| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09977593B2 |
Gesture recognition for on-board display
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to recognize the drivers and/or passengers within the automobile. Based on the recognition, the vehicle may change a configuration of the automobile to match predetermined preferences for the driver and/or passenger. The configurations may also include the recognition of a unique set of gestures for the person. Further, the configuration can also include the tracking of health data related to the person. |
| US09977592B2 |
Touch rim control method and associated device
A portable device is provided. The portable device includes: a display; a controller, a processor, a housing, and a touch rim. The controller and the processor are installed inside the housing. The touch rim is configured to detect a gesture performed on the touch rim to generate at least one touch detection signal. The controller is configured to receive at least one detection signal from the touch rim, and to transmit the touch detection signal to the processor. The processor analyzes the touch detection signal to determine the gesture performed on the touch rim, and performs an operation associated with the gesture. |
| US09977588B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and computer program for executing the display control method
Provided is a computer-implemented display control method including a first display operation of displaying, in a second region of a screen, a first page on which contents belonging to a first category are arranged, and listing a plurality of categories in a vertical or horizontal direction and displaying the plurality of categories in a first region of the screen, wherein the first page is displayed to be scrollable in a direction in which the plurality of categories are listed, a recognition operation of recognizing a scroll signal which is input with respect to the first page, a determination operation of scrolling the first page based on the scroll signal, and generating a category change command based on the scroll signal if scrolling is not possible according to a position of the first page, and a second display operation of displaying, on the second region, a second page on which contents belonging to a second category are arranged, if it is determined to change the category based on the scroll signal. |
| US09977585B2 |
Predefining elements of a cemented wellbore
Systems and methods for predefining elements of a cemented wellbore using a graphical user interface comprising various elements for cementing the wellbore and a schematic view of the wellbore and tubing string. |
| US09977581B2 |
Selection refinement tool
Selection refinement tool techniques are described in which a selection within an image is modified using a tool that automatically resizes according to the shape of selection boundaries. In one or more implementations, selection boundaries are displayed in an image that is exposed in a user interface. The selection boundaries may represent an automatic selection via an editing tool, or a selection that is based on manual manipulation of an editing tool by a user. The selection refinement tool is operable to modify the selection boundaries by positioning of a cursor of the refinement tool proximate to the selection boundaries. In response to positioning of the cursor relative to the selection boundaries, the cursor is dynamically resized in dependence upon a positional relationship between the cursor and the selection boundaries, such that boundaries of the cursor are kept from intersecting with the selection boundaries. |
| US09977580B2 |
Easy-to-use desktop screen recording application
Systems and methods for computer screen recording are described herein. In an embodiment, a web-based application includes a screen recorder, a video transcoder, and a video upload manager. The screen recorder records video tutorials, the video transcoder transcodes the recorded video tutorials, and the upload manager uploads the transcoded video tutorial to a server. The server analyzes the uploaded video tutorial to determine search terms that are relevant to the uploaded video tutorial, and associates the determined search terms with the uploaded video tutorial. The server also receives from users search queries containing search terms, searches for video tutorials related to the search terms, and returns a search query result containing links to the related video tutorials. |
| US09977574B2 |
Accelerated instant replay for co-present and distributed meetings
Techniques for recording and replay of a live conference while still attending the live conference are described. A conferencing system includes a user interface generator, a live conference processing module, and a replay processing module. The user interface generator is configured to generate a user interface that includes a replay control panel and one or more output panels. The live conference processing module is configured to extract information included in received conferencing data that is associated with one or more conferencing modalities, and to display the information in the one or more output panels in a live manner (e.g., as a live conference). The replay processing module is configured to enable information associated with the one or more conferencing modalities corresponding to a time of the conference session prior to live to be presented at a desired rate, possibly different from the real-time rate. |
| US09977565B2 |
Interactive educational system with light emitting controller
Once embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving, at a computing device, image data from a camera, converting, by the computing device, the image data to a YUV color space, filtering, by the computing device, the converted image data based on intensity and a predetermined color to produce a filtered image, and determining, by the computing device, a location of light emitted from a controller from the filtered image. |
| US09977558B2 |
Detection device and display device with detection function
According to one embodiment, a detection device includes a substrate, detection electrode, terminal formed of a metal material, lead, coating layer, conductive adhesion layer, and circuit board. The lead connects the electrode and the terminal. The coating layer covers the electrode and the lead, and partly covers the terminal. The adhesion layer covers a part of the terminal exposed from the coating layer and covers a part of the coating layer. The circuit board is connected to the terminal with the adhesion layer interposed therebetween. At least in an overlapping area where the adhesion layer covers the coating layer, an area of the metal material per unit area is smaller than that of the other area of the terminal. |
| US09977556B2 |
Controller for position detection
A controller for position detection is disclosed. At least one first 1-D position corresponding to at least one external object is determined based on signals of a plurality of first sensors by self-capacitance detection. Each first 1-D position is determined based on a differential sensing information whose each value is based on signals of two first sensors by self-capacitance detection. Then, at least one second 1-D position corresponding to the at least one first 1-D position is determined based on signals of a plurality of second sensors by mutual-capacitance detection. |
| US09977554B2 |
Touch display panel
