| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09965155B2 |
Dynamically merging multiple screens into one view port
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing dynamic, stroke-based alignment of touch displays. In one aspect, a method include providing, for output by a first mobile computing device that (i) has a first proximity sensitive display and (ii) has been designated a primary display device, a primary alignment user interface. The methods also includes transmitting, by the first mobile computing device to a second mobile computing device that (i) has a second proximity sensitive display and (ii) has been designated a secondary display device, an instruction to output a secondary alignment user interface. |
| US09965152B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
Disclosed as a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which a capture image used to play a role in delivering information only is utilized as a medium for activating a target application program. The present invention disclose a mobile terminal comprising a memory configured to save data, a display unit configured to display an active screen of an application program, and a controller configured to, if a capture command is inputted, extract an activation information related to the active screen which is set as a capture target, and control a capture image having the extracted activation information saved as metadata to be created. |
| US09965151B2 |
Systems and methods for graphical user interface interaction with cloud-based applications
Systems and methods may: execute a virtualized application instance in a virtual computing environment; receive from a remote client device first object data relating to a first set of user interactions received with respect to a client-side graphical use interface (GUI) object at the remote client device, the client-side GUI object representing a GUI object of the virtualized application instance; translating the first object data to second object data relating to the GUI object of the virtualized application instance, the second object data executing a command when applied to the GUI object of the virtualized application instance; and synchronizing the GUI object of the virtualized application instance with the client-side GUI object by applying the second object data to the GUI object of the virtualized application instance. |
| US09965150B2 |
Personal user highlight from popular highlights
A popular highlight may be presented to a user who wishes to make the popular highlight a personal user highlight. Upon activation of a control, a personal user highlight is generated from the popular highlight. The user may then manipulate the resulting personal user highlight as they would any other user highlight. |
| US09965148B2 |
Unit manipulation system, and slave display device and master display device used in the system
A unit manipulation system includes: a master display device having a terminal function for manipulating a unit; and a slave display device that establishes data communication with the master display device, and calls the terminal function of the master display device, to enable manipulation of the unit from a manipulation section through the master display device. The slave display device includes: a call menu display section that displays a call menu for calling the terminal function; and a manipulation screen display section that, when the call menu displayed by the call menu display section is selected, calls the terminal function of the master display device, and causes a display section to display a manipulation screen corresponding to the call menu. The master display device and the slave display device are coordinated with each other to enable the slave display device to perform various manipulations through the master display device. |
| US09965140B2 |
Method and apparatus of a marking objects in images displayed on a portable unit
Location markers are placed on objects presented on a display screen. The location markers can be letters, numbers, or shapes placed near the desired objects to be viewed. After magnification, those earlier determined location markers of the display screen are located off-screen. However, arrows are labeled and point to the off-screen markers. The user moves the background image in the direction of the arrow to find that object. This innovative technique allows the user to mark locations, magnify the image of the map, and find all marked locations (without reverting to a lower magnification) by following pointers that direct the user to locations that are currently out of view of the screen. Furthermore, the user can find all marked locations without getting lost. |
| US09965139B2 |
Software robots for programmatically controlling computer programs to perform tasks
A system comprising at least one computer hardware processor configured to perform: generating an object hierarchy comprising a plurality of objects corresponding to active graphical user interface (GUI) elements of at least one application program; controlling the at least one application program to perform a task comprising a sequence of actions at least in part by using the object hierarchy to invoke actions in the sequence of actions; during performance of the sequence of actions, generating a log of already-performed actions in the sequence of actions; generating contextual information associated with the already performed actions, the contextual information containing at least some information not in the log and the log containing at least some information not in the contextual information; and providing to a user the log and the contextual information. |
| US09965138B2 |
Mobile communications device, non-transitory computer-readable medium and method of activating update of home screen of mobile communications device
A method of activating an update of a home screen of a mobile communications device is provided. The home screen is displayed on a display panel of the mobile communications device. The home screen includes a plurality of tiles displaying a plurality of feeds from one or more feed sources. The method includes performing one of updating the home screen or activating and displaying a menu bar on the display panel based on a distance of a downward scrolling on a top page of a home screen. A non-transitory computer-readable medium and a mobile communications device for activating an update of a home screen of a mobile communications device are also provided. |
| US09965133B1 |
Application for assisting in conducting covert cyber operations
A covert application, including one or more modules can be provided to assist individuals in conducting covert cyber operations. Furthermore, the covert application can operate in a secure operating environment, which provides a reliable and protected computing environment from which a user can conduct cover cyber operations. The covert application can allow a user to create and utilize one or more personas. Personas created by the covert application can appear to originate from any part of the world, and personas can allow a user of the covert application to interact through various Internet services, such as email, instant messaging, online forums, and website browsing. |
| US09965128B2 |
Touch sensing unit, touch substrate and method for producing the same, touch display panel and touch display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a touch sensing unit, a touch substrate and a method for producing the touch substrate, a touch display panel and a touch display apparatus. The sensing unit includes: at least one pair of first electrode and second electrode spaced apart from each other; at least one elastic base body in which pressure-sensitive conductive material is contained, the at least one elastic base body forcing the corresponding first electrode and second electrode in the at least one pair of first electrode and second electrode to be electrically connected with each other when it is deformed by a force; and a touch panel arranged at the side of the at least one elastic base body to which the force is applied. It may sense touch action of a finger by conductive property of pressure-sensitive conductive material to improve convenience of finger touching and multiple point touch performance. |
| US09965126B2 |
Panel, method for producing the same and display apparatus
An embodiment of the present application provides a method for producing a panel. The method includes: providing a transparent substrate including an electrode setting area; forming a transparent electrode layer within the electrode setting area, wherein the transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of transparent electrodes, and each of the transparent electrodes includes a transparent metal oxide layer and a reduced metal layer on the transparent metal oxide layer. Embodiments of the present application also provide a panel and a display apparatus. |
| US09965123B2 |
Method of manufacturing touch panel
A method of manufacturing a touch panel, the method including forming electrode patterns; forming insulating patterns on the electrode patterns; forming a sacrificial layer on the electrode patterns and insulating patterns such that the sacrificial layer includes openings exposing portions of the insulating patterns; forming a conductive layer on the sacrificial layer and in each of the openings; and removing the sacrificial layer to form bridge patterns corresponding to the openings, wherein the sacrificial layer includes a first layer including first openings therein that expose portions of the insulating patterns; and a second layer including second openings therein that expose portions of the insulating patterns, the second layer having a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the first layer. |
| US09965122B2 |
Display device with light shield
A display of an electric device includes a plurality of separated transparent electrode blocks, which are configured to provide one or more of supplemental features such as touch recognition. Signal paths between the transparent electrode blocks and the driver for the supplemental feature are implemented with a plurality of conductive lines placed under positioned under one or more planarization layers. The conductive lines implementing the signal paths are routed across the display area, directly toward a non-display area where drive-integrated circuits are located. |
| US09965120B2 |
Method for processing input and electronic device for supporting the same
An electronic device and method for processing an input are provided. The electronic device includes a digitizer pad formed by a single channel and a digitizer pad controller configured to supply a current to the digitizer pad, sense a change in at least one of a frequency and a phase of an electromagnetic field corresponding to a pressure intensity applied by a tip of an external input device, and determine data related to the pressure intensity applied by the external input device based on the change in the at least one of the frequency and the phase of the sensed electromagnetic field. |
| US09965118B2 |
Sensing force using transcapacitance with dedicated force receiver electrodes
An example integrated display device and capacitive sensing device having an input surface includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein each of the plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least one common electrode configured for display updating and capacitive sensing. The device further includes at least one force receiver electrode, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes are disposed between the input surface and the at least one force receiver electrode and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes are configured to deflect toward the at least one force receiver electrode. The device further includes a processing system, coupled to the plurality of sensor electrodes, configured to drive at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes with force sensing signals while receiving resulting signals from the at least one force receiver electrode, and determine force information for an input object based on the resulting signals. |
| US09965115B2 |
Array substrate and touch display device
An array substrate and a touch screen are disclosed. The array substrate includes an array formed of a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes, which have the same electrode structure. The electrode structure includes a T-shaped electrode trunk and a plurality of electrode branches, which are symmetrically distributed and connected to the electrode trunk, forming two parts, i.e., a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, symmetrical with respect to the electrode trunk. The sensing electrodes include first sensing electrodes and second sensing electrodes. One first sensing electrode and one second sensing electrode are disposed in two intervals of three sequentially adjacent driving electrodes respectively. Branches of a driving electrode are disposed in gaps between adjacent branches of adjacent sensing electrodes. In the array substrate, the sensing area between driving electrodes and sensing electrodes is increased and the capacitive coupling therebetween is improved. |
| US09965114B2 |
Method for position detection and sensing device applying the same method
A method for position detection is adapted to a sensing device. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensing blocks arranged in a 2D array, with each block having a plurality of sensing points arranged in a 2D array. The method includes conducting a block-scan to determine if a touched block exists, and conducting a point-scan to obtain a touched point if the touched block exists. In order to obtain a touched point, the sensing device applying the method conducts a block-scan within the sensing area and then a point-scan within the touched block instead of point-scanning the whole sensing area. Accordingly, the sensing device could obtain the touched point faster than before. |
| US09965111B2 |
In-cell touch screen and display apparatus
Disclosed are an In-Cell touch screen and a display apparatus, the In-Cell touch screen comprising: an array substrate; an opposed substrate arranged to be opposed to the array substrate; a conductive black matrix provided on one side of the array substrate facing the opposed substrate or on one side of the opposed substrate facing the array substrate. The black matrix comprises a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged to be insulated from each other and alternate with each other, one of the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode is applied with a touch scan signal, and the other one of the first touch electrode and second touch electrode is coupled with the touch scan signal and outputs a touch sensing signal. No separate touch electrode made of ITO material is required, and a pattern of the black matrix is provided in a non-opening region of the pixels, thus the light transmittance of the display apparatus can be prevented from being adversely affected by the touch electrode. Further, a mutual capacitance in a thickness direction of the touch screen is avoided, thus the touch sensitivity of the In-Cell touch screen can be improved. |
| US09965108B2 |
Simultaneous self- and mutual capacitance sensing
A touch controller. The touch controller can include first sense circuitry configured to be coupled to a first electrode on a touch sensor panel, the first sense circuitry configured to sense a first self-capacitance associated with the first electrode, and a first mutual capacitance associated with the first electrode. In some examples, the first sense circuitry can be configured to sense the first self-capacitance and the first mutual capacitance simultaneously. In some examples, the touch controller can further include a first mixer and a second mixer coupled to the first sense circuitry, the first mixer configured to demodulate a first output from the first sense circuitry to extract information about the first self-capacitance from the first output, the second mixer configured to demodulate the first output from the first sense circuitry to extract information about the first mutual capacitance from the first output. |
| US09965104B2 |
Device and method for interference avoidance in an input device
Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved interference avoidance performance. The devices and methods determine a relative ranking for a plurality of transmitter signals based on a first class of interference for each transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods transmit a first transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The first transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods shift from transmitting the first transmitter signal to transmitting a second transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with the sensor electrode is based on an amount of a second class of interference in the first transmitter signal. The second transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals. |
| US09965098B2 |
Clamshell electronic device and calibration method capable of enabling calibration based on separated number of cover
The present disclosure provides a clamshell electronic device. The clamshell electronic device includes a touch module, a sensing device and a calculation unit. The touch module is arranged to detect touch events. The sensing device is arranged to detect whether an upper cover and a lower cover of the clamshell electronic device are separated, and produce a detecting signal when the upper cover and the lower cover are separated. The calculation unit is arranged to count the number of times the upper cover and the lower cover are separated according to the detecting signal to obtain a separated number, and calibrate the touch module when a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the predetermined condition comprises that the separated number is greater than a predetermined number. |
| US09965092B2 |
Managing power consumption of force sensors
A force-responsive sensor incorporating a force-sensitive element is in communication with a power controller. The power controller changes one or more performance characteristics associated with the force-responsive sensor. A performance characteristic can include a bias voltage or current, a duty cycle, a sampling rate, and so on. The performance characteristic(s) can be changed in response to a touch event or based on an operational setting of the force-responsive sensor (or an electronic device incorporating the force-responsive sensor). Regulation of the performance characteristic(s) reduces power consumption of the force-responsive sensor. |
| US09965084B2 |
Driving method of touch screen, touch screen and display apparatus
There are disclosed a driving method of a touch screen, the touch screen and a display apparatus. The driving method comprises: taking at least two touch signal lines as a group and charging node capacitors included in each group of touch signal lines sequentially; discharging the node capacitors included in each touch signal line of the group of touch signal lines through the respective sense signal lines sequentially and determining capacitance value of each node capacitor; and determining coordinates of touch points on the touch screen according to determined capacitance value of each node capacitor. Thus, the node capacitors included in a group of touch signal lines on the touch screen are charged simultaneously by taking a group as a unit. Compared with a traditional touch screen that charges the node capacitor in only one touch signal line at each time, the driving method saves the charging time of the touch signal lines on the entire touch screen effectively, meanwhile can increase the charging time of each group of touch signal lines, and further can increase the charging time of the node capacitors included in respective touch signal lines, so that the touch screen is capable of tolerating a greater RC delay value. |
| US09965080B2 |
Color filter substrate with photovoltaic conversion layer, display panel and touch display device
The present disclosure relates to the field of touch display technology, and provides a color filter substrate, a display panel and a touch display device. The color filter substrate is provided with a power-generating-and-touch-detecting module capable of working in a power-generating mode and a touch mode. The power-generating-and-touch-detecting module includes a photovoltaic conversion layer, and first electrodes and second electrodes located on opposite surfaces of the photovoltaic conversion layer and arranged crosswise. The first electrodes and the second electrodes have two modes: in one mode, they serve as electrodes for outputting electrical energy from a photovoltaic conversion module; while in the other mode, they serve as driving electrodes and sensing electrodes for touch control. |
| US09965079B2 |
Pressure-sensitive touch screen and touch display screen and electronic device
A pressure-sensitive touch screen comprises a substrate, first and second strain sensors and a detecting circuit electrically connected to the first and second strain sensors. The substrate is configured to at least laterally deform in response to a touch and has a peripheral area. The first and second strain sensors are disposed on the peripheral area of the substrate and are adjacent to one another. The first strain sensor changes resistance in response to touch-based lateral deformation of the substrate. The second strain sensor provides a reference resistance. The detecting circuit is configured to detect a touched location and measure a pressure, based on resistance of the first strain sensor, and to use the reference resistance of the second strain sensor to compensate for changes in environmental conditions. |
| US09965077B2 |
Capacitive force sensor and method for preparing the same
The present disclosure relates to a force sensor including a first substrate, a first electrode installed in a pattern on an upper surface of the first substrate, a second substrate disposed above and spaced apart from the first substrate, a second electrode installed in a pattern on a lower surface of the second substrate, facing the first electrode, and a dielectric interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the dielectric includes a first dielectric surrounding an outside of the second electrode, and a pressure rib connecting the first dielectric to the first electrode, and a method for preparing the same, and shows a remarkably superior effect to related art, in terms of capacitance, interactivity and durability. |
| US09965074B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for transitioning between touch input to display output relationships
An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts, detects a contact, determines a location and intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface, and displays a response, the response being based at least in part on an input-output mapping of intensity to response at the contact location. The input-output mapping including a first input-output relationship between intensity and response over a first range of intensity values, a second input-output relationship between intensity and response over a second range of intensity values, and a transitional intensity value where the first range of intensity values meets or overlaps the second range of intensity values. At the transitional intensity value, the first input-output relationship has a first rate of change, the second input-output relationship has a second rate of change, and the first rate is substantially the same as the second rate. |
| US09965069B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device having touch panel and method for fabricating the same
Provided is an organic electroluminescent device (OLED) having a display area and a non-display area outside the display area that may include an OLED panel including a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes in a cell end line of the display area on an array substrate; and a touch panel on the OLED panel, the touch panel including a plurality of touch contact holes in the non-display area, wherein at least two of the plurality of touch contact holes that are immediately adjacent to the cell end line have substantially the same distance from the cell end line, and method for fabricating the same. |
| US09965067B2 |
Multimedia, multiuser system and associated methods
A multiuser, multi-interface computing system includes a computer system, and a continuous substrate including a first surface and a second surface. The substrate includes at least two touch sensitive regions, each touch sensitive region including a continuous touch sensitive surface that covers at least a portion of at least one display and an individual interface for selecting applications. The touch sensitive surface is configured to serve as the primary input to the computer system. The continuous substrate is transparent within the touch sensitive regions. The multiuser, multi-interface computing system is configured so that the at least two users can use the touch sensitive regions simultaneously. |
| US09965066B2 |
Physical feedback system, control method and electronic device
A physical feedback system provided by the present disclosure includes: at least one physical feedback unit below a flexible touch screen; wherein the physical feedback unit includes an armature part and a coil part, at least one of the armature part and the coil part is in an active state, and a relative distance between the armature part and the coil part is initially a predetermined value; when the coil part is energized with a current, the relative distance between the armature part and the coil part is changed due to electromagnetism, and the changed relative distance is greater than or smaller than the predetermined value, so that a protrusion or a depression is formed at a corresponding position of the flexible touch screen. |
| US09965061B2 |
Input device and vehicle
An input device including an operating portion and a palm rest is provided. The operation portion includes an operating surface for accepting an operating input from a fingertip. The palm rest is positioned forward of the operating surface as viewed from an operator who places a palm on the palm rest. A tangent plane of a palm-resting surface of the palm rest is disposed on a front surface side of the operating surface. A portion of the operating surface that is close to the palm rest is inclined so that the portion of the operating surface becomes closer to the palm-resting surface of the palm rest as the portion of the operating surface is closer to the palm rest, as compared with another portion of the operating surface that is apart from the palm rest. |
| US09965060B1 |
Capacitive stylus and tilt angle detecting method thereof
This instant disclosure is related to a capacitive stylus and a tilt angle detecting method thereof. The capacitive stylus is acting on a touch pad. The capacitive stylus includes a sensing electrode unit and a driving electrode unit, or the capacitive stylus is provided with a first sensing electrode unit and a second sensing electrode unit. The capacitive stylus further includes a tilt angle corresponding table and a direction corresponding table to determine the tilt angle and tilt direction of the capacitive stylus on the touch pad. |
| US09965056B2 |
Active stylus and control circuit thereof
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for receiving an input signal from a touch-sensitive interface via a first electrode associated with a tip of an active stylus. An input signal may be amplified via a control circuit that adjusts the gain of one or more amplifiers to compensate for changes in tip capacitance between the tip of the active stylus and the touch-sensitive interface. Changes in tip capacitance may be indirectly detected and compensated for by comparing the tip capacitance with that of a reference capacitor via a differential amplification circuit that includes one or more differential amplifiers. |
| US09965054B2 |
Active pen for touch display screen, touch display screen and touch control input system
The present disclosure discloses an active pen for a touch display screen, a touch display screen and a touch control input system, to improve human-machine interaction accuracy of operating the touch display screen with the active pen by a user. The active pen for the touch display screen comprises a transparent elastic pen point, an optical receiver and an excitation signal emitting apparatus, wherein the contact area between the transparent elastic pen point and the touch display screen is increased with an increase in an operating force, the optical receiver is configured to receive detection light which comes from the touch display screen and penetrates through the transparent elastic pen point, meanwhile, the excitation signal emitting apparatus is in signal connection with the optical receiver, so as to emit an excitation signal of a corresponding intensity to the touch display screen in accordance with the intensity of the detection light received by the optical receiver. |
| US09965052B2 |
Antenna for computer stylus
A computer stylus may have an elongated body with a metal tube that serves as an antenna ground for an antenna. An antenna resonating element for the antenna may be formed from metal traces that wrap around a longitudinal axis for the elongated body. The antenna may be an inverted-F antenna. A ground antenna feed terminal for the inverted-F antenna may be coupled to the metal tube with a sheet metal member, conductive fabric, and solder. A clip may run along a side of the elongated body at a location that does not overlap the metal traces of the antenna resonating element. The antenna may be fed at a location on an opposing side of the elongated body from the clip. Antenna signals from the inverted-F antenna may be reflected towards the tip by metal structures at the end of the elongated body opposing the tip. |
| US09965050B2 |
Interactive book electronic system and operation method thereof
Interactive electronic system having a screen and a three-axis compass sensor for detecting flipping of pages of a book, wherein the book comprises a plurality of pages, each having with one or more magnets, and wherein the system is arranged to detect the flipping of pages of the book by the data readings of the value of one axis, X, Y, or Z; or the magnitude of the calculated vector of the values of the axes X, Y, and Z. Also a method of interaction comprises: downloading the software of the book to the electronic device; putting the book which contains the sensors in a pre-determined area near the electronic device in manner to identify the pages; calibrating the system; obtaining the values of the magnitude of the magnetic field by the compass sensor to detect the page that is open; displaying the corresponding digital content in synchronization. |
| US09965049B2 |
Display apparatus and controlling method thereof
A display apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a user interface configured to adjust a friction force between the user interface and a pen; and a controller configured to, in response to a pen being touched and moved on the user interface, control the user interface to adjust the friction force based on an input mode of the pen. |
| US09965047B2 |
Button configuration and function learning
A keypad capable of being configured with multiple button configurations with buttons of various heights is configured to recognize the button configuration through actuations of the buttons. The keypad is placed in a configuration mode by inputting an unresolvable condition to the keypad. Once in the configuration mode, the buttons are individually actuated in a predefined order to configure the size and function of each button. |
| US09965046B2 |
Keyboard and notebook computer with same
A keyboard and a notebook computer with the keyboard are provided. The keyboard is installed on the notebook computer. The keyboard includes a membrane circuit board, a key frame, a key, a linking rod and a fixing plate. The linking rod is connected with the key frame. The fixing plate is disposed under the key frame. While the linking rod is rotated relative to the key frame to push the key frame, a position-limiting structure of the key frame is moved along a guiding structure of the fixing plate. Consequently, the key frame is limited to be moved in a first axial direction. Moreover, when the key frame is moved to a locked position at the same level with a keycap of the key, the keycap cannot be pressed down. |
| US09965044B2 |
Information processing method, apparatus, and device
An information processing method, device and apparatus are disclosed. An information processing apparatus acquires a mode-enabling gesture information of a user. An input mode corresponding to the mode-enabling gesture information is enabled. The input mode includes a keyboard input mode and a mouse input mode. Gesture information of the user is acquired in the input mode. The gesture information includes at least one of tap-gesture information and slide-gesture information. An operation instruction corresponding to the gesture information is generated according to a preset correspondence between gesture information and an operation instruction. |
| US09965037B2 |
Haptic driving method and apparatus therefor in flexible display device
A flexible display device includes a flexible display panel, a touch panel to detect a touch input, a haptic panel to produce a tactile sensation, a haptic driver to control the haptic panel, and a curvature detector to detect a curvature of the display panel. The haptic driver controls a haptic signal corresponding to an output of the curvature detector. |
| US09965031B2 |
System and method for probabilistic object tracking over time
A system and method are provided for object tracking in a scene over time. The method comprises obtaining tracking data from a tracking device, the tracking data comprising information associated with at least one point of interest being tracked; obtaining position data from a scene information provider, the scene being associated with a plurality of targets, the position data corresponding to targets in the scene; applying a probabilistic graphical model to the tracking data and the target data to predict a target of interest associated with an entity being tracked; and performing at least one of: using the target of interest to determine a refined point of interest; and outputting at least one of the refined point of interest and the target of interest. |
| US09965028B2 |
Method for suspension sensing in interactive display, method for processing suspension sensing image, and proximity sensing apparatus
Provided is a method for proximity sensing in an interactive display and a method of processing a proximity sensing image. The method for proximity-sensing may include suspending, in a three-dimensional (3D) space, at least one hand of a user to manipulate at least one of a viewpoint of the user and a position of a virtual object displayed on a screen, and changing the virtual object by manipulating at least one of the position of the virtual object and the viewpoint of the user based on the suspending. |
| US09965020B2 |
Systems and methods for power supply derating
An information handling system may include at least one information handling resource, a power supply unit for supplying electrical energy to at least one information handling resource, and a controller. The power supply unit may include an ambient temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature ambient to the power supply unit and a component temperature sensor for sensing a component temperature of a component integral to the power supply unit. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the power supply unit and configured to receive signals from the power supply unit indicative of the ambient and component temperatures, determine an ambient sensor-based power rating for the power supply based on the ambient temperature, determine a component sensor-based power rating for the power supply based on the component temperature, and select a maximum of the ambient sensor-based power rating and the component sensor-based power rating as a selected power rating. |
| US09965018B1 |
Power management for PCI express
Systems and methods are provided for managing power of a device coupled with a transceiver module, in communication with a high-speed interface. In one aspect, a dynamic clock trunk tree associated with the transceiver module is controlled by a trunk driver having a first clock tree gate. A dynamic clock leaf tree associated with the device is controlled by a leaf driver having a second clock tree gate. Significant power savings may be achieved, for example, by triggering activation of clock gating mechanisms. |
| US09965014B2 |
Techniques for tracing wakelock usage
Various embodiments are generally directed to generating logs recording events related to wakelocks at application and kernel levels, and then temporally aligning graphs of those events in a visual presentation to enable debugging of wakelocks. An apparatus to debug wakelocks includes a processor component; a capture component to intercept calls associated with application level wakelocks, the intercepted calls received by an application power manager of an operating system from application routines; and a relaying component to cooperate with the application power manager to provide indications of the intercepted calls to a system log generator of the operating system coupled to the application power manager, the system log generator to generate system log data comprising indications of events associated with execution of the operating system by the processor component and the indications of the intercepted calls. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09965013B1 |
Switchgear controller device
A power distribution system that distributes power to electrical loads includes a switchgear apparatus that selectively routes power from one of two or more feeds to downstream portions of the system based upon commands received from a separate external switchgear controller device that receives data from various portions of the power distribution system. The switchgear controller device can operate in one or more separate operating modes, where commands to the switchgear apparatus are generated based upon user inputs or determinations made by an internal switchgear control module based at least in part upon the selected operating mode of the switchgear controller device. The operating mode can be set based upon user interaction with an operating mode interface. The switchgear control module may generate switchgear operation commands based at least in part upon data received from the switchgear apparatus and various portions of the power distribution system. |
| US09965011B2 |
Controller interface for operation of multiple storage drives
A mass data storage system includes a number of communicatively coupled storage drives powered by one or more power supplies. Shared control electronics selectively connect power and a data signal to a select storage drive via instructions within a control signal received by the common controller. Instructions for selectively powering and connecting the data signal are transmitted over a first signal path to a first controller of the shared electronics. Responsive to successful execution of the instructions, a drive access command is sent over a second different signal path to a second controller of the shared electronics. |
| US09965007B2 |
System and apparatus for providing and managing electricity
A system and device for providing power to and monitoring the energy usage of a device connected thereto includes a unit having one or more circuit boards having components for detecting the energy usage of the connected device and an interface for electrically connecting to the device. The unit communicates with a coordinator regarding the connected device or the state of the unit itself. Depending on the communication received from the unit, the coordinator relays the received data to a server and awaits instruction, or immediately commands the unit to take a certain action. If the server receives data from the coordinator, it sends such data to a remote server, saves it, generate reports based thereon, and/or alerts a user regarding same. The user can choose to send a command to the unit or device through the system, for example, to shut down, turn on, or to adjust the power being supplied to the device. The unit includes terminals for receiving connectors crimped onto neutral, ground and hot wires, to electrically connect the unit to the power source. The connectors are designed to snap into the terminals. |
| US09965006B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a main body, a first back cover and a second back cover. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A display is mounted onto the first surface. The first back cover is disposed on the second surface and rotatable about a first axis. The first back cover can be lifted along a first direction by rotating about the first axis. The second back cover is disposed on the second surface and rotatable about a second axis. The second back cover can be lifted along a second direction by rotating about the second axis. |
| US09965004B2 |
Heat dissipating system
A heat dissipating system comprises a heat dissipating device including a carrying structure, a driving structure, and at least one swing structure. The carrying structure has a base seat and at least one buffering pad disposed on the base seat. The driving structure is configured to be driven by a periodic power for generating a magnetic field, which has cyclical changes. The swing structure includes a non-metal sheet having an elongated shape and a magnetic actuation disposed on the sheet. The sheet has a fixing end and an opposite free end. The fixing end is fixed on the base seat, the base seat and the fixing end clips the buffering pad. When the magnetic actuation is driven by the magnetic field to repeatedly move forward and backward with respect to the driving structure, the sheet repeatedly swings by the movement of the magnetic actuation. |
| US09965000B2 |
Integrated protective mesh
Integrated protective mesh techniques are described herein. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes electronic components attached to circuitry for the computing device, such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The electronic components are sensitive devices such as audio components and other sensors that rely on exposure to environmental inputs for operation and that may be adversely impacted by external contaminants (water, dust, ferritic material, etc.). To provide for proper operation of the electronic components, a housing for the computing device includes a port for the electronic components that extends from outside of the housing to an interior of the housing to create a pathway through the housing. A protective mesh is assembled as an integrated component of the circuitry (e.g., FPC) and configured to align with the port to protect the electronic components from passage of contaminants through the pathway created by the port. |
| US09964998B2 |
Hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions
A hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions is described. According to various embodiments, the hinge mechanism enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. In at least some embodiments, the hinge mechanism utilizes preset hinge positions that enable the support component to be placed at different preset positions. For instance, the hinge mechanism is configured such that an attached support component tends to “snap” into various preset positions. In at least some embodiments, the hinge mechanism includes an emergency escape position that enables the support component to be rotated beyond normal operating positions without damaging the support component. |
| US09964995B1 |
Dynamic antenna orientation with a flexible information handling system display
An information handling system having rotationally coupled housing portions supports a flexible display disposed across the housing portions with a hinge structure that manages flexible display curve radius in a folded configuration. Cylindrical spools integrated at opposing sides of a housing interface with a flexible display to rotate as the flexible display slides relative to the housing in response to housing rotation. Antenna disposed on the cylindrical spools change orientation as the housing rotates so that selection of different antenna provide desired radio signal characteristics. |
| US09964992B2 |
Computer docking station
A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer, and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position, in a direction toward the cradle portion, as the computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position, in a direction away from the cradle portion, as the computer is fully inserted into the docking station. |
| US09964986B2 |
Apparatus for power regulator with multiple inputs and associated methods
An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a regulator to receive a plurality of input voltages and to provide a regulated output voltage to a load. The regulator includes a plurality of voltage regulators that receive the plurality of input voltages and provide the regulated output voltage as an output of the regulator. The IC further includes a controller that controls the regulator by using a voltage regulator in the plurality of voltage regulators to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. |
| US09964981B2 |
Energy management system and method
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a controller disposed at a site which includes a communication device capable of initiating an 802.11 based network to communicate with a mobile device. The controller is configured to detect the mobile device establishing or losing a 802.11 based connection to the 802.11 based network, alter an operating condition at the site in response to detecting the mobile device establishing the 802.11 based connection, alter an operating condition at the site in response to detecting the mobile device losing the 802.11 based connection, and receive a control setting from one of the mobile device or a server disposed remotely from the site to alter the operating condition. |
