| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10216358B2 |
Touch display apparatus and operating method thereof
A touch display apparatus and an operating method of the touch display apparatus are provided. An application icon is converted into a corresponding startup gesture icon if a touch operation conforms to an icon conversion operation. Here, the startup gesture icon indicates a gesture operation required for starting up an application corresponding to the startup gesture icon. |
| US10216357B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus
An apparatus including a processor configured to: obtain image data representing an object for being displayed to a user, wherein the object is displayed on the basis of left eye image data and right eye image data obtained on the basis of the image data; obtain user eye position data representing a left pupil position and a right pupil position of the user; and generate a left eye image position for the left eye image data and a right eye image position for the right eye image data on the basis of the user eye position data. |
| US10216355B2 |
Method for providing scale to align 3D objects in 2D environment
Example systems and methods for virtual visualization of a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object in a two-dimensional (2D) environment. The method may include projecting a ray from a user device to a ground plane and determining an angle at which the projected ray touches the ground plane. The method further helps determine a level for the ground plane for positioning the 3D model of the object in the 2D environment. |
| US10216354B2 |
Interface apparatus for displaying 3D information of content in main display apparatus and system for displaying 3D information of content
Provided is a system for implementing 3D information of contents includes: a main display device that outputs 2D planar information; and a tangible interface device that reference position, which are 2D coordinate values on a display panel of the main display device, to the basis display device, receiving 3D contents according to height information for the reference position from the main display device or a specific storage device and outputs the 3D contents to a content display unit, and adjust the height of the content display unit to be matched with the height information. |
| US10216349B2 |
Touch panel, conductive sheet for touch panel, and touch sensor
A touch panel has a transparent insulating member, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer, in which in a case where a total area of first non-connecting wires in a first electrode of the first electrode layer is A1, a total area of first electrode wires in the first electrode is B1, and an occupation ratio of the first non-connecting wires in the first electrode is C1, C1=A1/(A1+B1) is satisfied, in a case where a total area of second non-connecting wires in a second electrode of the second electrode layer is A2, a total area of second electrode wires in the second electrode is B2, and an occupation ratio of the second non-connecting wires in the second electrode is C2, C2=A2/(A2+B2) is satisfied, and at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode satisfying C2 |
| US10216346B2 |
Display device with capacitive touch panel
A display device with a capacitive touch panel includes a laminate between a display panel and a cover layer, the laminate having a circularly polarizing plate, a first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer. The circularly polarizing plate includes a substrate and a polarizing plate. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the substrate are positioned closer to the display panel than is the polarizing plate, and the first conductive layer is positioned closer to the cover layer than is the second conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers are arranged apart from each other in a stacking direction so as to form a capacitive touch sensor. One of the first and second conductive layers is formed on one surface of the substrate. The substrate has an optical film with a phase difference of λ/4. The polarizing plate has a polarizing film. |
| US10216343B2 |
Detection device including conductive thin wires and display device including the detection device
According to an aspect, a detection device includes: a substrate; a detection electrode disposed on a plane parallel to a surface of the substrate and including conductive thin wires and electrical coupling portions disposed where the conductive thin wires intersect with each other or are bent, and are coupled with each other, the conductive thin wires being arranged in a mesh-like form; a coupling wire that couples the conductive thin wires with a detecting unit at an end portion of the detection electrode; and a protective layer that is made of an insulation material and that covers the detection electrode and the coupling wire. An area density of the conductive thin wires per unit area is smaller in an end region ranging from an electrical coupling portion closest to the coupling wire to the coupling wire than in a region of the entire detection electrode. |
| US10216342B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting a contact operation and a pressure of an operating object on a contact operation surface, a display switching unit for switching display on a display screen according to the pressure of the operating object detected by the detection unit, and an execution unit for performing a predetermined process, in a case a predetermined operation of the operating object on the contact operation surface is detected by the detection unit while the display on the display screen is being switched by the display switching unit, according to the predetermined operation. |
| US10216335B1 |
Reducing false sensing of touchscreen inputs
An apparatus can comprise a display, a first plurality of electrodes, a second plurality of electrodes, a dummy electrode, and a processor. The processor can cause the apparatus to recognize a contact in response to receiving input on at least one of the first plurality of electrodes and at least one of the second plurality of electrodes and receiving no input on the dummy electrode, and ignore a contact in response to receiving input on the dummy electrode, at least one of the first plurality of electrodes, and at least one of the second plurality of electrodes. |
| US10216332B2 |
Color filter substrate and in-cell touch display device
A color filter substrate and an in-cell touch display device are disclosed. The color filter substrate including a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region, wherein the color filter substrate further includes a conductive antistatic layer, and the antistatic layer is only disposed in the non-display region. The in-cell touch display device can eliminate static electricity under the premise of having no influence on touch function, and the in-cell touch display device is provided with an enhanced anti-electrostatic capability. |
| US10216330B2 |
Touch systems and methods including rejection of unintentional touch signals
A touch sensor can be used with a finger and/or a pen configured to provide a touch input to the touch sensor. Some implementations involve touch capacitive touch sensing, although many implementations are also applicable to other touch and pen technologies, such as resistive, surface acoustic wave, bending wave, touch force, electromagnetic (E-M). Discrimination between intentional touches and unintentional touches on the touch surface can be performed using first criteria. For each touch identified as an intentional touch, discrimination between a finger touch and a pen touch can be performed using second criteria. |
| US10216328B2 |
Method for operating a touch-sensitive control system and device having such a control system
The invention relates to a method for operating an operating system (10), in particular of a motor vehicle, having the steps: detecting by means of a pressure detection device whether an operating field (14) of the operating system (10) has been exposed by means of an actuating element (12) to a greater pressure than a predetermined pressure threshold value; if it is detected that the operating field (14) is exposed to a greater pressure than the pressure threshold value: outputting of at least one confirmation signal by means of the operating field (14); wherein by means of a detection device, the size of a contact area (22, 22′) of the actuating element (12) that touches the operating field (14) is detected; the confirmation signal is output only if, during the pressure exertion on the operating field (14), it is detected that the contact area (22, 22′) of the actuating element (12) has been changed by a predetermined factor. The invention furthermore relates to a unit with an operating system (10). |
| US10216327B2 |
Noise-cancelled capacitive touch display apparatus
A noise-cancelled capacitive touch display apparatus includes a display panel and a capacitive touch sensor on or above the display panel. The capacitive touch sensor includes plural sensing lines, plural driving lines, plural first signal lines, plural second signal lines and a noise cancellation line. The sensing lines are parallel with each other and extend along a first direction. The driving lines are parallel with each other and extend along a second direction, wherein the second direction intersects the first direction. Each first signal line is located outside of an outermost driving line. Each second signal line is located outside of an outermost sensing line. The noise cancellation line is a cut-off part of a corresponding first signal line or a corresponding second signal line. The noise cancellation line receives the noise generated from the display panel. |
| US10216325B2 |
Touch sensing circuit and a signal demodulating method
A touch sensing circuit including a plurality of touch sensing channels is provided. Each of the touch sensing channels includes at least one operational amplifier circuit and a demodulating circuit. The operational amplifier circuit is configured to receive a touch sensing signal, and amplify the touch sensing signal. The operational amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier has an inverting end, and the inverting end is coupled to a direct-current voltage. The demodulating circuit is coupled to the operational amplifier circuit. The demodulating circuit is configured to demodulate the amplified touch sensing signal by mixing the amplified touch sensing signal with a demodulating signal. In addition, a signal demodulating method is also provided. |
| US10216321B2 |
Touch display device and associated control method
A control method for a touch display device including a display panel is provided. The display panel includes multiple first gate lines and multiple second gate lines respectively corresponding to a first field and a second field of a frame, and multiple sensing electrodes for touch sensing. Within one single frame period, the control method includes: scanning the first gate lines to update the first field; controlling the sensing electrodes to perform touch sensing and providing a first touch report; scanning the second gates lines to update the second field; and controlling the sensing electrodes to perform touch sensing and providing a second touch report. At least one of the first gates lines is located between two of the second gate lines, and at least one of the second gate lines is located between two of the first gate lines. |
| US10216320B2 |
Display device and input device
A display device includes: a display panel having a front surface and a back surface and displaying an image on the front surface; a plurality of detection electrodes overlapping the display panel when seen in a plan view; and a shield electrode overlapping the display panel when seen in a plan view. The shield electrode is arranged on a side opposite to a side of the front surface with respect to the plurality of detection electrodes. Based on electrostatic capacitance of the shield electrode, proximity or contact of an object to the front surface is detected, and based on electrostatic capacitance of each of the plurality of detection electrodes, a position of the object is detected. |
| US10216310B2 |
Pressure-sensitive panel and detection method thereof, 3D touch panel and touch display panel
The present disclosure provides a pressure-sensitive panel and a detection method thereof, a 3D touch panel and a touch display panel. The pressure-sensitive panel includes a pressure-sensitive layer. The pressure-sensitive layer includes a plurality of pressure-sensitive units, and each pressure-sensitive unit includes four resistors, a first voltage detection unit and a second voltage detection unit. The four resistors of each pressure-sensitive unit are connected with each other in sequence; two short sides of the first resistor are respectively connected with one long side of the second resistor and the fourth resistor; and two short sides of the third resistors are connected with the other long side of the second resistor and the fourth resistor. A connecting end between the first resistor and the fourth resistor is connected with a first fixed voltage end, and a connecting end between the second resistor and the third resistor is connected with a second fixed voltage end. The first voltage detection unit is connected with a connecting end between the first resistor and the second resistor, and the second voltage detection unit is connected with a connecting end between the third resistor and the fourth resistor. The pressure-sensitive panel can detect the pressing force of a user. |
| US10216304B2 |
Touch screen display device with improved ESD protection
Embodiments of a touch screen display device having improved electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection are provided herein with a touch screen and a display module underlying the touch screen. The touch screen described herein includes a touch panel substrate having a plurality of transmit lines, a plurality of receive lines, a plurality of routing traces and a ground ring formed thereon. The ground ring includes inner edges, which conform to and surround a periphery of the transmit lines, receive lines and routing traces, and outer edges that are substantially parallel and adjacent to edges of the touch panel substrate. At least one of the outer edges of the ground ring extend past at least one outer edge of the display module along at least one entire side of the display module, thereby providing ESD protection to the display module on all such sides. |
| US10216285B2 |
Backlit illumination of electronics
A backlit device includes an outer layer, an adhesive layer, and a light guide configured to transmit light from a light source. The adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide. The outer layer includes a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments where light from the light guide can pass through and provide backlighting. The adhesive layer includes a plurality of adhesive material segments. Each adhesive material segment is individually positioned between an outer layer segment and the light guide such that the perimeter of an outer layer segment surrounds the perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment. Through this arrangement, the adhesive material segments do not divert or block light passing through the opening in the outer layer. |
| US10216282B2 |
Display device with a moveable photographing assembly
A display device for providing user interaction is disclosed. The disclosed display device comprises: a display body; a photographing unit including a camera module for detecting a user's gesture; and a driving unit for selectively moving the photographing unit to a first position where the photographing unit is received in the display body and to a second position or a third position where the photographing unit projects outward from the display body during photographing, wherein the driving unit keeps the photographing unit fixed at a certain point in the section between the second position and the third position. |
| US10216279B2 |
Interactive display with tactile feedback
An electronic device including a housing having a first surface and a second surface, and an interactive display having a keyboard-enabled mode and a keyboard-disabled mode. The interactive display includes a first image display device disposed at the first surface that displays image data, and a physical keypad disposed at the second surface that provides tactile feedback to a user only when the interactive display is in the keyboard-enabled mode, the physical keypad being substantially smooth when the interactive display is in the keyboard-disabled mode. |
| US10216277B2 |
Modifying haptic effects for slow motion
Systems and methods for generating and modifying a haptic effect are provided. Haptic effects are rendered in slow motion by modifying the various parameters associated with each haptic effect of a haptic effect sequence. For example, the magnitude, frequency, and/or duration of each haptic effect may be altered to accurately convey the haptic effect sequence in slow motion. |
| US10216276B2 |
Terminal and operating method thereof
Provided is an operating method of a terminal. The method includes: capturing an image for an object; obtaining movement information on a movement of the object; and storing the obtained movement information corresponding to the captured image. |
| US10216273B2 |
Apparatus and method for effecting a control action in respect of system functions
An apparatus for effecting a control action in respect of a function within a virtual or mixed reality system, the control action corresponding to a predefined bodily movement of an authorized user of said function, wherein an authorized user is defined by a predetermined criterion in respect of a selected body part and/or a passive device carried thereon. The apparatus comprises a detection module for detecting a predefined bodily movement; a multi-spectral imaging system for capturing spectral reflectance and/or emission data at a plurality of wavelengths in respect of said selected body part and/or the passive device carried thereon; and an analysis module for comparing at least a portion of the spectral data with data corresponding to an authorized user of said function to determine if said criterion is met, and outputting a signal to effect said control action only if said criterion is met. |
| US10216272B2 |
Strain measurement ring
A strain measurement ring measures strain information describing deformation of a strain-sensitive element included in the strain measurement ring due to movement of a user's finger. The strain measurement ring includes a semi-rigid band coupled to a deformable band, which together encompass a portion of the user's body. The semi-rigid band includes two coupling ends each coupled to a respective coupling end of the deformable band. The deformable band includes the strain-sensitive element. The strain measurement ring may include an emitter to transmit strain information to a virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) console. The strain measurement ring may include an actuator to change the tension of the deformable band in response to haptic command signals from a VR/AR console. As a result, the strain measurement ring may apply pressure to the user's skin to simulate contact with a virtual object. |
| US10216270B2 |
Sigh line input apparatus
A sight line input apparatus includes: a display portion that displays an input item at a position where the input item is viewable from a driver seat; a setup portion that sets a virtual input region at a position displaced from a display region of the display portion toward a driving visual field of the driver, the virtual input region being associated with the input item; a detection portion that detects a sight line position of a driver; and an input controller that performs an input process in accordance with the input item associated with the virtual input region, when the sight line position is in the virtual input region set by the setup portion. When a predetermined operation of the driver is detected, the setup portion changes the virtual input region into a mode that permits the driver to gaze at the virtual input region with ease. |
| US10216269B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining intent of user based on gaze information
A method and apparatus for tracking intent or awareness based on a gaze of a user are provided. The method includes receiving gaze information of the gaze of the user; based on the gaze information, determining whether a function of the vehicle was activated by the user; in response to determining that the function was activated by the user, generating and storing historical gaze information in a database; and in response to determining that the function is not activated by the user, calculating a probability that the function will be activated by the user during a processing cycle and generating and storing the historical gaze information in the database based on the calculated probability and size of the database. The apparatus and method may be used to track the gaze of a user of a vehicle and predict user behavior based on the historical gaze information. |
| US10216268B2 |
Gaze detection method and apparatus
A method for determining if a user's gaze is directed in the direction of a zone of interest in a 3D scene comprises: providing a 3D scene containing a zone of interest; associating a property with the zone of interest; creating a bitmap representing the location of the zone of interest in a projected view of the 3D scene, each pixel of the bitmap to which the zone of interest is projected storing the property of the zone of interest; detecting the direction of the user's gaze; using the bitmap to determine if the detected user's gaze is directed in the direction of the zone of interest. |
| US10216266B2 |
Systems and methods for device interaction based on a detected gaze
Systems and methods are provided that allow a user to interact with a device using gaze detection. In the provided systems and methods, the gaze detection is initiated by detecting a triggering event. Once gaze detection has been initiated, detecting a gaze of a user may allow the user to activate a display component of the device, pass a security challenge on the device, and view content and alerts on the device. The gaze detection may continue looking for the user's gaze and keep the display component of the device activated as long as a gaze is detected, but may deactivate the display component of the device once a gaze is no longer detected. To conserve power the gaze detection may also be deactivated until another triggering event is detected. |
| US10216262B1 |
Force management system that includes a force measurement assembly, a visual display device, and one or more data processing devices
A force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly with a top surface configured to receive at least one portion of the body of a subject and at least one force transducer configured to sense forces and/or moments being applied to the top surface; at least one visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device. In one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly may be in the form of an instrumented treadmill. In one or more further embodiments, the force measurement system may additionally comprise a motion capture system configured to detect the motion of one or more body gestures of the subject. |
| US10216256B2 |
Power conservation of computing components using forced idle state
An operating system of a computing device determines an importance of the threads running on the computing device, such as assigning the importance of the threads as critical or non-critical. The operating system determines when there are no threads having at least a threshold importance (e.g., no critical threads), and forces one or more components of the computing device into a forced idle state in response to determining that there are no threads having at least the threshold importance. The forced idle state of a device component is a low power state, such as a state in which program instructions are not executed, so the computing device is forced into a forced idle state that reduces power usage in the computing device despite there being threads (e.g., non-critical threads) to be executed. |
| US10216255B2 |
Low power standby for a powered device in a power distribution system
The invention relates to a power distribution system, such as a Power over Ethernet power distribution system. A powered device provides a pulse, such as a Maintain Power Signature, when in standby such that a power providing device remains providing power to it. To increase energy efficiency, the MPS can be cycled (60 ms pulse every 300 ms to 400 ms) according to the IEEE802.3af/at standards. By introducing a controllable switch, for electrically decoupling at least part of the powered device from the power providing device, and a pulse generator, the MPS can be generated in a more energy efficient way and/or can be shortened (e.g. to 5 ms). As an example, the controllable switch can decouple the bulk capacitor of the powered device during MPS generation to prevent the bulk capacitor from filtering out the MPS. |
| US10216254B1 |
Methods and apparatus for selectively extracting and loading register states
Integrated circuits may include registers that store register states. Only a subset of the registers may store critical register states. The subset of registers may be specially demarcated, such as using synthesis directions in the hardware description, and may be coupled to dedicated extraction/loading circuitry. The extraction/loading circuitry may be implemented using soft or hard logic or can leverage existing programming or debugging circuitry on a programmable integrated circuit. The extraction/loading mechanism may also be implemented using multiplexers and associated control circuitry, scan chain circuitry, a memory-mapped interface, a tool-instantiated or user-instantiated finite state machine, or external memory interface logic. Accessing critical register states in this way can help improve efficiency with live migration events, debugging, retiming, and other integrated circuit operations. |
| US10216251B2 |
Controlling processor performance scaling based on context
In an embodiment, a processor includes a core to execute instructions, a power controller to control an operating frequency of the core, and a context filter logic coupled to the power controller to prevent a performance state change request from being granted by the power controller based at least in part on a context of a system including the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10216250B2 |
Memory apparatus and energy-saving control method thereof
A memory apparatus and an energy-saving control method thereof are provided. The memory apparatus includes a plurality of non-volatile memory units and a control chip, and the control chip includes a specific circuit group, a memory control unit and an energy-saving control unit. The memory control unit controls an access to the non-volatile memory units. In a normal mode and during a period of accessing the non-volatile memory units by the control chip, if the non-volatile memory units are in a busy state, the energy-saving control unit controls the clock generation unit to stop outputting an internal clock signal to the specific circuit group, so as to reduce power consumption of the control chip. |
| US10216243B2 |
Method, device and storage medium for waking up home interconnection device
The embodiments of the disclosure provide a method, device and storage medium for waking up a home interconnection device. The method can include: when the home interconnection device is in a state of standby, the home interconnection device receives a first beacon frame through a wireless access point (AP) of a Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) module of the home interconnection device; the home interconnection device searches a pre-set field of the first beacon frame for a waking-up identification; and when the pre-set field of the first beacon frame comprises the waking-up identification, the home interconnection device switches from the state of standby to the state of work. |
| US10216241B1 |
Method and apparatus for securing communication of instructions to manage antenna power output
A system of antenna power management security may comprise a memory for storage in a standard absorption rate control register of code instructions executed to alter a transmitting antenna power level, and a processor operably connected to the memory executing code instructions of an antenna power management security system to store a randomly generated challenge number in a challenge register of the memory, determine a first response value based on the randomly generated challenge number, read a second response value determined by the processor executing code instructions of a basic input output system and stored in the memory, and if the first response value matches the second response value, allow the processor executing code instructions of the basic input output system to store a single command in the standard absorption rate control register within a preset time period, for later execution by the processor. |
| US10216239B2 |
Reference voltage generation circuit, receiver, semiconductor apparatus and system using the same
A reference voltage generation circuit may be provided. The reference voltage generation circuit may be configured to generate a reference voltage according to a voltage set code. The reference voltage generation circuit may include a voltage level stabilizer. The reference voltage generation circuit may be configured to deactivate the voltage level stabilizer when a level of the reference voltage changes based on the voltage set code. |
| US10216237B2 |
System and method for thermal management guidance
The present disclosure describes one or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for thermal management. One or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques may provide advice or guidance (e.g., to a repair technician) regarding how to perform a hot bond repair, for example, on an aircraft component that has been damaged. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to prepare a repair field prior to running a thermal survey. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend a particular heat blanket, a configuration of the heat blanket, placement of various temperature sensors and other preparation guidance. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to alter or manage the repair setup during a thermal survey and during the actual curing process. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend particular temperature sensors or areas of the repair field that should be insulated. |
| US10216230B2 |
Window substrate and display device having the same
A window substrate includes a glass substrate including first and second surfaces opposite to each other, the glass substrate having a thickness of about 25 μm to about 100 μm, and a coating layer disposed on the first surface. The glass substrate includes SiO2, Al2O3 and Na2O, and the mole ratio of Al2O3/Na2O is equal to or smaller than 1. |
| US10216227B2 |
Foldable display device and electronic apparatus with the same and control method of the same
The present disclosure relates to a foldable display device. The foldable display device includes: a first display screen; a second display screen; a third display screen; a first connector connecting the first display screen and the second display screen; and a second connector connecting the second display screen and the third display screen, wherein the second display screen can rotate around the first connector and the third display screen can rotate around the second connector. According to the present disclosure, the foldable display device is provided for an electronic apparatus such as a mobile phone, a wearable device or a tablet computer, which is convenient to carry, has a switchable screen size and a low electricity consumption and long standby time. |
| US10216225B2 |
Protective case for use with a mobile device
A protective case for use with a mobile device is provided. The protective case includes an attachment device that is configured to couple to one of a handle assembly, a battery source, and a fascia plate when a void is provided on the protective case. When the handle assembly is coupled to the protective case, the handle assembly is configured to pivot about the protective case for moving the handle assembly from a closed configuration to an open configuration. When the battery source is coupled to the protective case, the battery source is configured to charge the mobile device, and, when the fascia plate is coupled to the protective case, the fascia plate is configured to fill the void, that is otherwise filled by one of the handle assembly and the battery source. |
| US10216212B1 |
Operating temperature-based mass storage device management
A power monitoring system which is communicatively coupled to power sensors in one or more rack computer systems, where the power sensors generate data indicating electrical power consumption by mass storage devices in the racks, can determine an operating temperature of the mass storage devices based on the power data and adjust one or more components which support computing operations in the racks to manage the operating temperatures. Operating temperature can be determined based on a predetermined relationship between electrical power consumption of one or more mass storage devices and the operating temperature of the mass storage devices. Component adjustment can include adjusting an operating state of one or more components. Such operating state adjustment can include adjusting the cooling induced by a cooling system, adjusting data migration to and from mass storage devices, and adjusting operation activity on mass storage devices. |
| US10216210B2 |
Dual input power management method and system
A dual input power management method includes: monitoring whether a first input terminal has a power supply and whether a second input terminal has a power supply, and accordingly generating a first monitor signal and a second monitor signal; generating a priority signal based on the first monitor signal, the second monitor signal, and an enable signal, to determine an input priority of the first input terminal and the second input terminal; generating a control signal based on a feedback signal indicative of an output voltage and a reference signal; and regulating the output voltage based on the priority signal and the control signal. |
| US10216209B1 |
Digital low drop-out regulator and operation method thereof
A digital Low Drop-Out regulator includes: an event-driven circuit for generating a trigger signal by asynchronously detecting whether an output voltage is out of a threshold range to generate a first error information signal and a first control signal; a time-driven circuit for generating a second error information signal by detecting a change in the output voltage synchronized with a clock signal, and generating a second control signal by combining the first and second error information signals; a clock/trigger control circuit for generating the clock signal having a first or second cycle based on the trigger signal and the first and second error information signals; a first array driver for controlling driving force of the output voltage in response to the first control signal; and a second array driver for controlling the driving force of the output voltage in response to the second control signal. |
| US10216208B2 |
Load current sensing in voltage regulator
A voltage regulator having current sense capability may include an input node and an output node. A first output device may be electrically connected between the input node and the output node, and configured to control current flow through the first output device to regulate a voltage at the output node. A current sense circuit may be configured to produce a signal that is indicative of the current through the first output device. The current sense circuit may be configured to perform a first kind of offset compensation operation to reduce an offset voltage in an error amplifier of the current sense circuit, and to perform a second kind of offset compensation operation to reduce the offset voltage in the error amplifier. |
| US10216207B2 |
Overvoltage clamp in regulators
A regulator for providing a load current at a regulator output voltage to a load at an output of the regulator is described. The regulator has a differential input stage to provide a differential output voltage based on a reference voltage and based on the regulator output voltage. Furthermore, the regulator has an output driver to generate a control signal based on the differential output voltage. In addition, the regulator has a pass transistor to provide the load current in dependence of the control signal. The regulator also has clamping circuitry to sense an overvoltage indication which indicates that the pass transistor is being turned off. Furthermore, the clamping circuitry clamps the differential output voltage to a clamping voltage, if the overvoltage indication indicates that the pass transistor is being turned off. |
| US10216206B1 |
Optical sensor device and voltage regulator apparatus with improved noise rejection capability
A voltage regulator apparatus with a rejection capability for high frequency power noise includes a low dropout linear regulator and a noise rejection circuit. The low dropout linear regulator has at least one operational amplifier which is powered by a power source, and the low dropout linear regulator is configured for receiving and regulating an input voltage signal to provide an output voltage signal for a load. The noise rejection circuit is coupled between the power source and the low dropout linear regulator, and is configured for providing a power noise rejection capability upon a high frequency part of a power signal of the power source to generate the power signal with less high frequency noise to the at least one operational amplifier. |
| US10216205B2 |
Low voltage tube circuits
A number of low voltage vacuum tube circuits include using supply voltages well below the manufacturer's recommended voltages applied to the plate or screen grid. Some of the tube circuits operate at near zero plate and or screen grid voltages. Other low voltage circuits have forward biasing on one or more grids that are normally biased at a non positive voltage or a grid that is normally connected a cathode. Substantially lower supply voltages allow for example, the filament supply to also supply voltage to the plate and or grid for providing an output signal at a grid and or a plate. |
| US10216202B2 |
Pressure regulating valve
In a pressure regulating valve, a piston is provided, in an end on a side closer to a seat, with a recessed portion opening on the side closer to the seat, a valve element including: a tip portion contactable with the seat; a columnar retaining part inserted in the recessed portion; and a press-fit portion protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the retaining part and being press-fitted in an inner peripheral surface of the recessed portion. The press-fit portion has a spherical shape. |
| US10216201B2 |
System and method for regulating the pressure of a gas
A pressure regulating system that is suited to regulate the pressure of a gas includes a regulating device suited to regulate the pressure of a first gas stream, provided with an inlet for the gas at a supply pressure and with an outlet for the gas at a regulated pressure that is lower than the supply pressure; a vortex tube suited to receive a gas stream through an inlet, separate it into a hot portion and a cold portion and deliver the hot and cold portions through corresponding outlets; a heat exchanger coupled with the vortex tube in order to heat the first gas stream before it flows into the regulating device; a recovery duct suited to collect a first portion of the first gas stream at a collection point located downstream of the heat exchanger and to convey it to the inlet of the vortex tube. |
| US10216200B2 |
Devices, methods, and systems for water balancing
Devices, methods, and systems for water balancing are described herein. An example device includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executed to send a command from a building controller to balance a subset of a plurality of valves. The instructions are executed to simultaneously balance the subset of the plurality of valves associated with a plurality of building systems, based on the command, and without accessing any of the plurality of valves individually. |
| US10216197B2 |
Vehicle altitude restrictions and control
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted altitudes. The altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with an altitude restriction. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a restricted altitude. The altitude measurement of the UAV and/or altitude restriction of the UAV may be modified for improved performance. Different flight-response measures may be taken depending on preference and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls. |
| US10216194B1 |
Using emergency response system (EMS) vehicle telematics data to reduce accident risk
A computer system configured to use emergency response system (EMS) vehicle telematics data to reduce risk of accidents may be configured to (1) receive, when the EMS vehicle is en route to an emergency location, the EMS vehicle telematics data associated with the EMS vehicle and including GPS location, speed, route, heading, acceleration, and/or lane data; (2) determine that a current route of an autonomous vehicle will interfere with the route of the EMS vehicle; (3) determine an alternate route for the autonomous vehicle to avoid interfering with the route of the EMS vehicle; and (4) direct the autonomous vehicle to (i) travel along the alternate route or (ii) pull over to a side of a road on the current route to allow the EMS vehicle to pass unimpeded. Insurance discounts may be generated based upon the risk mitigation or prevention functionality. |
| US10216190B2 |
Managing autonomous vehicles needing energy replenishment
Managing autonomous vehicles is provided. Autonomous vehicle energy data and travel data are collected. A plurality of autonomous vehicles that need energy replenishment within a defined geographic area is determined. A rank is determined for each of the plurality of autonomous vehicles that need energy replenishment within the defined geographic area to meet passenger-defined travel destination time constraints. Each autonomous vehicle is directed to an energy station in a set of energy stations within the defined geographic area to the meet passenger-defined travel destination time constraints based on the rank of each of the plurality of autonomous vehicles. |
| US10216189B1 |
Systems and methods for prioritizing object prediction for autonomous vehicles
Systems and methods for determining object prioritization and predicting future object locations for an autonomous vehicle are provided. A method can include obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more processors, state data descriptive of at least a current or past state of a plurality of objects that are perceived by an autonomous vehicle. The method can further include determining, by the computing system, a priority classification for each object in the plurality of objects based at least in part on the respective state data for each object. The method can further include determining, by the computing system, an order at which the computing system determines a predicted future state for each object based at least in part on the priority classification for each object and determining, by the computing system, the predicted future state for each object based at least in part on the determined order. |
| US10216186B2 |
Task allocation and variable autonomy levels
A system and method for flying an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes one or more flight-assist agents for performing an operation related to flying the aircraft and a vehicle autonomy management system. The vehicle autonomy management system allocates tasks of a task workload involved in the operation between a flight crew and the one or more flight-assist agents, monitors a performance of the flight crew in executing a portion of the task workload allocated to the flight crew, and adjusts an allocation of the task workload between the flight crew and the one or more flight-assist agents based on the performance of the flight crew. |
| US10216185B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for controlling a plurality of mobile-radio equipped robots in a talkgroup
A process for controlling a plurality of mobile-radio equipped robots in a talkgroup includes receiving, at a mobile-radio equipped robot via a wireless communications interface comprising one of an infrastructure wireless communication interface for communicating with an infrastructure radio access network (RAN) and an ad-hoc wireless communication interface for communicating with an ad-hoc network, a group voice call containing a voice-command. The mobile-radio equipped robot determines that it is a target of the group voice call, and responsively text-converts the voice-command into an actionable text-based command. The mobile-radio equipped robot subsequently operates a mechanical drive element in accordance with the actionable text-based command. |
| US10216181B2 |
Implementation of a rescue drone
A system and method for optimizing a rescue operation of an individual. The method comprises maintaining, by an individual engaged in an activity, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) associated with and in proximity to the individual. For storage at the UAV, the individual records at a recording device a message. A sensor device is configured to detect a situation requiring a need to rescue the individual at a current location, and generates a trigger signal in response to a detection. In response to the receipt of the trigger signal, a current GPS location of the individual is recorded and a launching of the UAV to traverse a flight-path to a destination location. At or before arriving at the destination location, the UAV contemporaneously provides the stored recorded message and current GPS location of the individual to an emergency response authority to inform of the individual's situation and location. |