A touch display panel includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The first and second electrode layers are disposed on the substrate. The second electrode layer electrically connects to the first electrode layer and includes a plurality of sensing electrodes. Each sensing electrode includes a plurality of first conductive lines and a plurality of second conductive lines connected to each other. The first and second conductive lines are respectively arranged along first and second directions, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. In one of two adjacent sensing electrodes, the outermost first conductive line has at least one first edge and at least one second edge connected to the first edge. The first edge corresponds to one of the second conductive lines of the other one of the two adjacent sensing electrodes, and has a curved shape. |
| US09977543B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting surface shear force on a display device
A display device includes: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels; a plurality of infrared (IR) emitters to emit IR light towards a surface of the display device; a plurality of IR detectors to detect IR light; a deformable layer on the pixels, on the IR emitters, on the IR detectors, and at the surface of the display device; and a plurality of tracers at the deformable layer to reflect the IR light emitted by the IR emitters towards the IR detectors and to, while a shear force is being applied at a point of contact at the surface of the display device, shift ones of the tracers around the point of contact in a direction of the shear force such that IR reflectance at the surface of the display device is changed. |
| US09977537B2 |
Hybrid force sensitive touch devices
A hybrid touch-screen display that integrates force-based touch-screen technology with any one from among a group of projective capacitive, surface capacitive, resistive, digital resistive, SAW, IR, APR, DST, optical and electromagnetic touch-screen technologies to provide an ability to compensate for non-perfect force transfer. An alternate implementation is also disclosed that employs a single force sensor for relative force measurement in a system in which force is traditionally not measured, here a water dispenser unit. This allows compensation for varying static loads, run-time calibration, and filtering of extraneous loads through firmware. |
| US09977531B2 |
Optical touch apparatus, a method for determining a position of a touch indicator point and an optical touch system
An optical touch apparatus configured to sense a touch operation of an optical touch stylus is provided. The optical touch apparatus includes a touch operation surface, an optical sensor and a touch controller. The optical touch stylus performs the touch operation on the touch operation surface. The optical sensor is disposed on a side of the touch operation surface and senses the light beam from the touch operation to obtain sensing data. The sensing data include an image of the optical touch stylus and a mirror image generated on the touch operation surface by the optical touch stylus. The touch controller is electrically connected to the optical sensor and calculates a brightness threshold according to the sensing data. The touch controller determines a position of the touch indicator point of the optical touch stylus on the touch operation surface according to the sensing data and the brightness threshold. |
| US09977530B2 |
Use of accelerometer input to change operating state of convertible computing device
A convertible computing device has an accelerometer to detect tapping gestures on the device, and a mode sensor to determine whether device is in a laptop mode or a tablet mode. The device includes a first physical human input sensor to change an operating state of the device between an OFF state and a non-OFF state and a second physical human input sensor to change an operating state of the computing device. When the device is in the laptop mode, the second physical human input sensor is enabled to change the operating state of the computing device, and when the computing device is in the tablet mode, the second physical human input sensor is disabled from changing an operating state of the device and, instead, the tapping gestures detected by the accelerometer are used to change the operating state of the device. |
| US09977528B2 |
Electronic device having touch sensor
An electronic device with a touch sensor includes a body mounted with an electronic element, and a cover detachably coupled to the body. The body includes a signal generating circuitry that generates an electric signal, a first antenna that transmits the electric signal, and a touch processing circuitry that processes a touch signal received through the first antenna. The cover includes a touch sensor that is driven by the electric signal and recognizes a touch, and a second antenna connected with the touch sensor. The second antenna receives the electric signal and transmits a touch signal sensed through the touch sensor unit. |
| US09977524B2 |
Flexible touch panel including a bonding layer
A flexible touch panel that achieves both thinness and high detection sensitivity. In the flexible touch panel obtained by attaching a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor with a bonding layer, the bonding layer has a Young's modulus of 1 kPa to 300 kPa, a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, and a transmittance of 70% or more. |
| US09977518B2 |
Scrolling based on rotational movement
Improved approaches for users to interact with graphical user interfaces of computing devices are disclosed. A rotational user action supplied by a user via a user input device can provide accelerated scrolling. The accelerated nature of the scrolling enables users to scroll or traverse a lengthy data set (e.g., list of items) faster and with greater ease. The amount of acceleration provided can be performed in successive stages, and/or performed based on the speed of the rotational user action. In one embodiment, the rotational user action is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. The resulting acceleration effect causes the linear action to be enhanced such that a lengthy data set is able to be rapidly traversed. |
| US09977517B2 |
Input system and method for detecting touch using the same
An input system includes an input pen for interfacing with a touchscreen of a display panel. The input pen includes a conductive tip. A switching unit of the pen connects the conductive tip to a receiving unit and a driving unit. The receiving unit receives touchscreen driving signals from the touchscreen through the conductive tip. The driving unit generates pen driving signals transferred to the touchscreen through the conductive tip. The input pen also include a signal processing unit to calibrate timing of the pen driving signal by synchronizing the pen driving signal with the touchscreen driving signal. To enable touch detection, the conductive tip is positioned to contact or approach the touchscreen, the touchscreen driving signal is received from the touchscreen via the conductive tip. The pen driving signal is generated and transferred to the touchscreen via the conductive tip. |
| US09977516B2 |
User terminal device for displaying application and methods thereof
A content display method of a user terminal device including a bended touch screen divided into a main area and a sub area, includes displaying, on the main area, a first main content provided by a first application, and displaying, on the sub area, a first sub content associated with the first main content, receiving a user gesture input on the main area, and in response to receiving the user gesture, displaying, on the main area, a second main content provided by a second application, and displaying, on the sub area, a second sub content associated with the second main content. |
