最新美国发明专利第2018-05-22期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09977334B2	Lighting system of a microlithographic projection exposure system and method for operating such a lighting system An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a light source operated in a pulsed manner and a DMD (digital mirror device) or another array of optical elements, which are digitally switchable between two switching positions.
US09977333B2	Illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic exposure apparatus An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
US09977331B2	Resist overlayer film forming composition and method for producing semiconductor device including the same A resist overlayer film forming composition for use in a lithography process in semiconductor device production does not intermix with a resist, blocks undesirable exposure light particularly in EUV exposure, for example, UV and DUV and selectively transmits EUV alone, and can be developed with a developer after exposure. A resist overlayer film forming composition includes: a polymer (P) including unit structures of Formula (1) and Formula (2) and having a weight average molecular weight, measured by gel permeation chromatography, of 500 to 2,000; and a C8-16 ether compound as a solvent
US09977330B2	Compound for forming organic film, and organic film composition using the same, process for forming organic film, and patterning process The invention provides a compound for forming an organic film having a partial structure represented by the following formula (vii-2), wherein R1 represents a linear, branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and a methylene group constituting R1 may be substituted by an oxygen atom; a+b is 1, 2 or 3; c and d are each independently 0, 1 or 2; x represents 0 or 1, when x=0, then a=c=0; L7 represents a linear, branched or cyclic divalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, L8′ represents the partial structure represented by the following formula (i), 0≤o<1, 0
US09977329B2	Negative photosensitive resin composition, cured film obtained by curing same, method for producing cured film, optical device provided with cured film, and backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor The present invention provides a negative photosensitive resin composition including the following (a) to (d): (a) metallic compound particles, (b) a polysiloxane compound, (c) a compound having at least 1 group containing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylate ester structure, and (d) a photopolymerization initiator, the composition also including (e) a compound containing maleimide group.
US09977322B2	Film or sheet, and screen To provide a film or sheet and a screen excellent in visibility of a projected image, in see-through properties when an image is not projected and in bending resistance. A single-layer film or sheet comprising a fluororesin, a light-scattering agent and a light absorbing agent, characterized in that the light-scattering agent is at least one light-scattering agent selected from the group consisting of a titanium oxide-containing pigment, a zinc oxide-containing pigment and a cerium oxide-containing pigment, and the content thereof is from 0.01 to 0.175 g/m2, and the light absorbing agent is at least one light absorbing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon black, a black interference aluminum pigment, black iron oxide and titanium black, and the content thereof is from 0.0005 to 0.035 g/m2.
US09977320B2	Methods for optimizing retro-reflective display systems The present disclosure provides a display system comprising a retro-reflective screen having retro-reflective screen elements that reflect incident light. Each of the retro-reflective screen elements can include three intersecting planes. At least one of the three intersecting planes intersects an adjacent plane at an angle that is 90° with an offset greater than 0°. The display system can further include at least one projector that projects the light onto the retro-reflective, which light characterizes an image or video. The retro-reflective screen having the retro-reflective screen elements can reflect the light at a cross-talk that is decreased by at least 10% and/or an intensity that is increased by at least 5%, as compared to a retro-reflective screen with retro-reflective screen elements having planes that each intersects an adjacent plane at an angle of 90° without the offset.
US09977319B2	Light source device with light splitting mirror and reflection mirror for reducing influence on uniformity of intensity distribution of beam flux, and projection device A light source device includes a plurality of first solid-state light emitting elements configured to emit first beams. a light splitting mirror provided in correspondence to the first solid-state light emitting elements and configured to split the first beams, which are incident from a first direction, by penetration and reflection, and a reflection mirror provided in correspondence to the light splitting mirror and configured to reflect one first beams split at the light splitting mirror in the same direction as the other first beams split at the light splitting mirror.
US09977315B2	Projector including a cover member that covers a projecting section of the projector and a projection window provided in the cover member A projector includes a projector main body disposed in an attic above a ceiling plate and configured to project image light on a screen located in a room interior below the ceiling plate, a cover member set on the ceiling plate and configured to cover the projector main body, and a projection window provided in the cover member and configured to transmit the image light projected from the projector main body to the room interior side. The projection window is disposed further on the attic side than the ceiling plate to tilt with respect to the ceiling plate.
US09977313B2	Lens adapter and its back-locking lens fixing device A lens adapter and its back-locking lens fixing device are provided here. The lens fixing device comprises a connecting base (3) which has a receiving hole (31) for receiving the connecting end of the tube body (1) axially opened on it; the lens fixing device further comprises a limiting portion (4) mounted on the connecting base (3), which comprises a rotational portion (41) rotatably sleeved outside of the connecting base (3) and three second male pawl portions (42) those are connected with the rotational portion (41) and extend into the receiving hole (31) through a sidewall of the connecting base (3). The design lens adapter and its back-locking lens fixing device are clever and practical.
US09977311B2	Optical comb carrier envelope frequency control using a rotating waveplate frequency shifter A system for optical comb carrier envelope offset frequency control includes a mode-locked laser and a frequency shifter. The mode-locked laser produces a laser output. The frequency shifter shifts the laser output to produce a frequency shifted laser output based at least in part on one or more control signals. The frequency shifted laser output has a controlled carrier envelope offset frequency. The frequency shifter includes a first polarization converter, a rotating half-wave plate, and a second polarization converter.
US09977310B2	Multi-electrode photonic digital to analog converting vector modulator A digital-electronic-to-analog-optical converter, which has a structure consistent with a super-Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and which can perform the functionalities of both a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) and a digital modulator uses a sub-Mach-Zender modulator to modulate optical wave signals propagating through its optical waveguide in a push-pull manner. The modulation performed is phase modulation realized with electrodes positioned near the optical wave guide where such electrodes carry modulation signals in digital, analog or discrete time signal format creating electromagnetic or electric fields that engage the optical wave signals traveling through the waveguide thus imparting a phase shift onto the optical wave signals. The amount of the phase shift can be implemented through the geometry of the electrodes, the length of time the modulating signal is applied, and the amplitude of the modulating signal.
US09977308B2	Controllable light-transmissive element The present invention relates to a light-transmissive element (106, 200, 500) which has light controlling properties. The light-transmissive element (106, 200, 500) comprises a plurality of first particles (206) and a plurality of second particles (208). The first particles (206) are configured to control the transmission of light of a first wavelength range being infrared light. The second particles (208) are configured to control the transmission of light of a second wavelength range being visible light. The first (206) and second particles (208) may independently be redistributed in an enclosure (207) enclosing the particles. Redistribution is enabled by an applied electric field which causes the particles to move in the enclosure (207). Thus, transmission of light of the first wavelength range and transmission of light of the second wavelength range is thereby independently controlled by the first (206) and second particles (208) respectively.
US09977307B2	Transparent display device Disclosed is a transparent display device including an electrochromic element. The electrochromic element includes an electrochromic layer, a counter layer, and an electrolyte layer. An image is displayed through an oxidation-reduction reaction, and the display device is in a transparent mode when a voltage is not applied. The electrochromic layer and the counter layer may further include a core material for changing a color at a high speed.
US09977306B2	Electrochromic device, optical filter, lens unit, and imaging apparatus The present invention provides an electrochromic device including a pair of electrodes and an electrochromic layer disposed between the pair of electrodes and containing different electrochromic materials having the same polarity, wherein in the case where two materials are selected from the different electrochromic materials having the same polarity in descending order of maximum absorbance in a color-display mode of the electrochromic layer and where the diffusion coefficients of the molecules of the two materials are compared with each other in the color-display mode, a smaller diffusion coefficient D2min, a larger diffusion coefficient D2max, and maximum absorbance H2 of the molecules of the electrochromic material having the diffusion coefficient D2max in the color-display mode satisfy Formula (5). 1≤D2max/D2min≤(1+0.146/H2)2 (5)
US09977305B2	Spatial information capturing device A spatial information capturing device includes a structured light generation module, a camera module and a process controller. The structured light generation module provides a structured light pattern to a target object, so that an evaluation pattern is formed on the target object. The camera module includes a lens group, an optical encoder and a sensing unit. The optical encoder has a reference pattern. The reference pattern and the evaluation pattern have at least one corresponding pattern feature. In addition, both of the reference pattern and the evaluation pattern are projected on the sensing unit. The process controller compares a pattern feature difference between the reference pattern and the evaluation pattern, and realizes a spatial distance information of the target object according to a result of comparing the pattern feature difference. Hence, the configuration or structure of the spatial information capturing device is simplified.
US09977303B2	Array substrate and method of manufacturing the same An array substrate includes a thin film transistor on a substrate, a color pattern on the substrate, a light blocking pattern on the thin film transistor, an organic insulation layer covering the color pattern and the light blocking pattern, a pixel electrode on the organic insulation layer, and a low-reflective pattern on the pixel electrode. An opening portion is defined in the light blocking pattern and exposes the thin film transistor. A contact hole is defined in the organic insulation layer and corresponding to the opening portion. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the thin film transistor through the contact hole. The low-reflective pattern corresponds to the opening portion.
US09977301B2	Array substrate, display panel and liquid crystal display device The present invention discloses an array substrate, comprising a first storage capacitor and a second storage capacitor, and the first storage capacitor and the second storage capacitor are coupled in parallel to form a total storage capacitor of the array substrate to increase the total storage capacitor of the array substrate, so as to avoid the issues of the cross talk and the image residue due to the over small total storage capacitor for promoting the quality of the array substrate. The present invention further discloses a display panel utilizing the array substrate and a liquid crystal display panel utilizing the array substrate.
US09977295B2	Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display device A display substrate (20) includes: a blue phase liquid crystal layer (25) and one or more sets of driving electrodes for driving the blue phase liquid crystal layer (25) in dark state; each set of the driving electrodes include two hetero-potential electrodes (21, 22), and the two hetero-potential electrodes (21, 22) generate an electric field at the blue phase liquid crystal layer (25) with a non-zero component in a first direction that is perpendicular to the polarization direction of incident light. This display substrate can reduce dark state light leakage and enhance display quality of devices. A manufacturing method for the display substrate (20) and a display device are disclosed.
US09977294B2	Liquid crystal display device Provided are a liquid crystal display device and a method for driving same. The liquid crystal display device comprises the liquid crystal display device in a PVA mode, an LVA mode, an FFS mode, and in an IPS mode. The liquid crystal display device comprises 1 to 50 wt % of an achiral smectic liquid crystal, and a remainder of a nematic liquid crystal. The liquid crystal device comprises 3 to 50 wt % of a smectic liquid crystal and a remainder of the nematic liquid crystal, wherein the smectic liquid crystal comprises a liquid crystal layer, comprising 70 to 97 wt % of an achiral smectic liquid crystal, and 3 to 30 et % of a chiral smectic liquid crystal.
US09977293B2	Electronic eyeglass and liquid crystal lens production methods An object of the present invention is to provide electronic eyeglass and liquid crystal lens production methods that eliminate the need for forming a liquid crystal injection path in the liquid crystal lens, while making provisions so as to be able to sufficiently maintain a prescribed gap between substrates. The electronic eyeglass and liquid crystal lens production methods includes the steps of placing a sealing agent so as to form a closed planar region on at least one of first and second transparent substrates, dropping a liquid crystal material into an inside space enclosed by the sealing agent, bonding the other of the transparent substrates onto the one transparent substrate on which the liquid crystal material has been dripped, and filling a resin into a space created outside the sealing agent.
US09977292B2	Display device having tolerance to pressure or bending A display apparatus includes a first substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a gate driver positioned in the non-display area of the first substrate and including a plurality of stages cascaded, and at least one spacer disposed on the gate driver, where each of the plurality of stages includes a transistor including a first electrode connected to a clock terminal to which a clock signal is input, a second electrode connected to an output terminal which outputs a gate signal, and a gate electrode, and a capacitor including a first capacitor electrode connected to the gate electrode of the transistor and a second capacitor electrode connected to the output terminal, and the at least one spacer is disposed on the capacitor.
US09977291B2	Color filter substrate, array substrate, display panel including color filter substrate and array substrate and display device including display panel The invention provides a color filter substrate, an array substrate, a display panel and a display device. By providing a protective layer used for protecting a peripheral circuit on the array substrate from static electricity-induced corrosion, occurrence of static electricity-induced corrosion in the peripheral circuit on the array substrate can be prevented to improve image quality of LCD device and reduce cost loss caused by a great many of defective products.
US09977288B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display includes: a first insulating substrate, a second insulating substrate, a pixel electrode positioned on the first insulating substrate, a common electrode positioned on the first insulating substrate or the second insulating substrate, a first alignment layer positioned on the first insulating substrate, a second alignment layer positioned on the second insulating substrate, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate. The first alignment layer and/or the second alignment layer include an additive and an alignment layer compound having a main chain, and a plurality of side chains connected to the main chain, and at least one of the plurality of side chains includes a vertical alignment group, and a reactive mesogen including two or more photoreactive groups.
US09977286B2	Liquid crystal display device The present invention has a pixel which includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first liquid crystal element, and a second liquid crystal element. A pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a signal line through the first switch. The pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element through the second switch and the first resistor. The pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a Cs line through the third switch and the second resistor. A common electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a common electrode of the second liquid crystal element.
US09977285B2	Display device and method for manufacturing the same A display device includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel and the second pixel are adjacent to each other. Each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes a first display region and a second display region. The first display region is configured to reflect incident light. The second display region is positioned inside the first display region and configured to emit light. The second display region has at least two pairs of parallel sides. A position of the second display region inside the first display region in the first pixel and a position of the second display region inside the first display region in the second pixel are different from each other.
US09977282B2	Liquid crystal screen and liquid crystal display A liquid crystal screen includes an upper polarization sheet, an upper glass plate, a lower glass plate, and a lower polarization sheet that are stacked sequentially. The upper polarization sheet and the lower polarization sheet are bonded to each other by adhesive to form a box having an open end. The upper glass plate and the lower glass plate are received in the box. Side faces of the upper glass plate and the lower glass plate are covered by the adhesive. The upper glass plate and the lower glass plate project out of the upper polarization sheet and the lower polarization sheet from an edge thereof. Areas between the upper and lower glass plates and the edge of the upper and slower polarization sheets are bonded by the adhesive. A liquid crystal display is also provided.
US09977280B2	COT type liquid crystal display device Disclosed is a color filter on transistor (COT) type liquid crystal display device that may include red, green, blue and white pixels on a substrate; red, green and blue color filters in the red green and blue pixels, respectively, and a white pattern in the white pixel; a planarization layer on the red, green and blue color filters; and a column spacer on the planarization layer, wherein the column spacer and the white pattern are made of the substantially same material.
US09977274B2	Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed is an LCD device which realizes decreased thickness, simplified process, and decreased cost by using a common electrode for formation of electric field to drive liquid crystal as a sensing electrode, and removing a touch screen from an upper surface of the liquid crystal panel, the LCD device comprising gate and data lines crossing each other to define plural pixels on a lower substrate; a pixel electrode in each of the plural pixels; plural common electrode blocks patterned at the different layer from the pixel electrode, wherein the common electrode blocks, together with the pixel electrode, forms an electric field, and senses a user's touch; and plural sensing lines electrically connected with the common electrode blocks, wherein, if the sensing line is electrically connected with one of the common electrode blocks, the sensing line is insulated from the remaining common electrode blocks.
US09977271B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display including: a first substrate; a gate line and a data line formed or otherwise disposed on the first substrate; a drain electrode disposed on the first substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the gate line and the data line; a first electrode disposed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the second insulating layer. The first insulating layer and the second insulating layer have a first contact hole exposing a portion of the drain electrode. The contact portion of the second electrode is connected to the drain electrode through the first contact hole, and the contact portion overlaps the first electrode adjacent the first contact hole. The overlap increases capacitance of the display panel so as to decrease kickback voltage and reduce flicker.
US09977270B2	Optical device An optical device is provided, which includes: an optical waveguide provided in a substrate having an electro-optic effect; a signal electrode provided on the substrate and above the optical waveguide; and a peeling prevention film which is provided on at least a part of an outer peripheral portion of the substrate and at a position spaced apart from the signal electrode, and also serves as a ground electrode.
US09977269B2	Silicon electro-optical modulator Disclosed are designs and methods of fabrication of silicon carrier-depletion based electro-optical modulators having doping configurations that produce modulators exhibiting desirable modulation efficiency, optical absorption loss and bandwidth characteristics. The disclosed method of fabrication of a modulator having such doping configurations utilizes counter doping to create narrow regions of relatively high doping levels near a waveguide center.
US09977267B2	Selectively activated color changing hairpiece A color-changing hairpiece is disclosed. The hairpiece may include a plurality of elongated light sources that emit light when activated and a photochromic layer provided in association with at least one light source such that the light emitted from the at least one light source impinges on a portion of the photochromic layer, the photochromic layer configured to change color responsive to the light emitted from the at least one light source.
US09977264B2	Polarizing lens for sunglasses Provided is a polarizing lens that is excellent in terms of impact resistance, prevention of eye strain, and a small variation of color tone or transparency or both. A sunglass polarizing lens that is formed by laminating a transparent protective sheet via an adhesive layer to each surface of a polarizing film that is made from polyvinyl alcohol and that is stretched and stained with dichroic organic dye; curving the resultant laminate so as to impart spherical or aspherical surfaces thereto to obtain a polarizing sheet; and injecting a transparent resin for a lens onto a surface of the polarizing sheet, wherein the polarizing film is stained by combined dichroic organic dyes so that the dichroic ratio of the film is within the range of from 5 to 14.
US09977261B2	Fluid-filled lenses and actuation systems thereof An actuator assembly for an adjustable fluid-filled lens is provided. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly includes a clamp configured to adjust the optical power of the fluid lens module when the clamp is compressed. In some embodiments, a magnetic element is configured to adjust the optical power of the fluid-filled lens. In some embodiments, a plunger changes the optical power of the fluid lens module. In some embodiments, a reservoir is configured such that deformation of the reservoir changes the optical power of the fluid-filled lens. In some embodiments, a balloon is configured to deform the reservoir. In some embodiments, an adjustable fluid-filled lens includes a septum configured to be pierceable by a needle and automatically and fluidly seal a fluid chamber after withdrawal of the needle. In some embodiments, a thermal element can heat fluid within a fluid chamber to change an optical power of the lens module.
US09977254B2	Camera lens module Disclosed herein is a camera lens module. The camera lens module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a vibration correction carrier, a rolling unit disposed in parallel to a direction vertical to an optical axis and configured to support the vibration correction carrier, a lens barrel carrier disposed on a side opposite the vibration correction carrier based on the rolling unit, and a base configured to mount the vibration correction carrier and the lens barrel carrier on the base.
US09977253B2	Birefringent element unit and projecting device An optical device according to an embodiment includes a first birefringent element on which coherent incident light is incident, a transmissive diffusing element on which light emitted from the first birefringent element is incident, and a second birefringent element on which light emitted from the transmissive diffusing element is incident. Light emitted by a laser light source is incident on the first birefringent element and the incident light is separated into two lights by birefringence to be incident on the diffusing element. The diffusing element diffuses the two lights to emit. The second birefringent element synthesizes the two lights emitted from the diffusing element into one light to emit.
US09977251B2	Display device and a driving method for the display device A display device includes a display panel, a first polarizer, a liquid crystal lens, a first quarter-wave plate, and a second quarter-wave plate. The display panel displays an image. The first polarizer disposed on the display panel reflects a first light having a polarization direction parallel to a reflection axis of the first polarizer. The liquid crystal lens includes liquid crystal molecules and changes a phase of the first light or a second light according to a driving signal applied to the liquid crystal lens. The second and first lights travel in opposite directions with respect to each other. The first quarter-wave plate is disposed between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal lens. The second quarter-wave plate is disposed between the liquid crystal lens and a second polarizer. The display device operates in a mirror mode, a three-dimensional mode, and a two-dimensional mode according to the driving signal.
US09977250B2	Self-registering lenses The description relates to lenses. One example can include a refraction element defining a lens axis and a registration element extending from an edge of the refraction element in a direction that is generally parallel to the lens axis.
US09977249B2	Support member for wearable device A support member for a wearable device includes first and second contact portions coming into contact with a temporal region of a head, a frame portion interposed along a frontal region of the head between the first and second contact portions, and first and second connection portions respectively connecting the first and second contact portions and the frame portion to each other. In a top view, in the first connection portion, a first extension portion extending from the first contact portion and a first frame extension portion are branched ahead of an ear from the frame portion, and in the second connection portion, a second extension portion extending from the second contact portion and a second frame extension portion are branched ahead of the other ear from the frame portion. At least one of the first and second frame extension portions includes a support portion supporting a wearable device.
US09977247B1	System for and method of displaying information without need for a combiner alignment detector A display can be utilized with an image source. The display includes a collimator and a substrate waveguide. The substrate waveguide sees collimated light from the collimator at an input and provides the collimated light to an output. The collimated light travels from the input to the output within the substrate by total internal reflection. An input diffraction grating is disposed in a first area at the input and an output diffraction grating is disposed in a second area at the output. The second diffraction grating is matched to the first diffraction grating. A combiner alignment detector is not required due to the periscopic effect according to one embodiment.
US09977246B2	Low profile image combiner for near-eye displays An image combiner, also referred to as a combiner optic, of a near-eye display system or the like transmits enough light so a user can see remote objects in a “world view”, while also reflecting enough light so the user can simultaneously see a projected image in a “projected” (augmented) view. The disclosed image combiners use two partial reflectors configured to form a wedged reflective cavity. In the display system, light from an imaging device follows a path to the user's eye that includes three reflections in the wedged cavity. By using this capability of the wedged cavity, the combiner optic can have a substantially reduced thickness, and lower profile, than a combiner optic that uses only one partial reflector and only one reflection in the optical path.
US09977242B2	Control of mediated reality welding system based on lighting conditions An example head-worn device includes a camera, a display device, weld detection circuitry, and pixel data processing circuitry. The camera generates first pixel data from a field of view of the head-worn device. The display device displays second pixel data to a wearer of the head-worn device based on the first pixel data captured by the camera. The weld detection circuitry determines whether a welding arc is present and generates a control signal indicating a result of the determination. The pixel data processing circuitry processes the first pixel data captured by the camera to generate the second pixel data for display on the display device, where a mode of operation of said pixel data processing circuitry is selected from a plurality of modes based on said control signal.
US09977241B2	Head-mounted display device, control method for head-mounted display device, and computer program A head-mounted display device includes an image display section capable of displaying an image in a display region, a visual-line-direction specifying section configured to specify a visual line direction of a user, and an image changing section configured to change, according to the specified visual line direction, a display image displayed in the display region.
US09977239B2	Vehicle information presentation device A presentation controller in a control device captures an image of a driver using an onboard camera of an occupant state detection section, and acquires a state of the driver that is detected in the captured image and represents the posture of the driver, and the position of part of the body of the driver. The presentation controller then uses road-vehicle inter-communication to acquire, as an event, information from a detector of an event detection section indicating a danger in front of the vehicle, and detects a presentation direction for the event. The presentation controller then controls a device of a presentation section so as to move a marker that is assistance information along a direction from the vehicle toward the driver, as information perceivable by the occupant. The presentation controller then notifies the event to the ears of the driver.
US09977237B2	Optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus equipped with the same An optical scanner includes a polygonal mirror; a mirror for reflecting the beam from the polygonal mirror; an optical box having a cap and containing the mirror; a first mirror regulating portion in a direction of a normal line of the mirror, the first regulating portion being provided opposed to such a surface of the reflecting surface and a back surface as is closer to the cap; and a second mirror regulating portion in a beam sub-scanning direction, the second regulating portion being provided opposed to such a surface of the mirror as is closer to the cap; wherein the mirror has a plurality of apex lines, and the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are disposed at positions which are remoter from the cap than the apex line that is closest to the cap, with respect to a direction perpendicular to a main scan direction.
US09977230B2	Microscope system A microscope system includes a virtual-slide microscope that acquires a virtual-slide image of a specimen when mounted on a first stage, and a fluorescence microscope that acquires a fluorescence image of the specimen when mounted on a second stage. The virtual-slide microscope includes a display and an image-capturing-condition setting portion that sets image capturing conditions, including a fluorescence-image acquisition position, on the virtual-slide image. The fluorescence microscope includes a memory portion that stores coordinate transformation data between the coordinates of the specimen when fixed on the first stage and the coordinates of the specimen when fixed on the second stage, a condition input portion to which the image capturing conditions are input, and a driving-condition setting portion that sets a driving condition on the basis of the image capturing conditions and the coordinate transformation data.
US09977228B2	Optical module for a microlithography objective holding optical elements with supporting device located in non-equidistant manner An optical module is configured to be used in a microlithography objective. The optical module includes a first holding device with a circumference extending in a first circumferential direction and a first supporting device configured to support a first optical element. The first supporting device is fixed at the circumference of the first holding device. The optical module also includes a plurality of second supporting devices configured to support a second optical element, the second supporting devices being fixed at the circumference of the first holding device. The first supporting device does not contact the second supporting devices. The first optical element is separate from the second optical element. Along the first circumferential direction, the first supporting device is located in a non-equidistant manner between two neighboring second supporting devices.
US09977227B2	Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. At the time of zooming, distances between the lens units change, and a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is shorter than a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a wide angle end, and an aperture stop is disposed on an image side of an image-side surface of the first lens unit, and on an object side of an image-side surface of the second lens unit, and the zoom lens satisfies the conditional expressions.
US09977222B2	Optical imaging lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device An optical imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof. The sixth lens element has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof.
US09977220B2	Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus including the same An image pickup optical system includes: from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power; a second lens unit having a positive refractive power; and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. The first lens unit includes one negative lens or two negative lenses, the second lens unit includes a positive lens closest to the object side, and includes a plurality of lenses, the third lens unit includes, from the object side to the image side, a negative lens and a positive lens. A focal length f1 of the first lens unit, a focal length f3 of the third lens unit, a focal length fGr of the positive lens included in the third lens unit, an entire lens length L, and a focal length f of the image pickup optical system are set appropriately.
US09977218B2	Lens driving device, camera module and optical apparatus A lens driving device is provided, including: a holder member; a bobbin disposed at an inner side of the holder member; a magnet disposed at the holder member; a first coil unit disposed at the bobbin, and facing the magnet; a first support member coupled to the holder member and the bobbin; and a detection sensor disposed at the bobbin, and configured to detect magnetic force of the magnet, wherein the magnet includes a facing surface and an opposite surface disposed at an opposite side of the facing surface, wherein a polarity of the facing surface and a polarity of the opposite surface are different from each other, wherein a polarity of an upper portion of the facing surface and a polarity of a lower portion of the facing surface are different from each other. According to an embodiment, Hall output detected by the detection sensor can be enhanced.
US09977216B2	Passive lens athermalization using liquid lens An optical system includes a liquid lens and an adjustment structure. The liquid lens includes an optically-active region and an adjustment region that is not optically-active. The adjustment region has a volume that corresponds to an optical parameter of the optically-active region. The adjustment structure is configured to interface with the adjustment region. The adjustment structure includes a first portion having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second portion having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to collectively change the volume of the adjustment region throughout an operational temperature range of the optical system based on the first coefficient of thermal expansion of and the second coefficient of thermal expansion.
US09977214B2	Grommet for cable hanger A grommet adapted for insertion into a cable hanger includes a generally C-shaped main body formed of a polymeric material and having a longitudinal axis. Such a grommet can be securely held by a cable hanger.
US09977209B2	Optical fiber cable An optical communication cable is provided. The optical communication cable includes an outer cable layer and a plurality of optical fiber bundles surrounded by the outer cable layer. Each optical fiber bundle includes a bundle jacket surrounding a plurality of optical fiber subunits located within the bundle passage. The plurality of optical subunits are wrapped around each other within the bundle passage forming a wrapped pattern. Each optical fiber subunit includes a subunit jacket surrounding a elongate optical fiber located within the subunit passage. The cable jacket, bundle jacket and subunit jacket may be fire resistant, and strength strands of differing lengths may be located in the bundles and the subunits.
US09977205B2	Magnetic charging and optical data transfer system Embodiments describe an apparatus for magnetic charging and optical data transferring. The apparatus includes an inductive transmitting coil disposed within a housing, an optically transparent window disposed at a surface of the housing and above the inductive transmitting coil, and a first optical data transfer module disposed within the housing below the optically transparent window. The first optical data transfer module may be to perform at least one of emitting optical signals through the optically transparent window or detecting optical signals passing through the optically transparent window.
US09977201B2	Optical module that suppresses stray light An optical module includes a light-forming part and a protective member. The light-forming part includes a base member, a semiconductor light-emitting device, a lens, and a light-receiving device mounted on the base member and disposed, in the emission direction of the semiconductor light-emitting device, between the semiconductor light-emitting device and the lens. The light-receiving surface of the light-receiving device inclines toward the emission portion of the semiconductor light-emitting device such that an inclination angle θ is more than 0° and 90° or less, the inclination angle θ being an angle formed between the optical axis of the semiconductor light-emitting device and a plane including the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving device.
US09977197B1	Floating adjustable sealing mechanism and connector using same A floating adjustable sealing mechanism and a connector using same. The floating adjustable sealing mechanism comprises an adhesive sleeve, and a support of which a front end is a plugging end. An internal hole of the support is provided with a guide mounting section having a guiding direction extending along a front-rear direction. The adhesive sleeve is mounted in the internal hole of the support by means of a guide mating section which is disposed thereon and in a sliding and sealing fit with the guide mounting section. The length of the guide mounting section is greater than the length of the guide mating section. The adhesive sleeve is mounted in the internal hole of the support by means of the sliding and sealing fit between the guide mating section disposed on the adhesive sleeve and the guide mounting section on the support; and in this way, the adhesive sleeve can move back and forth in the internal hole of the support, and the relationship of sealing fit between the adhesive sleeve and the internal hole of the support can be constantly ensured during the back-and-forth movement.
US09977194B2	Wide temperature range optical fiber connector with thermal expansion compensation An optical fiber assembly comprises an optical fiber having a forward end, a ferrule supporting the optical fiber, a beam expanding element aligned with the forward end of the optical fiber, and a thermal expansion compensation element adjacent the optical fiber to compensate for thermal expansion differences between the optical fiber and the ferrule.
US09977191B2	Optical connecting method An optical device includes a substrate including a waveguide array formed therein, each waveguide having a reflective surface; a lens array unit including a waveguide-side lens array arranged facing the waveguide array so each lens of the lens array is aligned with the corresponding reflective surface; and a connector unit including an optical transmission path-side lens array arranged and fixed so each lens of the lens array is aligned with the corresponding lens in the waveguide-side lens array, the plurality of inserted optical transmission paths aligned with the corresponding lens in the optical transmission path-side lens array.
US09977190B2	Wavelength selective switch A wavelength selective switch (WSS) includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel and a fiber array with multiple ports. The two outermost ports of the multiple ports are a first port and a second port. An included angle between an intersecting line of the LCOS panel and a first plane in which the incident light entering the LCOS panel and emergent light exiting the LCOS panel are located, and incident light entering the LCOS panel is (90−θ) degrees, where a wavelength of the incident light is same as a wavelength of the emergent light, θ is less than 15 degrees, the first port and the included angle of (90−θ) degrees are located on a same side of the incident light, and the second port and the included angle of (90−θ) degrees are separately located on two sides of the incident light.
US09977184B1	Spatio-temporally incremental fiber swept source A spatio-temporally incremental fiber sweep source includes a laser light pulse generator for generating light pulses and a fiber array of individual optical fibers. The fiber array has an input end and an output end, with the fibers at the input end receiving the light pulses substantially simultaneously. The optical fibers at the output end are arranged in a raster scan pattern, e.g., a square pattern, wherein the optical delay in each fiber is greater than the previous one in the scan pattern direction. As a result light exits the array in a completely optical two dimensional raster scan pattern. It has no moving parts, and thus no mechanical inertia, so extremely high speed scanning can be achieved.
US09977180B2	Photonic crystal fiber, in particular single-mode fiber for the IR wavelength range, and process for the production thereof The invention relates to a photonic crystal fiber, in particular single-mode fiber, for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the IR wavelength range of >1 μm, in particular in the wavelength range from 1 μm to 20 μm, preferably from 9 μm to 12 μm, having a light-conducting hollow core, in particular a hollow core having a diameter D, and a plurality of hollow bodies, in particular hollow tubes composed of a chalcogenide glass, arranged around the light-conducting hollow core. The hollow bodies (10, 20) are arranged in such a way that the diameter D of the light-conducting hollow core is greater than the shortest wavelength to be transmitted, preferably at least 20 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, particularly preferably at least 100 μm, preferably in the range from 100 μm to 500 μm, in particular in the range from 150 μm to 350 μm, and the damping for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation is <2 dB/m, in particular <1 dB/m, preferably <0.3 dB/m, in particular <0.1 dB/m.
US09977175B2	Backlight module and display apparatus The present disclosure provides a backlight module and a display apparatus. The backlight module comprises a light guide plate, a light source located at one side of the light guide plate at the light incident surface, a lampshade accommodating the light source and being provided with an opening structure with an adjustable size and/or position, and a control device for adjustment of the size and/or position of the opening structure on the lampshade. The amount of light which is irradiated by the backlight module to the light incident surface of the light guide plate may be varied by providing the lampshade which accommodates the light source and disposing the opening structure with an adjustable size and/or position on the lampshade, to achieve an adjustment of the brightness of a display without requiring for adjustment of the current flowing through the light source in the backlight module, thereby causing no impact on the life of the light source.