| US10216180B2 |
Flight management system of an aircraft
A flight management system architecture with separate core and supplementary modules. In the core module, generic functionalties relative to the flight management of the aircraft are implemented. In the supplementary module, supplementary functions are implemented. The supplementary functionalities include functionalties specific to an entity to which the aircraft belongs such as the specific aircraft model, a family of aircraft, a company, an alliance, and so on. The flight management system also includes a message exchange interface in which enables the core and supplementary modules to exchanges messages with each other. The core and supplementary modules includes corresponding core module and supplementary module interfacing functionaltities that respectively interface with generic and specific man-machine interfaces. |
| US10216175B2 |
Conveyors including sensors for detecting error conditions associated with products traveling on the conveyors
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include interconnected conveyors including multiple sensors configured to detect identifying characteristics and physical characteristics of the products traveling on the conveyors. The product-associated information that is detected by the sensors is analyzed relative to predefined product-associated identifying characteristics and physical characteristics stored in a database, and an error signal is generated if the actual, sensor-obtained product identifying characteristics and/or physical characteristics, do not correspond to the predefined, database-stored product identifying characteristics and/or physical characteristics. |
| US10216174B2 |
System and method for universal control of electronic devices
A system and method for providing an integrated circuit that integrates with and controls a device wherein the integrated circuit design is developed based on a selection of characteristics of the device. The system and method also provide software for establishing interoperability between the integrated circuit and a controller. |
| US10216164B2 |
Fire alarm inspection application and user interface
A system and method for facilitating inspection of fire alarm systems includes a graphical user interface rendered on a touchscreen display of a mobile computing device receiving selections of inspection results. The graphical user interface includes a testing pane, which indicates devices that are currently being tested, and a selection pane, which indicates devices yet to be tested. The devices indicated by the selection pane are filtered according to the inferred location of the inspector or the inferred order of test. Selection of devices indicated by the selection pane results in those devices being indicated by the testing pane. Results of inspections of the devices indicated by the testing pane are then selected by the touchscreen display detecting gestures (e.g. swipes toward the left or right) corresponding to different results. The results are sent to a connected services system and stored in a connected services database. |
| US10216162B2 |
Fluid control and measurement system with a relay
In order to make it possible to diagnose an operation state of a fluidic device despite reducing the size of the fluidic device, a relay is configured to include a first port connected with the fluidic device and a second port connected with a user information processor, and receive fluid-related data from the fluidic device via the first port and transmit the data to the user information processor via the second port, or receive the data from the user information processor via the second port and transmit the data to the fluidic device via the first port. In addition, the relay includes a third port that is connected with a diagnostic apparatus adapted to diagnose the operation state of the fluidic device, receive diagnostic data from the fluidic device via the first port, and transmit the diagnostic data to the diagnostic apparatus via the third port. |
| US10216161B2 |
Systems and methods for generating operational intelligence for heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) devices
This disclosure relates to a method and system for generating operational intelligence for a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) device. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting, via a plurality of sensors, a plurality of ambient parameters with respect to a building at periodic intervals; computing, via a processor, a plurality of performance parameters at the periodic intervals based on the plurality of ambient parameters; determining, via the processor, a plurality of operation parameters during an unoccupied period based on the plurality of ambient parameters and the plurality of performance parameters; and dynamically providing, via the processor, a recommendation regarding optimum operation for the HVAC device during the unoccupied period based on the plurality of operation parameters during the unoccupied period. |
| US10216158B2 |
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning capacity monitor
A system for light commercial building solutions (LCBS). Solutions and other systems may incorporate lightweight alerting service, auto-adjustment of gateway poll rates based on the needs of various consuming applications, detecting loss of space comfort control in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, HVAC capacity loss alerting using relative degree days and accumulated stage run time with operational equivalency checks, and HVAC alerting for loss of heat or cool capacity using delta temperature and dependent system properties. Also, incorporated may be triggering s subset of analytics by automatically inferring HVAC equipment details from controller configuration details, ensuring reliability of analytics by retaining logical continuity of HVAC equipment operational data even when controllers and other parts of the system are replaced, and an LCBS gateway with workflow and mechanisms to associate to a contractor account. |
| US10216154B2 |
Plant monitoring control device
A plant monitoring control device is such that when a control command is input by an operator into a process control device that implements control of a plant, a simulator is notified by a control unit of control information in the control command. Furthermore, whether or not to implement the control is automatically determined by a determination circuit of the control unit based on a result of a predictive operation by the simulator, and when determining to implement, the process control device is notified by the control unit of the control information in the control command. |
| US10216153B2 |
Method and controller for model predictive control of a multi-phase DC/DC converter
For an easily implementable method for model predictive control of a DC/DC converter, and a corresponding controller, with which the optimization problem of the model predictive control can also be solved sufficiently quickly with large prediction horizons, the optimization problem is divided into two optimization problems by a model predictive output variable control and a model predictive choke current control being implemented in the control unit (10), wherein: the strands of the multiphase DC/DC converter (12) for the output variable control are combined into a single strand; a time-discrete state space model is produced therefrom; and the output variable control predicts the input voltage (uv,k+1) of the next sampling step (k+1) for this single strand on the basis of a first cost function (Jv) of the optimization problem of the output variable control, said input voltage being given to the choke current control as a setpoint and the choke current control determining therefrom the necessary switch positions of the switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) of the strands of the multiphase DC/DC converter (12) for the next sampling step (k+1) on the basis of a second cost function (Ji) of the optimization problem of the choke current control. |
| US10216151B2 |
Power consumption-amount estimation apparatus
A power-consumption-amount estimation apparatus estimating a power consumption amount of an industrial machine including a motor, a machine driven by the motor, and an amplifier driving the motor, includes: an operation-pattern-information obtaining unit; a dynamics-information obtaining unit; a circuit-information obtaining unit obtaining amplifier information and motor information; and a power-consumption-amount calculation unit executing a process of calculating power of each of the motor and the regenerative resistor based on operation-pattern information, dynamics information, amplifier information, motor information, and a bus voltage simulated value and calculating power of the industrial machine based on the calculated power and execute a process of updating the bus voltage based on the calculated power of each of the motor and the regenerative resistor and the calculated power of the industrial machine, over a specified period, and calculating a power consumption amount of the industrial machine by integrating the calculated power of the industrial machine. |
| US10216150B2 |
Apparatus for atomic clock, its operating method and its manufacturing method
An apparatus for an atomic clock includes first and second distinctive substrates, each having at least a planar surface substantially parallel therebetween. The apparatus also includes a medium having particles capable of undergoing energetic transition between at least two energy levels, said medium being located in the space defined between the planar surfaces. It further includes a magnetic device arranged to the first substrate and generating at least in the volume of the medium a predetermined static magnetic field B the direction of which is substantially parallel or perpendicular to the planar surfaces and an excitation device arranged to the second substrate and generating an excitation magnetic field H at, at least an excitation frequency, the direction of said excitation magnetic field H in the volume of the medium being substantially orthogonal to said direction of the static magnetic field B. |
| US10216148B2 |
Wearable device made by amorphous alloy with antibacterial function
A wearable device made by amorphous alloy with antibacterial function includes a functional part adapted for implementing using functions of the wearable device; and an amorphous alloy housing configured out of the functional part and adapted for cladding the functional part to prevent the functional part from directly contacting with a user. Since the wearable device has the amorphous alloy housing covering on the functional part, thus the amorphous alloy housing rather than the functional part will contact with the user skin directly. As the amorphous alloy has excellent bactericidal capability, thus user wearing such a wearable device will get a good user experience. |
| US10216140B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with contacting-separating member capable of moving developing roller relative to photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; photosensitive drums juxtaposed with each other in a juxtaposed direction; developing units each including a developing roller; an opening-closing member; and a first contacting-separating member. The opening-closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first contacting-separating member is provided at the opening-closing member and movable relative to the casing in the juxtaposed direction for moving, in a state where the opening-closing member is at the closed position, the developing roller between an adjacent position adjacent to or in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums and a separated position spaced apart from the corresponding photosensitive drums. |
| US10216139B2 |
Image forming apparatus and tandem type photosensitive unit
An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body. |
| US10216135B2 |
Image forming apparatus having insertion portion and receiving portion to connect frames, and sheet transfer apparatus thereof
An image forming apparatus includes a housing having a plurality of frames. At least one of the plurality of frames is a box-shaped frame with bent portions. The box-shaped frame has a first surface and a second surface overlapping the first surface, where the first surface has an insertion portion and the second surface has a receiving portion into which the insertion portion is configured to be inserted. The first surface and the second surface are connected to each other by insertion of the insertion portion in the receiving portion. |
| US10216130B2 |
Heating rotating member and heating apparatus
A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus includes a heat generating layer, and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer provided respectively at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer both have a lower volume resistivity than that of the heat generating layer. A low-resistance layer is formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The low-resistance layer has a lower volume resistivity than that of the heat generating layer and extends in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer. |
| US10216129B2 |
Intermediate layer comprising CNT polymer nanocomposite materials in fusers
Exemplary embodiments provide a fuser member containing an intermediate layer and methods for forming the intermediate layer and the fuser member. In one embodiment, the fuser member can include a substrate, a resilient layer, a surface layer and an intermediate layer disposed between the resilient layer (e.g., a silicone rubber layer) and the surface layer (e.g., a fluoroplastic of PFA or PTEE). The intermediate layer can include a CNT/polymer composite containing a plurality of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix. The surface layer and the fuser member can thus be treated at a temperature of about 250° C. or higher. |
| US10216128B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a first unit including a first belt movable in a first direction; a first pressing member pressing the first belt; a first pressing member support supporting the first pressing member variably in attitude relative to the first pressing member support; a first rotating member in contact with the first belt and rotatable in a first rotation direction; and a first rotating member support that supports the first rotating member variably in position relative to the moving member; a second unit facing the first unit in a second direction and including a moving member movable in the first direction to come into contact with the first belt; and a third unit facing the second unit with the first unit in between in the second direction and supported by the second and third units movably in the second direction between the second unit and the third unit. |
| US10216125B2 |
Solid lubricant, solid lubricant application apparatus and image forming apparatus
A solid lubricant to be applied onto an image carrier of an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system, includes a metal soap and resin particles, and the resin particles have a particle main body constituted by a rigid resin other than fluorine-based resins, and fluorine atoms carried on the surface of the particle main body. |
| US10216123B2 |
Developing device
A developing device includes an accommodating casing, a rotatable developer carrying member, a regulating portion, a magnetic flux generating portion including a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole which have the same polarity, and a cover portion provided downstream of the developing region and upstream of a maximum magnetic flux density position of the second magnetic pole with respect to a rotational direction of the developer carrying member. The cover portion is disposed between the casing and the developer carrying member. As measured in the rotational axis direction, a dimension of the cover portion at an upstream end with respect to the rotational direction is smaller than a dimension of the cover portion in at least a region positioned downstream of the upstream end with respect to the rotational direction. |
| US10216120B2 |
Liquid electrophotographic printers
In certain examples, a liquid electrophotographic printer has a compressive element. The compressive element removes a portion of carrier liquid from an inked image on an imaging element. The compressive element is selectively engageable and a controller disengages the compressive element for a first layer of liquid toner so as to retain carrier liquid in the first layer, and engages the compressive element for a subsequent layer of liquid toner so as to remove a portion of carrier liquid from the subsequent layer. |
| US10216119B2 |
Image forming apparatus with adjustment of potential for secondary transfer
A voltage applying portion applies voltage to a current supply member, the current supply member being provided with primary transfer voltage to pass current through a contact portion contacting with a belt, thereby bringing the potential of the belt a primary transfer potential, and being provided with secondary transfer voltage so that a potential difference for secondary transfer is formed between the current supplying member and a support member while a recording material is nipped by the contact portion. The voltage applying portion changes the second transfer voltage so that the potential difference for the secondary transfer between the current supply member and the support member becomes smaller as a potential adjusting portion that maintains the potential of the support member at a prescribed sustaining potential in a variable manner in order to change a primary transfer potential reduces gradually the sustaining potential. |
| US10216118B2 |
Process unit including main unit and toner cartridge including toner supply pipe and shutter
A toner cartridge includes a toner supply pipe and a first shutter. The toner supply pipe has a toner supply opening. When the toner cartridge is mounted onto a main unit, the toner supply pipe moves through an insertion opening from an outside position at which the toner supply opening is located outside a developing frame to an inside position at which the toner supply opening is located inside the developing frame. The first shutter is provided at the toner supply pipe. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe between an open position at which the toner supply opening is opened and a closed position at which the toner supply opening is closed. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe from the closed position to the open position in a state where the toner supply pipe is located at the inside position. |
| US10216116B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
An optical scanning apparatus includes a deflector configured to deflect a light beam from a light source to cause the light beam to scan a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction, an incident optical system that includes a single incident optical element and is configured to guide the light beam from the light source to the deflector, and an image-forming optical system configured to condense the light beam having been deflected by the deflector as condensing points on the surface to be scanned. At least one of the incident optical system and the image-forming optical system includes a diffractive surface that corrects displacement amounts of the condensing points in a main scanning section and a sub scanning section when a wavelength of the light beam from the light source varies. |
| US10216114B2 |
Charging device and image forming apparatus
A charging device is configured to apply electric charge to an image carrier provided outside the charging device. The charging device includes: a cored bar member; and a conductive resin layer provided on a surface of the cored bar member. The conductive resin layer has a film thickness of 200 μm or less. Filtered maximum waviness in an axial direction of the cored bar member is 8 μm or less in a range of a reference length of 60 mm. |
| US10216113B2 |
Roller for image forming apparatus
A roller for an image forming apparatus is provided. The roller includes a shaft rotatable on the basis of one axis, an elastic layer covering an outer circumference of the shaft, and a coating layer formed on the elastic layer. The coating layer is a material in which a mixture containing acryl polyol and ε-caprolactone polyol is cross-linked by isocyanate. |
| US10216109B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner and production method of the same
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a toner core and a shell layer covering a surface of the toner core. The shell layer contains a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin and a positively chargeable hydrophilic water-insoluble resin. An existing amount A of alkali metal elements present in a surface layer of the shell layer measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an existing amount B of alkali metal elements present in a toner particle as a whole measured by fluorescent X-ray analysis satisfy expressions (a) and (b) shown below A≤300 ppm (a) 0.5≤A/B<1.0 (b). |
| US10216106B2 |
Method for producing toner
A method for producing a toner includes a step (1) of forming resin microparticles in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant, a step (2) of aggregating the resin microparticles to form aggregated particles, and a step (3) of heating and the aggregated particles and allowing the aggregated particles to coalesce to form toner particles, in which a resin component in the resin microparticles contains an olefinic copolymer and resin A, the resin A has an acid value of 1 mgKOH/g or more and 50 mgKOH/g or less, the resin A has a SP value of 19.0 (J/cm3)0.5 or more and 21.0 (J/cm3)0.5 or less, and the resin component has an olefinic copolymer content of 50% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of the resin component. |
| US10216105B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support member, an electroconductive layer, and a photosensitive layer in this order. The electroconductive layer contains a binder and particles. Each of the particles include a core made of a substance represented by general formula (1), and a coating layer coating the core and containing an electrically conductive material: M1M2O3 (1) wherein M1 represents an element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Li, Na, K, and Ba, and M2 represents an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Nb, Ta, and Zr. |
| US10216101B2 |
Reflector
A reflector (2) comprising a plate (4) supported by a substrate (8), wherein the plate has a reflective surface (5) and is secured to the substrate by adhesive free bonding, and wherein a cooling channel array (10) is provided in the reflector. The channels (16) of the cooling channel array may be formed from open channels in a surface of the substrate, the open channels being closed by the plate to create the channels. |
| US10216098B2 |
Test structure for use in metrology measurements of patterns
A test structure and method of its manufacture are presented for use in metrology measurements of a sample pattern. The test structure comprises a test pattern comprising a portion of the sample pattern including at least one selected feature and a blocking layer at least partially covering regions of the test structure adjacent to the at least one selected region. |
| US10216095B2 |
Immersion lithographic apparatus
An immersion lithographic apparatus is configured to subject a photosensitive layer on a substrate to a patterned beam of radiation via a liquid. The immersion lithographic apparatus includes a moveable object having a surface, a fluid handling system to control a presence of the liquid in a volume restricted by the surface, the fluid handling system, and a free surface of the liquid, the free surface extending between the surface and the fluid handling system; and a heating system configured to locally heat a portion of the liquid at a receding side of a periphery edge of the volume in contact with the surface, where the object is receding from the volume along a direction of movement of the object relative to the fluid handling system. |
| US10216094B2 |
Support device and method for supporting lens and support component for supporting functional element
A support device for supporting a lens includes a support component. The support component includes a main body, a plurality of first support portions and a plurality of second support portions. Each of the plurality of first support portions is disposed on the main body, has a first support position thereon having a first height, and is configured to rigidly support the lens. Each of the plurality of second support portions is disposed on the main body, has a second support position thereon having a second height, and is configured to flexibly support the lens. When a configuration relationship between the support component and the lens becomes a decoupling relationship, the second height is larger than the first height. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value between the first and the second heights is less than a threshold. |
| US10216093B2 |
Projection system and minor and radiation source for a lithographic apparatus
Disclosed is a system configured to project a beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate within a lithographic apparatus. The system comprises a mirror (510) having an actuator (500) for positioning the mirror and/or configuring the shape of the mirror, the actuator also providing active damping to the mirror, and a controller (515a, 515b) for generating actuator control signals for control of said actuator(s). A first coordinate system is used for control of said actuator(s) when positioning said mirror and/or configuring the shape of said mirror and a second coordinate system is used for control of said actuator(s) when providing active damping to said mirror. |
| US10216090B2 |
Pattern-forming method and composition for resist pattern-refinement
A pattern-forming method comprises forming a prepattern that is insoluble or hardly soluble in an organic solvent. A first composition is applied on at least lateral faces of the prepattern to form a resin layer. Adjacent regions to the prepattern of the resin layer are insolubilized or desolubilized in the organic solvent without being accompanied by an increase in a molecular weight by heating the prepattern and the resin layer. Regions other than the adjacent regions insolubilized or desolubilized of the resin layer are removed with the organic solvent. The first composition comprises a first polymer having a solubility in the organic solvent to be decreased by an action of an acid. At least one selected from the following features (i) and (ii) is satisfied: (i) the first polymer comprises a basic group; and (ii) the first composition further comprises a basic compound. |
| US10216088B2 |
Photolithography method based on electronic beam
The disclosure relates to a photolithography method based on electronic beam. The method includes: providing an electronic beam; making the electron beam transmit a two dimensional nanomaterial to form a transmission electron beam and a number of diffraction electron beams; shielding the transmission electron beam; and radiating a surface of an object by the plurality of diffraction electron beams. The photolithography method is high efficiency and has low cost. |
| US10216085B2 |
Tetracarboxylic acid diester compound, polyimide precursor polymer and method for producing the same, negative photosensitive resin composition, patterning process, and method for forming cured film
The present invention provides a tetracarboxylic acid diester compound shown by the following general formula (1), wherein X1 represents a tetravalent organic group; and R1 represents a group shown by the following general formula (2), Y1nRf)k (2) wherein the dotted line represents a bond; Y1 represents an organic group with a valency of k+1; Rf represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group in which a part or all of hydrogen atoms is/are substituted with a fluorine atom(s); “k” represents 1, 2, or 3; and “n” represents 0 or 1. There can be provided a tetracarboxylic acid diester compound that can give a polyimide precursor polymer soluble in a safe organic solvent widely used as a solvent of a composition, and usable as a base resin of a negative photosensitive resin composition. |
| US10216084B2 |
Sulfonic acid derivative, photoacid generator using same, resist composition, and device manufacturing method
A sulfonic acid derivative, wherein the sulfonic acid derivative is represented by the following general formula (1): R1COOCH2CH2CFHCF2SO3−M+ (1) where: R1 represents a monovalent organic group having carbon number of 1 to 200, having at least one hydroxyl group and optionally having a substituent other than the hydroxyl group; and M+ represents a counter cation. |
| US10216079B2 |
Scanning projector screen, and scanning projector system
Provided is a scanning projector screen which can suppress inhomogeneity of a beam diameter. The scanning projector screen has a screen surface that is curved in at least one direction. |
| US10216072B2 |
Zoom lens and image projection apparatus
A zoom lens comprising a plurality of lens units, in which a distance between adjacent lens units is variable in a magnification variation. The plurality of lens units include, in order from an enlargement conjugate side to a reduction conjugate side, a first lens unit that has a negative refractive power and that is fixed for the magnification variation, a second lens unit, a third lens unit, a fourth lens unit, a fifth lens unit, a sixth lens unit, and a seventh lens unit, each of which moves for the magnification variation, and an eighth lens unit that has a positive refractive power and that is fixed for the magnification variation. |
| US10216069B2 |
Multi-pivot camera harness
A camera strap comprises one or more instantly attachable and detachable coupling mechanisms for host multiple cameras. In some embodiments, the camera strap comprises six rotating points allowing the camera strap to adjust its configuration to fit the body configuration of the wearer, which provides comfort and prevents injury to the wearer. |
| US10216065B2 |
Camera system using interchangeable fixed lenses
A camera system is disclosed. The camera system includes a camera that employs interchangeable fixed lenses. By replacing one lens cap with another lens cap, the field of view can be changed since each lens cap has a different fixed lens. The camera can also record images or video in a forward and a backward direction at the same time. |
| US10216060B2 |
Liquid crystal lens and manufacturing method thereof, display device
A liquid crystal lens, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. A retardation layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The retardation layer includes a plurality of steps having different heights. A second electrode is disposed on the second substrate. The second electrode includes a plurality of sub-electrodes, the plurality of sub-electrodes being one-to-one corresponding to the plurality of steps. The width of the sub-electrode is smaller than the width of the step corresponding to the sub-electrode. A gap is provided between two adjacent sub-electrodes. One edge of the gap is aligned with a step point of two adjacent steps. A liquid crystal is filled in a space between the retardation layer and the second substrate. |
| US10216059B2 |
Waveguide modulator structures
An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. In some embodiments, the optoelectronic device includes a substrate, a Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator, and an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer. The Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator includes a left arm including a left SiGe optical waveguide, and a right arm including a right SiGe optical waveguide, each of the left and right optical waveguides including a junction region and a plurality of electrodes for providing a bias across the junction to enable control of the phase of light travelling through the junction regions via dispersion. The epitaxial crystalline cladding layer is on top of the substrate and beneath the junction region of the left optical waveguide and/or the junction region of the right optical waveguide, and has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the respective junction region(s), such that optical power is confined to the respective junction region(s). |
| US10216054B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight device. The backlight device includes a light guide plate opposed to the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel, and light sources opposed to a light incident surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes divided light guide plates, each having a first main surface, a second main surface, the light incident surface, and side surfaces cross to the main surface and the light incident surface, and an adhesive member connecting the side surfaces of the divided light guide plates to each other and having optical properties different from optical properties of the divided light guide plates. |
| US10216052B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixels disposed in a display area of the substrate. A non-display area of the substrate is disposed adjacent to the display area. The display device further includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines arranged in a matrix form in the display area on the substrate, at least one driver integrated circuit (IC) disposed in the non-display area on the substrate, and a plurality of data fan-out wirings disposed on the substrate and connecting the data lines and the at least one driver IC. Lengths of the data fan-out wirings vary, and the data lines overlap the gate lines more as the lengths of the corresponding data fan-out wirings decrease. |
| US10216051B2 |
Liquid crystal display and a method of measuring a capacitance of a liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including: a display area which includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, pixels and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper and lower substrates; and a measuring unit including a tag portion, a common voltage applying portion, and a pixel voltage applying portion, in which the common voltage applying portion and the tag portion, and the pixel voltage applying portion and the tag portion are connected to each other, a data conductor, a common electrode, a passivation layer, and a pixel electrode are disposed on the common voltage applying portion with substantially the same thickness as at least one of the pixels of the display area, a first part of the data conductor of the common voltage applying portion directly contacts the pixel electrode, and a second part of the data conductor of the common voltage applying portion directly contacts the common electrode. |
| US10216047B2 |
Motherboard, motherboard of display panel, liquid crystal display panel and display device
A motherboard, a motherboard of a display panel, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device are provided. The motherboard includes: a base substrate (101, 201), and a plurality of substrate units (102, 202) arranged in a matrix on the base substrate (101, 201); and a line layer (103, 203) insulated from the substrate units (102, 202) and arranged along a preset extending direction (AA′, BB′), which is disposed within a peripheral region of the substrate units (102, 202). Because the line layer arranged along the preset extending direction is disposed within the peripheral space region of the substrate unit, when the alignment film on the substrate unit is aligned by a rubbing process, it can play a role in carding the rubbing cloth used in the rubbing process, to achieve an even rubbing effect, avoid an uneven rubbing phenomenon, and further facilitate improving a picture quality of the display panel. |
| US10216046B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device is provided. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a lower layer disposed on the first substrate and including at least one contact hole; and a spacer portion disposed on the lower layer, wherein the spacer portion includes a main spacer not overlapping the contact hole and an auxiliary spacer overlapping at least a portion of the contact hole, and a distance between the main spacer and the second substrate is smaller than a distance between the auxiliary spacer and the second substrate. |
| US10216043B2 |
Liquid crystal display having a sealant separated from an alignment layer
Embodiments relate to a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display including an alignment layer pattern and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display includes a lower panel including a first alignment layer and a signal line. An upper panel faces the lower panel and uncovers an end portion of the signal line of the lower panel. A sealant is positioned between the lower panel and the upper panel and couples the lower panel and the upper panel with each other. The first alignment layer includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated from each other in a first direction, and the sealant is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and separated from the first portion and the second portion in the first direction. |
| US10216042B2 |
Liquid-crystal display device and process for producing liquid-crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid-crystal display device capable of maintaining a high voltage holding ratio even without an alignment film. The liquid-crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer which is sandwiched between the substrates and which contains a liquid crystal material, and a polymer layer which is disposed on a surface of each of the substrates and which controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. The outermost surfaces of both the substrates comprise substantially no alignment film. The polymer layer is formed by polymerizing one or more radical polymerizable monomer species added to the liquid crystal layer. At least one species of the one or more radical polymerizable monomer species is a biphenyl compound having a specific structure. |
| US10216041B2 |
Optical film, manufacturing method thereof and display device
An optical film includes a polarizing film including a polyolefin and a dichroic dye, a first photo-alignment layer on a side of the polarizing film, and a first liquid crystal layer on a side of the first photo-alignment layer, wherein the polarizing film and the first liquid crystal layer are in close contact with the first photo-alignment layer to provide a self-integrated structure. A method of manufacturing the same and a display device including the optical film are also provided. |
| US10216039B2 |
Backlight unit an display device including the same
The present invention relates to a backlight unit of a display device. The backlight unit is structured to have no light guide plate, and can include a reflecting plate, which is arranged on the inner surface of a cover bottom, and which has a sloping surface, and a light-collecting lens, which collects light from an edge light source portion. A light-absorbing pattern is arranged on at least one of an optical sheet, a diffuser plate, and the reflecting plate using such a configuration that the density of arrangement of the light-absorbing pattern is largest on a light-input portion and decreases towards an anti-light-input portion, or using such a configuration that the light-absorbing pattern is formed only on a flat surface of the reflecting plate, near the light-input portion, thereby providing uniform light throughout the entire display panel. |
| US10216038B2 |
Backplate, support frame for backlight unit, backlight unit and display device
The present invention relates to the display technology field, and provides a backplate, a plastic-iron integrated structure, a backlight unit, and a display device. The backplate is provided with a first through hole, and the first through hole has an inner wall and an outer wall which form a projection structure on the backplate. When the backplate is bonded with a plastic frame to form the plastic-iron integrated structure, the plastic frame not only contacts the inner wall of the first through hole, but also contacts the surface of the projection structure, thus increasing the contact area between the plastic frame and the backplate, and increasing the bonding force between the plastic frame and the backplate. Even when the plastic frame shrinks in case of fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity, the plastic frame is not easily separated from the backplate, and the stability of the formed plastic-iron integrated structure is improved. |
| US10216033B1 |
Color filter substrate, method for fabricating the same, and liquid crystal display panel
The disclosure discloses a color filter substrate, a method for fabricating the same, and a liquid crystal display panel, the color filter substrate includes: a base substrate; a photonic crystal layer formed on a side of the base substrate, wherein color resistance areas corresponding to sub-pixel elements in a one-to-one manner are arranged at the photonic crystal layer and color resistance areas in different colors are arranged alternately; an arrayed waveguide grating layer arranged on a side of the photonic crystal layer facing away from the base substrate, wherein there are different angles of gratings at the arrayed waveguide grating layer to control output light rays to be irradiated onto different color resistance areas of the photonic crystal layer at different incident angles; and a wave separating layer formed on a side of the arrayed waveguide grating layer facing away from the base substrate. |
| US10216029B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, black column spacer using the same and color filter
A photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a black colorant having a maximum transmittance in an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range/minimum transmittance in a visible ray wavelength range of about 30 or greater, (B) a binder resin; (C) a photopolymerization initiator; (D) a photopolymerizable monomer; and (E) a solvent. A black column spacer using the photosensitive resin composition, and a color filter including the black column spacer are provided. |
| US10216028B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display panel, display device
The present invention provides an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, a display panel and a display device, belongs to a field of black-matrix-less display technology, and can solve problems that a conductive reflecting structure in a display panel of prior art affects display effect and external visibility. The array substrate of the present invention comprises a conductive reflecting structure and metal particles provided above the conductive reflecting structure. |
| US10216025B2 |
Capacitive touch screen and bending judgment method therefor, and display device
The present disclosure provides a capacitive touch screen and a bending judgment method therefor, and a display device. The touch screen includes: a substrate; touch sensing electrodes and touch drive electrodes located on the substrate; and a touch chip electrically connected with the touch sensing electrodes and touch drive electrodes, and configured to apply a driving signal to the touch drive electrodes, detect a capacitance value of each touch sensing electrode, and when the capacitance values of a part of the touch sensing electrodes adjacent to each other, the number of which is equal to or greater than a preset number, are changed, and a difference in capacitance value between the touch sensing electrodes with changed capacitance values is less than a predetermined value, to determine a bending state of the touch screen based on capacitance value change information of the touch sensing electrodes with changed capacitance values. |
| US10216024B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
The present display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer between an array substrate and a facing substrate. The array substrate has an electrode layer having an upper electrode and a lower electrode facing each other in a Z direction, and an opening including a plurality of slits extending in an X direction is formed in the upper electrode and the lower electrode. The liquid crystal layer is provided on the electrode layer, liquid crystal molecules in vicinity regions on one side and the other side of the opening which face each other in a width direction of each slit are oriented as rotating in reverse to each other, and the facing substrate has a conductive layer. |
| US10216016B2 |
Linear optical phase modulators
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for linear optical phase modulators. In some aspects, a linear optical phase modulator device is provided to include a substrate; a PN junction formed on the substrate to include a P region, a N region and a depletion region formed by the P and N regions; and an optical waveguide formed on the substrate and structured to guide light in one or more optical modes to have a spatial optical intensity distribution based on a free carrier density spatial distribution in the PN junction in such that the depletion region exhibits a substantially linear response with regard to a voltage applied to the PN junction to modulate a phase of the light guided by the optical waveguide. |
| US10216009B2 |
High-voltage H-bridge control circuit for a lens driver of an electronic ophthalmic lens
A lens driver or lens driver circuitry for an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an electronic system which actuates a variable-focus optic is disclosed herein. The lens driver is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic apparatus. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The lens driver circuitry includes one or more power sources, one or more high voltage generators and one or more switching circuits. Specifically, the lens driver comprises an H-bridge/H-bridge controller for providing the proper voltage, including polarity, to drive the electronic included in the ophthalmic apparatus. |