| US09977515B2 |
Display device, projector, and display method
A display device including an image input unit that receives image data from an image supply device, a display unit that displays a display image on a display surface based on image data, a location detection unit that detects a pointed location with respect to the display image on the display surface, a coordinate calculation unit that calculates first coordinates as coordinates of the pointed location in a displayable area on the display surface, a drawing unit that draws an image based on the first coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit, and an output unit that outputs the coordinates to the image supply device based on the first coordinates. |
| US09977511B2 |
Peep-proof input keyboard for POS (point of sale) machine
The present invention is applicable to the field of POS machines, and provides a peep-proof input keyboard and a POS machine using the peep-proof input keyboard. The peep-proof input keyboard comprises a circuit board, a keyboard, and a peep-proof cover, the keyboard includes a plurality of keys configured to input information, a portion of the circuit board corresponding to the keys is provided with a first connecting finger configured for the pressing operations of the keys, the circuit board is provided with a second connecting finger configured to control the keyboard to work and be turned off, and a bottom of the peep-proof cover is provided with at least one support post configured to abut against the second connecting finger so as to enable the keyboard to work. By providing the circuit board with the second connecting finger, whether the keyboard can work or not is controlled by connection and disconnection of the second connecting finger; and by providing the peep-proof cover with the support post, the second connecting finger is connected by the support post, such that the keyboard can perform the input work. When the peep-proof cover falls off, the keyboard is in a shut-down state, that is, the keyboard cannot perform the input operation, so that the information input by users is prevented from being peeped. |
| US09977510B1 |
Gesture-driven introduction system
An introduction method can begin with gesture event data being received by a client application of a gesture-driven introduction system running on a user device of a first human actor. The gesture event data can comprise a gesture and ancillary conditions regarding performance of the gesture by a second human actor. The first human actor and the second human actor can be registered members of the gesture-driven introduction system. The received gesture event data can be assessed with respect to introduction definitions created by the first human actor. An introduction definition can define triggering parameters for exchanging predetermined introduction data. When the gesture event data satisfies the triggering parameters expressed in an introduction definition, the predetermined introduction data can be automatically transmitted to a user device of the second human actor. The transmission can occur without direct physical or verbal interaction between the first and second human actors. |
| US09977509B2 |
Gesture recognition method, apparatus and wearable device
A method and an apparatus for gesture recognition and a wearable device for gesture recognition are described. A method of gesture recognition involves using a processor to detect a motion artifact from an output signal of a biosignal sensor and generating a control signal to control a function of a target device that corresponds to a reference signal pattern in response to a signal pattern of the detected motion artifact corresponding to the reference signal pattern. |
| US09977506B2 |
Input optimization based on frequency of use
A primary user input mechanism is recommended to an application that executes on a computing device which supports a plurality of different user input mechanisms that users of the computing device can utilize to input information into the computing device. The utilization of each of the user input mechanisms is monitored on an ongoing basis, where this monitoring includes weighting each of the user input mechanisms based on its frequency of use. Upon receiving an indication to launch the application on the computing device, a one of the user input mechanisms currently having the highest weight is recommended to the application as being the primary user input mechanism. The weighting of each of the user input mechanisms is also provided to the application. |
| US09977503B2 |
Apparatus and method for an infrared contactless gesture system
An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product are provided. The apparatus generates at least one signal in response to a contactless gesture performed proximate to an infrared proximity sensor situated on the optical device, the contactless gesture corresponding to a command, identifies the command using the at least one signal, and executes the command. |
| US09977502B2 |
Providing non-visual feedback for non-physical controls
Techniques are described herein to assist users to operate non-physical controls in situations where the users are unable to visually locate the controls. According to one embodiment, the device containing the non-physical controls is designed to give non-visual feedback to the user based, at least on part, on the distance between (a) the current position of user input, and (b) the location of the non-physical control. At least one characteristic of the non-visual feedback changes as that distance changes. |
| US09977498B2 |
Methods and systems for providing haptic control
Haptic systems are disclosed which may provide increased resolution in tactile feedback. A tiered haptic system may be formed by stacking of haptic elements. One or more arrays of shape change elements such as, for example, piezoelectric elements may be used to actuate a screen surface. Arrays may also be used to sense tactile interactions and stimuli on a screen surface. An embedded haptic system may be formed by inserting haptic elements into a contoured elastic sheet. The embedded haptic system may provide tactile interactions to a user. In some embodiments, both tiered and embedded haptic arrangements may be used. |
| US09977496B2 |
Eye-wearable device user interface and augmented reality method
A software controlled user interface and method for a head-mountable device equipped with at least one display or connectivity to at least one touch pad. The method can scale between displaying a small to large number of different eye gaze target symbols at any given time, yet still transmit a large array of different symbols to outside devices. At least part of the method may be implemented by way of a virtual window onto the surface of a virtual cylinder, with touchpad or eye gaze sensitive symbols that can be rotated by touchpad touch or eye gaze thus bringing various groups of symbols into view, and then selected. Specific examples of use of this interface and method on a head-mountable device are disclosed, along with various operation examples including transmitting data including text, functionality in virtual or augmented reality, control of robotic devices and control of remote vehicles. |
| US09977495B2 |
Immersive displays
