| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10162620B2 |
Systems and methods for location-based application installation
A system and/or method may be provided to install applications based on location. In particular, a location of a user device may be detected. Based on the location of the user device, one or more applications may be selected to be installed automatically on the user device. Further, when the user device departs from the location, the application may automatically be uninstalled. Thus, applications may be installed and/or uninstalled on the user device based on the location of the user device. The automatically installed application may provide functionality or information associated with the location that triggered the installation. For example, a merchant's store may be associated with the merchant's application which may be installed automatically on devices of customers who enter the merchant's store. |
| US10162619B1 |
Fleet-wide management of software packages
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for fleet-wide management of software packages are disclosed. A package management service is offered to a plurality of clients in a multi-tenant environment. Using the package management service, a package set is determined that comprises metadata identifying a plurality of software packages and desired states associated with the software packages. The software packages are from a catalog. Deployment of the package set is initiated to a plurality of computing devices. The deployment comprises reaching the desired states for the software packages in the package set for the computing devices. |
| US10162616B2 |
System for binary translation version protection
The present disclosure is directed to a system for binary translation version protection. Activity occurring in a device that may potentially cause native code to be altered may cause the device to prevent binary translations corresponding to the native code from being executed until a determination is made as to whether the binary translation needs to be regenerated. The native code may be stored in a memory page having an access permission that does not permit writes. Attempts to alter the native code would require the access permission of the memory page to be set to writable, which may cause a binary translation (BT) module to be notified of the potential change. The BT module may mark any binary translations corresponding to the native code as stale, and may cause a page permission control module to update memory pages including the binary translations to have an access permission of non-executable. |
| US10162612B2 |
Method and apparatus for inventory analysis
A method and apparatus for migration of application source code may include parsing the source code and generating a first output, dynamically analyzing the source code to produce a second output wherein the second output comprises runtime metadata associated with the application, converting, using the runtime metadata, the source code of the application in an original language to a destination language on the second platform and a data source in an assigned format to a destination format. The method may include simulating memory to execute the source code by simulating a dynamic memory array, executing the source code within the dynamic memory array, detecting and resolving parameters of the source code by monitoring execution of the source code, and storing the detected and resolved parameters of the source code in a metadata register. |
| US10162609B2 |
Model-driven object composition for data access using function-expressions
A computer-implemented method for creating an object for data access is provided. The computer-implemented method includes defining a function-expression in source code using an object-oriented programming language. The defined function-expression is exposed in a graphical user interface of a development tool used to create the object. A selection of at least one field among a list of available fields for data access is received. The defined function-expression is included in the list of available fields. An integrated development environment is also provided. |
| US10162607B2 |
Source code rewriting during recording to provide both direct feedback and optimal code
Systems and methods are disclosed for developing an application on a development device. The application is built on a development device, then installed and run on a test device. Installation includes installing an event tap to intercept events generated by a user interacting with the application. In response to a call from the event tap, a test manager daemon snapshots the user interface elements of the application and packages the snapshot and event for transmission to the development device. A development environment on the development device receives the package, then generates and displays optimized source code in response to the received events and snapshots. Generated source code can be optimized to minimize a number identifiers, minimize a length of identifiers, minimize a generated number of lines of code, or optimize the generated source code for readability. |
| US10162606B2 |
Computer-implemented method for generating and visualizing data structures
A computer-implemented method for generating and visualizing data structures, notably hierarchal data structures, comprising a plurality of nodes in a tree structure, at least some of which comprise intrinsic properties, wherein at least one of said primary and secondary nodes represents a data object of or a data interface towards a computer-implemented model of a physical structure. A visual representation of the plurality of nodes is created in a graphical user interface of the computer system. A user of the computer system is allowed to select data modules and to combine the selected data modules to build the data structures. Functional relations between data values of the nodes are provided to at least partially define the computer-implemented model on the basis of the intrinsic data of the nodes and on the basis of the mutual functional relations. The user interface comprises functionality permitting a user of the computer system to define functions which can be referenced in or called by the functional relations. |
| US10162599B1 |
Method and apparatus for modulo operation with a class of divisors
In some applications, such as randomization and cryptography, remainder computation for a number is required. The remainder computation is also used in modulo arithmetic. The remainder computation can be simplified when the divisor belongs to a certain class of numbers. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable low complexity implementation of remainder computation of any number when the divisor belongs to a type of numbers that can be represented as 2k+1. |
| US10162598B2 |
Flash optimized columnar data layout and data access algorithms for big data query engines
A technique relates to flash-optimized data layout of a dataset for queries. Selection columns are stored in flash memory according to a selection optimized layout, where the selection optimized layout is configured to optimize predicate matching and data skipping. The selection optimized layout, for each selection column, is formed by storing a selection column dictionary filled with unique data values in a given selection column, where the unique data values are stored in sorted order in the selection column dictionary. Row position designations are stored corresponding to each row position that the unique data values are present within the given selection column, without duplicating storage of any of the unique data values that occur more than once in the given selection column. |
| US10162589B2 |
Data communication device, information visualizing system and data communicating program
There are provided a changed data extracting unit 13 for extracting only changed data to be present data changed from previous data for each of data to be received repetitively from a plurality of portable terminals 200, a block data generating unit 14 for collecting, into one, any of the changed data which are extracted and have the same value, thereby generating block data, and a data transmitting unit 15 for transmitting the generated block data, and only data changed from previous receipt to present receipt in a huge amount of data which are collected from the large number of portable terminals 200 and might be changed moment by moment are extracted as transmitting target data, and furthermore, the changed data having the same value are collected into one and transmitted if any. Consequently, a transmission data volume can be reduced. |
| US10162585B1 |
Management system, management apparatus, and management method
In accordance with an embodiment, a management system comprises a first information generation section, a second information generation section, a storage section and a determination section. The first information generation section generates first information indicating that a processing of forming an image on a sheet is executed at the time information instructing formation of the image is input. The second information generation section generates second information indicating that a processing of decolorizing the image formed on the sheet is executed at the time information instructing a processing of decolorizing the image is input. The storage section stores the first information and the second information. The determination section determines whether or not the processing of decolorizing the image formed on the sheet is executed on the sheet by a predetermined time point preset in the management system based on the first information and the second information. |
| US10162574B2 |
Storage control device utilizing a reassembly of first access instructions based on second access instructions
A storage control device that includes processing circuitry that receives second access instructions of a plurality of series generated based on a first access instruction for instructing writing of data in a first storage or reading of data from the first storage, through a plurality of channels, the storage control device being connected to a controller configured to perform writing of data in the first storage or reading of data from the first storage according to an instruction for accessing the first storage, reassembles the first access instruction based on the second access instructions of the plurality of series received by the processing circuitry, and outputs the first access instruction reassembled by the processing circuitry to the controller. |
| US10162570B2 |
Methods and apparatuses of compensating for delays caused by an extension line of a storage device
Methods and apparatuses of compensating for delays of a storage device are disclosed. The method includes: performing a communication operation a preset number of times with the storage device through the extension line, each time if a correct response is received from the storage device, recording a status value of the current communication operation as a first value, otherwise recording as a second value, to obtain a resultant data string; searching, in the resultant data string, for a longest data segment comprised of the continuous first values; taking a delay value of the communication operation corresponding to the status value at the middle position of the longest data segment as an optimal delay value; and setting the optimal delay value as a phase difference between a source clock and a sampling clock of the storage device to compensate for the delays caused by the extension line of the storage device. |
| US10162568B2 |
Method for searching matching key of storage device and server system including the same
A matching key search method of a server system including a storage device, the storage device including a nonvolatile memory device and a buffer memory. The matching key search method includes receiving a search command for a keyword from a host, reading data from a memory area of the memory device corresponding to an address included in the search command and storing the read data in the buffer memory, determining whether the read data matches the keyword, transmitting a result of the determining to the host without transmitting the read data to the host, and generating a matching key table with reference to the result of the determining and storing the generated matching key table in the buffer memory. |
| US10162564B2 |
Selecting a virtual tape server in a storage system to provide data copy while minimizing system job load
In a storage system including plural source storage devices, a target storage device selects which source storage device to accept a copy request from the target storage device so as to minimize the load on the entire system. The system calculates first and second load values for job loads being processed. System load values for the system are derived from job load value of a specific data, and respective load values for first and second source storage devices. The system compares the system load values to select a storage device to provide the data copy so as to minimize the load on the entire system. |
| US10162563B2 |
Asynchronous local and remote generation of consistent point-in-time snap copies
In accordance with one embodiment, asynchronous local and remote generation of consistent first and second point-in-time snap copy volumes provides for generating in a primary system, a first point-in-time snap copy volume of a primary volume of the primary system, and generating in a secondary system, a second point-in-time snap copy volume utilizing a secondary volume in the secondary system. Synchronizing logic synchronizes the first and second point-in-time snap copy volumes to be consistent with each other as of a particular point-in-time notwithstanding an asynchronous mirror relationship between the primary volume of the primary system and the secondary volume of the secondary system. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US10162561B2 |
Managing backup of logical-to-physical translation information to control boot-time and write amplification
An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to communicate with a non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to hold a translation table that maps between logical addresses and respective physical addresses in the non-volatile memory, to back-up to the non-volatile memory a baseline version of the translation table in one or more bulks, to additionally back-up to the non-volatile memory one or more incremental updates, which specify changes relative to the baseline version of the translation table caused by subsequent storage operations, to determine a maximal number of the incremental updates that, when recovered together with the baseline version from the non-volatile memory and replayed in the processor, meets a target recovery time of the translation table, and to set a number of the backed-up incremental updates to not exceed the maximal number. |
| US10162560B2 |
Memory unit for automatically multiplying the content of a memory location, and data network having a memory unit
A memory unit, which has a plurality of memory locations for accommodating data and which is designed to copy the content of a first memory location of the memory unit, when this first memory location is written, automatically into a first memory location at least of one other memory unit, the first memory location of the at least one other memory unit being readable and writable independently of the first memory location of the memory unit; and to a data network having at least two such memory units, a transmitter and at least one receiver, the transmitter being designed to write a datum to be sent into the first memory location of a first of the at least two memory units, and the at least one receiver being designed to read and to process the datum from the first memory location of a second memory unit of the at least two memory units. |
| US10162558B2 |
Data transfer techniques for multiple devices on a shared bus
Direct data transfer between devices having a shared bus may be implemented with reduced involvement from a controller associated with the devices. A controller, a source memory device, and a target memory device may be coupled with a shared bus. The controller may identify a source address at the source memory device for data to be transferred to the target memory device. The controller also may identify a target address in the target memory device, and initiate a data transfer directly from the source to the target through a command that is received at both the source and the target memory device. In response to the command, the source memory device may read data out to the bus, and the target memory may read the data from the bus and store the data starting at the target address without further commands from the controller. |
| US10162557B2 |
Methods of accessing memory cells, methods of distributing memory requests, systems, and memory controllers
Methods of accessing memory cells, methods of distributing memory requests, systems, and memory controllers are described. In one such method, where memory cells are divided into at least a first region of memory cells and a second region of memory cells, memory cells in the first region are accessed according to a first address definition and memory cells in the second region are accessed according to a second address definition that is different from the first address definition. Additional embodiments are described. |
| US10162550B2 |
Large-scale, dynamic graph storage and processing system
A graph storage and processing system is provided. The system includes a scalable, distributed, fault-tolerant, in-memory graph storage device for storing base graph data representative of graphs. The system further includes a real-time, in memory graph storage device for storing update graph data representative of graph updates for the graphs with respect to a time threshold. The system also includes an in-memory graph sampler for sampling the base graph data to generate sampled portions of the graphs and for storing the sampled portions of the graph. The system additionally includes a query manager for providing a query interface between applications and the system and for forming graph data representative of a complete graph from at least the base graph data and the update graph data, if any. The system also includes a graph computer for processing the sampled portions using batch-type computations to generate approximate results for graph-based queries. |
| US10162549B2 |
Integrated circuit chip and method therefor
In an apparatus including a plurality of integrated circuit chips, it makes it possible not to connect a ROM to all integrated circuit chips. Each chip incorporates a processor, and has terminal for connecting with a ROM and a RAM. The chip includes a communication unit communicating with another integrated circuit chip, and a reset controller which includes a register storing initial data setting for the processor in a reset state, and selects, based on a logical level of an external terminal, between whether to provide the data of the register to a reset terminal of the processor and whether to provide an external signal to the reset terminal of the processor. |
| US10162547B1 |
Memory expansion in a linking process
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for linking input files during a linking process. The method includes receiving an input section that is to be mapped to a memory segment by a linker circuit, determining whether an out-of-memory (OOM) event occurs when an available memory space of the memory segment is unable to accommodate the input section, estimating a memory expansion size that would be required for the memory segment to be able to accommodate the input section when an OOM event occurs, and creating by the linker circuit a map file that includes the estimated memory expansion size of the memory segment. |
| US10162545B2 |
Managing out-of-service conditions
An adaptive logical storage element comprises a plurality of solid-state storage elements accessible in parallel. The logical storage element includes logical storage units, which may include logical page, logical storage divisions (erase blocks), and so on. Each logical storage unit comprises a plurality of physical storage units. A logical storage unit may include one or more physical storage units that are out-of-service (OOS). The OOS status of logical storage units is tracked by OOS metadata. When data is stored on the logical storage element, padding data is provided to physical storage units that are OOS, and valid and/or parity data is provided to in-service physical storage units. A write data pipeline accesses the OOS metadata to insert padding data, and a read data pipeline accesses the OOS metadata to strip padding data. |
| US10162540B2 |
Storage in flash memory
A flash memory is divided into pages defining an erase granularity of the flash memory. A count value is written into page metadata. Each page is divided into frames. Each frame contains at least one data block and at least two frame metadata words including a first frame metadata word to store a block identifier. A current page is opened by incrementing the count value and writing the incremented count value into the at least one first page metadata word. The current page has its at least one first page metadata word containing a highest count value of the counter of the number of written pages. A logic data block is written into a selected frame and a block identifier of the logic data block is written into the first frame metadata word of the selected frame. |
| US10162538B2 |
Memory operation threshold adjustment based on bit line integrity data
A data storage device includes a controller and a memory. The memory is coupled to the controller. The memory includes storage elements coupled to bit lines. The controller is configured to access bit line integrity data corresponding to a region of the memory, the bit line integrity data indicating a number of bit lines. The controller is also configured to store data related to a memory operation threshold based on the number of bit lines. |
| US10162534B1 |
Ordering commitment of data from a data cache to nonvolatile memory using ordering commands
Systems and methods for utilization of notification or ordering commands are disclosed that can enable more efficient processing of flush requests from software programs and increase data consistency in storage devices. A data storage device or system may include a non-volatile memory, a memory comprising a data cache and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive an ordering command requesting commitment to the non-volatile memory of cached data items associated with a first identifier prior to commitment of cached data items associated with a second identifier, and to delay commitment of the second data item to the non-volatile memory until commitment of the first data item to the non-volatile memory, based at least in part on the ordering command. The controller may be further configured to select data items from the data cache for commitment to the non-volatile memory in accordance with native command queuing (NCQ). |
| US10162527B2 |
Scalable and efficient access to and management of data and resources in a tiered data storage system
A system according to one embodiment includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the processor to store hierarchically-organized global configuration information for each node and each tape library resource in a storage cluster to at least one memory accessible by each node of the storage cluster. The storage cluster includes at least one tape library. Also, the logic is configured to cause the processor to migrate data to and/or recall data from a tape cartridge pool within a tape library, using the hierarchically-organized global configuration information and via a node which has access to the tape cartridge pool, in response to receiving a migration and/or recall request at any node of the storage cluster. Other systems, methods, and computer program products for management of data and resources in a tiered data storage system are described in more embodiments. |
| US10162525B2 |
Translating access requests for a multi-level page data structure
Methods, systems, and computer program products for receiving a memory access request, the memory access request including a virtual memory address; locating a page entry in a page entry structure, the page entry corresponding to the virtual memory address; identifying that a page corresponding to the page entry includes a sub-page, the sub-page included within a subset of a memory space allocated to the page; determining a page frame number corresponding to the sub-page and an offset corresponding to the sub-page; and accessing the offset within the sub-page. |
| US10162522B1 |
Architecture of single channel memory controller to support high bandwidth memory of pseudo channel mode or legacy mode
Embodiments of the invention provide an approach to implement a single architecture to support high bandwidth memory of pseudo channel mode or legacy channel mode by using a single command channel and single data channel. An address mapping method forces each port transaction to alternatively split to two pseudo channels. Compared to the conventional pseudo channel architecture, the single architecture and pseudo channel rotation eliminates the need for duplicated command traffic logic, and a time division command arbitrator, which greatly reduces both control logic and power consumption of the circuits. Furthermore, pseudo channel rotation improves the utilization of memory bandwidth because the address mapping improves synchronization of the two pseudo channel traffics. |
| US10162521B2 |
Media region management based on storage hints for a data storage device
A Data Storage Device (DSD) is in communication with a plurality of sensing devices. Data is received for storage in the DSD from a sensing device of the plurality of sensing devices. The received data is associated with at least one storage hint assigned to the sensing device. A media region of the DSD is selected from a plurality of media regions for storing the received data based on the at least one storage hint and at least one characteristic of the media region. |
| US10162520B2 |
Free form user-designed single-handed touchscreen keyboard
A user thumb-operated touchscreen keyboard design interface is provided by a processor on a touchscreen display of a handheld device that allows a user to create a user-designed thumb-operated touchscreen keyboard. A set of user inputs to the user thumb-operated touchscreen keyboard design interface is detected in response to user thumb gestures on the touchscreen display. The set of user inputs include a user-specified outline on the touchscreen display of the user-designed thumb-operated touchscreen keyboard with boundaries within a range of motion of a thumb of the user, a group of different user-specified touchscreen input key locations and input key shapes of a group of user-specified touchscreen input keys within the user-specified outline, and user-specified touchscreen input key processor-input function assignments of the group of user-specified touchscreen input keys. The user-designed thumb-operated touchscreen keyboard is implemented as a touchscreen display user input interface to the processor. |
| US10162519B2 |
Virtual content wheel
A virtual wheel interface. The interface includes: a display area for displaying an edge-on view of a plurality of adjacent content frames located about an outer edge of a rotatable n-sided polygonal prism; a system for rendering a three dimensional rotation of the outer edge about a central axis of the n-sided polygonal prism in response to an input signal; and a system for dynamically reorienting content items appearing in the plurality of adjacent content frames in response to a switch between a landscape mode and a portrait mode. |
| US10162518B2 |
Reversible digital ink for inking application user interfaces
Systems, methods, and software are disclosed herein for supporting reversible ink in a user interface to an application. In an implementation, an application receives inking input on a canvas in a user interface to the application. The application renders ink on the canvas along a path taken by the inking input and monitors for the inking input to reverse direction along the path. In response to the inking input reversing the direction along the path, the application erases at least a portion of the ink from the canvas. |
| US10162517B2 |
Cross-application content item management
Techniques for cross-application content item management. In one embodiment, for example, a method comprises detecting a touch gesture related to a representation of a content item displayed by a first application. And based at least in part on detecting the touch gesture, a different application performing a content management action on the content item. The content management action may encompass storing the content item in a content item collection, sharing the content item with a user account, uploading the content item to a server, or a combination thereof. |
| US10162516B2 |
Display apparatus for displaying images
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily display user's desired images.An imaging apparatus includes a frame rate acquiring unit, a measuring unit and a reproduction control unit. The frame rate acquiring unit acquires the imaging frame rate of a video to be reproduced. The measuring unit measures the operation speed of a user's touch operation on a touch panel while the touch operation is performed. The reproduction control unit controls reproduction of the video which is displayed on the display panel, based on the acquired imaging frame rate and the subsequently measured operation speed. |
| US10162510B2 |
Apparatus comprising a display and a method and computer program
An apparatus including: a display including a central portion and a curved side portion; a memory storing pages of content; and a display controller configured to control simultaneously the central portion of the display to display at least a portion of a first page of content and the curved side portion of the display to display additional information not forming part of the first page of content. |
| US10162509B2 |
Terminal device
Provided is a terminal device (i) in which an application for a touch panel terminal is usable and (ii) which includes a hardware key. A process carried out by the terminal device includes the steps of: detecting an operation to the hardware key (S1310); in a case where a focus is displayed on a location of a user interface image (i.e., YES in step S1330) and the operation is an operation for making a determination (YES in step S1340), accepting an input of a command associated with the user interface image (S1350); and in a case where the operation is not the operation for making a determination (NO in step S1340) and the terminal device has determined that the operation is an operation conducted, to the hard key, for moving a user interface image (YES in step S1360), moving the focus to a next user interface image (S1370). |
| US10162504B2 |
Zoomed viewing of terminal charts
The different advantageous embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating a display of magnified information. A selection is received of an area of a chart on a display device to form a selected area through a user input device. Coordinates are identified for the selected area. A category assigned to the selected area is identified using the coordinates identified. Related areas of the chart are identified using the category identified. The selected area and the related areas are compiled to form display information and the display information is displayed on the display device having a selected size. |
| US10162498B2 |
Providing selection areas for selectable objects in graphical interface
In some embodiments, a processor accesses electronic content that includes multiple selectable objects that are renderable in a graphical interface. The processor generates multiple selection areas respectively associated with the selectable objects. An input to the graphical interface received within each selection area selects an associated selectable object. Generating the selection areas includes generating a boundary around at least one of the selectable objects. Any point within the boundary is closer to the associated selectable object than any other selectable object. Generating the selection areas also includes clipping the boundary to define the selection area for the selectable object. The processor adds the selection areas to a document object model associated with the electronic content. The document object model is usable for rendering the graphical interface with the selectable objects and identifying the selection areas. |
| US10162497B2 |
Display operating device and image forming apparatus
A display operating device includes a storage section storing therein a plurality of character strings, a receiving section receiving a first character, a display section, a touch panel detecting a touch to the display surface of the display section, and an extraction section extracting first character strings each including the first character from among the character strings. Upon receipt of the first character, the first character is displayed within the input frame and the extracted first character strings are displayed outside the input frame. Upon detection of a touch to the input frame displaying the first character strings, the receiving section receives a second character. Second character strings each including the second character are extracted from among the first character strings. Upon receipt of the second character, the second character is displayed within the input frame and the extracted second character strings are displayed outside the input frame. |
| US10162494B2 |
Operating method for multiple windows and electronic device supporting the same
An electronic device including a touch-enabled display module configured to display a plurality of windows according to a multi-window mode; and a control module configured to displaying on the touch screen a first application window and a second application window according to the multi-window mode, alter the first application window in response to a touchscreen input received via the touch-enabled display, and automatically alter the second application window in response to the alteration of the first application window. |
| US10162493B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method and storage medium
An information processing apparatus is provided that inputs a plurality of mail files generated by a mail application, displays a mail body text and an attached file included in the respective mail files, selects at least one of the mail body text and the attached file that is to be incorporated in an electronic binder from among the displayed mail body text and the displayed attached file included in the respective mail files, and creates the electronic binder based on the mail body text or the attached file selected by the selection unit. |
| US10162492B2 |
Tap-to-open link selection areas
A link selection area may be provided. When rendering a document comprising a plurality of selectable elements, a selection area may be defined around each of the plurality of selectable elements, such as links. Upon receiving a selection of one of these selection areas, an action associated with the respective selectable element associated with the at least one selection area may be performed. |
| US10162485B2 |
Electronic apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A display apparatus includes a display, a function setting circuit, a switching control circuit, and a simple menu creation control circuit. The simple menu creation control circuit creates, when it is determined by the switching control circuit that a number of times of selection is greater than or equal to a set number or an elapsed time is greater than or equal to a set time, a first simple menu for use in display on the display, the first simple menu being obtained by eliminating, from the plurality of operation menu items, an operation menu item corresponding to a function whose number of times of selection by a user is greater than or equal to a set number. |
| US10162484B2 |
Information-processing device, information-processing system, storage medium, and information-processing method
A first accepting unit (111) of an exemplary server device (100) accepts from a user an instruction to select one of plural selection targets. A user selecting unit (112) selects, from among plural users other than the user, another user who has recommended or evaluated the selection target, selection of which has been accepted by the first accepting unit (111). A selection target selecting unit (113) selects one or more selection targets that the other user selected by the user selecting unit (112) has recommended or evaluated. A presenting unit (114) presents, to the user, information on the one or more selection targets selected by the selection target selecting unit (113). |
| US10162482B2 |
Information display method and apparatus of mobile terminal
A method and apparatus for displaying a list of information items selected depending on whether each information item contains certain information is provided. An information display method of the present invention includes displaying a list having at least one information item; classifying, when a user command is input, the at least one information item into shown-information item and hidden-information item according to a display rule; and modifying the list to show only the shown-information items. |
| US10162479B2 |
Graphic-based electronic signature management system and method
A computer-implemented system for managing an electronic signature is provided. A data collector receives one or more contact information items. A signature builder builds a graphic-based electronic signature based on at least one of the contact information items. The graphic-based electronic signature includes a set of icons. Individual icons in the set of icons are respectively associated with at least one of the contact information items. Individual icons in the set of icons are configured to initiate a communication application when one of the icons is selected in order to communication via the communication application using the contact information item associated with the selected icon. |
| US10162478B2 |
Delay of display event based on user gaze
Methods and systems of delaying the execution of a display event based on a detected user gaze are provided. Display events may be generated and executed to change a user interface of a display. For example, an autocorrect algorithm can automatically replace a typed word with a corrected word in a text field, generating a display event that causes the corrected word to be displayed instead of the typed word. Such a display event may be executed as soon as possible after its generation. However, a gaze detection device can obtain information that indicates a user is not looking at the typed word on the display. In such a situation, it may be more intuitive to delay the execution of the display event until the gaze information indicates that the user is looking at the typed word. |
| US10162476B2 |
Computer-implemented method of displaying an assembly of digitally modeled objects revealing hidden objects
A computer-implemented method displays an assembly of digitally modeled objects in a three-dimensional scene, by the steps of: defining at least one object of the assembly as being revealable; generating a graphical representation of the assembly wherein said revealable object is located at least partially behind at least another object, called hiding object, and displaying said graphical representation; using a graphical tool selecting a region of said graphical representation of the assembly, called a revealing zone; and rendering a three-dimensional scene comprising a three-dimensional representation of the assembly wherein a portion of the revealable object located behind the hiding object and comprised within the revealing zone is shown by transparency through said hiding object. A computer program product, a non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method. |
| US10162473B2 |
Integrating browser navigation between multiple browsing contexts
A method, apparatus, and program product are disclosed for opening a second browsing context from a first browsing context, switching focus from the first browsing context to the second browsing context, and returning the focus to the first browsing context in response to receiving browser navigation input in the second browsing context. |
| US10162471B1 |
Technique to dynamically enhance the visualization of 3-D point clouds
In one embodiment, a tool dynamically highlights (e.g., re-colors) portions (e.g., points) of a 3-D representation (e.g., point cloud) based on their location relative to a cursor controlled by the user. A virtual region (e.g., virtual cylinder) is associated with the location of the cursor, and is moved in response to cursor movements. As the user moves the cursor on the display screen, the virtual region is moved in 3-D space. The virtual region may have a user-selected size and a user-selected orientation in 3-D space. Portions (e.g., points) of the 3-D representation (e.g., point cloud) that fall within the virtual region are highlighted (e.g., re-colored). Portions of the representation outside of the virtual region may remain unchanged. As the virtual region is moved in 3-D space, the highlighted portions (e.g., points) are dynamically changed. |
| US10162458B2 |
Touch integrated circuit, and touch display device and method of driving the same
Disclosed are an in-cell touch type touch display device that includes a touch display panel, where a plurality of touch sensors are disposed, and a driving circuit unit. Each of the plurality of touch sensors are disposed to correspond to a plurality of subpixels, and each of the plurality of touch sensors may include one or more touch switches. The one or more touch switches disposed in each of the plurality of touch sensors divisionally drive the plurality of touch sensors by 1/n (where n is a natural number equal to or more than two). |
| US10162457B2 |
Display device with touch detection function
A display device with a touch detection function includes a substrate, pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix in a display region on a plane parallel to the substrate, a display function layer having a function to display the image in the display region, drive electrodes provided facing the pixel electrodes, touch detection electrodes that form electrostatic capacitance between there and the drive electrodes, a control unit that generates a control signal to switch between a display operation period for applying a display signal between the pixel and drive electrodes and a display stop period for stopping the display operation. The control unit generates first and second control signals respectively having a first frequency and a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, and has first and second operation modes respectively including a period controlled by the first control signal and a period controlled by the second control signal. |
| US10162454B2 |
Touch display apparatus and operation method thereof
A touch display apparatus and an operation method of the touch display apparatus are provided. The touch display apparatus includes a flexible touch display panel, a transmission electrode, and a reception electrode. The flexible touch display panel is bendable along a bending line. The transmission electrode and the reception electrode are arranged in the flexible touch display panel. The transmission electrode and the reception electrode are symmetrically located on two sides of the bending line, respectively, so that the reception electrode can receive a signal transmitted from the transmission electrode when the flexible touch display panel is bent along the bending line. The display mode of the flexible touch display panel is determined according to whether the reception electrode receives the signal transmitted from the transmission electrode. |
| US10162452B2 |
Devices and methods for processing touch inputs based on their intensities
An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface displays a first user interface of a first software application, detects an input on the touch-sensitive surface while displaying the first user interface, and, in response to detecting the input while displaying the first user interface, performs a first operation in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies intensity input criteria including that the input satisfies a first intensity threshold, and performs a second operation in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies pan criteria including that the input has moved across the touch-sensitive surface by at least a predefined distance. |
| US10162449B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are provided, in which a face-down mode may be supported. The mobile terminal may include a first sensing device that detects a face-down mode of the mobile terminal, a second sensing device that detects a user designated direction in which the vicinity of the mobile terminal, a touchscreen, and a controller controlling a prescribed portion of the touchscreen corresponding to the detected user designated direction so that the touchscreen emits light in response to a preset event occurring in the face-down mode. |
| US10162443B2 |
Virtual keyboard interaction using touch input force
Providing a virtual keyboard interaction is disclosed. An indicator identifying a force intensity of a touch input provided on a touch input surface is received. It is determined that the touch input is associated with a virtual keyboard. A virtual keyboard interaction is provided based at least in part on the indicator identifying the force intensity of the touch input. |
| US10162441B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel is disclosed. A touch sensing module in its laminated structure includes same touch sensor patterns. Each touch sensor pattern includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a bridge structure. The first electrode includes a first sub-electrode˜a fourth sub-electrode and the second electrode includes a fifth sub-electrode˜an eighth sub-electrode formed by sections of conductive material having different slopes. First sub-electrode and second sub-electrode are symmetrical to a first direction of a first axis; third sub-electrode and fourth sub-electrode are symmetrical to a second direction of first axis. Fifth sub-electrode and sixth sub-electrode are symmetrical to a third direction of a second axis; seventh sub-electrode and eighth sub-electrode are symmetrical to a fourth direction of second axis. The bridge structure disposed at intersection of first axis and second axis bridges second electrode and provides insulation between second electrode and first electrode. |
