| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10146381B2 |
Touch sensing structure and applications thereof
A touch sensing structure including a transparent substrate and at least one touch sensing unit disposed on the transparent substrate is provided. Each touch sensing unit includes a first patterned electrode, a second patterned electrode, a conductive bridge and a patterned light-shielding layer. The second patterned electrode is isolated from the first patterned electrode and is separated into a first portion and a second portion by the first patterned electrode. A conductive bridge electrically connects the first portion and the second portion and is spatially separated from the first patterned electrode. The patterned light-shielding layer is disposed between the conductive bridge and the inner surface and at least partly overlaps the conductive bridge along a direction normal to the transparent substrate. |
| US10146378B2 |
Touch sensible optical system and display device including the same
An optical system includes a first panel that includes a plurality of first electrodes; a second panel facing the first panel and that includes a plurality of second electrodes; and an optical conversion layer positioned between the first panel and the second panel that includes an optical conversion material. An electric field generated in the optical conversion layer by the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in a multi-view mode generates a phase difference in the optical conversion layer based on a location of the optical conversion material. The plurality of second electrodes includes a plurality of sub electrodes and a common electrode, and the plurality of first electrodes and the common electrode forms a touch sensing capacitor to sense a touch in a touch mode. |
| US10146374B2 |
Array substrate, display panel and driving device
Provided are an array substrate, a display panel and a driving device. In the array substrate, a pressure sensor is disposed between adjacent two of the shift registers at either of the two sides of the display region; the scanning lines include a first set of scanning lines and a second set of scanning lines; the extending lines of the first set of scanning lines pass the pressure sensors in the first region, and the first set of scanning lines are electrically connected to the corresponding shift registers in the second region. |
| US10146373B2 |
Pressure-sensitive touch screen display and method
An electronic device includes a pressure-sensitive touch screen display that can dynamically monitor a user's interaction with the device, and adjust the pressure thresholds of different areas of the touch screen display based on the user's monitored interactions. The orientation of the device is determined, the touch screen display is divided into sections, and the device monitors the pressure the user applies in the different sections of the screen. A pressure map is then created that includes pressure detection thresholds specific to the orientation and user for one or more regions of the screen. The device may include different pressure maps for different orientations of the device. When the user interacts with the touch screen, the device determines what the user intended based on the orientation of the device and the thresholds in the pressure map for that orientation for the region of the screen touched by the user. |
| US10146371B2 |
Water robustness and detection on capacitive buttons
A method for touch detection includes identifying a high-pass filtered sequence from a plurality of sensor measurements, accumulating a number of samples from a first high-pass filtered sequence into an accumulated value, comparing the first accumulated value against a threshold of accumulated values, and, based upon a determination whether the accumulated value is greater than the threshold of accumulated values, identify whether the sensor has been approached. |
| US10146370B2 |
Touch panel device having state restoration function
In a touch panel device, an output control unit controls a process of outputting touch information acquired by a sensing unit and a touch detection unit of a touch sensor panel to host equipment, where the information indicates presence or absence and a coordinate of a touch of an indicator to the touch sensor panel. A state sensing unit senses an operation state of the sensing unit or the touch detection unit. A state restoration unit restores the sensing unit or the touch detection unit in the abnormal state to a normal state, based on a detection result of the state sensing unit. Upon detecting an abnormal state in the state sensing unit, an output control unit stops an output of the touch information to the host equipment for a fixed period of time. |
| US10146366B2 |
Information handling system capacitive touch totem with optical communication support
An information handling system touchscreen display interacts with totem devices by recognizing and tracking spectral signatures of the totem devices so that totem positions are reported as a single length, width and rotational orientation message to a host operating system. Ignore zones and hysteresis time periods are defined from the position message based upon totem context so that the host operating system processes touchscreen inputs with minimal latency and improved accuracy. Communication and battery charging are provided to the totem by the touchscreen display will illumination directed to the totem position. |
| US10146364B2 |
Touch pad input device
An input device includes a plate body, a first sensing element, a second sensing element and a control unit. The first sensing element and the second sensing element are respectively located at two ends of a diagonal of the plate body for sensing a first image and a second image corresponding to a touching object. The control unit is electrically connected with the first sensing element and the second sensing element. The control unit acquires a position characteristic value according to the first image and acquires an auxiliary position characteristic value according to the second image. Moreover, the control units recognizes a position of the touching object according to the position characteristic value and the auxiliary position characteristic value, and generates an output signal according to the position of the touching object. |
| US10146362B2 |
Shift register unit, a shift register, a driving method, and an array substrate
The disclosure provides a shift register unit, a shift register, a driving method and an array substrate. The shift register unit may comprise a touch-controlled circuit comprising a touch-controlled turning-on module and a touch-controlled turning-off module, wherein a control of the touch-controlled turning-on module is connected to a touch-controlled turning-on signal, an input is connected to a negative power supply signal, and an output is connected to an output terminal, and the touch-controlled turning-on signal is a pulse signal at a start of a touch controlling period; and a control of the touch-controlled turning-off module is connected to a touch-controlled turning-off signal, an input of the touch-controlled turning-off module is connected to a positive power supply signal, and an output of the touch-controlled turning-off module is connected to the output terminal, wherein the touch-controlled turning-off signal is a pulse signal at an end of the touch controlling period. |
| US10146360B2 |
Hybrid capacitive and resistive sensing for force and touch
An input device described herein includes at least one hybrid electrode that is used to perform both capacitive sensing to detect an input object (e.g., a finger or stylus) and force sensing to determine the force applied by the input object on the input device. During a first time period, the input device drives a modulated signal on one more capacitive sensor electrodes to perform capacitive sensing. However, during a second time period, the input device drives a DC voltage across one or more of the capacitive sensor electrodes to perform force sensing. In one example, during the first time period, the input device drives the modulated signal on transmitter electrodes and measures resulting signals on receiver electrodes. During the second time period, however, the input device may drive the DC voltage across the transmitter or receiver electrodes to measure a force applied by the input object. |
| US10146357B2 |
Method for a driver assistance system of a vehicle
A method for a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The driver assistance system can control the vehicle at least partially automatic by an autopilot function. In the method, an activation state of the autopilot function is determined and a display device of the driver assistance system is activated depending on the activation state of the autopilot function. |
| US10146354B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a touchscreen; a motion sensor configured to detect a motion of the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to receive a touch input through the touchscreen in combination with a rotation of the mobile terminal detected through the motion sensor, and execute a specific function on the mobile terminal corresponding to the combination of the touch input and the rotation of the mobile terminal. |
| US10146347B2 |
Display device having an integrated display panel and touch panel
In an aspect, a display device including: an entire window, said entire window including a display area and a non-display area outside the display area; a display panel; a first adhesive layer disposed on the display panel; a touch screen panel disposed on the first adhesive layer; a first light blocking member disposed on the touch screen panel; a second adhesive layer disposed on the touch screen panel and the first light blocking member; and a protection window disposed on the second adhesive layer is provided. |
| US10146346B2 |
Touch display device with capacitor having large capacitance
A touch display device including a touch display panel and a data line driving circuit is provided. The touch display panel includes a plurality of pixels and a first shift register unit. The first shift register unit provides a first shifted signal to a first portion of the pixels. A first transistor receives a clock signal, is coupled to an output node, and outputs the first shifted signal. A second transistor receives a first trigger signal, is coupled to the first transistor. A third transistor is coupled to the second transistor, receives a first operation voltage and a second trigger signal. A fourth transistor is coupled to the first source, receives a second operation voltage and the second trigger signal. A capacitor is coupled between the first transistor and stacked by a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a third metal layer. |
| US10146343B2 |
Terminal device having virtual operation key
The purpose is to provide a terminal device that can be operated by a virtual operation key which is easy to use. The terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a display unit for displaying a virtual operation key, a touch panel for detecting contact by an inputting object on the virtual operation key, and a control unit for assessing whether a drag operation by the inputting object has been carried out on the basis of contact with the virtual operation key by the inputting object detected via the touch panel and controlling the display position of the virtual operation key, wherein the control unit modifies the display position of the virtual operation key in accordance with the contact position of the inputting object if the contact position of the inputting object exceeds a display area of the virtual operation key due to the drag operation. |
| US10146341B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method for displaying graphical object thereof
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense an input of a touch pen and output a signal corresponding to the input of the touch pen, a display configured to include a first layer and a second layer, display a graphical object in the first layer, and display a handwriting image based on the input of the touch pen in the second layer, and a controller configured to control the display to change a display direction of the graphical object displayed in the first layer based on the signal output from the sensor. |
| US10146340B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, non-transitory storage medium encoded with computer readable information processing program, and information processing method
An information processing system including first and second information processing apparatuses capable of communicating with each other is provided. Each of the first and second information processing apparatuses includes an input portion which accepts an operation by a user and a display. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display control module which has, in response to a first input to the input portion, a first image corresponding to the first input displayed in a first manner of representation within a display area of the display of the first information processing apparatus and a second display control module which has, in response to a second input following the first input to the input portion, the first image displayed in a second manner of representation different from the first manner of representation within the display area of each of the first and second information processing apparatuses. |
| US10146339B2 |
Handheld input apparatus
Techniques for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes components for determining an angular and/or rotational orientation of the apparatus relative to an input surface. Based on the different determined forces and/or orientation information, input characteristics of a handheld input apparatus can be controlled. |
| US10146337B2 |
Digital handwriting device and method of using the same
A digital handwriting system that includes an electronic device and a method of using the same. The present disclosure teaches a method that includes identifying content stored on the electronic device to be projected onto a surface; identifying occurrence of a touch event of an accessory; capturing an image of the touch event to determine initial position data indicating an initial position of the accessory relative to the projected content; receiving movement tracking data indicating movement of the accessory; and updating the content using the initial position data and the movement tracking data. Various embodiments may further include using an inertial movement unit (IMU) disposed in an electronic accessory for determining movement tracking data of the accessory. Moreover, updating the content may include updating the projected content in real-time. |
| US10146334B2 |
Passive optical and inertial tracking in slim form-factor
Apparatus and systems directed to a wireless hand-held inertial controller with passive optical and inertial tracking in a slim form-factor, for use with a head mounted virtual or augmented reality display device (HMD), that operates with six degrees of freedom by fusing (i) data related to the position of the controller derived from a forward-facing optical sensor located in the HMD with (ii) data relating to the orientation of the controller derived from an inertial measurement unit located in the controller. |
| US10146333B1 |
Virtual environment 3D pointer mapped to 2D windowed surface
A virtual display controller is configured to generate a virtual viewing location within a three-dimensional virtual interface within a virtual environment. Computer pointer input is translated to coordinates on a three-dimensional virtual interface, and interactions with objects and virtualized displays within that interface are passed back to the clients populating those objects. |
| US10146332B2 |
Information processing device, information processing system, block system, and information processing method
A core information receiving section of an information processing device receives information related to the state of a core from a first block of a block set assembled by a user. A structure analyzing section identifies the shape, posture, and position of the block set on the basis of an image photographed by a camera and the information related to the state of the core. An information processing section performs predetermined information processing according to the shape, posture, and position of the block set or an operation on an input device by the user. A display processing section generates an image to be displayed as a result of the information processing, and outputs the image to a display device. A driving control section transmits a signal for controlling the operation of the block set. |
| US10146328B2 |
Input device including a restricted from varying electromagnetic force
An input device includes: an input unit; a supporting unit supporting the input unit; a first actuator; a second actuator; and a magnetic path forming body forming a magnetic circuit that guides a magnetic flux generated by a first magnetic pole forming unit to pass through a second coil and that also guides a magnetic flux generated by a second magnetic pole forming unit to pass through a first coil. A magnetic resistance to be a resistance in the magnetic circuit is disposed at a middle location along a first connection part that connects an end of a first coil side part to an end of a second coil side part, and a second connection part that connects the other end of the first coil side part to the other end of the second coil side part. |
| US10146327B2 |
Input system and operating method thereof
An input system includes a memory unit, a fingerprint detecting unit, an input interface and a processing unit. The memory unit stores n hot-key profiles and n fingerprint files corresponding to the n hot-key profiles. The fingerprint detecting unit reads a fingerprint of a first user and issues a first data corresponding to the fingerprint of the first user. The input interface receives a first hot-key input of the first user. The processing unit is connected with the memory unit, the fingerprint detecting unit and the input interface. The processing unit recognizes the first user according to a result of comparing the first data with the n fingerprint files, selects a first hot-key profile corresponding to the first user from the n hot-key profiles, and converts the first hot-key input into a first function input according to the first hot-key profile. |
| US10146324B2 |
Interpreting and generating input and output gestures
Aspects of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for interpreting text entry for an input/output device. The method includes one or more processors receiving input from a set of sensors. The sensors are grouped in segments corresponding to a finger of a user. The method further includes one or more processors identifying input by a user of a gesture into a sensor of the set of sensors. The method further includes one or more sensors determining a first alphanumeric character that corresponds to the identified gesture input by the user. The method further includes one or more processes generating an input stream of alphanumeric characters, the input stream comprising the determined first alphanumeric character that corresponds to the identified gesture and one or more additional alphanumeric characters determined from identified gestures input by the user. |
| US10146322B2 |
Gesture pre-processing of video stream using a markered region
Techniques are disclosed for processing a video stream to reduce platform power by employing a stepped and distributed pipeline process, wherein CPU-intensive processing is selectively performed. The techniques are particularly well-suited for hand-based navigational gesture processing. In one example case, for instance, the techniques are implemented in a computer system wherein initial threshold detection (image disturbance) and optionally user presence (hand image) processing components are proximate to or within the system's camera, and the camera is located in or proximate to the system's primary display. In some cases, image processing and communication of pixel information between various processing stages which lies outside a markered region is suppressed. In some embodiments, the markered region is aligned with, a mouse pad or designated desk area or a user input device such as a keyboard. Pixels evaluated by the system can be limited to a subset of the markered region. |
| US10146318B2 |
Techniques for using gesture recognition to effectuate character selection
This disclosure provides a pose- or gesture-based recognition system that processes images of the human hand, downconverts degrees of freedom of the human hand to lower-dimensional space, and then maps the downconverted space to a character set. In one embodiment, the system is implemented in a smart phone or as a computer-input device that uses a virtual keyboard. As the user moves his or her hand, the smart phone or computer provides simulated vocal feedback, permitting the user to adjust hand position or motion to arrive at any desired character; this is particularly useful for embodiments which use a phonetic character set. Software that performs character selection can be implemented in a manner that is language/region agnostic, with a contextual dictionary being used to interpret a phonetic character set according to a specific language or region. |
| US10146311B2 |
Haptic devices and methods for providing haptic effects via audio tracks
Embodiments hereof relate a system that includes a processor and a haptic peripheral with a haptic output device. The processor is configured to receive an audio file, or a haptic file generated from the audio file, that includes a first channel having a first set of control parameters to generate a first haptic effect and a second channel having a second set of control parameters to generate a second haptic effect and to output a control signal that includes the first and second sets of control parameters for the haptic effect. The haptic output device is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and to output the haptic effect to the haptic peripheral. In an embodiment, the haptic output device is coupled to a bi-directional trigger and the control parameters move the trigger in opposing directions. In another embodiment, the control parameters generate different timelines of haptic effects to a user input element. |
| US10146308B2 |
Systems and methods for impedance coupling for haptic devices
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a haptic output device associated with a surface. The illustrative system also includes a sensor configured to detect a contact between a user and the surface, the sensor configured to transmit a sensor signal including data associated with the contact. The illustrative system further includes a processor in communication with the sensor and the haptic output device, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine an impedance based at least in part on the sensor signal; and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the impedance. The processor is further configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device. |
| US10146302B2 |
Head mounted display with multiple antennas
A head-mounted display (HMD) is provided, including the following: a transceiver; a plurality of antenna arrays; a selector configured to determine which of the antenna arrays is active for wireless communication of data by the transceiver; a display configured to render video data received by the transceiver through the active antenna array. |
| US10146301B1 |
Rendering rich media content based on head position information
Rich media content, such as advertising, can be provided for display on a two-dimensional screen to give the user an impression that the screen is a window into a three-dimensional (3D) environment. For example, the user's head can be tracked and the graphical elements of the advertisement can be rendered based on the position of the user's head relative to a computing device such that the graphical elements appear to have 3D depth. A full or substantially full 3D view of a product can be presented. Additional information, such as a product description, features, pricing, user ratings, user reviews, among others, can also be displayed based on the position of the user's head relative to the computing device. A 3D video can also be presented, and a user can view different perspectives of the video based on the position of the user's head with respect to the computing device. |
| US10146298B2 |
Enhanced handheld screen-sensing pointer
Enhanced handheld screen-sensing pointing, in which a handheld device captures a camera image of one or more fiducials rendered by a display device, and a position or an angle of the one or more fiducials in the captured camera image is determined. A position on the display device that the handheld device is aimed towards is determined based at least on the determined position or angle of the one or more fiducials in the camera image, and an application is controlled based on the determined position on the display device. |
| US10146286B2 |
Dynamically updating a power management policy of a processor
In one embodiment, A processor includes a logic to receive performance monitoring information from at least some of a plurality of cores and determine, according to a power management model, a performance state for one or more of the plurality of cores based on the performance monitoring information, and a second logic to receive the performance monitoring information and dynamically update the power management model according to a reinforcement learning process. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10146283B2 |
Controlling power delivery to a processor via a bypass
In one embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of domains each to operate at an independently controllable voltage and frequency, a plurality of linear regulators each to receive a first voltage from an off-chip source and controllable to provide a regulated voltage to at least one of the plurality of domains, and a plurality of selectors each coupled to one of the domains, where each selector is configured to provide a regulated voltage from one of the linear regulators or a bypass voltage to a corresponding domain. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10146277B1 |
Vehicle adapter and sealed cooling system for portable communications device
A vehicle adapter configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The vehicle adapter includes a body sized and shaped to receive and hold a portable communications device, the body including a surface configured to press against the portable communications device. The vehicle adapter further includes a cooling system coupled to the body, the cooling system including a conduit configured to deliver a coolant to an internal channel of the portable communications device. The conduit defines a projection sized and shaped to press against and open a valve on the portable communications device when the portable communications device is received into the vehicle adapter. |
| US10146276B2 |
Arrangement for a computer system and computer system
An arrangement for a computer system includes a heat-producing expansion card and a cooling device. The cooling device has at least one fan and a hollow body with a first opening and a second opening to cool the expansion card. The hollow body is arranged with the first opening on the expansion card. The at least one fan is arranged on the hollow body in a region of the second opening or is at least partly surrounded by the hollow body by the second opening. The at least one fan produces a flow of air through the hollow body to cool the expansion card. |
| US10146271B1 |
Expansion planar coupling system
An expansion planar system includes an expansion planar mounted to an expansion planar chassis and including expansion component(s) coupled to a system connector. A coupling subsystem mounted to the expansion planar chassis couples to a system chassis that includes a main planar and an expansion connector. While coupled to the system chassis, the coupling subsystem may provide the expansion planar chassis in a first orientation in which the system connector engages the expansion connector and the expansion planar chassis impedes access to component(s) on the main planar. While coupled to the system chassis, the coupling subsystem may also provide for rotation of the expansion planar chassis relative to the main planar to disengage the system connector from the expansion connector and provide the expansion planar chassis in a second orientation in which access to the component(s) on the main planar is no longer impeded by the expansion planar chassis. |
| US10146267B2 |
Computing device with elastomeric hinge assembly
An apparatus can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a first housing where the processor and the memory are disposed in the first housing; a second housing; a hinge assembly that operatively couples the first housing to the second housing where the hinge assembly includes an elastomeric element that includes a native state and a bent tension and compression state; and a latch mechanism that latches a side of the first housing to a side of the second housing in the bent tension and compression state of the elastomeric element. |
| US10146265B1 |
Main board slot power control circuit
A main board slot power control circuit will select a lowest priority interface card from a plurality of interface cards to reduce operation frequency, when the system power consumption is found to be too large. The main board slot power control circuit includes a power supply module, a control module, and a plurality of slots. The plurality of interface cards is plugged into the plurality of slots. The control module applies different priorities to the plurality of interface cards. The power supply module detects and determines when the system power consumption is greater than a predetermined value, and the power supply module outputs a control signal to the control module accordingly. The control module selects the lowest priority interface card to reduce operation frequency according to the control signal, and then the next lowest and so on until power consumption is found to be sufficiently reduced. |
| US10146259B1 |
Dual-screen electronic device
A dual-screen electronic device includes a first display module, a second display module, and at least one connector. The first display module is rotatably connected with the second display module by the at least one connector to enable the dual-screen electronic device to switch between an opened state and a closed state. In the opened state, the first screen and the second screen are in a single plane to cooperatively form an extended screen. In the closed state, the first display module and the second display module are folded together, and the first screen laminates to the second screen. |
| US10146258B2 |
Optical image sensor for display integration
An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator. |
| US10146256B2 |
Electronic device system, electronic device cover, and electronic device
Disclose is an electronic device system that includes an electronic device having a display unit on at least one surface, a detector, and a controller. The system includes a cover that is selectively attachable to the electronic device. The cover includes a cover assembly that closes to cover the display unit and opens to expose the display unit when the cover is attached to the electronic device. The cover includes a window of the cover assembly that exposes a portion of the display unit in response to the window being in an open state and the cover being closed. The controller causes the display unit to display device information associated with the electronic device at the portion of the display unit that is exposed by the window in response to the detector detecting that the window is in an open state. |
| US10146255B2 |
Accessory communication device
An accessory includes a main body including a communication module that is configured to communicate with a predetermined network, and a container having a main body-coupling portion that is located at an upper side of the container and that is configured to separably couple to the main body. The main body includes an exposed portion that is positioned at an upper part of the main body and exposed to an outside of the main body based on the main body being coupled to the container, and a side member that defines a side surface of the exposed portion. An upper end of the side member has an outer corner facing outward from a central axis of the main body. The outer corner of the upper end of the side member defines an upper edge of the main body, the outer corner having a predetermined curvature. |
| US10146252B2 |
Authentication system of synchronizing instant timestamp and a method thereof
The present invention is related to an authentication system of synchronizing instant timestamp issued by a digital timestamp device and a method thereof. The digital timestamp device provides an instant machine time, and the provider end uses the digital timestamp device to stamp an instant digital timestamp on a digital content. Meanwhile, the provider end records the position of the digital content whereon the digital timestamp is stamped as a stamp position, and store the digital content, the instant digital timestamp, the stamp position, and the network location information together as a reliable digital content. The receiver end can retrieve the reliable digital content from a third party end or connect to the provider end to confirm whether the reliable digital content has the identical instant digital timestamp and stamp position to ensure the authenticity of the received reliable digital content. |
| US10146251B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention solves a problem that the phases of clocks obtained by frequency-dividing PLL clocks output from local PLL circuits cannot be made the same in a plurality of data transfer blocks. A local PLL circuit outputs a PLL clock obtained by multiplying a common external clock. A frequency divider outputs a feedback clock obtained by frequency-dividing the PLL clock to the local PLL circuit. An FIFO buffer temporarily holds data input from the outside. The FIFO buffer outputs the held data on the basis of a frequency-divided PLL clock. A clock generator generates a frequency-divided PLL clock obtained by frequency-dividing the PLL clock. The clock generator controls the phase of the frequency-divided PLL clock on the basis of a common start signal. |
| US10146250B2 |
Method and circuit for adjusting the frequency of a clock signal
In a general aspect, a method for adjusting an oscillator clock frequency can include applying a first control value to a first oscillator, applying a second control value, different from the first control value, to a second oscillator, measuring a frequency of each of the first and second oscillators, determining, by interpolation, a corrected frequency measurement of the second oscillator depending on a frequency deviation measured between the first and second oscillators when subjected to a third control value, on the third control value, and on the control value applied to the second oscillator, determining by interpolation a new first control value depending on the measured frequency of the first oscillator, on the corrected frequency, on the first and second control values, and on a desired frequency, and applying the new first control value to the first oscillator. |
| US10146238B2 |
CMOS subthreshold reference circuit with low power consumption and low temperature drift
A resistorless CMOS low power voltage reference circuit is provided. The start-up circuit is used to prevent the circuit to stay in the zero state and stop working when the circuit gets out of the zero state. The self-biased VPTAT generating circuit generate the voltage VPTAT which has positive temperature coefficient. The square-law current generating circuit generates a square-law current which is proportional to μT2 through the VPTAT. Finally, the reference voltage VREF is obtained by introducing the square-law current into the reference voltage output circuit. The reference voltage VREF of this application can realize approximative zero temperature coefficient in the temperature range of −40° C.˜100° C. This application improves temperature characteristic which may be poorer due to temperature nonlinearity of carrier mobility based on the traditional subthreshold reference. This application can reduce the power consumption from μW level to nW level and realize low power consumption. |
| US10146237B2 |
Smart thermostat with model predictive control
A thermostat includes an equipment controller and a model predictive controller. The equipment controller is configured to drive the temperature of a building zone to an optimal temperature setpoint by operating HVAC equipment to provide heating or cooling to the building zone. The model predictive controller is configured to determine the optimal temperature setpoint by generating a cost function that accounts for a cost operating the HVAC equipment during each of a plurality of time steps in an optimization period, using a predictive model to predict the temperature of the building zone during each of the plurality of time steps, and optimizing the cost function subject to a constraint on the predicted temperature of the building zone to determine optimal temperature setpoints for each of the time steps. |
| US10146234B2 |
Thermostatic valve having anti-siphon feature
A thermostatic valve, which includes a main body portion, a cavity formed as part of a main body portion, and an inner wall integrally formed with the main body portion adjacent the cavity. A circumferential flange is integrally formed with the inner wall, such that the circumferential flange surrounds a valve cavity. A valve member is attached to the inner wall disposed in the valve cavity, and a flow aperture is formed as part of the inner wall. Fluid flows through the flow aperture into the valve cavity, and when the pressure in the valve cavity is above a predetermined value, the valve member contacts the inner wall, preventing fluid from flowing through the flow aperture. |
| US10146226B1 |
Autonomous vehicle sequential railcar loading and alignment
Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous vehicle sequential car loading and alignment. A vehicle comprising a wireless communication module and a processor. The processor determines whether the vehicle will fit inside a string of railcars based on capacity and dimension data received from the railcars. When the vehicle fits, the processor autonomously navigates the vehicle to a farthest available space on the string of railcars, and positions the vehicle within the space to satisfy spacing requirements. |
| US10146223B1 |
Handling sensor occlusions for autonomous vehicles
The technology relates to identifying sensor occlusions due to the limits of the ranges of a vehicle's sensors and using this information to maneuver the vehicle. As an example, the vehicle is maneuvered along a route that includes traveling on a first roadway and crossing over a lane of a second roadway. A trajectory is identified from the lane that will cross with the route during the crossing at a first point. A second point beyond a range of the vehicle's sensors is selected. The second point corresponds to a hypothetical vehicle moving towards the route along the lane. A distance between the first point and the second point is determined. An amount of time that it would take the hypothetical vehicle to travel the distance is determined and compared to a threshold amount of time. The vehicle is maneuvered based on the comparison to complete the crossing. |
| US10146219B2 |
Systems and methods for processing and graphically displaying power plant data
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for processing and graphically displaying power plant data. In one embodiment, one or more values corresponding to one or more parameters associated with the performance of one or more power plant components may be received. A subset of the parameters associated with one or more operational characteristics based in part on the values may be determined. One or more display parameters may be selected that includes inputting at least a numerical range associated with at least one axis. The one or more parameter values in the subset may be scaled based in part on the inputted numerical range. A graphical representation may be generated and output on a graphical user interface that includes the one or more values within the numerical range on the at least one axis corresponding to each parameters in the subset based in part on the one or more display parameters. |
| US10146216B2 |
Autonomous process interface systems based on data distribution service middleware
A collaborative automation platform and associated method include a fault-tolerant control server hosting one or more virtual controllers, and a fault-tolerant input/output server hosting a virtual input/output system. The collaborative automation platform also includes a master autonomous process interface system connected to the virtual input/output system, via a local area input/output network. The collaborative automation platform also includes a plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems connected to the master autonomous process interface system, wherein each distributed autonomous process interface system is hardwired to a plurality of field instruments. The collaborative automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured for execution with the fault-tolerant control server, the fault-tolerant input/output server, the master autonomous process interface system, and the plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems. |
| US10146215B2 |
Monitor system and method for semiconductor processes
A method for monitoring a process in a semiconductor processing facility and a monitor system are provided. A plurality of wafers are processed according to a process. Data on the processing is collected, and the collecting includes, for each wafer of the plurality of wafers, determining that a processing event has occurred, and recording a time associated with the processing event. An amount of time between the recorded times is calculated for consecutively processed wafers. A set of control limits for the process is determined based on the calculated amounts of time. The set of control limits define a range of acceptable values for the amount of time. Second wafers are processed according to the process. A problem in the processing of the second wafers is identified based on the set of control limits. The problem is identified as the second wafers are being processed. |
| US10146212B2 |
Machine tool feed drive design system and method thereof
A machine tool feed drive design system is provided, which may include a component database, a detection module, a load condition estimation module and a calculation module. The component database may store the specification data of a plurality of feed drive components. The detection module may detect a plurality of operation signals from a machine tool during a period of time when the machine tool had been executing a machining process to a workpiece. The load condition estimation module may calculate a plurality of actual load conditions according to the operation signals and a device specification parameter of a feed drive of the machine tool. The calculation module may select at least one component combination from the feed drive components according to the actual load conditions and the specification data of the feed drive components to serve as an optimized feed drive specification. |
| US10146203B2 |
Spot welding system for measuring position of welding point at which welding is performed
A spot welding system comprises a robot which changes a relative position of a spot welding gun and a workpiece. A control device drives an electrode drive motor so that a movable electrode of the spot welding gun abuts on the workpiece, and is formed so as to perform a position detection control which detects a position of the workpiece based on a position of the movable electrode when a state value of the electrode drive motor deviates from a predetermined range. An operation program includes a workpiece detection parameter for performing the position detection control. The workpiece detection parameter is set at each of welding points in the operation program. |
| US10146202B2 |
Method and device for performing automated operations on a workpiece
A method of performing automated operations on a workpiece by at least one autonomous device is provided. The method includes sensing, by a first of the at least one autonomous devices, a guidance pattern positioned on the workpiece along a first path. The method also includes traversing, by the first autonomous device, along the first path by following the sensed guidance pattern, to a first path location that is within a detection distance of a first precision target indicator positioned on the workpiece. |
| US10146200B2 |
Apparatus and method for updating operating system in programmable logic controller
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for updating an OS (Operating System) in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) configured to update an OS in a PLC, and to perform an operation by instantly applying the updated OS to the PLC, and a method using the same, the apparatus including an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a flash memory, a second working memory, and a switching unit. |
| US10146197B2 |
Method for creating prototype and apparatus therefor
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for creating a prototype. The methods include at least: receiving a generated prototype, sensing a trigger on the received prototype, generating a message comprising an identifier for identifying an external terminal according to the sensing of the trigger, determining, when a first message and a second message of a plurality of generated messages are generated sequentially before an expiry of a preset message transmission time, the second message representing a transmission message, providing to a bridge application matched to the identifier, the generated message, after the expiry of the preset message transmission time, generating a control command based on the generated message, using the bridge application, and transmitting the generated control command to the external terminal, wherein the control command includes a command for enabling the external terminal to output a preset response in response to the control command. |
| US10146193B2 |
Method for regulating primary frequency of power grid based on air conditioning load cluster in large building
The present disclosure relates to a method for primary frequency regulation of an electric network based on large building air conditioning loads cluster. The method includes the use of a two layer control structure with a central coordinating layer and a local control layer. Each local controller performs a thermal model parameter identification and a local air conditioning autonomous control, and uploads local information to the central controller at the end of each communication interval tgap, the central controller broadcasts coordinating information to each local controller. Based on the coordinating information sent from the central controller, each local controller determines whether a power deviation is beyond an action dead zone at the beginning of each action period tact, if beyond, then perform a frequency regulation control action, else, perform no action and estimate operation states of all the air conditionings at the beginning of the next action period. |