| US09964978B2 |
Control systems for microgrid power inverter and methods thereof
The present invention provides control systems and methods for a power inverter. For example, a control system comprises a plurality of sensors and a controller. The plurality of sensors are configured to measure electrical signals that are indicative of output voltages and output currents of the power inverter. The controller, coupled to the power inverter, is configured to: determine a target power based on real power frequency droop information and a first frequency if the power inverter is in a voltage source mode; determine a target power based on a power limit and a predetermined power command if the power inverter is in a current source mode; and generate a second frequency based on the target power, a measured power, and a latency estimate of a simulated generator. The second frequency is used to control the output power of the power inverter. |
| US09964968B2 |
Operatorless particle processing systems and methods
The present disclosure provides improved particle processing (e.g., cytometry and/or cell purification) systems and methods that can operate in an autonomous fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and methods for analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting and/or enriching) particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) where human intervention is not required and/or is minimized. The systems, assemblies and methods of the present disclosure advantageously improve run performance of particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems, cytometers) by significantly reducing and/or substantially eliminating the burden of operation for human intervention by automating numerous functions, features and/or steps of the disclosed systems and methods. |
| US09964966B1 |
Controlling mechanical vibrations
Mechanical vibrations are generated on a frame of an aerial vehicle as a response to operation of the aerial vehicle, such as rotation of motors and/or propellers. Likewise, environmental conditions, such as wind, humidity, etc., may also cause vibrations on the frame of aerial vehicles. These vibrations may be destructive to the aerial vehicle, impact stability of the aerial vehicle, and/or result in audible sounds. Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring and/or predicting the vibrations on the frame of the aerial vehicle, generating anti-vibrations, and outputting those anti-vibrations such that the anti-vibrations modify vibrations on the frame of the aerial vehicle. |
| US09964962B2 |
Preventing contamination in a bulk liquid storage tank
A system and method prevent product-type contamination in a bulk liquid storage tank. A control unit receives an indication of a storage product type in the bulk storage and a delivery product type in the tanker truck. The control unit compares the delivery product type with the storage product type and controls delivery based on a result of the comparison. |
| US09964960B2 |
Hover attitude trim for vehicle
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided and includes a fuselage, wings extending outwardly from the fuselage to define a wing plane and a prop-rotor operably disposed to generate thrust, a flight computer and controllable surfaces disposed on at least one of the fuselage, the wings and the prop-rotor. The controllable surfaces are controllable by the flight computer to position the wing plane in accordance with a predominant local wind direction. |
| US09964959B2 |
Method and apparatus for aircraft inspection
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting an aircraft fuel tank. The invention also relates to an aircraft fuel tank including an inspection apparatus. The invention provides an aircraft fuel tank, the aircraft fuel tank containing a robotic device. The robotic device is arranged to be movable within the aircraft fuel tank. The robotic device further comprises a sensor for inspecting the aircraft fuel tank. |
| US09964957B2 |
Method for controlling vehicle according to destination type
A method for controlling a vehicle according to a destination type may promote convenience of a driver by changing a method for controlling a self driving vehicle according to a destination type set by the driver. The method for controlling a vehicle according to a destination type includes: deciding whether or not a destination type selected from a driver is a final destination; and controlling the vehicle to stop in the rightmost lane of a road closest to the final destination after the vehicle arrives at the vicinity of the final destination, when the selected destination type is the final destination. |
| US09964952B1 |
Adaptive vehicle motion control system
Systems and methods for controlling the motion of an autonomous are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices on-board an autonomous vehicle, data associated with one or more objects that are proximate to the autonomous vehicle. The data includes a predicted path of each respective object. The method includes identifying at least one object as an object of interest based at least in part on the data associated with the object of interest. The method includes generating cost data associated with the object of interest. The method includes determining a motion plan for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the cost data associated with the object of interest. The method includes providing data indicative of the motion plan to one or more vehicle control systems to implement the motion plan for the autonomous vehicle. |
| US09964951B1 |
Fiducial-based navigation of unmanned vehicles
Techniques for facilitating an autonomous operation, such as an autonomous navigation, of an unmanned vehicle based on one or more fiducials. For example, image data of a fiducial may be generated with an optical sensor of the unmanned vehicle. The image data may be analyzed to determine a location of the fiducial. A location of the unmanned vehicle may be estimated from the location of the fiducial and the image. The autonomous navigation of the unmanned vehicle may be directed based on the estimated location. |
| US09964945B2 |
Process flow checking system, recording medium, and process flow checking method
The process flow checking system includes a manufacturing route generator, a rule-information storage part, and a check processor. The manufacturing route generator generates manufacturing route information while associating additional information indicating, contents of respective processes in a semiconductor process flow with the respective processes. The rule-information storage part stores therein rule information in which a rule about an order of processes in the manufacturing route information is described by using expressions included in the additional information. The check processor checks appropriateness of the order of processes in the manufacturing route information by comparing the additional information of the manufacturing route information with the rule information. |
| US09964944B2 |
Material processing unit controlled by rotation
An interchangeable unit adapted to couple to a computer numerical control (“CNC”) machine is disclosed comprising a holder that couples to a spindle of the CNC machine, a controller, wherein said controller is configured to receive the rotational speed of the spindle as an input, and a material processing unit, wherein said material processing unit executes a first function in response to a first rotational speed range of the spindle and executes a second function in response to a second rotational speed range of the spindle. |
| US09964940B2 |
Numerical controller for performing axis control of two parallel axes
A numerical controller performs cross-rail axis control that distributes moving amount to a first and second axes based on a command to a virtual axis. If a block of a program that is read out contains a fast feed command to the virtual axis for moving a tool to a cutting feed start point, the numerical controller distributes a moving amount commanded by the fast feed command to the first axis and the second axis. Further, the moving amount commanded by the fast feed command is distributed to the first axis and the second axis so that movement of the virtual axis commanded by a cutting feed command that follows the fast feed command in the program can be achieved by movement of only the first axis. |
| US09964937B2 |
Redundant watchdog method and system utilizing safety partner controller
This disclosure provides an automation controller method, system and apparatus including a redundant watchdog utilizing a safety partner controller. According to an exemplary controller, the controller includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and an integrated circuit configured to receive as inputs fault indicator signals from the first and second processing units, and the integrated circuit configured to disable I/O communications for a fault condition detected by the first or second processing units. |
| US09964933B2 |
System for distributing electrical energy over a cluster of electrical devices, method for distributing electrical energy over a cluster of electrical devices of such a system and controller for use in such a system
The system comprises a controller comprising software components for determining the difference between the amount of energy determined by the smart grid agent to be delivered to and from the cluster over a predetermined period of time and the amount of energy measured by the meter actually delivered to the cluster over the predetermined period of time, the controller comprising software components for simulating a virtual smart grid participating device based on the determined difference and for providing the smart grid agent with information based on the determined difference such that the smart grid agent is configured to determine the amount of electrical energy in function of time to be delivered to and from the electrical grid for both the smart grid participating and non-participating devices of the cluster based on information of both the devices of the cluster and the smart grid and such that the difference is reduced. |
| US09964930B2 |
Control device for controlling facility equipment
The control device controls facility equipment and includes a receiving unit, first and second decision units and an adjustment control unit. The receiving unit receives time-of-use unit price information of an energy supplied to the facility equipment. The first decision unit decides a first time slot in which an index that includes a factor of an energy unit price approaches a peak in a first period based on the time-of-use unit price information. The second decision unit decides a second time slot prior to the first time slot and a third time slot subsequent to the first time slot in the first period. The adjustment control unit executes an energy adjustment control to adjust an energy consumption of the facility equipment so that an amount of suppression of the energy consumption is higher in the first time slot than in the second and the third time slots. |
| US09964928B2 |
Time measuring circuit
A first encoding part encodes a reference timing determined by a reference clock by using a delay line. A second encoding part encodes a measurement start timing and a measurement end timing of a measurement period determined by a measurement signal to be measured by also using the delay line. A count part counts the reference clocks included in the measurement period. A fraction calculation part calculates a start fraction number indicating a time difference from the measurement start timing and an immediately-following reference timing and an end fraction number indicating a time difference from the measurement end timing to an immediately-following reference timing, based on the encoding result. The fraction calculation part then calculates a fraction data indicating a difference between the measurement period and a product of the period of the reference timing and the count value of the count part. |
| US09964927B2 |
Timer reminder device and in-vehicle device
A timer reminder device includes an acquiring portion, a determination portion, and a notification portion. When the determination portion determines that a predetermined display condition for displaying a timer setting information is satisfied, the notification portion permits a display portion to display the timer setting information acquired by the acquiring portion. As the display condition, the determination portion determines whether a user is getting off the vehicle. The notification portion permits the display portion to display the timer setting information for a fixed period when the determination portion determines that the user is getting off the vehicle. |
| US09964923B1 |
Image forming apparatus and control method for image forming apparatus
According to one embodiment, an estimation unit corrects ambient temperatures or ambient humidities measured by an environment measurement unit on the basis of calculating an estimated temperature or humidity from measured temperatures or humidities and temperature correction values or humidity correction values, so as to estimate ambient temperatures or ambient humidities of other photoconductors of which the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities are not measured. A control unit determines image formation conditions for the image forming units forming images on the photoconductors of which the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities are not measured, on the basis of the ambient temperatures or the ambient humidities estimated by the estimation unit. |
| US09964919B2 |
Shipping cap for drum assembly
A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. |
| US09964917B2 |
Developing cartridge provided with protrusion movable with rotation of gear
A developing cartridge includes: a first gear; a second gear; a gear cover; and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The first gear is movable from a first position to a second position. The second gear is rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction upon receipt of a drive force from the first gear. The gear cover has an opening and covers at least a portion of the second gear. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction. The protrusion is movable with the rotation of the second gear while the first gear moves from the first position to the second position. The protrusion is further movable past the opening at least once after the protrusion moves past the opening once, while the protrusion moves with the rotation of the second gear. |
| US09964915B2 |
Image forming apparatus and drum unit with conveying unit for conveying toner removed from photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a drum unit movable between an inside position and an outside position, and a waste toner storage unit. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaning unit configured to remove toner remaining on a surface of the photosensitive drum, a conveying unit including a conveying member to convey the toner in a moving direction of the drum unit, and a conveying tube that can accommodate the conveying member and having a discharging outlet through which the toner is discharged to the waste toner storage unit. Moreover, the conveying tube includes a first conveying tube extending in the moving direction and accommodating the conveying member, and a second conveying tube connectable to the first conveying tube and extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first conveying tube extends. |
| US09964914B2 |
Electrophotographic member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
Provided is an electrophotographic member that has a high excessive charging-suppressing effect under a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, and has high charge-providing performance under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each including the electrophotographic member. The electrophotographic member is an electrophotographic member including an electro-conductive substrate and an electro-conductive resin layer, the electro-conductive resin layer contains a cation and at least one anion selected from the group consisting of anions represented by the following formulae (1) to (5): where X represents an arbitrary halogen atom, n in the structural formula (4) represents an integer of from 2 to 6, and n in the structural formula (5) represents an integer of 2 or 3. |
| US09964913B2 |
Image forming apparatus and voltage supply method
An image forming apparatus and a voltage supply method are provided which are capable of fulfilling a stable bias supply to a fittable-and-removable image forming unit and moreover offering improved accessibility to the board. The image forming apparatus includes a lower casing, an image forming unit, a high-voltage board, and a left interconnecting unit. The high-voltage board has a plurality of electric components and output terminals in its upper surface portion above the image forming unit. When a top cover of the lower casing is removed off, the high-voltage board is exposed. The left interconnecting unit is fitted to a side end portion of the high-voltage board and electrically connected to the output terminals of the high-voltage board. The left interconnecting unit supplies a voltage to the image forming unit via a side portion of the high-voltage board. |
| US09964912B2 |
Voltage regulator and image forming apparatus that equalize required voltage of a plurality of cores included in integrated circuit
A voltage regulator includes an integrated circuit, a first power supply circuit, and a second power supply circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first core through which passage of current is continued in a power-saving mode, and a second core through which passage of current is halted in the power-saving mode. A determination unit determines whether operational status of the second core is a predetermined state that increases consumed current of the second core. A detecting unit detects a second DC voltage output from the second power supply circuit when the determination unit determines the operational status of the second core to be the predetermined state. A voltage adjusting unit adjusts the second DC voltage such that difference in voltage between the detected second DC voltage and a required voltage of the second core is equal to or less than a predetermined specified voltage difference. |
| US09964910B2 |
Drive transmission unit and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A drive transmission unit is described that includes a drive source, and a rotatable drive transmitting member to transmit a driving force from the drive source. The drive transmitting member includes a bottom part intersecting an axis of the drive transmitting member, a circular transmitting part extending from the bottom part in an axial direction of the drive transmitting member and including an internal toothed surface on an inner circumferential surface of the transmitting part to mesh with a first member, and a first projecting part and a second projecting part projecting in opposite directions from the bottom part along the axial direction of the drive transmitting member and having different diameters. |
| US09964905B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and at least one heater, disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, to heat the fixing rotator. The at least one heater includes a heat generator to generate heat. A lateral end heater is disposed at least at one lateral end of a nip formation pad in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad. The lateral end heater heats at least one lateral end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction of the fixing rotator. The lateral end heater includes a base, a resistor, mounted on the base, to generate heat, and an electrode coupled to the resistor to supply power to the resistor. The electrode is disposed outboard from the heat generator of the at least one heater in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. |
| US09964901B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a fixing device, a conveying guide and a branching guide. In the apparatus main body, a conveying path and an inversion path are formed. The conveying guide guides the sheet along the conveying path closer to a downstream side than the fixing device. The branching guide guides the sheet toward an ejecting part along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device and guides the sheet toward the inversion path along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device. The conveying guide is detachably attached to one of the apparatus main body and the fixing device so as to cover a part of the fixing device from a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet. The branching guide is detachably attached to the conveying guide. |
| US09964899B2 |
Destaticizing device for destaticizing a recording medium, and image forming apparatus therewith
A destaticizing device has a destaticizing member, a holding member, and a body portion. The destaticizing member has a plurality of destaticizing needless. The holding member holds the destaticizing member. The body portion has the holding member removably attached to it. The destaticizing member has attachment holes for attachment to the holding member. The holding member has a plurality of bosses inserted in the attachment holes respectively and an engaging portion in a snap-fit shape for attachment to the body portion. The body portion has an engaged portion with which the engaging portion is engaged. |
| US09964896B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus including same
A development device includes a development container and a second agitation member. The development container includes a second transport chamber and a developer discharge port which is provided at the end portion of the second transport chamber on a downstream side. The second agitation member includes a second transport blade, a damming member which dams a developer, a regulation portion which transports the developer in a direction opposite to the second transport blade and a discharge blade which discharges the developer from the developer discharge portion. A second rotation shaft includes a large shaft diameter portion on which the second transport blade is provided, a small shaft diameter portion on which the regulation portion and the discharge blade are provided and a shaft diameter change portion. The damming member is arranged between the shaft diameter change portion and the end portion of the second transport blade on the downstream side. |
| US09964895B2 |
Toner container including joint coupled with image forming apparatus
A toner container includes a container main body, a first conveyance member rotatably provided in the container main body, a first bearing hole rotatably supports a rotation shaft of the first conveyance member in a state where the rotation shaft of the first conveyance member passes through the first bearing hole and extends outside, and a first input joint provided on an end portion of a rotation shaft of the first conveyance member in an attachment portion side, and coupled with a first drive coupling portion of the attachment portion. The first drive coupling portion includes a plurality of engaging pieces. The first input joint includes a plurality of projection pieces configured to be respectively coupled with the plurality of engaging pieces. Among the plurality of projection pieces, at least one first piece is longer than the other second piece(s) in a projection direction of the projection shaft. |
| US09964894B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus
A toner container includes a container main body having a toner replenishment port and a shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism has a shutter member having a discharge port and a cover member supported by the shutter member so as to extend toward the replenishment port. The shutter member is movable in an opening direction from a closing position where the discharge port is retracted from the replenishment port to an opening position where the discharge port is communicated with the replenishment port and in a closing direction from the opening position to the closing position. The cover member has a tip end portion that extends toward the replenishment port as the shutter member moves in the closing direction, comes into contact with a downstream side edge portion of the replenishment port at the closing position and retracts from the replenishment port as the shutter member moves in the opening direction. |
| US09964890B2 |
Rubber member for developing roll, and method for manufacturing same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a development roll rubber member that has a uniformly roughened surface on a rubber member surface, that is capable of ensuring a sufficient thickness without contaminating a peripheral portion while maintaining a flexibility in a coating layer and a convex portion without impairing softness of a rubber substrate layer, and that has the coating layer achieving non-tackiness and low friction, and a method of manufacturing the same, and the object is achieved by putting a reactive silicone oil, an isocyanate compound, and a diluent solvent capable of dissolving both the reactive silicone oil and the isocyanate compound into a reaction container, by causing a prepolymerization reaction in which the reactive silicone oil and the isocyanate compound are reacted into a polymerized state in the diluent solvent in the reaction container while dissolution in the solvent is maintained, by subsequently mixing a polyol and an isocyanate compound solution and using silicone rubber particles 101 to prepare an application liquid of a coating layer 13 component, and by applying and curing the application liquid around the development roll 1 for formation. |
| US09964885B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles. Each of the plurality of toner particles includes a toner core and a shell layer covering the toner core. The shell layer contains a thermosetting resin. A content ratio of a toner component insoluble in tetrahydrofuran is at least 90 mass % relative to mass of the toner. Melt viscosity of the toner at 75° C. is at least 1.0×104 Pa·s and no greater than 1.0×105 Pa·s. The thermosetting resin is preferably a melamine resin or a urea resin. The toner core preferably contains a binder resin, and the binder resin has a softening point (Tm) of at least 85° C. and no greater than 95° C. |
| US09964878B2 |
Carrier core material and electrophotographic development carrier using same and electrophotographic developer
A carrier core material is represented by a composition formula MxFe3-xO4 (where M is Mn and/or Mg, and X is a total of Mn and Mg and is a substitution number of Fe by Mn and Mg, 0 |
| US09964877B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor having an overcoat layer and a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning blade and a tip of the cleaning blade contacts with the photoreceptor toward the direction opposite to the rotation direction, wherein the toner particle contains a crystalline polyester resin, an average circularity of the toner particles is from 0.955 to 0.971, a content ratio of the toner particles having a particle diameter of 4.5 μm or more and less than 7.5 μm and a circularity of 0.980 or more is from 16% by number to 40% by number, and a content ratio of the toner particles having a particle diameter of 7.5 μm or more and less than 15 μm and a circularity of 0.900 or more and less than 0.940 is 3% by number or less. |
| US09964875B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic latent image
Disclosed is a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image, the toner comprising a plurality of toner particles, each toner particle includes: a core particle that contains a binding resin, a coloring agent, and a releasing agent; and an external additive attached to the surface of the core particle, wherein the toner has two endothermic peaks in a heat curve, which is obtained at the time of the secondary temperature rise in differential scanning calorimetry of the toner, and a stepped endothermic curve; and first and second melting temperatures, which are determined to be the locations of vertices of the two endothermic peaks, a glass transition temperature, which is determined to be the midpoint of a linear portion of the stepped endothermic curve, and first and second heat of melting, which are determined to be the areas of the two endothermic peaks, satisfy the condition set forth herein. |
| US09964874B2 |
Toner
Provided is a toner including a binder resin, a colorant, a crystalline polyester, and a release agent, wherein a cross-sectional image of the toner is observed using a scanning transmission electron microscope, domains of the crystalline polyester are present in the cross-sectional image of the toner, the domains have a number-average major diameter of at least 50 nm and not more than 300 nm, the number of the domains is at least 8 and not more than 500, and the domains are present at least 60 number % and not more than 100 number % from an outline of the cross-sectional image to 25% of the distance between the outline and the centroid of the cross-sectional image. |
| US09964870B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus and image forming method using the same
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes at least a photosensitive layer and a protective layer sequentially layered on a conductive support, wherein the protective layer contains a cured product of a curable composition containing p-type semiconductor fine particles, an n-type organic semiconductor, and a polymerizable compound. |
| US09964869B2 |
Triarylamine derivative, electrophotographic photosensitive member, and method for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member
A triarylamine derivative represented by general formula (1) below. In the general formula (1), R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 each represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom, an optionally substitute alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, or an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of at least 6 and no greater than 14, R3 represents an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 4, X represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6 or an oxygen atom, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3. |
| US09964864B2 |
Silicon wafer edge protection device
A silicon wafer edge protection device having: a horizontal motion assembly; vertical motion assembly; speed regulating device, which is in signal connection with the vertical motion assembly and used for regulating vertical motion assembly motion speed; flexible bumper assembly, which is connected to the horizontal motion assembly and vertical motion assembly and used for reducing the amplitude of vibration of the silicon wafer edge protection device when a collision occurs; and control device, which is in signal connection with the speed regulating device and used for sending a control signal to the speed regulating device to control motion of the vertical motion assembly. The silicon wafer edge protection device can prevent a wafer stage from undergoing an instantaneous strong impact and prevent a silicon wafer from being crushed. When a collision occurs, the wafer stage and the silicon wafer can be protected. Production efficiency is also improved. |
| US09964857B2 |
Beam exposure device
A beam exposure device includes a light-emitting unit for emitting light beams from a plurality of light-emitting positions, a scan unit, an optical condensing system for condensing a spot of the light beams onto a surface to be exposed, and a micro-deflection unit for micro-deflecting the plurality of light beams to expose the space between the beams in the plurality of light beams. The optical condensing system includes a first microlens array arranged between the light-emitting unit and the micro-deflection unit and provided with a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the light-emitting positions; and a second microlens array arranged between the micro-deflection unit and the surface to be exposed and provided with a plurality of microlenses each microlens corresponding to the light-emitting unit. |
| US09964856B2 |
Illumination optical unit for projection lithography
An illumination optical unit for projection lithography illuminates an object field with illumination light. The illumination optical unit has a collector for collecting the emission of a light source for the illumination light. The collector is arranged such that it transfers the illumination light from the light source into an intermediate focus. The illumination optical unit furthermore has a field facet mirror and a pupil facet mirror, each having a plurality of facets. The field facets are imaged into the object field by a transfer optical unit. The illumination optical unit additionally has an individual-mirror array having individual mirrors tiltable in a manner driven individually. The array is arranged upstream of the field facet mirror and downstream of the intermediate focus in an illumination beam path. |
| US09964855B2 |
Bit patterned media template including alignment mark and method of using same
A method is disclosed that includes forming at least one substrate alignment mark and at least one lithography alignment mark in a substrate; forming a seed layer on the substrate; and forming a guide pattern and at least one guide pattern alignment mark in the seed layer, where the at least one guide pattern alignment mark is formed over the at least one substrate alignment mark. The method further includes determining an alignment error of the at least one guide pattern alignment mark relative to the at least one substrate alignment mark; and patterning features on at least one region of the substrate, where the features are positioned on the substrate based on the at least one lithography alignment mark and the alignment error. |
| US09964852B1 |
Source collector apparatus, lithographic apparatus and method
A source collector apparatus for use in a lithographic apparatus includes a fuel droplet generator configured in use to generate a stream of fuel droplets directed from an outlet of the fuel droplet generator towards a plasma formation location. In order to prevent droplet satellites from interfering with plasma formation, a gas supply is provided that in use provides a flow of gas (e.g., hydrogen) that deflects any droplet satellites out of the fuel droplet stream. Additionally, a detection apparatus may be provided as part of a shroud to determine the point at which coalescence of fuel droplets occurs thereby providing an indication of the likelihood of satellite droplets being present in the fuel droplet stream. |
| US09964848B2 |
Positive photosensitive resin composition and cured film forming method using the same
There are provided a positive photosensitive resin composition excellent in the sensitivity, film residual ratio and storage stability, comprising a resin containing a specific acrylic acid-based constituent unit capable of dissociating an acid-dissociable group to produce a carboxyl group, the resin being alkali-insoluble or sparingly alkali-soluble and becoming alkali-soluble when the acid-dissociable group dissociates, a resin containing a constituent unit having a functional group capable of reacting with the carboxyl group to form a covalent bond, and a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; a cured film forming method using the positive photosensitive resin composition; and a cured film excellent in the heat resistance, adhesion, transmittance and the like. |
| US09964843B2 |
Light-providing device and projection system
A light-providing device is provided, including a light guiding member, an LED (light-emitting diode), and a light distribution adjusting member, wherein the LED is disposed on the light guiding member. The light guiding member has an opening. The light distribution adjusting member has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the opening. The shape or dimensions of the inlet is different from that of the outlet. A plurality of lights generated by the LED enter the light distribution adjusting member through the opening and the inlet, and leave the light distribution adjusting member through the outlet. The lights include a first light angular distribution at the inlet, and include a second light angular distribution at the outlet, wherein the second light angular distribution/the first light angular distribution is proportional to the inlet/the outlet. |
| US09964839B2 |
Projection system, projector apparatus, imaging apparatus, and projection method
Even when a high-performance imaging apparatus is not used, luminance unevenness and color unevenness of an image (video) projected on a projection plane by the projection type projector apparatus are appropriately reduced. Using a coefficient Br (0≤Br≤1) set by a coefficient setting unit, the projection system obtains, based on the gamma characteristic of the entire system of the projection system, a target image for reducing the number of pixels saturated when the image is projected. Then, the projection system performs correction processing using the obtained target image based on the gamma characteristic of the entire system of the projection system and a white value. This reduces the number of saturated pixels of the projected image in the projection system. Furthermore, even in a case or similar cases when a captured image obtained by capturing a projected image has a bad S/N ratio, image projection processing that does not cause a user discomfort in viewing the projected image (or captured image) is achieved. |
| US09964838B2 |
Projection display device
Provided are: a light source device; first, second, and third color separation elements; first, second, and third reflective members which reflect first, second, and third color light in a third direction; first, second, and third reflective liquid crystal panels which optically modulate the first, second, and third color light; a combining optical system which combines the optically modulated first, second and third color light to generate combined light; a projection optical system which projects the combined light; and a relay optical system which is arranged in an optical path of the first color light between the first color separation element and the first reflective liquid crystal panel and forms an erect image. |
| US09964834B2 |
Thermal waveguide
In a high power optical system, a thermal waveguide including an optical material having an index of refraction sensitive to changes in temperature, the rectangular optical material having a first dimension and a second dimension in a horizontal plane and a third dimension in a vertical plane, the third dimension being approximately ten times smaller than the first and second dimension, at least one heat sink thermally coupled to the optical material to establish a one-dimensional thermal gradient across the third dimension of the optical material, the thermal gradient having a parabolic profile across the rectangular optical material, and wherein the optical material is configured to act as a waveguide when a laser beam having a power of greater than one watt is incident upon the optical material. |
| US09964830B2 |
Electrophoretic display apparatus
An electrophoretic display apparatus includes a first substrate, a plurality of sub-pixel structures, a color filter array, and an electrophoretic layer. The sub-pixel structures are disposed on the first substrate, and each of the sub-pixel structures includes a plurality of sub-pixel sub-structures. The color filter array is disposed above the sub-pixel structures, and includes a plurality of filter units. The filter units are divided into a plurality of groups having different colors, and the filter units belonging to the groups having different colors are alternately disposed above the sub-pixel structures. Each of the filter units corresponds to the sub-pixel sub-structures of at least one sub-pixel structure, and at least two of the sub-pixel sub-structures of the same sub-pixel structure are adapted to be applied different voltages. The electrophoretic layer is disposed on the sub-pixel structures. |
| US09964829B2 |
Transparent display apparatus
Provided is a transparent display apparatus including a lower panel on which a shutter region and a light emitting region are horizontally disposed, an upper panel including a recessed region configured to cover the shutter region and the light emitting region to face the lower panel, a light emitting device, and a shutter device. The shutter device includes a lower electrode and an electrochromic material layer that are sequentially laminated in the shutter region of the lower panel, an upper electrode disposed in the recessed region of the upper panel, and an electrolyte layer filled between the electrochromic material layer and the upper electrode. |
| US09964828B2 |
Electrochemical energy storage devices
An energy storage device includes a cathodic material in an activated state; and an anodic material in an activated state; wherein: the cathodic material is a viologen covalently attached to, or confined within, a first polymer matrix, the first polymer matrix is configured to prevent or minimize substantial diffusion of the cathodic material in the activated state; and the anodic material is a phenazine, a phenothiazine, a triphenodithiazine, a carbazole, a indolocarbazole, a biscarbazole, or a ferrocene covalently attached to, or confined within, a second polymer matrix, the second polymer matrix is configured to prevent or minimize substantial diffusion of the anodic material in the activated state. |
| US09964823B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel includes an array substrate having a plurality of pixel regions in multi-rows and multi-columns, a thin film transistor comprising a gate, a source, a drain and an active layer being provided in each of the pixel regions. Two gate lines are provided between two adjacent rows of pixel regions. Two adjacent columns of pixel regions constitute one pixel column group, and a data line is provided between two columns of pixel regions in the same one pixel column group. The array substrate further includes a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a common electrode line comprising a horizontal common electrode line parallel to the gate line, wherein a projection of the horizontal common electrode line in a direction perpendicular to the display panel is not overlapped with projections of the drains of respective thin film transistors in the direction perpendicular to the display panel. |
| US09964822B2 |
Active array matrix substrate of display panel
An active array matrix substrate of a display panel includes a number of scan lines parallel to each other and arranged in a first metal layer of a first substrate, a number of data lines parallel to each other and arranged in a second metal layer of the first substrate, a number of gate electrodes arranged in the first metal layer, a number of source electrodes arranged in the second metal layer, and a number of drain electrodes arranged in the second metal layer. The source electrode includes at least one source extending portion spaced from and configured to overlap with the first metal layer. The drain electrode includes at least one drain extending portion spaced from and configured to overlap with the first metal layer. |
| US09964821B2 |
Curved liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides a curved liquid crystal display panel. In the curved liquid crystal display panel of the present invention, a TFT substrate is provided thereon with a black matrix corresponding to a trunk portion of a pixel electrode such that portions of the sub-pixels within two opposite side zones of the curved liquid crystal display panel that generate dark patterns and portions of the sub-pixels within a central zone of the curved liquid crystal display panel having the same width as that of the dark patterns are shielded, whereby through sacrifice of a portion of aperture ratio, the brightness of the curved liquid crystal display panel is made homogenized through all areas thereof thereby preventing brightness difference between the central zone and two opposite side zones of the curved liquid crystal display panel. |
| US09964820B2 |
Displays with flipped panel structures
A display may have a thin-film transistor layer and a color filter layer. The display may include light blocking structures formed on a transparent substrate. In one arrangement, a clear planarization layer may be formed over the light blocking structures. The thin-film transistor layer may be formed over the planarization layer. The color filter layer may be integrated with the thin-film transistor layer. At least light blocking structures and the planarization layer should be formed from high temperature resistance material. In another arrangement, the color filter layer may be formed on the light blocking structures. A clear planarization layer may then be formed over the color filter layer. The thin-film transistor layer may be formed on the planarization layer. In this arrangement, the color filter layer also needs to be formed from thermal resistance material. |
| US09964819B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel is disclosed. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a testing region, which comprises testing lines. The testing lines comprise data short lines and scan short lines and a static-electron-protection circuit. The static-electron-protection circuit is disposed between the testing lines and the common welding lead wires. The static-electricity-protection circuit is used to release the static electrons generated on the data lines or the scan lines through the common lines, when static electrons during the liquid crystal display manufacturing process of the data lines or the scan lines are generated. |
