped about the ends. |
| US09957816B2 |
Angled impingement insert
An engine component with particulate mitigation features is provided. The engine component comprises an internal engine component surface having a cooling flow path on one side thereof and a second component adjacent to the first component. The second component, for example an insert, may have a plurality of openings forming an array wherein the openings extend through the second component at a non-orthogonal angle to the surface of the second component. |
| US09957811B2 |
Cooled component
A cooled gas turbine engine component comprises a wall having first and second surfaces. The second surface has a plurality of recesses and each recess has a planar upstream end surface arranged so that it hangs over the upstream end of the recess. Each recess has a depth equal to the required depth plus the thickness of the thermal barrier coating to be deposited. The wall has a plurality of angled effusion cooling apertures extending from the first surface towards the second surface. Each effusion cooling aperture has an inlet in the first surface and an outlet in the end surface of a corresponding one of the recesses in the second surface. Each recess has smoothly curved transitions from the end surface and side surfaces to the second surface. Blocking of the effusion cooling apertures by thermal barrier coating is reduced. |
| US09957810B2 |
Film hole with protruding flow accumulator
A wall of a gas turbine engine is provided. The wall may comprise an external surface adjacent a gas path and an internal surface adjacent an internal flow path. A film hole may have an inlet at the internal surface and an outlet at the external surface. A flow accumulator adjacent the inlet may protrude from the internal surface. A method of making an engine component is also provided and comprises the step of forming a component wall comprising an accumulator on an internal surface and a film hole defined by the component wall. The film hole may include an opening adjacent the accumulator and defined by the internal surface. |
| US09957807B2 |
Rotor assembly with scoop
A rotor assembly having a plurality of scoops disposed in a circumferential array, the scoops extending from an inner surface of the outer wall of the flow path along a radial distance smaller than a radial distance between the inner and outer walls of the flow path. Each of the scoops forms a closed channel from an inlet to an outlet with the inlet and outlet being axially spaced from one another, the outlet being upstream of and adjacent the annular blade path. A gas turbine engine and method of reducing tip vortices in a rotor assembly are also discussed. |
| US09957806B2 |
Method for producing a tandem blade wheel for a jet engine and tandem blade wheel
A method for the manufacture of a double-row blade wheel for a fluid-flow machine that includes a first grid row with a plurality of first blades and a second grid row with a plurality of second blades is provided. The method includes the following steps: manufacturing a first grid row or segments of the first grid row; manufacturing a second grid row or segments of the second grid row, independently of the first row; and after the respective manufacture, connecting the first grid row to the second grid row or connecting segments of the first grid row and/or of the second grid row to one another or to one of the grid rows. |
| US09957804B2 |
Turbomachine and turbine blade transfer
A turbomachine includes a plurality of blades, and each blade has an airfoil. The turbomachine includes opposing walls that define a pathway into which a fluid flow is receivable to flow through the pathway. A throat distribution is measured at a narrowest region in the pathway between adjacent blades, at which adjacent blades extend across the pathway between the opposing walls to aerodynamically interact with the fluid flow. The airfoil defines the throat distribution, and the throat distribution reduces aerodynamic loss and improves aerodynamic loading on each airfoil. |
| US09957803B2 |
End supported helical turbine
The claimed invention relates to a turbine adapted to extract energy from the velocity of a streaming fluid such as wind, steam, tidal streams and water waves. The invented turbine is arranged with its axis of turbine rotation directed at substantially right angles to the current direction of the streaming fluid and comprising a kind of self-supported blade body which is rotationally symmetric and constructed by rotor blades integrated transversely and supported two by two, allowing the fluid to flow through the turbine with less turbulence compared to other types of turbines equipped with separate rotor blades. |
| US09957801B2 |
Airfoil design having localized suction side curvatures
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine comprises a radially extending body having a transverse cross-section. The transverse cross-section comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side and a suction side. The pressure side extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge with a predominantly concave curvature. The suction side extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge with a predominantly convex curvature. The suction side includes an approximately flat portion flanked by forward and aft convex portions. In another embodiment, the suction side includes a series of local curvature changes that produce inflection points in the convex curvature of the suction side spaced from the trailing edge. |
| US09957795B2 |
Dual telemetry receiver for a measurement while drilling (MWD) system
A receiver for a dual telemetry measurement while drilling (MWD) system and method for operating same are provided. The receiver includes a mud pulse receiver module for receiving a first signal sent using mud pulse telemetry via a pressure transducer configured to detect mud pulses transmitted through a mud column in a drill string; an electromagnetic (EM) receiver module for receiving a second signal sent using EM telemetry via the drill string and a formation; and a processer for obtaining the first signal when operating in a mud pulse mode and the second signal when operating in an EM mode and having MWD data displayed at a surface system. |
| US09957793B2 |
Wellbore completion assembly with real-time data communication apparatus
In one aspect an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a completion assembly that contains a filter section having a tubular with a plurality of through holes filled with a filter material for restricting flow of solid particles through the holes for placement of the filter section across from a zone along the wellbore, a sensor inside the tubular for providing information about a parameter of interest during treatment of and/or production from the zone into the tubular, and a first circuit coupled to the sensor that transmits wireless signals corresponding to measurements made by the sensor to a second circuit that transmits the received signals to the surface. |
| US09957789B2 |
Downhole system having a wireless unit
The present invention relates to a downhole system (200) comprising a casing (3) having an inner wall. Furthermore, the downhole system comprises a wireless unit (1) which is movable within the casing, comprising driving means (7) in the form of wheels and at least one battery pack (8) comprising at least one battery for powering an electrical motor (5) driving a pump (6) driving the wheels to rotate along the inner wall of the casing, wherein the downhole system further comprises a well head (110) having a sound detection device (16) for detecting vibrations in the casing, e.g. caused by the driving means or an operation performed by the wireless unit. |
| US09957786B2 |
Multi-zone completion assembly installation and testing
A method of deploying a multi-zone completion assembly in a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes: placing an outer assembly below a surface location, wherein the outer assembly includes an activation device. The method further includes placing an inner assembly in the outer assembly, the inner assembly including a lower opening tool spaced from an upper opening tool. The method further includes activating the lower opening tool using the activation device The method further includes activating the upper opening tool independent of the lower opening tool using the activation device. |
| US09957785B2 |
Unitary body bypass plunger and valve cage
A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. |
| US09957784B1 |
Latch for a ball and sleeve plunger
An improved latch structure for a two piece ball and sleeve bypass plunger comprises a single retaining ring installed in a groove formed in the inside diameter of the sleeve portion of the bypass plunger. The cross section profiles of the groove and the associated retaining ring are smaller in the radial direction. The depth of the groove in the sleeve is substantially reduced to provide increased wall thickness and robustness of the sleeve along the diameter of the sleeve, thereby extending the useful life of the bypass plunger. |
| US09957782B1 |
Screen filter assembly and method therefor
A screen filter assembly is disclosed. The screen filter assembly has an upper screen housing and a lower screen housing, both of which contain screens to filter solids from dirty production fluid. The lower screen housing has a plurality of rings that seal off the area between the upper screen housing and the lower screen housing, thereby preventing any cleaned fluid produced by the lower screen housing from mixing with any contaminated fluid above it. The screen filter assembly filters dirty production fluid in order to keep the solids off of the plunger. |
| US09957780B2 |
Oilfield data analytics and decision workflow solution
A method for presenting oilfield data to a user includes: searching a plurality of oilfield data sources for raw oilfield data; applying an algorithm as needed to the raw oilfield data; providing a quality control check on the oilfield data; deleting any oilfield data that does not pass the quality control check; tagging oilfield data that passes the quality control check with one or more searchable identifiers; storing any oilfield data that passes the quality control check and associated one or more identifiers in a storage medium; receiving a request for specified oilfield data from a user; searching identifiers in the storage medium to identify the specified oilfield data; and sending the identified specified oilfield data in the storage medium to the user. The method may also include planning an oilfield action using the specified oilfield data and implementing the planned oilfield action using oilfield equipment. |
| US09957776B2 |
Control system including single line switches and method
A control system and method of controlling a control system includes a set of pressure-controlled devices having at least a first device and a second device movable between at least first and second positions, and a set of single line switches including at least a first switch and a second switch, each switch configured to move the pressure-controlled devices, respectively, between the first and second positions. The first device alternates between the first position and the second position with every position changing pressure pulse to the first switch, and the second device alternates between the first position and the second position with every two position changing pressure pulses to the first switch. |
| US09957772B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly for wellbore, downhole or intervention operations, such as for subsea wellbore operations includes a rotatable valve member having a passage formed therein. The valve assembly is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the passage is aligned or alignable with a first conduit, and a second configuration in which the passage is misaligned or misalignable with the first conduit, so as to cut or sever and/or clamp apparatus present in the valve member passage prior to reconfiguration. The assembly is configured to apply a maximum cutting force at a particular phase or stage of the reconfiguration. |
| US09957766B2 |
High power laser iris cutters
There are provided using deuterium oxide as a media for transmitting high power lasers to perform laser operations, such as cutting, boring and drilling, a target material. High power laser beams are transmitted through a deuterium oxide beam path to a target material, including material in a pressure containment vessel. |
| US09957763B2 |
Flow controlled ball release tool
A ball release tool includes a body providing a first end and a second end, and defining a flow passageway extending between the first and second ends. A ball is releasably coupled to the body at the second end. One or more flow ports are defined in the body and in fluid communication with the flow passageway, wherein pressure of a fluid introduced into the flow passageway is increased to release the ball from the body. |
| US09957761B2 |
Downhole drilling device