| US10146186B2 |
Stepping motor, timepiece movement, timepiece, and manufacturing method of stepping motor
A stepping motor includes a rotor that is used in rotating an indicating hand, and a stator that configures a magnetic path, that is made of an alloy containing Fe, Ni, and Cr, and in which a Cr-diffusion region whose Cr-concentration is 14 mass % or greater is disposed in a portion whose cross-sectional area in the magnetic path is smaller than a cross-sectional area of other portions. |
| US10146185B2 |
External element with a light sensor
An external element of a timepiece including a frame made of a first material, the external element further including at least one light sensor. |
| US10146179B2 |
Exposure method of holographic grating and exposure light path
The invention provides an exposure method of a holographic grating and an exposure light path. The exposure method includes: (1) determining initial positions (C, D) of the two exposure light sources (S1, S2); (2) calculating imaging quality parameters of the grating; (3) setting a compensating mirror (A1) in the initial light path; (4) adjusting a position of the exposure light source (S1) to a new position (D1) according to a position of the compensating mirror (A1); (5) calculating imaging quality parameters of the grating; (6) judging whether the imaging quality parameters in the step (5) and the imaging quality parameters in the step (2) are equal, and if yes, using the new position (D1) as a final position of the exposure light source (S1). The exposure method and exposure light path may effectively solve a problem of a much too close distance between exposure light sources. |
| US10146174B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an LED unit capable of being in an exposing position or a retracted position, and a cartridge capable of being inserted into or pulled out with the LED unit in the retracted position. |
| US10146169B2 |
Cleaning blade, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning blade including an elastic member configured to be in contact with a surface of a cleaning-target member to remove deposited matter deposited on the surface of the cleaning-target in member, wherein the elastic member includes a base and a surface layer formed of a cured product of a curable composition, the surface layer is formed on at least part of a bottom surface of the base including a contact part to be in contact with the cleaning-target member, where the bottom surface of the base is a surface of the base facing a downstream side along a traveling direction of the cleaning-target member relative to the contact part, and an average film thickness of the surface layer at the contact part is 10 μm or greater but 100 μm or less. |
| US10146168B2 |
Belt cleaning device, image forming apparatus
In a belt cleaning device, a pivot member supports a first rotation shaft of a cleaning roller in a rotatable manner, and is supported by a second rotation shaft of a collection roller. An elastic member keeps the cleaning roller contact with an endless belt at a position. A first seal portion, fixed to the pivot member, is in contact with the collection roller. A housing has a first space storing the cleaning roller and the collection roller, and a second space storing waste toner rubbed off from the collection roller by a blade. The housing supports the second rotation shaft. The second seal portion is fixed to one of an inner surface of the housing and the pivot member, and is in contact with the other. The blade, the first seal portion, and the second seal portion partition the housing into the first space and the second space. |
| US10146167B2 |
Shaft member, end member, photoreceptor drum unit, developing roller unit, and process cartridge
An end member which is disposed in an end portion of a columnar rotating body mounted on an image forming apparatus main body, comprises: a tubular bearing member; and a shaft member held by the bearing member, wherein the shaft member includes a rotating shaft which is disposed in the bearing member, and moves in an axial direction, and a rotating force receiving member which is provided with an engagement hook that is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, swings with respect to an axis of the rotating shaft, and is engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body. |
| US10146161B2 |
Field enhanced solid-state heater element useful in printing applications
An improved fuser includes a heater using a solid-state heater element with high frequency field propagation to provide an effective increase in the energy conduction through the fusing belt allowing increased throughput rates over conventional conduction systems. The system employs a solid-state heater with internal circuitry to drive a high frequency field though the fuser belt to the elastomeric top coat, which is laced with high frequency receptors. The belt is then heated directly on the surface bypassing thermal conduction interfaces and is also simultaneously heated by conduction from the waste energy of the heater element. |
| US10146160B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heating body, a heating source, a pressuring body, a driving source, a moving part and a cooling part. The driving source rotates one body of the heating and pressuring bodies. The moving part moves the pressuring body relatively to the heating body at timing after the medium passes the nip between the heating and pressuring bodies to separate the pressuring body from the heating body. The cooling part cools the pressuring body separated from the heating body. If fixing operation is carried out when a specific value obtained in the last fixing operation by dividing a passing period of the medium through the nip by a rotating period of the one body, is smaller than a reference value, the timing is made early in comparison with a case where the specific value is equal to or more than the reference value. |
| US10146159B1 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixingmember, a separation member, a movement mechanism, and a pressing member. The fixing member rotates around a rotation axis extended in a rotation axis direction and fixes a toner image on a recording medium. The separation member comes in contact with the fixing member and separates the recording medium from the fixing member. The movement mechanism moves the separation member in the rotation axis direction and within a movement area. The pressing member presses the separation member against the fixing member. A pressing load of the separation member against the fixing member in a case where the separation member is located at a central position of the movement area is lower than a pressing load of the separation member against the fixing member in a case where the separation member is located at both end positions of the movement area. |
| US10146158B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing device with lubricant retaining space having a variable volume
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that forms a fixing nip by a pressure rotator and a fixing belt that rotates while contacting the pressure rotator, and includes: a nip former that is disposed inside the fixing belt and that forms the fixing nip between the pressure rotator and the fixing belt; and a lubricant supplier that forms a lubricant-retaining space at a position between an inner surface of the fixing belt and the nip former on an upstream side of the nip former in a rotation direction of the fixing belt, wherein the lubricant supplier varies a volume of the lubricant-retaining space. |
| US10146155B2 |
Toner bottle closure and toner bottle
A toner bottle closure includes a first closure member configured to be fixed to a toner bottle. The first closure member has an outlet opening for dispensing toner. A second closure member is movable relative to the first closure member along an axis between a closed position, in which the second closure member cooperates with the first closure member to close or seal the outlet opening, and an open position for dispensing the toner. The second closure member includes an impact damper, which projects at least partially in a direction parallel to the axis of movement. The impact damper is configured to deform plastically for damping a mechanical impact on the toner bottle closure. A rotation preventer is configured to prevent rotation of the second closure member around the axis of movement relative to the first closure member. A toner bottle including such a toner bottle cap is also disclosed. |
| US10146152B2 |
Developing device, assembly body, and image forming apparatus including a blocking member
A developing device includes a developer holder that holds developer, the developer holder being disposed so as to oppose an image holder that holds a latent image and developing the latent image with the developer; a housing that accommodates the developer holder with the developer holder being exposed from an opening portion; a wall section that is provided over an entire region in an axial direction of the developer holder from an edge portion, which is a downstream side in a rotation direction of the developer holder, of the opening portion of the housing, the wall section having an opposing surface that opposes an outer peripheral surface of the image holder to form a gap; and a blocking member that is disposed on one side of the opposing surface in the axial direction and that blocks part of the gap. |
| US10146146B2 |
Toner and method of producing toner
A toner comprising a toner particle containing a binder resin, a wax, and inorganic fine particles, wherein the binder resin contains a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin, and, in a cross section of the toner particle, when Sc represents an area taken up by the crystalline polyester resin and S1 represents an area taken up by the inorganic fine particles that are present in the crystalline polyester resin portion, Sc and S1 satisfy the relationship S1/Sc≥0.2. |
| US10146140B2 |
Methods and apparatus for simulating interaction of radiation with structures, metrology methods and apparatus, device manufacturing method
A structure of interest is irradiated with radiation for example in the x-ray or EUV waveband, and scattered radiation is detected by a detector (306). A processor (308) calculates a property such as linewidth (CD) by simulating interaction of radiation with a structure and comparing the simulated interaction with the detected radiation. A layered structure model (600, 610) is used to represent the structure in a numerical method. The structure model defines for each layer of the structure a homogeneous background permittivity and for at least one layer a non-homogeneous contrast permittivity. The method uses Maxwell's equation in Born approximation, whereby a product of the contrast permittivity and the total field is approximated by a product of the contrast permittivity and the background field. A computation complexity is reduced by several orders of magnitude compared with known methods. |
| US10146137B2 |
Catadioptric projection objective including a reflective optical component and a measuring device
A catadioptric projection objective for images an object field onto an image field via imaging radiation. The projection objective includes at least one reflective optical component and a measuring device. The reflective optical component, during the operation of the projection objective, reflects a first part of the imaging radiation and transmits a second part of the imaging radiation. The reflected, first part of the imaging radiation at least partly contributes to the imaging of the object field. The transmitted, second part of the imaging radiation is at least partly fed to a measuring device. This allows a simultaneous exposure of the photosensitive layer at the location of the image field with the imaging radiation and monitoring of the imaging radiation with the aid of the measuring device. |
| US10146136B2 |
Reflecting coating with optimized thickness
An illumination system for an optical arrangement such as an EUV lithography apparatus, having: at least one optical element which has at least one optical surface, on which a coating which reflects illumination radiation is applied, and an actuator device aligning the optical surface in at least two angular positions in the radiation path. The coating either has a thickness (dOPT1) at which a mean value (½(R1+R2)) formed from a thickness-dependent reflectivity (R1, R2) of the coating at the at least two angular positions is maximized or has a thickness (dOPT2) at which a maximum change (max(ΔR1/R1, ΔR2/R2)) in the reflectivity (R1, R2) caused by a thickness tolerance of the coating is minimized at the respective angular positions or else the reflecting coating has a thickness (dO2) at which the reflectivity (R1, R2) of the coating has the same magnitude in the at least two angular positions. |
| US10146134B2 |
Illumination system
An illumination system for a lithographic apparatus includes an array of lenses configured to receive a radiation beam and focus the beam into a plurality of sub-beams, an array of reflective elements configured to receive the sub-beams and reflect the sub-beams so as to form an illumination beam, a beam splitting device configured to split the illumination beam into a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is directed to be incident on a lithographic patterning device, a focusing unit configured to focus the second portion of the illumination beam onto a detection plane such that an image is formed at the detection plane and wherein the image is an image of the sub-beams in which the sub-beams do not overlap with each other and an array of detector elements configured to measure the intensity of radiation which is incident on the detection plane. |
| US10146133B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method
A technique involving projecting a pulsed radiation beam using an illumination system onto a region of a plane in a reference frame; using a scanning mechanism to move a calibration sensor relative to the reference frame such that the calibration sensor moves through the beam of radiation in the plane along a scan trajectory; determining a quantity indicative of a velocity of the illumination system relative to the reference frame; and determining information related to a spatial intensity distribution of the radiation beam in the plane in dependence on: (a) an output of the calibration sensor; (b) the scan trajectory of the calibration sensor; and (c) the quantity indicative of a velocity of the illumination system relative to the reference frame. |
| US10146129B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, black pixel defining layer using the same and display device
A photosensitive resin composition, a black pixel defining layer, and a display device, the composition including a binder resin; a black colorant; a photopolymerizable monomer; a photopolymerization initiator; and a solvent, wherein the solvent includes a first acetate solvent and a second acetate solvent and a boiling point difference between the first acetate solvent and the second acetate solvent is about 10° C. to about 60° C. |
| US10146128B2 |
Tool surface nano-structure patterning process
Method of patterning a surface of an object or a tool with nano and/or micro structure elements having dimensions in a range of 1 nanometer to 1 millimeter, comprising the steps of producing a flexible mask with said nano or micro structure pattern formed on a surface of said flexible mask, chemically activating said surface of the flexible mask and/or said surface to be patterned of the tool, placing said patterned surface of the flexible mask in contact with said surface to be patterned of the object or tool, promoting a covalent bonding reaction between said patterned surface of the flexible mask in contact with said surface to be patterned, removing the flexible mask from the tool whereby a layer of said flexible mask remains bonded to said surface to be patterned of the tool, etching said surface to be patterned of the tool whereby the bonded layer of flexible mask material resists etching. An anti-activation mask defining a periphery of the surface area to be patterned, or peripheries of the surface area to be patterned if there are a plurality of separate portions of surface area to be patterned, is deposited on the flexible mask prior to placing the patterned surface of the flexible mask on the surface to be patterned. The anti-activation mask prevents bonding of the flexible mask to the surface of the object or tool in areas where the anti-activation mask is present. |
| US10146122B2 |
Halftone phase shift photomask blank and making method
A halftone phase shift film is formed on a transparent substrate by reactive sputtering using a silicon target, an inert gas, and a nitrogen-containing reactive gas. A hysteresis curve is drawn by sweeping the flow rate of the reactive gas, and plotting the sputtering voltage or current during the sweep versus the flow rate of the reactive gas. In a transition mode sputtering step of sputtering in a region corresponding to a range from more than the lower limit of reactive gas flow rate providing the hysteresis to less than the upper limit, the target power, the inert gas flow rate and/or the reactive gas flow rate is increased or decreased continuously or stepwise. |
| US10146119B2 |
Light source device, illumination device, and projector
A light source device, an illumination device, and a projector which are capable of thinning a bundle of light beams while being low in a focal magnification ratio, and are small in size are to be provided. The light source device includes a first light source unit adapted to emit a first light beam, a second light source unit adapted to emit a bundle of light beams including a second light beam and a third light beam, a reduction optical system adapted to reduce the bundle of light beams, and a combining optical system adapted to combine the first light beam and the reduced bundle of light beams with each other. The combining optical system is provided with a light transmitting area and a light reflecting area. |
| US10146108B2 |
Balanced camera slider
A camera slider has a base and a tubular hollow arm pivotally attached to the base. A counterweight carriage is supported on the arm on carriage rollers. An electric drive motor moves the counterweight carriage linearly on top of the arm. A slider counterweight is movable between ends of the arm to maintain the arm in balance. A telescoping locking strut allows the arm to be held at a wide range of elevation angles. |
| US10146106B1 |
Camera pole
A camera pole for elevating and controlling a camera. A pole having a base section and a least one telescoping section which extends from the base section. Where a final telescoping section is a top section that is highest and the base section is closest to ground level. A stand to receive the pole and support the pole. A camera control assembly comprising an upper pulley rotatably attached to the top section of the pole; a lower pulley rotatably attached to the pole near the base section; a cable about the upper pulley and the lower pulley; an adjustable section as part of the cable, where the length of the cable can adjusted using the adjustable section; and a handle attached to the lower pulley to rotate the lower pulley, thereby rotating the upper pulley. A camera mount for holding a camera, the camera mount attached to the lower pulley. |
| US10146097B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A display device includes a gate line and a data line crossing the gate line. The display device further includes a first switching element and a second switching element each connected to the gate line and the data line. The display device further includes a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode connected to the first switching element and the second switching element, respectively. The display device further includes a reference voltage line for transmitting a reference voltage, a first portion of the first reference voltage line overlapping a first edge of the first sub-pixel electrode, a second portion of the first reference voltage line overlapping a second edge of the first sub-pixel electrode opposite the first edge of the first sub-pixel electrode. The display device further includes a third switching element connected to the gate line, the first sub-pixel electrode, and the reference voltage line. |
| US10146096B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device comprising a TFT substrate having pixels each including a common electrode formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film formed so as to cover the common electrode, a pixel electrode having a slit and formed on the interlayer insulating film, a through-hole formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, and a source electrode electrically conducted to the pixel electrode via the through-hole. A taper angle at a depth of D/2 of the through-hole is equal to or more than 50 degrees. The pixel electrode covers part of a side wall of the through-hole but does not cover the remaining part of the side wall of the through-hole. This configuration facilitates the alignment film material to flow into the through-hole, thereby solving a thickness unevenness of the alignment film in vicinity of the through-hole. |
| US10146093B2 |
Mirror display
The present invention provides a mirror display that exhibits non-deteriorated display quality in a display mode and is capable of adjusting the color of reflected light in a mirror mode. The mirror display includes, in the following order from the back surface side: a display device including a polarizing plate; a reflective polarizing plate; a birefringence mode liquid crystal display panel; and an absorptive polarizing plate, the reflective polarizing plate including a transmission axis parallel to the transmission axis of the absorptive polarizing plate, the liquid crystal display panel being capable of switching, in transmission of incident polarized light, between a non-coloring mode of not altering the polarization state of the polarized light and a coloring mode of altering the polarization state of the polarized light, the liquid crystal display panel selecting the coloring mode when the display device is in a non-display state, the liquid crystal display panel in the coloring mode increasing a retardation to a value greater than 275 nm in measurement with light having a wavelength of 550 nm. |
| US10146090B2 |
Minimizing border of a display device
Display devices with a minimized border and methods of manufacturing display devices are described herein. In one example, a display unit is provided, the display unit having a display active area disposed between an encapsulation layer and a substrate such that the encapsulation layer encloses the display active area between a surface of the encapsulation layer and a surface of the substrate. A section of the display unit is cut at one edge of the display unit such that a portion of the encapsulation layer and a portion of the substrate are removed from the display unit while no display active area is removed. The cut section of the display unit is then sealed. |
| US10146089B2 |
Curved display device
A curved display device including a first substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) disposed on the first substrate, a pixel electrode connected to the TFT, a second substrate overlapping the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and the second substrates, and a common electrode disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer, in which the pixel electrode includes a cross-shaped stem portion having a horizontal stem portion, a vertical stem portion, and a plurality of fine branches extending from the cross-shaped stem portion, at least one of the fine branches includes a first portion and a second portion having a width greater than that of the first portion, and an extending line from a boundary between the first portion and the second portion is sloped at an angle in a range of −10 degrees to +10 degrees with respect to the vertical stem portion. |
| US10146088B2 |
Backlight module, liquid crystal display device and backlight adjustment method thereof
The present invention provides a backlight module, a liquid crystal display device and a backlight adjustment method thereof; the backlight module comprises a light guide plate and a LED light bar located at an incident side of the light guide plate, and the LED light bar comprises a driving chip, LED lamps of at least two different color temperatures, which are alternately aligned, and the LED lamps of the same color temperature are coupled in series to construct a route, and each route is coupled to an adjustable resistance in series, and the routes constructed by the LED lamps after parallel connection are all coupled to the driving chip to construct a driving circuit, and the backlight module further comprises a control module, and the control module is coupled to the driving circuit. |
| US10146087B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device including the same
A backlight unit comprises a plurality of point light sources facing a rear surface of a liquid crystal panel; a bottom cover comprising a lower surface supporting the plurality of point light sources and two or more side surfaces disposed between the lower surface of the bottom cover and the liquid crystal panel; and a support side in contact with a first side surface of the bottom cover's side surfaces and in contact with the lower surface of the bottom cover in order to change a path of light from the plurality of point light sources toward the liquid crystal panel, the support side including a plurality of support side members oriented at different angles relative to the bottom cover. |
| US10146085B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a substrate; a display medium layer disposed on the substrate; and a polarizer having a first film, a second film and a third film sequentially laminated on the display medium layer. The second film connects to the first film. The third film connects to the second film. A first bottom surface of the first film has a first edge. A second bottom surface of the second film has a second edge. A third bottom surface of the third film has a third edge. A first minimum distance exists between projections of the first edge and the second edge on the substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a normal direction of the substrate, and a second minimum distance exists between the second edge and the third edge on the substrate in the first direction. The first minimum distance is different from the second minimum distance. |
| US10146081B2 |
Display device
A display device, including a first substrate including at least one pixel, each pixel including first, second, third, and fourth pixels; a second substrate opposing the first substrate; and first, second, and third color filters on the second substrate corresponding to the first, second, and third pixels, respectively, the first, second, and third color filters, respectively, overlapping portions of the fourth pixel, the fourth pixel being adjacent to the first, second, and third color filters. |
| US10146080B1 |
Method for manufacturing display device
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a display device includes providing an array substrate with a plurality of pixel unit areas formed on a surface thereof; defining a dividing line; dividing the pixel unit areas to a pixel calculating area, a predetermined displaying area, and a predetermined shielding area, and dividing the pixel calculating area to a first part and a second part by the dividing line; calculating areas of sub pixels according to light extraction efficiencies and effective light extraction areas of the sub pixels; forming a shielding layer according to the areas of the sub pixels. |
| US10146079B2 |
Display device comprising a shield line that overlaps an intersection area in which a first semiconductor layer intersects a scanning line
According to one embodiment, a display device comprises an insulating substrate, a pixel in a display area, a scanning line extending in a first direction, a signal line extending in a second direction, a shield line between the insulating substrate and the scanning line, a pixel electrode in the pixel, and a first switching element including a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer is provided between the scanning line and the shield line, and comprises an intersection area in which the first semiconductor layer intersects the scanning line. The shield line overlaps the intersection area, and is electrically connected to the scanning line through a contact portion. |
| US10146078B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and array substrate of the same
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display panel is disclosed. The array substrate includes a first substrate, a Lower Temperature Polycrystal Silicon (LTPS) Thin-Film-Transistor (TFT) disposed on the first substrate, a color photoresist layer disposed on the LTPS TFT, and multiple photo spacers disposed above the color photoresist layer. A liquid crystal display panel including the array substrate and a second substrate disposed oppositely to the array substrate is also disclosed. The present invention utilizes the second substrate to be aligned with the LTPS TFT array substrate in order to form the liquid crystal display panel. Because the second substrate is a bare substrate (without a pattern), when the second substrate is aligned with the array substrate, the alignment precision is not under consideration. Accordingly, apertures ratios of the liquid crystal display panel do not have difference. |
| US10146075B2 |
Display device
There is provided a display device including: a display cell (20); a surrounding member (30) provided around the display cell (20); a cover film (10) provided on front side of the display cell (20) and the surrounding member (30); a relay member (40) provided on rear side of the display cell (20) and the surrounding member (30), and facing a margin between the display cell (20) and the surrounding member (30); and an adhesive layer (50) provided between the display cell (20) and the relay member (40), and between he surrounding member (30) and the relay member (40). |
| US10146073B2 |
Measurement method for liquid crystal azimuthal angle of liquid crystal panel and measurement device
A measurement method for a liquid crystal azimuthal angle of a liquid crystal panel and a measurement device are disclosed. The liquid crystal panel includes an upper polarization film, a lower polarization film disposed oppositely and liquid crystal molecules disposed there between. The method includes: when absorption axes of the upper and the lower polarization films are disposed as 0 degree and 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction, and are perpendicular to each other, measuring a first transmittance; when absorption axes of the upper and the lower polarization films are disposed as 45 degrees and 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and are perpendicular to each other, measuring a second transmittance; calculating to obtain the liquid crystal azimuthal angle of the liquid crystal panel according to the first transmittance and second transmittance. The present invention can measure the liquid crystal azimuthal angle quickly, simply, and effectively. |
| US10146072B2 |
Device for reducing residual amplitude modulation
The present disclosure provides a device for reducing residual amplitude modulation. The device includes an electro-optic modulation device with three crystals connected in series. The three crystals are the first cubic crystal, an intermediate crystal, and the second cubic crystal respectively. The intermediate crystal is an electro-optic modulating crystal. The intermediate crystal is connected to the high-frequency signal source module. The specification of the intermediate crystal is X mm×Y mm×d mm. The first cubic crystal and the second cubic crystal is connected to both ends of the intermediate crystal in series along the direction of the X axis. The relative dielectric constant of the first cubic crystal and the relative dielectric constant of the second cubic crystal both are equal to the relative dielectric constant of the intermediate crystal. The specification of the first cubic crystal and the specification of the second cubic crystal both are d/2 mm×Y mm×d mm. |
| US10146070B2 |
Optical modulator and method of manufacturing same
An optical phase modulator 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure comprises a rib-type waveguide structure 110 comprising: a PN junction 106 comprising Si and formed in a lateral direction on a substrate; and a Si1-xGex layer 108 that is doped with a p-type impurity and comprises at least one layer laminated on the PN junction 106, so as to be electrically connected to the PN junction 106. |
| US10146053B2 |
Multiplexed hologram tiling in a waveguide display
Near-eye display devices having angularly multiplexed holograms are disclosed. One example includes an image source, a waveguide, and a controller. The waveguide is configured to propagate light received the image source to a user of the near-eye display device, and includes a holographic grating including a plurality of angularly multiplexed holograms. The controller is configured to control display of an image via the image source. |
| US10146049B2 |
Cold weather camera kit
Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an imaging system that includes a de-icing assembly. The de-icing assembly may include a de-icing window and a window frame. The de-icing window may be constructed from Float Zone Silicon, single crystal sapphire, and/or germanium. The de-icing assembly may be coupled to a lens barrel of a camera. Heat generated by a heater element of the camera may be conducted via the housing and the lens barrel of the camera to the de-icing assembly. The heated de-icing assembly may prevent the formation of ice on the de-icing window by conducting heat to the de-icing window. |
| US10146045B2 |
Manufacturing method for wavelength conversion device
Disclosed is a manufacturing method for a wavelength conversion device, comprising: preparing a plurality of wavelength conversion modules, each wavelength conversion module comprising a ceramic substrate, a reflecting layer and a fluorescent powder layer, said layers being stacked sequentially and formed into one piece; installing and fixing the plurality of wavelength conversion modules on one surface of a base substrate. By arranging different fluorescent powders respectively on the different wavelength conversion modules, a plurality of wavelength conversion modules can be produced separately at the same time, thereby significantly shortening the production cycle. Each such module is produced independently and is thus not subject to the restrictions of the characteristics of other fluorescent powders. This is beneficial for the optimization of the various processes, and a wavelength conversion device having optimal performance is thereby obtained. |
| US10146044B2 |
Compact spherical diffraction limited telescope system for remote sensing in a satellite system
In one embodiment, an optical system includes: a first lens configured to receive incoming light from an object; a first mirror comprising a central aperture, the first mirror configured to refract the light from the first lens, reflect the light, and refract the light reflected from the first mirror; a second mirror configured to receive the light from the first mirror, wherein the light is refracted towards a first surface of the second mirror where the light is reflected back and refracted upon exiting the second mirror; a negative corrector lens configured to refract the light from the second mirror through the central aperture of the first mirror; and a positive corrector lens configured to receive the light through the central aperture of the first mirror and refract the light to an imaging surface. |
| US10146039B2 |
Image capture method for a microscope system, and corresponding microscope system
A method (200) is proposed for furnishing a digital resulting image, using a microscope system (1) that comprises means (R, L, 41) for furnishing microscopic images at different numerical apertures as well as a digital image capture unit (50). The method encompasses: capturing by means of the digital image capture unit (50), in the form of digital individual images, at least two microscopic images at different numerical apertures; and comparing respective mutually corresponding image regions of the digital individual images to one another in terms of their image sharpness, the image regions of the digital individual images having the greatest image sharpness being in each case combined to yield the digital resulting image. |
| US10146038B2 |
Disk scanning apparatus and microscope apparatus
A disk scanning apparatus is used in combination with an imaging optical system and an imaging apparatus. The disk scanning apparatus includes a rotating disk and a relay optical system. In the rotating disk, a disk surface including a shielding part and a transmitting part is placed so as to be positioned on a focal plane of the imaging optical system. The relay optical system performs relaying of an optical image of a sample to the imaging apparatus. The relay optical system includes a front group having a positive power and a rear group having a positive power, in this order from the rotating disk side, and is configured so that a luminous flux between the front group and the rear group becomes an afocal luminous flux. The disk scanning apparatus further includes a structure configured to make the distance between the front group and the rear group variable. |
| US10146036B2 |
Semiconductor wafer inspection using care area group-specific threshold settings for detecting defects
In the methods and systems, optical images of inspection care areas on a semiconductor wafer are acquired and analyzed to detect defects. However, during this analysis, the same threshold setting is not used for all inspection care areas. Instead, care areas are grouped into different care area groups, based on different design layouts and properties. Each group is associated with a corresponding threshold setting that is optimal for detecting defects in the inspection care areas belonging to that group. The assignment of the care areas to the different groups and the association of the different threshold settings with the different groups are noted in an index. This index is accessible during the analysis and used to ensure that each of the inspection care areas in a specific care area group is analyzed based on a corresponding threshold setting that is optimal for that specific care area group. |
| US10146034B2 |
Cata-dioptric system and image capturing device
Disclosed is a cata-dioptric system. A cata-dioptric system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reflecting optical system that reflects incident light through a plurality of reflective surfaces; and a refracting optical system that refracts the reflected incident light, wherein the respective internal diameters of the plurality of reflective surfaces are disposed on the same perpendicular line as the external diameters of other reflective surfaces adjacent to the respective internal diameters of the plurality of reflective surfaces, or at a closer distance from a perpendicular line including the top surface of the refractive optical system. |
| US10146031B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging device
The zoom lens consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group that has positive refractive power, a second lens group that has a negative refractive power, a third lens group that has a positive refractive power, a stop, and a fourth lens group that has a positive refractive power. During zooming, the second lens group and the third lens group move, and the other lens groups and the stop remain stationary. The second lens group consists of, in order from the object side, a second A lens group that has a cemented lens at a position closest to the image side, consists of three or less lenses, and has a negative refractive power, a second B lens group that consists of one or more negative single lenses, and a second C lens group that consists of a cemented lens and has a negative refractive power. |
| US10146030B2 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens including a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group is provided. The first lens group is disposed between an object side and an image side and has at least one aspheric surface. The second lens group has a positive refractive power and is disposed between the first lens group and the image side. The third lens group has a positive refractive power and is disposed between the second lens group and the image side. The third lens group has at least one aspheric surface. The third lens group is suitable to move relative to the second lens group for focusing. |
| US10146029B2 |
Head-mounted projection display using reflective microdisplays
The present invention relates generally to a head-mounted projection display, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a polarized head-mounted projection display including a light engine and a compact, high-performance projection lens for use with reflective microdisplays. |
| US10146027B2 |
Lens barrel
In a lens barrel and an imaging apparatus, improvement in impact resistance and size reduction can be enhanced. The lens barrel includes the following elements; a guide frame including a rotation restricting rib; a first group frame; and a second group frame. The first group frame includes a first guide part engaged outside the rotation restricting rib. The relative rotation of the first frame is restricted by the rotation restricting rib and the first group frame is capable of moving along the optical axis direction. The second group frame includes a second guide part engaged inside the rotation restricting rib. The relative rotation of the second frame is restricted by the rotation restricting rib and the second group frame is capable of moving along the optical axis direction. A cam pin is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first group frame and engages a cam cylinder disposed on the outer periphery of the first group frame. |
| US10146024B2 |
Apical conduit method and system
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing installation of optical fiber, non-fiber lines, and/or power lines in a ground surface. In various embodiments, a foldable base might be placed in a channel in a ground surface. The foldable base might include a base portion, two side wall portions, at least two points of articulation, and two plug contacts. Each point of articulation allows each side wall portion to fold relative with the base portion, forming a cavity. One or more lines may be placed within the cavity. A plug, placed above the lines in the cavity, may engage with the two plug contacts to secure the plug to the foldable base. Capping material, placed in microchannel on a top surface of the plug, may flow beyond the microchannel and over any openings between the plug and the foldable base and between the foldable base and edges of the channel. |
| US10146023B2 |
Cable management panel with sliding drawer and methods
An optical fiber cable management panel includes drawer assemblies, each including a drawer slidable within a chassis. The drawer assemblies are secured together by a bracket that includes an interlock arrangement with the chassis. Such an interlock arrangement includes a non-threaded stud engaging a hole. Radius limiters may be part of the drawer assembly and include a cable entry aperture have a closed perimeter and a flared cable guide surface around most of, and preferably all of, the closed perimeter to allow for the entry of cables from all directions. A control mechanism controls movement of the radius limiter relative to the drawer assembly. The control mechanism includes a rotating member that has an axis of rotation transverse to the slidable motion of the radius limiter and normal to the radius limiter. |
| US10146011B2 |
Fiber optic connector
A connector includes a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a hub and a spring, the ferrule having a distal face accessible at a distal end of the connector housing, the ferrule being movable in a proximal direction relative to the connector housing. The distal and proximal positions are separated by an axial displacement distance. The ferrule proximal movement is against the spring's bias. The cable of the assembly includes an optical fiber contained within a jacket and also a strength layer between the fiber and the jacket that is anchored to the connector housing. The fiber extends through a fiber from the proximal end of the connector housing to the ferrule. The fiber has a distal portion potted within the ferrule. The fiber passage has a fiber take-up region configured to take-up an excess length of the fiber corresponding to the ferrule axial displacement. |
| US10146005B2 |
Wall wash luminaire with light guide and optical element therefore
A light shaping article includes a solid optic having a cross-sectional profile including an input interface; a convex output surface opposite the input interface; a concave first side surface extending between the input interface and the convex output surface; and a second side surface opposite the concave first side surface extending from between input interface to the convex output surface. The concave first side surface and the convex output surface are configured such that, when the solid optic receives input light having an input angular range in a plane of the cross-sectional profile, the solid optic guides the light to and emits the light from the output surface in an output angular range in the plane. A prevalent propagation direction of output light in the output angular range is tilted toward the second side surface relative to a prevalent propagation direction of input light in the input angular range. |
| US10145998B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device has a light source unit and a liquid crystal cell sandwiched by two polarizing plates. The light emitted by the light source unit has separated peaks in each of blue, green and red wavelength ranges. The green and red peaks have a full width at half maximum intensity of 20 nm or more. At least one of the polarizing plates has a polarizer and a protective film with a Re of 5,000 nm or more and low moisture permeability. The device exhibits excellent color reproducibility and prevents display nonuniformity under a high temperature and high humidity environment. |
| US10145996B2 |
Photochromic articles that include photochromic-dichroic materials