| US09964817B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate having a display region with first and second electrodes, TFTs, scanning signal lines connected to the TFTs, a counter substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the TFT and counter substrates, and sealed by a sealant, scanning line leads connected to the scanning signal lines and formed outside of the display region, video signal line leads connected to the video signal lines and formed outside of the display region and a shield electrode formed on the TFT substrate covering the scanning line leads but not the video signal line leads. The second electrode is connected to one of the TFTs, and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are driven by an electric field, which is generated between the first and second electrodes. The shield electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode and overlapped with the sealant in plan view. |
| US09964815B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a pixel electrode substrate including a pixel electrode and a counter electrode formed thereon; a counter substrate provided to face the pixel electrode substrate; and a liquid crystal interposed between the pixel electrode substrate and the counter substrate, the liquid crystal display device being of a mode that rotates liquid crystal molecules substantially in parallel to the pixel electrode substrate. In the display device, an initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is parallel to an extension direction of at least one of the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, and a pixel includes at least one convex portion or concave portion that has a long and narrow shape and whose longitudinal direction has an oblique angle with respect to the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the same direction as a desired liquid crystal rotation direction. |
| US09964813B2 |
Blue phase liquid crystal display module, blue phase liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method for the same
A blue phase liquid crystal display module and device, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The module includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate disposed oppositely, multiple blue phase liquid crystal molecules disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, multiple upper common electrodes disposed in parallel and spaced at intervals on the upper substrate, multiple lower common electrodes disposed in parallel and spaced at intervals on the lower substrate, wherein the lower common electrodes are staggered with the upper common electrodes, and a pixel electrode disposed on the lower substrate, wherein, the pixel electrode is a hollow concave-convex structure, the pixel electrode has alternating projections and depressions such that multiple oblique electric fields are generated among the pixel electrode, the upper common electrodes and the lower common electrodes in order to drive the blue phase liquid crystal molecules. |
| US09964809B2 |
High transmittance VA type liquid crystal display panel and manufacture method thereof
The present invention provides a high transmittance VA type liquid crystal display panel and a manufacture method thereof. The lower substrate (1) of the high transmittance VA type liquid crystal display panel comprises a first bump layer (12), and the upper substrate (2) comprises a second bump layer (22); the first bump layer (12) comprises a first convex part (121) and a first concave part (122) which are mutually spaced; the pixel electrode (13) continuously covers the first convex part (121) and first concave part (122) with a uniform thickness; the second bump layer (22) and the first bump layer (12) complement in structure, and the second bump layer (22) comprises a second convex part (221) and a second concave part (222) which are mutually spaced, and the common electrode (23) continuously covers the second convex part (221) and the second concave part (222) with a uniform thickness; the second convex part (221) is in accordance with the first concave part (122), and the second concave part (222) is in accordance with the first convex part (121). |
| US09964807B2 |
Graphene backlight module and liquid crystal display
The present disclosure proposes a graphene backlight module and an LCD. The graphene backlight module includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a graphene luminous layer, a protective layer, and a black matrix layer. The graphene luminous layer includes luminous elements. A gap located between any two of the adjacent luminous elements is covered by the protective layer. Each of the plurality of luminous elements comprises a source/drain layer, a luminous layer, and a gate layer covering the luminous layer. The black matrix layer includes a plurality of light-shielding units disposed on the protective layer which corresponds to the gap located between any two of the adjacent luminous elements. The graphene backlight module can reduce the color shift of the images shown on the LCD. The color saturation of wide-angle LCDs and the display effect of images are improved as well. |
| US09964803B2 |
Custom PSFs using clustered light sources
Light sources of a backlight are configured to customize the shape of light emitted from the clusters. The clusters are activated as a unit and modulated as to brightness, but of the customized shape. All clusters can have a similar customized PSF, or the customization of each cluster may be varied in real time. Real time changes of a clusters PSF may be based, for example, an image or a region of the image to be displayed using the clusters. |
| US09964800B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A novel display device that is highly convenient or reliable. The display device includes a first display element, a second display element, a color film, and a reflective electrode. The first display element includes a first pixel electrode and a liquid crystal layer. The second display element includes a second pixel electrode and a light-emitting layer. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the reflective electrode. The reflective electrode includes an opening through which light emitted from the light-emitting layer passes. The color film faces the reflective electrode with the liquid crystal layer placed therebetween. |
| US09964799B2 |
Display device, display module, and electronic device
A reflective liquid crystal display device capable of favorable display is provided. A reflective liquid crystal display device having a high aperture ratio is provided. A reflective film is provided on the counter substrate side. An oxide conductor film is used as an electrode of a capacitor or a liquid crystal element. Specifically, a display device includes a transistor, an insulating film, a capacitor, a liquid crystal element, and a reflective film. The transistor is electrically connected to the capacitor and the liquid crystal element. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film. The capacitor transmits visible light. The capacitor or the liquid crystal element includes an oxide conductor film as at least one of a pair of electrodes. The oxide semiconductor film is opposite to the oxide conductor film with the insulating film therebetween. The reflective film is opposite to the transistor with the liquid crystal element therebetween. |
| US09964798B2 |
Polarizer and liquid crystal display including the same
A polarizer includes a first laminated structure having a first layer with a first refractive index and a second layer with a second refractive index, wherein the first and second refractive indices are different from each other. A buffer layer is disposed on the first laminated structure. A second laminated structure in the polarizer has a third layer with a third refractive index and a fourth layer with a fourth refractive index, wherein the third and fourth refractive indices are different from each other. |
| US09964796B2 |
Liquid crystal displays and the liquid crystal panels thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and the liquid crystal panel thereof are disclosed. A first electrode and a second electrode are configured on the array substrate and the CF substrate. When the common electrode and the pixel electrode are applied with the voltage, and the first electrode and the second electrode are not applied with the voltage, the liquid crystals aligning along a first direction are controlled to align along a second direction. When the first electrode and the second electrode are applied with the voltage having inversed polarity, and the common electrode and the pixel electrode are not applied with the voltage, the liquid crystals aligning along the second direction are controlled to align along the first direction. In this way, the falling time and the response time may be decreased. |
| US09964792B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) defines an active area and a surrounding non-display area defined. The LCD includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a temperature controller. The second substrate includes a shading unit corresponding to the active area. The liquid crystal layer is between the first substrate and the second substrate. The temperature controller includes a heater configured to provide heat of the LCD to ensure a satisfactory function of the LCD. |
| US09964785B2 |
Display device
A display device including a frame, a glass light guide plate, an optical film set, a display panel, a reflector, a back plate and an electronic element is provided. The frame has a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface. The glass light guide plate has a first glass surface and a second glass surface opposite to the first glass surface. The first glass surface is connected to the first connecting surface. The optical film set is disposed on the first glass surface. The display panel is disposed on the optical film set. The reflector is disposed under the second glass surface. The back plate is connected to the second connecting surface. The back plate constructs an accommodating space with the frame and the glass light guide plate. The electronic element is connected to the back plate and located in the accommodating space. |
| US09964782B2 |
Attachable pivotal nose protector for eyeglasses or sunglasses
Clip on “flip-up” attachable auxiliary nose protection assembly adapted to clip onto a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses and including a nose protection piece pivotally movable to a first position covering a persons nose and a second position uncovering a persons nose to protect the wearers nose from sunlight or to allow the wearer to modulate some sunlight exposure. The apparatus has two main parts, including a clip means which attaches to a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses and a nose protection portion which is pivotally attached to the clip means. Preferably the nose protector and the clip means are manufactured from lightweight durable plastic and moldable metal. When the nose protection apparatus is attached to pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses the nose protection portion may be locked into a functional position or a position which is substantially parallel to the wearers nose and an inoperative position or a position which is substantially perpendicular to the wearers nose. |
| US09964779B2 |
Interchangeable glasses system
An interchangeable glasses system. The interchangeable glasses system includes a frame and one or more lenses attached to the frame. The interchangeable glasses system also includes a temple configured to hold the frame in place relative the user's ears. The interchangeable glasses system further includes an attachment configured to releasably secure the temple relative to the frame. |
| US09964777B2 |
Optical image stabilization actuator driver power distribution control
Various embodiments provide an optical image stabilization circuit including a drive circuit having a power waveform generator and a power waveform conversion circuit. The power waveform generator generates a power waveform. The power waveform conversion circuit converts the power waveform to a power drive signal. An actuator is then driven by the power drive signal to move a lens accordingly and compensate for any movements and vibrations of a housing of the lens. |
| US09964770B2 |
Head mounted display
The present application relates to a head mounted display device which includes a display device defining a first connection opening; two earphone bodies each defining a second connection opening; and a connection frame comprising two connection arms connecting the two earphone bodies to the display device, each connection arm comprising a first connection end connected to the first connection opening and a second connection end connected to a corresponding second connection opening, and defining an inner chamber extending through the first connection end and the second connection end. Each earphone body is electrically connected to the display device via a flexible printed circuit housed in the inner chamber, and a first end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to the display device via the first connection opening and a second end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to a corresponding earphone body via a corresponding second connection opening. |
| US09964766B2 |
Controlling reproduction of content in a head-mounted display
An apparatus may include circuitry configured to control reproduction, at a head-mounted display device, of content, based on a determination of importance of an event occurring around the head-mounted display device. |
| US09964765B2 |
Virtual display of the real-time position of a robotic device to a human operator positioned on an opposing side of an object
Systems and methods for virtually displaying a robotic device to a human operator. An exemplary system includes an augmented reality headset for use by the human operator. The system includes a first imaging device having a field of view of a first side of an object, and tracks coordinate data for a first marker on the robotic device positioned on the first side. The system includes a second imaging device having a field of view of a second side of the object, and tracks coordinate data for a second marker on the augmented reality headset positioned on the second side. The system includes a controller that generates a virtual image of the robotic device in a coordinate system based on the coordinate data for the first and second markers, and provides the virtual image of the robotic device to the augmented reality headset for display to the human operator. |
| US09964764B2 |
Visual training devices, systems, and methods
Visual training aids including an eyewear article including a lens, an image generator mounted to the eyewear article in a position to display an image on the lens, a processor operatively connected to and in data communication with the image generator, a global positioning system operatively connected to and in data communication with the processor, a computer readable medium operatively connected to and in data communication with the processor. In some examples, the visual training aid includes a pair of eyeglasses. In some examples, the visual training aid includes a display monitor mounted to the eyewear. In some examples, the visual training aid includes a camera mounted to the eyewear. |
| US09964761B2 |
Head-up display of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle
A head-up display for a motor vehicle includes a housing, which may be integrated into an instrument panel of the motor vehicle. A combiner is configured to combine an image of the head-up display and an environment in front of the motor vehicle observable through the combiner. The combiner is movable from a position of non-use into a position of use. An image generator is configured to generate the image. A cover may be brought into a closed position, which covers the housing when not in use. The cover has an opening to enable an emission of light of a light beam of the image generator with the cover closed. |
| US09964760B2 |
Lens and optical observation device
The invention relates to a lens (1), comprising a first lens unit (3), at least one second lens unit (5), and at least one pupil (7) having a pupil radius. The first lens unit (3) and the second lens unit (5) are arranged at a distance from each other along an optical axis (OA) of the objective, such that an intermediate space is present between the first lens unit (3) and the second lens unit (5). The second lens unit (5) is arranged on the image side with respect to the first lens unit (3). The first lens unit (3) is designed in such a way that the first lens unit produces a collimated beam. |
| US09964756B2 |
Adjustable mirror system
An adjustable mirror system, including a flexible mirror configured to change curvature, a shaft coupled to the mirror, a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is configured to receive the shaft and a fluid, and an actuator coupled to the housing, wherein the actuator increases and decreases the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder to drive the shaft and change the curvature of the flexible mirror. |
| US09964751B2 |
Immersion fluid for microscopy
An immersion liquid for microscopy is provided, comprising (a) an organic compound which contains a saturated polycyclic hydrocarbon residue, (b) an oligomeric or polymeric saturated acyclic hydrocarbon and (c) an alkyl aromatic compound, selected from the group consisting of alkyl naphthalene and alkyl biphenyl. |
| US09964750B2 |
Optical microscope system for simultaneous observation of spatially distinct regions of interest
The invention relates to an optical microscope system (10) for the simultaneous measurement of at least two spatially distinct regions of interest, characterized by comprising at least two distinct optical measuring heads (12a, 12b, 12c) that can be simultaneously focused on spatially distinct arbitrary regions of interest, each optical measuring head is optically connectable with at least one scan head (14), the optical microscope system further comprising a control system (32) connected to the at least one scan head and the optical measuring head, the control system being configured to provide for synchronized control of the operation of the at least one scan head and the at least two optical measuring head. |
| US09964748B2 |
Sample image data generating apparatus and sample image data generating method
A sample image data generating apparatus includes a modulated image imager that picks up a modulated image that is a sample image modulated by structured illumination forming an illumination pattern having a periodic structure in an optical axis direction of an objective and an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. The sample image data generating apparatus further includes a demodulated image data generator that generates demodulated image data by calculating a demodulated image according to a plurality of modulated images each picked up by the modulated image imager when the illumination pattern is located at a different position on sample with respect to the optical axis direction and the orthogonal direction and according to a defocusing amount of the structured illumination with reference to a focal plane of the objective, the demodulated image being a sample image obtained by demodulating the modulated image. |
| US09964741B2 |
Telecentric lens assembly providing a collimated light space
Systems and methods for imaging a target are provided. A system includes a detector and a substantially bitelecentric lens assembly positioned between the detector and the target. A first optical assembly is configured to focus light received from the substantially bitelecentric lens assembly onto the detector. The substantially bitelecentric lens assembly and the first optical assembly are configured to produce a collimated light space between the substantially bitelecentric lens assembly and the first optical assembly. A second optical assembly is positioned within the collimated light space. |
| US09964739B1 |
Optical camera lens
Disclosed is an optical camera lens, including: a first lens having negative refraction power, a second lens having positive refraction power, an aperture, a third lens having positive refraction power, a fourth lens having negative refraction power, a fifth lens having positive refraction power and a sixth lens having negative refraction power; a focal length of the integral optical camera lens is f, a focal length of the first lens is f1, a focal length of the second lens is f2, a focal length of the third lens is f3, a focal length of the fourth lens is f4, a focal length of the fifth lens is f5 and a focal length of the sixth lens is f6, which satisfy following relational expressions: −2.5 |
| US09964738B2 |
Camera lens
A camera lens is disclosed. The camera lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens with negative refractive power; a fourth lens with positive refractive power; a fifth lens with negative refractive power; and a sixth lens with negative refractive power. The camera lens further satisfies specific conditions. |
| US09964736B2 |
Imaging lens
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging lens, the imaging lens including, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fourth lens having negative (−) refractive power, and a fifth lens having a negative (−) refractive power, wherein the third lens takes a meniscus shape convexly formed at an object side. |
| US09964729B2 |
Micro-optics alignment and assembly using needle pin and temporary attachment
Techniques for micro-optics alignment and assembly are described. By attaching a needle pin to an optical component to be assembled, the optical component can be placed and aligned within a limited space. After the aligned optical component is permanently bonded to a substrate or to another component, the needle pin is detached from the component. This technique allows a user to place and align a small optical component to a right position. |
| US09964725B1 |
Fiber optic laying tool
A tool and method of use for installing fiber optic strands. The tool accepts the strand in a hollow interior and feeds the strand out an end of the tool. A foot of the tool embeds the strand into a leading bead of caulk and smooths out the caulk. A curved guide transitions the fiber from the reel into the tube without exceeding the fiber's minimum bending radius. |
| US09964723B1 |
Optical interconnect and connector devices
Methods and systems for optical interconnection. |
| US09964722B2 |
Capacitive-loaded jumper cables, shunt capacitance units and related methods for enhanced power delivery to remote radio heads
Tower systems suitable for use at cellular base stations include a tower, an antenna mounted on the tower, a remote radio head mounted on the tower and a power supply. A power cable having a power supply conductor and a return conductor is connected between the power supply and the remote radio head. A shunt capacitance unit that is separate from the remote radio head that is electrically coupled between the power supply conductor and the return conductor of the power cable. |
| US09964716B1 |
Low footprint optical interconnects
Compact ASIC, chip-on-board, flip-chip, interposer, and related packaging techniques are incorporated to minimize the footprint of optoelectronic interconnect devices, including the Optical Data Pipe. In addition, ruggedized packaging techniques are incorporated to increase the durability and application space for optoelectronic interconnect devices, including an Optical Data Pipe. |
| US09964715B2 |
Multi-fiber fiber optic connector
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The cable includes a jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile that defines a major axis and a minor axis. Strength components of the cable are anchored to the connector. The fiber optic connector includes a multi-fiber ferrule defining a major axis that is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the jacket and a minor axis that is generally perpendicular to the minor axis of the jacket. Certain types of connectors include a connector body defining a side opening that extends along a length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule configured for lateral insertion into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening. |
| US09964712B2 |
Optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector is for linking a standard connector head member and a lucent connector tail member, and includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member is adapted to be detachably connected to the standard connector head member, and has a first hollow body that defines a first passage. The second connecting member is adapted to be detachably coupled to the lucent connector tail member, is connected to the first connecting member, and has a second hollow body that defines a second passage. The second passage is in spatial communication with the first passage and has a diameter that is 1.3 millimeters. The first connecting member and the second connecting member are molded as one piece. |
| US09964707B2 |
Cross-connect switch using 1D arrays of beam steering elements
An optical cross-connect including two deflector arrays optically separated by an angle-to-offset (ATO) element, wherein each deflector array includes a plurality of deflectors aligned in an array direction, each deflector array having a switching direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding array direction, the array direction of the two deflector arrays being substantially perpendicular. Beam shaping optics convert light transmitted towards the first deflector array to have an elliptical cross-section at the first deflector array, thus providing a relatively simple and compact optical cross-connect. |
| US09964703B2 |
Integrated wavelength locker
Described are various configurations of integrated wavelength lockers including asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs) and associated detectors. Various embodiments provide improved wavelength-locking accuracy by using an active tuning element in the AMZI to achieve an operational position with high locking sensitivity, a coherent receiver to reduce the frequency-dependence of the locking sensitivity, and/or a temperature sensor and/or strain gauge to computationally correct for the effect of temperature or strain changes. |
| US09964698B1 |
Multicore optical fiber cable strain enhancement
An optical fiber cable assembly which includes an optical fiber cable which includes at least a first core and a second core positioned spaced apart from one another within a cladding material, wherein the at least first core and the second core and the cladding material extend in a direction of a length of the optical fiber cable. The assembly further includes material positioned at a predetermined location along the length of the optical fiber cable, wherein the material is associated with the optical fiber cable such that when the material is exposed to an environment change, the material transmits a force onto the optical fiber cable, changing a shape of the optical fiber cable. |
| US09964697B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber includes: a core; and a clad which is formed so as to surround an outer circumference of the core concentrically with the core, the clad having at least an inner cladding layer adjacent to the outer circumference of the core and an outer cladding layer formed on an outer circumference of the inner cladding layer, wherein a refractive index of the outer cladding layer is Δ3, and an outer circumference radius of the outer cladding layer is r3, a relationship of Δ1max>Δ3>Δ2min is satisfied, a relationship of Δ3−Δ2min≤0.08% is satisfied, a relationship of r1 |
| US09964695B2 |
Display with heat radiation
This display includes a light source portion, a first heat radiation member for radiating heat generated by the light source portion, a rear housing covering the first heat radiation member in a state in contact with the first heat radiation member, and a cover member covering a rear surface of the rear housing so that the rear surface of the rear housing is partially exposed outward. The first heat radiation member is arranged on a region corresponding to a region of the rear housing exposed outward from the cover member as viewed from the side of the rear surface. |
| US09964691B2 |
Backplane and backlight module having the same, display device
A backplane for a display device which includes a plate-like body for securing a rectangular printed circuit board (PCB). The body includes a first clamping part corresponding to a first side edge of the PCB having an L-shaped bend facing towards the PCB for clamping the first side edge. The body further includes a second clamping part corresponding to a second side edge of the PCB having a U-shaped bend facing towards the PCB for clamping the second side edge. The second side edge is parallel to the first side edge. A riveting column is secured on the body uncovered by the PCB, the riveting column is located at the same side of the PCB as the first clamping part, and a spring is secured on the riveting column and presses the edge of the PCB against the body. |
| US09964687B2 |
Luminaire
A luminaire is provided. A main surface of a light-guiding panel included in the luminaire includes a reflecting area having a plurality of approximately conical recesses. An angle θ formed by a lateral surface of each of the recesses and the main surface of the light-guiding panel satisfies a condition defined by a distance D from a center position of a light source to a center position of the reflecting area, a distance H from an illumination target surface to the center position of the light source, an angle γ which the light-guiding panel forms with a horizontal plane, a refractive index n of the light-guiding panel, and a surface roughness Ra of the lateral surface of each of the recesses. |
| US09964686B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a plurality of prism patterns disposed between a display panel and a light guide plate and having a shape of an inverted triangle, each of the plurality of prism patterns including a first pattern including a first side having a shape of an inverted triangle, which faces the display panel, a second side connecting one end of the first side to a vertex of the inverted triangle disposed under the first side, and a third side connecting the other end of the inverted triangle to the vertex and a second pattern having a refractive index less than that of the first pattern and disposed in the first groove that is defined in the second side to extend in a direction crossing the second side. |
| US09964680B2 |
Photoluminescent semiconductor nanocrystal-based luminescent solar concentrators
The present disclosure describes luminescent solar concentrators that include photoluminescent nanoparticles. The photoluminescent nanoparticles include a semiconductor nanocrystal that sensitizes the luminescence of a defect. The defect can include, for example, an atom, a cluster of atoms, or a lattice vacancy. The defect can be incorporated into the semiconductor nanocrystal, adsorbed onto, or otherwise associated with the surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal. |
| US09964678B2 |
Wire grid device
Achieve an extinction ratio in the approximate 10−6 class for intensity transmittance in the terahertz band with one element. A wire grid device configured from layering a plurality of film substrates each formed from a rectangular polymer film wherein a narrow rectangular metal thin plate is formed in the approximate center of one face thereof. By having the width of the metal thin plate be approximately 1.0 mm, the length of the metal thin plate be approximately 12.0-30 mm, and the thickness of the film substrate be approximately 0.5-50 μm, it is possible to easily achieve an extinction ratio in the approximate 10−6 class for intensity transmittance in the terahertz band with one element. |
| US09964673B2 |
Optical system with aperture device having plurality of aperture elements
An optical system has an aperture device having a multiplicity of aperture elements for the delimitation of the cross section of a ray bundle running through the optical system. The aperture device has a first aperture element, which is pivotable about a first rotation axis between an engagement position in the beam path of the optical system and a neutral position outside the beam path of the optical system and has a first aperture opening delimited by a first aperture edge. The aperture device also has at least one second aperture element, which is pivotable about a second rotation axis between an engagement position in the beam path of the optical system and a neutral position outside the beam path of the optical system and has a second aperture opening delimited by a second aperture edge. The second aperture opening is smaller than the first aperture opening. The aperture elements pivoted into the engagement position form an effective aperture opening. The aperture edges of aperture elements pivoted into the engagement position do not lie in a common plane. |
| US09964669B2 |
Film
A film obtained by molding a methacrylic resin composition, the methacrylic resin composition comprises: a methacrylic resin having a triad syndiotacticity (rr) of not less than 50% and a weight average molecular weight of 80000 to 200000 and comprising not less than 92% by mass of a structural unit derived from methyl methacrylate, and a polycarbonate resin having a melt volume-flow rate of 130 to 250 cm3/20 min at 300° C. and 1.2 Kg, in which a mass ratio of the methacrylic resin to the polycarbonate resin is 91/9 to 99/1, and the total content of the methacrylic resin and the polycarbonate resin is 80 to 100% by mass. The film is layered to at least one surface of a polarizer to give a polarizing plate. |
| US09964667B2 |
Cellulose ester based quarter wave plates having normal wavelength dispersion
The present invention pertains to an optical film for use as a quarter wave plate (QWP) having a normal wavelength dispersion curve. More specifically, this invention relates to a quarter wave plate based on cellulose ester polymer and fused ring additives. |
| US09964657B2 |
Terminal for detecting an optically invisible network, installation comprising such a detection terminal, and method for detecting an optically invisible network
This detection terminal (2) includes a fixing portion (4) intended to be fixed in a structure, an electrically conductive protective portion (5) secured to the fixing portion (4) and arranged to protect the fixing portion (4), the protective portion (5) being arranged to be accessible from the outside of the structure so as to allow the injection of an electric signal, and connection means intended to connect propagation means capable of propagating an electric signal along the optically invisible network, the connection means being connected to the protective portion (5) so as to hold, when in use, an electrical continuity between the protective portion (5) and the propagation means. |
| US09964648B2 |
Guidiance system and method based on dead reckoning positioning and heading augmented by GNSS and predictive path selection
A robust system and method for positioning and heading for guidance or logging agricultural input placement amounts and locations is disclosed and can be used to aid or direct treatment of a field that has only partial or temporary access to a reliable GNSS signal. The guidance information or data can be stored in memory and output to a video display terminal or the visual display of a computing unit (e.g. laptop or user mobile phone) or alternative formatted or translated to produce an output on a heads-up display such as a light bar. |
| US09964647B2 |
Directional pruning of transmitters to improve position determination
Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of receiver using ranging signals from different regions in a network of transmitters. In some embodiments, each ranging signal that exceeds a quality criterion is assigned to one of several defined regions based on a characteristic of that ranging signal. A maximum number of ranging signals per region may be selected and used during trilateration. |
| US09964642B2 |
Vehicle with system for detecting arrival at cross road and automatically displaying side-front camera image
A vehicle includes a proximity sensor that senses a distance to objects located to at least one side of the vehicle, a camera mounted at the front of the vehicle, a display for displaying video from the camera, and processing circuitry that detects a transition of the vehicle from surroundings of the vehicle in which at least one object located to the side of the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity threshold distance to surrounding of the vehicle in which no objects are located to the side of the vehicle within the predetermined proximity threshold distance, and in response to determining that, at least, the proximity sensor has detected the transition, the processing circuitry is configured to display video from the camera on the display of the vehicle. Additional criteria for displaying the video can include vehicle speed, distance traveled prior to the transition, duration for which the state prior to the transition was maintained, and the state of the vehicle's turn signal. |
| US09964641B2 |
Object detection device
An object detection device includes: an object detection portion which detects an object around a vehicle; a support member by which the object detection portion is attached to the vehicle; and a cover member which is provided in at least one of the object detection portion and the support member and extends from the object detection portion side toward the outside of the vehicle, wherein the cover member includes a cover main body portion, a receiving portion which receives a load applied from the outside of the vehicle, and a first fragile portion which is provided between the cover main body portion and the receiving portion, wherein the support member includes a second fragile portion. |
| US09964639B2 |
Radar apparatus with harmonic attenuator
A radar apparatus configured to prevent a harmonic generated by a limiter from being transmitted outside is provided. The radar apparatus includes a harmonic processor between a circulator and a limiter. The harmonic processor includes harmonic processing stubs, and a compensation stub. The harmonic processing stubs attenuate the harmonic which is generated when the limiter attenuates a transmission signal passed through the circulator. The compensation stub cancels a change of a susceptance caused by disposing the harmonic processing stubs. |
| US09964632B1 |
Multiplexed multichannel photodetector
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode. |
| US09964625B2 |
Electrical substation fault monitoring and diagnostics
A fault monitoring system for an electrical substation includes one or more arrays of acoustic sensors placed around a substation boundary and configured to measure acoustic pressure waves. A processing circuitry in the fault monitoring system localizes and identifies faults in the substation and includes a sound source localization module to identify an area of a sound source based on the acoustic pressure waves. A beamforming module of processing circuitry provides enhanced acoustic pressure waves by eliminating background noise and interfering noise from the acoustic pressure waves and a component signature classification module in the processing circuitry compares enhanced acoustic pressure waves with component signatures to classify the acoustic pressure waves into various events to detect faults in the electrical substation. |
| US09964621B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing scan time of phase contrast MRI
A method and apparatus for reducing scan time, eddy currents and image factors in dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging associated with at least a portion a k-space. The method includes scanning at least a portion of the k-space with an Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI) pulse sequence technique, acquiring a randomly under-sampled k-space; and reconstructing the under-sampled k-space utilizing a constrained reconstruction technique. A dynamic image is constructed of the at least a portion of the k-space based on EPI and the randomly undersampled k-space techniques to each segment of the EPI pulse sequence technique. |
| US09964618B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system and magnetic resonance imaging method using excited sub-volumes in groups
A method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes applying radio frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a target to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes included in each of a plurality of groups, wherein neighboring sub-volumes of all sub-volumes constituting a volume of the target belong to different groups; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes by performing 3D encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-volumes. |
| US09964615B2 |
MR image reconstruction using compressed sensing
The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object (10) placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1). The method comprises the steps of: subjecting the object (10) to an imaging sequence for acquiring MR signal data, wherein the MR signal data are acquired as a function of k-space position and time by using an irregular k-space sampling pattern with sub-sampling of k-space; reconstructing MR image data from the MR signal data, which MR image data comprise spatial dimensions and a frequency dimension, sparsity of the MR image data in a transform domain being exploited for suppressing sub-sampling artefacts in the MR image data. Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a computer program. |
| US09964612B2 |
RF trap, superconducting magnet apparatus including the same, and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A radio frequency (RF) trap for a superconducting magnet apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave shield which includes a conductive shield member and is configured to surround an electric cable; and a circuit member which is provided in a portion of the electromagnetic wave shield, and includes a conductor circuit electrically connected to the conductive shield member in at least two positions. Two positions at which the conductive shield member is electrically connected to the conductor circuit are selectively adjusted so that a current path of the conductor circuit is adjustable according to the two positions at which electrical connections are made. |
| US09964607B1 |
Recognizing and identifying defect patterns on magnetic media
A method includes generating synthetic data related to known defect patterns on surfaces of magnetic media using parameterized rules. A classifier model is trained with the synthetic data so that the classifier model learns how to detect and identify defect patterns on magnetic media. Performance of the classifier model is validated by using real defect pattern data. The classifier model is deployed for use in identifying defective data patterns on magnetic media test specimens. The classifier may be used before or after clustering defect data points on surfaces of magnetic media. |
| US09964605B2 |
Methods for crossed-fins FinFET device for sensing and measuring magnetic fields
Methods for forming an efficient and effective crossed-fins FinFET device for sensing and measuring magnetic fields and resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming first-fins, parallel to and spaced from each other, in a first direction on a substrate; forming second-fins, parallel to and spaced from each other on the substrate, in a same plane as the first fins and in a second direction perpendicular to and crossing the first-fins; forming a dummy gate with a spacer on each side over channel areas of the first and second fins; forming source/drain (S/D) regions at opposite ends of each first and second fin; forming an ILD over the fins and the dummy gate and planarizing to reveal the dummy gate; removing the dummy gate, forming a cavity; and forming a high-k/metal gate in the cavity. |
| US09964599B2 |
Diagnostic system for a DC-DC voltage converter
A diagnostic system for a DC-DC voltage converter is provided. The diagnostic system includes a first temperature sensor generating a first output voltage indicating a temperature level of a high voltage bi-directional MOSFET switch. The diagnostic system includes a microcontroller that samples the first output voltage at a first sampling rate utilizing a first channel in a first bank of channels to obtain a first predetermined number of voltage samples. The microcontroller determines a first number of voltage samples in the first predetermined number of voltage samples in which the first output voltage is greater than a first threshold voltage. The microcontroller sets a first temperature diagnostic flag equal to a first fault value if the first number of voltage samples is greater than a first threshold number of voltage samples indicating the high voltage bi-directional MOSFET switch has an over-temperature condition. |
| US09964597B2 |
Self test for safety logic
Methods and apparatus for self test of safety logic in safety critical devices is provided in which the safety logic includes comparator logic coupled to a circuit under test (CUT) in a safety critical device and the self test logic is configured to test the comparator logic. The self test logic may be implemented as a single cycle parallel bit inversion approach, a multi-cycle serial bit inversion approach, or a single cycle test pattern injection approach. |
| US09964594B2 |
Serial test core wrapper link instruction register with resynchronization register
A test architecture accesses IP core test wrappers within an IC using a Link Instruction Register (LIR). An IEEE P1500 standard is in development for providing test access to these individual cores via a test structure called a wrapper. The wrapper resides at the boundary of the core and provides a way to test the core and the interconnections between cores. The test architecture enables each of the plural wrappers in the IC, including wrappers in cores embedded within other cores, with separate enable signals. |
| US09964593B1 |
Boundary scan receiver