A downhole drilling device (1) may include a drill bit rotatable via a drill string (11); a guiding device (4) provided between said drill bit and said drill string (11), said guiding device (4) being connected to and operable independently from said drill string (11); and a power source (5) for powering said guiding device (4). The downhole drilling device (1) may include an inductive coupler (6, 6′) having a primary side (61) and a secondary side (63), said inductive coupler (6, 6′) being adapted to transfer power from said power source (5), connected to the primary side (61) of said inductive coupler (6, 6′), to said guiding device (4), connected to the secondary side (63) of said inductive coupler (6, 6′). |
| US09957754B2 |
Systems and methods of operating directional drilling rigs
A method of operating a directional drill rig from a remote location may involve the steps of: Issuing instructions from a remote location using a remote communications system; receiving said instructions at a drill site location using an on-site communications system; applying said instructions to a directional drill rig; and communicating directional drill rig data from the drill site location to the remote location using the remote and on-site communications systems. |
| US09957753B2 |
Screen panel for roll-up doors
A screen panel for a roll-up door is configured to be slidably coupled to the door adjacent a bottom portion of the door. The panel is generally parallel to the bottom portion when installed and movable between a retracted position, wherein a bottom edge of the panel is generally aligned with a bottom edge of the door, and an extended position, wherein the bottom edge of the panel is located below the bottom portion. A biasing device biases the panel toward the retracted position with a biasing force that is sufficient to move the panel to the retracted position only when the panel is positioned in an orientation other than a vertical orientation. |
| US09957750B2 |
Window covering positional adjustment apparatus
A window covering includes a positional adjustment mechanism connected to a first rail that includes a spring motor unit, a first lift cord pulley connected to the spring motor unit, a first lift cord collection mechanism having a first roller positioned in the first rail, and a first lift cord that extends from the first lift cord pulley through window covering material such that a portion of the first lift cord passes along the first roller. The first roller is configured so that it only rotates a pre-selected number of revolutions when the window covering material is moved from the extended position to the retracted such that the first roller no longer rotates in the second rotational direction as the window covering material is moved from an extended position to a retracted position after having rotated the pre-selected number of revolutions in the second rotational direction. |
| US09957749B2 |
Sealing device for sealing a gap between a lintel and a roller shutter and a roller shutter with such a sealing device
The invention relates to a sealing device (11, 35, 41) for sealing a gap (32) between a lintel (30) and a roller shutter (10, 34, 40). The sealing device (11, 35, 41) has a sealing means (23) for arranging at the upper end of a top shutter element (24) of the roller shutter (10, 34, 40). For covering a gap (32) in a functional and/or cost-effective way between a lintel (30) and a roller shutter (10, 34, 40), preferably in case of a completely unrolled door blade (12), the sealing device (11, 35, 41) is characterized in that a swivel mechanism (25, 37, 43) is provided for swivelling the sealing means (23) from a sealing position into a winding position and from a winding position into a sealing position. |
| US09957745B2 |
Closure device for the vacuum-tight closure of an opening in a wall
A closure device for the vacuum-tight closure of an opening includes a closure element, at least one rod that projects out of a housing of the closure device and that, outside the housing, supports the closure element and that is rigidly connected to a carrier piece, a transmission unit which is adjustable by a drive parallel to the longitudinal adjustment direction between an initial, open position of the closure element, a middle position, in which the closure element assumes the intermediate position, and a closed, end position. At least one spring is arranged between the transmission unit on the carrier piece, and a stop device which, during adjustment of the transmission unit from the middle to the end position, blocks a further adjustment of the carrier piece parallel to the longitudinal adjustment direction. The transmission unit is guided by at least one longitudinal linear guide to be displaceable relative to the housing parallel to a longitudinal adjustment direction, and the carrier piece is guided by at least one oblique linear guide to be displaceable relative to the transmission unit parallel to an oblique adjustment direction. |
| US09957744B2 |
Power tool to spring torsioner converter
A device to apply a rotational force to a spring of a rollup or overhead garage door counterbalancing mechanism. The device has a rotatable driven member mounted in a housing. The housing and the driven member have slots with an open end adapted to receive the shaft of the overhead garage door counterbalancing mechanism. A coupling member is configured to mount to the driven member and connect the driven member to the winding cone of a garage door spring to apply rotational force to the spring. The housing with the driven member may be connected to the body of an existing power tool in place of the original tool head, or, the housing may be permanently combined with a motor and transmission to provide a special purpose tool. |
| US09957740B2 |
Adjustable gear lock mechanism for a lift and slide door or window
A gear lock mechanism for use with a door or window adapted to lift and slide. The gear lock mechanism includes a gear channel, an adjustable lock box assembly configured for removably positioning in the gear channel and at least two roller carriages. Each of the at least two roller carriages has a plurality of wheels for moving the door or window to an open and closed position. A backset adapter may be removably connected to the gear lock mechanism. |
| US09957739B1 |
Safety gate latch
Bonded or slide on sleeve and cover devices, and replacement gate latches and methods for preventing injury with oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches that are pivotally attached to fixed support post next to an opening in a fence. The sleeves and covers and replacement oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches have enlarged blunt tips that can include bulbous, dome and ball shapes that prevent injury from children or adults that come into contact with the gate latches. |
| US09957738B2 |
Fixing device for vehicle doors
A fixing device for vehicle doors includes a door lock striker, a fixed member, and a movable member. The fixed member has two inclined surfaces that are movable relative to the door lock striker and located on opposite sides of the door lock striker. The movable member has two inclined surfaces arranged on opposite sides of the door lock striker and is urged such that each inclined surface is pushed against the corresponding inclined surface of the fixed member. The door lock striker includes a leg portion. The movable member includes two bodies forming the two inclined surfaces of the movable member, and a connecting portion that connects the bodies at the rear end portions of the bodies, which are pressed towards the fixed member and moved rearward. The connecting portion has an arched shape that protrudes in the protruding direction of the leg portion. |
| US09957737B2 |
Flush-mounted door handle for vehicles
An electronic door latch includes a sensor mounted inside of an outer surface of the door. The sensor may be a proximity sensor, a touch sensor or other suitable sensor configured to determine if a user's hand is present. The door latch release system further includes a powered latch that selectively retains the door latch in a closed position. The system may include a handle formed by a flange or other structure extending across a portion of a recess or pocket in the door. The system may include a receiver that utilizes a signal from a security transmitter (e.g. keyless entry fob). |
| US09957733B2 |
Access control devices of the electromagnetic lock module type
An access control device including an electromagnetic lock module for selectively locking and unlocking a door in a door frame is provided. The access control device provides a lower profiled electromagnetic lock module to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the module, supports and integrates modern accessories such as CCTV, CCD cameras, passive motion detection with automatic background correction, digital notification display, automatic source voltage selection, door and lock status indicators, and ease of installation. The present invention further provides components and circuitry to enable connection of the electromagnetic control module to 12 or 24 volts DC or to an unfiltered rectified AC power supply. |
| US09957721B2 |
Polymer-based bracket system for metal panels
A system for supporting exterior panels on a substrate of a building structure. The system has a plurality of polymeric bracket members, and each of the bracket members have at least one anchor section, at least one web section and at least one support section. The polymeric bracket members provide a thermal break from the exterior panel to the substrate of the building structure. A plurality of exterior cladding units are held in place by the bracket members. A plurality of vents are disposed between the panels and the exterior panels, and a plurality of vents are also disposed between the panels and the substrate, thereby forming a ventilation system. |
| US09957711B2 |
Wall seal system
A flexible seal system for provision of a substantially watertight seal between adjacent concrete panels; said system comprising a first flexible seal member proximate a first end of one said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of an outer surface of said concrete panel; said surface component extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member further including an overlap component extending from said surface component beyond said first end of said concrete panel; and a second flexible seal member proximate a second opposite end of an abutting said concrete panel; said second flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of a surface of said abutting concrete panel; said surface component of said second flexible seal member extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said abutting concrete panel; and wherein the overlap component of the first flexible seal member is structured and selected in use to overlap the surface component of the second flexible seal member sufficient to permit welding of at least a portion of said overlap component of said first flexible seal member to at least a portion of said surface component of said second flexible seal member so as to form a continuous welded seal between and along the length of said first flexible seal member and said second flexible seal member. |
| US09957705B2 |
Helical drain for a toilet
A helical drain for a toilet is disclosed. The present invention relates to a novel toilet drain configuration. Specifically, the novel toilet drain configuration comprises a helical loop trapway. The drain of the present invention exits the toilet bowl and forms a substantially vertical tubular loop running generally parallel to the width of the bowl or stool, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bowl or stool, before being connected to a sewer. The drain of the present invention functions like a P-trap syphon in removing the contents of the bowl. The diameter of the looped tubular portion of the drain may vary by approximately 20 percent or less in the direction of the sewer connection. Sensors may be placed on the drain to monitor drain contents, fluid levels, and drain performance. The drain may be fitted with valves to control the flow of fluids and gases through the drain. |
| US09957701B2 |
Roof assembly for a transportable restroom
A roof assembly for a portable restroom includes a curved roof having a plurality of raised ribs extending parallel to each other, the curved roof including an opening between two of the raised ribs; a fan housing disposed in the opening of the roof, the fan housing having four sidewalls and top and bottom openings, the fan housing including extension portions extending outwardly from the sidewalls; a fan disposed in the fan housing; and a vent cap with sidewalls and a top wall overlying the top opening of the fan housing, the sidewalls of the vent cap are configured to include the extension portions within the vent cap such that a first gap is provided between the sidewalls of the fan housing and the sidewalls of the vent cap, the top wall is disposed spaced apart from the sidewalls of the fan housing to provide a second gap communicating with the first gap. |
| US09957700B2 |
Valve with heating element