| US10216008B2 |
Saccade and vergence tracking for distance auto focus adjustment
Lenses and methods for adjusting the focus of a lens include dividing multiple light sensors in a lens into four quadrants. A position of the lens relative to occlusion along a top and bottom edge of the lens is determined based on lengths of bit sequences from light sensors in each of the four quadrants. An optimal focal length for the lens is determined based on the position of the lens. The focal length of the lens is adjusted to match the optimal focal length. |
| US10216005B2 |
Method for optimizing a measured contour of a spectacle frame
Method implemented by computer means for optimizing a measured contour of an opening of a spectacle frame, the method comprising: a contour data providing step, a working contour defining step, during which a working contour of the spectacle frame is defined, a first contour cost function providing step, during which a first contour cost function function of the mth derivative of the curve of the contour is provided, a set of contour cost functions providing step, during which a set of contour cost functions is provided, a global contour cost function evaluation step during which a global contour cost function is evaluated, a contour modifying step, during which the working contour is modified, wherein the global contour cost function evaluation and contour modifying steps are repeated so as to minimize the global contour cost function. |
| US10216000B2 |
Lens moving apparatus
Disclosed is a lens moving apparatus. The lens moving apparatus includes a moving unit having at least one lens installed therein and moving by electromagnetic interaction between magnets and coils, elastic members configured to support the moving unit, and position sensors configured to sense change of electromagnetic force emitted from the magnets according to movement of the moving unit and to output an output signal based on a result of sensing, and a primary resonant frequency of frequency response characteristics according to gain of a ratio of the output signal of the position sensors to an input signal applied to the coils is 30 Hz to 200 Hz. |
| US10215988B2 |
Integrated MicroOptic imager, processor, and display
An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display. |
| US10215986B2 |
Wedges for light transformation
Devices, systems and methods that include specialized waveguide assemblies are provided for performing light transformations. Some waveguide assemblies include a waveguide and a compensating lens. The waveguide includes a front surface and a back surface, wherein the waveguide is configured to receive external light at the front surface and transmit the external light through the waveguide to the back surface. The compensating lens is located on the back surface and is configured to direct light emitted from the back surface toward an exit pupil proximate the back surface. The compensating lens has an input surface oriented toward the waveguide and an opposing output surface oriented away from the waveguide. The waveguide can sometimes increase a user's field of view with minimal distortion on a mixed reality display. |
| US10215984B2 |
Projection apparatus using telecentric optics
The present invention provides a projection system (10), preferably for a head-up display e.g. on board a vehicle, comprising a laser source (1), a diffuser (3) and telecentric optics (2) disposed between the laser and the diffuser so that the telecentric optics outputs parallel rays to the diffuser, the diffused light being thus independent from the incidence angle; each pixel of the projected image has the same brightness, regardless of the angle or of the position from which it is viewed. |
| US10215974B2 |
Selective/single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) arrangement
A selective/single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) arrangement having an illumination device (1) for generating a light sheet (3) illuminating a sample (2); and a detection device (5), comprising a detector (4), for detected light proceeding from the sample (2), is configured and refined in the interest of efficient and low-impact sample investigation with physically simple means in such a way that the detection device (5) comprises a device (6) for allocating different focal planes of the light sheet (3) to different regions (7) of the detector (4). |
| US10215973B2 |
Zoom lens unit, imaging device, and monitoring video camera
A zoom lens unit includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having positive refractive power and a focus function, a second lens group having negative refractive power, which moves when changing a magnification, a third lens group which moves when changing a magnification, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, which is fixed when changing a magnification, wherein the following condition (1) is fulfilled: |M2W·M3W·M4W|<0.14 (1) where M2W represents an imaging magnification of the second lens group at a wide-angle end, M3W represents an imaging magnification.the third lens group at the wide-angle end, and M4W represents an imaging magnification of the fourth lens group at the wide-angle end. |
| US10215971B2 |
Far infrared imaging lens set, objective lens and detector
A far infrared detector and objective lens and lens set thereof. The far infrared imaging lens set (10) comprises a first lens (100) and a second lens (200) arranged in sequence along a principal axis; the first lens (100) has a first curved surface (102) having a radius of curvature of 2.4×(1±5%) mm and a second curved surface (104) having a radius of curvature of 2×(1±5%) mm; the second lens (200) has a third curved surface (202) having a radius of curvature of 50×(1±5%) mm and a fourth curved surface (204) having a radius of curvature of 60×(1±5%) mm; wherein the first curved surface (102), the second curved surface (104), the third curved surface (202), and the fourth curved surface (204) are arranged in sequence; the first curved surface (102), the second curved surface (104) and the third curved surface (202) are all convex to the object side, and the fourth curved surface is convex to the image side. Distant targets can be detected in dark and foggy environments, and imaging capability is high. |
| US10215970B2 |
Image-pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus to correct aberration
An image-pickup optical system includes: a first lens provided near an aperture stop and configured to correct aberration; and a second lens arranged between the first lens and an image sensor and configured to collect light, the first lens being a gradient index lens. The degree of freedom of design of a gradient index lens is higher than that of a lens having a constant refractive index, and a gradient index lens thus has a high potential as a device for a lens. Because such a gradient index lens is employed, it is possible to correct aberration without performing expensive processing such as polishing for example. In other words, as a result, costs may be reduced and image-forming properties may not be reduced at the same time. |
| US10215966B2 |
Optical image lens system
An optical image lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The second lens element, the third lens element, and the fourth lens element have refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power is made of plastic, and has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, wherein the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power is made of plastic, and has a concave image-side surface, wherein the image-side surface thereof changes from concave at a paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region, and the surfaces thereof are aspheric. |
| US10215965B2 |
Imaging optical lens system, image capturing unit and electronic device
An imaging optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has negative refractive power. The second lens element has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power. The fifth lens element has negative refractive power. The sixth lens element has positive refractive power. The imaging optical lens system has a total of six lens elements. |
| US10215963B2 |
Optical lens
An optical lens of the present disclosure assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, an optical filter and a sensor. The optical lens also has an axis. The first lens element, the second lens element, the third lens element, the fourth lens element, the fifth lens element and the sixth lens element are symmetrical about the axis. |
| US10215960B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens. At least one lens among the first to the fifth lenses has positive refractive force. The fifth lens can have negative refractive force, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point. The lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the fifth lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US10215959B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens comprising a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The lens module also includes a fourth lens including a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, a fifth lens including a concave object-side surface, and a sixth lens including an inflection point formed on an image-side surface thereof. The first to sixth lenses are sequentially disposed from an object side to an image side. |
| US10215958B2 |
Optical imaging lens
An optical imaging lens is configured to allow imaging rays to pass through a first curved surface of an optical element and the optical imaging lens in sequence. The optical imaging lens includes first, second and last lens element arranged in a sequence. One of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the last lens element is a second curved surface. A cross-sectional line of the second curved surface of the last lens element obtained by cutting the second curved surface of the last lens element along a plane parallel to the XZ plane is a second curved line. A material of at least one of the first lens element to the last lens element is a plastic material. |
| US10215943B2 |
Deploying optical fibers within a multi-dwelling unit
Cabling a terminal access cable through a residence includes optically coupling an end of a subscriber cable to a first end of a terminal access cable within a transition anchoring the terminal access cable to an anchor surface (202) formed as a flange surrounding the side walls (203) of the transition box with adhesive; storing excess length of the terminal access cable at a storage location (207) within the transition box; routing the terminal access cable from the transition box to a wall outlet box; anchoring the terminal access cable to an anchor surface of the wall outlet box with adhesive; and routing a second end of the terminal access cable into the wall outlet box and optically coupling the second end to a port of an optical adapter disposed within the wall outlet box. A jumper cable can be optically coupled to the subscriber cable by plugging a connectorized end of the jumper cable into the port. |
| US10215941B2 |
Structures and method for thermal management in active optical cable (AOC) assemblies
Disclosed are structures and methods for active optic cable (AOC) assembly having improved thermal characteristics. In one embodiment, an AOC assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a first end attached to a connector with a thermal insert attached to the housing for dissipating heat from the connector. The AOC assembly can dissipate a suitable heat transfer rate from the active components of the connector such as dissipating a heat transfer rate of 0.75 Watts or greater from the connector. In one embodiment, the thermal insert is at least partially disposed under the boot of the connector. In another embodiment, at least one component of the connector has a plurality of fins. Other AOC assemblies may include a connector having a pull tab for dissipating heat from the assembly. |
| US10215937B1 |
Optoelectronic package
An optoelectronic package includes a wiring substrate having a holding plane, an optoelectronic chip, a reflective material, an optical element and an adhesive. The optoelectronic chip is mounted on the holding plane and electrically connected to the wiring substrate. The optoelectronic chip has an upper surface, a functional region and a side surface connected to the upper surface. The reflective material is on the holding plane and surrounds the optoelectronic chip. The reflective material covers the side surface and has an inclined surface. The inclined surface surrounds the upper surface and extends from an edge of the upper surface. The height of the reflective material at the inclined surface decreases from the optoelectronic chip toward a direction away from the optoelectronic chip. The adhesive covers the reflective material and the upper surface and is connected between the optoelectronic chip and the optical element. |
| US10215936B2 |
Free space optical (FSO) system
A detector configuration for use in a free space optical (FSO) node for transmitting and/or receiving optical signals has a plurality of sensors for detecting received optical signals. The system may be configured to modify or alter the light at the plurality of sensor to optimize different system functions. |
| US10215935B2 |
Traceable networking cables with remote-released connectors
Disclosed are traceable remote-release networking cables with telltales at their ends to facilitate tracing of the cables and their ends, such as, for example, in data rooms that can include hundreds of individual networking cables. Some cables include conductive wire transmission line(s). Other cables include one or more fiber-optic transmission lines. |
| US10215926B2 |
Multi-fiber fiber optic connection system with flexible, insertable pins
A flexible pin for use in a male fiber optic connector is flexible both in bending and radially to accommodate variations in fiber optic ferrules of the male fiber optic connector and a female fiber optic connector. The flexibility may accommodate angular errors of the male and the female fiber optic connectors. The flexibility may also accommodate diametral errors of the flexible pin of the male fiber optic connector and diametral errors in a pin hole of the female fiber optic connector. The flexibility is sufficient that a connector spring or spring clamp can mate mating faces of the male and the female fiber optic connectors with the errors present. In certain embodiments, the flexible pin is a removable pin that includes a latch. The removable pin can be installed and removed from a fiber optic connector without disassembling a ferrule from a connector housing of the fiber optic connector. |
| US10215924B2 |
Optical interconnect with high alignment tolerance
An example embodiment may include an optical system for obtaining radiation coupling between two waveguides positioned in a non-coplanar configuration. The optical system may include a first waveguide positioned in a first plane and a second waveguide positioned in a second plane. The first waveguide may be stacked over the second waveguide at a distance adapted to allow evanescent coupling between the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The first waveguide and the second waveguide may be configured such that the coupling is at least partly tolerant to relative translation or rotation of the first waveguide and the second waveguide with respect to each other. |
| US10215923B2 |
Nanopositioner and method of making
A tunable, all-optical, coupling method for a high-Q silica microsphere and an optical waveguide is disclosed. By means of a novel optical nanopositioning method, induced thermal expansion of an asymmetric microsphere stem for laser powers up to 211 mW is observed and used to fine tune the microsphere-waveguide coupling. Microcavity displacements ranging from (0.61±0.13)-(3.49±0.13) μm and nanometer scale sensitivities varying from (2.81±0.08)-(17.08±0.76) nm/mW are obtained. Additionally, an apparent linear dependency of coupling distance on stem laser heating is achieved. Using these methods, coupling can be altered such that the differing and customizable coupling regimes can be achieved. |
| US10215921B2 |
Method and structure providing optical isolation of a waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator substrate
Disclosed are a method and structure providing a silicon-on-insulator substrate on which photonic devices are formed and in which a core material of a waveguide is optically decoupled from a support substrate by a shallow trench isolation region. |
| US10215917B2 |
Digital bezel of display device
A digital bezel of a display device includes: a display device including a bezel region for displaying an image different from an effective screen by dividing a frame portion of an effective screen of the display device; and an optical pick-up member, mounted in the bezel region, for picking up an image displayed in the bezel region in a straight line by a predetermined thickness to three-dimensionally highlight the image. As such, the three-dimensional effect of the image can be emphasized and manufacturing costs can be reduced. |
| US10215915B2 |
Low bend loss single mode optical fiber with bromine up-doped cladding
According to embodiments, an optical fiber may include a core portion comprising an outer radius rC and a maximum relative refractive index ΔCmax. A cladding may surround the core portion and include a low-index trench and an outer cladding. The low index trench may surround the core portion and includes an outer radius rT and relative refractive index ΔT. The outer cladding may surround and be in direct contact with the low-index trench. The outer cladding may be formed from silica-based glass comprising greater than 1.0 wt. % bromine and has a relative refractive index ΔOC, wherein ΔCmax>ΔOC>ΔT. The optical fiber may have a cable cutoff of less than or equal to 1530 nm. An attenuation of the optical fiber may be less than or equal to 0.185 dB/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm. |
| US10215912B2 |
Light source apparatus and display
A light source apparatus includes a light source, a light guide plate, a plurality of optical sheets, and an adhesive material. The light guide plate has an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident, and a light emitting surface from which the light on the incident surface is emitted. The plurality of optical sheets are disposed to overlap one another on the light emitting surface. The adhesive material fixes positions of the plurality of optical sheets. The plurality of optical sheets include respective extension portions each formed by bending an extension of a peripheral portion of the optical sheet to face a side surface of the light guide plate. The respective extension portions are aligned with displacements so as not to completely overlap one another, and the adhesive material is applied to the respective extension portions. |
| US10215904B2 |
Backlight module and display device
A backlight module and a display device are provided. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source and a first prism film. The light guide plate includes a main body and plural oblique microstructures. The main body has a light-incident surface and at least one main surface connected to the light-incident surface. The main surface has a first area and a second area. The oblique microstructures are disposed in the first area. Each of the oblique microstructures has a first slope. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light-incident surface. The first prism film is disposed in front of the light guide plate. The first prism film has plural first prism microstructures. Each of the first prism microstructures has a second slope. One of the first slope and the second slope is a positive number, and the other one is a negative number. |
| US10215902B2 |
Achromatic dye-based polarization element, and polarization plate
A single body, which is a base material that contains a dichromatic dye formed from an azo compound, that exhibits transmissivity of equal to or greater than 35% and a polarization degree adjusted to equal to or greater than 99% and is characterized in that a* and b* values, which are acquired for a polarization element or a polarization plate using JIS⋅Z⋅8729, have an a* and b* absolute value that is: less than 1 at the time of a single-body transmittance measurement; less than 2 when two sheets of the base material are arranged parallel to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured; and less than 2 when two sheets of the base material are arranged orthogonal to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured. |
| US10215899B2 |
Phase difference film, polarization plate, and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal (LC) display device uses a phase difference film which increases front contrast of the device, and a polarization plate. The film includes a first optical anisotropic layer, and a second optical anisotropic layer thereon, the first layer formed by fixing an LC compound in a homogeneous alignment state, has an order parameter (OP) of 0.75 to 0.95, and layer thickness of 0.3 μm to 3.0 μm, the second layer formed by fixing an LC compound in a homeotropic alignment state, has an OP of 0.60 to 0.95, and layer thickness of 0.3 μm to 3.0 μm, the OP which is denoted by OP=(A∥−A⊥)/(2A⊥+A∥), “A∥” which represents absorbance of the LC compound regarding light polarized parallel to an alignment direction, and “A⊥” which represents absorbance of the LC compound regarding light polarized vertical to the alignment direction. |
| US10215898B2 |
Near infrared ray absorbent composition, near infrared ray cut filter, solid image pickup element, and camera module
Provided are a near infrared ray absorbent composition which can form a cured film having excellent near infrared ray shielding properties, a near infrared ray cut filter, a manufacturing method of a near infrared ray cut filter, a solid image pickup element, and a camera module. The near infrared ray absorbent composition includes a copper complex that is other than a copper phthalocyanine complex and has a maximum absorption wavelength in a wavelength range of 700 to 1,200 nm and in which a molar light absorption coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength is greater than or equal to 100 (L/mol·cm). |
| US10215894B2 |
Stain resistant retroreflective articles
Retroreflective articles include transparent microspheres (120) protruding from a bead bond layer (140), with reflective metal layers (130) coated on a portion of the transparent microspheres. Retroreflective articles with anti-staining properties have bead bond layers that contain one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds. At least a portion of the one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds migrates through the reflective metal layer to passivate the exposed metal surface of the reflective metal layer. |
| US10215892B1 |
Shatter resistance mirror
Described herein is a mirror apparatus comprising: a reflective substrate; and an anti-fog complex comprising: an adhesive layer atop the substrate; a first polymeric layer atop the pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and a second polymeric layer atop the first polymeric layer. Methods of making the mirror apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US10215891B2 |
Projection display apparatus and method of producing said apparatus
A projection display apparatus includes: a micromirror device that reflects light on an image display surface to emit image light; a prism unit that bends an optical path of the image light emitted from the micromirror device; and a projection optical system that includes a diaphragm and that projects the image light emitted from the prism unit onto a screen, wherein the image display surface is formed with a plurality of micromirrors, and an image is formed on the image display surface through ON/OFF control on a tilt of a surface of each of the micromirrors and intensity modulation on incident light, the prism unit has an air gap tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to a principal ray of the image light emitted from the center of the image display surface, and the image light emitted from the micromirror device passes through the air gap. |
| US10215888B2 |
Method for manufacturing optical lenses and assembly for manufacturing such lenses
A method for manufacturing an optical lens, includes the steps of providing a blank (1) which includes an upper surface and a lower surface (33) for forming first and second lens surfaces (2), an edge surface (4) forming a first mechanical positioning reference point and a ramp portion (5) provided between the edge surface and the upper surface, which forms a second positioning reference point; providing a positioning ring (10) including a cavity defining an inner contour (20) concentric with the edge surface which forms a first complementary control reference point and a shoulder (21) forming a second complementary control reference point; fitting the blank into the cavity, the edge surface being in contact with the inner contour and the ramp portion being in contact with the shoulder; and locking the blank in position on a locking and supporting pin, the ring then being positioned there between. |
| US10215885B2 |
Precise calibration for galvanic tools
Calibration tools and procedures that provide calibration to galvanic tools can include use of measurement tools to measure resistivity of a calibration box. The resistivity of the calibration box can also be measured by a galvanic tool of interest. The two sets of measurements can be used to calibrate the galvanic tool. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US10215883B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring groundwater discharge
Embodiments for monitoring groundwater discharge by one or more processors are described. A groundwater head at each of at least some of a plurality of locations is measured. A groundwater discharge for at least one of the plurality of locations is determined based on the measured groundwater heads. The determined groundwater discharge is compared to a groundwater discharge threshold associated with the at least one of the plurality of locations. |
| US10215882B2 |
Tagged chemical diverter
The present disclosure provides methods for identifying chemical diverter material placed in a borehole region and provides chemical diverter material. In one embodiment, a method for detecting diverter material placed in a borehole region includes (a) obtaining a first data set by: emitting pulses of neutrons from the pulsed neutron source into the borehole region and detecting capture gamma rays resulting from nuclear reactions in the borehole region; (b) placing a diverter material comprising aqueous-swellable particles and a thermal neutron absorbing material into the borehole region; (c) obtaining a second data set by: emitting pulses of neutrons from the first pulsed neutron source or a second pulsed neutron source into the borehole region, and detecting capture gamma rays in the borehole; and (d) comparing the first data set and the second data set to determine the location of diverter material placed in the borehole region. |
| US10215880B1 |
Pulsed neutron determination of gravel pack density
Methods and systems for quantitatively determining pack density within a section of a wellbore are disclosed. The method compares acquired pulsed neutron measurements to models of the section having zero pack density and one hundred percent pack density and extrapolates the measured pulsed neutron data between those two extremes to quantitatively determine pack density. The methods and systems allow hydrocarbon saturation and pack density to be determined in a single trip of a pulsed neutron tool. |
| US10215876B2 |
Cation exchange capacity and water saturation from array induction data
In-phase and quadrature components have different relationships with some important petrophyscial parameters, such as water saturation and mineral cation exchange capacity (CEC). In clay-containing subterranean rock formation such as shaly sand formations, these parameters can be estimated using different components of array induction tool data combined with other knowledge about the clay-containing formation. Some parameters, such as mobility and fraction of counterions are valid in cases where the pore water solution is an electrolyte of NaCl. |
| US10215872B2 |
Coding of signals for efficient acquisition
A method for use in marine seismic surveying includes: towing at least a portion of a marine seismic survey spread; imparting a composite swept seismic signal from the marine seismic survey spread, the composite swept seismic signal including a plurality of randomized subsweeps having different frequencies relative to one another and being emitted in parallel; and receiving a respective return for each of the subsweeps. |
| US10215871B2 |
Method and system of suppressing data corresponding to noise using a model of noise propagation along a sensor streamer
Suppressing data corresponding to noise using a model of noise propagation along a sensor streamer. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: reading a data set containing noise and seismic signals recorded by geophones disposed in a sensor streamer when the sensor streamer was within a body of water; determining locations of noise sources along the sensor streamer when the sensor streamer was within the body of water; and suppressing data of the data set corresponding to noise sources along the sensor streamer. |
| US10215868B2 |
Automated horizon auto-picking on multiple volumes
The disclosure describes a method and apparatus for performing automated horizon picking on a based volume and snapping auto-picked horizons to other seismic volumes in 4D and multi-azimuth seismic interpretation workflow. Changes made to an initial interpretation may be automatically updated on the other seismic volumes. The automated horizon auto-picking can be batched to setup, run, and monitor auto-picked horizons on a large number of seismic volumes without requiring manual updating of interpretations on each individual volume. |
| US10215866B2 |
Seismic modeling system providing seismic survey data frequency domain inpainting and related methods
A seismic modeling system may include a seismic model data storage device, and a processor cooperating with the seismic model data storage device to transform a seismic model spatial domain data set associated with a given region into a seismic frequency domain data set, where the given region includes a suspect region, transform a seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region into a seismic frequency domain data subset, and perform inpainting of the seismic frequency domain data subset based upon the seismic frequency domain data set. The processor may further convert the inpainted seismic frequency domain data subset into an inpainted spatial domain data subset, and substitute the inpainted spatial domain data subset for the seismic model spatial domain data subset associated with the suspect region in the seismic model spatial domain data set associated with the given region. |
| US10215865B2 |
Hybrid energy conversion and processing detector
A hybrid arrangement of more than one electron energy conversion mechanism in an electron detector is arranged such that an image can be acquired from both energy converters so that selected high-illumination parts of the electron beam can be imaged with an indirectly coupled scintillator detector and the remainder of the image acquired with the highsensitivity/direct electron portion of the detector without readjustments in the beam position or mechanical positioning of the detector parts. Further, a mechanism is described to allow dynamically switchable or simultaneous linear and counted signal processing from each pixel on the detector so that high-illumination areas can be acquired linearly without severe dose rate limitation of counting and lowillumination regions can be acquired with counting. |
| US10215864B2 |
System and method to improve image quality of emission tomography when using advanced radionuclides
A method and system for acquiring a series of medical images includes a plurality of detectors configured to be arranged to acquire gamma rays emitted from a subject as a result of an advanced radionuclide administered to the subject and communicate signals corresponding to acquired gamma rays. A data processing system is configured to receive the signals from the plurality of detectors, determine double coincidence event dataset and a multiple coincidence event dataset, separate the multiple coincidence event dataset into at least one of a standard lines of response dataset and a nonstandard lines of response dataset, and apply a background correction to the double coincidence event dataset based on the non-standard lines of response dataset and/or the standard lines of response dataset to obtain a standard coincidence dataset. |
| US10215856B1 |
Time of flight camera
A method for determining whether a distance that a CW-TOF range camera provides for a scene is degraded by multipath interference (MPI) comprising operating the camera to determine a propagation phase delay and a phase delay coefficient for each of a plurality of modulation frequencies of light that illuminates the scene and using the phase delay coefficient and/or the phase delay to determine whether a distance provided by the camera is compromised by MPI. |
| US10215855B2 |
Coatings for increasing near-infrared detection distances
A method for increasing a detection distance of a surface of an object illuminated by near-IR electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) directing near-IR electromagnetic radiation from a near-IR electromagnetic radiation source towards an object at least partially coated with a near-IR reflective coating that increases a near-IR electromagnetic radiation detection distance by at least 15% as measured at a wavelength in a near-IR range as compared to the same object coated with a color matched coating which absorbs more of the same near-IR radiation, where the color matched coating has a ΔE color matched value of 1.5 or less when compared to the near-IR reflective coating; and (b) detecting reflected near-IR electromagnetic radiation reflected from the near-IR reflective coating. A system for detecting proximity of vehicles is also disclosed. |
| US10215853B2 |
Adaptive transmission and interference cancellation for MIMO radar
A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes a transmit pipeline, a receive pipeline, and a memory module. The transmit pipeline includes transmitters for transmitting radio signals. The receive pipeline includes receivers for receiving radio signals that include the transmitted radio signals transmitted by the transmitters and reflected from objects in an environment. The memory module is configured to store interference estimates for each receiver of the plurality of receivers that are estimates of interfering radio signals received by each of the receivers that are transmitted by each respective transmitter of the plurality of transmitters. Each receiver of the plurality of receivers is configured to mitigate interference that is due to interfering radio signals transmitted by the plurality of transmitters, as defined by the stored interference estimates of the plurality of transmitters for each particular receiver. |
| US10215851B2 |
Doppler-based segmentation and optical flow in radar images
In an embodiment, a method for processing an image is provided. The method receives an image including a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes radial velocity information. The method categorizes the plurality of pixels of the image into a plurality of groups of pixels based on radial velocity information of the pixels. The method associates at least one of the groups of pixels with an object. |
| US10215842B2 |
Frequency correction for pulse compression radar
Various implementations described herein are directed to frequency correction for pulse compression radar. In one implementation, a method may include generating a first transmission signal using a pulse compression radar system based on an ideal waveform signal. The method may also include measuring a frequency of the first transmission signal at an output of a transmitter module. The method may further include comparing the measured frequency of the first transmission signal and a frequency of the ideal waveform signal. The method may additionally include generating pre-distortion coefficients based on the comparison, where the pre-distortion coefficients are configured to compensate for a difference between the measured frequency of the first transmission signal and the frequency of the ideal waveform signal. In addition, the method may include generating a compensated transmission signal using the pulse compression radar system based on the pre-distortion coefficients and the ideal waveform signal. |
| US10215839B2 |
Pose detection device of movable body and location-based supplemental service providing system
Embodiments herein disclose a pose detection device for a movable body and a location-based supplemental service providing system. The pose detection device includes a first polarization unit and a second polarization unit positioned to have transmission axis difference values different from each other, wherein the first polarization unit and the second polarization unit receiving light emitted from a polarized light source located beyond and apart from the first polarization unit and the second polarization unit. Further, the pose detection device includes a first illuminometer measures positioned below the first polarization unit and a second illuminometer positioned below the second polarization unit. Further, the pose detection device includes a an interpretation unit generating pose information of the movable body based on detected light variation curves for the first polarization unit and the second polarization unit and illumination values measured by the first illuminometer and the second illuminometer. |
| US10215838B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating wireless access point
Embodiments disclose a method and an apparatus for locating a wireless access point. M APs are deployed in a physical area, the M APs include N first reference APs and L to-be-located APs, and physical locations of the first reference APs and a first distance between any two first reference APs are determinate. The method includes obtaining a first electromagnetic wave signal received by a first to-be-located AP of the L to-be-located Aps, where the first electromagnetic wave signal includes an electromagnetic wave signal sent by each first reference AP. The method also includes determining a second distance between the first to-be-located AP and each first reference AP according to the first electromagnetic wave signal, and determining a physical location of the first to-be-located AP according to the first distance, the second distance, and the physical locations of all the N first reference APs. |
| US10215836B2 |
Geolocation on a single platform having flexible portions
A geolocation system on a platform, for example, an airplane, to identify a location of a signal emitting site includes an inertial navigation system and an array of signal detectors. A first subset of the detectors is on a flexing portion of the platform and a second subset of detectors is on a rigid portion of the platform. An inertial measurement unit is disposed adjacent to each of the detectors on the flexing portion. A locator module is configured to: calculate a respective velocity and a respective position of each one of the detectors positioned on the flexing portion as a function of respective inertial measurement data; and determine a position of the emitter as a function of the calculated velocity, calculated position, inertial navigation data, the detected signal data and data defining a flexure relationship between the flexing and rigid portions of the platform. |
| US10215834B2 |
Dual axis solar tracker
A dual axis solar tracker is provided. The dual axis solar tracker includes a moving platform, a fixed platform, a serial chain, a parallel chain and a driving device. The moving platform is supported by the serial chain and driven by the parallel chain, forming a parallel tracking mechanism. The driving device is configured to drive the parallel chain to motion so as to drive the moving platform to rotate around vertical and horizontal axes. The dual axis solar tracker of the present disclosure has a larger workspace, a better tracking performance and advantages of high rigidity, low energy consumption, small driving torque and low inertia, etc. |
| US10215830B2 |
Automated cancer detection using MRI
Methods and systems for diagnosing cancer in the prostate and other organs are disclosed. Exemplary methods comprises extracting texture information from MRI imaging data for a target organ, sometimes using two or more different imaging modalities. Texture features are determined that are indicative of cancer by identifying frequent texture patterns. A classification model is generated based on the determined texture features that are indicative of cancer, and diagnostic cancer prediction information for the target organ is then generated to help diagnose cancer in the organ. |
| US10215827B2 |
Method to measure tissue texture using NMR spectroscopy to identify the chemical species of component textural elements in a targeted region of tissue
A method for identifying the chemical species of various textural elements in a targeted region of tissue wherein a volume of interest (VOI) is selectively excited and a k-encode gradient pulse is applied to induce phase wrap to create a spatial encode for a specific k-value and orientation. The specific k-value is selected based on anticipated texture within the VOI. Multiple sequential samples of the NMR RF signal encoded with the specific k-value are recorded as signal data. The Fourier Transform of the acquired signal data is then taken, wherein for each k-encode, the signal recorded is indicative of the spatial frequency power density at that point in k-space. Each peak in the NMR spectrum is then evaluated, whereby the relative contribution to the texture of tissue in the VOI at a k-value for each chemical species is determined. |
| US10215826B2 |
MPI scanner with moving permanent magnetic elements
An MPI-apparatus comprising a magnet system for generating a time-varying and position-dependent magnetic field and a detection system detecting signals from MPI contrast agents exposed to said magnetic field within a detection volume, said signals being suitable for reconstructing an image of the spatial and temporal distribution of said MPI contrast agents, is characterized in that the magnet system comprises an array with a plurality of permanent magnetic elements geometrically arranged in such a way that at least a part of the plurality of permanent magnetic elements are moved with sufficient speed in the vicinity of the detection volume to create the spatial and temporal magnetic field variations for inducing within the contrast agent the MPI signals recorded by the detection system. This avoids the high power requirements of current MPI scanners, while opening the way for higher spatial resolutions and variable scanning frequencies. |
| US10215824B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores processor-executable instructions that cause the processor to detect cross-sectional positions of a plurality of cross-sectional images to be acquired in an imaging scan from volume data; acquire the cross-sectional images in sequence based on the cross-sectional positions by executing the imaging scan; and after the first cross-sectional image is acquired in the imaging scan, generate a display image, and display the display image on a display, the display image being an image in which a cross-sectional position of a second cross-sectional image which is detected from the volume data is superimposed on the first cross-sectional image, the second cross-sectional image being a cross-sectional image before being acquired and intersecting with the first cross-sectional image. |
| US10215820B2 |
Differentiating tissues with MR imaging
A medical imaging system (10) includes a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner (12), and a MR reconstruction unit (34). The MR scanner (12) applies a multi-echo ultra-short TE (UTE) with mDixon pulse sequence to a subject (16) and receives MR data (33) representing at least a portion of the subject. The MR reconstruction unit (34) reconstructs a Free Induction Decay (FID) image (120), and one or more echo magnitude images (122), one or more phase images (39), an in-phase image (39), a water image (39), and a fat image (39) from the received MR data (33). |
| US10215816B2 |
Magnetic field measuring apparatus
The present invention addresses the problem of stabilizing signals in magnetic field measurement using optical pumping. In order to solve the problem, disclosed is a light source apparatus (10) that is characterized in having: a light intensity fluctuation detection circuit (130) that detects intensity fluctuation of light outputted from a laser output unit (11); and an acousto-optic modulator (121) that corrects light intensity on the basis of light intensity fluctuation detected by means of the light intensity fluctuation detection circuit (130) such that the light intensity is constant Furthermore, a magnetic field measuring apparatus of the present invention is characterized in having: one sensor unit that passes therethrough light outputted from a light source unit: and a signal control processor that eliminates the light intensity fluctuation on the basis of two lights passed through the sensor unit. |
| US10215814B2 |
System and method for cognitive alarm management for the power grid