A system, method, and circuits for processing a boundary scan result involve receiving the boundary scan result as input data to a comparator, and performing a comparison based on the input data and a selected reference level to form a comparison result. A capture device that stores the comparison result is set, reset or write enabled based on the comparison result and a reference value indicating which of two reference levels is the selected reference level. Additionally, a determination is made whether to change the selected reference level for a subsequent comparison based on the comparison result, the reference value, and the output of the capture device. |
| US09964587B2 |
Semiconductor structure and testing method using the same
A semiconductor structure includes at least two via chains. Each via chain includes at least one first conductive component, at least one second conductive component and at least one via. The first conductive component has an axis along an extending direction of the first conductive component. The via connects the first conductive component to the second conductive component. The via has a center defining a shift distance from the axis of the first conductive component. The shift distances of the via chains are different. A testing method using such a semiconductor structure includes drawing a resistance-shift distance diagram illustrating a relationship between the resistances of the via chains and the shift distances of the via chains. At least one dimensional feature is obtained from the resistance-shift distance diagram. |
| US09964585B1 |
Exact phase synchronization of a remote receiver with a measurement instrument
A measurement instrument for measuring electrical characteristics of a device under test (DUT) includes a synchronization signal generator, a coarse phase detection counter and a fine phase detection counter. The synchronization signal generator is connectable with a receiver via a fiber optic cable and a duplexer configured to transmit a synchronization signal from the measurement instrument to the receiver and retransmit the received synchronization signal from the receiver to the measurement instrument. The coarse phase detection counter and the fine phase detection counter are configured to determine one or both of a distance from the receiver to the measurement instrument and a phase shift in the synchronization signal between the receiver and the measurement instrument. |
| US09964582B2 |
Motor control device that detects breakage of motor power line or power element abnormality of motor power conversion device
A motor control device includes a current command calculation unit configured to calculate a current command value for driving a motor, a current detection unit configured to detect a value of a current that flows through a power line of the motor, a current deviation calculation unit configured to calculate a current deviation, which is a difference between the current command value and the detected current value, a voltage command calculation unit configured to calculate a voltage command value applied to the motor based on the current deviation, a filter processing unit configured to calculate data by filtering the current deviation, the absolute value of the current deviation, or the power of the current deviation and to output the data as index data, and a power line breakage detection unit configured to detect a breakage of the power line based on the index data. |
| US09964581B2 |
Electrical cable diagnostic system
A resonant test system can be configured to adjust an inductance to set the inductance of the resonant test system to a test inductance value and to adjust an output frequency of the resonant test system to set the output frequency to a test output frequency. The inductance of the resonant test system can be adjusted by controlling a reactor of the resonant test system and the output frequency of the resonant test system can be controlled by an inverter of the resonant test system. The test inductance value and the test output frequency the test inductance value and the test output frequency can be automatically and dynamically set by a controller of the resonant test system to achieve resonance in series with an electrical power cable under test. One or more diagnostic tests can be performed on the electrical power cable. |
| US09964580B2 |
Solid state impedance tuners
A solid state impedance tuner or impedance tuner system including a housing structure and at least two solid state tuner modules electrically combined and disposed in one package within the housing structure. Each tuner module includes at least one solid state control element.Another embodiment is directed to an impedance tuner module card configured in a standardized system architecture. The card includes a chassis board, and at least one solid state tuner module integrated on the card and supported on or by the chassis board, each module including at least one solid state control element.Methods for calibrating a solid state impedance tuner that includes at least two solid state tuner modules combined in one package are disclosed. |
| US09964577B2 |
Wireless terminal testing system
Provided is a system for testing a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal is configured as a device under test. The system includes: a test antenna; a reflecting surface, configured to totally reflect one or more first wireless signals emitted by the device under test; an absorbing screen, configured to absorb one or more second wireless signals emitted by the device under test, in which the one or more second wireless signals are emitted by the device under test toward a direction of the test antenna without reflection through the reflecting surface; a controller, coupled to the device under test and configured to control the device under test to emit the one or more first and second wireless signals; a power detection device, configured to detect a power of the one or more first wireless signals reflected by the reflecting surface and received by the test antenna. |
| US09964576B2 |
Capacitance detection circuit that detects minute changes in capacitance
A capacitance detection circuit detects changes in the capacitance of a variable capacitor by using the change in capacitance to change the resonant frequency of a variable capacitor oscillator. The resonant frequency of the variable capacitor oscillator is converted from the time domain to the frequency domain, and then selected frequencies values are compared to known frequency domain values to detect the magnitude of the change in capacitance. |
| US09964575B2 |
Capacitive imaging device with active pixels
An apparatus includes a sensor array with a plurality of active pixels. Each active pixel in the sensor array includes: a three transistor (3T) sensor with a source follower transistor, and a detection diode coupled in series to a parasitic capacitor at a sensing junction. A gate of the source follower transistor amplifier is coupled to the sensing junction. The apparatus includes an insulator layer over the sensor array. The insulator layer provides a variable capacitance to the sensing junctions of underlying active pixels in response to portions of an object being proximate to the insulator layer. The variable capacitance is used to detect an image of the object. |
| US09964574B2 |
Residual current detecting (RCD) and ground impedance monitoring transformer and control methods
Systems, devices, and methods for a transformer including: a first drive winding (206) wound on a first core; a second drive winding wound on a second core; a sense winding wound across the first and second cores; and a compensation winding wound across the first and second cores; where one or more utility lines are threaded through a middle of the first and second cores, a common mode current in the one or more utility lines causes one or more pulses to appear on the sense winding, a current on the compensation winding is adjusted until the one or more pulses on the sense winding are cancelled out, and the common mode current on the one or more utility lines is the adjusted current on the compensation winding multiplied by a turn ratio between the compensation winding and the sense winding. |
| US09964572B2 |
Wide-area measurement system based control of grid-scale storage for power system stability enhancement
A method and system are provided. The method includes collecting, from a plurality of phasor measurement units, a plurality of synchronized phasor measurements from different portions of a power system. The method further includes estimating, by a controller, oscillation modes of the plurality of synchronized phasor measurements. Each estimated oscillation mode specifies, for each of the plurality of synchronized phasor measurements, two or more of an amplitude, a phase, a frequency, and damping coefficients. The method also includes performing, by the controller, a modal analysis of the oscillation modes of the plurality of synchronized phasor measurements to identify critical modes based on critical mode identifying criteria. The method additionally includes constructing, by the controller based on the critical modes, a power system oscillation dampening control signal for controlling a grid-scale storage portion of the power system to dampen one or more oscillations of the power system at any given time. |
| US09964569B2 |
Detection circuit and detection method
A detection circuit (1) comprises a first and a second contact terminal (P1, P2) for connecting a microphone (HM) with a defined polarity. Furthermore, a first and a second switch (S1, S2) are provided and respectively connect the first and the second contact terminal (P1, P2) to a reference potential terminal (GND). A supply terminal (SUP) for supplying an input signal is either connected to the first contact terminal (P1) or to the second contact terminal (P2) via a third switch (S3). A measuring device (MS) for acquiring a measurement signal in response to the supplied input signal is coupled to a connection between the supply terminal (SUP) and the third switch (S3). An evaluation device is designed for setting a first switching configuration, in which the first switch (S1) is in an open state, the first contact terminal (P1) is connected to the supply terminal (SUP) via the third switch (S3), and the second contact terminal (P2) is connected to the reference potential terminal (GND) via the second switch (S2), in a test phase. The evaluation device (CTRL) is furthermore designed for comparing the measurement signal to a threshold value (IMIC_MAX, UMIC_MIN) in the test phase and for determining whether the polarity of a connected microphone (HM) is suitable for the first switching configuration based on this comparison. |
| US09964567B2 |
Self-contained branch circuit monitor
A self-contained branch circuit monitor 2 is has a small form factor configured to fit in the limited space available in a load center 1, in association with a branch circuit breaker 10A occupying a branch location slot 45 in the load center 1. A flexible printed circuit board 4 is wrapped around an outside circumference of a toroidal sensor coil 6 of a current transformer. A current monitoring circuit 15 is formed on the flexible printed circuit board. The monitoring circuit is electrically connected to leads 7, 9 from the sensor coil and is powered by current 17 induced in the sensor coil from current 5 in the branch circuit wire. A branch circuit wire 3A is threaded through the current transformer's center. A transmitter 22 is part of the flexible printed circuit board, to transfer the monitored current data to other locations. |
| US09964564B2 |
Sensor for measuring current in a conductor
A sensor for measuring current in a conductor has a substrate in the form of a stratified plate having a first metallization layer, a second metallization layer and an isolation layer between the first metallization layer and the second metallization layer, the substrate having a coil that winds along a coil axis parallel to the first metallization layer, having at least one winding. Each winding has a first track in the first metallization layer connected by a via through the first isolation layer to a second track in the second metallization layer, and the substrate has a measurer to measure the current in the coil, and having at least one winding only winding around non-magnetic material. |
| US09964563B1 |
Method and apparatus for ICT fixture probe cleaning
A probe cleaning plate is configured to clean the probe plate of an ICT fixture. In particular, the probe cleaning plate is used to support a plurality of probes included as part of the probe plate and enable cleaning of the probe heads of each probe while maintaining support of the probes and minimizing, if not preventing, seepage of cleaning solution and contaminates from to the base of the probes. |
| US09964561B2 |
Acceleration sensor
An acceleration sensor includes weights, a support, and beams on which piezoresistive elements are disposed. The weights include projections and recesses. The support includes projections and recesses. The beams are connected to the projections and the recesses. |
| US09964560B2 |
Transfer mold type sensor device
To provide a high-reliable transfer mold type sensor device in which a combined sensor including a plurality of sensors having a function of detecting physical amounts, a substrate processing a signal from the combined sensor and controlling a signal input/output with an external device, a chip pad mounted with the combined sensor and the substrate, and a lead frame are sealed with a mold resin and a package is formed, the combined sensor is configured to be thicker than the substrate and the chip pad, a principal surface side of the combined sensor is covered with the mold resin and a back surface side thereof contacts the substrate by a joint material, and the combined sensor is arranged on a package neutral surface in a cross-section of a thickness direction of the package including the combined sensor, the substrate, and the chip pad. |
| US09964557B2 |
Apparatus for optical microfluidics slug edge detection
A system and a method for slug edge detection in a microchannel of a microfluidic device is provided. Specifically, the system comprises an image sensor in communication with the microchannel. The microchannel has at least two fluid slugs each of which has a marker of different color providing color gradient across the edge between the adjacent fluid slugs. An edge score function is generated for each channel segmentation dividing the microchannel into two segments at a specific location along the microchannel. The edge score function is proportional to a between class variance for intensity values associated with the two selected channel segments. The edge location is determined as the location along the channel defining one of the channel segmentations based at least in part on the edge score function. |
| US09964555B2 |
Field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable in automation technology
A field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable in automation technology, comprising at least one transmitting/receiving element, wherein an FPGA component is provided, the transmitting/receiving element is configured in the form of a spiral from existing internal connecting lines of the FPGA component, and the spiral of the transmitting/receiving element transmits data inductively to a second transmitting/receiving element in the form of a spiral. |
| US09964548B2 |
Deglycosylation reagents and methods
Compositions and methods are provided for efficiently preparing a completely deglycosylated antibody where efficiency is measured in relative amounts of reagents in soluble or lyophilized form, and time and temperature of the reaction. Compositions and methods are also provided for separating substantially all N-linked glycans from a glycosylated antibody and for preserving functionality of the antibody. The methods are compatible with glycan labeling and protease digestion without the need for prior purification steps. |
| US09964547B2 |
Method for detecting aSyn-specific antibodies in a biological sample
Disclosed is a method for detecting aSyn-specific antibodies in a biological sample, comprising the following steps: —contacting the sample with aSyn-comprising-aggregates and allowing the aSyn-specific antibodies to bind to the aSyn-comprising-aggregates, and —detecting the aSyn-specific antibodies bound to the aSyn-comprising-aggregates by a single particle detection technique, preferably by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). |
| US09964545B2 |
Methods for quantifying polypeptides using mass spectrometry
A method for identifying a polypeptide a specimen can include (i) treating a specimen suspected of including an insulin with a base; (ii) extracting a first fraction of the treated specimen by solid phase extraction using a mixed mode or polymeric reversed-phase media and a first solvent including an acid; (iii) separating a component of the first fraction by liquid chromatography using a chromatographic surface including a hydrophobic surface group and one or more ionizable modifiers, and a second solvent including an acid; and (iv) analyzing the component of the first fraction by mass spectroscopy, thereby identifying the polypeptide, if present, using a signal corresponding to a sequence fragment ion from the polypeptide. The signal can correspond to an intact multiply charged precursor fragment selected in a first quadrupole and its corresponding sequence fragment ion selected in a final quadrupole. |
| US09964544B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing protein-protein interaction on single-molecule level within the cellular environment
A method of analyzing protein-protein interactions includes binding the first proteins to the substrate where the first proteins are tagged with the first markers which bind specifically to the biomolecules immobilized on the substrate or the first proteins bind specifically to the biomolecules immobilized on the substrate; incubating the substrate bound first proteins with cell lysate containing the second proteins which are tagged with second markers; analyzing the interactions between the first proteins and the second proteins in the cell lysate, and obtaining the first analytic value representing the kinetic picture of the interactions; incubating the substrate bound first proteins with cell lysate mixture of a cell lysate consisting of the second markers-tagged second proteins and another cell lysate comprising other proteins including unlabelled second proteins and obtaining the second analytic value; comparing and analyzing the first and the second analytic values. |
| US09964538B2 |
Methods and compositions for enzyme linked immuno and hybridization mass spectrometric assay
Disclosed are sensitive methods for detecting a target substance in low concentrations. The method can include immobilizing a target substance to a solid phase; incubating the immobilized target substance with a reporter enzyme detection probe in solution under conditions for forming target: enzyme detection probe complexes; washing the solid phase to remove any unbound reporter enzyme detection probe; incubating the target: enzyme detection probe complex with a reporter enzyme detection probe substrate in substrate reaction solution to generate one or more ionizable products; and detecting one or more of the one or more ionizable products using mass spectrometry (MS). |
| US09964537B2 |
Method and device for immunoassay using nucleotide conjugates
A composition of matter for use in an immunoassay devices and method comprising a signal antibody, e.g., FAB fragment, covalently linked to a first nucleotide; and one or more signal elements, e.g., signal enzymes such as ALP or fluorescent dyes, each covalently linked to a second nucleotide, wherein the first nucleotide has one or more repeated sequences, and the second nucleotide is bound to one of the one or more repeated sequences on said first nucleotide, and wherein the ratio of the signal antibody to the signal element is controlled by the number of repeated sequences. |
| US09964534B2 |
Method of making a skin care composition
A method of making a skin composition that includes an effective amount of skin care agent selected to inhibit HMGB1 stimulation of human melanocytes. The method includes determining the level of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), messenger RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 mRNA), and/or micro-RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 miRNA) present in the test sample, and identifying the test agent as a skin tone agent when there is no increase in HMGB1 level, a downregulation in transcription of HMGB1 mRNA, and/or an upregulation of HMGB1 miRNA. The method also includes identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent when the test agent inhibits or prevents an increase in melanocyte dendricity and/or body size caused by HMGB1, and incorporating the skin tone agent in a dermatologically acceptable carrier. |
| US09964533B2 |
System for measuring multi-phase fluid flow characteristics
The system for measuring multi-phase fluid flow characteristics is an on-site system for measuring and calculating fluid density of a multi-phase fluid, such as a mixture of oil and water, as well as a water cut thereof. The system for measuring multi-phase fluid flow characteristics includes a conduit having a lower inlet and an upper outlet. The lower inlet is adapted for direct connection to an oil pipeline, an oil well, or the like for receiving the multi-phase fluid flowing therethrough. The conduit defines a pressure monitoring portion having opposing ends. First and second impulse lines connect first and second gauge pressure transmitters and a differential pressure transmitter to the opposing ends to measure total pressure drop and frictional pressure differential to an external controller, which calculates the fluid density and the water cut therefrom The system may also include temperature and volumetric flow rate sensors. |
| US09964531B2 |
Phenylacetylenes
Disclosed herein are host or receptor compounds that bind targets of interest. In one embodiment the compounds bind ions, such as metal ions.A compound, or a protonate or salt thereof, having the formula of: Formula IIa wherein R6 is an aminoalkoxy, alkylamino, nitro or —NH2; n is 1 or 2; each R2 is independently selected from an optionally substituted alkyl, halogen, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted carboxyl, or amide; a is 0 to 4. |
| US09964528B2 |
Use of transition-metal oxide nanoparticles as sensitive materials in chemical sensors for detecting or assaying vapors of target molecules
The invention relates to the use of nanoparticles of at least one oxide of at least one transition metal doped with a rare earth element, particularly YxVO4Eu1-x nanoparticles obtained through a sol-gel process, as a sensitive material in a chemical sensor for detecting peroxide-compound vapors. The material is used in a liquid process, in a spray of the initial sol, or in a solid thin film after being deposited on a substrate. The inorganic, fluorescent character of the nanoparticles makes it possible to obtain a sensitive material for an optical sensor that has good performance stability over time. The intended uses are the detection of explosives or explosive precursors, particularly peroxides, the control or monitoring of atmospheric pollution and ambient-air quality, and the monitoring of industrial sites. |
| US09964527B2 |
Sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography
A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications. |
| US09964526B2 |
Phased-array probe and a phased-array search unit
The phased-array probe to be received on a probe receiving area of a wedge generally has a probe housing, a plurality of acoustic transducer elements disposed in the probe housing and distributed along a length of a working surface of the probe housing, and a matching layer covering the plurality of acoustic transducer elements and extending to cover an extended region of the working surface of the probe housing such that the matching layer forms a closed contact with an upper end of an acoustic damping junction of the wedge when the working surface of the probe housing of the phased-array probe is received on the probe receiving area of the wedge, wherein the closed contact prevents acoustic energy from being reflected from the extended region of the working surface of the probe housing. |
| US09964514B2 |
Method for producing a gas sensor device for detecting at least one gaseous analyte, and gas sensor device for detecting at least one gaseous analyte
A method for producing a gas sensor device for detecting a gaseous analyte includes providing a sensor body comprising a semiconductor substrate, in which a cavity section is shaped, and a solid electrolyte layer arranged at a surface of the substrate. The electrolyte layer is not covered by the substrate in the cavity section. The method includes producing a signal conductor layer deposited dry-chemically at a substrate side of the sensor body, such that, in the region of the electrolyte layer not covered by the substrate in the cavity section, a cutout section is shaped in the signal conductor layer, in which the signal conductor layer is removed or not deposited. The method includes applying measuring electrodes to the electrolyte layer by a wet-chemical process. One measuring electrode is arranged in the cutout section and one measuring electrode is arranged on an electrolyte layer side of the sensor body. |
| US09964513B2 |
Gas sensor control apparatus
A catalytic conversion characteristic of a catalyst, which indicates a relationship between an air-to-fuel ratio and a catalytic conversion efficiency of the catalyst, includes a second air-to-fuel ratio point, which is a point of starting an outflow of NOx from the catalyst and is located on a rich side of a first air-to-fuel ratio point that forms an equilibrium point for a rich component and oxygen. A constant current circuit, which induces a flow of an electric current from an exhaust side electrode to an atmosphere side electrode through a solid electrolyte layer in a sensor element, is connected to the sensor element. A microcomputer controls a current value of the electric current, which is induced by the constant current circuit, based on a difference between the first air-to-fuel ratio point and the second air-to-fuel ratio point at the catalyst. |
| US09964505B2 |
System device and method for testing an object
A system and method for characterizing non-solid substances, the system comprising a housing body having a cavity therein the cavity is configured to contain said substances; a transmit/receive unit configured to generate and transmit Radio Frequency (RF) signals; at least one electromagnetic sensor attached to said housing body and said transmit/receive unit, wherein said sensor is configured to provide RF responses data of said substances; a Radio Frequency Signals Measurement Unit (RFSMU) configured to receive said RF responses and measure said RF responses; and a processor connected to said sensor said processor is configured to process said responses to identify the characteristics of said substances. |
| US09964504B2 |
Test system and test method
The invention relates to a test system for cooling and/or heating at least one test piece comprising a platform, at least one heating and/or cooling fluid providing means coupled to the platform, at least one position means for reproducibly fixing the relative position of the fluid providing means to the at least one test piece and wherein the at least one position means is connected to the platform, the platform comprising at least one fastening means, in particular two openings for releasable coupling the fluid providing means for an at least temporarily fixing of the relative position of the fluid proving means to the test piece. It also relates to a test method. |
| US09964503B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting flaws in an object
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for evaluating the integrity of objects through non-destructive means. The objects are evaluated for flaws and defects through the use of applied acoustic energy. The applied acoustic energy creates a dynamic response of the object being evaluated to determine the location of any flaws or defects in the object. During excitation, the flaws and defects in a sample object generate heat at the damaged or defective regions through frictional interactions of the discontinuities. A flaw detection system includes, a plurality of acoustic energy sources to excite an object, a camera to record metrics of the response of the object and a processor configured to receive and analyze the response of the object. |
| US09964498B2 |
Electromagnetic steam energy/quality, flow, and fluid property sensor and method
The disclosure provides a sensor and method for the measurement of fluid properties, such as steam energy and steam quality, and/or multiphase and multicomponent fluids and their flow regime profiles in a single instrument, and in some embodiments can include the mass flow rate. The invention can incorporate an orifice function that permits the measurement of fluid energy and a flow profile across at least a portion of the flow path with an electromagnetic sensing method combined with a standard mass flow rate measurement using an orifice differential pressure measurement system. |
| US09964494B1 |
Thermally emissive sensing materials for chemical spectroscopy analysis
A sensor using thermally emissive materials for chemical spectroscopy analysis includes an emissive material, wherein the emissive material includes the thermally emissive materials which emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is modified due to chemical composition in an environment; and a detector adapted to detect the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is indicative of the chemical interaction changes and hence chemical composition and/or chemical composition changes of the environment. The emissive material can be utilized with an optical fiber sensor, with the optical fiber sensor operating without the emissive material probed with a light source external to the material. |
| US09964491B2 |
Method and detection system for detecting an analyte
An exemplary sensor chip includes a substrate, a metal pattern formed on a side of the substrate that is irradiated with excitation light, and a first substance and a second substance provided near the metal pattern. A first intensity Xa of the first surface-enhanced Raman-scattered light from the first substance and a second intensity Xb of the second surface-enhanced Raman-scattered light from the second substance are detected. An intensity ratio Xc, as obtained by dividing the second intensity Xb with the first intensity Xa, is calculated. |
| US09964490B2 |
Device and methods for quantifying analytes
The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring the quantity of multiple analytes in a sample. The device is designed such that each of the analyte sensing elements is configured to measure the quantity of a predetermined analyte and where the machine executable instructions are configured to select the proper analyte sensing element corresponding to the analyte to be measured. |
| US09964489B2 |
System and method for controlling depth of imaging in tissues using fluorescence microscopy under ultraviolet excitation following staining with fluorescing agents
A method is disclosed for analyzing a thin tissue sample and adapted to be supported on a slide. The tissue sample may be placed on a slide and exposed to one or more different exogenous fluorophores excitable in a range of about 300 nm-200 nm, and having a useful emission band from about 350 nm-900 nm, and including one or more fluorescent dyes or fluorescently labeled molecular probes that accumulate in tissue or cellular components. The fluorophores may be excited with a first wavelength of UV light between about 200 nm-290 nm. An optical system collects emissions from the fluorophores at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, which are generated in response to the first wavelength of UV light, to produce an image for analysis. |
| US09964487B2 |
Detection apparatus for detecting particles
The invention relates to a detection apparatus (1) for detecting particles on or close to a particles detection surface (5) in a first optical detection mode and in a second optical detection mode, wherein a component of a light detection system (8) and/or a component of an optical system (9) of the detection apparatus is arranged to be used in the first detection mode and in the second detection mode. Since a component of the light detection system and/or a component of the optical system is arranged to be used in the first detection mode and in the second detection mode, this component does not need to be provided twice, i.e. for being used in the first detection mode and for being used in the second detection mode. This can lead to a reduced number of components and can make the detection apparatus technically less complex. |
| US09964485B2 |
Optical device and method for determining an optical property of specimen
A diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system for determining an optical property of a specimen and a method for operating the same are provided. The system includes: a light emitting unit comprising a light emitting terminal, the light emitting unit configured to emit steady light; an optical medium arranged at one end of the device, the optical medium being controllable to switch between multiple optical states and configured to deliver the steady light to the specimen through the optical medium in different optical states, wherein the optical medium comprises a first surface in contact with the light emitting terminal of the light emitting unit and a second surface for contact with the specimen; and a detecting module comprising one or more receiving terminals for receiving light scattered from the specimen for determining the optical property of the specimen. |
| US09964483B2 |
Low-temperature safe sensor package and fluid properties sensor
A low-temperature safe sensor package. The package includes a housing having an internal cavity, an inlet port in communication with the internal cavity and a fluid source, and an outlet port in communication with the internal cavity. A sensor carrier is moveably arranged within the internal cavity. A spring element is arranged between the sensor carrier and a portion of the housing for biasing the sensor carrier into an operating position within the internal cavity. |
| US09964477B2 |
Method of detecting preload of linear guide
A method of detecting a preload of a linear guide includes: applying an external force to the linear guide with an external force applying device, wherein the external force applying device sends an impact signal while applying the external force; sensing with a sensor a vibration signal sent from the linear guide because of vibration thereof which occurs under the external force; and receiving the impact signal of the external force applying device and the vibration signal of the sensor and calculating the preload of the linear guide according to a received result, with a signal analyzer. Therefore, with the method of the present invention, the preload of the linear guide is precisely tested regardless of environmental factors. |
| US09964472B2 |
Methods for sampling gingival metabolites
One or more methods for sampling gingival metabolites and biomarkers. |
| US09964469B2 |
Magnetic needle separation and optical monitoring
Apparatuses and methods for removing magnetic particles from suspensions are described. One embodiment of the apparatus is called a magnetic needle. |
| US09964464B2 |
Optical time domain reflectometer with high resolution and high sensitivity
An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) system with an integrated high speed optical modulator is capable of operating at a speed similar to the OTDR pulse width to improve the measurement resolution and reduce the time required to acquire a high dynamic range OTDR measurement over existing approaches. ASICs can be used to control the modulator and generation of pulses. The high-speed optical modulator enables high resolution single-photon OTDR measurement by blocking out all return light except from the region of fiber under examination. |
| US09964461B2 |
Pipe pressure testing method and apparatus
A sealing device is provided for use with a fitting. The fitting has circular port and a flow path with a longitudinal axis. A circular port encircles a portion of the flow path opposite the port with the sealing device inserted into the port. The sealing device has a circular top with two opposing surfaces depending therefrom but inclined so the surfaces are closer at the top. A continuous sidewall joins the periphery of the two surfaces. The opposing surfaces are inclined and spaced apart further at the top than at an end opposite the top. A cylindrical hole through the opposing surfaces encircles the flow path during use. |
| US09964453B2 |
Device and method for high precision fiber-optic temperature profile measurements in long length areas
A high precision fiber-optic device and method are developed for measuring a temperature profile in a long length area. The temperature profile is derived based on a ratio between the intensities of anti-Stokes Raman and Stokes Raman backscattered components. The power output of the amplified pulsed optical radiation delivered to the sensing optical fiber via a reference optical fiber, is controlled such as to maintain a substantially fixed intensity level of the anti-Stokes Raman component of the optical radiation back scattered from the reference optical fiber. Controlling the output power of the of the amplified pulsed optical radiation is carried out based on a feedback representative of the intensity level of the anti-Stokes Raman component of the optical radiation back scattered from the reference optical fiber. |
| US09964447B2 |
Wall switch
This patent specification relates to a wall switch that comprises a docking station and a user-removable wall-switch head unit. In some embodiments, the docking station is configured to receive the user-removable wall-switch head unit, and configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high-power voltage wires. In some embodiments, the user-removable wall-switch head unit is configured to be user-insertable into said docking station and user-removable therefrom such that the user is not exposed to high-voltage connections when inserting or removing. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises inputs and outputs and circuitry for switchably controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, or a processor. |
| US09964444B2 |
Imaging spectrometer design tool for evaluating freeform optics
A full-field display for spectrally dispersive imaging optics, particularly as a design tool for evaluating optical designs including designs with freeform optical surfaces, includes a ray tracing module arranged for modeling local aberrations throughout the image field of the spectrometer and a display module that converts values of the modeled local aberrations throughout the image field into representative symbols. The spectrometer field has a first spatial dimension corresponding to a length dimension of an input and a second spectral dimension corresponding to the dispersion of the input. The representative symbols are plotted in an array having a first axis corresponding to the first spatial dimension of the image field and a second axis corresponding to the second spectral dimension of the image field. |
| US09964441B2 |
Spectrometer touch panel graphical user interface display support and movement mechanism
The present invention is directed to a spectrophotometer instrument that includes an arm that can swing between a closed position and an open position which is upward and backward of the lower position and wherein the display is moveable between a position behind the arm to a position to a side of the arm. Thus, the features herein provides the instrument user with positioning features to allow for a superior human factors user experience. |
| US09964440B2 |
Wafer level spectrometer
A sensor apparatus has a substrate and a spectrally selective detection system, and a cover. The spectrally sensitive detection system is sandwiched between the substrate and the cover. The spectrally selective detection system includes a generally laminar array of wavelength selectors optically coupled to a corresponding array of optical detectors located within the substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09964439B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an optical system outputting diffuse light and having a sensor
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing and an image sensor that is coupled to the housing and has a field of view. The apparatus also includes a non-imaging optical system coupled to the housing and disposed outside of the field of view of the image sensor. The non-imaging optical system can output diffuse light in a set of directions to a surface to produce scattered light. The image sensor and the non-imaging optical system are collectively configured such that during operation, the image sensor receives at least a portion of the scattered light. |
| US09964438B2 |
Light pipe sensor system
A system and a method for transporting high luminous intensity light from at least one luminaire to a destination area are disclosed. The system may include a light guide that carries light from the luminaire to a plurality of sensors located on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The PCB may be attachable anywhere the luminaire is located. According to an aspect, the luminaire is a separate entity from the sensor system. While collecting light rays originating from the luminaire and delivering them to the light sensors, the light guide may perform a plurality of operations to modify the characteristics of the collected light rays. The plurality of operations performed by the light guide on the light rays may support the accuracy and longevity of the light sensors on the PCB. Further, the light guide allows the sensor subsystem to be proximal to or distant from the luminaire. |
| US09964435B2 |
Dynamic characteristic measurement device of centrifugal rotation machine, and centrifugal rotation machine
A dynamic characteristic measurement device of the present invention includes magnetic force generators (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) that are arranged on the back side of impellers (4, 5), the magnetic force, an oscillation controller (12) that drives these magnetic force generators, and vibration sensors (13, 14) that detect vibration of a rotation shaft (3). The dynamic characteristic measurement device further includes an arithmetic device (16) that calculates a dynamic characteristic of a rotor (6) by implementing a frequency analysis and a mode analysis based on an oscillation signal from the oscillation controller (12) and a vibration signal from the vibration sensors (13, 14). |
| US09964433B2 |
Acoustic sensor with an acoustic object detector for reducing power consumption in front-end circuit
An acoustic object detector for detecting presence of an acoustic signal is provided. The acoustic object detector includes a number of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter is configured to convert an input signal into an analog signal within a frequency band. The acoustic object detector also includes a number of spike generating circuits each coupled to the respective bandpass filter. Each spike generating circuit is configured to generate a series of spike signals based upon an adaptive threshold for the analog signal. The acoustic object detection further includes a decision circuit configured to generate a digital signal at a time-frequency point from the series of spike signals. |
| US09964429B2 |
Diagnostic method for a weighing cell
A force-measuring device (1) with a parallelogram linkage has a measurement transducer coupled to it. A coil (25) of the transducer has guided mobility in a magnet system (27) and can carry an electric current (24). A position sensor (21) detects the deflection of the coil (25) from a balanced position relative to the magnet system when a load is placed on the force-measuring device. The electric current (24) flowing through the coil (25), by way of the interaction between the coil and the magnet system, returns the coil and the movable parallel leg to the balanced position. A system-characterizing means (29) is established in a processor unit (26). The system-characterizing means and an unchangeable system reference means (30) are compared to determine the functionality of the device. The functionality is verified by the magnitudes of the electric current and the deflection of the coil from its balanced position. |
| US09964428B2 |
Equalized hydraulic clamp force control
Hydraulic valve circuitry adapted for automatic weight-responsive control of load-clamping members of a load-lifting system having a free lift mast. The load-lifting system generally includes one or more fluid power actuator for applying a gripping force to a load, at least one elongate, longitudinally-extensible fluid power lifting device having a free lift range of motion and at least one main lift range of motion, and manually operated load-clamping and load-lifting selector valves. The hydraulic valve circuitry provides, independently, weight-responsive control of the load-clamping members when lifting a load, full-time automatic weight-responsive force control of the load-clamping members without concurrent manual actuation of load-clamping or load-lifting selector valves, and equalization of sensed load weight so that the sensed load weight is substantially independent of the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting device. |
| US09964425B2 |
System for monitoring coastal underground water
A system for monitoring coastal underground water is disclosed. The system includes a freshwater/saltwater interface position tracking device that is inserted into an observation well used for observing coastal underground water and can move on a freshwater/saltwater interface according to a change of buoyancy; and a first measuring sensor that is inserted into the observation well so as to be placed at a position above the freshwater/saltwater interface position tracking device and has a distance measuring unit used for measuring a first distance between the freshwater/saltwater interface position tracking device and the first measuring sensor, wherein the first measuring sensor has a first signal output unit used for outputting a signal indicative of the measured first distance. |