US09977171B2	Optical waveguide sheet, backlight unit, and portable terminal An optical waveguide sheet for use in an edge-lit backlight unit is provided, that allows rays of light to enter the end face and emits the rays of light from the front face substantially uniformly. The optical waveguide sheet includes, on the back side thereof: a plurality of recessed portions falling toward the front face side; and a plurality of raised portions each provided around each of the plurality of recessed portions and projecting toward the back face side. The optical waveguide sheet preferably has an average thickness of no less than 100 μm and no greater than 600 μm, and is preferably used as a light guide film. The optical waveguide sheet preferably has an average thickness of no less than 100 μm and no greater than 600 μm, and is preferably used as a light guide film.
US09977170B2	Light cylinder and light device using the same A light device using a light cylinder is disclosed. The light device includes a cover, a light source section combined with at least part of an inside surface of the cover and configured to output a light, and a light cylinder configured to include one entrance part and a plurality of output parts. The entrance part is combined with the light source section, and the light incident through the entrance part is outputted through the output parts.
US09977162B2	Substrate having a multilayer with thermal properties and an absorbing layer The invention relates to a substrate (10) coated on one face (11) with a multilayer of thin films (14) with reflective properties in the infrared and/or in the solar radiation band comprising a single functional metal layer (140), in particular of silver or of a metal alloy containing silver, and two dielectric coatings (120, 160), said coatings each comprising at least one dielectric layer (122, 164), said functional layer (140) being disposed between the two dielectric coatings (120, 160), said multilayer furthermore comprising a single absorbing layer (19), characterized in that said absorbing layer (19) is a metal layer having a physical thickness in the range between 0.5 nm and 1.5 nm, or even between 0.6 nm and 1.2 nm and is situated directly on said face (11) and directly under a dielectric layer of nitride not comprising any oxygen.
US09977160B1	Optical assembly for protection of optical devices An optical device includes an optical assembly having a housing, a first end window, and a second end window. The first and second end window together with the housing provide an enclosed volume for a protected optical device including an optical material. A material for the end windows blocks essentially all non-pass band light having sufficient energy to generate absorption phenomena in the optical material while transmitting essentially all of operational wavelength light (pass band light) for the optical device. A material for the housing also blocks essentially all the non-pass band light from reaching the optical material.
US09977159B2	Slit grating, method for manufacturing the same and display device The present disclosure relates to a slit grating, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device. The slit grating includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an electric-controlled dielectric layer and a liquid composite layer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. The liquid composite layer consists of a light-shielding liquid and a light-transmitting liquid incompatible with each other. The electric-controlled dielectric layer has an electrically-induced light-shielding-liquid-philic or light-shielding-liquid-phobic property.
US09977156B2	Display device Provided is a display device including: a display panel including a display area where an image is displayed and a non-display area surrounding the display area; and a first polarization member disposed on a front surface of the display panel and including a polarization area corresponding to the display area and a light blocking area corresponding to the non-display area, wherein the first polarization member corresponding to the light blocking area includes a plurality of scattering patterns which reduce reflectance of the non-display area.
US09977154B2	Precision control of web material having micro-replicated lens array A manufacturing system includes a sensing system that provides high-resolution feedback for web guiding and tension control. The system may be especially useful for web material that is manufactured to include micro-replicated structures with micron size scale. A micro-replication station forms a pattern of micro-replicated lenses on a web material. The sensing system illuminates a measurement area on the web material and detects an angular distribution of light exiting a set of the micro-replicated lenses within the first measurement area. A control system that adjusts at least one process control parameter of the transport system based on the detected angular distribution.
US09977149B2	Synthetic diamond optical elements An optical element comprising: synthetic diamond material; and a flattened lens surface structure in the form of a zone plate, Fresnel lens, or a spherical lens formed directly in at least one surface of the synthetic diamond material, wherein the synthetic diamond material has an absorption coefficient measured at room temperature of ≤0.5 cm−1 at a wavelength of 10.6 μm, and wherein the synthetic diamond material has a laser induced damage threshold meeting one or both of the following characteristics: the laser induced damage threshold is at least 30 Jcm−2 measured using a pulsed laser at a wavelength of 10.6 μm with a pulse duration of 100 ns and a pulse repetition frequency in a range 1 to 10 Hz; and the laser induced damage threshold is at least 1 MW/cm2 measured using a continuous wave laser at a wavelength of 10.6 μm.
US09977148B2	Method for synchronizing a light grid A method for synchronizing a light grid comprising a transmitting unit having a plurality of transmitters and a receiving unit having a plurality of receivers. A transmitter control unit activates the transmitters one after another in a cycle, and a receiver control unit evaluates the receivers. Each transmitter is associated with a receiver, and an activated transmitter transmits a transmission beam to its associated receiver. At least two transmission beams in the cycle are synchronization transmission beams which are emitted at a time offset from one another. The receiver control unit measures the time offset, and the synchronization transmission beams are uniquely associated with the totality of the transmission beams in the cycle on the basis of the time offset.
US09977146B2	Gamma detection sensors in a rotary steerable tool In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotary steerable tool and a gamma sensor assembly are provided. These systems may include scintillation detection sensors mounted in a pressure sleeve assembly coupled to a rotating drive shaft and/or an electronics insert of the rotary steerable tool. The sensors may each be mounted in an atmospheric pressure environment within a respective pressure sleeve. The pressure sleeves may each rotate with the drive shaft and the electronics insert. The sonde-based arrangement of the systems may facilitate relatively high sensitivity measurements taken at a rotating portion of the rotary steerable tool. This may allow directional gamma measurements and bulk gamma measurements to be determined at the rotating section of rotary steerable tool.
US09977144B2	Nested tubular analysis via electromagnetic logging Methods and apparatus for analyzing nested tubulars via electromagnetic (EM) logging. An example method includes operating an EM logging tool within tubulars nested within a wellbore. The EM logging tool includes an EM transmitter and multiple EM receivers. Data obtained via the EM receivers is utilized to estimate an individual thickness of each tubular at each of multiple depths within the wellbore. The estimated individual thicknesses are utilized to estimate a cumulative thickness of the tubulars at each depth. Local variations of the estimated cumulative thicknesses are utilized to distinguish between actual and spurious indications of differences between the estimated individual thicknesses at neighboring depths.
US09977143B2	Method for attenuating multiples One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method for processing seismic data comprising the steps of receiving data representing seismic energy gathered from a formation by a plurality of seismic receivers, wherein the data include primary and multiple data. A copy of the received data is created and compensated to reduce amplitude attenuation effects due to transmission and absorption losses. A multiple prediction algorithm is applied to the received and compensated data to obtain a multiple data prediction. The multiple data prediction is subtracted from the received data to obtain primary data. The primary data is processed to reduce attenuation effects in the received data.
US09977137B2	X-ray image pickup device and image reconstruction method Provided is a technique in an X-ray imaging apparatus for implementing data interpolation approximating an ideal point response trajectory interpolation, along with reducing calculation load. A method is provided to perform interpolation at high speed, in a direction along the point response trajectory. Sinograms are interpolated in advance from measured data, as to representative angles (e.g., 0°, ±30°, ±60°, and 90°) only. When a pixel targeted for back projection is determined at the time of reconstruction, a slope of the point response trajectory is determined as to each view. According to the slope of the trajectory, each representative sinogram is added with weight, whereby interpolation data in association with any angle can be obtained.
US09977130B2	Disruption detection of a positioning measurement differential correction message of a satellite geolocation device The invention relates to a disruption detection method and device for a positioning measurement correction message of a satellite geolocation device, able to receive a composite radio signal including a plurality of signals each emitted by a satellite in view of the geolocation device, and a positioning measurement differential correction message (MC) emitted by a satellite geolocation precision augmentation system. The device (20) according to the invention includes modules (32) computing, for each of the satellites in view, at least one differential correction coherence metric depending on a positioning measurement differential correction (CAS) extracted from the received differential correction message (MC). The device (20) also includes a module (34) detecting a disruption of the correction message when the number of satellites for which the differential correction coherence metric is above a predetermined threshold exceeds a predetermined number of satellites (N0), strictly greater than one.
US09977126B2	Radar apparatus A radar apparatus is configured to derive information of a target in a vicinity of a host vehicle. The radar apparatus comprising a signal processor configured to: determine whether or not the target is a standstill object having an absolute speed less than a predetermined speed, determine whether or not the target determined as the standstill object is an upper object overhead of the host vehicle and with which the host vehicle cannot collide, and determine whether or not an environment for deriving target information is an adverse environment based on a frequency of determining existence of the upper object that also is the standstill object.
US09977123B2	Automated track projection bias removal using frechet distance and road networks A system and method for projecting target tracks produced by a remote tracker onto a surface of the Earth to obtain projected tracks is provided. Projection bias in a projected track from the remote tracker projected onto a planar map is removed by computing a discrete Frechet distance from a polygonal curve associated with a track derived from the remote tracker to a corresponding polygonal curve on the planar map. A correspondence between the projected track and a track on the planar map is automatically established. A projection bias is removed based on the correspondence.
US09977122B2	Multi-function shared aperture array A multi-function radio frequency (RF) system may include a shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals and communications signals. The system may also include an integrated electronics package configured for controlling operation of the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The integrated electronics package may include a modulator/demodulator subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may include a radar module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving radar signals. The radar module is configured to transmit and receive radar signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem. The modulator/demodulator subsystem may also include a communications module that is selectively coupled to the shared phased array antenna subsystem for transmitting and receiving communications signals. The communications module is configured to transmit and receive communications signals through the shared phased array antenna subsystem.
US09977121B1	Systems and methods for beam forming RFID tags A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag having a plurality of information sources and a beamforming network. The tag receives electromagnetic radiation from the interrogator. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic radiation to a subset of the plurality of information sources. The RFID tag transmits a response to the received electromagnetic radiation, based on the subset of the plurality of information sources to which the received electromagnetic radiation was directed. Method and other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09977119B2	Rotating optical range finder A rotating optical range finder includes a stationary base, a rotating base, an optical sensor, a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a first induction coil, and a second induction coil. The rotating base is disposed on the stationary base. The optical sensor is disposed in the rotating base. The transmitting circuit is disposed in the stationary base. The receiving circuit is disposed in the rotating base and electrically connected to the optical sensor. The first induction coil is disposed in the stationary base and electrically connected to the transmitting circuit. The second induction coil is disposed in the rotating base and electrically connected to the receiving circuit.
US09977118B2	Method of operating a distance-measuring monitoring sensor and monitoring sensor The present invention relates to a method of operating a distance-measuring monitoring sensor for monitoring an at least two-dimensional protected field that is divided into a plurality of sector-shaped, cyclically scannable monitored fields, wherein the monitoring sensor comprises at least one light transmitter and at least one light receiver. The invention further relates to a monitoring sensor.
US09977117B2	Systems and methods for detecting, tracking and identifying small unmanned systems such as drones A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner.
US09977116B2	Scaling fixed-point fast Fourier transforms in radar and sonar applications Present disclosure describes an improved scaling mechanism for a multi-stage fixed-point FFT algorithm used to process signals received by radar or sonar systems. Proposed scaling includes scaling an output of every pair of consecutive butterfly stages of the FFT algorithm by a scaling factor equal to two times of the inverse of a growth factor for the pair of consecutive butterfly stages for the FFT algorithm for a purely complex exponential input signal. Besides this scaling, input signals are allowed to overflow by saturation. Such mechanism yields adequate performance of radar and sonar receivers implementing fixed-point FFTs for any types of input signals, from random to substantially complex exponential or sinusoidal signals. Proposed scaling achieves a balance between having signal to noise ratio (SNR) that is possible to obtain for a particular input signal and SNR that is needed to successfully process that signal for radar and sonar applications.
US09977114B1	Real time object tracking system Provided is an apparatus for tracking an object. The apparatus includes a grid including a plurality of antennae arranged to form an array of cells in which the object can be tracked, and a communication tag provided to the object to be sensed for tracking a location of the object. A receiver is operatively connected to the antennae for transmitting an interrogation signal via the antennae and receiving a signal indicative of a location of the object within the array in response to transmission of the interrogation signal. A processor unit utilizes the signal to determine useful data indicative of the location of the object in the array, and a platform presents the usable data to a user to relay information about the location of the object.
US09977112B2	Object localization with RFID infrastructure Object localization with an radio-frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure is described. A plurality of transmission power levels established by an RFID reader can be searched to determine a measurement power level corresponding to a target. A region that includes the target can then be determined using information about a physical relationship between the RFID reader and a reference location via correlating the measurement power level to a reference power level corresponding to the reference location.
US09977110B2	Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging with radio frequency pulses generated according to phase criteria In this disclosure, a process of imaging a target object using magnetic resonance (MR) includes an MRI scanner scanning the target object using a first transmit RF pulse. A processor associated with the MRI scanner can acquire magnitude and/or phase data associated with a first RF signal produced (or echoed) by the target object responsive to the MRI scan. The processor can determine a second transmit RF pulse for use to scan the target object based on the acquired data and according to a given phase criterion. The phase criterion can be configured to enforce mitigation of a phase distribution estimated based on the acquired data.
US09977105B2	Magnetic resonance imaging device and water-fat separation method Restriction on echo intervals is to be reduced in the Dixon's method without sacrificing separation performance and image quality. An image is reconstructed from echo signals measured at three or more different echo times. First and second peak frequency distributions in which aliasing (folding) due to echo time intervals is removed are calculated from the obtained images, and the first and second peak frequency distributions are used to obtain an offset frequency distribution. Note that these first peak frequency distribution and second peak frequency distribution are a distribution of peak frequencies obtained on the assumption that all of the pixels are the first substance and a distribution of peak frequencies obtained on the assumption that all of the pixels are the second substance, respectively. The offset frequency distribution and the obtained images are used to separate an image of the first substance from an image of the second substance.
US09977104B2	Magnetic resonance imaging along energy-delivering device axis Location data indicative of the location of a target volume (146) is received. A positioning system (224) rotates a therapy device including an energy-delivering device about a longitudinal axis. The energy-delivering device delivers energy to the target volume (146) at a first rotation position using the location data: A magnetic resonance imaging scanner (106) acquires first magnetic resonance data from a first set of slice planes (509) and a second set of slice planes (501, 505, 507) of the target volume (146) at least one second rotation position of the therapy device.
US09977101B2	Active transmit elements for MRI coils and other antenna devices, and method Apparatus and method that includes amplifiers for transceiver antenna elements, and more specifically to power amplifying an RF (radio frequency) signal using a distributed power amplifier having electronic devices (such as field-effect transistors) that are thermally and/or mechanically connected to each one of a plurality of antenna elements (also called coil elements) to form a hybrid coil-amplifier (e.g., for use in a magnetic-resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy machine), and that is optionally adjusted from a remote location, optionally including remotely adjusting its gains, electrical resistances, inductances, and/or capacitances (which controls the magnitude, phase, frequency, spatial profile, and temporal profile of the RF signal)—and, in some embodiments, the components are compatible with, and function in, high fields (such as a magnetic field of up to and exceeding one tesla or even ten tesla or more and/or an electric field of many thousands of volts per meter).
US09977093B2	Electronic apparatus, system for estimating degradation of internal power supply, and method of estimating degradation of internal power supply An electronic apparatus includes: an internal power supply to be charged; a charging circuit configured to supply electrical power from an external power supply to the internal power supply; a voltage measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage of the internal power supply; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the internal power supply; and an estimation circuit configured to estimate a degree of degradation of the internal power supply, wherein the estimation circuit determines whether it is possible to perform a degradation estimation process to estimate the degree of degradation of the internal power supply based on the voltage of the internal power supply and the temperature of the internal power supply, and performs the degradation estimation process on the internal power supply only when determining that it is possible to perform the degradation estimation process on the internal power supply.
US09977090B2	Insulation failure inspecting apparatus, insulation failure inspecting method using same, and method for manufacturing electrochemical cell Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell, wherein an insulation failure product can be accurately rejected, and an electrochemical cell can be used again after the insulation failure inspection. In the method for manufacturing the electrochemical cell (1), which is configured by hermetically housing an electrochemical cell main body (20) such that the leading end of a metal terminal (21) protrudes to the outside of the outer housing (10), an impulse voltage is applied between the metal terminal (21) and a metal foil layer (12), the waveform of the voltage applied to the capacitance between the metal terminal (21) and the metal foil layer (12) is measured, and the insulation failure inspection step is performed.
US09977088B2	Battery fuel gauge current sensing circuit and method thereof A battery fuel gauge current sensing circuit includes: a sense unit coupled in series with the battery and configured to sense the battery current; a control unit configured to adjust the ON resistance of the sense unit based on the comparison of the voltage across the sense unit and a threshold voltage until the voltage across the sense unit is greater than the threshold voltage; and a sample unit coupled across the sense unit and configured to sample the voltage across the sense unit and to provide an analog sample voltage when the voltage across the sense unit is greater than the threshold voltage.
US09977087B2	Device and method for estimating remaining battery capacity This invention is concerning a device including a current calculator that calculates remaining capacity difference current on the basis of a first remaining battery capacity reflected on open-circuit voltage of a battery and a second remaining battery capacity not reflected on the open-circuit voltage, a first remaining capacity estimator that estimates the first remaining battery capacity on the basis of a value produced by removing the remaining capacity difference current from the current value of the battery and the inter-terminal voltage of the battery, a second remaining capacity calculator that calculates the second remaining battery capacity by adding up the remaining capacity difference current, and an adder that obtains a remaining battery capacity of the battery by adding the estimate of the first remaining battery capacity and the calculation value of the second remaining battery capacity. The current calculator calculates the remaining capacity difference current so that the first remaining battery capacity and the second remaining battery capacity have a prescribed potential difference.
US09977084B2	Method and system for determining core losses in a permanent magnet synchronous motor A method and system for determining core losses in a permanent magnet synchronous motor, comprising a measurement of the losses of the motor with the motor not connected to a load, and a deduction of the core losses of the motor from the losses of the motor. The motor is placed in an over-fluxing state during the measurement of the losses.
US09977083B2	Switched high-voltage sampling circuit for electric vehicles A sampling circuit monitors a high voltage level in an electric vehicle drive. A resistor ladder receives a drive voltage to be sampled and provides sufficient isolation to allow use of low cost switching devices. An N-channel MOSFET is connected between the ladder and a reference resistance. A junction between the source terminal of the MOSFET and the reference resistance provides a sampled voltage output adapted to be input to an analog-to-digital converter. A discrete optocoupler has an output side with a collector and an emitter. The collector is coupled to the resistor ladder, and the emitter is connected to a gate terminal of the MOSFET and coupled to the ground reference by a load resistor.
US09977082B2	System and method for detecting fusion of relay of a battery when engaging or disengaging the ignition of vehicle A system and method for detecting a fusion of a relay of a battery is provided. The method includes detecting the fusion of the relay during disengagement of an ignition of a vehicle and determining the fusion status of the relay during engagement of the ignition of the vehicle. The method includes adjusting a first relay to an off position, after disengaging an ignition, and determining whether the fusion status of first relay based on measuring a voltage of an interval between the adjusting the first relay to an off position and adjusting a second relay to an off position. Then the second relay may be adjusted to the off position.
US09977081B2	Scan speed optimization of input and output paths Disclosed herein is a scan optimizer system and method designed to generate optimal ATE input/output timing with small margin but yielding stable results. Therefore the scan test time is greatly improved.
US09977080B2	Generating test sets for diagnosing scan chain failures Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise software-based techniques that can be used to improve scan chain test pattern generation and scan chain failure diagnosis resolution. For example, certain embodiments can be used to generate high quality chain diagnosis test patterns that are able to isolate a scan chain defect to a single scan cell. Such embodiments can be used to generate a “complete” test set—that is, a set of chain diagnosis test patterns that is able to isolate any scan chain defect in a faulty scan chain to a single scan cell.
US09977077B1	Self-test solution for delay locked loops A built-in self test (BIST) circuit and method is provided to test a first and a second DLL. The first DLL has a first delay input, a first clock input disposed to receive a clock input signal, and a first clock output that provides a first clock output signal delayed in comparison with the clock input signal. The second DLL has a second delay input, a second clock input disposed to receive the clock input signal, and a second clock output signal delayed in comparison with the clock input signal. The BIST circuitry provides a first delay amount over the first delay input creating a start offset between the first and second clock output signals. If the first DLL is functioning properly the start offset between the output signals should remain unchanged even after the BIST circuitry provides an additional common delay amount to the first and second delay inputs.
US09977076B2	Technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic devices and systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by measuring a first response on a first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on the first transmission line, and then measuring a second response on the first transmission line from a single pulse transmitted on at least one second transmission line, wherein the at least one second transmission line is substantially adjacent to the first transmission line. The worst case bit sequences for transmission on the first transmission line and the at least one second transmission line are then determined based upon the first response and the second response for determining performance characteristics associated with the first transmission line.
US09977070B2	Method for inspecting magnetron A magnetron can be inspected with high accuracy. A life of the magnetron is determined on the basis of a comparison between a current parameter, which indicates a current status of the magnetron and is obtained from the one or more measurement values for specifying a current status of the magnetron at a time point when a time period having a predetermined duration or more has elapsed after generation of a high frequency power by the magnetron is started, and a difference between a power of a progressive wave and a set power is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value and a power of a reflection wave is equal to or lower than a second predetermined value, and an initial parameter, which indicates an initial status of the magnetron and corresponds to the current parameter.
US09977069B2	Non-contact discharge test method and device In a non-contact discharge test performed in a poor electromagnetic noise environment, the energy of discharge is evaluated by detecting weak light emission and processing the intensity waveform of light emission of the discharge. A database is created by measuring the intensity waveform of light emission of discharge generated as a result of application of a voltage or current to a measurement object through use of a light emission measuring device, simultaneously measuring the current waveform of the discharge through use of a current measuring device, and storing in the database the relation between analysis data sets obtained through analysis of the waveforms on the basis of information of the voltage or current applied to the measurement object. The intensity waveform of the light emission of the discharge or spark generated from the measurement object is measured while an electromagnetic wave generated as a result of the discharge of the measurement object is used as a reference. The magnitude of the discharge is estimated as a value by comparing light emission data obtained through analysis of the intensity waveform with the data recorded in the database.
US09977068B1	Frequency multiplexer for use with instruments for measuring passive intermodulation (PIM) A device for combining two or more tones generated by a measuring instrument for output to a port includes a combiner point, a transmission path extending from the combiner point to the port, two or more signal source filters each adapted to be connected to a respective signal source of the measuring instrument and one or more receiver filters each adapted to be connected to a receiver of the measuring instrument. Each of the signal source filters and receiver filters includes a cavity, a resonator arranged within the cavity and connected with the combiner point at a distance of one quarter of a wavelength of a signal having a center frequency of the passband of the filter, and a solid dielectric filter connected with the cavity.
US09977067B1	Automatic insulation resistance testers The present invention relates to improvements to automatic permanently installed insulation resistance test equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements to insulation test equipment for testing low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage electrical equipment on the order of the rated voltage level while limiting the maximum output current to a safe level. The preferred test output voltage of the insulation test equipment would have a maximum test output of 5000 VDC, due to design considerations, but the AIRT test output could be made to be higher, up to a maximum of 15,000 VDC. After installation of the insulation test equipment in the control cabinet of the electrical equipment there will be no requirement to open the control cabinet to operate the insulation test equipment. The improvements will also allow personnel to perform an insulation test on electrical equipment without having to manually isolate the electrical equipment from the power source to perform the testing.
US09977062B2	Electric field intensity calculation program, electric field intensity calculation apparatus and electric field intensity calculation method An electric field intensity calculation apparatus specifies, by analyzing a measurement result for a near magnetic field intensity distribution on a component side of a printed circuit, a maximum intensity of an evaluation target frequency component of a near magnetic field of the printed circuit and an area of a range, on the printed circuit, delimited by using, as its boundary, positions where intensity of the evaluation target frequency component of the near magnetic field attenuates by a predetermined factor relative to the maximum intensity, and calculate a far electric field intensity for the evaluation target frequency at a place at a distance from the printed circuit, based on the area, an electronic current value of an electronic current that generates a near magnetic field having the maximum intensity when flowing through the component side of the printed circuit, the evaluation target frequency, the distance, and a proportional coefficient.
US09977059B2	Electrochemical analysis apparatus and electrochemical system An electrochemical analysis apparatus 1 includes a power controller 20 that generates a rectangular wave signal having a first frequency (f1) and applies the rectangular wave signal to an electrochemical cell 10 including a plurality of electrodes 11 to 13 and an electrolyte 14, a Fourier transform section 30 that Fourier-transforms a response signal of the electrochemical cell 10 to the rectangular wave signal and calculates frequency characteristics including a component of a second frequency f2 of an integer multiple of the first frequency f1, and a calculating section 40 that calculates an impedance characteristic of the electrochemical cell 10 based on the frequency characteristics calculated by the Fourier transform section 30.
US09977056B2	High voltage fiber optic sensor for the measurement of an alternating electric field A method for measuring an alternating electric field is disclosed. The method includes realizing a first diffraction grating in a first location, in a core of a silica-based optical fiber, and measuring a peak reflection wavelength of the first diffraction grating. The method also includes positioning the optical fiber along a direction having a non-zero component of an electrical field generated by an alternating voltage to be measured, and coupling a substantially monochromatic light to said optical fiber surrounded by the electric field. The method further includes measuring a parameter dependent on a shift of the peak reflection wavelength due to intrinsic mechanical deformation or refractive index change of the material in which the optical fiber and the diffracting grating are realized due to the alternating electric field, and calculating a value of the electric field causing such a measured deformation or refractive index change.
US09977053B2	Wafer probe alignment A wafer probe alignment system and method for aligning a probe to a chip wafer for testing a chip on the wafer are provided. At least two corners of the probe are adjustable in a same direction in relation to a primary corner of the probe. The alignment approach includes providing a grid of signal pins for corresponding contact pads of the chip under test, determining for each signal pin whether an electrical contact is established to a corresponding contact pad of the chip under contact force, and adjusting a position of each of the at least two corners by a corner individual delta position value with respect to the direction depending on a result of the determining in order to establish an electrical contact between each of the pins and the corresponding contact pads of the chip under test.
US09977046B2	Pinch contact switch for determining bending surface states A device includes two electrically isolated metalized posts attached in close proximity to each other on a bendable substrate. When the bendable substrate bends concavely with respect to the surface onto which the posts are mounted, the distance between the tops of the two posts decreases. At a fixed bending curvature, the two posts will meet and complete an electrical circuit. The posts comprise a flexible material so that the meeting of the posts has minimal effect on the spring constant or damping coefficient of the harmonic oscillation.
US09977045B2	Atmospheric measurement system An apparatus providing for simultaneous measurement of the wind upstream and downstream of a wind turbine uses either a single LIDAR beam split into two beams, each focused upstream or downstream of the windmill, or a multiple beam LIDAR with a first beam source aimed toward the upstream direction of the wind and a second beam source aimed at the downstream direction after the wind has passed through the wind turbine. The apparatus may also use LIDAR to measure wind direction and speed by making measurements along slightly different lines of sight, or by pointing the LIDAR in different directions. Two lines of sight allow measuring wind direction in the plane defined by the two lines of sight. Three non-coplanar lines of sight provide the information necessary to determine a full 3-dimensional wind velocity vector. Further, LIDAR may also be used to measure wind speed by estimating the wind velocity using inputs from both aerosol and molecular components.
US09977042B2	Object moving device An object moving device includes: a first drive mechanism configured to move a head unit in a first direction and in a second direction; a second drive mechanism configured to move an illumination unit in the first direction; and a third drive mechanism configured to move a camera unit in the first direction. A control unit controls the first drive mechanism to move the head unit on a first path. The control unit controls the second and third drive mechanisms to move the illumination unit and the camera unit on the first path between the first container and the second container. When the head unit and the illumination unit interfere with each other on the first path, the control unit implements control such that the head unit moves in the second direction and the head units moves in the first direction on a second path parallel to the first path.
US09977040B2	Device and method for reactions between a solid and a liquid phase The invention relates to a device for bringing an immobilized reactant into contact with at least one fluid, said device comprising: a basin having a bottom surface from which an upper side of at least one elevated portion projects into the interior of the basin, and said at least one elevated portion having a channel running, preferably perpendicular to the bottom surface of the basin, from the bottom surface of the basin to the upper side of the portion, and leading into at least one outlet opening on the upper side of the elevated portion, wherein the channel is fed from at least one fluid reservoir via a supply element by means of a pump device, said reservoir containing the at least one fluid; a holding device designed to detachably hold at least one object carrier, preferably a plurality of object carriers, having at least one surface of adhesion to the immobilized reactant, in such a way that the adhesion surface is facing the interior of the basin, and the upper side of the elevated portion and the adhesion surface are positioned relative to one another in such a way that fluid exiting the outlet opening comes into contact with the immobilized reactant; and optionally an object carrier introduced into the holding device. The invention also relates to a method for bringing an immobilized reactant into contact with at least one fluid, comprising the following steps: immobilizing the reactant on the adhesion surface of at least one object carrier suitable for introduction into the holding device of the device according to the invention; (provided that the preceding steps were carried out outside of the device according to the invention) introducing the object carrier into the holding device of the device according to the invention, preferably via a transport device in the device according to the invention; introducing the at least one fluid via the supply element in the direction of the outlet opening, until the at least one fluid comes into contact with the immobilized reactant.
US09977038B2	Method for detecting lupus anticoagulants Provided is the development of a convenient LA detection method in which even a sample derived from a patient who receives anticoagulant therapy of warfarin, heparin or the like, is not affected by the anticoagulant therapy, discrimination from the deficiency of blood coagulation factors is enabled, and healthy person's plasma is not used. The method for detecting lupus anticoagulant includes the following steps (A), (B) and (C): (A) a step of adding a buffer solution composition containing blood coagulation factors to each of a blood sample and a diluted sample of the blood sample before measurement or at the time of measurement of the blood coagulation time; (B) a step of measuring the blood coagulation times for the various samples of step (A); and (C) a step of comparing the blood coagulation times for the various samples obtained in step (B).
US09977034B2	Biomarkers for fatty liver disease and methods using the same The present invention provides various biomarkers of fatty liver disease, including steatosis and steatohepatitis. The present invention also provides various methods of using the biomarkers, including methods for diagnosis of fatty liver disease, methods of determining predisposition to fatty liver disease, methods of monitoring progression/regression of fatty liver disease, methods of assessing efficacy of compositions for treating fatty liver disease, methods of screening compositions for activity in modulating biomarkers of fatty liver disease, methods of treating fatty liver disease, as well as other methods based on biomarkers of fatty liver disease.
US09977032B2	Microparticle fractionation We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of micro-particles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phosphotidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.
US09977030B2	Detection of shed CD31, diagnosis of atherothrombosis and autoimmune disorders, and methods for analyzing signaling pathways The present invention stems from the finding that the extracellular domain of CD31 proteins present on blood leukocytes is shed and released in the circulation as a soluble form of CD31. A method for detecting shed CD31 is further disclosed. The invention therefore relates to a method for detecting a shed ectodomain of a transmembrane protein such as CD31 and to the use of such a method as a diagnostic tool. The invention further provides methods for determining whether a candidate protein is part of a molecular complex.
US09977028B2	Ionization of chemicals in mixture at low pH by ambient ionization/mass spectrometry A mass spectrometry-based method for analyzing an acidic organic target compound includes directing a charged solvent (44) toward a pre-acidified sample (12) comprising the target compound, to thereby ionize the pre-acidified sample (12). The method further includes directing the ionized pre-acidified sample (54) to a mass spectrometer (18), the mass spectrometer (18) being configured to identify and quantify the target compound.
US09977017B2	Apparatus for screening cells Provided are a method and means permitting the simultaneous measurement of the reactive properties of more than 10,000 of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes being held on a chip and the separate determination of the states of individual cells. A microwell array comprises multiple wells and a coating layer on one of the principal surfaces of a base member, the wells being of a size permitting the entry of only a single cell into each well. A coating layer of a substance capable of binding to a substance produced by the cells contained in the wells is present on the principal surface around the wells. A method of screening for a target cell, comprises: causing specimen cells and a cell culture broth to be contained in the wells of the above microwell array; immersing the coating layer and the wells in the culture broth and culturing the cells in a state permitting the diffusion of substances in the culture broth from the wells into the coating layer; feeding a label substance binding specifically to a substance produced by a target cell present among the specimen cells onto the coating layer; and detecting the substance produced by the target cell that has bound to the substance in the coating layer by the label substance to specify the target cell.
US09977015B2	Systems and methods for detecting molecular interactions using magnetic beads Systems and methods are provided for detecting or measuring binding affinity between different compositions. The methods include contacting one or more magnetic beads having a surface including a first composition with a substrate having a surface including a second composition; applying a rotating magnetic field to the one or more magnetic beads effective to cause the one or more magnetic beads to move across the surface of the substrate; measuring the movement of the one or more magnetic beads across the substrate surface to determine a translational velocity; and determining a binding affinity between the first and second compositions from the translational velocity.
US09977011B2	Portable sampling device and method for sampling drug substances from exhaled breath A portable drug sampling device for handheldly collecting a sample from exhaled breath of a subject for further sensor based analysis. The device comprising: a housing (406) comprising at least one inlet (407) and at least one outlet (408) for the exhaled breath to exit through, and a sampling membrane (302) arranged in the housing. A tubular element (40) having a mouthpiece section (401) for the subject to exhale into, and a saliva trap section comprising baffles (103) to create a non-straight gas flow path for letting aerosols pass through the tubular element. The sampling membrane (302) is arranged to collect the aerosols from the exhaled breath. The portable drug testing device further comprises a volume collecting element (208).