A faucet that includes a base, a spout, a valve body, a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, and an electric heater. The valve body includes a first end section, a second end section having an outlet, and a center section provided between the end sections and including first and second inlets configured to receive cold and hot water, respectively. The first flow control valve is located within a first waterway of the valve body to control the flow of cold water, and the second flow control valve is located within a second waterway of the valve body to control the flow of hot water. The electric heater extends through the valve body and is configured to heat a surface defining at least a part of one of the first and second waterways of the valve body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms therein. |
| US09957698B2 |
Hybrid faucet assembly and water way for same
A faucet assembly is disclosed which is of a modular type for use in varying faucet designs and incorporating polymeric or partially polymeric parts in the internal water way assembly therein. The faucet assembly includes a cover plate and an internal water way assembly as well as at least one faucet handle. The internal water way assembly includes a valve assembly having a shank and a valve water way portion positioned on an upper portion of the shank. The valve water way portion defines a valve seat therein, and has a transversely extending outlet passageway. A valve cartridge for controlling flow through the assembly is seated in the valve seat, and, a bridge, which may be a single component or multi-part bridge has a passageway therethrough to receive water from the valve water way portion and a spout receiving portion. A spout tube is configured to be positioned in or on the spout receiving portion of the bridge. The internal water way assembly is attached to the cover plate. |
| US09957697B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling flushing apparatus and related interfaces
The present disclosure relates to maintaining water quality in a water distribution by controlling a flushing apparatus. In one example implementation, a flushing apparatus performs steps comprising flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a residual flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a turbidity flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a pH flush program, and flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a time-based flushing program. |
| US09957695B2 |
Work machine
An exhaust system of a work machine is equipped with a first exhaust system, a second exhaust system, and a third exhaust system. The first exhaust system and the third exhaust system are arranged to be in parallel with respective one ends directed in the same direction. In a plan view, the second exhaust system is arranged with the other end side directed in the same direction as the one end sides of the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system to be in parallel with the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system between the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system and, in a side view, is arranged above the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system. |
| US09957692B2 |
System and method for heavy equipment navigation and working edge positioning using an image acquisition device that provides distance information
A system and method for automatically controlling working edges on a heavy equipment vehicle is provided. A GNSS/INS system determines a location of the vehicle. A vision system calculates a location of the working edge in a vision system coordinate system by obtaining images of a target connected to the working edge using a camera with a fixed field view that obtains distance information for each pixel in the fixed field of view. The location is then transformed to the navigation system coordinate system. The transformed location information is used by a working edge control system to control the placement of the working edge. |
| US09957690B2 |
Controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine
Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling the operation of an industrial machine including one or more components. A method of controlling the industrial machine includes determining a position of at least one of the one or more components of the industrial machine during a digging operation, determining a hoist bail pull setting based on the position of the at least one of the one or more components and a relationship between component position and hoist bail pull, and setting a level of hoist bail pull to the hoist bail pull setting. The level of hoist bail pull early in the digging operation is greater than the level of hoist bail pull later in the digging operation. |
| US09957687B2 |
Wall block and wall block system
A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member. |
| US09957681B2 |
Water control gate anchoring system and method
The present invention relates to inflatable bladder actuated water control gates for control of open channels such as rivers and canals and for control of dam spillways without the need for intermediate piers. The air bladder and hinge flap wedge clamping system includes hinged engagement of the upstream edge of the clamps to the foundation so as to prevent the application of bending and shear loads to the anchor bolts. The resulting configuration facilitates the use of high strength alloy steel anchor bolts in a corrosion protected environment and also prevents tensile loading of the concrete foundation and associated cracking of the concrete foundation. |
| US09957679B2 |
Rear mounted snow plow system for an automobile
A snow plow system for an automobile features a frame connectable to a hitch receiver, a blade movable by an electrically powered actuator between a lowered snow-clearing position a raised transport position, a power unit placed within a trunk space of the automobile, a power connection line between the power unit and the actuator, and a wireless remote operable from a passenger cabin of the automobile. The power connection line traverses through a gasket sealed space between the trunk lid and trunk walls, thereby powering the device without any modification to the automobile. A flexible member connected between the actuator and the blade is operable to raise and lower the blade in a controlled manner under operation of the actuator, while allowing the blade to momentarily trip over ground level obstructions during use. A biasing mechanism forces the blade back into the snow-clearing position once the obstruction is cleared. |
| US09957675B2 |
Cold planer loading and transport control system
A control system for a cold planer having a conveyor configured to transfer material into a first receptacle is disclosed. The control system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an amount of material being transferred into the first receptacle, a communication device configured to transfer information between the cold planer and the first receptacle, and a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the communication device. The controller may be configured to receive an input from the first receptacle via the communication device and determine a fill level of the first receptacle based on the first signal and the input from the first receptacle. |
| US09957674B2 |
Device and method for producing coated products, for example bituminous coated products, with protection plates
The invention relates to a device for manufacturing coated materials, the device comprising: a furnace comprising an enclosure (2) that is designed to be caused to rotate, that has an inside wall (2A) and that is provided with a main inlet (3) designed to receive non-coated new granular materials (25) or recycled granular materials (25) or a mixture of both of these types of granular materials, and an outlet for the bituminous coated materials that are manufactured inside the enclosure (2); heater means defining a combustion zone (4) inside the enclosure (2) and generating a drying flow suitable for drying the granular materials (25); and protective means for protecting the inside wall (2A), which means are situated in the combustion zone (4); said device being characterized in that the protective means are formed by a plurality of plates (13) that extend at some distance away from or else against the inside well (2A), and that are mutually overlapping in part so as to protect the inside wall (2A) thermally. Methods and devices for bituminous coated materials. |
| US09957672B2 |
Roadway track with vertical pivot joint
A roadway track (10) for a vehicle (T) is provided, the roadway track having a roadway face and being suitable for being rolled up and designed to be placed on the ground and presenting a rolled-up position and a deployed position in which the roadway track extends substantially parallel to the ground. The roadway track includes at least a first track portion (14) and a second track portion (16), the first and second track portions being connected to each other by a pivot connection (18) having a pivot axis (A) that extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the roadway face, whereby the first track portion can pivot relative to the second track portion about the pivot axis so as to form a bend (V). |
| US09957671B2 |
Latex cement mortar poured anti-rutting pavement structure and paving method thereof
An anti-rutting pavement structure is arranged consecutively from bottom to top, a semi-rigid base layer, a SBS emulsified asphalt adhesive layer, a Type II latex cement mortar poured asphalt concrete lower layer, a Type I latex cement mortar poured asphalt concrete middle layer and a high viscosity modified asphalt SMA-13 concrete surface layer. |
| US09957667B2 |
Absorbent sheets having high absorbency and high caliper, and methods of making soft, absorbent sheets
An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, non-compactively dewatering the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27. |
| US09957663B2 |
Foil, flock or hot stamping material to fabric
A method for transferring an image to a fabric, including providing a recording medium; coating the recording medium with a specialty coating including a silicone release agent, a silicone emulsion catalyst, and a binder; printing an image on the recording medium including the specialty coating, the image being printed using a sublimation ink; adhering a powder adhesive to the image printed on the recording medium while the image is in a wet state; transferring the recording medium including powder adhesive and image to the fabric; and hot-pressing the powder adhesive and image to the fabric to adhere the powder adhesive and image to the fabric. |
| US09957660B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine including: a cabinet; a tub mounted inside the cabinet to receive washing water; a rotating drum mounted inside the tub to load laundry therein; and an injection unit to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum. The injection unit includes: a plurality of nozzles spaced away from each other to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum at different positions; and a connector configured to include a plurality of passages so that a flow path of washing water diverges into the plurality of nozzles. Washing water may be injected by the spaced nozzles over a wide area inside the drum. |
| US09957656B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine including a cabinet having a first introduction port, a tub, which is provided in the cabinet and which has a second introduction port that is concentrically positioned with respect to the first introduction port, a cabinet door attached to the cabinet to open and close the first introduction port, a tub door attached to the tub to open and close the second introduction port, and a lock-releasing unit, which is attached to the cabinet to release a locked state of the cabinet door and the tub door. |
| US09957654B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine actively resolving unbalancing is provided. The washing machine includes: a drum accommodating laundry and configured to be rotatable; a balancing unit moving along the circumference of the drum and changing the center of gravity of the drum; and a wireless power transmission unit wirelessly supplying power to the balancing unit. |
| US09957653B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with tumble pattern control
An apparatus and a method of operating a laundry treating appliance treating laundry according to a cycle of operation including determining a rotational speed of the drum corresponding to a predetermined movement of the laundry within the drum and setting an operating parameter for the cycle of operation based on the determined rotational speed of the drum corresponding to the predetermined movement of the laundry. |
| US09957651B2 |
Sewing data generating apparatus, sewing data generating method, recording medium for storing program, and sewing system