Systems and methods for cognitive alarm management in a power grid are described. In one embodiment, sensor measurements are transformed to determine the state of a power grid. Given current state information relating to the power grid, various analyses of the alarms may be conducted to produce various rankings of the alarms (e.g., by severity, graph analyses, etc.). In an embodiment, using power flow analysis, an optimal ranking is identified from the rankings in which a causal alarm is prioritized for resolution. Given the resolution of the causal alarm, remaining alarms (either all or a sub-set) may be resolved without further action. Thus, an embodiment provides an appropriate ranking of alarm conditions in a power grid such that the optimal resolution of alarms may be achieved. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein. |
| US10215812B2 |
Clamp-type probe device
A clamp-type probe device comprises a first pressed member, a second pressed member and a probe head. The first pressed member comprises a first clamping portion and a first mounted portion connected to each other, and has a first and a second assembly holes. The second pressed member comprises a second clamping portion and a second mounted portion connected to each other. The second and the first mounted portions are connected to each other. The second and the first clamping portions are separated from each other. The probe head comprises a plurality of contacting members. Each contacting member comprises two bending portions. Two ends of each contacting member are respectively disposed through the first and the second assembly holes. The two bending portions are respectively pressed against an inner side surface of the first assembly hole and an inner side surface of the second assembly hole. |
| US10215811B2 |
Electronic circuit for measuring currents during charging and discharging of a secondary battery
An electronic circuit and method for measuring currents during charging and discharging of a secondary battery are disclosed having a secondary battery, at least one shunt for determining the electrical current during charging and/or discharging of the secondary battery by measuring the voltage drop over the shunt, a switchable electrical load, two connectors for connecting a preferably switchable power supply to the electronic circuit for charging the secondary battery and a voltage measuring device. A first shunt is connected in series between the electrical load and the secondary battery, and a second shunt is connected in series between one of the two connectors for connecting the power supply and the secondary battery, wherein the first shunt and the second shunt are connected to the same one of the two battery terminals of the secondary battery, and in that the voltage measuring device comprises only one voltage tapping connected to the electrical conduit between the first shunt and the switchable electrical load and measuring the electrical potential with respect to ground, as defined by the ground potential of the voltage measuring device. |
| US10215809B2 |
Method and system for verification of contact operation
A system for verifying operation of a contact includes a voltage source connected to a first terminal of the contact through a first switch; a second switch connected to a second terminal of the contact; a third switch connected to the second terminal of the contact; a voltage output connected to the second switch and the third switch; and a controller to compare the voltage output to a first voltage and a second voltage; wherein the voltage output indicates operation of the contact in response to status of the first switch, the switch and the third switch. |
| US10215805B2 |
IC TAP, SAP state machine stepping on TCK falling edge
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for providing a shadow access port within a device. The shadow access port is accessed to perform operations in the device by reusing the TDI, TMS, TCK and TDO signals that are used to operate a test access port within the device. The presence and operation of the shadow access port is transparent to the presence and operation of the test access port. According to the disclosure, the shadow access port operates on the falling edge of the TCK signal while the test access port conventionally operates on the rising edge of the TCK signal. |
| US10215804B2 |
Semiconductor power and performance optimization
Embodiments are directed to a method and system for testing and optimizing integrated circuit devices. Latches within an integrated circuit device that fail to operate properly are found using observed data from a test. Thereafter, a directed graph of the layout of the integrated circuit is used to find clock controllers that feed into the latches. The clock controllers that are the most likely to be at issue are ranked, then testing can be performed to confirm that a critical path can be found. The critical path can be excluded from further power optimization to maintain the performance of the integrated circuit device. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US10215802B2 |
Magnetically-latched actuator
A system, apparatus, and method for using a magnetic latch to maintain a desired force between a test-probe assembly and a surface of a component. The method includes moving the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the surface of a component. The test-probe assembly is then moved from the approach position to the surface of a component pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The method further includes magnetically latching the test-probe assembly in contact with the surface of a component at a constant force. The moving coil of the actuator can be de-energized while the test-probe assembly performs measurements on the component. After the testing is completed, the moving coil is energized and the test-probe assembly is retracted away from the component. The applied force may be monitored based upon an output of a load cell responsive to a force exerted by the test-probe assembly. |
| US10215799B2 |
Diagnositc circuitry for powered sensor multiple unique faults diagnostics and resistive fault tolerant interface to microprocessor
A sensing system includes circuitry having a diagnostic interface for a powered sensor. Responsive to sensing signals, the circuitry is operable to produce a DC level that is defined by operating or fault conditions. The fault conditions include an open voltage supply, an open sensor power return signal, open communication signal(s), series resistance in a communication signal, fault resistance to ground on the communication signal and fault resistance to a voltage source on the communication signal. The circuitry includes a fault tolerant interface between a wire harness at an output of the powered sensor and a digital input port of a microprocessor for the purpose of un-ambiguous fault detection when distortion of sensor information occurs or when loss of sensor information occurs, and wherein the microprocessor diagnoses a fault as defined by the DC level of the analog signal monitored at the communication signal input to the microprocessor. |
| US10215798B2 |
High-temperature test fixture
A high temperature fixture, said fixture comprising: at least three noble metal electrodes arranged in parallel, among which two adjacent noble metal electrodes are used for clamping a test sample; noble metal wires connected to the noble metal electrodes at one end, and to a test device at the other end for transmitting test signals generated by the test sample to the test device through the noble metal electrodes; and a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the test materials. |
| US10215794B2 |
Partial discharge sensor evaluation method and partial discharge sensor evaluation device apparatus
A partial discharge sensor evaluation method includes a first frequency characteristic measuring process in which, in a state where a reference antenna 3 for which a frequency characteristic in an effective height is known and a measuring antenna 2 are installed on a flat ground 1 to be separated by a predetermined distance from each other, a transmission characteristic measurer 4 measures a frequency characteristic of a transmission characteristic between the reference antenna 3 and the measuring antenna 2, and a second frequency characteristic measuring process in which, in a state where a measured antenna 9 is installed inside a cylindrical ground 6 buried in a circular opening 5 formed at a position where the reference antenna 3 has been installed, the transmission characteristic measurer 4 measures the frequency characteristic of the transmission characteristic between the measured antenna 9 and the measuring antenna 2. |
| US10215783B2 |
Renewable energy monitoring system
We describe a solar photovoltaic monitoring system for monitoring and controlling a solar photovoltaic inverter, comprising: a wireless transceiver coupled to a solar photovoltaic inverter, the inverter comprising a device monitor for monitoring and controlling the inverter, wherein the monitoring comprises generating monitoring data defining a status of the system and transmitting the data using the transceiver coupled to the inverter; a wireless repeater for receiving data from the inverter and retransmitting the data; a transceiver coupled to a gateway capable of communicating the retransmitted data received to a monitoring station, the gateway transmitting control data received from the monitoring station; wherein the repeater receives control data from the gateway and retransmits data to the inverter; and wherein the controlling in the inverter comprises receiving the retransmitted control data from the transceiver coupled to the inverter and controlling the inverter dependent on the data. |
| US10215780B2 |
Current sensor
A current sensor includes a primary conductor through which a current to be measured flows and a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor that each detects an intensity of a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the primary conductor. The current is diverted into two flow channels and flows through the primary conductor in a length direction of the primary conductor. The primary conductor includes an arch portion that extends in the length direction while bending to project in one thickness direction of the primary conductor, and defines one of the two flow channels. The first magnetic sensor is disposed on an inner side of the arch portion and is located on a side of an undersurface of the primary conductor. The second magnetic sensor is located on a side of a surface of a portion of the primary conductor which defines the other one of the two flow channels. |
| US10215777B2 |
Method for operating an electric machine, electric machine
The invention relates to a method for operating an electric machine (2). The electric machine (2) is driven using field-oriented regulation, and a current relative position (θi) of a rotating field is detected by means of at least one sensor (5). At least one electric voltage (Uαs, Uβs) is generated which causes an electric rotor flux corresponding to the position (θi) detected by the sensor, the electric machine (2) is monitored for a torque generated by the voltage (Uαs, Uβs) and an absolute position of the rotating field is determined depending on the generated torque. |
| US10215769B1 |
Multi-fluid jet nozzle for sensor calibration
A device and method for rapid assessment of sensor response times as the sensor is rapidly switched between two or more calibration fluids discharged from a multi-fluid jet nozzle. The novel method includes exposing the sensor to a first calibration fluid and then rapidly exposing it to a second calibration fluid without removing the sensor from the fluid phase. The sensor's output is then assessed to determine its response time. This method is simpler and less expensive than other methods and allows improved precision timing of the change in calibration fluids without changing flow velocity or exposure to other media or viscosities. An embodiment of the novel device is a dual-fluid jet nozzle that ejects two distinct jets of calibration fluid at the same velocity through a single nozzle discharge aperture divided by a sharply-edged boundary wall. |
| US10215768B2 |
Lipid bilayer sensor system
A sensor system (1) for measuring an electrical signal across a lipid bilayer is formed by a cell (2) and an electrical reader unit (3) which are connectable together. The cell (2) is capable of supporting a lipid bilayer across an aperture (11) in a membrane (10) and has a construction which is cheap to manufacture. The reader unit (3) is a portable device which monitors an electrical signal generated in the connected cell (2) to allow analysis of that electrical signal. The sensor system (1) is intended for use outside of a laboratory setting. |
| US10215764B2 |
Assay reagents for a neurogranin diagnostic kit
The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to assay reagents useful in detecting neurogranin. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to neurogranin. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a polynucleotide aptamer that specifically binds neurogranin. |
| US10215762B2 |
Method to optimize the treatment of patients with biological drugs
The invention relates to the field of personalized therapy and, in particular, to a method for classifying a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as a responder or as a non-responder patient to a treatment based on a biological drug. |
| US10215760B2 |
Detection of intraamniotic and/or infection
The present invention concerns the identification of biomarkers and groups or combinations of biomarkers that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection, and diagnostic assays using such biomarkers. |
| US10215754B2 |
Anti-T. cruzi antibodies and methods of use
The present disclosure is directed to reagents and methods of using the reagents to detect epitopes of Trypanosoma cruzi. |
| US10215747B2 |
System and method for determining fill volume in a container
A system and method for detecting a pathogen in a sample is provided, the system capable of measuring the volume of a sample in a container through the use of various measurement technologies, thereby ensuring that a user is aware of volumes not meeting specification and/or allowing correction of results to account for the out-of-specification sample. |
| US10215746B2 |
Methods for diagnosis and intervention of hepatic disorders
The disclosure provides a method for quantification of hepatic function in a subject comprising measuring the clearance of an orally administered isotopically labeled cholic acid in a subject with, or suspected of having or developing, a hepatic disorder, for example, chronic hepatitis C. The disclosure further provides methods and kits for assessment of hepatic function. |
| US10215743B2 |
Introducing periodicity for discrete determination of concentrations of gases in a gaseous mixture
Methods, system and device are provided for detection and quantitative and qualitative analysis of components in a gaseous mixture distinguished by high selectivity and high resolution. The influence of individual gases may be distinguished through detection of changes associated with a sensor's sensitive layer that interacts with the components of the gaseous mixture. Through periodic variations of parameters or conditions of the sensor, the characteristics of the gas components may be derived. For example, the concentration of a gas or multiple gases in a mixture may be determined with a high degree of accuracy. Non-invasive detection of biological off-gases may be implemented. Other uses abound. |
| US10215742B2 |
Electronic device and operation method thereof
The electronic device includes at least one sensor configured to detect air flow in from outside of the electronic device, and a plurality of openings formed in the electronic device. Further, the electronic device includes a duct formed between the at least one sensor and at least one of the plurality of openings. A method for operating an electronic device having at least one sensor configured to detect air flow in from outside includes detecting a motion of the electronic device by using a motion sensor, recognizing a pattern of the detected motion, and activating a foreign matter removing unit when the recognized pattern corresponds to a predefined first motion pattern. |
| US10215738B2 |
Multi-way valve
A multi-way valve has an upper part, a lower part and a central part connected to the upper part via an interposing first membrane and the lower part via an interposing second membrane, wherein the upper and lower parts contain recesses on the upper and lower part faces facing the membranes, where a control fluid is introducible into the recesses, the central part contains a pair of openings in regions opposite the recesses on the central part faces lying adjacent to the membranes, where while introducing the control fluid into a recess, the membrane closes respective opposite openings in the central part, and where the membrane otherwise recedes into the recess, thereby releasing the opposite openings, where valve connections are mounted on the upper or lower part such that the central part can have a very thin design while preventing dead regions in the channel systems. |
| US10215737B2 |
Apparatus for and method of gas analysis
A method for preparing a sample for analysis includes separating a gas sample into at least one component sample in a separation unit. The output of the at least one component sample from the separation unit is detected, for example, using a thermal conductivity detector. A hydrocarbon in the component sample is combusted in a combustion unit to generate a combustion product. The at least one component sample is collected in a sample collector and supplied to an analysis unit. In some embodiments, the analysis unit may be used to determine an isotopic ratio of the at least one component sample. |
| US10215734B2 |
Method for testing a workpiece using ultrasound
The application relates to a method for testing a workpiece using ultrasound in a curved region of the surface of said workpiece, having the following steps: a plurality of ultrasonic signals are emitted from a plurality of transmitting positions into the workpiece a corresponding ultrasonic echo signal is received for each ultrasonic signal the ultrasonic echoes having amplitudes representing local maxima are determined for each transmitting position if an individual ultrasonic echo having an amplitude representing a local maximum was determined for a transmitting position in, the associated ultrasonic echo signal of said echo is selected if a plurality of ultrasonic echoes having an amplitude representing a local maximum were determined for a transmitting position, ultrasonic echo signals are selected if only an individual ultrasonic echo having an amplitude representing a local maximum was determined for an adjacent transmitting position at least the selected ultrasonic echo signals are evaluated. |
| US10215731B2 |
Nanopore-based sequencing with varying voltage stimulus
A method of analyzing a molecule in a nanopore is disclosed. A voltage is applied across a nanopore that is inserted in a membrane by coupling the nanopore to a voltage source. The nanopore is decoupled from the voltage source. After the decoupling, a rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore is determined. A molecule in the nanopore is distinguished from other possible molecules based on the determined rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore. |
| US10215730B2 |
Electrowetting dispensing devices and related methods
A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting. |
| US10215725B2 |
Sensor element and gas sensor
In a sensor element, a fourth diffusion rate-controlling portion includes a diffusion rate-controlling portion. The diffusion rate-controlling portion is formed between one or more and three or less surfaces, e.g., an upper surface, of upper, lower, left and right inner peripheral surfaces of a measurement-object gas flowing portion and a partition wall. A measurement electrode is formed on one, e.g., a lower surface, of upper, lower, left and right inner peripheral surfaces of a third inner cavity, the one surface being different in orientation from the Csurface along which the diffusion rate-controlling portion is formed. The diffusion rate-controlling portion and the measurement electrode may be formed on surfaces opposite to each other. A distance L between the measurement electrode and the diffusion rate-controlling portion may be 0.1 mm or more. |
| US10215719B2 |
Secondary ion mass spectroscopic method, mass spectrometer and uses thereof
In a secondary ion mass spectroscopic (SIMS) method, and a mass spectrometer for implementing the method, for depth-profiling analysis of alkali metals in a sample which comprises an insulating material or is an insulator. The sample is irradiated by an ion beam as an analysis beam for desorption of secondary ions from the uppermost layers, such that the surface of the sample is removed with the same or a further ion beam. The ion beam used for removal of the sample surface comprises essentially gas clusters or consists of gas clusters. |
| US10215716B2 |
X-ray inspection apparatus for inspecting semiconductor wafers
An x-ray inspection system includes a cabinet including an x-ray source, a sample support supporting a sample to be inspected, and an x-ray detector. The system further includes an air mover configured to force air into the cabinet through an air inlet in the cabinet above the sample support. The air mover and cabinet are configured to force air through the cabinet from the air inlet past the sample support to an air outlet in the cabinet below the sample support. The cabinet may be constructed to provide an x-ray shield. The x-ray inspection system can be used in a clean room environment to inspect items such as semiconductor wafers. |
| US10215713B2 |
Determining a configuration for an optical element positioned in a collection aperture during wafer inspection
Methods and systems for determining a configuration for an optical element positioned in a collection aperture during wafer inspection are provided. One system includes a detector configured to detect light from a wafer that passes through an optical element, which includes a set of collection apertures, when the optical element has different configurations thereby generating different images for the different configurations. The system also includes a computer subsystem configured for constructing additional image(s) from two or more of the different images, and the two or more different images used to generate any one of the additional image(s) do not include only different images generated for single collection apertures in the set. The computer subsystem is further configured for selecting one of the different or additional configurations for the optical element based on the different images and the additional image(s). |
| US10215709B2 |
Detecting system
A detecting system configured for detecting flaws on an object to be detected, increasing: a display processing device; an tunable light source; at least one light transmitter, wherein the tunable light source is connected with the at least one light transmitter; at least one light receiver configured for cooperating with the at least one light transmitter, wherein the at least one light receiver is connected with the display processing device; wherein the display processing device is connected to the tunable light source, receives and processes information provided by the light receiver to form detection images, and is operable to adjust the tunable light source. |
| US10215708B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method for inspection of the surface appearance of a flat item that represents a test specimen
Reflective or embossed regions are supposed to be illuminated as uniformly as possible over the greatest possible angle range for optical inspection using in one aspect an apparatus for inspection having a passive lighting body spotlighted by a spotlight light source, which body illuminates a test region, as well as at least one optical sensor directed at the test region. The lighting body is configured to be partially transmissible, and the optical sensor is disposed, with reference to the test region, optically beyond the lighting body, detecting the test region through the lighting body, and/or the spotlight light source is directed at the lighting body and the lighting body extends continuously over at least 120° in a section plane that stands perpendicular to the surface of the flat items to be tested or inspected. |
| US10215700B2 |
Plasmonic chip for observing cancer related substances by localized surface plasmon resonace
A cancer-related substance in blood or a biological sample can be detected in a selective manner, so it becomes possible to determine the occurrence of cancer by observation of fluorescent image of a crystal of the censor related substance or a coagulated state of the crystal on a plasmonic chip. In addition, the state of chemical modification of a histone tail can be determined by a Raman spectrum analysis. Furthermore, the location of the cancer-related substance aggregated on a substrate cannot be determined with naked eyes. Then, as a second aspect of the present invention, a method for diagnosing a cancer disease is provided, said method being characterized by firstly identifying the location of the region of a crystal by observing fluorescent image on a microscope, and then irradiating the crystal, with laser beam to analyze with respect to the chemical modification of a histone tail and a remodeling factor. |
| US10215698B2 |
Multiple light paths architecture and obscuration methods for signal and perfusion index optimization
A photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is disclosed. The PPG device can include one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple light paths for measuring a PPG signal and perfusion indices of a user. The multiple light paths between each pair of light emitters and light detectors can include different separation distances to generate both an accurate PPG signal and a perfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and usage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can include the same separation distances for noise cancellation due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device, a user's hair, a user's skin pigmentation, and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscure the optical components and associated wiring from being visible to a user's eye. |
| US10215697B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring 3D refractive-index tomograms using high-speed wavefront shaper
A method and apparatus for measuring 3D refractive-index tomograms using a wavefront shaper in ultra-high speed and high precision is provided. The method includes the steps of modifying at least one of an illumination angle and a wavefront pattern of an incident ray through the wavefront shaper and leading the modified incident ray to a sample, measuring a 2D optical field, which passes through the sample, through an interferometry along at least one or more of the incident rays, and obtaining 3D refractive-index tomograms through measured information of the 2D optical field. |
| US10215694B2 |
Contact-free photomixing probe for device and integrated circuit measurement or characterization
A device for measuring and characterizing solid-state devices or integrated circuits at RF frequencies up to 1.0 THz and beyond is provided that includes a transmitting photomixing probe structure and a receiving photomixing probe structure. The transmitting photomixing probe structure and the receiving photomixing probe structure are ac-coupled to the solid-state device or integrated circuit in a contact-free manner. |
| US10215691B2 |
Radar spectroscopy based gas sensor
A gas sensor includes a transmitter that may transmit a first radar signal, associated with a resonance peak corresponding to a first gas, through a space including the first gas and a second gas. The first gas may absorb a portion of the first radar signal to create a second radar signal. The transmitter may transmit a first infrared (IR) signal, associated with a second resonance peak corresponding to the second gas, through the space. The first gas or the second gas may absorb a portion of the first IR signal to create a second IR signal. The gas sensor may include a controller to determine a concentration of the second gas based on the second radar signal and the second IR signal. |
| US10215690B2 |
Method for estimating a value of a kerogen property in subsurface formations
A method for estimating a value of a kerogen property in a subsurface formation where the value of the kerogen property is unknown. The method includes: measuring spectral intensity values over an infrared (IR) spectral range for a selected sample from the subsurface formation; determining a range of values representing the measured spectral intensity values corresponding to a vibrational mode attributable to kerogen in the selected sample, the range of values including values representing uncertainty in the measured spectral intensity over the portion of the spectral range; and inputting values from the range of values into a stochastic or simple regression model to determine an estimated value of the kerogen property in the selected sample. |
| US10215688B2 |
Optical metrology tool equipped with modulated illumination sources
The system includes a modulatable illumination source configured to illuminate a surface of a sample disposed on a sample stage, a detector configured to detect illumination emanating from a surface of the sample, illumination optics configured to direct illumination from the modulatable illumination source to the surface of the sample, collection optics configured to direct illumination from the surface of the sample to the detector, and a modulation control system communicatively coupled to the modulatable illumination source, wherein the modulation control system is configured to modulate a drive current of the modulatable illumination source at a selected modulation frequency suitable for generating illumination having a selected coherence feature length. In addition, the present invention includes the time-sequential interleaving of outputs of multiple light sources to generate periodic pulse trains for use in multi-wavelength time-sequential optical metrology. |
| US10215687B2 |
Method and system for integrated mutliplexed photometry module
Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfluidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid. System and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels. |
| US10215686B2 |
Metal corrosion resistance evaluation method and evaluation device using in-liquid potential measurement
The objective of the present invention is to provide a corrosion resistance evaluation method and evaluation device that make it possible to estimate crevice corrosion depth and pitting depth in a short period of time. A corrosion resistance evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized in that the surface potential of a metal under evaluation is measured in a state in which the metal is immersed in a usage-environment liquid, the surface potential distribution of the metal is determined, the surface potential differences in the microstructure of the metal are calculated on the basis of the surface potential distribution, and the corrosion rate of crevice corrosion and corrosion rate of pitting are predicted using the maximum surface potential difference from among the calculated surface potential differences as an evaluation index for corrosion evaluation. |
| US10215685B2 |
Interactive tree plot for flow cytometry data
Methods, systems, and computer program products can be used for displaying and analyzing data. A method operates by receiving and displaying flow cytometry data in a tree plot, which represents multiple variations of classified flow cytometry data within an interface of computer that includes an input device. The interface permits a user to select, using the input device, portions of the tree plot associated with characteristics and sub-sets of the data. In an example, one or more histograms, contour plots, density plots, radar plots, and scatter plots representing the data are displayed within the interface. The interface permits a user to select, using the input device, portions of the histograms, contour plots, density plots, radar plots, and scatter plots, corresponding to characteristics and sub-sets of the data. In an example, updated histograms and plots are displayed in the interface substantially immediately based upon selected characteristics and subsets of the data. |
| US10215683B2 |
Light scatter based apparatus and methods for hematology analysis using only three detectors
Disclosed herein are apparatus, systems, and methods for optically identifying and enumerating cells present in a blood sample. A light scatter detector array may be used having no more than three light scatter detectors. The array may include a side scatter detector, an intermediate angle light scatter detector, and one of an axial light loss detector and a forward light scatter detector. A lytic reagent system is disclosed that allows for the identification and enumeration of five major leukocyte populations in normal whole blood on an instrument using no more than three light scatter detectors. |
| US10215680B2 |
Dust measuring apparatus and mobile terminal for controlling the same
Disclosed herein are a dust measuring apparatus and a mobile terminal for controlling the same. The dust measuring apparatus includes a flow channel defining unit for defining a flow channel allowing a fluid containing dust to move through, a light emitter for emitting light into the flow channel, a light detector for detecting light scattered from the dust in the flow channel and converting the same into an electrical signal, and a controller for controlling the flow channel defining unit, the light emitter and the light detector. The controller is configured to verify whether a detection value received from the light detector is within an effective measurement range, vary the effective measurement range when the detection value is outside the effective measurement range, and measure, when the detection value is within the varied effective measurement range, a dust concentration based on the detection value. |
| US10215675B2 |
Universal material tester with quick-release test probe and with reduced cross-talk between the sensors
The sensor unit of the material tester consists of a pressure-sensor unit that measures a vertical force applied to the test probe during movement of the test probe relative to the test specimen and a horizontal force sensor unit for measuring the horizontally directed friction force. The horizontal force sensor unit is made in the form of a flexible parallelogram consisting of two sensor-holding plates interconnected through flexible beams, wherein one end of the first beam is attached to the upper sensor-holding plate and the opposite end to the lower sensor-holding plate, while one end of the second beam is attached to the lower sensor-holding plate and the other to the upper one. The beams are installed with gaps relative to both plates. The quick-release test probe incorporates a soft-touch feature. |
| US10215664B2 |
Methods and systems for estimating residual useful life of a rolling element bearing
Estimating residual useful life of a rolling element bearing in an operating gas turbine engine is provided. A processor receives a vibration signal from a vibration sensor. The vibration signal includes a vibratory response of the rolling element bearing. Processor detects a vibratory pattern of the rolling element bearing from the vibration signal and compares the vibratory pattern to a reference vibratory pattern. Processor identifies a failure propagation stage in which the vibratory pattern matches the reference vibratory pattern. Processor correlates the failure propagation stage to the residual useful life remaining in the rolling element bearing and generates an output signal representing the residual useful life remaining in the rolling element bearing. |
| US10215648B1 |
Electrodeposition processes for magnetostrictive resonators
The present invention relates to magnetoelastic resonators, sensors, and tunable devices, as well as methods for making such components. The resonators can be used as tags and/or sensors. In general, the resonators include one or more micron-sized resonator portions affixed on a substrate. For use as a tag, each tag includes a plurality of resonator portions that allow for multiplexed coding, and methods for making tags and arrays of such tags include use of electrodeposition processes. In particular embodiments, these components include an electrodeposited material that exhibits magnetostrictive properties. |
| US10215646B2 |
Thermometer
A carbon atmosphere thermometer 10a has: a thermocouple having thermocouple wires 16, 18, a thermocouple temperature measuring junction 14, and an insulating tube 12; a first protection tube 20 surrounding the thermocouple, while at least partially spaced apart from the thermocouple wires 16, 18 and others of the thermocouple; and a second protection tube 22 surrounding the first protection tube 20, while at least partially spaced apart from the first protection tube 20. For this reason, it becomes feasible to protect the thermocouple from the external environment, while preventing the thermocouple from reacting with the first protection tube 20. Furthermore, it becomes feasible to protect the thermocouple and the first protection tube 20 from the external environment, while preventing the first protection tube 20 from reacting with the second protection tube 22. |
| US10215642B2 |
System and method for polarimetric wavelet fractal detection and imaging
A system and method for detection of a target object/material includes identifying a polarimetric signal for a plurality of aspect angles. One/two-dimensional Mueller matrix image or one/two-dimensional Stokes vector image can be processed using power spectral analysis, wavelet and fractal analysis for further image, having increased discrimination with reduced false-ratio. In addition, each of the angular polarization states due to their association with a particular aspect angle are then cross-correlated to generate a two-dimensional image that relates the level of correlation with the aspect angle. Finally, the output information, including statistical parameters are fed to the input of a neural-fuzzy network for further optimization and image enhancement. |
| US10215641B2 |
Color measuring apparatus
A color measuring apparatus includes a measurement assembly which includes at least one illumination assembly for applying substantially parallel illumination light to a measurement spot of a measurement object and a pick-up assembly for capturing the measurement light radiated back from the measurement spot in an observation direction and for converting the same into corresponding electrical signals. The illumination assembly includes at least two illumination subassemblies which illuminate the measurement spot from different illumination sub-directions near a first preset nominal illumination direction, each with preferably parallel illumination light. By the illumination from different illumination sub-directions slightly deviating from the nominal illumination direction, angular errors of the illumination assembly can be compensated for in a simple manner. |
| US10215636B2 |
Imaging device provided with light source that emits pulsed light and image sensor
An imaging device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided with: a light source that, in operation, emits pulsed light including components of different wavelengths; an encoding element that has regions each having different light transmittance, through which incident light from a target onto which the pulsed light has been irradiated is transmitted; a spectroscopic element that, in operation, causes the incident light transmitted through the regions to be dispersed into light rays in accordance with the wavelengths; and an image sensor that, in operation, receives the light rays dispersed by the spectroscopic element. |
| US10215635B2 |
Data blending multiple dispersive range monochromator
Aspects of blending data detected by a monochromator over multiple wavelength ranges is described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the diffraction grating to provide, by diffraction of broadband light, first dispersed wavelengths of light and second dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a first reflection from the first dispersed wavelengths of light and a second reflection from the second dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that blends data values from the first reflection and data values from the second reflection together to provide a spectrum of combined data values. By blending data detected over multiple ranges, measurements of relatively high precision and quality can be provided over a wider spectral range. |
| US10215634B2 |
Spectroscope and method for producing spectroscope
A spectrometer includes a light detection element having a substrate made of a semiconductor material, a light passing part provided in the substrate, and a light detection part put in the substrate, a support having a base wall part opposing the light detection element, and side wall parts integrally formed with the base wall part, the light detection element being fixed to the side wall parts, the support being provided with a wiring electrically connected to the light detection part, and a dispersive part provided on a surface of the base wall part on a side of a space. An end part of the wiring is connected to a terminal of the light detection element. An end part of the wiring is positioned on a surface in the base wall part on an opposite side from the side of the space. |
| US10215629B2 |
Handheld optical radiation meter and correction method thereof
The present invention discloses a handheld optical radiation meter and a correction method thereof. The handheld optical radiation meter has a photometric measurement module, a spectral measurement module and a screen. The spectral quantities of the spectral measurement module are employed to correct the spectral mismatch error of the photometric measurement module. With simple configuration, the present invention can realize high accuracy photometry and chromaticity measurement within a wide-span dynamic range, and has the characteristics of complete test functions, high measurement accuracy, convenient operation, low cost, etc. |
| US10215626B2 |
Method and system for measuring radiation and temperature exposure of wafers along a fabrication process line
A measurement wafer device for measuring radiation intensity and temperature includes a wafer assembly including one or more cavities. The measurement wafer device further includes a detector assembly. The detector assembly includes one or more light sensors. The detector assembly is further configured to perform a direct or indirect measurement of the intensity of ultraviolet light incident on a surface of the wafer assembly. |
| US10215615B2 |
Standard signal generator
To realize a stable operation and the suppression of heat generation in the case where an excitation current supplied from a converter is used to generate a power source voltage, a standard signal generator is provided. The standard signal generator includes an input circuit that includes: a rectification circuit that rectifies an excitation current; a resistor that is provided between a power source voltage output terminal for supplying a power source voltage and an output terminal of the rectification circuit; an amplification circuit that outputs an output voltage obtained by amplifying a voltage across both ends of the resistor; and a constant voltage circuit that performs control such that the power source voltage is constant. A power source voltage switch switches the power source voltage with the constant voltage circuit being controlled in accordance with the result of a comparison between the output voltage and a prescribed threshold value. |
| US10215612B2 |
Fluid level detector
A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the detector including a sensor assembly with a lens and a sensor element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal. A generally cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an outer surface of the container and defines a housing with a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The sensor assembly is coupled to the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall. The sensor assembly is positioned such that it receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal. The sensor assembly then generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal. |
| US10215611B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining a level of a fluid within a vessel
An apparatus and method for determining a level of a fluid within a vessel are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a source unit for emitting a beam of radiation into the interior of the vessel, the source unit including a source of radiation and a collimator for collimating radiation emitted by the source to provide the beam, wherein the source unit is adjustable to vary an angle of the beam with respect to horizontal; at least one detector for detecting radiation emitted by the source and having passed through at least a portion of the interior of the vessel; and a processor for: recording data corresponding to an amount of radiation detected at the at least one detector as a function of angle of the beam; and determining the level of the fluid, based on a variation of the data with the angle of the beam. |
| US10215610B2 |
Apparatus for ascertaining and monitoring a fill level
The invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (EM waves) for ascertaining and monitoring a fill level of a medium in a container, comprising a first hollow conductor with a first coupling element for the out- and in-coupling of EM waves, a second hollow conductor with a second coupling element for the out- and in-coupling of EM waves, a horn radiator for radiating and focusing of EM waves, wherein the first and second hollow conductors are dimensioned such that EM waves out-coupled from the first and second coupling elements radiate from the horn radiator scattered and with weak intensity, or scattered and weak intensity EM waves, which are received from the horn radiator, couple to the first and second coupling elements, and EM waves out-coupled only from the first coupling element radiate from the horn radiator focused and with strong intensity, or focused and strong intensity EM waves, which are received from the horn radiator couple only to the first coupling element. |