US09977007B2	Bubble size determination based on bubble stiffness Apparatus is provided comprising a signal processing module configured with at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: receive signaling containing information about a stiffness of a concrete mixture; and determine an average bubble size of gas contained in the concrete mixture, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processing module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the average bubble size of gas contained in the concrete mixture. The signal processing module may be configured to determine the pressure inside air bubbles and determine an average air bubble size of the gas contained in the concrete mixture, based at least partly on the pressure determined inside the air bubbles.
US09977004B2	Systems and methods for controlling cationic water treatment additives Systems and methods are provided for measuring the amount of cationic organic water treatment additives in water systems. Disclosed systems and methods monitor, analyze and control the amounts of cationic organic water treatment additive supplied to the water. Disclosed systems and methods may include various dyes and surfactants for facilitating the monitoring and control of the cationic organic water treatment additives.
US09977003B2	Non-contact egg identification system for determining egg viability using transmission spectroscopy, and associated method An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.
US09977002B2	Nanoporous structures by reactive ion etching A metal structure including a first metal end region, a second metal end region, and an intermediate region between the first metal end region and the second metal end region, wherein the intermediate region comprises a metal nanostructure having a plurality of pores.
US09977000B2	Material for detecting phenol derivatives and applications thereof Monolithic nanoporous material, which is self-standing (i.e. self-supported or cohesive), solid and transparent, essentially devoid of cracks, transparent to UV radiation, obtained by the Sol-Gel process, the material having a basic nature and including a reagent capable of generating a stained product by forming a bond with phenol, a basic compound or mixture of basic compounds and a compound or mixture of oxidant compounds, method for preparation and use in the detection and in the selective depollution of phenol or one of its derivatives.
US09976995B2	Staggered chromatography mass spectrometry An analytical instrument is disclosed comprising a liquid chromatography system comprising a first column, a chromatographic delay line and a splitter arranged and adapted in a mode of operation to split eluent from the first column into a first portion of eluent and a second portion of eluent. The instrument further comprises a first device. The liquid chromatography system is arranged and adapted in the mode of operation: (i) to pass the first portion of eluent from the splitter to the first device such that a first part of the first portion of eluent arrives at the first device at a first time ti and a second part of the first portion of eluent arrives at the first device at a second time t2. The system is further arranged and adapted: (ii) to pass the second portion of eluent from the splitter through the chromatographic delay line to the first device such that the passage of the second portion of eluent from the splitter to the first device is delayed relative to the passage of the first portion of eluent from the splitter to the first device, and such that a first part of the second portion of eluent arrives at the first device at a third time t3, where t1
US09976993B2	Sample extraction apparatus with micro elution bed design An apparatus for extracting an analyte from a liquid sample having a container with an entrance, an exit, and a passage therebetween for passage of a liquid sample containing an analyte, the container having a full diameter bed region and a reduced diameter bed region. The container includes a layered construction extending across the passage, having from top to bottom one or more of: (i) an upper flow distributor/support layer, (ii) an upper compression layer, (iii) an extraction layer of microparticulate extraction medium adjacent to the layer (ii), and (iv) a lower compression layer located adjacent to the extraction layer (iii), optionally including one or more air gap layers. At least some of the layers are located in the full diameter bed region, and some of the layers are located in the reduced diameter bed region. The apparatus may have a plurality of containers arranged in an array and/or in series so as to provide multi-stage filtration or extraction.
US09976991B2	Optical gas sensor A sensor head is described herein. The sensor head can include a first piece, where the first piece can include a body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The first piece can also include a light source cavity disposed in the body at the inner surface. The first piece can further include an optical device cavity disposed in the body at the inner surface. The first piece can also include an ellipsoidal cavity disposed in the body at the inner surface, where the ellipsoidal cavity is disposed adjacent to the optical device cavity. The first piece can further include a receiving device cavity disposed in the body adjacent to the inner surface that forms the ellipsoidal cavity. The first piece can also include at least one channel disposed in the body.
US09976985B2	Field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry system An apparatus, system and method for detecting, identifying, classifying and/or quantifying chemical species in a gas flow using a micro-fabricated ion filter coupled to a system adapted to apply drive signals to the ion filter. Coupled to the ion filter is a system adapted to measure the output of the ion filter, which in turn is coupled to a system adapted to extract numerical parameters from the measured output of the ion filter to facilitate chemical detection, identification, classification and/or quantification of the gas flow.
US09976981B2	Device for detecting chemical/physical phenomenon having a diffusion layer formed between an input charge control region and a sensing region on a substrate Provided is a charge-transfer-type sensor suitable for high integration while eliminating a potential barrier. A sensor provided with a semiconductor substrate 10 partitioned into a sensing region 5 in which a potential varies in corresponding fashion to a variation in the external environment, a charge input region 2 for supplying charges to the sensing region 5, an input charge control region 3 interposed between the sensing region 5 and the charge input region 2, and a charge accumulation region 7 for accumulating electric charges transported from the sensing region 5, the sensor for detecting the amount of electric charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region 7, wherein a diffusion layer 4 is formed between the input charge control region 3 and the sensing region 5 of the substrate 10, and dopants for producing charges having the same polarity as the charges supplied from the charge input region 2 are diffused in the diffusion layer 4.
US09976980B2	Sensor device A sensor device includes: a housing body delimiting within the housing body: a flow duct, and a bypass that branches off from the flow duct at a branching point, the bypass having a wall with an opening; and a sensor element configured to detect a gas content, the sensor element being arranged in the opening. The sensor element has: a sensor body having a longitudinal axis, an electrode chamber within the sensor body, a heating element embedded in the sensor body and by which a predefined region around the electrode chamber is heatable to a predefined operating temperature, an inlet duct coupled to the electrode chamber and having an inlet on the surface of the sensor body, and a thermal insulation sleeve on the sensor body, the thermal insulation sleeve extending at least axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis over a region of the electrode chamber.
US09976979B2	Gas sensor element, gas sensor, and method of manufacturing gas sensor element A gas sensor element (10) includes a first composite ceramic layer (111) having a plate-shaped first surrounding portion (112) formed of an insulating ceramic and including a through hole inner-perimetric-surface (115) which defines a through hole (112h), and a plate-shaped first electrolyte portion (121) formed of a solid electrolyte ceramic, disposed in the through hole (112h), and including an electrolyte outer-perimetric-surface (125) in contact with the through hole inner-perimetric-surface (115). The electrolyte outer-perimetric-surface (125) of the first electrolyte portion (121) is sloped toward an exterior of the first electrolyte portion (121) as it approaches one side DT1. The through hole inner-perimetric-surface (115) and the electrolyte outer-perimetric-surface 125 are in close contact with each other along their entire perimeters.
US09976976B2	Gas sensor apparatus and installation structure of gas sensor apparatus To provide a gas sensor apparatus capable of preventing clogging of a gas intake port due to particles, droplets, or the like, of a gas and maintaining measurement accuracy for a long time, a gas sensor apparatus 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 includes an expansion chamber 6 communicating with an air intake passage 2 via an air intake port 8, and a measurement chamber 5 communicating with the expansion chamber 6 via a communicating portion 7. A double squeezing structure including the gas intake port 8 and the communicating portion 7 is provided, and two stages of regions where the volume expands between the gas intake port 8 and the measurement chamber 5 are provided. As a result, the movement of the air in the measurement chamber 5 is decreased. It is possible to provide a structure in which the capacity of the gas intake port 8 is increased to avoid clogging of the gas intake port due to particles or droplets.
US09976974B2	Osmolarity-responsive hydrogel sensors and method of use Osmolarity-responsive hydrogel sensors, particularly biosensors, containing quaternary ammonium functionality, which are useful for, inter alia, continuous osmolarity monitoring with no pH interference, are disclosed. Methods of using the osmolarity-responsive hydrogels are also disclosed.
US09976970B2	Source well divider suitable for curved source wells A source well divider for use with a nuclear level gauge on a process vessel 24, permits the insertion of multiple radiation sources 12 in the source well. The divider includes a plurality of lengths of flexible interlocked metallic tubing 18, each length extending into the source well 22 from a nozzle in the vessel 24, forming a plurality of independent sub-wells each permitting the installation of an independently cabled radiation source 12 into the source well.
US09976968B2	Cracking detection system and cracking detection method There is provided a crack detection system in which a crack can be detected from a strain distribution of a part to be detected of an object. After taking the image of the part to be detected of the detection object by the imaging unit, the heat is applied by the heating unit. Furthermore, image of the part to be detected are taken again and an image analysis unit analyzes the images before and after applying the heat to acquire a strain distribution of the part to be detected, so that the crack can be detected based on difference in a state of strain between a place where the crack exist and the other place. Therefore, taking the images of the part to be detected including its coating layer enables the analysis to progress without removing the coating layer to detect the crack.
US09976967B2	System for detecting defects on an object A system and method for detecting defects on an object including forming an image representing the object from signals relating to the object, constructing subdivisions of the image according to auto-adaptive resolutions, and calculating differentials between various subdivisions in order to detect an abnormal subdivision indicating incipient failure.
US09976962B2	Assay analysis Apparatus and assemblies for the detection of at least one analyte in a sample are shown and described. In one embodiment, the assembly generates a test result from an assay and includes an integrated reader and incubator, wherein the incubator incubates the assay as the reader generates the test result. The reader typically has an optical detector aligned with a light source for detecting a plurality of transmission of light on the assay. The result is systems and methods to improve the detection of the presence and/or absence of at least one analyte in a sample.
US09976961B2	Surface-enhanced raman scattering element including a conductor layer having a base part and a plurality of protusions A SERS element comprises a substrate; a fine structure part formed on a front face of the substrate and having a plurality of pillars; and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure part and constituting an optical function part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The conductor layer has a base part formed along the front face of the substrate and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base part at respective positions corresponding to the pillars. The base part and the protrusions form a plurality of gaps in the conductor layer, each of the gaps having an interstice gradually decreasing in the projecting direction of the pillar.
US09976960B2	Base sequence analysis apparatus There is provided a base sequence analysis method including: a nucleic acid amplification procedure of obtaining an amplification product by a nucleic acid amplification reaction, a turbidity measurement procedure of measuring turbidity of a reaction solution of the nucleic acid amplification reaction; and a melting curve analysis procedure of performing melting curve analysis of a probe nucleic acid chain and the amplification product at a reaction site of the nucleic acid amplification reaction. This base sequence analysis method makes it possible to consecutively perform a nucleic acid amplification reaction and melting curve analysis at the same reaction site.
US09976959B2	Biological substance detection method using florescent dye-containing particle A biological substance detection method for detecting a biological substance specifically in a pathological specimen, comprising a step of immunologically staining the pathological specimen using a fluorescent label, a step of staining the pathological specimen with a staining reagent for morphology observation purposes (eosin) to observe the morphology of the pathological specimen, a step of irradiating the stained pathological specimen with excited light to cause the emission of a fluorescent and detecting the biological substance in the pathological specimen. In the step of immunologically staining the pathological specimen, a special fluorescent particle for which the excitation wavelength appears in a region that is different from the excitation wavelength region of eosin is used as the fluorescent label.
US09976956B2	Method for determining a variable of a sample A method for determining a variable of a sample is provided. At least one sensor substance is brought into contact with the sample and excited to luminesce by means of an electromagnetic excitation signal. The sensor substance is such that a relaxation time of its luminescence behavior depends on the variable of the sample to be determined. The electromagnetic excitation signal has a defined time-dependence, it is, for example, a frequency-modulated signal or a pulse sequence, in which distances between pulses are varied over the duration of the excitation signal. The time dependence of the luminescence response of the sensor substance is detected and an output signal is generated therefrom by integrating over specified time-intervals. An instant of time, relative to the time-dependence of the excitation signal, is determined, at which a step occurs in the time-dependence of the output signal. The value of the variable is determined from said instant of time. A preceding calibration can be advantageously used for this purpose.
US09976953B2	Optical density monitor and comparator systems and methods The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for determining the absorption coefficient and the optical density of a fluid as they relate to the wavelength of incident radiation. Specifically, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) or the like that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation or the like are used as sources for irradiating the interior of an integrating chamber that is designed to increase the path length of the radiation through the fluid, thus enhancing the detection limits of the absorption coefficient and the optical density according to Beer's Law.
US09976951B2	Protective film detecting method A method detects whether or not a workpiece is coated with a water-soluble protective film. The method includes a preparatory step before detection and a detecting step. The preparatory step includes irradiating with infrared light a first region coated with the water-soluble protective film and a second region not coated with the water-soluble protective film for a reference, receiving the reflected light, and thereby acquiring an intensity of reflection from the first region and an intensity of reflection from the second region; and a threshold determining step of determining a threshold from the intensity of reflection from the first region and the intensity of reflection from the second region at a wavenumber of 3000 cm−1 to 3600 cm−1. The detecting step includes irradiating a surface of the workpiece with the infrared light, receiving the reflected light, and comparing the thus obtained intensity of reflection with the threshold.
US09976949B2	Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy apparatus for use in analyzing a sample comprising a sample receiving location (2) for receiving a sample (3) for analysis; an illumination arrangement (4) for directing light towards a received sample; a detector (6) for detecting light reflected by a received sample; and collection optics (5) for directing light reflected by a received sample towards the detector. The illumination arrangement further comprises an interferometer (42) and a half beam block (45a, 45b) which is disposed substantially at a focus in the optical path for blocking light which exits the interferometer, passes said focus, and is reflected from reentering the interferometer. A half beam block (45a) may be disposed in the optical path between the interferometer and the light source (41) for blocking light that exits the interferometer back towards the light source and is reflected by the light source from re-entering the interferometer and/or a half beam block (45b) may be disposed in the optical path on the opposite side of the interferometer than the light source.
US09976948B2	Phase separation observation method, phase separation observation apparatus, annealing apparatus, and producing method for substrate A phase separation observation method according to one embodiment includes determining a progress degree of phase separation of a self-assembly material layer. The progress degree is determined based on the birefringence amount of an observation object. The observation object includes a substrate, and a self-assembly material layer formed on the substrate.
US09976946B2	Optical flow cell and test head apparatus A sample cell apparatus for use in spectroscopic determination of an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a first plate member made from an optically clear material and a second plate member made from an optically clear material and opposing the first plate member. A channel extending into a surface of the first plate member and an opposing surface of the second plate member houses a floating seal. The floating seal surrounds a fluid chamber that retains a sample of body fluid for optical measurement. The fluid chamber may be opened for flushing by separating the first plate member from the second plate member. During measurements the fluid chamber is closed to define a repeatable optical path-length therethrough by urging the first plate member against the second plate member without compressing the floating seal between the first plate member and the second plate member.
US09976945B2	Method for performing a blood count and determining the morphology of a blood smear A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.
US09976941B2	In situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological specimen on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
US09976936B2	Testing fixture for vehicle impact simulation A fixture includes a vehicle body and a tube connected to the vehicle body. The tube has an axis, and the fixture includes a piston slideably disposed in the tube along the axis. A seat belt D-ring is mounted to the piston. The tube and the piston each define holes positioned to be aligned with each other when the piston is in multiple positions along the axis in the tube. A pin is engageable with the holes when the holes are aligned.
US09976935B2	Method and system for evaluating structural vehicle component performance An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.
US09976933B2	Bearing monitoring system for an air cycle machine and method of monitoring A bearing monitoring system for an air cycle machine includes a housing. Also included is a compressor disposed within the housing. Further included is a turbine disposed within the housing. Yet further included is an axial shaft operatively coupled to the compressor and the turbine, the axial shaft disposed within the housing and between a first plurality of bearings. Also included is a radial shaft extending from the axial shaft, the radial shaft disposed within the housing and between a second plurality of bearings. Further included is at least one sensor mounted to the housing and oriented to monitor deflection of the radial shaft.
US09976925B2	Apparatus and method for testing linear thermal sensors A linear-thermal-sensor testing system has a signal generator and a reflection analyzer. The signal generator generates a series of damped sinusoidal impulse signals each of a different frequency, and transmits the damped sinusoidal impulse signals to a first end of the linear thermal sensor. The linear thermal sensor generates a reflection signal corresponding to each of series the damped sinusoidal impulse signals at a plurality of electrical discontinuities in the linear thermal sensing array. The reflection analyzer receives a reflection signal from the first end of the linear thermal sensor. The reflection signal has indicia of electrical properties and locations within the linear thermal sensor for each of the plurality of electrical discontinuities. The reflection analyzer calculates the electrical properties and the locations within the linear thermal sensor based on the indicia of the received reflection signal.
US09976923B2	Capacitive pressure-measuring cell having at least one temperature sensor and pressure measurement method A pressure sensor comprises an operating circuit and a pressure-measuring cell comprising a counter body, a measurement membrane, which is arranged on the counter body and can be deformed by a pressure to be measured, and a capacitive transducer, which has at least one membrane electrode arranged on the measurement membrane and at least one counter-body electrode arranged on the counter body. The capacitance between the membrane electrode and the counter-body electrode depends on a pressure-dependent deformation of the measurement membrane, wherein at least the membrane electrode has a temperature-dependent impedance. The operating circuit is designed to sense at least one capacitance between the at least one counter-body electrode and the at least one membrane electrode and to provide a pressure measurement value on the basis of at least one capacitance and to determine the impedance of the membrane electrode—particularly, the ohmic portion of the impedance of the membrane electrode.
US09976919B2	Fiber-optic sensor assembly A fiber-optic force and displacement sensor includes a mirror comprising a plurality of sectors extending from a center point to a peripheral edge. Each of the sectors has a high reflectance corresponding to only one of a plurality of single wavelength light beams having different wavelengths transmitted from a laser light source. A method of measuring force and displacement includes measuring the radiant flux between each of a plurality of reflected single wavelength light beams that change as the area of the sectors are displaced towards and away from a center of projection of a combination light beam that comprises the plurality of single wavelength light beams projected towards the center point of the mirror when the mirror is in a rested position. Forces acting upon the mirror are measured as a function of the displacement of the mirror and the transverse and the axial stiffness of a connector.
US09976916B2	Air sensor with downstream facing ingress to prevent condensation An air flow sensor is provided with an opening facing downstream and having a thin downstream facing edge to prevent condensation or buildup of moisture thereon. The sensor has been found to reduce entrainment of particles in a mixed phase stream. The sensor is suitable for mounting to an aircraft, and to determining air temperature and relative humidity.
US09976915B2	Temperature measurement in a gas turbine engine combustor A method and system for determining a temperature of a working gas passing through a passage to a turbine section of a gas turbine engine. The method includes identifying an acoustic frequency at a first location in the engine upstream from the turbine section, and using the acoustic frequency for determining a first temperature value at the first location that is directly proportional to the acoustic frequency and a calculated constant value. A second temperature of the working gas is determined at a second location in the engine and, using the second temperature, a back calculation is performed to determine a temperature value for the working gas at the first location. The first temperature value is compared to the back calculated temperature value to change the calculated constant value to a recalculated constant value. Subsequent first temperature values at the first location may be determined based on the recalculated constant value.
US09976914B2	Electronic device with integrated temperature sensor and manufacturing method thereof A microfluidic-based sensor, comprising: a semiconductor body, having a first and a second side opposite to one another in a direction; a buried channel, extending within the semiconductor body; a structural layer, of dielectric or insulating material, formed over the first side of the semiconductor body at least partially suspended above the buried channel; and a first thermocouple element, including a first strip, of a first electrical conductive material, and a second strip, of a second electrical conductive material different from the first electrical conductive material, electrically coupled to the first strip. The first thermocouple element is buried in the structural layer and partially extends over the buried channel at a first location. A corresponding manufacturing method is disclosed.
US09976913B2	Thermal history devices, systems for thermal history detection, and methods for thermal history detection Embodiments of the present disclosure include nanowire field-effect transistors, systems for temperature history detection, methods for thermal history detection, a matrix of field effect transistors, and the like.
US09976912B2	Broadband, common-path, interferometric wavefront sensor Hybrid sensors comprising Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor (S-HWFS) and Zernike Wavefront Sensor (Z-WFS) capabilities are presented. The hybrid sensor includes a Z-WFS optically arranged in-line with a S-HWFS such that the combined wavefront sensor operates across a wide dynamic range and noise conditions. The Z-WFS may include the ability to introduce a dynamic phase shift in both transmissive and reflective modes.
US09976911B1	Full characterization wavefront sensor Sensors, devices, apparatus, systems and methods for replacing microlens arrays with one or more switchable diffractive waveplate microlens arrays for providing measurements of wavefronts and intensity distribution in light beams with high spatial resolution with a single optical radiation sensor. The device acts like a conventional Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor when the microlens array elements are in focusing state, and the device performs light beam intensity profile characterization acting as a beam profiler when the optical power of lens array elements is switched off.
US09976908B2	Device for temperature measurements of surfaces with a low unknown and/or variable emissivity Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to monitor or measure temperature of a target or to control a process. Targets can have low, unknown, or variable emissivity. Devices and corresponding methods can be used to measure temperatures of thin film, partially transparent, or opaque targets, as well as targets not filling a sensor's field of view. Temperature measurements can be made independent of emissivity of a target surface by, for example, inserting a target between a thermopile sensor and a background surface maintained at substantially the same temperature as the thermopile sensor. In embodiment devices and methods, a sensor temperature can be controlled to match a target temperature by minimizing or zeroing a net heat flux at the sensor, as derived from a sensor output signal. Alternatively, a target temperature can be controlled to minimize the heat flux.
US09976907B1	Airplane-mounted external fire detection system An aircraft-mounted external fire detection system includes optical circuitry and processing circuitry. The optical circuitry is mounted on an aircraft aft of an engine nacelle of the aircraft, and is configured to optically monitor an exterior of the engine nacelle for a hydrocarbon fire by detecting radiation outside of the visible light spectrum. The processing circuitry is communicatively coupled to the optical circuitry and is configured to use the optical circuitry to determine that the fire has been continuously present for more than a threshold duration, and in response, transmit a warning to an operator terminal of the aircraft.
US09976906B2	Light polarization state modulation and detection apparatuses and detection method Disclosed are a light polarization state detection apparatus, a detection method and a light polarization state modulation method. The light polarization state detection apparatus comprises a lens with a variable birefringence feature as an optical phase modulator, a polarizer as a SOP analyzer, a plurality of common lenses and a CCD as imaging devices, and a data processing and displaying unit. The SOP detection apparatus uses wide special birefringence distribution of birefringence optical elements such as a GRIN lens to obtain the Stokes parameters of light to be measured by CCD single frame imaging, and can rapidly accurately measure the SOP. The SOP detection apparatus is simple in structure, lower in cost without containing any motion parts and electrical modulation devices, and is a fully static full Stokes parameters SOP detection apparatus.
US09976904B2	Photodetection apparatus including optical filter and optical detector In one aspect, an apparatus includes a first light source that applies first light having a first wavelength as a center wavelength to an object, a second light source that applies second light having a second wavelength as a center wavelength longer than the first wavelength to the object, an optical filter that includes first and second regions and that transmits third light produced by the first and second light each passed through or reflected by the object, first and second optical detectors that determine first and second amounts, respectively, of the third light passed through the first and second regions. The transmission ranges of spectral transmission curves of the first and second regions are located between the first wavelength and the second wavelength. The spectral transmission curve of the first region has a width at half maximum different from that of the spectral transmission curve of the second region.
US09976902B1	Method to analyze spectroscopic ellipsometry data of porous samples utilizing the anisotropic Bruggeman-effective medium theory Methodology of characterizing pore size and distribution in a porous thin film having a surface, or in a surface region of a porous semi-infinite bulk substrate having a surface, involving applying a mathematical model of a sample based on a Bruggerman effective medium.
US09976895B2	Sensor control device, sensor system, and load control system A sensor control device which controls: a first sensor which detects, based on a captured image, whether a person is present in a first detection range, and detects, for each of regions into which the first detection range is divided, whether a person is present in the region, based on a captured image; and a plurality of second sensors which detect, based on infrared radiation, whether a person is present in respective second detection ranges includes a determiner which matches, for each of the regions, an on or off state of a detection function of the first sensor in the region with an on or off state of a detection function of a second sensor whose second detection range overlaps the region, among the plurality of second sensors, by controlling the first sensor and the plurality of second sensors.
US09976890B2	Vibrating flowmeter and related methods A flowmeter is provides that includes a sensor assembly and meter electronics. The flowmeter comprises one or more rigid flow tubes, a driver coupled to the flow tubes that is oriented to induce a drive mode vibration in the flow tubes. Two or more strain gages are coupled to the one or more rigid flow tubes and oriented to sense tension and compression of the flow tubes. One or more bridge circuits is in electrical communication with the two or more strain gages, wherein outputs of the bridge circuits are proportional to a strain detected by at least one of the strain gages.
US09976887B1	Wider dynamic accuracy range for gas delivery devices A mass flow meter utilizes both positive and negative slopes of operating curves for first and second thermal sensors for a wider dynamic range. First and second interfaces receive first and second signal readings from first and second thermal sensors. A selection module identifies a zone from the first and second output signals and determines an assigned thermal sensor for the zone from the zone table, regardless of whether the thermal sensor output signals from a positive or negative slope of an operating curve.
US09976882B2	Method of forming an ice resistant pitot tube A method of forming a pitot tube includes forming a substantially cylindrical body portion including an outer surface, a tip portion having an inlet opening and an interior defining a flow passage, radially tapering the outer surface from the body portion toward the inlet opening, and disposing at least one electrical coil including one or more coil wraps along the flow passage of the pitot tube.
US09976876B2	Methods and apparatus for phase selection in ring magnet sensing Methods and apparatus for positioning a magnetic field sensor IC package having a first channel for a planar magnetic field sensing element and a second channel for vertical magnetic field sensing element in relation to an axis of a ring magnet to provide a desired phase relationship between the first and second channels. In embodiments, positioning the sensor includes an offset angle and a displacement with respect to a centerline of the ring magnet.
US09976874B2	Magnetic encoder device and rotation detection device A magnetic encoder device (3) of the present invention includes a base portion (33) having a mounting surface (33b) for mounting to a rotary shaft (2), a cored bar (35) fitted and fixed over the base portion (33), and a double-row magnetic encoder track (30) formed on the cored bar (35). Through movement of each of magnetic poles of the magnetic encoder track (30) over a region opposed to a magnetic sensor (4), an angle of the rotating rotary shaft is detected. The base portion (33) is formed of a sintered metal, and the mounting surface (33b) is subjected to sizing.
US09976873B2	Detection device and workpiece cleaning apparatus comprising the same A detection device including a base, a bracket, a swing lever, a first limit lever and a first magnetic sensor is disclosed. The bracket is on the base, the swing lever is swingably on the bracket via a swing shaft and the swing lever is partitioned as a toggle section and a trigger section by the swing shaft, the weight of the trigger section being greater than that of the toggle section. An end of the trigger section is provided with a magnet, and an end of the toggle section is higher in an initial state than an upper edge of the bracket. The first limit lever is on the bracket for limiting the trigger section. The first magnetic sensor is on the bracket and in the vicinity of a virtual extension of the trigger section when the trigger section is limited by the first limit lever.
US09976870B2	Electricity meter isolated physical layer ethernet interface A metering arrangement includes at least a first and second meter. The first meter includes a first metrology circuit, an Ethernet controller, and an isolation circuit. The first metrology circuit has a first data interface. The Ethernet controller has an Ethernet port and a conversion circuit coupled to convert Ethernet standard signals having a first communication protocol to signals of a second communication protocol. The isolation circuit is coupled between the Ethernet controller and the first data interface. The Ethernet controller is operably coupled to communicate data with the first data interface via the isolation circuit, and the conversion circuit is further operably coupled to communicate data via the first data port. The second meter includes a second metrology circuit having a second data interface operably connected to a second data port. The second data port is operably coupled to communicate data with the first data port.
US09976868B2	4D temporal data structures for visualization of alternative mission plans over time A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon is provided. The computer executable instructions include a mission definition file (MDF) that includes mission data that describes alternative routes generated by at least one mission planner for a vehicle. An MDF parser extracts the mission data for the alternative routes from the MDF and maps the mission data into a temporal data structure describing the alternative routes. The temporal data includes a route list to describe the alternative routes for the vehicle and a route segment list to describe an estimated time between each of the waypoints for each segment of the route list. A waypoint list describes a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude for each of the waypoints and a mission plan constructor generates a network topology of a mission plan depicting the alternative routes for the vehicle over time.
US09976867B2	Navigation method based on a see-through head-mounted device A navigation method for a wearer of a see-through head mounted device, the method comprising: •—a wearer visualization parameter providing step (S1), during which at least one wearer visualization parameter is provided, •—a geo-position determining step (S2), during which the geo-position of the wearer along a route is determined, •—a geo-position comparing step during which the geo-position of the wearer determined during the geo-position determining step is compared to stored geo-positions along the route and •—a navigation visual aid function adapting step (S3) during which upon matching of the geo-position of the wearer with one of the stored geo-positions, the navigation visual aid function is adapted based on the wearer vision parameter and the geo-position of the wearer to facilitate the guiding of the wearer.
US09976865B2	Vehicle communication system with navigation A vehicle communication system facilitates hands-free interaction with a mobile device in a vehicle or elsewhere. Users interact with the system by speaking to it. The system processes text and processes commands. The system supports Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free use. The system handles telephone calls, email, and SMS text messages. The user can customize the device via a user profile stored on an Internet web server.
US09976864B2	Predicted travel intent One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing a recommendation and/or a travel interface based upon a predicted travel intent. For example, a set of user signals (e.g., search queries, calendar information, social network data, etc.) may be evaluated to determine the predicted travel intent for a user to travel to a destination. A recommendation may be provided based upon the predicted travel intent. For example, images, news stories, advertisements, events, attractions, travel accommodation (e.g., hotel, car, and/or flight reservation functionality) and/or other information and functionality associated with the destination may be provided through the recommendation. The recommendation may be provided through an alert, a mobile app, a website, a travel interface, and/or a variety of other interfaces. The predicted travel intent may be used to modify information provided by a website, an operating system, and/or apps (e.g., a news app may display information about the destination).
US09976863B2	Casual driver ride sharing A system for casual driver ride sharing includes an interface and processor. The interface is to receive a request for a ride from a user, wherein the request includes GPS information for the user. The processor is to determine compatibility between the typical route information and the request for the ride; determine a ranked list based at least in part on the compatibility; and provide a ride offer to a driver of the one or more casual drivers based at least in part on the ranked list.
US09976849B2	Depth mapping using structured light and time of flight A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines distances between the DCA and objects in a local area within a field of view of the DCA. The DCA includes an illumination source that projects a known spatial pattern modulated with a temporal carrier signal into the local area. An imaging device capture the modulated pattern projected into the local area. The imaging device includes a detector that comprises different pixel groups that are each activated to captured light at different times. Hence, different pixel groups capture different phases of the temporally modulated pattern from the local area. The DCA determines times for light from the illumination source to be reflected and captured by the imaging device from the phases captured by the different pixel groups and also determines distances between the DCA and objects in the local area based on deformation of the spatial pattern captured by the imaging device.
US09976848B2	Dimensioning system with guided alignment A dimensioning system including a computing device running an alignment software program is disclosed. The alignment software uses range information from a range sensor in order to generate alignment messages. The alignment messages may help a user define a frame of reference and align the dimensioning system's range sensor for improved dimensioning performance.
US09976845B2	Use of a full width array imaging sensor to measure real time film thicknesses on film manufacturing equipment A method for providing film-thickness analysis with a spectrophotometer includes configuring an illuminator to emit a light beam at a film deposited on a substrate surface, configuring a linear sensor to receive light reflecting off the deposited film on the substrate surface via a gradient index lens and a linear variable filter, and configuring a processor to determine thickness of the film based on spectral reflectivity of the film received from the linear sensor.
US09976841B2	Mobile device and method for determining a handling condition thereof A mobile device for determining a handling condition of the mobile device and a method of use thereof. One embodiment of the mobile device includes: at least one left capacitive proximity sensor disposed on a left side of the mobile device and operable to detect a hold condition, at least one right capacitive proximity sensor disposed on a right side of the mobile device and operable to detect a hold condition, an accelerometer disposed in the mobile device and operable to detect an orientation of the mobile device, an ambient light proximity sensor disposed in the mobile device and operable to detect a proximity of a user's head, and a processor operable to execute an application configured to gain access to and employ the hold condition, the orientation, and the proximity of the user's head to determine a handling condition.
US09976840B1	Two-piece primer insert for polymer ammunition The present invention provides a two piece primer insert for use in overmolding polymer ammunition and ammunition cartridges.
US09976836B1	Disposable broad head arrowhead A broad head arrowhead for easy attachment and removal to a configured receiving arrow shaft. The arrowhead body is of a monolithic molded configuration with an adapted mounting support extending for affixing to the end fitting receiving of an arrow shaft. The arrowhead of this invention is formed from synthetic resin material for structural rigidity and flight target penetration characters, having oppositely disposed tapered target engagement surface edges there along of a repetitive pattern.
US09976833B2	Picatinny mountable bayonets A bayonet mounting fixture can adapt a rifle having a mounting rail to also have a bayonet mount. Previously, bayonets were often mounted to a firearm by passing the barrel through a hole in the guard and then attaching the rear end of the bayonet to a bayonet mount or mounting lug further back. The bayonet mounting fixture can have a forward mount and a rear mount attached to the mounting rail. The forward mount has a round piece that can go inside the hole in the bayonet's guard. The rear mount can have a mounting lug to which the rear end of the bayonet is attached.