| US10162437B2 |
System and method of supporting a pointing device
In one or more embodiments, an information handling system may include a pointing device that communicates interaction data via a first bus via a first data format and may include a controller that receives the interaction data via the first bus and transforms the interaction data into a second data format and communicates the interaction data to a second bus via the second data format. If a status of a resource associated with the pointing device is queried, the controller may be instructed to cease transforming the interaction data from the pointing device, permitting another device to receive the interaction data and provide the interaction data to a processor of the information handling system. As the other device receives the interaction data and provides the interaction data to the processor, additional and/or full functionality of the pointing device may be realized and/or accomplished. |
| US10162436B2 |
Operating device for a domestic appliance having a rotary ring and having a light strip
An operating device for a domestic appliance includes an operating element having a rotary ring to set operating conditions of the domestic appliance according to a rotary movement, and an electronic display area enclosed by the rotary ring. An optical light strip in a form of a circumferential ring is arranged adjacent to and separate from the rotary ring to indicate visually a length of a rotary path travelled by the rotary ring in a rotary movement. |
| US10162433B2 |
Optical navigation apparatus with defocused image compensation function and compensation circuit thereof
The present disclosure illustrates an optical navigation apparatus with defocused image compensation function and a compensation circuit thereof. The optical navigation apparatus comprises a light source, an image sensing circuit and a compensation circuit. The light source is configured to illuminate a work surface. The image sensing circuit captures a first image related to the work surface. The compensation circuit is configured to transform the first image and a point spread function of the light source into a first conversion result and a second conversion result in frequency domain, respectively, and then transform a result multiplied by the first conversion result and a reciprocal of the second conversion result from frequency domain to time domain to generate a second image. |
| US10162432B2 |
Display device and operating method thereof
A method of operating a display device includes displaying a first image of first content, wherein the first image includes a target object, receiving information on a second coordinate of the target object included in a second image of the first content from a second display device, wherein the second image is temporally later than the first image, acquiring an image tracking the target object from the second image based on the information on the second coordinate of the target object, and displaying the acquired image. |
| US10162429B2 |
Gesture enabled keyboard
A gesture-enabled keyboard and method are defined. The gesture-enabled keyboard includes a keyboard housing including one or more keyboard keys for typing and a pair of stereo camera sensors mounted within the keyboard housing, a field of view of the pair of stereo camera sensors projecting substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the keyboard housing. A background of the field of view is updated when one or more alternative input devices are in use. A gesture region including a plurality of interaction zones and a virtual membrane defining a region of transition from one of the plurality of interaction zones to another of the plurality of interaction zones is defined within the field of view of the pair of stereo camera sensors. Gesture interaction is enabled when one or more gesture objects are positioned within the gesture region, and when one or more alternative input devices are not in use. |
| US10162426B2 |
Character string input system
The present invention is intended to realize character string input using two or more devices by an efficient technique. A character string input system includes a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus. The first information processing apparatus acquires an operation done on a first input device and acquires a first character string on the basis of the acquired operation. The second information processing apparatus acquires an operation done on a second input device and acquires a second character string on the basis of the acquired operation. The first information processing apparatus outputs an input character string on the basis of the first character string acquired by the time input of the second character string is started by use of the second input device and the second character string. |
| US10162421B2 |
Action recognition method and action recognition apparatus
Embodiments of this application disclose an action recognition method and an action recognition apparatus. The method comprises: detecting a motion of at least one body position of a user by using at least one first-type sensor; in response to that a motion amplitude of the at least one body position does not exceed a preset threshold, activating at least one second-type sensor; and recognizing an action of the at least one body position of the user based on at least the detection result of the at least one second-type sensor. In the method and the apparatus of the embodiments of this application, different types of sensors can be selectively activated based on a motion amplitude, and relatively good action recognition precision and effects can be achieved by means of cooperation between various sensors. |
| US10162412B2 |
Display, control method of display, and program
A HMD is provided with a virtual image display including a first display and a second display that display images respectively corresponding to a right eye and a left eye of a user such that an outside scene is visible. The HMD is provided with a control device that controls a display mode of the image by the virtual image display according to a gaze distance of the user. |
| US10162411B2 |
Methods and system for operating at least one display device of a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle comprising a system for operating at least one display device
In a motor vehicle, having at least one display device, a gaze direction of a vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle is detected and used to check whether the vehicle occupant has directed his gaze to a display region of the display device for at least a predefined gazing duration. If the gaze has been directed to the display region of the display device for at least the predefined gazing duration, an interaction mode of an operating device for controlling the display device is activated After the interaction mode has been activated, at least one predetermined criterion is used to determine whether control of the display device has been concluded. The interaction mode is maintained as long as it has been determined that the control of the display device has not been concluded or at least one other predetermined criterion has not yet been satisfied. |
| US10162404B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, cable, electronic apparatus, and communication apparatus with increased variation of connection mode
The present technology relates to a control apparatus, a control method, a cable, an electronic apparatus, and a communication apparatus that are capable of increasing the variation of a connection mode of an electronic apparatus to which a predetermined cable such as a USB cable can be connected. An electronic apparatus receiving a baseband signal of a baseband to start initialization processing for causing the electronic apparatus to be in a state of being capable of establishing connection or to turn on or off a power source based on detection results of power of a modulation signal obtained by frequency-converting the baseband signal into a signal of a predetermined frequency band higher than the baseband is controlled. The present technology can be applied to a cable connected to an electronic apparatus to which a cable capable of supplying a power source by bus power such as a USB cable. |
| US10162403B2 |
Cognitive energy saving method and apparatus
Systems and methods for reducing the amount of power consumed by an electronic or electrical device by using collected knowledge of the operation of the device to determine when to place the device in an ultra-low power consumption mode. |
| US10162402B2 |
Serial communication method
A serial communication method for a layered communication architecture includes a first layer, a second layer that is higher than the first layer, and a third layer that is higher than the second layer. The serial communication method includes transferring a first signal to the second layer based on a signal received through a communication line, the transferring performed by the first layer. The serial communication method further includes informing the third layer of reception of the first signal, the informing performed by the second layer; responding to the second layer based on whether there is a task to be performed, the responding performed by the third layer; transferring a second signal to the first layer based on a response from the third layer the transferring performed by the second layer; and entering a power saving state according to the second signal, the entering performed by the first layer. |
| US10162401B1 |
Measuring battery degradation
Approaches and related devices monitor the condition of a battery via voltage measurement during routine recharging instances. An approach includes supplying a charging current to the battery during each of a plurality of routine charging instances. The charging current is increased by a measured or predetermined amount during a current pulse portion of each of the routine charging instances. A resulting change in a battery voltage of the battery during the current pulse portion of each of the routine charging instances is measured. An impedance-indicative value of the battery is determined for each of the routine charging instances based on the change in the battery voltage during the current pulse portion. The impedance-indicative value is stored in a memory device for each of the routine charging instances. A condition of the battery is estimated based on one or more changes in the impedance-indicative values. |
| US10162400B2 |
Power management system for active stylus
In one embodiment, a stylus includes one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying first logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch-sensor of the device. The stylus has a first power mode in which components of the stylus for receiving signals from or transmitting signals to the device are powered off; a second power mode in which components of the stylus for receiving signals from the device are powered on at least periodically and components of the stylus for transmitting signals to the device are powered off; and a third power mode in which components of the stylus for transmitting signals to the device are powered on at least periodically. The media further embodies second logic for transitioning the stylus from one of the first, second, and third power modes to another one of the first, second, and third power modes. |
| US10162397B2 |
Energy efficient workload placement management based on observed server efficiency measurements
For each of a plurality of servers, a method includes obtaining current component power consumption values and calculating a current power consumption efficiency. The method further includes determining, for each of the plurality of servers, the current power consumption efficiency and an associated capacity utilization before and during performance of multiple instances of an identified workload. Then, for each server, the method determines a curve of power consumption efficiency as a function of capacity utilization that is representative of the performance of the plurality of instances of the identified workload. Embodiments of the method may then use the curve of power consumption efficiency curve in order to manage the power consumption efficiency of the plurality of servers. For example, the method may assign an additional workload to the server that is identified as having the greatest predicted power consumption efficiency. |
| US10162394B2 |
Systems and methods for sustainable self-cooling of central processing unit thermal hot spots using thermoelectric materials
Embodiments of a sustainable self-cooling framework for processors using thermoelectric generators that power an arrangement of thermoelectric coolers to reduce the temperature of thermal hot spots generated by a processor are disclosed. |
| US10162392B2 |
Electronic device structures joined using shrinking and expanding attachment structures
An electronic device has structures that are assembled using attachment structures. The attachment structures change shape to help join the electronic device structures together. Structures that may be joined together can include electronic device housing structures, display structures, internal device components, electrical components, and other portions of an electronic device. The attachment structures can include heat-activated attachment structures, structures that are activated using other types of applied energy, and structures that change shape due the application of chemicals or other treatments. |
| US10162383B2 |
Electronic device with brace for edge-to-edge opening
An electronic device includes: an enclosure having a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface disposed between the first and second surfaces; an edge-to-edge component mounted in an edge-to-edge opening that extends across substantially an entire width of the side surface between the first surface and the second surface; and a brace disposed in the enclosure, the brace extending along the edge-to-edge opening. |
| US10162381B2 |
Hinged electronic device held in configurations by magnets
An electronic device includes: a first body portion having a first face and a second face; a second body portion having a first face and a second face, the second body portion and the first body portion hinged to each other for the electronic device to define at least a first configuration where the first face of the first body portion is adjacent the first face of the second body portion, and a second configuration where the second face of the first body portion is adjacent the second face of the second body portion; a first magnet mounted to the first body portion; and a second magnet mounted to the second body portion, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are separated by a common closest distance in the first configuration and in the second configuration. |
| US10162378B1 |
Neuromorphic processor for wideband signal analysis
Described is a neuromorphic processor for signal denoising and separation. The neuromorphic processor generates delay-embedded mixture signals from an input mixture of pulses. Using a reservoir computer, the delay-embedded mixture signals are mapped to reservoir states of a dynamical reservoir having output layer weights. The output layer weights are adapted based on short-time linear prediction, and a denoised output of the mixture of input signals us generated. The denoised output is filtered through a set of adaptable finite impulse response (FIR) filters to extract a set of separated narrowband pulses. |
| US10162375B2 |
Power source system with remotely configurable power source
A power source system including plural power sources, wherein each of the plural power sources is adapted to provide a configurable power output to an implement, and wherein each of the plural power sources has an onboard controller; a central controller that is remote from the plural power sources; the central controller being in communication with respective onboard controllers via one or more networks, the central controller being adapted to communicate a signal to at least one onboard controller to selectively alter an operating condition of an associated power source. |
| US10162372B2 |
Interface and monitoring system and method for a vehicle idling control system
An idle control system for a vehicle is provided. |
| US10162369B2 |
Liquid level control module and apparatus comprising same
A liquid level control module comprising an elongated tubular housing immersible through a surface of a liquid and into a bulk volume of the liquid, and first, second, and third electrical switches, and first and second floats movable along the tubular housing. The first electrical switch is disposed within a lower portion of the tubular housing, the second electrical switch is disposed within an intermediate portion of the tubular housing, and the third electrical switch is disposed within an upper portion of the tubular housing. Each of the switches has an open state and a closed state. Motion of the first float relative to the first switch changes its state. Motion of the second float relative to the second switch changes its state, and motion of the second float relative to the third switch changes its state. Thus a two-float module may provide three level control signals. |
| US10162368B2 |
Autonomous moving machine
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an autonomous moving machine which may maintain the self-location with high reliability. Operations of the moving machine include acquiring sensor information about the self-location, estimating the self-location based on the sensor information, calculating the reliability of the estimated self-location, recording the reliability in association with the estimated self-location. When the reliability satisfies a given condition, the operations include moving the moving machine to a position at which the reliability is high, based on the reliability. |
| US10162366B2 |
Methods and systems for semi-autonomous vehicular convoys
The present invention relates to a method and system for enabling vehicles to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle can have significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. By directly commanding the engine torque and braking of the following vehicle while controlling the gap between vehicles using a sensor system, and additionally using a communication link between vehicles that allows information about vehicle actions, such as braking events, to be anticipated by the following vehicle, a Semi-Autonomous Vehicular Convoying System that enables vehicles to follow closely together in a safe, efficient and convenient manner may be achieved. |
| US10162359B2 |
Autonomous coverage robot
A mobile robot that includes a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a cleaning surface for maneuvering the robot across the cleaning surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a bumper movably supported by a forward portion of the robot body and a obstacle sensor system disposed on the bumper. The obstacle sensor system includes at least one contact sensor disposed on the bumper, at least one proximity sensor disposed on the bumper and a auxiliary circuit board disposed on the bumper and in communication with the at least one contact sensor, the at least one proximity sensor, and the robot controller. |
| US10162358B2 |
Unmanned vehicle, method, apparatus and system for positioning unmanned vehicle
Disclosed embodiments include an unmanned vehicle, a method, apparatus and system for positioning an unmanned vehicle. In some embodiments, the method includes: acquiring first laser point cloud height value data matching a current position of the unmanned vehicle, the first laser point cloud height value data; converting the first laser point cloud height value data into laser point cloud projection data in a horizontal earth plane; determining a first matching probability of the laser point cloud projection data in a predetermined range of a laser point cloud height value map; and determining a position of the unmanned vehicle in the laser point cloud height value map based on the first matching probability. The embodiment implements an accurate positioning on the current position of the unmanned vehicle. |
| US10162357B2 |
Distributed computing among vehicles
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for collaboratively determining an object. The method includes receiving sensor data indicating an object at a first vehicle of a group of vehicles communicating with each other, transmitting a first request including the sensor data and specifying a first task for determining the object from the first vehicle to a second vehicle of the group of vehicles, and transmitting a second request specifying a second task for determining the object from the first vehicle to a third vehicle of the group of vehicle. The first task is performed by the second vehicle to produce first intermediate data, and the second task is performed by the third vehicle based on the intermediate data produced by the second vehicle. |
| US10162356B2 |
Path selection for autonomous vehicles
According to a method for selecting a path, the vehicle may receive driving condition of an area from a server, where the driving condition indicates that the area comprises a trouble area. Based on the driving condition of the area, the vehicle may calculate a first path and a second path, each of which is from a first point to a second point. The vehicle may obtain an effect value on vehicle driving associated with a change of weather. Based on the effect value and some other information, the vehicle may calculate a first weighted value for the first path and a second weighted value for the second path. Based on the first weighted value and the second weighted value, the vehicle may select a path. Because the effect value is used to select a path, the path selection in this embodiment may be associated with the change of weather. |
| US10162355B2 |
Road model management based on selective feedback
Systems and methods are provided for interacting with a plurality of autonomous vehicles. In one implementation, a navigation system for a vehicle may include a memory including a predetermined road model representative of at least one road segment and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to selectively receive, from the plurality of autonomous vehicles, road environment information based on navigation by the plurality of autonomous vehicles through their respective road environments, determine whether one or more updates to the predetermined road model are required based on the road environment information, and update the predetermined road model to include the one or more updates. |
| US10162351B2 |
Remote provisioning of a drone resource
Remote provision of a drone resource is disclosed. A user equipment (UE) can generate a request for drone resources that can be employed to find an appropriate drone from a set of drones. The drone can be automatically provisioned to allow access to the drone resource in accord with the request. The set of drones can comprise different tiers of drones. A response can be generated indicating the state of provisioning a drone in accord with the request. The user equipment can make the request available to a drone allocation component via a communication framework that can comprise a wireless interface. Provisioning of the drone can similarly be accomplished via the communication framework. As such, the set of drones can be distributed and can be provisioned from a UE located remotely from the drone allocation component and/or the drones comprising the set of drones. |
| US10162343B2 |
Adaptive processes for improving integrity of surfaces
A process for performing localized corrective actions to structure of an electronic device is described. The structure may include a mating surface configured to receive another structure such that the two structures may be, for example, adhesively bonded together. The localized corrective actions are configured not to improve the mating surface but to also prevent light within the electronic device from escaping in undesired areas of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the corrective action includes using a removal tool to remove identified portions of the surface. In other embodiments, the corrective action includes using a different tool to add material identified portions of the surface. The identified means may include an automated inspection system. |
| US10162340B2 |
Method and system for lot-tool assignment
A method is disclosed and includes determining whether there is any WIP information with one or more process constraints in a process constraint database that is coupled with a manufacturing execution system; determining whether there is a dispatching rule in the dispatching rule database that is coupled with a dispatching system; generating a tool-lot relationship based on at least one of the process constraints and the dispatching rule; utilizing the tool-lot relationship to assign one or more lots to one or more tools respectively. |
| US10162338B2 |
Systems for intelligent batch processing
Manufacturing systems that employ intelligent sensing and methods for processing workpieces using such manufacturing systems, including methods of batch processing workpieces. The manufacturing systems may include a holding device to receive work order documents, where each work order document includes an identification tag, and each work order document corresponds with a specific manufacturing step. A scanner may be proximate to the holding device and associated with a workstation, where the scanner is configured to detect the identification tag of the work order documents held by the holding device. A control system may interpret the detected identification tag, identify the work order document associated with the interpreted identification tag, identify the specific manufacturing step corresponding with the identified work order document, and generate an output that includes an instruction for carrying out the manufacturing step at the workstation. |
| US10162337B2 |
Natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems
A method of providing a natural language interface for a computer-aided design (CAD) system is disclosed. The method includes displaying to the user a model display graphical user interface (GUI), a view window that displays a first view of the CAD model, and a spectrum GUI configured to allow the user to selectively add CAD-tool functionality, receiving a voice input including a plurality of words and referring to a CAD-tool functionality, parsing the voice input, determining a meaning including a reference to the CAD-tool functionality for the parsed voice input, assembling a query for additional information based on the meaning, sending the assembled query to a corresponding information location, receiving queried information from the corresponding information location, translating received information into a response, determining that the response includes a command for the spectrum GUI regarding the CAD-tool functionality, and sending the command to the spectrum GUI. |
| US10162335B2 |
Numerical controller capable of neighboring point search with consideration for tool attitude
A numerical controller includes a neighboring point search function that moves a tool controlled by a moving axis and a rotation axis onto a machining path directed by a machining program within the range of a neighboring point distance from a current position of the tool. When searching the neighboring point, the numerical controller determines a neighboring point with consideration for both a tool center point position and a tool attitude. By employing this search method, even when a plurality of block start points are present in the neighboring point distance from the current tool position, a block start point of the block originally desired to be restarted can be determined as a neighboring point. |
| US10162334B2 |
Numerical control device
A numerical control device includes an alarm corrective measure operation history information storage unit, an operation history information acquiring unit, an alarm corrective measure operation history information recording unit, and an alarm corrective measure operation history information extracting unit. The alarm corrective measure operation history information recording unit has an alarm corrective measure operation history information recording optimization section, which optimizes information on an operation included in generated alarm corrective measure operation history information to release an alarm, and the alarm corrective measure operation history information extracting unit has an alarm corrective measure operation history information extraction optimization section, which optimizes the extracted alarm corrective measure operation history information to release an alarm. |
| US10162333B2 |
Switch apparatus that generates safety input signals and numerical control system
A switch apparatus includes: an operation unit that is movable in one direction; a first detection unit that outputs a first detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a second detection unit that outputs a second detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a first determination unit that outputs a first safety input signal when the first detection signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; a second detection unit that outputs a second safety input signal when the second detection signal is greater than or equal to a second detection signal; and a threshold value adjustment and holding unit that adjusts and holds the first and second threshold values such that when the operation unit moves a predetermined distance, output start timings of the first and second safety input signals become substantially the same. |
| US10162332B2 |
Servomotor control device, servomotor control method, and computer-readable recording medium
A servomotor control device includes a servomotor; a driven body configured to be driven by the servomotor; a connection mechanism configured to connect the servomotor and driven body, and transmit power of the servomotor to the driven body; a position command generation unit configured to generate a position command value; a motor control unit configured to control the servomotor using the position command value; a position command compensation unit including a force estimation part configured to estimate a drive force acting on the driven body at the connection mechanism, and a compensation amount generation part configured to generate a compensation amount for compensating the position command value based on the estimated drive force; and a restriction part configured to restricting updating of the compensation amount when a command acceleration or a command velocity of the position command value is no more than a desired value. |
| US10162331B2 |
Removal of material from a surface of a dual walled component
A system may include at least one sensor, at least one machining device, and a computing device. The computing device may be operable to control the at least one sensor to inspect at least a portion of a coversheet of a dual walled component to generate dimensional surface data for the at least a portion of the coversheet and compare the dimensional surface data to surface model data. The comparison may indicate portions of the coversheet that include additional material. The computing device also may be operable to generate a compromise surface model based on the comparison between the dimensional surface data and the surface model data and control the at least one machining device to machine the dual walled component based on the compromise surface model to remove the additional material. |
| US10162327B2 |
Multi-function thermostat with concierge features
A multi-function thermostat for a hotel room. The thermostat includes a touch-screen interface, a communications interface, and a processing circuit. In some embodiments, the touch-screen interface is configured to present information to a hotel guest and receive input from the hotel guest. The communications interface is configured to communicate with a hotel system. The processing circuit is configured to retrieve concierge information from the hotel system via the communications interface and cause the touch-screen interface to display the concierge information. |
| US10162326B2 |
Self-adjusting test time estimation
A test case is executed on a product using a hardware machine, the product being configured in manufacturing according to a configuration, the test case being related to an estimation function. A set of data points resulting from the executing is collected. Using the estimation function, an estimated time needed for the executing is computed. Using the set of data points, an actual time used for the executing is computed. A determination is made whether a difference between the estimated time and the actual time is within a tolerance. Responsive to the difference not being within the tolerance, the estimation function is adjusted using the set of data points and at least one other set of data points, the other set of data points being generated by executing the test case on a second product configured according to a second configuration at a previous time. |
| US10162325B2 |
Application of stress conditions for homogenization of stress samples in semiconductor product acceleration studies
A method for applying stress conditions to integrated circuit device samples during accelerated stress testing may include partitioning each of the integrated circuit device samples into a first region having a first functional element, partitioning each of the integrated circuit device samples into at least one second region having at least one second functional element, applying a first stress condition to the first region having the first element, applying a second stress condition to the at least one second region having the at least one second element, determining a first portion of the integrated circuit device samples that functionally failed based on the first stress condition, and determining a second portion of the integrated circuit device samples that functionally failed based on the second stress condition. An acceleration model parameter is derived based on the determining of the first and second portion of the integrated circuit samples that functionally failed. |
| US10162324B2 |
Method for manipulating a control program of a control device
A method for manipulating a first function of a control program of an electronic control device, using a second function. The control program is processed using a first calculation kernel of a processor, and the second function is processed by a second calculation kernel during the processing of the control program. The first function assigns a first value to a variable and writes the first value to the storage address of the variable at a first time. The second function assigns a second value to the variable, which value is written to the storage address of the variable at a second time, wherein the second value written by the first function is overwritten. At a third time, the control program reads the second value from the storage address of the variable. A control entity coordinates the times at which the storage address of the variable is accessed. |
| US10162323B2 |
Component mounting system and component mounting method
In a component mounting system having an inspection device performing a mounting inspection after component mounting, a correction value for correcting a mounting program is calculated based on board inspection information including fed-back component position deviation information, a component is mounted on a board in accordance with the mounting program corrected based on the calculated correction value, and a “present value” based on most recent board inspection information and a “pre-correction evaluation value” are displayed together on an evaluation value display screen as evaluation values representing accuracy at a time of the mounting based on the board inspection information during this component mounting work, the “pre-correction evaluation value” being calculated based on a temporary position deviation amount pertaining to a case where it is assumed that no correction based on the calculated correction value has been performed. |
| US10162321B1 |
Service panel with microprocessor
A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an “ON” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the “ON” state, and the control circuitry providing an “OFF” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch. |
| US10162320B2 |
Central control apparatus and central control sysytem and display method of central control apparatus
A central control apparatus, a central control system, and a display method of the central control apparatus in which at least one facility is managed. More particularly, a central control apparatus, a central control system, and a display method of the central control apparatus in which various history information needed for management and operation may be integrally displayed according to a time period such that an association between the various pieces of history information and a current status of facilities are provided at one time, so as to also efficiently control and manage facilities. |
| US10162318B2 |
System and method for controlling electrically-powered trash compactors and receptacles
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for controlling electrically-powered trash compactors and receptacles. The system first receives data associated with a storage receptacle configured to communicate with the system via a network, wherein the data is received from a server storing information transmitted by the storage receptacle, the storage receptacle having an energy storage for powering operational functions performed by the storage receptacle. The system then identifies a parameter of the storage receptacle associated with an operational function of the storage receptacle, and transmits a signal to the storage receptacle for modifying the parameter based on the data associated with the storage receptacle to yield a modified operation of the storage receptacle. |
| US10162315B2 |
Process control system using typical and adapter components
Methods, systems, and non-transitory, computer-readable medium are disclosed to enable a user to configure a process control system. A graphical programming user interface is described for generating coded native control components instantiated from typical and adapter components selected from a library of templates including respective control functions and associated logical expressions. In various embodiments, typical components represent a common core control process or function that is used among one or more other plant equipment devices in the process control system. In addition, various embodiments of the adapter components include one or more parameters that may be changed by a user in conjunction with the logical expressions and/or defined in terms of natural language expressions. As a result, the typical component and the adapter component are instantiated to provide a native control component that provides functionality with respect to one or more control loops within a process control system. |
| US10162314B2 |
Two-way architecture
The present invention concerns a method for switching, by a local processing unit (1,2) of a flight control system of an aircraft, configured to control at least one local actuator, connected to at least one local sensor and connected via at least one link (3,4) to an opposite processing unit (2,1) configured to control at least one opposite actuator and be connected to at least one opposite sensor, said local processing unit (1,2) being further configured to be connected to backup communication means (13,14) enabling data exchanges between the local processing unit (1,2) and the opposite processing unit (2,1) in the case of failures of the links connecting same (3,4), said backup communication means comprising an array of sensors or actuators (13) and/or a secure onboard network for the avionics (14), comprising steps of: •—sending, to the opposite processing unit (2,1), acquisition data relative to the at least one local sensor and actuator data relative to the at least one local actuator, •—receiving, from the opposite processing unit (2,1), acquisition data relative to the at least one opposite sensor and actuator data relative to the at least one opposite actuator, •—receiving an item of opposite health data and determining an item of local health data, •—switching said local processing unit (1,2) from a first state to a second state chosen from an active state (15), a passive state (16) and a slave state (18), depending on the opposite health data received and the local health data determined. |
| US10162312B2 |
Surgical instrument with rapid post event detection
A surgical instrument is disclosed, the instrument including: a handle assembly; a jaw assembly including a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil to form the plurality of staples upon firing; a lockout mechanism configured to prevent reuse of the jaw assembly; a drive assembly at least partially located within the handle and connected to the jaw assembly; a motor operatively coupled to the drive assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to the motor, the controller configured to control supply of electrical current to the motor and to monitor a current draw of the motor, wherein the controller is further configured to terminate the supply of electrical current to the motor in response to a drop in the current draw. |
| US10162311B2 |
Display panel with minimum borders
A device includes a substrate with a curvilinear perimeter segment adjoined to a plurality of facets, a display area, a border area surrounding the display area, and connection pads, divided into groups corresponding to the facets, in the border area. A flexible circuit board with arms coupled to the groups of connection pads is included. Another device includes a substrate having a display area, first connection pads within a border area peripheral to the display area, and a flexible circuit board having a first portion including second connection pads configured to be coupled to the first connection pads, and a second portion configured to accommodate a plurality of transmission lines extending from the second connection pads. An arc length of the first portion can be greater than that of the second portion and a center-to-center pitch of the second connection pads can be greater than that of the transmission lines. |
| US10162306B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An exhaust duct provided on a back surface side of an image forming apparatus, and including a plurality of air ducts through which air inside the apparatus is exhausted toward outside the apparatus, a plurality of filters provided in the plurality of air ducts, respectively, and which removes a fine particle included in the air exhausted through the air ducts, and a filter case that houses the plurality of filters in a manner that the filters are able to be taken out from the filter case are included, and the filter case is provided in a drawable manner to one of side surface sides in a right and left direction or to an upper surface side in an up and down direction of the image forming apparatus, from a front surface side to a back surface side of the image forming apparatus, with respect to the image forming apparatus. |
| US10162305B2 |
Image forming apparatus having air cooling system
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image forming device to form an image on a recording medium, a casing to accommodate the image forming device, a sheet discharging port through which the recording medium having the image is discharged from the casing, a sheet stacker to stack the recording medium output through the sheet discharging port and opening on one side of the apparatus body and surrounded by outer walls including an outer wall having the sheet discharging port, an air guide opening disposed within a sheet passing range in a width direction of the recording medium in a sheet conveying path through which the recording medium having the image passes from the image forming device to the sheet discharging port, and an air suction fan to discharge air passing through the air guide opening to an outside of the casing. |
| US10162304B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. |
| US10162301B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device including a photosensitive unit having a photoreceptor and a developing unit having a developing roller; a light scanning unit including a light source to generate light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor and a window through which the light is transmitted; a shutter unit to open and close the window; a plurality of pressing units to press the developing unit to cause the developing roller separated from the photoreceptor to contact the photoreceptor and cause the shutter unit to open and close the window; and an operating unit connected to the plurality of pressing units. The operating unit is movable between an operating position to generate a pressing force by the plurality of pressing units to press the developing unit and the shutter unit and a standby position to release the pressing force. |
| US10162295B2 |
Method for forming scratchable image and scratchable image formed article
A method for forming a scratchable image includes pressure-fixing a masking pressure toner onto a base image on a substrate to form a masking layer. |
| US10162287B2 |
Toner case and image forming apparatus
A toner case includes an accommodating unit that accommodates toner, a conveying member that is arranged in the accommodating unit, has a shaft body and a spiral part protruding in a spiral shape from one end side to the other end side of the shaft body, has a recess across whole circumference in a circumferential direction at a portion of the other end side than an end of one end side portion of the shaft body, and rotates in a predetermined direction to convey the toner from the one end side to the other end side, the one end side facing the other end side, and a slide bearing that is provided in the accommodating unit, has a cylindrical shape, and surrounds the one end side portion. |
| US10162286B2 |
Toner receiving device, and image forming apparatus including the same
A toner receiving device includes a toner receiving port, a seal member, an opening/closing member, and an elastic member. The toner receiving port receives toner supplied from a toner case. The seal member is elastic and provided on a peripheral edge of the toner receiving port. The opening/closing member closes and opens the toner receiving port by moving between a closing position to close the toner receiving port while contacting the seal member and an opening position to open the toner receiving port. The opening/closing member moves from the closing position to the opening position when attaching the toner case to a predetermined attachment position. The elastic member applies to the opening/closing member an elastic biasing force that is obliquely downward in a closing direction in which the opening/closing member moves from the opening position to the closing position. |