A sewing data generating unit acquires embroidery frame information and a mark alignment region displayed on a display unit for guiding multiple marks that define an embroidery region of the embroidery frame. When the marks are all positioned within the mark alignment region displayed on the display unit, the sewing data generating apparatus acquires an image of the embroidery frame and a sewing target mounted on a base cloth mounted on the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus performs image analysis based on a correspondence between the acquired information with respect to the embroidery frame and the marks in the acquired image, so as to determine the embroidery region of the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus generates outline data for the sewing target based on the determined embroidery region. This allows an applique to be sewn at an accurate position without a need to prepare dedicated data. |
| US09957649B2 |
Sock structure
A sock structure includes a sock body in which a wearer's foot is wrapped. A cuff is provided in an upper end of the sock body, and a toe and a heel are respectively formed at a front end and a rear end of the sock body. An instep is formed at an upside of the sock body, and a contracted opening section is formed in the instep adjacent to the toe. The contracted opening section includes a stitching line by which the contracted opening section is closed and seamed. Depending on the contracted opening section designed on the instep adjacent to the toe, the stitching line stays above the foot toes of a person who wears the sock body and prevents the foot toes from discomfort or injury induced by friction between the foot toes and the stitching line when the sock body is worn on a foot. |
| US09957643B2 |
Fibers of UHMWPE and a process for producing thereof
The invention relates to a process for producing gel-spun ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres having high tensile strengths and improved creep rates wherein the UHMWPE used in said process is characterized by a difference in the phase angle according to Formula 1 Δδ=δ0.001−δ100 (1) of at most 42°, wherein δ0.001 is the phase angle at an angular frequency of 0.001 rad/sec; and δ100 is the phase angle at an angular frequency of 100 rad/sec as measured with a frequency sweep dynamic rheological technique at 150° C. on a 10% solution of UHMWPE in paraffin oil, provided that δ100 is at most 18°. The invention further relates to gel-spun UHMWPE fibres produced thereof. The gel-spun UHMWPE fibres of the invention have a tensile strength of at least 4 GPa, and a creep rate of at most 5×10−7 sec−1 as measured at 70° C. under a load of 600 MPa. The gel-spun UHMWPE fibres produced thereof are useful in a variety of applications, the invention relating in particular to ropes, medical devices, composite articles and ballistic-resistant articles containing said UHMWPE fibres. |
| US09957640B2 |
Single crystal diamond and diamond tool
A single crystal diamond has a surface. In the single crystal diamond, a measurement region is defined in the surface, the measurement region includes a portion exhibiting a transmittance that is highest in the single crystal diamond and a portion exhibiting a transmittance that is lowest in the single crystal diamond, the measurement region has a plurality of square regions that are continuously arranged and each have a side having a length of 0.2 mm, and an average value of transmittances in each of the plurality of square regions is measured, wherein assuming that the average value of the transmittances in one square region is defined as T1 and the average value of the transmittances in another square region adjacent to the one square region is defined as T2, a relation of ((T1−T2)/((T1+T2)/2)×100)/0.2≤20 (%/mm) is satisfied throughout the measurement region. |
| US09957638B2 |
Method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes: preparing a silicon carbide single crystal substrate having a flatness with an average roughness of 0.2 nm or less; gas-etching a surface of the silicon carbide single crystal substrate under an atmosphere of a reducing gas; and forming a silicon carbide layer on the gas-etched surface of the silicon carbide single crystal substrate, wherein an etching rate of the gas etching is made in a range of 0.5 μm/hour or faster to 2.0 μm/hour or slower. |
| US09957637B2 |
Method of producing epitaxial wafer
A method of adjusting conditions for epitaxial growth includes a first measurement step for measuring the thickness profile of a wafer before forming an epitaxial film; a second measurement step for measuring the thickness profile of an epitaxial wafer and the film thickness profile of the epitaxial film after an epitaxial growth step before a polishing step; a third measurement step for measuring the thickness profile of an epitaxial wafer and the film thickness profile of an epitaxial film; and a step for adjusting conditions for epitaxial growth using the thickness profiles and the film thickness profiles measured in the first, second, and third measurement steps. |
| US09957635B2 |
Metal plating method and apparatus
An apparatus and a method suited for metal plating aircraft engine components that allows the creation a local environment for plating by covering a localized area to be plated so that the localized area to be plated is sealed from remaining parts of the component, thereby eliminating the need for masking remaining parts of the component prior to plating. |
| US09957634B2 |
Film formation device and film formation method for forming metal film
Provided are a film formation device and a film formation method for forming a metal film, with which metal films with a desired thickness can be continuously formed on surfaces of a plurality of substrates. A film formation device 1A includes at least a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, a solid electrolyte membrane 13 arranged on a surface of the positive electrode 12, between. the positive electrode and a substrate to serve as the negative electrode, and a power supply unit E adapted to apply a voltage across the positive electrode 11 and the substrate B. A voltage is applied across the positive electrode 11 and the substrate B to deposit metal on a surface of the substrate from metal ions contained in the solid electrolyte membrane 13, whereby a metal film F made of metal is formed, The positive electrode 11 is made of a porous body that allows a solution L containing metal ions to pass therethrough and supplies the metal ions to the solid electrolyte membrane 13. |
| US09957632B2 |
Method for producing a metal coating
Methods for electrochemical deposition of a metal coating on a metal substrate are described. The method may use an ionic liquid as an electrolyte, and the substrate may comprise a first metallic element. Method steps may include pretreating the substrate by etching in an ionic liquid containing metal ions of a second metallic element, removing metal ions of the first metallic element from the substrate, wherein the metal ions of the first metallic element are received by the ionic liquid, depositing a transition layer on the substrate from the ionic liquid, wherein metal ions of the first and second metallic elements are incorporated in the transition layer, and depositing a coating on the transition layer by electrochemical deposition from an ionic liquid containing ions of the second metallic element. |
| US09957631B2 |
Electroplating apparatus for steel pipes
An electroplating apparatus applies an electroplated coating to a female thread formed on a pipe end portion of a steel pipe. The apparatus includes an inner seal member, a capsule, a discharge outlet, an opening, a cylindrical insoluble anode, a plating solution supply tube, and a plurality of nozzles. The seal member divides the interior of the steel pipe at a location longitudinally inward of a region on which the female thread is formed. The capsule is attached to the pipe end portion. The outlet is designed to discharge a plating solution inside the capsule therefrom. The opening facilitates discharge of the solution inside the capsule. The anode is disposed in the inside of the pipe end portion. The supply tube projects from an end of the anode. The nozzles eject a plating solution between the outer surface of the anode and the inner surface of the pipe end portion. |
| US09957629B2 |
Electroplated coatings
A modified electroplated nickel-based metallic alloy coating and method of forming the same is provided. The electroplated coatings exhibit unique microstructure and composition which improves performance over conventional metallic materials. The coatings have significantly higher strength at elevated service temperatures. |
| US09957625B2 |
Electrode unit
The invention relates to an electrode unit for an electrochemical device, comprising a solid electrolyte (3) and a porous electrode (7), the solid electrolyte (3) dividing a compartment for cathode material and a compartment for anode material and the porous electrode (7) being extensively connected to the solid electrolyte (3), with a displacer (23) being accommodated in the anode material compartment, where the displacer (23) is manufactured from a stainless steel or from graphite foil and bears resiliently against the internal geometry of the solid electrolyte (3) in such a way that the displacer (23) does not contact the solid electrolyte over its full area, or with the displacer comprising an outer shell (62) of stainless steel or graphite, and a core (64) of a nonferrous metal, the nonferrous metal being thermoplastically deformable at a temperature which is lower than the temperature at which the stainless steel is thermoplastically deformable, and where for production the shell (62) of stainless steel or graphite is pressed onto the solid electrolyte (3) by introduction and heating of the nonferrous metal, and on cooling forms a gap between solid electrolyte (3) and shell (62) of stainless steel. |
| US09957617B2 |
Deposition system for forming thin layer
A deposition system which is configured to enable improved temperature uniformity of a heated substrate may include a susceptor provided in a chamber to hold a substrate, a reflection housing provided outside the chamber, a heating module including light sources provided in the reflection housing, and a reflection control module provided in the reflection housing between the heat sources and the chamber. The reflection control module may be configured to reflect light, which propagates along a first trajectory from the light sources toward a center region of the substrate, to propagate along a second trajectory toward an edge region of the substrate, thereby providing improved substrate irradiance uniformity and thus improved substrate temperature uniformity. Improved substrate temperature uniformity may result in improved thickness uniformity of layers provided on the substrate in a deposition process. |
| US09957614B2 |
Ruthenium compound, preparation method therefor, precursor composition for film deposition containing same, and method for depositing film by using same
The present disclosure relates to a novel ruthenium compound, a method for preparing the ruthenium compound, a precursor composition for depositing a ruthenium-containing film including the ruthenium compound, and a method for depositing a ruthenium-containing film by using the precursor composition. |
| US09957612B2 |
Delivery device, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a delivery device comprising a chamber; a gas inlet; a gas outlet; and a dip tube contained within the chamber and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the dip tube being in fluid communication with the gas inlet and being operative to permit the entry of a carrier gas; the lower portion of the dip tube extending into the chamber, the lower portion of the dip tube terminating in an outlet end; and a sleeve; where the sleeve has a first end and a second end; the first end being in an interference fit with the lower portion of the dip tube; and where the sleeve vibrates upon being subjected to a disturbance. |
| US09957611B2 |
Removal device for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
Provided is a removal device for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment including a reservoir being connectable to a reaction chamber where a film is formed on a substrate and storing a byproduct derived from an exhaust gas exhausted from the reaction chamber, a vacuum generator driven by a driving gas, and a suction pipe having one connected to the reservoir and the other connected to the vacuum generator and suctioning the byproduct. |
| US09957610B2 |
High-frequency wave supplying structure
A high-frequency wave supplying structure includes a center conductor that extends in a specified direction, an outer conductor that is coaxial with the center conductor and grounded, and a cylindrical insulating member that is provided between the center conductor and the outer conductor. The distal end of the center conductor is a support portion that supports a workpiece W. A shield member is provided outward of the outer conductor to be coaxial with the outer conductor and the center conductor. The distal end of the shield member is located closer to the support portion in the specified direction than the distal end of the outer conductor. The insulating member includes a protruding portion that protrudes toward the support portion from an opening of the outer conductor. The protruding portion is opposed to the distal end of the outer conductor in the specified direction. |