| US10215608B2 |
System for and a method of monitoring water drainage
A system (100) for and a method of monitoring water drainage is provided. The system for monitoring water drainage comprising a sensor interface (118), a storage (120), an atmospheric precipitation unit (130) and a signal generator (140). The sensor detects whether water is present at an associated surface (112) and generates a sensor signal (111). The storage stores water drainage information that relates to the associated surface and comprises characteristics of water presence on the associated surface in cases of atmospheric precipitation. The atmospheric precipitation unit receives recent atmospheric precipitation information. The signal generator i) obtains predicted water presence data by applying the water drainage information retrieved from the storage to the atmospheric precipitation information, ii) compares the sensor signal received from the sensor with the predicted water presence data, iii) generates a warning signal (151) indicating a problem with the water drainage if in the comparison a too large deviation is detected. |
| US10215605B1 |
Coriolis mass flowmeter and sensor assembly thereof
A sensor assembly for a Coriolis mass flowmeter includes an upstream pipe connection connected to an upstream fluid pipe and a downstream pipe connection connected to a downstream fluid pipe. The sensor assembly installed in a shell of the flowmeter includes a fluid flow pipe, having a fluid input pipe, a fluid output pipe and a double-loop pipe connected in series therebetween; a vibration isolated structure, at least comprising first vibration isolators fixedly arranged on the fluid flow pipe to separate the fluid flow pipe into vibrating pipes and non-vibrating pipes; a weight-increasing structure, arranged on the non-vibrating pipes without contact with the shell; and a connecting structure, fixedly connected to the non-vibrating pipes on one end and to the upstream pipe connection and/or downstream pipe connection on the other to form a flexible connection therebetween. |
| US10215604B2 |
Fluid analysis system with densitometer having electrically isolated vibrating tube
A vibrating-tube fluid measurement device includes a tube, a base block, a magnet which applies a magnetic field to the tube, an excitation source which generates vibration of the tube, a vibration sensor which measures a signal corresponding to a vibration frequency of the tube, and an electrical isolator formed of glass, wherein the vibrating tube is mounted to a base block via the electrical isolator and electrically isolated from the base block via the electrical isolator. |
| US10215601B2 |
Device and method for measuring the parameters of fluid flow
Sensor device and method for determining the parameters of fluid flow with a sensor, including an oblong element, extending into fluid flow, fixed mechanically to the body of the sensor device with a flexible link in one end, and a mechanically connected vibration sensor and a data acquisition module connected electrically to the vibration sensor and positioned in the body, which is set to determine the frequency response curve of oscillation caused by liquid flow in the cylindrical element, and to derive the speed and type of fluid flow from the measured frequency response curve. |
| US10215594B2 |
Device for determining the movement of a rotary element, particularly for readings of water and/or gas meters
A rotary element is equipped with a pattern representing a reflected binary code on at least three bits. A detection circuit is configured to sense the pattern and deliver an incident signal encoded in reflected binary code on at least three bits. The incident signal is converted by a transcoding circuit into an intermediate signal encoded in reflected binary code on two bits. A decoding stage decodes the intermediate signal and outputs at least one clock signal representing the amount of rotation of the rotary element and a direction signal representing the direction of rotation. A processing circuit determines the movement of the rotary element, and has at least one general purpose timer designed to receive the at least one clock signal and direction signal. |
| US10215583B2 |
Multi-level navigation monitoring and control
Multi-level navigation monitoring and control is provided. A system includes a lane marking manager determining a first boundary line, a second boundary line, and a centerline of a current lane of travel. The system also includes a confidence level determiner assigning a first confidence level to the first boundary line, a second confidence level to the second boundary line, and a third confidence level to the centerline. Further, the system includes a user interface outputting representations of the first boundary line, the second boundary line, and the centerline based, at least in part, on the first confidence level, the second confidence level, and the third confidence level. |
| US10215578B2 |
System, method and computer program product for path computing based on unpleasant data
A path computing method, system, and computer program product, include extracting unpleasant data from a database to create a multi-variate spatio-temporal density function, collecting a tolerance level of a user, and computing a path for the user based on the tolerance level and the density function. |
| US10215576B2 |
Energy-optimized vehicle route selection
A method for generating energy-optimized travel routes with a vehicle navigation system includes generating candidate travel routes between a route origin and one or more route destinations, and then dividing each candidate travel route into a plurality of route segments. The method includes estimating expected travel speeds along each segment using cloud information and calculating an expected energy efficiency over each of the candidate travel routes using one or more vehicle-specific energy efficiency models. The travel routes are displayed via the navigation system, including a trace of the energy-optimized travel routes and an expected or relative energy efficiency along the energy-optimized travel routes. A vehicle includes the navigation system and a powertrain. A powertrain controller may control vehicle speed over a selected route to maintain an optimally energy-efficient speed. |
| US10215575B2 |
Identifying a map matched trip from received geographic position information
A map server receives geographic points from a location tracking device located in a vehicle. The received geographic points describe a path that is representative of a pathway of the vehicle used to complete a trip from a starting location to a destination location. The map server identifies candidate geographic points for each received geographic point where each candidate geographic point is associated with a location on a known roadway. The map server determines a graph of the candidate geographic points and identifies different sub-graphs from the graph. The map server iteratively evaluates the sub-graphs to determine a shortest path from the starting location to the destination location without evaluating all the edges in the sub-graphs. |
| US10215567B2 |
Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method
There is provided an information processing device including a movement data acquiring unit configured to acquire pieces of movement data including positional information for movement and time at which the positional information is acquired, a movement data analyzing unit configured to analyze a velocity for movement on a specific route on the basis of the pieces of movement data, and a route dividing unit configured to divide the specific route on the basis of a result obtained by analyzing the velocity. |
| US10215562B2 |
Personalized prototyping
A method for producing an item data set representing the three-dimensional configuration of an item includes accepting a first input data set, the first input data set including first data representing at least a first three-dimensional configuration of a first three-dimensional object; accepting a second input data set, the second input data set including second data representing at least a second three-dimensional configuration of a second three-dimensional object; adapting one or both of the first data input set and the second data input set to be combined to obtain an item data set representing a three-dimensional configuration of the item; and combining the first input data set and the second input data set to obtain the item data set. Other methods for producing item data sets and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US10215554B2 |
Apparatus and method for non-contact sample analyzing using terahertz wave
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for non-contact sample analysis using terahertz waves. The apparatus includes an emission unit radiating terahertz waves onto a sample provided with a conductive material layer, and a receiving unit receiving terahertz waves reflected from the sample or terahertz waves passing through the sample. The apparatus further includes a characteristic analysis unit including at least one selected from a group consisting of a sheet resistance analysis unit analyzing a sheet resistance of the conductive material layer, a coverage density analysis unit analyzing a coverage density of the conductive material layer, a component analysis unit analyzing a component of the conductive material layer, and a thickness analysis unit analyzing a thickness of the conductive material layer by using the received terahertz waves, a display unit displaying a result derived from the characteristic analysis unit as an image, and an input unit configured to input information to the characteristic analysis unit. |
| US10215553B2 |
Thin PSD for laser-scanning systems
Embodiments described include a system comprising a position sensing device (PSD) and a light source. The light source is configured to, by passing one or more light beams through the PSD, cause one or more electrical currents to flow through the PSD. The system further comprises a processor, configured to (i) in response to the electrical currents, ascertain an amount of power that is delivered by the light source, and (ii) in response to the amount of power exceeding a threshold amount of power, inhibit the light source from further operation. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US10215551B2 |
Agile imaging system
An agile optical imaging system for optical coherence tomography imaging using a tunable source comprising a wavelength tunable VCL laser is disclosed. The tunable source has long coherence length and is capable of high sweep repetition rate, as well as changing the sweep trajectory, sweep speed, sweep repetition rate, sweep linearity, and emission wavelength range on the fly to support multiple modes of OCT imaging. The imaging system also offers new enhanced dynamic range imaging capability for accommodating bright reflections. Multiscale imaging capability allows measurement over orders of magnitude dimensional scales. The imaging system and methods for generating the waveforms to drive the tunable laser in flexible and agile modes of operation are also described. |
| US10215548B2 |
Ultra-light and ultra-accurate portable coordinate measurement machine
A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) includes an articulated arm including rotary joints. At least one of the rotary joints includes bearings; a shaft that engages an inner diameter of the bearings, the shaft configured to rotate about an axis of rotation of the bearings; a housing having at least one port that engages an outer diameter of at least one of the bearings; and at least one transducer configured to output an angle signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing about the axis of rotation. Structural portions of the CMM are fabricated from steel, stainless steel, or alloys lighter in weight than steel but having a thermal expansion coefficient matching that of steel. |
| US10215545B2 |
Electromechanical primer cap
The invention relates to an electromechanical primer cap, having an explosive mixture for the selective electrical or mechanical initiation of the explosive mixture, having an outer metal cup, and electrically conductive pole piece, a firing bridge support body made of an electrically insulating material, with a through-bore, on the upper side of which a firing bridge is arranged, and having a counter surface placed onto the explosive mixture, wherein a hole through which the pole piece protrudes is constructed in the vase of the metal cup. A portion of the explosive mixture lies on a contact surface of the pole piece, and the counter surface protrudes as far as the through-bore of the firing bridge support body, or into or through the bore, and continues to just above the contact surface. |
| US10215544B2 |
Time-delayed multi-charged diversionary device
A diversionary device capable of providing multiple discharges according to a prescribed time schedule. The device preferably assumes the same general form as a prior art stun grenade, including a safety pin that is pulled to arm the device and a spring-biased lever that is released when the device is deployed. |
| US10215542B2 |
System for analyzing performance of an activity involving using an implement to strike a moving target object effectively
Systems for analyzing performance of an activity involving using an implement to strike a moving target object effectively have a first sensor attached to the implement, a second sensor attached to a launcher human or mechanically operable to launch the moving target, wherein the first sensor generates a signal associated with motion of the implement, wherein a second sensor generates a signal associated with motion of at least one of the group consisting of the launcher and the moving target being launched, a processor operably coupled to the first and second sensors to receive the signals generated by the first and second sensors, and wherein the processor analyzes the received signals to measure performance of the activity. The implement may be a firearm. The implement may be a shotgun. The launcher may be a clay pigeon trap. |
| US10215539B2 |
Barrier
A barrier formed from one or more modular units that include a frame, a protective panel, and a gap that is configured to receive a portion of another one of the modular units of the barrier such that the one or more modular units of the barrier can be arranged at an angle selected from a range of angles from about 90 degrees, to provide a corner arrangement, to about 180 degrees, to provide a substantially straight wall arrangement. |
| US10215536B2 |
Hard point net
An improved hard point net wherein a fabric net has hexagonal net line cells with six nodes. Hard points are attached to the net lines, three per hexagonal cell at every other node thereof such that in each cell there is a node without a hard point between two nodes with hard points and interior cells sharing hard points with all the cells surrounding it. A frame for the net spaces the net and the hard points from a target such as a vehicle. |
| US10215533B2 |
System for guiding missiles for vehicles and moving targets
An armored vehicle has a turret having a gun; a targeting system which is arranged inside the turret and is provided with a day channel, a night or thermal channel and a laser range-finder, a power control system for controlling the movement of the turret in azimuth and the movement of the gun in elevation; a device for guiding missiles using lasers, which generates a laser guiding line; and a turret controller which determines the mode for guiding the missile, wherein the turret has gyrostabilizer for gyrostabilizing the laser-guiding line. |
| US10215531B2 |
Testing system for optical aiming systems with light emitter systems including testing system for thermal drift and related methods
Exemplary testing systems and methods are provided including a system configured to test for thermal drift of a unit under test (UUT) under various temperature or environmental conditions and generating an output including visual or data on the thermal drift, if any. The methods involve attaching a UUT to a mounting device within a thermally controlled chamber, collimating light received from a UUT, recording the resulting images, and comparing the results at different temperatures to determine how much thermal drift has occurred. In addition, there are testing apparatuses capable of performing the tests. |
| US10215525B2 |
Pneumatic air gun
A pneumatic air gun including a gun support, a barrel disposed on the gun support, a valve body, a pressure gauge, an air compression assembly, an energy storage assembly, and a triggering assembly. The air compression assembly is connected to the energy storage assembly, and the energy storage assembly is connected to the valve body. The triggering assembly includes a trigger support fixed to the gun support and a pull-bolt assembly, a trigger, a trigger button, and a hammer disposed on the trigger support. A spring is attached to the hammer. The trigger is connected to the trigger button. A loading thimble in the pull-bolt assembly slides on the gun support. The loading thimble is movably connected to the hammer and is adapted to control the hammer to reset and to be clamped on the trigger button. |
| US10215521B1 |
Titanium offset string bumper
A titanium string bumper preferably includes a bumper rod and a rubber bumper. The bumper rod includes a base portion, an offset portion and a bumper portion. The bumper rod preferably includes a round cross section. A thread may be formed on one end of the base portion and one end of the offset portion extends from an opposing end of the base portion. The offset portion forms an angle of between 60-165 degrees with the base portion. One end of the bumper portion extends from an opposing end of the offset portion. The rubber bumper includes an inwardly curved front to receive a bowstring and a rod bore, which is sized to receive the bumper portion. The bumper portion is pushed into the rod bore. The base portion is retained in a riser of an archery bow. |
| US10215516B2 |
Rifle magazine loader
An magazine loader comprises a body for receiving an upper portion of the magazine and a cap slidingly engaged with the body for loading cartridges in to the magazine received by the body. The body comprises a plurality of wall portions defining a body cavity configured to receive an upper portion of a magazine. The plurality of cap wall portions may comprise a starboard cap wall portion and an opposing port cap wall portion. An upper portion of the body is slidingly received in the interior volume defined by the cap so that the body and the cap slide relative to one another along a sliding axis. The sliding axis may extend in the upward and downward directions and the cap may translate between an upper position and a lower position along the sliding axis. |
| US10215510B2 |
Method for processing heated material
The invention relates to a method for processing heated material (1), wherein the material is guided along a conveying path and is covered and protected against heat loss in the region of the conveying path by at least one reflector element (2), wherein the reflector element (2) is cooled by means of a liquid. According to the invention, in order to guarantee efficient cooling of the reflector without costly measures, the liquid is glycol or comprises glycol or the liquid is alcohol or comprises alcohol or the liquid is thermal oil. |
| US10215509B2 |
Coined header for heat exchanger
A header for a heat exchanger includes a header frame defining an opening and including a base portion circumscribing a perimeter thereof. A mounting tab extends from the base portion. The mounting tab is configured to bend inwardly with respect to the header frame. A deformation featured is formed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the header frame and is configured to facilitate bending of the mounting tab. |
| US10215506B2 |
Heat exchanger plenum apparatus
A heat exchanger plenum apparatus comprising structure to support, among other components, an engine silencer substantially incorporated therein. |
| US10215505B2 |
Heat transfer plate and plate heat exchanger
A heat transfer plate and a plate heat exchanger are provided. The heat transfer plate includes an edge portion extending along an edge of the heat transfer plate and being corrugated so as to include alternately arranged ridges and valleys as seen from a first side of the heat transfer plate. The ridges and valleys extend perpendicularly to the edge of the heat transfer plate, a first one of the ridges having a top portion extending in a top portion plane, and a first one of the valleys, which is adjacent to the first ridge, having a bottom portion extending in a bottom portion plane. The top portion of the first ridge and the bottom portion of the first valley are connected by a main flank and end, just like the main flank, at an end distance from the edge of the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer plate is characterized in that a slope of the main flank in relation to the bottom portion plane as seen from the bottom portion of the first valley is varying between a minimum slope and a maximum slope along the top portion of the first ridge and the bottom portion of the first valley. |
| US10215504B2 |
Flexible cold plate with enhanced flexibility
An apparatus for cooling an electronic component has a planar top member of a thermal energy conductive material and a parallel planar bottom member of the material, the planar bottom member including a surface having regions configured for heat exchange contact with the electronic component. The joined planar top and bottom members have a sidewall structure of reduced height (and generally the height of the cold plate) between active areas in order to improve flexibility. The stiffness of the sidewalls is reduced by very advantageously reduce the height of the sidewalls. In one embodiment, the sidewalls are shorter in height corresponding to regions only between active areas. Alternatively, the sidewalls are of reduced height everywhere by insetting the active areas within the top and/or bottom sheets. |
| US10215502B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger may include a block for separately conducting first and second fluids, and a box. The block may have flat tubes through which the first fluid is flowable and each of which may have a narrow tube side and a wide tube side. The box may have a base, the flat tubes being guided into the base via corresponding through-openings in the base. Each through-opening may have at least one raised edge, with at least one narrow edge side and at least one wide edge side, surrounding the corresponding flat tube. The wide edge side may be higher than the narrow edge side. The two may transition into one another via an inclination with a recess that may have a height lower than that of the narrow edge side. A contact surface edge may have a height lower at the recess than at the narrow edge side. |
| US10215499B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device includes a covering member, a heat pipe, and a heat dissipation unit. The covering member has a hollow C-shaped fitting portion, in which the heat pipe is fitted to tightly connect to the covering member. At least one first heat transfer portion is outwardly extended from a periphery of the C-shaped fitting portion of the covering member. The heat dissipation unit has a plurality of parallelly spaced heat radiation fins, each of which has a through hole formed thereon, and at least one first locating slot is outwardly extended from the through hole. When the C-shaped fitting portion and the first heat transfer portion are respectively extended through the through holes and the first locating slots, the covering member is connected to the heat dissipation unit. With the first heat transfer portion, the heat dissipation device can have enhanced heat transfer and dissipation effect. |
| US10215498B2 |
Air guide-integrated evaporation cooler and method for manufacturing same
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air guide-integrated evaporation cooler which allows a plurality of barrier plates, heat exchangers, and air guides for forming a dry channel and a wet channel to be integrally manufactured by a simple process, and a method of manufacturing the same. The air guide-integrated evaporation cooler for implementing the purpose includes a plurality of barrier plates; and gap units including a plurality of bars positioned between the plurality of barrier plates, disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a center portion thereof, and configured to form heat exchangers, and guides disposed at edges of the plurality of barrier plates and configured to determine a direction of a fluid flow. |
| US10215494B2 |
Method of operating electric arc furnace
The present invention relates to a method of operating an electric arc furnace containing (a) a furnace shell having a tapping hole and/or a slag door, (b) a furnace roof having a plurality of electrodes provided so as to face downwards, and (c) a rotating apparatus that rotates the furnace shell around a vertical axis relative to the electrodes, the method contains a rotating step of rotating the furnace shell relative to the electrodes during melting of a metal material, and a holding step of stopping the rotation when any one of the plurality of electrodes reaches a holding position that is previously set close to the tapping hole or the slag door, and holding the furnace shell at the holding position. |
| US10215488B2 |
Treatment of nitrogen-rich natural gas streams
Helium can be recovered from nitrogen-rich natural gas at high pressure with low helium loss by cryogenic distillation of the natural gas after pre-treatment of the gas to remove incompatible impurities and then recovery of natural gas liquid (NGL) from the pre-treated gas by distillation. Overall power consumption may be reduced, particularly if the feed to the helium recovery column system is at least substantially condensed by indirect heat exchange against a first portion of nitrogen-enriched bottoms liquid at first pressure, and a second portion of nitrogen-enriched bottoms liquid at a second pressure that is different from the first pressure. |
| US10215485B2 |
Method of treating a hydrocarbon stream comprising methane, and an apparatus therefor
In a method and apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having methane, at least a part of the hydrocarbon stream and a main refrigerant stream are cooled by indirect heat exchanging against a pre-cooling refrigerant. The pre-cooled hydrocarbon stream is passed to a first inlet of an extraction column, and an effluent stream is discharged from the extraction column. The effluent stream and at least a part of the pre-cooled main refrigerant stream are passed to a further heat exchanger, where they are both cooled thereby providing a cooled methane-enriched hydrocarbon stream and at least one cooled main refrigerant stream. The passing of the effluent stream to the further heat exchanger and the passing of the pre-cooled hydrocarbon stream to the first inlet of the extraction column includes indirectly heat exchanging the effluent stream against the pre-cooled hydrocarbon stream. |
| US10215484B2 |
Cascading ice luge
Embodiments of ice luge apparatuses and methods for making cascading ice luges are disclosed. Apparatuses embodying the principles of the invention feature shelves in a stepwise configuration and alternative configurations. The shelves are positioned by supporting structures. Ice blocks can be frozen in trays such that pre-formed lanes are formed in the ice blocks. The trays can be of convenient size that can be placed in a conventional household freezer. Ice blocks can be arranged and oriented so that a liquid or beverage placed on the uppermost ice block will flow in the preformed lanes in a cascading manner thereby rapidly cooling the beverage with minimal dilution. |
| US10215481B2 |
Refrigeration device
A refrigeration device includes a blow-out temperature detector that detects the blow-out temperature of air blown out into the interior of the device, a cargo temperature detector that detects the temperature of a cargo, an operation controller that performs cooling control of the interior on the basis of the detection temperature from the blow-out temperature detector and the detection temperature from the cargo temperature detector, a storage unit that stores a first set temperature as a control target value for the blow-out temperature and a cargo target temperature as a target value for the temperature of the cargo, and a time measurement unit that measures a treatment time elapsed for low-temperature treatment of the cargo. The operation controller is configured to control the refrigerant circuit so that the blow-out temperature approaches the first set temperature. The time measurement unit is configured to start measuring the treatment time when the temperature of the cargo is lower than the cargo target temperature. |
| US10215479B2 |
Apparatus and method for accessing refrigerated items
A rotatable shelf for use in a refrigerator that may include a support bracket configured to support a turntable but is not required. A bearing assembly may be disposed between the support bracket and the turntable, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to facilitate the rotation of the turntable relative to the support bracket. Users may also rotate a rotatable drawer assembly to access items. A support bracket may be configured with notches or retaining members to maintain concentricity of the bearing assembly with the support bracket. |
| US10215475B2 |
Universal fixing system for a range of modular refrigerator components
A modular component fixing system for an appliance including a refrigerating appliance having an inner liner defining a plurality of modular attachment slots, each having an upturned flange defining an angular recess. Each modular attachment slots includes a downwardly angled channel in communication with the angular recess. Each of a plurality of modular components includes an abutment surface and a supporting flange extending from the abutment surface at a predetermined angle, the predetermined angle of the supporting flange being substantially similar to a recess angle define by the angular recess, wherein each modular component is configured to be removably engaged with any one of the plurality of modular attachment slots by inserting the supporting flange into a corresponding angular recess of the one of the plurality of modular attachment slots such that the abutment surface is substantially flush with an interior surface of the inner liner. |
| US10215474B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator including an inner casing that is located within a main refrigerator body and that includes a storage compartment, and a mounting recess that is a recessed portion on a surface of the inner casing; and an in-refrigerator part that is configured to be coupled to the inner casing and that includes: a temporary fixing protrusion that protrudes from a portion of the in-refrigerator part and that includes two segments that are configured to (i) be inserted into the mounting recess, (ii) be coupled to an inner portion of the mounting recess, and (iii) be fixed to the mounting recess is disclosed. |
| US10215471B2 |
Structural stanchion for a cabinet of an appliance
An appliance includes a cabinet having first and second sidewalls and an interior mullion extending therebetween, wherein the first and second sidewalls and the interior mullion define a plurality of interior compartments. First and second stanchions define vertical structural members of the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The first stanchion includes a first medial flange that extends partially into the interior mullion. The first medial flange defines a first hinge attachment point, and a distal end of the first medial flange is positioned proximate a first hinge. |
| US10215470B2 |
Heat pump system and operation method therefor
Provided is a heat pump system that can appropriately manage the number of heat pumps in operation even when any of the heat pumps is defrosting, and that can always operate at a capacity that corresponds to a load. Also provided is an operation method for the heat pump system. A heat pump system (1) wherein a plurality of heat pumps (10A-10C (13A-13D)) are connected to a system load and wherein a system management unit (27) successively calculates the capacity that can be output by the heat pumps (10A-10C (13A-13D)) in operation, compares the calculated capacity value, as a threshold value, to the thermal load of the system load, and manages the number of heat pumps (10A-10C (13A-13D)) in operation. |
| US10215465B2 |
Systems and methods for low load compressor operations
The present application provides a low load operating system for a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The low load operating system may include a hot gas bypass line extending from a discharge side of the compressor to a suction side of the compressor and a desuperheat line extending from upstream of the expansion valve to the suction side of the compressor. |
| US10215460B2 |
Variable expansion device with thermal choking for a refrigeration system
A refrigeration system including a suction line heat exchanger having a first conduit including a refrigerant liquid which flows inside of the first conduit from the condenser to the evaporator. Also the refrigeration system includes a second conduit in thermal communication with the first conduit and includes a refrigerant fluid, typically a vapor, which flows inside of the second conduit in an opposite direction of flow from the first conduit from the evaporator to the compressor. Additionally, at least one heating device is in thermal communication with at least one of the first conduit and second conduit and is configured to communicate with a refrigeration control system to apply heat along a portion of both the first conduit and the second conduit adjacent to the heating device thereby regulating the flow rate of the refrigerant liquid in the first conduit and the second conduit. |
| US10215459B2 |
Vehicle condenser
Disclosed herein is a vehicle condenser in which a notch portion of each coupling part of a pair of supports installed at the outermost sides of radiation fins extends so as to have a certain length from the tip of a body part to the inside end of the notch portion, or a through-hole is formed so as to be spaced by a predetermined distance toward the inside of the body part from the tip thereof, thereby preventing the radiation fins from melting when the clad on a header of a header tank is melted during the brazing of the radiation fins and flows along an embossing part, regardless of a method for manufacturing the supports. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the failure rate of the condenser and increase the efficiency of the condenser by maintaining the original state of the radiation fins. |
| US10215458B2 |
Evaporator distribution system and method
A falling film evaporator (12) for a heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system includes a housing (52) and a plurality of evaporator tubes (26) positioned at least partially in the housing (52) through which a volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed. A distribution system (34) is located in the housing to distribute a flow of liquid refrigerant (20) over the plurality of evaporator tubes (26). The distribution system (34) includes a distribution vessel having a plurality of drip openings (38) to flow the liquid refrigerant onto the plurality of evaporator tubes (26), a feed pipe (42) to flow refrigerant into the distribution box (36), and one or more pressure regulators (58) in the distribution system, thereby regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant. |
| US10215457B2 |
Heat exchanger for cooling a heating tube and method thereof
A heat exchanger for cooling a heating tube is described, comprising at least two cooling pipes, wherein the at least two cooling pipes are arranged such that each of the at least two cooling pipes are configured to be in thermal contact with the heating tube; and a means for generating an aerosol being configured to provide the aerosol in the at least two cooling pipes. |
| US10215455B2 |
Heat transmission method and high-temperature heat pump device
A heat transmission method using a high-temperature heat pump system accommodating a heat transmission composition includes the step of evaporating the heat transmission composition, the step of compressing the heat transmission composition, the step of condensing the heat transmission composition, and the step of decreasing the pressure of the heat transmission composition at a temperature of 70° C. or higher, which are performed sequentially. The heat transmission composition contains cis-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene at a mass ratio of 95.0% by mass or more and 99.9% by mass or less, and contains trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene or 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene at a mass ratio of 0.1% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less; and the heat transmission composition has a condensation temperature of 70° C. or higher. |
| US10215454B2 |
Method and system for maximizing the thermal properties of a thermoelectric cooler and use therewith in association with hybrid cooling
A cooling system including a first cooling apparatus thermally exposed to a space to be cooled. The cooling system further includes a second cooling apparatus thermally exposed to the space to be cooled and thermally exposed to the first cooling apparatus. Heat discharged from the second cooling apparatus powers the first cooling apparatus. |
| US10215453B2 |
Motorcycle air conditioning and cooling device
A motorcycle air conditioning device, a motorcycle rider cooling device, and an air conditioning cooling system are described that include using a thermoelectric device and/or a turbo fan mountable on a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, or utility task vehicle. The motorcycle air conditioning device, the motorcycle rider cooling device, and the air conditioning cooling system may thus provide directed cooled air for a rider. In implementations, the motorcycle air conditioning device includes a heat dissipation assembly; a cooling assembly further including a a thermoelectric device; and a housing assembly configured to provide an enclosure to the heat dissipation assembly and the cooling assembly, where the housing is configured to be coupled to a motorcycle or other vehicle and provide cooled air to a rider and/or user. |
| US10215452B2 |
Air conditioner
A heat-medium flow-path switching device and a heat-medium flow-rate adjusting device are integrated into an integrated heat-medium flow-rate adjusting device. The integrated heat-medium flow-rate adjusting device is configured to perform the heat-medium flow-path switching function and the meat-medium flow-rate adjusting function by driving and controlling a single drive unit. Moreover, the integrated heat-medium flow-path switching device is configured to perform a function of closing flow paths from/to a use-side heat exchanger added to the heat-medium flow-rate adjusting function. |
| US10215442B2 |
Ventilation system and method including a diverter duct for fluidly decoupling fans
A diverter duct for a ventilation system includes a main body defining an inner surface, a first portion including an inlet, a second portion located downstream of the first portion, a third portion including an outlet, an opening located between the first portion and the third portion, and an air deflector positioned within the main body downstream of the first portion to deflect a portion of the air from the inlet of the main body towards the opening. A first contoured section is formed in the first portion of the main body. The first contoured section may direct air received from the inlet towards the opening at a first operating condition. A method of installing the diverter duct includes coupling the inlet with an upstream fan, and coupling the outlet with an outlet fan, such that selective operation of the inlet and outlet fans cause vary airflow though the outlet or the opening. |
| US10215440B1 |
Pumped two phase air to air heat exchanger
A heat exchanger and method which is able to perform in different seasons. The heat exchanger has an upper header and a lower header. Multiple heat pipes extend between the upper header and the lower header, with each of the multiple heat pipes having an evaporator section at one end and a condenser section at the opposite end. The direction of heat flow through the multiple heat pipes is variable depending on ambient air conditions applied to the heat exchanger. A pump is provided in fluid communication with the upper header and the lower header. The pump operates when the heat exchanger is operating in a second mode in which the evaporator section is located above the condenser section, and the pump is disabled when the heat exchanger is operating in a first mode in which the condenser section is located above the evaporator section. |
| US10215439B2 |
Rotatable air flow guides for cooling information handling system components
An information handling system includes first processing resources, e.g., GPGPU expansion cards, in a first thermal region of the system and second processing resources, e.g., one or more CPUs, in a second thermal region. The system may be configured to perform operations including determining a loading profile of the system. The loading profile indicates power consumption information for each of the thermal regions. One or more thermal fans may be configured in accordance with a fan configuration associated with the loading profile. The fan configuration defines a fan speed and airflow direction for one or more thermal fans and determines, in accordance with the fan speed and airflow direction of each thermal fan, a rotational angle of one or more rotatable airflow guides. The rotational angle of a rotatable airflow guide influences thermal fan airflow provided to one or more of the thermal regions. |
| US10215438B2 |
System and method of determining a limit fault in an HVAC unit
A system and method of determining a limit fault in an HVAC unit the HVAC unit in electrical communication with an HVAC system controller, by operating the system controller to determine whether an interruption duration of time exceeds an interruption limit, operating the system controller to determine whether a cycle duration of time is less than or equal to a first cycle limit, wherein the cycle duration of time is indicative of an amount of time between consecutive interruptions of power, and generating an alert signal if the interruption duration of time of the consecutive interruptions of power exceeds the interruption limit and the cycle duration of time is less than or equal to the first cycle limit. |
| US10215436B1 |
Full spectrum universal controller
A universal controller for control of air handling and HVAC equipment. The base controller includes a fixed task portion as well as a modular portion for expansion of control features with modules. The fixed task portion is suitable for enclosure or cabinet control. The modular portion enables expansion from basic cabinet control to more complex control schemes. In one embodiment, the base controller is provided in a kit including appurtenances such as variable speed drives that enable proportional-type control of a residential air conditioning system. In another embodiment, a plurality of modules are ganged together in a rotating master/slave arrangement to distribute wear on the respective controlled air conditioning equipment. |
| US10215435B2 |
System and method for crowd-sourced environmental system control and maintenance
A system and method for crowd-sourced environmental system control and building maintenance includes a server for providing selective access to building occupants and managers. Users are permitted to generate building reports in the form of (i) thermal reports using a thermal report module, and/or (ii) maintenance reports using a maintenance report module. The reports are each geo-located to locations within the building, and are then captured, stored, and aggregated at the server. The aggregated reports are sorted according to their geo-locations and comfort rules are used to (i) permit a manager at a client computer to access the server to respond, and/or (ii) automatically respond and assign a response status to particular reports. An inspection checklist interface is generated and populated to display a list of preventative maintenance tasks, each of the tasks being user-selectable to designate completion, with the updated status of the reports being stored at the server. |
| US10215430B2 |
Electronic vapor and analysis with HVAC integration
A method is disclosed comprising drawing air into a robotic vapor device from an airstream of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, exposing the drawn air to a sensor to detect one or more constituents in the drawn air, determining measurement data for the one or more constituents of the drawn air via the sensor, determining one or more vaporizable materials to vaporize based on the measurement data, transmitting an instruction to the HVAC system to continue providing the airstream, and dispensing a vapor comprised of the one or more vaporizable materials into the airstream. |
| US10215429B2 |
Localized air sensing and treatment
A system is disclosed comprising a plurality of vapor devices and a computing device, in communication with the plurality of vapor devices, configured for, receiving sensor data and locations from each of the plurality of vapor devices, determining one or more vaporizable materials to be vaporized by each of the plurality of vapor devices based on the sensor data and the locations, and transmitting an instruction to each of the plurality of vapor devices to vaporize the determined one or more vaporizable materials. |
| US10215426B2 |
Outdoor fan motor driving device and air conditioner including an outdoor fan motor driving device