| US10162283B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an exhaust duct to guide air inside the image forming apparatus to an outside of the image forming apparatus. A positive ion generator emits a positive ion into the exhaust duct. A negative ion generator emits a negative ion into the exhaust duct. The negative ion generator is shifted from the positive ion generator in one of an air flow direction of the air moving inside the exhaust duct and a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction. |
| US10162276B2 |
Apparatus for shielding reticle
The present disclosure provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a field generator, configured to produce a field shield protecting a reticle from foreign particles. |
| US10162274B2 |
Movable body drive method and system, pattern formation method and apparatus, exposure method and apparatus for driving movable body based on measurement value of encoder and information on flatness of scale, and device manufacturing method
A drive unit drives a wafer stage in a Y-axis direction based on a measurement value of an encoder that measures position information of the wafer stage in the Y-axis direction and based on information on the flatness of a scale that is measured by the encoder. In this case, the drive unit can drive the wafer stage in a predetermined direction based on a measurement value after correction in which a measurement error caused by the flatness of the scale included in the measurement value of the encoder is corrected based on the information on the flatness of the scale. Accordingly, the wafer stage can be driven with high accuracy in a predetermined direction using the encoder, without being affected by the unevenness of the scale. |
| US10162272B2 |
Metrology method and apparatus, substrates for use in such methods, lithographic system and device manufacturing method
A substrate has a plurality of overlay gratings formed thereon by a lithographic process. Each overlay grating has a known overlay bias. The values of overlay bias include for example two values in a region centered on zero and two values in a region centered on P/2, where P is the pitch of the gratings. Overlay is calculated from asymmetry measurements for the gratings using knowledge of the different overlay bias values, each of the overall asymmetry measurements being weighted by a corresponding weight factor. Each one of the weight factors represents a measure of feature asymmetry within the respective overlay grating. The calculation is used to improve subsequent performance of the measurement process, and/or the lithographic process. Some of the asymmetry measurements may additionally be weighted by a second weight factor in order to eliminate or reduce the contribution of phase asymmetry to the overlay. |
| US10162271B2 |
Metrology method and apparatus, substrate, lithographic system and device manufacturing method
In a dark-field metrology method using a small target, a characteristic of an image of the target, obtained using a single diffraction order, is determined by fitting a combination fit function to the measured image. The combination fit function includes terms selected to represent aspects of the physical sensor and the target. Some coefficients of the combination fit function are determined based on parameters of the measurement process and/or target. In an embodiment the combination fit function includes jinc functions representing the point spread function of a pupil stop in the imaging system. |
| US10162269B2 |
Illumination device
An object is to provide an illumination apparatus that achieves illumination with a uniform illuminance distribution, while reducing a light quantity loss. An illumination apparatus for illuminating an illumination target surface has: a deflection member configured to form an illuminance distribution with a periodic pattern along a predetermined direction on a predetermined face traversing an optical path; and an optical integrator system having a plurality of wavefront division facets arrayed on the predetermined face and configured to form secondary light sources with use of a beam from the deflection member; the deflection member forms the illuminance distribution with the periodic pattern of an integer times or a unit fraction times an array period of the plurality of wavefront division facets. |
| US10162256B2 |
Method and apparatus for capturing three dimensional image
An apparatus for imaging a 3D image includes an opening through which an image passes and a plurality of lens components to obtain the image, and covers up the inside thereof visible through the opening by using a covering member. |
| US10162249B2 |
Camera lens shade extender
A lens shade extender is a camera accessory comprising a flat rubber band, a hook-and-loop cinch strap, and one or more opaque plastic shades. The extender quickly and easily attaches to a camera lens hood for blocking extraneous light and glare without blocking the lens angle of view. |
| US10162247B2 |
Shutter device and image capturing apparatus
A shutter device (113, 113a) includes a shutter plate (1) where an opening is formed, a light shielding member (2, 3) movable reciprocally between a closed state where the opening is closed and an open state where the opening is open, a motor (19), a drive member (11, 12, 111, 112) including a cam engaging portion (11b, 12b, 111b, 112b), rotatable in conjunction with the light shielding member, and a cam member (15-1, 15-2, 114, 115) that is to be driven by the motor to rotate, the cam member engages with the cam engaging portion, and includes a first cam surface (15ic, 114i, 115g) and a second cam surface (15hc, 114g, 115i), the first cam surface drives the drive member to move the light shielding member to the closed state, the second cam surface drives the drive member to move it to the open state. |
| US10162246B2 |
Method for manufacturing mirrors with semiconductor saturable absorber
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing mirrors with saturable semiconducting absorptive material, which includes: depositing a saturable semiconducting absorptive material (205) onto a growth substrate (200) in order to form a structure; depositing at least one metal layer onto the structure such as to form a first mirror (211); and depositing a heat-conductive substrate (212) onto the metal layer by electrodeposition through an electrically insulating mask (312), allowing the selective deposition of the thermally conductive substrate, in order to predefine the perimeter of the mirrors with saturable semiconducting absorptive material. |
| US10162241B2 |
Electrochromic display device
An electrochromic display devices to display a desired image is taught. The display includes a transparent substrate, deposited with a first electrically conducting layer. At least one electrochromic layer is provided on the first electrically conducting layer. An ionically conducting layer is provided on the electrochromic layer and a piezoresistive layer is provided on the second electrically conducting layer. A third electrically conducting layer is provided on the piezoresistive layer. The electrochromic display device displays image in two different modes. In the first mode, an electrical potential is applied across the first and second electrically conducting layer. In the second mode, an electrical potential is applied across the first and the third electrically conducting layer and simultaneously a pressure is applied on the surface. |
| US10162240B2 |
Defect-mitigation layers in electrochromic devices
Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 108 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used. |
| US10162233B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
In an electro-optical device, a pixel electrode includes a lamination film in which a first transparent conductive film, a refractive index adjusting dielectric film, and a second transparent conductive film are sequentially laminated. In the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film, projecting parts, which project from the end portion of the refractive index adjusting dielectric film, form a connection section. A data line, a scan line, and the like form a light shading layer which defines the transparent area of the pixel electrode, and the connection section is provided in an area which overlaps the light shading layer in planar view. |
| US10162228B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including first, second, and third data lines extending in a first direction on a substrate, the second data line positioned between the first and third data lines; a plurality of gate lines extending in a second direction on the substrate; at least one pixel unit including a first pixel electrode formed in a first pixel area between the first and third data lines intersecting the gate lines, at one side of a first gate line, and a second pixel electrode formed in a second pixel area between the first and third data lines, at another side of the first gate line; and at least one circuit unit formed between the first pixel area and the second pixel area and including a first transistor in which a first electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first data line and a second electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first pixel electrode, and a second transistor in which a third electrode of the first transistor is connected to the third data line and a fourth electrode of the first transistor is connected to the second pixel electrode. |
| US10162227B2 |
Liquid crystal grating and control method thereof, 3D touch display panel
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a liquid crystal grating and a control method thereof, and a 3D touch display panel. The liquid crystal grating, comprises: upper and lower substrates; a liquid crystal layer, arranged between the two substrates; a plurality of strip-shaped electrode groups, parallel to each other and arranged side by side, and formed on a surface of the upper substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, each of the electrode groups including first and second comb-shaped touch electrodes separated by a strip-shaped region, comb teeth of the first and second touch electrodes being opposite to each other, and an included angle between extending directions of the strip-shaped region and the electrode group being an acute angle; first and second comb-shaped grating electrodes, formed on a surface of the lower substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, the first and second grating electrodes being arranged in an interdigital shape. |
| US10162226B2 |
Pixel electrode and array substrate
Disclosed is a pixel electrode and an array substrate. The pixel electrode is divided into four alignment regions, and each of the alignment regions includes two trunk electrodes arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction respectively. The trunk electrode in the vertical direction is located at independent edges of each of the alignment regions. Each of the trunk electrodes has a maximum width at a perpendicular intersecting point of the trunk electrodes. The pixel electrode significantly reduces a dark area inside of a pixel unit and increases transmittance of a pixel. |
| US10162223B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display (LCD), having a display area (AA) and a border area (BB), includes: an array substrate and a color filter (CF) substrate arranged opposite to each other; and a plurality of primary spacers disposed between the array substrate and the CF substrate. A circuit board is bonded to an edge of the array substrate. The LCD comprises a distribution change area (CC) which is disposed at a periphery of the circuit board; and a distribution density of the primary spacers in the distribution change area (CC) is greater than a distribution density of the primary spacers in a central portion of the display area (AA). |
| US10162222B2 |
Curved liquid crystal display device
A curved LCD device includes first and second substrates; gate and data lines in a display area on the first substrate and defining a pixel region; a thin film transistor connected to the gate and data lines; a color filter layer in the pixel region; pixel and common electrodes on the color filter layer; first light-blocking layers in the display area over the first substrate; a second light-blocking layer in a non-display area over the first substrate; first and second column spacers in the display area on the second substrate, wherein the first column spacer has a first height, and the second column spacer has a second height; and a third column spacer in the non-display area on the second substrate and having the second height, wherein the third column spacer is in point-contact with the second light-blocking layer when an external force is applied. |
| US10162219B2 |
Display device
Provided is a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit. A backlight unit may include a frame, at least one substrate, a plurality of light sources installed over the at least one substrate, a reflecting sheet, and an optical sheet. The reflecting sheet may include a first sheet region, a second sheet region that extends outward from the first sheet region and inclined relative to the first sheet region, and a third sheet region provided in the first sheet region and having a protrusion that protrudes from the first sheet region toward a front side of the backlight unit. The reflecting sheet may include a plurality of patterns provided on the second sheet region and the third sheet region configured to reduce reflectivity of light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The plurality of patterns may be formed by dots arranged to form the pattern. |
| US10162212B2 |
Patterned retarder type stereoscopic image display device and method for manufacturing the same
A stereoscopic image display device includes an array substrate defining an active area and a non-active area surrounding the active area; a gate line on the active area and the non-active area; a gate pad on the non-active area; a dummy line defining a dummy pixel on the non-active area by crossing the gate line; a color filter substrate disposed opposing the array substrate with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, the color filter substrate having a color filter and a dummy color filter at a portion corresponding to the dummy pixel; a black stripe on the color filter substrate on a side away from the array substrate, the black stripe disposed at portions corresponding to the non-active area along edges of the active area; and a patterned retardation film formed over the black stripe. |
| US10162210B2 |
Touch panel and method of producing the same, display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a touch panel, a method for producing the same and a display apparatus. The touch panel includes: a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, a display medium layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, a black matrix arranged on one of the first substrate and the second substrate, a plurality of driving electrode units and a plurality of inductive electrode units arranged alternatively on the other one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and each of the plurality of driving electrode units or the plurality of inductive electrode units includes a plurality of transparent electrodes and projections of boundaries of the transparent electrodes onto the substrate having the black matrix are covered by the black matrix or coincide with the range of the black matrix. |
| US10162208B2 |
Touch sensing display apparatus and method for fabricating same
A touch sensing display apparatus includes a color filter substrate, a first touch sensing layer, an insulating layer, a second touch sensing layer, a plurality of photo spacers, a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The color filter substrate includes a light-blocking layer. The first touch sensing layer is disposed on the light-blocking layer. The insulating layer is disposed on a side of the color filter substrate disposing with the first touch sensing layer. The first touch sensing layer is located between the insulating layer and the light-blocking layer. The second touch sensing layer is disposed on a side of the insulating layer away from the first touch sensing layer. The plurality of photo spacers is disposed on the side of the insulating layer away from the first touch sensing layer, and covers the second touch sensing layer. The TFT substrate is disposed on a side of the photo spacers away from the insulating layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the insulating layer and the TFT substrate. |
| US10162206B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Provided herewith is a liquid crystal display device comprising a substrate; first and second electrodes on a first surface of the substrate, the first and second electrodes being spaced apart from each other; a liquid crystal capsule layer on the first and second electrodes; and a dielectric layer on the liquid crystal capsule layer. In this liquid crystal display device the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is lower than the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal capsule layer. |
| US10162203B2 |
Systems and methods for electronically controlling the viewing angle of a display
Systems and methods for electronically controlling the viewing angle of a display using liquid crystal optical elements are provided. Each liquid crystal optical element may be associated with a respective scattering module and may selectively steer a device generated light beam to one of two or more scattering regions of its associated scattering module. When a scattering region receives a steered light beam, the steered light beam may be scattered into a viewing cone having at least one viewing angle defined by a characteristic of that scatter region. Each liquid crystal optical element may be made from one or more suitable liquid crystal materials that can be controlled electronically to vary the effective index of refraction of one or more different regions of the liquid crystal optical element, thereby steering incoming light towards a particular one of two or more scattering regions of an associated scattering module. |
| US10162197B2 |
Method and portable aid for mindfulness meditation
An apparatus is provided to create a focal zone for mindfulness meditation. The apparatus includes a first member extending between a first edge and a second edge, the first member having a translucent portion, a first elongated side member attached adjacent the first edge of the first member, and a second elongated side member attached adjacent the second edge of the first member, the first and second elongated members being generally parallel to another and lying in a single horizontal plane. |
| US10162195B2 |
Method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens and said lens
The method for manufacturing relates to an ophthalmic lens comprising a substrate and a functional film securely fastened to a curved face of said substrate. This method comprises a method for gluing the functional film, which is initially flat, to said curved face. The interferential and organic filtering film selected as said functional film filters a preset band of wavelengths and the gluing method is carried out so that the maximum of the degree of major deformation experienced by the film on a surface is lower than 3%. In the ophthalmic lens, the wavelength at which maximum filtration is observed at the center of the lens and the wavelength at which maximum filtration is observed at the periphery of the useful area of the lens differ by a less than 5%. |
| US10162192B2 |
Assembly structure for eyeglass lens
An assembly structure for eyeglass lens comprises a lens and a connection component. The lens is formed with an insertion section at one end which end toward to the connection component and at least one engaging hole in the insertion section. The connection component is formed with a slot at one end which end toward to the lens, and connected to a temple at the other end which end far away the lens. The slot is formed with a pin on the wall. After the insertion section of the lens is inserted into the slot of the connection component, the pin on the slot wall is engaged with the engaging hole of the insertion section, assembling the lens and the connection component together. |
| US10162188B2 |
Diffractive optical element and optical system having the same, and image pickup apparatus
An optical element includes a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating. When a refractive index of the first diffraction grating at wavelength λ [μm] is n1(λ) and the refractive index of the second diffraction grating at the wavelength λ [μm] is n2(λ), n1(λ) and n2(λ) satisfy predetermined conditional expressions. |
| US10162187B2 |
High-output optical attenuator, measurement device, and 3D shaping apparatus
This invention is directed to attenuating a beam output without changing the beam position and the beam diameter. A high-output optical attenuator includes a first reflector that totally reflects incident light and causes first reflected light serving as reflected light of the incident light to enter a second reflecting portion, a second reflector that reflects the first reflected light and causes second reflected light serving as reflected light of the first reflected light to enter a third reflecting portion, a third reflector that reflects the second reflected light and causes third reflected light serving as reflected light of the second reflected light to enter a fourth reflecting portion, and a fourth reflector that reflects the third reflected light as fourth reflected light having the same optical axis as the optical axis of the incident light. At least two of the second reflector, the third reflector, and the fourth reflector are half mirrors. |
| US10162182B2 |
Enhanced pixel resolution through non-uniform ocular projection
A display device includes a two-dimensional array of tiles. Each tile includes a two-dimensional array of pixels and a lens, of a two-dimensional array of lenses. The display device also includes one or more processors coupled with the two-dimensional array of tiles and configured to: obtain a transformed image for projecting a non-transformed image on a retina of an eye of a user; activate a first subset of the two-dimensional array of tiles for projecting a first portion of the transformed image on the retina of the eye of the user with a first resolution; and activate a second subset of the two-dimensional array of tiles for projecting a second portion of the transformed image on the retina of the eye of the user with a second resolution. |
| US10162181B2 |
Display device with optics for brightness uniformity tuning having DOE optically coupled to receive light at central and peripheral regions
Introduced here is a display device that comprises a light emitter and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that is optically coupled to receive light from the light emitter and to convey the light along an optical path. The DOE may have an input surface and an output surface parallel to the input surface, where the input surface and the output surface each have a central region and a peripheral region. The DOE further may have optical characteristics such that light exiting the DOE in the peripheral region of the output surface has greater brightness than light exiting the DOE in the central region of the output surface. |
| US10162179B1 |
Secure pairing of head-mounted electronic devices
During a communication technique, a head-mounted electronic device captures sensory information, where the sensory information is associated with an object in an environment of the head-mounted electronic device, and where the object is associated with a second user of a second head-mounted electronic device. Then, a sensor in the head-mounted electronic device captures the sensory information associated with the object based on the received user command. Moreover, the head-mounted electronic device provides the captured sensory information to a pairing electronic device. Next, the head-mounted electronic device receives connection information from the pairing electronic device if the sensory information specifies the second user. Furthermore, the head-mounted electronic device establishes a secure connection with the second head-mounted electronic device based on the connection information. |
| US10162172B2 |
Optical lens and fixture thereof
An optical lens including a lens and at least one optical layer is provided. The lens has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The at least one optical layer is disposed on the lens. Each optical layer is located in the peripheral region and exposes the central region, wherein the peripheral region has at least one first gap strip region connected to the central region, and each optical layer exposes the at least one first gap strip region. A fixture is also provided. |
| US10162168B2 |
Binocular bridge for thermal viewing device
An improved monocular/binocular bridge and helmet mounting device employing same for an optical device are provided. The mounting device herein includes a mount with a bridge attachment for providing multiple options for a monocular or binocular viewing. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pupillary/interpupillary positioning of attached viewing device(s) moves the devices linearly from side-to-side. Multiple options are provided for moving attached devices to any of multiple stowed positions out of the user's line of sight when the optical device is not in use. The bridge attachment and multiple stow positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices. A mounting bracket on the viewing device allows the viewing device to be selectively attached to a helmet mount or firearm accessory mounting rail. |
| US10162166B2 |
Microdissection viewing system
The present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for the acquisition and display of captured and/or saved slide images of a sample. In particular embodiments, the images are displayed on a portable computer attached to a removable device configured to hold a slide of the sample. The device is aligned with the portable computer so that the displayed sample image is overlaid with the sample being held by the device. In exemplary embodiments, the displayed image is used as a template for dissection of the sample being held by the device. |
| US10162161B2 |
Ptychography imaging systems and methods with convex relaxation
Certain aspects pertain to ptychographic imaging systems and methods with convex relaxation. In some aspects, a ptychographic imaging system with convex relaxation comprises one or more electromagnetic radiation sources, a digital radiation intensity detector, and a processor in communication with the digital radiation detector. The electromagnetic radiation provides coherent radiation to a specimen while the digital radiation intensity detector receives light transferred from the sample by diffractive optics and captures intensity distributions for a sequence of low resolution images having diversity. The processor generates a convex problem based on the sequence of low resolution images and optimizes the convex problem to reconstruct a high-resolution image of the specimen. In certain aspects, the convex problem is relaxed into a low-rank formulation. |
| US10162160B2 |
Microscope objective
A dry microscope objective includes in order starting from the object side a first lens group having a positive power, that includes single lenses, a second lens group that can move along an optical axis, and a third lens group including two concave surfaces that are air-contacting surfaces adjacent to and facing each other. Only one surface is a concave surface from among four surfaces consisting of a first lens surface, a second lens surface, a third lens surface and a fourth lens surface. The objective satisfies 0.66≤NA≤1 (1) 0.2<|Δd/r1|<1 (2) where NA is a numerical aperture of the objective, Δd is a sum of a lens interval between the first and second lens surfaces and a lens interval between the third and fourth lens surfaces, and r1 is a curvature radius of the concave surface from among the four surfaces. |
| US10162159B2 |
Lens for integrated rain sensor and antenna
A molded lens assembly includes a cover and at least four molded elongated features. The cover may have a substantially planar portion and side portions extending away perpendicularly at a periphery of the substantially planar portion and defining an inner surface of the substantially planar portion. The at least four molded elongated features generally extend away from the inner surface of the substantially planar portion and are arranged such that a long axis of each of the molded elongated features is aligned with a side of a polygon having a number of sides equal to the number of molded elongated features. Each molded elongated feature generally includes a first convex lens portion at a first end and a second convex lens portion at a second end. |
| US10162147B2 |
Red dot windage and elevation adjustment
An alignment subsystem that incorporates a ball and lever approach to adjust windage and elevation. The system provides a low cost, vibration immune red dot and/or reticle device for a weapon system. The materials used to construct the system also provide for temperature indifference and increased wear characteristics. |
| US10162146B2 |
Opto-mechanical apparatus adapted for mounting optical elements with small cross sections
An opto-mechanical assembly including a housing and an internally supported optical element, such as a lens, mounted along an axis. At least one of the housing and optical element includes a radially extending chamber. Adhesive disposed in the chamber interacts with the housing and the optical element to prevent axial motion between the optical element and housing. |
| US10162142B2 |
Fiber optic closure
A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors. |
| US10162141B1 |
Flooding composition with polysiloxane
The present disclosure provides a flooding composition. In an embodiment, the flooding composition includes in weight percent (wt %) based on the weight of the composition (A) from 10 wt % to 45 wt % of a silane-grafted polyolefin (Si-g-PO). The flooding composition also includes (B) from 5 wt % to 60 wt % of a polyα-olefin oil (PAO oil), (C) from 15 wt % to 90 wt % of a polysiloxane, and (D) from 0.05 wt % to 0.2 wt % of a catalyst. |
| US10162138B2 |
Self-aligning deflector device for transmission line offset correction
Disclosed is a self-aligning mirror device for transmission line offset correction. The disclosed self-aligning mechanism automatically adjusts deflectors to couple radiation between two or more offset waveguides or optical fibers. |
| US10162135B2 |
Optical transmitter assembly for vertical coupling
The invention relates to an optical transmitter assembly (OTA) for vertical coupling of light into a chip, and to a method for manufacturing the OTA. The OTA includes a laser diode, a microlens and a turning mirror mounted at a top face of a supporting substrate within a sealed enclosure, and an optical component, such as an optical isolator, a polarizer, or a microlens disposed in a substrate cavity that opens to the back face of the substrate. The optical component may be placed into the cavity after the enclosure is sealed. |
| US10162133B2 |
Low loss heterogeneous optical waveguide transitions
Embodiments of the invention describe optical devices including a III-V slab having a taper including a first region and a second region smaller than the first. Said first region receives light and confines an optical mode of the received light; thus, as opposed to the prior art solutions, said III-V regions of optical devices perform the optical function of mode confinement. Embodiments of the invention further describe optical devices including a silicon slab to receive light from said III-V slab, and having a taper including a first silicon region and a second silicon region smaller than the first. Said first region receives light and confines an optical mode of the received light.Thus, embodiments of the invention describe optical devices created with a low loss transition from hybrid regions to silicon regions with fewer restrictions on the design of the silicon waveguides and the III-V waveguides. |
| US10162131B2 |
Telecommunications module
A telecommunications module defines an interior with separate right and left chambers. An optical component is housed within the left chamber. Signal input and output locations are exposed to the right chamber. The right chamber allows excess fiber to accumulate without bending in a radius smaller than a minimum bend radius. A dual-layered cable management structure is positioned within the right chamber that defines a lower cable-wrapping level and a separate upper cable-wrapping level. The upper cable-wrapping level is defined by a removable cable retainer mounted on a spool defining the lower-cable wrapping level. Cabling carrying the input and output signals are passed between the right and left chambers before and after being processed by the optical component. |
| US10162130B2 |
Flat optical fiber cable assembly
A flat optical fiber cable assembly includes a flat optical fiber cable having an optical fiber cord and at least one tension wire, and a reinforcement mechanism having a reinforcing sleeve sleeved on the at least one tension wire, and a reinforcing body having an outer surface, a through groove indented inwardly from the outer surface, and a positioning groove that is indented inwardly from the outer surface, that is angularly spaced apart from the through groove and that has an engaging portion. The optical fiber cord is inserted into the through groove, and the at least one tension wire is inserted into the positioning groove with the reinforcing sleeve engaging the engaging portion. |
| US10162125B2 |
Plug-side optical connector and optical connector system
A plug-side optical connector includes: an insertion section that is inserted inside a cylindrical coupling section of a receptacle-side optical connector; a rotation section that is coupled to the coupling section of the receptacle-side optical connector; and a waterproofing member disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion section inside the rotation section to contact an inner peripheral surface of the coupling section of the receptacle-side optical connector when the insertion section is inserted inside the coupling section of the receptacle-side optical connector. The rotation section is rotatable outside the insertion section. |
| US10162120B2 |
Wafer-level fiber to coupler connector
A wafer-level technique to couple an optical fiber to an integrated photonic circuit is presented. A connector is fabricated on top of a substrate. The connector comprises hollow structures with high aspect ratio. The connector receives an optical fiber or a ribbon of optical fibers for connection to the integrated photonic circuit. The connector is made with a certain angle to achieve optimal coupling. The base of connector is aligned to a coupler on the substrate. Light can propagate in both directions from the fiber to the chip or from the chip to the fiber. |
| US10162115B2 |
High isolation and high return loss 2-port optical retro-reflector
Two-port optical retro-reflectors with high isolation and high return loss are described. Such retro-reflectors are designed to increase the number of optical filtering using one or more filters uniquely disposed to increase the isolation and return loss. |
| US10162113B2 |
Field terminable fiber optic connector assembly
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector has first and second ends and a terminated fiber. The fiber defines a first end adjacent the first end of the connector and a second end protruding out of the second end of the connector. A carrier having a connector end and an opposite cable end is engaged with the connector. An alignment structure on the carrier includes a first end, a second end, and a throughhole and also a cutaway extending perpendicularly to and communicating with the throughhole. The fiber is positioned within at least a portion of the throughhole with the second end located within the cutaway. A window is within the cutaway over the second end of the fiber for visually inspecting the alignment of the second end of the fiber with an end of another fiber. |
| US10162111B1 |
Multi-fiber/port hermetic capsule sealed by metallization and method
An hermetically sealed monolithic photonic integrated circuit (PIC) including optical components and multiple optical and electrical inputs/outputs. The integrated circuit including a semiconductor/metal base with sensitive semiconductor/polymer electrical and optical components formed therein. The electrical and optical components having multiple optical and electrical inputs, multiple optical and electrical outputs, and/or multiple optical and electrical inputs and outputs. A semiconductor/metal basic lid is sealed to the semiconductor/metal base by metallization so as to form a chamber including the sensitive semiconductor/polymer electrical and optical components and hermetically sealing the chamber and the sensitive components from the ambient in a basic hermetic capsule with multiple optical pathways coupling multiple optical fibers to the optical components sealed within the chamber. |
| US10162110B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided with an insulating layer formed on a base substrate, an optical waveguide composed of a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer, and an insulating film formed along an upper surface of the insulating layer and a front surface of the optical waveguide. A peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of the optical waveguide is separated from the insulating layer, and the insulating film is buried between the peripheral edge portion and the insulating layer. |
| US10162101B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a bottom plate, and a fixing element which is fixed at one side of the bottom plate and used for fixing a quantum tube. The fixing element includes a bottom wall, and a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a third lateral wall which extend upwards from a first end, a second end, and a third end of the bottom wall respectively. The first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are arranged facing each other. The quantum tube is fixed in an accommodating space that is formed by the bottom, the first lateral, the second lateral, and the third lateral walls. In the backlight module, since the quantum tube is fixed in a stable manner, a structural reliability of the backlight module can be ensured, and a high color gamut of the backlight module can be realized. |
| US10162100B2 |
Backlight source structure with assembled light-guiding light source elements and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A backlight source structure of a liquid crystal display apparatus is provided and includes a plurality of light-guiding light source elements. Each of the light-guiding light source elements includes: a light source and a light-source packaging body. The light-source packaging body is an elongated strip with a light-guiding effect. The light-guiding light source elements are connected to form a light guide plate. A situation where an entire light guide plate malfunctions due to partial damage is prevented. |
| US10162099B2 |
Light guide block having a luminous frame
A light guide block is provided made up of a plurality of light guide rods that are molded in a curable filler material, wherein for manufacturing the light guide block, the curable filler material is fillable into an at least half-open trough, the light guide rods, as plastic injection-molded parts or plastic molded parts, being molded onto surfaces of the trough that is made, at least partially or in sections, of light-conducting plastic. |
| US10162098B2 |
Solid-state luminaire
A luminaire includes (i) light-emitting elements (LEEs), (ii) couplers to receive light from the LEEs and to redirect the received light, and (iii) a light guide including input and output ends and a pair of opposing surfaces both extending along an axis of the light guide. The light guide receives light from the couplers at the input end and guides light along the axis to the output end. The luminaire includes (iv) a diffuser adjacent the light guide to diffuse at least a portion of the light output by the light guide, and (v) a reflector to receive the light emitted from the output end of the light guide, such that light output by the light guide without impinging on the diffuser impinges on only one of the surfaces of the reflector. When operated, the luminaire outputs light within first and second output angular ranges. |
| US10162094B2 |
Light source assembly, backlight module and curve display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a light source assembly, a backlight module and a curve display apparatus. It relates to the technical field of display, may improve the light incidence ratio of a light guide plate in the curve display apparatus and enhance the uniformity of the picture brightness. The light source assembly includes a light guide plate and a LED lamp bar, wherein the light guide plate is a curve light guide plate and the LED lamp bar is an arc-shaped lamp bar which has a curvature matched with the curvature of the curve light guide plate, and wherein the curve light guide plate has a set of straight sides parallel to each other and a set of curve sides having the same curvature, the arc-shaped lamp bar being arranged on a side of the curve light guide plate with the curve sides. |
| US10162092B2 |
Polarizer, method of manufacturing the polarizer, display panel having the polarizer and display apparatus having the display panel
A display panel includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate facing the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates. The array substrate includes a first polarizer, a first insulating layer covering the first metal layer, a gate electrode on the first insulating layer, a gate insulation layer on the gate electrode, a channel layer on the gate insulation layer, source and drain electrodes on the channel layer, a protecting layer covering the source and drain electrodes and including a contact hole exposing the drain electrode, and a first electrode on the protecting layer and electrically connected to the drain electrode through the contact hole. The first polarizer includes a first substrate, a first antistatic layer on the first substrate and including a conductive material, and a first metal layer on the first antistatic layer and including a plurality of protrusions which form a wire grid pattern. |
| US10162091B1 |
Silicon film optical filtering systems and methods of fabrication
An optical filter has a layer of silicon film deposited onto a metallic substrate surface at a silicon film thickness corresponding to a wavelength of light to be filtered from incoming light. The critical coupling of light to the optical cavity formed by the silicon film on metal surface results in a strong and near perfect absorption of the light at a resonance wavelength and strong absorption in the wavelength region near the peak absorption wavelength. Other wavelengths of the incoming wave are reflected by the device so the spectral content of light is changed. By controlling the thickness of the silicon film and/or other factors, such as the extent to which the silicon film is annealed or the type of metal beneath the silicon film, the wavelength of the light absorbed by the silicon film can be precisely controlled. |
| US10162087B2 |
Optical system with a frustrated isotropic block
An optical system configured as part of optical metrology unit used to assess the operational status of a workpiece and, in a specific case, configured as an encoder head of a lithographic exposure tool. The optical system is devoid of a stand-alone optical corner-cubes and includes, instead, a single, imperfect or frustrated cuboid of optically-isotropic material that, in operation with the diffraction grating of the workpiece, simultaneously forms four interferometric signals for measuring x-, y, and z-positions of the workpiece grating relative to the optical system. Proposed system and method solve problems of (i) structural complexity of a conventional metrology unit for use in an exposure tool, (ii) burdensome alignment of the multitude of optical prisms in the process of forming such metrology unit, and (iii) cyclic non-linear errors associated with measurements involving conventional corner-cubes-based metrology units. |
| US10162086B2 |
Imaging through highly diffusive media with wavefront shaping
An image decoding system provides a phase pattern encoding a target image. A spatial light modulator is configured to emit a wavefront-shaped light signal based on the phase pattern. A first diffusive medium receives the wavefront-shaped light signal and emits a decoded scattered light signal of the target image. The target image is previously encoded in the phase pattern by transmitting another wavefront-shaped light signal shaped by a training phase pattern through a second diffusive medium to yield a scattered light signal encoding a test image. The second diffusive medium has the optical scattering characteristics of a first diffusive medium. The scattered light signal encoding the test image is emitted from the second diffusive medium and recorded. The training phase pattern is adjusted for successive iterations of the test image until the test image satisfies a compensation condition. The resulting training phase pattern yields the phase pattern. |
| US10162083B2 |
Transparent buffer layer for maintaining coated glass bend strength
Methods and systems for depositing a thin film are disclosed. The methods and systems can be used to deposit a film having a uniform thickness on a substrate surface that has a non-planar three-dimensional geometry, such as a curved surface. The methods involve the use of a deposition source that has a shape in accordance with the non-planar three-dimensional geometry of the substrate surface. In some embodiments, multiple layers of films are deposited onto each other forming multi-layered coatings. In some embodiments, the multi-layered coatings are antireflective (AR) coatings for windows or lenses. |
| US10162081B2 |
Downhole fluid typing