| US09957609B2 |
Process for making of glass articles with optical and easy-to-clean coatings
A process in which both an optical coating, for example, an AR coating, and an ETC coating are deposited on a glass substrate article, in sequential steps, with the optical coating being deposited first and the ETC coating being deposited second, using the same apparatus and without exposing the article to the atmosphere at any time during the application of the optical coating and ETC coating. |
| US09957608B2 |
Composite shielding
A composite shield assembly is for use in deposition apparatus defining a work piece location. The assembly includes a first shield element for position circumjacent the work piece location and a second shield element for extending around and carrying the first element. The thermal conductivity of the first element is greater than that of the second element, and the elements are arranged for intimate thermal contact. |
| US09957602B2 |
Method for producing thermoelectric layers
The invention relates to a method for producing thermoelectric layers by depositing thermoelectric material on a substrate by means of sputter deposition. In order to create a method for producing thermoelectric layers that are better suited for use in thermogenerators, and in particular have higher Seebeck coefficients, the production of a target made of thermoelectric material is proposed by mixing at least two powdered starting materials having a particle size from 0.01 μm-5000 μm, while coupling in energy and depositing the thermoelectric material from the target on the substrate by way of magnetron sputter deposition. |
| US09957600B2 |
Target age compensation method for performing stable reactive sputtering processes
A method for performing reactive sputtering processes while maintaining the sputtering characteristic at the target as well as the deposition rate constant, or at least in an acceptable range for the industrial production context, independent of the target age. |
| US09957599B2 |
Coating compositions, methods and articles produced thereby
Powder compositions are described having, as constituents: an aluminum donor powder, an aluminum-containing activator powder comprising at least 50 wt. % KAlF4, and an inert filler powder. Related methods and coatings are also described. |
| US09957597B2 |
Method for preparing a surface before thermal spray-coating
The invention relates to a method for preparing the surface of a substrate (100) for the purpose of accepting and holding a coating sprayed by a plasma torch. Said method includes a machining phase and is characterized that it includes the following phases: producing, by means of a machining tool (200), at least one groove having at least one angled edge; offsetting the tool (200) by moving the tool relative to the surface of the substrate (100) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the groove and along a path shorter than the projected length of the angled edge; and using said tool (200) on the angled edge of the groove such as to subject said edge to stress and create another offset groove, and so on and so forth, such that the tool (200) irreversibly changes the shape of the ribs (111, 112, 113, 114) finally obtained between each groove, and said ribs adopt undercut surfaces. |
| US09957585B2 |
Continuous annealing device and continuous hot-dip galvanising device for steel strip
A steel strip continuous annealing device has a vertical annealing furnace 10 in which a heating zone 14, a soaking zone 16, and a cooling zone 18 are arranged in this order, and anneals a steel strip P passing through the zones 14, 16, and 18 in the order while being conveyed in the vertical direction in the vertical annealing furnace 10. The heating zone 14, the soaking zone 16, and the cooling zone 18 communicate through an atmosphere separation portion 36. One of a gas delivery port 38 and a gas discharge port 40 is positioned in an upper part and the other one of the gas delivery port 38 and the gas discharge port 40 is positioned in a lower part in each of the heating zone 14, the soaking zone 16, and the cooling zone 18. |
| US09957578B2 |
Genetic loci associated with resistance of soybean to cyst nematode and methods of use
Various compositions and methods are provided for identifying and selecting plants with enhanced resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Further provided are transgenic plants, plant parts, and seed and methods of their use comprising a heterologous polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter active in the plant are provided, as are methods of making such plants and methods of use, wherein said heterologous polynucleotide comprises at least one, or any combination thereof, of Glyma18g2580, Glyma18g2590, Glyma18g2600, Glyma18g2610; and Glyma18g2570 or an active variant or fragment thereof. Expression of the heterologous polynucleotide enhances the resistance of the plant to cyst nematode. |
| US09957577B2 |
Genetic loci associated with resistance of soybean to cyst nematode and methods of use
Various compositions and methods are provided for identifying and selecting plants with enhanced resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Further provided are transgenic plants, plant parts, and seed and methods of their use comprising a heterologous polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter active in the plant are provided, as are methods of making such plants and methods of use, wherein said heterologous polynucleotide comprises at least one, or any combination thereof, of Glyma18g2580, Glyma18g2590, Glyma18g2600, Glyma18g2610; and Glyma18g2570 or an active variant or fragment thereof. Expression of the heterologous polynucleotide enhances the resistance of the plant to cyst nematode. |
| US09957574B2 |
BCR-ABL1 splice variants and uses thereof
The present invention is based on BCR-ABL1 splice variants which result from insertion and/or truncation of the bcr-abl1 transcript and the finding that these variants provide resistance to kinase domain inhibitors such as imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib. |
| US09957571B2 |
Methods and composition to generate unique sequence DNA probes, labeling of DNA probes and the use of these probes
The invention relates generally to the field of the identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Compositions comprises of and double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling. |
| US09957570B2 |
DNA hypermethylation diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer
The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of biomarkers to detect colorectal cancer. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for qualifying colorectal cancer status including, but not limited to, diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification, in patients. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) in a patient comprises the steps of (a) collecting a sample from the patient; (b) measuring the methylation levels of one or more biomarkers in the sample collected from the patient; and (c) comparing the methylation levels of the one or more biomarkers with predefined methylation levels of the same biomarkers that correlate to a patient having CRC and predefined methylation levels of the same biomarkers that correlate to a patient not having CRC, wherein a correlation to one of the predefined methylation levels provides the diagnosis. |
| US09957560B2 |
Hairpin loop method for double strand polynucleotide sequencing using transmembrane pores
The invention relates to a new method of sequencing a double stranded target polynucleotide. The two strands of the double stranded target polynucleotide are linked by a bridging moiety. The two strands of the target polynucleotide are separated using a polynucleotide binding protein and the target polynucleotide is sequenced using a transmembrane pore. |
| US09957553B2 |
Integrated multiplex target analysis
This invention provides biochip cartridges and instrument devices for the detection and/or analysis of target analytes from patient samples. |
| US09957552B2 |
Compositions, methods, systems and kits for target nucleic acid enrichment
The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for isolating nucleic acid molecules from a sample. In particular, the methods generally relate to normalizing the concentration of target nucleic acid molecules from a sample. In one aspect, the invention relates to purifying a primer extension product from a primer extension reaction mixture. In some aspects, nucleic acid molecules obtained using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including nucleic acid sequencing. |
| US09957548B2 |
Methods of capturing sperm nucleic acids
A method of capturing a sperm deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) in a sample is disclosed. The method includes a step of contacting a lysis solution to the sample that includes at least a sperm cell or a sperm cell lysate to lyse the sperm cell. The sperm cell or sperm cell lysate includes a protamine-DNA complex. The method further includes applying at least a protamine-specific antibody to the lysed sperm cell, wherein the protamine-specific antibody binds to the protamine-DNA complex of the lysed sperm cell to form an antibody-protamine-DNA complex. The method further includes capturing the antibody-protamine-DNA complex; and isolating and detecting the sperm DNA from the captured antibody-protamine-DNA complex. |
| US09957546B2 |
Vivo detection of phospholipase activation
The present invention is directed to a phospholipid-based NIR molecular beacon, having a phospholipid moiety; with an NIR fluorophore moiety covalently linked to a phospholipid glycerol backbone and a quencher moiety covalently linked to the phospholipid glycerol backbone. Additionally, provided herein is methods of analyzing a sample for the presence of a phospholipase and methods of identifying the activity of a phospholipase in vivo utilizing phospholipid-based NIR molecular beacon. |
| US09957540B2 |
Methods for improved production of Rebaudioside D and Rebaudioside M
Methods for recombinant production of steviol glycoside and compositions containing steviol glycosides are provided herein. |
| US09957539B2 |
Method for using hexenol glycosyl transferase
A method for producing a hexenol glycoside using a hexenol glycosyltransferase. A transformant transformed with a gene encoding a hexenol glycosyltransferase and a method for preparing such a transformant. |
| US09957535B2 |
Methods, reagents and cells for biosynthesizing compounds
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing glutaric acid, 5-aminopentanoic acid, 5-hydroxypentanoic acid, cadaverine or 1,5-pentanediol by forming one or two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C5 backbone substrate such as 2-oxoglutarate. |
| US09957533B2 |
Mutant of propionyl-CoA transferase from Clostridium propionicum and preparing method for PLA or PLA copolymer using the same
Provided is a mutant of propionyl-CoA transferase from Clostridium propionicum that can convert lactate into lactyl-CoA with high efficiency in a method of preparing a polylactate (PLA) or PLA copolymer using microorganisms. Unlike conventional propionyl-CoA transferase which is weakly expressed in E. coli, when a mutant of propiony-CoA transferase from Clostridium propionicum is introduced into recombinant E. coli, lactyl-CoA can be supplied very smoothly, thereby enabling highly efficient preparation of polylactate (PLA) and PLA copolymer. |
| US09957532B2 |
Fermentation process for the production of organic acids
This invention relates to improvements in the fermentation process used in the production of organic acids from biological feedstock using bacterial catalysts. The improvements in the fermentation process involve providing a fermentation medium comprising an appropriate form of inorganic carbon, an appropriate amount of aeration and a biocatalyst with an enhanced ability to uptake and assimilate the inorganic carbon into the organic acids. This invention also provides, as a part of an integrated fermentation facility, a novel process for producing a solid source of inorganic carbon by sequestering carbon released from the fermentation in an alkali solution. |
| US09957527B2 |
Microbial engineering for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products from the isoprenoid pathway
The invention relates to the production of one or more terpenoids through microbial engineering, and relates to the manufacture of products comprising terpenoids. |
| US09957526B2 |
Delivery methods and compositions for nuclease-mediated genome engineering
The present disclosure is in the field of genome engineering, particularly targeted modification of the genome of a cell. |
| US09957523B2 |
Transgenic plant-based methods for plant pests using RNAI
The present invention relates to methods for controlling pest infestation using double stranded RNA molecules. The invention provides methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, as well as pesticidal agents and commodity products produced by the inventive plants. |