A method of providing information for display on a display of an immersive display. The method includes obtaining information utilized for displaying a first image in front of a first eye and a second image in front of a second eye of a user of the immersive display, excluding part of the information to yield adjusted information to occlude or replace first information from a first area of the first image and second information from a second area of a second image when displayed on the immersive display, and providing the adjusted information for displaying the first image absent the first area and the second image absent the second area on the immersive display. |
| US09977491B2 |
Method for interacting with flexible device and user terminal thereof
A method for interacting with a flexible device and a user terminal thereof includes detecting a physical transformation of the flexible device, and performing an interaction, in association with the flexible device, corresponding to the physical transformation. |
| US09977484B2 |
Ambient light sensors with auto gain switching capabilities
An ambient light sensor that is operable in high gain mode and low gain mode is provided. The high gain mode may help provide satisfactory sensitivity at low light levels but may generate saturated output levels in bright ambient lighting conditions. Low gain mode may therefore be switched into use when bright ambient lighting conditions are detected. The ambient light sensor may be placed in high gain mode by default. An auto-gain switch controller may detect whether the ambient light reading is saturated during a given period of time. In response to determining that the ambient light reading is saturated for a programmable number of consecutive time periods, the auto-gain switch controller may reset and switch the ambient light sensor to the low gain mode. The gain state may optionally be embedded into the ambient light sensor output. |
| US09977482B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting an I/O bandwidth-based processor frequency floor
An apparatus and method for managing a frequency of a computer processor. The apparatus includes a power control unit (PCU) to manage power in a computer processor. The PCU includes a data collection module to obtain transaction rate data from a plurality of communication ports in the computer processor and a frequency control logic module coupled to the data collection module, the frequency control logic to calculate a minimum processor interconnect frequency for the plurality of communication ports to handle traffic without significant added latency and to override the processor interconnect frequency to meet the calculated minimum processor interconnect frequency. |
| US09977481B2 |
Multi-function portable data management and processing system
There is disclosed a carry-on sized, portable apparatus configured as a processing apparatus for use as a single node, or as a node in a cluster of nodes, of a hyper-converged system. The apparatus is designed for quick extraction from the hyper-converged system in the event of a disaster and also configured to be able to re-establish communication for users requiring immediate access to mission critical applications in remote re-deployment. The processing apparatus includes an exoskeleton carrier with internally disposed chassis, the chassis including sub-chassis sections to securely contain an integrated power supply and management system, an integrated management and control system (MCS), and other electronics. The integrated MCS runs critical virtualization technology and is script configurable by an external programming source to operate as a single node, or as a node in a cluster of nodes, of a hyper-converged system in normal mode, but also in other modes in order to support disaster recovery contingencies. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus is a data storage device with a separate dedicated MCS which helps with provisioning the apparatus on a network environment, but which is likewise configured for remote use such as in a disaster recovery. |
| US09977480B2 |
Selective coupling of power rails to a memory domain(s) in a processor-based system
Selective coupling of power rails to memory domain(s) in processor-based system, such as to reduce or avoid the need to provide intentional decoupling capacitance in logic domain(s) is disclosed. To avoid or reduce providing additional intentional decoupling capacitance in logic domain to mitigate voltage droops on logic power rail, power rail selection circuit is provided. The power rail selection circuit is configured to couple memory domain to a logic power rail when the logic power rail can satisfy a minimum operating voltage of memory arrays. The additional intrinsic decoupling capacitance of the memory arrays is coupled to the logic power rail. However, if the operating voltage of the logic power rail is scaled down below the minimum operating voltage of the memory arrays when the logic domain does not need higher operation functionality, the power rail selection circuit is configured to couple the memory domain to separate memory power rail. |
| US09977475B2 |
Over voltage protection for a communication line of a bus
An electronic device has an I/O port, a bus connector and a transistor that is connected between the I/O port and a communications contact of the bus connector. A control circuit is connected to the transistor to maintain a gate voltage of the transistor independent of power supply voltage on a power supply contact of the connector. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09977472B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying relative motion of objects on graphical user interface
A method including causing, at least in part, display of objects on a graphical user interface, where each of the objects corresponds to data or an application accessible via the graphical user interface. The method further includes causing, at least in part, display of the objects in motion on the graphical user interface based on user input and based on respective relative mass values associated with the objects. |
| US09977466B2 |
Flexible display panel and method of bending the same
A flexible display panel includes a display area to display an image, and a non-display area disposed outside the display area. The non-display area includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the display area, and includes a support layer disposed on a flexible substrate. The second portion extends from the first portion, and is bent from a plane of the first portion. A property of a material of the support layer in the first portion is different than the property of the material of the support layer in the second portion. |
| US09977463B2 |
Electronic device having a member for chassis
An electronic device having a member for chassis is disclosed. The member for chassis includes a surface layer, a rear layer disposed inside of the surface layer in a thickness direction, and an intermediate layer disposed between the surface layer and the rear layer. Each of the surface layer and the rear layer includes a fiber-reinforced resin plate. The intermediate layer is made of a material that is compressible in the thickness direction. The member for chassis further includes a fastening hole that penetrates through the surface layer, the intermediate layer and the rear layer, through which a fastener passes to fix the member for chassis to a member for attachment. The surface layer includes a cut line having a larger diameter than the fastening hole in order to surround the fastening hole. |