Systems, devices and methods for evaluating a volume of interest of an earth formation. The method may include modeling the volume as being in one of two states using a plurality of measurements corresponding to a plurality of measurement types, and may include assigning a relative credence indicator value to each measurement in dependence upon the corresponding measurement value and using the relative credence indicator value for each of the plurality of measurements to estimate the state of the volume by estimating the state of the volume using a state indicator value derived from the relative credence indicator values. The first state of the two states may correspond with presence of a condition associated with the formation, and the second state of the two states may correspond with absence of the condition. The condition may comprise presence of a fluid in the formation having a selected fluid type. |
| US10162074B2 |
Utility locators with retractable support structures and applications thereof
The disclosure is directed to utility locators and associated antenna node support structure devices for allowing a utility locator to self-stand in an upright position without being held or otherwise supported by a user. |
| US10162068B1 |
Calibrating time in PET device
A method of calibrating time in a Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET) device includes determining a rising edge slope of an electrical signal corresponding to a photon which is detected by a detector of the PET device when the PET device is used to scan a part of a subject to be examined. The method includes determining a time shift corresponding to the rising edge slope based on a correspondence between the rising edge slope and the time shift; calibrating time information of the photon based on the time shift; and reconstructing a PET image of the part of the subject to be examined based on the calibrated time information of the photon. |
| US10162067B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same
A radiation imaging apparatus, which comprises a sensor array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix form, cyclically perform a storing operation that stores charge in the pixels and a reading out operation that reads out the charge stored in the pixels, based on a synchronization signal comprised of a cyclical pulse train and a timing control signal synchronized to the synchronization signal. The radiation imaging apparatus changes a phase of the timing control signal in relation to the synchronization signal in accordance with a range of a partial region for trimming in a region of the sensor array in which read out is possible. |
| US10162065B2 |
Gamma ray spectroscope for determining a composition of an asteroid or the regolith of the asteroid
Disclosed and described herein are embodiments and methods of use of a gamma ray spectroscope. In one aspect the gamma ray spectroscope comprises a scintillator for receiving radiation and a solid-state photomultiplier for detecting and amplifying light emitted by the scintillator in response to the received radiation, wherein an electrical output signal is provided by the photomultiplier that is proportional to the received radiation. |
| US10162058B2 |
Detecting sensor orientation characteristics using marker-based localization
Methods and systems for detecting sensor orientation characteristics using marker-based localization are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a robotic device can: receive a map of a horizontal marker plane that includes mapped positions of a first marker and a second marker arranged in the horizontal marker plane; receive, from a sensor configured to scan a two-dimensional sensor plane, sensor data indicative of positions of the first and second markers relative to the sensor; determine measured positions of the first and second markers based on the sensor data and a current position of the sensor; determine a difference vector between a first vector that connects the mapped positions of the first and second markers and a second vector that connects the measured positions of the first and second markers; and determine, based on the difference vector, an orientation of the two-dimensional sensor plane relative to the horizontal marker plane. |
| US10162056B2 |
Laser range finding attachment for mobile computing device
The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems, for measuring range to an object (e.g., range finding) by reflection of laser radiation. One computer-implemented method includes the following operations executed on a mobile computing device (MCD): targeting an object with the MCD display operating as a viewfinder, receiving a request to trigger a laser range finding operation, initiating triggering of an emitter on a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) coupled to the MCD, receiving range finding data from the LRFA, processing the range finding data, and initiating display of data associated with the object, the data corresponding to the processed range finding data. |
| US10162055B2 |
Method for operating a surroundings detection system of a vehicle having at least two transceiver units and surroundings detection system
A method for operating a surroundings detection system of a vehicle having at least two transceiver units, at least one transceiver unit emitting signals, and the at least two transceiver units receiving echo signals of the emitted signals, the echo signals being reflected by reflection sources situated in a detection range of the transceiver units. It is provided that received wave pulses and corresponding amplitude information are ascertained from the received echo signals, and upon receipt of the received wave pulses originating from at least two different reflection sources, an assignment of different received wave pulses of a first transceiver unit to different received wave pulses of a second transceiver unit is performed, taking into account the amplitude information, so that a spatial position of the at least two different reflection sources is ascertainable. Also described is a surroundings detection system and a computer program configured for performing the method. |
| US10162053B2 |
Multifunctional automotive radar
In accordance with an example implementation of this disclosure, a multifunction radar transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is operable to modulate data onto a first radar burst, beamform the first radar burst, and transmit the first radar burst via a plurality of antenna elements. The receiver is operable to receive a reflection of the first radar burst, perform beamforming of the reflection of the first radar burst, demodulate the first radar burst to recover the data modulated on the first radar burst, and determine characteristics of an object off of which the first radar burst reflected based on characteristics of the reflection of the first radar burst. |
| US10162050B2 |
Rotary antenna, scanner using such an antenna, and device for inspecting persons
The antenna comprises at least one waveguide of rectangular section and a cylinder having an opening along a helical line, the cylinder having a relative rotational movement in relation to the waveguide placed inside the cylinder, the waveguide being open facing the inner face of the cylinder which forms a microwave short-circuit to close the guide, wherein two cavities are produced on each side of the guide, parallel thereto, over its entire length, the openings of the cavities being substantially in the plane of the opening of the guide. The invention applies, for example, to the detection of hidden objects carried by persons, in particular dangerous objects. |
| US10162047B2 |
Light receiving/emitting element module and sensor device using same
A light receiving/emitting element module includes: a substrate; a light emitting element disposed on one principal face of the substrate; a light receiving element disposed on the one principal face and disposed next to the light emitting element in a first direction; and an optical element located away from the one principal face, and having a first principal face, and a second principal face. The optical element includes a first lens for the light emitting element, and a second lens for the light receiving element. The first lens and the second lens are disposed side by side in the first direction, and a curved surface defining the first lens and a curved surface defining the second lens which are disposed on at least one of the first principal face and the second principal face, intersect each other. |
| US10162046B2 |
System and method for detecting blockage in an automotive radar
A radar sensor for use within a vehicle includes blockage detection functionality. In at least one embodiment, the radar sensor collects information on stationary infrastructure around the vehicle. The infrastructure information may be used to generate a Doppler Monopulse Image (DMI) or other graph for the sensor. A clutter ridge within the DMI or other graph may be analyzed determine a blockage condition of the sensor (i.e., unblocked, partially blocked, or fully blocked). |
| US10162044B2 |
Balloon-based positioning system and method
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes at least three balloons, with each balloon including a position-determining module (PDM) and a position-broadcasting module (PBM). Each PDM is configured for determining a position of the respective balloon and each PBM is configured for broadcasting a balloon signal containing balloon-positioning data of the respective balloon. The balloon-positioning data includes the determined position of the respective balloon and a corresponding time of broadcast. |
| US10162043B2 |
Optical locating system
Systems and methods for uniquely identifying areas within a facility for location services. The methods involve: operating a plurality of beacons disposed within the facility; emitting, from a first beacon of the plurality of beacons, a first beam having a first beamwidth in a manner so as to communicate at least a unique identification code associated with a first physical area of the facility; changing a value for a beamwidth parameter to modify an area of coverage for the first beacon; and emitting, from the first beacon, a second beam having a second beamwidth in a manner so as to communicate at least the unique identification code associated with the first area of the facility, where the second beamwidth is different from the first beamwidth. The changing is performed autonomously by the first beacon or in response to the first beacon's reception of a command from a remote beacon receiver. |
| US10162034B2 |
Magnetic resonance scanner and antenna
The embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance scanner including an antenna system having an adjustment device for modifying the natural frequency of a natural mechanical oscillation mode of the antenna system. According to the embodiments, in a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnetic resonance scanner comprising an antenna system, a natural frequency of a natural mechanical oscillation mode of the antenna system is controlled and/or regulated. |
| US10162033B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus
A magnetic resonance image is generated by executing a scan sequence that is determined by at least one scan parameter. A first value of the at least one scan parameter is determined for a first subregion of an examination region, and a second value of the at least one scan parameter is determined for a second subregion of the examination region. The determination of the first value and the determination of the second value is implemented so that a value of a physical variable influenced by the first value and the second value of the at least one scan parameter does not transgress a pre-set threshold value. Subsequently, the scan sequence is executed by a magnetic resonance scanner and a magnetic resonance image is generated. The threshold value can be based, for example, on technical efficiency of the scanner and/or a physiological limitation of an examination object. |
| US10162028B2 |
Low magnetic field, ultra-low magnetic field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance image apparatus
Provided is a low magnetic field and ultra-low magnetic field NMR and MRI apparatus. The low magnetic field and ultra-low magnetic field NMR and MRI apparatus includes a SQUID sensor and a prepolarization magnetic field coil. The prepolarization magnetic field coil generates a prepolarization magnetic field to polarize a sample. The prepolarization magnetic coil generates a counter pulse in a direction opposite to that of the prepolarization magnetic field immediately before or immediately after the prepolarization magnetic field is generated. The counter pulse demagnetizes wanted magnetization including that of the prepolarization magnetic field coil itself. |
| US10162027B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and irradiation magnetic field distribution measurement method
To obtain the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel of a multichannel transmission RF coil at high speed, for multiple channels which are all or some of the channels of the transmission coil, an image is acquired by irradiation with one channel or a combination of two or more channels, an irradiation magnetic field distribution upon irradiation with all of the multiple channels is acquired, and the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel is calculated using the acquired irradiation magnetic field distribution of all of the multiple channels and the phase difference calculated from the image of each channel and the image of all of the multiple channels. |
| US10162024B2 |
MR device with distribution network
An MR device has at least one distribution network for distributing an electrical input signal (to a number of feeding points of an MR antenna. The distribution network has at least one first signal output and one second signal output connected to a node, a first phase-shifting element disposed between the node and the first signal output, and a second phase-shifting element disposed between the node and the second signal output. The first phase-shifting element and the second phase-shifting element create a different phase shift, and the first phase-shifting element and the second phase-shifting element are embodied as electrical lines of different length. The distribution network is applicable, for example, to feeding signals to a body coil of the MR device, especially a so-called birdcage antenna. |
| US10162017B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing high order hall plate sensitivity temperature coefficients
The systems and methods described can reduce high order temperature coefficients on the Hall plate sensitivity. A temperature coefficient circuit may include a first amplifier to receive a first reference voltage generated in conjunction with a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) device and a second amplifier to receive a second reference voltage generated in conjunction with a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) device, the second amplifier having a second output node. A plurality of resistors may be disposed in a signal path between output node of the first amplifier and an output node of the second amplifier. The plurality of resistors may be coupled to at least one voltage-to-current converter through one or more resistors taps. The voltage-to-current converter may generate at least one current signal that can be operable to apply a multiplication factor or a division divisor to an amplifier coupled to the voltage-to-current converter. |
| US10162010B2 |
Wireless network based battery management system
A wireless network based battery management system is provided, which comprises an off-board subsystem and an on-board subsystem, wherein the off-board subsystem comprising an off-board data storage for storing historic data of a on-board battery system and data of other battery systems, and an off-board data processing device for analyzing and processing the stored data and establishing and validating off-board battery models, mapping the accurate and complex off-board battery models into a simple off-board battery model, and generating parameters of the simple off board battery mode, and wherein the on-board subsystem selects a simple on-board battery mode corresponding to the simple off-board battery mode, updating parameter of the simple on-board battery mode with those of the simple off-board battery mode, and calculates battery status of the on-board battery system. A method of using the wireless network based battery management system described above is also provided. |
| US10162008B2 |
Manual and automated non-destructive testing for short-circuit and ground fault conditions in branch motor circuits
A test circuit performs fault detection tests on a motor branch circuit, to detect pre-existing faults before a motor start-up to pre-empt potential damage to the motor branch circuit therefrom. The test circuit is configured to be coupled to the phase lines of a motor branch circuit at a set of test points strategically located on the phase lines. The test circuit includes test lines that are each coupled to a different one of the phase lines at one of the set of test points. The test circuit includes a test controller that, during a test mode, sequentially presents a low voltage supply to each phase line through the test line coupled thereto, to test for ground faults then sequentially couples the low voltage supply across each possible pairing of the phase lines to test for line-to-line faults. The test mode can be initiated manually or automatically. |
| US10162006B2 |
Boundary scan testing a storage device via system management bus interface
A system and method are provided for boundary scan testing one or more digital data storage drives. In particular, a drive tester system connects to the one or more digital data storage drives via a standard two-wire interface, such as a system management bus (SMBus) interface. The drive tester system performs a boundary scan test on the on more digital data storage drives via the standard two-wire interface. The boundary scan test may include a vector test. |
| US10162005B1 |
Scan chain operations
A number of embodiments include an apparatus comprising a memory array including a first memory bank and a second memory bank and a serializer/de-serializer coupled to the first memory bank and the second memory bank. The serializer/de-serializer may be configured to receive a scan vector from the first memory bank, send the scan vector to a device under test, receive scan test responses from the device under test, and send the scan test responses to the second memory bank. Scan control logic may be coupled to the serializer/de-serializer and the device under test. The scan control logic may be configured to control operation of the serializer/de-serializer and send a scan chain control signal to the device under test, wherein the scan chain control signal is to initiate performance of a scan chain operation using the scan vector. |
| US10162003B2 |
DDR TMS/TDI, addressable tap, state machine, and tap state monitor
A process and apparatus provide a JTAG TAP controller (302) to access a JTAG TAP domain (106) of a device using a reduced pin count, high speed DDR interface (202). The access is accomplished by combining the separate TDI and TMS signals from the TAP controller into a single signal and communicating the TDI and TMS signals of the single signal on the rising and falling edges of the TCK driving the DDR interface. The TAP domain may be coupled to the TAP controller in a point to point fashion or in an addressable bus fashion. The access to the TAP domain may be used for JTAG based device testing, debugging, programming, or other type of JTAG based operation. |
| US10161999B1 |
Configurable system and method for debugging a circuit
Approaches for capturing states of signals of a circuit-under-test are disclosed. A logic analyzer circuit is coupled to the circuit-under-test and is configured to receive a plurality of probe signals and a plurality of trigger signals from the circuit-under-test. The logic analyzer circuit inputs data identifying a subset of the probe signals and a subset of the trigger signals. The logic analyzer circuit selects the subset of trigger signals for input to trigger logic and selects the subset of probe signals in the logic analyzer circuit after the logic analyzer circuit and the circuit-under-test are active. The logic analyzer circuit samples states of the subset of probe signals in response to the trigger logic and stores the sampled states of the subset of probe signals in a memory. |
| US10161997B2 |
Arrangement for testing integrated circuits
An arrangement for testing integrated circuits includes an integrated test circuit and a cluster which has at least one integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit is provided in a first component region of a wafer, and the second integrated circuit in a second component region. The first component region and the second component region are spaced a distance apart by a scribe line of the wafer. The integrated test circuit is connected to the first integrated circuit via a first test line section, and the second integrated circuit is connected to the first test line section via a first connecting line that has a first well in the semiconductor material, the first well extending continuously in the wafer from the first component region over the scribe line to the second component region, the first well being electrically insulated from a substrate of the wafer. |
| US10161996B2 |
High power laser diode test system and method of manufacture
A method of characterizing the performance of laser diode is disclosed wherein at least one laser diode device configured to emit optical radiation is detachably coupled to at least one carrier device, the carrier device configured to be positioned within at least one device test module, at least one unitary clamping force is controllably applied to the laser diode device thereby coupling the carrier device to the device test module, and at least one optical characteristic of the laser diode device is measured during use. |
| US10161994B2 |
Systems and methods for electrically testing electromigration in an electromigration test structure
Systems and methods for electrically testing electromigration in an electromigration test structure are disclosed herein. The systems include a voltage control portion, a current control portion, and a current regulating structure. The systems further include an electric current detector, a first system connection, and a second system connection. The systems also include a voltage detector, and a controller. In some embodiments of the methods, a voltage control portion regulates a high-side signal electric current to maintain a voltage difference below a voltage setpoint while a current control portion maintains the high-side signal electric current below a threshold current value. In some embodiments of the methods, one of the voltage difference and a magnitude of the high-side signal electric current is selected as a primary control parameter while the other is selected as a compliant control parameter. |
| US10161993B2 |
Tester with acceleration on memory and acceleration for automatic pattern generation within a FPGA block
Automated test equipment capable of performing a high-speed test of semiconductor devices is presented. The automated test equipment apparatus comprises a computer system comprising a tester processor, wherein the tester processor is communicatively coupled to a plurality of FPGA components. Each of the plurality of FPGA components is coupled to a memory module and comprises: an upstream port operable to receive commands and data from the tester processor; a downstream port operable to communicate with a respective DUT from a plurality of DUTs; and a plurality of hardware accelerator circuits, wherein each of the accelerator circuits is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of DUTs. Each of the plurality of hardware accelerator circuits comprises a pattern generator circuit configurable to automatically generate test pattern data and a comparator circuit configured to compare data. |
| US10161992B2 |
Power supply apparatus, transport device including power supply apparatus, determination method of determining state of sensor detecting current value, and computer readable medium for determining state
A power supply includes a first and second electric storage sections, a first sensor detecting a first current of charge/discharge of the first storage section, a second sensor detecting a second current of the charge/discharge of the second storage section, and a circuit module having a control section to determine a state of the first sensor, the second sensor, and/or a third sensor detecting a third current of a driving section by comparing a first current with a third current in a charge/discharge between the first storage section and the driving section, and/or a second current with the third current in a charge/discharge between the second storage section and the driving section, and by comparing the first current with the second current and the first current with the third current in the discharge of the first storage section to the second storage section and the driving section. |
| US10161983B2 |
Method and system for hot socket detection in a utility meter
An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes a transformer, a voltage source, a sensor, and a processor. The transformer includes a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding. The voltage source is operably connected to generate a voltage signal and to provide the voltage signal to the first secondary winding. The generated voltage signal has a corresponding current formed at least in part by an impedance defined in part by a permeability of the transformer. The sensor is operably connected to generate a permeability signal indicative of the corresponding current. The processor is operably connected to the sensor and is configured to generate a hot socket detection signal responsive to the permeability signal indicating that the permeability of the transformer has fallen below a threshold value. |
| US10161980B2 |
Deterioration detecting apparatus and deterioration detecting method
A deterioration detecting apparatus includes: a capacitor that is connected to an insulated electric power source, and is charged and discharged; a voltage detecting unit that detects a voltage of the capacitor; and a deterioration detecting unit that detects a deterioration in insulating resistors of the electric power source on the basis of the voltage of the capacitor detected by the voltage detecting unit, in which the voltage detecting unit can detect the charged negative voltage of the capacitor. |
| US10161978B2 |
Impedance analyzer using square wave stimuli
A microcontroller-based system for measuring the impedance of a device under test (DUT) (35) responsive to a square wave stimulus. A clock generator circuit (26) in the microcontroller (20) generates a clock signal at a base clock frequency. A first timer (25) divides down the base clock frequency by a first frequency divisor integer to set the stimulus frequency of a square wave generated by a general purpose input/output (GPIO) function (24), and a second timer (28) divides down the base clock frequency by a second frequency divisor integer to set the sampling frequency of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (30). A discrete Fourier transform executed by a processor (22) is used to determine the impedance of the DUT at the stimulus frequency. The first and second integers are selected so that aliased harmonics fall in different DFT bins from the fundamental tone. |
| US10161977B2 |
Circuit and method for gain measurement
A circuit for measuring a gain of an amplifier includes a first node coupled to an output of the amplifier, a second node, a first circuit coupled to an input and the output of the amplifier, and a second circuit coupled between the first circuit and the second node. The first circuit is configured to cause a first gain drop in a gain to be measured between the first node and the second node. The second circuit configured to cause a second gain drop in the gain to be measured between the first node and the second node. |
| US10161976B2 |
Output resistance testing method
A method of measuring an output resistance of a DUT includes determining an initial output resistance of an n-type transistor, thereby determining an initial gate voltage for the n-type transistor, and determining an initial output resistance of a p-type transistor, thereby determining an initial gate voltage for the n-type transistor. A resistance for a cascode arrangement of the n-type transistor and the p-type transistor is determined, and the output resistance of the DUT using the cascode arrangement is measured by biasing the n-type transistor with the initial gate voltage for the n-type transistor and biasing the p-type transistor with the initial gate voltage for the p-type transistor. |
| US10161975B2 |
Method and system for radio frequency (RF) spectral imager on an integrated circuit
Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide an RF spectrum analyzer on a computer chip, such as an integrated circuit. They may provide RF spectrum analyzer functions on a much smaller scale, which is easier to implement, transport and install in other equipment. They present a single chip solution that is smaller, lighter and more compact than conventional systems. Additionally, they may be put in hand held (or smaller) devices. |
| US10161971B2 |
Current sensor that detects a magnetic field produced by a current
A current sensor includes a primary conductor in which a current flows, a magnetic sensor that detects a strength of a magnetic field produced by the current, and a magnetic body that surrounds a periphery of the primary conductor and the magnetic sensor. Output characteristics of the magnetic sensor include a low-output region in which a measured voltage value lower than a virtual output voltage proportional to a value of the current is outputted. Magnetization characteristics of the magnetic body include a magnetic saturation region in which permeability decreases in ranges where an absolute value of the current is no less than a threshold. An output of the magnetic sensor is corrected such that the measured voltage value increases as a result of a magnetic field leaking from the magnetic body that is within the magnetic saturation region acting on the magnetic sensor that is in the low-output region. |
| US10161970B2 |
Sequence based mover identification
The present invention provides a mover traveling along a track, the mover system having a mover frame supporting a mover sensor element and a track frame providing a path for which the mover frame travels and supporting track sensor elements for interacting with the mover sensor element of the mover frame. The interaction between the mover sensor element and track sensor elements provides an identification signal of each mover and the identification signal of each mover on the track is arranged according to a cyclic sequence where unique contiguous substrings occur only once within the sequence. |
| US10161968B2 |
Resistor and current detection device
To provide a shunt resistor and a current detection device including the shunt resistor, to which a busbar, a board, and the like can be easily fixed with sufficient strength wherein only minimum processing of electrodes is required. Screwing members (bolt (14) and nut (15)) that are separate members from electrodes (12) of the resistor (10), are fixed on the electrodes (12). The current detection device includes the shunt resistor (10), which has at least a pair of electrodes (12). One screwing member (14) fixed beforehand on at least one electrode (12) is screw fastened with the other screwing member (15) while disposing a prescribed intervening member (20) between the one screwing member and the other screwing member. Here, the prescribed intervening member (20) includes a board mounting a current detection circuit thereon and/or busbars. |
| US10161967B2 |
On-chip oscilloscope
A device is disclosed that includes a control circuit, a scope circuit and a time-to-current converter. The control circuit configured to delay a voltage signal for a delay time to generate a first control signal, and to generate a second control signal according to the first control signal and the voltage signal. The scope circuit configured to generate a first current signal in response to the second control signal and the voltage signal. The time-to-current converter configured to generate a second current signal according to the first control signal and the voltage signal. |
| US10161966B2 |
Resistor, in particular low-resistance current measuring resistor
The invention relates to a U-shaped resistor (1), in particular a low-resistance current-measuring resistor (1), comprising a first connection part (2) made of a conductive material having a first current contact surface for conducting an electrical current (I) into the resistor (1), and comprising a second connection part (3) made of a conductive material having a second current contact surface for conducting the current (I) out of the resistor (1), as well as comprising a resistor element (4) made of a resistor material, wherein the resistor element (4) is arranged in the direction of current flow between the first connection part (2) and the second connection part (3), such that the electrical current (I) flows through the electrical resistor (1). The current (I) perpendicularly enters or leaves the connections parts (2, 3) via their outer surfaces. In addition, the voltage taps are attached to the inner side of the U-shaped resistor (1), and contact the connection parts (2, 3) close to the transition to the resistor element (4). |
| US10161960B1 |
Filed-mapping and focal-spot tracking for s-SNOM
System and method for optical alignment of a near-field system, employing reiterative analysis of amplitude (irradiance) and phase maps of irradiated field obtained in back-scattered light while adjusting the system to arrive at field pattern indicative of and sensitive to a near-field optical wave produced by diffraction-limited irradiation of a tip of the near-field system. Demodulation of optical data representing such maps is carried out at different harmonics of probe-vibration frequency. Embodiments are operationally compatible with methodology of chemical nano-identification of sample utilizing normalized near-field spectroscopy, and may utilize suppression of background contribution to collected data based on judicious coordination of data acquisition with motion of the tip. Such coordination may be defined without knowledge of separation between the tip and sample. Computer program product with instructions effectuating the method and operation of the system. |
| US10161959B2 |
Atomic force microscope and control method of the same
An atomic force microscope acquires sample information by performing relative raster scanning between a cantilever and a sample across an XY-plane, while causing an interaction to be generated between a probe provided at a free end of the cantilever and the sample. The atomic force microscope includes a raster-scanning-information generator to generate raster scanning information, a raster-scanning controller to control the raster scanning based on the raster scanning information, and an interaction controller to control strength of the interaction based on the raster scanning information. The interaction controller relatively reduces the strength of the interaction, when a relative speed between the cantilever and the sample across the XY-plane of the raster scanning relatively decreases. |
| US10161958B2 |
Three-dimensional fine movement device
A three-dimensional fine movement device includes a moving body, a fixation member to which the moving body is fixed, a three-dimensional fine movement unit, to which the fixation member is fixed, and which allows for three-dimensional fine movement of the moving body with the fixation member interposed therebetween, a base member to which the three-dimensional fine movement unit is fixed, and movement amount detecting means that is fixed to the base member to detect a movement amount of the fixation member. |
| US10161947B2 |
Using patient risk in analysis of quality control strategy for lab results
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for analyzing quality control (QC) strategies that are applied to testing processes an analyte in order to meet an acceptable level of probability of patient harm that could result from incorrect test results. The measure of patient harm takes into account severity of patient harm, as well as its occurrence. Methods include calculating, based on the parameters of the QC strategies and the test apparatus, an expected number of incorrect final results E(Nuf) due to a test system failure. The value of E(Nuf) can be used as part of a calculation of a predicted level of probability patient harm. The ratio of the acceptable level of probability of patient harm to the predicted level of probability patient harm can determine the adequacy of the QC strategies. |
| US10161946B2 |
Apparatus and method for developing formulations
The various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated apparatus, wherein the automated apparatus is configured to formulate a target entity, thereby developing formulations of the target entity by using a high throughput screening (HTS) procedure and method of employing the presented automated apparatus is also disclosed herein. Other advantages that are understood from the present disclosure will further be apparent to the reader. |
| US10161945B2 |
Cartridge assembly tray for immunoassay tests
This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position. |
| US10161944B2 |
Methods for evaluation of hemostasis
Provided are devices, systems and methods for evaluation of hemostasis. In some embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed comprising a housing; a plurality of test chambers located in the housing, the plurality of test chambers including chambers configured for measurements via a system that interrogates one or more viscoelastic properties of test samples in the test chambers, wherein the one or more viscoelastic properties is used to characterize dynamics of coagulation and/or fibrinolysis. |
| US10161943B2 |
Apparatus for administering fluid to a medical tube
An apparatus for use in tube feeding has a cylindrical body provided with first and second openings connected by a flow channel. The body has a reagent, for determining a characteristic of fluid disposed in the body and a transparent window to view the reagent. In use, a first end of an internal feeding tube releasably engages with the first opening. The second, distal end of the feeding tube is disposed inside a patient. A second feeding tube engages with the second opening. The second feeding tube connects the apparatus to a bi-directional pump operable: to pump internal fluid from a reservoir, through the apparatus and into the internal feeding tube; and to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus. This allows a user to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus to react with the reagent. |
| US10161938B2 |
Systematic discovery, maturation and extension of peptide binders to proteins
The invention comprises systems, methods and arrays for identification and optimization of novel peptide binders to protein targets. Embodiments include steps of peptide binder discovery, core peptide maturation, N-terminal and C-terminal extension and kinetics analysis of the final peptide binder. |
| US10161937B2 |
Systems, methods, and workflows for optogenetics analysis
The invention provides methods for characterizing cellular physiology by incorporating into an electrically excitable cell an optical reporter of, and an optical actuator of, electrical activity. A signal is obtained from the optical reporter in response to a stimulation of the cell. Either or both of the optical reporter and actuator may be based on genetically-encoded rhodopsins incorporated into the cell. The invention provides all optical methods that may be used instead of, or as a complement to, traditional patch clamp technologies and that can provide rapid, accurate, and flexible assays of cellular physiology. |
| US10161934B2 |
Biocoated piezoelectric biosensor platform for point-of-care diagnostic use
Biosensor components (chips) are described based on direct biocoating processes that result in the tenacious and stable, noncovalent (believed to be chemisorptive) binding of anchor substances such as avidin(s) other proteins having specific binding partners or oligo- or poly-nucleotides onto any piezo-electrically active crystal surface. The resulting platform technology can be developed for a variety of biosensors with specific applications in biological assays. The table mono layers of the anchor substances forms reactive layers, ready to bind a capture reagent such as a biot-inylated antibody for capture and detection of analytes in biologic fluid samples. Although the processes described herein can be performed on any type of piezoelectric material in any number of configurations, some embodiments are directed to a biosensor with the foregoing biocoating onto a particular acoustic plate mode biosensor and where the interdigitated transducers (IDTs) are present on the opposite side of the crystal's biocoated film. |
| US10161933B2 |
Cationic tags for attomole level detection of analytes by mass spectrometry
The invention provides methods of detecting an analyte by multi-stage mass spectrometry with improved S/N ratio. An analyte is labeled with a positively-charged mass tag to form a precursor ion that leads by anchimeric assistance to a greatly enhanced, analyte-characteristic first product ion that can, in turn, lead to a greatly enhanced, analyte-characteristic second product ion in a mass spectrometer. Either a three stage mass spectrometer (true MS3) or a two-stage mass spectrometer (MS2) operated in a pseudo MS3 mode can be used. The precursor ion is split via an anchimeric-assisted reaction to form a first product ion, which in turn can be fragmented to form the second product ion. The methods offer extreme ultrasensitivity, at the low amol level. The invention also provides anchimeric mass tags for use in the methods. A wide variety of previously undetectable analytes of biological or environmental origin can be detected and quantified. |
| US10161925B2 |
Detection of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders
Provided is a method of detecting mild neurocognitive disturbance (MNCD) or HIV associated dementia (HAD) in a patient comprising detecting the level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine from a cerebrospinal fluid test sample of the patient; and comparing the level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in the test sample to the level of the acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in a cerebrospinal fluid control sample or to a control value for lack of neurocognitive impairment, MNCD or HAD; wherein an elevated level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine in the test sample as compared to the level in the control sample or a control value for lack of neurocognitive impairment, or a level of acetyl spermine and/or acetyl spermidine that is similar to that of a control value for MNCD or HAD, indicates that the patient suffers from MNCD or HAD. Also provided are methods for measuring the progression of an HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder, as well as methods for staging such a disorder. |
| US10161922B2 |
Molybdenum disulfide sensor and method for fabricating the same
A molybdenum disulfide sensor includes a flexible substrate, a patterned circuit layer and at least a molybdenum disulfide sheet. The flexible substrate has a gas flow channel. The patterned circuit layer is formed on the flexible substrate, and the patterned circuit layer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is faced toward the first electrode, and a gap is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The molybdenum disulfide sheet is located in the gap and is connected with the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US10161921B2 |
Functional label, having lactobacillus separator membrane and using selective dissolution for detecting external temperature, for checking freshness of storage material
Provided is an exterior temperature-detectable selectively dissoluble lactic acid bacteria separation membrane functional label for checking freshness of a stored substance. More particularly, provided is an exterior temperature-detectable selectively dissoluble lactic acid bacteria separation membrane functional label for checking freshness of a stored substance which includes a lactic acid bacteria layer and a pH indicator layer that are attached to an upper part of a label such that they are separated from each other via a separation membrane to check decay of a stored substance when a separation membrane for detecting a temperature change is dissolved at an exterior temperature of −10 to 40° C. |
| US10161919B2 |
Acoustic emission sensors with integral acoustic generators
Example acoustic emission sensors with integral acoustic generators are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an acoustic receiver, an acoustic generator, and a wear plate. The acoustic generator is disposed adjacent to the acoustic receiver. The wear plate is acoustically coupled to the acoustic receiver and to the acoustic generator. The wear plate is to convey acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through a structure under test to which the apparatus is coupled. The wear plate includes first acoustic isolation to impede transmission of acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through the wear plate. |
| US10161916B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor and measuring method using the same, and method of manufacturing ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor which includes a substrate where an opening section is formed, a vibration plate that is provided on the substrate so as to close the opening section, and a piezoelectric element that is layered on a surface of the vibration plate on an opposite side to the opening section and includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric element, and a second electrode, includes a reflection layer that is provided in a space around the piezoelectric element on the surface of the vibration plate on an opposite side to the opening section, to reflect other ultrasonic waves which are transmitted in a different direction from a transmitted ultrasonic wave transmitted to a measuring target side on an interface between the piezoelectric element and the reflection layer, and has a thickness so as to superimpose other ultrasonic waves on the transmitted ultrasonic wave. |
| US10161912B2 |
Methods and apparatus to test acoustic emission sensors