| US09957521B2 |
Nucleotide sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby useful for modifying plant characteristics
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants with increased tolerance to abiotic stress (e.g., high or low temperature, drought, flood). |
| US09957507B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of mutant EGFR gene
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of mutant EGFR. |
| US09957506B2 |
Compounds for inducing anti-tumor immunity and methods thereof
Described herein is a previously unknown function of XBP1 in controlling anti-tumor immunity. It is shown that inhibiting XBP1 in tumor-associated dendritic cells inhibits tumor growth and induces protective anti-tumor immune responses. |
| US09957504B2 |
Compositions and methods for modulating apolipoprotein (a) expression
Provided herein are oligomeric compounds with conjugate groups targeting apoplipoprotein (a) [apo(a)]. In certain embodiments, the apo(a) targeting oligomeric compounds are conjugated to N-Acetylgalactosamine. Also disclosed herein are conjugated oligomeric compounds targeting apo(a) for use in decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) and/or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) and/or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The conjugated oligomeric compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof. |
| US09957503B2 |
Treatment of LCAT gene related diseases by inhibition of a natural antisense transcript to LCAT
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of a Lipid transport and metabolism gene, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotide of a Lipid transport and metabolism gene. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of a Lipid transport and metabolism genes. |
| US09957502B2 |
Nucleic acid synthesis methods
The present invention relates to a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule for use in a method for the production of a nucleic acid, whereby the nucleic acid molecule comprises a part A and a part B, whereby part A comprises a sequence, which corresponds at least to a partial sequence of the recognition site of a type IIS restriction enzyme, and part B comprises an arbitrary but defined sequence of nucleotides. By using such nucleic acid molecules it is possible to assemble different fragments in a sequence-independent manner and thus conduct the synthesis of a nucleic acid with recourse to standardized elements. |
| US09957500B2 |
Continuous flow nucleic acid extraction apparatus and method of use thereof
A continuous flow nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising a piston column apparatus for the extraction of nucleic acids from a nucleic acid sample. The disclosure also includes a method of using the continuous flow nucleic acid extraction apparatus. |
| US09957492B2 |
Polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding same
Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding modules. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding modules. |
| US09957489B2 |
Production and purification of recombinant arylsulfatase A
The present invention pertains to a process for production of recombinant arylsulfatase A in a cell culture system, the process comprising culturing a mammalian cell capable of producing rASA in liquid medium in a system comprising one or more bio-reactors; and concentrating, purifying and formulating the rASA by a purification process comprising one or more steps of chromatography. Other aspects of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising rASA, which is efficiently endocytosed via the mannose-6-phosphate receptor pathway in vivo as well as a rhASA a medicament and use of a rhASA for the manufacture of a medicament for reducing the galactosyl sulphatide levels within target cells in the peripheral nervous system and/or within the central nervous system in a subject. A final aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a rhASA and thereby obtaining a reduction in the galactosyl sulphatide levels in target cells within said subject. |
| US09957485B2 |
Systems and methods for virus propagation in cell cultures for vaccine manufacture
The present invention provides a closed system to propagate virus-infected cells without the effect of shear force, while providing quicker access to nutrients than is available conventionally. This system design allows for a high density of infected cell growth to increase the virus yields and to maintain homogeneity of the contents of the main container. The system further provides a nuclease to degrade the cellular DNA prior for purification of the virus or viral components. As the system is designed for maximum containment at low risk, the live virus can be a hazardous virus such as a Bio-safety Level 3 (BSL 3), BSL 4 or BSL5 virus. |
| US09957484B2 |
Methods for promoting cell reprogramming
The present invention is based on the seminal discovery that several kinases play important roles in barrier pathways in somatic cell reprogramming. The present invention provides that modulating expression or activity of these kinases can significantly promote or enhance cell reprogramming efficiency. Key kinases are identified and key regulation networks involving such kinases are also identified that may be advantageously targeted to significantly increase reprogramming efficiency as well as direct differentiation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. |
| US09957481B2 |
Scaffolds and other cell-growth structures using microfluidics to culture biological samples
Methods and apparatuses for using microfluidics to generate bubbles and using the generated bubbles to construct scaffolds and cell-holding structures for culturing biological samples or analytes. In one implementation, a scaffold for growing cells is provided to include a matrix of interconnected cavities formed from mixing a gas and a liquid containing a cross linkable material to produce a matrix of gas bubbles of substantially the same size and cross linking the cross linkable material to form a structure in which cells are grown. In another implementation, a scaffold apparatus for growing cells includes a ball of a cross linked material forming an exterior shell that encloses to form a hollow interior inside the ball and biological samples embedded in the external shell. |
| US09957477B2 |
Method for enzymatic treatment of tissue products
Methods for treating tissue matrices and tissue matrices produced according to the methods are provided. The methods can include treating a tissue matrix with a proteolytic enzyme to produce a desired pliability of the tissue matrix and/or to control the immunogenicity of the tissue matrix. The methods can also comprise performing an assay to determine if contacting the at least one collagen-containing tissue matrix with a proteolytic enzyme has altered the at least one collagen-containing tissue matrix to reduce a human immune response to the tissue matrix. |
| US09957471B2 |
Liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a particle and a gel dispersed therein
Liquid laundry detergent compositions. Water-soluble unit dose articles that include a gel and a particle. |
| US09957470B2 |
Solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition
A solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % hueing agent particle comprising: (i) from 2 wt % to 10 wt % hueing agent, wherein the hueing agent has the following structure: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from H; alkyl; alkoxy; alkyleneoxy; alkyl capped alkyleneoxy; urea; and amido; R3 is a substituted aryl group; X is a substituted group comprising sulfonamide moiety; and (ii) from 60 wt % to 98 wt % clay; and (b) from 35 wt % to 80 wt % spray-dried particle comprising: (a) from 8 wt % to 24 wt % alkyl benzene sulphonate anionic detersive surfactant; (b) from 5w % to 18 wt % silicate salt; (c) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % sodium carbonate; and (d) from 0 wt % to 5 wt % carboxylate polymer. |
| US09957469B2 |
Copper corrosion inhibition system
There are provided metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions, methods and system for copper (Cu), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), cobalt (Co), and aluminum (Al). The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions provide corrosion inhibition effects by use a combination of two chemicals—at least one multi-functional amine that has more than one amino groups; and at least one multi-functional acid that has more than one carboxylate groups. The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions are effective for cleaning the residues deriving from high density plasma etching followed by ashing with oxygen containing plasmas; and slurry particles and residues remaining after chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). |
| US09957467B2 |
Hard surface cleaners comprising ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactants
The need for a liquid hard surface cleaning composition which provides improved shine, reduced slipperiness during drying, and also improved drying times is met formulating the composition using a ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactant, in combination with a detersive surfactant. |
| US09957459B2 |
Low transition temperature mixtures or deep eutectic solvents and processes for preparation thereof
A low transition temperature mixture (LTTM) or deep eutectic solvent (DES) useful as a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil including a eutectic mixture of at least a first component and at least a second component. The at least first component comprises a hydrogen bond acceptor and the at least second component comprises a hydrogen bond donor. The eutectic mixture includes an equilibrium phase between the at least first component and the at least second component. The equilibrium phase does not exhibit physical characteristics of the at least first component in an unmixed state and the at least second component in an unmixed state. The at least first component and the at least second component form an intermolecular interaction between each other sufficient to prevent crystallization of the at least first component and the at least second component in the eutectic mixture. The eutectic mixture is a liquid at 20° C. |
| US09957458B2 |
Water based metal working fluid composition
This invention is a composition of an ester resulting from the reaction of an oligomer of ethylene oxide in presence or a catalyst, with fatty acids. The resulting water based metal working fluid additive is useful as it imparts property of stable micro-emulsion and helps improving the wear life, coefficient of friction and other tribological properties among other uses. |
| US09957457B2 |
Sliding member
Provided is a sliding member comprising: a steel back metal layer; and a sliding layer including a porous sintered layer and a resin composition. The porous sintered layer includes Fe or Fe alloy granules and a Ni—P alloy part functioning as a binder for binding the Fe or Fe alloy granules with one another and/or for binding the Fe or Fe alloy granules with the steel back metal layer. The steel back metal layer is made of a carbon steel including 0.05 to 0.3 mass % of carbon, and includes: a non-austenite-containing portion having a structure of a ferrite phase and perlite formed in a central portion in a thickness direction of the steel back metal layer; and an austenite-containing portion having a structure of a ferrite phase, perlite and an austenite phase formed in a surface portion of the steel back metal layer facing the sliding layer. |
| US09957454B2 |
Method and additive for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions
The present disclosure is directed to an additive mixture and method for controlling nitrogen oxide(s) by adding the additive mixture to a feed material prior to combustion. |
| US09957451B2 |
Two-step process for aromatics production from natural gas/shale gas condensates
The aromatics production system is useful for producing an aromatics-rich system product from a liquid hydrocarbon condensate includes a hydroprocessing reactor, an aromatization reactor system and a hydrogen extraction unit. The method for producing the aromatics-rich system product from the wide boiling range condensate includes introducing the wide boiling range condensate into the hydroprocessing reactor, operating the aromatics production system such that the hydroprocessing reactor forms a naphtha boiling temperature range liquid product, such that the aromatization reactor system forms the aromatics-rich system product, and such that the hydrogen extraction unit forms a high-purity hydrogen. |
| US09957449B2 |
Process for the production of jet-range hydrocarbons by oligomerization of renewable olefins having 3 to 8 carbons