US09976830B2	Firearm barrel including a gas pressure relief chamber Described herein is a firearm barrel operable to manage gas pressure behind a projectile traveling through the firearm barrel. The design of the firearm barrel enables a firearm to be discharged at a low-report by managing gas pressure behind a bullet while the bullet is under compression from the barrel. In embodiments, the firearm barrel includes an inner barrel having at least one opening in its surface and an outer tube surrounding the inner barrel, such that a chamber is created between the inner barrel and outer tube, the chamber being operable to temporarily retain gases that are generated as a result of discharging a firearm. The gases may pass from the barrel into the chamber through the at least one opening, and the gases may be temporarily retained within the chamber before escaping back through the at least one opening and out of the barrel behind a discharged projectile.
US09976829B2	Firing preventing and stoppage apparatus for remotely operated automatic weapon Firing preventing and stoppage apparatus for remotely operated automatic weapon such as installable in RCWS (Remotely Controlled Weapon Station), that comprises a barrier component and an actuator connected to the barrier component, wherein the barrier component is suited to movement through a cartridges ejection port from an automatic weapon, to a movement path of the breech block of the weapon, for preventing in advance or stoppage of runaway firing from it, and outwards from it in a manner that enables firing, an RCWS equipped with such apparatus and a method for preventing and stopping runaway firing of automatic weapons that are mountable in an RCWS and comprises a breech block and a cartridges ejection port that is implemented in such apparatus.
US09976825B2	Ammunition magazine and resilient member A magazine for storing and feeding ammunition cartridges to a small arms weapon which comprises a casing, a floor plate, a follower, and a magazine spring inside the casing. The magazine spring may comprise a first end connected to the follower, a second end connected to the floor plate, and a plurality of coils. Each of the plurality of coils may include a first segment having a first radius, a second segment having a first length adjoining the first segment, a third segment having a second radius adjoining the second segment, the second radius being greater than the first radius, and a fourth segment having a second length adjoining the third segment, the second length being approximately equal to the first length.
US09976823B1	Self-releasing latch for a firearm charging handle A self-releasing latch for a firearm charging handle is disclosed. The charging handle self-releasing latch includes a roller arm and a roller wheel. The roller arm includes a roller wheel at one end and a protrusion at the other end for engaging a spring. Further, a rocker feature provides a pivot point about midway of the roller arm. The roller wheel of the self-releasing latch engages with a detent or groove under spring force to hold the charging handle in the latched state. Aspects of the charging handle self-releasing latch are that it allows substantially frictionless operation of the charging handle without any manual actuation of levers and/or latches, and that it allows ambidextrous operation of the charging handle of an AR-style weapon platform. Further, a method is provided of retrofitting an existing firearm with the presently disclosed charging handle self-releasing latch.
US09976822B2	System and method for conditioning air in an enclosed structure An energy exchange system includes a supply flow path including a central sub-path connected to a bypass sub-path that is, in turn, connected to a delivery sub-path that connects to the enclosed structure. A sensible heat exchanger configured to condition the supply air is disposed within the central sub-path. The bypass sub-path connects to the central sub-path upstream from the sensible heat exchanger within the central sub-path. A first coil configured to further condition the supply air is disposed within the central sub-path downstream from the sensible heat exchanger. A bypass damper is disposed within the bypass sub-path. The bypass damper is configured to be selectively opened and closed. The bypass damper allows at least a portion of the supply air to pass through the bypass sub-path into the delivery sub-path and bypass the sensible heat exchanger and the first coil when the bypass damper is open.
US09976821B2	Pipe connection, in particular for a heat exchanger The application relates to a pipe connection having a pipe end arranged in a connection piece. The pipe connection has an outwardly projecting at least sectionally circumferential bead configured on a pipe end. The connection piece has a radially deformable first connection piece portion creating a first radially deformable connection piece portion. The pipe end is held and secured in the connection piece using the first radially deformable connection piece portion. The application further relates to a heat exchanger with a pipe connection of this kind and a connection method for producing a pipe connection.
US09976816B2	Connecting reinforcement for between the plates of a heat exchanger A heat exchanger comprises a multiplicity of stacked plates having a thickness of less than 0.3 mm, each of which is provided with a male dished member (8) which delimits a fluid distribution zone (6, 7) in the exchanger (1). At least a first plate (3) and a second plate (4) each comprise a peripheral edge (25) which is assembled in a fluid-tight manner in order to form a fluid circulation pipe. The exchanger also comprises at least one insert (5) which is provided with a female dished member (9), and the male dished member (8) of the plates (3, 4) is configured to be introduced into the female dished member (9) of the insert (5) in order to ensure fixing between two adjacent fluid circulation pipes or between a side plate (15, 16) and an adjacent fluid circulation pipe.
US09976815B1	Heat exchangers made from additively manufactured sacrificial templates A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger including a heat exchanger core of a first material, the method including additive manufacturing a sacrificial scaffold of a second material, the sacrificial scaffold corresponding in shape to that of the heat exchanger core, coating the sacrificial scaffold with a layer of the first material, and removing the sacrificial scaffold to leave behind the heat exchanger core with an integrated self-aligned passage.
US09976813B2	Heat pipe fixing structure A heat pipe fixing structure includes a heat pipe, a carrier body and a first fixing member. The heat pipe has a main body having a first side and a second side. The carrier body has a channel having an open side and a closed side. The heat pipe is disposed in the channel with the first and second sides respectively corresponding to the open side and the closed side. The first fixing member is disposed on upper side of the heat pipe and upper side of the carrier body. A free end of the first fixing member is in corresponding contact with the first side of the heat pipe to press and abut against or engage with the heat pipe. The heat pipe fixing structure serves to firmly fix the heat pipe to eliminate the shortcomings existing in the conventional welding process for fixing the heat pipe.
US09976810B2	Water recovery from cooling tower exhaust To recover water from a cooling tower exhaust an air entry is provided adjacent thereto which feeds into a cooling heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger reduces a temperature of the wet air entering the air entry, causing condensation of water. This condensed water is captured and discharged from the system separate from dry air. A pre-cooler loop can be provided with a pre-cooler heat exchanger upstream of the cooling heat exchanger and fed by a cool line with a cold working fluid drawing heat out of the wet air. The pre-cooler heat exchanger can have its working fluid re-cooled in a second heat exchanger which exchanges heat with the cooler dry air downstream of the cooling heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger has a cold fluid passing therethrough which is cooled by a refrigeration system or some other cold fluid source.
US09976807B2	Device for heat treatment Known devices for heat treatment comprise a process space surrounded by a furnace lining made of quartz glass, a heating facility, and a reflector. In order to provide, on this basis, a device for heat treatment having a furnace lining that can be manufactured easily and in variable shapes and enables rapid heating and cooling of the material to be heated and short process times and is characterized by its long service life, the invention proposes that the furnace lining comprises multiple wall elements having a side facing the process space and a side facing away from the process space, and that at least one of the wall elements comprises multiple quartz glass tubes that are connected to each other by means of an SiO2-containing connecting mass.
US09976806B2	Burning apparatus and method for manufacturing reduced iron using the same A method for manufacturing reduced iron using the same, and more particularly, to a burning apparatus heating a coal briquette to manufacture reduced iron, which includes a first burning furnace heating the coal briquette while moving the truck accommodating the coal briquette along a linear movement path; a second burning furnace connected to the other side of the first burning furnace, and heating the coal briquette while moving the coal briquette discharged from the truck along an annular path; and a cooling device connected to the second burning furnace, and cooling the reduced iron while moving reduced iron reduced in the second burning furnace along an annular path. The burning apparatus circulates exhaust gases generated in the burning furnace and cooling device to control a temperature and an oxygen concentration and thus improves a metallization rate of the reduced iron.
US09976805B2	Processing system intended to dehydrate food waste The present invention relates to a processing system (0) intended to dehydrate food waste (4) comprising at least one device (200) for storing and heating food waste (4) comprising at least one device for stirring the food waste (4), a direct contact heat exchange condenser (34) comprising an opening (37) for extracting incondensable gases from the condenser (34), a first pipe (3) allowing direct communication between the storage device (200) and the condenser (34) to allow the passage of gaseous effluents (22) particularly comprising steam, produced by the heating of said food waste (4) in the waste storage and heating device (200), to the direct contact heat exchange condenser (34), where the steam condenses in contact with a shower of the coolant liquid. The recycling of heat between the condenser (34) and the device (200) for storing and heating food waste is provided by a heat pump (6).
US09976802B2	Cooling device and method for controlling cooling device A cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a case; a tray installed inside the case and on which a beverage container is placed; a mixing member configured to perform a seesaw motion about a mixing axis to mix a fluid filled in the beverage container; a driving part connected to the mixing member and configured to provide driving force; and a cool air supply part configured to supply cool air into the case, wherein the mixing member comprises: a supporter configured to protrude from a bottom of the case, the tray being connected to an upper end of the supporter to perform the seesaw motion; a driving link connected to one end of the case; and a mixing motor configured to transmit the driving force to the driving link, wherein the tray comprises: a tray body; a first seating part formed on the tray body so that the beverage container is placed in a lengthwise direction of the tray body; and a second seating part formed on the tray body in a direction that crosses the first seating part.
US09976801B2	Computer controlled and monitored medical storage system A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range. The control station may receive user authentication information from a user, and upon verification of the user authentication information, send unlock instructions to the refrigerated medical storage unit.
US09976800B2	Refrigeration appliance with a pressure sensor A refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, includes a storage chamber delimited by an inner container and a pressure sensor disposed outside the storage chamber. The pressure sensor communicates with the storage chamber by way of a connection housing anchored in an opening of a wall surface of the inner container. An exposed surface of the connection housing facing the storage chamber is flush with the surrounding wall surface.
US09976796B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator including a rotatable door handle. The door handle is rotatably coupled to a refrigerator door through a through-hole on the door. The door handle includes a grip portion, a connection portion fastened to the grip portion, and an insertion portion protruding from the connection portion. The insertion portion includes an engaging projection protruding outward from a peripheral surface of the insertion portion. The door handle includes two stoppers. During the process of assembling the door handle with the door, the engaging projection may be rotated in the first direction until it engage with a first stopper to. In an assembled state, the door is opened or closed when the door handle is rotated in the second direction. The second stopper can stop rotation of the door handle in the second direction when the engaging projection engages with the second stopper.
US09976795B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator includes a door having a user-interface electrical module, a door liner, a front wall being located in front of the door liner and having a first opening, a side wall, and a thermal insulation space being located between the door liner and the front wall and being filled with a heat insulation layer. The side wall has a second opening in communication with the first opening. The door includes a user-interface housing which closes the first opening and the second opening relative to the thermal insulation space and includes a receiving space for receiving the user-interface electrical module and a concave portion being open towards the first opening and the second opening to permit access to a handle groove within the user-interface housing.
US09976792B2	Demand side management enabling of electro mechanically controlled refrigerators and refrigeration systems An energy saving defrost control system for an electromechanically controlled refrigerator. The system includes a defrost timer adapted to control a compressor according to an established run time, a defrost heater control operatively connected to the defrost timer and configured to activate a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, a demand side management module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and an off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay having a timer and configured to switch to one of a low position and a high position based on the demand state signal.
US09976790B2	Cooling element and cooling device The invention relates to a cooling element (1) for use in a cooling device (11), comprising a front face and a rear face and four side faces. The cooling element (1) is characterized in that the rear face of the cooling element (1) is substantially planar and the front face has reinforcing elements, wherein the reinforcing elements prevent deformation of the cooling element (1) during cooling and freezing. The invention also relates to a cooling device (11), in particular a freezer, comprising at least one cooling circuit, wherein the cooling circuit has a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser. The cooling device (11) also has a closable cooling space (15) that comprises a plurality of cooling space side walls, a cooling space base, a space for cooling goods (17), and at least one cooling element (1) according to the invention. The cooling device (11) is characterized in that the evaporator and the cooling element (1) are arranged within the cooling space (15), such that the rear face of the cooling element (1) rests against the evaporator and the front face is facing the space for cooling goods (17).
US09976788B2	Ice maker with rotating ice tray A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. An ice maker with an ice mold is disposed within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. A refrigeration system includes a system evaporator and an ice maker evaporator dedicated to cooling the ice mold. A frame rotatably supports the ice mold within the fresh food compartment between an ice-forming position and an ice-harvesting position. The frame supports the ice maker evaporator at a stationary position that serves as a pivot axis for the ice mold so the ice mold can rotate around the ice maker evaporator between the ice-forming position and the ice-harvesting position, while the ice maker evaporator remains stationary. In one example, a heater is rotatable with the ice mold, and a drip tray is located underneath ice mold and rotatable with the ice mold.
US09976784B2	Evaporator An evaporator has a first longitudinal direction and includes first and second header tanks. The first header tank includes a first surrounding wall projecting from at least one of a first end portion and a second end portion along a first longitudinal direction to define a first recess to surround the first recess at at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion. The first surrounding wall has at least one first drain opening to drain water from the first recess. The second header tank has a second longitudinal direction and is disposed apart from the first header tank so that the first longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal direction. The second header tank has a second surrounding wall having at least one second drain opening to drain water from the second recess.
US09976781B2	Air-conditioning and heating system for passenger boarding bridge and control system therefor A tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus is provided. the tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus may include a condenser provided at a rotunda; a compressor provided at the rotunda and connected to the condenser; an evaporator provided at a movable tunnel and connected to each of the condenser and the compressor; and a condenser connection pipe configured to connect the condenser with the evaporator and a compressor connection pipe configured to the compressor with the evaporator each of which is formed into a flexible coil.
US09976780B2	Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator A Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerator includes: a regenerator that has a low temperature end and high temperature end; a pulse tube that is arranged coaxially with the regenerator, and that is connected to the regenerator so as to enable working gas to circulate therebetween; a low temperature heat exchanger that is disposed in the low temperature end of the regenerator, and that has a gas flow passage serving as a flow passage for the working gas; and a flow straightener that is disposed in an end portion, on a side close to the low temperature heat exchanger, out of end portions of the pulse tube. The gas flow passage and the flow straightener are spaced away from each other, and a length of a connecting passage connecting the gas flow passage and the flow straightener is equal to or shorter than 10% of a length of the pulse tube.
US09976779B2	Cryogenic refrigerator In a cryogenic refrigerator, a displacer defines an internal space, and circulates a working fluid in the internal space. A cylinder houses the displacer such as to enable it to reciprocate, and, at an interval from the bottom side of the displacer, forms an expansion space for the working fluid. A cooling stage is provided along an outer circumferential and bottom portion of the cylinder, in a location corresponding to the expansion space. A heat exchanger is arranged inside the expansion space and is thermally connected to the cooling stage. An end portion of the displacer on its expansion-space side has an opening that serves as an entry/exit port between the internal space and the expansion space for the working fluid. A working-fluid flow channel connects the internal space and the expansion space via the heat exchanger.
US09976776B2	Solar collector unit and a method of providing such a solar collector unit The solar collector unit is adapted for reflecting light onto a receiver, and comprises a reflector element, and a support structure supporting the reflector element. The reflector element is flexible and comprises a reflective surface and a substrate having a predefined length and width. The support structure comprises a predefined number of profiles per length unit connected to the reflector element at a distance from each other to provide a predefined shape of the solar collector unit. The number of profiles per length of substrate may be varied and lies in the interval 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, most preferred 5 to 8 per 2000 mm of length of the substrate.
US09976775B2	Remotely controlled water heater system This invention relates primarily to an electric heater based tankless water heater, though some aspects may also apply to a natural gas or other fuel based tankless water heater. In particular aspects relating to “smart” communication and coordination of the tankless water heater with other devices, which may be electrically powered or powered by other fuels, may also apply to non-electric flow through fluid heating systems. The subject tankless water heater invention incorporates several aspects relating to energy and construction efficiency which will be detailed further. These include both physical aspects, such as coatings, tubing and heater element design, and electrical aspects, such as power control for individual heater elements, which can make the tankless water heater more compact and more efficient in operation, with reduced instantaneous and long term load on electrical supply systems.
US09976773B2	Convection heater assembly providing laminar flow A heater assembly to be located at a substantially vertical wall for heating air. The heater assembly includes one or more heating elements, and one or more heat transfer elements mounted on the heating element for transferring heat to a column of the air moving substantially upwardly past the heat transfer elements. The column includes an inner portion positioned proximal to the wall and an outer portion positioned distal to the wall. Each heat transfer element is formed to transfer substantially more heat to the outer portion of the column of the air than to the inner portion thereof, to cause the outer portion to rise faster than the inner portion, for at least partially entraining the inner portion with the outer portion, so that at least a part of the inner portion forms a laminar boundary layer flowing along the wall.
US09976771B2	Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.
US09976769B2	Indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a body casing having an air inlet formed in an upper portion of the body casing and an air outlet formed in a lower portion of the body casing; a ventilation passage formed in the body casing; an evaporator provided to a refrigerant circuit, disposed in an inclined manner in the ventilation passage, and covering the ventilation passage such that air freely passes; a main drain pan disposed below the evaporator; and a fan disposed in the ventilation passage. The evaporator is divided into an upper heat exchanger and a lower heat exchanger. A sub-drain pan that receives dew condensation water coming out from a gap of the joint is disposed at a downstream side in a ventilation direction of a joint between the upper heat exchanger and the lower heat exchanger.
US09976768B2	Fire-rated modular duct assembly suitable for exhausting flammable or hazardous gases, vapours and other materials A fire-rated exhaust duct system comprising a modular configuration or structure. The fire-rated exhaust duct system comprises a plurality of exhaust duct sections. Each of the exhaust duct sections is configured to be joined or connected with other exhaust duct sections in the field or at an installation site, e.g. in building housing a kitchen facility or a laboratory facility to form longer sections or runs for exhaust duct system.
US09976767B2	Air-to-air heat exchanger Air-to-air heat exchanger for ventilation systems with two countercurrent air flows disposed inside a cylindrical housing, a first air flow circulating inside the heat exchanger inside closed pipes, while the second air flow is in spaces between the pipes and cylindrical housing, and a fan moving the countercurrent air flows and disposed at one end of the cylindrical housing, with the fan including concentric inner and outer rings separated by a wall for moving air in opposite directions, a bunch of straight, parallel pipes whose end elements at the fan side are tightly gathered together, in the end of a cylindrical wall and, on the opposite side, in the end of a cylindrical pipe fitting, and between end elements, taper into middle sections between which are spaces, and a sleeve lining the inner wall of the housing at the middle sections and constricts the inner diameter of the housing.
US09976761B2	Water delivery system for an evaporative cooler In one embodiment, an evaporative cooler is described. The evaporative cooler may comprise an assembly of one or more plates. At least one trough proximate the one or more plates. A water delivery system may be proximate the at least one trough. The water delivery system may comprise at least one supply tube and at least one fill tube, wherein the water delivery system is positioned to siphon air from the evaporative cooler when a continuous water supply is suspended.
US09976760B2	Method and system for conditioning air in an enclosed environment with distributed air circulation systems A system for conditioning air in a building including a fan-coil unit arranged adjacent to or within an indoor space within the building and additionally configured to at least one of heat and cool the air of the indoor space, and a scrubber arranged adjacent to or within the indoor space, the scrubber configured during a scrub cycle for scrubbing of indoor air from the indoor space. The scrubber includes one or more adsorbent materials arranged therein to adsorb at least one predetermined gas from the indoor air during the scrub cycle, a source of outdoor air, and an exhaust, wherein the scrubber is configured during a purge cycle to direct a purging air flow received from the source of outdoor air over and/or through the adsorbent materials to purge at least a portion of the at least one predetermined gas adsorbed by the adsorbent materials during the scrub cycle from the adsorbent materials and thereafter exhausting the flow via the exhaust.
US09976757B2	Airfoil frame for computer room air conditioning unit A computer room air conditioner (CRAC) unit includes a housing having an inlet configured to receive IT air and an outlet configured to exhaust treated air. The CRAC unit further includes a heat exchanger supported by the housing and disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the housing and at least one fan module supported by the housing. The at least one fan module is configured to draw IT air into the housing through the inlet, direct IT air through the heat exchanger, and exhaust treated air through the outlet. The CRAC unit further includes an airfoil frame secured to the housing at the inlet of the housing.
US09976756B2	Radiator brackets for use in mounting a radiator underneath a window A radiator bracket connects a radiator to a support surface, such as a wall, and includes at least one vertically extending channel having a width that decreases from an open end to a narrow end with the narrow end being located closer to either the radiator or the support surface. The vertically extending channel can be a single channel or two channels. Where the bracket has a single channel, two brackets can be used with one of the brackets having its narrow end closest to the radiator and the other having its narrow end closest to the wall.
US09976755B2	Expansion tank removal device An expansion tank recovery apparatus for use in extracting a thermal expansion tank includes a container body having a closed bottom wall and an upstanding side wall that together define an interior area configured to selectively receive the expansion tank. A pair of support strap assemblies is coupled to sides of the side wall and extend upwardly. Upper ends include hook portions that are selectively coupled to an overhead fluid pipe to which a thermal expansion tank is coupled. The support assemblies are length adjustable such that the container body is selectively lowered from the hook portions when respective position adjustment mechanisms are actuated and the support assemblies are operatively lengthened. In one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism is a ratchet strap. In use, the container body may be positioned beneath the expansion tank, the tank disconnected from the pipe, received into the container body, and lowered to the floor.
US09976753B2	Decorative appliance door A transparent glass appliance door is provided with a reflective coating in the shape of a frame, resembling the conventional metal frame which usually surrounds and supports the glass. The reflective frame leaves a clear area through which the interior of the appliance can be viewed.
US09976749B2	Cooking appliance A cooking appliance having a coupling structure of components to a control panel. The cooking appliance includes a main body provided with a heating unit, a control panel on at least a portion of the main body, a coupled knob unit for controlling a condition of the heating unit, the knob unit coupled to the control panel, and a bracket coupled to the knob unit to fix a coupling position of the knob unit. Accordingly, during a manufacturing process or a use process, the knob unit can be prevented from being biased with respect to the control panel in an arbitrary one direction.
US09976746B2	Combustor assembly for a turbine engine A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustor assembly generally includes an annular dome and a liner. The liner at least partially defines a combustion chamber and includes the forward end received within a slot defined by the annular dome. Additionally, a heat shield is provided. The heat shield includes an end also received within the slot defined by the annular dome. A mounting assembly attaches the forward end of the liner and the end of the heat shield to the annular dome, such that the forward end of the liner and the end of the heat shield are co-mounted within the slot defined by the annular dome.
US09976744B2	Reheat burner arrangement having an increasing flow path cross-section A reheat burner arrangement including a center body, an annular duct with a cross-section area, an intermediate fuel injection plane located along the center body and being actively connected to the cross section area of the annular duct, wherein the center body is located upstream of a combustion chamber, wherein the structure of the reheat burner arrangement is defined by various parameters and the structure of the reheat burner arrangement is defined by various dependencies.
US09976741B2	Transient heating burner and method A transient heating burner including at least two burner elements each including a distribution nozzle configured to flow a first fluid and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow a second fluid, the burner also including a controller programmed to independently control the flow of the first fluid to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein flow in an active distribution nozzle is greater than an average flow to the distribution nozzles and flow in a passive distribution nozzle is less than the average flow to the distribution nozzles, wherein the first fluid contains a reactant that is one of fuel and oxidant and the second fluid contains a reactant that is the other of fuel and oxidant.
US09976737B2	Computer case A computer case is provided, including a housing and a light-emitting module. The housing has a cover and a main body. The cover coveringly is attached to the main body and having a receiving portion. The light-emitting module is attached to the receiving portion and includes a shell, a substrate, a boost circuit and a plasma tube. The shell has a light-penetrable portion, and the boost circuit is disposed on the substrate. The plasma tube has a light-emitting main body and two electrodes. The light-emitting main body at least partly corresponds to the light-penetrable portion.
US09976734B2	Modular luminaire assemblies Described herein is modular luminaire assembly which is readily assembled and installed in the field while providing rigidity, structural integrity and water-tightness. The assembly comprises a plurality of luminaire modules mounted on a supporting pole. The plurality of luminaire modules comprises three luminaire modules which are connected to one another by respective module connectors and to the supporting pole by module connector. Each luminaire module has at least one interface for engaging with a complementary interface of an adjacent luminaire module or the supporting pole to provide a water-tight connection, each pair of modules being fixed together by a module connector.
US09976733B1	Lighting device A lighting device includes a substrate, a control circuit, multiple lighting elements and an opaque division plate. The control circuit, the lighting elements and the division plate are mounted on the substrate. The control circuit has a sensor. The lighting elements are electrically connected to the control circuit. The division plate is located between the control circuit and the lighting elements. Given the opaque division plate installed between the lighting elements and the control circuit, light emitted from the lighting elements fails to penetrate through the division plate and is thus not sensed by the sensor on the control circuit opposite to the lighting elements. Accordingly, when detecting a dark environmental luminance, the control circuit activates the lighting elements, and after the lighting elements are activated, light emitted from the lighting elements won't cast on the sensor to affect correct determination of the control circuit.
US09976728B2	Connector assembly for mounting lighting fixture Provided is a lighting assembly comprising a pin end connector and a knuckle end connector. The pin end connector includes a protrusion having at least one wall and a rotational fastener configured to be received through and retained by the wall. The knuckle end connector includes a discontinuous seat having a first opening configured to receive the protrusion and a second opening configured to receive the rotational fastener. The pin end connector is configured to be received by the knuckle end connector and pivotally rotate to attach the first connector assembly with the second connector assembly. Also provided is a method for joining the pin end connector with the knuckle end connector.
US09976726B2	Dust cover assembly with edge light A window assembly includes a pressure pane and a bezel proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defining an inner opening. The bezel includes an inner wall with a channel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the inner opening and is received in the channel of the inner wall. The electro-optic element operates between a transmissive condition and a dimmed condition. A surface of the electro-optic element exhibits a first level of spectral reflectivity at least when in the dimmed condition. The assembly further includes a dust cover assembly proximate the bezel. The dust cover assembly including a light transmitting sheet and a plurality of light sources disposed at edges of the light transmitting sheet and to emit light into the light transmitting sheet to illuminate the light transmitting sheet with a diffuse light.
US09976724B2	Lighting device construction A portable lighting device adapted to provide an area light, said device including a body having a battery housing to hold batteries to power said device. The device includes a light panel functioning as a lens to act as an area light emitter, characterized in the said light panel is slidable into and out of said body, said light panel being constructed of a substantially flat panel portion.
US09976723B2	Plastic downlight fixture having interlocking attachment features A downlight fixture is disclosed, and includes a lens defining at least one lens opening, a reflector, and a housing. The reflector defines at least one first retaining feature and at least one second retaining feature. The at least one lens opening is shaped to receive a corresponding first reflector retaining feature to interlock the lens and the reflector with one another. The housing defines at least one housing opening shaped to receive a corresponding second retaining feature to interlock the housing and the reflector with one another. The lens, the reflector, and the housing are each constructed of plastic.
US09976721B2	Light source module A light source module includes a light source which comprises a light emitting element, a stem configured to support the light emitting element, and a terminal having one end electrically connected to the light emitting element, a wiring board to which the other end of the terminal is electrically connected and which is configured to electrically connect the terminal to an external power supply terminal, and a thermal diffusion member which is disposed between the stem and the wiring board and is thermally connected to the light emitting element.
US09976720B2	Vehicle lighting unit A vehicle lighting unit can prevent the erroneous emission of laser light from a lens member through its light emission surface to the outside even when a wavelength converting member is dislocated. The vehicle lighting unit can include a laser light source, the wavelength converting member configured to receive the laser light and wavelength-convert at least part of the laser light, and the lens member including a light incident surface on which light from the wavelength converting member or the laser light is incident, a first reflecting surface configured to totally reflect the light from the light incident surface, and a light exiting surface through which the light from the first reflecting surface can exit. The lens member can further include a total-reflection prevention structure at the first reflecting surface, configured to prevent the laser light entering the lens member from being totally reflected by the first reflecting surface.
US09976718B2	Daylighting device A daylighting device (10) according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate (1) which has optical transparency and to which external light is incident; a second substrate (2) which has optical transparency and is disposed facing the first substrate (1); a light diffusion layer (3) which is disposed between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2); and a daylighting layer (4) which is disposed between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2) and is formed by including a plurality of daylighting portions (42) having optical transparency and a void portion (43) which is provided between the plurality of daylighting portions (42) in one surface facing the light diffusion layer (3).
US09976717B2	Electronic flameless candle An electronic flameless candle including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a cavity defined by the top surface, the bottom surface and the sidewall, the body configured in shape and size to simulate a true flame candle. The candle may also include a light source operably connected to the body, the light source electrically operated to illuminate in a way that simulates a natural flicker of a real candle flame. The candle may also include a scent component, operably connected to the body, the scent component configured to emit a scent when heated and/or a sensor component, operably connected to the body, the sensor component configured to sense an environmental condition and affect a mode of the light source upon the sensing of the environmental condition.
US09976716B1	Enhanced solid-state light source and electronic simulated candle Apparatuses and systems are illustrated relating to solid-state light sources with enhanced designs. The enhanced design may include bending the leads of an LED about ninety degrees to point all LED tips along horizontal planes. The enhanced design is implemented in an electronic window candle product.
US09976710B2	Flexible strip lighting apparatus and methods The present invention is directed to the use of light emitting diode (LED) lighting in flexible strips, where the color of the lighting emitted from the flexible strip is consequential to the encapsulation process and heat from the lights is adequately dissipated.
US09976705B2	Light engine for AC and DC driver architectures for LED lamps A light engine includes a first plurality of diodes coupled in series. The first plurality of diodes includes a first anode end and a first cathode end. A second plurality of diodes is coupled in series. The second plurality of diodes includes a second anode end and a second cathode end. A first terminal is electrically coupled to the first cathode end and said second anode end to form a first node. The second terminal is coupled to said first anode end. A third plurality of diodes is coupled in series. The second plurality of diodes includes a third anode end and a third cathode end. The third terminal is coupled to the third cathode end. A fourth terminal is electrically coupled to the second cathode end and the third anode end to form a first node.
US09976704B2	Device for actuating pressure relief valve A pressure relief valve including a housing having an inlet and a relief outlet connected by a fluid flow passageway, the inlet fluidly connectable to a work string. The pressure relief valve includes a head sealingly disposed within the passageway between the inlet and relief outlet closing the fluid flow passageway between the inlet and relief outlet. An elongate buckling rod supports the head and is bucklable at a predetermined load thereby permitting sliding of the head from between the inlet and a relief outlet and opening the fluid flow passageway. A projection within the housing is extendible to an extended configuration, wherein in the extended configuration the projection applies a lateral force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the buckling rod bending the rod from its axial center thereby decreasing the load at which the buckling rod collapses.
US09976699B2	Load-adjustable display support device A load-adjustable display support device includes a support frame having opposite frame top and bottom ends, a sliding unit slidable along the support frame, and a load-adjusting unit disposed between the sliding unit and the support frame and including at least one tension spring and an adjustment member. The at least one tension spring can generate a tension force to bias the sliding unit to move between upper and lower limiting positions, where the sliding unit is proximate to the frame top and bottom ends, respectively. The adjustment member is disposed on the support frame and is operable to move a spring top end of the at least one tension spring along the length of the support frame for adjusting a tension of the at least one tension spring.
US09976698B1	Multi-angle television wall mount A multi-angled television wall mount is a television mounting system that is adapted to have extension arms with multiple angle adjustments for mounting a television to irregularly angled wall or ceiling surfaces. The mounting system has two vertical angle adjustments and two horizontal angle adjustments.
US09976696B2	Linear actuator with multi-degree of freedom mounting structure An actuation system includes a linear actuator extends longitudinally along an actuation axis. A first link extends along a first centerline parallel to the actuation axis, where first link is on a first side of the linear actuator. A second link extends along a second centerline parallel to the actuation axis, where the second link is on a second side of the linear actuator. The first and the second links are configured to transfer a load along the first and the second centerlines between the component and the linear actuator.
US09976691B2	Elevatable supporting device An elevatable supporting device for holding a display module which is defined with a normal direction is provided. The elevatable supporting device comprises a frame, at least one rail module, a sliding element, and at least one constant force spring. The rail module includes an outer rail and an inner rail, wherein the outer rail is fastened to the frame and formed with a lateral opening for the inner rail sliding therein. The sliding element is formed with an inner space for the rail module penetrating through. The sliding element is secured to the inner rail so as to slide on the frame. The constant force spring is disposed on the top of the frame and connects to the sliding element at a free end thereof. Thus, the elevatable supporting device is characterized in having a slim structure.
US09976690B2	Foot of a device, in particular of a table-top kitchen appliance The invention relates to a foot (6) of a device, in particular of a table-top kitchen appliance (1), wherein the device has a housing (5) comprising an appendage (9), which projects downwards in the case of a common setup, which rests on a foot part (12), which forms a base (10), by interlaying a soft part (25), wherein the soft part (25) is received in a shell section (18) of the foot part (12), which is open to the top, and the appendage, which projects into the shell section, is also movably received in the shell section at right angles to a deflection movement as a result of a weight force of the device, wherein the soft part furthermore forms an upper impact surface (27) for the appendage (9). To attain a better position of the device in response to movement, it is proposed that, starting at the impact surface, the soft part (25) is to also be embodied without a weight-loading by the appendage (9), also laterally to the appendage (9) on the top.
US09976688B2	Coating method A method of coating an expandable item (10) such as a pressure vessel or process vessel used for instance in the off shore oil industry. A compressible flexible intermediate layer (14) is provided on the item (10), and a support member (18) is embedded in the intermediate layer (14). The support member (18) comprises an open framework base (20) and a plurality of projecting members upstanding therefrom and extending out of the intermediate layer (14) away from the item (10). A thermally insulating coating layer (12) is applied over the intermediate layer (14) such that the projecting members (22) extend into the coating layer (12), and are wholly located in the coating layer (12).