The present invention relates to photochromic articles that include a substrate and at least one photochromic material that is adapted to change from an unactivated form to an activated form by exposure to radiation substantially in the wavelength range from 380 to 450 nanometers when measured over a range of from 380 to 700 nanometers. The photochromic article is also adapted to retain at least 12 percent of the delta OD measured in the Outdoor Test when tested in the Behind the Windshield Test. The photochromic material can be selected from certain compounds including, for example, fluoranthenoxazines, naphthopyrans, phenanthropyrans, fluoranthenopyrans, and indenonaphthopyrans, which each have bonded thereto at least one chiral or achiral lengthening group that provides the photochromic compound with dichroic properties. The present invention also relates to methods of forming a photochromic article. |
| US10145994B2 |
Lens device and image capturing device for acquiring distance information at high accuracy
According to an embodiment, a lens device includes a filter, an entire area of which transmits light of a common color. The filter includes a first filter region and a second filter region. The first filter region transmits light that is a first combination of colors out of colors of light to be received by an image sensor. The second filter region transmits light that is a second combination of colors of the colors of the light to be received by the image sensor. The first and second combinations of colors each include the common color. |
| US10145990B2 |
Optical film and display device comprising the same
An optical film includes a polarizer and a first adhesive layer on the polarizer, where the first adhesive layer has a haze value of 90% or more. |
| US10145989B2 |
Hydrophobized phosphor and light-emitting device
The present invention is directed to provide a hydrophobized phosphor not susceptible to separation at the interface with sealing resins and, by using this hydrophobized phosphor, a light-emitting device having excellent long-term stability and little change in luminance and emission color over time. The hydrophobized phosphor is characterized in that it comprises phosphor particles represented by the general formula Si6-zAlzOzN8-z:Eu2+ (where z is larger than 0 and no more than 4.2); and a surface layer consisting of a hydrophobic substance deposited on the surfaces of the phosphor particles; wherein the hydrophobic substance consists of a long-chain fatty acid having 12 or more carbon atoms, a silicone oil having a viscosity of 1.5 Pa·s or less, or a combination thereof. The light-emitting device is characterized in that it comprises the hydrophobized phosphor and a light-emitting element. |
| US10145987B2 |
Remote location monitoring
A remote location monitoring system, for example, a home monitoring or weather monitoring system may include one or more sensors and/or receivers at a remote location such as a residence or business to be monitored. The sensors and receivers may communicate with a central server via a gateway device, and may be controlled by users locally or remotely via the server. Users may register to receive remote notifications of weather events and other home monitoring events. Users may also access remotely sensors and receivers to configure alerts, notifications, and automatic responses for the devices and integrated appliances at the remote location. |
| US10145986B2 |
Modelling complex geological sequences using geologic rules and paleographic maps
Systems and methods for modelling complex geological sequences representing new actual surfaces within a gross interval thickness using geologic rules based on facies data and paleographic maps represented by MRS shoreline facies. |
| US10145983B2 |
Vibration monitoring system and method
A vibration monitoring system includes an acoustic device that outputs an analog signal to a fiber cable for calibration and location verification. The acoustic device utilizes GPS or communication from wayside bungalow equipment to verify GPS location or real-time clock information. The wayside bungalow contains communication equipment that interfaces with the acoustic device and relays health information to a sensing processor. The sensing processor is configured to detect the acoustic signal output by the acoustic device at a known location and verifies that the cable and device have not moved location by comparing the signal level received against a threshold stored in memory. When the threshold is exceeded, the sensing processor sends an alert that the fiber optic cable or acoustic device at the location have changed. |
| US10145976B2 |
Arrays of receive antennas for magnetic resonance measurements
A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for estimating properties of an earth formation includes a carrier configured to be deployed in a borehole in the earth formation and at least one transmitting assembly disposed in the carrier and configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field in a volume of interest within the earth formation. The apparatus also includes at least one receiving assembly disposed in the carrier and configured to detect a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal originating in the volume of interest. In this apparatus, the receiving assembly includes at least a first longitudinal region with a loop coil and a butterfly coil, the loop coil central axis being located over a region of the magnet assembly where a static magnetic field is predominantly along an azimuthal direction to the carrier and the butterfly coil being at least partially overlapped with the loop coil to reduce mutual coupling. |
| US10145974B2 |
Exploration method and system for detection of hydrocarbons from the water column
A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes obtaining seismic data associated with a body of water in a survey region, analyzing the seismic data to identify at least one noise indicator to produce a noise indicator image; and determining seepage locations by comparing the at least one noise indicator image to the seismic data. |
| US10145971B2 |
Multi-station seismic sensor strings
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for multi-station sensor strings. One example apparatus includes a sensor string. The sensor string includes a connector and a common data transmission channel configured to be in communication with a data acquisition unit through the connector. The sensor string also includes a first seismic sensor configured to provide sensed seismic data to the common data transmission channel, and a second seismic sensor also configured to provide sensed seismic data to the common data transmission channel. |
| US10145969B2 |
Probe for generating seismic waves
A probe for generating seismic waves, includes at least: a tubular body (10) having a first end linked to an electrical power cable, a capacitor bank arranged within the body, a spark gap installed at a second end of the body and linked to the capacitor bank, suitable for generating a seismic wave upon the release of the energy stored by the capacitor bank, wherein: the capacitor bank is formed from cylindrical capacitors (621) including bases each having a different polarity, the capacitors are mounted coaxially to each other, parallel to the main axis of the body, and the capacitors are electrically linked into at least two groups of capacitors connected in parallel, each group of capacitors having a positive pole and a negative pole, the groups being arranged in the body such that the facing poles of two adjacent groups are of the same polarity. |
| US10145968B2 |
Linear fitting of multi-threshold counting data
The present disclosure provides a system and method for efficiently mining multi-threshold measurements acquired using photon counting pixel-array detectors for spectral imaging and diffraction analyses. Images of X-ray intensity as a function of X-ray energy were recorded on a 6 megapixel X-ray photon counting array detector through linear fitting of the measured counts recorded as a function of counting threshold. An analytical model is disclosed for describing the probability density of detected voltage, utilizing fractional photon counting to account for edge/corner effects from voltage plumes that spread across multiple pixels. Three-parameter fits to the model were independently performed for each pixel in the array for X-ray scattering images acquired for 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV X-ray energies. From the established pixel responses, multi-threshold composite images produced from the sum of 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV data can be analytically separated to recover the monochromatic images through simple linear fitting. |
| US10145967B2 |
Systems and methods for radiation detection with improved event type discrimination
Described herein are radiation detection systems and methods that provide improved discrimination between different types of radioactive events. The use of multiple discriminator settings based on pulse curve shape, rather than a single setting, is surprisingly found to improve discrimination between alpha and beta events. Results demonstrate significantly lowered % spill with minimal loss of efficiency due to the enhanced discrimination. These systems and methods are particularly important in the detection of extremely low-level alpha and beta events, and in the identification and quantification of isotopes with difficult-to-distinguish pulse shapes. |
| US10145962B1 |
Adaptive localization and incremental deployment of infrastructure with crowd-sourced feedback
A methodology includes receiving from a first mobile device a first estimated location of the first mobile device and a first estimated error associated with the first estimated location, the first estimated location being based on first coarse data from a first wireless access point location determination system fused with inertial measurement unit (IMU) data from the first mobile device, receiving from a second mobile device a second estimated location of the second mobile device and a second estimated error associated with the second estimated location, the second estimated location being based on second coarse data from the first wireless access point location determination system fused with IMU data from the second mobile device, and based on the first estimated error and the second estimated error, determining a recommended change to a deployment of a wireless access point associated with the first wireless access point location determination system. |
| US10145961B1 |
Efficient transform-based quantization processing
Efficient transform-based quantization methods and quantization processors implementing such efficient transform-based quantization methods are disclosed. A transform-based quantization method may include: receiving an input signal transformed in a transform domain; producing a low-resolution signal by reducing a resolution of the input signal according to a reduction ratio; inversely transforming the low-resolution signal to produce an inversely transformed low-resolution signal; and quantizing the inversely transformed low-resolution signal to produce a quantized output. |
| US10145959B2 |
Weighting algorithm for signal processing
A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver includes: at least one radio frequency (RF) front end configured to receive a GNSS signal from a single GNSS antenna and to digitize the GNSS signal into a digitized GNSS signal; at least one processor configured to: calculate weight to be applied to a sample of a block of samples of the digitized GNSS signal; apply the weight to at least one sample of the block of samples of the digitized GNSS signal to create a weighted GNSS signal; and perform signal processing on the weighted GNSS signal. |
| US10145958B2 |
Wireless communication device and associated method including control of positioning-system receiver and shared oscillator
The wireless communication device includes a wireless communication transceiver to generate an oscillator control signal and an activation signal, a positioning-system receiver (e.g. a GPS receiver) to process received positioning signals, and a shared oscillator (e.g. a temperature compensated and voltage controlled crystal oscillator TCVCXO) responsive to the oscillator control signal and to generate a reference frequency signal for the wireless communication transceiver and the positioning-system receiver. The positioning-system receiver may control processing of the received positioning signals based upon the activation signal to reduce a noise contribution (e.g. phase noise) due to frequency control of the shared oscillator based upon the oscillator control signal. The activation signal may indicate that the oscillator control signal is being varied to provide frequency control or adjustment of the shared oscillator. |
| US10145956B2 |
Geometric fingerprinting for localization of a device
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for developing a fingerprint database for and determining the geographic location of an end-user device (e.g., vehicle, mobile phone, smart watch, etc.) with the database. A fingerprint database may be developed by receiving a depth map for a location in a path network, and then identifying physical structures within the depth map. The depth map may be divided, at each physical structure, into one or more horizontal planes at one or more elevations from a road level. Two-dimensional feature geometries may be extracted from the horizontal planes. At least a portion of the extracted feature geometries may be encoded into the fingerprint database. |
| US10145955B2 |
Methods and systems for processing point-cloud data with a line scanner
Described herein are methods and systems for processing point-cloud data with a line scanner. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes: receiving a 3D point cloud that is representative of an object; using one or more line scanners to identify one or more respective outer bounds of the object; and dimensioning the object based on points in the point cloud, wherein each of the points in the point cloud that are used for dimensioning the object is at or inside every identified outer bound. |
| US10145953B2 |
Virtual steerable path
A computing device in a vehicle can be programmed to determine a virtual steerable path polynomial including a lane change maneuver, update the virtual steerable path polynomial by controlling a vehicle trajectory, and, pilot the vehicle based on the virtual steerable path polynomial. The computer further programmed to determine the virtual steerable path polynomial based on the vehicle trajectory. |
| US10145950B2 |
Frequency shift keyed continuous wave radar
A RADAR apparatus may be used in target detection and/or avoidance. The RADAR apparatus may include a microwave front end configured to transmit and receive RF signals, an analog signal conditioning module coupled with the microwave front end module that conditions RF signals received at the microwave front end module, and a digital signal processing module coupled with the analog signal conditioning module that detects presence and range of one or more targets based on the filtered RF signals. |
| US10145942B2 |
Techniques for spatio-temporal compressed time of flight imaging
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method, system, and/or other techniques to determine estimated ambient electromagnetic (EM) radiation information based at least partially on ambient recovery sensor measurement information, determine estimated albedo information based at least partially on albedo recovery sensor measurement information, albedo recovery emitter modulation information, sensing matrix information, and the estimated ambient EM radiation information, and determine estimated range information based at least partially on range recovery sensor measurement information, the estimated albedo information, range recovery emitter modulation information, and sensing matrix information. |
| US10145932B2 |
Method for instrumenting a container intended to be set moving in particular in order to mix an assortment of materials
The method for instrumenting a container, especially intended to receive an assortment of materials, capable of being set moving in a preset coordinate system, said method comprises the following steps: placing at least one communicating element in the container on an internal surface of the container; and tracking the location of each communicating element over time in the preset coordinate system. |
| US10145929B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for generating a parameter map to compensate local inhomogeneities in the basic magnetic field
In a method and a controller for generating a parameter map for a target volume in an examination object, that represents a field deviation from the resonance frequency of a first spectral component of tissue of object in a magnetic resonance tomography scanner, a spatial region of the object, which includes at least the target volume, is excited. At least three echo signals are formed, wherein a first echo time difference between two the echo signals is chosen such that the phase evolutions of the signals of a second spectral component of the tissue differ, during the first echo time difference, from the first spectral component substantially by 2π, and an echo time of at least a further one of the echo signals is chosen such that it lies between the echo times of the two echo signals having the first echo time difference. Raw data are then acquired from the three echo signals, and the parameter map is then generated therefrom. |
| US10145924B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with undersampling
A method for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is provided. A first sampling mask is provided for sampling along a first set of parallel lines extending in a first direction in k-space. A second sampling mask is provided for sampling along a second set of parallel lines extending in a second direction in k-space. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. A first set of MR k-space data is sampled using an MR scanner, by scanning a subject in the first direction using the first sampling mask. A second set of MR k-space data is sampled using the MR scanner, by scanning the subject in the second direction using the second sampling mask. An MR image is reconstructed from a combined set of MR k-space data including the first set of MR k-space data and the second set of MR k-space data. |
| US10145923B2 |
Resonance imaging apparatus and diffusion weighted image acquiring method thereof
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a diffusion-weighted image acquiring method form a radial k-space through a radial sampling and acquire a diffusion-weighted image from the radial k-space, with the diffusion-weighted image acquiring including receiving an echo signal generated from the subject, and forming a k-space having a plurality of sampling lines by sampling the echo signal that is received, wherein the directions of the diffusion gradient magnetic fields applied at the time of forming the sampling lines that compose the k-space to cross each other at two adjacent sampling lines. |
| US10145918B2 |
Emission of high frequency pulses in a magnetic resonance tomography system
A method for emitting a sequence of high frequency pulses that may have different envelopes in a magnetic resonance tomography system is provided. A digital instruction signal that specifies the envelope for the high frequency pulses that are to be emitted is received. A digital control signal is transmitted to a high frequency unit for generating high frequency pulses, depending on the instruction signal. A test signal that allows notification of a current overload situation is received. The current control signal is reduced if the test signal indicates an overload situation. |
| US10145915B2 |
SNMR pulse sequencing methods and apparatus
Technologies applicable to SNMR pulse sequencing are disclosed, including SNMR acquisition apparatus and methods, SNMR processing apparatus and methods, and combinations thereof. SNMR acquisition may include transmitting SNMR pulse sequences according to any of a variety of techniques. SNMR processing may include combining SNMR from a plurality of pulse sequences. |
| US10145914B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging gradient coil
A magnetic gradient coil (110) for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 200) is actively shielded. The magnetic gradient coil is operable for generating a magnetic field (504). The magnetic field has a cylindrical axis of symmetry (130). The gradient coil has a length (132) parallel with the cylindrical axis of symmetry. The magnetic gradient coil has an outer surface (134). The magnetic field includes an external magnetic field outside of the outer surface. The external magnetic field has at least four reduced field regions (136, 138, 140, 142) along the length where the modulus of the magnetic field is less than the average of the modulus of the magnetic field along the length. |
| US10145908B2 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic sensor producing a changing magnetic field
Methods and apparatus for detecting a magnetic field include a semiconductor substrate, a coil configured to provide a changing magnetic field in response to a changing current in the coil; and a magnetic field sensing element supported by the substrate. The coil receives the changing current and, in response, generates a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing element detects the presence of a magnetic target by detecting changes to the magnetic field caused by the target and comparing them to an expected value. |
| US10145907B2 |
Magnetic field sensor with permanent magnet biasing
A magnetic field sensor for sensing an external magnetic field along a sensing direction oriented perpendicular to a plane of the magnetic field sensor comprises a sensor bridge. The sensor bridge has a first sensor leg that includes a first magnetoresistive sense element and a second sensor leg that includes a second magnetoresistive sense element. The first and second sense elements include respective first and second pinned layers having corresponding first and second reference magnetizations within the plane and oriented in the same direction. The first and second sense elements further include respective first and second sense layers, each having an indeterminate magnetization state. A permanent magnet layer is proximate the magnetoresistive sense elements. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the permanent magnet layer magnetically biases the indeterminate magnetization state of each sense layer to produce a sense magnetization of the first and second sense layers. |
| US10145903B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring devices in a power distribution system
Methods and systems for monitoring devices in a power distribution system are described. In one example, a method for use in a power distribution system including a plurality of devices is described. The method includes receiving a plurality of data signals associated with the power distribution system, determining a measurement error value associated with the power distribution system based on the plurality of data signals, comparing the determined measurement error value to a dynamic threshold, and generating an alert when the determined measurement error value exceeds the dynamic threshold. |
| US10145901B2 |
Method for the management of the electrical current supply in a motor vehicle
This disclosure relates to a method for the management of the electrical current supply in a motor vehicle having a combustion engine, wherein the charge state of a battery is detected and characterized as a discrete variable that indicates whether the prevailing charge state is below or above a calibrated threshold value. If the discrete variable indicates that the prevailing charge state is below the calibrated threshold value, the battery is charged using a relatively high voltage over a predetermined time period in such a manner that all cells of the battery are charged. If the discrete variable indicates that the prevailing charge state is above the calibrated threshold value, different temperature-dependent voltage set points of an electric generator in the vehicle are set in dependence upon a prevailing energy conversion efficiency level of the drivetrain that is detected and characterized as a further discrete variable. |
| US10145896B2 |
Electronic device, performance binning system and method, voltage automatic calibration system
A method for determining performance of an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed herein. The method includes following operations: disposing hardware performance monitors (HPMs) in each of ICs, in which each of HPMs generates a value for generating the performance of the IC; providing a performance function including of terms according to values generated by the HPMs, in which a weight is associated with each of terms; determining the weight of each of terms according to a first set of ICs of the ICs, wherein the performance of each of the ICs is known; and determining the performance of a first ICs of the ICs according to the performance function, wherein the performance function and the weights are built into the first ICs. |
| US10145895B2 |
Internal circuit TMS input, FIFO coupled to parallel-input serial-output register
The present disclosure describes using the JTAG Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminals as general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) Manchester coded communication terminals. The Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminal can be used as a serial I/O communication channel between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC. The use of the TMS and/or TCK terminal as serial I/O channels, as described, does not effect the standardized operation of the JTAG Tap, since the TMS and/or TCK I/O operations occur while the Tap is placed in a non-active steady state. |
| US10145893B2 |
Resolving automated test equipment (ATE) timing constraint violations
A method of testing an integrated circuit device, which involves receiving, by a processor, a test definition indicating a sequence of acts to be performed by an automated test equipment in testing an integrated circuit device. The test definition includes indications of test cycles and timings of events in the cycles. The method includes scanning the received test definition, by the processor, for switch time points for which a timing of events in a first cycle immediately preceding the switch time point is different from a timing of events in a second cycle immediately following the switch time point, determining problematic switch time points for which the combined rest duration from a specific event in the first cycle to a corresponding specific event in the second cycle is shorter than a minimal switch period of the automated test equipment, changing the received test definition by extending a length of the cycles immediately preceding the determined problematic switch time points and providing the changed test definition for testing the integrated circuit device by the automated test equipment. |
| US10145889B2 |
Testkey structure and method of measuring device defect or connection defect by using the same
A testkey structure including the following components is provided. A fin structure is disposed on a substrate and stretches along a first direction. A first gate structure and a second gate structure are disposed on the fin structure and stretch along a second direction. A first common source region is disposed in the fin structure between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. A first drain region is disposed in the fin structure at a side of the first gate structure opposite to the first common source region. A second drain region disposed in the fin structure at a side of the second gate structure opposite to the first common source region. A testkey structure is symmetrical along a horizontal line crossing the first common source region. The present invention further provides a method of measuring device defect or connection defect by using the same. |
| US10145886B2 |
Leakage current calculation device and leakage current calculation method
Provided is a leakage current value calculation device which precisely calculates a leakage current I0r which is a component caused by a ground insulation resistance value of an electric circuit, in the leakage current I0 flowing through the electric circuit. The leakage current calculation device 10 includes a current measurement means 11 which measures a leakage current flowing through an electric circuit A having a predetermined protective conductor, a voltage measurement means 12 which measures respective phase-to-E phase voltages which are voltages between phases of the power supply unit 1 of the electric circuit A and the E phase when the protective conductor is the E phase, a voltage value calculation means 131 which calculates a predetermined voltage value obtained by extracting a voltage component applied to the ground insulation resistor excluding a potential difference caused by a grounding resistor of the protective conductor, based on the respective phase-to-E phase voltages; and a current value calculation means 141 which extracts a component caused by the ground insulation resistance value, excluding a ground capacitance component, from the leakage current, based on the predetermined voltage value. |
| US10145884B2 |
Smart cord reel
A smart cord reel cable including at least one sensor for measuring cord or cord reel usage, a memory for receiving sensor input to create usage records, and a processor for analyzing the usage records to provide information for maintenance status indication and/or usage analytics. |
| US10145881B1 |
Autonomous vehicle maintenance self-charge
A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include performing a self-check operation on a host vehicle after the host vehicle exits a manufacturing plant and before the host vehicle proceeds with a delivery process. The self-check operation includes measuring a battery charge, comparing the battery charge to a predetermined threshold, and commanding an autonomous vehicle controller to proceed with the delivery process as a result of determining that the battery charge exceeds the predetermined value. |
| US10145876B2 |
Electromagnetic wave power sensing apparatus and system comprising thereof
Provided is an electromagnetic wave power sensing apparatus. The electromagnetic wave power measuring apparatus includes a waveguide to which electromagnetic wave power is incident, an electromagnetic wave absorber disposed at a termination of the waveguide and absorbing the electromagnetic wave power incident to a front surface of the electromagnetic wave absorber, parallel plates disposed at a rear of the electromagnetic wave absorber and arranged on and under a center line of the waveguide, a waveguide guide for fixing the waveguide and the electromagnetic wave absorber, wherein the parallel plates are positioned in the waveguide guide, an electro-optic element configured to sense the electromagnetic wave power, an electro-optic element fixer to which the electro-optic element is coupled, and a movement guide coupled to the electro-optic element fixer and controlling movement of the electro-optic element into the inside of the waveguide guide in order to sense the electromagnetic wave power. |
| US10145873B2 |
Coil architecture for inductive sensors
A bobbin and coil architecture is provided for use in an inductive sensor. The architecture eliminates the need for coil shielding and reduces the sensor's sensitivity to temperature and proximate mounting hardware. In one or more embodiments, all or portions of separate coils are located in a common slot on the bobbin, rather than being segregated into separate slots. In an example configuration, two receiver coils may be located in respective two slots on the bobbin, and a transmitter coil may divided into two substantially equal subsets of windings, with each subset wound together with one of the receiver coils in a common slot. This yields a symmetrical and balanced winding architecture that requires fewer slots relative to designs that segregate all coils into separate slots. |
| US10145870B2 |
Method and system for determining the dynamic consumption of a module within an electronic device such as a system on chip
A reference clock signal of at least one module clock signal associated with each module is delivered. A measurement period is generated and a module whose consumption is to be determined is selected. The frequency of the at least one module clock signal associated with the selected module reduced during the measurement period. A measurement of a first consumption of the device is made in the measurement period. A measurement of a second consumption of the device is made outside the measurement period. The consumption of the selected module is determined from the first and measured first and second consumptions. |
| US10145868B2 |
Self-referenced on-die voltage droop detector
A self-referenced on-die voltage droop detector generates a reference voltage from the supply voltage of an integrated circuit's power distribution network, and compares this reference voltage to the transient supply voltage in order to detect voltage droops. The detector responds to detected occurrences of voltage droop with low latency by virtue of being located on-die. Also, by generating the reference voltage from the integrated circuit's power domain rather than using a separate reference voltage source, the detector does not introduce noise and distortion associated with a separate power domain. |
| US10145863B2 |
Test systems with a probe apparatus and index mechanism
A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder. |
| US10145860B2 |
Speed detection using multiple processing paths
Two speed measurements of a moving body are generated using a single signal. A sensor generates a composite signal having a series of pulses where each pulse is generated when an element on a moving body passes the sensor. A sensor conditioning unit decouples the composite signal to generate a first conditioned sub-signal having only an AC signal corresponding to an AC component of the composite signal and a second conditioned sub-signal corresponding to the composite signal that may have either or both AC and DC components. A timer/counter input unit computes a first speed measurement by determining a count of pulses in the first conditioned sub-signal and a first time period or the time period of one pulse. The second conditioned sub-signal is transmitted to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and is sampled at a sampling rate to generate a sampled second conditioned sub-signal. An acquisition unit computes a second speed measurement by determining a count of pulses in the sampled second conditioned sub-signal over a second time period or the time of a single pulse. An analysis of the second conditioned sub-signal may be used to choose trigger or filter criteria for the analysis of both conditioned sub-signals, and multiple speed sensors may be used with each sensor producing two speed measurements. |
| US10145859B2 |
Automatic container processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an automatic container processing apparatus includes a tube socket, an operation part, and a control device. The tube socket has a container holding part for holding a container. The operation part is capable of operating the container holding part of the tube socket. The control device controls the operation part. The container held by the container holding part is dropped by operating the operation part. |
| US10145856B2 |
Drug tracking system including food dyes detectable in bodily waste
The drug tracking system may be used to screen a subject's bodily waste and to identify a drug the subject has consumed. The system includes drug tags which include a one or more food dyes, each detectable in a subject's bodily waste using photographic or absorption spectroscopic analysis. The system may further include a database in which is stored the spectral signature of each drug tag and the unique drug associated with each drug tag. A spectral analysis obtained by analyzing a bodily waste sample may be entered into the database. The database may include instructions for comparing the spectral analysis to the spectral signature of each drug tag. The instructions may further report the unique drug associated with a drug tag which has a spectral signature matching the spectral analysis. |
| US10145853B2 |
Biomarkers for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and methods for detecting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by using such biomarkers
The present invention aims to present methods to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by using a protein or its partial peptide that differs in presence or absence, or in quantity between healthy human subjects and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or between patients with fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and further aims to present biomarkers comprising said protein and said partial peptide to be used to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Specifically, 35 kDa protein fragment consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No. 2 and its partial peptide consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No. 3 (including its glycated form) of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor consisting of amino acid sequence expressed by Sequence No. 1 could be used as biomarkers to detect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. |
| US10145852B2 |
Multiples multiplex immunohistochemical assay using primary antibodies of the same host species
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for detecting CD3 and CD16 in the same sample of a colorectal, head & neck, or lung tumor using immunohistochemical methods using primary antibodies from the same host species and secondary antibodies immunoreactive with antibodies of the host species of the primary antibodies. Methods to denature and block the first primary antibody contacted with the sample are provided. |
| US10145850B2 |
Assay
This invention relates to a method of detecting or determining the presence of prostate cancer cells in a sample of body fluid from a subject comprising: (i) isolating cells from said sample to provide a cell sample; (ii) contacting said cell sample with a specific binding member capable of binding a prostate antigen; and/or (iii) contacting said cell sample with a specific binding member capable of binding a minichromosome maintenance (MCM) polypeptide(s); and (iv) determining the binding of said specific binding member(s) to the cell sample. |
| US10145848B2 |
Small-molecule hydrophobic tagging of fusion proteins and induced degradation of same
The present invention includes compounds that are useful in perturbing or disrupting the function of a transmembrane or intracellular protein, whereby binding of the compounds to the transmembrane or intracellular protein induces proteasomal degradation of the transmembrane or intracellular protein. The present invention further includes a method of inducing proteasomal degradation of a transmembrane or intracellular protein. The present invention further includes a method of identifying or validating a protein of interest as a therapeutic target for treatment of a disease state or condition. |
| US10145840B2 |
Systems and methods for blood sample preservation and hematocrit separation
A system for preserving a blood sample and removing hematocrit includes a casing, the casing having a sample port and a lateral flow strip in the casing, the lateral flow strip receiving a sample through the sample port, and flowing the sample down a length of the lateral flow strip. |
| US10145839B2 |
Method and system for detection of disease agents in blood
The invention principally relates to a method of detecting a disease agent in blood, comprising: (i) creating a sample infra-red spectrum representative of the blood, with one or more spectral components, each having a wavenumber and absorbance value; (ii) providing a reference database of spectral models, each model having one or more database spectral components of a wavenumber and an absorbance value, wherein the database spectral components identify disease agents; (iii) determining whether one or more database spectral components corresponds to one or more sample spectral components; and (iv) compiling a list of corresponding database components identified. |
| US10145838B2 |
Device for analyzing biological substances in a test solution and production method
The invention relates to a device (100; 200; 300; 400) for analyzing biological substances in a test solution, comprising a test substrate (101; 203; 303; 401) which is transparent at least in part, having a test region (107a, 108a, 109a, 110a; 211; 411) for receiving the test solution, a plurality of electrodes (111, 106; 201, 202; 301, 302; 402, 403) which are arranged on the test substrate (101; 203; 303; 401) and extend into the test region (107a, 108a, 109a, 110a; 211; 411), wherein in each case, at least one portion of the electrodes (111, 106; 201, 202; 301, 302; 402, 403) is made of a transparent material. |
| US10145835B2 |
Site analysis system for the calculation of the isotope ratio of the carbon in several gas species by means of a single analyser
The present invention relates to a system of analysis, which can be used in a mobile laboratory in a drilling site situation or in a similar situation, suitable for measuring (preferably in relation to at least two partially gaseous species, which derive preferably from a mixture extracted from a drilling mud, for example, methane, ethane, propane and/or any other heavier hydrocarbons) the quantities of the different isotopes of at least a same chemical element (preferably the quantities of 13C, carbon isotope with 6 protons and 7 neutrons, and of 12C, carbon isotope with 6 protons and 6 neutrons, respectively) by means of a laser isotopes analyzer regulated for a single, at least partially gaseous species which contains said chemical element. |
| US10145831B2 |
Method and system for human presence correlation using carbon dioxide
Method and system for detecting and/or quantifying recent human presence in an environment using a calculated rate of decay of carbon dioxide concentration levels within that environment. A sensor measures the change in carbon dioxide levels over time to calculate the rate of decay to equilibrium and extrapolate recent human presence. Also provided is a method and system for quantifying recent human activity in an environment using the calculated rate of decay to equilibrium. |
| US10145827B2 |
Distributed sensor system with remote sensor nodes and centralized data processing
A distributed sensor system includes a set of spatially distributed base units and a central server both in communication with a data network. Each base unit includes a controller and one or more sensor modules where each sensor module includes a sensor configured to measure an air quality parameter. Each base unit transmits raw sensor data associated with each of the sensor modules over the data network and the central server receives the raw sensor data from the base units and stores the raw sensor data in a database. |
| US10145825B2 |
Luminescent Iridium(III) complex and its uses thereof for the G-quadruplex-based switch-on rapid detection of lead ions
A luminescent Ir(III) complex it used to develop a label-free G-quadruplex-based assay for lead ions in a liquid or aqueous solution. In particular, the present invention describes method for monitoring lead ion concentration in water. |
| US10145818B2 |
Accurate and interference-free multiplexed quantitative proteomics using mass spectrometry
Embodiments are directed to a method, a computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform a method, and a system for performing mass spectrometry analysis. Molecules of different samples may be labeled with a chemical tag, allowing a multiplexed analysis of multiple samples. The labeled molecules may be fragmented, each fragmented molecule creating at least two separate ions. The relative abundance of each of the heavier ions, which may comprise the original molecule from the sample, may be measured. A relative abundance of the labeled molecules in each of the samples may be determined from the measured relative abundances of the heavier ions. |
| US10145807B2 |
Deterioration analysis method
The present invention provides deterioration analysis method which allows a detailed analysis of deterioration, especially deterioration of surface conditions, of a polymer material. The present invention relates to a deterioration analysis method, including irradiating a polymer material with high intensity X-rays, and measuring X-ray absorption while varying the energy of the X-rays, to analyze deterioration of the polymer. |
| US10145802B2 |
Method and system for analysing a blend of two or more hydrocarbon feed streams
The invention relates to a method for analyzing a blend of two or more hydrocarbon feed streams such as crude oils. These crude oils are blended in a facility such as a refinery. The method assesses the compatibility of a hydrocarbon feed in a blend to calculate the blend stability such that organic deposition is minimized. The method uses all of a plurality of hydrocarbon feeds to be blended for analysis. The method either selects a neat hydrocarbon feed, from a plurality of the hydrocarbon feeds included in a blend, as a titrant, wherein the or each other hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon feed are used to make a pseudo-blend and titrating the pseudo-blend with said selected neat hydrocarbon feed for a plurality of different blend ratios. Alternatively the method involves preparing a reference hydrocarbon and making a blend from the plurality of hydrocarbon feeds and titrating the blend with the reference hydrocarbon. Measurements associated with the change in characteristics of the titrated blend are made and data recorded. The method then calculates, using said data, the stability of the blend. |
| US10145801B2 |
Method and system for sampling and analyzing organic material
A system and a method are provided for sampling and analyzing organic material, including soil, fertilizer, manure and leaves. A sample container having porous sidewalls and a unique identifier is provided. A geographic position corresponding to a location where a sample was taken is associated with the unique identifier. The sample container with the sample contained therein is received, and the sample is compacted while inside the sample container. The sample is analyzed while inside the sample container using a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system and analysis results are generated. The analysis results of the sample are associated with the unique identifier of the sample container. |
| US10145800B1 |
Method for detecting corrosion of a surface not exposed to view of a metal piece, by means of thermographic analysis
In a method for detecting corrosion of a surface not exposed to view of a metal piece, radiant thermal energy is directed against the piece by pulsed laser beam illumination thereby causing heating of said piece. Infrared radiation emitted by the piece is detected by a thermographic camera so that corroded portions of said surface are detected due to a different thermal response as a function of time relative to non-corroded portions. The laser beam is directed against an exposed face of a wall of said piece whose opposite face is the surface on which corrosion must be detected. The thermographic camera is provided on a same side where a laser head for emitting said laser beam is provided and has a control system for performing “Lock-in” thermography. Detection of the surface corroded portions is carried out by comparing a response of different surface portions during cooling of the piece. |