| US09964423B2 |
Device and method for determining the mass-flow of a fluid
A device for determining the mass flow of a fluid includes a line for conducting the fluid in a flow direction to a contact with a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a surface temperature which is constant in the flow direction. The device also includes a first temperature measuring position upstream from the exchanger for determining a first fluid temperature, a second temperature measuring position downstream from the heat exchanger for determining a second fluid temperature, and a third temperature measuring position for detecting the surface temperature of the heat exchanger. |
| US09964416B2 |
Methods and systems for locating health facilities based on cost of healthcare
Various embodiments may include methods and systems for locating health facilities based on a cost of healthcare. Information may be received identifying a source for receiving health service cost information. Further, vehicle user insurance information may be transmitted to obtain health service cost information. The health service cost information may be received from the identified source and presented at a vehicle computer. The identified source may include information by or from a health facilities and/or information from one or more members of the public. |
| US09964415B2 |
Tracking power consumption and payment
Methods, devices, and systems are provided that track details of power transfers made between power sources and electric vehicles. The power tracking system monitors the source of charges received, how much charge was provided, rates billed for the charging service and other information related to a charging transaction. The tracked power consumption may be used by the power tracking system server to anticipate future charging times, preferences, or locations, and even determine driving habits, and demand for charging in a region or area. |
| US09964413B2 |
Navigation device for a movable object and method for generating a display signal for a navigation device for a movable object
A navigation device for a movable object includes a data provider and a processor that provides a three-dimensional navigation map having towering map objects. Based on an ascertained position of a movable object, the processor receives a three-dimensional navigation map having towering map objects of an area surrounding the movable object and provides navigation map to a display device so that the navigation map is reproducible by the display device in a manner viewed from a view position which is located above the navigation map and is a function of the ascertained position of the movable object. The processor dynamically alters a height of a towering map object in the navigation map as a function of a distance of the towering map object to the view position. |
| US09964411B2 |
Assisted roadmap generation
Systems and methods related to roadmaps for mobile robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap. The roadmap can include an intersection between first and second edges. The computing device can determine a transition curve between the first and second edges and includes first, second, and third curve segments. The first and second curve segments can connect at a first curve junction point. The second and third curve segments can connect at a second curve junction point. The first and third curve segments each include a segment of an Euler spiral and the second curve segment can be a circular curve segment having a fixed radius. The computing device can update the roadmap by replacing the intersection between the first and second edges with the transition curve. The computing device can provide the updated roadmap. |
| US09964406B2 |
Single-camera system for measuring a vehicle distance and measurement method thereof
The present invention discloses a single-camera system for measuring a vehicle distance and measurement method thereof. The single-camera system for measuring the vehicle distance comprises a variable-magnification single-camera module, an operational control module and an infrared emission module, wherein the operational control module is respectively connected with the variable-magnification single-camera module and the infrared emission module. The variable-magnification single-camera module is used for performing real-time video recording on a front scene, capturing the position information of a highlight speckle in a video image from a video and capturing the number of pixels occupied by the width/height of a vehicle license plate. The present invention combines the video processing technology with the infrared control technology of a camera, enhances the measuring reliability of short distance of a vehicle, facilitates the usage, reduces the cost and can be widely applied to an active safety assisting system of the vehicle. |
| US09964405B2 |
Method for estimating the distance of an object from an imaging system
The invention relates to a method, for determining a distance between an object with respect to an imaging system, improving the reconstruction of images of objects imaged by an imaging system and improving the resolution of the images obtained. |
| US09964400B1 |
Height measuring device
An apparatus, method, and system for height-measurement are provided. The apparatus, and method includes initiating, and calibrating a height-measuring-device to capture and store a one-time calibration-mode distance. Then, in operation-mode, a foot-platform connected to a retractable-tape is pulled atop an object/user. Electronic signals from a laser-device are generated as a means to measure both calibration-mode and operation-mode distances. These distances are then resolved and stored as a height-measurement for a user/object, and the resulting height-measurement is displayed on a screen.The height-measurement data from each object/user are compared to one another. The height-measuring-device also includes a predictive algorithm that determines the future height of users. |
| US09964399B2 |
Non-destructive mapping of surface condition to evaluate wear conditions
A component, such as a cyclonic steam separator baseplate of a steam generator, includes a surface subject to degradation during operation of the system in which the component is disposed. A profile is acquired of the surface of the component using an optical surface profilometry system concurrent with an image of the surface. A condition, such as degradation of the component is classified based on the acquired profile and image of the surface of the component. Component conditions may be monitored over time, trended, and classified as requiring maintenance, repair, or replacement. |
| US09964396B1 |
Integrated fourier transform optical spectrometer
A spectrometer and method for determining an emitted light spectrum. An input light signal is received and directed to an array of interferometers using waveguides. A plurality of self-interfering signals are detected from a first plurality of interferometers in the array of interferometers. The first plurality of interferometers has fewer interferometers than required to satisfy the Nyquist criterion for reconstructing the emitted light spectrum. The emitted light spectrum is reconstructed from the plurality of self-interfering signals using compressive sensing. The plurality of self-interfering signals can provide an interference pattern used to reconstruct the emitted light spectrum. A second plurality of interferometers may output a second plurality of self-interfering signals to reconstruct a low resolution spectrum of the input light signal satisfying the Nyquist criterion. Low resolution signal components can be detected from the low resolution spectrum and used to pre-process the interference pattern. |
| US09964393B2 |
Measurement device for ring-shaped assembly, measurement method for ring-shaped assembly, and manufacturing method of rotating machine
A measurement device for a ring-shaped assembly that measures relative positions, is provided with: a first contact section that comes into contact with a reference surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped member and is capable of sliding in the circumferential direction; a second contact section capable of pressing against an opposing surface that faces an opposite side in the radial direction from the reference surface of the ring-shaped member; a base section that supports the first contact section and the second contact section; a third contact section that comes into contact with a measurement-target part of the assembled member; a connecting section that connects the third contact section and the base section; and a measurement unit that measures a displacement of the third contact section relative to the base section. |
| US09964390B2 |
Standable surveyor wheel
A surveyor wheel has an assembling seat, a supporting element, a handle, and two wheels. The assembling seat has a moving direction, an upper surface, a lower surface, and two opposite ends. The upper surface of the assembling seat and the lower surface of the assembling seat are opposite each other. The supporting element is formed on the assembling seat, protrudes downward, and has a supporting end. The handle is formed on the assembling seat. The two wheels are rotatable and are respectively connected to the two opposite ends of the assembling seat. The supporting end of the supporting element is to abut against the ground or a horizontal surface to provide support. |
| US09964387B2 |
Insensitive munitions swaged vent plug
A venting system for ordnance or rocket motors comprising a casing having at least one hole and a plug, the plug being formed from a plug slug swaged into the at least one hole. A method to fill a vent hole in a casing comprising transforming a plug slug positioned within the vent hole into a plug. |
| US09964381B2 |
Riflescope aiming system
A riflescope aiming system that includes a telescopic sight, a multiple-zero-point elevation turret and a ballistics reference system. The multiple-zero-point elevation turret includes a rotatable indicator carrier and a plurality of indicator pins secured to the indicator carrier, each indicator pin corresponding to a predetermined target distance. The ballistics reference system is operably coupled to the objective housing of the telescopic sight and displays ballistics data indicia. |
| US09964379B2 |
Archery bow brake
What is disclosed is a braking mechanism for holding a bow string at full draw or any partial draw position along the length of a draw stroke, to enable an archery bow user to maintain a full or partial draw for longer durations of time while exerting less strength or energy than without engaging the braking mechanism. |
| US09964372B1 |
Ambidextrous magazine catch
An ambidextrous magazine catch for a firearm has a body movable on the frame of the firearm. A dog is rotatably mounted on the body. The dog has a jaw which is movable toward and away from the magazine well upon either motion of the body or rotation of the dog. The jaw engages a magazine in the magazine well. A plunger engaged with the body effects rotation of the dog through a cam surface on the plunger and a cam follower on the dog. |
| US09964370B2 |
Ambidextrously Operable Firearm Receiver Assembly
A firearm receiver assembly that includes a magazine release assembly, a bolt release assembly, a safety switch assembly, and a charging handle assembly and wherein at least one of the magazine release assembly, the bolt release assembly, the safety switch assembly, and the charging handle assembly are ambidextrously operable from each of a right hand side and a left hand side of the resultant firearm. |
| US09964369B2 |
Auto-loading firearm
An auto-loading firearm has a frame defining a bolt passage, a bolt operable to reciprocate between a battery position and a retracted position, a barrel defining a gas aperture, an energy transmission facility having a first end communicating with the gas aperture and an opposed second end, the bolt having a bolt body and a bolt key movable with respect to the bolt body between a forward position and a rearward position, the bolt key operably engaging the second end of the energy transmission facility when the bolt is in the battery position, the bolt including a latch element operably engaged to the bolt key having a locked position to prevent reciprocation of the bolt, and an unlocked position in which reciprocation of the bolt is enabled, and the latch element being responsive to rearward motion of the bolt key to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. |
| US09964364B2 |
Multi-layer aluminum alloy sheet product for tubes for heat exchangers
An aluminum sheet product comprises: a core layer comprising one of a 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx aluminum alloy; and a liner layer comprising one of a 3xxx aluminum alloy having an additive of 0.5-5% Zn, and a 7xxx aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the aluminum sheet product r has an O temper pre-braze tensile strength of at least 20 Ksi. In some embodiments the corrosion potential difference between the liner and core is at least 30 millivolts. In some embodiments, the aluminum sheet product further comprises an inner layer comprising one of a 3xxx and a 4xxx aluminum alloy. |
| US09964359B2 |
Multi-pass lumber kilns
Embodiments provide a multi-pass kiln with two or more chambers, an entrance and an exit at a proximal end of the kiln, and a reciprocal flow path extending through the kiln from the entrance to the exit. Lumber charges traveling along the reciprocal flow path may travel in a first direction along one side of the heated second chamber before traveling in a substantially opposite second direction along the opposite side of the second chamber. The distal end of the kiln may be substantially sealed, and a pressure differential between the distal end and the proximal end may draw moist heated air from the heated chamber toward the exit and entry to preheat and/or condition lumber charges traveling through the first chamber. |
| US09964356B2 |
Drier apparatus
A drier apparatus includes a cylindrical chamber in which a pair of screw conveyers each including a tubular shaft in which heat medium is able to flow, and carrier blades arranged on an outer surface of the tubular shaft is housed, a motor for rotating the screw conveyers, an input path connected to the cylindrical chamber at a proximal end of each of the screw conveyers, and an output path connected to the cylindrical chamber at a distal end of each of the screw conveyers. The input path and the output path include a device for opening and closing a path. Each of the screw conveyers includes a pair of tubular shafts arranged substantially in parallel with each other, and a plurality of semicircular carrier blades such that the carrier blades form a part of an imaginary spiral plane about the tubular shaft on an outer surface of the tubular shaft, the carrier blade being partially made of a material having a resistance to abrasion. |
| US09964355B2 |
Methods for preparing highly porous microfibrous media with functional particles immobilized inside
Improved methods for preparing highly porous mesh media and loading functional particles into the media are described herein. The highly porous media can be used as supports for catalyst materials for a variety of applications, such as desulfurization. Pre-manufactured catalyst can be loaded into the sintered open media. Thus, the contamination issues associated wetlay paper making and pre-oxidation, the deactivation issues associated with the sintering and pre-oxidation steps, and the corrosion issues associated with the catalyst formation step can be avoided. The methods described herein result in the formation of highly porous media with functional particles immobilized inside. |
| US09964353B2 |
System and method for generation of oxygen by low-temperature air separation
A system and method serve generate oxygen by low-temperature air separation in a distillation column system having a high-pressure column and a low-pressure column, a main condenser which is constructed as a condenser-evaporator, and an auxiliary column. A gaseous oxygen-containing fraction is introduced into the auxiliary column. A nitrogen-containing liquid stream from the high-pressure column, the main condenser or the low-pressure column is applied as reflux to the top of the auxiliary column. An argon-rich stream from an intermediate site of the low-pressure column is introduced into an argon removal column that has an argon removal column top condenser. The low-pressure column is arranged beside the high-pressure column, the main condenser is arranged over the high-pressure column, the auxiliary column is arranged over the main condenser, the argon removal column is arranged over the auxiliary column and the argon removal column top condenser is arranged over the argon removal column. |
| US09964346B2 |
Space conditioning system with hot gas reheat, and method of operating the same
A space conditioning system includes a hot gas reheat section and one or more modulating valves to direct a percentage of refrigerant flow to the hot gas reheat section. The hot gas reheat section includes multiple refrigerant circuits arranged in parallel. A control valve is used to allow the refrigerant to flow through selected ones of the multiple refrigerant circuits in response to the percentage of refrigerant flow directed to the hot gas reheat section, thereby varying the internal volume of the hot gas reheat section available to the refrigerant. Refrigerant charge hold-up within the hot gas reheat section can thereby be minimized. |
| US09964345B2 |
Heat pump controller with user-selectable defrost modes and reversing valve energizing modes
A heat pump controller for use in a heat exchange system includes a computing device and a user interface coupled to the computing device. The computing device is configured to initiate a defrost cycle based on one of a plurality of user-selectable defrost modes, and the user interface is configured to display the user-selectable defrost modes and receive a user selection corresponding to one of the user-selectable defrost modes. |
| US09964344B2 |
Magnetic cooling apparatus
A magnetic cooling apparatus including a plurality of magnetic regenerators including a plurality of magnetocaloric materials to emit heat when magnetized and to absorb heat when demagnetized. The magnetic regenerators are rotatably disposed on a circumference having a predetermined radius, at least one coil is disposed on the circumference and coupled to the magnetic regenerators, and a plurality of permanent magnets is provided inside and outside the circumference to generate a magnetic field to magnetize or demagnetize the magnetic regenerators. The at least one coil interacts with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets to rotate the magnetic regenerators. The coil interacting with the magnetic field to magnetize or demagnetize the magnetic regenerators is coupled to the magnetic regenerators such that the magnetic regenerators reciprocate or rotate, thereby minimizing a size of the magnetic cooling apparatus, relative to the use of a motor. In addition, a member to switch a channel of a heat transfer fluid directly performs heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and an external fluid, thereby minimizing heat loss. |
| US09964339B2 |
Cooling system with low temperature load
A system includes a flash tank, a load, a first compressor, a second compressor, a refrigerant routing line, and a flash gas bypass line. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant from the flash tank to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load. The refrigerant routing line routes the refrigerant from the first compressor to the flash tank below a liquid level line of the flash tank. The flash gas bypass line is coupled to the flash tank and sends the refrigerant as a flash gas from the flash tank to the second compressor. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant. |
| US09964338B2 |
Building designs and heating and cooling systems
Building constructions, building heating and/or cooling methods, and/or heating and/or cooling systems are provided that can include interior conduits configured to convey a fluid coupled with exterior conduits extending through the grounds surrounding the building. |
| US09964335B2 |
Concentrating central solar receiver
A central solar receiver (1) is provided having a heat exchanger assembly with walls that form an inlet chamber (2) and a generally juxtaposed outlet chamber (3) connected to each other by way of a multitude of tube assemblies (4). Each tube assembly (4) has an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7) with the tube assemblies (4) extending away from the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3). A remote end (8) of the outer tube (7) is closed and the inner tube (6) terminates short of that closed end (8). The interior of each inner tube (6) communicates with one of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) and a space between each of the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) communicates with the other of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) to form a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) by way of the inner tube (6) and the space between the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) with a change in direction of flow of about 180°. |
| US09964334B2 |
Method of and system for flame sensing and diagnostic
A method of determining presence of a flame in a furnace of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The method comprises determining, using a controller, whether a processor signal (G) is active, responsive to a determination that the processor signal (G) is active, determining, using the controller prior to assertion of a flame-test input control signal, an output state of a first comparator, responsive to a determination that the output state of the first comparator is high, determining, using the controller prior to assertion of the flame-test input control signal, an output state of a second comparator, and responsive to a determination that the output state of the second comparator is low, transmitting, using the controller, a notification that a flame is present. |
| US09964333B2 |
System and method for furnace fluid flow management
A furnace has a primary heat exchanger tube, a secondary heat exchanger comprising a plurality of secondary heat exchanger tubes, a hot header configured to provide a fluid flow path between an output of the primary heat exchanger tube to an input of the secondary heat exchanger, and a perforated fluid flow plate disposed at least partially within the hot header. |
| US09964330B2 |
Air handler
An air handler which allows modular assembly at a place of manufacture or outside of a building and modular transportation to a machine room of the building where the air handler will be installed, thereby achieving enhanced transportation convenience. In addition, in the air handler, a plurality of case panels may be assembled with a plurality of module frames via considerably simplified sliding coupling, providing excellent hermetic sealing. As such, manufacturing costs may be reduced due to a reduction in a number of components, and assembly time may be remarkably reduced due to a reduced number of assembly operations. This advantageously results in reduced labor costs and enhanced air conditioning efficiency. |
| US09964328B2 |
User control device with cantilevered display
A thermostat includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display configured to display visual media and receive user inputs, and processing electronics configured to operate the touch-sensitive display. The housing includes a base and a display mount. The base includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, a first side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, and a second side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define an internal volume. The display mount is cantilevered upward from the top wall and includes a mounting surface perpendicular to the top wall of the base. The housing is not opaque. The display is attached to the mounting surface and is not opaque. The processing electronics are positioned within the interior volume. |
| US09964326B2 |
Electrostatic discharge connector and method for an electronic device
An illustrative electronic assembly having an electrical connector therein to ground an electronic component of the electronic assembly to a grounding feature of a printed wiring assembly (PWA) of the electronic assembly. The electronic assembly may include a housing, the PWA, the electronic component and the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be a conductive and resilient extender or connector that may have a first portion connected to the PWA and a second portion extending generally away from the PWA toward the electronic component. The second portion of the electrical connector may be in mechanical and electrical contact with the electronic component. |
| US09964324B2 |
Controller circuit for air conditioner with cool air guided with room temperature airstream
A first fan controlling section of a controller circuit is configured to control a first blower fan so as to induce the discharge of the airflow of a cool air through a first air outlet defined in a first enclosure of an indoor unit of the air conditioner. A second fan controlling section is configured to control second blower fans so as to induce the discharge of the airflows of a room air through second air outlets, respectively, defined in a pair of second enclosures disposed on the opposite sides of the first enclosure. An enclosure attitude controlling section is configured to change the respective attitude of the second enclosures relative to the first enclosure. |
| US09964321B2 |
HVAC controller having a parameter adjustment element with a qualitative indicator
An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. |
| US09964319B2 |
Air conditioner and method for controlling an air conditioner
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, an outdoor device connected to the indoor device, the outdoor device including a compressor that compresses refrigerant, an engine generating a power using combustion gas, a generator that generates electricity using the power, a battery that receives at least a portion of the electricity, a first supply line that supplies the electricity stored in the battery into the outdoor device, and a second supply line that supplies the electricity stored in the battery into the at least one indoor device. The battery is charged by the generator, or the electricity stored in the battery is discharged into the indoor device or the outdoor device according to operation performance of each of the indoor device and the outdoor device. |
| US09964313B2 |
Heating furnace using energy saving mode
A heating control system including an air circulation fan, a heating unit, a memory, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to operate the air circulation fan at a first speed and the heating unit in a first configuration to achieve a first temperature rise where less than all of the burners are active. The microprocessor is further configured to compare the first temperature rise to a first temperature rise threshold and transition the air circulation fan to a second speed to achieve a second temperature rise when the first temperature rise is less than the first temperature rise threshold. The microprocessor is further configured to compare the second temperature rise to a second temperature rise threshold and transition the air circulation fan to a third speed when the second temperature rise is greater than the second temperature rise threshold. |
| US09964312B2 |
Kitchen oven
According to one embodiment, an oven includes an oven chamber operable to be heated and having a front opening. The oven further includes a frame coupled to and at least partially surrounding the oven chamber. The oven further includes a door operable to seal the front opening of the oven chamber, and a pair of hinges pivotally coupling the door to the frame. Each hinge is positioned on opposing sides of the oven chamber. The oven further includes a pair counterweights that are each coupled to the rear portion of a respective hinge, and a pair of dampers. Each damper is coupled to the frame and operable to resist movement of the door in a single direction opposite that of the other damper. |
| US09964311B2 |
Cleaning system and method with air flushing of detergent/rinse pipes
A cleaning system for cleaning a cavity of food or beverage preparation device. The cavity is connected with a pipe system. The pipe system supplies a fluid through the pipe system to the cavity. When the fluid flow stops, any remainder of the fluid in the pipe system is removed by passing a gas (for example, air) through the pipe system or by a valve disposed at a high location of the pipe system. |
| US09964306B2 |
Glow plug
The invention relates to a glow plug comprising a housing, a ceramic pencil-type glow element which projects from the housing with a first end and is arranged inside the housing with a second end, a feed line which is arranged in the housing and leads to the pencil-type glow element, and a sleeve-type element which surrounds a section of the pencil-type glow element projecting from the housing. The invention is characterized in that the pencil-type glow element has a section surrounded by the housing which section tapers towards the second end, the pencil-type glow element is encircled by a contact element in the housing, which contact element has a section that narrows towards the second end of the pencil-type glow element, said narrowing section encircling at least a subsection of the tapered section of the pencil-type glow element. The invention further relates to a method for producing said glow plug. |
| US09964305B1 |
Campfire lighter
The campfire starter includes a first compartment that is connected to a flexible conduit that extends there from. The flexible conduit includes an igniter nozzle on a distal end, which dispenses a flame there from, and which is adapted to ignite a campfire. The first compartment is adapted to be handled, and from which the flexible conduit extends in order to position the igniter nozzle immediately adjacent the campfire. The flexible conduit is of an undefined length, and is made of a flexible material that enables curves and bends to be formed and adjusted as needed. |
| US09964302B2 |
Fuel injection system for use in a catalytic heater and reactor for operating catalytic combustion of liquid fuels
The present invention relates to a system for utilizing liquid fuels, such as diesel and gasoline, in a catalytic reactor for producing clean heat from the fuel. In particular it relates to a fuel injection system for a catalytic burner (310, 313). It includes preheating elements (308′, 309, 315; FT) for preheating the catalytic burner (310, 313) and primary fuel supply elements (307) for supplying fuel to the catalytic burner (310, 313). The preheating elements (308′, 309, 315; FT) and the primary fuel supply elements (307) are provided in separate compartments (310, 312), the compartments being connected with each other via a channel (CH). |
| US09964300B2 |
Atomizer, electronic cigarette, and method for assembling the atomizer
An atomizer, electronic cigarette and method for assembling the atomizer, wherein the atomizer is configured to be connected to a battery sleeve to form an electronic cigarette, comprising an oil storage cavity, a holding cavity, a heating assembly received in the holding cavity, and an electrode assembly configured to be electrically connected to the battery rod; the heating assembly including a heating wire electrically connected to the electrode assembly and an oil guide rope for transferring tobacco tar to the heating wire; one side of the oil storage cavity defines an oil outlet, a clamp seat configured to clamp the oil guide rope is received in the holding cavity and is located between the heating wire and the oil outlet, and the oil guide rope extends to one side of the clamp seat away from the heating wire. |
| US09964294B2 |
Display screen assembly
A display screen assembly is suitable for use in a digital device that lacks the processing power, memory, or both needed to carry out light-simulated bar code processing. The display screen assembly includes a display screen having a display area and mounted to a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes numerous conductive circuit traces including terminal ends, and various electronic components such as a controller and a screen driver. The various components may be covered by a cover layer, and the display screen including the display area may be covered by a sheet of transparent material. An LED may be generally positioned near an edge or corner of the display screen, and may be may be controlled by a digital device processor or by the controller on the flexible circuit, as desired, for producing light-simulated bar codes. |
| US09964293B2 |
Motorized light assembly
A motorized assembly for mounting on a frame of a light fixture includes a central housing having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface. The second exterior surface defining an aperture and the central housing including a first mounting device configured to mount on the frame to enable rotation of the central housing about a first axis of rotation. The central housing further includes an interior region between the first and second exterior surfaces with a first drive mechanism proximate the first exterior surface and engaged with the first mounting device to enable rotation of the central housing about the first axis of rotation when the central housing is engaged with the frame. There is also a second drive mechanism, disposed within the interior region of the central housing and proximate the second exterior surface, adapted for engagement with a second mounting device. |
| US09964291B1 |
Holiday light string hanging device
A holiday light hanging device that is operable to releasably secure a holiday light string and/or a holiday light to a support structure such as but not limited to a roof eave. The holiday light hanging device includes a body wherein the body is formed utilizing a first support member, a second support member and a third support member. The body further includes a receiving member that is contiguously formed with the third support member wherein the receiving member is ring-shaped and is configured to receive a portion of a holiday light string and/or a holiday light. A magnet is further provided wherein the magnet is secured within a housing that is integrally formed into the first support member. A slot and lip are formed on the receiving member so as to facilitate the placement of a portion of a holiday light string in the void. |
| US09964288B1 |
Semiconductor lighting assemblies and methods for retrofitting existing lighting assemblies
Semiconductor lighting and retrofitting methods are provided herein. One method includes providing a roadway light that has a housing, the roadway light having at least a ballast, an high intensity discharge lamp, a reflector, a lens removed there from, the roadway light having a legacy bracket and a legacy mount disposed in a sidewall of the housing that remain, and coupling an assembly to the legacy bracket, the assembly including at least a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lights mounted to the heat sink, the plurality of LED lights being disposed in a linear arrangement, and a support plate that is joined to the heat sink, the support plate having a mating bracket that couples with the legacy bracket disposed within a housing of the roadway light. |
| US09964287B2 |
LED support, LED and backlight module
The invention discloses a LED support comprising an opaque housing. A mounting face for placing at least one LED chip is provided inside the housing. At least two light-exiting windows are provided on the housing so as to allow light emitted from the LED chip to emit outwards from the housing therethrough. The LED support enables a LED assembled with the LED support to emit light from at least two sides, thus light-emitting angle of LED is enlarged, and thereby application range of LED is widened. Meanwhile, with such LED support, the number of the light-exiting windows of the LED comprising the LED support is increased, thus the times by which light from the LED chip mounted on the LED support is reflected inside the LED support is decreased, and thereby light emission efficiency is improved significantly. |
| US09964283B2 |
LED module having a lens with a hollow and light fixture with the same
An LED module includes a circuit substrate, a light source and a lens. The light source includes first and second LEDs that differ in chromaticity. The circuit substrate is provided with conductors for driving the first and second LEDs independently. The lens includes a hollow, on a side of the circuit substrate, inside which the light source is present. An inside of the hollow is a light entrance surface. An opening of the hollow has a circular shape. The first and second LEDs of the light source are arranged to have point symmetry. |
| US09964281B2 |
Dual focus flashlight
Disclosed are flashlights that optimize the light output and beam focus of both a flood beam and a spot beam. The disclosed flashlights include a housing member and a lens including a first focusing element adapted to shape a light beam into a spot beam and a second focusing element adapted to shape a light beam into a flood beam. A first LED is positioned to direct light through the first focusing element, and a second LED positioned to direct light through the second focusing element. The first LED has a smaller die than the second LED, and the distance between the first LED and the first focusing element is greater than the distance between the second LED and the second focusing element. |
| US09964280B2 |
Apparatus for controlling the re-distribution of light emitted from a light-emitting diode
A system for re-distributing light emitted from a light source using an optical element is described. The optical element is manufactured using a bulk matrix material, and diffusing particles and/or scattering particles are embedded within the bulk material. The optical element is coupled to the light source to capture emitted light and redistribute the light in a desired angular distribution pattern depending on the ratio of total weight of diffusing particles to total weight of scattering particles. |
| US09964276B2 |
Illumination device for vehicle having rotatable first shade and one piece component with shades and reflector disposed in front of first shade
An illumination device to be mounted on a vehicle includes a light source, an optical member, a holder, a first reflector, a first shade, a driving source, a power feeding member, a second reflector, a second shade, and a third shade. The second reflector is disposed between the optical member and the first shade and configured to reflect a part of the light reflected by the first reflector toward the optical member. The second shade is disposed between the optical member and the first shade so as to block a part of the light which is not blocked by the first shade. The third shade disposed to block sunlight which passes through the optical member and reaches at least one of the holder and the power feeding member. The second reflector, the second shade and the third shade are parts of one-piece component formed of the same material. |
| US09964275B2 |
Head lamp for vehicle
A head lamp includes a plate-shaped base supported in a housing. A first light source is disposed on an upper surface of the base. A second light source is disposed on a lower surface of the base. An upper reflector extends from the upper surface of the base and is configured to reflect incident light emitted from the first light source in a forward direction. A lower reflector extends from the lower surface of the base and is configured to reflect light emitted from the second light source in the forward direction. A shield main body extends from an end of the base and is configured to: block a portion of light reflected from the upper reflector and the lower reflector, and form a beam pattern. A shield protrusion protrudes from the shield main body and is configured to block another portion of the light reflected by the lower reflector. |
| US09964274B2 |
Light emitting diode vehicle headlight
An LED vehicle headlight includes a lens, a reflector, a first light source, and a second light source. The lens has a focal plane. The reflector is located at a side of the lens, and the reflector is equipped with a first focal point and a second focal point, wherein the second focal point is located on the focal plane. The first light source has a first light-emitting surface confronting the lens. The second light source has a second light-emitting surface confronting the reflector. The first focal point is located on the second light-emitting surface, and the reflector is configured to reflect and focus light beams emitted from the second light-emitting surface onto the second focal point. |
| US09964273B2 |
Shield apparatus of head lamp for vehicle
The present invention provides a shield apparatus of a head lamp for a vehicle. The shield apparatus of the head lamp for a vehicle includes: a case; a cover coupled to the case; a shield supported inside the case and configured to adjust a predetermined light beam pattern generated by a head lamp; a motor configured to drive the shield; a block disposed inside the case and the cover, and configured to rotatably support the shield and limit an angle of rotation of the shield. |
| US09964270B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component and adaptive headlight for a motor vehicle
An optoelectronic semiconductor component and an adaptive headlight are disclosed. In an embodiment an optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a carrier having a carrier top side and a carrier underside, a plurality of active zones, which are fitted at the carrier top side and which are designed for emitting radiation, electrical contact locations at the carrier underside, which are designed for electrically connecting the semiconductor component and a drive unit for electrically addressing the semiconductor component and for electrically driving the active zones, wherein the active zones are fitted in a regular grid at the carrier top side, wherein the grid has a grid pitch, wherein geometrical midpoints of radiation main sides of the active zones lie on grid points of the grid, and wherein a distance between the geometrical midpoints of marginal active zones and a closest edge of the carrier is at most 50% of the grid pitch. |
| US09964268B2 |
LED exterior and street lamps
An LED exterior and street lamp (luminaire) is provided with an LED operating chamber and a functional chamber each hermetically sealed and interconnected to each other in a thermally-isolated manner at their narrow end faces, the chambers being surrounded by a cooling surface which can be replaced externally on the housing of the chambers and can be adapted in terms of surface area. |
| US09964266B2 |
Unified driver and light source assembly for recessed lighting
A compact recessed lighting system is provided. The lighting system includes a light source module and a driver separately coupled to a unified casting. The driver is formed in a “donut” shape such that the light source module may be coupled to the casting in the center hole formed by the driver. The lighting system may also include a reflector that surrounds the light source module and shields the driver from exposure to the area surrounding the lighting system. Based on this configuration, the lighting system provides a compact design that allows the combined casting, light source module, driver, and reflector to be installed in a standard junction box instead of a “can” housing structure to reduce the overall cost of the lighting system while still complying with all building and safety codes/regulations. This configuration also allows the lighting system to achieve a UL fire-rating of at least two hours. |
| US09964263B2 |
LED tube lamp
An LED tube lamp includes a lamp tube, an LED light bar disposed inside the lamp tube with a plurality of LED light sources provided on the LED light bar, a diffusion film layer disposed inside the lamp tube and configured to transmit the light emitted from the LED light sources, and a reflective film layer disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lamp tube. The reflective film layer is configured to partially occupy the inner circumferential surface of the lamp tube along a longitudinal direction and a circumferential direction of the lamp tube, and the diffusion film layer is a sheet disposed to cover the LED light sources without making direct contact with the LED light sources. |
| US09964262B2 |
Lighting device, display device, and television device
A lighting unite according to an embodiment includes a light source, a light guide plate, and a wavelength converting member. The light source is configured to emit primary light rays. The light guide plate includes a light entering surface through which the primary light rays enter, a light exiting surface through which the primary light rays exit, and a light reflecting and scattering pattern. The light reflecting and scattering pattern includes complementary color dots formed in edge areas of the opposite surface and white dots formed inner than the complementary color dots. The complementary color dots absorb primary light rays and exhibit a color that makes a complementary color pair with a reference color exhibited by the primary light rays. The white dots exhibit white color. The wavelength converting member covers the light exiting surface and passes some of the primary light rays to emit planar light. |
| US09964259B2 |
Collapsible LED fixture