| US09977461B2 |
Wearable mobile device
A mobile device is provided that includes a display module that detachably couples to a wrap module. The interconnection between the wrap module and the display module provides data and/or power conductivity there between. In this manner, the wrap module can provide supplemental functionality, such as serving as an input device (touch), a power source, or a solar charger, among other features. |
| US09977459B1 |
Clock generating circuit and associated method
A clock generating circuit includes: a generating circuit, a reference circuit and an adjusting circuit. The generating circuit generates a clock signal. The reference circuit is coupled to the generating circuit, and generates a reference signal to the generating circuit according to the clock signal, wherein a frequency of the clock signal is varied according to the reference signal when the reference signal is received by the generating circuit. The adjusting circuit generates an adjusting signal and a trigger signal to the generating circuit, wherein the generating circuit refers to the trigger signal to decide whether to adjust the clock signal frequency according to the adjusting signal. |
| US09977455B2 |
Method and apparatus for filtering a rectified voltage
A configurable impedance circuit includes a controller that senses a rectified voltage and generates a first and second control signals based on a comparison of the rectified voltage to at least one threshold voltage. The configurable impedance circuit also includes a filter for filtering the rectified voltage that couples a plurality of capacitors in series to the rectified voltage in a first configuration based on the first control signal and couples the plurality of capacitors in parallel to the rectified voltage in a second configuration based on the second control signal. |
| US09977450B2 |
Micro-balance event resource selection
A method includes a resource selection for a control sub-slot of a balance event. The method includes computing availability schedules and creating a priority list of resources. The priority list includes an order in which the resources are added to a sub-group activated in the control sub-slot. The method includes calculating a resource capacity of the sub-group. The method includes receiving an energy target. If the resource capacity is less than the energy target, the method may include adding one of the resources that has a first position on the priority list to the sub-group and calculating an updated resource capacity. The method includes determining whether the updated sub-group resource capacity is greater than or equal to the energy target. If the updated sub-group resource capacity is greater than or equal to the energy target, the method may include communicating a command signal to the resources. |
| US09977444B1 |
Power management system and method of the same
A power management system comprises an input power detector configured to generate a first enablement signal by detecting whether a first voltage is supplied; a first output stage connected to the input power detector and configured to receive and regulate the first voltage upon receiving the first enablement signal; an error operational amplifier is connected to the first output stage, a first input port of the error operational amplifier is configured to receive a first reference voltage, a second input port of the error operational amplifier is connected to a connection point of a first resistor and a second resistor, the first resistor is connected to the first output stage, the second resistor is connected to ground, and a system output port is located at the connection of the output port of the first output stage and the first resistor, to drive a load. |
| US09977439B2 |
Energy efficiency aware thermal management in a multi-processor system on a chip
Various embodiments of methods and systems for energy efficiency aware thermal management in a portable computing device that contains a heterogeneous, multi-processor system on a chip (“SoC”) are disclosed. Because individual processing components in a heterogeneous, multi-processor SoC may exhibit different processing efficiencies at a given temperature, energy efficiency aware thermal management techniques that compare performance data of the individual processing components at their measured operating temperatures can be leveraged to optimize quality of service (“QoS”) by adjusting the power supplies to, reallocating workloads away from, or transitioning the power mode of, the least energy efficient processing components. In these ways, embodiments of the solution optimize the average amount of power consumed across the SoC to process a MIPS of workload. |
| US09977434B2 |
Automatic tracking mode for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle
Some embodiments include methods performed by a processor associated with a wireless communication device for enabling an unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) to operate in an automatic user tracking mode. Such embodiments may include capturing image data of surroundings by a camera while the UAV is operating in the automatic user tracking mode, calculating estimated position information for the wireless communication device based on captured image data, and transmitting estimated position information to the UAV for use in tracking a user of the wireless communication device. Some embodiments include methods performed by a processor of a UAV for enabling the UAV to automatically follow a user. Such embodiments may include calculating a current position of the UAV, receiving from a user's wireless communication device estimated position information derived from image data captured by a camera of the wireless communication device, and determining whether an update to the UAV motion is required. |
| US09977424B2 |
Dynamically calculated refractive index for determining the thickness of roofing materials
Disclosed is a system for measuring and controlling the thickness of asphalt roofing materials during manufacturing. Light beams are used to generate a time of flight signal that is used to determine the thickness of the asphalt roofing layer. A controller generates a thickness control signal that controls a coater to modify parameters of the coater to produce the asphalt roofing layer with a desired thickness. |
| US09977423B2 |
Rewind queue feature for protective packaging control
A control device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory contains computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to retrieve from a memory a queue containing a plurality of sets of instructions, each set of instructions corresponding to parameters for forming a unit of packaging material, cause a packaging machine to create a plurality of packaging units according to the parameters, receive user input corresponding to a rewind queue functionality, and rewind the queue to cause the packaging machine to rerun a portion of the queue and create some of the plurality of the packaging units during the rerun. |
| US09977422B2 |
Intelligent configuration of a user interface of a machinery health monitoring system
A machinery health monitoring module processes machine vibration data based on vibration signals and provides the machine vibration data to a distributed control system. A distributed control system operator computer executes a software user interface that filters relevant configuration parameters based on a selected machine measurement type so that only those parameters that are applicable to the selected measurement type appear on the user interface screen. Further, configuration parameters for individual measurement values within the measurement type are made available only when a particular measurement value is selected for acquisition. This greatly simplifies the information that is displayed on the configuration user interface. |