| US10145796B2 |
Illumination filter for an illumination filter system of a surgical multispectral fluorescence microscope having a spatial filter pattern
The invention relates to an illumination filter (36, 44) for an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope. The present invention provides an illumination filter for medical imaging, in particular a multispectral fluorescence imaging, that is capable of capturing simultaneously more than one fluorescence signal, and allow a homogeneous illumination for obtaining different images from the object illuminated by comprising a spatial filter pattern (43) masking a defined filtering fraction of a first illumination path (47) on the filter and masking a defined filtering fraction of a second illumination path (48, 49, 50) on the filter, wherein the filtering fraction of the first and the second illumination paths (47, 48, 49, 50) are different. The invention further relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising such illumination filter (36, 44). |
| US10145795B2 |
Light detection apparatus
First and second filter magazines in each of which plural filters having different transmission wavelengths from each other are arranged in a row are provided, and the first and second filter magazines are arranged next to each other in one direction. A light detection unit in which plural photomultipliers of first and second photomultipliers, each of which detects light that has passed through at least one of the filters included in the first and second filter magazines, are arranged in the arrangement direction of the filters is provided, and the light detection unit is placed in the one direction in such a manner to be parallel to the first and second filter magazines. The apparatus is configured in such a manner that the first and second filter magazines and the light detection unit are movable in the arrangement direction of the filters. |
| US10145793B2 |
System and method for adjusting cytometer measurements
Methods and systems for operating a flow cytometer can include forward scatter values, side scatter values, and fluorescence intensity values for events of an unstained sample and associating the fluorescence intensity values with forward scatter-side scatter side scatter plot regions. Methods and systems for operating a flow cytometer can also include measuring forward scatter values, side scatter values, and fluorescence intensity values for events of a stained sample, determining forward scatter-side scatter plot locations for the events of the stained sample, and for each event of the stained sample, subtracting the fluorescence intensity value associated with the forward scatter-side scatter plot region that contains the forward scatter-side scatter plot location of the stained sample event from the measured fluorescence intensity value of the stained sample event at that forward scatter-side scatter plot location. |
| US10145791B2 |
Electric field imaging method
To minimize or prevent obstruction by a surface-mounted part or disturbance to an object to be visually observed, an electric field sensor is placed at a predetermined distance from a surface of the object to be visually observed, and a two-dimensional distribution of a high-frequency electric field is detected. Considering that the measured electric field distribution is due to an electrostatic field from the electric field distribution at the surface of the visually observed object, the electric field distribution at the surface is back-calculated from Gauss' flux theorem or the like, and the obtained electric field distribution is displayed or outputted. Thus, the electric field distribution at a position closer to the surface of the visually observed object is imaged while obstruction by a surface-mounted part or disturbance to the visually observed object is suppressed. |
| US10145788B2 |
Image processing device for gas detection, image processing method for gas detection and image processing program for gas detection
An image processing device for gas detection performs image processing on infrared images obtained by shooting an object to be monitored for a gas leak at a plurality of time points. The image processing device for gas detection includes an image processing unit that performs a process of removing, from image data indicating the infrared images, second frequency component data that is lower in frequency than first frequency component data indicating a temperature change caused by the leaking gas, and indicates a background temperature change of the object to be monitored. |
| US10145786B2 |
Bonded structure and bonding-condition detecting method
A bonded structure includes a first member, a second member, an adhesive that bonds the first member and the second member together, and an optical fiber sandwiched between the first member and the second member. When pressure is applied to the optical fiber only from a predetermined direction, the sectional shape of the optical fiber changes to an elliptical shape, so that birefringence occurs, whereby the shape of the light spectrum changes so as to have multiple peaks. The optical fiber is used as a sensor for detecting the bonding condition between the first member and the second member based on the birefringence. |
| US10145784B2 |
Infusion set and spectroscopic analyzer for analysis of pharmaceuticals
An infusion set and an intravenous bag adapter constructed of ultraviolet transmissive thermoplastic are used in spectroscopic validation of pharmaceuticals. The described hardware allows for qualitative and quantitative assurance of medications and is used to prevent medication errors. The thermoplastic is transmissive in the range below 315 nanometers. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a spectrometer and a test chamber that are unaffected by the presence of ambient light. The spectrometer includes an unshielded slot or receptacle into which the test chamber is easily fitted. This embodiment can function well in drug diversion programs for which unused post-op narcotics can be tested. |
| US10145783B2 |
Infusion set and adapter for spectroscopic analysis of pharmaceuticals
An infusion set and an intravenous bag adapter constructed of ultraviolet transmissive thermoplastic is used in spectroscopic validation of pharmaceuticals. The described hardware allows for qualitative and quantitative assurance of medications and is used to prevent medication errors. The thermoplastic is transmissive in the range of 240 to 315 nanometers. |
| US10145781B2 |
Method of estimating frictional resistance of ship bottom coating film, and a method of evaluating coating film performance using said method and a device for evaluating coating film performance
A method of estimating a frictional resistance of a ship bottom coating film, the method including measuring any one of Rz (maximum height roughness), Rc (mean height of roughness profile elements), Ra (arithmetic mean roughness), Rq (root mean square roughness) and RZJIS (ten-point mean roughness) as a roughness height R in a mean length RSm of roughness profile elements in the range of 2,000 to 10,000 μm according to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287:1997) on a coating film formed by applying a ship bottom coating paint on a substrate and calculating a frictional resistance increase rate FIR (%) from a mirror surface by the following formula (1), wherein coefficient C is a constant depending on the kind of the roughness height R and a frictional resistance testing method, and is previously determined in such a manner that plural ship bottom coating films each having different roughness are subjected to a roughness measurement and a frictional resistance test in a definite evaluation length, and then the coefficient C is determined by the formula (1) using the roughness height R, the mean length RSm of roughness profile elements and the frictional resistance increase rate FIR (%), which have been measured. |
| US10145776B2 |
Fluid analysis using digital imagery
A system for analyzing fluid includes a housing having first and second opposing surfaces spaced to form a fluid chamber, a light source disposed to direct light at the first surface of the housing; and a digital imaging circuit disposed to detect light at the second surface of the housing. The digital imaging circuit includes a pixel array configured to capture one or more digital images of an illuminated fluid. The system also includes a processor configured to: capture multiple digital images of the fluid at different camera exposure levels, calculate a net radiant energy value at a plurality of different integration times within at least two images, calculate a slope of the net radiant energy value with respect to integration time in a selected image, and determine size distribution and volume fraction of particles within the fluid based on the calculated slope. |
| US10145773B2 |
Method and system for measuring a property of a non-newtonian fluid
A system and method for measuring the deformation over time of the surface of a non-Newtonian fluid in a sampling container in response to an airjet that is applied for a specified time are disclosed. The change is the sample surface displacement is measured quantitatively by means of optical triangulation or other similar optical or electronic distance measuring device. After cessation of the airjet, gravitational forces cause the sample material to flow back to its original surface profile. Both the amplitude of the deformation displacement due to the force of the airjet and the recovered displacement, within specific time periods are characteristic of asphalt binder material with varying amounts of polymer or other additives used to control the ultimate properties and performance of the material. As a result, comparison of the quantitative measurements of control samples can allow discrimination from samples with different properties and hence different formulations. |
| US10145771B2 |
Method, device and computer medium for determining the density of liquids
A method and a measuring device determine the density of liquids. The measuring device has a flexural resonator, at least one sensor for at least one environmental parameter that influences a measurement to be performed and a condition monitoring unit. The measured values from the respective sensor are fed to the condition monitoring unit. The condition monitoring unit has a memory unit with stored forecasts for environmental parameters to be expected in the course of the measurement, and that, by using the condition monitoring unit, on the basis of the stored forecasts and the initial measured values selected for the measurement, it is determined whether the planned measurement can be carried out under the selected trial conditions without any impairment or with a permissible impairment by the forecast changes in the environmental parameters. |
| US10145770B2 |
Chain wear monitoring device
A conveyor or drive chain wear monitor includes two sensors spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance which is less than the distance between the two selected measuring points on a chain. Two timers are provided, one of which is a chain speed timer and the other of which is the chain wear timer. The two timers are both controlled by the spaced sensors. The problem of sensor beams being broken by irrelevant beam breaking obstacles located between the successive spaced measuring points is solved by providing an ignore obstacle software routine in the wear monitor computer. The ignore obstacle software routine allows a user to program the monitor to ignore any number of irrelevant obstacles which might occur between two spaced measuring points on a chain. |
| US10145765B2 |
Method of suppressing background rise in color reagent solution, color reagent solution, reagent kit, and measuring apparatus
A method is provided for suppressing, in a color reagent solution which is used to measure a component within a sample and which contains an oxidative color reagent dissolved therein, a background rise that occurs when the color reagent solution is stored. The method includes adjusting a hydrogen ion exponent (pH) of the color reagent solution so as to be strongly acidic. The hydrogen ion exponent is preferably adjusted to 2.9 or below or to 2.1 or below. The color reagent solution is preferably used to measure the degree of oxidative stress. The oxidative color reagent is preferably a phenylenediamine derivative. |
| US10145764B2 |
Continuous flow sampling apparatus having an opening and first and second slide doors for closing the opening
A flow-through sampling apparatus for sampling a bulk solid mixture includes a main body forming an opening. A screen is located in the opening and forms a plurality of sample zones within the main body. The apparatus further includes a first slide door that is movable above the screen so as to close one side of the opening. Further, the apparatus includes a second slide door that is movable below the screen so as to close the other side of the opening. |
| US10145759B2 |
Apparatus for estimating oscillation within combustion device
Disclosed herein is a combustion oscillation estimating apparatus which estimates combustion oscillation in a combustion chamber connected with a burner so that a flame is injected by the burner, the combustion oscillation estimating apparatus including an input unit which receives data including an inlet pressure of the burner, and a control unit which detects a pressure in the combustion chamber based on a shape from the burner to the combustion chamber, a temperature distribution in the combustion chamber, and a shape of the flame. The combustion oscillation estimating apparatus may improve estimation accuracy of the combustion oscillation in the combustion chamber. |
| US10145754B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting gas leakage from radioactive material sealed container
A method for detecting gas leakage from a radioactive material sealed container includes measuring a temperature at a bottom portion of a metallic sealed container. A feeding air temperature of external air passing between the metallic sealed container and a concrete-made storage container is also measured. Presence of leakage of inactive gas is determined by comparing the temperatures or by utilizing a physical amount calculated by using the temperatures. |
| US10145748B2 |
Pressure indicator
Pressure indicator comprising a base, a deformable membrane fixed to the base in a fluid-tight manner according to a closed contour, and a body fixed to the base, delimiting a hollow volume covering the deformable membrane on the side opposite the base, while encompassing at least the closed contour, at least one inlet for a fluid the pressure of which is to be measured in a pressure range, wherein the deformable membrane is such that the expansion thereof for said pressure range is sufficient to be visible to the naked eye and to allow a direct display indicative of the pressure, in that the base is drilled with at least one first hole a first end of which emerges between the deformable membrane and the base in the closed contour, in that the body is drilled with at least one second hole a first end of which emerges into said hollow volume, in that the other end of the first hole is linked to the inlet respectively to the open air, in that the other end of the second hole is linked to the open air, respectively to the inlet, so that a pressure, respectively a pressure reduction, of fluid at the inlet causes an expansion of the deformable membrane in the hollow volume delimited by the body. Application of such an indicator to the monitoring of the inflation of a medical apparatus pad. |
| US10145746B2 |
Diode array-based digitized miniature ultra-low-power-consumption impact monitoring system
The present invention discloses a diode array-based digitized miniature ultra-low-power-consumption impact monitoring system, which belongs to the technical field of aircraft structural health monitoring. The impact monitoring system consists of a miniature sensor array interface, a passive band-pass filter array, a diode array, a digital conversion and management module, an on-board bus communication module, a monitoring data storage module, a self-powering module, and a miniature communication and power supply interface. According to the impact monitoring system, the amplitudes of impact response signals are controlled within a clamp voltage range of diodes by using the diode array, thereby realizing the first-stage digitization; and the second-stage digitization of the impact response signals is realized by using the digital conversion and management module consisting of a miniature field programmable gate array of ultra-low-power-consumption. The impact monitoring system can realize on-line, real-time and uninterrupted impact monitoring on large-scale aircraft structures, thereby improving the safety and maintenance efficiency of the aircraft structures. |
| US10145743B2 |
Superconducting thermal detector (bolometer) of terahertz (sub-millimeter wave) radiation
A superconducting thermal detector (bolometer) of THz (sub-millimeter) wave radiation based on sensing the change in the amplitude or phase of a resonator circuit, consisting of a capacitor (Csh) and a superconducting temperature dependent inductor where the said inductor is thermally isolated from the heat bath (chip substrate) by micro-suspensions. The bolometer design includes a thin film inductor located on the membrane, a single or/and multi-layered thin film capacitor, and a thin film absorber of incoming radiation. The bolometer design can also include a lithographic antenna with antenna termination and/or a back reflector beneath the membrane for optimal wavelength detection by the resonance circuit. The superconducting thermal detector (bolometer) and arrays of these detectors operate in a temperature range from 1 Kelvin to 10 Kelvin. |
| US10145737B1 |
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe for simplified light collection and laser operation
A Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) probe using a dove prism for the laser media. The use of a dove prism allows for the removal of two mirrors over prior art schemes. The use of the dove prism allows for the light from the spark to be analyzed from the return path. |
| US10145731B2 |
Performance testing device for multi-channel tunable laser
A performance testing device for a multi-channel tunable laser, comprising a collimating and coupling lens, a first beam splitter, a power testing unit, a side-mode suppression ratio testing unit, a wavelength testing unit and a control and drive unit, the power testing unit being positioned in a reflection path of the first beam splitter, the wavelength testing unit being positioned in a transmission path of the first beam splitter, the side-mode suppression ratio testing unit being positioned in a reflection path of the second beam splitter, the control and drive unit being in a control connection with the power testing unit, the side-mode suppression ratio testing unit and the wavelength testing unit. The performance testing device has a simple structure, a low cost, and is convenient to use. |
| US10145727B2 |
Method and structure for diminishing signal interference of transmission path of optical fibre interference system
A method for diminishing the signal interference of a transmission path of an optical fiber interference system, belonging to the technical field of optical fiber sensing. A wavelength division multiplexer (19) is connected in series to the end of an induced optical fiber, a wavelength component (λ2) is separated from an operating path by means of the wavelength division multiplexer (19) so as to measure a signal picked up by a transmission path, and the signal is removed from overall interference sensing signals by taking same as a reference, thereby obtaining a target measurement signal. Also provided is a structure for diminishing the signal interference of a transmission path of an optical fiber interference system. The method and the structure are simple; moreover, the device connected to the end of an induced optical fiber is passive, so that power supply is not required, and it is easy to implement. The present invention can be used for a sensing structure with a single measurement point and can be used in a sensing structure with a plurality of discontinuous measurement points as well. |
| US10145724B2 |
Case holder with weighing sensor
A case holder with weighing sensor that weighs accurately, has a fixing base of a weighing sensor built in the holder, and ensures the fixed end and the loading end of the weighing sensor meet weighing principle. It includes a grip and a lifting arrangement arranged at two ends of the lower surface of the grip and allowed to pass through a case surface to be fixedly connected with a stressed plate below the case surface. A neutral zone of the grip provides a fixing base for arranging a weighing sensor. A fixed end of the weighing sensor is fixedly connected on the fixing base with screw. A loading end of the weighing sensor includes a rigid and structurally closed lifting bushing fixedly connected thereon. The lifting bushing is arranged around the grip, the fixing base, and the weighing sensor and has two ends separately arranged to the corresponding lifting arrangement. The inner wall of the lifting bushing and the grip have a gap therebetween. Contrasting to the prior art, the present invention allows the relationship of the loading end and the fixed end of the weighing sensor to stick to the weighing principle. Therefore, cases that use the holder of the present invention can weight very accurately. |
| US10145723B2 |
Cart enclosure for weighing a cart inserted therein
A dispenser having an interior portion that is dimensioned for receiving a wheeled cart that is configured for storing items to be dispensed from the dispenser. The cart may, for example, be supported by at least two non-swiveled wheels disposed adjacent a first end of the cart and at least one swiveled wheel disposed adjacent a second end of the cart. In particular embodiments, the dispenser includes a pivotable wheel support that is adapted for: (A) supporting the cart's non-swiveled wheels; and (B) while supporting these non-swiveled wheels in respective, substantially fixed positions relative to the pivotable wheel support, pivoting from: (1) a first position in which the cart is positioned outside the dispenser; to (2) a second position in which the cart is positioned within the dispenser's interior. This may assist in loading the cart into the dispenser. |
| US10145722B2 |
Method for manufacturing a tank with a calibrated sensor
A method for manufacturing a tank for a motor vehicle for storing a liquid additive with a calibrated sensor for determining at least one parameter of the liquid additive in the tank. In a step a) the sensor is installed in the tank. In a step b) the tank is at least partially filled with a predefined quantity of a test liquid. In a step c) a signal of the sensor is determined, and in a step d) the sensor is calibrated with the signal. |
| US10145721B2 |
Flexible float-type liquid level measurement device
A flexible float-type liquid level measurement device includes an outer tube securement member, a signal connection module, a flexible outer tube, a suspension member, a flexible supporting unit and a magnetic floating ball. The signal connection module is arranged on one end of the outer tube securement member. The flexible outer tube is connected to the outer tube securement member. The suspension member is connected to another end of the flexible outer tube. The flexible supporting unit is arranged inside the flexible outer tube, and the flexible supporting unit includes one end connected to the outer tube securement member and another end connected to the suspension member. The magnetic floating ball is moveably mounted onto the flexible outer tube. Accordingly, the elongated deformation of the flexible outer tube can be prevented while the measurement accuracy and useful lifetime of the measurement device can be increased. |
| US10145717B2 |
Method for determining a filling level of a fluid tank in a motor vehicle
A method for determining a filling level of a fluid tank in a motor vehicle, enables both a detection of an ascent or a descent of the motor vehicle with the aid of multiple pieces of position data ascertained in succession via a position determination system, and a plausibility check of the measuring value of the filling level sensor, in that a grade of an associated route section is ascertained for the ascertained position data, a selection of at least two route sections having different grades is carried out, and a measuring value of the filling level sensor to be expected is ascertained for each of them, and a comparison of the measuring values to be expected with the measured measuring values is carried out. |
| US10145716B2 |
Mass airflow sensor including one or more flow deflectors for inhibiting reverse airflow through the mass airflow sensor
A mass airflow sensor according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a sensor element, and a flow deflector. The housing defines an airflow passage configured to receive air flowing in a first direction. The sensor element is disposed in the airflow passage and generates a signal indicating a mass flow rate of air flowing through the airflow passage. The flow deflector is disposed in the airflow passage downstream of the sensor element, extends from an inner wall surface of the airflow passage, and is configured to inhibit air flow through the airflow passage in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. |
| US10145715B2 |
Ultrasonic flowmeter
An ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow rate of a fluid includes a measurement sensor, at least two ultrasonic transducers, a pressure sensor, and a calibration connector. The ultrasonic flowmeter allows a simple and inexpensive calibration of the pressure sensor in the flowmeter. |
| US10145714B2 |
Ultrasonic flow measuring device having a downstream resistance network for improved zero point stability
A field device, especially an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, comprising: a transmitter for producing an alternating exciter signal; and at least one transducer, especially first and second ultrasonic transducers. The transmitter additionally has a generator for producing the alternating exciter signal and a transmitting stage, wherein the generator is connected via the transmitting stage with at least the first ultrasonic transducer. An output of the transmitting stage is connected with the transducer, especially the first ultrasonic transducer, via a first signal path, wherein the first signal path has a first resistance element, wherein a second signal path branches from the first signal path, wherein the second signal path has a second resistance element connected on one side to ground for lessening impedance related fluctuations of the exciter signal, wherein the second signal path branches from the first signal path between the output of the transmitting stage and the first resistance element. |
| US10145712B2 |
Optical encoder including diffuser members
An optical encoder having diffuser members, and methods for detecting the rotational movement of the cylinder of the optical encoder are disclosed. The optical encoder may include a rotatable cylinder configured to reflect light. The rotatable cylinder may include an encoding pattern of alternating reflective stripes having distinct light-reflective properties. The optical encoder may also include a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, and an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder. The array of optical sensors may receive the reflected light from the rotatable cylinder. The optical encoder may include a diffuser member positioned on the rotatable cylinder, the light source, and the array of optical sensors. |
| US10145710B2 |
Motor assembly sensor capture systems and methods
A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor. |
| US10145701B1 |
Method and system for crowd-sourced navigation profile options
A method and a system for recommending a pedestrian route based on crowd-sourced pedestrian navigation associated with an indoor area. The method comprises displaying a set of graphical icons representing a respective route traversal profile option, the set rendered within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device, the GUI depicting a layout of the indoor area, receiving a selection of a graphical icon from the set, storing route activity data in association with the selected graphical icon during traversal, by the mobile device, of a route within the layout, adding the route activity data to accumulated route navigation data associated with the selected graphical icon, and based on a predetermined threshold associated with the adding, deploying the respective route traversal profile option represented by the selected graphical icon, the profile option recommending the pedestrian route based at least in part on the route activity data. |
| US10145699B2 |
System and methods for real-time escape route planning for fire fighting and natural disasters
A forest fire real-time escape route planning system may include a processor that receives real-time Geographical Information System data. The system may include a firefighter endurance and route-planning model for determining, based on data received by the processor, one or more firefighter evacuation routes to one or more safe areas. The model may determine a rating for each evacuation route based on a degree of risk. The model may predict a rate of fire progression based on fire fuel proximate the fire. They system may include a transmitting device for communicating the one or more firefighter evacuation routes along with the rating for each evacuation route to a mobile device. The mobile device may be configured to display the one or more firefighter evacuation routes overlaid on a map depicting a current location of a firefighter relative to the fire. |
| US10145694B2 |
Technologies for providing information to a user while traveling
Technologies for providing information to a user while traveling include a mobile computing device to determine network condition information associated with a route segment. The route segment may be one of a number of route segments defining at least one route from a starting location to a destination. The mobile computing device may determine a route from the starting location to the destination based on the network condition information. The mobile computing device may upload the network condition information to a crowdsourcing server. A mobile computing device may predict a future location of the device based on device context, determine a safety level for the predicted location, and notify the user if the safety level is below a threshold safety level. The device context may include location, time of day, and other data. The safety level may be determined based on predefined crime data. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10145691B2 |
Ambiguity map match rating
Methods and apparatuses are provided for generating, using, and storing ambiguity ratings for map matching. In an embodiment, an ambiguity rating is generated using a road segment and a relationship of the road segment and other nearby road segments. The ambiguity rating may be stored in a cell based map. The ambiguity rating may be used to select an efficient map matching algorithm and provide expected map matching confidence. |
| US10145689B1 |
Method and system of pedestrian localization
A method and system localizing a mobile device along a pedestrian route traversed in an indoor area, the mobile device including a processor and a memory. The method executed in the processor and comprises localizing the mobile device to an estimated first position within the indoor area based on accessing, from a first memory tier of the memory, a first portion fingerprint data that includes fingerprint data of a first subset area of the indoor area, the first subset area at least partly surrounding the estimated first position, detecting a traversal of the mobile device along the route to an estimated second position within the indoor area, and when a difference between the estimated first and second positions exceeds a threshold distance, replacing the first portion fingerprint data of the first memory tier upon pre-fetching a second portion fingerprint data, the second portion fingerprint data including fingerprint data of a second subset area of the indoor area, the second subset area at least partly surrounding the estimated second position. |
| US10145684B1 |
Accident reconstruction implementing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may facilitate the generation of a virtual reconstruction model of a vehicle collision. UAVs may collect data (including images) related to the vehicle collision, such as with the insured's permission, which may be received by an external computing device associated with the insurer and utilized to perform a photogrammetric analysis of the images to determine vehicle impact points, the road layout at the scene of the collision, the speeds and directions of vehicles, etc. This data may be used to generate a virtual reconstruction model of the vehicle collision. An insurer may use the virtual reconstruction model to perform various insurance-related tasks, such as allocating fault to drivers or autonomous vehicles involved in the vehicle collision, and adjustment of insurance pricing based upon the fault allocation. As a result, innocent drivers or vehicles may not be unfairly penalized for vehicle collisions not their fault. |
| US10145683B2 |
Method and device for measuring dip angle of oppositely crossly placed paired quartered ring-quartered circle nested polar plates
A method for measuring a dip angle of oppositely crossly placed paired quartered ring-quartered circle nested polar plates. An annular coplanar capacitance measuring head of a sensor unit consists of four quarter round metal plates and four quarter circular-ring-shaped metal plates, the eight metal plates are coplanar and concentric with one another, and a quarter round metal plate and a quarter circular-ring-shaped metal plate corresponding to the same sector angle form a capacitor. Two annular coplanar capacitance measuring heads are arranged on two round insulating substrates, the two round insulating substrates are used as two bottom surfaces of a cylindrical container, the cylindrical container is transversely arranged, and an insulating liquid equal to ½ volume of the cylindrical container is injected into the cylindrical container in a sealing manner. Potential leads extract potentials of the sixteen metal plates and are connected to an input end of a capacitance measuring unit, and the capacitance measuring unit is connected to a dip measuring unit. When the cylindrical container tilts, the relative positions of the two annular coplanar capacitance measuring heads and the insulating liquid are changed, and a dip angle value can be calculated by measuring the change of a capacitance value. Also disclosed is a device for measuring a dip angle of oppositely crossly placed paired quartered ring-quartered circle nested polar plates. |
| US10145680B2 |
Devices and methods for providing depth mapping with scanning laser image projection
Devices and methods are described herein for combining image projection with surface scanning. In general, the devices and methods utilize at least one source of laser light to generate a laser beam, and scanning mirror(s) that reflect the laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. The source of light is controlled to selectively generate projected image pixels during a first portion of the pattern of scan lines, and to selectively generate depth mapping pulses during a second portion of the pattern of scan lines. The projected image pixels generate a projected image, while the depth mapping pulses are reflected from the surface, received, and used to generate a 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. Thus, during each scan of the pattern both a projected image and a surface depth map can be generated. |
| US10145679B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measuring device and three-dimensional shape measuring method
A three-dimensional shape measuring device is provided that enables an accuracy in measuring a three-dimensional shape of a subject to be improved even when a relationship between a luminance value and a distance deviates from an ideal point light source model in which the luminance value is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. A biometric authentication device includes a coefficient setting unit that sets a coefficient that is an index of a power in a model expression for making a luminance value of a captured image be proportional to an inverse of the power of a distance from a light source to a measurement point of the luminance value according to a prescribed condition, and a three-dimensional shape measuring unit that measures the three-dimensional shape of the subject according to the luminance value of the captured image and the coefficient. |
| US10145678B2 |
CMOS image sensor for depth measurement using triangulation with point scan
Using the same image sensor to capture both a two-dimensional (2D) image of a three-dimensional (3D) object and 3D depth measurements for the object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor generates a multi-bit output in the 2D mode and a binary output in the 3D mode to generate timestamps. Strong ambient light is rejected by switching the image sensor to a 3D logarithmic mode from a 3D linear mode. |
| US10145677B2 |
Method and apparatus for examining brain injury due to impact
An impact test system includes a head model having a head exterior component; a skull component; a brain component; a fluid component; an interior cavity surface; and a translucent cover, wherein the head model is coupled with a mount, the brain component and fluid components are configured within the interior cavity, and wherein the translucent cover is configured over a portion of the brain component and fluid component. A mount is configured to a least partially restrain the head model. A camera is configured to take a plurality of images of the brain and the fluid components through the translucent cover when the head model is under an impact force. |
| US10145673B2 |
Method and device for measuring plating ring assembly dimensions
A method for obtaining distance measurements for a plating ring assembly and related device are provided. Embodiments include attaching a measurement device to a plating ring assembly, the plating ring assembly including: an outer ring, wherein the measurement device is attached to the outer ring and configured to rotate along the outer ring, a seal extending from a bottom surface of the outer ring along a circumference of the plating ring assembly, contact fingers located along the circumference of the plating ring assembly, between the outer ring and the seal, rotating the measurement device along the circumference of the outer ring by rotating the measurement device or the plating ring assembly; and obtaining critical dimensions of and between the seal and contact fingers with the measurement device. |
| US10145670B2 |
Systems and methods for projected grid-based location tracking
Systems and methods that provide a framework for location tracking of a movable target component or device (e.g., an automated device or a hand-operated device) to accurately cover an area of interest along a specified path or in a specified region. Grid patterns are projected onto a surface of a workpiece or a part. The projected grid lines may be straight or curved. Straight grid lines can be parallel or intersecting. The grid pattern may include a path to be followed. The lines of the projected grid pattern are detected by a grid detection sensor which is mounted onboard the movable target component or device. Information from the grid detection sensor is fed to a location mapping program. The systems and methods also enable navigation for use in automated and autonomous manufacturing and maintenance operations, as well as other tracking-based applications. |
| US10145663B2 |
Spare magazine holder for a holster facilitating rapid magazine replacement
A spare magazine holder for a holster facilitates rapid magazine replacement. Each spare magazine is supported in a well in the holder at a predetermined angle relative to the grip of the pistol in the pistol sleeve to allow for straightforward and rapid exchange. The spare magazine may be substantially parallel or at least near-parallel to the magazine loaded in the grip of the pistol in the pistol sleeve. The holder preferably includes two wells in a vertical stack, each configured to receive a spare magazine at substantially the same angle. One or more fasteners may be provided for adjusting the frictional engagement of the spare magazine disposed in each well. The spare magazine(s) may be disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the pistol, and this plane may be offset from the plane defined by the grip and the barrel of the gun. |
| US10145662B2 |
Method of making polymer ammunition having a metal injection molded primer insert
The present invention provides a method of making polymer ammunition having a metal injection molded primer insert. |
| US10145661B2 |
Multi-warhead munition with configurable segmented warhead
A multi-warhead munition includes a first cylindrical warhead having a cavity filled with high explosive, and a second cylindrical warhead offset axially from the first cylindrical warhead. The second cylindrical warhead is a transformable, segmented warhead including a plurality of segments each having an outer segment face bounding a cavity of the segment filled with high explosive. The segments are elongated and mounted at one end for rotation away from an axis of the munition to an open position in which the segment faces are pointed in a forward direction for detonation. Rotation may generally be somewhere in a broad range from about 105 degrees to about 170 degrees, obtaining different effects in different sub-ranges. The munition includes first and second detonators for the first and second cylindrical warheads respectively, the second detonator simultaneously detonating the segments of the second cylindrical warhead. |
| US10145660B1 |
Land mine detection system
The present invention discloses a dual-technology sensor head tightly integrating an Electromagnetic Induction (EI) sensor coil for detection, localization and discrimination of metal in mines and Improvised Explosive Devises (IED), and a dual polarized Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar antenna array for Ground Penetrating Radar for detection, localization and discrimination of same. The core challenge addressed is how to prevent the EI sensor from detecting the metal in the UWB antenna which then desensitizes the EI sensor and degrades its dynamic range. The key characteristic of the new UWB radar antenna design is its very low magnetic induction, thereby imposing very little degradation to the EI coil. Additionally, the UWB antenna array incorporates unique design features to enhances its low frequency performance for better penetration of the ground. Through the design guidelines taught herein the EI sensor has been demonstrated to incur no degradation from the proximate UWB array. |
| US10145654B2 |
Motor driven aiming device and method
A method of controlling a motor-driven aiming device, the method including the steps of servo-controlling the motor as a function of a difference between a nominal speed setpoint and a measurement of the angular speed sensor, and in the event of saturation, determining a correction value for correcting the nominal speed setpoint as a function of a difference between a reference inertial position prior to the saturation and a current inertial position, and applying the correction value to the nominal speed setpoint. An aiming device for implementing the method. |
| US10145648B1 |
Anti-slip handguard assembly
A handguard assembly includes a handguard and a key. The handguard includes a first ear with a first ear inner surface and a second ear with a second ear inner surface that cooperate to define a slot that extends in a longitudinal direction. The key is received in the handguard and includes a main body with an interior side and an exterior side that face in opposite directions from one another so as to define a main body depth and a first projection extending from the interior side of the main body so as to define a first projection depth. The first projection includes a first projection contact face that contacts the second ear inner surface when at least one fastener compresses the slot so as to prevent overtightening of the handguard. |
| US10145646B2 |
Archery bowstring release enabling sensitivity adjustment
A bowstring release is described herein. The bowstring release has, in an embodiment, a release body and a hook for holding a bowstring. The bowstring release includes a hook engager configurable to adjust the sensitivity of the bowstring release. |
| US10145638B1 |
Firearm rotation limiter and method
A method and apparatus for limiting the amount of rotation of a upper assembly in relation to a sub-assembly is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pin corresponding to a pinhole of a sub-assembly of a firearm. A bumper is coupled to the pin by a connector. When the pin is placed in the pinhole, the bumper will prevent full rotation of the upper in relation to the sub-assembly while allowing some separation. The method comprises replacing a front pin of a firearm with a pin such that bumper abuts the upper and the sub-assembly when the upper is rotated about the pin. When the upper is rotated, the magazine is removed. |
| US10145634B2 |
Pistol and captive recoil spring
A captive recoil spring assembly includes a guide rod surrounded by a coil spring. The spring is captured between a base at one end of the guide rod, and a body at its opposite end. The body is shaped to engage the spring at one or more sectors, leaving one or more remaining sectors free to engage the slide. Use of such a body permits a round wire spring to be used without the need for close dimensional tolerances on the engaging parts. |
| US10145630B2 |
Aluminum alloy fin material for heat exchangers, and method of producing the same
An aluminum alloy fin material for heat exchangers, containing 0.5 to 1.5 mass % of Si; 0.1 to 1.0 mass % of Fe; 0.8 to 1.8 mass % of Mn; and 0.4 to 2.5 mass % of Zn, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, wherein a metallographic microstructure before braze-heating is such that a density of second phase particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of less than 0.1 μm is less than 1×107 particles/mm2, and that a density of second phase particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of 0.1 μm or more is 5×104 particles/mm2 or more, wherein a tensile strength before braze-heating, TSB (N/mm2), a tensile strength after braze-heating, TSA (N/mm2), and a sheet thickness of the fin material, t (μm), satisfy a relationship: 0.4≤(TSB−TSA)/t≤2.1, and wherein the sheet thickness is 150 μm or less; and a method of producing the same. |