An outdoor fan motor driving device and an air conditioner including an outdoor fan motor driving device are provided, which may include an inverter to convert DC power into AC power according to a switching operation and to output the converted AC power to an outdoor fan motor, an output current detector to detect phase currents flowing in the outdoor fan motor, and a controller to control the inverter based on the detected phase currents. When the outdoor fan motor is rotated by external wind, in a state in which all of lower arm switching elements, among upper arm switching elements and lower arm switching elements of the inverter, are turned on before the outdoor fan motor is driven, with the result that levels of the phase currents flowing in the outdoor fan motor are between a first level and a second level, the controller may control the outdoor fan motor such that a rotational speed of the outdoor fan motor is increased while the outdoor fan motor is rotated in a first direction and then rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a speed increase period of the outdoor fan motor after an alignment period during which a rotor of the outdoor fan motor is aligned when the outdoor fan motor is driven. |
| US10215422B2 |
Appliance hood mounting system
The present disclosure relates, generally, to an appliance including an appliance hood and a plurality of support brackets. The appliance hood may include a plurality of apertures that correspond to the plurality of support brackets. Each of the plurality of support brackets may be configured to selectively mount within a corresponding aperture. |
| US10215418B2 |
Sealing device for a gas turbine combustor
The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for sealing a portion of a gas turbine combustor in order to regulate the flow of compressed air into an annular passage adjacent to a combustion liner. A compressible seal is utilized having a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a transition portion, the compressible seal regulates airflow passing through the compressible seal via a plurality of openings and/or axially extending slots. |
| US10215417B2 |
Sequential combustor arrangement with a mixer
The invention refers to a sequential combustor arrangement having a first burner, a first combustion chamber, a mixer for admixing a dilution gas to the hot gases leaving the first combustion chamber during operation, a second burner, and a second combustion chamber arranged sequentially in a fluid flow connection. The mixer includes of injection tubes pointing inwards from the side walls of the mixer for admixing the dilution gas to cool the hot flue gases leaving the first combustion chamber. A flow guide is arranged in the connecting duct and/or the injection tubes for guiding the dilution gas into the injection tubes. The invention further refers to a gas turbine and a method for operating a gas turbine with such a sequential combustor arrangement. |
| US10215416B2 |
Burner of a gas turbine with a lobed shape vortex generator
The burner of a gas turbine has a duct, a vortex generator extending in the duct and including a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge has a first order lobed shape. The first order lobed shape is defined by a second order lobed shape. Preferably a nozzle for fuel injection is connected to the vortex generator and the second order lobed shape is only provided at the nozzles. |
| US10215413B2 |
Bundled tube fuel nozzle with vibration damping
A bundled tube fuel nozzle includes a forward plate, an intermediate plate, an aft plate and an outer sleeve. The forward plate, the intermediate plate and the outer sleeve define a fuel plenum therebetween. An aft plate axially is spaced from the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate, the aft plate and the outer sleeve define a cooling air plenum. A plurality of tubes extends through the forward plate, the fuel plenum, the intermediate plate, the cooling air plenum and the aft plate. Each tube of the plurality of tubes extends through a respective tube opening defined by the aft plate. A radial gap is defined between an outer surface of each tube and an inner surface of the respective tube opening. The plurality of tubes comprises at least one tube that is radially loaded against the inner surface of the respective tube opening. |
| US10215410B2 |
Turbine engine combustor heat shield with multi-angled cooling apertures
A combustor for a turbine engine is provided that includes a combustor wall. The combustor wall includes a shell and heat shield, which is attached to the shell. One or more cooling cavities are defined between the shell and the heat shield, and fluidly couple a plurality of apertures defined in the shell with a plurality of apertures defined in the heat shield. The apertures in the heat shield include a first aperture and a second aperture. An angle of incidence between the first aperture and a surface of the heat shield is different than an angle of incidence between the second aperture and the surface. |
| US10215407B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment apparatus
A hybrid stepping motor has a connector housing formed integrally with an insulator having an upper insulator and a lower insulator. The hybrid stepping motor includes a stator core and output terminals concentrically disposed outside the stator core. A wiring pattern serving as the output terminals has connector pins and land portions disposed eccentrically with respect to one another. The land portions are formed on an outer edge side of the wiring pattern. A surface, which is an uppermost surface of the wiring pattern, is located below a lowermost surface, in which jumper wires and lead wires pass, of the lower insulator. The lead wires are pulled out from a lower side, and are pulled out to guiding grooves. |
| US10215406B1 |
Flue gas combustion apparatus
A flue gas combustion apparatus for processing uncombusted flue gas components utilizing a reactor body. The reactor body houses first and second spiral passageways for motivating flue gas and ambient air, respectively, in a counter-current pattern. Heated ambient air feeds the flue gas in the reactor. |
| US10215405B2 |
Cooking device and burner
A cooking device is provided. The cooking device includes a burner body having a nozzle to supply a gas, a burner head provided above the burner body, and having a mixed gas chamber in which air and the gas injected from the nozzle are introduced. a burner cap provided on the burner head, a flame remaining chamber provided at the burner head and separated from the mixed gas chamber, and a flame detection unit to pass through the burner head and located at the flame remaining chamber. |
| US10215403B2 |
Gas premix burner and gas water heater
A gas premix burner and a gas water heater. The gas premix burner has a combustion direction, the gas premix burner can be matched and connected with a premix chamber that is disposed upstream the combustion direction of the gas premix burner, gas and air can be burned by the gas premix burner after mixed in the premix chamber; the gas premix burner comprising: a burner substrate, a main combustion hole provided on the burner substrate; an auxiliary combustion hole disposed downstream the main combustion hole along the combustion direction on the burner substrate; an auxiliary flame of the auxiliary combustion hole intersects a main flame of the main combustion hole. The present application provides the main combustion hole upstream the auxiliary combustion hole along the combustion direction, since the main flame is usually larger in scale than the auxiliary flame, by providing the main flame upstream the auxiliary flame, it will be easier for the auxiliary flame and the main flame to intersect each other, and then the effect of stabilizing the flame is realized by opposed flames formed by the auxiliary flame and the main flame. |
| US10215402B2 |
Gas-assisted liguid fuel oxygen reactor
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2. |
| US10215401B2 |
Pulse combustion heat exchanger system and method
A pulse combustion heat exchanger having a longitudinal axis is configured to accept oxidant and fuel and output a cooled combustion stream. The pulse combustion heat exchanger includes an oxidant inlet section that accepts oxidant, a fuel inlet section that accepts fuel, a mixing section that mixes oxidant with fuel, a combustion section that receives the oxidant and fuel and produces a pulsating combustion stream, and a heat transfer section configured to receive the pulsating combustion stream, the heat transfer section includes one or more resonance conduits. Coolant is employed at a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart transition sections to remove heat. |
| US10215400B2 |
Method and plant for redox chemical looping combustion of a solid hydrocarbon feedstock
The invention relates to a method and to a device for chemical looping combustion CLC of a solid hydrocarbon feed wherein it is proposed to inject the solid hydrocarbon feed so as to limit any occurrence of sticking of the feed to the walls of the injection device. The solid feed is fed into a conveying zone operating under fluidized bed conditions and opening into a combustion reactor. A fluidization gas is injected into this conveying zone while controlling the flow of gas in such a way that the superficial velocity of the gas in the conveying zone is higher than the terminal velocity of the solid hydrocarbon feed particles and the terminal velocity of solid particles present in the combustion reactor, and while controlling the fluidization gas temperature in such a way that the temperature in the conveying zone is less than or equal to 500° C. |
| US10215399B2 |
Small supercritical once-thru steam generator
A small supercritical once-through steam generator (OTSG) includes a radiant section with a furnace coil, and a convection section downstream of the radiant section that includes a superheater which is fluidically connected to the furnace coil. Optionally, the OTSG is devoid of a steam separator. An economizer can also be included downstream of the superheater. Supercritical steam can be generated using the OTSG, for use, among other things, in enhanced oil recovery applications. |
| US10215389B2 |
Systems and methods for a smart module directly embedded on a lighting fixture
Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for lighting fixtures. More particularly, embodiments disclose directly embedded a smart module with a lighting fixture utilizing metal core PCB (MCPCB). |
| US10215387B2 |
Acoustic-control light fixture and method for making and using
A light system that includes one or more lighting sheets including a first lighting sheet, wherein the first lighting sheet includes a first plurality of LEDs arranged on a grid of intersecting rows and columns of electrical conductors on an insulating substrate, wherein the first plurality of LEDs emit light having a first color spectrum, wherein the first lighting sheet includes a plurality of holes through the insulating substrate of the first lighting sheet, wherein each one of the plurality of holes through the insulating substrate of the first lighting sheet is positioned between an adjacent pair of rows of electrical conductors and between an adjacent pair of columns of electrical conductors of the first lighting sheet; and an acoustic tile, wherein the first lighting sheet is mounted to the acoustic tile. Some embodiments include a plurality of layered light sheets, optionally individually controlled for color and/or brightness. |
| US10215381B2 |
Switchgear cabinet luminaire comprising illuminants on the basis of light emitting diodes and connection element for connecting said switch gear cabinet luminaires
A switchgear cabinet luminaire comprising illuminants on the basis of light emitting diodes, consisting of an elongated luminaire housing comprising housing main body and light-transmissive cover and electrical connection elements and means for fixing that are provided on the luminaire housing. The luminaire body is embodied in a trough-like fashion and a plurality of spaced-apart cutouts or recesses for releasably receiving a pivoting bearing carrier are provided on the underside of said luminaire body and/or in the side wall region. The pivoting bearing carrier has two side surfaces connected via a web, each side surface having a receptacle for a pivoting spindle. Arms are formed in a manner proceeding from the web and are oriented toward the underside or toward the side wall region of the housing main body and, at the free end of said arms, undergoing transition to a latching lug or to a latching hook. |
| US10215380B2 |
Couplers for light fixtures
A kit for joining together at least a pair of light fixture segments at a joint interface therebetween to form a light fixture assembly, comprises at least a pair of complementary coupling units, each coupling unit configured to be located in an operative position in one of said light fixture segments to join the other coupling unit at the joint interface defined by complementary abutment surfaces on said light fixture segments, at least one of the complementary coupling units being configured to be adjustably located in the operative position to displace another of the coupling units along a designated travel path toward a limit position, wherein the joining of the light fixture segments at the joint interface occurs in advance of the other coupling unit reaching the limit position. |
| US10215378B2 |
Light fixture
A light fixture including a mounting assembly for securing the light fixture to a static structure. The mounting assembly includes a gripper attachable to the static structure and a bar having a gripping region and a first end secured with respect to a main body portion of the light fixture. The mounting assembly may be adjustable such that the light fixture is held in a selected one of a plurality of possible orientations. In such embodiments, the gripper and the bar are configured for a finite number of the orientations such that the light fixture is held in a selected one of a plurality of orientations. |
| US10215377B2 |
Light assembly and a method of securing the light assembly into an opening in a thin wall
A light assembly including a light having a body with a ramp and a threaded opening. The body also has one end and another end having an outwardly extending flange, an elongated light central axis, and an outer surface having the ramp closer to the elongated light central axis at the one end of the light. The ramp is further away from the elongated light central axis near the other end. The light assembly also includes a lock piece having an end, and the lock piece is positioned on the body for movement along the ramp away from the one end, so that the lock piece end moves further away from the elongated central axis as the lock piece moves along the ramp away from the one end. The light assembly also includes a like threaded stem having an elongated axis and received in the threaded opening in the light, the stem being connected to the lock piece so that, as the threaded stem rotates about its elongated axis in the threaded opening, moving away from the light one end, the stem moves the lock piece away from the one end. |
| US10215376B2 |
Light fixture having fixed angular position and lamp module for light fixtures
A light fixture includes a housing defining a recessed cavity. The housing has a top, a first side, and a second side each extending at an angle from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, the first end being substantially orthogonal relative to a first plane. One or more lamp units are positioned in the housing to emit light therefrom, wherein the emitted light is prevented from leaving the housing in a direction parallel to the first plane. |
| US10215371B1 |
Outdoor lighting fixture
A outdoor lighting fixture includes an enclosure, a heatsink, and an end-cap. The enclosure includes a cabinet and a cover that enclose control and power circuitry to provide power to illuminate a light source. The cabinet further includes an attachment face, and the extruded heatsink can be coupled to the attachment face. The extruded heatsink includes sides, a discontinuous plane of material formed with sides of the heatsink to provide a recessed mounting tray, and heat-conducting fins extending from the plane of material. The light source, which can include an LED light source, is coupled to the heatsink. The extruded heatsink can be coupled at one end to the attachment face of the cabinet at a position such that a space remains between the plane of material and a bottom edge of the attachment face, to permit water to drain from between the heat-conducting fins of the extruded heatsink. |
| US10215367B2 |
Apparatus for wavelength conversion
There is provided an apparatus for wavelength conversion, comprising a wavelength converter, a first reflector, a second reflector, a third reflector, and a first lens. The first reflector has a curvature and is configured to reflect a plurality of input light beams onto the second reflector. The second reflector is configured to reflect the input light onto the third reflector. The first lens is disposed between the wavelength converter and the third reflector. The third reflector is configured to reflect the input light through the first lens and onto the wavelength converter, which is then excited to emit an emitted light. The first lens is configured to receive at least a portion of the emitted light, reduce its divergence, and at least partially transmit it to form an output light propagating towards the third reflector, which is configured to at least partially transmit the output light. |
| US10215366B2 |
Optical member and display device including the same
A display device has a backlight unit and a display panel on the backlight unit. The backlight unit has a bottom cover, a light guide plate on the bottom cover, a reflective sheet under the light guide plate, a printed circuit board disposed at one lateral side of the light guide plate, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the printed circuit board, and two or more optical sheets including a wavelength conversion sheet, wherein the wavelength conversion sheet has a lower substrate, an upper substrate on the lower substrate, a wavelength conversion layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, a lower anti-reflective layer under the wavelength conversion layer, a lower impact absorbing layer under the lower substrate, and an upper impact absorbing layer on the upper substrate. |
| US10215365B2 |
Lighting device and method for manufacturing the same
A lighting device in which a heat sink and a cover are formed by co-extrusion and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The heat sink and the cover may be co-extruded. A shape control portion may be formed at the heat sink to control a shape of a seating portion to seat a circuit substrate during extrusion of the heat sink. In addition, a light characteristic control portion may be provided between a light emitting diode (LED) and the cover to control characteristic of light generated from the LED. |
| US10215360B1 |
Vehicle lighting device and method
A vehicle lamp can include first and second lamp units or portions that each have a light emission portion that extends across a gap between two vehicle body portions, such as a door panel, quarter panel, trunk lid, etc. The first and second lamp units/portions can be configured such that it appears that the vehicle lamp extends seamlessly and without detectable lighting variation across the gap between vehicle body portions. |
| US10215357B2 |
Vehicular lamp
Provided is a lamp unit including a reflector that reflects and controls light emitted from first and second light emitting elements. The reflector includes first and second reflective surfaces. In addition, the light emitted from the first light emitting element in a headlamp lighting mode (a first lighting mode) is incident on the first reflective surface and not on the second reflective surface, and the light emitted from the second light emitting element in a daytime running lamp lighting mode (a second lighting mode) is incident on the first and second reflective surfaces. |
| US10215354B2 |
Solar shading panel for north and south sides
A solar shading panel for use in north and south sides of a building is described, where the solar shading panel is effective in preventing against direct sunlight partially or throughout the year without angle adjusting equipment, while allowing building occupants to perceive external views at all times. The solar shading panel includes a frame and an opaque panel with spacing perforates attached to hollow cylinders. An upper portion of the hollow cylinders can be configured to protect against direct light and a lower portion of the hollow cylinders can be configured to receive and reflect natural light into the building. |
| US10215353B2 |
Electric lighting devices using air flow to generate a flickering flame effect
Lighting devices are described having a fan or other means to move air within the device to thereby cause movement of a flame element to simulate the movement of a real flame. In some embodiments, one or more scent cartridges can be disposed within the devices so that the air exiting the devices can be scented. Preferably, the devices include an air conduit to direct the air against the flame element and thereby increase the efficiency of the devices. |
| US10215349B1 |
Magnetic row mounting system for luminaires
A magnetic row mounting system includes a magnet holding bracket that is configured to be removably coupled to an end plate of a luminaire. The magnet holding bracket includes a body that has a first surface and an opposite second surface. Further the body includes a plurality of magnet housing cavities that are configured to house magnets therein. Furthermore, the body of the magnet holding bracket includes an alignment cavity that is configured to receive an orientation tab of the end plate therein to removably couple the magnet holding bracket to the end plate in only one direction. Alternatively, the magnetic row mounting system includes both the end plate of the luminaire and the magnet holding bracket that is configured to be removably coupled to the end plate. |
| US10215348B2 |
Lighting device with overlapping of attachment faces of base member
A lighting device includes: a first board and a second board; a first light-emitting element mounted on the first board; a second light-emitting element mounted on the second board; and a base member including a first attachment face to which the first board is attached; and a second attachment face to which the second board is attached. As the lighting device is viewed from a light-emitting side, the first attachment face is disposed in front of the second attachment face. The second attachment face has an overlap area in which the second attachment face overlaps the first attachment face. The second light-emitting element is disposed in an area of the second attachment face different from the overlap area. |
| US10215347B2 |
Lighting assembly with light fixture mounted in electrical box
A light fixture includes a body with a first section at a first end and a second section at a second end and a light source disposed inside the body at the first end. In an installed configuration, the body is at least partially located inside an electrical box such that the first section and the first end are disposed inside the electrical box. The light source aims light from the first end toward the second end to illuminate an architectural space. |
| US10215339B2 |
Mobile device for discharging liquid containers
A mobile device for discharging a liquid-filled container is disclosed. The device has a closable compartment provided with a closable opening, and an unloading installation in the inner space of the device, coupleable with the container. The unloading installation is able to extract liquid from the container via top unloading and to move it outside of the device, and includes an absorption means for removing liquid vapors which is connectable with the container for the extraction of top liquid vapors. A method for discharging liquid containers, such as unloading benzyl chloride liquid with the mobile device, is described. |
| US10215336B2 |
Composite pressure vessel and method of construction
A pressure vessel comprising a pipe closed at each end with a novel plug/compression cap, the plug at one end of the pipe having a port for connection to a pressure regulating device. |
| US10215330B2 |
Multi-positional mount for personal electronic devices with a magnetic interface
A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface. |
| US10215319B2 |
Quick coupling for fluid under pressure
The quick coupling for fluid under pressure, comprising a hollow valve body, an obturator stem slidable along an axis of the valve body in contrast and by the action of elastic means configured and arranged to automatically arrange said obturator stem in a closing position of the valve body, and hydraulic sealing means between the valve body and a cylindrical terminal of the obturator stem, the hydraulic sealing means comprising at least one hollow plain bearing for reducing friction having an internal cylindrical surface mateable with the terminal of the obturator stem, and a plurality of elastic elements independent from one another configured and arranged to strain the bearing at a radial compression force for the uniform hydraulic seal against the terminal, the elastic elements being distributed at least mainly along the extension of the bearing in the direction of the axis. |
| US10215317B2 |
Additively manufactured gas distribution manifold
Methods and apparatuses for additively manufactured tubular passages, additively manufactured manifolds, and additively manufactured heaters are provided. |
| US10215315B2 |
Tube compression fitting and flared fitting used with connection body and method of making same
A high pressure tube compression fitting/flared fitting for use in combination with a thick-walled tube and a connection body wherein a sleeve is in engagement with a thick-walled tube. The sleeve is generally cylindrically shaped with the exterior thereof coated and then etched. The sleeve includes a first and second sharp inner circumferential biting edges which interengage and bite into and through the exterior of the end portion of the thick-walled tube and into the wall portion of the end portion of the thick-walled tube without narrowing the passageway through the thick-walled tube. The process for making the fitting includes placing an end portion of the thick-walled tube into engagement with a tube engaging surface of a tapered generally cylindrical wall of a guide rod. |
| US10215312B2 |
Hemp-winding composite pipe
A hemp-winding composite pipe including a lining layer, a reinforcement layer winding on the lining layer, and an external protective layer, in that order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction. The reinforcement layer is a hemp bast layer, including continuously connected hemp basts. |
| US10215310B2 |
Stackable routing clip
A stackable routing clip for installation on machinery using a weld tool. The stackable routing clip has a body and at least one wing section. A weld projection extends from a lower face of the body. Each wing section may extend from the body and include a routing port that receives the insertion of a cable tie used to secure cables to the stackable routing clip. The stackable routing clip is configured so that a plurality of the stackable routing clips may be grouped together to form a stack. The clips may be stacked together in a dispenser that is used to dispense of individual clips when a clip is to be welded by the weld tool to the machinery. The weld tool may melt the weld projection and plunge the clip into the resultant molten metal for a quick and strong weld. |
| US10215309B2 |
Shower arm attachment assembly
A shower arm attachment assembly including an arm coupling member, a shower pipe coupling member, and a locking member. The arm coupling member may fluidly connect to a shower arm for a showerhead and the shower pipe coupling member may fluidly connect to a shower pipe. The arm coupling member connects to the shower pipe coupling member and is selectively rotatably relative thereto. The locking member selectively controls rotation of the arm coupling member relative to the shower pipe coupling member. |
| US10215307B2 |
Pipe securing apparatus
A device for securing a pipe to a wall, including an exterior wall of a building, is provided. The device has a generally flat surface which adheres to the wall and a generally curved support unit which receives the pipe. An optional securing bar may be locked over the top of the pipe to prevent movement of the pipe. In an embodiment, the device has an extension flange which allows the pipe to be secured to the wall in an off-set manner. Preferably, a plurality of the present aligned devices secure the pipe to the wall in a horizontal or vertical manner. The device allows the pipe to be secured to a wall in compliance with governmental regulations. An adapter unit may be inserted over the curved support unit for one or more smaller pipes. |
| US10215305B2 |
Enteral feeding pump certification
A method of performing a certification on an enteral feeding pump based on at least one operating parameter of the pump includes communicating certification information between the pump and a certification application remote from the pump. The at least one operating parameter is compared to a specified operating metric to verify that the at least one operating parameter of the pump is within the specified operating metric. |
| US10215301B2 |
Rotary actuation mechanism
An actuation mechanism for a rotary element, comprises an electric drive motor coupled to a threaded drive spindle. A threaded drive nut is received on said drive spindle for movement along said drive spindle. A rack gear is coupled to said drive nut. A pinion gear is drivingly engaged with said rack gear and drivingly couplable to the rotary element. The rotary element may be a valve element. |
| US10215300B2 |
Bending frame for extending travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component
A bending frame extends the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. The bending frame includes a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and an application of force enacted by the actuator long the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, wherein a first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit force to the component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof. The longitudinal struts and the cross struts interact with one another such that bending of the longitudinal struts causes the second ends of the cross struts to be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis, thereby extending the travel for mechanically actuating the component. |
| US10215298B2 |
Device for controlling the release of gas from a pressurised container
A device for controlling the release of gas from a pressurized container includes a plug comprising a passage therethrough and a diaphragm within the passage. The diaphragm is configured to initially prevent flow of gas through said passage, and is rupturable or displaceable to allow gas to flow through said passage once said diaphragm is ruptured or displaced. The device further comprises a screw located within the plug and comprising a lance configured to move towards said diaphragm upon rotation of the screw. The lance is configured to rupture or displace the diaphragm so as to allow flow of gas through the passage and out of the plug, once the screw is rotated a predetermined amount. |
| US10215293B2 |
Three-way valve for flow rate control and temperature control device using same
Provided are a three-way valve for flow rate control and a temperature control device using the three-way valve for flow rate control. The three-way valve for flow rate control is capable of controlling a mixture ratio between two kinds of fluids with higher accuracy, as compared to a three-way valve including an inflow port which allows inflow of a high-temperature heat-medium circulating liquid, an inflow port which allows inflow of a low-temperature heat-medium circulating liquid, an outflow port which allows outflow of a constant-temperature heat-medium circulating liquid, and a control valve configured to control the flow rate ratio between the high-temperature heat-medium circulating liquid and the low-temperature heat-medium circulating liquid. The three-way valve for flow rate control includes: a valve main body including a valve seat, the valve seat having a columnar space and having a first valve port, which allows inflow of a first fluid and has a rectangular cross section, and a second valve port, which allows inflow of a second fluid and has a rectangular cross section; a valve body being provided in a freely rotatable manner in the valve seat of the valve main body so as to simultaneously switch the first valve port from an closed state to an opened state and switch the second valve port from an opened state to a closed state, the valve body being formed into a half-cylindrical shape having a predetermined central angle and being formed into a curved-surface shape at each of both end surfaces of the valve body in a circumferential direction; and drive means for driving the valve body to rotate. |
| US10215285B2 |
Shaft seal
A shaft seal is proposed, having an annular base body whereof one lateral surface forms a circumferential sealing surface and whereof the other, opposing, lateral surface has at least two circumferential sealing lips extending radially therefrom, between which an outwardly open outer cavity is delimited. To enable a coupling between a stationary body and a rotatable body arranged coaxially thereto which is suitable for pressure-medium transmission, the shaft seal is distinguished by a pressure-medium inlet in an outer wall of the base body and a pressure-medium outlet which leads into the outer cavity and is in fluid connection with the inlet. |
| US10215278B1 |
Shift system for a marine drive
A marine drive includes an internal combustion engine that drives a propulsor into rotation to effect a thrust, and a transmission that shifts amongst a forward gear for a forward thrust, a reverse gear for a reverse thrust, and a neutral state for a zero thrust. The marine drive further includes a shift rod rotatable about its own axis to shift the transmission amongst forward, reverse, and neutral, and an actuator. The actuator includes an actuator motor that rotates an output shaft and a gear shaft that effectuates rotation of a shift rod. The output shaft is connected to a gear shaft through a first gearset such that rotation of the output shaft causes the rotation of the gear shaft, and the gear shaft is connected to the shift rod through a planetary gearset such that rotation of the gear shaft causes the rotation of the shift rod. |
| US10215275B2 |
Hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic machine drain provided with a flow-control means and fluid-treatment functions
The invention relates to a hydraulic circuit provided with at least one hydraulic power machine (2, 4) connected to a low-pressure circuit (6) and to a high-pressure circuit (10) transmitting said power, wherein the machine is provided with a drain which allows internal leaks in the casing thereof to flow towards a low-pressure accumulator (8) or a vessel at atmospheric pressure, said circuit comprising an intake pipe (30) connecting the low-pressure circuit (6) to the casing of the machine, and an outlet pipe (36) forming the drain receiving the flow from the intake pipe in order to guide same towards the vessel (8), including a heat exchanger (42) and a filter (44) forming the fluid treatment elements for the entire hydraulic circuit, said circuit also comprising a means for monitoring the flow (40) in the intake and outlet pipes. |
| US10215271B2 |
Planetary gear
A planetary gear, in particular a multi-stage planetary gear, includes at least two sun wheels, which are disposed coaxially one behind the other. A hydrodynamic axial bearing is arranged between the sun wheels. |
| US10215269B2 |
Internal venting system for industrial machines
A mining shovel includes a boom and a transmission unit coupled to the boom. The transmission unit includes an outer housing, an internal motor housing disposed within the outer housing, and a venting system coupled to the outer housing to direct air through both the outer housing and the internal motor housing. |
| US10215267B2 |
Valve closing device and valve actuating assembly
For a valve closing device (8), including an output shaft (9) for connecting a valve (3) and an input shaft (10) for connecting an actuating drive (2), it is provided that an emergency drive (11) for driving the output shaft (9) in the event of a mains power failure is designed as a constant force spring motor (28) and/or a force flow from the emergency drive (11) to the output shaft (9) is merged with a force flow from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (9) by an overriding gear arrangement (16) and/or the emergency drive (11) is locked and released by a locking device (19). |
| US10215266B2 |
Geared continuoulsly variable transmission
A geared continuously variable transmission (GCVT) is provided. The GCVT includes a first set of solar gears having a first solar gear and first plurality of connection components. Power enters the GCVT through the first set of solar gears. The GCVT includes a second set of solar gears having a second solar gear and second plurality of connection components. Power exits the GCVT through the second set of solar gears. Power is transmitted from the first set of solar gears to the second set of solar gears via the first plurality of connection components and the second plurality of connection components. The GCVT includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor connecting first component from the first plurality of connection components to second component from the second plurality of connection components and providing constant rotation ratio between the first component and the second component. |
| US10215265B2 |
Electric linear motion actuator and electric brake system
It is an object of the present invention to improve seal performance in an electric linear motion actuator configured to linearly drive a linear motion member due to the rotation of a rotary shaft. The linear motion member is constituted by a cylindrical member slidably fitted in a housing, and a pressing member coupled to the distal end portion of the cylindrical member so as to close the opening of the distal end of the cylindrical member. The portion of the pressing member coupled to the cylindrical member is located inside of a boot sealing the space between the distal end portion of the housing and the distal end portion of the linear motion member. |
| US10215261B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque of the engine, 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, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotation elements and a transmission housing. |
| US10215259B2 |
Planetary reduction gear device
A planetary reduction gear device has first and second planetary gears meshed with a sun gear and an internal at different locations in a direction of an axis line; and a carrier assembly for supporting the first and second planetary gears. The carrier assembly has a first planetary carrier for supporting the first planetary gears and a second planetary carrier for supporting the second planetary gears. The first and second planetary carriers are fixed coaxially with each other in the direction of the axis line so as to rotate integrally. A planetary reduction gear device having a large torque capacity can be obtained. |
| US10215258B2 |
Drawstring tightener
A rotatable cord tensioning device is disclosed which is configured to include apertures for affixing one or more cords. Other apertures in the rotatable cord tensioning device are disclosed for securing the cord tensioning device in a rotated position. The rotation of the cord tensioning device tensions the cord by effectively shortening the length of the cord. |
| US10215253B2 |
Nozzle plate of engine mount
A nozzle plate of an engine mount may include a lower nozzle plate, an upper nozzle plate, a membrane, and a stopper, in which a flow of the hydraulic liquid is allowed through a gap formed between the stopper and the membrane and a gap formed between the membrane and a seating portion of the lower nozzle plate when pressure of the hydraulic liquid applied to the membrane is relatively low, and a flow of the hydraulic liquid is blocked as the membrane comes into close contact with the stopper or the seating portion when pressure of the hydraulic liquid is relatively high. |
| US10215251B2 |
Interference arrangement for spring
A spring system that includes a compressible material that is used to control the speed of the rod movement. |
| US10215250B2 |
Shock absorber
A space between an inner surface of a cover and a housing is set to be wider on a spaced-apart side from a cylinder than on a cylinder side. Therefore, the cover is generally integrated with the housing at the moment that the cylinder side abuts against the housing, which can improve stiffness. This can prevent the cover from contacting a solenoid located on the spaced-apart side of the housing that is spaced apart from the cylinder. |
| US10215249B2 |
Vibration damping device
The vibration damping device 1 comprises an outer cylinder member 9 formed by winding a flat plate member into a cylindrical shape; an inner mounting member 11 connected to the outer cylinder member via elastic members 14; and a rod portion 30, wherein: the outer cylinder member has a meeting portion 60 where end surfaces of the flat plate member on both circumferential ends of the outer cylinder member face each other; a joint portion 61, where joining was performed, is formed on at least a part of the meeting portion; and the rod portion is connected to an outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder member so as to not overlap the meeting portion. |
| US10215247B2 |
Bicycle brake pad and method for manufacturing bicycle brake pad
A bicycle brake pad includes a friction member and a first support member. The friction member includes a first intermetallic compound. The friction member and the first support member are, at least partially, chemically coupled to each other. |
| US10215237B2 |
Multiple-piece backing plate having parts made of different materials
A multiple-piece backing plate and a friction clutch assembly for an automotive transmission are provided. The multiple-piece backing plate includes a cap part and a main body backing plate. The cap part is formed of a first material. The main body backing plate is attached to the cap part, and the main body backing plate is formed of a second material, where the second material is different than the first material. The friction clutch assembly includes first clutch plates coupled to a first transmission member and second clutch plates interleaved with the first clutch plates and coupled to a second transmission member. The friction clutch assembly is configured to be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the first and second transmission members are coupled together by compressing the first and second clutch plates directly against the cap part. |
| US10215236B2 |
Progressivity device for clutch friction disk, and friction disk comprising such device
The invention relates on the one hand to a progressivity device for a clutch friction disk, comprising a progressivity web (1) having a central rotation axis (X), having on one face of its external rim (1a) a series of blades (2) on which are configured at least two deformable pleats (20a, 20b) delimiting a region (20) intended to support a first friction lining (G1) and equipped with a stiffness element, and on the other face a second friction lining (G2) fastened symmetrically to the first lining (G1), wherein the stiffness element comprises at least one tab projecting below the region (20), one end of which is intended to come into abutment against the web (1) upon deformation of the pleats (20a, 20b), limiting the arching of the region (20); and on the other hand to a friction disk comprising such a device. |
| US10215231B2 |
Bearing structure with close fit
The present invention relates to a bearing structure with a close fit, which comprises a fan frame having a base and a shaft sleeve disposed vertically. The shaft sleeve has a receiving space in which a bearing set is disposed. At least one external ring is sleeved around the outer perimeter of the shaft sleeve and is disposed corresponding to the bearing set. Therefore, by means of the external ring, the close fit between the shaft sleeve and the bearing set is improved, which increases the assembly precision. |
| US10215230B2 |
Pressurized gas bearings for rotating machinery
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, positioning a rotating shaft within a machine via an externally-pressured gas bearing system. |
| US10215221B2 |
Minimizing oil leakage from rocking journal bearings
A rocking journal bearing is provided in a piston coupling mechanism. The bearing includes a sleeve and a wristpin constructed with two sets of eccentrically-disposed bearing surfaces which alternate in accepting a compressive load during an operational cycle of the bearing. The sleeve includes a network of grooves to transport oil to the bearing surfaces. Lubricating oil flow through the bearing is minimized by limiting provision of pressurized oil from the wristpin to the network of grooves to portions of the cycle when one or the other of the sets of bearing surfaces receives the compressive load. |
| US10215219B1 |
Multi-function tool and handle hook
Multi-function tool and handle hook adapted for attachment to and convenient hanging of a plurality of tools or releasable receipt and engagement of a bail or wire handle on a bucket or other tool comprising a hook member, a releasable tightening member, and a multi-function attachment member adapted for engaging and firmly holding any of the plurality of tools together with the tightening member. The attachment member and the tightening member comprise a channel with a plurality of parallel channel walls, each wall also comprising an opposing hooked end, adapted alternatively for receiving and releasably holding in the attachment member and tightening member any one of a plurality of differently-configured caulking guns, for example, and releasable receipt and pivotable transverse engagement with a wire handle, for example for a bucket. |