US09976687B2	Breathable multi-component exhaust insulation system A breathable, multi-layer exhaust insulation system is provided. The system includes a multi-layer sleeve, wherein the first layer, which is positioned adjacent the exhaust system pipes, is a braided sleeve which may be constructed from high-temperature resistant materials such as e-glass, s-glass, silica or ceramic. Additional braided layers of material may be included, as well. An outside cover of material is preferably a circular knitted fabric that contains glass fibers and resin-based fibers. The knitted fabric forms a tube on the outside of the insulating layers, and may be formed from a core spun yarn, which includes a glass filament core and a high-melt fiber on the wrap. Optionally, the system may also include a perforated or unperforated metal foil layer and/or a tape wrap, and the various components may be configured as desired.
US09976686B2	Automated pig launching system A pigging system has an apparatus for launching one or more pigs into a process flow. The apparatus has a housing with a chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet receives the one or more pigs into the chamber and is sealable. The outlet is in sealed communication with the process flow and passes the one or more pigs out of the chamber to the process flow. A portion of the chamber is in communication with the process flow. A guide disposed in the chamber guides the one or more pigs in the chamber, and an actuator mechanically feeds the one or more pigs guided by the guide to the outlet.
US09976685B2	Method for filling a gap in the coating of a pipeline coated with a coating, preferably a thermo-insulating coating The present invention relates to a method for filling a gap (13) in the coating (5) of a pipeline coated with a coating, in particular a thermo-insulating coating. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of placing in the gap (13) a mixture of solid elements and a thermoplastic polymeric material in fluid state, and letting the thermoplastic polymeric material in fluid state solidify.
US09976684B2	Method and system for controlling an auxiliary power unit A method for controlling the operation of an auxiliary power unit supplying an aircraft air conditioning system with compressed process air includes determining a heating or cooling requirement of an aircraft region to be air-conditioned, determining a desired value of at least one process air flow parameter in dependence on the determined heating or cooling requirement of the aircraft region to be air-conditioned, controlling the operation of the auxiliary power unit in dependence on the determined process air flow parameter desired value, acquiring an actual value of the at least one process air flow parameter, comparing the process air flow parameter actual value with the process air flow parameter desired value and controlling the operation of the auxiliary power unit in dependence on the result of the comparison of the process air flow parameter actual value with the process air flow parameter desired value.
US09976682B2	Swivel coupling A coupling assembly includes a first member having a male mating portion and a first conduit receiving portion and a second member having a female mating portion and a second conduit receiving portion, wherein the male mating portion is engaged with the female mating portion to prevent disassociation of the first member and the second member while permitting free rotation of the first member and the second member with respect to each other. A method of coupling a first conduit and a second conduit includes providing a first coupling member having a first mating portion and a second coupling member having a second mating portion, and compression fitting the first mating portion with the second mating portion to prevent disassociation of the first member and the second member while permitting relative rotation of the first member and the second member with respect to each other.
US09976681B2	Fluid sealing A fluid sealing element, a fluid sealing assembly, a method of providing a fluid seal, and a method of terminating a flexible pipe body in an end fitting are disclosed. The fluid sealing element (802) has an annular body portion locatable between an end fitting body (801) and an inner collar member (808) of an end fitting, and a tapered portion extending substantially perpendicular to the annular body portion at a radially inner region thereof. The method includes urging a fluid retaining layer (804) of a flexible pipe radially outwardly against an abutment surface of the inner collar member of the end fitting.
US09976680B2	Seal element for isolation gasket A gasket for use between adjoining pipe flanges includes a retainer which defines a bore and includes a first face and an opposite second face. The retainer is constructed and arranged with a first groove in the first face and with a second groove in the second face, the first groove includes a first form for seal retention and the first seal element includes a first cooperating form for retention of the seal element within the first groove. A second seal element is received within the second groove and the retention of each seal element within its respective groove is accomplished without the use of a bonding material.
US09976676B2	Tube fitting tamper-resistant collar A tamper evident assembly is provided for an associated fluid fitting that has a threaded nut that cooperates with a threaded body. The tamper evident assembly includes a collar having a through opening dimensioned for receipt over at least one of the nut and body. A holding mechanism is operatively associated with the collar for movement between (i) a first position that extends radially inward a dimension no less than the through opening, and (ii) a second position extending radially inward that prevents axial removal of the collar over both of the nut and body of the associated fluid fitting.
US09976675B1	Mechanical processing of high aspect ratio metallic tubing and related technology Tubes for use in ultrahigh pressure devices, and associated systems and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a metal tube includes an elongate bore having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape. The metal tube also includes an elongate wall extending around the bore and having an annular transverse cross-sectional shape with an inner surface closest to the bore, an outer surface furthest from the bore, and a wall thickness extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. An inner portion of the wall is under swage-autofrettage-induced overall compressive stress.
US09976674B2	Concrete insert channel assembly The present invention relates to a concrete channel assembly configured to prevent ingress of concrete into the concrete insert channel during construction. The concrete insert channel assembly includes a concrete insert channel having a plurality of anchor hooks, a plurality of base openings, first and second open ends, and a bottom opening, a plurality of sealing caps having a sealing cap body and a sealing support rib with the sealing support rib integrally connected to the sealing cap body, first and second end caps configured to removably mount and seal the first and second open ends, respectively, and a closure strip configured to slidably mount and seal the bottom opening. Each of the plurality of seal caps is configured to removably mount and seal each of the plurality of base openings of the concrete insert channel.
US09976669B2	Container treatment plant and method for displacing a valve or a diverting unit of a container treatment plant A container treatment plant and a method for displacing an element of a valve or a diverting unit of a container treatment plant. The container treatment plant comprises at least one element for treating containers. The element is part of a valve or a diverting unit. The container treatment plant also comprises a displacing unit for displacing the element between a first position and a second position, wherein the displacing unit comprises a magnetically operating actuator such that a rotary motion caused by the actuator displaces the element with the aid of a mechanism between its first and second positions.
US09976664B2	Furnace braze deposition of hardface coating on wear surface A disclosed method of hard coating a wear surface of a valve of an aircraft air management system is performed by depositing a hardface alloy powder onto the wear surface, heating the wear surface and the hardface alloy powder to transform the hardface alloy powder into a molten liquid mass, and subsequently cooling the molten liquid hardface alloy mass to solidify the hardface alloy onto the wear surface. The disclosed process provides for localized application and subsequent bonding of the hardface alloy to discrete portions of the wear surface. The solidified hardface alloy coating may then be machined to obtain specific wear surface geometries.
US09976663B2	Intelligent pressure relief device for a double isolation valve A pressure relief device for a double isolation valve comprises a body with a valve cavity. The valve body has a pocket formed therein. A disc is disposed in the central section of the pocket. The disc is interposed between two spring-actuated seats. Each of the seats is in fluid communication with opposing valve sides. The pocket central section is in fluid communication with the valve body cavity. Each of the seats is provided with two different types of gaskets in series. In operation, reverse pressure causes retraction of the seats, thereby relieving valve body cavity overpressure.
US09976659B2	Decompression coupling block A decompression block assembly for coupling a source of hydraulic pressure to a hydraulically operated attachment. The assembly includes a valve body defining first and second ports that are fluidly connected to first and second couplers that are connectable to hoses of the attachment. The valve body includes a shuttle chamber having an opposed valve seats and a valve element engageable with the valve seats depending on residual pressure in fluid passages. A release member is operable to connect the shuttle valve to a drain port to discharge residual pressure in one or both fluid passages communicating with the attachment. The release member, when operated, opens a check valve in order to discharge residual pressure.
US09976657B2	Double slip seal profile for plug valves A slip seal having a double profile provides two barriers to withstand the working pressure of a medium acting against the slip when a plug valve is in the closed position.
US09976653B2	Sliding seal and seal structure A sliding seal seals an annular gap between a first member and a second member to separate a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side from each other, the first member being movable relative to the second member. The sliding seal is provided at an annular attaching groove provided at the second member. The sliding seal includes: a pressure fluid seal configured to slidingly contact a sliding surface of the first member; and a lubricant holding piece provided at the high-pressure side of the pressure fluid seal, a lubricant storage space being formed between the lubricant holding piece and the pressure fluid seal.
US09976651B2	Device to create a hermetic seal for large openings in equipment The invention refers to a device to create a hermetic seal for large openings in equipment subject to low pressure. According to the invention it is characterized by at least one sealing cover being provided, which is pressed onto the side wall of the equipment by means of bolts, where the bolts are welded to a strip attached to the side wall at the edge of the opening in the equipment. This provides a good, low-cost and hermetic seal.
US09976650B1	Forkless synchronizer with sensor rail arrangement A forkless synchronizer arrangement selectively couples one or more gears to a drive shaft that is rotatable about a rotation axis. A shift collar, rotated by the drive shaft, is configured to disengage from a first of the gears when in a first neutral axial position and to engage the first gear when in a first engaged axial position to transmit rotational input from the drive shaft to the first gear. A rail is arranged in parallel with the rotation axis. A rail arm has an end fixedly coupled to the rail and another end coupled to the shift collar to permit relative rotation and to transmit axial shifting movement to the rail in response to axial movement of the shift collar between the first engaged and neutral axial positions. A sensor proximate the rail senses an axial position of the rail.
US09976647B2	Vehicular shift apparatus A vehicular shift apparatus includes an operation member configured to be put in five shift positions including a home position, a drive position, a reverse position, a drive-side neutral position, and a reverse-side neutral position. Nine sensing elements are provided to sense a magnet moved by movement of the operation member. The home position is allocated with three sensing elements, and each of the remaining four shift positions is allocated with two sensing elements, wherein two of the sensing elements allocate to the home position are shared by other two of the shift positions. The five shift positions and four intermediate positions between respective two adjacent shift positions are determined, based on combination of outputs of the nine sensing elements.
US09976645B2	System and method of transferring heat between transmission fluid and coolant in oil pan A system for transferring heat between a transmission fluid and a coolant in a transmission, such as in a motor vehicle, includes a transmission pump for circulating the transmission fluid and an oil pan having a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has at least one transmission fluid layer and at least one coolant layer. The heat exchanger is located on a high-pressure side of the transmission pump and is configured to receive a pressurized flow of the transmission fluid from the transmission pump. Preferably, the heat exchanger receives the pressurized flow directly from either the transmission pump or a hydraulic control system.
US09976644B2	Differential carrier temperature sensing method A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)−TPCB(RENC/RPCB).
US09976643B2	Differential device and method of assembling the same A differential device includes: a differential gear mechanism; and an integrated differential case housing the mechanism, the differential case including bearing bosses formed integrally on one and other side portions thereof and aligned on a same axis to be rotatably supported by a transmission case; a work window being provided in the differential case; sleeves rotatably supported by the bosses and connected to side gears of the mechanism liquid-tightly. The sleeves can be passed through an inside of the differential case from the window and fitted and inserted to inner peripheries of the bosses, falling-off prevention devices are provided between the sleeves and the bosses, and seal devices for preventing lubricating oil in the differential case from flowing out are provided between the side gears and the sleeves. Accordingly, when drive shafts are removed from the differential device, the oil in the transmission and differential cases does not flow out.
US09976641B2	Hydraulic transmission A hydraulic transmission comprising a variable displacement pump and motor, at least one having cylinders having valves which are controllable on each cycle of cylinder working volume to determine the net displacement of working fluid by the cylinder. The transmission has a valve control module which determines a displacement of the pump and the motor by specifying a displacement demand. The pump and/or motor valve control module determine the frequency of intensity peaks in the frequency spectrum of the pattern of cylinders carrying out active and inactive cycles of cylinder working volume using a first procedure and, if these will fall within disallowed frequency bands including the resonant frequency of components with which the transmission is in mechanical communication, the displacement demand, or another input, is periodically modified to suppress generation of those frequencies. The hydraulic transmission is useful for example in a wind turbine generator, or a vehicle.
US09976636B2	Locking mechanisms for ram air turbines A locking mechanism for a ram air turbine (RAT) includes a base clevis configured to mount to a housing and to have a base link clevis connector portion defining a plurality of base link clevis connector arms and a base link clevis having a base connector portion defining base connector arms that are configure to movably connect to the base link clevis connector arm. The locking mechanism also includes a pin operatively connecting the base connector portion to the base link clevis connector portion in a rotatable relationship and a spring positioned around the pin, wherein a first spring end abuts the base clevis and a second spring end abuts the base link clevis to bias the base link clevis to an unlocked position. A sleeve is positioned between the spring and the pin to maintain a wind diameter of the spring.
US09976625B2	Pendulum crank cycloid insert for pendulum crankshaft having integral carrier A pendulum crankshaft for an internal combustion engine includes a pendulum crankshaft having pendulum crank cycloid inserts. The inserts may be formed from high graded hardened steel while the crankshaft may be formed from conventional iron. The pendulum crankshaft includes a crankshaft having pendulum-holding ears. A cycloid insert-receiving aperture is formed in each of said ears for receiving a cycloid insert. Each of the cycloid inserts has a cycloid path formed therethrough. The pendulum is movably attached to the ears by a rolling pin fitted through the cycloid paths of the ears and captured between the cycloid paths formed in each half of the pendulum. Each half of the pendulum includes recessed areas on which the cycloid paths are formed. A pin is provided between each cycloid insert and the ear into which it is inserted to restrict rotation of the cycloid insert with respect to the ear.
US09976624B2	Damper and pre-damper assembly A clutch assembly is disclosed that includes a hub, a damper and a pre-damper. A first pre-damper side plate is adjacent the damper and a second pre-damper side plate has a lug that extends radially outwardly and axially across the intermediate plate and the first pre-damper plate toward a first side plate of the damper that is adjacent the pre-damper. The lug is received in a notch defined by the first side plate of the damper to prevent relative rotation between the first side plate of the damper and the pre-damper. A method is disclosed for assembling the pre-damper and the damper on a hub. The pre-damper includes a radially and axially extending lug that is assembled to the notch in the damper to prevent relative rotation between the damper and the pre-damper.
US09976623B2	Cylinder device A mounting section mounted on a rod side is provided at one end side of a protective cover in an axial direction. At least the other end side of the protective cover in the axial direction has reduced diameter parts and enlarged diameter parts, the reduced diameter parts and the enlarged diameter parts being alternately formed in the axial direction via small diameter parts in between. An end surface of the other end side of the protective cover is formed by a surface that is cut at a position. The end surface and an outer circumferential surface of a cylinder are situated at a position at which they are not in contact with each other in the radial direction in a state in which the small diameter part closest to the end surface comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
US09976619B2	Tubular vibration-damping device A tubular vibration-damping device including: an inner shaft member; an outer tube member made of synthetic resin in which the inner shaft member is inserted and placed; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the inner shaft member and the outer tube member to each other; a flange part protruding peripherally outward from one axial end of the outer tube member; and a thick-walled portion whose axial dimension is made large being provided peripherally outside of a proximal end of the flange part.
US09976618B2	Cylindrical vibration-damping device A cylindrical vibration-damping device including: an inner axial member; an outer cylindrical member; and a main rubber elastic body connecting the inner axial member and the outer cylindrical member. A pair of protruding portions are provided that protrude from the inner axial member on both sides thereof in an axis-perpendicular direction, and each protruding portion has a tapered shape thinning out toward its tip, and elastic connecting portions are constituted by the main rubber elastic body that connect both faces in a thickness direction of each protruding portion of the inner axial member to respective opposing faces of the outer cylindrical member.
US09976617B2	Coned-disc spring device, spring assembly, and methods of making the same A coned-disc spring device, spring assembly, methods of making the same, and methods of assembling a spring system are disclosed. Such a device includes a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening, wherein the diameter of the second opening is larger than the diameter of the first opening. The device also includes a lip portion at the second end of the device adjacent to and at least partially encircling the second opening and protruding substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the second opening such that when a portion of a second spring member having a first groove portion is received within the second opening, the first lip portion is received within the first groove portion to optimally align the second spring member.
US09976612B2	Single fastener brake disk insert retainer System and methods for retaining a clip to a rotor are provided. A retaining system for radially retaining a clip to a rotor may include at least one fastener configured to be at least partially positioned within an axial aperture in a rotor; and a retainer circumferentially surrounding a portion of the fastener protruding axially from the axial aperture, the retainer configured to engage a surface of the clip facing radially outward relative to the rotor when the clip is positioned against the rotor, wherein a perimetrical dimension of the retainer is between 25% and 200% of a perimetrical length of the surface.
US09976610B2	Wear optimized pad design A brake pad for a disc brake with decreased wear characteristics is provided. The brake pad is configured with the distribution of brake pad friction material weighted toward the radially outer region of the brake pad, with the lateral sides of the pad material being generally aligned with radial lines originating at the rotation axis of the brake disc of the disc brake. The brake pad friction material distribution results in decreased brake application pressure between the brake pad and the brake disc while obtaining the same braking force provided by a comparable generally rectangular brake pad, resulting in lower brake pad wear at the same braking force levels.
US09976608B2	Rotation transmission device When a control retainer and a rotary retainer rotate relative to each other, a plurality of pairs of rollers received in respective pockets are pushed by pillars so as to move to their disengaged position. An anti-rotation arrangement is provided between an outer ring and the control retainer. The anti-rotation arrangement prevents the control retainer from rotating relative to the outer ring when the rollers are engaged, so that that the rollers does not move to their neutral position. This increases reliability. The anti-rotation arrangement includes a plurality of first protrusions formed on the surface of the outer ring, and a plurality of second protrusions formed on the surface of the control retainer axially opposed to the surface of the outer ring. Heat treatment is performed to the first and second protrusions so as to increase the hardness thereof.
US09976607B2	Device for the automatic disengagement of a clutch in an engine, clutch and gearbox system The device (10) is associated to a multidisk clutch (1) for motor vehicles, and allows the automatic disengagement thereof in the deceleration and/or braking initial phase, before that the driver operates the clutch lever (1) for downshifting. The device (10) includes a ramped plate (11) connected to the transmission, which features front cam profiles (110) adapted to actuate oscillating rocker arms (13), arranged inside a drum (5) provided in the clutch (1), when a back torque is generated by the drive wheel of the vehicle, during the deceleration and/or braking step. The rocker arms (13) rotate simultaneously from an inoperative position (N) to an operative position (H), causing the pusher plate (9) to move away with a reduction of the pressure exerted on the sets of friction rings (4, 7), which, therefore, can slip with respect to one another. This avoids abnormal blockages of the rear wheel and improves the drivability and curving of the motor vehicle.
US09976600B2	Method of producing wheel bearing apparatus A method of producing a wheel bearing apparatus includes: performing positioning of a slinger of a sealing device with respect to a base shaft portion of a hub spindle by pressing a jig to press-fit the slinger to the base shaft portion, using an inner ring contacted surface, which is a step portion between a small-diameter shaft portion and a large-diameter shaft portion of the hub spindle, as a reference surface; and fitting, after the slinger is press-fitted to the base shaft portion, an inner ring to the small-diameter shaft portion such that the inner ring reaches a position at which the inner ring comes into contact with the inner ring contacted surface, in a state where an outer ring, rolling elements, and the sealing device have been assembled to the hub spindle.
US09976599B2	Countersunk threaded bearing and method of installation A bearing assembly includes an outer race, an inner race, a bearing interface, and a nut. The outer race has a head end and a base end. The head end includes a flange having a countersink lip formed on an underside of the flange. The outer race includes an externally threaded portion terminating at the base end. The inner race is circumscribed by the outer race. The bearing interface is located between and rotatably couples the inner race to the outer race. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged to the externally threaded portion.
US09976596B2	Ring for a bearing, an inner ring, an outer ring, and a bearing The invention provides a ring for a bearing. The invention further provides an inner ring, an outer ring and the bearing. The ring includes a raceway ring being a hardened steel metal ring providing a raceway surface configured and constructed for guiding rolling elements of the bearing. The ring further provides printed material bonded to the steel of the raceway ring. The printed material being material printed via an additive manufacturing process. The printed material may be used to customize a shape of the ring, for example, of the inner ring or the outer ring of the bearing, thus allowing flexible customization.
US09976591B2	Bolt and cap assembly for plumbing fixture A bolt and cap assembly for mounting a plumbing fixture includes a flanged nut, a bolt, a washer, and a cap. The flanged nut includes a flange and a sleeve extending therefrom. The bolt includes a substantially planar head and a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft is configured to threadably engage the flanged nut to couple the plumbing fixture to a mounting flange. The washer is configured to be positioned between the bolt and the flanged nut. The cap is configured to be removably coupled to the washer and to encase the substantially planar head of the bolt between the washer and the cap so as to conceal the substantially planar head from view and to prevent fluid from entering an area between the cap and the washer.
US09976586B2	Modular furniture arrangement A modular furniture arrangement is disclosed having mechanically and electronically attachable modular furniture elements and an application function module attachable to the modular furniture elements, the application function module being chosen based on an application. Inside the modular furniture elements and application function module is arranged at least two electricity conducting structures electrically isolated from each other, the structures operating between modular furniture elements, and between module function parts and at least one application function module for mechanical fixing and serving as an electricity conductor.
US09976585B2	Connection structure for woodware part The present invention provides a connection structure for a woodware part. Firstly, an implanting hole (4) is drilled at an appropriate location on the contact surface of a second woodware part (5), a through embedding hole (9) is drilled on the side surface of the second woodware part (5), the central lines of the implanting hole and the embedding hole are perpendicular to and intersect with each other, a wooden nut (6) is placed into the implanting hole (4), the central line of a nail penetration hole (8) on the wooden nut (6) and the central line of the embedding hole (9) are overlapped, and a round nail (10) is embedded along the embedding hole and the nail penetration hole; a through bolt hole (2) is drilled at a corresponding location on the contact surface of a first woodware part (3), and finally, the connection of the first and second woodware parts is realized by screwing a bolt (1) into the wooden nut through the bolt hole; the problems that firmness and rapidness of the connection structure are not unified and that the woodware part cannot be recycled between old and new woodware of the same model are solved; and the connection structure has the advantages of improving utilization ratio of wood, saving energy and protecting the environment, and manufacturers can realize carbon trading.
US09976584B2	Multi-piece panel fastener A fastener includes a clip including a flexible head having an outer surface configured to engage and edge of a first slot in a first panel when the flexible head is inserted therein and a retainer configured to be inserted into a channel within the flexible head to impede flexing of the flexible head thereby retain the flexible head in the first slot. The clip may further include at least one member extending from the head and configured to engage a second slot in a second panel to hold the first and second panels together when the first and second slots are positioned in an opposing relationship. In some embodiments, the at least one member may include first and second spring arm members extending from the head and having outer surfaces configured to engage edges of the second slot when inserted therein. Methods using such fasteners are also discussed.
US09976583B2	Threaded adjustable-height inserts and related methods A threaded adjustable-height insert may be installed in a bore of a sandwich panel, such that the insert may be configured to transfer a load to the sandwich panel. The threaded adjustable-height insert may include a first insert part and a second insert part that may be selectively operatively positioned with respect to each other. The overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert may be adjusted by longitudinally sliding the second insert part with respect to the first insert part and rotating the second insert part with respect to the first insert part. Presently disclosed threaded adjustable-height inserts may be configured for flush installation in a sandwich panel. Methods of installing such threaded adjustable-height inserts and adjusting the height of the same are also disclosed.
US09976579B2	Ram air turbine actuator system A ram air turbine control valve includes a sleeve, a spool, and a return housing. The sleeve defines a first exit port disposed proximate a first end of the sleeve and defines a second exit port disposed between the first exit port and the first end. The spool is radially contained within the sleeve and is movable between a first position and a second position. The return housing is coupled to the first end of the sleeve and defines a cavity that receives a biasing member that engages the spool.
US09976577B2	Integrated hydraulic rotary actuator In the integrated hydraulic rotary actuator according to the present invention, a valve, a sensor, a controller, and a driving unit for controlling the rotary actuator are integrated, so wires connecting them are not exposed to the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage due to interference in operation and maintenance is easy. Further, since it is integrated, including a controller, when the actuator according to the present invention is used, connecting with other parts is easy and interference can be reduced. Therefore, it is easy to design and manufacture a resultant product.
US09976576B2	Hydraulic distribution system employing a dual pump Disclosed is an exemplary hydraulic system including a first fluid circuit and a first pump fluidly connected to the first fluid circuit. The first pump configured to produce a fluid output at a first flow rate when operated at a selected speed. The hydraulic system further includes a second fluid circuit and a second pump selectively fluidly connectable to the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. The second pump configured to produce a fluid output at a second flow rate when operated at the selected speed, with the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate of the first pump. A first valve fluidly connects the second pump to the first fluid circuit when the first valve is arranged in an open position, and fluidly connects the second pump to second fluid circuit when the first valve is arranged in a closed position.
US09976571B2	Fan assembly The disclosure provides a fan assembly for connecting the first fan to the second fan. The fan assembly includes at least one fastening member. Each of the first fan and the second fan includes a first flange and a second flange and a body interconnecting the first flange and the second flange, the fastening member includes a locating column and an elastic element. The elastic element is held between the first flange of the first fan and the second flange of the second fan, the locating column passes through the elastic element, the first flange of the first fan, and the second flange of the second fan, to connect the first fan to the second fan.
US09976562B2	Semi-hermetic compressor motor for ammonia service A semi-hermetic compressor for ammonia service includes a compressor portion and a motor encased in an airtight housing portion. The compressor portion compresses ammonia. The motor includes a stator winding. Motor leads are connected to the field windings, and extend from the housing portion through a pass-through assembly. The pass-through assembly includes a base portion, a first isolation portion, a second isolation portion, a sealant and a cap portion. The base portion is inserted into the housing portion with an airtight seal. The first isolation portion is arranged to fit within an annular opening in the base portion. First and second isolation portions include apertures for a motor lead. Sealant is disposed between the isolation portions. A cap portion attaches to the base portion. An anti-rotation element prevents relative rotation there between.
US09976561B2	Method for securing stator in high speed electric motors An electromechanical is provided which includes an electromagnetic rotor, a housing with an interior opening with a stop, a first bearing mount for supporting a first bearing rotatably mounting the rotor in the housing, a cover connected with the housing having a boss having an interior providing a second bearing mount supporting a second bearing rotatably mounting the rotor in the housing, a stator having a clearance fit within the housing interior opening, the stator being axially limited in a direction toward such first bearing mount by the housing stop, the stator having an axial clearance in a direction toward the cover boss, and an elastomeric spacer connected on an extreme end of the boss compliantly filling the axial clearance between the stator and the boss positioning the stator in an axial direction and restricting movement of the stator in an angular direction within the housing opening.
US09976557B2	Pump having an integrated electronically commutated direct current motor A pump with an integral, electronically commutated, direct-current motor (2) with permanent magnetic inner rotor disposed in a wet chamber, which forms with a turbine pump wheel (22) a compact, structural pump-rotor unit (3), a claw-pole stator (9) positioned in a dry chamber (4), the claw-pole stator (9) having four claw-pole plates (6, 6′) made of a soft magnetic material, a ring-shaped winding (12) and a claw-pole stator (9) including a soft magnetic back-iron ring (13) mounted on the claw-pole plates (6, 6′) and disposed around the winding (12) and a separating can (10), which separates the dry chamber from the wet chamber (5), characterized in that the claw-pole plates (6, 6′) and additional claw-pole plates (66, 66′) are stamped and bent together, in which a plate strip for the additional claw-pole plates (66, 66′) contains a central borehole from a previous work step.
US09976556B2	Scroll compressor A scroll compressor includes a sealed container, a compression mechanism portion for a refrigerant, a compliant frame and a guide frame which support an orbiting scroll, an electric motor which drives the orbiting scroll, balance weights, a refrigerant flow path which introduces a refrigerant gas discharged through a discharge port of a fixed scroll to a bottom portion of the sealed container, cup-shaped members provided on both upper and lower surfaces of the rotor of the electric motor and contain the balance weights, a penetrating flow path through which the refrigerant gas containing a refrigerating machine oil flows from a lower side of the rotor of the electric motor through the interiors of the cup-shaped members to an upper side of the rotor, and a discharge cover which is provided at a lower portion of the frame, and which introduces the refrigerant gas to a discharge pipe.
US09976552B2	Performance prediction device and performance prediction method for compressor A performance prediction device includes: an actual measured data obtaining unit that obtains actual measured data of a compressor; a test gas physical property correction formula database in which test gas physical property correction formulae are stored; a test parameter calculation unit that calculates test parameters of the compressor; and a test parameter correction unit that selects at least one of the test gas physical property correction formulae from the test gas physical property correction formula database based on types and a mix ratio of gases included in a test gas to be used in the prediction and corrects the test parameters by using the selected test gas physical property correction formula.
US09976551B2	Syringe characterization A device for syringe characterization can include a syringe pump with a plunger driver, for a syringe configured to contain can a fluid, wherein the syringe includes a barrel and a plunger. The barrel and the plunger therewithin together define a central longitudinal axis of the syringe. The device can also include a barrel outer diameter sensor, and a linear position sensor in a substantially parallel orientation with the central longitudinal axis of the syringe when the syringe is installed in the syringe pump. At least one moveable marker can be in communication with the linear potentiometer, being capable of indicating a location along the linear potentiometer corresponding to a selected location on the barrel of the syringe when the syringe is installed in the syringe pump. The device can further include software for performing calculations that are indicative of syringe characterization, with respect to locations of selected ones of the at least one moveable marker and a diameter of the barrel that is sensed by the barrel outer diameter sensor.
US09976543B2	Transmission for motor vehicle and method of pumping transmission fluid through the transmission A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.
US09976542B2	Linear telescopic actuator A linear telescopic actuator (1) that comprises a cylinder (2), a sliding part (3), a spring seat (4) and a first compression spring (5) capable of resiliently opposing the sliding part (3) approaching the spring seat (4). The spring seat (4) presents an outer annular groove (6) and the cylinder (2) includes an inner annular groove (7). The actuator (1) also presents a blocking part (8), the actuator (1) being adapted to adopt selectively an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration. The blocking part (8) in the assembled configuration is engaged inside the inner and outer annular grooves (6, 7). The blocking part (8) in the disassembled configuration being disengaged from one of the grooves so as to allow spring seat (4) to slide in the cylinder (2).
US09976540B2	Floating wind turbine structure A floating wind turbine structure comprising: a rotor carrying at least one blade, at least two support arms supporting a nacelle, said at least two support arms comprising upper and lower portions, said upper portions being associated with the nacelle and said lower portions being associated with means in the shape of floats, at least one support arm located upstream from the rotor relative to the wind direction, at least one support arm located downstream from the rotor relative to the wind direction, characterized in that the rotor is provided with a hollow shaft arranged to rotate about the nacelle.
US09976538B2	Airflow generation device and wind power generation system An airflow generation device disposed on a moving body such as a windmill blade in which a conduction state of an electrode can be sufficiently secured, and the like are provided. An airflow generation device of an embodiment includes a base, a first electrode, and a second electrode, and generates an airflow when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The base is formed of a dielectric having a flexibility. The first electrode is provided on a front surface side of the base. The second electrode is provided inside the base. Here, the first electrode includes a metal electrode part and an elastomeric electrode part. The metal electrode part is formed of a metal material. The elastomeric electrode part is formed by using an elastomeric material, and has a conductivity. Further, the elastomeric electrode part includes a portion covering the metal electrode part.
US09976537B2	Wind turbine blade comprising cylindrical metal inserts in a root region thereof A wind turbine blade for a wind turbine is a shell structure of a fiber-reinforced composite and comprises a root region and an airfoil region. The root region has a ring-shaped cross section and comprises a cylindrical insert 7 embedded in the fiber-reinforced polymer so as to substantially follow the circumference of the root region. The cylindrical insert is provided with a number of mutually spaced threaded bores 12, 15 in a first end 9 thereof being accessible from the outside.
US09976534B2	Control device and control method for internal combustion engine A control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to calculate an ignitionability index value and a combustion timing index value. The electronic control unit is configured to store relevant information defining a relationship between the ignitionability index value and the combustion timing index value, and a torque fluctuation limit value. The electronic control unit is configured to calculate a distance between a current operating point, which is specified by the ignitionability index value and the combustion timing index value, and a point on the torque fluctuation limit line. The electronic control unit is configured to retard ignition timing when the distance is larger than a threshold value, and enrich an air-fuel ratio and retard the ignition timing when the distance is equal to or smaller than the threshold value.
US09976531B2	Valve for dosing a flowing medium A valve for metering a flowing, e.g. gaseous or liquid, medium, in particular a fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, is described, which valve comprises a valve housing having an inflow for the medium, a valve body having a metering opening for the medium, a join present between the valve housing and valve body, and a seal sealing the join. In order to ensure a seal that is reliable and not susceptible to cracking, in which context the material of the valve housing and valve body can be selected without restriction, the seal has a clamping ring, covering the join, that sits with a press fit on end portions, facing toward one another at the join, of the valve housing and valve body.
US09976529B2	Valve assembly for an injection valve and injection valve A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body with a central longitudinal axis, the valve body having a valve body groove extending circumferentially around the valve body and being designed to take in a gasket, the valve body groove having a first wall section and a second wall section, the wall sections configured to be coupled to the gasket in a manner that the valve assembly is sealingly coupable with a cylinder head of a combustion engine, and an injection nozzle enabling a fluid flow through the valve assembly. The second wall section is arranged relative to the first wall section in axial direction away from the injection nozzle. The first wall section extends to a first radius and the second wall section extends to a second radius, and the first radius is bigger than the second radius.