| US10145629B2 |
Metal substrates including metal oxide nanoporous thin films and methods of making the same
The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof. |
| US10145627B2 |
Nanotube-based insulators
A nanotube-based insulator is provided having thermal insulating properties. The insulator can include a plurality of nanotube sheets stacked on top of one another. Each nanotube sheet can be defined by a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes can be configured so as to decrease normal-to-plane thermal conductivity while permitting in-plane thermal conductivity. A plurality of spacers can be situated between adjacent nanotube sheets so as to reduce interlayer contact between the nanotubes in each sheet. The plurality of spacers can be ceramic or alumina dots or provided by texturing the nanotube sheets. |
| US10145626B2 |
Internally stiffened extended service heat recovery steam generator apparatus
A heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) includes a first casing having an interior enclosing at least one duct for gas to flow therein along a gas flow axis. Each duct is defined by duct defining members that are spaced apart from each other and extend into the interior of the first casing. A plurality of stiffening members are elongated along the gas flow axis. Each of the stiffening members are positioned between two of the duct defining members. The stiffening members and duct defining members have a substantially similar coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US10145624B2 |
Wavy fin, heat exchanger having the same, apparatus for manufacturing the same, method for manufacturing the same and computer recordable medium storing the method
Disclosed herein are a wavy fin, a heat exchanger having the same, an apparatus for manufacturing the same, a method of manufacturing the same, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the method. The wavy fin is configured such that top and bottom parts are alternately formed in a width direction while being connected by side parts, and the top, bottom, and side parts extend in a longitudinal direction so as to form a wave such that ridges and valleys are alternately repeated, and includes a front part in front of each ridge or valley of the wave in the longitudinal direction, and a rear part beyond the ridge or valley of the wave in the longitudinal direction. The front and rear parts are offset from each other in the width direction so as to be misaligned at the ridge or valley of the wave. |
| US10145622B2 |
Textile thread or fibre
Aspects of the present invention relate to a textile fiber, thread or yarn. The fiber, thread or yarn is generally for production into a fabric. Alternative aspects are described for achieving a cooling effect, energy harvesting, heating, energy generation, energy emission, and others. |
| US10145618B2 |
Portable heat treatment apparatus
The embodiments herein provide a portable heat treatment machine comprising a forge body having a burn chamber surrounded by a housing, shell, or forge body. The openings are provided at the front side and at the back side of the forging body to move a forging material in and out of the burn chamber. The openings of the burn chamber and the forge body are covered with a sliding door. The sliding doors are opened to the desired degree to prevent a heat loss. A tab is provided to limit the movement of the sliding doors. Any desired off-shelf burner is inserted through a burner insert hole provided at the side of the forge body and is held and supported by a bracket attached to the forge body. Several legs are removably attached to the forge body to adjust the height of the body. |
| US10145615B2 |
Structures of composite crucibles and high temperature adiabatic method in arc heating process thereof
A structure of composite crucibles and a high temperature adiabatic method in an arc heating process are disclosed. The structure may include a conventional water-cooled copper platform on which one or more graphite platform(s) are disposed and the topmost graphite platform is configured for disposing one or more metallic specimen(s). When arc smelts the metallic specimen(s) in the furnace in vacuum, and the heat of the metallic specimen(s) is transferred to the graphite platform, the graphite platform can reduce heat loss and improve heat preservation so as to cause the metallic specimen(s) to remain stable for the process of heating and melting to complete. The heat of the graphite platform is further transferred to the copper platform for lowering the temperature of the graphite platform. |
| US10145613B2 |
Element for anchoring an anti-erosion coating to an inner wall of a chamber of an FCC unit
The invention relates to a metal element (12) for anchoring an anti-erosion coating that is intended to be fastened alone in an isolated manner to a metal wall or assembled with other identical anchoring elements. The anchoring element (12) has an edge (12a) for fastening to said metal wall and an anchoring body firmly attached to the fastening edge (12a) and having an upper edge (12b) that is away from the fastening edge and intended to be covered by a composite material of concrete type. A section of this upper edge (12b), which is not intended to be juxtaposed and assembled with an upper edge of an identical anchoring element, is provided with a delimiting tab (16) in order to delimit a height of composite material that must cover the upper edge (12b) of said anchoring element, said delimiting tab (16) having a delimiting edge (18) that is a predetermined distance away from a plane defined by the upper edge (12b) of the anchoring element. |
| US10145612B2 |
Flicker reduction in electric arc furnaces by means of flicker prediction from the state determination in the initial phase of the smelting process
Flicker values to be expected may be determined and achieve a high probability from suitable state and operating variables which are acquired during the first minutes in the initial smelting phase. In this way, flicker can effectively be reduced and kept below predefined limiting values. This is in particular suitable during steel production using electric arc furnaces. |
| US10145610B2 |
Automatic vacuum drying device
An automatic vacuum drying device comprises a drying oven, a heating device used to heat the drying oven, a vacuum extraction device used to evacuate the drying oven, a nitrogen input device used to input nitrogen into the drying oven, and a transporting device located inside the drying oven and used to transport materials, two first openings are located at two opposite sides of the drying oven, an automatic sealing door is mounted on at least one of the first openings, the automatic sealing door includes a first door plank and a second door plank parallel to the first door plank, an elevator structure is located between the first door plank and the second door plank, the elevator structure is used to lift the first door plank and the second door plank. The automatic vacuum drying devices can form an automatic vacuum drying production line conveniently, and the automatic vacuum drying production line has high degree of automation, and high processing efficiency, such that it is possible to drastically improve the vacuum drying efficiency. |
| US10145609B2 |
Method ad apparatus for argon recovery in a cryogenic air separation unit integrated with a pressure swing adsorption
A method and apparatus for argon recovery in which an impure argon stream is separated from air within a cryogenic air separation unit having an argon rejection column and a reflux type argon condenser disposed internally within the lower pressure column. An impure argon stream is subsequently recovered from the argon rejection column and purified within an integrated adsorbent based argon refining and purification subsystem to produce product grade argon. The waste stream from the adsorbent based argon refining and purification subsystem is recycled back to the argon rejection column so as to improve the argon recovery. |
| US10145608B2 |
Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
A refrigerator including a refrigerator body including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment cooling circuit including a refrigerating compartment compressor for compressing refrigerant, a refrigerating compartment condenser, a refrigerating compartment expansion unit, and a refrigerating compartment evaporator for causing the refrigerant to exchange heat with the refrigerating compartment; a freezing compartment cooling circuit including a freezing compartment compressor for compressing refrigerant, a freezing compartment condenser, a freezing compartment expansion unit, and a freezing compartment evaporator; a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor; a freezing compartment temperature sensor; and a control unit for controlling the refrigerating compartment compressor and the freezing compartment compressor to be concurrently operated so as to proceed to a concurrent operation mode when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are under a concurrent cooling condition, and for controlling one or both of the refrigerating compartment compressor and the freezing compartment compressor to be operated so as to proceed to a selective operation mode in consideration of a previous operation state when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are under a selective cooling condition. |
| US10145607B2 |
Method for operating a refrigeration system for a cargo container
A method for operating a refrigeration system in order to perform temperature control of a closed volume is disclosed. The refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in series in a refrigerant flow path. The refrigeration system further comprises one or more fans arranged to cause a flow of air across the evaporator.The compressor is controlled by switching the compressor on or off in accordance with a measured temperature, Tsup, of air which has passed across the evaporator and is being supplied to the closed volume, and in order to achieve a set point temperature, Tset, in the closed volume. During this a compressor switching pattern is determined.Temperature fluctuations inside the closed volume are minimized, and energy is conserved. |
| US10145605B2 |
Refrigerator
The refrigerator includes item storage units arranged in multiple layers in a storage compartment, horizontal frames arranged in multiple layers, the horizontal frames respectively supporting the item storage units, a vertical frame coupled to each of the horizontal frames, the vertical frame extending vertically, first rail units arranged in multiple layers, the first rail units respectively supporting the horizontal frames so that the horizontal frames is movable in a front-to-back direction relative to the storage compartment, a link to connect any one of the horizontal frames arranged and the door to each other so as to move the horizontal frames in the front-to-back direction in response to rotation of the door, and a second rail unit located between the item storage unit and the horizontal frame arranged in the same layer so as to movably support the item storage unit in the front-to-back direction. |
| US10145602B2 |
Active gas-gap heat switch with fast thermal response
An active gas-gap heat switch may significantly reduce the time required to transition between the open and closed states, reduce the heat require to warm the getter, and reduce the heat that leaks from the getter to the switch body. A thermal interface at one end of the active gas-gap heat switch may include a plurality of fins. A getter assembly may be hermetically attached to the thermal interface and a containment tube may surround and house the plurality of fins. |
| US10145599B2 |
Refrigerator having a controller for executing a load match operation, and a control method thereof
The disclosure relates to a refrigerator which includes a compressor capable of generating cooling capacity for executing at least one of a refrigerating operation and a freezing operation, a temperature sensor capable of sensing an internal temperature of the refrigerator, to which cold air is supplied, at a specific period, in response to at least one of the freezing operation and the refrigerating operation, and a controller capable of calculating a rate of change in the internal temperature using the sensed internal temperature, and controlling the cooling capacity of the compressor based on the calculated rate of change in the internal temperature. |
| US10145589B2 |
Net heat load compensation control method and appliance for temperature stability
A refrigerator and method are provided where the refrigerator includes two or more cooling compartments monitored by temperature sensors and cooled by a plurality of evaporators. The cooling for the evaporators is provided by a compressor operating on a recurring cooling cycle. A processor provides varying levels of voltages to the compressor and sets the recurring cooling cycle. The recurring cooling cycle comprises at least two cooling periods and a rest period. The method includes determines the length of the rest period as compared a predetermined rest period range. When the rest period falls outside the predetermined range, the processor selects the voltage to send to the compressor during a subsequent cooling cycle. The processor selects the voltage based on at least one of the temperature of the first and second compartments and the voltage to the compressor during the cooling cycle. |
| US10145587B2 |
Refrigeration device
A refrigeration device having a closed circuit in which a flow rate of coolant is circulating is provided. The closed circuit has a condenser and a main branch provided with a reciprocating compressor inside which a defined flow rate of the coolant enters, from the main branch, at a defined suction pressure, of an evaporator and a first expansion valve that is arranged between the condenser and the evaporator. The closed circuit further has a first secondary economizer branch for a first fraction of flow rate of the coolant, the first secondary economizer branch fluidically connecting the compressor to a section of the closed circuit between the condenser and the first expansion valve, wherein the compressor has a first side inlet port for the entrance of the first fraction of coolant flow rate. |
| US10145584B2 |
Method of and system for flame sensing and diagnostic
A method of determining presence of a flame in a furnace of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The method comprises determining, using a controller, whether a processor signal (G) is active, responsive to a determination that the processor signal (G) is active, determining, using the controller prior to assertion of a flame-test input control signal, an output state of a first comparator, responsive to a determination that the output state of the first comparator is high, determining, using the controller prior to assertion of the flame-test input control signal, an output state of a second comparator, and responsive to a determination that the output state of the second comparator is low, transmitting, using the controller, a notification that a flame is present. |
| US10145578B2 |
HVAC controller with checkout utility
A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed. |
| US10145573B2 |
Humidifying apparatus
A humidifying apparatus comprising a base comprising a chamber, a water tank removably mounted on the base for supplying water to the chamber, an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller to generate an air flow, an inlet duct for conveying the air flow to the chamber, humidifying means for humidifying the air flow with water from the chamber; and an outlet duct for conveying the humidified air flow from the chamber, wherein a lower internal surface of the water tank comprises a raised portion and a feeder trough, which is lower than the raised portion when the water tank is mounted on the base. |
| US10145564B2 |
Cooking appliance
A cooking appliance includes a cabinet defining an exterior appearance of the cooking appliance and a top plate disposed on the cabinet. The top plate includes a first cooking unit configured to perform cooking using a heat source. The cooking appliance also may include a second cooking unit provided in the cabinet, the second cooking unit being configured to perform cooking using a heat source. The cooking appliance further includes a control panel with one or more manipulation units coupled to a front portion of the top plate and a bracket coupled to the top plate and configured to detachably couple the control panel to the front portion of the top plate. |
| US10145560B2 |
Valve with integrated actuating device, notably for a combustion system
The valve, notably for a combustion system, is comprised of a valve body, at least a first fluid inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe for the fluid arranged on the valve body, a shutter mounted movably within the valve body and capable of ensuring fluid communication between the pipes, and an actuating device of the shutter mounted within the valve body and capable of being controlled electrically. The valve also contains a cooling circuit arranged within the valve body and surrounding at least part of the actuating device, at least one cooling fluid inlet pipe, and at least one outlet pipe for the fluid arranged on the valve body and in fluid communication with the cooling circuit. |
| US10145559B2 |
Gas turbine engine with igniter stack or borescope mount having noncollinear cooling passages
A combustor for a gas turbine engine comprising a combustion liner defining a combustion chamber, wherein the combustion liner has at least one opening into which a combustor liner mount is received. The combustor liner mount can have at least one cooling passage defined therein having an inlet defining an inlet axis and an outlet defining an outlet axis, wherein the inlet axis is not collinear with the outlet axis for providing enhanced cooling to at least one of the combustor liner mount and an adjacent combustion component, such as an igniter or a borescope plug. |
| US10145556B1 |
Method of vaporizing a fluid
A method is provided to vaporize a working fluid using a heat sourcing fluid. A first portion of the heat sourcing fluid passes through the first section, in counter-flow with the working fluid. A second portion of the heat sourcing fluid passes through the second section, in co-flow with the working fluid. Both the first and second portions pass through the third section, in overall counter-flow with the working fluid. The working fluid passes sequentially through the third section, the first section, and the second section. The method may be used in a Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery or in a refrigerant cycle. |
| US10145555B2 |
Light fixture
A Cast Guard Unit (CGU) light fixture is suitable for dry and wet areas and seals a wiring cavity using a single O-Ring. A cylindrical projection of the CGU center telescopingly engages a cylindrical cavity in the CGU top to varying depth and flanges on the CGU center and CGU top sandwich a light shade. The engagement of the cylindrical projection into the cylindrical cavity is free to vary to accommodate varying thicknesses of various light shades. The O-Ring resides between the cylindrical projection and the cylindrical cavity sealing the wiring cavity. |
| US10145554B2 |
Scaleable solid state lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes a front enclosure and a back enclosure including guide slots formed thereon. A mounting plate including a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon is attached to the back enclosure. A circuit board is attached to the mounting plate. A center extrusion is attached to the back enclosure. A plurality of spaced fin extrusions are attached to the mounting plate and positioned in the guide slots of the back enclosure. Side rails are attached to the mounting plate and back enclosure and spaced from the fin extrusions. The plurality of spaced fin extrusions and side rails allow passage of air in an upward direction between the spaced extrusions and side rails transferring heat generated from the lighting apparatus to the air. |
| US10145553B1 |
Enhanced luminaires and lighting fixture housings implementing enchanced performance
A lighting luminaire is provided for implementing enhanced performance for multiple applications. A lighting fixture includes a housing defining a novel heat management system optionally formed by a unitary member or formed by two generally identical housing sections. The housing includes a predefined profile and features for heat transfer including an upper compartment where heat sensitive components are installed and a lower compartment where lighting modules, such as LED modules, are installed. The housing lower compartment includes an upwardly facing lower lens member and predefined features to minimize or prevent heat from traveling upwardly into the upper housing compartment. |
| US10145551B2 |
LED lamp with active chamber cooling
An LED lamp employing active cooling chambers is presented. The lamp features a housing having two active cooling chambers. One chamber, i.e. the first or cold chamber, contains an LED driver and one or more cooling fans, while the second chamber, i.e. the hot chamber, contains one or more LED modules secured to a heat sink. Fluid (air) communication between the two chambers is controlled by the one or more cooling fans. In operation, the fans draw ambient cooling air inside the cold chamber via air intake openings in the housing. The cooling air is then forced through a plurality of heat sink fins and heat transfer channels and exhausted from air exhaust openings in the housing. |
| US10145550B2 |
Lighting unit
A downlight assembly comprising:—(i) a mounting ring having a tubular body with an opening at a rear, the mounting ring being formed from a material that withstands temperatures used for fire rating tests and having a lower peripheral annular flange extending outwardly from a bottom end of the tubular body, and an upper peripheral annular flange extending inwardly from an upper end of the tubular body, said upper peripheral annular flange enabling the rear of the mounting ring to be substantially closed if required; (ii) a solid state lighting element comprising one or more LEDs mounted on a circuit board formed from a material having a melting point lower than 1000 degrees C.; (iii) a heat sink formed from a material having a melting point lower than 1000 degrees C. and being in thermal contact with the solid state lighting element and located substantially outside the mounting ring; and (iv) intumescent material wherein the intumescent material is adapted to expand to fill or occlude the tubular body in the event of a fire. |
| US10145547B2 |
Cable light
A cable light includes a battery receptacle that is electrically coupled to a first light module and a second light module. The battery receptacle includes a battery port that receives and retains a battery, such as a power tool battery pack. The first light module and the second light module each include a housing supporting a lens, a light emitter such as an LED, a reflector, and a hanger to hang the light modules on a workpiece. The first light module is electrically coupled to the battery receptacle, and the second light module is electrically coupled to the battery receptacle via a connection with the first light module. The battery receptacle communicates electrical power from the battery pack to the light modules to power the light emitters. |
| US10145541B2 |
Optical converter colour wheel
A light converter comprises: a solid-state optical member configured to absorb light of an excitation wavelength and generate light of an emission wavelength; a base; and a mechanical fastener attaching the solid-state optical member to the base. The light converter may be part of a light engine, a phosphor wheel or an automotive headlight. A method of manufacturing such a phosphor wheel is also provided. |
| US10145537B2 |
Illumination unit and vehicle lamp
An illumination unit includes a transparent substrate, a light source, a first half mirror, and a mirror. The light source is mounted on the transparent substrate. The first half mirror is disposed on a front side of the transparent substrate. The mirror is disposed on a rear side of the transparent substrate. Light emitted from the light source is repeatedly reflected between the first half mirror and the mirror while being transmitted through the transparent substrate, so as to be output forward from the first half mirror. |
| US10145533B2 |
Compact holographic illumination device
There is provided a color sequential illumination device comprising in series: first and second light sources; a condenser lens; and a grating device. The grating device comprises at least one Bragg grating. The condenser lens directs light from the first and second sources into the grating device at first and second incidence angles respectively. The grating device diffracts light from the first and second sources into a common direction. Desirably, the Bragg gratings are Electrically Switchable Bragg Gratings. In one embodiment of the invention the light sources are Light Emitting Diodes. Alternatively lasers may be used. |
| US10145532B2 |
Light emitting device package and backlight unit including the same
A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a light source, a lens located on the light source, and a pattern unit located on the lens, wherein the lens includes a body having a first lower surface facing the light source and a protrusion protruding from the body in a direction other than a direction of optical axis, and the pattern unit is located on at least one selected from among at least a portion of a surface of the protrusion and a first side surface of the body. |
| US10145531B2 |
Light emitting diode strobe lighting system
A lens and strobe light system are provided. The lens can include a base defining a cavity configured to accept one or more light sources. The lens can further include one or more lens segments disposed on the base. The one or more lens segments can be configured to direct light emitted from the one or more light sources out from the lens. The strobe light system can include a plurality of light sources, a plurality of lenses disposed on the plurality of light sources, and a controller configured to control the operation of the plurality of light sources. The plurality of lenses can be configured to direct light emitted from the plurality of light sources out from the strobe light system. |
| US10145527B2 |
Laser car lamp and night vision system using the same
A laser car lamp includes a light guide element, a phosphor element, a first laser diode, a second laser diode, a lens, and a reflector. The light guide element has first and second surfaces opposite to each other. The phosphor element and the lens are disposed at two opposite ends of the light guide element. The reflector is configured to reflect the first laser beam generated by the first laser diode and reflect the second laser beam generated by the second laser diode to the first surface. The first laser beam is scattered by the phosphor element to form a first scattered light, the second laser beam is excited and scattered by the phosphor element to form a second scattered light. The mixed light beam including the first scattered light beam and the second scattered light beam is emitted from the first surface toward the lens. |
| US10145526B2 |
Headlamp module
A headlamp module comprises a connecting base, a substrate, and at least two edge-type light emitting diode (LED) units. The at least two edge-type LED units are mounted to opposite surfaces of the substrate facing away from each other. Each edge-type LED unit comprises an LED chip, a wavelength converting layer, and a light reflecting layer. The LED chip comprises a bottom surface, a light emitting surface facing away from the bottom surface, and first sidewalls. The wavelength converting layer covers the light emitting surface and the first sidewalls. The wavelength converting layer converts emitted light to a desired range of wavelengths. The light reflecting layer reflects the converted light toward the second sidewalls, thus expanding the angle and brightness of light around the headlamp module and avoiding an unlit or dark area immediately around the headlamp module. |
| US10145522B2 |
Linear LED module
Various aspects of a light emitting apparatus include a substrate having at least one angled portion. Some aspects of the light emitting apparatus include at least one light emitting device arranged on the substrate. Some aspects of the light emitting apparatus include a plurality of conductors arranged on the substrate. In some aspects of the light emitting apparatus, the conductors are electrically coupled to the at least one light emitting device. |
| US10145519B1 |
Adjustable optic and lighting device assembly
A lighting device assembly includes: a heat sink; a light source attached to one end of the heat sink; and an optic assembly including an optic having a recess to receive at least a portion of the light source, the optic being configured to pivot about the light source while the portion of the light source remains within the recess. |
| US10145518B2 |
Nano-scale light-emitting diode (LED) electrode assembly emitting polarized light, method of manufacturing the same, and polarized LED lamp having the same
The present invention relates to a nano-scale light emitting diode (LED) electrode assembly emitting polarized light, a method of manufacturing the same, and a polarized LED lamp having the same, and more particularly, to a nano-scale LED electrode assembly in which partially polarized light close to light that is linearly polarized having one direction is emitted as an emitted light when applying a driving voltage to the nano-scale LED electrode assembly and also nano-scale LED devices are connected to a nano-scale electrode without defects such as an electrical short circuit while maximizing a light extraction efficiency, a method of manufacturing the same, and a polarized LED lamp having the same. |
| US10145515B2 |
Lighting device for accent lighting and method
Embodiments of invention are directed to a lighting device for use in accent lighting applications. In one embodiment, the lighting device includes a coherent light source, such as a laser, and a diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element may be, for example, a holographic optical element. The lighting device may be adapted to retrofit into a pre-existing light fixture. In one application, the lighting device may project a static or movable star field and/or static or movable clouds. |
| US10145511B2 |
Gas filling apparatus and method
A gas filling apparatus for filling a plurality of gas storage vessels with a gas, the apparatus comprising a plurality of gas filling ports, each port configured to introduce gas into one of the gas storage vessels, and a controller configured to supply gas to the gas filling ports for filling the vessels and to control the supply of gas to all of the gas filling ports based on a property of any one of the vessels. |
| US10145510B2 |
Mobile compressed gas refueler
A fully contained, mobile, compressed natural gas (CNG), compressed breathing air, or other compressed gas refueling unit, and methods of use of said refueling unit, that use a pneumatically powered booster pump to provide a consistent, high pressure filling of CNG storage tanks without using an external power source. |
| US10145508B2 |
Fluid storage tank with plurality of partition plates
A fluid storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first outer wall section that forms a front face in the length direction, the width direction and the height direction so as to form a space portion in which a fluid is stored; a plurality of partition plates arranged along the length direction of the first outer wall portion to divide the space portion into the plurality of sub-space portions; and an end portion located between the outermost partition plate of the plurality of partition plates and the first outer wall portion, wherein each of the partition plates is formed with a fluid through hole comprising: a gas through hole located on the top of the partition plate; and a liquid through hole located on the bottom of the partition plate so that fluids between the sub-pace portions are in communication with each other. |
| US10145506B2 |
Lockable, precision adjustment screw, with operability through a pressure vessel wall
A precision adjustment screw mechanism comprises a platform carried by a base. The platform is selectively movable towards and away from the base, and is selectively tiltable with respect to the base. A push-pull screw is secured to and between the platform and the base, to selectively displace the platform towards and away from the base. The push-pull screw has a ball-and-socket type joint between the platform and the base, with the platform tiltable with respect to the base about the ball-and-socket type joint. A cylindrical bellows has a proximal end sealed to the base and a distal end sealed to the platform, and circumscribes the push-pull screw between the base and the platform. The bellows can react torque exerted on the platform by a fastener of the push-pull screw. |
| US10145497B2 |
Inner ring
A pipe-connecting device including a resin-made tube and an inner ring. The inner ring has a flared portion and a tip-contracted outer-circumferential flared surface. The tip-contracted outer-circumferential flared surface is press-inserted into an end portion of the tube to cause the end portion of the tube to be flared and deformed. A section shape of the outer-circumferential flared surface in a direction extending along an axis of the inner ring body is formed into a convex curved surface passing through a first place, which is a maximum-diameter portion of the flared portion, a second place, which is the tip end side of the flared portion of the inner ring body, and a third place, which is between the first place and the second place, and in which a diameter is equal to an outer diameter of the tube with respect to the axis. |
| US10145492B2 |
Valve lockout device with viewing port and method
A valve lockout device with viewing port is disclosed herein. The valve lockout device with viewing port includes a first clamshell member, a second clamshell member, and a hinge pivotably connecting the first clamshell member and second clamshell member. The valve lockout device with viewing port is useful for observing the operational state of a valve when it is locked out for maintenance tasks. |
| US10145489B2 |
Adjustable fail-safe rotary spring operator with a retaining band
A rotary spring-return actuator operator is provided with a multi-slot shaft and a clock type spring retained by a retaining band which encircles the spring in such a manner as to insure that the potential energy within the spring is safely contained during all operations requiring disassembly of the actuator assembly, and wherein the retaining band facilitates the in-field reversal of the spring direction or the adjustment of the spring preload by securing the spring to one or more of the slots on the multi-slot shaft. |
| US10145488B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve includes a sleeve, a spool valve, and a solenoid part. The solenoid part has an electromagnetic coil, a solenoid core, a plunger that moves in the axial direction with respect to the solenoid core, and a stopper that is interposed between the plunger and the solenoid core to restrict movement of the plunger. The solenoid core includes a cylindrical part and an extended part. The cylindrical part has an opposing surface facing the plunger in the axial direction and a contact surface that is contacted by the stopper. The extended part is extended in the axial direction from an outer peripheral end of the cylindrical part. At least a part of the opposing surface of the cylindrical part is located closer to the plunger than the contact surface. |
| US10145485B2 |
Compressor device and method for controlling such a compressor device
Compressor device that comprises a compressor element that is equipped with a compression chamber with at least one coolant inlet, and which furthermore comprises a gas outlet, a gas/coolant separation tank connected to it, and, a cooling circuit with a cooler that extends between the separation tank and the coolant inlet, and which is equipped with control means to adjust the temperature of the coolant flow supplied to the compressor element, whereby the aforementioned control means comprise a first and a second sub-controller, each with a different target parameter, whereby the control means also comprise switching means to place one of the two sub-controllers in an activated state and the other sub-controller in a deactivated state. |
| US10145483B2 |
Corrosion-resistant ball valve
A corrosion-resistant ball valve (15) comprising a housing (1; 2), in which a spherical sealing member (3) provided with a passage duct is rotatably arranged and an operating spindle (4) which is detachably coupled to the sealing member (3), in which the sealing member (3) is provided with an uninterrupted corrosion-resistant coating layer (16a), in which said coating layer comprises a tubular part (16b) which surrounds at least a part of the operating spindle (4) and a method for producing such a ball valve (15). |
| US10145482B2 |
Frangible valve
A frangible valve is disclosed. The frangible valve can include an outer portion operable to form a pressure boundary for a pressure vessel. The frangible valve can also include an inner portion integrally formed with the outer portion and having a central region and a separation region about a perimeter of the central region proximate the outer portion. The separation region can have a thickness less than a thickness of the central region and can be configured to break at a predetermined fluid pressure inside the pressure vessel to vent pressure from the pressure vessel. |
| US10145474B2 |
Sealing arrangement
In order to provide a sealing arrangement for sealing between a first medium chamber filled with a first medium and a second medium chamber filled with a second medium, in the region of a component which is movable along the longitudinal axis, which can be easily manufactured and has low leakage, it is proposed that the sealing arrangement comprises a sealing element which comprises at least one dynamic sealing portion which is placed or placeable on the movable component, wherein the at least one dynamic sealing portion comprises at least two sealing lips between which a leakage reservoir is formed, wherein the leakage reservoir is partially delimited by two boundary surfaces of the sealing lips arranged facing one another, wherein the leakage reservoir is formed at least partially by a concave recess in at least one or between the at least two boundary surfaces of the sealing lips. |
| US10145473B2 |
Gasket
A gasket for sealing a compartment between a fixed and a roto-translatory member. The gasket has a metal support ring adapted to be connected to the fixed member; first sealing means in a position adjacent to a first ambient containing lubricant and defining two first annular sealing lips axially spaced to cooperate with the roto-translatory member and to counter the passage of lubricant/external contaminants between the first ambient and a second ambient connected with the outside; and second sealing means axially interposed between the first sealing means and the second ambient and defining a second sealing lip axially spaced from the first annular sealing lips and adapted to cooperate with the roto-translatory member to counter the passage of external contaminants towards the first sealing lips; the first sealing means comprise two first distinct sealing rings, axially arranged side by side and respectively carrying a relative first sealing lip. |
| US10145471B2 |
Variator bypass clutch
A dog clutch operable to bypass a variator of a transmission is disclosed. The dog clutch includes a housing engaged with an input ring of the variator. The dog clutch also includes a piston engaged with the housing and movable from a first position in which the piston is disengaged from an output ring of the variator to a second position in which the piston is engaged with the output ring. The variator input ring and output ring are locked together when the dog clutch is in the second position to prevent the variator from producing continuously variable torque output. The variator is operable to produce continuously-variable torque output when the dog clutch is in the first position. |
| US10145469B2 |
Method for parameterizing gearshifts and for carrying out gearshifts
A method of parameterization of traction force interrupted shifts in a transmission of a commercial vehicle having a frame, a cab supported by the frame, and a trailer coupled to the frame. The method includes a mathematical model which considers movement equations and geometrical parameters of the frame, the cab, and the trailer. Traction force patterns of traction force interrupted shifts are predetermined which depend on a traction force decrease time, a shift time, and a traction force increase time. From model and force patterns, vibration behaviors of the cab as the output parameter of the model is simulated. The parameterization of traction force interrupted shiftings takes place such that, as the shifting parameters, the traction force decrease time, the shift time, and the traction force increase time of such force patterns are determined, for which a defined evaluation criterion of the simulated vibration behavior of the cab is optimal. |
| US10145466B2 |
Equipment control apparatus for vehicle
An equipment control apparatus for a vehicle has: a motor for vibrating that imparts, via a shift knob that contacts a vehicle occupant, vibrations as a stimulus that the vehicle occupant can feel by a somatic sensation; an electrostatic capacity sensor that detects electrostatic capacity as a state of contact of the vehicle occupant with the shift knob; and a control section that controls driving of the motor for vibrating so as to impart, to the vehicle occupant, vibrations of a strength that is determined in advance in accordance with the electrostatic capacity detected by the electrostatic capacity sensor. |
| US10145463B2 |
Cooling and lubricating device and method for cooling and/or lubricating a transmission for a wind turbine
A cooling and lubricating device for a transmission for a wind turbine includes a transmission oil tank for storing transmission oil for the transmission, a transmission oil line system for carrying the transmission oil between the transmission oil tank and the transmission, a hydraulic oil tank for storing hydraulic oil, a hydraulic oil line system for carrying the hydraulic oil, a hydraulic oil conveying device for conveying the hydraulic oil through the hydraulic oil line system, an energy accumulator for at least temporarily maintaining a pressure within the hydraulic oil line system, the energy accumulator chargeable using the hydraulic oil conveyed by the hydraulic oil conveying device; and a transmission oil conveying device coupled to the hydraulic oil line system and to the transmission oil line system and configured to be driven by the hydraulic oil in order to convey the transmission oil to the transmission. |
| US10145460B2 |
Gear arrangement
A gear arrangement with a divided spur toothing includes a main gear and a gear rotatable to the latter in a circumferential direction. The main gear has a hub on which the rotatable gear is arranged. A spring element is arranged between the main gear and the rotatable gear. With the spring element, the rotatable gear is pretensioned in the circumferential direction against the main gear. A first spur toothing part of the spur toothing is formed on the main gear and a second spur toothing part of the spur toothing is formed on the rotatable gear. The first spur toothing part has a first axis of rotation and the second spur toothing part has a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation of the second spur toothing part is offset relative to the first axis of rotation of the first spur toothing part. |
| US10145458B2 |
Torque converter drive assembly including bias spring and axially movable turbine
A drive assembly for a torque converter includes an axially movable turbine defining a piston of a lockup clutch; and a damper assembly including a first component including a plurality of first ramps and a second component including a plurality of second ramps, the first ramps configured for interacting with the second ramps to generate an axial force on the turbine during a coast condition of the torque converter, the damper assembly being arranged and configured to limit the axial force to prevent the piston from self-locking during the coast condition. |
| US10145454B2 |
Sliding friction-free gear
A sliding friction-free gear has cams of specific profiles, rollers separating cooperating cams that roll over the cams of the gears, thus eliminating the sliding friction between the gears. The rollers are mounted rotatably e.g. in sliders or eccentrics, wherein the sliders, resp. eccentrics, are mounted slidingly, resp. rotatably, in a yoke attached rigidly to a shaft. The rollers are free to execute oscillating motion relative the yoke while rolling over the cam profiles of the cams of the gears. The cooperating members of the gear contact along a line like in conventional evolvent gears, and unlike in the Wildhaber-Novikov's gear (where the momentary contact between teeth of cooperating toothed wheels is pointwise); therefore the gear according to the present invention offers much larger transmission capacity and is much less prone to seizure than known gears. |
| US10145453B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission gearing arrangement produces ten forward speed ratios and four reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Some embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets and seven shift elements of which three or four are brakes. Another embodiment includes two axis transfer gear pairs in place of one of the planetary gear sets. One of the brakes is used only in reverse and may be a latch. |
| US10145452B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, an input shaft mounted with the first and second planetary gear sets at an external circumference of the input shaft, an output shaft disposed in parallel with the input shaft and mounted with the third and fourth planetary gear sets on an external circumference of the output shaft, a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft directly connected with the input shaft, a fourth shaft, a fifth shaft, a sixth shaft gear-meshed with the fourth shaft, a seventh shaft engaged with the third shaft selectively, an eighth shaft directly connected with the output shaft, a ninth shaft, and transfer gears each gear-meshed with at least one of the shafts. |
| US10145449B2 |
Method for producing low-waste chain link plates