| US09977420B2 |
Automatically guided tools
A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path. |
| US09977415B2 |
System and method for virtual internet of things (IOT) devices and hubs
A system and method are described for virtualizing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and hubs. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: a primary Internet of Things (IoT) cloud service to register IoT devices owned by users who have subscribed with the primary IoT cloud service; IoT device management logic on the primary IoT cloud service to provide access to data generated by the primary IoT devices and to control the IoT devices responsive to user input; the IoT device management logic to establish a communication channel with an external IoT cloud service responsive to a user registering one or more external IoT devices controlled by the external IoT cloud service; and wherein upon the external IoT cloud service providing the IoT device management logic with access to the one or more external IoT devices, the IoT device management logic to generate virtual representations of the one or more external IoT devices to allow user access to information generated by the external IoT devices and to allow the user to control the external IoT devices through the virtual representations. |
| US09977413B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing open windows in a graphical display for a representation of a process system
A method includes displaying a plurality of windows in a graphical display. Each window corresponds to a representation of at least a portion of an industrial process system. The method also includes, responsive to a first window being in an active state, subscribing to first operational data associated with the process system. The method further includes, responsive to a second window being in an inactive state, unsubscribing from second operational data associated with the process system. |
| US09977412B2 |
Electronic circuit to capture lock controller pulses
An electronic circuit to capture legacy lock controller pulses and reduce the energy consumed. The legacy pulse is captured, converted to power to power the circuit and the direction of the pulse—polarity—is determined. A substitute pulse is created at lower power and sent to a motor actuator in the lock. The total power consumed is substantially reduced by reducing the duration and voltage of the pulse. In the preferred design, the circuit also detects control voltages for solenoid locks and produces suitable control signals for a motor actuator. |
| US09977410B2 |
Control system and method thereof
In a control system, when a sensor receives a sensing signal, the sensor sends a notice signal to a preparatory starting device so that the preparatory starting device performs a starting operation. After the starting operation is finished, the preparatory starting device sends an operation command and/or operation power to a starting unit. The starting unit would not pass the operation command and/or the operation power to a receiving end until receiving a control signal. |
| US09977405B2 |
Athletic watch
A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously. |
| US09977404B2 |
Method for testing the water resistance of a timepiece
Method for testing the water resistance of at least one timepiece, wherein it comprises the following stages:E1—Measuring the rate of the timepiece when subjected to a first external pressure, in particular atmospheric pressure, in order to obtain a first reference rate value;E2—Measuring the rate of a timepiece when subjected to a second external pressure inside a pressurization chamber, in order to obtain a second rate value under pressure;E3—Comparing the rate value under pressure and the reference rate value in order to deduce therefrom the presence or otherwise of a deficiency in the water resistance in the event of a variation in excess of a predefined threshold. |
| US09977403B2 |
Watch case provided with an external element
A watch case includes a case middle, a bezel, and an external element at least partially disposed between the case middle and the bezel. The bezel includes at least one hollow revealing the external element. The external element is attached directly to the case middle, independently of an attachment of the bezel to the case middle. |
| US09977400B2 |
Exhaust air cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus
An exhaust air cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning duct for cleaning air to be exhausted from an exhaust port of an image forming apparatus. In the cleaning duct, a fan and a filter are provide between an inflow part connected with the exhaust port of the image forming apparatus and a discharge port for discharging air from the inside of the cleaning duct. The exhaust air cleaning apparatus further includes a pressure adjusting part for adjusting the pressure in the cleaning duct. The pressure adjusting part performs pressure adjustment so that the pressure at a pressure adjusting position located between the inflow part and the fan in the cleaning duct falls within an appropriate pressure range determined in advance to be equal to or less than atmospheric pressure. |
| US09977398B2 |
CRUM chip and image forming device for communicating mutually, and method thereof
An image forming device is provided. The device includes a main body which includes a main controller controlling operations of the image forming device, a consumable unit mounted on the main body to enable communication with the main controller, and a CRUM chip which is provided in the consumable unit and stores usage information of the consumable unit and characteristics information The main controller and the CRUM chip transmit and receive signals which include data and integrity detection data between each other. The integrity detection data is generated by accumulating and reflecting integrity detection data included in a previous signal. |
| US09977395B2 |
Image forming apparatus for image formation through transfer of toner images to transfer target in superimposed manner
An image forming apparatus (1) includes photosensitive drums (41y, 41c, 41m, and 41k), static eliminators (45y, 45c, 45m, and 45k), transfer rollers (54y, 54c, 54m, and 54k), a power source (55a) for transfer, and load resistors (47y, 47c, 47m, and 47k). The static eliminators (45y, 45c, and 45m) perform static elimination on adjacently upstream or downstream photosensitive drums (41y, 41c, 41m, and 41k) in a movement direction of a transfer target. The transfer rollers (54y, 54c, 54m, and 54k) are disposed opposite to the respective photosensitive drums (41y, 41c, 41m, and 41k). The power source (55a) for transfer applies potential to the transfer rollers (54y, 54c, 54m, and 54k). The load resistors (57y, 57c, 57m, and 57k) are respectively connected in parallel to one another and in series between the power source (55a) for transfer and the respective transfer rollers (54y, 54c, 54m, and 54k). |
| US09977394B2 |
Power source device, image forming apparatus and voltage control method