According to the invention, an LED fixture is provided for photographic and theatrical lighting. The light fixture is particularly suitable for photographic and theatrical lighting by mounting LED elements directly or indirectly on articulating arms. The arms rotate 90 degrees from a position where the arms are aligned substantially in parallel with an axis of the fixture hub and may be rotated 90 degrees for deployment of the fixture. In addition, the spokes may be flexed beyond the alignment permitted by the cooperation between the hub and mounting elements. |
| US09964254B1 |
Rest
A rest comprises a preformed support member and an adjustable base. The preformed support member has a right stabilizing compartment a left stabilizing compartment, and a recessed median trough positioned between the right stabilizing compartment and the left stabilizing compartment. The adjustable base includes at least one front base member and at least one rear base member, wherein the at least one front base member and the at least one rear base member are foldably fastened to the preformed support member on opposing sides thereof. |
| US09964252B2 |
Device for the stable and zero backlash adjustment of a camera-holding device around at least one tilting axis
The invention relates to a device for the stable and zero backlash adjustment of a camera-holding device around at least one tilting axis, in particular on a device for multi-channel image capture, wherein the adjustment device (1) comprises two plates joined to one another so as to be tiltable, and wherein the upper plate as camera support plate (2) carries the camera (K) at least indirectly and is connected to the lower plate acting as base plate (3). The device is characterized in that a displaceable ramp slide (5) having two oppositely inclined running ramps (6) is arranged on the base plate (3), in that between the two running ramps (6) there is a joint (4) by which the camera support plate (2) is joined to the base plate (3), in that the camera support plate (2) comprises two guide pins (7) that are spaced apart from one another and are guided on the running ramps (6), and in that the device is designed in such a manner that by displacing the ramp slide (5) the camera support plate (2) assumes, with zero backlash, a defined tilting angle with respect to the base plate (3). |
| US09964250B2 |
Method of inspecting and preparing a pipeline
A sewer preparation from the main (PFM) device provides for the inspection and preparation of the sewer pipe from the main sewer pipe. The PFM device provides for the insertion of one or more individual and separately controllable tools into the sewer pipe. The tools include a clean out tool and a camera. Each of the tools is controlled separately such that each tool can be inserted and retracted from the lateral as desired. A method includes the steps of inserting and operating separately controllable tools from a single preparation device that provides access to the lateral without a cleanout or other alternate access passage. |
| US09964248B2 |
Fluid transmission flat-face coupler with frontal annular seal
A fluid transmission fitting (100) is described comprising a flat-faced female coupler (47) with a frontal annular seal (400) to protect from the introduction of impurities, when uncoupled, during the step of coupling-uncoupling and when coupled to a flat-faced male coupler (48). |
| US09964247B2 |
Plug-in connection for two pipes and method for assembling the plug-in connection
The invention relates to a plug-in connection for a first pipe and a second pipe and use thereof in a motor vehicle. A free end segment of the first pipe and a free end segment of the second pipe can be connected to each other. A retaining clip having two legs, which each bear a respective locking element, sits in a guide for the retaining clip, wherein the guide is formed on the free end segment of the first pipe. The retaining clip mounted in the guide interacts with the retaining region on the free end segment of the second pipe in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner by means of each of the locking elements. |
| US09964245B2 |
Swivel joint with uniform ball bearing requirements
A swivel joint has uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races. The swivel joint has a male connector and a female connector that coaxially interconnects and swivel relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal. Each connector has three bearing races to form three sets of bearing races, each of which supports the same number of ball bearings. The circumference of the main set of races are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, so it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors of the swivel joint. |
| US09964244B2 |
Separation preventing device of fluid pipe, and pipe joint
A separation preventing device that prevents separation of a fluid pipe in a pipe axis direction, includes a main body externally fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe and has a recess portion facing the outer peripheral surface; a locking member housed in the recess portion in a tiltable manner and is able to bite into the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe; and pressing units that are provided in the main body and press the locking member, wherein the locking member has a plurality of wedge portions in a front-back direction of a pipe axis of the fluid pipe, and is equipped with a projection portion that regulates biting of a front wedge portion of the plurality of wedge portions into the fluid pipe, when the fluid pipe moves to a separation side in the pipe axis direction. |
| US09964242B2 |
Connection joint for pipes to convey gas, compressed air and other fluids
A fluid connection joint to couple tubular pipes intended to convey gas, compressed air and other fluids. The fluid connection joint includes a deformable internal ring having sealing surfaces internally to engage with an outer surface of a first tubular element and frontally to engage with a second tubular element. The deformable internal ring is located within a housing that is coupled to a flange of the second tubular element by fixing screws. The tightening of the fixing screws results in a substantially radial compression of the internal ring and seals around the first tubular element and a second substantially axial compression of the frontal seal against the flange. |
| US09964241B2 |
Connection assembly
A method of connecting a first fitting to a second fitting to provide a fluid coupling between the first fitting and the second fitting includes providing a first fitting having an exterior surface; providing a second fitting having an interior surface and an annular groove provided on the interior surface; positioning the first fitting at least partially within the second fitting; and deforming the first fitting in a generally annular direction to form an annular ridge extending at least partially into the annular groove to couple the first fitting to the second fitting. |
| US09964240B2 |
Polyamide hose for compressed air
The present invention relates to a multilayer hose for compressed air comprising, in this order: an outer layer (1) made of polyamide, optionally an intermediate layer (2) of a polymer having a flexural modulus of less than 500 MPa, an inner layer (3) of a polymer having a flexural modulus of greater than 1100 MPa, the inner layer (3) being in contact with the compressed air. |
| US09964232B2 |
Cryogenic vacuum valve
A multifunction cryogenic vacuum valve adapted to evacuate, seal off, and monitor vacuum levels and relieve cryogenic vacuum insulated systems is provided, wherein no thread sealant is necessary for the thermocouple threads. |
| US09964231B2 |
Detection of a plunger position in an irrigation control device
Some embodiments provide irrigation valve control apparatuses comprising: a solenoid configured to cooperate with a plunger; an input stimulus source coupled with the solenoid and configured to apply an input stimulus while a plunger drive signal is not being applied and that is sufficiently small to not cause the plunger to move; sampling circuitry configured to measure one or more voltage measurements corresponding to one or more voltages across the solenoid, wherein the one or more voltage measurements are dependent upon the current position of the plunger relative to the solenoid; and control circuitry cooperated with the sampling circuitry to receive the one or more voltage measurements from the sampling circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the plunger is in one of the open and closed positions based on the one or more voltage measurements. |
| US09964227B2 |
Electronic expansion valve and manufacturing method therefor
An electronic expansion valve according to the present application includes a housing component and a valve seat assembly, the valve seat assembly includes a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe which are in a same straight line; a main valve cavity is formed by the valve seat assembly, and an included angle formed between the main valve cavity and the first connecting pipe is an acute angle; wherein the valve seat assembly is of an integral structure and is fixed to the housing component by welding, and a preset distance exists between the first connecting pipe and an extension line of a welding position of the valve seat assembly and the housing component in a radial direction. |
| US09964226B2 |
Kit for mounting an actuator to a valve
An actuator mounting kit and method for mounting an automatic valve actuator to a manually operated valve. The mounting kit includes a mounting bracket and a stem driver. The mounting bracket is connectable to the valve and has a bottom portion with a stem aperture through which a valve stem is extendable and a tongue matingly engageable with a slot of the valve body. The mounting bracket has an upper portion with a driver aperture aligned with the stem aperture. The stem driver has a first end matingly engageable with the valve stem and a second end extendable through the driver aperture in a way that the actuator is matingly engageable with the second end of the stem driver when the actuator is connected to the upper portion of the mounting bracket. |
| US09964224B2 |
Semi-impermeable closure device
A portable object includes a case forming a housing in which is arranged a device requiring air to operate. The case includes at least a first opening. The portable object further includes a closure device provided with a valve system arranged to have a first stable, open position in which the orifice is open and allows air to pass through, and a second stable, closed position, in which the orifice is closed so that the portable object is impermeable to gases and to liquids. Switching from the open position to the closed position is automatic in case of immersion. |
| US09964222B1 |
Failsafe hose
A failsafe hose comprising an inlet fitting assembly and an outlet fitting assembly wherein the inlet fitting assembly and outlet fitting assembly are interconnected by an inner conduit and an outer conduit and the inlet fitting assembly further comprises a dissolvable element and a piston wherein the piston held in an open position by the dissolvable element wherein a leak in the inner conduit will result in the fluid being directed to the dissolvable element by the outer conduit and a method for assembling same. |
| US09964218B2 |
Line blind valve
The invention is an improved line blind valve which provides absolute positive flow shut-off in piping systems. It uses fluid pressure to separate the seal surfaces while ensuring the end connections do not move relative to each other. Once separated, the blind can be moved easily into either the closed blind position or the open full flow position. The assembly consists of an outer housing, two end pipes and a sliding carrier that allows a blind to be either inserted into the flow or removed by pivoting the blind about a pin. |
| US09964213B2 |
Pump sealing device
The invention relates to a device for sealing a pump of a nuclear power station. Said includes: a mechanical packing and a fluid header. The header includes: a first plurality of surfaces that cooperate with said mechanical packing; a second plurality of surfaces that are designed to cooperate with a pump housing; and a plurality of ducts. The plurality of ducts form, in an operating state, a first fluid circuit that constitutes a thermal barrier between the first plurality of surfaces and the second plurality of surfaces, and a second fluid circuit that supplies fluid to said mechanical packing in order to cool it. |
| US09964194B2 |
Power split transmission
A power split transmission which has a first part (2) and a second part (22). The first part (2) includes a variator (10), a summing gearset (6) and a shiftable transmission gear assembly (18). A standard transmission can be used as the multispeed transmission (23). |
| US09964192B2 |
Bi-directional hydrodynamic thrust washer for a torque converter
A thrust washer for a torque converter is provided. The thrust washer includes an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface and a first axial surface extending from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface. The axial surface includes a plurality of arcuate sections and a plurality of grooves circumferentially between the arcuate sections. Each of the arcuate sections includes an arcuate axial surface including a first section, a second section and a third section. The first and third sections extend circumferentially away from the second section in opposite directions and extend axially inward from the second section. A torque converter and a method for forming at least one torque converter are also provided. |
| US09964189B2 |
Rotary actuation device
This disclosure relates to various embodiments of rotary actuation devices that may be utilized in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a rotary actuation device is configured to transition between a first position and a second position in response to each of a manual adjustment, an activation of an electrical actuator, and a force generated by a deck device. The rotary actuation device may be at least one deck device configured to exert a force in response to a condition. The force may cause the rotary actuation device to transition between the first position and the second position. The rotary actuation device may further include an electrical actuator configured to generate a motion upon activation. A rotary latch mechanism coupled to the electrical actuator and may cause the rotary actuation device to transition from the first position to the second position. |
| US09964187B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A multiple speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each of the plurality of planetary gearsets includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member with pinion gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. |
| US09964185B2 |
Automatic transmission
Disclosed is an automatic transmission (10) in which, of four planetary gear sets (PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4), two planetary gear sets (PG2, PG3) are arranged such that one of the two planetary gear sets (PG2, PG3) is disposed radially inward from the other to form a two-stage planetary gear set (PGt). One planetary gear set (PG1) of the other two planetary gear sets functions as a specified planetary gear set disposed adjacent to the two-stage planetary gear set in a transmission axial direction. A carrier (C3) of the radially outer planetary gear set (PG3) of the two-stage planetary gear set, a carrier (C1) of the specified planetary gear set, and an output section (an output gear (13)) are always engaged together. |
| US09964178B1 |
Wire rope logging choker
A choker cable having its end portions encapsulated by ferrules, wherein the cable wire ends extend at least to the distal ends of the ferrule sleeves, and wherein the wire ends are all fused into a mushroom shaped cap structure and wherein peripheral portions of the cap structure overlie the distal ends of the ferrule sleeves. |
| US09964164B1 |
Disc brake tone ring
An assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided. A brake rotor includes a circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the circular pocket of the brake rotor. The brake rotor has a plurality of locating tabs, with each locating tab having a slope surface. The tone ring has a plurality of retaining tabs, with each retaining tab being received between two locating tabs of the brake rotor. A retaining ring is fitted in each locating tab slope surface of the brake rotor to press fit against the retaining tabs of the tone ring. |
| US09964162B2 |
Device and method for controlling transmission torque to provide hill ascent and/or descent assistance
A device, system, and method for controlling transmission torque to provide hill ascent and/or descent assistance to a vehicle includes applying a clutch hold pressure to one or more clutches of a transmission to lock an output shaft of the transmission to resist roll-back of the vehicle. The clutch hold pressure is applied based on one or more of a transmission output speed signal, an engine throttle signal, and a vehicle brake signal. |
| US09964159B2 |
Multi-stage transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-stage transmission for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The transmission has a transmission input shaft, at least four planetary gear stages which are disposed one behind the other along a main axis of rotation, and at least one combined gear shift unit which is configured as a brake and has a rotatable coupling element as well as a friction-locking unit and a form-locking unit connected in parallel with the friction-locking unit, which are in each case provided in order to connect the rotatable coupling element fixedly to the housing. One of the planetary gear stages is associated with the combined gear shift unit and includes a transmission element which is permanently connected non-rotatably to the rotatable coupling element. The planetary gear stage associated with the combined gear shift unit includes a further transmission element which is permanently connected non-rotatably to the transmission input shaft. |
| US09964156B2 |
Mechanical end-effector changer and method of using same
A mechanical end-effector changer includes a first connection unit and a second connection unit. The first connection unit has mounted therein multiple movable members and mating elastic members. Subject to the linking relationship between each movable member and the respective elastic member, the first connection unit and the second connection unit can be automatically connected together or detached from each other, facilitating end-effector change. |
| US09964151B2 |
Tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing includes an inner ring having an inner-ring raceway surface, an outer ring arranged radially outward of the inner ring so as to be concentric with the inner ring having an outer-ring raceway surface that faces the inner-ring raceway surface, a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the inner-ring raceway surface and the outer-ring raceway surface; and a cage that holds the tapered rollers at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction. A diameter of an inner peripheral surface of a small-diameter-side end of the cage is substantially the same as a diameter of a small-diameter-side pitch circle of the tapered rollers. |
| US09964150B2 |
Method for lubricating a rolling element bearing
A method for lubricating a rolling element bearing, the method comprising a step of providing a bearing cage for retaining rolling elements when the bearing cage is in use, the bearing cage having at least one first ring structure to which at least one first cage bar is connected. The at least one first cage bar is constructed so that a diameter of the bearing cage is largest at one of a point or a region along the length of the at least one first cage bar so as to improve lubricant flow towards the rotational center of rolling elements when the bearing cage is in use. |
| US09964140B2 |
Sliding bearing
Provided is a slide bearing with which friction can be reduced and the total amount of effluent oil can be reduced. In the slide bearing in which halved members, made by dividing a cylinder in two in a direction parallel to the axial direction are disposed vertically, grooves are provided at an end of the axial direction of the lower halved member in the circumferential direction and the height of a peripheral edge part configured at the outside of the groove in the axial direction is changed corresponding to the circumstance direction and the gradient of the height of the peripheral edge part is configured in asymmetry using the center (the bearing angle (ω) is (ω2)) in the circumferential direction as a symmetry axis. |
| US09964139B2 |
Sliding bearing
Provided is a slide bearing 1 with which friction can be reduced and the total amount of effluent oil can be reduced. In the slide bearing in which halved members, made by dividing a cylinder in two in a direction parallel to the axial direction are disposed vertically, grooves are provided at an end of the axial direction of the lower halved member in the circumferential direction and the depth of the groove in the radial direction is changed corresponding to the circumstance direction and the gradient of the depth (d) of the groove in the radial direction is configured in asymmetry using the center (the bearing angle (ω) is (ω2)) in the circumferential direction as a symmetry axis. |
| US09964138B2 |
Carabiner with wire level for climbing
The present invention relates to a carabiner, particularly a wire carabiner, for mountaineering and climbing comprising a ring having a side, which is interrupted by an opening defined by a first and a second end, wherein said opening is closed by a spring closing member that may take an open position and a closed position, wherein the first end of the ring comprises a bulb-shaped coupling portion, with the part projecting in the transversal direction with respect to the plane of the carabiner, and wherein the closing member is of the so-called “wire lever” type and comprises a lever member consisting of a metal wire, wherein said lever member is associated with a coupling member with the coupling portion of the ring, said coupling member comprising a seat, having such shape and dimensions as to couple with said coupling portion, and a constraint portion to the lever member. |
| US09964133B2 |
Screw elements having a tool engagement portion
Screw elements are provided which include a shank having a thread and a head connected to the shank, the head having a tool engagement portion which comprises six corner domes arranged evenly distributed in the peripheral direction of the head and comprising respective flanks, by which the head can be brought into positive cooperation with a hexagon socket of a tool for tightening of the screw element, wherein respective recesses are arranged peripherally between the corner domes, and wherein the flanks of the corner domes are respectively provided at least partially with a radius. |
| US09964130B2 |
Method for operating a hydraulic system of a self-propelled paver, hydraulic system, especially for using the method, and paver with such a hydraulic system
The present invention relates to a method for operating a hydraulic system of a self-propelled road paver, in particular, for the supply of hydraulic oil as needed to a closed hydraulic circuit of the road paver, a hydraulic system of a road paver for performing the method and a road paver having such a hydraulic system. The extraction and/or return of the quantity of hydraulic oil occur depending on at least one operating parameter of the road paver. |
| US09964128B2 |
Master brake cylinder system and brake system for a vehicle
A master brake cylinder system having a master brake cylinder housing having at least one first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, a rod piston at least partially displaceable into the first pressure chamber, a floating piston situated between the first pressure chamber and second pressure chamber, and a simulator device having a simulator piston, which is at least partially displaceable into the simulator chamber counter to a spring force of at least one simulator spring present in a simulator chamber, the simulator piston of the simulator device being situated as to the second pressure chamber so that the simulator piston is displaceable at least partially into the simulator chamber, using a pressure present in the second pressure chamber against the spring force of the at least one simulator spring. In addition, also described is a brake system for a vehicle having a master brake cylinder system. |
| US09964126B2 |
Transaxle including brake
A transaxle comprises a transaxle casing, axle, brake, brake arm, first and second link members, and relay arm. The brake includes a brake operation shaft pivotally supported by the transaxle casing for shifting between brake activation and inactivation states. A starting end of the first link member is connected to a manipulator, and a terminal end of the second link member is connected to the brake arm. The relay arm is pivotally centered on a first pivotal axis outside of the transaxle casing, and includes a first arm portion extended from the first pivotal axis to a first end and a second arm portion extended from the first pivotal axis to a second end. A terminal end of the first link member is connected to the first arm portion, and a starting end of the second link member is connected to the second arm portion. |
| US09964124B2 |
Piston accumulator with integrated cylinder rod
A cylinder rod is disposed within a cylinder that defines a cylinder volume. An accumulator defines an accumulator volume that is disposed generally annularly about the cylinder rod. The accumulator volume is separated from the cylinder volume by an accumulator piston. |
| US09964122B2 |
Compressor staking arrangement and method
A compressor is provided and may include a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface and a bearing housing disposed within the shell and having an engagement surface opposing the inner surface. The engagement surface may include a first channel formed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shell and a second channel formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell and in communication with the first channel. The first channel and the second channel may receive a deformed portion of the shell therein to fix a position of the bearing housing relative to the shell. |
| US09964117B2 |
Compressor blade of a gas turbine
The present invention relates to a compressor blade of a gas turbine having an airfoil and a blade root, said blade root and airfoil being made in one piece from a fiber-composite material, as well as a leading edge protector made from a sheet metal material, characterized in that the airfoil is provided with a radial groove extending substantially over the entire length of the airfoil and that the leading edge protector is detachably clamped onto the airfoil and is fixed with a sheet metal flange in the radial groove of the airfoil. |
| US09964116B2 |
Inducer
The present invention relates to an inducer geometry which can optimize the behavior stability of cavitation in an inducer having a plurality of blades of the same geometry. In the inducer having a plurality of blades of the same geometry, a blade loading at a tip side in a front half of a blade is larger than that in a rear half of the blade; and when a blade angle from a circumferential direction of the inducer is expressed by βb (degree) and a meridional distance is expressed by m (mm), an increase rate dβb/dm of the blade angle at the tip side is not less than 0.2 from a blade leading edge to a non-dimensional meridional location of 0.15, and the increase rate dβb/dm of the blade angle at a mid-span is not less than 0.25 from the blade leading edge to the non-dimensional meridional location of 0.15. |
| US09964115B2 |
Fluid pump with a rotor
The invention relates to a fluid pump, in particular to a liquid pump having a rotor with at last one rotor blade for conveying the fluid, the rotor being variable with respect to its diameter between a first, compressed state and a second expanded state. In order to produce a simple compressibility and expandability of the rotor of the pump, it is provided according to the invention that at least one rotor blade is deformable between a first state which it assumes in the compressed state of the rotor and a second state which it assumes in the expanded state of the rotor by means of a fluid counterpressure during a rotation of the rotor during pump operation. |
| US09964113B2 |
Omnirise hydromag “variable speed magnetic coupling system for subsea pumps”
A unique low cost and efficient submersible, hermetically sealed, variable speed system intended to drive submersible boosting units. The system includes a unique combination of a liquid filled electrical motor connected to a hydraulic coupling and a magnetic coupling driver section, in a hermetically sealed container, with a magnetic coupling follower driving a booster unit. The system further includes integrated cooling, lubrication and control functionality. The drive unit has an actuating system connected to internal guide vanes which controls the liquid flow between the pump impeller and turbine wheel of the hydrodynamic coupling and hence the torque and speed. The combined system is a sealed seal-less and topside-less submersible drive unit that can operate in harsh subsea environments. The drive unit opens up for use of thin walled pressure casings and low pressure electrical penetrators. |
| US09964112B2 |
Molecular pump
A molecular pump includes a pump body provided with a turbo molecular pump portion, a control unit provided with a control portion and a power supply portion, and a cooling unit for cooling the pump body and the control unit. A first temperature detecting portion is provided in a first position, which is a position inside the control unit and has a low temperature. A second temperature detecting portion also serving as a humidity detecting portion is provided in a second position, which is a position inside the control unit and has a high temperature. The control portion controls the operation of the cooling unit in accordance with a relative humidity in the first position, calculated based on temperature information detected by the first temperature detecting portion and based on temperature information and humidity information detected by the second temperature detecting portion also serving as a humidity detecting portion. |
| US09964108B2 |
Variable displacement oil pump
A variable displacement oil pump is described. The oil pump has a pump body connected to an intake channel and to a delivery channel, a rotor capable of rotating inside the pump body about a rotation axis and provided with a plurality of vanes. The oil pump has an oscillating stator arranged in an eccentric position around the rotor and pivoted inside the pump body at a rotation pin. The oil pump has adjustment means for adjusting the displacement of the oil pump which acts on the oscillating stator to displace it with respect to the rotor and position it in at least one predetermined operative position. The adjustment means has first thrusting means configured to exert a first thrusting action on a first outer surface portion of the oscillating stator arranged on a substantially opposite side with respect to the rotation pin taking as a reference the rotor. |
| US09964101B2 |
Adjustable pumping apparatus
A pumping apparatus for pumping a liquid from a source to a target including a motor and pump driven by the motor. The pumping apparatus further includes a support frame, a swivel platform pivotably mounted on the support frame and a drive assembly connected with the support frame and the swivel platform for pivoting the swivel platform with respect to the support frame, wherein pivoting of the swivel platform by the drive assembly changes an angle defined between a longitudinal axis of the motor and a longitudinal axis of the pump piston, and wherein a spacer is provided for limiting the range of the angle. |
| US09964098B2 |
Method of controlling a wind turbine, and a wind turbine
The present invention relates to a method of controlling a wind turbine having at least one blade and a controller, including: detect location of foreign material adhered to the blade by sensors mounted on the blade and communicatively coupled to the controller; determine the resonance mode of the blade to be excited based on the location of the foreign material by the controller; and excite the blade to the resonance mode; wherein the resonance mode is one higher than the first order resonance mode. The present invention also relates to a wind turbine using the method. |
| US09964093B2 |
Two-dimensional igniter for testing in-cylinder gas velocity and/or gas composition
An igniter system for measuring gas velocity and/or gas composition within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The igniter has an insulator body and conductive shell around the top portion of the insulator body, configured so that the igniter can be installed in place of a conventional spark plug. The igniter has two pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes providing a spark gap and operable to generate a spark within the combustion chamber. An activation and measurement unit is operable to generate a sustained arc in each spark gap, and to measure the voltage, current and capacitance in a measurement circuit associated with each spark gap. From various electrical measurements, the velocity and composition of the gas in the combustion chamber can be determined. |
| US09964092B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
An ECU outputs an ignition signal and a discharge waveform control signal. An ignition device performs a closing operation of an ignition switching device while the ignition signal is input into the ignition device. The ignition device adjusts a current flowing through a primary coil to a discharge current command value determined based on the discharge waveform control signal, by performing an opening-closing operation of a control switching device in a period in which the discharge waveform control signal is input into the ignition device after an input of the ignition signal into the ignition device is stopped. The ECU sets the discharge current command value that is a command value for a discharge current of a spark plug to a higher value as a rotation speed is higher, and prolongs a duration, in which discharge controller controls the discharge current, as the rotation speed is lower. |
| US09964090B2 |
Control of a rolling stop-start vehicle engine
A vehicle includes electric brakes, an engine with a starter, a battery and a controller. The battery has a voltage and is configured to power the starter, the electric brakes, and the controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a speed of the vehicle falling within a specified range without propulsive demand and while the voltage is greater than an upper voltage that varies based on a charge needed to engage the brakes to stop the vehicle, stop the engine. |
| US09964086B2 |
Fuel injector and method
Embodiments may provide a fuel injector including a nozzle body having one or more nozzles, each capable of spraying a fuel from a respective spray position, and movable to change the spray position from a first position to a second position. An injector needle may be configured for axial movement relative to the nozzle body from an engaged position, to prevent flow through the one or more nozzles, to a disengaged position. The movement of the one or more nozzles from the first position to the second position and then back to the first position may substantially correspond with, and/or may be substantially be determined by, the relative axial movement between the injector needle and the nozzle body from the engaged position to the disengaged position and then back to the engaged position. |
| US09964085B2 |
Fuel injection device
A fuel injection device including an injector that injects fuel into a cylinder of an engine; a fuel injection amount obtaining unit that obtains a fuel injection amount of fuel injected by the injector; a heat generation amount obtaining unit that obtains a heat generation amount of the fuel injected by the injector and ignited; and a control unit that determines that injector abnormality occurs, when determining that a difference between a fuel injection amount obtained by the fuel injection amount obtaining unit and a reference fuel injection amount is within a predetermined range and that a heat generation amount obtained by the heat generation amount obtaining unit is greater than a reference heat generation amount corresponding to the reference fuel injection amount. Accordingly, whether or not injection hole corrosion occurs in the injector can be determined. |
| US09964083B2 |
Fuel injection system
A fuel injection system for a reciprocating engine, comprising injectors for injecting pressurized fuel into the cylinders of the engine, a high pressure pump for pressurizing fuel to be injected, a supply pipe for feeding fuel from the high pressure pump toward the injectors and feed pipes for feeding fuel from the supply pipe to the injectors. The first ends of the feed pipes are connected to the injectors and the second ends to the supply pipe. Each fuel injector is provided with a pressure accumulator. |
| US09964080B2 |
Method and system for vacuum generation using a throttle
Methods and systems are provided for a throttle plate and a vacuum consumption device. In one example, a method may include providing vacuum to a vacuum consumption device with a venturi passage inside a throttle. |
| US09964078B2 |
Air cleaner filter assembly for motor vehicles operating in extreme weather conditions
A filter assembly for a motor-vehicle air cleaner may include a main filter, an auxiliary filter set apart from the main filter, and a filter mount fixed to and supporting the main filter and the auxiliary filter. In an example embodiment, the filter mount is fittable in and removable from a housing of the air cleaner, and includes a sealing element passing between the main filter and the auxiliary filter. |
| US09964077B2 |
Helical tube EGR cooler
A heat exchanger for transferring heat between two fluids consists of a shell surrounding at least two tube bundles attached at both ends to a tube header. Each of the tube bundles is constructed from a plurality of individual tubes that are twisted into identical helixes formed about a common helical axis. Because each individual tube is formed in the shape of a helix, rather than as a straight tube, thermal elongation of the individual tubes results in a considerably reduced axial force on the tube attachments and tube header. Use of multiple tube bundles wound with opposite twist direction improves spacing efficiency between tubes. |
| US09964072B2 |
Pressure switch for thrust reverser control
A hydraulically controlled pressure switch, comprising a spool having an elongate body with a first end and a second end, and an intermediate part between the two ends; a target movably connected to the second end of the spool by means of a spring; means for detecting movement of the target and providing an indication of pressure acting on the spool based on the movement of the target; whereby the spool is configured to cause movement of the target against the force of the spring based on the level of pressure acting against the first end, towards the spring, and also the level of pressure at the intermediate part between the two ends. |
| US09964069B2 |
Exhaust nozzle control for a gas turbine engine
An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a duct having a first surface and a second surface extending about a duct axis to define an exhaust flow path, and at least one effector positioned along the first surface. The at least one effector is pivotable about an effector axis to vary a throat area of the exhaust flow path. The at least one effector tapers along the effector axis. A method of exhaust control for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. |
| US09964065B2 |
General purpose engine
A general purpose engine with a cleaning access window defined therein is in the form of an air cooled engine, having a cylinder unit made up of a cylinder and a cylinder head, and includes a housing for covering at least the cylinder unit and a cleaner covering removably fitted to the housing for covering the filter section of the air cleaner, the housing being formed with a blow window so as to confront gaps between a plurality of cooling fins provided in the cylinder unit, and the cleaner covering has a closing section defined therein for covering the blow window. |
| US09964061B2 |
Engine controlling apparatus
The engine controlling apparatus includes a selector and a changer. The selector selects one of a plurality of injection modes according to the operating condition of an engine, where injection rates of a plurality of injectors differ among the injection modes. The changer changes a map specifying a reference value of a detection signal detected by a first sensor according to the injection mode. |
| US09964057B2 |
Method and system for adjusting engine cylinder operation
Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing individual engine cylinders based on a turbocharger speed fluctuation of a turbocharger. In one embodiment, a method for an engine includes adjusting engine operation based on an indicated operating parameter of an individual engine cylinder, where the indicated operating parameter is based on at least one turbocharger speed fluctuation of a turbocharger correlated with crankshaft position. |
| US09964056B2 |
System and method for controlling exhaust emissions and specific fuel consumption of an engine
A method includes controlling an engine speed based on: intake manifold air temperature and/or intake manifold pressure one, or more, of the following data parameters: an engine load as a function of a fuel level, a fuel injecting timing, an intake oxygen concentration, a constituent concentration from the exhaust gas flow, an engine power, and an engine torque. The method also recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas flow to the combustion cylinders of the engine via a recirculation channel, as a function of intake manifold temperature and/or intake manifold pressure at which the engine is operated. An engine system, other methods, and a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program, to enable a processor-based control unit to control aspects of the engine are also disclosed. |
| US09964053B2 |
Combustion control device for gas engine
In an embodiment, a combustion control device for an engine includes: a knocking determination unit to determine occurrence of knocking of each of the cylinders; a knocking reduction unit to halt or reduce supply of gas to a cylinder in which the knocking is occurring and reduce supply of the gas to other cylinders in which the knocking is not occurring; a first recovery unit configured to recover a state where the gas is at least reduced in the cylinder in which the knocking is occurring; and a second recovery unit configured to recover a state where the gas is reduced in other cylinders within which knocking is not occurring. In embodiments, a recovery time of the first recovery unit is shorter than a recovery time of the second recovery unit, and prioritizing recovery of the cylinder in which the knocking is occurring. |
| US09964050B2 |
Method for controlling of valve timing of continuous variable valve duration engine
A method for controlling valve timing is provided for a turbo engine provided with a continuous variable valve duration (CVVD) device, a two stage variable valve duration device (VVD) and a continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) device. The method includes: classifying control regions; retarding an intake valve closing (IVC) timing and controlling an exhaust valve to limit a valve overlap in a first region; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and applying a long duration to the exhaust valve in a second region; applying the long duration to the exhaust valve and advancing the IVC timing in a third region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened, applying a short duration to the exhaust valve and retarding an exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing in a fourth region; and controlling the throttle valve to be fully, applying the long duration to the exhaust valve and retarding the IVC timing in a fifth region. |
| US09964049B2 |
Method and system for controlling continuously variable valve timing
A method for controlling continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), may include determining whether a CVVT control is started, detecting a position of a cam and a position of a crankshaft when the CVVT control is started, determining whether the cam is positioned at a locking position based on the positions of the cam and crankshaft, determining whether the cam is controlled to be positioned from the locking position to an advancing position or a holding position, when the cam is positioned at the locking position, and when the cam is controlled to be positioned from the locking position to the advancing position or the holding position and when a condition for performing the CVVT control is satisfied, determining whether a cam torque is negative and performing predetermined CVVT control after waiting a predetermined time when the cam torque is negative. |
| US09964038B2 |
Supersonic caret inlet system leading edge slat for improved inlet performance at off-design flight conditions
An engine inlet for efficient operation at both design Mach number and off-design Mach numbers with an inlet having a caret configuration with rotatably extending effective leading edges on the inlet from a retracted position aligned with a nominal Mach number shock wave to an extended position aligned with an off-design Mach number shock wave. |
| US09964037B2 |
Staged heat exchangers for multi-bypass stream gas turbine engines