A method is provided for producing chain link plates for a plate link chain with alternating inner chain links and outer chain links, where the contour of the chain link plates has several punch sections and two face side and rear side contact sections which, after punching out the punch sections from the sheet metal strip provided, are first connected to complementary contact sections of adjoining chain link plates and separated in a subsequent separation cut. Further provided are bush or roller chains with outer chain link plates thus produced and a corresponding chain drive for an internal combustion engine with such a bush or roller chain. The method comprises the steps of: providing a sheet metal strip, punching out the punch sections of the chain link plates from the sheet metal strip, where a further rear side contact section, in addition to the face side contact sections, is respectively connected at the head portions of the chain link plates to a complementary contact section of adjoining chain link plates, and separating the face side contact sections and the rear side contact sections of the head portions of the chain link plates by way of a substantially waste-free separation cut. |
| US10145444B2 |
Systems for a crankshaft damper cover
Systems are provided for a damper cover for an engine crankshaft damper. In one example, a damper cover may include a frame and an inset, with extensions of the frame adapted to couple to slots of an engine crankshaft damper, and with portions of the inset positioned between each extension and each corresponding slot. As one example, the frame may be comprised of metal and the inset may be comprised of a damping material such as foam or rubber. |
| US10145441B2 |
Viscous isolator with air spring
A vibration isolator includes a housing forming an internal cavity, an elastomeric diaphragm within the internal cavity, the elastomeric diaphragm combining with a first end of the housing to form an air spring within the internal cavity, a mechanical spring in series with the air spring within the internal cavity; a mount in series with the mechanical spring opposite the air spring, an annular elastomeric stopper between a second end of the housing and the mount, wherein the mount and the annular elastomeric stopper combine to seal the second end of the housing to form a chamber within the internal cavity between the elastomeric diaphragm and the second end of the housing, and a plate seated on the mount within the chamber. |
| US10145439B2 |
Variable radius spring disc for vehicle shock absorber
A shock absorber for a vehicle is disclosed which has a pressure tube defining a fluid chamber, a piston rod, and a piston disposed within the fluid chamber, and carried on the piston rod, which divides the fluid chamber into upper and lower working chambers, and which has a plurality of passages extending between the upper and lower working chambers. A valve disc assembly controls a flow of fluid, and includes a spring disc. The spring disc has a non-symmetrical circumferential shape which enables a stiffness of the valve disc assembly to be tailored so that it begins to open at a first peripheral point, and continuously gradually opens about a non-symmetrical circumferential path until reaching a second peripheral point adjacent the first peripheral point. |
| US10145438B2 |
Shock absorber
One embodiment provides a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a reservoir communication path through which a damping force generator and a reservoir communicate with each other, a compression-side communication path through which a piston-side oil chamber and the damping force generator communicate with each other, and a compression-side inlet port which is provided in the damping force generator and into which oil flows from the compression-side communication path and which has a compression-side valve that generates damping force. The cross-sectional area of the reservoir communication path is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the compression-side inlet port. |
| US10145434B2 |
Translational inerter assembly and method for damping movement of a flight control surface
There is provided a translational inerter assembly for damping movement of a flight control surface of an aircraft. The assembly has a press fit element fixedly disposed within a first end of the flight control surface and rotatably movable with the flight control surface. The assembly further has an inertia element coupled to and installed in the press fit element. The assembly further has a torsion bar having a torsion bar first end coupled to and installed in the inertia element, and having a torsion bar second end fixedly attached to a support structure of the aircraft. Rotation of the flight control surface causes translational movement of the inertia element, via the press fit element, along a hinge axis of the flight control surface and along the torsion bar, resulting in the translational inerter assembly damping movement of the flight control surface. |
| US10145433B2 |
Disc brake caliper
A disc brake (10) of the type including a pivoting lever having eccentric journals which act on a pair of tappets is disclosed. The tappets are adjusted in length by rotation, and each tappet has a tappet gear (22). A centrally located intermediate gear (24) is provided between the tappet gears to form a gear train, synchronizing the rotation of the two tappets and therefore ensuring that they remain the same length. The centrally located intermediate gear (24) includes a socket (26) for receiving a centrally located adjuster. The adjuster may be installed and removed from the disc brake through an aperture at the rear of the brake caliper, without any substantial disassembly of the brake and without de-synchronizing the tappets or even interrupting the gear train between the tappets. |
| US10145431B2 |
Parking break
A parking brake, particularly for a vehicle, includes a brake piston, supported to be movable along a longitudinal axis between a braking position and an open position, by which a brake disk is immobilizable by applying a braking force, when the brake piston is in the braking position, a drive unit for moving the brake piston along the longitudinal axis, and a toggle lever interacting with the brake piston and having at least first and second legs. The first and second legs are connected rotatably with a joint element and are actuatable by the drive unit, such that the toggle lever provides the braking force and applies it to the brake piston. An immobilizing device having such a parking brake, as well as a vehicle having the immobilizing device, and a method for immobilizing a vehicle by such an immobilizing device are also provided. |
| US10145429B1 |
Aircraft brake torque and clamp force reaction through landing gear structure
An aircraft wheel braking arrangement may comprise a landing gear structure, a torque tube extending in an outboard direction from the landing gear structure, and an actuator housing disposed outboard from the torque tube. An actuator piston may extend in an inboard direction from the actuator housing for applying a force to a brake stack surrounding the torque tube. In various embodiments, a back plate is non-integral to the torque tube and may be disposed inboard of an end plate of the brake stack or the landing gear structure itself may act as the back plate. The back plate and/or the end plate may provide a direct thermal path from the brake stack to a landing gear structure. |
| US10145428B2 |
Coupling assembly having an overrun mode and channeled locking member for use therein
A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a channeled locking member are provided. The locking member has a ramped, open channel extending through a nose and main body of the locking member to an upper face of the main body. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The first position is a coupling position and the second position is an uncoupling position. Pressurized fluid directed to a bottom of the channel urges the locking member towards the second position upon rotation of a first member of the assembly in a first direction relative to a second member of the assembly above a predetermined RPM to prevent abutting engagement of the locking member with a shoulder of the first member in the overrun mode. |
| US10145427B2 |
Fluid driving device, motor assembly and centrifugal friction clutch thereof
A blower, a motor assembly and a centrifugal friction clutch thereof are provided. The centrifugal friction clutch includes: a fixing member for being fixed on a rotary shaft and comprising a guiding groove disposed in a radial direction of the fixing member and passing through an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member; a centrifugal block disposed in the guiding groove and slidable in the guiding groove; and a loading wheel having an inner hole in which the fixing member is received. A gap between a wall of the inner hole and the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member is less than a length of the centrifugal block along its sliding direction. The centrifugal friction clutch reduces vibrations at startup of the motor, thereby effectively reducing the vibrational noise. In addition, this also avoids the startup failure of the motor and effectively improves the startup performance of the motor. |
| US10145423B2 |
Uncoupling of drive
A device (10) for uncoupling a vehicle's wheel shaft drive, which device is intended to be placed close to a drive shaft (11) in order to uncouple/couple a driven unit to which the drive shaft (11) is coupled. The device (10) comprises includes at least one bearing (12) fitted around the end (13) of the drive shaft (11). A carrier (14) coupled to the unit or to the drive shaft, has an inner cavity large enough to surround the drive shaft's end (13) and the bearing (12) and is fastened in the bearing (12) so as to be freely rotatable relative to the drive shaft (11). A coupling ring (15) is coupled rotationally to the drive shaft (11) and is movable axially relative to the drive shaft (11). A coupling fork (17) at least partly surrounds the coupling ring (15) and is movable axially relative to the drive shaft (11). An activating device which acts upon the coupling fork (17) to move the latter in axial directions along the drive shaft (11). Coupling the drive shaft (11) to the unit involves the coupling fork (17) and the coupling ring (15) being moved axially towards the carrier (14) by the activating device (20) so that the drive shaft (11) becomes rotationally coupled with the carrier (14) and the unit via the coupling ring (15). |
| US10145422B2 |
Double cardan yoke joint with a single weld
A double cardan yoke joint is disclosed. The double cardan yoke joint comprises a housing having an axial direction. The housing includes a top end and a bottom end. The double cardan yoke joint further comprises at least four flanges positioned inwardly with respect to the axial direction of the housing. The two of the at least four flanges are provided on the top end of the housing and remaining two of the at least four flanges are provided on the bottom end of the housing. The housing is a circular housing with a single weld. The single weld is disposed along the axial direction of the housing. |
| US10145420B2 |
Joint structure and joining method thereof
A joint structure includes a shaft member and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a plurality of first crimped portions crimped along a plurality of axial grooves provided in an axial direction of the shaft member, respectively, and a second crimped portion which fits the axial grooves and is crimped along a circumferential groove, the circumferential groove being provided on a circumferential surface of the shaft member by reducing a diameter of an axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical member in a radial direction. Each of the first crimped portions project from an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member as a projection. A position of a tip of the projection in an axis direction of the projection is set displaced from a position of a lowest point of the circumferential groove such that the tip is not located at the lowest point of the circumferential groove. |
| US10145419B2 |
Bearing lubrication structure for rotation unit
Provided is a bearing lubrication structure for a rotation unit having a bearing that is of a grease lubrication type in which the bearing is provided at both sides thereof with a seal structure, wherein the grease lubrication performance is improved. The bearing is provided on both sides thereof with fixed-side seal portions, and rotating side seal portions that are opposed thereto, respectively. The fixed-side seal portion is provided with a shield. The distance from the inner periphery of the shield to the axis of the rotary shaft varies depending on the location of a point on the inner periphery. The shield, which is one of the two shields, and the shield, which is the other one, are arranged so as not to have plane symmetry. |
| US10145415B2 |
Sliding member
A sliding member which has a hardness suitable for use under heavy-load conditions and which exhibits excellent abrasion resistance property. A sliding surface is formed on a surface of a sliding layer that slidably supports an object to be slid. The sliding surface is then shot-blasted and is formed to have an uneven shape exhibiting an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of more than 0 to 2.0 μm, a ten-point average roughness (Rz) of more than 0 to 7.5 μm, and a surface hardness (Hv) of 150 to 250. |
| US10145413B2 |
Combination bearing
Rolling bearings are stacked with their center lines extending in a vertical direction. Each of the rolling bearings has an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of balls, and an annular cage. Each of the rolling bearings has a structure that induces, upon rotation, an action that causes lubricating oil to flow upward along the outer ring in the annular space. The cage has an annular portion provided adjacently below the balls to prevent air from moving to the outer ring side from the inner ring side. |
| US10145410B2 |
Dust boot for a moveable joint
The assembly includes a housing with an inner bore that extends along an axis. A stud is at least partially disposed in the inner bore of the housing and is pivotable relative to the housing. A top edge of the housing is bent radially inwardly to present a flange. A two-piece dust boot is provided including a cover piece of an elastic material and a spring washer. The cover piece extends from a first end portion that is sealed against the housing to a second end portion that is sealed against the stud. The spring washer is at least substantially encapsulated within the cover piece at the first end portion and biases the cover piece against the flange of the housing to establish a seal that is resistant to compression setting between the cover piece and the housing. |
| US10145408B2 |
Lifting hook and methods of using the same
A hook for lifting a component is described herein. The hook includes a coupling portion configured for coupling to a chain, and a base extending from the coupling portion. The base defines an opening sized to receive a first portion of the component therein, and includes an extension extending from a lower surface of the base. The extension at least partially defines a notch sized to receive a second portion of the component therein. The extension is oriented to engage the second portion of the component to facilitate maintaining the hook in an upright orientation. |
| US10145407B2 |
Wave washer, method of manufacture, method of use, and pipe joint using same
A wave washer includes an annular member surrounding an opening arranged to receive a pipe axially therethrough, the annular member having a plurality circumferentially spaced holes formed therein. The wave washer also has associated with it at least one spring portion protruding axially from the annular member between two of the holes. The wave washer can be used in a pipe joint to join a first pipe and a second pipe, each having a pipe end having a pipe flange and an adjacent sealing flange. The wave washer is positioned against an inner side of the pipe flange of the first pipe. The wave washer and the flanges of the first and second pipes are fastened based on the deflection of the annular member of the wave washer. |
| US10145405B1 |
Self-tapping insert with interior die slots and method of utilizing the same to repair damaged threads on a fastener
A self-tapping insert has at least one interior die slot which repairs damaged threads on a fastener used with the insert. The self-tapping insert is used for providing replacing threads in a workpiece. The self-tapping insert has a cylindrical body with a top and a bottom, an exterior portion and an interior portion. The exterior portion has a cutting thread wrapped around the exterior surface, where the cutting thread sequentially intersects a cutting slot disposed in a generally axial orientation along the exterior portion. The interior portion has a screw thread for receiving the fastener. The screw thread intersects the die slot having a die slot leading edge and a die slot trailing edge. A screw thread leading edge is defined by each sequential intersection of the screw thread with the die slot leading edge and a screw thread trailing edge is defined by each sequential intersection of the screw thread with the die slot trailing edge. |
| US10145404B2 |
Fastener with preset securing member
A bushing includes an upper collar with a lower sheath and an annular shoulder intermediate the collar and sheath. The collar has a plurality of spaced apart notches and the sheath has a plurality of spaced apart slits that may be circumferentially aligned with the notches. The sheath has a plurality of spaced apart ribs projecting outward circumferentially offset from the slit for assisting in maintaining the sheath within a hole in a fastener with the annular shoulder against the fastener. A securing member with an elongate shank extending from a head with a distal portion is maintained in the longitudinal opening in an upright position aligned with the hole. As the fastener is driven longitudinally through the opening and hole, force from the fastener causes the bushing to break away and yields direct contact between the securing member head against the top surface of the fastener. |
| US10145398B2 |
Quick release mechanism for non-releasable clips
A quick release mechanism for non-releasable clips is disclosed. The quick release mechanism allows for improved testing of the dimensional quality of manufactured parts having non-releasable mounting features, including clips, plugs, and pins. The mounting features can be reliably mounted for testing, and then removed from a mounting fixture without causing any injury or damage to the non-releasable mounting feature present in the device. The ease of removal is provided by the use of two horizontal segments (108, 110) positioned in a housing (104) to form a receiving aperture (112) for the mounting feature of the tested device. Moreover, the utilization of cables and cable stops to position and hold the horizontal segments of the quick release mount within their housing allows for a tested device to be quickly removed and the horizontal segments to be easily repositioned inside the circular housing where they can accept another manufactured device for dimensional evaluation. |
| US10145395B2 |
Safety block
An illustrative embodiment of a safety block may include an actuator bracket pivotally engaged with a pivot arm. The actuator bracket may be configured to engage a master actuator having a first end moveable with respect to a second end. A secondary actuator may have a first end engaged with the actuator bracket and a second end engaged with the pivot arm such the secondary actuator may cause the pivot arm to move between a first position, in which first position the pivot arm prevents the master actuator from retracting, and a second position, in which second position the pivot arm allows the master actuator to retract. |
| US10145394B2 |
Fluid pressure cylinder
A hydraulic cylinder includes a rod inner passage that is formed in a piston rod along an axial direction and communicates a fluid pressure source and an interior of a cylinder tube; a plug that is inserted from an open end that opens to the interior of the cylinder tube of the rod inner passage; a lateral hole that is formed in the piston rod along a radial direction and extends so as to cross the rod inner passage; and a pin that is inserted into the lateral hole. In the piston rod, an inner-circumference screw portion is formed on an inner circumference of the rod inner passage, and on the plug, an outer-circumference screw portion that is screwed into the inner-circumference screw portion and an engagement portion that is engaged with the pin and locks rotation of the plug are formed. |
| US10145393B2 |
Linear actuator
A hood lifting mechanism according to various implementations includes a housing and a piston. A distal end of the piston is urged away from a distal end of the housing to lift a hood upwardly away from a vehicle body in response to the vehicle hitting a pedestrian. To prevent the piston from rattling or moving within the housing while in a stored position, a portion of the piston and a portion of the housing form an interference fit in the stored position. A gas generator in fluid communication with a proximal end of the housing provides sufficient force to overcome the interference fit and urge the distal end of the piston out of the housing. |
| US10145391B2 |
Fluid pressure control device for construction machine
A fluid pressure control device for a construction machine includes a first circuit system connected to the first pump; a second circuit system connected to the second pump; a switching valve having a normal position, a straight traveling position and a merging position where the working fluid of the branch section is merged into the second neutral passage; and an open/close mechanism configured to open/close the first neutral passage. In a case where at least one of the control valves, on which merging is required, on the downstream of the second traveling control valve is switched to a position other than the neutral position, by closing the first neutral passage by the open/close mechanism and switching the switching valve to the merging position, the working fluid of the first pump is merged into the working fluid of the second pump. |
| US10145389B2 |
Multi nozzle device for precise pressure control of gases and fluids
According to an aspect of the present invention, multi nozzle device comprises hollow inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The hollow inner cylinder may have multiple nozzles along the length of said inner cylinder. The hollow inner cylinder may be coupled to a first pressure. The outer cylinder may be mounted over said inner cylinder such that internal diameter of said outer cylinder is in push fit with external diameter of said inner cylinder. The push fit is chosen to minimize friction to enable the outer cylinder to take place of the flapper. The outer cylinder is moved exposing the nozzles and the first pressure is reduced by a proportion related to number of nozzles exposed. In one embodiment, multi nozzle device further comprise, an O ring to prevent leakage of pressure when the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are tight fit. In another embodiment, pressure is pneumatic pressure which may be coupled to the hollow part of the inner cylinder such that pneumatic pressure is released through the nozzles when the outer cylinder is moved exposing the nozzles. |
| US10145388B2 |
Fan with a filter
A fan assembly for creating an air current is described, the fan assembly having a nozzle, a system for creating an air flow through the nozzle and a filter for removing particulates from the air flow, the nozzle having an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow, wherein the fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, i.e. air flow is created by a bladeless fan. |
| US10145385B2 |
Pump
A liquid pump has a pump housing defining a pump chamber. A motor is accommodated within the pump housing and separated from the pump chamber by an end cap. An impeller disposed within the pump chamber is driven by the motor. The pump chamber has an inlet and one or more outlets. The outlets are located on a sidewall of the pump chamber and extend in a direction substantially tangential to an outer circumference of the pump chamber. Each outlet has a first end near the pump chamber, and a second end remote from the pump chamber. A cross-sectional area S1 of the first end is smaller than a cross-sectional area S2 of the second end, forming a diffuser within the outlet. |
| US10145384B2 |
Engagement fan
An engagement fan includes a fan base, a cover plate and a fan base plate. The fan base has an opening at the bottom surface thereof. The rim of the opening is disposed with at least one engagement slot and at least one restricting protrusion. The cover plate covers the fan base. The engagement protrusion engages to the corresponding engagement slot such that the fan base plate can be attached to the opening of the fan base. |
| US10145383B2 |
Gas turbine engine airfoil shaped component
An apparatus comprises a gas turbine engine having a compressor. The compressor airfoil member is disposed in the compressor and has a camber angle variation along a chord and a concave pressure side surface at a tip portion of the compressor airfoil member from a leading edge to an intermediate-chord location. This first camber shape results in a normalized camber angle that reaches at least 0.4 in the first 10% of normalized chord, and the normalized camber angle is defined as β ′ = β i - β β i - β e where βi is inlet metal angle, βe is exit metal angle, and β is a camber angle at a given chord location. |
| US10145382B2 |
Method and system for separable blade platform retention clip
A composite blade assembly and a method of assembling a composite blade are provided. The composite blade assembly includes a composite blade having a radially inner root. A composite blade assembly includes a first platform and a circumferentially adjacent second platform abutting the first platform at a platform joint. Each of the first platform and the second platform includes a radially outer surface and a radially inwardly extending attachment member. The platform joint includes a slot extending through adjacent edges of the first platform and the second platform. The slot is configured to receive the radially inner root and the radially inner root is configured to be sandwiched between the attachment members. The blade assembly includes an adhesive system configured to join the radially inner root of the composite blade and the attachment members into a unitary structure, and a retaining clip configured to bias the attachment members towards each other. |
| US10145380B1 |
Thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus
A thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus is described. A thrust bearing suspension system includes an electric submersible pump including at least two impellers, each of the at least two impellers paired with a diffuser, a thrust bearing set between two of the at least two impellers, the thrust bearing set comprising a bushing moveable axially between the two impellers and pivotable along a bushing-to-diffuser pivot key, and a retaining ring on a rim of the bushing constraining the axial movement of the bushing, the retaining ring extending across a radial tolerance between the bushing and at least one of the diffusers. |
| US10145379B1 |
Solar powered ventilator fan
An exhaust fan assembly, powered by solar energy, that is specially designed for use with portable toilets as well as other small, enclosed spaces. Design intent is to provide a convenient, energy efficient means of keeping these units ventilated. |
| US10145378B2 |
Rotary machine
A rotary machine characterized by being equipped with: a rotary drive part; a drive shaft that is rotated about a horizontally extending axis by the rotary drive part; a large gear that is fixed to the drive shaft; a bearing part that rotatably supports the drive shaft, and to which a lubrication oil is supplied; multiple pinions that are driven by being engaged with the large gear; multiple compression parts that are arranged so as to correspond to the multiple pinions and are respectively rotated by the pinions; and a plate that is installed between the bearing part and the large gear and covers at least a portion of the bottom half of the large gear so as to separate the large gear and the bearing part from each other. |
| US10145375B2 |
Discharge muffler
Disclosed is a discharge muffler for a compressor constructed as an inner duct extending inside an outer duct, the inner duct being open at each end and the outer duct being open only at the muffler inlet. The inner duct has a plurality of holes communicating with the outer duct. At least two of the holes are at different distances from the muffler outlet. |
| US10145372B2 |
Variable capacity reciprocating compressor
A reciprocating compressor may include a shell, a first cylinder, a plate, a second cylinder, and a piston. The first cylinder may be disposed within the shell and may include a first valve. The plate may be fixed relative to the first cylinder and may include a second valve. The second cylinder may be axially aligned with the first cylinder and may be moveable relative to the first cylinder between first and second positions. The piston may be disposed within the second cylinder and may include a third valve. The piston may reciprocate relative to the first and second cylinders. The piston and the plate may define a first compression chamber therebetween. The piston and the first cylinder may define a second compression chamber therebetween. A fluid-injection passage extending through the first cylinder selectively provides a working fluid from a source to the second compression chamber. |
| US10145369B2 |
Power supply unit, combination of a power supply unit of this kind with a further functional unit, and heavy road vehicle
A power supply unit, which supplies hydraulic drive motors of a heavy goods vehicle with hydraulic fluid, includes a frame with first connecting elements for operationally fixed mechanical connection to the heavy goods vehicle and second connecting elements for operationally fixed mechanical connection to a further functional unit, a hydraulic pump, which is attached to the frame, can be driven by an assigned electric motor and during operation feeds hydraulic fluid to drive the hydraulic drive motors, and a battery pack, which is attached to the frame and supplies the electric motor with electrical drive power. The hydraulic pump and electric motor are configured in such a way that the hydraulic pump can be operated as a hydraulic motor and the electric motor can be operated as an electric generator. |
| US10145368B2 |
Pump volume control apparatus
A pump volume control apparatus includes: a tilting piston; a pump volume switching valve configured to adjust a tilt driving pressure by a movement of a spool; a flow rate control spring configured to bias the spool in accordance with a tilt angle; a horsepower control piston configured to move in accordance with a pump discharge pressure; and a horsepower control spring configured to bias the horsepower control piston in accordance with the tilt angle. The tilt driving pressure is adjusted by means of the movement of the spool in accordance with a force acting on the spool in response to a flow rate controlling signal pressure in a flow rate controlled state, and is adjusted by means of the movement of the spool in accordance with a force acting on the horsepower control piston in response to the pump discharge pressure in a horsepower controlled state. |
| US10145367B2 |
Piston pump and valve plate of piston pump
A piston pump configured to suction and discharge a working fluid includes a plurality of pistons, a cylinder block accommodating the pistons, a shaft combined with the cylinder block, swash plate configured to reciprocate the pistons in accordance with rotation of the cylinder block, a casing accommodating the cylinder block, and a valve plate placed between the cylinder block and the casing. The valve plate has a suction port providing communication between capacity chambers and a suction passage, and the suction port is a cutout part formed by cutting out an outer edge of the valve plate. |
| US10145364B2 |
Device for fastening and/or guiding strand-shaped elements
A device for fastening and/or guiding strand-shaped elements, in particular cables or cable bundles wind turbines includes retaining bodies (5) combinable with a supporting structure (3) in the form of a star body to form a modular fastening system, having a strand passage (31) for a strand element. Each retaining body has two partial bodies (25 and 27), each of which has a part (29) of the strand feedthrough (31). Between surfaces (13) of consecutive spokes (9) of the star body of the supporting structure (3) extending parallel to each other, installation spaces (21) for retaining bodies (5) are formed. The installation spaces are open towards the outside of said star body and have sides that are parallel to each other, A retaining device (59, 61, 63) is provided between each partial body (25, 27) and the spoke (9) adjacent to it. The partial bodies (25, 27) can be detachably fastened in the installation position on the supporting structure (3) and in contact with each other such that the retaining body (5) is completed. |
| US10145361B2 |
Methods and systems to shut down a wind turbine
A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a wind turbine comprising a plurality of blades and a tower, and a processing subsystem configured to shut down the wind turbine by non-linearly pitching out the plurality of blades in the wind turbine towards a feather position at a pitch rate determined based upon a tower-fore-aft velocity of a top-portion of the tower during oscillations of the tower. |
| US10145356B1 |
Nodes for multiple aerial vehicles connected to a single ground station
Airborne wind turbine systems with multiple aerial vehicles connected via multiple tethers to a single ground station are disclosed. A node is coupled to the tethers. The node includes a drive system. At a proximate end of the node, each of the tethers is adjacent to neighboring tethers. And at a distal end of the node, each of the tethers is separated from the neighboring tethers. The airborne wind turbine system includes a control system configured to operate the drive system to translate the node along the tethers. |
| US10145352B2 |
Resonant ignition circuit
In a general aspect, an ignition circuit can include a control circuit configured to receive a command signal from an engine control unit, and a driving circuit coupled with the control circuit. The driving circuit can be configured to be coupled with a resonant circuit that includes a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit and the driving circuit can be configured, in response to a command signal, to drive the resonant circuit at a first frequency to generate a voltage in the ignition coil to initiate a spark in a spark plug; and, in response to the spark being initiated in the spark plug, drive the resonant circuit at a second frequency to maintain the spark in the spark plug for combustion of a fuel mixture. The control circuit can be configured to, after the combustion of the fuel mixture, to disable the driving circuit. |
| US10145347B2 |
Fuel rail
To obtain a fuel rail that maintains low hardness and good formability before being formed into a tube stock, can be made to easily form a thin absorbing wall surface, and has a high hardness and pressure resistance so as to be usable not only at a fuel pressure of 400 kPa or less, but also at a relatively high fuel pressure of 400 kPa or more. A fuel rail for port injection that is provided with a fuel pressure absorbing wall surface 1 and is used at a fuel pressure of 200 kPa to 1400 kPa. The fuel rail comprises an iron alloy that includes chemical components of C, Si, Mn, P, S, Nb, and Mo. The fuel rail has an internal volume of at least 60 cc and an amount of change in internal volume, when pressure is applied, of at least 0.5 cc/MPa. A bainitic structure can be precipitated by brazing the fuel rail in a furnace during manufacturing. |
| US10145345B2 |
Fluid conveyance system for a fluid
The invention relates to a fluid conveyance system for a fluid, comprising a low-pressure conveyance system having a low-pressure pump (2) and a high-pressure conveyance system having a high-pressure pump (8), which are connected by means of a connecting line, wherein the fluid conveyance system has a pressure damper (19). According to the invention, a fluid conveyance system is provided, by means of which a pulsation of the fluid caused by flow-rate waves or pressure waves in the fluid is damped. This is achieved in that the pressure damper (19) is arranged in the lower-pressure conveyance system and is a hydraulic pressure damper (19). Said hydraulic damper (19) has a piston (21) arranged in a cylinder (20), which piston can be moved against the force of a compression spring (23) and the vapor pressure present in a compression-spring chamber (22) accommodating the compression spring. |
| US10145344B2 |
Structure of GDI fuel delivery pipe
Disclosed herein is the structure of a GDI fuel delivery pipe. The structure of a GDI fuel delivery pipe includes: a main pipe configured to flow fuel through a hollow formed therein; a plurality of injector cups formed in cylindrical shapes having open lower ends, and configured to be coupled and fastened to the main pipe, to flow fuel therethrough, and to be coupled to respective injectors; a plurality of mount holders configured to form tubular parts each having a bolt hole in a lengthwise direction, and to be coupled and fastened to the main pipe; and fastening members configured to fasten the plurality of injector cups or mount holders to the main pipe by being coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the main pipe at both left and right ends thereof while surrounding the outer circumferences of the plurality of injector cups or mount holders. |
| US10145343B2 |
Systems and methods for regeneration of a diesel oxidation catalyst in a dual-fuel engine
A timing-based method for regenerating a DOC included in an aftertreatment system fluidly coupled to a dual-fuel engine comprises performing at least one of the following: a temperature of the DOC is varied while flowing a mixed exhaust gas, which comprises a mixture of a diesel-only exhaust gas and a natural gas exhaust gas, generated by the dual-fuel engine through the DOC; alternately the method includes flowing (a) the mixed exhaust gas generated by the dual-fuel engine and (b) a diesel-only exhaust gas generated by the dual-fuel engine through the DOC. |
| US10145340B1 |
Systems and methods for heating a vehicle intake manifold during stop/start events
Methods and systems are provided for improving combustion events during cold-starts of a vehicle engine, where the cold-start events include start/stop events. In one example, a method comprises spinning the engine in a reverse direction in response to an engine pull-down event where a temperature of an intake manifold of the engine is below a threshold, to heat the intake manifold by drawing exhaust system heat to the intake manifold. In this way, combustion may be improved in response to requests to start the engine, which may reduce undesired emissions and which may improve fuel economy. |
| US10145337B2 |
Electrode ignition and control of electrically operated propellants
Electrical ignition of electrically operated propellant in a gas generation system provides an ignition condition at an ignition surface between a pair of electrodes that satisfies three criteria of a current density J that exhibits a decreasing gradient along an axis normal to an ignition surface, is substantially constant across the ignition surface and exceeds an ignition threshold at the ignition surface. These criteria may be satisfied by one or more of an angled electrode configuration, a segmented electrode configuration or an additive to the electrically operated propellant that modifies its conductivity. These configurations improve burn rate control and consumption of the available propellant and are scalable to greater propellant mass to support larger gas generation systems. |
| US10145336B2 |
Translating outer cowl flow modulation device and method
A flow control device includes a first axially extending flow control surface, a second axially extending flow control surface radially offset from the first surface to define a gas flow path therebetween, the gas flow path having a downstream flow path exit, and a third axially extending flow control surface radially offset from the first surface and capable of axially translating with respect to the first and second surfaces for modifying the gas flow path and selectively closing the flow path exit. A turbofan engine includes a core flow passage, a fan bypass passage located radially outward from the core flow passage, a third stream bypass passage located radially outward from the fan bypass passage, and a flow control device that dynamically regulates the third stream bypass passage, allowing fluid flowing through the third stream bypass passage to provide thrust to the turbofan engine and reduce afterbody drag. |
| US10145333B2 |
Cylinder head integrated with exhaust manifold and EGR cooler
A cylinder head integrated with an exhaust manifold and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler may include an exhaust manifold including a plurality of connection parts connected to a plurality of exhaust ports, respectively, and an extension part connected to a plurality of connection parts, a water jacket provided at a location adjacent to the exhaust manifold, and an EGR cooler communicating with the water jacket and configured to surround an outside of the extension part of the exhaust manifold. |
| US10145331B2 |
Internal combustion engine having a crankcase and method for producing a crankcase
An internal-combustion engine has a crankcase, with at least one cylinder for accommodating a piston, the inner face of which cylinder is provided with a coating forming a running surface for the piston. The coating has a plurality of pores and the average size of the pores and/or the pore surface proportion varies over the length of the cylinder. |
| US10145329B2 |
Control system for internal combustion engine
A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of quickly and properly ensuring excellent fuel economy of the engine even when atmospheric pressure has changed. The control system includes an ECU. The ECU performs weighted average calculation on lowland map values and highland map values, based on atmospheric pressure, to thereby calculate map values of a demanded torque that minimize a fuel consumption ratio of the engine in the atmospheric pressure, and calculates engine demanded output. The ECU calculates demanded torque and demanded engine speed using the map values and the engine demanded output, respectively. The ECU controls the engine using the demanded torque. |
| US10145328B2 |
Motor vehicle
After a system-off state has continued for a preset, time period since a system-off operation, on satisfaction of abnormality diagnosis prerequisites including a condition that a warm-up determination parameter indicating a degree of warm-up of an engine at a system-off time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, characteristic abnormality diagnosis is performed to determine whether a characteristic abnormality occurs in a fuel pressure sensor. For a time period from a system-on operation to a system-off operation, the warm-up determination parameter is incremented when the engine is in operation, while being decremented after satisfaction of a predetermined condition when the engine is not in operation. |
| US10145322B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for improving the detection and mitigation of high speed pre-ignition. In one example, high speed pre-ignition is detected based on concurrent or sequential changes in an integrated knock sensor output in a knock window as well as a pre-ignition window. The high speed pre-ignition is addressed using cylinder fuel deactivation and/or engine load limiting to reduce the risk for run-away pre-ignition. |
| US10145320B1 |
Methods and systems for boost and EGR control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow. |
| US10145318B2 |
Drive unit for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle fitted with such a drive unit and computer software product for controlling the drive unit
A drive unit for a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a feeder line for feeding combustion air to the internal combustion engine and a compressor device that cooperates with the feeder line and by means of which the combustion air is compressed for the internal combustion engine. A bypass line opens into the feeder line, and through which the combustion air can be fed to the internal combustion engine without passing through the compressor device. An isolating mechanism associated with the bypass line serves to shut off and/or adjust the quantity of combustion air that flows through the bypass line. A control unit controls the isolating mechanism in such a manner that the isolating mechanism is at least partly closed or is caused to at least partly close when the internal combustion engine is in coasting mode. |
| US10145317B2 |
System and method for dual fuel engines
Disclosed herein is a system for managing combustion in an internal combustion engine includes a detection module that determines a combustion condition of the internal combustion engine. The combustion condition includes one of a first combustion condition or second combustion engine. The system also includes a fuel table module that receives the combustion condition and selects an engine operating request based on data in a first fuel table when the combustion condition is the first combustion condition, and data in a second fuel table when the combustion condition is the second combustion condition. The system additionally includes an engine control module that receives the engine operating request and generates engine operating commands based on the engine operating request. |
| US10145313B2 |
System and method for controlling valve timing of continuous variable valve duration engine
A method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration engine may include: classifying a plurality of control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and controlling a valve overlap between an exhaust valve and an intake valve by using an exhaust valve closing (EVC) timing in a first control region; advancing an intake valve closing (IVC) timing and applying a maximum duration to the exhaust valve in a second control region; advancing the IVC timing and the EVC timing in a third control region; controlling the EVC timing in a fourth control region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened and controlling the IVC timing in a fifth control region; and controlling the throttle valve to be fully opened and advancing the IVC timing in a sixth control region. |
| US10145308B2 |
Gas turbine engine ring seal
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an engine static structure. First and second members fluidly separate cavities from one another. A seal assembly is captured by the engine structure. The seal assembly includes a carrier and a seal that engages the first member. The second member is captured by the carrier. |
| US10145307B2 |
Compact aero-thermo model based control system