Methods and apparatus to test acoustic emission sensors are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a process control device, an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the process control device, where the acoustic emission sensor detects an operational condition of the process control device, and a piezoelectric tuning fork acoustically coupled to the acoustic emission sensor to test the operational condition of the acoustic emission sensor. |
| US10161906B2 |
Dielectric barrier discharge ionization detector and method for tuning the same
To widen the dynamic range of a dielectric barrier ionization detector (BID), an insertion length of a sample injection tube 16 into a second gas passage 11 is set so that a sample-gas ejection port 16a is located on the downstream side of a dilution gas from the upper edge of a collector electrode 14 at which a DC electric field concentrates. By this setting, although the detection sensitivity is lower than in the case where the sample-gas ejection port 16a is placed to maximize the detection sensitivity, the decrease in the detection sensitivity to high-concentration samples is reduced since absorption of light by the sample gas is alleviated. Consequently, the sample-concentration range with a linearly-changing sensitivity becomes wider than that of conventional BIDs. Although the detection sensitivity becomes lower than that of conventional BIDs, a detection sensitivity adequately higher than that of FIDs can be ensured. |
| US10161905B2 |
Smoke detector having a magnet
An example smoke detector includes (i) a chamber; (ii) a first electrode disposed within the chamber; (iii) a second electrode disposed within the chamber, wherein gas is disposed in an inner space of the chamber between the first electrode and the second electrode; (iv) a radioactive source generating alpha particles within inner space of the chamber; and (v) a magnet coupled to the chamber, where the magnet generates a magnetic field in the inner space of the chamber. |
| US10161904B2 |
Method for tracing distribution of moving ions in ion mobility spectrometer
A method for tracing a distribution of moving ions in an ion mobility spectrometer is provided, including steps: first selecting a sample having light-emitting characteristics as a tracing sample; subsequently, ionizing the tracing sample by using an ionization source, and feeding ions of the tracing sample to a drift tube of the ion mobility spectrometer; using a plate to collect the ions at a cross section to be detected; and finally processing the ions collected on the plate by using an appropriate means, thereby enabling the ions to emit light, and displaying a distribution view of movement positions of the ions on the cross section. By combining a light-emitting tracing means and movements of charged ions in an ion mobility spectrometer, it is able to master a position distribution of the charged ions in the ion mobility spectrometer more intuitively and practically. |
| US10161901B2 |
Dual gate biologically sensitive field effect transistor
A biologically sensitive field effect transistor includes a substrate, a first control gate and a second control gate. The substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a source region and a drain region. The first control gate is disposed on the first side of the substrate. The second control gate is disposed on the second side of the substrate. The second control gate includes a sensing film disposed on the second side of the substrate. A voltage biasing between the source region and the second control gate is smaller than a threshold voltage of the second control gate. |
| US10161898B2 |
Nanopatterned biosensor electrode for enhanced sensor signal and sensitivity
Methods for forming an electrode structure, which can be used as a biosensor, are provided in which the electrode structure has non-random topography located on one surface of an electrode base. In some embodiments, an electrode structure is obtained that contains no interface between the non-random topography of the electrode structure and the electrode base of the electrode structure. In other embodiments, electrode structures are obtained that have an interface between the non-random topography of the electrode structure and the electrode base of the electrode structure. |
| US10161897B2 |
Sensors incorporating palladium electrodes
A pH sensor contains a potentiometric sensing electrode made of palladium. An optional metal oxide layer may be coated on the palladium electrode to enhance sensitivity. The pH sensor has high sensitivity, a shorter response time, and good reversibility and stability. |
| US10161894B2 |
Device for detecting profile in refiner and method therefore
The invention regards a measuring device, comprising a conductor body (7), for detecting the degree of fiber concentration and/or steam point (SP) of a fiber pad (33) being pulped, during use of the device (3), in a grinding gap (15) between refiner discs (11, 13) of a refiner (1). The conductor body (7) exhibits a first electric contact surface (17) adapted to provide electrical contact with a second electric contact surface (19) for transferring an electric current via the fiber pad (33) material. The invention also regards a method for detecting the degree of fiber concentration and/or steam point (SP) of a fiber pad (33). The method comprises the steps of mounting of the conductor body (7) to one of the refiner discs (13), grinding the fiber pad (33) material between the refiner discs (11, 13), detecting alteration of the conductivity and/or electrical resistivity of the fiber pad (33) material, and adjusting inflow of water and/or fiber material from said detected alteration. |
| US10161892B2 |
Method of analyzing press forming
A method of analyzing press-forming of a press-forming material including analyzing press-forming, analyzing springback and analyzing a change in shape of the press-forming material. The analyzing press-forming may include setting an initial temperature distribution for the heated press-forming material and performing a press-forming analysis by combining temperature analysis and structural analysis to obtain shape information, temperature distribution, stress distribution, and strain distribution. The analyzing springback may occur with and without consideration of contact heat transfer between a press-forming tool and the press-forming material. The method may further include modifying the temperature distribution obtained in the analyzing springback and then re-analyzing the change in shape of the press-forming material. The analyzing the change in shape may be performed until a temperature distribution in the press-forming material is within the range of ±5° C. |
| US10161884B2 |
Examining device and method for examining inner walls of a hollow body
An examining device for examining inner walls of a hollow body comprises: a rod-shaped camera device designed to record an image transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis; adjustment means for moving the camera device into and out of the hollow body; a grazing light illumination device for illuminating the inner walls and having emission directions that are transverse with respect to receiving directions, from which the camera device receives light from the illuminated inner walls, wherein an angle between the emission and receiving directions is between 45° and 135°; diameter determination means for determining an inner diameter of a cavity of the hollow body and comprising a light source and optical measuring means. Furthermore, a corresponding method for examining inner walls is described. |
| US10161881B2 |
System and method for inspecting a wafer
An inspection system for inspecting a semiconductor wafer. The inspection system comprises an illumination setup for supplying broadband illumination. The broadband illumination can be of different contrasts, for example brightfield and darkfield broadband illumination. The inspection system further comprises a first image capture device and a second image capture device, each configured for receiving broadband illumination to capture images of the semiconductor wafer while the semiconductor wafer is in motion. The system comprises a number of tube lenses for enabling collimation of the broadband illumination. The system also comprises a stabilizing mechanism and an objective lens assembly. The system further comprises a thin line illumination emitter and a third image capture device for receiving thin line illumination to thereby capture three-dimensional images of the semiconductor wafer. The system comprises a reflector assembly for enabling the third image capture device to receive illumination reflected from the semiconductor wafer in multiple directions. |
| US10161880B2 |
Test container for testing inspection devices
A test container for checking container inspection machines, which inspection machines are suitable for examining at least a first category of containers for the presence of foreign bodies, with a main body in which a liquid is disposed, with a mouth via which the liquid is able to be introduced into the container, with a first closure by which the container is closed, wherein a foreign body which can be detected by the inspection machine is disposed in the container is provided. The container and/or the liquid disposed therein has a further substance or for example a transmitting device which can be detected by a user and/or by a detection device in order thus to distinguish the test container per se from another container of the category to be inspected. |
| US10161877B2 |
Optical detection system
An optical detection system includes a light emitting module, a test strip and a receiving module. The light emitting module includes a light source and a first light shielding unit. The first light shielding unit has a first aperture corresponding to the light source. The test strip includes a cassette and a light permeable test paper. The cassette has a first window, a second window and a sample opening disposed on one surface of the cassette. The first and second windows are disposed corresponding to each other and located on opposite sides of the cassette, respectively. The light permeable test paper is disposed in the cassette. The receiving module includes a second light shielding unit and a photo sensor. The second light shielding unit has a second aperture corresponding to the second window. The photo sensor receives the light beam from the light source and outputs a measurement signal. |
| US10161875B2 |
Bio-chip package with waveguide integrated spectrometer
A bio-chip package comprises a substrate a first layer over the substrate comprising an image sensor. The bio-chip package also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a waveguide system a grating coupler. The bio-chip package also comprises a third layer arranged to accommodate a fluid between a first-third layer portion and a second-third layer portion, and to allow the fluid to pass from a first side of the third layer to a second side of the third layer. The third layer comprises a material having a predetermined transparency with respect to a wavelength of a received source light, the waveguide system is configured to direct the received source light to the grating coupler, and the image sensor is configured to determine a change in the wavelength of the source light caused by a coupling between the source light and the fluid. |
| US10161868B2 |
Method of analyzing air quality
A method for identifying particulates in the air, including drawing a predetermined volume of air into a housing defining an airway, flowing the predetermined volume of air over a first adhesive capture member positioned in the airway to yield a first test sample, generating a first optical image of the first test sample with a camera, storing the first optical image in a memory, analyzing the first optical image with the microprocessor to identify captured particulates, automatically counting the identified particulates, storing the first adhesive capture member to preserve the first test sample, and positioning a second adhesive capture member in the airway. |
| US10161866B2 |
Particle detector, system and method
The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12). |
| US10161861B2 |
Compact device for sensing a liquid with energy harvesting from liquid motion
A compact device useful for measuring an absorption spectrum of a liquid, such as water with organic contaminants, is provided. The device comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) each emitting light with a unique spectral peak. A reflector shaped as a half ellipsoid reflects the emitted light to form a reference beam. The reflector has an opening to allow part of the emitted light to form a measurement beam after passing through the liquid. Two photodetectors measure the reference beam and the measurement beam to give a reference intensity and a measured intensity, respectively. The LEDs sequentially emit showers of light one-by-one, giving plural pairs of reference and measured intensities for estimating the absorption spectrum. The device receives energy from a separate power-providing device through wireless power transfer. The power-providing device harvests motional energy of the flowing liquid to generate electrical energy. |
| US10161859B2 |
Planar reflective ring
Embodiments relate generally to gas detector systems and method, wherein a gas detector system may comprise at least one emitter configured to emit radiation in a beam path; at least one detector configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation, wherein the emitted radiation generates at least two focused spots at the at least one detector; a ring reflector configured to direct the emitted radiation around the ring reflector toward the at least one detector, wherein the ring reflector comprises at least a portion of a spheroid shape, and wherein the ring reflector is configured to allow gas to flow through at least a portion of the beam path; and a processing circuit coupled to the one or more detectors configured to processes an output from the one or more detectors. |
| US10161858B2 |
Process monitoring for UV curing
An in-situ process-monitoring device for measuring a curing state of components coated with a UV-curable lacquer. The device includes at least one radiation source for curing the lacquer, as well as at least one signal source and at least one spectrometer for measuring radiation of the signal source reflected from the components, in order to determine the curing state. The measuring is carried out in a contactless manner, and the at least one signal source for the measuring is identical to the at least one radiation source for the curing. |
| US10161856B1 |
Magneto-optical bio-detection devices having high sensitivity
A magneto-optical bio-detection device including: a sample cell, a coil, a magnetic core, a light source and a light detection unit. The sample cell is filled with a solution containing a detection object and a magnetic biosensor capable of combining with the detection object to form a magnetic cluster. The coil is used for producing an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetic core has a guide portion, and an upper magnetic pole and a lower magnetic pole located at both ends of the guide portion; on a cross section orthogonal to the oscillating magnetic field, a cross-sectional area of the upper magnetic pole is less than a cross-sectional area of the guide portion. The light source is used for emitting light rays to penetrate the sample cell. The light detection unit is used for receiving the light rays that penetrated the sample cell to produce a detection signal. |
| US10161855B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging method, optical tomographic imaging apparatus, and program
In a measurement by means of OCT, when dispersion is present in a measured target or an optical system in the vicinity of the measured target, resolution of the measurement is degraded. One spectral interference fringe intensity is acquired when a phase difference between measurement light and reference light is not introduced, two spectral interference fringe intensities are acquired in a time-series manner when a phase difference of π is introduced, a required calculation is performed based on the intensity, and a tomographic image not having reduced resolution due to dispersion is acquired. |
| US10161851B2 |
System and method for analyzing dusty industrial off-gas chemistry
An off-gas analyzer for analyzing H2O vapor, CO, O2, CO2 and/or H2 in a furnace gas stream is fluidically coupled to a gas extraction probe. The analyzer includes an optical measurement cell having multiple sampling chambers, optically coupled to a laser. The analyzer measuring cell is housed within a heated cabinet having a heater operable to heat the interior thereof so as to maintain the extracted gas sample therein at a temperature about the condensation point of water. The analyzer allows for the analysis of the gas water vapour of wet off-gas samples. |
| US10161846B2 |
Method of modeling permeation to essences of a multilayer polymer structure
A method of constructing a model of permeation to mixtures of solvents of a multilayer polymer structure with n monolayers and its associated computer program. For example, selecting several initial compositions of solvent mixture E1 to Ey, carrying out a sorption measurement and a measurement of diffusion, discretizing said multilayer structure in space and time, estimating partial fluxes of each of the compounds of said composition of solvent mixture between each elementary slice of said multilayer structure, estimating on the one hand a maximal sorption ceiling of said downstream monolayer B and on the other hand the composition of solvent mixture at inlet of said downstream monolayer B, performing a mass balance from slice to slice as a function of time, adjusting the profile of concentrations, storing the concentration profiles and the partial fluxes obtained. |
| US10161845B2 |
Method for monitoring a particulate filter
A diagnostic method for a particulate filter in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine is presented. The exhaust gas stream downstream of the particulate filter is monitored by a downstream soot sensor having a characteristic sensor cycle; and the accumulation of soot at an upstream soot sensor is monitored over a respective sensor cycle of the downstream soot sensor. The particulate filter operating status is decided on the basis of the information of the downstream and upstream soot sensors. The amount of accumulated soot is determined based on the sensor cycles of the upstream soot sensor, and may be expressed as a soot loading level or as a number of sensor cycles. The efficiency of the particulate filter may be determined from the respective number of sensor cycles of the soot sensors. |
| US10161841B2 |
Calibration for drilling resistance measuring devices
The present invention provides a calibration adapter (1) for drilling resistance measuring devices (10) which have at least one drilling needle receptacle which is coupled to a drive, a drilling needle (15), a guide sleeve (12) with a drilling needle outlet opening and an apparatus for drilling resistance detection and output. The invention further provides a calibration apparatus and a drilling resistance measuring apparatus, and also a method for calibrated drilling resistance measurement. The calibration adapter (1) has a main body (3) which has a coupling apparatus (5) in order to be releasably fastened to the drilling resistance measuring device (10) upstream of the drilling needle outlet opening and a drilling needle passage channel (33) which extends through the main body (3) and which is designed in such a way that it is aligned with the drilling needle outlet opening in a fastening arrangement of the calibration adapter (1) to the drilling resistance measuring device (10). The main body (3) further has at least one receiving space (31) for at least one test body (2). An alignment axis which is provided by the passage channel (33) intersects the at least one receiving space (31). |
| US10161837B2 |
Aspirated particle detection with various flow modifications
A method of particle detection in an aspirated particle detection system having a sampling pipe network and a particle detector. The method includes drawing sample air to the particle detector through the air sampling network; analyzing the sample air with the particle detector; entering an amplification phase, in the event that a concentration of particles in the sample air greater than a predetermined threshold is detected, to create a plurality of sample air packets in the sampling pipe, wherein each sample air packet corresponds to a sampling inlet and includes an amplified concentration of air drawn from the corresponding sampling inlet; transporting the sample air including the plurality of sample air packets through the sampling pipe to the particle detector; and determining through which sampling inlet any particles entered the particle detection system. |
| US10161836B2 |
Pipeline sampling system and method
The present invention describes a sampling system and densitometer system for sampling fluids from a pipeline. A flow loop is set up which continuously collects fluid from the pipeline and then returns the fluid with a minimum fluid flow rate so that the fluid is representative of fluid flowing through the pipeline at the time of sampling. For each sample, pressurized fluid is taken from the flow loop and directed to a pressurized sampling chamber. The sample is then directed by gravity to a removable sample container, which may be pressurized or unpressurized, in each sampling cycle. |
| US10161835B1 |
Microsampler and method of making the same
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a microsampler for hermetically sealing a sample. In particular, such microsamplers can be useful for encapsulation of chemical, biological, and explosive samples for the purposes of archival sample storage. Methods of making and using such microsamplers are also described herein. |
| US10161832B2 |
Method for simulating cornering
A method for simulating cornering of a vehicle 2 being tested on a roller dynamometer 1 to determine a measured variable 13, wherein the vehicle 2 being tested on the roller dynamometer 1 is operated as though driving straight ahead, and to simulate cornering the additional resistance forces of cornering are taken into account in the form of a correction parameter 9. |
| US10161822B1 |
Differential pressure measurement system with solenoid coupled reference reservoir
An embodiment of an inventive method for measuring pressure provides for a reference environment and an ambient environment. The reference environment is internal to a receptacle and has a reference fluid pressure. The ambient environment is external to the receptacle and has an ambient fluid pressure. Equalization of the reference pressure and the ambient pressure with respect to each other is effected by enabling and disenabling fluidic passage between the reference environment and the ambient environment. The fluidic passage is enabled until the reference pressure and the ambient pressure are equal, and is then disenabled to stabilize the equalized reference pressure. After the reference pressure and the ambient pressure are equalized, a differential pressure is measured between the equalized reference pressure and the ambient pressure. Inventive pressure measurements may be conducted, for example, repeatedly in association with a moving underwater model at various water depths and vehicular speeds. |
| US10161821B2 |
Pressure sensor
A pressure change measuring unit causes a temperature control unit to operate and vary the temperature of a sensor chip in a predetermined temperature range, and measures changes in pressure value output from the sensor chip whose temperature is being varied. A temperature characteristic calculating unit calculates a temperature characteristic of the sensor chip from changes in the temperature of the sensor chip caused by the operation of the temperature control unit and changes in pressure value measured by the pressure change measuring unit. |
| US10161820B2 |
Capacitance-detection type pressure switch and pressure sensor
A capacitance-detection pressure switch and pressure sensor that, in the connection between a diaphragm used as one electrode and a signal line for detecting a signal from the diaphragm, can ensure stable conduction without exerting an influence on operating characteristics of the diaphragm. A capacitance-detection type pressure switch of the present invention includes a metallic diaphragm that is displaced in response to a change in pressure of an operating medium supplied from a conduit, a movable electrode connected electrically to the diaphragm, a fixed electrode provided at an atmospheric pressure side of the diaphragm opposing the conduit, and an insulating film ensuring insulation between the fixed electrode and the diaphragm, wherein an electrode contact portion for connection to the movable electrode is formed as at least one projection extending toward an exterior on a part of the outer periphery of the diaphragm. |
| US10161818B2 |
Microelectromechanical gas sensor based on knudsen thermal force
A system operating based on Knudsen thermal force includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) gas sensor, the MEMS gas sensor includes a substrate. The sensor further includes at least one stationary assembly fixedly coupled to the substrate, the at least one stationary assembly terminating at corresponding pads configured to receive an electrical current for heating the at least one stationary assembly. Additionally, the sensor includes at least one moveable assembly disposed above the substrate and biased to move substantially according to a main axis and juxtaposed with the at least one stationary assembly. |
| US10161814B2 |
Self-sealing sensor in an electronic device
A sensor is disposed between a first component and a second component of an electronic device. The sensor includes a first surface having a first dimension and a second surface having a second dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the sensor has a tapered profile. |
| US10161812B2 |
Thermal analysis of electronics racks
A technique for performing thermal analysis of an electronics rack is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronics rack having multiple heat generating components is modeled. Further, thermal boundary conditions for each of the heat generating components are computed, by a computation fluid dynamics tool (CFD) tool, based on an initial temperature and a heat flux corresponding to each of the heat generating components in a first cycle, upon modeling the electronics rack. Furthermore, an actual temperature of each of the heat generating components is determined, by a one dimensional (1D) tool, using the computed thermal boundary conditions for estimating heat dissipated by each of the heat generating components in the first cycle. |
| US10161810B2 |
Honeycomb sandwich structure and method of manufacturing honeycomb sandwich structure
A honeycomb sandwich structure formed of face skin materials made of fiber reinforced plastics and a honeycomb core has a structure in which an optical fiber sensor structure is embedded in an adhesive layer formed between the face skin materials and the honeycomb core. With this, it is possible to provide a honeycomb sandwich structure and a method of manufacturing the honeycomb sandwich structure that enable precise thermal control to be implemented even when a thermal control device is bonded onto a surface of the honeycomb sandwich structure and enable evaluation of a temperature with high resolution and high accuracy. |
| US10161809B2 |
Method for measuring internal temperature of freezing target object and internal temperature measurement device for freezing target object
A method for measuring an internal temperature of a freezing target object includes: a placing step of placing the freezing target object in a microwave resonating magnetic field generated by a microwave resonator; a state detection step of detecting a resonant state of the freezing target object in a frozen state by using the microwave resonator and detecting an internal temperature of the freezing target object by using a temperature meter; a calibration curve calculation step of calculating a calibration curve by performing a regression analysis by using the resonant state as an explanatory variable and by using the internal temperature of the freezing target object as a response variable; and a temperature calculation step of calculating the internal temperature of the freezing target object in the frozen state by applying the resonant state detected in the detection step to the calibration curve calculated in the calibration curve calculation step. |
| US10161808B2 |
Method and arrangement for determining the heating condition of a mirror in an optical system
The invention concerns a method of and an arrangement for determining the heating condition of a mirror in an optical system, in particular in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In an embodiment the mirror is an EUV mirror and a method according to the invention comprises the following steps: deflecting at least one input measuring beam on to the mirror; ascertaining at least one optical parameter of at least one output measuring beam produced from the input measuring beam after interaction with the mirror; and determining the heating condition of the mirror on the basis of the parameter. |
| US10161807B2 |
Thin-film thermocouple for measuring the temperature of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component
A thin-film thermocouple for measuring the temperature of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component includes a first thermocouple leg and a second thermocouple leg deposited on a surface of a CMC component, where each of the first and second thermocouple legs has a length extending from a reference end to a working end thereof. The working ends of the first and second thermocouple legs are joined at a junction region on the surface. At least one of the first thermocouple leg and the second thermocouple leg comprises silicon carbide. |
| US10161800B2 |
Cooled detecting device
A detection device for infrared radiation has a detection circuit of infrared radiation equipped with at least one photodetector. A readout circuit is electrically connected to the detection circuit, and is configured to process the signal emitted by the detection circuit. A Joule-Thomson cooler cools a cold table thermally and mechanically connected to the detection circuit and the readout circuit. The cold table including an internal cavity supplied with gaseous mixture. A relief port of the gas mixture is arranged at an input in the internal cavity. An output of the compressor feeds the relief port in a gaseous mixture. The input of the compressor receives the relaxed gaseous mixture from an output of the internal cavity. |
| US10161797B2 |
Sub-millimeter real-time circular dichroism spectrometer with metasurfaces
A circular dichroism spectrometer which comprises a metasurface. The metasurface has a plurality of anisotropic antennas configured to simultaneously spatially separate LCP and RCP spectral components from an incoming light beam. An optical detector array is included which detects the LCP and RCP spectral components. A transparent medium is situated between the metasurface and the optical detector array. |
| US10161796B1 |
LED lighting based multispectral imaging system for color measurement
An LED lighting based multispectral imaging system for color measurement is provided, including a main control computer and an enclosed type lamp box, where a digital camera is provided at the top of the lamp box, and an LED lamp set control apparatus, a drawer type bearing platform, and an LED lamp set are provided at the bottom of the lamp box. A to-be-measured object is placed on the drawer type bearing platform. The main control computer controls spectral power distribution of the LED lamp set to be in a reciprocal relationship with a spectral sensitivity curve of the digital camera and extracts a camera response and performs calculation, to obtain spectral reflectivity of each pixel of the to-be-measured object. |
| US10161794B2 |
Spectrophotometer diagnosis
A spectrophotometer diagnosis system and a method for diagnosing a spectrophotometer, wherein at least one test patch is printed in proximity to at least one non-printed substrate patch, at least one value characteristic of the at least one test patch and/or the at least one substrate patch is measured using the spectrophotometer, and at least one diagnostic score for the spectrophotometer is determined based on the at least one measured value in comparison with a reference value. |
| US10161788B2 |
Low-power image change detector
A sensing device projects near-field spatial modulations onto a closely spaced photodetector array. Due to physical properties of the grating, the point-spread response distributes spatial modulations over a relatively large area on the array. The spatial modulations are captured by the array, and photographs and other image information can be extracted from the resultant data. An image-change detector incorporating such a sensing device uses very little power because only a small number of active pixels are required to cover a visual field. |
| US10161787B2 |
Securing a light module comprising a laser source
The invention relates to a light module including a laser source capable of emitting a coherent light beam of given wavelength, a first sensor capable of picking up a first light signal of a wavelength lying in a first band of wavelengths centered around the given wavelength and a second sensor capable of picking up a second light signal of a wavelength lying in a second band of wavelengths centered around a wavelength distinct from the given wavelength. In particular, the light module includes a detection module capable of comparing at least one value that is a function of the signals to a threshold value and of commanding the stopping of the laser source as a function of the comparison. |
| US10161781B2 |
Device for dispensing a liquid
The present disclosure relates to a device for dispensing a liquid, including a vertically arranged, translucent pipe for guiding the liquid, wherein the pipe has an upper section and a lower section, wherein an inner diameter of the upper section is greater than an inner diameter of the lower section, at least two light barriers for detecting a rise in the liquid over two defined levels in the pipe, wherein a first light barrier detects a rise in the liquid in the upper section of the pipe, and wherein a second light barrier detects a rise in the liquid in the lower section of the pipe. |
| US10161774B2 |
Systems and computer program products for measuring airflow rates in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts and HVAC systems including the same
An airflow measurement system configured to be received in a duct of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The air flow measurement system includes a housing, and a plurality of cells positioned in the housing, the plurality of cells being configured such that air flows through the plurality of cells when the flow measurement system is positioned in the duct of the HVAC system, wherein at least one of the cells includes a self-heated thermistor. |
| US10161773B2 |
Methods and apparatus to determine airflow conditions at an inlet of an engine
Methods and apparatus to determine airflow conditions at an inlet of an engine are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes providing a frame having an inner surface and an opening therethrough to define a passageway; and mounting laser sensors to the inner surface of the frame, the laser sensors to measure a characteristic of a fluid that is to flow through the passageway of the frame. |
| US10161771B2 |
Measurement device for measuring airflow volume and a ventilation resistance and having a specific opening for allowing an opening plate to be replaceable and differential pressure measurement arrangement
A measurement device includes: a casing that includes a first air duct with an air inlet; a straightening grid; a first chamber; an opening plate including an opening; a second chamber; pressure sensors configured to measure a first pressure, a second pressure, and a third pressure, the first pressure being air pressure from the air inlet to the straightening grid, the second pressure being air pressure in the first chamber, the third pressure being air pressure in the second chamber; a specific opening configured to allow the opening plate to be replaceable; an open/close portion configured to open and close the specific opening; and a duct forming a second air duct between the measurement device and a measurement target. |
| US10161766B2 |
Magnetic pole position detection device of permanent magnet-type synchronous motor
A magnetic pole position detection device of a permanent magnet-type synchronous motor detects, through a current draw-in operation, an amount of deviation between an origin of a magnetic pole position of a permanent magnet that makes up a rotor of a permanent magnet-type synchronous motor, and an origin of an output signal of a magnetic pole position sensor, and correcting the output signal of the magnetic pole position sensor on the basis of the amount of deviation, to thereby detect a true magnetic pole position. The detection device computes a phase current Ia and computes a d-axis current from the phase current Ia. The current draw-in operation is performed by causing the d-axis current to flow through armature windings of the motor, to thereby draw the rotor to the magnetic flux axial direction. |
| US10161763B2 |
Hydrogen leakage detector
A hydrogen leakage detector includes a sensor and a microcontroller. The sensor is sensitive to a concentration of hydrogen in air. A sensitive unit of the sensor is exposed directly to an in situ concentration of the hydrogen. The microcontroller is programmed to generate and output an analog signal corresponding to concentration information, based on a concentration measurement from the sensor, and to generate and output an analog signal indicating a correct operation of the detector. |
| US10161762B2 |
Method and apparatus for calculating a correction factor for an angular measuring system
A method for computing a correction factor (KF) for an angular measuring system (10) comprising a measurement of a first output value (W1) in a first measuring position (20) and a measurement of a second output value (W2) in a second measuring position (30). An actual value (DI) is formed from the difference between the first output value (W1) and the second output value (W2), and a target value (DS) is formed from the difference of target values (S1, S2) in the first measuring position (20) and in the second measuring position (30). The correction factor (KF) is computed from the ratio of the target value (DS) to the actual value (DI). |
| US10161760B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for communicating drive history path attributes
A method for providing path attributes to controllers in a vehicle includes managing a subscription list that indicates what type of messages or data to which each of a plurality of controllers of a vehicle are subscribed. The method includes determining a future driving path for the vehicle and determining forward path attributes for the future driving path based on a drive history. The method includes selecting one or more controllers from the plurality of controllers to receive each of the forward path attributes based on the subscription list. The method includes providing each of the forward path attributes to the selected one or more controllers. The forward path attributes are provided using a common protocol for each of the plurality of controllers and two or more of the plurality of controllers receive a specific path attribute via a single message. |
| US10161758B2 |
Method for creating speed profiles for digital maps
Probe data collected at times of low traffic density is analyzed to derive a Raw Road Design Speed Limit (RRDSL, 16) for each road segment or group of segments in a digital map. The RRDSL (16), comprised of longitudinally distributed speeds, is associated with the road segment and stored in a digital medium to indicate the limits of the road section in free flow traffic. The longitudinally distributed speeds may be limited by local speed limits or other business logic to establish a Legal Raw Road Design Speed Limit (LRRDSL, 17). Either the RRDSL (16) or the LRRDSL (17) can be further modified to smooth acceleration and deceleration rates between changes in the longitudinally distributed speeds to create an Optimal Longitudinal Speed Profile (OLSP, 18), which represents optimized energy consumption. A signal can be produced if a driver's current speed rises unacceptably above a longitudinally distributed speed in real time. The signal can be audible, visible and/or haptic. Real-time traffic density information can be inferred by comparing current speed data to the longitudinally distributed speed for that position. If the current speed is consistently lower than the longitudinally distributed speed for that position, an inference is drawn that the road section is inefficient. Road efficiency assessments can be transmitted to a service center and/or other vehicles, and used by navigation software. |
| US10161750B2 |
Ion source alignment
An ion analysis instrument is disclosed comprising an indicator device for providing an indication of a relative positioning of an ion source, a sample, and/or a sampling orifice or capillary of an ion analysis instrument such as a mass or ion mobility spectrometer in order to facilitate re-alignment of one or more of these components following a change. The indicator device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a pair of lasers or image projection devices. |
| US10161740B1 |
Confocal displacement sensor
The confocal displacement sensor includes a first optical fiber, to a first incident end of which light for light projection is input, the first optical fiber outputting the light from a first emission end, a second optical fiber, a second incident end of which is disposed to be opposed to the first emission end, the second optical fiber emitting light input via the second incident end from a second emission end, an optical member configured to cause an axial chromatic aberration on detection light emitted via the second emission end and converge the detection light toward the measurement object, a fiber connecting section configured to detachably connect the second incident end to the first emission end, and a refractive index matching material disposed between the first emission end and the second incident end. |
| US10161725B1 |
Initiator
An initiator including a housing adapted to be received in an igniter or rocket motor, at least one charge at a distal end of the housing, an electro-explosive device behind the charge for detonating the charge when subject to a voltage HV, and a pressure bulkhead behind the electro-explosive device. An electronic subsystem in the housing is connected to the electro-explosive device through the bulkhead and includes a lead for providing the voltage HV to the electro-explosive device to initiate it, and a switch in the lead which does not conduct if errant voltages are present on the lead to prevent initiation of the electro-explosive device until the correct voltage HV is present. |
| US10161709B1 |
Small arms integration system
Systems, devices, apparatus and methods for providing a semi-automatic rifle with ammunition magazine, having a docking port/station for allowing a semi-automatic pistol to be inserted. The trigger on the pistol can be used to fire the rifle and use the rifle ammunition. When the rifle ammunition is depleted, the pistol can be removed and separately fired using its' own ammunition. |
| US10161707B2 |
Shooting-stability platform for firearms
A shooting-stability platform with three rotational degrees of freedom is disclosed. The platform improves shooting accuracy and safety by lessening recoil effects. And because of the rotational degrees of freedom, the operator still has substantial freedom to position the firearm as desired. |
| US10161706B2 |
Firearm bipod
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a bipod having pivot and cant functionality built into a unified cant/pivot assembly, housing, and pivot block. Rotation of a locking knob under the housing can gradually increase or decrease friction of the cant and pivoting degrees of freedom. The legs can be stowed approximately 90° rotation from a deployed position, and locking and releasing of this rotation is made possible via depression of a button that also acts as a locking detent that directly interacts with and locks or releases the legs for rotation. In the stowed position, the button can be backdriven and thus the legs can be deployed without depressing the button. A pivot block can also be raised and rotated 180° to lock in a given pivot setting. |
| US10161701B2 |
Ambidextrous magazine release
An ambidextrous magazine release for a firearm is provided. The magazine release may include a release rod configured to be operably coupled to the firearm, and a lever operably connected to the release rod and rotatable relative thereto. A portion of the lever may be configured to engage a magazine received within the firearm. When a first force in a first direction is applied to the release rod, the release rod may move the lever to cause the lever to disengage the magazine. When a second force in a second direction is applied to the lever, the lever may rotate relative to the release rod to disengage the magazine. |
| US10161700B2 |
Cooling of weapons with graphite foam
Disclosed are examples of an apparatus for cooling a barrel 12 of a firearm 10 and examples of a cooled barrel assembly 32 for installation into an existing firearm 10. When assembled with the barrel 12, a contact surface 16 of a shell 14 is proximate to, and in thermal communication with, the outer surface of the barrel 18. The shell 14 is formed of commercially available or modified graphite foam. |
| US10161699B2 |
Takedown firearm with integral forend storage
A stock assembly for a takedown firearm and related methods are disclosed. The stock assembly has a buttstock assembly, and a forend assembly removably couplable to the buttstock assembly at a first location and a second location. When the forend assembly is coupled to the buttstock at the first location, the forend assembly is positioned to support a barrel of the firearm in a longitudinal firing position. When the forend assembly is coupled to the buttstock at the second location, the forend assembly is positioned to support the barrel at an angle relative to the longitudinal firing position. |
| US10161698B2 |
Compact anti-tilt follower for an ammunition magazine