US09976526B2	Gaseous metering control for dual fluid injector A fuel injection system (10) for delivering metered amounts fuel into the combustion chamber or cylinder of an engine. The fuel delivered can selectively comprise a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel or a fuel mixture comprising the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel. When the fuel delivered comprises a mixture of the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel, the quantity of liquid fuel comprises a metered quantity. The quantity of gaseous fuel also comprises a metered quantity, with the metering of the gaseous fuel being regulated by prediction. The injection event involves delivering the liquid fuel and the gaseous fuel, with the metering of the gaseous fuel delivered being adjusted to allow for the quantity of liquid fuel delivered with the gaseous fuel. The injection system (10) comprises a liquid fuel circuit (11) and a gaseous fuel circuit (13), both communicating with a fuel delivery injector (15) that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber. The fuel injection system (10) further comprises an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling operation of the fuel injection system (10). The ECU controls operation of the fuel delivery injector (15) and a fluid metering injector (31). The ECU determines the proportions of liquid fuel and gaseous fuel required to meet the fuelling demand. The ECU operates the fluid metering injector (31) to deliver the required quantity of liquid fuel into a holding chamber within the fuel delivery injector (15). The ECU also predicts the gaseous fuel flow required to deliver the necessary proportion of gaseous fuel and operates the fuel delivery injector (15) accordingly. In particular, the ECU refers to a “look-up” map or table to determine the operating parameters of the fuel delivery injector (15) to deliver the necessary quantity of gaseous fuel in conjunction with the metered quantity of liquid fuel.
US09976522B2	Fuel injector for combustion engine and staged fuel delivery method A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe indices and compositions.
US09976521B1	Method and system for exhaust gas recirculation system diagnostics Methods and systems are provided for on-board diagnostics of an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example, a method may include dynamically estimating upper and lower EGR limits based on a commanded EGR flow and estimating a ratio of accumulated difference between a measured EGR flow and one of the upper and lower EGR limits to accumulated commanded EGR flow, over a duration of time. EGR system degradation may be indicated in response to the ratio being higher than a threshold.
US09976520B2	Vaporized fuel processing apparatus A vaporized fuel processing apparatus in which, if an internal pressure of a fuel tank is high when refueling, a closing valve opens before a refueling cap opens, so that vaporized fuel is flown to a canister via a path with a float valve to lower the internal pressure of the tank. The apparatus includes a refueling switch for instructing a start of refueling to the fuel tank, an internal pressure sensor for detecting a space pressure inside the tank, and a closing valve control means for, if the refueling start signal is output from the refueling switch and the internal pressure of the fuel tank is higher than a set pressure, opening the closing valve within a range in which the float valve does not operate, and increasing the valve-opening speed of the closing valve in accordance with a reduction in the internal pressure of the fuel tank.
US09976519B2	Confidence-modified exponentially weighted moving average filter for engine-off natural vacuum testing Methods and systems are provided for conducting an engine-off natural vacuum test and filtering the output of the engine-off natural vacuum (EONV) test based on a variable weighting factor. In one example, one or more EONV test entry conditions are evaluated with one or more membership functions corresponding to the indicated result of the EONV test to obtain an overall confidence value that is used to modify the weighting factor. In this way, the filtered EONV output reflects the confidence in the test results, and as such a malfunction indicator light may be more appropriately set as compared to conditions wherein filtered EONV output is not based on confidence in the test results.
US09976515B2	Exhaust nozzle and method for changing exhaust flow path Provided is an exhaust nozzle and a method for changing an exhaust flowpath, whereby noise can be reduced by using a simple and light-weight mechanism without increasing the complexity and size of the structure of the exhaust nozzle, and furthermore, the efficiency during cruising at supersonic speeds can be improved. The rear end side of main nozzle pieces 110 of an exhaust nozzle 100 are provided swingably in an inward and outward direction of an exhaust flow path 101, about an open/close bend section 111 to the rear of an engine, coupling nozzle pieces 120 are coupled bendably to adjacent main nozzle pieces 110 on either side, and when the main nozzle pieces 110 are swung inside the exhaust flow path 101, the coupling nozzle pieces 120 form projecting sections 102 inside the exhaust flow path 101.
US09976514B2	Propulsive force vectoring A propulsive force imparted to an object is vectored using rotatable members arranged in one or more arrays disposed in the path of a fluid ejected by a fluid accelerator unit, such as air ejected by a fan driven by a gas turbine engine. The propulsive force is vectored by changing the rotation of one or more of the rotatable members.
US09976505B2	Method for operating an injector of an injection system of an internal combustion engine The present disclosure teaches a method for operating an injector with piezoelectric direct drive of an injection system of an internal combustion engine. The method may comprise providing a current to the piezoelectric actuator at a first level, then quickly reducing the current for charging the piezoelectric actuator before or after the opening of the nozzle needle and before the mechanical impacting of the needle or the hydraulic equilibrium point of the needle, the current reduced to such an extent that the sum of the forces acting on the nozzle needle become approximately zero in the case of a small needle lift (part lift), and after reducing the current, supplying a low current in a constant or ramp-shaped fashion until a predetermined setpoint energy is reached.
US09976504B2	Fuel injector calibration method and apparatus A method for calibrating an electronic fuel injector with a control module and the electronic fuel injector disposed on a test apparatus may include: setting a supply voltage to a control module; applying a control voltage signal having a pulse width to an electronic fuel injector by the control module; determining whether a fuel pressure of a fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by a predetermined amount; and in response to determining that the fuel pressure of the fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by the predetermined amount, recording the pulse width and the supply voltage to the control module.
US09976502B2	Methods and system for injecting water at different groups of cylinders of an engine Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of water injected upstream of a group of cylinders based on a determined maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting a first amount of water upstream of a first group of cylinders and a different, second amount of water upstream of a second group of cylinders based on operating conditions of the respective cylinder groups. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
US09976498B2	Control apparatus for internal combustion engine and control method therefor The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine including a VTC controller for controlling driving of a variable valve timing device and an engine control module (ECM) for calculating and transferring a valve timing control command. In the present invention, each of the VTC controller and the ECM detects whether an abnormality of a communication circuit used for transferring a control command is present or not. If the abnormality is detected, the VTC controller and the ECM set a target value for an abnormal state with the same characteristic, and perform a control operation based on the target value in the abnormal state. In this manner, a decrease in engine operability when an abnormality occurs in the communication circuit of a control command is suppressed.
US09976494B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine with an adjustable compression ratio has connecting rods (1), each of which has a hydraulically adjustable eccentric adjustment device arranged in a connecting rod bearing eye (2) and/or in a crankpin bearing eye (3) for adjusting an effective connecting rod length (leff) of the respective connecting rod (1). Travel of the eccentric adjustment device is controlled by a switchover valve (10). Each switchover valve (10) has a pick-off means (14). The switchover valves (10) can be actuated by an actuation device (15) that has a switching fork (16) for each switchover valve (10) and thus for each pick-off means (14) to be actuated. The pick-off means (14) and the switching forks (16) are oriented relative to one another so that inertial forces acting during driving assist the actuation of the switchover valves (10) by the actuation device (15).
US09976480B2	Fluid intake system A fluid intake system including a fluid collector scoop designed to be fastened on an inside surface of a wall in order to collect the fluid flowing on the outside of the wall; and an extraction duct suitable for directing the fluid from an inlet orifice into the duct to at least one outlet orifice from the duct, is provided. The scoop is arranged so as to direct the collected fluid towards the inlet orifice of the extraction duct. In this system, at least one outlet orifice is of substantially elliptical section with a ratio of the major diameter of the ellipse over its minor diameter being greater than 1.5.
US09976478B2	Solar heat turbine system, and device and method for controlling said system A solar heat turbine system includes: a compressor which compresses a working fluid, and generates a high-pressure working fluid; a solar heat receiver which heats the high-pressure working fluid with solar heat, and which generates a high-temperature working fluid; a turbine which is rotationally driven by the high-temperature working fluid; a restriction mechanism which restricts a flow of at least one of the high-pressure working fluid and the high-temperature working fluid; a rotation interlocking mechanism which rotationally drives the compressor so as to interlock with the turbine; a bleed mechanism which causes the high-pressure working fluid which is in a process of being generated in the compressor to be bled as a bled working fluid; and a system control unit which causes the bleed mechanism to execute bleeding after the restriction mechanism is caused to restrict.
US09976477B2	Secondary engine covers According to the present invention, there is provided a secondary engine cover formed from a polymeric material comprising a wear indicator, wherein the wear indicator comprises a region of reduced thickness of polymeric material and wherein the region of reduced thickness comprises a blind hole.
US09976473B2	Condensation control in a charge air cooler by controlling charge air cooler temperature Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and reducing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to charge air cooler outlet temperature, electric fan operation and grille shutter opening is adjusted. Electric fan operation and grille shutter opening may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions.
US09976470B2	Aftertreatment module having replaceable catalyst housing An aftertreatment module is disclosed for use with an engine. The aftertreatment module may have an inlet housing at least partially defining an inlet passage for exhaust, and at least one mixer disposed in the inlet passage. The aftertreatment module may also have an outlet housing at least partially defining an outlet passage for exhaust, and a catalyst housing removably connected between the inlet housing and the outlet housing. The aftertreatment module may further have a plurality of catalyst substrates configured to be mounted in the catalyst housing, to receive exhaust from the inlet passage in parallel, and to discharge exhaust to the outlet housing in parallel.
US09976469B2	Flexible insulation device A flexible conduit insulated to prevent unwanted heat transfer. The conduit is insulated by a jacket-like component that creates a space between the conduit and the jacket, where the gap can be filled with air or some other insulating material. The jacket is sealed to the flexible conduit by sealing components that are configured to slide along end cap portions of the flexible conduit. Because the conduit is flexible, it can couple two other conduits that move relative to one another such that fluid can flow from one area to another via the flexible conduit.
US09976467B2	Exhaust system An exhaust system includes: an exhaust pipe defining an exhaust path of exhaust gas to atmosphere; a recirculation pipe defining a recirculation path separating a part of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust pipe and allowing the part to flow back to a power unit; a purification unit purifying exhaust gas by catalyst; and a heating device heating exhaust gas before purification to activate the purification ability of the catalyst. The heating device includes: an acoustic-wave generator generating acoustic waves by absorbing heat from exhaust gas passing through the recirculation pipe and by giving the heat to working fluid to cause the working fluid to oscillate, and a heat transfer part transferring heat of exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe passing through a downstream position from the purification unit to exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe passing through an upstream position from the purification unit by using acoustic waves.
US09976458B2	Honeycomb structure body A honeycomb structure body has cell walls arranged in a lattice arrangement and a plurality of cells surrounded by the cell walls. The honeycomb structure body has a cell density distribution in which a cell density is reduced continuously or stepwise from a center portion to an outer peripheral portion in a radial direction. The honeycomb structure body has wave shaped cell walls and flat shaped cell walls which extend in an axial direction. Particularly, the wave shaped cell walls are formed in a formation section having a cell density ratio of not more than 0.85 to a maximum cell density. The region having the flat shaped cell walls is inside the region having the wave shaped cell walls.
US09976453B2	Deactivating tappet A tappet includes a housing with a blind bore and with a shelf groove arranged on the inner wall of the bore; a main body slidably arranged in the bore of the housing, wherein the main body comprises a first shoulder; a secondary body telescopically arranged to the main body and having a second shoulder; a spring device arranged between the first shoulder and the second shoulder; and a locking device extendable from the main body for cooperation with the shelf groove.
US09976451B2	Internal combustion engine There is provided an internal combustion engine, provided with a crankshaft and one or several cylinders provided on the wall thereof with exhaust ports and closed at the top by a cylinder head provided with intake ports; each cylinder accommodating an engine piston connected to the crankshaft and a coaxial auxiliary piston opposite the engine piston, defining an intake chamber and a combustion chamber; said auxiliary piston axially determining on the side of the combustion chamber a housing that communicates with the intake chamber via transfer ports, the housing of which includes a secondary piston which opens and closes the transfer ports in a back-and-forth movement between a rear position and a forward position.
US09976449B2	Method and apparatus for controlling CVVT engine of intermediate phase A method and an apparatus for controlling a CVVT engine of an intermediate phase may include amending a fixed PWM frequency that is applied to a plunger when a temperature of oil passing through oil fluid passages is a set value or less by a controller so that a stroke value of the plunger can be increased.
US09976447B2	Turbine housing for air cycle machine A turbine inlet housing has a main housing body extending about a central axis. An inlet duct delivers air into a cavity within the main housing body. Bolt hole bosses are formed on a downstream face of the inlet housing to receive bolts to secure an outlet housing to the inlet housing. A plurality of the bosses have a ramped surface which extends radially outwardly for a greater extent than a second plurality of bosses. The plurality of ramped bosses extend between the downstream face and the duct. The ramped bosses have a forward boss portion, and a ramped surface at an angle of between 50 and 54 degrees extending from an upstream end of the forward boss portion. A curved surface curves from an upstream end of the ramped surface to merge into the duct. A turbine stage and air cycle machine are also disclosed and claimed.
US09976442B2	Heat shield based air dam for a turbine exhaust case A turbine exhaust case employed in an industrial gas turbine engine includes a frame, a fairing and a heat shield. The frame includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and struts connected between the outer ring and the inner ring. The fairing includes a fairing outer ring, a fairing inner ring, and fairing struts connected between the fairing outer ring and the fairing inner ring. The heat shield is located between the frame outer ring and the fairing outer ring and provides a thermal barrier between the fairing outer ring and the frame outer ring, wherein the heat shield includes an aft portion having a flange that interfaces with the frame outer ring to form an air dam that directs cooling airflow forward along the frame outer ring within an outer diameter cavity formed between the frame outer ring and the heat shield.
US09976441B2	Article, component, and method of forming an article An article and method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and a conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion at the aperture and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The method includes providing a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, providing an aperture in the body portion, and forming a conduit over the aperture, the conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The article is arranged and disposed for insertion within a hot gas path component.
US09976439B2	Method for differentiating control failures in a system for controlling an actuator, in particular of a stator of a gas-turbine engine The present invention relates to a method for differentiating control failures in a system for controlling an actuator (14) determining the position of a member for modifying the state of a gas-turbine engine, the system including a single- or dual-channel electric control and a mechanical control, the electric control including one computer (10, 10′) per channel, only one of which is active at any given time in order to calculate the set position of the movable member of the actuator (14) and to transmit a set signal to the single-channel mechanical control of the actuator, a failure being diagnosed when a deviation is detected between the set position of the movable member of the actuator and the position thereof measured during a predetermined deviation confirmation time. The method is characterised in that the speed of movement of the actuator is measured and in that the system diagnoses an electrical failure when, during said time for confirming the deviation, the measured speed of movement is other than zero and remains higher than a predetermined threshold speed; otherwise, the failure is diagnosed as being of temporary mechanical origin.
US09976437B2	Epicyclic gear train A turbine engine has a fan shaft. At least one tapered bearing is mounted on the fan shaft. The fan shaft includes at least one passage extending in a direction having at least a radial component, and adjacent the at least one tapered bearing. A fan is mounted for rotation on the tapered bearing. An epicyclic gear train is coupled to drive the fan. The epicyclic gear train includes a carrier supporting intermediate gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the intermediate gears. Each of the intermediate gears are supported on a respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train defines a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3. A turbine section is coupled to drive the fan through the epicyclic gear train. The turbine section has a fan drive turbine that includes a pressure ratio that is greater than about 5. The fan includes a pressure ratio that is less than about 1.45, and the fan has a bypass ratio of greater than about ten (10).
US09976431B2	Mid-turbine frame and gas turbine engine including same A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine ducts gases between a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine. The mid-turbine frame may include an outer flowpath ring, an inner flowpath ring, and a plurality of vanes extending therebetween. The outer flowpath ring comprises a unitary structure, while the inner flowpath ring and the plurality of vanes comprises a plurality of segments.
US09976430B2	Blade in fan, and fan A platform of a fan outlet guide blade has a first rib and a second rib in an opposite surface of a flow passage surface thereof. The first rib and the second rib are formed in portions excluding a predetermined area separated to an upstream side and a downstream side by 8 to 30% of an inter-flange distance between a first flange and a second flange with respect to an axial center of the platform, the portions being located on a pressure surface side in the opposite surface.
US09976429B2	Composite disk A gas turbine engine composite disk includes dovetail slots between disk posts extending radially inwardly from a periphery, a hub ring of composite plies circumscribed about a centerline axis, and radial plies extending radially away from hub ring into disk posts. A segmented intermediate ring concentric with and located radially outwardly of hub ring includes intermediate ring segments having nested plies with annular bases circumscribed about centerline axis and substantially radially extending clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms. An outer segmented ring may be concentric with and located radially outwardly of intermediate ring, include annular outer ring segments with circumferentially stacked composite plies disposed within intermediate ring segments between clockwise and counter-clockwise radial ply arms and radially outwardly of annular bases. An outer skin of outermost composite covering plies may extend circumferentially around composite disk. Circumferential and radial composite plies may include circumferentially and radially oriented fibers.
US09976425B2	Cooling circuit for a multi-wall blade A turbine blade cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a first turn for redirecting a first flow of gas flowing through a first channel of a turbine blade into a central plenum of the turbine blade; and a second turn for redirecting a second flow of gas flowing through a second channel of the turbine blade into the central plenum; wherein the first turn is offset from the second turn to reduce impingement of the first flow of gas and the second flow of gas in the central plenum.
US09976423B2	Airfoil showerhead pattern apparatus and system The systems and methods described herein adapt the orientation, position and/or diffusion angles of showerhead cooling holes depending on the external gas/streamline flow direction. In regions, for example, where the stagnation line is on the pressure side, the breakouts of the showerhead holes substantially face aft (e.g., primarily towards the suction side). The location and positioning of the holes may be oriented according to the direction of incoming gas flows.
US09976422B2	Variable span splitter blade The presently disclosed embodiments utilize flow from a higher-energy portion of flow within the impeller flow path and inject it into the lower-energy portion of the flow path to re-energize the flow, delaying the onset of, or minimizing, large (and inefficient, entropy-generating) re-circulation zones in the flow field. By making a spanwise cut along the chord length of the splitter blade (variable blade clearance from leading edge to trailing edge), additional secondary flow occurs within the flow passages as the higher pressure flow on the pressure side of the blade can now spill over into the low-pressure suction side of the blade.
US09976415B2	Electromagnetic telemetry system with compensation for drilling fluid characteristics A downhole apparatus for measuring drilling fluid characteristics. The downhole apparatus may comprise one or more sensors located within a housing. The sensors may include one or more of an imaging device, a resistivity/conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flowmeter and a fluid density sensor. The downhole apparatus may also include a controller for receiving measurements and/or determining optimal electromagnetic telemetry transmission settings. The downhole apparatus may also comprise a transmitter for transmitting the measurements and/or the optimal electromagnetic transmission settings. The downhole apparatus may be operated to determine optimal transmission settings for an electromagnetic telemetry system. Optimal transmission settings may include settings relating to one or more of frequency, amplitude, voltage, current, and power.
US09976406B2	Enhanced bandwidth transducer method for well integrity measurement A single critically damped acoustic stack yields a wide frequency range as an acoustic transmitter or as an acoustic transducer having particular use in well integrity determination. The critically damped present acoustic stack utilizes a plurality of stacked acoustic elements such as piezoelectric ceramics that are energized in two manners, providing different center frequencies, each producing a respective center frequency of 100% bandwidth to yield an acoustic stack having a total bandwidth exceeding the bandwidth of an acoustic element or the bandwidth of the plurality of acoustic elements. One manner of energizing is to pulse only one of the acoustic elements. The other manner is to pulse a first acoustic element then pulse a second acoustic element after a delay equal to the amount of time it takes for the first pulse to reach the face of the second acoustic element. The acoustic stack is primarily used in pulse-echo analysis of metal casing wall thickness and cement bond quality detection of wells.
US09976405B2	Method to mitigate bit induced vibrations by intentionally modifying mode shapes of drill strings by mass or stiffness changes A method for reducing drill tubular vibrations includes: constructing a mathematical model the drill tubular having mass distribution, material stiffness and material damping; constructing an equation of motion of the drill tubular in one of a time domain and frequency domain; transforming the equation of motion into a modal domain equation of motion to provide a mode shape of the drill tubular at an eigenfrequency, the mode shape providing an amplitude at a position along the drill tubular; comparing the amplitude at the position along the drill tubular to a threshold amplitude value; modifying at least one of the mass distribution, material stiffness and material damping if the amplitude exceeds the threshold value; and iterating the above step until at least one of the amplitude of the latest mode shape at the position is less than or equal to the threshold amplitude value and a predetermined constraint limits the modifying.
US09976401B2	Erosion resistant baffle for downhole wellbore tools Disclosed herein is a seat assembly for use in wellbore servicing systems, comprising a cylindrical baffle with an annular shaped seat with an upward facing seat for receiving an obturator, the seat defining a central passageway. Erosion resistance rings are placed inside of and in front the baffle to protect the baffle and seat from erosion cause by treatment fluids and solids passing through the servicing system.
US09976394B1	System and related methods for fracking and completing a well which flowably installs sand screens for sand control A system and method for successively fracking a wellbore at spaced intervals along tubing having therein frac ports each openably closed by a sliding sleeve. The system has at least one actuation member and at least one cylindrical sand screen sub insertable into the tubing. Each actuation member has a collet sleeve with a radially-outwardly biased protuberance of a first profile configured to matingly engage an interior groove profile on at least one of the sliding sleeves and slide the sliding sleeve downhole to open the corresponding port. Each cylindrical sand screen sub has a dissolvable plug member or burst plate disposed on one end thereof allowing for the sand screen to be forced into the well by pressure acting against the plug or plate, and has a resiliently-outwardly biased protuberance configured for engaging a mating profile on the tubing and retaining the sand screen sub in a desired position.
US09976392B2	Hydraulically assisted deployed ESP system A system and method for providing artificial lift to production fluids within a subterranean well includes loading an electrical submersible pump assembly into an interior cavity of a pump launcher. The electrical submersible pump assembly has a motor and a pump and is releasably secured to a piston device. The piston device has an outer diameter profile. The pump launcher is releasably secured to a wellhead so that the interior cavity is in fluid communication with an inner bore of a production tubing that extends a length into the subterranean well. A propulsion system is activated to move the electrical submersible pump assembly from the pump launcher and into the subterranean well. The piston device can be communicated with to control the descent of the electrical submersible pump assembly through the subterranean well.
US09976391B2	Manufacturing method and apparatus for a collet assembly with congruent corners A flexible collet on a subterranean tool has sacrificial soft components to protect seal bores through which the collets have to compress to get through. The sacrificial components can be replaced when the tool is removed to the surface. In one embodiment, threaded fasteners are used alone or with washers for height adjustment such that the heads of the fasteners which are softer than the seal bore material ride on the seal bore and take the wear. The tool can ultimately be used to latch into shifting sleeves to move such sleeves to open or close wall ports. Alternatively axial ridges with beveled profile ends can be used or rolling members such as wheels or balls can be used to keep sharp edges off the seal bore. EDM method can be used to create multiple fingers with an axial ridge profile and rounded end transitions.
US09976388B2	Method and apparatus for actuation of downhole sleeves and other devices A downhole equalization assembly permits selective and remote opening of at least one downhole port or pathway to allow communication of pressure and/or fluid flow from inside a pressure containing system (such as, for example, a tubular pipe or other pressure containment system) to the outside of the containment system, or vice versa. A control device generating a magnetic field is inserted into a well and conveyed to a downhole equalization assembly. When the control device passes through an equalization assembly, an electronic counter is triggered. When a predetermined counter number is reached, a sliding sleeve is shifted, thereby exposing ports and/or pathways extending between the inside and outside of the equalization assembly. No physical contact or mechanical interference is required between the control device and any other components in order to actuate the equalization assembly.
US09976387B2	Selectively operated two way check valve for subterranean use A selectively two directional check valve is located on a string with a packer and is either held open for running in so that the string can fill and doesn't become buoyant or includes a closable ported sub to allow string filling for running in that can then be closed. Pressure is applied from the surface to drive an object down to a seat so that a packer can be set. Further pressure increase shifts the object and the seat and locks the seat in the shifted position. A spring return force pushes the object to an upper seat to prevent uphole flow. Flow in the downhole direction is possible by overcoming the spring bias to move the object off the upper seat while preventing the object from moving down far enough to engage the shifted lower seat. Flow downhole just goes around the object.
US09976386B2	Method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole.
US09976384B2	Toe sleeve isolation system for cemented casing in borehole An apparatus deploys on a casing and has a toe with first and second ports for communicating with a wellbore. A packing element between the ports is actuatable to isolate portions of the wellbore. The toe operates in a first condition for run-in to prevent fluid communication through the ports, although washdown can flow through a toe port. Once installed, the toe operates in a second condition for cementation when the first plug is deployed to the toe. In this condition, the toe actuates the packing element, permits fluid communication through the first port, and prevents fluid communication through the second port. After cementation, the toe operates in a third condition for fracture and completion operations when the second plug is deployed. The toe in this condition prevents fluid communication through the first port, but permits fluid communication through the second port downhole of the set packing element.
US09976371B2	Pipe conveyed logging while fishing A method of downhole operations with a wireline deployed tool that has become stuck downhole. The wireline is selectively detached from the stuck tool, and a tubular is attached to a coupling provided with the tool. The tool is unstuck by applying upward and downward forces to the tool with the tubular. The coupling further provides communication between a line in the tubular and the downhole tool, thereby providing communication between the tool and surface. Thus, after unsticking the tool, wellbore operations can continue with the tool attached onto the tubular.
US09976370B2	Dump bailer actuator A dump bailer actuator mechanism is disposed in a dump bailer having an elongated body and a longitudinal bore therethrough. The actuator mechanism has a collet rod which is moved longitudinally between a first, lower position and a second, upper position, by an electric motor turning a threaded shaft, on which rides a nut assembly connected to a push rod, which in turn contacts the collet rod. In the first, lower position, the collet rod keeps the collet fingers of a collet finger assembly, which have external shoulders, engaged with a shoulder profile within the bore of the main body. A weight bar assembly is attached to the collet finger assembly. When the collet rod is moved to the second, upper position, the collet fingers disengage from the profile, and the weight bar assembly is moved forcefully downward, striking a swab piston and forcing cement out of the dump bailer.
US09976368B2	Downhole punch component The present invention relates to a downhole punch for insertion into a wall of a casing. The downhole punch comprises a body having a first end and a second end and a through-bore forming an inner face of the body and an outer face of the body, wherein the first end comprises at least one cutting edge at least forming a leading tip or a leading edge for punching an opening in the casing, and a component is arranged in the through-bore. The present invention also relates to a downhole valve for insertion into a wall of a casing. The downhole valve comprises a housing having a first end and a second end and an inner face and an outer face. Furthermore, the invention relates to a downhole tool for inserting a downhole valve into a wall of a casing, to a downhole system comprising the downhole tool as well as to a downhole method for insertion of a downhole unit into a casing downhole.
US09976367B2	Cable system control using fluid flow for applying locomotive force Controlling cable (30) tension and tool (34) position in a well (16) may include controlling either or both of tool position and cable tension independently by regulating reel (335) angle and flow rate of a fluid pumped over the tool. Thus, despite physical interdependency of tool position and cable tension, the tool may be controlled such that its position is changed while cable tension remains constant, or its position is held constant while cable tension is changed. In addition, actual downhole tool position, cable tension, and other actual values may be estimated using an observer.
US09976364B2	Floating oil and gas facility with a movable wellbay assembly A mobile offshore drilling unit is converted to provide drilling, completion and workover access to multiple dry tree wells from a drilling derrick to allow production and export of oil and gas from high pressure, high temperature reservoirs in deep offshore waters. Existing practice has been for the drilling derrick on a production platform supporting dry tree wells to be moved over a fixed well slot. The present invention provides a movable wellbay that supports multiple top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers, which may be positioned directly below the derrick's rotary table and/or beneath another operating device. The use of top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers supported by the movable wellbay allows the converted facility to drill, complete, maintain, improve and produce from subsea wells through dry trees.
US09976356B2	Rolling cutter with retaining ring A cutting element includes a sleeve, a rotatable cutting element, and at least one retaining ring. The sleeve has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the first inner diameter. The rotatable cutting element has an axis of rotation extending therethrough, a cutting face, a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, wherein the body has a shaft that is disposed within the sleeve, and a circumferential groove formed around an outer surface of the shaft. The at least one retaining ring is disposed in the circumferential groove and extends at least around the entire circumference of the shaft, wherein the at least one retaining ring protrudes from the circumferential groove, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.
US09976355B2	Polycrystalline diamond compact cutting elements and earth-boring tools including polycrystalline diamond cutting elements Methods of attaching a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element to a substrate include maintaining a gap between the PDC element and an adjacent substrate, and at least substantially filling the gap with a deposition process. Methods of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool include forming a PDC element by pressing diamond crystals together, forming a substrate including a particulate carbide material and a matrix material, leaving a gap between at least portions of the PDC element and the substrate, masking surfaces of the PDC element and of the substrate that do not face the gap, and forming an adhesion material on surfaces of the PDC element and of the substrate that face the gap. Cutting elements for earth-boring tools include a PDC element attached to a substrate with at least one of diamond, diamond-like carbon, a carbide material, a nitride material, and a cubic boron nitride material.
US09976353B2	Rolling element assemblies A drill bit includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. One or more rolling elements are positioned on the bit body, and each rolling element has a rotational axis and provides one or more cylindrical bearing portions rotatable about the rotational axis. Each rolling element is rotatably coupled to the bit body within a housing that defines one or more internal bearing surfaces that partially enclose the one or more cylindrical bearing portions but leaves a full length of the rolling element exposed.
US09976349B2	Apparatus for preventing separation of downhole motor from drillstring A separation catch mechanism disposed above a power section of a motor prevents full separation of lower components of the motor from upper components and an attached drillstring. An extension of the mechanism has a first end coupled to the rotor and has a second end disposed in a housing member beyond a seat. An expandable shoulder, such as a washer, disposed on the second end of the extension can be expanded thereon to engage the seat should housing components separate from one another on the motor. To expand the washer after being inserted during assembly past the seat, the second end of the extension has a tapered head on which the washer is disposed. The outside diameter of the washer is expanded on the tapered head by tightening a nut against the washer.
US09976348B2	Tightly-closing dynamic assembly Downhole drilling often requires passing drilling fluid containing water mixed with mud through a downhole drill pipe. Such drill pipe may comprise cavities therein for working units such as motors, generators, solenoids and the like. It may be desirable to lubricate and cool such working units with water from the drilling fluid, however, mud particulate may damage such devices. The present invention comprises various embodiments of a dynamic seal assembly designed to allow fluid communication between a cavity and a fluid flow while blocking certain particulate matter within the fluid flow from entering the cavity. The fluid communication may occur through and the particulate matter may be blocked by a defined clearance between two complementary surfaces that are movable relative to each other.
US09976342B1	Scratch prevention device A scratch prevention device for a door and a door frame comprising a primary panel and a knob opening located near the top of the primary panel, the knob opening comprising a primary aperture with an outer perimeter, a slot extending away from the outer perimeter of the primary aperture, an edge which runs along the outer perimeter of both the primary aperture and the slot and a seat located on a topmost portion of the edge of the knob opening, wherein the slot, in combination with the primary aperture, permit a door knob to be inserted through the knob opening, and placing the seat on the door knob to secure the scratch prevention device to the knob and wherein the primary panel covers a substantial portion of the door and extends laterally to cover a substantial portion of the door frame located on the knob side of the door.
US09976333B2	Adjusting drive, in particular window lifter drive The invention relates to an adjusting drive (1) comprising an electric motor (2), an output shaft (3), a printed circuit board (4), a housing (6) and a connection interface (5), wherein the electric motor (2) is contacted with the printed circuit board (4) and is designed to drive the output shaft (3), wherein the housing (6) accommodates the printed circuit board (4), wherein the connection interface (5) comprises a direct plug connection with contacting pads (9) directly on the printed circuit board (4), and wherein the contacting pads (9) are designed for direct contact with a connector (7), wherein the connection interface (5) comprises a housing opening (8) in the housing (6) as access for the connector to the contacting pads (9), and wherein the printed circuit board (4) is dimensioned to be narrower than the housing opening (8) such that the printed circuit board (4) can be inserted through the housing opening (8) into the housing (6).
US09976330B2	Dampening a hinged component According to an example a dampening system for a hinged component may include a spring having a first end hooked onto a chassis and a second end hooked onto to a strap, in which the strap is connected to the hinged component. The dampening system may also include a curved guide element attached to the chassis, in which the spring is to bend around a portion of the curved guide element as the strap is moved from a first position to a second position.
US09976329B1	Adjustable carriage assembly for suspending a panel An adjustable carriage assembly includes a body; a hinge pin disposed in a threaded first bore of the body, the hinge pin having a threaded end and a first longitudinal axis; a lock post disposed in a second bore of the body, the lock post having a second longitudinal axis; a torsion spring disposed around the lock post; and a retention pin disposed in a third bore of the body to retain the lock post in the second bore. A first extension portion of the lock post engages a flat portion of the hinge pin in a locked state. The lock post is operable to rotate about the second longitudinal axis to disengage the first extension portion from the flat portion and place the carrier assembly in an unlocked state so that the hinge pin is free to rotate and move longitudinally within the first bore.
US09976328B2	Refrigerator hinge and manufacturing method thereof A refrigerator hinge includes a hinge supporter configured to be mounted on a front surface of a cabinet of a refrigerator, the hinge supporter defining a fitting hole and including a bracket support portion that at least partially surrounds an edge of the fitting hole and protrudes from a front surface of the hinge supporter, a hinge bracket configured to be perpendicularly coupled to the hinge supporter, the hinge bracket including an insertion portion that protrudes from a first end of the hinge bracket and is configured to be inserted into the fitting hole, and a hinge pin configured to be coupled to a second end of the hinge bracket opposite the first end. When the hinge bracket is coupled to the hinge supporter, an inner edge of the bracket support portion contacts an outer circumferential surface of the hinge bracket.