Systems and methods for controlling a fluid based engineering system are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a model processor for generating a model output, the model processor including a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode, the model generates current state derivatives and synthesized parameters as a function of the dynamic states and the model input, wherein a constraint on the current state derivatives is based a series of modules, each member of the series of modules arranged in at least a primary stream group and a secondary stream group corresponding to a component of the system. The model processor may further include an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model. |
| US10145305B2 |
Turbomachine fuel circuit
A fuel circuit of a turbomachine, this circuit including a fuel return valve connected to the main fuel circuit and to a tank, the valve being able to take a first and a second open position, separate from one another, and a closed position, two primary hydraulic lines connecting the valve to the main circuit and including, respectively, first and second filters through which the fuel passes when the valve is in its first open position, two secondary hydraulic lines which connect the valve to the main circuit and which are positioned in relation to the first and second filters in such a way that the circulation of fuel in these secondary lines contributes, respectively, to the cleaning of the first and second filters, the fuel circulating in the secondary lines when the valve is in its second open position. |
| US10145296B2 |
Exhaust-gas turbocharger for a motor vehicle
The present disclosure relates to an exhaust-gas turbocharger for a supercharged internal combustion engine having a charge-air cooler. In order to prevent the formation in the charge-air-guiding parts of condensate which above a certain quantity, if it remains within the charge-air-guiding parts, leads to damage to the engine, such as, for example, ice formation, water shock or corrosion, it is proposed to provide a condensate outlet opening on the compressor of the exhaust-gas turbocharger, which opening is provided in a lowermost region of a charge-air flow path through the compressor. |
| US10145295B2 |
Supercharge air cooler
The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger forming between its plates a first flat flow tube in which a first fluid circulates between a first inlet orifice and a first outlet orifice, and a second flat flow tube in which a second fluid circulates between a second inlet orifice and a second outlet orifice. The two flat tubes form parallel arms which extend in a longitudinal direction (L) perpendicular to a transverse air flow traversing the heat exchanger, the first tube being upstream in the air flow and the second tube being downstream. |
| US10145294B2 |
Charge air cooler shroud mounting system with one fixed and three floating attachment points
A charge air cooler shroud mounting system is provided. The charge air cooler shroud has a body having a four point attachment system including a mounting aperture, a first lug, a second lug and a third lug. The mounting aperture provides a fixed point of attachment while the lugs provide a plurality of floating points of attachment. |
| US10145292B1 |
Spark plug
A spark plug including a pre-chamber for an engine is provided. The spark plug extends along a spark plug longitudinal axis. The spark plug includes a first cylindrical structure having a wall defining a bore. An electrode is positioned inside the bore such that the electrode is spaced apart from the wall to define at least one electrode spark gap. The spark plug further includes a second cylindrical structure configured to receive the first cylindrical structure. The second cylindrical structure has one or more access apertures configured to facilitate access to the wall of the first cylindrical structure, wherein a plane perpendicular to the spark plug longitudinal axis passes through the electrode spark gap and intersects the one or more access apertures. |
| US10145291B1 |
Rotary engine and method of combusting fuel
A method of combusting fuel, e.g. heavy fuel, in a rotary engine, including injecting a main quantity of fuel directly into a combustion chamber to form a first fuel-air mixture having a first air-fuel equivalence ratio λ higher than 1, injecting a pilot quantity of fuel into a pilot subchamber to form a second fuel-air mixture having a second air-fuel equivalence ratio λ smaller than the first air-fuel equivalence ratio, igniting the second fuel-air mixture within the pilot subchamber, using the ignited second fuel-air mixture from the pilot subchamber to ignite the first fuel-air mixture, and injecting a supplemental quantity of fuel directly into the combustion chamber after igniting the first fuel-air mixture, upstream of an exhaust port of the rotary engine with respect to a direction of rotation of the rotor. A rotary engine with interburner fuel injector is also discussed. |
| US10145289B2 |
Engine device
An engine is provided with an exhaust gas treatment device which treats exhaust gas. The exhaust gas treatment device is provided with electric parts which detect a state of the exhaust gas purification device. The engine is provided with a cooling water circulation mechanism which circulates cooling water for the engine. Further, the electric parts are arranged in an outer side of the exhaust gas purification device on an extension in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust gas purification device. |
| US10145287B2 |
Dual catalytic converter exhaust-gas aftertreatment arrangement
There is provided an exhaust-gas aftertreatment arrangement for an internal combustion engine comprising a first catalytic converter, a second catalytic converter arranged in parallel with the first catalytic converter, the first and second catalytic converters being arranged to receive exhaust gas from an engine, a connection pipe fluidly connecting an outlet of the second catalytic converter with an inlet of the first catalytic converter, thereby allowing a flow of exhaust gas through the connection pipe, and an outlet valve arranged in the outlet of the second catalytic converter and downstream of the location of the connection pipe, wherein the outlet valve is configured to control a flow of exhaust gas through the second catalytic converter. There is also provided a method for controlling an exhaust-gas aftertreatment arrangement. |
| US10145286B2 |
Method for operating an SCR catalytic converter system of an internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an SCR catalytic converter system of an internal combustion engine, the SCR catalytic converter system comprises at least one SCR catalytic converter (30) and at least one upstream SCR-coated particulate filter (20). In order to inject liquid reducing agent for the SCR catalytic converter (30) and/or for the SCR-coated particulate filter (20), a first injection position is provided upstream of the SCR-coated particulate filter (20) in the form of a first metering device (40) and a second injection position is provided upstream of the SCR catalytic converter (30) and downstream of the SCR-coated particulate filter (20) in the form of a second metering device (50). The injection positions for the injection of liquid reducing agent are selected in a manner which is dependent on the operating states of the SCR catalytic converter system. |
| US10145283B2 |
Diesel engine system and method and apparatus for handling diesel engine exhaust
A diesel engine system includes a diesel engine, a NOx control device downstream of the engine, an exhaust line between the engine and the NOx control device, a bypass line connected to the exhaust line at a first end upstream of the NOx control device, and a bypass valve connecting the exhaust line and the bypass line, the bypass valve permitting flow through the exhaust line to the NOx control device when in an open position and preventing flow through the exhaust line to the NOx control device and permitting flow through the exhaust line to the bypass line when in a closed position. A controller can arranged to control opening and dosing of the bypass valve, such as when an operating condition of the engine reaches a predetermined operating condition. |
| US10145276B2 |
Lubricant valve monitoring method and assembly
An exemplary method of monitoring a position of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes monitoring a position of a lubricant valve using a first auxiliary pressure reading and a second auxiliary pressure reading. The first auxiliary pressure reading is taken when a primary lubrication circuit is at a first pressure. The second auxiliary pressure reading is taken when the primary lubrication circuit is at a second pressure. An exemplary assembly that detects transitions of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes a controller that uses readings of the primary pressure and readings of the auxiliary pressure to detect a position of a lubricant valve. |
| US10145274B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine is provided with a DOHC-type valve train in a cylinder head. The valve train includes an intake side camshaft with an intake side driven gear, and an exhaust side camshaft with an exhaust side driven gear. The cylinder head supports therein a spindle with an idle gear with an idle chain sprocket fixed thereto. The idle gear is in meshing engagement with both the intake and exhaust side driven gears. Rotary power of a crankshaft is transmitted via a cam chain to the idle gear to rotate both the intake and exhaust side camshafts. These camshafts are supported by bearings of a bearing wall and a camshaft holder. These bearings and camshaft holder are located, for compact arrangement, at a position axially coinciding or overlapping with the idle chain sprocket. |
| US10145269B2 |
System and method for cooling discharge flow
A system includes a probe. The probe includes a sensing component configured to sense a parameter of a turbomachine. The probe also includes an inlet configured to receive a cooling inflow. The probe also includes a cooling passage configured to receive the cooling inflow from the inlet. The cooling passage is disposed along at least a portion of the probe, and the cooling inflow absorbs heat from the probe. The probe also includes an outlet coupled to the cooling passage and configured to receive an outflow from the cooling passage. The outflow includes at least a portion of the cooling inflow. The system also includes an ejector coupled to the outlet. |
| US10145268B2 |
Injection molded composite fan platform
A fan platform for a gas turbine engine may include an outer flow path surface extending between a first side and a second side. An inner surface extends between the first side and the second side, and faces radially oppositely the outer flow path surface. A plurality of platform hooks may extend radially inwardly from the inner surface. |
| US10145265B2 |
Method for balancing a turbofan engine or other rotating system
A method for balancing rotating machinery, such as gas turbine engines, to minimize vibrations. The method involves operation of the engine for a period of time at varying power levels and ranges of other operational parameters representative of the system operating envelope to obtain vibration data (amplitude and phase) for the full range of dynamic responses of interest. This usually includes time at elevated power settings until the engine reaches thermal stability, altitude variation, etc. as well as the full engine operating range. The full set of vibration data measured during the engine run is analyzed to generate unique unbalance states. The unique unbalance states are then analyzed and the mean unbalance state is identified. Balancing masses can then be installed or removed in accordance with a balance solution that is equal and opposite to the mean unbalance state. |
| US10145250B2 |
Chocking and retaining device
A device for chocking and retaining a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc includes a retention body having a key portion receivable in a keyway formed in the base of the slot, and a mating portion for mating with a complementary mating portion of the root to prevent relative axial movement between the retention body and the root. The retention body has a lowered position in which the key portion is received sufficiently deeply in the keyway to allow the root to be positioned in the slot without interference from the retention body and also has a raised position in which, after the root is positioned in the slot, a part of the key portion is still received in the keyway while the mating portion mates with the complementary mating portion of the root. |
| US10145247B2 |
Rotor for a turbo-machine and a related method
A rotor for a turbo-machine, the rotor having a rotational axis and circumferentially spaced-apart radially extending blades of aerofoil configuration, each blade having a suction side, an oppositely directed pressure side, and a pair of oppositely directed snubbers each of which extends from a respective side towards a circumferentially adjacent blade and presents an abutment surface for abutment with the abutment surface of a respective adjacent snubber extending from the adjacent blade. Each snubber is configured such that its abutment surface makes an acute snubber angle to the axis of rotation. At least one pair of adjacent snubbers are configured such that their abutment surfaces are at an equal first snubber angle, with all of the other snubbers being configured such that their abutment surfaces are at equal second snubber angles. The first snubber angle is larger than the second snubber angle. |
| US10145244B2 |
Rotorcraft rotor blade assembly
A rotorcraft rotor blade assembly includes a stub spar extending less than a full span of the rotor blade assembly. An upper skin portion extends substantially the full span of the rotor blade assembly. A lower skin portion extends substantially the full span of the rotor blade assembly. The stub spar is positioned between the upper skin portion and the lower skin portion. |
| US10145243B2 |
Planetary rotary engine with rotary ring valves
A rotary engine includes a housing and elliptical rotors mounted to rotor shafts for rotation within a chamber of the housing. A valve disk mounted to a rotor shaft includes a port passing between first and second sides. A valve plate includes a bore defining a cylindrical sidewall for rotationally receiving the valve disk. The valve disk includes a groove disposed in a wall, and includes a ring member disposed in the groove that contacts the sidewall of the bore when the valve disk is disposed in the bore. The apparatus may include multiple valve disks disposed in separate bores to operate as exhaust or intake valves. Circumferential channels may be included in the bore sidewalls within which the ring members are disposed. |
| US10145242B2 |
Conveyor bridge
A conveyor includes an endless belt, a boot end supporting a portion of the endless belt, a support structure, and a bridge. The endless belt includes a first run and a second run, and the first run extends along a conveyor axis. The support structure includes an end spaced apart from the boot end, a plurality of frames, and a plurality of idler rolls. The frames are spaced apart from one another and aligned with one another in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis. The idler rolls support another portion of the endless belt. The bridge extends between the boot end and the end of the support structure. The bridge is movable in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis relative to at least one of the boot end and the support structure. |
| US10145239B1 |
Flow modulator for use in a drilling system
A drilling system including a sensor configured to monitor at least one drilling parameter, and configured to generate a signal based on the at least one drilling parameter. An encoder is in communication with the sensor, and the encoder is configured to convert the signal into a modulation signal. A flow modulator is configured to channel drilling fluid therethrough. The flow modulator includes at least one stator element and a rotor element configured to freely rotate relative to the at least one stator element as the drilling fluid flows past the rotor element. A braking system is in communication with the encoder, and the braking system is configured to selectively decrease a rotational speed of the rotor element based on the modulation signal such that an encoded acoustic signal is emitted from the flow modulator through the drilling fluid. |
| US10145237B2 |
Apparatus and method for evaluating a wellbore, in particular a casing thereof
The apparatus for evaluating a wellbore while drilling includes a logging toolheld on a drill string and is adapted to obtain data from the wellbore while moving the drill string including the logging tool uphole and out of the wellbore. The logging tool includes a memory for storing obtained data and an on-board power supply battery. A computer being positioned at a surface level of the wellbore is adapted to obtain the data from the memory when the logging tool is also positioned at the surface level. The logging tool is adapted to perform a minimum power-consuming sleep mode with a data obtaining and storing function being disabled and the computer is adapted to transmit a wake-up signal downhole to enable the data obtaining and storing function of the logging tool just prior to tripping out the drill string from the wellbore. The wake-up signal preferably is a mud pulse signal sent through the drilling fluid used when drilling the wellbore. |
| US10145235B2 |
Well water depth monitor
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable medium including computer program products, are provided for determining the depth of water in a well. A method may include coupling a signal onto a cable connected to a submersible well pump. The method may further include monitoring the cable to determine a first time corresponding to a first reflection of the signal caused by the cable entering a water column between a water surface and the submersible pump. The method may further include monitoring the cable to determine a second time corresponding to a second reflection of the signal caused by an impedance mismatch between the cable surrounded by water and a motor in the submersible well pump. The method may further include determining a water height between the submersible pump and the water surface from the first time and the second time. |
| US10145234B2 |
Casing detection tools and methods
Methods and tools for detecting casing position downhole is presented. The method utilizes electromagnetic (EM) tools with tilted antenna systems to detect casing position. Sometimes titled antenna designs also increase EM tools' sensitivity to formation parameters, which can lead to false signals for casing detection. In addition, it is very difficult to distinguish measured signals between a casing source and a formation source. The methods presented help to distinguish between the two sources more clearly. The methods and tools presented also help to minimize those environmental effects, as well as enhance the signals from a surrounding conductive casing. The methods herein provide ideas of EM tool's design to precisely determine casing position within a certain distance to casing position. |
| US10145232B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi-well ranging determination
Disclosed embodiments include methods and apparatus for ranging techniques to detect and determine a relative distance and azimuthal direction of nearby target well conductors such as pipes, well casing, etc., from within a borehole of a drilling well. A nearby casing string of a target well can be detected by transmitting an electromagnetic signal from an excitation source located along the target well and measuring a response signal with an antenna on a downhole logging tool in the drilling well. Several different excitation sources for various target wells are utilized to distinguish nearby conductor signals from formation signals. Joint]inversion algorithms are utilized to identify multi]well locations on the basis of measured signal responses from the different excitations sources. The joint]inversions may be implemented in real]time or during post]processing, and used in applications such as SAGD, anti]collision, and relief well development. |
| US10145230B2 |
Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of downhole pump conditions
Systems and methods for improved monitoring of downhole pump conditions may provide real-time monitoring, high accuracy, and low noise when monitoring downhole pump conditions. Systems for monitoring pump conditions may be coupled to any suitable sucker rod pump, and may gather desired data from the pump. The desired data may be gathered at several points-in-time during a pump stroke to provide real-time monitoring. A wave equation corresponding to the behavior of the downhole pump may be solved when the desired data is received to provide real-time monitor. In some embodiments, the wave equation may be solved by separating it into static and dynamic solutions. In some embodiments, the dynamic solution of the wave equation may be solved utilizing an integral-based method. |
| US10145229B2 |
Surface solids system
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring micro-electro-mechanical (“MEM”) devices removed from a fluid flow stream from a wellbore by a component of solids control equipment used with a drilling operation. The system can include a first MEM reader. The system can also include a second MEM reader. The first MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream for detecting MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The second MEM reader can be positionable proximate to the fluid flow stream and between the fluid flow output and the wellbore for detecting at least a subset of the MEM devices in the fluid flow stream. The system can further include a computing device for determining an amount and types of the MEM devices removed from the fluid flow stream by the component of solids control equipment. |
| US10145228B2 |
Probabilistic methodology for real time drilling
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product configured to provide a probabilistic approach for real time drilling. In particular, the disclosed embodiments are configured to obtain real-time data gathered during the drilling operation to update a probability model of a formation that is used in determining whether to alter a direction of a drill path. The disclosed embodiments may be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating or suggesting that certain adjustments be made to the drill path based on the updated probability model. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may be configured to automatically make the adjustments to the drill path based on the updated probability model. |
| US10145225B2 |
Later stage hydrocarbon production processes
A hydrocarbon production process comprising operating a first early stage hydrocarbon production process within a first communication domain with a first well pair, and operating a second early stage hydrocarbon production process within a second communication domain with a second well pair, such that an intermediate reservoir region including stranded bitumen becomes disposed between the first and second communication domains; wherein the first early stage hydrocarbon production process includes injecting a first production-initiating fluid via a first injection well of the first well pair into a first communication domain such that hydrocarbon material is mobilized and conducted to a first production well of the first well pair, and producing the received hydrocarbon material via the first production well; and wherein the second early stage hydrocarbon production process includes injecting a second production-initiating fluid via a second injection well of the second well pair into a second communication domain such that hydrocarbon material is mobilized and conducted to a second production well of the second well pair, and producing the received hydrocarbon material via the second production well; selecting a pre-selected zone within the reservoir, wherein the selecting is based upon temperature fall-off data within the first and second communication zones; and positioning a portion of an infill well within the pre-selected zone for receiving mobilized hydrocarbon material of at least the intermediate reservoir region and for producing the received hydrocarbon material. |
| US10145220B2 |
Inflow control apparatus, methods, and systems
In some embodiments, a simulation apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory to store a set of instructions, which when executed by the processor, forms a machine programmed to generate an analytical solution to simulate multiple scenarios for a total fluid flow rate in order to find one of the scenarios that meets a desired total flow rate for a fluid flow entering a portion of a screen to pass through one or more orifices in a base conduit covered by the screen. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. |
| US10145219B2 |
Completion system for gravel packing with zonal isolation
A wellbore completion system includes a tubular positioned in the wellbore such that an annulus is created between the tubular and a portion of the wellbore. The system further includes a gravel pack packer, a first packer positioned downhole of the gravel pack packer, and a second packer positioned downhole of the first packer. The gravel pack packer and the first packer define a first zone in the annulus, and the first and second packers define a second zone in the annulus. A wash pipe is positioned within the tubular and is positionable in a first position to allow fluid communication between a first port and the first packer and a second port and the second packer. The wash pipe is positionable in a second position to allow fluid communication between the first port and the first zone and the second port and the second zone. |
| US10145213B2 |
Anti-alteration wellhead vault
A wellhead vault for preventing alteration of the wellhead of a water supply. The vault is a heavy bell-shaped structure, formed of concrete, and having a downwardly facing concavity, and the vault placed over, with the concavity around the wellhead. The vaults too heavy to be removed by human lifting. Lifting elements are provided to allow the vault to be installed and removed by heavy construction equipment. The vault has a vent that communicates between the concavity and the outside, allowing air, but not liquid, liquid or solid contaminants, or animals, to pass through. |
| US10145208B2 |
Annulus installed 6 zone control manifold
A method of controlling a plurality of downhole tools in a wellbore, using first and second codes transmitted by hydraulic line to first address and then actuate the desired tool. A dedicated line is provided for terminating all actuated tools. |
| US10145207B2 |
Well treatment device, method, and system
A cover configured to dispose over a treatment port of a downhole treatment tool, the cover comprising a dissolvable material. A system for protecting treatment ports in a downhole treatment tool, the treatment tool having an outer surface and an inner bore, the inner bore in fluid communication with the outer surface through one or more treatment port orifices disposed on the outer surface of the treatment tool, and a dissolvable treatment port cover disposed in the fluid communication path of the treatment port. A method for treatment of a well including the steps of locating a treatment tool in a well, the treatment tool having a treatment port and a cover over the treatment port; setting an activation tool in the well; placing a treatment, applying pressure to rupture the cover; and unsetting the activation tool. |
| US10145202B2 |
Wedge slip travel stop
A T-shaped slip is retained in an opening of a slip ring to drive the slip in opposed directions to and away from the surrounding borehole wall along a cone. The slip ring and cone do not come together when the slip is engaged. The opening allows release of a lock ring first with the slip engaged followed by release of the slip from the borehole wall. The slip ring and cone come together during removal from the borehole. A travel stop on the axial slip movement is provided to prevent guides on the slip from exiting a track or dovetail on the cone when the slip ring and cone are in contact during removal of the plug or packer. Extension of the guide from the cone track can happen if the slip moves through an enlarged portion of the borehole. The travel stop prevents this. |
| US10145201B2 |
Retrievable cement bushing system and methodology
A technique facilitates pressure containment with a retrievable cement bushing. The retrievable cement bushing comprises a body having an internal longitudinal passage. Additionally, the retrievable cement bushing comprises an engagement lug which cooperates with a sleeve. The engagement lug is mounted on the body and is movable to a radially outward position for engagement with a corresponding portion of a surrounding wall, e.g an internal packer wall. The sleeve is sized to receive a slick joint therethrough and is movable to a radially inward position relative to the engagement lug so as to hold the engagement lug in the radially outward position. The sleeve protects the slick joint from inwardly directed loading via the engagement lug when the retrievable cement bushing is subjected to differential pressures. |
| US10145200B2 |
Method and system for controlling slip joint packer activation
The invention provides a system and method for controlling packer activation in a riser slip joint. The system comprises a first electronically actuated valve disposed between a first packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the first packer. A second electronically actuated valve is disposed between a second packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the second packer. A control unit is operable to actuate the first and/or second electronically actuated valve in response to at least one input signal to control the activation of the first and second packers, and is configured to control the actuation of the first and second electronically actuated valves independently. |
| US10145195B2 |
Well-component severing tool with a radially-nonuniform explosive cartridge
An assembly for an explosive device for severing a well component is provided. The assembly can include an outer housing. The assembly can also include a radially-nonuniform explosive cartridge disposed within the outer housing, and the radially-nonuniform explosive cartridge can include at least four protrusions. |
| US10145194B2 |
Methods of removing a wellbore isolation device using a eutectic composition
A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises: (A) a first substance; and (B) a second substance, wherein the first composition has a solid-liquid phase transformation temperature less than the solid-liquid phase transformation temperatures of at least the first substance or the second substance at a specific pressure. A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprises: increasing the temperature surrounding the wellbore isolation device; and allowing at least a portion of the first composition to undergo a phase transformation from a solid to a liquid. A method of inhibiting or preventing fluid flow in a wellbore comprises: decreasing the temperature of at least a portion of the wellbore; positioning the wellbore isolation device in the at least a portion of the wellbore; and increasing the temperature of the at least a portion of the wellbore. |
| US10145190B1 |
Suction port and check valve assembly
A suction port and check valve assembly for use with a pump head. The assembly comprises a port body and a check valve. The port body may have an inlet side, an outlet side, and a top, and may comprise a horizontal bore extending from the inlet side to the outlet side and a vertical bore extending from the top to the horizontal bore. The check valve may comprise a valve seat, where the valve seat rests atop the port body with only a gasket therebetween, and a valve body atop the valve seat. The port body may attach to the pump head via alignment spacers, such as springs, minimizing misalignment and resulting leaks. |
| US10145189B2 |
Device relating to a flushing head for a rock drilling machine and rock drilling machine
A device for a flushing head (3) of a rock drilling machine (1), which includes a machine housing (3) and, inside a cylinder (18), a to and fro moveable percussive piston (17) arranged to exert percussive action against a shank adapter (15), wherein the shank adapter has symmetry axis (19) and a flushing medium channel (22,23) for co-operation with a flushing medium chamber (24) in the flushing head (3) surrounding the shank adapter (15), said flushing head (3) being provided with a connection unit (7) for the connection to a flushing hose (10). The flushing head (3) and the machine housing (2) exhibit co-operating fastening means and fastening elements (6) in line with a force direction of tensile forces (F) being exerted by the flushing medium hose (10) on the connection unit (7) for movability of the flushing head (3) in respect of the machine housing (2) in directions perpendicular to said symmetry axis (19). The device also concerns a rock drilling machine including such a device. |
| US10145186B2 |
Low marking inserts for casing/tubing tongs
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an insert in a clamping device or gripping apparatus. The insert may include a gripping element having an elongated body and a plurality of contact features, a first member formed from a hard material, wherein the first member contacts the gripping element in one or more locations, and a second member formed from an elastic material, wherein the second member contacts the gripping element along the elongated body. |
| US10145183B2 |
System and method for manufacturing downhole tool components
A method is provided for manufacturing a segment of a drill string, such as a tubular tool, from a plurality of layers. The method includes arranging a plurality of layers based on a selected length of the segment. Each of the plurality of layers includes an aperture that is received over an alignment feature that restricts movement of the plurality of layers to two or fewer degrees of freedom. A joining process is performed to join the plurality of layers, which may include at least one replacement layer. |
| US10145180B2 |
Hybrid cutting structures with blade undulations
A downhole cutting tool may include tool body; a first blade extending from the tool body; a plurality of cutting elements attached to the first blade, the plurality of cutting elements comprising at least two types of cutting elements, wherein the first blade extends from the tool body to a first height adjacent a first type of cutting element and a second height, different from the first height, adjacent a second type of cutting element. |
| US10145174B2 |
Master/slave shaft assembly for fire door and curtain
A master/slave shaft arrangement includes: a motor having an output shaft; a master drive barrel, the first end of which being rotationally driven by the output shaft of the motor, the master drive barrel having, at a second end thereof, a master drive sprocket; a synchronizing shaft that is rotationally driven at its second end by a first coupling assembly, the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft being synchronous with the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor; and a slave barrel, the slave barrel being rotationally driven at its first end by a second coupling assembly that rotationally couples the synchronizing shaft with the slave barrel to rotationally drive the slave barrel, the rotational driving of the slave barrel being synchronous with the rotational driving of the synchronizing shaft and the rotational driving of the master drive barrel by the motor. |
| US10145171B2 |
Control for movable rail
A covering for an architectural opening has a horizontal movable rail supported by cords, with a variety of configurations which allow the movable rail to be moved up and down while concealing the cords. |
| US10145162B2 |
Damping device and furniture hinge comprising the same
A damping device includes a housing, a cover assembly, a piston rod, a piston and an elastic member. The housing has an inner wall defining a chamber, and an opening communicated with the chamber. The chamber is filled with a damping medium. The cover assembly is arranged adjacent to the opening of the housing. The piston rod penetrates through the cover assembly. The piston is connected to the piston rod and movable relative to the housing. The piston includes an extension part and an expansion part located between the piston rod and the extension part. A width of the expansion part is greater than a width of the piston rod. The elastic member is arranged in the chamber of the housing, and configured to provide an elastic force to the piston. |
| US10145156B2 |
Swing bolt lock mechanism for preventing premature status switch enabling
A swing bolt lock mechanism for preventing false status switch enabling is described. The lock mechanism is a swing bolt lock mechanism wherein the swing bolt has an inner ramp wall against which a blocker rod is spring-biased. A ramp extension arm is displaceably secured with the swing bolt and provides an extension of the ramp wall whereby the blocker rod may only be displaced when the swing bolt is at its fully locked position whereby to arrest the swing bolt at that position. The displacement of the blocker rod also toggles a lock status switch to provide an indication that the lock is at its locked position. Accordingly, the lock status switch cannot be prematurely actuated. |
| US10145154B2 |
Double pull latch for closure panel such as hood
In an aspect, a latch for a closure panel for a vehicle is provided, and includes a ratchet, pawl, release lever, and extension member. The ratchet is movable between a primary closed position, secondary closed position and open position. The pawl is movable between a primary locking position, secondary locking position and unlocking position. The release lever is movable between home and actuated positions. When the pawl is in the primary locking position the release lever has a selected amount of reach for driving the pawl to the secondary locking position during movement of the release lever to the actuated position. When the pawl is in the secondary locking position the extension member is movable to extend the reach of the release lever to drive the pawl from the secondary locking position to the unlocked position during movement of the release lever from the home position to the actuated position. |
| US10145153B2 |
Closing element, in particular for a motor vehicle
A closing element for a motor vehicle, including an opening mechanism, and a handling element for the closing element actively connected to the opening mechanism such that the closing element can be moved for the purpose of opening. The closing element includes a locking mechanism for locking and/or unlocking the opening mechanism. The locking mechanism can be actuated by a closing system, in particular for the authorization of access to the motor vehicle. A coupling mechanism is provided for interacting with the locking mechanism and/or with the opening mechanism in the manner of an emergency release. The coupling mechanism can be actuated by an actuator. For the operation of the actuator a separate energy storage device is provided that can be used on demand. |
| US10145152B2 |
Door handle with removable cap
The invention relates to a door handle (10) for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, with a removable cover element (11), in particular for covering a lock cylinder (101), wherein the lock cylinder (101) is provided for unlocking and locking a door lock, and wherein the cover element (11) can be transferred between at least two positions (I, II), specifically a covered position (I), in which in particular the lock cylinder (101) is covered by the cover element (11) so as to be inaccessible from the outside, and an open position (II), in which in particular the cylinder lock (101) is uncovered by the cover element (11), and a tension means (12) for actuating the door lock, wherein the tension means (12) can be mechanically operatively connected with the cover element (11) in the open position (II) of the cover element (11), so as to actuate the door lock by pulling on the cover element (11). It is also possible to initially detach the tension means from the cover element, for example by undoing a corresponding connection between the tension means and cover element, such as a form- and/or force fitting connection, clip and/or clamp connection, bayonet connection or the like, and then initiate the opening process directly on the tension means. To this end, the invention proposes that a triggering device (14) be provided for the cover element (11), so as to automatically transfer the cover element (11) into the open position (II), in particular in an emergency situation. |
| US10145148B2 |
Direct action window lock
A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position. |
| US10145147B2 |
Low-consumption clutch actuating mechanism for electronic cylinders in locks and method for operating the same
Clutch actuating mechanism for electronic cylinders in locks and method for operating the same.The clutch actuating mechanism for an electronic cylinder in locks relates, in particular, to a clutch actuating mechanism which is responsible for storing the energy supplied by the motor and returning said energy to the clutch at the moment it passes from a clutched position to a declutched position, all of this being carried out with reduced energy consumption. It also relates to the method for operating said mechanism. |
| US10145146B2 |
Tamper evident cargo container seal bolt lock
Systems and methods for a tamper-evident cargo container seal bolt lock are disclosed herein. The device can include a receiving member, a conductive bolt member adapted to be snap-locked into the receiving member, and a plastic encapsulant which tethers the bolt member to the receiving member. The encapsulant can contain an electrically conductive medium, such as a wire, which runs from the receiving member to the second end of the bolt. A sensory circuit disposed within the receiving member can be configured to sense whether the circuit has been interrupted (e.g., if the bolt has been cut). In the event of an interruption, the circuit can record the present time and/or date in memory. An RFID transponder disposed within the encapsulant or the receiving member can then transmit the recorded date/time to an RFID interrogator if a dispute subsequently arises as to when the lock had been broken. |
| US10145145B2 |
Illumination element for a vehicle
The disclosure relates to an illumination element for a vehicle. The illumination element comprises an outer trim part, illumination means, and a transparent cover arrangement between the trim part and the illumination means. The disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one such illumination element, and a control element for a device for opening or unlocking a vehicle. |
| US10145139B2 |
Insulating fabric for outdoor activity shelters
Embodiments include an outdoor activity structure, comprising: a wall that defines an interior room of the structure, the wall comprises an insulating layer disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer wherein the inner layer is coupled with the insulating layer by a plurality of inner seams and the outer layer is coupled to the insulating layer by a perimeter seam. |
| US10145135B2 |
Sequenced chamber wave generator controller and method
A wave generating apparatus mobile application controller and method is provided in which a mobile controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The mobile application controller allows the user to select the exact type of wave to be produced by the wave generator apparatus by selecting size, shape, and pattern of the wave. The application also allows the user to use a camera to photograph or record herself or someone else, even while riding a wave. |
| US10145133B2 |
Reinforcement assembly for wind turbine tower
The present disclosure is directed to an internal reinforcement assembly for a tower of a wind turbine. The reinforcement assembly includes a plurality of reinforcing rod members spaced circumferentially about the tower. Each of the plurality of reinforcing rod members includes a first end and a second end. The reinforcement assembly also includes an adjustable mounting component configured with each of the second ends of the plurality of reinforcing rod members. As such, the adjustable mounting components are mounted to an interior wall of the tower at a location to be reinforced. Thus, the reinforcing rod members interact with the tower to reinforce the tower at the location to be reinforced. |
| US10145132B2 |
Wall patch system and method
Applicant has created an apparatus for patching a hole in a wall. The apparatus preferably comprises a multi-section backer plate and a setting or installation tool. The backer plate comprises three rotatably joined sections, together presenting a face that is adhered to an inner wall of the hole, thereby supporting a filler material to fill the hole. The hinges allow the left and right sections to fold forward but not rearward of the planar surface of the middle section. The plate and tool are configured to permit the tool to be selectively joined to the plate at multiple locations along the plate. |
| US10145131B2 |
Flexible, multi-configuration concrete form system
The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape. |
| US10145130B1 |
Sealing structure for the bottom of a beam space between precast panels
A sealing structure for the bottom of a beam space between precast panels, comprising: a first precast panel and a second precast panel substantially aligned to each other along a single plane and spaced from each other by a space, each of the first precast panel and the second precast panel defining an inner edge adjacent to the space; a soft pad abutting the space for sealing a bottom of the space; a plate abutting the soft pad; a fastening device securing a first side of the plate and a second side of the plate to the first precast panel and second precast panel, respectively, so as to assist the soft pad in the sealing of the bottom of the beam space; wherein the fastening device does not contact the soft pad. |
| US10145125B2 |
Cove base molding systems and methods
The cove base molding strip includes a body including a planar portion having a front surface and a rear surface and a curved portion having a concave surface continuous with the front surface and a convex surface continuous with the rear surface. The rear surface includes at least a first channel. A cove anchor projects from the convex surface, and the intersection of the front surface and the rear surface define a rounded tip that projects from the planar portion. |
| US10145119B2 |
Shingle removal tool