A gas turbine bypass flow arrangement comprises an outer housing and an inner housing, an outer bypass duct defined between the outer housing and the inner housing and an inner bypass duct defined inwardly of the inner housing. A first heat exchanger is positioned at an upstream location within the outer bypass duct and a second heat exchanger is positioned within the inner bypass duct at an upstream location. A downstream heat exchanger is positioned to be in the path of air downstream of the second heat exchanger in the inner bypass duct. Air flowing across the downstream heat exchanger passes from the inner bypass duct into the outer bypass duct. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed. |
| US09964031B2 |
Hydraulic valve and piston rod with hydraulic valve
A hydraulic valve, in particular for shifting an actuation piston in a piston rod for an internal combustion engine with variable compression, the piston rod including a valve housing which includes a first operating connection and a second operating connection and a supply connection which is loadable with a hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic fluid, wherein a piston that is movably arranged in the valve housing is movable in a linear manner against a force of a preloaded spring, wherein the operating connections and the supply connection are sealable relative to each other and against an ambient atmosphere by seal elements upon correct installation in a valve receiving bore hole of the connecting rod, and wherein the seal elements are applicable against a wall of the valve receiving bore hole in a sealing manner due to the hydraulic pressure. |
| US09964030B1 |
Tethered piston engine
A system including a combustion engine is disclosed. The combustion engine includes a first cylinder orientated along a first axis. The combustion engine also includes a first piston, fitted within the first cylinder, to move in reciprocating motion by alternately moving in a first linear direction along the first axis responsive to a first power stroke or a second linear direction along the first axis responsive to a second power stroke. The combustion engine includes a tensile band affixed to a first end and a second end of the first piston. The first piston is to exert a first tensile force on the tensile band in the first linear direction in response to the first power stroke. The first piston is to exert a second tensile force on the tensile band in the second linear direction in response to the second power stroke. |
| US09964029B1 |
Alternator configurations for outboard motors
A marine engine has a cylinder block with first and second banks of piston-cylinders that are vertically aligned and extend transversely with respect to each other in a V-shape so as to define a valley there between. A crankshaft is caused to rotate by the first and second banks of piston-cylinders. A flywheel is coupled to the upper end of the crankshaft such that rotation of the crankshaft causes rotation of the flywheel. An alternator is located above the cylinder block and coupled to the flywheel such that rotation of the flywheel operates the alternator. |
| US09964026B2 |
Overrun air recirculation valve of an exhaust-gas turbocharger compressor
An overrun air recirculation valve 1 of an exhaust-gas turbocharger compressor 2, having a valve housing 3 which has an interior 4, having a diaphragm 5 which is guided in the interior 4 and which has an edge-side sealing means 6; and having a connecting means 7 provided on the valve housing 3, wherein the sealing means 6 is in the form of a sealing means which acts in the radial direction R of the diaphragm 5. |
| US09964020B2 |
Bleed valve assembly
Methods and systems are provided for a bleed valve assembly for an engine. In one example, a method (or system) may include a fastener comprising a threaded shank received within a bore of the engine, a bleed bore within the fastener, and a bleed plug including a threaded portion received within the bleed bore of the fastener. The bleed plug may include an internal passage extending from one end of the bleed plug and a side port in fluidic communication with the passage so that when the bleed plug is in an open position fluid from an engine fluid chamber may flow through the passage of the bleed plug and out of the port. |
| US09964018B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine and control method for internal combustion engine
When both a position sensor and a motor malfunction, an ECU limits the engine rotation speed to such a speed range that the pressure inside a circulation route remains at or below a predetermined value even when the opening degree of a control valve is a minimum opening degree. When the position sensor is malfunction but the motor is not malfunction, the ECU relaxes the limits on the engine rotation speed, compared with when both the position sensor and the motor are malfunction, by driving the motor to an end of a motion range thereof and increasing the opening degree of the control valve to an opening degree larger than the minimum opening degree. |
| US09964017B2 |
Particulate collection system and particulate collection apparatus
A particulate collection system collects particulates contained in exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine. The particulate collection system includes a first particulate collection filter; a second particulate collection filter capable of storing or radiating heat; a heating member for heating the second particulate collection filter; and a control section which selectively executes collection of particulates by the first particulate collection filter, collection of particulates by the first particulate collection filter and the second particulate collection filter, and heating of the second particulate collection filter by the heating member. |
| US09963999B2 |
Aircraft propulsion assembly
The disclosure relates to an aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a bypass turbojet engine equipped with a nacelle, the bypass turbojet engine including a structure defining a first part of a secondary flow path for channeling secondary flow, and the nacelle having a structure defining a second part of the secondary flow path. The structure of the nacelle defining the second part of the secondary flow path is arranged such that the first part and the second part of the secondary flow path are angularly offset around a longitudinal axis of the engine when the engine is shut down/stopped. |
| US09963996B2 |
Shroud cooling system for shrouds adjacent to airfoils within gas turbine engines
A shroud cooling system configured to cool a shroud adjacent to an airfoil within a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The turbine engine shroud may be formed from shroud segments that include a plurality of cooling air supply channels extending through a forward shroud support for impingement of cooling air onto an outer radial surface of the shroud segment with respect to the inner turbine section of the turbine engine. The channels may extend at various angles to increase cooling efficiency. The backside surface may also include various cooling enhancement components configured to assist in directing, dispersing, concentrating, or distributing cooling air impinged thereon from the channels to provide enhanced cooling at the backside surface. The shroud cooling system may be used to slow down the thermal response by isolating a turbine vane carrier from the cooling fluids while still providing efficient cooling to the shroud. |
| US09963994B2 |
Method and apparatus for clearance control utilizing fuel heating
A clearance control apparatus providing compressed cooling air to a turbine casing in a gas turbine, the apparatus including: a cooling gas passage extending through an inner annular shell of the turbine casing; a cooling gas conduit connected to a compressor of the gas turbine and to the turbine casing, wherein the cooling gas conduit receives compressed air from the compressor and delivers the compressed air to the turbine casing, and wherein the cooling gas conduit is in fluid communication with the cooling gas passage, and a heat exchanger connected to the cooling gas conduit and to a fuel conduit delivering fuel to a combustor of the gas turbine, wherein the heat exchanger transfers heat from the cooling gas to the fuel. |
| US09963991B2 |
Brush seal plate
A brush seal plate may comprise a flat ring with bristles protruding from an inner diameter of the flat ring. The brush seal plate may have a racetrack slot to allow the flat ring to move in a radial direction relative to a retention pin. The bristles may protrude from the inner diameter of the flat ring at an angle. A slot may be formed through the flat ring, and the slot may be angled. The flat ring may be circumferentially discontinuous. The flat ring may further comprise a retention opening configured to fix the flat ring in place relative to a retention pin. |
| US09963987B2 |
Fully integrated air guide element
An air guide element of an aircraft gas turbine, including an external housing that is provided with an inflow opening, as well as with a flow channel that is arranged inside the housing, characterized in that a tubular intermediate element that is made of an elastic material is arranged inside the inflow opening, connecting the inflow opening to the flow channel in a sealing and position-adjusting manner. |
| US09963983B2 |
Turbocharger
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having a housing, an impeller arranged in the housing interior having an impeller shaft and being mounted in a bearing block, and an intermediate element between the impeller and the bearing block. The housing includes at least one flow channel for feeding or discharging a fluid to or from the impeller, and the intermediate element includes a wall section that delimits a least a section of at least one of the flow channels. |
| US09963981B2 |
Pitch change mechanism for shrouded fan with low fan pressure ratio
A shrouded fan assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a central hub and a plurality of variable-pitch fan blades coupled to and extending radially outward from the central hub. Each variable-pitch fan blade includes a radially outer tip is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. A shroud is coupled to each radially outer tip. |
| US09963978B2 |
3D thermoplastic composite pultrusion system and method
A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system, comprises one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines; a CNC control system controlling the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to form a heated prepreg thermoplastic composite material into a 3D thermoplastic composite pultrusion, the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines include a plurality of motion control CNC rotational motors and CNC actuators operatively coupled to the motion control CNC rotational motors, a flexible chilled band shapeable by the CNC actuators to form the heated prepreg thermoplastic composite material into the thermoplastic composite pultrusion, and bearings that the motion control CNC rotational motors pivot the actuators about and hold the actuators in position during a consolidation process. |
| US09963973B2 |
Blading
A blading for a turbomachine, particularly for a gas turbine, wherein thickened areas and depressions are formed and disposed on a lateral wall having a plurality of blades such that at least one depression or thickened area is disposed at a blade pressure side and at least one thickened area or depression is disposed at a blade suction side for each blade of the plurality of blades. |
| US09963972B2 |
Mixing plenum for spoked rotors
A gas turbine engine may comprise a first rotor with a primary flowpath along an outer diameter of the first rotor. A secondary flowpath may be radially inward from the primary flowpath. The secondary flowpath may pass through an opening through the first rotor. A blade may be disposed on a distal end of the first rotor. The blade may extend into the primary flowpath. A bleed tube may be in a wall of the primary flowpath and forward of the blade. The bleed tube may extend radially inward from the primary flowpath. The bleed tube may fluidly connect to the opening through the first rotor. A plenum may be aft of the blade and radially inward from the primary flowpath. The plenum may be fluidly connected to the opening through the first rotor. A second rotor may be aft of the plenum. |
| US09963971B2 |
Method for creating a metal reinforcement with insert for protecting a leading edge made of composite
A method for producing a metal reinforcement for protecting a leading edge of a compressor blade of composite, including: creating a core that has a shape of an internal cavity of the reinforcement; creating an insert made of an alloy of a hardness greater than that of the reinforcement; shaping sheet metal by stamping with the creation, upstream of the core, a cavity between the metal sheets, which cavity is configured to accept the insert, positioning the sheets around the core with the insert placed in the cavity and securing the assembly together; creating a vacuum and closing the assembly by welding; consolidation by hot isostatic pressing; cutting the assembly to extract the core and separate the reinforcement; creating an external profile of the reinforcement by a final machining operation that reveals a material of the insert. |
| US09963967B2 |
Axial piston machine utilizing a bent-axis construction with a drive joint for driving the cylinder barrel
A hydrostatic axial piston machine (1) utilizing a bent-axis construction has a drive shaft (4) with a drive flange (3) rotatable around an axis of rotation (Rt) inside a housing (2). A cylinder barrel (7) is located inside the housing (2) and is rotatable around an axis of rotation (RZ). A drive joint (30) is located between the drive shaft (4) and the cylinder barrel (7). The drive joint (30) has at least one drive body (M1; M2; M3; M4) in the form of a slider or a roller body which is supported in the drive shaft (4) and the cylinder barrel (7). A lubrication device (80) is provided for the drive joint (30) and supplies lubricant from a lubricant port (81) located on the housing (2) of the axial piston machine (1) to the drive bodies (M1; M2; M3; M4) for cooling and lubrication of the drive bodies (M1; M2; M3; M4). |
| US09963966B2 |
Advancing ram pin retention device
A pin retaining assembly for an advancing ram includes a retention plate and a retainer. The retention plate includes two oppositely facing surfaces and a channel with a notch between the two surfaces. The retainer includes a main body, a pin receiving slot, and at least two flanges. The main body is configured to slide into the notch of the channel and extend through a surface of the retention plate. The pin receiving slot has an open mouth through an end of the main body. A first flange extends from one end of the main body along a surface of retention plate and a second flange extends from another end of the main body along another surface of retention plate. The flanges retain the main body of the retainer in the first notch from moving in a direction defined by a longitudinal axis of the pin receiving slot. |
| US09963965B2 |
Methods and systems for telemetry over a drill string using concurrent acoustic sub-bands
A method for transmitting data in a frequency selective communication channel in provided. The method comprises: parsing data to be transmitted into a plurality of data fields; assigning the data from each data field into a corresponding one of a plurality of sub-channels; modulating the data from each of the plurality of sub-channels into a corresponding one of a plurality of sub-bands, the plurality of sub-bands having spaced apart center frequencies; and concurrently transmitting the data from the plurality of sub-bands onto the channel. |
| US09963962B2 |
Method and apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment
A fluid treatment method includes positioning a tubing string in a non-vertical borehole section, and applying a sliding-sleeve-actuating fluid pressure within the tubing string's inner bore such that a first sliding sleeve moves from a position in which a first port is covered to another position in which the first port is exposed to the inner bore. The method further includes pumping fluid through the first port. The method also includes conveying first and second fluid conveyed sealing devices through the inner bore such that the first and second fluid conveyed sealing device seal against the seats of second and third sliding sleeves, respectively, thereby moving the second and third sliding sleeves to open port positions exposing second and third ports, respectively. The method also includes pumping fluid through the second and third ports to treat first and second portions of the formation, respectively. |
| US09963960B2 |
Systems and methods for stimulating a multi-zone subterranean formation
Methods for stimulating a subterranean formation comprising providing a stimulating fluid stream to a casing conduit that is defined by a production casing that extends within the subterranean formation to increase a fluid pressure within the casing conduit. The methods further include locating an isolation device on an isolation sleeve to fluidly isolate a downhole portion of the casing conduit from an uphole portion of the casing conduit and opening an injection port that is associated with the isolation sleeve to permit an injection port fluid flow into the subterranean formation. The methods also include sealing the injection port and creating an uphole perforation in the uphole longitudinal section of the production casing responsive to the fluid pressure exceeding the threshold perforating pressure. |
| US09963956B2 |
Modular mobile flow meter system
A technique facilitates evaluation of a fluid, such as a fluid produced from a well. The technique utilizes a modular and mobile system for testing flows of fluid which may comprise mixtures of constituents. A modular flow meter system comprises a plurality of modules which each have a multiphase flow meter coupled into a flow circuit. The flow circuits of the plurality of modules are selectively connectable to each other via flow connectors. Additionally, portions of the flow circuits may be selectively opened and closed to enable controlled routing of the fluid being tested through the desired multiphase flow meter or meters. |
| US09963953B2 |
Ball check valve integration to ICD
A production sleeve assembly for use downhole includes a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular through a chamber, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, and a valve disposed in series with the flow restriction in the fluid pathway. The valve comprises a rupture disk, and a plug releasably engaged in the chamber in series with the rupture disk. The valve is configured to allow production from the exterior of the wellbore tubular to the interior of the wellbore tubular through the chamber once the rupture disk is actuated, and the valve is configured to release the plug from the chamber when the rupture disk is actuated and the pressure within the exterior of the wellbore tubular is greater than the pressure within the interior of the wellbore tubular. |
| US09963952B2 |
Annular barrier with a seal
A downhole annular barrier with an axial extension having an outer surface facing an inner surface of an outer structure has a tubular part, an expandable part, and at least one annular sealing element. The annular sealing element is connected with the expandable part and has an axial length along the axial extension of the downhole annular barrier which is less than 50% of a length of the downhole annular barrier along the axial extension of the downhole annular barrier. The annular sealing element has a spring element. |
| US09963948B2 |
On-demand release tool system and methodology
A technique facilitates on-demand release of desired sections of a well string, e.g. sections of a perforating gun string, via at least one on-demand release tool. The on-demand release tool has an activation mechanism which may be selectively actuated to transition the on-demand release tool from a first loadbearing configuration to a second loadbearing configuration. The on-demand release tool may then be transitioned to a release stage which allows a first section of the on-demand release tool to be separated from a second section of the on-demand release tool by activating a release mechanism. In at least some applications, the on-demand release tool also comprises a ballistic transfer device to enable reliable ballistic transfer between sections of the perforating gun string. |
| US09963947B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling pressure in a borehole
There is described a technique for drilling and controlling the fluid pressure of a borehole (2, 102) during drilling of the borehole. In embodiments of the invention, drill pipe (5) may be arranged in said borehole, the pipe being configured to provide drilling fluid in the borehole. Sealing means (14, 18, 114, 118) may be provided and arranged to sealingly abut an outer surface of the drill pipe to separate said drilling fluid in the borehole on a first side of the sealing means from a column of fluid on a second side of the sealing means. Furthermore, a subsea pump arrangement (12, 112) may be arranged under a sea surface where it receives a flow of said drilling fluid from the borehole. The pump arrangement can operate to pump drilling fluid out of the pump arrangement, and generate a fluid pressure in said drilling fluid at a location upstream of the pump arrangement, said generated pressure being less than or equal to the hydrostatic pressure of said column of fluid on said second side of the sealing means. |
| US09963944B2 |
Hybrid tensioning of riser string operating with energy storage device
An enhanced riser control system may employ electrical tensioners coupled to a drilling riser by wires. The electrical tensioners may provide quick response to a tension controller to handle positioning of the drilling riser. The electrical tensioners of the enhanced riser control system may be combined with hydro-pneumatic tensioners in a riser hybrid tensioning system. A controller within the enhanced riser control system may be configured to distribute tension to electrical tensioners and to control electrical tensioners to adjust the length of the first and second wires. Energy from an electrical tensioner may be transferred to an energy storage system or to power dissipaters for dissipating the energy generated by the electrical tensioner. The energy transferred from an electrical tensioner may be energy that has been generated by the electrical tensioner. |
| US09963942B2 |
Centralizer
A centralizer includes a centralizer body to be situated at the outer surface of a pipe string in the form of casing, liner, or the like used while drilling, the centralizer body being formed with a plurality of outer centralizer blades arranged in an inclined manner to the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the centralizer body has an separate split inner tube secured to the pipe string by means of a press fit, and low friction inner surface of the centralizer body and separate center tube facing each other are made from low friction material. |
| US09963937B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling downhole rotational rate of a drilling tool
A downhole rotational rate control apparatus is disclosed, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, and includes a progressive cavity (PC) pump or motor, multiple fluid flow paths, and a flow control valve for controlling fluid flow in the flow paths. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the PC pump or motor and, in turn, the PC pump or motor speed is controlled by the flow control valve. The control valve can be actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in an electronics section. The PC pump or motor drives a controlled downhole device at a specific zero or non-zero rotational rate. By varying the rotational rate of the PC pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner. |
| US09963930B1 |
High security anti-splash system cuffing box
A high security anti-splash cuffing box system is provided for enabling articles to pass through the access opening of a high security door or wall and for the safe hand cuffing of prisoners or detainees by personnel outside the cell. The system embodies a door frame assembly providing a sliding door movable between a locked engagement and an unlocked disengagement in a closed and an open condition relative to the access opening, while providing anti-slam functionality. A cuffing box providing an enclosure with 280-degree visibility is detachably connectable and securely engageable to the door frame assembly. |
| US09963928B2 |
System for construction of a habitable room
Disclosed is a system for constructing a habitable room or the like including at least one door, walls, and door mount to pivot relative to the two walls about an axis in such a manner as to be suitable for occupying at least two positions, namely a “closed” position in which the door is contained in the plane of the first wall, and an “open” position in which the door is not. The system includes a through opening and a setback each presenting a shape substantially complementary to the door and made respectively in the first and second walls, and together having a common zone, with the axis in the zone, and arranged in such a manner that, on pivoting about the axis, the door in its first position it is integrated in the opening, and when it is in its second position, it is contained in the setback. |
| US09963918B2 |
Humanized convenient door lock
A humanized convenient door lock includes a lock housing, a latch, a security hook, an outside handle operation mechanism, an inside handle operation mechanism, a cylinder driving mechanism, and an inside deadlocking rotary knob driving mechanism. The inside handle operation mechanism drives and controls the latch, the security hook, and the inside deadlocking rotary knob driving mechanism. To open the door, it only needs a one-time operation by pressing down a handle, thereby providing ease and convenience. The design is a humanized one, making it particularly suit for the needs of the disabled and the elderly and for urgent door opening. |
| US09963916B2 |
Security anchor
The present anchor device provides a support for holding a security anchor within a hole, such as a grommet hole, formed through a work surface, such as a table top, a shelf, or other board or sheet. The security anchor has a loop for attaching a lock or receiving a cable lock wrapped about the loop and a cross member to prevent the withdrawal of the security anchor from the grommet hole. The anchor device has a cross member optionally with a dipped portion that supports the loop of the security anchor. The present support device prevents the security anchor from falling down through the hole, while holding the loop of the security anchor just within the hole and within easy grasp of the user. |
| US09963915B1 |
Switch cable lock and method of use
Disclosed is a cable lock particularly configured for securing the cover of a control switch, such as a fluid flow or pressure switch used in industrial pressurized air and water delivery systems that include a fluid line tap, a base, a flow or pressure switch mounted on the base, and a switch cover removably attached to the base and covering the switch. The cable lock is specially configured with a first loop portion that wraps around the fluid line tap, and a second loop portion attached to the first loop portion and positioned at approximately 90° to the first loop portion that wraps around the switch cover so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the cover and unauthorized access to the switch. |
| US09963912B2 |
Self-locking door and product dispensing enclosure having a self-locking door
Provided herein is an inventory management system for dispensing products from an enclosure, methods of securing products within the enclosure, use of the enclosure and for maintaining inventory. The inventory management system may include an enclosure having a self-locking door. The self locking door may include a door, a lock located on the door, a strike plate, wherein the strike plate controls the lock, and a sensor configured to detect the presence of a user and wherein the sensor controls the lock. |
| US09963911B1 |
Padlock for ammunition cases and method of use
A padlock having a locking mechanism that can be unlocked using a thumbwheel, by a traveler, or by secured key, by a TSA or government agent. The Padlock has a timer that prevents the lock from unlocking for a set period of time. The padlock also has a switch that activates the activation of the timer. The activation of the timer activates the timer so that the lock cannot be unlocked until the following sequence is completed: first the padlock unlocking mechanism is activated by dialing the correct code on the thumbwheel of the padlock and thereby starting a set time period for the automatic release of the padlock and second by the lock automatically unlocking after the set period expiring. The padlock also has a bypass mechanism that bypasses the timer sequence and thereby unlocks the lock. The padlock may also have at least one light that notifies a handler of the padlock of the activation of the timer and/or the release of the padlock. The padlock may also have a stopwatch that displays the period of time left before the padlock is unlocked. |
| US09963909B2 |
Electronic key for vehicle
An electronic key for a vehicle includes an upper case component of a key case, a lower case component attachable to the upper case component, and a mechanical key that is selected from among a first mechanical key that is used in a state of being totally removed from the key case and a second mechanical key that is used in a protruding state of partially protruding from the key case. The lower case component is selected, so as to correspond to the mechanical key, from among a first lower case component that accommodates the first mechanical key to be removable and a second lower case component that accommodates the second mechanical key to be movable into the protruding state. |
| US09963907B2 |
Inner body fixing device of door lock
Provided is an inner body fixing device of a door lock. The inner body fixing device includes a first fixing part fixed on a surface of a door; a third fixing part coupled to the first fixing part; and a second fixing part provided between the first fixing part and the third fixing part and coupled to an inner body of the door, wherein a first coupling part of the first fixing part and a second coupling part of the third fixing part are configured to couple to each other, and the third fixing part is coupled to the second fixing part by a fixing member. |
| US09963904B1 |
Privacy strips/ privacy tips
An apparatus to fill vertical gaps between pickets. The apparatus comprising a privacy strip and a privacy tip. The privacy strip configured to occupy the vertical gaps found between at least two parallel and vertical pickets between the top stringer and the bottom stringer. The privacy tip configured to occupy the vertical gaps created above the top stringer and between at least two parallel and vertical pickets. The privacy strip is integrated into the privacy fence by inserting a first side of the privacy strip into the top of the bottom stringer, bending out, and then inserting the second side of the privacy strip into the bottom of the top stringer. The privacy tip is integrated into the privacy fence by sticking a first wedge side into the top stringer. |
| US09963900B2 |
Slide platform
A sliding platform system for moving a vehicle parked on a platform, the sliding platform system including at least one rail and at least one vehicle platform slidably movable upon the at least one rail, a chain drive assembly comprising a chain, motor and sprockets, a chain guide channel positioned adjacent the at least one rail, and at least one latching mechanism mounted to the platform and slidably engaged in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain drive assembly is operably coupled to the latching mechanism and wherein a portion of the chain is positioned in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain guide channel includes at least one detent operable to engage the latching mechanism when the latching mechanism is positioned in alignment with the detent and to disengage the chain from a chain engagement element in the latching mechanism. The chain drive assembly is operable to move one or more platforms along the rail to pre-selected positions. The system may include a latch set device operable to move the latch mechanism to an engaged state with the chain. |
| US09963898B2 |
Underwater cleaning robot
The present application discloses an underwater cleaning robot, which includes a chassis provided with a plurality of driving wheels. The chassis includes a primary suction port and a pump assembly. The primary suction port is provided with a channel which passes through the chassis. The chassis is connected to the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly includes a secondary pump port and a secondary suction port. The pump includes a primary pump port which is connected to the pump impeller. The secondary pump port is connected to the primary pump port. The secondary suction port is connected to the primary suction port. When assembling, the secondary suction port on the filtering assembly is in line with the primary suction port, and the secondary pump port is connected to the primary pump port. Finally, the filtering assembly is snapped into the chassis. |
| US09963897B2 |
Power lead for swimming pool cleaning robot
The invention relates to a power lead for a swimming pool cleaning robot. Said power lead comprises a rotary connector and a buoyancy means supporting said rotary connector. An upper part of said buoyancy means is a cap shaped to slide under a swimming pool cover, under the effect of a traction exerted by the swimming pool cleaning robot on the buoyancy means through the power lead. |
| US09963895B2 |
Concentric helical coil key separator device and attachment therefor
A separator device for separating coils of a heat exchanger assembly has a top surface opposite a bottom surface, and an inner portion opposite an outer portion. The inner portion and the outer portion extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. The separator device further includes a pair of sides extending between the inner portion and the outer portion, each of the sides defining a concave curve having an apex. A lug is provided to connect the apex of each concave curve. At least one ramp is defined on the top surface and/or the bottom surface, extending from the inner portion toward the lug. The lug is arcuately shaped to project away from the top surface and the bottom surface and is shaped to correspond to a gap between adjacent coils of the heat exchanger assembly. |
| US09963888B2 |
Work platform for coiled-tubing downhole operations
A work platform for coiled-tubing downhole operations apparatus and method, for safe, efficient, and relatively inexpensive extended access to the elevated top of the section of riser pipe necessary for the use of coiled tubing for downhole operations such as drilling, production, intervention, logging, work-over, and fracturing the reservoir. The access is achieved by providing a shell-like riser-pipe sleeve which attaches securely, but removably, to the top section of riser pipe itself, in such a way that balanced support is obtained without placing dangerous strain on the riser pipe, and by providing a shell-like platform securely, but removably, connected to and supported by the riser-pipe sleeve, which in turn is supported by the riser pipe itself. |
| US09963882B2 |
Manually operated snow removal device for roofs and other generally flat areas
A manually operated snow removal device designed for generally flat surfaces such as roofs includes a box-shaped device having a scalloped or undulating front and rear edge to cut through the snow; a leading bottom edge which protrudes from the box-shaped device to prevent the device from falling off roofs and a load belt made of a length of HPDE material for transporting the snow loaded on the load belt. A telescopic pole attaches to the device and allows the operator to remove approximately 10 square feet of snow and subsequently moved that snow to a desired location on the roof. The operator than moves the device such that the load belt folds over the edge of the roof dumping the snow in a desired location. |
| US09963880B2 |
Membrane roofing
A foam roofing underlayment is provided with a reinforcement membrane having an array of fastener elements for engaging fastener elements on a flexible roof membrane. The underlayment is formed by molding foam between the reinforcement membrane and a carrier membrane. The underlayment in secured to the roof using washers having fastener elements for engaging the fastener elements of the flexible roof membrane. An anti-peel flap with fastener elements is provided around the periphery of the washers. A slip sheet is used between the underlayment and the flexible roof membrane to permit accurate positioning of the flexible roof membrane prior to engagement of the fastener elements. The interstices between the fastener elements provide lateral moisture paths to vents in the flexible roof membrane. |
| US09963877B2 |
Modular prismatic box-like structure-based building method and infrastructure
A green or sustainable building infrastructure comprising conjoining modular building segments. The purpose of the invention is to increase the precision, quality, and timing of building projects by allowing modular building segments to be constructed in an off-site controlled environment, transported, and quickly assembled on site. The conjoining modular building segments are prismatic box-like structures conjoined in a variety of configurations, each having at least three walls. The prismatic box-like structures are arranged and attached horizontally to create ceilings and floors, and they are arranged and attached vertically to create walls for the infrastructure. Some of the walls may be removed and the space inside each prismatic box-like structure is available for storage. The prismatic box-like structures may have certain dimensions, comprise specific materials, or be constructed or conjoined in specific ways. |
| US09963872B2 |
Expansion joint system
An expansion joint system includes: a core; and a layer of an elastomer disposed on the core. The core and the layer of elastomer disposed thereon form an elongated section, the elongated section configured to be oriented vertically between substantially coplanar substrates. The expansion joint system further includes a termination section located at one end of the elongated section and comprising a flared end forming an angle with the elongated section and configured to direct fluid and/or particles and/or solvents away from the expansion joint system. |
| US09963870B2 |
Structural crack repair apparatus and method
A structural crack repair apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one staple having an elongated torque plate, a pair of reinforcing rods and a pair of rotatable cam members provided on the torque plate and engaging the respective cam members. According to the method, the reinforcing rods are inserted in rod apertures provided in the surface on opposite sides of the crack. The cam members are selectively rotated to cause radial displacement of the reinforcing rods with respect to a geometric center of the cam members to cause tight engagement of the reinforcing rods with the interiors of the rod apertures. |
| US09963869B1 |
Reversible adjustable bracket assembly for glass panel
A reversible adjustable bracket assembly for supporting an edge of a panel relative to a surface is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket, a reversible bracket member, an interior mounting bracket, and a panel bracket. The mounting bracket is configured for mounting on the surface and includes at least two fastening screw receiving holes. The bracket member has an extension arm extending perpendicularly from an elongated, narrowed proximal end to a mounting arm at a distal end thereof. The mounting arm defines at least two fastening screw receiving holes on a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface thereof such that the bracket member body is configured to be reversible for mounting to the mounting bracket in at least one of a left-hand and right-hand installation thereof. The interior mounting bracket is configured for mounting to an inner side of the mounting bracket body and the first surface or the oppositely disposed second surface of the mounting arm and defines at least two fastening screw holes and at least two adjustment screw holes therethrough. Fastening screws extend through each fastening screw hole and are received in a respective fastening screw hole. An adjustment screw is positioned in each adjustment screw hole and is threadably adjustable to contact the mounting bracket body and adjust the angular relationship between the bracket member and the mounting bracket. A panel bracket is configured to support the edge of the panel at a proximate end of the extension arm. |
| US09963865B2 |
Water inlet filter system
A storm water inlet filter system is disclosed which comprises at least two, but preferably three, distinct filter layers. The storm water inlet filter system uses a nested basket structure in which one filter basket fits within another. Preferably a piece of disposable filter media is placed within the internal basket. Polluted water flows first into the inner basket, and onto the disposable filter media. Overflowing water passes into the outermost basket which can remove debris. The storm water inlet filter system can be used with many existing drainage systems, and can be cleaned and the disposable filter media replaced without the use of specialized equipment or training. |
| US09963863B2 |
Plumbing control system, method, and apparatus and preventing repeated use of an appliance with feedback
Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation. |
| US09963862B2 |
Elastic membrane strainer for a drain
The present disclosure includes a drain strainer with a central longitudinal axis. A rigid base includes a radially outer base periphery, a radially inner base periphery, and upper and lower surfaces therebetween, and extending in a base plane transverse to the axis. A flexible, elastic membrane is coupled to the rigid base, and includes a perforate web extending in a membrane plane transverse to the axis. Also disclosed is a sink including the strainer. |
| US09963857B2 |
Wear members for excavation implements
A wear member attachment system for an excavation implement lip can include a wear member that protects an edge of the lip, and a wear member adapter that attaches the wear member to the lip, the wear member adapter being secured to the lip by a fastener, and the wear member being secured to the wear member adapter by another fastener. A method of protecting an excavation implement lip can include securing a wear member adapter to the implement, the wear member adapter including at least one receptacle, and inserting a protrusion on a wear member into the receptacle. Another system can include a wear member that protects a forward edge of a lip, and a wear member adapter that attaches the wear member to the lip between two adjacent teeth. The wear member can comprise a shroud and the adapter can wrap about an edge of the lip. |
| US09963856B2 |
Hydraulic drive system for construction machine
An object to achieve favorable operability, in a combined operation that involves a specific actuator and involves a great difference in load pressure and when an operation of an operating unit for the specific actuator is a fine operation, by reducing energy consumption arising from wasted restricting pressure loss of a pressure compensating valve and by flexibly varying a flow rate of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the specific actuator depending on the load pressure. To achieve this object, a boom cylinder (3a) is provided with an open center type flow control valve (6a) that controls a hydraulic fluid from a main pump (202) and a closed center type flow control valve (6i) that controls a hydraulic fluid from a main pump (102). The main pump (102) is subject to load sensing control. The flow control valve (6a) is opened to control a supply flow rate up to an intermediate zone of an operating range of an operating unit for the boom cylinder (3a). Both the flow control valves (6a) and (6i) are opened to control the supply flow rate after the intermediate zone. |
| US09963851B2 |
Underground access covers and methods of assembling the same
An underground access cover includes a substantially non-metallic base having a diameter. The underground access cover also includes a substantially non-metallic cap coupled to the base. The cap has a diameter that is longer than the diameter of the base such that the cap extends radially outward from the base to define a flange of the cover. |
| US09963848B2 |
Method of containing a spill in an aqueous environment and/or a spill containment apparatus
A method of containing a spill in an aqueous environment, comprises the steps of: placing a polymeric pipe under the surface level of the aqueous environment in the vicinity of a site of potential spillage; and raising the pipe from under the surface level to a containment level; wherein the pipe forms, when raised, at least a partial boundary around the spill for containing the spill. |
| US09963835B2 |
Synthetic turf having a cooling layer
The present invention describes a synthetic turf having super absorbent materials in order to keep the synthetic turf cooler than conventional synthetic turfs. The present invention also provides for synthetic turf infill cooling particles comprising a layer of water-absorbing material coating a foundation comprising a core substrate. In one embodiment, the cooling particle is comprised of a core particle or substrate, which is coated with a water-absorbing material. In one embodiment, the water-absorbing material is a super absorbent polymer. |
| US09963834B2 |
Monolithic paver