A firearm magazine assembly and a related method are disclosed. The follower has a top platform, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one slider rail on a first side of the follower. At least a portion of the at least one slider rail is at a position that is between and remote from both the proximal end of the follower and the distal end of the follower. The housing is shaped to receive the follower. The housing has a first wall having a first recess for receiving the at least one slider rail, the first recess defined by opposing surfaces. At least a portion of the at least one slider rail is shaped to engage the two opposing surfaces to limit tilt of the follower. |
| US10161697B1 |
Overmold firearm charging handle
In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an overmold charging handle having dimensions including a total length and a total width, wherein the overmold charging handle comprises: a shaft assembly including a first end to insert into a receiver of a firearm and a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the shaft assembly including a head, wherein a width of the head is less than the total width of the overmold charging handle; a latch to prevent movement of the shaft assembly away from the receiver when in a closed position; and a first material-cored handle fastened to the second end of the shaft assembly, the first material-cored handle comprising: an exterior of a second different material, the exterior exposing a section of a recessed core of the first material-cored handle. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed. |
| US10161690B2 |
Multi-layer heat exchanger and method of distributing flow within a fluid layer of a multi-layer heat exchanger
A multi-layer heat exchanger includes a fluid layer defined by a first sheet and a second sheet, the fluid layer configured to route a fluid in a predominant flow direction. Also included is a fluid inlet port disposed proximate an inlet end region of the fluid layer, wherein the fluid inlet port is oriented to introduce the fluid into the fluid layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predominant flow direction, wherein the inlet end region of the fluid layer comprises a non-linear geometry. Further included is at least one fin segment disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the at least one fin segment includes a first plurality of apertures proximate the inlet end region. |
| US10161689B2 |
Heat exchanger and method of wetting heat exchangers
A heat exchanger including at least one first module and one second module for the heat exchange between a first fluid medium and a second fluid medium, wherein the first fluid medium can be conducted through a closed channel system separate from the second fluid medium, with the closed channel system being able to be flowed around by the second fluid medium and with the second fluid medium being gaseous. A first wetting apparatus is provided for the first module and a second wetting apparatus is provided for the second module by means of which the first module and the second module can be wetted by a third fluid medium, with the first wetting apparatus for the first module being able to be actuated independently of the wetting apparatus for the second module. |
| US10161682B2 |
Integrated sensor system and methods for combustion processes
An integrated sensor system for use in a furnace system including a furnace having at least one burner and two or more zones each differently affected by at least one furnace parameter regulating energy input into the furnace, including a first temperature sensor positioned to measure a first temperature in the furnace system, a second temperature sensor positioned to measure a second temperature in the furnace system; and a controller programmed to receive the first and second measured temperatures, and to adjust operation of a furnace system parameter based on a relationship between the first and second temperatures, thereby differentially regulating energy input into at least two of the zones of the furnace; wherein the relationship between the first and second temperatures is a function of one or more of a difference between the two temperatures, a ratio of the two temperatures, and a weighted average of the two temperatures. |
| US10161679B2 |
Mobile veneer dryer
Embodiments provide a veneer dryer system and methods of constructing, relocating, and replacing veneer dryers and other constructs such as lumber kilns, machinery, and processing lines or parts thereof. Embodiments of a veneer dryer system may include a track and a veneer dryer movably coupled with the track. The track may extend between the desired location of the veneer dryer and a construction location. Movers may be coupled with the track at the construction location. The veneer dryer may be partially or fully constructed on the movers and moved to the desired location for use. A pre-existing veneer dryer at the desired location may remain operational during the construction and removed before the new veneer dryer is moved into place, substantially reducing downtime and costs as compared to prior methods of replacing veneer dryers. |
| US10161668B2 |
Refrigerator
The present application discloses a refrigerator capable of easily fixing a drain hose to one side of an inner case without having an additional fixing member used of fixing a drain hose. A refrigerator having an inner case configured to have a storage compartment formed therein; an outer case disposed outside the inner case and spaced a predetermined distance away from the inner case; a drain hose connected to one side of the inner case and disposed in an inner space formed between the inner case and the outer case; and a connector configured to connect the drain hose to the inner case, wherein the connector is mounted in the inner case using a hooking method. |
| US10161667B1 |
Refrigerator appliance having a defrost chamber
A refrigerator appliance having a defrost chamber is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a defrost drawer housing, and a pair of electromagnetic electrodes. The defrost drawer housing may be mounted within the chilled chamber and define the defrost chamber for the receipt of a food item. The pair of electromagnetic electrodes may be spaced apart along a vertical direction within the drawer housing. Each electromagnetic electrode may include a first heating ring and a second heating ring that is larger than the first heating ring. Each electromagnetic electrode may also include a conductive path and an electrical restrictor element. The conductive path may extend between the first heating ring and the second heating ring. The electrical restrictor element may be coupled to the conductive path and selectively permit a current therethrough. |
| US10161663B2 |
Ice maker with rocking cold plate
An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray. |
| US10161660B2 |
Measurement path of a temperature controller for a thermoelectric module
The device provides the possibility of feeding test signals to a thermoelectric module by virtue of the use of controllable switches and also makes it possible to increase test criteria and to detect faults and the causes of said faults at early stages outside of the use process of the thermoelectric module (TEM), as well as in periods between use. This technical result is achieved in that the device comprises a DC source, a measurement circuit, a first, a second, a third and a fourth controllable switch, which are used for feeding test signals and are switched on and off by a temperature controller. The first and the second controllable switches are used for connection to the DC source, and the third and fourth switches are grounded with the possibility of switching from the third controllable switch over to the first controllable switch and from the fourth controllable switch over to the second controllable switch. One of the conductors of the measurement circuit is connected between the first and the third controllable switches, and a second of the conductors is connected between the second and the fourth controllable switches. The conductors of the measurement circuit are intended for connection to the thermoelectric module and for transmitting measurement data to the temperature controller. |
| US10161658B2 |
Modular coil for air cooled chillers
A condenser module configured for use in a condenser is provided including a housing having a first longitudinal side that defines a first air inlet and an opposing second longitudinal side that defines a second air inlet. A heat exchanger assembly is positioned within the housing. The heat exchanger assembly includes at least one heat exchanger coil. A cross-section of the heat exchanger assembly is generally constant between a front side of the housing and an opposite back side of the housing. At least one of the front surface and the back surface is configured to abut an adjacent contact module. A fan assembly includes at least one fan generally aligned with a single heat exchanger coil in the heat exchanger assembly. |
| US10161657B2 |
Thermo-electric heat pump systems
The disclosure is directed to an energy efficient thermal protection assembly. The thermal protection assembly can comprise three or more thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present disclosure further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. The transport or storage device can be configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band. |
| US10161654B2 |
Method to heat water in an electrical boiler, corresponding device and electrical boiler
A method to heat water in an electrical boiler includes storing user's requests of hot water in association with corresponding times of requests, heating water in advance to a next user's request, wherein the next user's request is estimated on the stored user's requests, detecting a start time of a power request from the electrical boiler, detecting a stop time of the power request, determining that a user's request of hot water has occurred if a time difference between the detected stop time and the detected start time is longer than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being a time of activation of the electrical boiler, storing the determined user's request in association with a time of the user's request, estimating a next user's request based on the stored user's request and activating the electrical boiler to heat water in advance with respect to the estimated next user's request. |
| US10161652B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium circuit in which a compressor, a flow switching unit, a flow regulating unit, a gas header, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a distributor, an expansion unit, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected by a pipe, and during a defrosting operation to defrost the heat source-side heat exchanger, heat medium circulates, in order, the compressor, the flow switching unit, the gas header, the heat source-side heat exchanger, the distributor, the expansion unit, and the use-side heat exchanger. The heat source-side heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange unit, and a second heat exchange unit provided lower than the first heat exchange unit. The flow regulating unit is configured to, during the defrosting operation, regulate a flow rate of heat medium flowing through the first heat exchange unit and a flow rate of heat medium flowing through the second heat exchange unit. |
| US10161650B2 |
Retrofit assembly for operating a motor of an HVAC system as a multi-stage motor and an HVAC system including the retrofit assembly
Retrofit assemblies and an HVAC unit including a retrofit assembly are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the retrofit assembly includes: (1) a base plate, that is mountable to a face of a motor speed driver (MSD), having an attachment area, (2) a standoff bracket that is mountable to the attachment area of the base plate and having a configuration that secures the MSD in a position relative to an interior wall of the HVAC system and provides clearance between the interior wall of the HVAC system and the MSD such that wires can be routed between the MSD and the interior wall and (3) a control interface, electrically connectable between the MSD and a thermostat of the HVAC system, configured to differentiate thermostat calls from the thermostat and translate the thermostat calls to coordinate blower speeds for the blower motor via the MSD. |
| US10161645B2 |
Local air cleaning apparatus
A local air cleaning apparatus (1) is provided with push hoods (2, 3) having an air flow opening face (23) for blowing out a cleaned uniform air flow and a pair of guides (4, 5) provided on sides of the push hoods (2, 3) having the air flow opening faces (23), the guides (4, 5) extending from the sides thereof having the air flow opening faces (23) toward downstream sides of the uniform air flows to form opening faces (41, 51) at downstream-side end portions of the guides. The push hoods (2, 3) are arranged such that the respective air flow opening faces (23) are opposed to each other. The opening faces (41, 51) of the guides (4, 5), are spaced apart from and opposed to each other to form an open region between the opening faces (41, 51) of the respective guides (4, 5). The cleaned uniform air flows blown out from the air flow opening faces (23) collide with each other in the open region to flow out of the open region so as to allow the insides of the guides (4, 5) and the inside of the open region to have higher cleanliness than other regions. |
| US10161641B2 |
Reflective ultraviolet light shield for a HVAC unit
A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The unit comprises a heat exchanger or drain pan located inside a HVAC housing that has one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components therein. The unit also comprises a light located inside of the HVAC housing and a light shield located between the heat exchanger or drain pan and the light source. The light source includes a network of open-ended cells, each cell having ultraviolet light reflective walls. The light shield is oriented to direct an ultraviolet light from the light source through the open-ended cells towards the heat exchanger or drain pan and away from the one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components. |
| US10161639B2 |
Heat transfer apparatus and heat transfer system for masonry heater
An apparatus and system for efficiently and safely transferring heat from a masonry heater to an external heating device using coil pipes and a liquid circulation pump. Circulation of a heat transfer liquid in the apparatus and system is controlled based on the measured temperature of the heat transfer liquid in the coil pipe on a return side of the masonry heater. Two additional sensors near the external heating device are used to control the flow rate of the circulation of the heat transfer liquid in the apparatus and system, thereby controlling the amount of heat actually transferred to the external heating device. |
| US10161638B2 |
Kitchen rack
According to one embodiment, a rack includes a pair of spaced apart inverted U shaped brackets. Each bracket has a top portion coupled in-between a rear leg and a front leg and forming a gap in-between the rear leg and the front leg. The top portion, the rear leg, and front leg of each bracket are disposed in a first plane. The rack further includes one or more horizontal coupling members coupled in-between the pair of brackets. The horizontal coupling members and the front leg of each bracket are disposed in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane. The rack also includes one or more first horizontal supporting members coupled to and extending outward from a first bracket of the pair of brackets. The first horizontal supporting members are disposed in a third plane that is orthogonal to the first and second planes. |
| US10161636B2 |
Table top fire effect attachment
A fire effect device for holding, controlling and displaying fire and methods of attaching and mounting such a device to furniture, such as umbrella tables. The includes an internal chamber 11 which houses a fuel dispersion assembly 12 and a rigid hollow tube which may be mounted to the chamber or be of unitary construction with the chamber. The rigid hollow tube is designed to be inserted into a hole or aperture of a table, such as an umbrella hole, and connected to a gas valve and thereafter a fuel line or source, such as a propane tank. The device is attached and detached to the table with ease by i) engaging or disengaging the fuel line from the fire effect device and, ii) the simple turning of a nut. |
| US10161635B2 |
Combustor with spring-loaded crossover tubes
Crossover tubes for use with cans of a turbine engine. The crossover tubes include an outer member, an inner member that is adapted to move collinearly with the outer member. The crossover tubes also include a pair of flanges and a biasing member positioned between the flanges. |
| US10161632B2 |
Recuperator burner with auxiliary heat exchanger
To improve the efficiency of recuperator burners, preferably to over 80%, a recuperator burner (10) is equipped with an auxiliary heat exchanger (26) which surrounds the recuperator (22), wherein both the recuperator and the auxiliary heat exchanger are preferably formed as purely counterdirectional-flow heat exchangers, wherein the auxiliary heat exchanger (26) has the air supplied to it on the side facing toward the furnace wall (11). The housing (15) around the auxiliary heat exchanger (26) can be cooled with cool air from the inside. In one configuration, the air is initially conducted to a flange cooler (45) to protect the region of the flange (16) against the exhaust-gas temperature. For example, the ceramic recuperator pipe (26) is resiliently pressed, and sealed off, against an outlet-side surface (35) of the auxiliary heat exchanger (26), which preferably has gap-like air ducts (39) formed in flattened pipes (40). |
| US10161624B2 |
Steam diluent generator
A method for using untreated produced water to generate steam and simultaneously producing diluents is disclosed. The method includes a combustion process for generating steam for hydrocarbon recovery using untreated water and, an optional process for recovering combustion byproducts to assist in hydrocarbon recovery or solvent injections. Specifically, a novel combustion method and a double-tube heat exchanger are used to generate steam while minimizing or eliminating water treatment steps and boiler fouling. Low value pitch, also known as asphalt, is used for combustion fuel. In addition to the steam generation, byproducts of the combustion process can be utilized in solvent injections or as a diluent. |
| US10161620B2 |
LED lamp with at least one LED module with heat sink
A LED lamp includes LED modules. Each of the LED modules includes a heat sink body having a first terminal, a second terminal opposite to the first terminal, an airway having an opening at the second terminal, and a side hole on the side surface of the body. The side hole communicates with the corresponding airway. The LED modules are aligned to form concentric circles including an inner circle and an outer circle. The length between the first and the second terminals of each LED module at the inner circle is longer than that at the outer circle. Accordingly, heat generated by LEDs on the first terminals can be dissipated through the airways and the heat sink bodies. |
| US10161618B2 |
Stage light fixture
A stage light fixture is provided with a light source and with a cooling assembly configured to cool the light source; the cooling assembly comprises at least one cooling device configured to generate a flow of cooling air through an outlet opening having an elongated shape along a main axis. |
| US10161607B2 |
Suction lighting system and method
A suction lighting system may provide a plurality of suction cups that may attach to a surface and display an advertisement or a decorative facade. The suction lighting system may provide at least one suction cup that may be provided to attach to the surface and may emit light from one or more LEDs. The method may provide steps for advertising on or decorating a structure utilizing a set of suction light devices. The method may include searching for available advertising space and displaying the advertisement within the space. |
| US10161602B1 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device is disclosed including a lower base having a plurality of lower pivot receivers. An upper base has a plurality of upper pivot receivers. A plurality of rods are pivotably coupled to the lower base and the upper base. The plurality of rods convert between a general linear configuration and a general arcuate configuration upon converging the lower base with the upper base. The first rod and the second rod convert between the general arcuate configuration and the general linear configuration upon diverging the lower base with the upper base. A lock extends between the lower base and the upper base for terminating displacement of the lower base relative to the upper base. A plurality of illuminating devices are coupled to the plurality of rods. |
| US10161601B1 |
Collapsible decorative lamp
A collapsible decorative lamp including a collapsible frame and a plurality of light strips is disclosed. The collapsible frame includes a plurality of rib stands, a top folding band, a bottom folding band and a plurality of light slots. Each of the plurality of rib stands is shaped as a curved strip. The top folding band includes a plurality of top pivot sheets. The plurality of top pivot sheets are pivotally connected to one another. The plurality of top pivot sheets are rotatable such that the top folding band can appear as a long strip structure or a ring structure. The bottom folding band includes a plurality of bottom pivot sheets. The plurality of bottom pivot sheets are pivotally connected to one another and the plurality of bottom pivot sheets are rotatable such that the bottom folding band appears as a long strip structure or a ring structure. |
| US10161600B1 |
Circular lamp
A circular lamp, including: a plurality of light sources disposed around a circle; a round cogged rotatable cover, disposed above each of the light sources for allowing covering thereof, wherein the round rotatable cover includes at least one aperture, for allowing exposing the light source; interlacing means, for allowing rotating at least one of the round cogged rotatable covers, for circularly moving the at least one aperture thereof, thereby allowing determining the number of the plurality of light sources to be covered. |
| US10161599B2 |
Resonance movement dampening system for an automated luminaire
Described is a motion control system for drive motors in automated multiparameter luminaires that employs jerk (3rd derivative of position as a function of time) to offset the resonance characteristics of the motor as loaded by the components in the luminaire, so as to correct and mitigate movement caused by external vibration sources. |
| US10161592B2 |
LED headlamp with refractive interface creating cut-off for vehicles
The present invention relates to a lighting module for an automobile headlamp that is able to emit a cut-off light beam along a predetermined optical axis. The lighting module includes a light source for generating a beam and an optical element for receiving the beam generated by the light source and configured to form from this beam the cut-off light beam. The optical element has a collimator configured to receive the beam generated by the light source and to collimate this beam into a collimated beam. An optical coupler is configured to couple the collimated beam into a coupled beam in a lightguide. A cut-off means is disposed within the lightguide on the path of the rays of the coupled beam and configured to intercept a portion of the rays in the lightguide and to form a cut-off beam. At least one output face of the lightguide is configured to project the cut-off beam outside of the optical element, and the optical element is formed as a single part. |
| US10161590B2 |
Exterior light emitting diode package for vehicle
An external light emitting diode package for a vehicle, may include an LED chip; a lead frame which includes a substrate which includes conductive metal and to which one or more LED chips are bonded, and a lead pad which is distanced from the substrate and electrically connected to the LED chip; a mold which is formed on the lead frame and includes a dam that forms a cavity in a region of the substrate where the LED chip is bonded; and a lens which is bonded to the mold, such that the cavity is designed in the mold in an optimum state and the mold and the lens are tightly attached to each other, improving adhesive strength, and the substrate, which is coupled to a mold, includes conductive metal, improving thermal conductivity and surface roughness of the substrate. |
| US10161588B2 |
Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight
The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight for a motor vehicle headlight wherein the headlight lens includes a optionally press-molded body of transparent material, including at least one light entry face and at least one optically effective light exit face, wherein the particularly monolithic body comprises a light tunnel which, via a bend, forms a transition into a light passage section for imaging the bend as a bright-dark-boundary. |
| US10161581B1 |
Pole fixing structure for lamp and illumination device using the same
A pole fixing structure for fixing a lamp is provided. The pole fixing structure includes a multi-axial adapter and a positioning structure. The multi-axial adapter includes a fixed seat, a movable seat and a steering member. The fixed seat has first and second axial pole inserting holes. The movable seat has first and second size openings. The first size opening corresponds to the first axial pole inserting hole. The steering member is disposed on the movable seat in the first axis, wherein the movable seat rotates around the steering member with respect to the fixed seat, so that the second size opening corresponds to the second axial pole inserting hole. The positioning structure is disposed on the multi-axial adapter for fixing the first axial pole in the first size opening or fixing the second axial pole in the second size opening. |
| US10161579B2 |
LED light panel and method of installation
Technologies are described for a lighting system configured to be mounted with a ceiling support grid and a method of installation. The lighting system has a rectangular or square LED light panel configured to be hung below the ceiling support grid and transform its outer perimeter from a first outer perimeter to a second outer perimeter, enabling it to be inserted into a ceiling grid and to be held therein. The method of installing an LED light panel in a ceiling support grid comprises hanging the LED light panel below the ceiling support grid. |
| US10161578B2 |
LED retrofit kit for troffer housings
An improved LED retrofit kit for troffer style fluorescent lights is presented. The improved retrofit kit includes an interface panel to which is attached one or more LED boards. The interface panel includes flexible legs that allow it to be snapped into a well of a typical troffer housing. The LED retrofit kit further includes an LED power supply or driver with associated wiring which may optionally be attached to the interface panel or the troffer housing. The present invention is improves upon prior art LED retrofit designs by providing a low cost system that may be installed without the use of tools and, in particular, does not require the drilling of any new holes in an existing troffer housing. |
| US10161574B2 |
Light-emitting device, lighting device, and method of manufacturing light-emitting device
A light-emitting device is provided. The light-emitting device includes a substrate and a base on or defined by the substrate. A light-emitting element is above the base. An adhesive fixes the light-emitting element above the base. A sealant seals the light-emitting element and includes a phosphor that emits fluorescent light when stimulated by light from the light-emitting element. In a plan view of the base and the light-emitting element, a span of at least part of the base is less than or equal to a corresponding span of the light-emitting element. |
| US10161573B2 |
Illuminated frame system
An illuminated frame system for framing a display unit, such as a screen and the like, comprises a frame on which lighting means, preferably in the form of LEDs, are arranged. An illuminated frame system of this kind may advantageously be used in gaming devices which have at least one screen. |
| US10161571B1 |
LED tube with safety device
A LED tube with a safety device is provided. The LED tube is connected with an external power supply, comprises: two conductive needle groups, each of the conductive needle groups includes two needles; at least a LED light-emitting component configured to be electrically connected with the needles; and a plurality of fuses configured at the conductive needle groups, respectively. |
| US10161569B2 |
LED tube lamp
An LED tube lamp includes a lamp tube and LED light assembly. The lamp tube includes a light transmissive portion, a reinforcing portion and an end cap. The LED light assembly includes an LED light source and an LED light strip. The light transmissive portion is fixedly connected to the reinforcing portion. The reinforcing portion includes a platform and a bracing structure. The bracing structure is fixedly connected to the platform and holds the platform in place. The LED light source is thermally and electrically connected to the LED light strip, which is in turn thermally connected to the reinforcing portion. The end cap is attached to an end of the lamp tube. |
| US10161568B2 |
LED-based light with canted outer walls
An LED-based light has an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis, the housing defined by a base and two canted outer walls meeting opposite the base, the housing defining a cavity. An LED circuit board on which a plurality of LEDs are located is positioned within the cavity. End caps are positioned at opposite ends of the housing. |
| US10161567B2 |
Process chamber pressure control system and method
A method of and apparatus for controlling pressure in a process chamber having a continuous gas inlet flow and a continuous gas outlet flow comprising providing a pulsed valve at a gas outlet, a pressure gauge, and a programmable controller and varying the pulse rate of the pulsed valve, wherein either the open time or closed time, or both open and closed times, is lengthened or shortened, depending on whether the gauge pressure is above or below the programmed setpoint. |
| US10161566B2 |
Power tool with capacitive injury mitigation system
In one embodiment, a power tool includes a cutting assembly, a sensor system proximate to the cutting assembly, a reaction system operably connected to the cutting assembly, a memory, program instructions stored within the memory, a spatial recognition algorithm stored within the memory, and a processor operably connected to the reaction system, the sensor system, and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the program instructions to detect a man profile within a detection zone associated with the cutting assembly, establish a location of the human profile within the detection zone based upon the detection using the spatial recognition algorithm, determine that an unsafe condition exists based upon the established location, and activate the reaction system. |
| US10161564B1 |
Drink receptacle with elastomeric, semi-rigid strap for interference fit securement
An interchangeable beverage holder comprising an elongated strap adapted to form a friction fit with furniture and secured a receptacle adapted to receive a beverage. |
| US10161550B2 |
Apparatus for connecting a fuel injector to a test machine
Disclosed is a surge chamber configured for releasably connecting a fuel injector to a fuel injection testing machine in an adjustable manner to accommodate the various fuel injector orientations produced by different manufacturers. The apparatus generally comprises a surge chamber, a quick connect assembly, and a coupler adapted to connect to the fuel injector being tested. The quick connect attaches to the surge chamber, and the coupler is configured to securely and removably connect the fuel injector to the quick connect via the fuel injector inlet. The test fluid passes from the surge chamber, through the quick connect and coupler, and into the injector, where it is typically injected into a spray chamber. In another embodiment, the chamber comprises a swivel cap that permits rotation of the chamber about its longitudinal axis. Such rotation may be desirable where the fuel injection inlet does not connect to the fuel injector at a 90-degree angle, or where the configuration of the fuel injection testing machine requires the injector to be oriented at a certain angle to properly engage the spray chamber. |
| US10161544B2 |
Corrosion protection for cast iron pipes and method for producing same
The invention relates to corrosion-protected ductile cast iron pipes, a method for producing corrosion-protected ductile cast iron pipes, and the use of specific compositions for producing corrosion-protected ductile cast iron pipes. More particularly, the invention relates to corrosion protection for ductile cast iron pipes using latex-modified cement mortars based on calcium-aluminum cements. |
| US10161542B1 |
Mounting hard lines to a vehicle frame
An apparatus and method utilize a mounting arrangement having a base block and a mating retainer plate for securing a plurality of hard lines to a vehicle chassis in a spaced apart array. The base block includes several parallel slots having depressions for receiving pairs of hard lines and supporting them in a spaced relationship, prior to installation of the retainer plate. Once the hard lines are all positioned within the depressions in the slots of the base block, the retainer plate is secured to the base block in a face-to-face manner to the base block, to thereby secure the hard lines in the depressions of the slots in the spaced apart array of hard lines. |
| US10161537B2 |
Valve
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a reusable valve in which a seal portion is co-molded with and overmolded to the valve stem to provide a secure mechanical bond therebetween. In one embodiment, the valve includes a snap fit between the valve stem and a retaining cap to provide easy assembly of the valve as well as an efficient and compact retention mechanism for a biasing spring and the valve stem in relation to the valve housing. In one embodiment, the valve includes an easy-to-use opening and closing mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user when moving the valve stem to an open position and to a closed position to inflate, deflate, or maintain air or gas pressure in the inflatable article. The present disclosure also provides a dunnage bag with such valve. |
| US10161536B2 |
Coolant control valve unit
A coolant control valve device may include a plurality of coolant passages through which a coolant passes; a valve including a plurality of valve wings, wherein each of the valve wings is disposed at an inlet of each of the coolant passages, respectively and has different heights from each other; and a driver moving the valve in a vertical direction thereof, wherein the valve opens and closes some or all of a plurality of inlets with a difference in time, depending on a movement range of the valve. |
| US10161535B2 |
Fluid control valves
A fluid control valve for mixing hot and cold water has an inlet for cold water, an inlet for hot water and at least two outlets for temperature controlled water. The valve further has a flow control device comprising a pair of control members that are relatively movable to control flow of water at the inlets and outlets of the valve for selecting flow to an individual outlet or a combination of at least two outlets. |
| US10161533B2 |
Bi-stable electrically actuated valve
A pinch valve may use a spring force to close a collapsible tube at a pinch point, and may open with a cam mechanism, which may be controlled using an electric motor. The open and closed positions of the pinch valve may be stable without the use of continuing electrical energy, and electrical energy may be consumed during a change between positions. One arrangement may use multiple tubes in a circular arrangement with a cam that may operate one or more of the valves at a time. The cam mechanism may be driven by an electric motor. |
| US10161529B2 |
Gasket seal for a gate valve
Embodiments provide a gate valve including a first body half that defines a first process fluid aperture, a first chest portion, and a first gate support recess that is formed in the first chest portion. A second body half defines a second process fluid aperture that is aligned with the first process fluid aperture, a second chest portion, and a second gate support recess that is formed in the second chest portion. A gate is movable relative to the first body half and the second body half, and a gasket seal includes a flange portion, a body portion, and at least one cutout. The flange portion and the body portion are sized to be compressed between the first body half and the second body half, and the at least one cutout provides for volume transformation of the gasket seal under compression. |
| US10161527B2 |
Exhaust gas valve device for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas valve device for an internal combustion engine includes an actuator, an actuator housing, a valve rod configured to be moved in a translational direction via the actuator, a control body arranged on the valve rod, a flow housing comprising laterally delimiting walls, a valve seat arranged in the flow housing, and a shielding element. The valve seat is configured to have the control body be lowered onto and lifted off of the valve seat. The shielding element comprises a base which comprises an opening configured to have the valve rod extend therethrough. The shielding element is configured to extend from the actuator housing into the flow housing, to have a pot shape, and to radially extend to the laterally delimiting walls of the flow housing. |
| US10161526B2 |
Valve for controlling coolant flow and fuel cell cooling system using the same
A mechanical valve for adjusting coolant flow which may be opened and closed based on the pressure of a coolant and a fuel cell cooling system using the same are provided. The valve has a mechanical valve structure to be opened and closed by the pressure of a coolant introduced into a coolant inlet and thus blocks and permits the coolant circulated to an ion filter line during operation of a fuel cell stack at the maximum output. The valve performs a coolant flow blocking function executed by a conventional electronic valve and thus a fuel cell cooling system has a simplified structure using the valve. |
| US10161524B2 |
Austenitic stainless steel sheet for gasket, and gasket
To provide a heat resistant metal gasket that is controlled to have a strength level (ordinary temperature hardness) capable of facilitating processing, and has excellent gas leak resistance.An austenitic stainless steel sheet for a metal gasket, having a chemical composition containing from 0.015 to 0.200% of C, from 1.50 to 5.00% of Si, from 0.30 to 2.50% of Mn, from 7.0 to 17.0% of Ni, from 13.0 to 23.0% of Cr, and from 0.005 to 0.250% of N, all in terms of percentage by mass, containing, as necessary, at least one of Mo, Cu, Nb, Ti, V, Zr, W, Co, B, Al, REM (rare-earth element except for Y), Y, Ca and Mg, with the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, having an ordinary temperature hardness of 430 HV or less, having a half width of a peak of an austenite crystal (311) plane in an X-ray diffraction pattern of a cross section perpendicular to a sheet thickness direction of from 0.10 to 1.60°, and having a surface roughness Ra of 0.30 μmm or less. |
| US10161516B2 |
Shift control apparatus and shift control method
A shift control apparatus for a vehicle which has an engine with an exhaust supercharger, and a transmission, if there is a deceleration intention of a driver, compares a target torque and an actual torque, and while the actual torque is higher than the target torque and a difference therebetween is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, controls a speed at which to cause a gear ratio of the transmission to change to the target gear ratio to be slower than at a time of normal shift control. |
| US10161513B2 |
Method of evaluating thermal effect of torque converter clutch slip speed calibration settings on a torque converter
A method of evaluating a thermal effect of torque converter clutch slip speed calibration settings on a torque converter includes estimating values of a plurality of vehicle operating parameters with a drive simulation model on a computer. The drive simulation model uses drive cycle inputs of a test drive cycle, and a slip speed calibration table to estimate values of the plurality of vehicle operating parameters over a pre-defined period of time for the test drive cycle. The temperature of each of a plurality of discrete regions of the torque converter are estimated with a temperature model on the computer. The temperature model uses the estimated values of the vehicle operating parameters to estimate the temperature of each discrete region of the torque converter at different times during the pre-defined period of time of the test drive cycle. |
| US10161510B2 |
Controller for automatic transmission
When there is a request for a skip downshift that transitionally establishes an intermediate speed position, a surge hydraulic pressure at the start of a torque phase during shift control toward the intermediate speed position is set so as to be lower than a surge hydraulic pressure at the start of a torque phase during shift control toward a required speed position. |
| US10161508B2 |
Hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission having default gears applied through a clutch hydraulic exhaust circuit
A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system provides one or more default gears during a default condition when the transmission loses electronic control. The hydraulic control system includes a default enable valve, a default select valve, and a plurality of clutch regulation valves. The default enable valve and the default select valve feed hydraulic fluid through exhaust circuits to a set number of the clutch regulation valves during a default condition in order to provide a default gear ratio. |
| US10161506B2 |
Hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission with electronic transmission range selection
A hydraulic control system for a multiple speed motor vehicle automatic transmission having electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) provides both a forward gear ratio and Park options during default conditions where the transmission loses electronic control when the ETRS system is in a drive mode. The hydraulic control system includes a two position default disable solenoid valve, an ETRS valve, a park servo, position sensors, a default disable valve, a drive select valve, various orifices and blow-off valves as well as main and auxiliary pumps, a torque converter, a torque converter regulator and control valve and a plurality of linear force solenoid valves and clutch regulation valves which control a like plurality of clutch and brake actuators. |
| US10161503B2 |
Planetary gear carrier joint for precision re-assembly and torque transmission
A planetary gear carrier has a drum cover and drum hub that make up a drum of the carrier and a carrier plate spaced from the drum cover defining a space in which the planetary gears reside, The drum cover, drum hub and carrier plate are joined by keys that are formed integrally with at least one of them that mate with surfaces of the other parts for precise assembly and re-assembly, and windows are defined through sets of spline teeth of the dram cover and drum hub through which planetary gears may be inserted for assembly to the carrier while the drum cover, drum hub and carrier plate are assembled to one another. |
| US10161502B2 |
Axle assembly having a dam module
An axle assembly having a dam module. The dam module may include a dam, an upper brace, and a lower brace. The dam may be at least partially disposed in an arm portion of a housing of the axle assembly. The upper brace and the lower brace may be disposed proximate the dam. The upper brace may transport lubricant to the dam. |
| US10161501B2 |
System and method for adjusting coolant flow through a cooling system of a vehicle to increase a warming rate of a transmission
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a transmission fluid temperature sensor and a coolant valve control module. The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures a temperature of transmission fluid that is circulated through a transmission. The coolant valve control module controls at least one coolant valve to adjust coolant flow from an engine to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and at least one of a radiator, an engine oil heat exchanger, and a heater core. When the transmission fluid temperature is less than a first temperature, the coolant valve control module controls the at least one coolant valve to allow coolant flow from the engine to the transmission fluid heat exchanger and prevent coolant flow from the engine to the at least one of the radiator, the engine oil heat exchanger, and the heater core. |
| US10161500B2 |
Oil pump plate for in-line filter system
An oil pump plate for operatively coupling an oil pump within a gearbox casing is provided, which allows installing and/or uninstalling an in-line filter for the oil pump without having to modify the gearbox casing. |
| US10161498B2 |
Gear box
A gear box includes a gear box body for accommodating a gear, multiple shaft holes which are formed on a side wall portion of the gear box body to support a shaft, a fixing portion which is provided in the gear box body and on which a fixing member for installing the gear box body on an installation surface parallel to the shaft is mounted, and an output hole reinforcement rib which is formed on the side wall portion and extends from a peripheral edge portion of an output shaft hole for supporting an output shaft among the multiple shaft holes toward the fixing portion. |
| US10161496B2 |
Method and device for adjusting the play of a gear transmission
A clearance adjustment mechanism (14) for a gearwheel transmission (12) includes at least one gearwheel (16, 66) with a centerline (39, 67), and a hole (36) in the gearwheel (16, 66) and running substantially parallel with and radially offset from the centerline (39, 67). A spigot (46) insertable in the hole (36) has a threaded portion (48) and a conical portion (50) and fits in the hole (36) such that the centerline (39, 67) moves radially in parallel with the spigot (46) when the spigot is turned in the hole (36). Also a gearwheel transmission (12) with such a clearance adjustment mechanism (14), a combustion engine (4) with such a gearwheel transmission (12), a vehicle (1) with such a combustion engine (4), and a method for adjusting the flank clearance in such a gearwheel transmission (12). |