A tool for removing roof shingles is disclosed having a handle, a split shaft, a pair of roller wheels and a replaceable blade member. A pair of handles extends orthogonally from the proximal end of the shaft, while the distal end of the shaft separates into a first and second portion that support a flat, shingle-removing blade. Roller wheels are positioned adjacent to the blade such that the blade and wheels can be positioned along the roof surface to allow sliding of the blade under shingles and to provide a fulcrum point from which to lift the blade from beneath any secured roof shingles during removal. The shaft upper portion may include a slight upward bend to reduce back strain, while the user handles are preferably rotatably support to allow the tool to rotate as it is slide without the handles rotating relative to the user's hands and causing blisters. |
| US10145116B2 |
Apparatus and methods for secure, non-invasive and non-permanent surface attachment systems
A non-slip roof attachment system for attaching structures to residential and commercial roofs without the use of penetrations to roofing shingles and sealing layers is described. The non-slip attachment system may be used to attach roof mounted systems such as solar panels. The non-slip attachment system also allows for the quick removal of such roof mounted systems rapidly and without the need for repair of penetrations. |
| US10145115B2 |
Highly reflective roofing system
A cool roofing system includes highly reflective calcined kaolin particles having a solar reflectance of 80% to 92%. When applied to a roofing substrate, the highly reflective kaolin particles produce a roofing system having a solar reflectance greater than or equal to 70%. |
| US10145113B2 |
Stud weldable rebar
A stud weldable rebar includes a steel bar comprised of a material composition confirming to ASTM 706 which extends along an axis A from a first end to a second end. The steel bar includes a base portion disposed adjacent the first end which has a base diameter D1 to define a base cross-sectional area of the base portion. The steel bar also includes an upset portion disposed adjacent the second end which has an upset diameter D2 being greater than said base diameter D1 to define an upset cross-sectional area of said upset portion. The material composition of the steel bar is restricted to a carbon equivalency between 0.31 and 0.43, and the upset cross-sectional area is approximately 13.5% to 22.5% greater than the base cross-sectional area to provide A706 rebar that surprisingly meets both the AWS D1.1 and ACI 318 standards after stud welding. |
| US10145107B2 |
Method of producing a plate-like construction with a double-wall structure
A method of producing a plate-like construction having a double-wall structure and its use. According to the present invention, several elongated profiles which have essentially straight central axes are arranged against each other in such a way that adjacent hollow profiles abut each other and together form, in general terms, a flat stack having two opposite sides. The hollow profiles are welded together in order to join them with welded seams, in which case the welding is essentially carried out simultaneously from both sides of the stack. Besides good flexural strength and the opportunity to recycle, thermoplastic plates which are produced by means of the present method exhibit resistance to corrosion, decay and mould. |
| US10145105B2 |
Modular building
The invention relates to a modular building (2), to be assembled in various sizes and in various environments, having a generally triangular transverse sectional profile, wherein the modular building comprises a double sloping roof (6) over the generally triangular transverse sectional profile, and wherein the one or more double sloping roof panels comprise composite panel material. |
| US10145103B2 |
Premanufactured structures for constructing buildings
Premanufactured structures for constructing buildings comprise a construction system for an energy efficient multi-story building with standard single or mixed units. The multi-story building is constructed using premanufactured structures: non-weight bearing walls with finished exterior including all electrical, insulating, plumbing and communications components that are premanufactured at a site distant from a building site, and the non-weight bearings walls are attached to a floor and ceiling slabs, interfacing with each other to enclose units of the building; interior components that are premanufactured at a remote site to connect to inside portions of the non-weight bearing walls; and exterior components that are premanufactured at the remote site to attach to exterior surfaces of the building. Non-weight bearing walls, interior components, and exterior components are installed and connected together to provide the energy efficient multi-story building with units with different floor plans, and optionally, a retail level with underground parking. |
| US10145102B2 |
Wall assembly
Disclosed is a wall assembly including preformed building blocks and a trellis type support member for maintaining the building blocks in place in the desired orientation. The wall assembly further includes at least one support for holding the trellis upright. The individual blocks are connected to the supporting trellis for added stability. Although not every block in the wall need be connected to the trellis support member in order to achieve the desired added stability, it is preferred to connect each block in the wall to the trellis. Connectors are provided for connecting the blocks to the trellis. Each block preferably is connected to the trellis by at least one connector, most preferably by a pair of connectors. To accommodate relative movement or shifting of the blocks during installation and in situ, the connectors are preferably movably connected to the trellis or the block, or both. |
| US10145101B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing an insulation panel
A microporous insulation material mixture is blended and the blended mixture is spread across a lower conveyor belt which is trained over rollers. To aid the spreading of the mixture a spreading device is used. The mixture is delivered by the conveyor to a pressing system which in this case comprises an upper conveyor belt. The pressing system also comprises a nipping means provided in this case by a plurality of upper and lower nipping rollers. The gaps between the individual rollers are adjustable. An upper fleece liner is led from a delivery roller to lie between the upper conveyor belt and the insulation mixture and a lower fleece liner is fed from a delivery roller to lie between the insulation mixture and the lower conveyor belt. The fleece liners may be used to encase the core prior to enclosing in an envelope and applying a vacuum. |
| US10145096B2 |
Flush toilet having a rim spout structure
A flush toilet includes a bowl having a waste-receiving surface and a rim; on either the left or right side inside the front area of this bowl, a rim water passageway is formed and a rim spouting port is formed; the water passageway formed at the downstream side of this rim spouting port forms a flow path cross section with the inner circumferential surface of the rim, the shelf surface formed under this inner circumferential surface, and the overhang portion formed over the inner circumferential surface; the height dimension of the flow path cross section is set to increase with distance on the downstream side, and the width thereof is set to decrease with distance on the downstream side, so that from the rim spout port toward the downstream side, the cross sectional area of the flow path cross section is approximately constant. |
| US10145094B2 |
Sanitary apparatus with a hot air blower equipped with an ion generating device for disinfection, deodorization, or the like
A sanitary apparatus includes: a fan; an air-blowing passage provided on a downstream side from the fan and includes a first air-blowing passage and a second air-blowing passage partitioned from each other; a heater for heating air of the first air-blowing passage; and an ion generating device generating ions to be carried by the air blowing of the second air-blowing passage, in which the ion generating device is installed on a downstream side from the heater so that the generated ions join the air blown from the first air-blowing passage by the air blowing of the second air-blowing passage. |
| US10145092B2 |
Device for preventing backflow
A backflow prevention device including a tank inside of and moveable relative to a housing. A cap coupled to the housing and including inlet and outlet chambers fluidly connected through an inlet, the outlet chamber communicating with the tank. A shell is connected to the cap and includes a shell inlet chamber, which communicates with a first outlet hole of the inlet chamber, and a second outlet hole, which communicates with the tank. An inlet sealing member opens/closes the inlet to fluidly connect/disconnect the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber; and an outlet hole sealing member is moveable with the tank to open/close the second outlet hole. Closing the second outlet hole prevents water from flowing through the second outlet hole and switches the inlet from open to closed. Opening the second outlet hole allows water to flow through the second outlet hole and switches the inlet to open. |
| US10145089B1 |
Water conduit flow indicator
The water conduit flow indicator is a device that is configured to be installed between a spigot and a water conduit in order to provide an audible alarm that water fluid is flowing through the device. The water conduit flow indicator is further defined with a housing that features an inlet and an outlet. The housing includes an internal partition that separates a fluid side from a dry side. Located within the housing is a pair of impeller blades. The pair of impeller blades is further defined with a fluid impeller blade and a dry impeller blade. The dry side of the housing includes a ringer bell that comes into contact with the dry impeller blade such that as the dry impeller blade rotates, the ringer bell generates an audible noise that alerts an end user as to the fluid flow occurring through the water conduit flow indicator. |
| US10145082B2 |
Work vehicle and backhoe
A work vehicle including an attachment mechanism for attaching a backhoe to a vehicle body. The attachment mechanism includes a pin provided in the vehicle body, an engaging body provided in the backhoe and engageable with the pin, and a locking body for fixing the engaging body to the pin under mutually engaged state. As the engaging body comes into engagement with the pin, the engaging body and the pin are fixed under the mutually engaged state. |
| US10145080B2 |
Structurally enhanced geotextile sediment-control fences
Sediment-control fences that are structurally enhanced to prevent failure due to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces are disclosed. The sediment-control fences comprise a permeable geotextile material and reinforcing straps located at controlled heights. The reinforcing straps provide added strength and stiffness at key structural locations along the height of the sediment-control fence. |
| US10145079B1 |
Berm and method of manufacturing a berm
A berm comprises fill material having a sloped face portion, a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane encapsulating the fill material. The impermeable membrane is impermeable to fluid and comprises a plurality of joined impermeable membrane segments. The sloped face portion is encapsulated by at least a portion of each of two or more of the impermeable membrane segments. Where two impermeable membrane segments encapsulating the sloped face portion meet, an upper end portion of a lower one of the impermeable membrane segments extends into the fill material and a lower end portion of an upper one of the impermeable membrane segments overlaps the lower one of the impermeable membrane segments in a shingled fashion. |
| US10145077B2 |
Coupler for soil nail and method of emplacing same
A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nails to extend the lengths of the nails. The coupler includes projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler may include a plurality of ports or openings formed in the body of the coupler enabling injected material such as grout to be further mixed by the rotating action of the coupler during use. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections. |
| US10145072B2 |
Hydrofission barrier
A barrier system and a method for dissipating energy in a body of fluid provides one or more barrier units each having an outer wall that defines a hollow inner chamber. Each barrier unit has a lower aperture and an upper aperture so fluid can flow in and out of the hollow inner chamber. Upward movement of fluid within the inner chamber is deflected inwardly and energy of the fluid is dissipated. The buoyancy of the barrier unit is controlled by a control system. Multiple barrier units can be used together to dissipate energy within a body of water over a large area. The barrier units can be easily assembled and deployed into a body of water. Where the barrier system is used in an ocean or another large body of water, the barrier units may be deployed from a ship, and may be anchored to the seafloor. |
| US10145071B2 |
Vehicle barrier system
A vehicle barrier system and method that prevents “tailgating”. The system may include a control system in communication with a sensor system for detecting a vehicle seeking passage through a gateway, as well as a first and second gate system. The control system receives data from the sensor system indicating the presence of the vehicle and, in response, determines whether the second gate system is closed. When the second gate is determined to be closed, the control system opens the first gate system to allow the vehicle to pass the first gate system and attempts to close the first gate system behind the vehicle after the vehicle passes the first gate system. In response to successfully closing the first gate system behind the vehicle, the second gate system is opened to allow the vehicle to proceed through the gateway. Otherwise, an alarm is sounded. |
| US10145069B2 |
Soft tissue comprising non-wood fibers
The present invention provides soft, durable and bulky tissue products comprising non-wood fibers and more particularly hesperaloe fiber. The inventors have discovered that high yield hesperaloe pulp fiber, when incorporated in amounts of at least about 5 percent by weight of the tissue product, produces products having a GMT less than about 1000 g/3″ and a GM Slope less than about 7.0 kg. At the foregoing tensile strengths and modulus the tissue products of the present invention are also generally soft, such as having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0, and more preferably less than about 9.0, such as from about 7.0 to about 9.0. |
| US10145065B2 |
Roll cover
A roll cover is particular suited for use in an apparatus for producing or surface finishing a fibrous web, such as a web of paper or of cardboard. The roll cover is formed on a roll core of metal or of a fiber-reinforced plastic and includes a matrix system wherein fillers are provided. The fillers provided are three or more in number and they have different median particle sizes. |
| US10145057B2 |
Mountable lint vacuum device and non-marring nozzle
A non-marring nozzle attachment that may be used with a vacuum device to clean delicate surfaces such as lint screens. The non-marring nozzle attachment may use a non-marring material with a beveled surface to allow for a vacuum to safely and effectively clean delicate surfaces. The non-marring nozzle attachment may further include spaced slits to allow for more intimate contact between the nozzle tip and a surface to be cleaned. The vacuum device may be mounted near the desired area of use to a variety of rigid surfaces without having to penetrate the rigid surface with nails or screws. |
| US10145049B2 |
Drum washing machine
A drum washing machine capable of driving a drum and a rotating body to rotate by a driving part, is provided. The driving part includes: a driving motor; a first rotating shaft fixed to the drum; a second rotating shaft fixed to the rotating body; a first pulley, which is fixed on the first rotating shaft and connected with the driving motor via a first transmission belt; a second pulley, which is connected with the driving motor via a second transmission belt and has an outer diameter different from that of the first pulley; and a clutch mechanism part, configured to switch a driving form of the driving part between a biaxial driving form and a drum independent driving form. |
| US10145048B2 |
Clutch device and washing machine
A clutch device may include; a first rotor body; a second rotor body engageable with the first rotor body; a clutch drive motor connected with a first drive line and a second drive line; a clutch mechanism; a first switch comprising first and second contact point electrodes; a second switch comprising first and second contact point electrodes; a first terminal electrically connected with of the first contact point electrode of the first switch; a second terminal electrically connected with the first drive line; a third terminal electrically connected with the first contact point electrode of the second switch; and a fourth terminal electrically connecting with the second drive line. The second contact point electrode of the first switch and the second contact point electrode of the second switch may be electrically connected with the second drive line. |
| US10145044B2 |
Knitted bag
Described are bags having a sack-like body formed of knitwear. The knitwear includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer at least partly overlaps the second layer, and wherein the first layer and the second layer are knitted integrally in a one-piece knitting process. |
| US10145043B2 |
Method and machine for knitting tubular knitted articles
The method for manufacturing tubular knitted articles (M) comprises the steps of: a) knitting a tubular knitted article (M) with the needle cylinder (3); b) transferring loops (MA) of a last-formed course of loops from the needles (5) of the needle cylinder (3) onto the pick-up members (27A, 27B) of a transfer unit (21), divided into two circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) which can be overturned over each other; c) overturning one of the circular half-rings (25A, 25B, 27A, 27B) of pick-up members (27B) onto the other so as to arrange two edge portions of the final edge of the tubular knitted article (M) one onto the other; d) joining the two edge portions to one another by means of joining stitches (A, B, C, D) formed in intermediate spaces between adjacent pick-up members (27A), whereon the knitted tubular article (M) is retained; e) unloading the knitted tubular article (M) with the closed toe from the transfer unit (21). |
| US10145041B2 |
Method for knitting shoe upper and shoe upper
A method for knitting a shoe upper capable of forming a new stretch preventing section different from a conventional stretch preventing section, and a shoe upper obtained through such knitting method are provided. The shoe upper including a base knitted fabric portion (1F) that covers a foot of a wearer is knitted. In the knitting, a stretch preventing section (20) configured by a knitted fabric of a plain structure is knitted, where one end in a wale direction is connected to the base knitted fabric portion (1F) and another end in the wale direction is not connected to the base knitted fabric portion (1F). The stretch preventing section (20) in which one end is fixed and the other end is not fixed is curled to a tubular shape. The curled stretch preventing section (20) is thicker than the other portions, thus suppressing the stretch of the shoe upper. |
| US10145035B2 |
Insulating sheer fabric
Fabrics which allow for light transmission and provide thermal insulation are described. A fabric is formed from at least one yarn to form a continuous web of fabric. The continuous web is configured to allow between 20% and 65% of incident light to be transmitted through the fabric, and to reduce heat transfer through the fabric such that the fabric has an R value of at least 0.75 K·m2/W. The continuous web of fabric may be a woven fabric where the at least one yarn is woven to form the woven fabric. |
| US10145033B2 |
Cleaning head and cleaning device for cleaning a spinning rotor along with a method for cleaning a spinning rotor
A cleaning head of a cleaning device for cleaning a spinning rotor, by means of a feed device, be fed into a predetermined cleaning position in the interior of the spinning rotor. The cleaning head has a cleaning element formed as a scraper element arranged in such a manner that, in the predetermined cleaning position of the cleaning head, it is fed to the open edge of the spinning rotor. A cleaning device for cleaning a spinning rotor features a corresponding cleaning head. With a method for cleaning a spinning rotor by means of the cleaning device, after feed of the cleaning head into the cleaning position, the open edge of the spinning rotor is cleaned by means of the scraper element. |
| US10145026B2 |
Process for large-scale ammonothermal manufacturing of semipolar gallium nitride boules
Methods for large-scale manufacturing of semipolar gallium nitride boules are disclosed. The disclosed methods comprise suspending large-area single crystal seed plates in a rack, placing the rack in a large diameter autoclave or internally-heated high pressure apparatus along with ammonia and a mineralizer, and growing crystals ammonothermally. A bi-faceted growth morphology may be maintained to facilitate fabrication of large area semipolar wafers without growing thick boules. |
| US10145025B2 |
Method for producing SiC single crystal
Provided is a method for producing a SiC single crystal which can suppress generation of SiC polycrystals. The method according to the present embodiment is in accordance with a solution growth method. The method for producing a SiC single crystal according to the present embodiment comprises a power-output increasing step, a contact step, and a growth step. In the power-output increasing step, high-frequency power output of an induction heating device is increased to crystal-growth high-frequency power output. In the contact step, a SiC seed crystal is brought into contact with a Si—C solution. The high-frequency power output of the induction heating device in the contact step is more than 80% of the crystal-growth high-frequency power output. The temperature of the Si—C solution in the contact step is less than a crystal growth temperature. In the growth step, the SiC single crystal is grown at the crystal growth temperature. |
| US10145019B2 |
Custom ionic liquid electrolytes for electrolytic decarboxylation
Methods, equipment, and reagents for preparing organic compounds using custom electrolytes based on different ionic liquids in electrolytic decarboxylation reactions are disclosed. |
| US10145017B2 |
Efficient electrolysis system for sodium chlorate production
An efficient electrolysis system for sodium chlorate production may include round or oval cells, reactors, a product pump transfer, a buffer tank, a circulation pump, and explosive clad plate, all of which are connected by way of pipelines. Inlet and the outlet of each cell are separately connected with the reactor via titanium pipes, allowing the electrolyte to recirculate naturally between the cells and the reactors. The outlet of every cell is conical while each reactor includes a standard electrolytic unit with three to eight cells. The electrolytic units are modularly identical and symmetrically linked to the buffer tank. Within each unit, adjacent cells are connected with the explosive clad plates. The buffer tank may be divided into two parts—part A and part B—with part A connecting with the overflow port of the reactor via pipeline, and the part B connecting with the reactor via the circulation pump. Part B is equipped with a refined brine feed pipe on the top, the bottom of part A connects with a product transfer pump (3) via pipeline. |
| US10145013B2 |
Wafer carrier having retention pockets with compound radii for chemical vapor desposition systems
A wafer carrier for use in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system includes a plurality of wafer retention pockets, each having a peripheral wall surface surrounding a floor surface and defining a periphery of that wafer retention pocket. Each wafer retention pocket has a periphery with a shape defined by at least a first arc having a first radius of curvature situated around a first arc center and a second arc having a second radius of curvature situated around a second arc center. The second arc is different from the first arc, either by its radius of curvature, arc center, or both. |
| US10144999B2 |
Processing of alpha/beta titanium alloys
Processes for forming an article from an α+β titanium alloy are disclosed. The α+β titanium alloy includes, in weight percentages, from 2.90 to 5.00 aluminum, from 2.00 to 3.00 vanadium, from 0.40 to 2.00 iron, and from 0.10 to 0.30 oxygen. The α+β titanium alloy is cold worked at a temperature in the range of ambient temperature to 500° F., and then aged at a temperature in the range of 700° F. to 1200° F. |
| US10144995B2 |
Mixed magnetic powders and the electronic device using the same
Mixed magnetic powders for making a magnetic core or body is disclosed, wherein the mixed magnetic powders comprises a first magnetic powder and a second magnetic powder, each of the first magnetic powder and the second magnetic powder being made of a soft magnetic material, wherein the average particle diameter of the first magnetic powder is greater than that of the second magnetic powder, and each of the first magnetic powder and the second magnetic powder has a pre-configured particle size distribution for increasing the density of the magnetic body. |
| US10144990B2 |
Processes and systems for preparing lithium carbonate
There are provided processes comprising submitting an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulphate and/or bisulfate to an electrolysis or an electrodialysis for converting at least a portion of said sulphate into lithium hydroxide. During electrolysis or electrodialysis, the aqueous composition is at least substantially maintained at a pH having a value of about 1 to about 4; and converting said lithium hydroxide into lithium carbonate. Alternatively, lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate can be submitted to a first electromembrane process that comprises a two-compartment membrane process for conversion of lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate to lithium hydroxide, and obtaining a first lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a first lithium hydroxide-enriched aqueous stream; and submitting said first lithium-reduced aqueous stream to a second electromembrane process comprising a three-compartment membrane process to prepare at least a further portion of lithium hydroxide and obtaining a second lithium-reduced aqueous stream and a second lithium-hydroxide enriched aqueous stream. |
| US10144989B2 |
Recovery of gold from solution
A method is disclosed for recovering gold from a gold-containing organic solution containing soluble gold. The method comprises contacting the gold-containing organic solution with an aqueous stripping solution in order to extract gold from the gold-containing organic solution into the aqueous stripping solution. The aqueous stripping solution containing gold is separated from the organic solution. The separated aqueous stripping solution containing gold is contacted with a reducing agent containing sodium metabisulphite, in order to reduce gold from the aqueous stripping solution. |
| US10144988B2 |
Rotation-suspension smelting method, a burner and a metallurgical equipment
A rotation-suspension smelting method, in which a powdered sulfide concentrate and an oxygen-containing gas are sprayed into a high-temperature reaction tower. The oxygen-containing gas is divided into two parts: the second oxygen-containing gas is sprayed in the form of an annular direct flow into the reaction tower and forms a bell-shaped wind curtain; and the first oxygen-containing gas is transformed into a rotation-jet and jetted into the center of the wind curtain. In the space between the gas flows, the concentrate entering in a direction deviated towards the center is drawn in the rotation-jet, and a high-temperature off-gas is sucked in, forming a gas-particle mixed two-phase rotation-jet. The sulfide concentrate is ignited, at the same time, a melt containing matte (or metal) and slag is formed; and the matte (or metal) is separated from the slag at the bottom of the reaction tower, completing the metallurgical process. |
| US10144987B2 |
Sensors
Embodiments of the present invention provide an electromagnetic sensor (400) for detecting a microstructure of a metal target, comprising: a magnetic device (410, 420) for providing an excitation magnetic field; a magnetometer (430) for detecting a resultant magnetic field induced in a metal target; and a calibration circuit (450, 551, 552, 553, 554) for generating a calibration magnetic field for calibrating the electromagnetic sensor, wherein the calibration reference magnetic field is generated by an electrical current induced in the calibration circuit by the excitation magnetic field. |
| US10144982B2 |
Fe—Mn—C-based TWIP steel having remarkable mechanical performance at very low temperature, and preparation method thereof
Provided is a Fe—Mn—C-based twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel which includes 13 wt % to 24 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.4 wt % to 1.2 wt % of carbon (C), and iron (Fe) as well as other unavoidable impurities as a remainder, is manufactured by caliber rolling, has a microstructure including elongated grains that are elongated in a rolling direction, and has an average grain size of the elongated grains in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction of 1 μm or less. |
| US10144979B2 |
Identification of a DNA variant associated with adult type hypolactasia
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a 5′ portion of an intestinal lactase-phlorizine hydrolase (LPH) gene contributing to or indicative of the adult-type hypolactasia. The present invention further relates to methods for testing for the presence of or predisposition to adult-type hypolactasia that are based on the analysis of an SNP contained in the above recited nucleic acid molecule. Additionally, the present invention relates to diagnostic composition and kit useful in the detection of the presence of or predisposition to adult-type hypolactasia. |
| US10144975B2 |
Anellovirus genome quantification as a biomarker of immune suppression
The present invention relates to the use of the measure of anelloviral load for the determination of immunosuppression. More precisely, the present invention provides a method for characterizing the immunosuppressed or non-immunosuppressed status of a subject, comprising the steps of determining the anelloviral load from a biological sample of the said subject, and determining from the said comparison the immunosuppressed or non-immunosuppressed status. The determination of the immunosuppressed status of the subject can then be used to design or adapt a therapeutic treatment. |
| US10144970B2 |
Methods and compositions related to a BRAF mutation and microsatellite stability
Disclosed are methods and compositions related to a BRAF mutation and microsatellite stability. |
| US10144968B2 |
Conjugation of carboxyl functional hydrophilic beads
A polymer substrate, such as a polymer coating or a polymer hydrogel network, includes carboxyl moieties that can be used as conjugation sites to which receptor or analyte molecules can be attached. In an example, the polymer substrate includes a polyacrylamide polymer network having alkanoic acid moieties or derivatives thereof, which can react with carboxyl activating compounds to provide an activated alkanoate moieties on the polyacrylamide network. Amine-terminated nucleic acids can react with the activated alkanoate moieties to capture the nucleic acid to the polymer network through an alkylamide moiety. |
| US10144967B2 |
Polymethine compounds and their use as fluorescent labels
The present disclosure relates to new compounds and their use as fluorescent labels. The compounds may be used as fluorescent labels for nucleotides in nucleic acid sequencing applications. |
| US10144962B2 |
Differential tagging of RNA for preparation of a cell-free DNA/RNA sequencing library
In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods, compositions, reactions mixtures, kits, and systems for sequencing both RNA and DNA from a single source sample. In some embodiments, RNA is treated so as to differentiate RNA sequences from DNA sequences derived from the same sample. In some embodiments, the RNA and DNA are cell-free polynucleotides. |
| US10144960B2 |
Methods for fast nucleic acid amplification
Devices are provided for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR). |
| US10144959B2 |
Integrated device for real time quantitative PCR
A method for real-time quantitative detection of single-type, target nucleic acid sequences amplified using a PCR in a microwell, comprising introducing in the microwell a sample comprising target nucleic acid sequences, magnetic primers, and labelling probes; performing an amplification cycle to form labelled amplicons; attracting the magnetic primers to a surface through a magnetic field to form a layer including labelled amplification products and free magnetic primers; and detecting the labelled amplification products in the layer with a surface-specific reading method. |
| US10144958B2 |
Methylation detection method
A method of determining whether a given single nucleotide is methylated or not methylated characterized by the steps of (a) contacting the single nucleotide with one or more hybridization probe types each of which in its unused form; (b) for the relevant probe type causing (i) the single nucleotide to bind to the region resistant to exonucleolytic degradation and the single-stranded region and (ii) the second oligonucleotide to bind to the single nucleotide and the single-stranded nucleotide region; (c) treating the used probe with a methylation-dependent restriction or a methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease to cleave adjacent the region resistant to exonucleolytic degradation; and thereafter (d) treating the product of step (c) with an exonuclease or a polymerase exhibiting exonuclease activity to liberate either only first or both first and second detectable elements in a detectable state to determine if the single nucleotide is methylated or not. |
| US10144957B2 |
Optimized real time nucleic acid detection processes
This invention provides for compositions for use in real time nucleic acid detection processes. Such real time nucleic acid detection processes are carried out with energy transfer elements attached to nucleic acid primers, nucleotides, nucleic acid probes or nucleic acid binding agents. Real time nucleic acid detection allows for the qualitative or quantitative detection or determination of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids of interest in a sample. Other processes are provided by this invention including processes for removing a portion of a homopolymeric sequence, e.g., poly A sequence or tail, from an analyte or library of analytes. Compositions useful in carrying out such removal processes are also described and provided. Paneling and multiplex analyses of more than one nucleic acid analyte using one sample are also provided. |
| US10144954B2 |
Methods for generating stabilized lyophilized materials
Lyophilized biological reagents, such as enzymes (e.g., PCR reagents) and antibodies, are provided that include a wax component. Thus, in some aspects, a method is provided for storing a biological reagent comprising formulating the reagent into a lyophilized composition including a wax component. Methods for using such lyophilized reagents are likewise provided. |
| US10144952B2 |
Stabilization and isolation of extracellular nucleic acids
The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample using butanamide. |
| US10144949B2 |
Systems and methods for electrochemical aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) detection and quantification
A system for electrochemically detecting AST and ALT includes a first sampler for producing pyruvate from ALT and a second sampler for producing pyruvate from AST. The system further includes an electrochemical test strip for receiving processed samples from the first and second samplers, the processed samples containing pyruvate. The system further includes a meter for reading the electrochemical test strip and indicating an amount of AST and ALT in the sample. |
| US10144948B2 |
Method of sampling and/or depositing a sample of biological matter and device implementing such method
The aim of the present invention is a method of sampling all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7), which is crude, enriched or cultured through contact with a culture medium (8), such as agar, for example in a Petri dish, using a probe (3) equipped with a terminal end (4), said sampling method comprising the steps of cooling the terminal end (4) of the probe (3), sticking all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) to be sampled through contact, or by applying a pressure exerted by the terminal end (4) onto the sample (11) of biological matter (7), and sampling of all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) so as to separate the sample (11) of biological matter (7) from the culture medium (8), a method of depositing into a container (9) or onto an analysis plate (14) all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7) stuck onto a frosted terminal end (4) of a probe, said depositing method including a step of separating the terminal end (4) of the probe (3) from all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7), as well as a device (2), a kit and an apparatus (1) implementing these methods. |
| US10144947B2 |
Method for detecting, identifying and enumerating micro-organisms in a porous support dry-impregnated with a dehydrated reaction medium
A method for the detection, identification and enumeration of microorganisms in a porous support including reaction medium powder throughout its thickness, the support having been dry-impregnated throughout its thickness by a dehydrated reaction medium. Further, a device is used and enables the method to be carried out. |
| US10144944B2 |
Methods of cell culture
Polypeptide preparations having target levels of glycans, and methods of producing such polypeptide preparations using putrescine, are described. |
| US10144937B2 |
Stable production of lentiviral vectors
The present invention provides new stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines as well as methods to obtain them, and a new method to produce lentiviral vectors using such cell lines. New methods and packaging cell lines of the invention are generated using a baculo-AAV hybrid system for stable expression of structural and regulatory lentiviral proteins, such system comprising a baculoviral backbone containing an integration cassette flanked by AAV ITR, in combination with a plasmid encoding rep protein. This system allows to obtain a stable integration of the structural and regulatory HIV-1 proteins gag/pol and rev. The system allows to obtain a first intermediate including only the structural and regulatory HIV proteins gag/pol and rev, to be used as starting point to obtain stable packaging cell lines as well as producer cell lines. |
| US10144935B2 |
DNA plasmids with improved expression
The present invention relates to the production and use of covalently closed circular (ccc) recombinant plasmids, and more particularly to vector modifications that improve expression of said DNA molecules in the target organism. |
| US10144934B2 |
Targeted/TGF-ßRII fusion proteins and methods for making same
The present invention relates generally to the field of generating fusion proteins to be used in cancer therapy, and more specifically, to nucleotide sequences encoding the fusion proteins, wherein the chimeric fusion proteins comprises at least one targeting moiety and at least one immunomodulatory moiety that counteracts the immune tolerance of cancer cells. |
| US10144932B2 |
Nurr1 as a genetic target for treating levodopa-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease
Methods of treating movement disorders by reducing the activity of Nurr1 are disclosed. These methods are particularly applicable to subjects suffering from Parkinson's disease who have either developed levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) or are at risk of developing LID. In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for treating a movement disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition, wherein said composition reduces the activity of a nuclea receptor related 1 protein (“Nurr1”). In some embodiments, the movement disorder is a dyskinesia. The movement disorder may be a levodopa-induced dyskinesia. |
| US10144929B2 |
Polypeptide inhibitors of Smad3 polypeptide activities
This document provides polypeptide inhibitors of Smad3 polypeptide activities. For example, methods and materials for using polypeptides (e.g., polypeptides designed to include both a cell penetrating amino acid sequence and an amino acid segment of a SH3 domain of a SNX9 polypeptide) to inhibit one or more Smad3 polypeptide activities are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for using RNA interference to treat a disease (e.g., a fibrotic disease) in a mammal (e.g., a human). |
| US10144928B2 |
Double stranded oligonucleotide compounds comprising positional modifications
Disclosed herein are double stranded RNA molecules which have been modified to exhibit one of the following, increased activity, enhanced nuclease stability, reduced off target activity and or reduced immunogenicity, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and to methods of use. Further disclosed is a method for the synthesis of threose nucleic acid phosphoramidites and methods of use thereof. |
| US10144919B2 |
Phospholipase C mutant and use thereof
The present application provides mutants of wild type phospholipase C (PLC) specific to phosphatidylcholine from Bacillus cereus. The related mutations include mutation of asparagine at position 63 to another amino acid, also including mutation of arginine at position 20 to histidine and of alanine at position 83 to aspartic acid. The present application also provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding the mutant, a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule, and a cell containing the nucleic acid molecule or vector. The present application also provides uses of the mutant, nucleic acid molecule vector, and cell. |
| US10144918B2 |
DNA polymerases with increased 3′-mismatch discrimination
Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3′-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases. |
| US10144912B2 |
Use of polymer film for packaging a culture medium
A polymer film for packaging at least one microorganism culture medium includes at least one layer of polystyrene and at least one heat-sealing layer. The polymer film has an average water vapor permeability of between 30.0 g/m2×24 hours and 140.0 g/m2×24 hours, preferentially between 70.0 g/m2×24 hours and 120.0 g/m2×24 hours. |
| US10144906B2 |
Additive for reducing spotting in automatic dishwashing systems
A phosphorus-free automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising: (a) 0.5 to 8 wt % of a first polymer comprising polymerized units of: (i) 60 to 82 wt % (meth)acrylic acid, (ii) 10 to 30 wt % of a monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid and (iii) 8 to 25 wt % 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS); and having Mw from 5,000 to 100,000; (b) 0.5 to 8 wt % of a second polymer comprising polymerized units of: (i) 60 to 95 wt % (meth)acrylic acid, (ii) 5 to 40 wt % 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS); and having Mw from 5,000 to 100,000; (c) 15 to 50 wt % carbonate, (d) 5 to 50 wt % citrate and (e) 10 to 30 wt % of a bleaching agent. |
| US10144904B2 |
Process for extraction of aroma chemicals from fat-containing and/or aqueous liquid phases
The present invention relates to a process for continuous extraction of an aqueous and/or fat-containing liquid phase F comprising aroma chemicals with a gas G in the liquid or supercritical state. |
| US10144903B2 |
Perfume systems
The present application relates to perfume delivery systems and consumer products comprising perfume delivery systems and or perfume raw materials, as well as processes for making and using such perfume delivery systems and consumer products. |
| US10144901B2 |
Lubricant composition for lapping ceramic material, and related methods
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of making a lubricant composition for lapping a ceramic material. The method includes mixing a base lubricant component and a powdered wax composition component to form the lubricant composition. The powdered wax composition component includes a powdered wax dispersion or a powdered wax emulsion. The amount of powdered wax composition component mixed with the base lubricant component is from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of the lubricant composition. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of related lubricant compositions and/or methods of using the lubricant to lap a ceramic substrate (e.g., one or more bars of sliders). |
| US10144897B2 |
Basic ashless additives
A lubricant composition comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity and an N-hydrocarbyl-substituted δ-aminoester or δ-aminothioester provides exhibits basicity and good seal performance. In certain embodiments the N-hydrocarbyl substituent comprises a hydrocarbyl group of at least 3 carbons atoms, with a branch at the 1 or 2 position of the hydrocarbyl chain. |
| US10144893B2 |
Low-friction member imitating shark skin and manufacturing method therefor
The present invention relates to a low-friction member imitating shark skin and a manufacturing method therefor, the low-friction member implementing a structure similar to shark skin and having riblets by stacking, in layers, composite particles formed by attaching spherical particles on the surfaces of plate-shaped particles, and thus the low-friction member has excellent low-friction characteristics. The present invention comprises: a base plate; plate-shaped particles stacked in layers on the surface of the base plate in the form of scales; and a plurality of spherical metal lubricating particles having a size smaller than that of the plate-shaped particles, and coated on the surfaces of the plate-shaped particles, wherein the metal lubricating particles are arranged in the form of a bridge connecting the base plate and the plate-shaped particles, and the plate-shaped particles to each other. |
| US10144892B2 |
System and method for dewatering coal combustion residuals
The installation of prefabricated drains in a horizontal, generally co-planar pattern below the surface of the CCR with suction or a vacuum to withdraw water from the CCR material to lower the water level down to the level of the prefabricated drains below the CCR surface. Dewatering may be coupled with imparting vibrations to the material to further promote both additional dewatering and compaction of the CCR material in the pond. A suitably graded bottom ash, fly ash, sand or large-diameter-solid particle layer may be added on top of the horizontal drains to enhance dewatering of finer CCR material. |