Various monolithic pavers are one-piece pavers with no seams, joints, or connections. A monolithic paver can be formed via three dimensional (3D) printing or molding. The monolithic paver is designed to carry applied loads to paver support(s) via structural members of the monolithic paver. The monolithic paver is formed to include parallel structural members that are spaced with gaps there between. The parallel structural members include top flanges and webs. The parallel structural members can also include bottom flanges. Moreover, the monolithic paver can have exterior sides that have tongues and grooves formed there along; tongues can be formed along adjoining exterior sides of the monolithic paver. |
| US09963833B2 |
Rail crossing designed for crossing a guide rail with a second rail
The invention concerns a rail crossing device designed for crossing a first rail embedded in a road surface with a guide rail, embedded in the road surface. It comprises at least one extensible portion provided in the guide rail and at least one mechanism designed for lengthwise extension and contraction of the extensible portion. This mechanism is designed to extend and contract the extensible portion in a lengthwise direction, defining a contracted position in which one end of the guide rail is separated from the first rail to allow a vehicle or any other movable device to travel along this rail, and an extended position in which said end of the guide rail is moved towards the first rail in order to guide a vehicle onto the guide rail. |
| US09963829B2 |
Extracellular polymers from granular sludge as sizing agents
An invention in the field of papermaking that relates in particular to sizing paper. Problems with state of the art methods are that the sizing chemicals used are typically expensive; may be available only in limited supply; are produced using methods that are damaging to the environment; and whose production is far from carbon-neutral. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the methods of the prior art and to overcome one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages. |
| US09963828B2 |
Apparatus, system, and process for determining characteristics of a surface of a papermaking fabric
A system for forming a print of a surface of a fabric. The system includes a first plate, a second plate, a pressure measurement film, and a fabric that can be used in a papermaking process. The fabric includes a plurality of knuckles on at least one of its surfaces. A print of the knuckles of the fabric is formed on the pressure measurement film by pressing the fabric against the pressure measurement film between the first plate and the second plate. |
| US09963825B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming a continuous web of fibers
A vacuum draw apparatus for preparing a fiber and/or particle web comprising a means for drawing a vacuum on a mass of fibers and/or particles, said vacuum draw means having an opening for applying a vacuum to said mass of fibers and/or particles, an access gate having a patterned opening located between the mass of fibers and/or particles and opening of said vacuum means, and means for moving said access gate, whereby the vacuum draw system will provide an oscillating pull on a mass of fibers and/or particles to work said mass to redistribute and/or further consolidate the fibers and/or particles. |
| US09963824B2 |
Methods for deinking wastepaper by combined use of cutinase and chemical reagents
The present invention provides methods for deinking wastepaper by combined use of cutinase and chemical reagents, which relates to the field of enzyme engineering. The method comprises the following steps: pulp preparation, enzymatic hydrolysis, pulp washing and dewatering, and flotation. The enzyme for enzymatic hydrolysis is cutinase at a concentration of 10-20 U/g absolute dry pulp; and 0.5-4% Na2SiO3, 0.1-0.8% MgSO4, 0.1-0.8% EDTA, 0.1-4% H2O2 are used in the chemical treatment. With combined use of enzymatic and chemical treatment, the present invention has solved the problem of the current enzymatic method for deinking that requires large dosage of enzymes and thus high cost. Through proper choice of the kind and the amount of chemical reagents, synergistic effects of the enzymatic and chemical treatment can be achieved, thus increasing the effectiveness of the deinking process. In addition, this method does not require alkaline chemicals, which alleviates the problem of sewage treatment associated with conventional deinking methods. |
| US09963817B2 |
Vibration isolator
A vibration isolator suitable for isolating and/or dampening vibrations generated in a vibrating machinery component such as a motor or pump so as to minimise the unwanted effects (such as audible secondary sounds) of those vibrations. The isolator may be installed in a home appliance such as a laundry washing machine and may be a separate, unitary component installed between a motor/pump and the structure of the laundry machine or may be installed between a mounting bracket of the motor/pump and the laundry machine. Alternatively, the isolator may be integrally formed with a pump/motor mounting bracket, on upper and/or lower surfaces of a mounting flange. The isolator is preferably formed from a substantially incompressible material and in one preferred embodiment has a washer-like form with a central opening at least partially surrounded by a tubular ridge with a plurality of radial projections extending outwardly and/or inwardly from outer/inner surface(s) of the tubular ridge. |
| US09963816B2 |
Clothes treating apparatus and method for manufacturing a clothes treating apparatus
A clothes treating apparatus and a method for manufacturing a clothes treating apparatus are provided. The clothes treating apparatus may include a cabinet, a tub disposed in the cabinet, a drum rotatably accommodated in the tub, a support having a first side connected to a rear side of the tub and a second side that extends in a downward direction and then is bent in a upward direction, a damper having a lower end connected to a bottom surface of the cabinet, and a damper holder installed between the damper and the support, and configured to connect the damper to the support. The support may be disposed such that a height of a lowest end thereof is lower than a height of a coupling shaft of the damper coupled to the damper holder. With such a configuration, the damper may be easily coupled to the support regardless of a position of the lowest end of the support. |
| US09963815B2 |
Vulcanized anti-vibration rubber
An anti-vibration rubber of the present invention is an anti-vibration rubber for washing machines. In temperature variance measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity at a frequency of 10 Hz, the anti-vibration rubber has a maximum loss factor at a temperature of 0° C. to 40° C., both inclusive, and has a loss factor of 0.5 or more in the entire temperature range of 0° C. to 40° C., both inclusive, at the frequency of 10 Hz. |
| US09963814B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine including a casing, an outer tub, a support rod having one end connected to the casing and the other end having a support prop, first and second friction units movable along the support rod and applying frictional force between the friction units and the support rod, a receiving body movable along the support rod, the receiving body retaining the first and second friction units, the receiving body is integrally moved with the first friction unit and is displaceable relative to the second friction unit, an outer tub supporter movable along the support rod and formed independently of the receiving body to support the outer tub above the receiving body, and an elastic member supported by the support prop and elastically supporting the receiving body. |
| US09963806B2 |
Dyeable and flame-retarded thermoplastic polyurethane fibers
The invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane fibers, and process of making the same, where the described fiber has good dyeability, and in some embodiments, good flame retardant properties. Such fibers are made from a composition that includes (a) a thermoplastic polyurethane itself comprising the reaction product of: (i) one or more polyols, (ii) one or more diisocyanates, (iii) one or more chain extenders, (iv) optionally one or more crosslinking agents, and (v) one or more functional modifiers wherein each said functional modifier is a reaction product of an aminodiol and a Bronsted acid. |
| US09963804B2 |
Polyamide monofilament and fiber package thereof
A polyamide monofilament is characterized in that the abrasion tension thereof when passed through a ceramic guide is 0.3 cN/dtex or less and in that the amount of static electricity generated at the exit of a chromium round bar guide, which is a frictional body, when the polyamide monofilament is passed through the chromium round bar guide, is 300 V or less. This polyamide monofilament and fiber package provide a gauze woven fabric for which tension is low when passing through a thread path guide when warping warp yarn, for which generation of static electricity is suppressed, and which has excellent weaving productivity. |
| US09963803B2 |
Apparatus for texturizing strand material
A device for texturizing strand material into a wool-type product includes outer and inner nozzle sections. The outer and inner nozzle sections interface and define a passage through which the strand material travels. A locking device in the inner nozzle section is operable to selectively stop movement of the strand material. The locking device includes a seal holder that positions a sealing member within the inner nozzle section to prevent debris from entering the inner nozzle section, thereby promoting continued effective operation of the locking device. The outer nozzle section includes an end nozzle assembly including a hardened outlet tube. The hardened outlet tube is distinct from the outer nozzle section and, thus, can be repaired or replaced independently of the outer nozzle section. |
| US09963800B2 |
Method of making a sapphire component including machining a sapphire single crystal
Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well. |
| US09963799B2 |
Foundry mixture and related methods for casting and cleaning cast metal parts
A foundry mixture for making molds used for molding cast metal parts includes foundry sand, a non-aqueous binder, and a cleaning agent that includes calcium oxide. Residual foundry mixture remaining on the cast part after removal from the mold is removed by electrolytic cleaning of the cast part. |
| US09963797B2 |
Copper electroplating method
The method for copper electroplating according to the present invention comprises an aqueous acidic copper plating bath containing a leveler additive which forms copper trenches having a cross-sectional round shape under direct current plating conditions, and at least one reverse current pulse cycle consisting of one forward current pulse and one reverse current pulse wherein the fraction of the reverse charge to the forward charge applied to the substrate in said at least one current pulse cycle ranges between 0.1 to 5%. The method is particularly suitable for simultaneously filling blind micro vias and plating trenches with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. |
| US09963796B2 |
Method of producing titanium metal with titanium-containing material
A method of producing titanium metal with titanium-containing material which includes mixing, pressing and drying the titanium-containing material with a carbonaceous reducing agent to obtain a resultant as a first anode. Using a metal or an alloy as a first cathode, and using an alkali metal chloride molten salt and/or an alkaline earth metal chloride molten salt as a first electrolyte to constitute a first electrolysis system, to perform pre-electrolysis in an inert atmosphere to obtain a residual anode. After the residual anode is washed, molded and dried, using the residual anode as a second anode, using a metal or an alloy as a second cathode, using an alkali metal chloride molten salt and/or an alkaline earth metal chloride molten salt as a second electrolyte to constitute a second electrolysis system, to perform electrolysis in an inert atmosphere to obtain titanium metal powder. |
| US09963793B2 |
Cell unit, cell stack device, cell unit device and module
A cell unit includes a cell stack, two manifolds. The cell stack includes cells. Each cell has a elliptical columnar shape. The each cell includes an inner electrode layer, a solid oxide solid electrolyte layer, an outer electrode layer, a first portion, a second portion, a middle portion and a distribution hole. The solid oxide solid electrolyte layer is on the inner electrode layer. The outer electrode layer is on the solid oxide solid electrolyte layer. The first portion is at one end of the each cell in the length direction of the cells. The second portion is at the other end of the each cell in the length direction. The middle portion is located between the first portion and the second portion. The distribution hole passes through from the first portion to the second portion. A first manifold fixes the first portions. A second manifold fixes the second portions. |
| US09963791B2 |
Methods for producing combustible gas from the electrolysis of water (HTE) or co-electrolysis with H2O/CO2 in the same chamber, and associated catalytic reactor and system
The invention relates to a novel reactor design, wherein the pressurized chamber contains both a high-temperature electrolysis (HTE) reactor with elementary electrolysis cell stacking for producing either hydrogen or a synthesis gas (“syngas” for a H2+CO mixture) from water vapor H2O and carbon dioxide CO2, and at least one catalyst arranged at a distance and downstream of the outlet of the electrolyzer for converting the previously produced synthesis gas into the desired combustible gas, by means of heterogeneous catalysis, the synthesis gas having being produced either directly from the electrolysis reactor or indirectly by mixing the hydrogen produced with carbon dioxide CO2 injected into the chamber. |
| US09963789B2 |
Display panel and manufacturing method, panel display device thereof
Provided is a display panel, which includes an active area and a vacant area surrounding the active area, and a dummy pattern area without display functionality being along a boundary between the active area and the vacant area. Also provided are a manufacturing method of a display panel and a panel display device. A dummy pattern area is provided along a boundary of an active area to withstand a loading effect and to ensure the active area is not affected by the loading effect and display patterns are normal and uniform. |
| US09963788B2 |
Concentrate for use in corrosion resistant treatment of metal surfaces
The underlying invention consists in an acidic aqueous concentrate that is based on a mixture of water-soluble compounds of the elements Zr and/or Ti, organosilanes and dispersed silicates suitable for the preparation of a conversion treatment solution. The invention thereby establishes a shelf stable (1K) product useful for the surface treatment industry. Such a (1K) product has not only the advantage of being easily converted into a working composition through dilution with water, but the working compositions themselves that originate from the (1K) product do confer superior corrosion resistance to metal substrates when used in a process for the conversion coating treatment. A conversion treatment solution obtainable from the acidic aqueous concentrate as well as a process for the corrosion-resistant treatment of metal surfaces are thus further objects of this invention. |
| US09963785B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including: performing a pre-process to a metal film or a GST film by supplying a first processing gas to a substrate, on a surface of which the metal film or the GST film is formed, without supplying a second processing gas; and performing a formation process to the substrate to which the pre-process has been performed such that a film is formed on the metal film or the GST film by executing at least one cycle of alternately (i) supplying the first processing gas, and (ii) supplying the second processing gas that is activated by plasma excitation. |
| US09963784B2 |
Film forming method and film forming apparatus
A film forming method includes: forming a thin unit film on a target substrate by supplying processing gases sequentially and intermittently into a processing space, where the target substrate is placed, in a processing chamber of a film forming apparatus while purging the processing gases with a purge gas constantly supplied into the processing space; and repeating the forming of the thin unit film to form a film having a predetermined thickness on the target substrate. A flow rate of the purge gas supplied into the processing space is set such that the film is formed in a film forming mode in which the thin unit film is formed, irrespective of a pressure in the processing chamber. |
| US09963782B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a stage, and an exhaust duct having an annular passage surrounding a processing space over the stage, an annular slit through which a gas supplied to the processing space is led into the annular passage, and an exhaust port through which the gas in the annular passage is discharged to the outside, wherein the opening-area percentage of the slit is increased with increase in distance from the exhaust port. |
| US09963780B2 |
Growth of metal on a dielectric
A method for forming metal on a dielectric includes forming a seed layer on a surface including a reactant element. A first metal layer is formed on the seed layer wherein the first metal layer wets the seed layer. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer wherein the second metal layer wets the first metal layer. Diffuse the reactant element of the seed layer into the first metal layer by annealing to convert the first metal layer to a dielectric layer. |
| US09963778B2 |
Functionally graded material by in-situ gradient alloy sputter deposition management
Embodiments relate to a sputter chamber comprising both a target surface and an anode surface. The sputter chamber has both an ingress and an egress to allow passage of a gas. The sputter chamber further includes a target substrate. A secondary material flexibly changes the composition of the target substrate in-situ by changing coverage of the target by the secondary material. Gas entering the sputter chamber interacts with the changed composition of the target. The interaction discharges a plasma alloy and the alloy condenses on the anode surface in the sputter chamber. The condensed alloy produces an alloy film. |
| US09963777B2 |
Methods of forming a thin film resistor
Methods of forming a thin film are disclosed. One such method can include sputtering a target material to form a first thin film resistor and adjusting a parameter of deposition to modulate a property of a subsequently formed second thin film resistor. For instance, a substrate bias and/or a substrate temperature can be adjusted to modulate a property of the second thin film resistor. A temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and/or another property of the second thin film resistor can be modulated by adjusting the parameter of deposition. The target material sputtered onto the substrate can include, for example, a Cr alloy, a Ni alloy, SiCr, NiCr, or the like. A relationship can be established between the substrate bias and/or substrate temperature and the thin film resistor property, and the relationship can be used in selecting deposition conditions for a desired property value. |
| US09963772B2 |
Interior material for thin film deposition device and method for manufacturing same
An internal member for an apparatus of depositing a conductive thin film includes a chamber structure including a object supporting unit supporting an object on which the conductive thin film is to be deposited, and a target supporting unit supporting a target for depositing the conductive thin film on the object, wherein the target including a first metal material the chamber structure having a reaction space therein and a coating structure formed on an inner surface of the chamber structure, the inner surface being indirectly exposed to the reaction space of the chamber structure via the coating structure, and the coating structure including a second metal material having at least one metal element in the first metal material. |
| US09963770B2 |
Castable high-temperature Ce-modified Al alloys
A cast alloy includes aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of at least one material selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The cast alloy has a strengthening Al11X3 intermetallic phase in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, wherein X is at least one of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The Al11X3 intermetallic phase has a microstructure that includes at least one of lath features and rod morphological features. The morphological features have an average thickness of no more than 700 um and an average spacing of no more than 10 um, the microstructure further comprising an eutectic microconstituent that comprises more than about 10 volume percent of the microstructure. |
| US09963767B2 |
Inexpensive automotive member and feed oil pipe, exhibiting excellent salt corrosion resistance
An automotive member or a feed oil pipe includes: a member made of a ferritic stainless steel containing predetermined components containing 10.5% to 18.0% of Cr in mass %; a metal fitting made of an aluminized stainless steel sheet, the metal fitting being attached to the member; and a gap structure defined between the member and the metal fitting, the gap structure being exposed to a chloride environment, where the metal fitting has an Al-plating weight per unit area of 20 g/m2 or more and 150 g/m2 or less on a surface corresponding to a gap of the gap structure, and surfaces of the metal fitting and the non-aluminized member other than the gap are coated with a cation electrodeposition coating film having a thickness of 5 μm to 35 μm. |
| US09963764B2 |
Lead-free free-machining brass having improved castability
A brass free from lead and possessing excellent machinability, castability, mechanical properties, etc. consists of not less than 55% by weight and not more than 75% by weight of Cu, not less than 0.3% by weight and not more than 4.0% by weight of Bi, and y % by weight of B and x % by weight of Si, y and x satisfying the following requirements: 0≤x≤2.0, 0≤y≤0.3, and y>−0.15x+0.015ab, wherein a is 0.2 when Bi is 0.3% by weight≤Bi<0.75% by weight; 0.85 when Bi is 0.75% by weight≤Bi<1.5% by weight; and 1 when Bi is 1.5% by weight≤Bi≤4.0% by weight, b is 1 when the apparent content of zinc (Zn) is not less than 37% and less than 41%; and 0.75 when the apparent content of Zn is not less than 41% and not more than 45%, the balance consisting of Zn and unavoidable impurities. |
| US09963762B2 |
Scandium recovery method
In order to recover high-quality scandium from nickel oxide ores efficiently, this method comprises: a step (S1) for feeding Ni oxide ores and sulfuric acid into a pressure vessel, and subjecting the mixture to solid-liquid separation to form a leachate and a leach residue; a step (S2) for adding a neutralizing agent to the leachate, and thus forming a neutralization sediment and a post-neutralization fluid; a step (S3) for adding a sulfurizing agent to the post-neutralization fluid, and separating the obtained mixture into Ni sulfide and a post-sulfurization fluid; a step (S4) for bringing the post-sulfurization fluid into contact with a chelating resin, making Sc adsorbed on the chelating resin, and forming an Sc eluent; a step (S6) for bringing the Sc eluent into contact with an extracting agent, adding a back-extraction agent to the extract, and forming back-extracted matter; and a step (S8) for roasting the back-extracted matter, and forming Sc oxide. |
| US09963754B2 |
Long campaign life stave coolers for circular furnaces with containment shells
The campaign lives are extended and the risks of process gas leaks past seals are reduced by improved stave coolers that each hang together inside steel shelled furnaces by a single neck extended out through a steel jacketed collar. All the coolant circuits inside the stave cooler are collected and grouped together to pass inside through the one collar. The steel in the collar is matched to the steel used in the containment shell, and a matching steel weld seals them together. Thermal stresses are thereby prevented from accumulating over separation distances as a consequent of the steel's coefficient of expansion. A single point of penetration has no separation distance to another. |
| US09963750B2 |
High throughput method to genotype plants
Methods are provided for high throughput genotyping of plants, utilizing at least three primers, one primer recognizing a polymorphic sequence of a first species of a plant genus, a second primer recognizing a second polymorphic sequence of a second species, and a third primer that recognizes sequences of both the first and second species and producing a measurable signal when amplifying a plant DNA-containing sample. Additional primers recognizing additional species may also be employed. The method may be repeated for multiple sequences each diagnosing a species or hybrid, and results analyzed using data from multiple assays to improve the statistical robustness of genotyping results. Controls are provided in which the primer target sequences are introduced into and extracted from bacteria and the measurable signal used as a control. The methods are particularly useful for genotyping a population of plants, especially where weed species and/or hybrids are present. |
| US09963749B2 |
Glyphosate tolerant alfalfa events and methods for detection thereof
The present invention provides for alfalfa events J-101 and J-163 and DNA molecules unique to these events. The invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of these DNA molecules in a plant sample. |
| US09963747B2 |
Methods for the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients with cancer therapy
The present invention is directed to the identification of predictive markers that can be used to determine whether patients with cancer are clinically responsive or non-responsive to a therapeutic regimen prior to treatment. In particular, the present invention is directed to the use of certain individual and/or combinations of predictive markers, wherein the expression of the predictive markers correlates with responsiveness or non-responsiveness to a therapeutic regimen. Thus, by examining the expression levels of individual predictive markers and/or predictive markers comprising a marker set, it is possible to determine whether a therapeutic agent, or combination of agents, will be most likely to reduce the growth rate of tumors in a clinical setting. |
| US09963743B2 |
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes accociated with inflammatory diseases
The present disclosure describes the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inflammatory diseases and uses thereof, and methods of screening for, diagnosing, identifying susceptibility to or detecting a risk of developing an inflammatory disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of at least one SNP identified in a gene associated with inflammatory disease. |
| US09963742B2 |
KIR3DL1 allele classification kit and method
Disclosed herein are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) characteristic of functional subgroups of KIR3DL1. Also disclosed herein are methods for classifying KIR3DL1 alleles by using a series of oligonucleotide primers and PCR reaction conditions uniquely designed to identify group-specific SNPs from genomic DNA. The compositions and methods disclosed herein are useful in clinical settings and research laboratories, and enable prospective assessment of prognoses of various diseases and selection of most appropriate donors for HCT. |
| US09963738B2 |
Detection of nucleic acids
The present invention provides modified oligonucleotides and methods for their use in the detection of nucleic acids. The oligonucleotides and methods find particular application in amplifying and/or detecting areas of genetic variation in target nucleic acid sequences. |
| US09963737B2 |
Dual probe assay for the detection of heterogeneous amplicon populations
The present invention relates to a method for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, said target nucleic comprising subgroups with sequence variations and/or individual mutations, wherein an amplification of the nucleic acids in said sample is carried out. This amplification involves a polymerase, primers for generating an amplicon and at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of said amplicon. Detection of the obtained amplicon is brought about by detecting hybridization of the probes mentioned above to said different sequence portions of the amplicon.The invention further provides reaction mixtures and kits for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid comprising subgroups with sequence variations and/or individual mutations involving the use of at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of an amplicon. |
| US09963735B2 |
Selective 5′ ligation tagging of RNA
The present invention provides novel compositions, kits and methods employing RNA 5′ polyphosphatases, RNA 5′ monophosphatases, capping enzymes, decapping enzymes, nucleic acid pyrophosphatases and RNA ligases, as well as other enzymes, for selective 5′ ligation tagging of desired classes of RNA molecules that differ with respect to particular chemical moieties on their 5′ ends. The 5′ tagged RNA molecules can be used for synthesis of tagged first-stand cDNA, double-stranded cDNA, and sense or antisense RNA for a variety of uses. |
| US09963731B2 |
Method for producing carotenoids each having 50 carbon atoms
The present invention provides a method of producing a carotenoid having 50 carbon atoms which comprises culturing, in a medium, a cell transformed with a mutant phytoene desaturase gene and obtaining the carotenoid having 50 carbon atoms from the culture. The mutant phytoene desaturase gene has an introduced mutation to encode a mutant phytoene desaturase having an enhanced activity to desaturate a carotenoid backbone compound of 50 carbon atoms. |
| US09963729B2 |
Diversification of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) or precursors thereof
A method of diversification of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) or precursors thereof, compounds obtainable by the method, and uses and compositions involving such compounds. The method comprises a) providing at least one compound or a mixture of the compounds selected from the group consisting of: optionally sialylated and/or fucosylated lactose derivatives of general formula 2 and salts thereof; b) adding at least one enzyme comprising a transglycosidase activity to the at least one compound or a mixture of compounds provided according to step a); and c) incubating the mixture obtained according to step b). |
| US09963727B2 |
Production of products from biomass
The processes disclosed herein include saccharifying cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic biomass and fermenting the sugars to produce a sugar alcohol. |
| US09963725B2 |
Process for fractionation of oligosaccharides from agri-waste
The present invention provides a continuous and cost effective chemo-enzymatic process for fractionation of holocellulose, obtained from agri-waste, into arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides, suitable for commercial applications. The process comprises of mixing the holocellulose with an aqueous medium in a controlled condition to obtain an aqueous extract comprising of soluble arabinoxylooligosaccharides and insoluble solid fraction; followed by treatment of the solid fraction with an aqueous alkali solution at controlled condition to obtain soluble xylooligosaccharides and cellulose residue. The cellulose residue is thereafter suspended in aqueous acid solution followed by treatment with an enzyme at controlled condition to obtain soluble cellooligosaccharides. The arabinoxylooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides obtained from the process have a degree of polymerization greater than 4. |
| US09963724B2 |
Method for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid or salt thereof
Provided is a method for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid or a salt thereof at a high yield using 5-aminolevulinic acid-producing microorganisms. The method for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid or a salt thereof comprises culturing 5-aminolevulinic acid-producing microorganisms in a medium comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of L-arginine, glutamic acid, and a salt thereof. The content of glutamic acid or the salt thereof is from 42 to 100 mM in the medium as the glutamic acid. |
| US09963722B2 |
Strain secreting fatty acids by phospholipase and method for producing fatty acids using it
A bacterial strain secreting fatty acids, the strain inducing fatty acids to be extracellularly secreted by using phospholipase expressed in the periplasmic space of cell. When a method of producing fatty acids by using the bacterial strain secreting fatty acids is used, fatty acids extracellularly secreted are continuously obtained without apoptosis, leading to lower costs and higher production efficiency. Phospholipase, unlike thioesterase, which is a typical fatty-acid degrading enzyme, decomposes phospholipid to produce free fatty acids. Accordingly, by using the substrate specificity of two different phospholipases, a fatty acid having a specific composition can be selectively produced. Unlike in a typical method in which fat is obtained from cells or tissues, fatty acids secreted during cell growth are obtainable by biding to a hydrophobic material without an extraction process using an organic solvent in large quantities. Accordingly, a more economical, environmentally friendly bio-oil production process can be realized. |
| US09963710B2 |
Methods and compositions for identifying and enriching for cells comprising site specific genomic modifications
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modifying a target site in the genome of a plant cell. Such modifications include integration of a transgene and mutations. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for identifying and enriching for cells which comprise a modified target site. |
| US09963703B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating pancreatic cancer
Provided herein are composition for sensitizing tumors to anti-tumor therapies. The compositions include antisense oligonucleotides against TGFβ2, wherein the compositions sensitize tumors to anti-tumor therapies. Also provided herein are method for treating cancer using the compositions described herein. |
| US09963702B2 |
RNA interference in dermal and fibrotic indications
The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal and fibrotic applications. |
| US09963701B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for treatment of radiation- or drug-resistant cancer comprising HRP-3 inhibitor
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating a radiation- or drug-resistant cancer, containing an agent capable of inhibiting the expression of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF)-related protein-3 (HRP-3), a method of treating a radiation- or drug-resistant cancer by administering the pharmaceutical composition, and the use of an HRP-3 inhibitor for preparing an agent for treating a radiation- or drug-resistant cancer. The use of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention enables to treat a resistant cancer in combination with a conventional anticancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can reduce both the costs for developing anticancer agents against resistant cancers and the costs for treating cancers in patients, thus being useful for the economic and effective treatment of resistant cancers. |
| US09963700B2 |
GNAQ targeted dsRNA compositions and methods for inhibiting expression
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a G-alpha q subunit (GNAQ) of a heterotrimeric G gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of GNAQ. |
| US09963699B2 |
Methods for modulating C9ORF72 expression
Disclosed herein are methods for reducing expression of C90RF72 mRNA and protein in an animal with C90RF72 specific inhibitors. Such methods are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases in an individual in need thereof. Such C90RF72 specific inhibitors include antisense compounds. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases that can be treated, prevented, and ameliorated with the administration C90RF72 specific inhibitors include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticalbasal degeneration syndrome (CBD), atypical Parkinsonian syndrome, and olivopontocerellar degeneration (OPCD). |
| US09963690B2 |
Glucoamylase variants and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants. |
| US09963689B2 |
Cas9 crystals and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides atomic structures of Cas9 with and without polynucleotides bound thereto. Also provided is a computer-readable medium comprising atomic coordinates for Cas9 polypeptides in both an unbound configuration and a configuration wherein the Cas9 polypeptide is bound to one or more polynucleotides. The present disclosure provides crystals comprising Cas9 polypeptides; and compositions comprising the crystals. The present disclosure provides methods for the engineering of Cas9 polypeptides wherein Cas9 activity has been altered, ablated, or preserved and amended with additional activities. |
| US09963683B2 |
Biocatalytic process for preparing eslicarbazepine and analogs thereof
The present disclosure relates to biocatalysts and its uses for the efficient preparation of eslicarbazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, and analogs thereof. |
| US09963682B2 |
Nuclear receptor and mutant thereof and the use of the same in the reprogramming of cells
According to the invention there is provided methods for inducing pluripotent stem cells in vitro, vectors and compositions for producing the same and methods for using the induced pluripotent stem cell for treating a patient in need of a pluripotent stem cell treatment. |
| US09963680B2 |
Ex vivo proliferation of epithelial cells
The technology relates in part to methods and compositions for ex vivo proliferation and expansion of epithelial cells. |
| US09963679B2 |
Cultured pancreas islets
Methods of preparing pancreatic islets that may comprise pancreatites are provided. The methods may involve subjecting a pancreas and/or pieces thereof to disruption, such as, for example, an enzyme digest, and seeding the recovered cellular product comprising islets in a culture medium comprising at least a detectable amount of endocrine tissue and/or exocrine tissue. |
| US09963677B2 |
Generation of CTL lines with specificity against multiple tumor antigens or multiple viruses
The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the generation and use of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that target multiple viruses or that are specific for multiple tumor antigens. In specific embodiments, the generation methods employ use of certain cytokines to promote proliferation and reduce cell death in an activated T cell population and/or that employ a particular bioreactor having a gas permeable membrane. |
| US09963675B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating retinal diseases
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing a retinal disease or condition; improving a photopic (day light) vision; for improving correcting visual acuity, improving macular function, improving a visual field, or improving scotopic (night) vision by administration of retinal progenitor cells. The subject matter described herein also provides cell populations comprising retinal progenitor cells and methods of isolation thereof. |
| US09963667B2 |
Structured biological samples for analysis by mass cytometry
Apparatus and methods for delivering biological samples to an ICP source of a mass cytometer are disclosed. Biological material is disposed on a plurality of discrete sites on a carrier. The plurality of discrete sites are configured to retain biological material and to release the biological material upon application of energy. The carrier is positioned in proximity to a gas conduit and upon release from the discrete sites, the biological material becomes entrained in a gas flow, which delivers discrete portions of biological material through the conduit to the ICP source for analysis by mass cytometry. The apparatus and methods can provide a continuous stream of discrete portions of biological material to a mass cytometer or mass spectrometer. |
| US09963661B2 |
Hybrid perfume microcapsules
The present invention relates to organic-inorganic hybrid core-shell microcapsules encapsulating an active ingredient such as a perfume and having a shell made from the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of particular polyalkoxysilane macro-monomeric compositions. |
| US09963654B1 |
Methods for producing fuel compositions
Methods for producing fuel compositions with predetermined desirable properties are disclosed. Feedback control can be employed to meter precise amounts of fuel composition components while monitoring fuel composition properties to obtain fuel compositions having specifically defined properties. |
| US09963648B2 |
Process for the preparation of branched polyolefins for lubricant applications
Processes to prepare branched polyolefins for lubricant applications comprise combining at least one olefin and a coordination-insertion catalyst under conditions such that at least one oligomer product is formed. Low molecular weight by-products are fractionated out and the oligomer product is converted to a saturated hydrocarbon via hydrogenation. |
| US09963645B2 |
Modular bitumen processing system and related methods
A portable modular treatment system to be remotely deployed adjacent a solvent extraction bitumen well may include a portable initial separation module configured to receive a liquid emulsion from the solvent extraction bitumen well including bitumen, produced water, solvent, and at least one non-condensable gas, and liberate the at least one non-condensable gas while the solvent remains with the liquid emulsion. The system may further include a portable free water removal module configured to receive the liquid emulsion from the portable initial separation module and separate the bitumen and solvent from the produced water, a portable skimming tank module configured to receive the produced water from the portable free water removal module and remove free oil from the produced water through gravity separation, and a portable condenser module configured to receive the bitumen and solvent from the portable free water removal module and separate the bitumen and solvent. |
| US09963643B2 |
Process for refining a heavy hydrocarbon feed using a selective deasphalting step
The invention concerns a process for refining a heavy hydrocarbon feed, comprising the following steps:a) a step for selective deasphalting of the heavy hydrocarbon feed by single-step liquid/liquid extraction in an extraction medium, said extraction being carried out using a mixture of at least one polar solvent and at least one apolar solvent, in order to obtain an asphalt phase and a deasphalted oil phase DAO, the proportions of said polar solvent and said apolar solvent in the solvent mixture being adjusted as a function of the properties of the feed and the desired asphalt yield, said deasphalting step being carried out under subcritical conditions for the solvent mixture; b) a step for hydrotreatment of at least a portion of the deasphalted oil phase DAO obtained from step a); c) optionally, a step for catalytic cracking of at least a portion of the effluent obtained from step b). |
| US09963641B2 |
Method of flushing pyrolysis reactor
The present techniques provide a pyrolysis process that is reduced in coke and/or tar formation relative to comparable processes. A flushing fluid is applied or injected directly into a pyrolysis reactor to reduce high levels of coke and tar that can accumulate within the pyrolysis reactor during pyrolysis of the feed. |
| US09963639B2 |
Fixed carbon production device
A fixed carbon production device is provided with: a quench chamber for collecting fixed carbon; a dry distillation furnace which is erected and fixed in the quench chamber and into which raw material coal is fed; a dry distillation unit which is polygonal in horizontal cross-section and is partitioned by a separating wall which partitions the inside of the dry distillation furnace in the vertical direction; a dry distillation mini-furnace which is polygonal in horizontal cross-section and which is partitioned by a partition which partitions the inside of the dry distillation unit in the vertical direction; a pipe heating means which is arranged on the separating wall of the dry distillation unit and the partition of the dry distillation mini-furnace and which dry-distills the raw material coal; and a collection path for collecting fixed carbon collected in the quench chamber. |
| US09963638B2 |
Universal fireproofing patch
Techniques and methods are disclosed for facilitating the fireproofing application process to the structural members of buildings (e.g., houses, apartment buildings, office buildings, sky-rises, etc.) and for improving the structural integrity of steel when exposed to extreme temperatures. The components of the Universal Fireproofing Patch provide a fireproofing protection product that exceeds Underwriters Laboratories fireproofing guidelines, which may be used under any circumstances (i.e., in the event the existing material to be fire-patched is either unknown or unavailable). The components of the Universal Fireproofing Patch enable a user the ability to coat a non-conforming area quickly, easily and for a fraction of the price compared to commercial patching services. Finally, the Universal Fireproofing Patch is sold as a kit that is comprised of a container, a premeasured quantity of water and fireproofing mix, a mixer, a trowel and an instrument capable of measuring liquids. The container provided in the kit stores the fireproofing mix, serves as a housing for when a user mixes the components together and is readily mobile for transporting purposes. |