| US10161492B2 |
Hydrokinetic torque coupling device for motor vehicle
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprises a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) non-moveably coupled to the torque input element (11) and configured to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), a clutch (10) configured to rotationally couple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in an engaged position through a damping device (18, 22) and to rotationally uncouple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in a disengaged position. The damping device (18, 22) is configured to act against the rotation of the torque input element (11) relative to the torque output element (8), in the engaged position of the clutch (10). |
| US10161489B2 |
Friction-roller-type reduction gear
A pivot holder of a friction-roller-type reduction gear has a pair of bearing parts configured to support a rotational shaft of an intermediate roller and having a pivot axis at an eccentric position from a center of the rotational shaft, and a bridging part configured to integrally couple the pair of bearing parts. A carrier has a holder support part configured to rotatably support the bearing parts. An interaxial distance between a center of the pivot axis and the center of the rotational shaft is equal to or smaller than a maximum radius of an outer diameter of the intermediate roller, and the center of the pivot axis is located on an applying line of a torque reaction force of transmission torque to be applied to the pivot holder. |
| US10161485B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements; a first shaft connecting the first rotation element and the fourth rotation element; a second shaft connected with the second rotation element and connected with the input shaft; a third shaft connecting the third rotation element and the fifth rotation element; a fourth shaft connecting the sixth rotation element and the ninth rotation element; a fifth shaft connecting the eighth rotation element and the twelfth rotation element; and a sixth shaft connected with the tenth rotation element. |
| US10161483B2 |
Automatic transmission with improved gear arrangement
The present disclosure provides an automatic transmission having an input adapted to couple to a torque-generating mechanism and an output coupled to the input. The transmission also includes a first rotating torque-transferring mechanism disposed along a first torque path and coupled to the input. A second rotating torque-transferring mechanism is disposed along a second torque path and is coupled to the input independent of the first torque-transferring mechanism. The transmission includes a plurality of stationary torque-transferring mechanisms, each of which is disposed between the input and output. The transmission includes a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset, where each gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier assembly. Moreover, the carrier assembly of the third planetary gearset is coupled to the output and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset. |
| US10161482B1 |
Planetary transmission arrangements for marine propulsion devices
A transmission is for a marine drive. The transmission comprises an input shaft that is caused to rotate by the marine drive and an output shaft that is caused to rotate by the input shaft. The input shaft and output shaft are operatively connected to each other such that forward rotation of the input shaft causes forward rotation of the output shaft when the transmission is shifted into a forward gear, and such that forward rotation of the input shaft causes reverse rotation of the output shaft when the transmission is shifted into a reverse gear. A planetary gearset operatively couples the input shaft to the output shaft only when the transmission is shifted into the reverse gear. |
| US10161479B2 |
Drive mechanism
The invention is drive mechanism for transmitting rotating motion, comprising a drive mechanism housing (15) and a first shaft (10) rotatably connected to the drive mechanism housing (15), an eccentric shaft section (14, 18) being parallel with the first shaft (10) and being offset with respect to first shaft (10) by an eccentricity parameter value, a wobbling disc (25, 27) being rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft section (14, 18), and a wobbling gear-wheel (24, 26) connected by means of a fixed or a releasable connection to the wobbling disc (25, 27) and having an axis parallel with the first shaft (10). The drive mechanism according to invention further comprises a transmitting gear-wheel (22) having an axis of rotation arranged parallel with the axis of the wobbling gear-wheel (24, 26) at a distance therefrom determined by the eccentricity parameter value, being connected to the drive mechanism housing (15) as being rotatable around its axis of rotation, having a first toothing (28) with a teeth number different from the teeth number of the wobbling gear-wheel (24, 26), and connected to the wobbling gear-wheel (24, 26) with its first toothing (28), and a guiding connection establishing, upon motion of the first shaft (10), wobbling motion of the wobbling disc (25, 27) together with the connection between the wobbling gear-wheel (24, 26) and the transmitting gear-wheel (22), and having an axis being offset with respect to the axis of the eccentric shaft section (14, 18). |
| US10161478B2 |
Driving device, fixing device and image forming apparatus
A driving device includes: a first driving source; a second driving source; a first gear to which a driving force is transmitted from the first driving source; a second gear to which a driving force is transmitted from the second driving source; a third gear that engages with the first gear and the second gear; and a fixation shaft that pivotally supports the third gear, the fixation shaft being disposed such that a center of the fixation shaft, a rotation center of the first gear and a rotation center of the second gear are disposed on a straight line in which the fixation shaft is provided through the third gear; and a hole having a diameter for compensating eccentricity of the first gear, the second gear and the third gear is formed in the third gear. |
| US10161476B2 |
Machine having reciprocating slider crank mechanism, and method for designing machine having reciprocating slider crank mechanism
A machine having a reciprocating slider crank mechanism, wherein an axis of a crankshaft, an axis of a first balancer shaft and an axis of a second balancer shaft are not arranged on the same plane, wherein vibration is highly controlled. The machine includes the reciprocating slider crank mechanism configured so as to satisfy setting formulae below: UCr=UP×0.5 αCr=180° UB(Fr)={U1B(Fr)++U2B(Fr)2}1/2 U1B(Fr)=−UP×0.5×{Lx′B(Rr)/(Lx′B(Rr)−Lx′B(Fr))} U2B(Fr)=UP×0.5×{Ly′B/(Lx′B(Rr)−Lx′B(Fr))} αB(Fr)=180°−arctan(U2B(Fr)/U1B(Fr)) UB(Rr)={U1B(Rr)2+U2B(Rr)2}1/2 U1B(Rr)=−UP×0.5×{Lx′B(Fr)/(Lx′B(Fr)−Lx′B(Rr))} U2B(Rr)=−U2B(Fr) αB(Rr)=180°−arctan(U2B(Rr)/U1B(Rr)). |
| US10161475B2 |
Active vibration damping device
A phase variable control is prohibited in the case that a rotational speed NE of the engine is less than a first predetermined rotational speed NE_th1. |
| US10161474B2 |
Bicycle with suspension
A bicycle can include a suspension system with a shock absorber. The shock absorber can have a sag position which can be adjustable. Sag refers to the amount of movement experienced by the suspension under a static load, such as that of the weight of a rider. Methods and systems to set sag can include at least one valve in fluid communication with a gas chamber of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the at least one valve can be used to automatically set the sag position based on an individual's weight and riding position. |
| US10161470B2 |
Gas spring and gas damper assemblies as well as suspension systems including same
A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring includes a flexible spring member with opposing end members secured thereto and at least partially defining a spring chamber. The gas damper includes an inner sleeve that is at least partially received within one of the end members and at least partially forms a damping chamber. A damper piston assembly is received within the damping chamber and secured to the other of the end members. An elongated damping passage fluidically connects the damping chamber and the spring chamber. Suspension systems and methods are also included. |
| US10161467B2 |
Active vibration controller
An active vibration controller includes: a housing; a first magnetic member installed on the side of the housing having a toric shape; a movable member including a second magnetic member that is substantially coaxial with the first magnetic member and disposed inside the toric shape of the first magnetic member; an exciting coil that generates a magnetic field in accordance with an intensity of a current supplied thereto; and a magnetic viscoelastic elastomer that has a magnetic viscoelastic property varying in accordance with a magnitude of the magnetic field from the exciting coil between the first and second tip portions, and connects the first magnetic core to the second magnetic core. The magnetic viscoelastic elastomer has a region having a non-magnetic property between the first and the second magnetic cores. |
| US10161465B2 |
Connection system between a braking band and a hat of a disc for a disc brake
A disc for a disc brake for automotive use comprises a hat provided with a plurality of hat seats, a braking band provided with a plurality of band seats, and a lug connection system. |
| US10161462B2 |
Clutch plate for multiplate wet clutch and method of manufacturing the same
A clutch plate for a multiplate wet clutch having favorable fatigue strength is provided.A separator plate (1) for use as a clutch plate for a multiplate wet clutch is formed of a steel plate. The steel plate has a chemical composition containing, on a basis of percent by mass, C from 0.03 to 0.08%, Si from 0 to 1.0%, Mn from 0.2 to 0.8%, P at 0.03% or less, S at 0.01% or less, and Al at 0.05% or less, so as to satisfy a formula, 5*C %−Si %+Mn %−1.5*Al %<1. In addition, the steel plate has the chemical component containing at least one of Nb from 0.03 to 0.4%, V from 0.01 to 0.3%, and Ti from 0.01 to 0.3%, so as to satisfy a formula, 0.04<(Nb %/1.4)+(V %/1.1)+Ti %<0.3. Then, an average diameter of particles of a carbide as a precipitate is controlled to be from 20 to 100 nm. |
| US10161461B2 |
Paper friction material and method of manufacturing the same
This invention relates to a paper friction material and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the paper friction material is configured such that dispersibility and bondability are increased between a filler and a matrix. The paper friction material which is suitable for use in a vehicle, includes a friction base including pulp and a coating layer formed on the friction base using a mixture of latex and a functional material. The OH reactive group of the pulp and the aromatic ring of the latex are hydrogen-bonded so that the friction base and the coating layer are coupled with each other. |
| US10161457B2 |
Bearing arrangement and corresponding production process
A bearing arrangement including a rolling or sliding bearing that has an inner ring and an outer ring and at least one add-on part provided on the inner ring or on the outer ring, this add-on part being formed of a meltable or curable material and being attached with a positive fit to the inner ring or the outer ring by a generative manufacturing process. |
| US10161456B2 |
Method for equipping a fine tube with an end stop that is adjustable by screwing
The invention relates to a method for adapting a stop that is adjustable by screwing onto the extremity of a fine tube (1), including the following stages: slipping onto the extremity of the tube (5) a ferrule (10) that is threaded on its external surface and is immobilized on the extremity of the tube by means of a plurality of pins (8) engaged in orifices (7,9) facing towards the ferrule and the tube; screwing onto the ferrule a nut (14) having a first end face (15) acting as a stop in order to preload any element (4, 4) mounted on the tube in front of the ferrule, and a second opposing end face (18) containing forms (25) adapted for it to be driven in rotation by a tool, the nut covering the pins in service. |
| US10161455B2 |
Roller bearing replacement device and process for switching roller bearings
A roller bearing replacement device for replacement or exchange of a roller bearing of a roller hearth furnace includes a housing that can be sealed off against the external atmosphere with a sluice through which it is possible to access to a roller bearing of the roller hearth furnace that is to be demounted from inside the housing while excluding the environmental atmosphere, and at least one roller bearing handling device designed and constructed for demounting and installing roller bearings that is arranged in a moveable manner in the housing and can at least partly be moved out of the housing through the sluice. The sluice has a docking flange and a gas tightness monitoring arrangement, by means of which the gas-tightness of the docking connection on to the roller hearth furnace by the sluice can be monitored. |
| US10161454B2 |
Roller bearing replacement device
A roller bearing replacement device for replacement or exchange of a roller bearing of a roller hearth furnace includes a housing that can be sealed off from the environment or external atmosphere that has a sluice through which access to the roller bearing of the roller hearth furnace that is to be replaced from the inside of the housing while excluding the external atmosphere is possible, and at least one roller bearing handling device that is designed for demounting and installing roller bearings and is arranged moveably in the housing and which can be at least partly moved out of the housing through the sluice. Roller bearing replacement or exchange is possible without the roller bearing getting tilted or twisted through its movement during demounting or assembly as the case may be in the roller hearth furnace. The roller bearing replacement device furthermore has a height adjusting device that is coupled with the housing; this height adjusting device is designed and constructed to position the housing vertically and to align the housing on a horizontal plane. |
| US10161452B2 |
Bearing ring for roller bearing, roller bearing, and power transmission device
A bearing ring includes a raceway surface on which a roller of a roller bearing rolls, a rib portion end face that is provided on one side of the raceway surface in an axial direction and that faces a roller end face of the roller in which at least an outer circumferential side of the roller end face is a convex curved surface portion, and a recessed portion having a recessed shape provided in a corner between the raceway surface and the rib portion end face. The rib portion end face includes a contacting surface portion that the roller end face contacts, and a concave curved surface portion that is provided between the contacting surface portion and the recessed portion and that is smoothly continuous with the contacting surface portion. A curvature radius of the concave curved surface portion is greater than that of the convex curved surface portion. |
| US10161449B2 |
Split bearing cage
A split bearing cage for a rolling-element bearing assembly includes a first bearing cage segment and a second bearing cage segment each having two side ring sections axially spaced apart by a plurality of bridges. Adjacent pairs of the bridges define rolling-element receiving pockets for receiving rolling elements of the rolling-element bearing assembly and for holding the rolling elements spaced apart from each other and for guiding the rolling elements. The first bearing cage segment is connected to the second bearing cage segment via a swivel joint that may be formed of a bolt element on a first end of the first bearing cage segment and an at least partial eyelet on the first end of the second bearing cage segment. |
| US10161448B2 |
Railway truck having a self-lubricating composite bearing pad disposed therein
A railway truck assembly includes a self-lubricating pad disposed therein. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a first layer. The first layer includes a plurality of self-lubricating fibers inter-woven with a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes a plurality of fiber layers. Each of the plurality of fiber layers includes a plurality of support fibers. The self-lubricating bearing pad includes one or more matrix layers communicating with one or more of the plurality of fiber layers. One or more of the matrix layers are infused into one or more of the plurality of fiber layers. |
| US10161447B2 |
Bearing structure and air blower
A bearing structure includes: a shaft; an oil-impregnated bearing that supports the shaft to be rotatable and includes a first sintered metal material having a first density; a bearing holder that supports an outer circumferential surface of the oil-impregnated bearing; and a seal member that is provided at an opening of the bearing holder, wherein the shaft is provided with an annular groove having a side surface portion that has an outer diameter that decreases as the side surface portion separates away from one end surface of the oil-impregnated bearing, and wherein the seal member includes a second sintered metal material having a second density that is lower than the first density of the first sintered metal material. |
| US10161444B2 |
Air foil thrust bearing
An air foil thrust bearing includes a base plate and a bump foil structure attached to the base plate. The bump foil structure has two or more bump foils and one or more first rings connecting the two or more bump foils. and the air foil thrust bearing includes a top foil structure attached to the base plate. The top foil structure has two or more top foils and one or more second rings connecting the two or more top foils. |
| US10161440B2 |
Connecting rod with mechanism for varying compression ratio
A connecting rod is provided that includes an eccentric mechanism. The eccentric mechanism is installed at a connecting rod end of the connecting rod to change a height of a piston to change a compression ratio. Accordingly, the compression ratio is adjusted more stably by performing phase control. |
| US10161438B2 |
Connecting rod
A connecting rod for an internal combustion engine may include a big end passage for receiving a pin journal of a crankshaft, a small end passage for receiving a piston pin, and a beam extending between the big and small end passages. The small end passage may extend along a passage axis and be delimited by opposed edges. The small end passage may include an inner passage surface with a cylindrical surface portion having a first diameter. The small end passage may extend along the passage axis between the opposed edges. The inner passage surface may comprise profiled regions adjacent to the opposed edges and extending at least over a part of a circumference of the opposed edges. The profiled regions may begin from the cylindrical surface portion and increase into a maximum second diameter at the opposed edges. Further, a plurality of dimples may be positioned along the cylindrical surface portion of the inner passage surface. |
| US10161436B2 |
Fastener including adhesive composition and method of making the same
A fastener comprises a threaded surface and an adhesive composition at least partially disposed on the threaded surface. The adhesive composition includes an inorganic compound comprising at least one Group 1 metal and at least one Group 13 element and/or Group 14 element. The inorganic compound is present in an amount of at least about 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the adhesive composition. A method of making the (coated) fastener comprises the steps of providing a fastener, providing the adhesive composition, and applying the adhesive composition to at least a portion of the threaded surface of the fastener. A method of joining adjacent elements comprises the steps of providing the adjacent elements, providing the fastener, and disposing the fastener adjacent and/or through the adjacent elements. An adhesive, formed by curing the adhesive composition, has excellent physical properties, including adhesive strength and high temperature resistance. |
| US10161433B2 |
Coupling with securing pin
A coupling comprising a driven part and a driving part that is connected by a safety pin so as to drive the driven part together with the driving part in a travel direction, one of the parts having a male portion engaged in a female portion of the other part, the male and female portions respectively having a first guide surface and a second guide surface facing each other in such a manner that, in the event of the pin breaking, the driving part is capable of moving relative to the driven part in the travel direction, the pin extending perpendicularly to said direction through corresponding holes made in the male and female portions, the coupling being characterized in that the hole made in the male portion opens out in the bottom of a setback in the second guide surface. |
| US10161429B2 |
Quick attach accessory mount
An accessory mount having a clamp has an upper arm pivotably connected to a lower arm. The upper arm has a framework of a plurality of legs and cross members joined together and configured to flex with respect to each other when placed under a load. A tab extends at an angle from one end of the framework. A hinge plate is positioned between the framework and the tab. The lower arm has an elongate web and a tab extending at an angle from one end of the elongate web. A hinge plate may be positioned between the elongate web and the tab and may be attached to the first hinge plate at a pivot connection. A bias member is attached to and positioned between the upper arm and the lower arm to bias the upper arm and the lower arm together about the pivot connection between the hinge plates. Each of the upper and lower arms is formed as unitary, monocoque construction. |
| US10161427B2 |
Single-way damping plunger cylinder and forklift comprising the same
A single-way damping plunger cylinder includes a cylinder body (3), a piston rod (4), a piston (6) and a sleeve (2), the piston (6) dividing the cylinder body (3) into a first cylinder chamber (31) and a second cylinder chamber (32), a first end of the first oil passage (40) being communicated with the first cylinder chamber (31) via the second oil passage (41) and a second end of the first oil passage (40) being communicated with the second cylinder chamber (32), the valve (5) movably disposed in the second oil passage (41) to open or close a direct communication of the first and second oil passages (40,41); a damping oil passage (50) defined in the valve (5) to communicate the first oil passage (40) with the second oil passage (41). A forklift is also provided. |
| US10161425B2 |
Hydraulic steering system
A hydraulic steering system (1) is provided having a steering device (2) and a symmetrically acting steering motor (3), said steering device (2) comprising a supply port arrangement having a high pressure port (P) and a low pressure port (T), a working port arrangement having two working ports (L, R), a control valve (14), two working lines (18, 19) each connecting said control valve (14) with one of said working ports (L, R), and a measuring motor (23). Such a hydraulic steering system should show a comfortable steering behavior. To this end said measuring motor (23) is arranged in one of said working lines (18, 19). |
| US10161424B2 |
Hydraulic rotary manifold
A hydraulic rotary manifold has a core manifold having a barrel and a rotatable spindle inserted in the barrel. The core manifold is common to a variety of different configurations involving removable spindle-mounted and barrel-mounted manifolds, which may be removably mounted on the core manifold and exchanged for other removable manifolds to provide different hydraulic fluid flow paths in the rotary manifold using the common core manifold. The rotary manifold permits retrofitting a secondary fluid flow path to use a secondary fluid in conjunction with a work tool mounted on the rotary manifold. The rotary manifold permits mounting a rotary position encoder on a barrel-side of the rotary manifold permitting the use of the common core manifold when a rotary position encoder is desired. Electronically actuated cartridge valves may be integrated into the core manifold and/or removable manifolds to provide further customization of the hydraulic fluid flow paths in the rotary manifold and/or to provide cross-over relief paths within the rotary manifold itself. |
| US10161419B2 |
Fan casing assembly
A fan casing assembly comprising an annular casing member for circumferentially surrounding a fan, and an annular fan track liner comprising a plurality of circumferentially adjacent liner panels. The annular fan track liner is positioned radially inward of the annular casing member. A tilting arrangement is provided and configured to selectively circumferentially tilt one or more of the liner panels, such that, in the event of a fan blade being released from a fan, the tilting arrangement can initiate tilting of one or more liner panels so that the liner panels can trim one or more of the remaining fan blades. |
| US10161418B2 |
Coupling an electric machine and fluid-end
A submersible fluid system for operating submerged in a body of water includes a fluid-end that has a fluid rotor disposed in a fluid-end housing. An electric machine housing is coupled to the fluid-end housing and includes a hermetically sealed cavity. An electric machine, such as a motor and/or generator, is disposed entirely within the cavity of the electric machine housing. The electric machine includes an electric machine stator and an electric machine rotor. A magnetic coupling couples the electric machine rotor and the fluid rotor. |
| US10161417B2 |
Fan and mounting bracket for an air mover
An air mover comprising a housing with a top portion is disclosed. A mounting bracket is recessed into the housing through the top portion of the housing. The mounting bracket comprises a plurality of top chords intersecting at a first portion of an inner web and a plurality of bottom chords intersecting at a second portion of the inner web. The mounting bracket also has a base plate coupled to the plurality of bottom chords. A motor is coupled to the base plate of the mounting bracket. An impeller is coupled to the motor. The air mover further comprises a housing cover that has an inlet ring positioned on the top portion of the housing. The housing cover is coupled to the mounting bracket via the mounting flanges and a portion of the inlet ring protrudes into the impeller inlet inside the housing. |
| US10161412B2 |
Centrifugal fan assembly
Disclosed herein is a plurality of blades with a three-dimensional shape injection-molded at the same time, thereby reducing processes of manufacturing a centrifugal fan assembly. A centrifugal fan assembly includes a blade assembly formed by integrally injection-molding a plurality of blades where at least a part thereof is bent and a fixing portion, and a hub plate to which the fixing portion of the blade assembly is coupled, where the fixing portion includes at least one opening to allow extraction of the blade assembly from the mold. |
| US10161410B2 |
Seal bracket assembly and pump and motor system including same
A seal bracket assembly includes a coupling member having: a first end for sealingly engaging a pump; an opposite second end for sealingly engaging a source of rotary force; a passage defined therein which extends between the first and second ends which is structured to accommodate therein a linkage coupling an output shaft of the source of rotary force and an input shaft of the pump; and a drain port defined in the coupling member which extends between the passage and an outer surface of the coupling member. The assembly further includes an air tank which defines an air space of a predetermined volume therein and includes and an inlet, coupled to the drain port such that the passage and the air space are in fluid communication with each other, and an outlet, which is the only opening to the surrounding environment. |
| US10161407B2 |
Radial fastening of tubular synchronizing rings
A synchronizing ring assembly for a variable guide vane system is disclosed. The synchronizing ring assembly is disposed about an engine axis and includes a synchronizing ring having a radially outer surface with a clevis bracket mounted to the radially outer surface of the synchronizing ring and defining radially extending openings through the clevis bracket. A plurality of fasteners are configured and adapted to be received within the radially extending openings in the clevis bracket for securing the clevis bracket to the radially outer surface of the synchronizing ring. |
| US10161406B2 |
Compressor clearance control
A compressor (22) has a housing assembly (50) with a suction port (24) and a discharge port (26). An impeller (54) is supported by a shaft (70) which is mounted for rotation to be driven in at least a first condition so as to draw fluid in through the suction port (24) and discharge the fluid from the discharge port (26). A magnetic bearing system (66, 67, 68) supports the shaft (70). A controller (84) is coupled to an axial position sensor (80) and is configured to control impeller position. |
| US10161404B2 |
Turbo-molecular pump
A turbo-molecular pump comprises: a pump rotor including rotor blades and a rotor cylindrical section; stationary blades facing the rotor blades; a cylindrical stator facing the rotor cylindrical section; a base housing the cylindrical stator; and a heating member for heating the cylindrical stator. An emissivity of an outer surface of the cylindrical stator and an emissivity of an outer surface of a member facing the cylindrical stator, the outer surface facing the cylindrical stator, are lower than the emissivity of outer surfaces of the rotor blades, the outer surfaces facing the stationary blades. |
| US10161399B2 |
Scroll pump
The present invention provides a scroll pump comprising: a scroll mechanism having an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll; a drive shaft having a concentric shaft portion and an eccentric shaft portion connected to the orbiting scroll. The shaft is arranged to be driven by a motor so that rotation of the shaft imparts an orbiting motion to the orbiting scroll relative to the fixed scroll for pumping fluid along a flow path from an inlet to an outlet of the scroll mechanism. An axial lip seal is located between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll for resisting leakage of fluid from outside the scroll mechanism into the flow path. |
| US10161396B2 |
Zero emission reciprocating drive pump
A zero emission reciprocating drive pump. The reciprocating drive pump may comprise: a spool and housing assembly. The housing assembly may comprise a flange, spool housing, first chamber, second chamber, and first seal. The flange may attached to a proximal end of the spool housing. The first chamber may be within the flange. The second chamber may be within the spool housing. The spool may be substantially disposed in and reciprocally movable in the second chamber. A proximal end portion of the spool may move reciprocally into and out of the first chamber. The first seal may be positioned substantially adjacent to the first chamber and the second chamber and may contact the proximal end portion of the spool. The flange may comprise a lip that extends substantially along a width of a distal end of the first seal, such that the first seal does not pop out of place. |
| US10161387B2 |
Damper of a wind turbine
A damper of a wind turbine, wherein the damper is suited for damping a movement of the wind turbine is provided. The damper includes a container and a liquid, wherein the liquid is located inside the container. The damper can be substantially the shape of a toroid. The container further includes a first toroidal segment and at least a second toroidal segment. Both toroidal segments are attached together such that a closed toroid is generated and the liquid is retained inside the container. |
| US10161385B2 |
Method for controlling a wind park
The invention relates to a method for supplying the electric power of a wind park comprising several wind turbines into an electric power supply grid, wherein each of the wind turbines provides an electric turbine output and the sum of all provided turbine outputs is supplied to the electric power supply grid as wind park output, and a turbine target value is specified for each of the wind turbines as a specification of the turbine output that is to be provided, and the turbine target value is controlled via a controller based on a control deviation, as a comparison of the supplied wind park output and a target value of the wind park output that is to be supplied. |
| US10161380B2 |
Device and method for placing components of a structure
A device for placing components of a structure, in particular a wind turbine includes hoisting means placed on a surface, a boom of which is provided with a hoisting cable with attaching means for a component for placing, wherein a lifting plane is defined by the boom and the free-hanging hoisting cable. The boom includes a guide device for the attaching means. The guide device is connected to the boom by means of a displacing device displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the boom. The guide device is configured to limit movement of the attaching means in a direction running transversely of the lifting plane, and further includes a catching construction configured to receive and displace the attaching means parallel to the lifting plane between a position in the vicinity of the boom and a position further removed from the boom and/or vice versa. |
| US10161377B2 |
Controller and control method for internal combustion engine
To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of estimating a discharge plasma length accurately by easy method. Controller for internal combustion engine is provided with a secondary voltage detector that detects secondary voltage which is voltage generated by secondary coil, a secondary voltage minimum value calculator that calculates minimum value of secondary voltage during discharge period, and a discharge plasma length calculator that calculates length of the discharge plasma based on secondary voltage and minimum value of secondary voltage. |
| US10161375B2 |
Engine starting apparatus
An apparatus for starting an engine, including a motor, an output shaft driven by the motor, a pinion provided along the output shaft, and an electro-magnetic solenoid device. The electro-magnetic solenoid device is configured to push the pinion axially toward a ring gear of the engine to mesh the pinion with the ring gear and transfer a rotational force, which is referred to as a motor torque, generated by energization of the motor from the pinion to the ring gear, thereby starting the engine. The apparatus is configured such that, at starting of the engine in its warmed-up state, the motor torque can continue to be applied from the pinion to the ring gear until at least the second compression stroke even when an engine speed varies. |
| US10161374B2 |
Accessory belt drive system with multiple ratios and torque reversal
A starter generator system comprising an engine driving a first belt and engaged with a second belt through a one-way clutch, a starter generator configured to be driven by the engine through the second belt or to drive the engine through the second belt according to an engine condition, and an accessory engaged with the second belt through an accessory clutch, the accessory drivable by the first belt or the second belt. |
| US10161365B2 |
Expansion shear pin for use with thread-forming screw
A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. |
| US10161357B2 |
Acoustically treated thrust reverser track beam
A thrust reverser track beam may comprise a noise suppressing structure. The noise suppressing structure may form the airflow surface of the track beam. The noise suppressing structure may be riveted, bolted, or bonded to the track beam. |
| US10161356B2 |
Integrated thrust reverser actuation system
A turbofan engine having a turbine engine, a nacelle surrounding a portion of the turbine engine, and a thrust reverser. The thrust reverser comprises a movable control surface movable to and from a reversing position and a thrust reverser actuation system having at least one actuator operably coupled to the movable control surface to move the movable control surface into and out of the reversing position. A guide comprising a rail and a bogie having at least one rotatable bearing surface coupled to the rail for relative translational movement between the rail and bogie connects the turbine engine to the movable control surface such that operation of the at least one actuator moves the movable control surface by translation movement between the rail and the bogie. |
| US10161352B2 |
Engine block assembly
An engine block assembly includes an engine block casting including a plurality of cylinder bores disposed in series, each cylinder having a cylinder wall. Outer engine block walls are peripheral to the cylinder walls. A channel is formed between outer peripheral surfaces of the cylinder walls and the outer engine block walls. A coolant passage fluidly connects through the outer block walls to the channel. A water jacket insert includes an upper flange, a strut portion and a lower flange. A plurality of orifices are formed in the strut portion. A compressible seal attached to the lower flange of the water jacket insert, which is assembled into the channel and conforms to a bottom portion of the channel. |
| US10161351B2 |
Gaseous fuel system and method for an engine
A vehicle method for gaseous fuel loss detection, including for each of a high and low pressure portion of a fuel system including a gaseous fuel, indicating degradation based on a loss of mass from the fuel system, the loss of mass based on separately tracking fuel mass in each of the portions based on respective temperatures and pressures at a first and second instance following an engine off condition. The method may utilize the respective pressures and temperatures to determine which portions of the fuel system are losing mass and further identify degradation of fuel system valves. |
| US10161350B2 |
Internal-combustion engine
An internal-combustion engine includes: a direct fuel injector directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber; and a control device. The control device performs: presumption processing that presumes, based on an operating condition of the internal-combustion engine, that a thermoplastic deposit is formed on an injection hole portion of the direct fuel injector; temperature control processing that increases a temperature of the injection hole portion when the thermoplastic deposit is presumed to be formed; and first removal processing that injects the fuel from the direct fuel injector after the temperature control processing. |
| US10161346B2 |
Adjusting pump volume commands for direct injection fuel pumps
Methods are provided for controlling a direct injection fuel pump, wherein a solenoid spill valve is energized and de-energized according to certain conditions. A control strategy is needed to operate the direct injection fuel pump outside regions where pump operation may be variable and inaccurate, where the regions may be characterized by smaller pump commands as well as smaller displacement volumes. To maintain a suitable range of pump commands and displacements while operating outside the low accuracy regions, a method is proposed that involves clipping calculated pump commands when the calculated pump commands lie within the low accuracy regions. |
| US10161344B2 |
Leaky injector mitigation action for vehicles during idle stop
Methods and systems are provided for mitigating the effects of a leaky fuel injector during vehicle idle stop conditions. In one example, a method may include identifying the cylinder with a leaky fuel injector, and at or during engine shutdown, positioning the engine to a selected position based on the identified cylinder such that an exhaust valve of the identified cylinder is at least partly open. |
| US10161343B2 |
Correction device for air/fuel ratio sensor
A correction device for an air/fuel ratio sensor in the present invention, the sensor issuing an output according to an air/fuel ratio and installed on the downstream from catalyst of the exhaust passage, has air/fuel ratio control means for controlling an air/fuel ratio of an exhaust gas on the upstream side from a catalyst to switch between a rich air/fuel ratio which is richer and a lean air/fuel ratio which is leaner than a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio. Moreover, correction means for correcting an output of the sensor in accordance with a difference between the output of the sensor during a predetermined period during air/fuel ratio control by the air/fuel ratio control means, and a reference output corresponding to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, is provided. |
| US10161340B1 |
Fuel injection system and method for a vehicle propulsion system
A fuel injection system for a vehicle propulsion system includes an injector driver module that applies power to a fuel injector of an engine in the vehicle propulsion system for a fuel injection event, a voltage measuring module that measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of the fuel injector, a voltage difference module that determines a difference between the first and second voltages, and a diagnostic module with a pattern based neural network that determines whether the fuel injector injected fuel based on the difference between the first and second voltages. |
| US10161338B2 |
Air-fuel ratio sensor control unit
An air-fuel ratio sensor control unit connected with an air-fuel ratio sensor including a common terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal includes a common connection terminal connected with the common terminal, a first connection terminal connected with the first terminal, a second connection terminal connected with the second terminal, a voltage control circuit controlling a voltage of the first connection terminal, a resistor connected with the common connection terminal, a voltage sensing circuit sensing a two-end voltage of the resistor, a current applying circuit applying a constant current to the second connection terminal, and a determining unit sensing a change quantity of the two-end voltage by using the voltage sensing circuit and determining whether a disconnection failure of the first connection terminal occurs based on a sensing result of the change quantity. |
| US10161330B2 |
Construction machine
A cooling time computing unit computes, based on a temperature detected by a temperature detection unit, a cooling time during which an injection unit is cooled by driving of an engine. A notification control unit uses a notification unit to notify an operator of a necessity of cooling before the engine is stopped, during the cooling time computed by the cooling time computing unit. |
| US10161329B2 |
Upstream NOx estimation
A method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine determines an estimated NOx value as a function of at least one engine operating parameter. The method also determines an actual NOx value using a NOx sensor positioned in an exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine. The method detects at least one condition indicative of whether or not the actual NOx value is accurate. The actual NOx value is used for controlling engine operation when the at least one condition indicates that the actual NOx value is accurate, while the estimated NOx value is used for controlling engine operation when the at least one condition indicates that the actual NOx value is inaccurate. |
| US10161326B2 |
Methods and systems for cylinder misfire detection
Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder misfire in a vehicle engine via a plurality of sensors, based on dual mass flywheel (DMF) operating frequency. In response to detection of a misfire event, the misfiring cylinders may be deactivated and upon confirmation of DMF operation out of a resonant frequency range, the deactivated cylinder(s) may be sequentially reactivated. |
| US10161325B2 |
Thermal management control using limited bank operation
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for managing combustion in an internal combustion engine that includes an operating condition module configured to determine an operating load of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can includes multiple banks of cylinders. The apparatus further includes a cylinder bank control module configured to select at least one bank of cylinders of the multiple banks of cylinders to be operational based on the determined operating load of the engine. The apparatus also includes a cylinder bank command module configured to generate a cylinder bank command based on a cylinder bank control instruction received from the cylinder bank control module, the cylinder bank control instruction comprising the selection of the at least one operational bank of cylinders. |
| US10161322B2 |
Techniques for creating purge vapor using waste heat recovery
An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system for a vehicle includes a waste heat control valve configured to direct an exhaust gas from an exhaust treatment system, the waste heat control valve being positioned at a point downstream from a catalyst of the exhaust treatment system, a vapor canister configured to store a fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger connected to (i) the fuel tank, (ii) the waste heat control valve, and (iii) the vapor canister, the heat exchanger being configured to (a) utilize the exhaust waste heat to evaporate the fuel vapor from the liquid fuel and (b) provide the evaporated fuel vapor to the vapor canister. A method of operating the EVAP system includes controlling the waste heat control valve and a fuel pump to provide the vapor canister with a desired amount of fuel vapor. |
| US10161320B2 |
Method of operating an internal combustion engine
A method of operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas engine, comprising at least one combustion chamber to which a charge air is fed with a variable charge pressure and/or a variable amount of charge air, wherein a cylinder pressure value is ascertained from at least one measurement value of a sensor arranged in the at least one combustion chamber, wherein the cylinder pressure value is regulated by altering the charge pressure and/or by altering the amount of charge air as a setting value or values to a cylinder pressure target value, wherein the cylinder pressure target value is selected in dependence on a power of the internal combustion engine. |