The power source device comprises a transformer, a voltage detection unit, a CPU and a drive circuit. Through an applying of a DC voltage, the transformer generates an AC voltage for development of an amplitude corresponding to the voltage value and an applying time of the DC voltage. The voltage detection unit detects a voltage value of the DC voltage. The CPU sets a reference value and generates PWM signals for controlling the applying time in accordance with a difference between the voltage value detected in the voltage detection unit and the reference value. The reference value is a voltage value of the DC voltage when an amplitude of the AC voltage reaches a predetermined value in a predetermined applying time. Controlling the applying time of the DC voltage to the transformer in accordance with the PWM signals, the drive circuit suppress variation in amplitude of the AC voltage. |
| US09977391B2 |
Print control apparatus, image forming system, print control method, and printed-matter manufacturing method
A print control apparatus includes a generating unit that generates color image data based on gloss-control image data, the gloss-control image data containing a gloss control value for identifying a type of a surface effect being a visual or a tactile effect applied to the recording medium and for identifying a region to which the surface effect is applied in the recording medium, and generates clear-toner image data based on presence or absence of at least one post processing device connected to the printing device and based on a type of the post processing device; a post-processing control unit that controls the post processing device in accordance with the presence or absence of the post processing device connected to the printing device and the type of the post processing device; and an output unit that outputs the clear-toner image data. |
| US09977390B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording material determination unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material, a first detection unit including a transmission unit for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a reception unit for receiving the transmitted ultrasonic wave, first and second conveyance units for conveying the recording material, and a control unit. The first and second conveyance units form a loop on the recording material by conveying the recording material at different speeds. The control unit controls an image forming condition for forming an image on the recording material by the image forming unit, based on the ultrasonic wave received via the recording material in a period in which no loop is formed on the recording material by the first and second conveyance units. |
| US09977389B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a body, a stacking portion which a sheet is stacked, a width regulating portion configured to move between a first position and a second position closer to a center of the stacking portion in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction than the first position, and including a regulating surface configured to regulate a position, in the width direction, of the sheet stacked on the stacking portion, and a supporting portion pivotably supporting the stacking portion. The supporting portion is disposed on the body and closer to the center of the stacking portion in the width direction, than the regulating surface of the width regulating portion positioned at the first position. |
| US09977386B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for determining image forming condition based on characteristic of sheet to form images
An image forming apparatus determines, in a first mode, an image forming condition according to characteristic data, which is input by a user and represents characteristics of a sheet contained in a sheet container, causes a sensor to detect characteristics of a sheet, and stores characteristic data according to a result of the detection into a memory. The image forming apparatus determines, in a second mode with the characteristic data being stored in the memory, an image forming condition, based on the characteristic data stored in the memory before a result of detecting a characteristic of a sheet by the sensor is obtained. The image forming apparatus causes, in the second mode with the characteristic data being not stored in the memory, the sensor to detect characteristics of a sheet, and determines an image forming condition based on a result of the detection. |
| US09977381B2 |
Fixing device for fixing an image on a recording material and having a spacer between a projection of a nip plate and portions of a supporting member
A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording material. A heater radiates radiant light to heat a nip plate. A roller cooperative with the nip plate forms a nip between a cylindrical belt and an outer peripheral surface of the roller. A recording material carrying the image is fed through and heated in the nip to fix the image on the recording material. The nip plate has a projection in a region downstream of the nip with respect to a feeding direction of the recording material. At least a part of one of the two end portions of a supporting member overlaps the projection of the nip plate with respect to the feeding direction of the recording material and the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical belt to support the projection. A spacer is provided between the projection and at least part of one of the two end portions. |
| US09977378B2 |
Heating device, drying device, fixing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system
A heating device including a heating member, a heat source, multiple non-contact temperature detectors, a contact temperature detector, a heat source drive controller, and a temperature detection abnormality detector is provided. The heating member contacts a heating target being conveyed. The heat source supplies heat to the heating member. Each of the non-contact temperature detectors detects a first temperature of the heating member without contacting the heating member. The contact temperature detector detects a second temperature of the heating member by contact with the heating member. The heat source drive controller controls drive of the heat source based on the first temperatures. The temperature detection abnormality detector performs a determination on whether each one of the non-contact temperature detectors has an abnormality or not while the heating target is not conveyed, by comparing the first temperature and the second temperature. |
| US09977377B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An embodiment provides an image forming apparatus that has a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The first operation mode forms an image on a sheet with toner. The second operation mode decolorizes the toner on the sheet on which the image is formed with a decolorable toner having a decoloring function. In the first operation mode, when the sheet passes through a transfer unit, a transfer bias having the same polarity as that of a charge of the toner is applied to the transfer member and a toner image formed on a surface of the transfer member is transferred to the sheet. In the second operation mode, when the sheet passes through the transfer unit, a cleaning bias having a reverse polarity to that of the transfer bias is applied to the transfer member. |
| US09977369B2 |
Developer conveying apparatus and developing apparatus