Processes for producing jet-range hydrocarbons includes splitting a renewable olefin feedstock comprising C3 to C8 olefins into a plurality of streams and passing each stream to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to produce an oligomerized effluent. The reactors may be arranged in series, such that an oligomerized effluent comprises a diluent for a downstream reactor. The net oligomerized effluent may be separated and a heavy olefin stream comprising C8+ olefins may be hydrogenated and separated to provide a distillate range hydrocarbon product. |
| US09957448B2 |
Process for producing a gasoline with a low sulphur and mercaptans content
The present application concerns a process for the treatment of a gasoline containing sulphur-containing compounds and olefins, with the following steps: a) a step for hydrodesulphurization of said gasoline in order to produce an effluent which is depleted in sulphur by passing the gasoline mixed with hydrogen over at least one hydrodesulphurization catalyst; b) a step for separating the partially desulphurized gasoline from the hydrogen introduced in excess as well as the H2S formed during step a); c) a catalytic step for sweetening desulphurized gasoline obtained from step b), which converts residual mercaptans into thioethers via an addition reaction with the olefins. |
| US09957444B2 |
Apparatus for pyrolysing carbonaceous material
An apparatus for pyrolyzing a carbonaceous material and producing char and volatiles includes a vessel having an inlet for the carbonaceous material, an outlet for the char and the volatiles, and a first pathway therebetween. The vessel has wall portions with interior surfaces that define the first pathway. Further, the vessel has a heat exchange medium inlet, outlet and a second pathway therebetween. The first and second pathways are in heat exchange proximity to each other and the second pathway is defined by interior surfaces of the, or other, wall interior portions of the vessel. At least some of the interior wall portions of the vessel project into an interior space of the vessel such that at least one of the first and second pathways is non-linear. |
| US09957440B2 |
Expandable particulates and methods of use and preparation
Embodiments relate to preparation of expandable particulates and their use in fracturing operations. An embodiment provides a method for treating a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a treatment fluid comprising expandable particulates into the subterranean formation, wherein the expandable particulates each comprise a particulate substrate, a swellable material coating the particulate substrate, and an exterior coating comprising a resin; and depositing at least a portion of the expandable particulates in the subterranean formation. |
| US09957439B2 |
Fracturing fluid for prevention of shale fracture hydration during well stimulation by hydraulic fracturing
Friction reducers for hydraulic fracturing fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids containing the friction reducers, and methods of making and using same are disclosed. The friction reducers comprise ethylene oxide polymers, propylene oxide polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide co-polymers, and combinations thereof, and can further comprise a dispersant, such as polypropylene glycol. The friction reducer formulations can be active across a wide range of brine salinities, and tolerant of high levels of divalent cations in solution. The friction reducers can have a cloud point temperature, above which temperature they can precipitate out of solution and deposit on a surface of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to inhibit hydration of the shale formations lining the fractures. |
| US09957438B2 |
Compositions for, solutions for, and methods of use of siloxane based aromatic trisureas as viscosifiers
A compound represented by the following formula is provided: Also provided is a solution including a compound disclosed herein, a volume of dense carbon dioxide (CO2), and a co-solvent, where the solution has an increased viscosity greater than the viscosity of dense CO2. Methods of increasing the viscosity of dense CO2 and natural gas liquids (NGLs) by, for example, dissolving a compound disclosed herein to form a solution, are also provided. |
| US09957435B2 |
Methods for inhibiting iron sulfide scale in oil wells
Formulations and method for preventing and inhibiting the formation of iron sulfide in hydrocarbon producing wells are disclosed. The methods may include treating at least one of an oil well, a production fluid, and downstream field equipment with an additive including a DL-aspartic acid polymer. Other formulations and methods are disclosed including methods for reducing microbial counts in hydrocarbon producing wells and/or methods for dispersing iron sulfide in hydrocarbon producing wells. |
| US09957434B2 |
Cementitious compositions comprising a non-aqueous fluid and an alkali-activated material
Provided herein are cementitious compositions comprising a non-aqueous fluid and an alkali-activated material. The non-aqueous fluid can include a natural oil, a synthetically derived oil, one or more surfactants, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the non-aqueous fluid can include an oil based mud, a synthetic based mud, or a mixture thereof. The alkali-activated material in the cementitious composition can be derived from an aluminosilicate material and an alkaline activator. In some embodiments, the aluminosilicate material includes fly ash. The alkaline activator can be selected from an alkali-hydroxide, an alkali-silicate, an alkali carbonate, an alkali bicarbonate, an alkali sulfate, and a mixture thereof. Provided herein are also wellbore servicing composition, such as compositions to reduce lost circulation of drilling fluids or cement a casing into the borehole, comprising the cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions. |
| US09957433B2 |
Preparation and use of drilling fluids with date seed powder fluid loss additive
Date seed powder can be used as a fluid loss additive for drilling fluids by mixing a quantity of date seed powder with a volume of fluid resulting in a mixture. The date seed powder or the mixture can be added to a drilling fluid. The drilling fluid that includes the date seed powder or the mixture can be used to drill a wellbore. |
| US09957431B2 |
Composite material, heat-absorbing component, and method for producing the composite material
In a known composite material with a fused silica matrix there are regions of silicon-containing phase embedded. In order to provide a composite material which is suitable for producing components for use in high-temperature processes for heat treatment even when exacting requirements are imposed on impermeability to gas and on purity, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the composite material be impervious to gas, have a closed porosity of less than 0.5% and a specific density of at least 2.19 g/cm3, and at a temperature of 1000° C. have a spectral emissivity of at least 0.7 for wavelengths between 2 and 8 μm. |
| US09957430B2 |
Composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system
A composition for a heat cycle system and a heat cycle system employing the composition are provided. The composition has favorable lubricating properties and contains a working fluid for heat cycle and a refrigerant oil. The working fluid contains an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound having a specific structure. The working fluid has a low global warming potential and can replace R410A. The refrigerant oil has a breakdown voltage of at least 25 kV, a hydroxyl value of at most 0.1 mgKOH/g, and an aniline point of at least −100° C. and at most 0° C. |
| US09957429B2 |
Composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system
A composition for a heat cycle system having favorable lubricating properties is provided. A heat cycle system employing the composition is also provided. The composition contains a working fluid for heat cycle, which has a low global warming potential and can replace R410A. The working fluid contains an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound having a specific structure and a refrigerant oil having a breakdown voltage of at least 25 kV, a hydroxy value of at most 0.1 mgKOH/g, and a minimum temperature on the high temperature side of the phase separation temperature from the working fluid of at least 35° C. and a maximum temperature on the low temperature side of at most −60° C. |
| US09957427B2 |
Reactive adhesive with enhanced adhesion to metallic surfaces
Disclosed is an aqueous adhesive composition including a surface-deactivated solid isocyanate and a blend of two different polyurethanes. A method of making an article that includes a coated adhesive layer and article made thereby are also disclosed. |
| US09957423B2 |
Use of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes for optical applications
The invention relates to an adhesive tape comprising at least one layer of a pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive comprising a polymer component and at least one additive, where the polymer component is composed of one or more copolymers each based on the following monomers: a) from 5 to 35% by weight of one or more monomers containing hydroxy groups and having a copolymerizable double bond; b) from 0 to 50% by weight of one or more acrylate and/or methacrylate monomers each having at least one amide group, urethane group, urea group, or carboxylic anhydride unit and/or ethylene glycol unit, c) from 15 to 95% by weight of an alkyl (meth)acrylate, where the alkyl moiety has from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, where the pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive comprises one or more 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl) derivatives admixed as additive; and also a corresponding adhesive. |
| US09957422B2 |
Adhesive for packaging materials, and packaging material
Disclosed is an adhesive for packaging materials being in a form of an aqueous dispersion including an acid-modified polyolefin resin containing a (meth)acrylic acid ester component, polyvinyl alcohol and an aqueous medium, wherein the content of polyvinyl alcohol is 0.1 to 10 parts by mass in relation to 100 parts by mass of the acid-modified polyolefin resin. Also disclosed is a packaging material using the adhesive wherein a barrier layer, an adhesive layer formed of a coating film obtained from the adhesive, and a sealant layer are laminated in this order. |
| US09957420B2 |
Multiple-layer edgebanding
Composite of shaped bodies made from wooden materials with film-shaped substrates, wherein a surface of the shaped body has a first layer comprising a crosslinked radiation-curing hot-melt adhesive, said layer is covered with a second adhesive layer of a hot-melt adhesive, and said second adhesive layer is adhesively bonded to a film-shaped substrate. A method for producing composite shaped bodies of this type is provided, in which method, as one step, the surface is coated with a UV-crosslinkable hot-melt adhesive, and which method makes in-line production of the composite bodies possible. |
| US09957419B2 |
Method for producing zeta negative nanodiamond dispersion and zeta negative nanodiamond dispersion
The present invention relates to a method for producing zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion. The method comprises adjusting pH of zeta negative carboxylated nanodiamond suspension to at least 7, and subjecting the pH adjusted suspension to beads milling. The present invention further relates to zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion comprising zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particles and a liquid medium, wherein zeta potential of the zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion is over −37 mV measured at pH over 7, zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particle concentration in the dispersion is over 2 wt-% and D90 average primary particle size distribution of the zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particles is from 2 nm to 12 nm. |
| US09957418B2 |
Composition for forming silica layer, method for manufacturing silica layer, and silica layer
A composition for forming a silica layer includes a silicon-containing polymer and a solvent, wherein the silicon-containing polymer has a total sum of Si—H integral values in a 1H-NMR spectrum of less than or equal to about 12.The sum of the Si—H integral values is calculated under conditions described in the specification. |
| US09957417B2 |
Fast cure aspartate polysiloxane hybrid coating
The present invention provides a hybrid two component coating composition comprising as component I, (A) an N-alkoxysilylalkyl-aspartic acid ester, (B) a polysiloxane having a molecular weight in the range of from about 400 to 10,000, and optionally (C) at least one hydrolyzable silane; and as component II, (D) a polyisocyanate having an average NCO functionality of 2.5 to 5.5 and an isocyanate content, based on solids, of 9 to 50 wt % and containing aliphatic polyisocyanates; and (E) a catalyst. Methods of making and applying the hybrid coating composition are also provided. |
| US09957414B2 |
Abrasion resistant polyurethane coating, coated article and method of manufacturing the same