| US10215218B2 |
Fastener locking members
A locking member for a fastener, such as a nut or a collar, includes a shank portion and a flanged portion, a bore extending the shank portion and the flanged portion and including a first interior portion located within the shank portion and a containment cavity located within the flanged portion, and an inner wall defining the containment cavity. The containment cavity includes an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the first interior portion of the bore. The inner wall of the containment cavity includes one or a combination of flat/linear surfaces, concave surfaces, and convex surfaces. |
| US10215216B2 |
Method of installing a spark containment cap
A method of forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a structure is disclosed having the steps of: (i) installing a cap having a cap body terminating at a rim which surrounds an opening of a cavity over the end of the fastener so that the end of the fastener is enclosed within the cavity; (ii) heating the cap to increase a temperature within the cavity; (iii) providing a bead of uncured sealing material around the rim of the cap body to seal a volume of gas within the cavity; and (iv) curing the bead of sealing material during a cure period. |
| US10215213B2 |
Quick-disconnect fastening system
A fastener assembly is provided having a cylindrical shank with a plurality of annular grooves formed along a length of the shank. A plurality of elongated ribs extends perpendicular to the grooves along the length. A fastener disc is provided with a central opening with a diameter less than a cylindrical shank diameter wherein an inner edge of the central opening includes a contact surface. The fastener disc is retained on the fastener portion in a locked position when the contact surface engages one of the plurality of grooves with a friction fit. The fastener disc is rotated to a release position so that the elongated rib contacts the inner edge thereby releasing the contact surface from the grooves. |
| US10215206B2 |
Connecting structure for electronic devices
A connecting structure connecting a first device and a second device rigidly but readily demountably comprises a housing having a top cover and a bottom cover to form an internal space. A connector which has an engagement block, a sliding block, and an insert block engages with the second device. A push button having a knob movably mounted on the housing, a sprung hooking structure having a guiding slot engaging with the sliding block, and a hook engaging with the second device provide demountable. The push button resists the engagement block via a through hole of the top cover, the connecting structure being combined with the connector to link with the hooking structure. |
| US10215201B2 |
Column type hydraulic tappet
A column type hydraulic tappet includes a housing; a plunger correspondingly installed in the housing; and a high pressure chamber for a hydraulic medium formed between the bottom face of the plunger and the bottom of the housing and is sealed by a check valve opening toward the high pressure chamber. The housing includes an external circumferential groove on the outer diameter for passing the hydraulic medium and an inner circumferential groove on the inner diameter for passing the hydraulic medium. One or more housing oil holes are disposed between the outer circumferential groove and the inner circumferential groove. The plunger includes a sealed hemisphere head portion, a shaft portion and a body portion. An indent neck portion between the head and shaft portions of the plunger has a wall thickness 105%-120% of the wall thickness of the other portions of the plunger. |
| US10215198B2 |
Hydraulic drive system for construction machine
To make it possible to efficiently utilize rated output torque of a prime mover by performing total torque control with high precision through precise detection of absorption torque of another hydraulic pump by use of a purely hydraulic structure and feedback of the absorption torque to the side of one hydraulic pump, delivery pressure of a main pump and a load sensing drive pressure are supplied to a torque feedback circuit, which modifies the delivery pressure of the main pump to achieve a characteristic simulating the absorption torque of the main pump, and outputs the modified pressure. An output pressure of the torque feedback circuit is supplied to a torque feedback piston, which controls displacement of the main pump so as to decrease the displacement of the main pump and thereby decrease maximum torque as the output pressure increases. |
| US10215197B2 |
Method, device, and system for controlling hydraulic pump of construction machine
The present disclosure relates to a method, a device, and a system for controlling a hydraulic pump of a construction machine, the system comprising: an engine; an engine control unit configured to control the engine by using engine limit torque information and current engine torque information of the engine; a hydraulic pump operated by power supplied from the engine; at least one actuator driven by a hydraulic pressure discharged from the hydraulic pump; and a hydraulic pump control device configured to control a limited swash plate angle of the hydraulic pump by using a torque of the hydraulic pump and the engine limit torque information received from the engine control unit. |
| US10215195B2 |
Vibration isolation system for a fan motor
A hub assembly for a fan reduces transmission of vibrations between the fan motor and the fan blades. The hub assembly comprises a motor assembly, a hub, and a plurality of resilient members. The motor assembly includes a motor and a motor housing surrounding the motor, and the motor is configured to rotate the motor housing during operation. The hub is supported on the motor housing by a plurality of fasteners. The resilient members are at least partially interposed between the hub and the motor housing, and each resilient member of the plurality of resilient members surrounds a portion of a corresponding fastener of the plurality of fasteners. |
| US10215188B2 |
Blower
A motor casing is provided with a motor rib which is annularly formed along a circumferential direction of a fan while protruding toward a main shroud, and the motor rib is provided with a notch portion in a portion near a high-pressure region in a scroll chamber. A part of moisture flowing into the scroll chamber infiltrates into an inner peripheral space of the motor rib across the motor rib in a low-pressure region in which a flow velocity of ventilation air is high in the scroll chamber. However, the moisture is pressed to the notch portion by ventilation air infiltrating into the inner peripheral space of the motor rib from the low-pressure region in the scroll chamber, and is then discharged to the scroll chamber from the notch portion. |
| US10215186B1 |
Rotary machine providing thermal expansion compensation, and method for fabrication thereof
A temperature-compensating arrangement is provided for a fluid-moving or fluid-powered rotating machine. One or more rotatable inner components in a housing of the machine are supported and restrained by at least one radial load bearing and allowed to float axially as a result of differences in thermal expansion of one or more inner components and the housing. The housing and inner component(s) are made from materials having coefficients of expansion selected to minimize undesired clearance changes and undesired bearing loads that are caused by the differences in thermal expansion of the materials during temperature changes of the machine. |
| US10215185B2 |
Pump for the conveyance of a fluid with varying viscosity
A pump includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet configured to convey fluid, an impeller configured to convey the fluid from the inlet to the outlet, the impeller being arranged on a rotatable shaft, and a balance drum configured to relieve axial thrust. The balance drum includes a rotor rotationally fixedly connected to the shaft, the rotor having a high and low pressure sides, a stator stationary with respect to the housing, a relief passage extending between the rotor and the stator from the high pressure side up to the low pressure side of the rotor, a return passage connecting the low pressure side of the rotor to the inlet. An intermediate passage opens into the relief passage between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the rotor. A blocking member is configured to influence the flow through the intermediate passage. |
| US10215178B2 |
Bearing and shaft assembly for jet assemblies
An improved bearing and shaft assembly includes a bearing assembly having an outer bearing member and an inner bearing member, and a shaft assembly having a shaft member, a shaft protection member, and a locking mechanism. The outer bearing member has a cavity for receiving the inner bearing member, and fits within a cavity of an impeller. The shaft assembly is secured within a housing of a jet assembly. The shaft protection member has a cavity for receiving the shaft member. The shaft protection member fits within the cavity of the inner bearing member. Also, a jet assembly, which includes the improved bearing and shaft assembly, may be coupled to a motor assembly. The jet assembly further includes the housing that includes at least one inlet aperture and at least one outlet aperture, and an impeller positioned within a cavity of the housing. |
| US10215174B2 |
Co-rotating compressor with multiple compression mechanisms
A compressor may include a shell, first and second compression mechanisms, and first and second motor assemblies. The first compression mechanism may include first and second compression members that are rotatable relative to the shell about first and second rotational axes, respectively. The first motor assembly may be disposed within the shell and may include a first rotor attached to the first compression member and surrounding the first and second compression members. The second compression mechanism may include third and fourth compression members that are rotatable relative to the shell about third and fourth rotational axes, respectively. The second motor assembly may be disposed within the shell and may include a second rotor attached to the third compression member and surrounding the third and fourth compression members. |
| US10215172B2 |
Autofrettage of thermally clad components
A method of generating compressive residual stresses through a thickness of a metal component comprising the steps: receiving a metal base component (10), which in use is subjected to applied pressure and applying by thermal deposition cladding (16) to one or more surfaces (14) of the base component. The cladding (16) comprises one or more layers of metal or metal alloy. The method also includes, subsequent to the cladding step, applying autofrettage to the clad component thereby generating compressive residual stresses through the one or more layers of metal or metal alloy (16) and at least part way through the base component. |
| US10215171B2 |
Apparatus for feeding gas mixtures at the intake of a high pressure compressor
An apparatus for feeding gas mixtures to a compressor comprising a tubular mixing pipe connected with the compressor intake, first and second gas intake devices injecting into the mixing pipe gas received from a Helium source and an Oxygen source respectively, two sensors measuring the Oxygen percentage of the gas mixture, a first servo-controlled throttling valve interposed between the first gas intake device and the Helium source, a second servo-controlled throttling valve interposed between the second gas intake device and the Oxygen source, and a control unit configured to manage the throttling valves depending on the Oxygen percentages of the gas mixture measured by the sensors. The apparatus includes first and second auxiliary pressure regulators, electrically connected with the control unit, interposed respectively between the first servo-controlled valve and a manual regulator of the Helium source and between the second servo-controlled valve and a manual regulator of the Oxygen source. |
| US10215170B2 |
Pump-regulator combination with power limitation
A pump-regulator combination includes first and second pumps, a control valve, first orifice, and pilot valve. The first pump is configured to pump fluid from a tank to a first point. The control valve is configured to control pressure and/or delivery flow at the first point by adjusting a displacement volume of the first pump. The second pump is configured to pump fluid from the tank to a second point, through the first orifice, and back to the tank. A highest load pressure of the actuator is connected to a third point. The pilot valve includes an adjustable second orifice connected to the third point, via a fourth point, and the tank to pass fluid from the actuator to the tank. A pressure at the second point acts to close the second orifice. A pressure of the fourth point acts to adjust the control valve. |
| US10215161B2 |
Method of construction, assembly, and launch of a floating wind turbine platform
A method of constructing and assembling a floating wind turbine platform includes constructing pre-stressed concrete sections of a floating wind turbine platform base, assembling the floating wind turbine platform base sections to form the base at a first location in a floating wind turbine platform assembly area, and moving the base to a second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Pre-stressed concrete sections of floating wind turbine platform columns are constructed, and the column sections are assembled to form a center column and a plurality of outer columns on the base to define a hull at the second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. The hull is then moved to a third location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Secondary structures are mounted on and within the hull, and the hull is moved to a fourth location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. A wind turbine tower is constructed on the center column, and a wind turbine is mounted on the wind turbine tower, thus defining the floating wind turbine platform. The floating wind turbine platform is then moved to a launch platform in a fifth location and launched into a body of water. |
| US10215158B2 |
Folding blade wind turbine
A wind turbine is provided. The turbine includes a support having an axis of rotation, a generator, a plurality of blades rotatably mounted on the support about the axis of rotation, the blades being moveable between a retracted position generally parallel with the axis of rotation and a fully deployed position generally perpendicular with the axis of rotation, the blades being connected to the generator such that rotation of the blades in a direction induced by wind causes the generator to produce electricity, and the provision of electricity to the generator rotates the blades, and a controller connected to the generator and configured to deliver a flow of current to the generator that is sufficient to move the blades from the retracted position toward the fully deployed position and insufficient to move the blades all the way to the fully deployed position. The flow of current induces rotation of the blades in the direction induced by wind, which creates a centrifugal force that moves the blades from the retracted position toward the fully deployed position. As the blades move from the retracted position, the blades have increasing exposure to ambient wind to receive additional rotational force from ambient wind, and the additional rotational force being sufficient to, either alone or in combination with the flow of current, move the blades into the fully deployed position. |
| US10215153B1 |
Buoyancy mill a machine that produces clean useful mechanical energy using buoyancy as a propellant
The Buoyancy Mill is a machine that has the ability to convert buoyant energy into useful mechanical energy using a double, parallel set of wheels three feet apart that supports and guides a double, parallel set of cable loops. Attached to the cable loops, at a distance of six feet apart are carriages on crossbars that capture floats as they buoyantly ascend, setting into motion the cable loop and the set of wheels. Once in motion, the Buoyancy Mill begins its conversion of buoyant energy into useful mechanical energy. Because the mill can be located anywhere energy is needed, costly mechanisms for delivering the energy are unnecessary. The mill is a closed system and uses a limited amount of water which is continually recycled with only minimal waste from splash or evaporation. This clean energy produced could be used, among other things, to create pollution-free electricity. |
| US10215152B2 |
System, method and apparatus for pressurizing a fluid to power a load
The present invention relates to a way of pressurizing a fluid to power a load, by initially pressurizing the fluid in a series of stages to yield a low-pressure fluid and further pressurizing the low-pressure fluid concurrently in parallel stages to yield a high-pressure fluid for supply to the load. |
| US10215148B2 |
No-start diagnostics for powertrain with enabled starter
A method diagnoses a no-start condition in a powertrain having an engine and a starter system operable for starting the engine. The starter system includes a battery, solenoid relay, starter solenoid, and starter motor. The method includes recording starter data over a calibrated sampling duration in response to a requested start event when the solenoid relay is enabled, including a cranking voltage and engine speed. If no battery current sensor is used, the method derives a resistance ratio using an open-circuit voltage and a minimum cranking voltage of the battery. When such a sensor is used, the method derives a battery and starter resistance. A fault mode of the starter system is then identified via a controller using the starter data and either the resistance ratio or the battery and starter resistances. A control action executes that corresponds to the identified fault mode. |
| US10215146B2 |
Direct current power plant
A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load. |
| US10215142B2 |
Injector and contact element for the same
The present disclosure describes an injector for an internal combustion engine which includes an injector housing, a piezo-actuator control unit having a first set of terminals, a connecting plug on a head of the injector housing, the connecting plug having a second set of terminals, and an electrical connection between the control unit and the connecting plug within the injector housing. The electrical connection comprises a contact element with conductor tracks integrated into an insulating body. The conductor tracks are connected to the terminals of the control unit and of the connecting plug. A first end of the insulating body abuts the control unit or the connecting plug and a second end is spaced from the connecting plug or the control unit. The contact element includes an elastic device by means of which the insulating body is braced against the component it abuts. |
| US10215141B2 |
System and apparatus for vapor detection within fuel supply module
A system and method of detecting the presence of fuel vapor gases within a fuel supply module tank. The system includes a lift pump for filling the fuel supply module reservoir with liquid fuel from the main fuel tank. The fuel supply module reservoir may include a certain amount of fuel vapor and air, which is detected by a pressure sensor. If a resting pressure is detected, a control module runs the lift pump to pump liquid fuel into the fuel supply module reservoir and purges the vapor and air from the reservoir. |
| US10215140B2 |
Fuel control valve assembly
A fuel control valve assembly that includes a ball bearing assembly and retainer assembly for a mixture control valve assembly and idle control valve assembly in use with general aviation fuel injector servos is disclosed. The assembly desirably reduces friction and wear on the components of the fuel control valve assembly. |
| US10215136B2 |
Adjustable, low loss valve for providing high pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation
High pressure loop exhaust gas circulation is achieved in an exhaust system (10) of an engine (12) by providing an adjustable valve (100) in an exhaust passage (18) of the engine (12). The valve (100) is configured to control fluid flow through the passage (18) and generate pressure to drive the high pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The valve (100) includes a valve inner surface (110) that has a curvilinear profile when viewed in longitudinal cross section. An actuator (140) is connected to the valve (100), and is configured to move the valve (100) relative to the exhaust passage (18) so as to control exhaust gas pressure within the exhaust passage (18). In some embodiments, a pilot tube (280) is used in combination with the valve (100) to generate high pressure exhaust gas recirculation at the engine (12) intake. |
| US10215132B2 |
Systems and methods for a fuel vapor canister heating element
A method is presented, wherein a fuel vapor canister heating element is activated during a first condition, which includes an engine-off condition, and atmospheric air is directed through the fuel vapor canister and into an engine intake. Degradation of the fuel vapor canister heating element is indicated based on an output of an engine intake air temperature sensor. In this way, the integrity of the fuel vapor canister heating element can be determined without relying on canister temperature sensors, which may be confounded by the cooling of the fuel vapor canister during fuel vapor desorption. |
| US10215129B2 |
Port edge shape with continuous curvature for improved ring-port interaction and flow area
A port opening edge shape for a port in a cylinder of an opposed-piston combustion engine is optimized for flow area, as well as for minimization of piston ring clipping. The port opening edge shape includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first and second side edge connecting the top and bottom edge, and an apex in the top edge. The apex has the minimum radius of curvature of the port opening edge shape. A spline that defines the port opening edge shape can be calculated based upon a maximum height, a full width, an amount or degree of skew, and a minimum radius of curvature. A model can measure values for engine performance and determine which spline defines a port opening edge shape yields a desired engine performance. |
| US10215123B2 |
Engine controlling apparatus
The engine controlling apparatus includes a selector, a setter, and a controller. The selector selects one of a plurality of injection modes according to the operating condition of an engine, where injection rates of a plurality of injectors or the number of injections performed in one stroke of the engine differs among the injection modes. The setter sets a mode correction amount that reflects an output characteristic of a first sensor corresponding to the injection mode. The controller performs feedback control using both a detection signal from the first sensor and the mode correction amount. |
| US10215122B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring altitude correction coefficient
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for acquiring an altitude correction coefficient, comprising: acquiring an initial value of an altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter when a preset event occurs to a vehicle engine; evaluating whether the vehicle satisfies a preset self-learning enabling condition, in accordance with an engine rotation speed, a vehicle speed, and status information of designated devices; enabling the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter when the vehicle satisfies the preset self-learning enabling condition; determining an input of the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter at least in accordance with operating states of a manifold pressure sensor and a stepping motor; and obtaining a current altitude correction coefficient by self-learning the altitude correction coefficient applying the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter in accordance with the initial value of the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter and the input of the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter. |
| US10215119B2 |
Machine having continuously variable transmission, and control system and operating method therefor
Operating a machine including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes operating an engine of the machine at a lower engine speed, receiving data indicative of an expected increase in load on the engine, and commanding increasing the engine speed responsive to the data. The engine is operated at a higher engine speed responsive to the commanded increase, with the operation at the higher engine speed being initiated proactively so as to limit retarding a ground speed of the machine. Related control logic and machine structure is also disclosed. |
| US10215118B2 |
Control device and control method for hybrid drive vehicle
An internal combustion engine of a hybrid drive vehicle includes an exhaust gas purification catalyst in an exhaust passage. An internal combustion engine control device is configured to continuously rotate the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time period after an engine start. The internal combustion engine control device prohibits a fuel-cut within the predetermined time period after the engine start, thereby suppressing the frequent repetition of the start and stop of the internal combustion engine due to an accelerator pedal operation and suppressing oxygen storage in the exhaust gas purification catalyst associated with the fuel-cut. As a result, exhaust gas purification performance at the time of restarting the internal combustion engine is ensured. |
| US10215111B2 |
Controller and control method for internal combustion engine
To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of estimating the cylinder internal pressure of the combustion cylinder accurately in consideration of the torsional vibration of the crankshaft. A controller for an internal combustion engine includes a torsional torque calculator that calculates a value which has an amplitude of the maximum value of torsional vibration torque calculated based on a crank angle acceleration in the combustion period, and vibrates with a preliminarily set natural angular frequency, as a torsional vibration torque in the combustion period; and a cylinder internal pressure estimator that calculates a combustion gas pressure torque, by use of the equation of motion of the rotation system of the crankshaft, based on the crank angle, the crank angle acceleration, and the torsional vibration torque, and estimates the cylinder internal pressure of the combustion cylinder based on the combustion gas pressure torque. |
| US10215109B2 |
Method for regulating the charge pressure of a supercharged internal combustion engine with at least two compressors, and internal combustion engine for carrying out such a method
A method for regulating the charge pressure pboost of a supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method may include adjusting each of two wastegates, a variable turbine geometry, and a downstream compressor bypass valve to regulate engine boost pressure as a function of a first setpoint value for pressure between compressors and a pressure difference in a first regulation loop, a second setpoint value for pressure downstream of multiple compressors, and the pressure difference in a second regulation loop. |
| US10215105B1 |
Integrated VDA housing with anti-rotation feature
A throttle control assembly which includes a throttle body housing, an adapter integrally formed with the throttle body housing, a housing portion being part of the adapter, and a central port which extends through the throttle body housing and the adapter. A first groove is integrally formed as part of the adapter, a second groove is integrally formed as part of the throttle body housing, and a rib portion disposed between the first groove and the second groove. The rib portion is formed as part of the adapter, and an anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the throttle body housing. The anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the throttle body housing during a molding process. The anti-rotation feature may be formed in different locations on the outer surface of the housing, allowing the throttle body assembly to be suitable for various applications having different design and packaging requirements. |
| US10215101B2 |
Integrated environmental control system manifold
A compressor intermediate case for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of intermediate case struts joining the compressor intermediate case to an inner engine structure. Each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts includes a leading edge. A turning scoop is disposed at the leading edge of each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts. A plurality of diffusers extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case so that each diffuser of the plurality of diffusers engages with a corresponding turning scoop. A substantially annular structural fire wall extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case. An environmental control system manifold is disposed on the compressor intermediate case. The environmental control system manifold includes an exit port. |
| US10215096B2 |
Engine with nose cone heat exchanger and radially outer discharge
A gas turbine engine has a nose cone, a fan for delivering air into a bypass duct as bypass flow, and into a core engine to be delivered to a compressor. The nose cone includes a vent to receive air and deliver the air across a heat exchanger, which receives a fluid to be cooled. The air from the vents is delivered to an outlet downstream of the heat exchanger, such that a majority of the air being delivered to the outlet becomes part of the bypass flow. |
| US10215091B2 |
Anti-vibration device for vehicle
A variable compression ratio engine (1) is provided with a multi-link mechanism (101) between a piston (102) and a crankshaft (103). The multi-link mechanism (101) includes an upper link (104), a lower link (105) and a control link (106). An anti-vibration device (6) for vehicles is attached between the upper part of the engine (1) and a vehicle body to which the engine (1) is mounted. The anti-vibration device (6) includes a rod body (63) having a first elastic connecting part (61) at one end and a second elastic connecting part (62) at another end. The first elastic connecting part (61) is connected to the engine (1). The second elastic connecting part (62) is connected to the vehicle body. The anti-vibration device (6) further includes an inertial mass (641) supported by the rod body (63), an actuator (64) configured to reciprocate the inertial mass (641) in an axial direction (C) of the rod body (63), and a control unit (65) configured to control the actuator (64) so that the inertial mass (641) receives force in accordance with a displacement speed of the rod body (63) in the axial direction (C). The rod body (63) has a rigid body resonance frequency lower than a resonant frequency of bending and torsion of the engine (1). |
| US10215089B2 |
Variable-flow-rate valve mechanism and turbocharger
In a variable-flow-rate valve mechanism, a valve is fitted into an attachment hole of an attachment member. The valve allows for play with the attachment member, and includes a valve body provided with a valve surface. A valve shaft is integrally formed in the center of a head portion of the valve body. A stopping member is provided to a leading end portion of the valve shaft. A leaf spring is provided to the valve shaft. The leaf spring includes a folded-back portion formed by bending. An insertion hole is formed in one end portion of the leaf spring. A cutout portion is formed in another end portion of the leaf spring. The one end portion of the leaf spring is fixed to the attachment member and the other end portion of the leaf spring is pressed to the head portion of the valve body. |
| US10215085B2 |
Turbocharger
In a two-stage supercharging electric-assist turbocharger, a first compressor wheel, a rotor of an electric motor, a second compressor wheel, and a turbine wheel are coaxially coupled to a same, common shaft member, in that order. A compressor housing is structured to define therein a communicating passage to accommodate the electric motor in the communicating passage. A first water jacket is formed in at least one rib integrally formed with an outer periphery of a motor housing and also serving as a radiating fin, for forced-cooling air flowing through the communicating passage. A second water jacket is formed in a motor housing for forced-cooling a stator of the electric motor. A third water jacket is formed in an intermediate housing constructing a part of the compressor housing for forced-cooling a control unit configured to control the electric motor. |
| US10215070B2 |
Power generation system exhaust cooling
An airflow control system for a gas turbine system according to an embodiment includes: an airflow generation system for attachment to a rotatable shaft of a gas turbine system for drawing in an excess flow of air through an air intake section; a mixing area for receiving an exhaust gas stream produced by the gas turbine system; an air extraction system for extracting at least a portion of the excess flow of air generated by the airflow generation system to provide bypass air; an enclosure surrounding the gas turbine system and forming an air passage, the bypass air flowing through the air passage and around the gas turbine system into the mixing area to reduce a temperature of the exhaust gas stream; and an exhaust processing system for processing the reduced temperature exhaust gas stream. |
| US10215069B2 |
Pressure relief system for diesel exhaust fluid storage
A system for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) vessel pressure relief for a vehicle is includes a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) storage tank, and a DEF pump assembly in an interior of the DEF storage tank. The DEF pump assembly includes a DEF pump having a pump body, a fluid pressure sensor fastened to an exterior of the pump body and configured to sense a DEF pressure, and a fluid temperature sensor fastened to the exterior of the pump body and configured to sense a DEF temperature. The system further includes a fluid channel, and a heating element in thermal communication with the fluid channel, where the heating element is configured to heat the fluid channel to displace DEF from a location proximate to the pump body. |
| US10215064B2 |
Composite profile evaluating method and composite profile measuring device
A composite profile evaluating method includes an adjusting step and a composite profile detecting step. In the adjusting step, a relative position between a fixed cam and a movable cam is adjusted. In the composite profile detecting step, at least either one of a first contact element, which is displaced along a diametrical direction of the fixed cam upon contacting a cam surface of the fixed cam, and a second contact element, which is displaced integrally with the first contact element and along a diametrical direction of the movable cam upon contacting a cam surface of the movable cam, is brought into contact with the cam surface of the fixed cam or the movable cam. In such a state, the composite profile is obtained by rotating the fixed cam and the movable cam, and detecting the amounts of displacement of the first and second contact elements. |
| US10215063B2 |
Valve gear for engine and method of manufacturing rocker arms
A valve gear for an engine includes a camshaft including a cam, a rocker shaft, and a first rocker arm which swings when pressed by the cam. The valve gear includes a spring, which biases the first rocker arm and a second rocker arm which presses an intake valve or an exhaust valve, in a return direction. The valve gear includes a first pin hole of the first rocker arm, a second pin hole and a third pin hole of the second rocker arm, a first switch pin, a second switch pin, a third switch pin, and a switch which switches between a connected state and a non-connected state of the switch pins. The second rocker arm includes a stopper against which the first rocker arm abuts. When the first rocker arm abuts against the stopper, all of the pin holes are located on the same axis. |
| US10215062B2 |
Switching rocker arm assembly having spring retaining configuration
A switching rocker arm assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes an outer arm, an inner arm, a bearing axle, and a first and second torsional bearing axle spring. The outer arm has a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The outer arm further includes a first tang extending from the first outer side arm and a second tang extending from the second outer side arm. The outer arm defines a first slot inboard of the first tang and a second slot inboard of the second tang. The first torsional bearing axle spring is mounted around a first torsional spring boss and has a first end nestingly received at the first slot and a second end engaged to the bearing axle. The first ends of the first and second torsional springs are laterally constrained by the respective first and second tangs. |
| US10215059B2 |
Active draft control for combined cycle power plant shutdown
A system and method for active draft control through a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) can initiate a CCPP shutdown, activate the recirculated exhaust gas (REG) system for the turbomachine; measure a HRSG airflow through the HRSG; communicate the HRSG airflow to a controller configured to condition a control signal; and adjust a recirculated exhaust gas volume in accordance with the control signal. |
| US10215058B2 |
Turbine power generation system having emergency operation means, and emergency operation method therefor
Discloses is a turbine power generation system having an emergency operation means and an emergency operation method therefor that are capable of controlling excess heat accumulated during emergency operation, and recycling the accumulated heat. A turbine power generation system includes: an inlet sensor part including a thermometer, a pressure gauge, and a flowmeter that are installed between the heater and the inlet valve and; an emergency discharge part including a branch pipe connected to the steam, and a heat control means installed on the branch pipe. Accordingly, the system and the method are capable of reducing a heat overload during an emergency operation by transferring a heat amount exchanged in the heat storage device to the heat consuming facility, minimizing thermal consumption by recycling the same, and preventing various problems caused by stopping an operation of the turbine power generation system. |
| US10215056B2 |
Turbine shroud with movable attachment features
A turbine shroud for positioning radially outside of blades of a turbine rotor includes a carrier, a blade track, and a track attachment system. The blade track is moved radially outwardly into a cavity of the carrier, and the track attachment system is adjusted to block radially inward movement of the blade track out of the cavity. |
| US10215054B2 |
Secondary sealing system
The present disclosure includes sealing systems comprising a secondary seal with one or more of a knife edge seal and a discourager. The secondary seal may act to isolate an interface between an inner and outer shaft and a bearing compartment. The inner and outer shafts may be high pressure compressor and low pressure turbine shafts, respectively. |
| US10215052B2 |
Inter-shaft bearing arrangement
A sleeve is provided for supplying lubricant to an inter-shaft bearing mounted between co-axially mounted inner and outer shafts of a gas turbine engine. The sleeve has a sleeve annular outer surface and a sleeve annular inner surface. At least one lubricant supply connecting member extends from the sleeve outer surface for connection to a lubricant supply. At least one sleeve channel fluidly links the sleeve annular inner surface to the lubricant supply connecting member. |
| US10215051B2 |
Gas turbine engine component providing prioritized cooling
A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform having a non-gas path surface and a gas path surface, a cover plate positioned relative to the non-gas path surface and a cooling passage that extends between the cover plate and the non-gas path surface. At least one cooling entrance is formed through the cover plate and configured to bias the flow of a cooling fluid toward a prioritized location of the non-gas path surface. |
| US10215050B2 |
Apparatus for energy absorption, a turbo-machine and a method for energy absorption
An apparatus for absorption of an impact energy from at least one blade fragment is disclosed. The impact energy acts on an element that is inserted into an opening in a turbo-machine. The opening passes radially through a housing section in a region of a row of rotating blades. The apparatus has a holder for holding the element in an ideal position and releasing the element beyond a preset maximum load and has a cage at a rear to secure the element in a radially outward-directed displacement. A turbo-machine having such an apparatus, as well as a method for multistage energy absorption, is also disclosed. |
| US10215049B2 |
Air cycle machine lockout tool
A lockout tool for an air cycle machine includes a lockout tool body threaded section, a lockout tool body end section, and a lockout tool body conical tip. The lockout tool body threaded section is operable to engage a threaded port of the air cycle machine that is proximate to a shaft of the air cycle machine. The lockout tool body end section includes a rotation interface operable to receive a rotational force to control engagement of the lockout tool body threaded section with the threaded port. The lockout tool body conical tip is operable to engage the shaft of the air cycle machine to prevent rotation of the shaft. |
| US10215047B2 |
Actuation system utilizing MEMS technology
An actuator includes a pump including a first cavity and a diaphragm coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The diaphragm is configured to pressurize a fluid contained in the first cavity. The pump further includes a first valve coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The first valve is configured to release fluid from the first cavity when the first cavity is pressurized. The actuator also includes a piston assembly operatively coupled to the pump. |
| US10215046B2 |
Airfoil platform having dual pin apertures and a vertical stiffener
A platform for an airfoil in a gas turbine engine is provided. The platform includes a top wall configured to connect to an airfoil of the gas turbine engine, two sidewalls extending downward from the top wall a connector attached to and connecting the two sidewalls, wherein the top wall, the sidewalls, and the connector define an interior volume of the platform, and a single stiffener extending from the connector to the top wall within the interior volume between the two sidewalls. The connector defines two parallel apertures passing through the connector. |
| US10215035B2 |
Turbine wheels with preloaded blade attachment
A wheel assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The wheel assembly includes a disk arranged for rotation about a central axis and formed to include a plurality of slots. The wheel assembly also includes a plurality of blades sized to be received in the plurality of slots so that the blades are coupled to the disk for common rotation about the central axis. The wheel assembly further includes a plurality of blade biasers positioned in the slots between the disk and the blades so that the blade biasers are engaged with the disk and the blades to preload the blades away from the central axis. |
| US10215030B2 |
Cooling hole for a gas turbine engine component
A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a wall having an internal surface, an outer skin and a cooling hole having an inlet extending from the internal surface and merging into a metering section, and a diffusion section downstream of the metering section that extends to an outlet located at the outer skin. At least two lobes are embedded within the diffusion section of the cooling hole. At least one surface of each of the at least two lobes is at least partially cylindrical. |
| US10215028B2 |
Turbine blade with heat shield
An airfoil assembly for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The airfoil assembly includes a root, a tip shroud, and an airfoil located between the root and tip shroud. The airfoil includes a spar and a heat shield arranged around the spar. |
| US10215026B2 |
Pump module and electric pump including the same
A pump module may include a pump rotor coupled to a rotating shaft of a motor, and a pump housing configured to accommodate the pump rotor. The pump housing includes a rotor accommodating part having an insertion groove formed therein to accommodate the pump rotor, and a cover connected with the rotor accommodating part and having a fluid sucking hole and a fluid discharging hole. |
| US10215025B2 |
Rotation device and rotor compressor and fluid motor having the same
A rotating device includes a cylinder body, a front end cover, a rear end cover, a main shaft, an eccentric rotor assembly and an isolation mechanism. The eccentric rotor assembly includes an eccentric shaft, a rolling piston wheel and at least one rolling bearing. In the rotating device, the eccentric shaft is isolated from the rolling piston wheel by the rolling bearing and the two are rotated, and the cylinder body is reliably sealed by an elastic pre-tightening force. Further provided are a rotor compressor using the rotating device, and a fluid motor. A rotating valve body and a rotating valve body reset mechanism in the rotating device are also improved. |
| US10215022B2 |
Guard filtering system for focused sampling probe
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for sampling a fluid from an environment having a primary filtering on a focused sampling probe and guard filtering system that is exposed upon movement of the focused sampling probe. |