| US10161318B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for injecting a gas in a diesel engine
A secondary fuel injection system determines (precisely) a maximum amount of secondary fuel that can be injected into a cylinder during a cycle based upon the rotational speed (RPM) of the engine. A primary fuel injection pulse width of the prior cycle and is used to determine how much heat energy was requested by an engine control module based upon the duration of the injection pulse. Secondary fuel is injected into the intake port of the cylinder after the exhaust valve closes in an amount that is calculated based upon the maximum that can be injected during the allowed calculated time of crankshaft rotation and the amount of heat energy requested in the prior cycle and to include the amount of primary fuel that is then injected into the cylinder is being reduced based upon the amount of heat energy provided by the secondary fuel that was previously injected. |
| US10161316B2 |
Engine bypass valve
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an engine of an aircraft. The engine may include a first fan configured to output a first air flow, a second fan configured to receive a first portion of the first air flow and output a second air flow, a core configured to receive a first portion of the second air flow and generate a first stream, and at least one valve configured to assume one of at least three states in association with a generation of a second stream and a third stream based on at least one of the first air flow and the second air flow. |
| US10161315B2 |
Equipment maintenance component replacement prioritization planning system and method
An operation plan preparation and evaluation device including a storage unit for storing master data related to equipment and a component, transaction data related to the equipment and the component generated when an operation plan is prepared, and an initial parameter used when the operation plan is prepared, and a control unit for preparing the operation plan based on the master data, the transaction data, and the initial parameter, in which the control unit performs a factor setting process of assigning a predetermined set value as the initial parameter, an operation plan preparation process of preparing the operation plan based on the initial parameter serving as the set value, the master data, and the transaction data, and an operation plan evaluation process of evaluating a plurality of respective operation plans prepared by repeatedly performing the operation plan preparation process while varying the initial parameter, and deriving an optimum operation plan. |
| US10161313B2 |
Compact aero-thermo model based engine material temperature control
Systems and methods for controlling a fluid based 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, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode, where the open loop model generates current state derivatives, solver state errors, and synthesized parameters as a function of the dynamic states and a model input vector. A constraint on the state derivatives and solver state errors is based on a material temperature utility for determining a material temperature associated with a component of the cycle of the control system. The model processor may include an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on at least one of a prior state, the current state derivatives, the solver state errors, and the synthesized parameters. |
| US10161303B2 |
Systems and methods for generating auxiliary torque
Systems and methods for generating auxiliary torque are provided. In one example, a method for controlling a supercharger comprises, responsive to requested torque exceeding spark authority of an engine, varying a current applied to a motor of the supercharger to provide an amount of torque to a crankshaft of the engine. In this way, a supercharger can be controlled to compensate for an engine torque shortfall. |
| US10161302B2 |
Variable flow-restricting turbine assembly for a turbocharger, corresponding turbocharger engine and vehicle, and operating method
A variable flow-restricting turbine assembly for a turbocharger includes a housing, a turbine mounted for rotation in the housing, and a variable flow-restrictor. The variable flow-restrictor includes a first series of angularly-distributed flow-restrictor portions distributed around the turbine wheel and located in an exhaust flow path to the wheel, and a second series of angularly-distributed flow-restrictor portions distributed around the first series and located in the exhaust path. At least one of the first and second series is rotatable in the housing to vary the relative angular positions of the first and second series. The restrictor portions are arranged such that the first portions align with the second portions at each of a plurality of relative angular positions to open flow channels between the portions and such that they misalign between those positions to close the flow channels. |
| US10161296B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber. In another aspect, pressure within a pre-chamber is equal to or greater than pressure within a main combustion chamber at least prior to ignition in the main combustion chamber. In yet another aspect, internal combustion engine control software automatically controls pressure within a turbulent jet ignition pre-chamber, controls a valve-actuator to admit a fuel-air charge into the pre-chamber, and causes an igniter to initiate combustion in the pressurized pre-chamber. This also permits the rate of combustion to be controlled in the primary chamber regardless of the air-fuel ratio or the diluent fraction in the main chamber. Another aspect employs a pre-chamber purge pump with separate air and fuel injection. |
| US10161295B2 |
Vehicle under hood cooling system
An engine cooling system includes an engine, an intercooler, a radiator fan, a cooling circuit thermally coupled to at least one of the engine and the intercooler and circulating a coolant, and a controller in signal communication with the cooling circuit. The controller is configured to: upon receipt of a request, when the engine is in an off state, activate a quick cooldown mode where the radiator fan and the cooling circuit are operated to circulate and supply the coolant to at least one of the engine and the intercooler to cool vehicle under hood components while the engine is in the off state. |
| US10161292B1 |
Cooling system for a vehicle and a control method therefor
A cooling system for a vehicle and a control method thereof improves fuel efficiency through quick warm-up of an engine by controlling a flow rate of cooling water passing through an EGR cooler. In the cooling system and control method cooling water with an increased temperature through flow stagnation control is first supplied to an oil heat exchanger side. Heat energy generated from the engine is used to rapidly raise a cooling water temperature and an oil temperature. A warm-up characteristic is improved through the exhaust heat recovery function by heat exchange between exhaust gas and the cooling water in the EGR cooler. |
| US10161289B2 |
Cooling system of engine
A cooling system of an engine may include a cylinder liner formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and pressed against an inside of a cylinder of the engine, a block coolant jacket positioned in an outer side of the cylinder liner in a radial direction to cool a cylinder block, the cylinder block provided with the cylinder liner and the block coolant jacket therein, and a cylinder head engaged on the cylinder block, including an exhaust port and an intake port fluidically-communicated with a combustion chamber and respectively formed at an exhaust side and an intake side, and provided with a head coolant jacket inside, in which the block coolant jacket includes an upper coolant jacket and a lower coolant jacket and a division wall is disposed between the upper coolant jacket and the lower coolant jacket to block fluid flow therebetween. |
| US10161288B2 |
Tail pipe mounting arrangement
An exhaust tailpipe mounting system for mounting on an exhaust pipe end includes a tailpipe and a ring member attached to the tailpipe. At least three spring elements are attached to the ring member, wherein each spring element extends generally along a longitudinal axis and is bent into a wave shape. Each spring element has a proximal end opposite a distal end, where the proximal end is attached to the ring member and the distal end has at least one pointed end configured to grip into an outer surface of the exhaust pipe end. Each spring element has a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh bend zone starting from the proximal end and respectively going to the distal end. The at least one pointed end of is angled at an angle of 75° to 85° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the spring elements. |
| US10161286B2 |
Exhaust gas sampling apparatus and exhaust gas analysis system
In order to provide an exhaust gas sampling apparatus that makes it possible to simplify the entire system using a simple structure flow rate control mechanism having a small variable flow rate range as well as making the accuracy of an exhaust gas dilution ratio higher than before, the exhaust gas sampling apparatus is configured as an exhaust gas sampling apparatus that makes a multistage dilution. In addition, the exhaust gas sampling apparatus is configured to, given that a dilution ratio determined by an n-th diluter in a dilution flow path at an n-th stage as a final stage is R, make dilution ratios determined by diluters in dilution flow paths at the respective stages other than the n-th stage as the final stage substantially equal to (R+1). |
| US10161284B2 |
On-board diagnostic methods for partial filtration filters
A system for and method of diagnosing operation of a partial filtration filter exhaust aftertreatment system are provided. An upstream exhaust temperature value is determined in an exhaust system upstream of at least one of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) component and a first partial flow filter (PFF) component. A downstream exhaust temperature value is determined in the exhaust system downstream of a second PFF component positioned downstream of the at least one of the DOC component and the first PFF component. A frequency difference is determined between a first frequency content of the upstream exhaust temperature value and a second frequency content of the downstream exhaust temperature value. If the frequency is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that at least one of the DOC component and the PFF component are not present in the exhaust system. |
| US10161282B2 |
Engine device
A diesel engine includes an exhaust-gas purification device and allows the exhaust-gas purification device to be disposed at the upper face side of the diesel engine. The exhaust-gas purification device purifies exhaust gas discharged from the diesel engine. The direction of a long side of the exhaust-gas purification device is perpendicular to the direction in which a crankshaft, included in the diesel engine, extends. An exhaust throttle device is disposed between an exhaust manifold, included in the diesel engine, and an exhaust gas inlet, included in the exhaust-gas purification device. |
| US10161279B2 |
Tank device for an aqueous urea solution and method for reducing ice pressure in a tank device
A tank device for an aqueous urea solution for injection into an exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The tank device includes a tank with a tank housing, an interior space located therein, a base and a cover. A separate base portion is attached to the tank housing and partially bounds the interior space. A lamella structure is formed on an upper side of the separate base portion, and the lamella structure has at least one lamella which at least partially subdivides the interior space of the tank above the base portion into a plurality of cells. |
| US10161277B2 |
Capacitor-powered catalyst heater
An after-treatment (AT) system used to treat an exhaust gas flow emitted by an internal combustion engine includes a catalyst monolith configured to actively remove a pollutant from the exhaust gas flow. The AT system also includes a heating element configured to heat the catalyst monolith. The AT system additionally includes an energy-discharge unit configured to power the heating element. The energy-discharge unit includes an energy-storage device configured to supply electrical energy. The energy-discharge unit also includes a capacitor configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy-storage device and discharge the received electrical energy to power the heating element and thereby heat the catalyst monolith. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively connected to such an AT system is also contemplated. |
| US10161273B2 |
Valve opening and closing timing control apparatus
A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotational body, a driven-side rotational body, a cylindrical member provided at an inner portion of the driven-side rotational body, a bolt including a cylinder shaft portion, an advanced angle flow passage and a retarded angle flow passage, an introduction passage bringing the working fluid supplied from an outside to flow, a first connection passage bringing the working fluid at the introduction passage to flow to an inner side of the cylinder shaft portion, a second communication passage and a third communication passage arranged at the cylinder shaft portion, and a control valve element provided at the inner side of the cylinder shaft portion, the second communication passage and the advanced angle flow passage being in communication with a void provided between the bolt head and the cylindrical member and between the cylinder shaft portion and the driven-side rotational body. |
| US10161268B2 |
System, method and apparatus for minimizing heat loss in a heat recovery steam generator
A damper assembly for minimizing heat loss through an exhaust stack includes a housing mountable within the stack and an umbrella received within the housing. The umbrella is selectively movable between a first position in which the umbrella is received within the housing, and second position in which the umbrella is extended from the housing such that a peripheral edge of the umbrella is in close association with an interior sidewall of the exhaust stack to minimize a flow of fluid past the umbrella and out of the stack. |
| US10161266B2 |
Nozzle and nozzle assembly for gas turbine engine
A nozzle for a gas turbine engine, including an airfoil having an exterior surface, flange and radially compressive contact face. Also included is an airfoil support frame having a mating face positioned in engagement with the contact face. A non-orthogonal engagement angle is provided in order to transmit a compressive force to the airfoil. |
| US10161264B2 |
Helically actuated variable bearing damper
A bearing damper assembly for a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine includes a squirrel cage, a bearing support, an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve. The bearing support is disposed radially outward from a portion of the squirrel cage. The outer sleeve extends axially from the bearing support. The inner sleeve is attached to the squirrel cage and is disposed radially inward from the outer sleeve. An outward surface of the inner sleeve has a first contoured portion having a first axially extending contour and an inner surface of the outer sleeve has a second contoured portion having a second axially extending contour. The outward surface of the inner sleeve and the inner surface of the outer sleeve define a gap extending between the first contoured portion and the second contoured portion. The gap forms a fluid damper. |
| US10161263B2 |
Bearing housing
A bearing housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger may include an encircling and inwardly open groove arranged in the bearing housing. The bearing housing may also include a housing cover that may have at least one forming portion formed plastically into the groove. The housing cover may be secured on the bearing housing via the at least one forming portion. |
| US10161262B2 |
Process for producing a thermal barrier in a multilayer system for protecting a metal part and part equipped with such a protective system
A method for producing a thermal barrier in a multilayered system for protecting a metal part made of superalloy, by producing a thermal treatment by flash sintering protection materials in layers superposed on the metal part in an SPS machine enclosure. The layers contain, on a superalloy substrate, at least two layers of zirconium-based refractory ceramics. A metal part is produced according to a SPS flash sintering method and contains a superalloy substrate, a metal sub-layer, a TGO oxide layer and the thermal barrier formed by the method. A first ceramic is an inner ceramic designed to have a substantially higher expansion coefficient. An outer ceramic is designed to have at least lower thermal conductivity, and at least one of a sintering temperature or maximum operating temperature that is substantially higher. The thermal barrier has a composition and porosity gradient from the metal sub-layer to the outer ceramic. |
| US10161256B2 |
Seal with backup seal
A sealing arrangement has a turbine static structure with contact surfaces, a bearing compartment with contact surfaces, and a cavity between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. There are also two seals, wherein each seal is configured to contact the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. |
| US10161255B2 |
Turbine nozzle having non-axisymmetric endwall contour (EWC)
Various embodiments of the invention include turbine nozzles and systems employing such nozzles. Various particular embodiments include a turbine nozzle having: an airfoil having: a suction side; a pressure side opposing the suction side; a leading edge spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge opposing the leading edge and spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and at least one endwall connected with the airfoil along the suction side, pressure side, trailing edge and the leading edge, the at least one endwall including a non-axisymmetric contour proximate a junction between the endwall and the leading edge of the airfoil. |
| US10161251B2 |
Turbomachine rotors with thermal regulation
A rotor disk for a turbomachine includes a disk body, a rim configured to connect to or include a rotor blade disposed on a radially outward portion of the disk body, a bore defined in a radially inward portion of the disk body and configured to be radially adjacent to a shaft, and a thermal regulation aperture defined in the disk body, radially inward of the rim, for allowing flow to pass axially through the disk body when disposed in a stage of a turbomachine, and a thermal regulation aperture defined in the disk body for allowing flow to pass through the disk body when disposed in a stage of a turbomachine. |
| US10161250B2 |
Rotor with axial arm having protruding ramp
A rotor includes a rotor hub that is rotatable about an axis. The rotor hub includes a bore portion and a rim. An arm extends axially and radially inwardly from the rim. The arm has a radially inner side, a radially outer side, and a protruding ramp on the radially outer side. |
| US10161246B1 |
Rotatable sensors for measuring characteristics of subterranean formation
Sensor assemblies are described for measuring isotropic, anisotropic, or directionally dependent, characteristics of a subterranean formation. Sensor assemblies can include sensors deployed on a tool string. One or more of the sensors can be rotatable relative to the tool string. Rotating one or more sensors relative to the tool string can provide data about the subterranean formation at multiple points around the tool string. |
| US10161241B2 |
Reverse flow sleeve actuation method
A sleeve actuation method for actuating sleeves in a reverse direction. The method includes a use of stored energy created by injecting into a connected region of a well such that the stored energy is used to actuate a tool installed in a wellbore casing that is either heel ward or uphole of the connected region. The tool actuated in a direction from toe end to heel end while the tool reconfigures to create a seat for seating plugging elements. |
| US10161240B1 |
Method and apparatus for testing the blowout preventer (BOP) on a drilling rig
A method and apparatuses for testing the blowout preventer (BOP) piping system on a drilling rig for leaks. The method and apparatuses can be used in conjunction with a pressure or volumetric method to more accurately test the BOP for integrity and to shorten the total time of testing. |
| US10161236B2 |
Methods for fracturing subterranean formations
Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation are described wherein sintered ceramic proppants are used in at least two different stages. Each stage can utilize the same or a different type of proppant relative to one or more of the other stages, and the same or a different type of fracturing fluid relative to one or more of the other stages. At least one of the stages uses a proppant having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower. A first stage can be used that exhibits at least one proppant performance property having a first value. A second stage can be used that exhibits the same proppant performance property as the first stage but at a value that differs from the first value by at least 10%. |
| US10161233B2 |
Method of upgrading and recovering a hydrocarbon resource for pipeline transport and related system
A method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation may include applying radio frequency (RF) power to the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource to have a lowered viscosity. The method may further include producing the upgraded hydrocarbon resource from the subterranean formation to a wellhead, and, at the wellhead, adding a diluent to the upgraded hydrocarbon resource sufficient to meet a pipeline transport viscosity threshold. The method may also include supplying the diluted upgraded hydrocarbon resource to a pipeline for transportation therethrough. |
| US10161229B2 |
Subsea connector
A connector includes a cylindrical body and a plurality of longitudinal latching fingers arranged around the body. Each finger has a first end region which includes a first latching structure, a second end region and an intermediate region. Each finger is pivotally supported at the intermediate region and is movable between a non-latching position and a latching position. An actuating device is operable to force the second end region of each finger towards the body by exerting a force on at least a portion of the second end region. The actuating device includes a force-imparting member which cooperates with a force-receiving region located on the second end region. The force-receiving region includes a first outer surface portion which is curved radially outwardly to define an apex and a trough, the latter being located between the apex and the intermediate region and configured to accommodate the force-imparting member. |
| US10161225B2 |
Seals with embedded sensors
An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a seal, such as a seal in a blowout preventer or in another oilfield device, is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a blowout preventer including a seal and a blowout preventer seal-monitoring system that includes a sensor positioned within a body of the seal and a data analyzer. The data analyzer has a processor and is configured to monitor a condition of the seal through analysis of data received by the data analyzer from the sensor positioned within the body of the seal. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US10161222B2 |
Compositions and methods for servicing subterranean wells
Fluids containing surfactants and hydrophobic particles are effective media for cleaning non-aqueous fluids (NAFs) out of a subterranean wellbore. The fibers and surfactants are preferably added to a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid, a chemical wash, a cement slurry or combinations thereof. NAFs, such as an oil-base mud or a water-in-oil emulsion mud, are attracted to the fibers as the treatment fluid circulates in the wellbore. |
| US10161219B2 |
Gravel pack-circulating sleeve with hydraulic lock
A system and method for selectively locking open or close a gravel pack-circulating sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve is movably coupled to a first chamber containing a fluid. The first chamber is fluidly connected to a second chamber through a fluid flow controller. Shifting of the sleeve between open and closed positions is resisted by a the fluid flow controller. The resistance to fluid flow can reduce or eliminate inadvertent shifting of the sleeve due to short bumps and small loads upon the sleeve. To overcome the resistance to fluid flow and to shift the sleeve, a continuous load can be applied to the sleeve. |
| US10161218B2 |
Ball injector for frac tree
A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided. Also provided is a method of delivering a ball into a frac tree below the frac head, and a method of delivering and monitoring a ball progression into the frac tree, for example with a camera. |
| US10161217B2 |
Ball seat apparatus and method
A ball seat assembly includes a tubular having a bore therethrough; an entry port in fluid communication with the bore; a plurality of exit ports in fluid communication with the entry port; a ball seat disposed in the each of the plurality of exit ports, wherein the ball seat is configured to receive a ball to block fluid flow through the respective exit port; and a diverter configured to block fluid flow through the bore and direct fluid flow from the bore to the entry port. |
| US10161214B2 |
Off-set tubing string segments for selective location of downhole tools
A system and method for selective isolation of multiple wellbore intervals that can include an isolation mandrel interconnected in a tubing string, where the isolation mandrel includes an entry bore, a transition chamber, and an exit bore, the transition chamber being positioned between the entry and exit bores, and the transition chamber being radially enlarged relative to the entry and exit bores. An isolation device, with a predetermined length, is displaced through the tubing string to the isolation mandrel, where the length of the isolation device relative to a length of the isolation mandrel can determine if the isolation device passes through the isolation mandrel or lands in the isolation mandrel. |
| US10161211B2 |
Running tool locking system and method
A system and method for locking together a running tool and a tubular member to rotate the tubular member. The system includes a tubular member and a running tool adapted to engage in a mechanical connection such that the running tool and the tubular member are arranged concentrically and moveable longitudinally together. The system includes a locking assembly adapted to lock the tubular member and the running tool together once the tubular member and the running tool are engaged in the mechanical connection, so that torque applied to the running tool is applied to the tubular member through the locking assembly to rotate the running tool and the tubular member synchronously. The locking assembly is adapted to unlock the tubular member and the running tool when the tubular member is landed on a shoulder of an outer tubular member so that the mechanical connection can then be disengaged. |
| US10161208B2 |
Drill string pressure altering apparatus and method
An apparatus for creating vibrations in a pipe string is disclosed. The device comprises a fluid pump which pumps fluid within a first fluid bore and is connected to the pipe string. A hydraulic pump pumps fluid within a second fluid bore and a movable plunger disposed between the first fluid bore and the second fluid bore intermittently opens and closes access to a tank based on changes to a pressure of the fluid pump. The tank for collecting at least a portion of the fluid is connected to the apparatus via the first fluid bore, and the movement of the plunger is configured to generate vibrations within the pipe string by altering the amount of fluid allowed to flow to the tank. |
| US10161201B2 |
Powered slip actuation
A method for pushing and pulling rod strings through the ground or an underground pipe. A grip assembly is supported on a stationary frame and moveable relative to the stationary frame. The grip assembly has a slip bowl tapering from a large opening to a small opening in a first direction, a plurality of slips, and an actuator. The actuator powers relative axial movement between the slip bowl and the slips. A positioning assembly carries the grip assembly and powers its reciprocating and straight-line movement to urge the grip assembly in either a first or second direction. The grip assembly will work when operated to push or pull the pipe, irrespective of the is direction of the slips. |
| US10161199B2 |
Dual member pipe joint for a dual member drill string
A dual member drill string that has a plurality of dual member drill string sections, The drill string may be used in horizontal directional drilling operations. Each drill string section has an outer member and an inner member that may rotate independently of the outer member. The outer member has a pin end and a box end. The inner member has a pin end disposed within the pin end of the outer member and a box end disposed within the box end of the outer member. |
| US10161197B2 |
Well tool centralizer systems and methods
An apparatus for, and method of, centering downhole well tools within the wellbore of a pipe comprises at least a pair of discs secured, respectively, to the distal end of a tool in a plane normal to a longitudinal tool axis, with an arc of each disc extended past the outer perimeter of the tool to at least an internal perimeter of an applied pipe bore and flexing to centralize the tool. In alternative embodiments, the discs are replaced by blades that are secured by a plurality of attachment points and fasteners, or by spring steel wires that are secured in radial apertures through an end boss by interference fit, soldering, swaging, or gluing. |
| US10161196B2 |
Individually variably configurable drag members in an anti-rotation device
Variably configurable anti-rotation device (252) in a rotary steerable subterranean drill (20). The rotary steerable subterranean drill (20) includes a housing (46) with which the anti-rotation device (252) is associated. Wellbore engaging portions of the anti-rotation device (252) are positioned at an exterior (52) of the housing (46) and have a plurality of differently configurable, radially deployable drag members (254) that are peripherally spaced about the exterior (52) of the housing (46). A controller is coupled to the plurality of drag members (254) and is configured to instruct different deployed configurations of at least two of the drag members (254) in dependence upon a controller-determined formation force experienced on a toolface of a drill bit (22) of the rotary steerable subterranean drill (20). |
| US10161194B2 |
Connector for a downhole conveyance
A downhole tool includes a housing that includes a bore therethrough to receive a portion of a downhole conveyance that extends linearly through the bore from a first opening in the housing to a second opening in the housing, the downhole conveyance including a communication line sized to communicate instructions that includes at least one of logic or data; and a grip assembly at least partially positioned in the bore to engagingly hold the portion of the downhole conveyance at a tension at least equal to a breaking strength of the downhole conveyance. |
| US10161191B2 |
Enhanced plastering effect in borehole drilling
A method of drilling a borehole can include chopping drill cuttings with a drilling tool connected in a drill string, the tool receiving the drill cuttings from a drill bit, and then forcing the chopped cuttings against a borehole wall. A well system can include a drilling tool which chops drill cuttings, and another drilling tool which forces the chopped drill cuttings against a borehole wall. Another method of drilling a borehole can include chopping drill cuttings with a drilling tool connected in a drill string, and then forcing the chopped drill cuttings against a wall of the borehole with another drilling tool connected in the drill string. Another drilling system can include a drilling tool connected in a drill string, the tool including at least one device which decreases an average size of drill cuttings between an outer housing and an inner mandrel. |
| US10161189B2 |
Systems and methods for drilling wellbores having a short radius of curvature
Systems and methods are presented for drilling a wellbore with a portion having a short radius of curvature. The systems include a drill assembly having a motor and a tubular housing. An actuator is at least partially disposed within the tubular housing and couples the motor to the tubular housing. The actuator is configured to selectively articulate the drill assembly between a straight configuration and a bent configuration. At least one torque anchor is fluidly-coupled to a trailing end of the drill assembly. Methods are presented for selectively articulating the drill assembly to form the wellbore, including the portion having short radius of curvature. Other systems and methods are presented. |
| US10161187B2 |
Rotor bearing for progressing cavity downhole drilling motor
A progressing cavity drilling motor positionable in a wellbore includes a tubular housing, a stator having a collection of helical lobes, and a rotor having a collection of helical lobes. The rotor orbits about the central longitudinal axis of the stator. A bearing assembly is coupled to an end of the housing and is disposed around an end of the rotor. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing disposed concentrically in the stator housing, an outer bearing disposed concentrically in the bearing housing, and an inner bearing disposed on the first cylindrical end of the rotor. The inner bearing has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the rotor and is positioned in the outer bearing such that the inner bearing orbits around the central longitudinal axis of the stator when the rotor is rotated in the stator. |
| US10161186B1 |
Ladder securing device
A ladder securing device (10) for securing a ladder (12) to the side of house to prevent the ladder from tipping over while unattended. The ladder securing device has a substantially U-shaped clip (2) that slides under a drip edge (13) and/or under a piece of fascia (14). The clip is then attached to a rung of a ladder using one or more straps (9) extending from the U-shaped clip. |
| US10161180B2 |
Multi-glazed window incorporating an active noise reduction device
A multi-glazed window formed by a frame produced from profiles supporting at least two glass panes separated by an air layer. The window incorporating an active noise reduction device for a noise coming from a noise source. At least one loudspeaker an actuator associated with the membrane, which actuator is capable of inducing a vibratory movement of said membrane, at least one control microphone carried by the frame, said microphone being installed in the air layer in order to sense the acoustic signals in said air layer, and a control electronics suitable for controlling the actuator according to the acoustic signals sensed by the control microphone. |
| US10161174B2 |
Vehicle having a braked sliding door
A vehicle has a sliding door fitted with a rotatable brake member to apply a braking force to the sliding door when the vehicle is on a slope. The brake member is automatically rotated about a pivot axis X-X by a moveable member forming part of an actuator when the vehicle is resting on a slope into a position in which a braking force is applied to the sliding door by the interaction of the brake member with an elongate track in the form of a sliding door support track. |
| US10161172B2 |
Door closer for a leaf of a door or a window
The invention relates to a retracting device for a leaf of a door or a window, comprising a housing, a piston which is arranged in a receiving area of the housing and which is urged by a spring, and a shaft which is mounted in the housing and which interacts with the piston, an actuating arm for the leaf being arranged on the shaft in a non-rotatable manner. At least one first driving element is arranged on the shaft, the head surface of said driving element forming a freewheel device with a freewheel region, wherein an arrangement of the piston or a tooth of a toothing of the piston slides on the freewheeling region so as to decouple the shaft from the piston. |
| US10161171B2 |
Sliding rail type low-obstacle linkage shower room and installation method
A sliding rail low-obstacle linkage shower room include an upper rail and a lower rail, a fixed glass, a primary shower glass and a secondary shower glass. The lower rail is correspondingly fixed on a bottom of the secondary shower glass. A sliding block unit is installed on the lower rail. The sliding block unit includes a fixed portion, a sliding groove and a guidance sliding portion. The fixed portion is fixed on the bottom of the secondary shower glass. A bottom of the primary shower glass is inserted into the sliding groove to form a linkage. The guidance sliding portion is glidingly engaged with the lower rail. The linkage shower room has a simple structure which can be easily manufactured. |
| US10161160B2 |
Cover assembly for an enclosure
A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces. |
| US10161159B2 |
Folding frame system with V-shaped leg assembly and folding foot assembly
A foot assembly for a V-leg assembly of a folding frame system includes a first U-shaped bracket having two legs connected by a web, a second U-shaped bracket having two legs connected b a web, a cylindrical foot member, and a pivot pin extending through a hole in the web of the first bracket, a hole in the foot member, and a hole in the web of the second bracket so that the first bracket, the foot member, and the second bracket are all pivotable relative to one another about the pivot pin. |
| US10161156B2 |
Flood vent having a panel
According to one embodiment, a flood vent panel includes a first area, a second area, and a first set of one or more perforations positioned on a first side of the flood vent panel in a location in-between the first area and the second area. The perforations are configured to break when at least a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to a portion of the second area. The flood vent panel is configured to be coupled, at least indirectly, to a structure so as to at least partially block a fluid passageway through an opening in the structure. The break is configured to completely separate the second area from the first area so as to reduce an amount of blockage of the fluid passageway. |
| US10161154B2 |
Pool cleaner with articulated cleaning members and methods relating thereto
Exemplary embodiments include a pool cleaner having a body and articulated cleaning member extending from the body. The articulated cleaning member can be pivotally and/or rotatably coupled to the body. The articulated cleaning member can be pivoted or rotated with respect to the body to accommodate changes in the terrain of a pool. A method for cleaning a swimming pool is also provided where a pool cleaner having articulated cleaning members is submerged in a pool and allowing the pool cleaner to traverse an immersed surface of the pool. The method further rotates the articulated cleaning member in response to a difference in an elevation of the immersed surface between the articulated cleaning member and the body. |
| US10161153B2 |
Pool cleaner canister handle
Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor. |
| US10161152B1 |
Methods for changing a coping of a swimming pool
Coping arrangements and methods for mounting coping arrangements for swimming pools and related structures are provided. The coping arrangements include an elongated base member shaped and adapted to be received by a wall of a swimming pool; and a plurality of elongated top members, each of the plurality of elongated top members are adapted to be replaceably mounted to the elongated base member, and each of the plurality of elongated top members having an exposed contour different from each of the other elongated top members. The different exposed contours of the top members of the coping arrangement may comprise different cross-sectional. Methods for changing a coping arrangement, coping arrangement kits, coping members, and methods for installing a pool are also disclosed. |
| US10161149B2 |
Frame pool
A frame pool having a plurality of vertical support tubes, a plurality of horizontal support tubes, a pool body comprising a pool bottom and a pool wall, and a reinforcing band having a continuous annular shape and provided between the inner side of the vertical support tubes and an outer surface of the pool wall. The reinforcing band entirely or partially covering the perimeter of the pool body and being fitted with the pool wall. A fixing band having a continuous annular shape is provided about an outer surface of the reinforcing band and of the vertical support tubes. At least one fixing device is fixedly coupled to the reinforcing band, wherein the fixing band passes through the fixing device. |
| US10161147B2 |
Method for connecting modular mobile rooms
A method and a connector unit for connecting two or more structures wherein at least one of the two or more structures being connected is a mobile structure validatable for pharmaceutical manufacturing or patient care. The connector unit comprises of an alignment system, a sealing, and a fixation system. The method for using the connector unit comprises of aligning the two or more structures to dock the two or more structures together, sealing the two or more structures, or one or more structures and an environment air tight with a seal or a sealing system, and affixing the two or more structures together to prevent relative movement of the two or more structures, or breakage of the seal or seal system. |
| US10161146B2 |
On-site mobile facility
The present invention relates to an on-site mobile facility for shielding from wind exerting a wind load on the facility, rain or snow when constructing, renovating or assembling a building, a bridge or a wind turbine, the on-site mobile facility covering an area having boundaries and corners, comprising: a plurality of modules, each module having a module roof structure, the module roof structures being mounted as a facility roof structure connecting horizontal beams of the module roof structures, the facility roof structure having edges and the horizontal beams defining the edges which are supported by legs, the legs and the beams defining side areas, the side areas being covered by a shielding arrangement, the shielding arrangement of the side area comprising elongated elements, and cover material, such as tarpaulin, being arranged between the elements and connected therewith, wherein the on-site mobile facility further comprises a guide system for guiding the shielding arrangement of the side area, the guide system being slidably connecting the elements with one of the beams or the adjacent legs so as to at least partly uncover the side areas, so that wind is allowed to pass through the facility by passing through the uncovered part of the side area and out through an uncovered part of the side area on another side of the on-site mobile facility to reduce the wind load on the facility in order for the facility to remain unaffected by the wind load during heavy winds. The present invention also relates to a facility mounting method for mounting the on-site mobile facility according to the present invention. |
| US10161144B2 |
Variable angle corner flusher
A variable angle corner flusher tool includes a pair of blades pivotally connected along one edge. An activator assembly is provided to facilitate angular adjustment of the blades. The activator assembly includes an activator screw and a slider bracket that moves axially along the activator screw. A pair of linkage arms are provided, with each linkage arm having a first end attached to the slider bracket and a second end attached to one the pair of blades. The linkage arms results in an axial position of the slider bracket along the activator screw determining the angular positioning of the blades. A ratchet plate is pivotally mounted to the slider bracket. The ratchet plate is selectively pivoted between an engaged position engaged with the activator screw and a disengaged position disengaged from activator screw. |
| US10161138B2 |
Artificial stone construction material and method of making
An artificial stone building tile and method. Disclosed is an artificial stone building tile and a method of making the building tile. The building tile has a low density and significant flexibility, and is nailable without cracking. It is made by layers of cement formulations separated by layers of metal mesh. Color batches of cement are prepared and placed in the bottom of a mold, with the color batches becoming the visible face of the building tile. |
| US10161137B2 |
Panel mounting system, method of providing a façade lining to building, and combination of parts for use in a panel mounting system
The invention relates to a panel-mounting system for the façade lining of a building, comprising a conduit for a fluid, elongate profiles configured to be fixed to a building wall, panels for forming the façade lining by fixing them onto the profiles, wherein for each of the profiles an elongate contact area is defined between the profile and a panel which is fixed to that profile. At least some profiles comprise an elongate metallic heat conductor which is connected to the profile, arranged for exchanging heat conductively, through the contact area, between fluid in the conduit and the at least one panel fixed to that profile. The invention also relates to a method of providing a façade lining to a building wall, using such a system, and to a combination of parts for use in such a system. |
| US10161135B2 |
Roof vent adaptors and methods
Various roof vent adaptors are disclosed. The roof vent adaptors can be used to seal penetrations on buildings, such as vent penetrations on metal or non-metal roofs. In various embodiments, the roof vent adaptor includes a sealing member, an outer securing unit and an inner securing unit. The roof vent adaptor can be secured to the roof to provide a generally liquid-tight seal around the roof vent, thereby inhibiting or preventing water intrusion into the building. |