A coated substrate including a 1 to 3 mils thick coating layer has a Bayer abrasion resistance value of less than 1% Haze after 600 cycles. The coating layer includes a reaction product of a coating composition including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate, and a fluorocarbon-based additive. A method of forming the coating layer on the substrate includes mixing reactants including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate and a flurocarbon-based additive to form a polyurethane coating composition; depositing the polyurethane coating composition on the substrate; and curing the polyurethane coating composition to form an abrasion resistant coating on the substrate. |
| US09957412B2 |
Aqueous conductive coating
An aqueous composition is provided comprising a resin, a curative, a filler, a surfactant, and water; wherein the resin comprises an average molecular weight of less than about 800 Daltons and comprises at least 50 weight percent of at least one of: (a) an unmodified epoxy or phenoxy resin, or (b) a surfactant-modified epoxy or phenoxy resin. This composition, applied to a substrate and dried, can then be cured so as to thermoset the resin and self-assemble to form continuous pathways of filler within the resin matrix. |
| US09957411B2 |
Underfill material and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using the same
An underfill material achieving a wide margin for mounting and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same are provided. The underfill material contains an epoxy resin, an acid anhydride, an acrylic resin, and an organic peroxide, wherein a minimum melt viscosity attainment temperature and a minimum melt viscosity obtained when melt viscosity of the underfill material is measured under a temperature increase rate condition in a range of 5 to 50° C./min are in a range of 100° C. to 150° C. and in a range of 100 to 5000 Pa·s, respectively. Since variation in the minimum melt viscosity attainment temperature measured under different temperature increase conditions is small, voidless mounting and good solder bonding properties can be achieved without strict control on the temperature profile during thermocompression bonding, and a wide margin for mounting can be achieved. |
| US09957407B2 |
Use of a polymer dispersion for cold sealing
A description is given of the use of a polymer dispersion for cold sealing, the polymer dispersion comprising a polymer in dispersion in water and having a glass transition temperature in the range from −20 to +10° C., said polymer being preparable by emulsion polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of at least one polymeric protective colloid, and the polymer being formed to an extent of 0.05 to less than 1 wt % of a monomer M, selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylate monomers having a substituent of the formula where X is CH2, O, NH or NR, and R is a C1 to C4 alkyl group. Descriptions are also given of a method for producing cold-sealed packaging, and of the packaging obtainable by said method. |
| US09957405B2 |
Cross-linkable polymeric compositions, methods for making the same, and articles made therefrom
Cross-linkable polymeric compositions having an ethylene-based polymer, an organic peroxide, and a polyallyl cross-linking coagent, where the polyallyl cross-linking coagent and the organic peroxide are present in amounts sufficient to provide an allyl-to-active oxygen molar ratio of at least 1.6, based on the allyl content of the polyallyl cross-linking coagent and the active oxygen content of the organic peroxide. Such cross-linkable polymeric compositions can be employed in forming coated conductors. |
| US09957398B2 |
Composition for the production of a coating with high adhesive strength and scratch resistance
A composition including: (a) a silane derivative of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are selected from alkyl, acyl, alkyleneacyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and alkylenearyl, and/or a hydrolysis and/or condensation product of the silane derivative of the formula (I); (b) a silane derivative of the formula (II) R6R73−nSi(OR5)n (II) in which R5 is an alkyl, acyl, alkyleneacyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or alkylenearyl group, R6 is an organic radical containing an epoxide group, R7 is an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or alkylenearyl group, n is 2 or 3, and/or a hydrolysis and/or condensation product of the silane derivative of the formula (II); (c) a colloidal inorganic oxide, fluoride or oxyfluoride; (d) an epoxide compound having at least two epoxide groups, and (e) a catalyst system. |
| US09957391B2 |
Process for manufacturing a surface-treated compacted material processable on a single screw plastics conversion equipment
The present invention relates to the field of processing thermoplastic polymers, particularly the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing compacted material suitable for the use in thermoplastic polymers without a compounding step, comprising the steps of a) providing at least one primary powder material; b) providing at least one molten surface treatment polymer; c) simultaneously or subsequently feeding the at least one primary powder material and the at least one molten surface treatment polymer into the high speed mixer unit of a cylindrical treatment chamber; d) mixing the at least one primary powder material and the at least one molten surface treatment polymer in the high speed mixer, e) transferring the mixed material obtained from step d) to a cooling unit, as well as the compacted material obtained by this process and its use in thermoplastic polymers. |
| US09957389B2 |
Thermosetting resin composition having heat resistance and low dielectric loss characteristics, prepreg using same, and copper clad laminate
The present disclosure provides: a thermosetting resin composition comprising: (a) bisphenol M-type epoxy resin; (b) bisphenol M-type cyanate ester resin; (c) polyphenylene ether having two or more vinyl groups at both ends of a branched chain, or oligomers thereof; and (d) a cross-linking curing agent, a prepreg comprising the composition, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board simultaneously has an excellent low dielectric loss characteristic, a great moisture-absorbing and heat-resistant characteristic, a low thermal expansion characteristic, thermal stability and the like. |
| US09957382B2 |
Fiber-reinforced plastic composition, and fiber-reinforced composite with improved impact performance, prepared therefrom
Disclosed herein are a fiber-reinforced plastic composition containing a thermoplastic resin, a reactive rubber (reactor-made thermoplastic poly olefin, RTPO), and a glass fiber; and a fiber-reinforced composite prepared from the fiber-reinforced plastic composition. Furthermore, provided is a method for preparing a fiber-reinforced composite, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a thermoplastic resin composition by feeding a thermoplastic resin and a reactive rubber into a first extruder, followed by melting and kneading; preparing a fiber-reinforced plastic composition by feeding the prepared thermoplastic resin composition and a fiber into a second extruder, followed by kneading; and molding the prepared fiber-reinforced plastic composition to prepare a fiber-reinforced composite. |
| US09957381B2 |
Injection-moldable sound-deadening filled thermoplastic polyolefin composition
The present invention relates to filled thermoplastic polyolefin compositions useful for use in sound-deadening articles for automotive applications comprising an olefin block copolymer, one or more linear ethylene polymer and/or substantially linear ethylene polymer, a propylene polymer, and a filler. Said compositions demonstrate a good balance of heat properties and stiffness such that it is particularly suitable for injection molding sound-deadening articles therefrom. |
| US09957379B2 |
Structural composite materials with high strain capability
Composite materials are provided that include nanostructures bound together by a binder material in a manner that provides the composite material with high strain capability and toughness. The nanostructures and binder material form a matrix material in which long fiber reinforcements may be embedded to form a structural composite material. The nanostructures may have relatively low aspect ratios, preventing entanglement during processing. The nanostructures can be arranged in an interconnected network to form a high free-volume skeletal structure within the matrix material that allows the nanostructures to flex and return to their original shapes. As applied to ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, this tough, flexible matrix material allows for full bonding of the matrix material with the fiber reinforcements so that CMC materials can realize the full potential of the reinforcing fibers and possess superior inter-laminar strength. |
| US09957369B2 |
Anisotropic polymeric material
A polymeric material having anisotropic properties, such as mechanical properties (e.g., modulus of elasticity), thermal properties, barrier properties (e.g., breathability), and so forth, is provided. The anisotropic properties can be achieved for a single, monolithic polymeric material through selective control over the manner in which the material is formed. For example, one or more zones of the polymeric material can be strained to create a unique network of pores within the strained zone(s). However, zones of the polymeric material that are not subjected to the same degree of deformational strain will not have the same pore volume, and in some cases, may even lack a porous network altogether. |
| US09957365B2 |
Cellular polymeric material
A formulation includes a polymeric material, a nucleating agent, and a surface active agent. The formulation can be used to form an insulated container. |
| US09957361B2 |
Process for producing a web substrate having indicia disposed thereon and elastic-like behavior imparted thereto
A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis. |
| US09957356B2 |
Non-isocyanate polyurethanes and methods of making and using the same
Polyurethane compositions are disclosed herein, as well as methods of making and using such polyesters. In some embodiments, the polyurethanes are formed from monomers derived from natural oils. In some embodiments, the polyurethanes are formed without the use of monomers bearing isocyanate groups. |
| US09957353B2 |
Low viscosity polyether carbonate polyols having side chains
The present invention provides a method for producing low viscosity polyether carbonate polyols having side chains. A double metal cyanide catalyst and a suspension medium, with or without an H-functional starter compound, are initially introduced as a reaction mixture, and alkylene oxides are metered into the reaction mixture in two steps. The difference between the molecular weights of the lightest and the heaviest of the alkylene oxides metered in the two steps is greater than or equal to 24 g/mol, and the lightest alkylene oxide is a C2-C4 alkylene oxide. The alkylene oxides metered in the two steps can be the same or different. The invention also relates to the low viscosity polyether carbonate polyols produced by the method and to the use thereof. |
| US09957351B2 |
Polycarbonate compositions having enhanced optical properties, methods of making and articles comprising the polycarbonate compositions
In some embodiments, a method of making a polycarbonate composition comprises: polymerizing by an interfacial polymerization, reactants comprising a starting material comprising a bisphenol-A to form a bisphenol-A polycarbonate, wherein the bisphenol-A has a purity of greater than or equal to 99.65 wt % and a sulfur content of less than or equal to 2 ppm. The polycarbonate composition has a free hydroxyl content of less than or equal to 150 ppm, and wherein a molded article of the polycarbonate composition has transmission level greater than or equal to 90.0% at 2.5 mm thickness as measured by ASTM D1003-00 and a yellow index (YI) less than or equal to 1.5 as measured by ASTM D1925. |
| US09957347B2 |
Reduced discoloration of thermoplastic polyurethanes based on polymer polyols via incorporation of aliphatic isocyanates
The present invention relates to a process for producing a polyurethane, comprising at least the following steps (A) bringing at least one polymer polyol into contact with an amount of from 0.1 to 20 mol %, based on the entire amount of polyisocyanate, of at least one first polyisocyanate, in order to obtain a prepolymer which in essence has terminal hydroxy groups, and (B) bringing the prepolymer from step (A) into contact with at least one second polyisocyanate and optionally with further additives, in order to obtain the polyurethane, to a polyurethane obtainable via said process, and also to the use of this polyurethane as cladding in automobiles, coatings, cables, plug connectors, solar modules, foils, moldings, shoe soles and shoe components, balls and ball components, rollers, fibers, profiles, laminates and wiper blades, hoses, cable plugs, bellows, drag cables, cable sheathing, gaskets, nonwoven fabrics, drive belts, or damping elements. |