US09976326B2	Hinge device and electronic device having the same A hinge device and an electronic device having the same are provided. The hinge device includes a hinge element, first connecting element, and second connecting element. The first connecting element includes first, second and third segments. The second segment is disposed between the first and third segments. The third segment is connected to the hinge element. The first segment includes a first connecting plate and first folding plate between which a first angle less than 180 degrees but greater than 0 degree is defined. The first folding plate has one side connected to the first connecting plate. The second connecting element includes a first fixing plate, first boss, and first extending arm. The first extending arm has one end connected to the hinge element and the other end connected to the first fixing plate. The first boss is connected to the first fixing plate.
US09976323B2	Vehicle door latch device A vehicle door latch device includes: a body which is provided in one of a door of a vehicle or a vehicle body, a striker advancing groove being formed on one surface of the body; a latch configured to be meshed with the advanced striker to hold the door at a closed position; a cover plate installed on the surface of the body on which the striker advancing groove is formed; and a back plate fixed to the cover plate with the body placed therebetween. One of the cover plate or the back plate includes a projected part which is projected in an inside-outside direction of the vehicle. Other one of the cover plate or the back plate includes an engagement hole into which the projected part advances.
US09976322B2	Vehicle lock-out protection system A lock-out protection system of a vehicle is configured for use with a portable transceiver, the vehicle having an interior and doors configured to open and close to facilitate ingress to and egress from the interior and being lockable and unlockable upon issuance of corresponding commands, and the transceiver configured to send and receive signals. The system can include a processor configured to, upon receipt of a door lock command when a door is in open position and then moved to closed position: determine presence or absence of the transceiver inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior; and issue a door unlock command if the processor determines that the transceiver is absent both inside the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior.
US09976321B2	Locking structure for a bicycle A locking structure for a bicycle contains: a fixing mount, a locking member, and a flexible strap. The fixing mount includes at least one orifice, a recessed portion, and a first connecting portion. The locking member includes a housing in which a lock block and a retaining unit are accommodated, the housing has a second connecting portion for mating with the first connecting portion, and the lock block has a cylinder core and an aperture. The flexible strap includes a coupling bolt arranged on a first end thereof and a loop disposed on a second end thereof. When the coupling bolt inserts into and locks in the aperture, it pushes the retaining unit into the recessed portion to fix the locking member and the fixing mount together, and the coupling bolt inserts through the loop so that the flexible strip forms a positioning ring.
US09976318B2	Collapsible shelter A collapsible shelter is provided. The shelter includes a floor having a recessed portion and an elevated portion. The elevated portion includes first fastening means thereon. Four side walls include second fastening means configured to operably couple each of the side walls to the floor by the first fastening means. Each of the side walls including a first plurality of flexible poles coupled thereto and configured to expand the side walls outwardly. A roof includes a plurality of roof panels, each of the panels is coupled to one of the side walls. The roof panels each include a second plurality of flexible poles coupled thereto and configured to expand the roof outwardly.
US09976316B2	Pool cleaning apparatus and related methods A tool for cleaning debris from swimming pools includes a frame, a corresponding net, and retaining means for retaining the net on the frame. The preferred retaining means is an elongated strip of resilient, flexible material, having a generally U-shaped cross-section. The web portion of the cross-section includes an exterior surface smoothly shaped between its two edges to urge debris from the pool into the net. The leg portions of the cross-section include gripping portions to assist in engaging and/or disengaging the retaining means from the frame, to permit the net to be assembled, changed or replaced. Preferably, the retaining means is formed from at least two different materials. The preferred frame of the tool is fabricated from aluminum and includes an elongated, curved frame portion with its ends permanently assembled into the end of a tubular attachment member, to permit attachment of the tool to a handle, pole or similar structure. The preferred net of the tool includes one or more anti-slip devices to prevent the edge of the net or bag from slipping between the frame portion and retaining means. A corresponding preferred method of use is also disclosed.
US09976311B2	Attachment brackets for panel mounting A wall mounting system is provided. The wall mounting system includes a plurality of mount brackets. A pair of hooks extend along the length of the mount brackets and are substantially parallel to one another. Each the pair of hooks includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end extends from the front surface and includes a notch formed on an upper surface. The vertical portion extends from the distal end of the horizontal portion. The hooks of a mounting bracket interlock with the hooks of another mounting bracket.
US09976310B1	Extruded aluminum canopy with hidden fasteners A system and method for fabricating canopies featuring extruded members coupled together with fasteners that are hidden and are retained by multiple tracks located in the extruded members. Prefabricated corners of extruded members allow fabricators to build the canopy on site by attaching straight members to form a canopy from the four prefabricated corners.
US09976308B1	Tall skylight dome with sun shade and diffusing partial cap to strengthen dome to capture low sun elevation angle light The present subject matter comprises a simple, passive skylight dome with relatively tall partially vertical sides comprising partially transparent material which diffuses the transmitted light, and a mostly opaque sun shade near the top of the relatively tall partially vertical sides. The partially vertical sides are able to better intercept sunlight from low sun elevation angles than conventional horizontal skylights. The mostly opaque sun shade is able to block sunlight from high sun elevation angles to prevent such sunlight from entering the building below the dome. By enhancing the collection of low-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter improves the daylight performance of the skylight early and late in the day, and all day in the winter months. By reducing the collection of high-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter reduces the solar heat gain near solar noon in the summer months, thereby reducing air conditioning loads and related costs.
US09976305B2	Structural tube Provided is a structure that may include a structural tube having at least one slot extending from an end thereof, an end plate attached to the end of the structural tube, and at least one cross member extending through the at least one slot, the at least one cross member including a first region outside of the structural tube and a second region inside the structural tube.
US09976304B2	Composite material based panel A composite material panel includes a substrate formed of a first material; one or more strands formed from a second material, the strands being interspersed through the substrate, the second material being a natural material, the second material providing modified mechanical properties of the composite material panel.
US09976302B2	Self-supporting pier for a retractable roof system for a large building structure A retractable roof system (30) for a large building structure (32) for selectively closing off an opening (39) of a fixed roof (34) of the building structure (32), the system includes at least one roof section (40) movably mountable on at least one pier (42) of substantially C-section when viewed in profile. The or each pier (42) comprises a ground-engaging foot (43) with an upstanding substantially columnar portion (48) leading to a substantially horizontal top section (50) provided with a movable bracket (44) reciprocable in guide channels (54) formed in the top section (50) and actuable by a deployment mechanism (46).
US09976299B2	Insulation and ventilation systems for building structures One aspect of the invention relates to an insulation and ventilation system for a building envelope (e.g. a building wall and/or a building roof).The system includes: one or more interior building envelope layers; an insulation panel having an interior side abutting against at least one of the one or more interior building envelope layers and an exterior side having a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending grooves interspaced between a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending protrusions; and one or more exterior building envelope layers located exterior to the insulation panel to provide a plurality of transversely localized venting channels defined at least in part by an interior surface of the one or more exterior building envelope layers and the grooves of the exterior side of the insulation panel.
US09976298B2	Concealed structural post fastening device and method A post fastening device for mounting a post to a construction surface, the device comprising a base having a planar top surface and a threaded rod extending from the top surface, a tubular member for insertion into a longitudinal axial bore on the bottom end of the post, the tubular member having an upper end and a lower end with internal threads complementary to the threads of the rod, and a dowel rod for insertion into a transverse bore extending through a portion of the post and the tubular member when the tubular member is in the longitudinal bore, the dowel rod being sized to pass through the tubular member and a portion of the post on both sides of the tubular member.
US09976296B2	Modular deck system A modular deck system includes a plurality of base frames that each include four peripheral frame members that are to be fastened together into a rectangular box, and one or more internal frame members that each are to be secured within the box between opposing peripheral frame members. A plurality of frame legs that are each to be secured to one of the base frames to support the respective base frame above a ground surface. The plurality of base frames are fastened to one another to provide a support structure on which to secure deck material.
US09976293B2	Manual bidet According to an exemplary embodiment, a bidet assembly for a toilet generally includes a sprayer, a water supply system, and an arm. The sprayer is configured to spray water. The water supply system is configured to selectively communicate water from one or more water sources to the sprayer. The arm is operationally coupled to the water sprayer and the water supply system. The arm is configured such that rotation of the arm acts to rotate the sprayer and the arm forger comprises a feature configured to allow control of the amount of water flow from the water supply to the sprayer.
US09976290B2	Electronic plumbing fixture fitting with flow module The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting with a flow module, such as an electronic faucet with a flow module.
US09976287B2	Ground engaging tool A ground engaging tool includes an interior surface. The tool may also have an exterior surface defining a front edge of the tool. In addition, the tool may have a rear surface substantially opposite the front edge. The rear surface may connect the interior surface to the exterior surface. The tool may also have a lock opening surface. The lock opening surface may define a lock opening extending from the interior surface, through the tool, to the exterior surface. The lock opening surface may have a generally circular inner portion adjacent the interior surface. The inner portion may define a groove in the tool positioned circumferentially around the lock opening. In addition, the inner portion may define at least one detent recess in the tool along the groove. The lock opening surface may also have a generally circular outer portion adjacent the exterior surface.
US09976277B2	Apparatus and method for coupling work tool to a machine An apparatus to couple the work tool to the arm assembly is disclosed. The arm assembly may have at least one arm. The work tool may have at least one recess. The apparatus may have at least one pin member adapted to engage with the at least one arm and the at least one recess. The at least one pin member may rotate in the at least one recess between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. The at least one pin member couples the work tool to the arm assembly in the locked orientation, and the work tool is separable from the arm assembly in the unlocked orientation.
US09976273B2	Foundation of an offshore structure A foundation system for the foundation of an offshore structure includes a monopile having an anchoring portion anchorable in a seabed and a connection portion disposed at the opposite end. A platform structure is connected directly to the connection portion of the monopile or indirectly via a transition piece. The platform structure is disposable above a water surface. The foundation system includes at least two stabilizing devices connected directly to the platform structure or indirectly to the platform structure via the transition piece. The stabilizing devices are attachable to the seabed such that tensile forces or compression forces are transmittable between the seabed and the platform structure. Securing points on the stabilizing devices, together with the connection portion of the monopile, define a plane having a horizontally extending component.
US09976268B2	Blade for removing snow A blade for removing snow from a road surface comprising a shield oriented to deflect the snow, a cutting edge carried on the bottom part of the shield and adjacent to a road surface when in use, and at least one fluid circuit comprising a nozzle for spreading a de-icing liquid, wherein at least the nozzle is carried by the shield or by the cutting edge to spread at least part of the de-icing liquid on the snow in an area in front of and/or beneath said cutting edge while said cutting edge compresses a layer of snow that remains on the road surface during its passage.
US09976265B2	Technologies for communicating roadway information Technologies for communicating roadway information includes a plurality of roadway markers configured to propagate communications amongst each other. To do so, each roadway marker is configured to transmit communications to one or more other roadway markers. The communications may include sensor data generated by a sensor of a roadway marker. One or more roadway markers may transmit the sensor data to a roadway controller. Additionally or alternatively, the communication may include an alert message. A roadway marker may include a local alert device and be configured to activate the alert device in response to receiving an alert message. Additionally, one or more roadway markers may communicate with a roadway controller, a roadway traffic device, and/or an in-vehicle computing system of a vehicle to propagate roadway marker sensor data and/or alert messages. The roadway controller may be configured to control the roadway traffic devices, roadway makers, and/or communicate with remote computing devices.
US09976263B2	Modular roadway structure and runway constructed therefrom A modular roadway structure that includes a body portion including a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is configured to be positioned on a surface, and the top surface is formed with a predetermined textured pattern for defining a predetermined coefficient of friction across the top surface.
US09976262B2	Pulp molding machine, pulp molding process and paper-shaped article made thereby A pulp molding machine, a pulp molding process and a paper-shaped article made thereby are provided. The pulp molding machine comprises a pulp-dredging stage, a first pre-compression forming sub-stage, a second pre-compression stage, a compression thermo-forming stage and an edge-cutting stage. The pulp molding process comprises the steps of a pulp-dredging step, a first pre-compression forming step, a second pre-compression forming step, a compression thermo-forming step and an edge-cutting step. The pulp molding machine the pulp molding process can drain off water or vapor from a wet pulp more efficiently and shorten the cycle time of the pulp molding process due to the extra pre-compression sub-stage. The paper-shaped article made thereby has a greater smoothness and structural strength than conventional paper-shaped product.
US09976261B2	Unitary deflection member for making fibrous structures having increased surface area and process for making same A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a fluid pervious reinforcing member and a patterned framework. The patterned framework can have a plurality of regularly spaced protuberances extending from the reinforcing member. At least two of said protuberances can be similar in size and shape, and each protuberance can have a transition portion having a transition portion width and a forming portion having a forming portion width. The transition portion width can be less than the forming portion width.
US09976259B2	Adhesive formulation and creping methods using same A formulation useful as a creping adhesive formulation or Yankee dryer coating composition is described. Methods of creping using the formulation are also described.
US09976258B2	Honeycomb core having a high compression strength A method of making a fiber-reinforced composite structure comprises the steps of (i) forming a paper sheet having a Gurley air resistance at least 200 seconds per 100 milliliters, the sheet comprising from 30 to 70 weight percent p-aramid fiber, (ii) depositing on both surfaces of the paper sheet a compression enhancing layer in a quantity up to 5 weight percent based on the weight of the paper, (iii) forming a honeycomb from the sheet of step (ii), and (iv) applying a matrix resin coating to the honeycomb of step (iii).
US09976257B2	Paper with high covering power A paper or a decorative base paper for decorative coating materials contains pigment-resin particles that contain a carrier-free pigment and a cured resin and have a mean particle size from 1 to 30 μm and delivers a high opacity.
US09976256B2	Method for making nanofibrillar cellulose and for making a paper product A method for making nanofibrillar cellulose includes mixing anionized or cationized cellulose fibers and cellulose pulp to a mixture including at least 1% and below 90 wt-% cellulose pulp based on dry weight, and subjecting the mixture to a refiner stage where the anionized or cationized cellulose fibers are at least partly reduced to nanofibrillar cellulose and the cellulose pulp acts as auxiliary pulp, and obtaining a mixture of nanofibrillar cellulose and cellulose pulp from the refining stage. The mixture can be used for making paper by adding it to base pulp.
US09976251B2	Rope having a low-friction strand A rope and a method of constructing the rope. The rope may be of 12×12 braided construction and include a core for its length. The rope includes a plurality of primary strands, and each of the primary strands includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a high-friction material. The rope also includes a secondary strand surrounded by the plurality of primary strands. The secondary strand includes a plurality of fibers which may be made of a low-friction material.
US09976250B2	Glove inverter The present invention is a device that provides an expeditious method to invert or turn inside-out and to reform or turn back to the proper side glove appendages, which consists of a base that has numerous openings, one of which accepts a guide. The guide is defined as an asymmetrical cylinder having two (2) opposing ends. One end has a concave configuration and above and adjacent to the other end are a couple of grooves that circumscribe the guide with a couple of flexible elements fitted therein. The latter end is fitted into one of the openings in the base, to be securely mounted therein without using threaded means.
US09976249B2	Dryer or washer dryer Disclosed is a dryer or a washer dryer, including at least a clothes drying system, where the clothes drying system includes a heating structure and a condensing structure; the condensing structure is arranged on a lower part of the dryer or the washer dryer; the condensing structure includes an air inlet and an air outlet for hot air, and further includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet for cold air, and a heat exchanger is arranged inside the condensing structure; the heat exchanger is composed of fins which are superposed in a longitudinal-transverse alternating manner, and a frame with an enclosure structure is arranged outside the heat exchanger.
US09976247B2	Laundry machine with versatile tub A laundry machine for treating laundry is provided with a tub which includes a discharge hole for draining liquid out of the tub, and a plurality of drain-connection elements. The laundry machine further includes a discharge duct fluidly connected to the discharge hole for collecting liquid drained from the tub, and fixed to the tub by at least one of the drain-connection elements. The plurality of drain-connection elements include at least two different types of drain-connection elements, each one adapted for fixing a corresponding type of discharge duct to the tub by means of a corresponding connection arrangement.
US09976245B2	Method for operating a dispensing system for a washing machine, dispensing system, and washing machine A method of operating a dispensing system for a washing machine including a suds container for receiving wash liquid and at least one supply container for receiving a treating agent. The method includes selecting and activating a wash or treatment cycle from a plurality of wash or treatment cycles using an input device. The treating agent for delivery to the suds container is selected based on suitability information corresponding to the selected wash or treatment cycle. The treating agent is delivered to the suds container at the start of the activated wash or treatment cycle. The activated wash or treatment cycle is performed using a controller.
US09976242B2	Clothes treating apparatus with a heat pump cycle A clothes treating apparatus having a heat pump cycle for performing a washing cycle and a drying cycle is provided. The clothes treating apparatus may include a drum configured to accommodate a item to be treated; a heat pump cycle having a first evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve to heat air introduced into the drum; a circulation duct configured to form a circulation passage of air that has passed through the drum; a circulation fan configured to circulate the air; and a controller configured to drive the heat pump cycle and the circulation fan during the washing cycle to preheat at least one of the drum or the circulation duct.
US09976237B2	Sock with heel locating features A knit garment having locating features is provided. A first knit area of the garment is spaced from a second knit area. A knit locating feature is disposed between the first and the second areas. This locating feature is defined by an elastic border that surrounds a knit pocket that is less elastic than the border.
US09976232B2	Artificial quartz crystal growth method An artificial quartz crystal growth method that includes applying a pressure that causes at least two substantially rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped quartz crystal substrates to abut each other in an X-axis direction with crystallographic axis directions of the quartz crystal substrates aligned with each other, and causing the at least two quartz crystal substrates to grow an artificial quartz crystal in a state where the pressure is being applied.
US09976231B2	Fixed cutter drill bit cutter elements including hard cutting tables made from CVD synthetic diamonds Systems and methods of forming components from CVD single crystal diamonds that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, for example, in a mining and/or drilling environment. This may be accomplished by transforming a graphite powder by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) into a CVD single diamond crystal powder, growing a plurality of CVD single diamond crystals on a planar surface of a substrate or on a dowel. In one example, if a substrate is used as the growth surface, the plurality of CVD single crystals grow in at least one layer on the substrate and at least a portion of the plurality of CVD single diamond crystals are removed from the substrate in the form of a plurality of discrete intact sheets of CVD single diamond crystals, stacked in a mold, and sintered, for example, to form a CVD single crystal diamond table.
US09976225B2	Method for obtaining a cooking vessel having a colored, hard, anodized outer surface Provided is a method for obtaining a cooking vessel that includes the following steps: producing a bowl having an aluminum outer surface and an inner surface; performing hard anodization of at least the outer surface of the bowl; and providing a sol-gel coating on the anodized outer surface. At least one coloring step is carried out following the hard anodization, the coloring step(s) being carried out before and/or during the sol-gel coating step. Also provided is a kitchen item or an electrical cooking appliance that includes a cooking vessel obtained by the above method.
US09976217B2	Film forming method using reversible decomposition reaction The method of forming a thin film feeds a raw material gas causing a reversible decomposition reaction toward an upper surface of substrate placed on a placing table in a processing container; decomposes the raw material gas with a predetermined decomposing scheme thereby forming a thin film of the raw material gas on the surface of the substrate; and feeds a decomposition restraint gas having a characteristic of restraining a thermal decomposition of the raw material gas separately from the raw material gas toward a peripheral portion of the substrate when the raw material gas is fed to the substrate, thereby restraining the thermal decomposition of the raw material gas and selectively preventing the thin film from being formed in the peripheral portion of the substrate.
US09976214B2	Cleaning method and method of manufacturing semiconductor device A technique for improving cleaning efficiency after a film forming process is performed is provided. Provided is a method of cleaning a processing chamber after a formation of a film on a substrate, the method including: (a) supplying a gas containing hydrogen and fluorine into the processing chamber heated to a first temperature; (b) elevating an inner temperature of the processing chamber to a second temperature higher than the first temperature; and (c) supplying a gas containing fluorine into the processing chamber heated to the second temperature, wherein the first temperature is a temperature whereat the gas containing fluorine is not activated, and the second temperature is a temperature whereat the gas containing fluorine is activated.
US09976210B2	Shadow mask, film forming system using shadow mask and method of manufacturing a display device A shadow mask includes a mask foil and a plurality of openings provided on the mask foil in accordance with a shape of at least one region where films are formed on a film forming object. The mask foil has an annular shape where first end of the mask foil and a second end of the mask foil, which is opposed to the first end of the mask foil, are connected to each other.
US09976201B2	Aluminum-alloy clad material and production method therefor, and heat exchanger using said aluminum-alloy clad material and production method therefor A highly corrosion resistant and highly formable aluminum-alloy clad material, a method for producing the same, a heat exchanger using the same and a method for producing the same are shown. The present aluminum-alloy clad material has an aluminum alloy core material, an intermediate layer material clad on one surface of the core material and a brazing filler metal clad on the surface of the intermediate layer material that is not on the core material side, wherein a crystal grain size of the intermediate layer material before brazing heating is 60 μm or more, and in a cross section of the core material in a rolling direction before brazing heating, when R1 (μm) represents the crystal grain size in a plate thickness direction, and R2 (μm) represents the crystal grain size in the rolling direction, R1/R2 is 0.30 or less.
US09976199B2	Synthesis of Au-induced structurally ordered AuPdCo intermetallic core-shell nanoparticles and their use as oxygen reduction catalysts Embodiments of the disclosure relate to intermetallic nanoparticles. Embodiments include nanoparticles having an intermetallic core including a first metal and a second metal. The first metal may be palladium and the second metal may be at least one of cobalt, iron, nickel, or a combination thereof. The nanoparticles may further have a shell that includes palladium and gold.
US09976195B2	Method for processing vegetable biomass The present invention relates to an energy-efficient process for the treatment of plant biomass, particularly sugar cane, for the production of carbohydrates and ethanol, using physico-chemical and extraction techniques, as well as very simple milling configurations, thereby minimizing energy consumption during extraction of the cane juice.The biomass treated and obtained through this process, when subjected to a fermentation process for the production of ethanol, increases the yield of the process in comparison with that of traditional sugar cane. It can also be used for the production of enzymes, animal feedstuffs, and other useful products.
US09976192B2	Waveguide-based detection system with scanning light source The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light source allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.
US09976186B2	Method for detecting genes sensitive to high-level ionizing radiation, and gene detected by the method A method for detecting genes sensitive to high-level ionizing radiation and genes detected by the method. More specifically, genes sensitive to high-level ionizing radiation discovered in a carcinogenic entity and verified in a normal entity are detected, by subjecting a cancerous AKR/J mouse and a normal ICR mouse to high-level radiation. Thymus is collected therefrom and fatty acid metabolism-related genes are classified via microarray processing of the thymus. The genes are amplified and the levels of gene expression are measured. Thus, a gene having a specific reaction to radiation can be accurately detected by preventing the interference of confounding variables.
US09976184B2	Mutations in pancreatic neoplasms To help reveal the pathogenesis of these lesions, we purified the DNA from Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) cyst fluids from 19 patients and searched for mutations in 169 genes commonly altered in human cancers. We identified recurrent mutations at codon 201 of GNAS. We found that GNAS mutations were present in 66% of IPMNs and that either KRAS or GNAS mutations could be identified in 96%. In eight cases, we could investigate invasive adenocarcinomas that developed in association with IPMNs containing GNAS mutations. In seven of these eight cases, the GNAS mutations present in the IPMNs were also found in the invasive lesion. GNAS mutations were not found in other types of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas or in invasive adenocarcinomas not associated with IPMNs. These data suggest that GNAS mutations can inform the diagnosis and management of patients with cystic pancreatic lesions.
US09976183B2	Biomarkers for cancers responsive to modulators of HEC1 activity Contemplated compositions and methods are drawn to biomarkers and methods related to treatment of neoplastic disease with Hec1 inhibitor. Gene status and/or expression levels of Hec1(HEC), Rb(RB1), and/or p53 (TP53) may be useful as biomarkers for sensitivity to treatment with a Hec1 inhibitor. In addition, Hec 1 inhibitors may show synergistic effects when used in conjunction with cytotoxic drugs.
US09976181B2	Synthetic nucleic acid spike-ins This disclosure provides methods for determining relative abundance of one or more non-host species in a sample from a host. Also provided are methods involving addition of known concentrations of synthetic nucleic acids to a sample and performing sequencing assays to identify non-host species such as pathogens. Also provided are methods of tracking samples, tracking reagents, and tracking diversity loss in sequencing assays.
US09976179B2	Nucleic acid sequencing technique using a pH-sensing agent The invention relates to a composition, method and apparatus for determining the sequence of a nucleic acid strand utilizing a pH-sensing agent.
US09976178B2	Polymerase compositions and methods of making and using same The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragments thereof, such as modified Taq polymerases, are provided that allow for improved nucleic acid amplification. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having improved thermostability, accuracy, processivity and/or read length as compared to a reference Taq polymerase. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases or biologically active fragments thereof, useful for amplification methods, and in practically illustrative embodiments, emulsion PCR.
US09976177B2	Chemical ligation dependent probe amplification (CLPA) The present invention provides compositions, apparatuses and methods for detecting one or more nucleic acid targets present in a sample. Methods of the invention include utilizing two or more oligonucleotide probes that reversibly bind a target nucleic acid in close proximity to each other and possess complementary reactive ligation moieties. When such probes have bound to the target in the proper orientation, they are able to undergo a spontaneous chemical ligation reaction that yields a ligated oligonucleotide product. In one aspect, the ligation product is of variable length that correlates with a particular target. Following chemical ligation, the probes may be amplified and detected by capillary electrophoresis or microarray analysis.
US09976172B2	Method and apparatus for measuring protein post-translational modification The present invention includes a method for analyzing reactions. The method includes the steps of providing a solution of at least one acceptor chemical and at least one donor chemical. The donor chemical is capable of donating a chemical moiety to the acceptor chemical. The solution further includes at least one controller chemical that affects the reaction between the donor chemical and the acceptor chemical. The solution is then incubated so that a portion of the acceptor chemical reacts with the donor chemical form an acceptor product. Unreacted donor chemical is separated from the acceptor product. The acceptor product or the donor chemical is then measured using X-ray fluorescence. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for analyzing protein function. The method includes the steps of providing a solution of at least one acceptor chemical and at least one donor chemical. The donor chemical is capable of donating a chemical moiety to the acceptor chemical. The donor chemical includes a functional group selected from ester, anhydride, imide, acyl halide, and amide. The solution is then incubated so that a portion of the acceptor chemical reacts with the donor chemical to form an acceptor product. Unreacted donor chemical is separated from the acceptor product. The acceptor product or the donor chemical is then measured using X-ray fluorescence. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for analyzing protein function. The method includes the steps of providing a solution of at least one acceptor chemical and at least one donor chemical. The solution is then incubated so that a portion of the acceptor chemical reacts with the donor chemical to form an acceptor product. Unreacted donor chemical is separated from the acceptor product. The acceptor product or the donor chemical is then measured using X-ray fluorescence. An additional analytical method is also used to measure either the acceptor product or the donor chemical.
US09976170B2	Method for evaluating bacterial cell wall integrity The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the integrity of the cell wall of the bacteria present in a culture in the presence of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall which, from a practical point of view, allows quickly determining if a bacterium is sensitive or resistant to an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall. Likewise, the present invention also relates to a lysis solution applicable in the preceding method, specifically affecting bacteria having the cell wall damaged by the action of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall, which allows distinguishing bacteria sensitive to said antibiotic from those resistant to said antibiotic.
US09976167B2	Group of glycosyltransferases and use thereof Provided are the use of glycosyltransferases gGT25, gGT13, gGT30, gGT25-1, gGT25-3, gGT25-5, gGT29, gGT29-3, gGT29-4, gGT29-5, gGT29-6, gGT29-7, 3GT1, 3GT2, 3GT3, 3GT4 and derived polypeptides therefrom in the catalyzed glycosylation of terpenoid compounds and the synthesis of new saponins, wherein the glycosyltransferases can specifically and efficiently catalyze tetracyclic triterpenoid compound substrates at positions C-20 and/or C-6 and/or C-3 during hydroxyl glycosylation, and/or transfer the glycosyl from a glycosyl donor to the first glycosyl of the tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds at position C-3, so as to extend the sugar chain. The glycosyltransferases can also be used for constructing man-made synthetic rare ginsenosides and a variety of new ginsenosides and derivatives thereof.
US09976157B2	Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides, and methods of using same for increasing plant yield and/or agricultural characteristics Provided are isolated polynucleotides at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 1-479, 813-5173, 8511, 8513, 8515, 8517, 8519, 8521, 8523, 9096-9141 and 9142; and isolated polypeptides at least 80% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 624, 480-623, 625-812, 5174-7015, 7017-7021, 7024, 7026-8510, 8512, 8514, 8516, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, 9143-9177, such as the polypeptides set forth in SEQ ID NO:480-812, 5174-8510, 8512, 8514, 8516, 8518, 8520, 8522, 8524, and 9143-9177, nucleic acid constructs comprising same, transgenic cells and plants expressing same and methods of using same for increasing yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, fiber yield, fiber quality, nitrogen use efficiency, and/or abiotic stress tolerance of a plant.
US09976155B2	Accumulation of omega-7 fatty acids in plant seeds Compositions and methods include genetically encoding and expressing a novel Δ9-18:0-ACP desaturase in plant cells. In some embodiments, nucleic acid molecules encode the novel Δ9-18:0-ACP desaturase. In other embodiments, amino acid sequences have Δ9-18:0-ACP desaturase activity. Methods can involve expression of Δ9-18:0-ACP desaturase in plant cells, plant materials, and whole plants for the purpose of increasing the amount of unusual fatty acids in whole plants, plant seeds, and plant materials, for example, seeds.
US09976151B2	Artificial DNA sequence with optimized leader function in 5′(5′-UTR) for the over-expression of recombinant proteins in plants and method for the production of recombinant proteins in plants Artificial DNA of a 5′-UTR leader region, which artificial DNA is effective in increasing the expression of recombinant proteins in plants, and comprises, along the 5′→3′ direction, an Inr initiator site and a Kozak or Kozak-like consensus sequence, and also comprises, between the Inr initiator site and the Kozak or Kozak-like consensus sequence, a plurality of poly(CAA) and a plurality of poly(CT) regions, in the same number as the poly(CAA) regions wherein at least one, optionally each one, poly(CAA) region, in the 5′→3′ direction, is upstream of a poly(CT) region and at least one poly(CAA) region, in the 5′→3′ direction, is contiguous with a poly(CT) region, wherein the artificial DNA provides the absence of A/T-rich motifs, the absence of trinucleotide elements ATT, the absence of trinucleotide elements CTG and the absence of homopolymeric tracts, that is, sequences consisting of more than 3, optionally more than 4, identical nucleotides.
US09976148B2	Yeast terminator and use therefor A yeast terminator derived from a yeast DIT1 terminator when aligned with the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, includes a partial nucleotide sequence corresponding to the partial nucleotide sequence AGTTCG of positions 54 to 59 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, and also includes one or two or more mutations selected from the group made of (a) to (c): (a) a first mutation substituting TTTTTCT for the partial nucleotide sequence TTTTGTTCT of positions 27 to 35 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a second mutation substituting TCTTTT for the partial nucleotide sequence TCTCATTTT of positions 69 to 77 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1; and (c) a third mutation substituting A for the G of position 51 in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1.
US09976141B2	Compositions and methods for inhibiting gene expression of Hif2alpha RNA interference (RNAi) triggers and RNAi trigger conjugates for inhibiting the expression of Hif2α (EPAS1) gene are described. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more Hif2α RNAi triggers optionally with one or more additional therapeutics are also described. Delivery of the described Hif2α RNAi triggers to tumor cells in vivo provides for inhibition of Hif2α gene expression and treatment of cancer.
US09976136B2	Rapid methods for the extraction of nucleic acids from biological samples The invention is directed to compositions and methods for rapidly and efficiently extracting nucleic acids and/or targeted nucleic acids sequences from biological samples. The methods of the invention comprise combining the sample with a buffer and magnetic silicon beads and concentrating the beads with a magnet or other electrical field. Liquid may be removed, or not, and an alkaline buffer is added followed by magnetic carboxy beads in a binding buffer so that nucleic acids transfer to the carboxy beads, which can be easily and quickly isolated once again with a magnet. Total nucleic acid extraction is greatly enhanced. Extracted nucleic acids can be analyzed, for example, by PCR wherein the nucleic acids can be identified and characterized. Carboxy beads may also contain a ligand so as to target specific nucleic acid sequences. The invention is also directed to kits comprising the tools and compositions for performing the methods of the invention.
US09976131B2	Ribotoxin molecules derived from sarcin and other related fungal ribotoxins The present application relates to modified T cell epitopes derived from fungal ribotoxins, including α-sarcin, clavin, gigantin, mitogillin, and restrictocin, as well as modified ribotoxin molecules comprising one or more of the modified epitopes. The modified ribotoxin molecules inhibit protein synthesis, like the wild type ribotoxins, but exhibit reduced immunogenicity as compared to the corresponding wild type ribotoxin. Another aspect relates to a fusion protein which comprises a modified ribotoxin fused or conjugated or otherwise linked to a targeting molecule that is effective for binding a target of interest. Another aspect relates to the use of the modified ribotoxin or fusion protein for treating or managing a disease or condition.