A developer conveying apparatus for conveying a developer that develops an electrostatic latent image includes a rotation unit which rotates around a rotation shaft extending in an axial direction and parallel to a developer conveying direction, a first developer conveying portion which is provided in the rotation unit and which has an opening configured to convey the developer in a first axial direction of the rotation shaft, and a second developer conveying portion which is provided in the rotation unit and which has an opening configured to convey the developer in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. A distance from the rotation shaft to the opening in the first developer conveying portion is different than a distance from the rotation shaft to the opening in the second developer conveying portion. |
| US09977368B2 |
Developing apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
In an axial direction of a developing sleeve that bears magnetic developer on an outer circumferential surface thereof, ends of a sheet-shaped stirring member that stirs the magnetic developer in a container frame to move the magnetic developer toward the developing sleeve are disposed on an outer side of a region in a magnetic field region generated by a magnet roller disposed on an inner side of the developing sleeve. The region has a magnetic field strength equal to or larger than a predetermined magnetic flux density at which the magnetic developer can be borne on the surface of the developing sleeve. |
| US09977366B2 |
Component movement mechanism for an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members. |
| US09977364B1 |
Lens mirror array
According to one embodiment, there is provided the lens mirror array in which a plurality of optical elements includes one pair or more of first light blocking surfaces that are formed by sharing sides thereof with the first mirror surface at positions nipping the symmetrical surface in the arrangement direction of the optical elements, a second light blocking surface that is formed on a side close to the second lens surface further than the first mirror surface on the same side as the first mirror surface of the optical elements, a concave portion configuring one pair of third light blocking surfaces that are formed to be recessed from the second light blocking surface in a direction orthogonal to the second light blocking surface over the adjacent two optical elements. |
| US09977363B2 |
Image forming apparatus with selective control of charges applied to residual toner
The image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to selectively execute an operation for applying a voltage with a polarity opposite to an original charging polarity of a toner to a first charging member and a second charging member and an operation for applying a voltage with the polarity opposite to the original charging polarity of the toner to one of the first charging member and the second charging member and a voltage with the same polarity as the original charging polarity of the toner to another of the first charging member and the second charging member as a cleaning operation for charging a secondary transfer residual toner to the polarity opposite to the original charging polarity of the toner by using the first charging member and the second charging member to transfer the secondary transfer residual toner onto an image bearing member. |
| US09977361B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a charging, a charge power supply to supply a charging bias to the charging device, a developing device, a toner adhesion amount detector, an environment detector, and a controller to determine whether to execute a charging bias adjustment process in which the charging device charges the image bearer to have different potentials, the developing device supplies the toner to the image bearer according to the different potentials, the toner adhesion amount detector detects the amount of toner adhering to the image bearer, and the controller adjusts the charging. The controller includes a memory device to store the environment data, and is configured to compare the environment data with previous environment data stored in the memory device, and determine not to execute the charging bias adjustment process when an environment change amount is not greater than a threshold. |
| US09977360B2 |
Inner resistive film with ductile particles and outer resistive film without ductile particles
An inner resistive film is applied to a conductive substrate. Ductile particles are disposed substantially uniformly throughout the inner resistive film. An outer resistive film is applied to the inner resistive film. |
| US09977350B2 |
Environmental system including vacuum scavenge for an immersion lithography apparatus
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a projection system and a liquid confinement member extending along a boundary of a space under the projection system. The liquid confinement member has (i) a first opening facing downwardly via which a liquid is removed from a gap to be formed under the liquid confinement member, and (ii) a second opening facing downwardly via which fluid is removed from the gap to be formed under the liquid confinement member, the second opening being located radially outward of the first opening with respect to the space. The liquid in the space covers a portion of an upper surface of a substrate and the substrate is exposed through the liquid in the space. |
| US09977347B2 |
Positioning apparatus, lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
An apparatus for moving movable part on surface parallel to first and second directions includes single guide to constrain position of the movable part in the second direction and drive mechanism to drive the movable part. The movable part includes first movable member movable in the first direction while being guided by the guide, second movable member having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first movable member via rotation bearing and moving above the surface, and third movable member movable within range between the first and second ends while being guided by the second movable member. The drive mechanism includes first driver to drive the first end of the second movable member in the first direction, and second driver to drive the second end of the second movable member in the first direction. |
| US09977346B2 |
Lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a lithography apparatus which performs a process of forming a pattern on a substrate, the apparatus comprising a processing device configured to perform the process, an actuator configured to exert an action to the processing device, a detector configured to detect vibrations of a support for supporting the processing device, and a controller configured to control the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to perform an estimation of vibration transferred from the processing device to the detector, and control the actuator based on vibration obtained by the estimation and vibration detected by the detector. |
| US09977337B2 |
Exposure apparatus and exposure method
Provided is an exposure apparatus that exposes a pattern on a sample, the exposure apparatus including a plurality of blanking electrodes that are provided corresponding to a plurality of charged particle beams and each switch whether the corresponding particle beam irradiates the sample according to an input voltage; an irradiation control section that outputs switching signals for switching blanking voltages supplied respectively to the blanking electrodes; and a measuring section that, for each blanking electrode, measures a delay amount that is from when the switching signal changes to when the blanking voltage changes. |
| 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. |