US09976130B1	OPAA FL—a mutant enzyme with increased catalytic efficiency on organophosphorus compound GD This invention is directed toward a non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolase enzyme having two site mutations, method of production, and method of use to more effectively degrade toxic organophosphorus compounds and, in particular, toxic chemical GD (3,3-Dimethylbutan-2-ylmethylphosphonofluoridate), than the wild type organophosphorus acid anhydrolase.
US09976129B2	Fusion protein for protein detection, and method for detecting protein A fusion protein for protein detection in which are fused: a protein domain including at least one among a C1 domain of protein G, a C2 domain of protein G, and a C3 domain of protein G; and a double mutant D153G/D330N of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in which the 153 amino acid residue Asp has been substituted by Gly and the 330 amino acid residue Asp has been substituted by Asn, a double mutant D153H/D330N of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in which the 153 amino acid residue Asp has been substituted by His and the 330 amino acid residue Asp has been substituted by Asn, or a double mutant K328R/D330N of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in which the 328 amino acid residue Lys has been substituted by Arg and the 330 amino acid residue Asp has been substituted by Asn.
US09976123B2	Cellular seeding and co-culture of a three dimensional fibroblast construct The present invention provides methods for cellular seeding onto three-dimensional fibroblast constructs, three-dimensional fibroblast constructs seeded with muscle cells, and uses therefore.
US09976120B2	Tubular scaffold for neural growth A scaffold for neurons consists of tubes sized to promote neural growth through the tubes. The tubes may be fixed to a substrate providing electrical or optical paths out from the interior of the tubes from sensors or stimulating probes at one or more locations along the length of the coaxial axons. Steering electrodes at spaces between tubes may be used to selectively promote the growth of interconnections of different axons in a one, two, or three-dimensional fashion.
US09976118B2	Method for inducing tailored pluripotent stem cells using extract of plant stem cells or plant dedifferentiated stem cells, and pluripotent stem cells produced by means of the method A method for inducing tailored pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming differentiated cells of an adult by using an extract of plant stem cells and plant dedifferentiated stem cells (callus); pluripotent stem cells produced by means of the method; and a cell therapy agent comprising the pluripotent stem cells are disclosed. It is possible to overcome ethical problems since eggs are not used in the making of pluripotent stem cells having abilities like embryonic stem cells. It is possible to produce pluripotent stem cells of ensured safety because a plant stem cell extract which above all has been verified to be harmless to the body is used. It is possible to develop an immunocompatible cell therapy agent tailored to different individuals.
US09976116B2	Programmable synthetic lysis system for controlled release of macromolecules The present invention relates to an expression system or a recombinant cell comprising one or more nucleic acid constructs, wherein the one or more nucleic acid constructs comprise: (i) a first gene encoding for one or more protein(s) that activate a quorum sensing system; and (ii) a second gene encoding for one or more lytic protein(s) capable of forming a lesion in a host cell's membrane; wherein the first gene is under control of a first promoter and the second gene is under control of a second promoter, wherein the first promoter controlling the first gene is a carbon starvation-induced promoter and the second promoter is a quorum sensing system promoter induced by the quorum sensing system activated by one or more protein(s) encoded by the first gene as well as recombinant cells hosting such an expression system. Further encompassed is the use of the expression systems and cells of the invention for the expression of gene products of interest and the respective methods of use.
US09976114B2	Multilayer tissue cell culture vessel The present invention discloses a vessel for culturing cells which includes: a bottom, a top, a tubular neck, and, one or more shelves. The first shelf adjoins the top with the first shelf being located intermediate the bottom and the top. The bottom, the top and the one or more shelves collectively define an enclosed volume for culturing cells with the enclosed volume being accessible by the opening in the tubular neck. Advantageously, this vessel provides high volume cell culture in a manner that increases efficiency and reduces the cost of culturing cells.
US09976108B2	Ethanol-free microemulsion perfuming compositions The present invention provides a perfuming composition that is free of ethanol and that is in the form of a transparent, clear microemulsion that contains a fragrance at a concentration of 0.5 to 50% by weight; a solvent at a concentration of 1 to 36% by weight; a non-ionic surfactant at a concentration of 1 to 35% by weight; an ionic surfactant at a concentration of 0 to 12% by weight, a cooling hydrotrope at a concentration of 0.01 to 12% by weight and water. Said microemulsions benefit from the presence of a cooling hydrotrope which allows lowering the amount of surfactant needed and provides a cooling effect.
US09976106B2	Refrigerator oil composition and refrigerator system Provided is a refrigerating machine oil composition, which is to be used for a refrigerant including a mixture of an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, a saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and CO2, contains a base oil which includes at least one selected from a polyoxyalkylene glycol, a polyvinyl ether, a copolymer of a poly(oxy)alkylene glycol or a monoether thereof and a polyvinyl ether, and a polyol ester and has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 2 mm2/s or more and 50 mm2/s or less and a hydroxyl value of 5 mgKOH/g or less, is able to be used for a refrigerating machine system using a refrigerant having a low global warming potential and usable especially for a car air conditioner or the like and including a mixture of an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, a saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and CO2, and exhibits not only excellent compatibility with the refrigerant but also excellent stability.
US09976101B2	Method of manufacturing calcium sulfonate greases using delayed addition of non-aqueous converting agents A method of manufacturing an overbased calcium sulfonate grease comprising a reduced amount of overbased calcium sulfonate, water and at least one non-aqueous converting agent, where at least a portion of the non-aqueous converting agent is added after one or more delay periods relative to the addition of the water. A delay period may involve the period of time it takes to adjust the temperature of the mixture, a period of time during which the mixture is held at a temperature or within a range of temperatures, and multiples and any combination thereof. These calcium sulfonate greases have improved thickener yield and high dropping points compared to greases of substantially similar composition made without a delay between the additions of water and a non-aqueous converting agent, particularly when a poor quality overbased calcium sulfonate is used.
US09976100B2	Lubricant composition An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant composition having excellent lubrication properties in rigorous conditions such as a high temperature and/or a high pressure. The present invention relates to lubricant composition containing a condensate A which is obtained by condensing at least: an alkylene oxide adduct a1 of trihydric or more polyhydric alcohol formed by adding alkylene oxide to at least one hydroxyl group of the trihydric or more polyhydric alcohol; a divalent or more polyvalent carboxylic acid a2 or a precursor of the divalent or more polyvalent carboxylic acid a2; and at least one of a monovalent carboxylic acid a3, a precursor of the monovalent carboxylic acid a3, or monohydric alcohol a4.
US09976098B2	Method for preparing high-quality lubricant from biomass-derived fatty acid Disclosed is a method for producing a quality lubricant base oil (meeting the standard of Group III or higher) comprising: decarbonylating mixed fatty acids derived from oils and fats of biological origin to produce mixed olefins; oligomerizing the mixed olefins to produce an olefinic lubricant base oil; and performing hydrogenation to remove olefins from the olefinic lubricant base oil.
US09976097B2	Charcoal ignition fluid The invention relates generally to a charcoal ignition fluid that is composed of a cellulose ether polymer, butanol, and water. The charcoal ignition fluid has performance characteristics similar to petroleum distillate but is more sustainable. Additionally, the charcoal ignition fluid can include ethanol and/or an alcohol to reduce the water content. Moreover, the charcoal ignition fluid can include an acetate salt to increase the visible flame for safety purposes. The charcoal ignition fluid may also include an organic ester to enhance the odor of the ignition fluid.
US09976092B2	Determining modified TAN-IR in crude oil A method for determining a TAN-IR for naphthenic acids in crude oil or crude oil fraction may include determining an IR spectrum of a sample of the crude oil or crude oil fraction. The method may include determining an IR spectrum of a neutralized sample of the crude oil or crude oil fraction. The method may include utilizing the IR spectra of the sample and the neutralized sample to determine a modified TAN-IR.
US09976089B2	Coke oven charging system The present technology is generally directed to coal charging systems used with coke ovens. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, charging plates extend outwardly from inward faces of opposing wings.
US09976088B2	Liquid crystal alignment agent, liquid crystal alignment film, and liquid crystal display element having the same A liquid crystal alignment agent of the present invention includes a polymer composition (A) synthesized by tetracarboxylic dianhydride compound (a) and diamine compound (b), and a solvent (B). The diamine compound (b) includes diamine (b-1) shown as following formula (I) and diamine (b-2): in formula (I), R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, a linear or branched hydroxyl alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, an alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbons, an alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbons, a halogen atom, an amino group or a nitro group; R2 represents a methylene group, a divalent alkyl of 2 to 10 carbons, a divalent alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons or a divalent alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbons; and a represents an integer of 0 to 3.
US09976087B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal optical device To provide a high quality liquid crystal optical device irrespective of the size of the liquid crystal optical device, while simplifying the production process, and a liquid crystal composition suitable for such a liquid crystal optical device. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound which shows liquid crystallinity and which is a non-curable compound, a liquid crystalline curable compound having a polymerizable functional group, and a non-liquid crystalline curable compound having a polymerizable functional group, wherein the content of the non-liquid crystalline curable compound is larger than the content of the liquid crystalline curable compound, and the total amount of the liquid crystalline curable compound and the non-liquid crystalline curable compound is at least 8 mass % and less than 20 mass % of the entirety.
US09976083B2	Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal composition The subject is to show a liquid crystal display device having characteristics such as a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a low threshold voltage, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and a small flicker rate. The means concerns a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal composition having positive dielectric anisotropy, which is placed between these substrates, wherein the liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase and includes at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component: in formula (1), R1 is alkyl or the like; ring A is 1,4-phenylene or the like; Z1 is a single bond or the like; X1 and X2 is hydrogen or fluorine; Y1 is fluorine or the like; and m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.
US09976082B2	Liquid crystal composition having easily adjustable rotational viscosity The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition having easily adjustable rotational viscosity while maintaining stability at low temperature, a clearing point and dielectric anisotropy (positive value) in an optimal condition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including: at least one liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, as a first component; at least one liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, as a second component; and at least one liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 3, as a third component.The liquid crystal composition according to the present invention has high clearing point and refractive index anisotropy, a controllable modulus of elasticity, and high specific resistance, and the rotational viscosity thereof is easily adjustable to be low. Thus, the liquid crystal composition satisfying various liquid crystal display (LCD) device characteristics is provided.
US09976080B2	Rare earth aluminum garnet-type inorganic oxide, phosphor and light-emitting device using same An inorganic oxide has a composition represented by General formula: M2LnX2(AlO4)3 (where M includes Ca, Ln includes Eu, and X includes at least either one of Zr and Hf). Then, a crystal structure of the inorganic oxide is a garnet-type structure. Eu3+ in the inorganic oxide emits a plurality of bright line-like fluorescent components, and a principal bright line of the fluorescent component is present within a wavelength range of 600 nm or more to less than 628 nm. Moreover, a maximum height of the bright line present within a wavelength range of 700 nm or more to less than 720 nm is less than 60% of a maximum height of the principal bright line. A phosphor composed of the inorganic oxide can emit narrowband red light with good color purity.
US09976077B2	Photochromic articles containing polyoxometalate derivatives and methods of making same A photochromic article is provided, containing a polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative anion and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. A method of forming a photochromic film is also provided, including forming a composition containing a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative and counter cation complex and preparing a film from the composition, the film containing the polyoxometalate derivative and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. Further, a precursor composition is provided, including a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative anion and a counter cation.
US09976074B2	Self-suspending proppant particulates using canola protein-based hydrogel Methods and compositions including self-suspending proppant particulates comprising proppant particulates at least partially coated with a canola protein-based hydrogel, wherein the canola protein-based hydrogel comprises a copolymer of a water-swellable polymeric material grafted onto a hydrolyzed canola protein backbone. In some embodiments, the water-swellable polymeric material further comprises at least one guanidinium ion pendant group.
US09976072B2	Multicarboxylate compositions and method of making the same The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate a method of making the multicarboxylate, and methods to use the multicarboxylate. A specific embodiment of the disclosure is a compound comprising the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. The composition has a variety of uses but in some embodiments may be used in enhanced oil recovery processes.
US09976069B2	Invert emulsion for swelling elastomer and filtercake removal in a well A treatment fluid and method for simultaneously swelling an oil-swellable elastomer and breaking a filtercake in a well. The treatment fluid includes an emulsion comprising: (i) a continuous oil phase, wherein the oil phase comprises: (a) an oil; and (b) an emulsifier; and (ii) an internal aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises: (a) water; and (b) a water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of a carboxylic acid; wherein the emulsion is stable to hydrolysis of the water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of the carboxylic acid. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: (A) forming the treatment fluid; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the wellbore, wherein: (i) a filtercake has been previously formed in the portion of the wellbore, wherein the filtercake comprises an acid-soluble or an acid-degradable material; and (ii) an oil-swellable elastomer has been previously deposited or positioned in the portion of the wellbore.
US09976060B2	Method for bonding substrates to cold and damp surfaces A description is given of a method, and of pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions suitable therefor, for bonding a substrate to cold and damp surfaces, the surface temperature being lower than the dewpoint temperature of the air in contact with the surface, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer formed from defined amounts of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, monomers selected from C1 to C2 alkyl (meth)acrylates, styrene, acid monomers, and optionally further monomers, in the presence of chain transfer agents.
US09976057B2	Shrink wrap label coating to facilitate recycling Provided is a coating composition that include a first resin having a Tg above about 25° C. and a second resin having a Tg above about 50° C. The coating composition and/or resins thereof are at least partially hydrolysable in a hot caustic solution. Further provided are a method for applying the coating composition to a label substrate, a label substrate coated with the coating composition, and a recycling method. Sleeve labels for articles such as containers may be formed from label substrates by forming a bonded seam with the coating composition. The coating composition maintains the bond in the seam during sleeve label shrinking and during article life. Label removal during recycling is relatively easy, as the coating composition in the seam de-bonds in a hot caustic solution.
US09976056B2	Waterproof sheet and waterproof treatment A waterproof sheet comprising a rubber base and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of silicone resin or gel thereon is applicable to the boundary between an outdoor tank and a concrete pedestal. The waterproof sheet maintains waterproofness over a long period of time and is in long-term service without degradation of physical properties.
US09976052B2	Aqueous coating composition and production of multicoat paint systems using said coating composition The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition comprising at least one aqueous dispersion comprising at least one copolymer (CP), said copolymer (CP) being preparable by (i) initially charging an aqueous dispersion of at least one polyurethane, and then (ii) polymerizing a mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the polyurethane from (i), in which (a) a water-soluble initiator is used, (b) the olefinically unsaturated monomers are metered in such that a concentration of 6.0% by weight, based on the total amount of olefinically unsaturated monomers used for polymerization, in the reaction solution is not exceeded over the entire reaction time, and (c) the mixture of the olefinically unsaturated monomers comprises at least one polyolefinically unsaturated monomer, at least one linear hydroxy-functional reaction product (R) having an acid number less than 20 mg KOH/g, the preparation of which involves using at least one compound (v) containing two functional groups (v.a) and an aliphatic or araliphatic hydrocarbyl radical (v.b) which is arranged between the functional groups and has 12 to 70 carbon atoms, and at least one polyurethane resin (X), the preparation of which involves using at least one compound (x.1) containing at least one carboxylic acid group and at least one group reactive toward isocyanate groups. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a multicoat paint system using the coating composition, and to the multicoat coating thus produced.
US09976047B2	Acrylic-urethane IPN plastisol Plastisol compositions having a two-resin interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) are disclosed. The compositions begin with blocked isocyanate grafted acrylic polymer, blocked isocyanate urethane prepolymer, plasticizer, optionally pigment, and optionally thixotropic agent. When subjected to a thermal cure, the isocyanate groups on the acrylic polymer and urethane prepolymer both become unblocked and both react with the crosslinking agent to form an interpenetrating acrylic-polyurethane network. The two-resin IPN offers improved storage stability, hand-feel characteristics, and processing properties for textile printing among other uses. Preferably these plastisol compositions are essentially free of polyvinyl halides and phthalates restricted for regulatory reasons.
US09976045B2	Fluoropolymer coatings comprising aziridine compounds A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group.In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.
US09976044B2	Polyvinyl chloride resin composition for automotive electric wire, and ultrathin-wall low-voltage electric wire for automobile The polyvinyl chloride resin composition for automotive electric wire of the present invention comprises (A) 100 parts by weight of polyvinyl chloride and, incorporated thereinto, (B) 24.0-26.0 parts by weight of a trimellitic-acid-based ester plasticizer, (C) 5-10 parts by weight of a non-lead stabilizer, (D) 2-10 parts by weight of a reinforcing agent, (E) 2-8 parts by weight of an impact absorber, and (F) 0.3-1.2 parts by weight of a processing aid, and has a Shore D hardness of 68 or higher and a cold resistance, as a property of the material, of −10° C. or below.
US09976041B2	UV-curable silicone compositions and anti-dust coating compositions containing same Provided in various embodiments are methods for making ultraviolet radiation curable (UV-curable) silicone compositions and the UV-curable silicone compositions prepared by such methods. Provided in various embodiments are methods for making anti-dust coatings using such UV-curable silicone compositions and the anti-dust coatings using such UV-curable silicone compositions prepared by such methods. The UV-curable silicone compositions may be used in the coating of silicone-based articles for LED packages, encapsulants, lamps, luminaires, optical articles and the like, substantially reducing and/or eliminating the pick-up of dust and improving optical properties of the silicone-based articles.
US09976039B1	Surface-structured coatings We describe a new approach to fabricate polymeric materials with surface structures for applications as anti-reflective, anti-icing, superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic, de-wetting, and self-cleaning coatings. In some variations, a surface-textured layer comprises first microdomains and second microdomains each containing polymerized cross-linkable photomonomer, where the first microdomains have a higher average cross-link density than that of the second microdomains. The first microdomains and the second microdomains are in a peak-valley surface topology, providing surface texture with no filler particles. In some variations, a method to fabricate a surface-textured layer comprises: applying a cross-linkable photomonomer layer to a reflective substrate; exposing the photomonomer layer to a collimated light beam with no spatial variation, to initiate polymerization in first microdomains; and polymerizing other regions of the photomonomer layer to form second microdomains that are spatially separated from the first microdomains. The first microdomains have a higher average cross-link density compared to the second microdomains.
US09976037B2	Composition for treating surface of substrate, method and device Treatment compositions and methods of treating the surface of a substrate by using the treatment composition, and a semiconductor or MEMS substrate having the treatment composition thereon.
US09976033B2	Voc-free asphalt-based compositions Asphalt-based compositions that contain little or no VOCs. The compositions are particularly useful for roofing applications, including as plastic roofing cement, flashing cement, roof coatings, and primers. The compositions include asphalt, a VOC-free solvent, a surfactant and clay. The compositions may also include fibers, technical or functional fillers, and a wet surface adhesion additive. The compositions may further include aluminum flakes for enhanced durability, strength, reflectivity and colorants for enhanced appearance.
US09976028B2	Curable coating compositions of silane functional polymers There is a tin-free curable composition having (A) one or more organic polymers having a reactive-silicon-containing group, wherein at least one polymer has a main chain skeleton selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene polymers, saturated hydrocarbon polymers, and (meth)acrylic acid ester polymers; (B) from 0.001 to 20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the organic polymer(s) (A) of a silanol condensation catalyst consisting of one or more metal amidine complexes and one or more amine carboxylate salts, (C) a crosslinker or chain extender chosen from an alkoxysilane, an alkoxysiloxane, an oximosilane, an oximosiloxane, an epoxysilane, an epoxysiloxane, an aminosilane, a carboxysilane, a carboxysiloxane, an alkylamidosilane, an alkylamidosiloxane, an arylamidosilane, an arylamidosiloxane, an alkoxyaminosilane, an alkaryaminosiloxane, an alkoxycarbamatosilane, an alkoxycarbamatosiloxane, and combinations of two or more thereof; and (D) at least one adhesion promoter chosen from a silane or siloxane other than the compounds listed under (C). There is also a cured polymer formed from the tin-free curable composition.
US09976024B2	Poly(vinyl acetal) resin compositions, layers, and interlayers having enhanced properties Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin that includes residues of an aldehyde other than n-butyraldehyde are provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers can exhibit enhanced or optimized properties as compared to those formulated with comparable poly(vinyl n-butyral) resins.
US09976019B2	Thermoplastic elastomer composition Provided is a thermoplastic elastomer composition from which an air bag cover having an appearance suitable for painting-free applications can be produced, specifically, a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by dynamically heat-treating 25% by weight to 50% by weight of a prescribed heterophasic polymeric material (A), 15% by weight to 40% by weight of a prescribed propylene-ethylene copolymer (B), 15% by weight to 35% by weight of a prescribed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (C), and 15% by weight to 35% by weight of a prescribed ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (D) in the presence of a crosslinking agent, provided that the combined amount of the above-mentioned (A), (B), (C) and (D) is taken as 100% by weight.
US09976013B2	Rubber-silica composite and method for producing same, and rubber composition and pneumatic tire Acido-basic properties of a system containing a polymer fragment obtained by oxidative cleavage of a carbon-carbon double bond of a diene rubber polymer and a functional molecule having in a structure thereof an alkoxysilyl group and at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde group and a carbonyl group are changed such that the system becomes basic when acidic, and becomes acidic when basic, thereby combining the polymer fragment with the functional molecule to form a modified diene rubber polymer having an alkoxysilyl group incorporated therein. A silane monomer comprising tetraalkoxysilane and/or alkyl trialkoxysilane is added to the system containing the modified diene rubber polymer, followed by condensation polymerization, thereby forming silica.
US09976012B2	Flame-retardance-imparting material and flame-retardant resin formed article A method for producing a flame-retardance-imparting material comprises: a shredding step of shredding plant material containing stems and/or leaves of tomato plants and/or eggplant plants in a aqueous solvent; and an aqueous solvent removal step or removing the aqueous solvent from the plant material after shredding.
US09976000B2	Aqueous gel An aqueous gel that is prepared by gelling a polymer components, the polymer components containing polymer A, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing a betaine monomer represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene, arylene, aralkylene, —COOH— or —CONH— group; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group, and R5 represents an alkylene group, and a polymer B, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing an acidic monomer represented by the formula (II): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 represents an optionally neutralized sulfonate group, an optionally neutralized phosphate group, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl or amino group carrying an optionally neutralized sulfonate group or an optionally neutralized phosphate group.
US09975995B2	Ion conducting polymer comprising partially branched block copolymer and use thereof The present invention relates to an ion conducting polymer including a partially branched block copolymer; a method of preparing the same; an ion conductor including the ion conducting polymer; an electrolytic membrane including the ion conducting polymer; a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolytic membrane, and a battery comprising the same; and a separation membrane for a redox flow battery including the ion conducting polymer, and a redox flow battery comprising same. Specifically, the partially branched block copolymer includes: a first block including a hydrophilic first polymer; a second block derived from a hydrophobic second polymer having two or more reactive groups respectively on its both ends, in such a way as to form branching points forming side branches on a main chain; and optionally a third block including a hydrophobic third polymer. The ion conducting polymer in the form of a partially branched block copolymer can prepare a polymer membrane having improved conductivity and superior physical properties such as tensile strength elongation at break, etc., while having the same or similar ion-exchange capacity (IEC), percentage water absorption and/or degree of dimensional change compared to conventional ion conducting polymers in the form of linear block copolymers. Because of such outstanding physical properties, the polymer membrane can be used as a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell, and a redox flow battery comprising the same as a separation membrane can exhibit outstanding cell performance and maintain high discharge charge capacity retention rate even when repeatedly charged and discharged several times.
US09975990B2	Aliphatic polycarbonate with long-chain branches and aromatic copolyester thereof Provided is an aliphatic polycarbonate-co-aromatic polyester with long-chain branches. The copolymer includes repeating units represented by —OAO— and Z(O—)a, which are linked via carbonyl (—C(O)—) and —C(O)YC(O)— as linkers. Also provided is an aliphatic copolycarbonate including repeating units represented by —OAO— and Z(O—)a, which are linked via carbonyl (—C(O)—) linkers. The aliphatic copolycarbonate has a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 or more.
US09975985B2	Polyisocyanate modified with sulphamic acid, preparation method thereof and use thereof A polyisocyanate modified with sulphamic acid and a mixture thereof, the preparation method thereof, and the use thereof in the production of polyurethane, especially as a cross-linking ingredient in the field of aqueous coatings and adhesives containing groups that are capable of reacting with isocyanate groups.
US09975981B2	Polyurethane, urethane-(meth)acrylic composite resin, and aqueous dispersion of urethane-(meth)acrylic composite resin An object of the present invention is to provide an aqueous dispersion for use in a cosmetic, which has both the flexibility and hair styling properties (hair set retention properties), and which allows for easily re-styling hair when the hair style once set has been disturbed; and a cosmetic including the same. In the above mentioned aqueous dispersion and the cosmetic, a polyurethane is used, which is obtainable from a polyol component including at least one type of a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol, and a polyvalent isocyanate component, wherein the polyol component includes: a polyether polyol containing as a major component a structural unit derived from a polyalkylene glycol having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and having a number average molecular weight of 400 or more and 4,000 or less; or a polyester polyol containing a structural unit derived from at least one type of dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid.
US09975978B2	Method for polymerising ethylenically unsaturated monomers The invention relates to a method for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers by free-radical initiated emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium in a polymerization reactor, wherein the inside walls and optionally also the fittings in the reactor are coated by applying a deposit-inhibiting product before the reactor is filled, characterized in that the surfaces that are to be coated with deposit-inhibiting product are treated with an acid solution.
US09975977B2	Multimodal polyolefin resin having high melt strength and molded product prepared with the same Multimodal polyolefin resin having superior characteristics including moldability, mechanical strength, external appearance, melt strength and a polyolefin resin molded product meeting the requirements: (1) polymerized in the presence of at least two different metallocene compounds as catalysts; (2) matrix index of 2 or less and a melt strength of 4.0 Force (cN) or greater at 190° C.; (3) melt flow index (MIP, 190° C., 5.0 kg load condition) of 0.01 to 5.0 g/10 min; (4) ratio (Mw/Mn, MWD) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 5-35 as measured by gel permeation chromatography; and (5) bimodal or multimodal peaks in a weight average molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, wherein the height ratio of two peaks (the ratio of the height of low molecular weight peak to the height of high molecular weight peak) is 0.7-3.
US09975976B1	Polyethylene compositions and methods of making and using same A polyolefin having a density of greater than about 0.930 g/ml which when extruded at a temperature in the range of from about 590° F. to about 645° F. and then coated onto a substrate at a rate of from about 300 ft/min to about 1000 ft/min has an edge weave of from about 0 in/side to about 2.5 in/side and a neck-in of less than about 3.0 in/side.
US09975975B2	Bis-biphenylphenoxy catalysts for polymerization of low molecular weight ethylene-based polymers The invention provides a process, and transition metal complex, to form an ethylene-based polymer, said process comprising polymerizing ethylene, and optionally at least one comonomer, in the presence of at least one molecular transition metal complex selected from Formula 1, as described herein.
US09975974B2	Methods for making catalyst compositions and polymer products produced therefrom Methods for making olefin polymerization catalysts and methods for making polymers using the catalysts are provided. The method for making the catalyst can include combining one or more supports with one or more magnesium-containing compounds under reaction conditions to form a first reacted product. One or more chlorinating compounds selected from the group consisting of aluminum alkyl chlorides and chloro substituted silanes can be combined with the first reacted product under reaction conditions to form a second reacted product. One or more titanium-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of titanium alkoxides and titanium halides can be combined with the second reacted product under reaction conditions to form a catalyst.
US09975968B2	Process for continuous polymerization of olefin monomers in a reactor The invention relates to a system for the continuous polymerization of α-olefin monomers comprising a reactor, a compressor, a cooling unit and an external pipe, wherein the reactor comprises a first outlet for a top recycle stream, wherein the system comprises apparatus, wherein the reactor comprises a first inlet for receiving a bottom recycle stream, wherein the reactor comprises an integral separator, wherein the first inlet of the integral separator is connected to a first outlet, wherein the first outlet for the liquid phase is connected to the second outlet of the reactor for the liquid phase, wherein the external pipe comprises a second inlet for receiving a solid polymerization catalyst, wherein the first outlet of the external pipe is connected to a second inlet of the reactor, wherein the reactor comprises a third outlet, wherein the system comprises a first inlet for receiving a feed.
US09975965B2	Compositions and methods for treatment and detection of cancers Pharmaceutical composition comprising antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to globo H, SSEA3, and SSEA-4 are disclosed herein, as well as methods of use thereof. Methods of use include, without limitation, cancer therapies and diagnostics. The antibodies of the disclosure can bind to certain cancer cell surfaces. Exemplary targets of the antibodies disclosed herein can include carcinomas, such as those in brain, skin, bone, lungs, breast, esophagus, stomach, liver, bile duct, pancreas, colon, kidney, cervical, ovarian, and/or prostate cancer.
US09975964B2	Antibody against alopecia-inducing substance as antigen, composition and production method Causes of hair loss have not been completely clarified and still remain unknown in many points. However, it appears that hair loss is partly caused by a mechanism wherein androgenic hormones in the scalp become active via the activation of DHT hormone by 5α-reductase and thus the activity of cells in hair roots is lost.In the present invention, an antibody, said antibody being obtained by inoculating a female bird with 5α-reductase or DHT as an antigen, is administered to the scalp so that the activity of DHT is suppressed and the activity of cells in hair roots is elevated. This antibody can be used in the form of a composition together with other component(s), for example, as a hair tonic together with another hair growth promoter.
US09975959B2	Administration of kynurenine depleting enzymes for tumor therapy Methods and compositions related to the use of a protein with kynureninase activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified kynureninase capable of degrading kynurenine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with kynurenine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.
US09975958B2	Trimeric antigen binding molecules The present invention pertains to a trimeric antigen binding molecule comprising three fusion polypeptides, each comprising at least one antigen binding moiety fused to a trimerization domain derived from human cartilage matrix protein. In addition, the present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding such trimeric antigen binding molecules, and vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. The invention further relates to methods for producing the trimeric antigen binding molecules of the invention, and to methods of using these trimeric antigen binding molecules in the treatment of disease.
US09975956B2	Surrogate binding proteins which bind DR4 and/or DR5 Embodiments concern constructs comprising surrogate light chain sequences. In particular, embodiments concern constructs that can bind to DR4 and/or DR5 and aspects relating to such constructs and their use.
US09975955B2	Methods and compositions for increasing arylsulfatase A activity in the CNS Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from a deficiency in arylsulfatase A in the CNS. The methods include systemic administration of a bifunctional fusion antibody comprising an antibody to a human insulin receptor and an arylsulfatase A.
US09975950B2	Antibodies directed against ICOS and uses thereof The present invention provides antibodies directed against ICOS or a derivative thereof which neutralize ICOS engagement on Treg by inhibiting the fixation between ICOS and ICOS-L and abrogate proliferation of Treg induced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The present invention further provides antibodies directed against ICOS or a derivative thereof which induce IL-10 and IFNγ production, induce CD4+ T cells proliferation, reduce Tconv proliferation, and increase the immunosuppressive function of Treg.
US09975948B2	Isolation and purification of anti-IL-13 antibodies using protein A affinity chromatography Disclosed herein are methods for the isolation and purification of anti-IL-13 antibodies wherein the use of an affinity chromatographic step results in an antibody composition sufficiently pure for pharmaceutical uses. The methods described herein comprise pH viral reduction/inactivation, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, affinity chromatography (e.g., Protein A affinity chromatography), ion exchange chromatography, and hydrophobic chromatography. Further, the present invention is directed toward pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more antibodies of the present invention.
US09975942B2	EPHA3 And multi-valent targeting of tumors Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13Rα2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.
US09975938B2	Long-acting polypeptides and methods of producing and administering same A polypeptide and polynucleotides comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a non-human peptide-of-interest are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using both human and non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.
US09975934B2	Follistatin-related fusion proteins In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for inhibiting activity of TGFβ superfamily ligands, particularly ligands such as GDF8, GDF11, activin A, activin B, activin C and activin E, in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans. In some embodiments, the compositions of the disclosure may be used to treat or prevent diseases or disorders that are associated with abnormal activity of a follistatin-related polypeptide and/or a follistatin ligand.
US09975931B2	Use of an immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma in promoting neurite outgrowth The inventors surprisingly found that an immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma can promote neurite outgrowth, suggesting that the immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma can treat and/or prevent neurological disorders. Accordingly, the invention provides a method for promoting neurite outgrowth, the method comprising exposing the neuron to an effective amount of an immunomodulatory protein derived from Ganoderma, or a recombinant or a composition thereof. The invention also provides a method for treating and/or preventing a neurological disorder, the method comprising administering an effective amount of an immunomodulatory protein derived from Ganoderma, or a recombinant or a composition thereof to a subject.
US09975929B2	Recombinant clostridial neurotoxins with increased duration of effect This invention relates to novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins exhibiting increased duration of effect and to methods for the manufacture of such recombinant clostridial neurotoxins. These novel recombinant clostridial neurotoxins comprise a random coil domain, and the methods comprise the steps of inserting a nucleic acid sequence coding for a random coil domain into a nucleic acid sequence coding for a parental clostridial neurotoxin and expression of the recombinant nucleic acid sequence comprising the random coil domain-coding sequence in a host cell. The invention further relates to novel recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins used in such methods, nucleic acid sequences encoding such recombinant single-chain precursor clostridial neurotoxins, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant clostridial neurotoxin with increased duration of effect.
US09975925B2	Influenza antigens and antibodies Novel influenza antigens, novel immunogenic or vaccine compositions, as well as uses of and methods for producing said antigens and compositions, are described.

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