| US10215011B2 |
Pipeline element fitted with a monitoring system
An element configured to be mounted at an end of a pipe suited to circulation of a fluid to extend the pipe. The element includes a hollow profiled body including a peripheral surface and a protective covering at least partially covering the peripheral surface. The element further includes a sensor of guided waves type, control electronics for the guided wave sensor, and an electric cable configured to connect the control electronics to corresponding electronics of the pipe. The electric cable and the guided wave sensor are fixed to the peripheral surface of the body under at least part of the protective covering. |
| US10215010B1 |
Anti-whirl systems and methods
Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating whirl are described. The system includes a controller and a drive system. The controller is configured to collect downhole information, determine a natural frequency of a drill string in the lateral motion, determine correlative relationships, model a forward whirl region, generate a control algorithm, determine a top drive supervisory setpoint, and provide operational control signals. The drive system is configured to receive the one or more operational control signals and limit the top drive RPM. |
| US10215009B2 |
System and console for monitoring data stream quality in drilling and production operations at a well site
A well advisor system and console for monitoring and managing monitoring and managing data stream quality in well drilling and production operations. The system may be accessed through one or more workstations, or other computing devices, which may be located at a well site or remotely. The system is in communication with and receives input from various sensors. It collects real-time sensor data sampled during operations at the well site. The system processes the data, and provides nearly instantaneous numerical and visual feedback through a variety of graphical user interfaces (“GUIs”), which are presented in the form of an operation-specific console. A plurality of data checks are dynamically run on the data streams to determine the presence and quality of the data, and data quality indicators are presented on the various consoles and dashboards. |
| US10215008B2 |
Polymeric metal crosslinker for shear tolerant fracturing fluid application
A method of treating a subterranean formation includes introducing a viscosified treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including an aqueous fluid, a gelling agent, and a crosslinker including a copolymer with an interpenetrating monomer and organic bound metal ions. A composition includes an aqueous fluid, a gelling agent; and a crosslinker including a copolymer with an interpenetrating monomer and organic bound metal ions. |
| US10215000B2 |
Serial parallel power controller
A power controller includes at least a first and a second power supply each having a positive and a negative output terminal. A voltage measuring circuit is coupled to the positive and negative output terminals of at least one of the power supplies. A main switching element is coupled between the negative output terminal of the first power supply and the positive output terminal of the second power supply. The positive output terminal of the first power supply and the negative output terminal of the second power supply are connected to an electrical load. A pair of diodes is serially connected across the electrical load. The voltage measuring circuit is configured to close the main switching element when a measured voltage exceeds a selected threshold such that the first power supply and the second power supply are connected to the electrical load in parallel when the main switching element is closed. |
| US10214998B2 |
Shear mechanism with preferential shear orientation
An example whipstock assembly includes a whipstock providing a ramped surface and a longitudinal groove defined in the ramped surface. A lead mill is coupled to the whipstock with a shear fastener that provides resilience against premature shearing under torsional loads between the lead mill and the whipstock, while providing susceptibility to shearing under a predetermined axial load. |
| US10214995B2 |
Manipulating a downhole rotational device
A system includes a valve housing with a port formed in a wall of the housing, a rotation sleeve disposed in the valve housing, an orienting sleeve with an orienting feature disposed in and fixed to the valve housing, and a shifter. The rotation sleeve is rotatable relative to the valve housing and includes a port formed therethrough. The shifter includes engagement features disposed a distance from each other along a length of the shifter and a rotational distance from each other about a circumference of the shifter. The engagement features are receivable into corresponding features of the orienting sleeve and the rotation sleeve to rotate the rotation sleeve relative to the valve housing as the shifter travels through the valve housing. The system may be used to selectively manipulate any number of valves in downhole equipment. |
| US10214989B2 |
Mixing and injecting fiber-based stimulation fluids
An emulsion is mixed with fibers while the emulsion is moving through a surface tubing using a venturi. The fiber/emulsion mixture is injected into a pressurized tank and the pressurized fiber/emulsion mixture is injected from the pressurized tank into a desired location in a wellbore. Pumps and pressure boosters may be used to move the fluid. |
| US10214987B2 |
Downhole tool with integrated scale removal feature
A downhole tool including a settable member, a scale removal feature depending from the settable member, the scale removal feature including a protrusion extending radially inwardly from an inside dimension of the settable member. |
| US10214986B2 |
Variable ram for a blowout preventer and an associated method thereof
A variable ram for a blowout preventer is disclosed. The variable ram includes a ram block and a ram packer assembly disposed at least in part within the ram block. The ram packer assembly includes a plurality of inserts and a packer member. The plurality of inserts is configured to form an insert array, where the insert array includes a peripheral surface, and where the peripheral surface of the insert array is disposed facing an opening configured to receive a tubular member. The packer member is coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of inserts for providing a unitary structure to the ram packer assembly, where the packer member protrudes from the peripheral surface of the insert array into the opening to define a bore face of the variable ram, and where the packer member includes an elastomeric material. |
| US10214984B2 |
Gripping tool for removing a section of casing from a well
A system including a gripping tool and a rotary cutting tool may be used to grip a section of casing while cutting through a lower portion of the casing in a single trip. The gripping tool includes a mandrel with a flow bore extending therethrough, a slip actuator received on the mandrel, at least one slip corresponding to the slip actuator, a housing disposed around at least a proximal end of the mandrel, and a collet assembly disposed proximate the at least one slip. The rotary cutting tool is coupled to the mandrel. The gripping tool also includes a bearing assembly that enables the mandrel and the rotary cutting tool to rotate while the at least one slip is remains stationary engaging an interior wall of a casing. The system may include a hydraulic power section to help with setting the slips and removing the cut casing from the wellbore. |
| US10214981B2 |
Fingered member for a downhole tool
A fingered member for a downhole tool that includes: a circular body; a plurality of fingers extending from the circular body; a recessed region formed in the circular body; a void formed between respective fingers; and a transition zone between the circular body and the plurality of fingers. The transition zone further includes an inner surface and an outer surface. |
| US10214979B2 |
Swivel pressure head and method of use
A swivel pressure head includes a fixation mechanism detachably securing an upper housing to a lower housing. The upper housing includes an internal bore extending from a fluid inlet to an opening on a bottom surface of the upper housing. The lower housing includes a central bore. A pressure sleeve is disposed within the internal bore of the upper housing and within the central bore of the lower housing. A locking nut operatively engages the pressure sleeve and is configured to engage a swivel stem so that rotation of the swivel stem rotates the pressure sleeve. A packing assembly positioned in the internal bore of the upper housing fluidly seals between a wall of the internal bore and an outer surface of the pressure sleeve to direct a fluid flow from the internal bore of the upper housing through a fluid inlet and an internal bore of the pressure sleeve. |
| US10214970B1 |
Post and non-elongated substructure drilling rig
A land-based drilling rig includes a drill rig floor, the drill rig floor including a V-door, a side of the drill rig floor having the V-door defining a V-door side of the drill rig floor and an opposite V-door side of the drill rig floor opposite the V-door side of the drill rig floor. The land-based drilling rig also includes a mast, the mast mechanically coupled to the drill rig floor. Further, the land-based drilling rig includes at least four support bases, each support base coupled to the drill rig floor by a telescoping support arm, the support base and telescoping arm forming a support, wherein the support bases are square or cylindrical. |
| US10214967B2 |
Composite polycrystalline diamond body
In this novel PDC cutter, diamond powders of different composition and/or different grain size, are distributed, shaped, and compacted with a novel pressing tool, in multiple stages, spatially arranged into different regions of the PDC diamond body, then HPHT sintered to form one PDC body with spatially varying hardness, toughness and thermal resistance. |
| US10214966B2 |
Rotary drill bits with back-up cutting elements to optimize bit life
A multi-layer downhole drilling tool designed for drilling a wellbore including a plurality of formations is disclosed. The drilling tool includes a bit body including a rotational axis extending therethrough. A plurality of blades are disposed on exterior portions of the bit body. A plurality of primary cutting elements and a plurality of back-up cutting elements are disposed on exterior portions of the plurality of blades. The back-up cutting elements are track set with corresponding primary cutting elements, and each back-up cutting element is disposed on a different blade than the corresponding primary cutting element. |
| US10214965B2 |
Method and an installation for cutting up a mass of reinforced concrete
Disclosed are examples of methods and systems for cutting up a reinforced concrete mass, in which a drilling tool is provided. In various embodiments, the drilling tool comprises: a drill tube carrying a cutter member; a device for causing the drill tube to vibrate, the device comprising a vibration generator for generating longitudinal vibration in the drill tube; a device for injecting a drilling fluid at the distal end of the drill tube; and a device for moving the drill tube along its longitudinal direction. In the disclosed methods and systems, the reinforced concrete mass is cut up by drilling at least one hole with the help of the drill tool by causing the drill tube to vibrate while injecting the drilling fluid into the mass from the distal end of the drill tube. |
| US10214958B2 |
Customizable glass wall system
A customizable glass wall system is disclosed. The system comprises at least two glazed, transparent panes mounted to a frame, which is preferably less than five inches thick. The frame includes a removable headboard whereon multiple rollers are mounted. A film is attached to each of the rollers. The films can be selectively extended and retracted behind the transparent panes in the glass wall system by means of the rollers. Each of the films can be controlled individually by a motor driving each of the rollers. The films can be arranged in any combination to perform various functions, but most importantly, to allow various amounts and types of light to pass through the window system in order to control the thermal insulation of the glass wall system. The system can be automated based on time, amount of sunlight, weather, temperature, and user preference. |
| US10214954B2 |
Thermally broken door panel
A door assembly with the dual support connector has a door panel, a glass pane, a dual support connector assembly, a fixed sealing frame for engaging the dual support connector assembly, a seal-less removable frame for attaching to the attachment (dual support connector assembly) on an opposite side of the fixed sealing frame, and a fastener engaging the dual support connector assembly to the fixed sealing frame. The dual support connector assembly has a clip body, a door flange extending from the clip body, a glass flange extending from the clip body in parallel with the door flange. |
| US10214951B2 |
Door hinge having damping function
A door hinge having a damping function, comprising a housing, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a U-shaped rotating shaft, a hinge cup, a linkage member, a torsion spring, a connector, a supporting structure, and a damping structure; one end of the linkage member is rotationally provided in the housing by means of the first rotating shaft, and the other end of the linkage member is rotationally connected to the hinge cup by means of one arm of the U-shaped rotating shaft; one end of the connector is rotationally provided in the housing by means of the second rotating shaft, and the other end of the connector is rotationally connected to the hinge cup by means of the other arm of the U-shaped rotating shaft; the torsion spring is fitted over the second rotating shaft. |
| US10214949B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator of this embodiment includes a housing that includes a storeroom, a door that is rotatably provided in the housing through a hinge portion and opens or closes an opening of the storeroom by the rotation, a connection line that is led out to the vicinity of the hinge portion, and a wireless communication apparatus that includes a wireless communication unit and is connected to the connection line. |
| US10214947B2 |
Door lock assembly for a dwelling
A door lock assembly for use with a door comprising a movable locking assembly disposed within a recess formed in an edge of a door panel having one or more movable wedge shaped locking elements disposable between a locked position and an unlocked position and having first teeth associated therewith, and a frame member having a channel and second teeth associated therewith, wherein when assembled the locking element is disposed substantially within the channel formed in the frame element when disposed in the locked position, and wherein one or more the first teeth of the locking element are adapted to selectively engage with one or more of the second teeth when a force is applied to the door. |
| US10214946B2 |
Locking device
A locking device includes a lever turnably provided relative to a lid member, and switched from an initial state to an operating state against an urging force or self-weight; a lock rod sliding in association with turning of the lever; and a braking device. The locking device locks the lid member in a main member side through the lock rod, and switches the lid member to be unlocked by turning of the lever. The braking device is a rotation damper including a braking shaft with a gear, and placed to approximately conform to a turning center of the lever relative to the lever to damp the lever and the lock rod. The rotation damper includes an operation gear disposed to engage the gear of the rotation damper, associate the gear with sliding of the lock rod, and rotate the gear in a direction opposite to the turning of the lever. |
| US10214943B2 |
Vehicle door latch mechanism
A latch assembly includes a housing, a door latch member and a release member. The door latch member pivots about a first pivot axis. The release member pivots about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis located within the housing operatively coupled to the latch retaining member. An inertia activated lock-out mechanism is fixedly attached to the housing and includes a locking member within the housing that pivots about a third pivot axis spaced apart from the first and second pivot axes. The first, second and third pivot axes are all parallel to one another at fixed locations within the housing. The locking member pivots between a locking position preventing movement of the release member and a non-interfering position in which the locking member is spaced apart from the release member allowing the release member to be movable. |
| US10214935B2 |
Supporting temporary barriers
A base for a temporary barrier has a spigot or socket to receive a fencing pole or to cooperate with a plastics fencing panel. The base has a support portion of plastics material on which is provided the spigot or socket. A pair of stabilizing members of plastics material of low profile extending in opposite directions from the support portion. A stiffening member is connected to each stabilizing member and extends horizontally from adjacent the remote end of one stabilizing member to adjacent the remote end of the other stabilizing member. In one form a pair of metal tubes extend upwardly and are connected to a hollow metal portion through which the stiffening member passes. In another form, a plastics portion projects upwardly and defines a socket. |
| US10214933B2 |
Pool cleaner power supply
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. |
| US10214930B1 |
Low profile circular drain with water stop for swimming pool
A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa. |
| US10214928B2 |
Wireless control system and method for mobile hydraulic stages
A deployable mobile stage system including a remote mobile computing device which acts as a controller. The mobile computing device can be any basic personal computing device such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop, or proprietary control unit. The mobile computing device interfaces wirelessly with a receiver unit located on the mobile stage. The receiver unit relays commands to a hydraulic system which then commands various valves to open and/or close, thereby transforming the mobile stage from a first, deployed position to a second, transport position or back. |
| US10214924B1 |
Method of using a panel framing device to build panels for use in house construction
This invention is directed toward a panel framing device. The device comprises a portable framing table that can be driven in a trailer to remote locations and a pre-printed roll of framing tape that is used to tell a worker where different parts of a framed panel will go. The goal of the device is to facilitate the building of structures using a panel approach, with the framing table and template tape minimizing the chances that a worker will make a mistake in either the selection of materials or the location of the materials. The technology can also be used to construct entire walls, which are then either transported to the site, or merely “tilted-up” into place, having been constructed on the slab. |
| US10214923B2 |
Sealing plug for closing holes in walls and the like
According to one embodiment a sealing plug is provided that includes an elastic body and a stem assembled coaxially with respect to one another. The elastic body is suitable for being expanded radially by pulling on the free end of the stem, which projects out of the elastic body, once it is inserted into the hole to be plugged, the elastic body applying a closing pressure against the hole. The sealing plug also comprises an empty space, arranged between the elastic body and the stem, which is communicated with the outside, such that the entrance of fluid into the elastic body is allowed so that the fluid applies pressure against the elastic body, thereby increasing the closing pressure applied by the elastic body against the hole. |
| US10214921B2 |
Floor panel
A floor panel has a rectangular and oblong shape, and includes a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate and forming a decorative side of the floor panel. The top layer is composed of a print provided on a carrier sheet and a transparent thermoplastic layer situated above the print. The substrate has a thickness from 2 to 10 millimeter and forms at least half of the thickness of the floor panel. The substrate is a polyurethane-based substrate and the transparent thermoplastic layer is polyurethane-based. The floor panel has a length of more than 1.1 meters and has a plurality of reinforcing layers situated outside the center line of the substrate. A reinforcing layer may be provided in combination with the substrate and the top layer. |
| US10214920B2 |
Composite epoxy resin board and forming method thereof
A composite epoxy resin board, made from a raw material which includes the following weight percentage of components: waste prepreg powders of 5% to 100%, and waste printed circuit board (PCB) powders of 0% to 95%, is disclosed. The present invention adopts the waste prepregs as the main preparation raw material, which not only recycles and reuses prepreg scraps, but also reduces or even eliminates the use of adhesives due to the high epoxy resin content in the prepregs, while also reducing the glue-mixing time in the forming process, thereby simplifying the forming technology. |
| US10214915B2 |
Mechanical lockings of floor panels and a tongue blank
Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other. A set of floor panel provided with a locking system including a displaceable tongue in a displacement groove in a first edge of a first floor panel, cooperating for vertical locking of the edges with a tongue groove in adjacent second edges of a second floor panel, the locking system further including a locking strip with a locking element in one edge which cooperates, for horizontal locking of the edges, with a locking groove in an adjacent edge, the displaceable tongue includes a protrusion and the displacement groove a cavity, the protrusion is slideable against a wall of the cavity to obtain a displacement of the tongue in a first direction perpendicular to the edges and thereby the vertical locking of the edges. |
| US10214913B2 |
Powder based balancing layer
A method of manufacturing a building panel with a decorative surface layer, a core and a balancing and/or protective layer, wherein the method includes applying a first layer of a first powder based mix, including wood fibers and a thermosetting binder, on a core; applying a liquid substance on the first powder based mix; drying the first powder based mix; turning the core with the dried first powder based mix such that the first powder based mix points downwards; applying a second layer on the upper part of the core; and curing the first and second layers by providing heat and pressure, wherein the first layer forms the balancing and/or protective layer and the second layer forms the decorative surface layer in the building panel. |
| US10214909B1 |
Flashing system for anchoring flexible roofing membranes and its associated method of installation
A system and method of anchoring a roofing membrane to a vertical wall along the periphery of a flat roof. The roof membrane is partially extended up any peripheral wall that abuts the flat roof. A mounting plate is affixed to the peripheral wall with mechanical fasteners. A portion of the roofing membrane becomes locked between the mounting plate and the peripheral wall. A tubular structure is provided on the mounting plate that faces away from the roofing membrane. A cover plate is provided. The cover plate is mounted to the tubular structure on the mounting plate. The cover plate covers and protects the mounting plate and the edge of the roofing membrane under the mounting plate. The cover plate is attached with mechanical fasteners. The tubular structure provides room for the mechanical fasteners to terminate without compromising the mounting plate that is pressed against the roofing membrane. |
| US10214908B2 |
Roofing product including a heater
A roofing product can include a substrate and a heater. The roofing product may be placed along portions of a roof where heat can help to reduce the likelihood of water freezing into ice while along a roof. In an embodiment, a hinge can be used in a roofing product to aid in folding of the roofing product or to retain a non-planar shape of the roofing product. The roofing product may or may not include a self-adhesive backing. A roofing product can include plurality of heaters that can provide sufficient heating should a particular heater fail. Method of fabricating the roofing product can be adapted for a fabrication line that can operate continuously. |
| US10214906B2 |
Reverse ballasted roof system
A converted reverse ballasted roof system is provided including a structural roof beam. Insulation is positioned upwardly adjacent the structural roof beam, and a first waterproofing membrane is arranged upwardly adjacent the first waterproofing membrane. A weighted cover board is disposed upwardly adjacent the first waterproofing membrane and a second waterproofing membrane is installed upwardly adjacent the weighted cover board. The first water proofing membrane and the second waterproofing membrane substantially seal the weighted cover board. |
| US10214905B2 |
Composite structure members for construction of multi-floor structures
The present invention relates to structure members having a body made of a composite material comprising at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin, and pluralities of connection extensions which are one-piece with said body in order to provide connection to another structure member with the same properties, and the present invention relates to a structure formed by said structure members. |
| US10214904B2 |
Trusses and similar structures
A truss structure is suitable for supporting lighting fixtures or other loads both in use and in transport. The truss has at least four elongated chords defining between said chords a first volume generally rectangular in cross-section. In transport, the truss is supported substantially above a surface by castered carriages bearing upon that surface, the carriages connected to said truss and in a first position producing an additional volume between said first volume and said surface. The carriages are attached to the truss so as to permit their rotation between said first position and at least a second position suitable for use while remaining connected to said truss. |
| US10214897B2 |
Hanger bracket
A hanger bracket for mounting a skewed beam at a junction of two adjacent beams includes a supporting section configured to support the skewed beam. Fixing flanges substantially perpendicular to the supporting section are configured for attaching the bracket to the adjacent beams along surfaces of the fixing flanges positioned to engage respective ones of the adjacent beams when attached thereto. The surfaces define planes that are non-parallel and non-coincident with each other. Reinforcing faces are located between the supporting section and each of the fixing flanges. The reinforcing faces are inclined relative to the supporting section and fixing flanges. Holes in at least one of the supporting section and the reinforcing faces are configured to receive fasteners to secure the skewed beam to the hanger bracket. |
| US10214896B2 |
Decking clip
The present disclosure is directed to a single-sided deck clip that allows an approach to deck board installation with hidden fasteners, and without grooving both edges of a deck board. By not grooving edges, perimeter trim can include one square finished edge on ending pieces. The single-sided clip allows for attaching fasteners through the clip at an angle that penetrates both a deck board and an underlying joist, thus providing a positive connection of decking to joist framing below. In another embodiment, a clip magazine is disclosed that stores, supplies, and assists in installation of single-sided deck clips and fasteners. The clip magazine can hold a plurality fasteners and single-sided deck clips. The magazine allows the single-sided clips and fasteners to be positioned relative to the deck board, and allows fasteners to be aligned with a single-sided clip, and pushed into a deck board during installation. |
| US10214895B2 |
Building having security and safety function
A building having a security and safety function of the present invention may include: a house body that is configured to include an inner panel that defines an interior space, an outer panel that surrounds the inner panel to be spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the inner panel, a heat insulating material that is installed between the inner panel and the outer panel, and an air flow passage that is formed between the inner panel and the outer panel to facilitate a fluid flow therebetween and to block the heat transfer with respect to the outside; an indoor entrance door configured to be installed on one side of the house body for entering the interior space; and an outdoor entrance door configured to be installed on the house body in front of the indoor entrance door. The building can control the entry of children or outsides into the rooftop of the building without permission from the user in order to thereby prevent safety accidents and in order to thereby improve a security function. |
| US10214894B1 |
Portable structure
The portable structure will generally have a pod from which a suite frame and suite may be deployed. The suite will allow personnel to administer to many critical demands and activities. The portable structure may be deployed upon any terrain, whether level or uneven, rigid or soft, and both the pod and the suite may be leveled independently. Additionally, the portable structure may incorporate at least one cocoon section wherein the cocoon section comprises at least one interior layer contacting a mesh covering placed over the suite frame, at least one thermal layer affixed to the interior layer, wherein the thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal members capable of removing or adding heat to the mesh covering or a substance adjacent the at least one thermal layer and at least one exterior layer affixed to the thermal layer. |
| US10214890B2 |
Toilet coupling
A toilet having a tank including a bottom with an outlet; a pedestal having a bowl and a ledge, an inlet and three holes around the inlet are disposed in the ledge; a valve having a threaded valve body extending through the outlet to the inlet; a mounting bracket having a generally triangular base and three mounting locations disposed around an opening in the base with one mounting location proximate each corner of the base, each mounting location includes an offset mounting surface; a valve nut threaded to the valve body to hold the mounting bracket between the bottom and the valve nut; a flexible gasket disposed around the valve nut between the mounting bracket and the pedestal; and three fasteners disposed externally to the tank, each fastener extending through one mounting location and one hole in the ledge to secure the mounting bracket to the pedestal. |
| US10214889B2 |
In-toilet leak detector
An in-toilet leak detector is disclosed, as are communication systems for reporting toilet leaks. The leak detector comprises an inlet that receives water from the toilet's fill tube and diverts it through a flow tube. A capacitive sensor is located between the inlet and an opening of the flow tube from which water flows into the overflow tube of the toilet tank. A housing is connected to the flow tube and the inlet and contains a controller and other electronics, including one or more transceivers. The leak detector measures the duration of water flow and establishes an alert if the water flow is shorter or longer in duration than a calibrated normal duration. The transceivers connect the leak detector to a computer network, and leak alerts are communicated to a server or servers so that they can be forwarded directly to those responsible for fixing the toilets. |
| US10214888B2 |
Device for supplying a product inside a toilet bowl
The device includes a replaceable reservoir (1) of a product, and a predetermined quantity of the product is supplied to an interior of a toilet bowl. The device includes first (3) and second (4) housings, interconnected therebetween, the first housing (3) being connected to the replaceable reservoir (1) and mixing the toilet flush water and the product in the second housing (4). The device further includes a valve (5) movable between two positions, including a position in which the communication between said first and second housings (3, 4) is closed and a position in which the communication between the first and second housings (3, 4) is open. The device makes it possible to dose a predetermined quantity of product mixed with the toilet flush water in the interior of a toilet bowl. |
| US10214884B1 |
Basin faucet
A basin faucet includes a curved faucet made of a metal material and a soft pipe made of a plastic material. The soft pipe is mounted in the curved faucet. One end of the soft pipe is connected with a water outlet connector, and another end of the soft pipe is connected with a water inlet connector. One end of the water inlet connector is fixed to the curved faucet. Another end of the water inlet connector is connected with a water inlet pipe. The water outlet connector is fixed to the curved faucet. At least one of the water inlet connector and the water outlet connector is detachably connected with the soft pipe. The water flows in the soft pipe, not in contact with the curved faucet, and will not cause secondary pollution. The basin faucet provides non-toxic, harmless and green environment-friendly effects. |
| US10214883B2 |
Sillcock for robust re-installation
The present invention pertains to problems associated with the installation of new sillcocks in existing masonry or other building materials. A sillcock, or ‘hose bib’ having broader base plate is provided to prevent collapse especially in older or damaged building materials and to minimize damage to new installations. |
| US10214879B2 |
Tooth and adaptor for attachment of the tooth to a working machine
The present disclosure relates to a tooth (1) for attachment to the lip of a bucket of a working machine, such as an excavator or loader, via an adaptor, the tooth (1) comprising a cavity (103) for receiving a portion of said adaptor, the cavity (103) extending between said first and second opposed outer working surfaces (12, 14) from an open end (104), at said attachment end of the tooth, to a bottom end (105); the cavity (103) being delimited by an inner wall (102); said inner wall (102) comprising first and second internally facing inner walls (106, 107), being the internal surfaces associated with said first outer working surface and said second working outer surface (12,14), respectively, and opposing side walls (108), interconnecting said first and second inner walls (106, 107), the cavity defining a back portion (BP) extending along the Y axis, the back portion being at least partially located between the plane spanned by the X and Z axis and the open end (104) of the cavity, a front portion (FP) extending along the Y axis, the front portion being located between the plane spanned by the X and Z axes and the bottom end (105) of the cavity; and a stepped portion (SP), interconnecting the back portion and the front portion; in the back portion, the first and second inner walls (106, 107), each comprises a pair of essentially planar back contact surfaces (130a, b; 140a,b), being separated by a back divider region (132, 142), extending beyond the pair of first contact surfaces. The disclosure also relates to an adaptor, and to the coupling between a tooth and an adaptor. |
| US10214875B2 |
Working machine having a hydraulically operated implement
A working machine including a movable implement, a hydraulic actuator for displacing the implement, and a hydraulic control system for enabling an operator to control movement of the implement. The control system allows the implement to be returned to a desired position or state, such as a return to dig position or a return to float state, in a single automated operation that is initiated by the operator actuating a switch at the same time as moving a joystick in a desired direction. A pilot-operated valve is used to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the actuator acting on the implement and the operation of the joystick is detected by means of a pressure sensor connected to a control line of the pilot-operated valve. |
| US10214873B2 |
Valve unit for a quick-changer and quick-change system
The invention relates to a valve unit for the exclusive hydraulic actuation of the locking means of a mechanical quick-changer for attachments of a construction machine, wherein the valve unit comprises a feed pressure connector for applying the feed pressure, a first valve unit outlet for connecting an unlocking pressure line, a second valve unit outlet for connecting a locking pressure line, at least one discharge to the tank, and at least two switchable directional valves, with the feed pressure connector being connected or connectable to the second valve unit outlet via a serial connection of the at least two switchable directional valves. |
| US10214871B2 |
Screen intake flow control and support device
A screen intake has a central body with two screens attached on either end. Each of the screens has an interior that communicates with a hollow of the body via flow modifiers. These flow modifiers include one or more pipes disposed in the interior of the screens and through passages in ends of the body. A flow control support device disposed within the body supports the body's sidewall and divides the hollow into at least two portions—each communicating with flow from one of the flow modifiers. The device can include one or more plates disposed adjacent one another within the internal hollow with a peripheral edge attached to an inside of the body's sidewall. At least one of the one or more plates can be solid, or one or more of the plates can define openings therein allowing passage of at least some fluid therethrough. |
| US10214870B2 |
Buoyancy compensated erosion control module
Buoyancy compensated erosion control modules and systems are provided. One embodiment includes a shell having at least one wall oriented at an off-vertical angle, a substantially enclosed inner cavity, the inner cavity at least partially filled with a foam core, a perimeter footing at the bottom of the shell, the perimeter footing having a lower cavity that is open on the bottom, at least one vertical pile sleeve and at least one battered pile sleeve, and at least one connector to couple the module to a second module. |
| US10214859B2 |
Paper and paperboard products
The present invention is directed to products, such as paper and paperboard products, comprising a substrate containing cellulose and top ply comprising microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate, to methods of making such paper and paperboard products, and associated uses of such paper and paperboard products. The microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material are applied at the stage when the wet substrate is in the process of being formed on the wire of a papermaking machine, thereby avoiding the additional cost of more extensive equipment and machinery as well as in separate drying of a coating. The microfibrillated cellulose facilitates the application of inorganic particulate onto the surface of a wet paper or paperboard substrate when applied thusly, by trapping the inorganic particulate on the surface of the substrate and by giving the composite sufficient strength and a suitable pore structure to make it suitable for printing and other end-use demands. |
| US10214857B2 |
Methods of controlling a converting line that produces paper products
A method of controlling a paper product converting line. The method includes unwinding a paper web from a parent roll on a converting line, the converting line having a plurality of operational parameters, the paper web including a plurality of sections in a sequence, and a plurality of marks, each mark being associated with an action score, at least one action score having an action value, reading at least one of the marks, obtaining the action score associated with a second one of the marks, the second of the marks being a next mark with an action value after the one read mark, calculating a distance between the at least one read mark and the second one, changing at least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the action score, and converting the paper web into a paper product. |
| US10214847B2 |
Drum washing machine
Provided is a drum washing machine, including: an outer tank, configured in a shell; a drum, configured in the outer tank and capable of rotating by using a horizontal shaft or an inclination shaft inclining relative to a horizontal direction as a center; a rotating body, configured at a rear part of the drum and having protruding parts in contact with washings on a surface of the rotating body; a driving part, capable of operating in a first drying form and a second driving form, wherein the first driving form refers to a driving form which enables the drum and the rotating body to rotate at different rotating speeds, and the second driving form refers to a driving form which enables the drum and the rotating body to rotate integrally at the same rotating speed; and a control part. |
| US10214846B2 |
Washing machine driving device, washing machine having same, and control method therefor
An apparatus for driving a washing machine in which a washing tub and a pulsator are driven separately to thereby form a variety of washing water flows includes: an outer shaft whose one end is connected to a washing tub; an inner shaft whose one end is connected to a pulsator; a planetary gear set that decelerates a rotational speed that is transferred via the inner shaft; first and second bearings that rotatably support the planetary gear set in two-way directions; and a washing machine motor for applying a rotational force to each of the outer shaft and the inner shaft. The washing machine motor includes: an outer rotor; an inner rotor; and a double stator that rotatably drives the outer rotor and the inner rotor independently, in which the output of the pulsator is accelerated or decelerated depending on the direction of rotation of the outer rotor. |
| US10214845B1 |
Washing machine assembly
A washing machine assembly having a washing machine with an electronic control panel, a refill drawer assembly, and a drum having at least one drum paddle. A basket assembly mounts onto the at least one drum paddle. The basket assembly has at least one basket to contain articles therein to wash, and an elongated curved wall. The basket assembly may have first and second baskets. The at least one basket has first and second walls, an outer lateral wall, an inner lateral wall, and a bottom wall, which are grated. The refill drawer assembly has at least one refill housing that stores and dispenses at least one agent within the washing machine. The electronic control panel is positioned onto an interior panel of the refill drawer assembly. The washing machine further has a light emitting diode system. |
| US10214843B2 |
Control method of washing machine
A control method of a washing machine may include supplying water to a predetermined unbalance induction water level into a wash tub configured to accommodate fabric, the wash tub being rotated about a vertical axis, rotating a pulsator inside the wash tub, sensing an amount of fabric, rotating the wash tub at a constant acceleration, determining unbalance based on a current value applied to a motor in a state in which a rotational speed of the wash tub falls in a given range and the sensed amount of fabric while the wash tub is rotated at the constant acceleration, and supplying water to a first water supply level into the wash tub when the unbalance is greater than a reference value, and supplying water to a second water supply level, which is higher than the first water supply level, when the unbalance is smaller than the reference value. |
| US10214842B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub, a drum, a driving module for rotating the drum, a water supply module for supplying the wash water to the tub, a drainage module for discharging the wash water from the tub, a drying module at the cabinet for supplying heated air into the tub from an upper side of the tub to dry the laundry, and an exhaust duct coupled to the tub for discharging a fluid in the tub out of the cabinet. |
| US10214838B2 |
High modulus single twisted nylon 6.6 yarns
The present invention discloses high modulus single twisted nylon 6.6 yarns having a tensile stress value between 2.0 and 2.8 cN/dtex at 4% elongation. The single twisted yarns are prepared from a raw polyamide 6.6 yarn. The single twisted yarns are used as reinforcement in shaped rubber composites. The minimum heat shrinkage of the cords is 4% and maximum heat shrinkage is 7%. |
| US10214837B2 |
Textile stuffer box and method for texturing yarn
A textile stuffer box comprises a housing assembly having a yarn entrance and a yarn exit, and cooperating interior chamber-forming surfaces. The chamber-forming surfaces defines a multi-stage internal crimping chamber for receiving and accumulating a moving length of ply-twisted yarn between the entrance and exit of the housing assembly. The crimping chamber comprising an upstream fixed-volume stage and a downstream adjustable-volume stage. A weight-balanced gate selectively adjusts a volume of the downstream adjustable-volume stage of the crimping chamber, thereby controlling axial compression of yarn accumulating inside the upstream fixed-volume stage of the crimping chamber. |
| US10214836B1 |
Acrylic compositions including a hindered amine light stabilizer and methods of making and using the same
Acrylic compositions comprising a hindered amine light stabilizer are described herein. The acrylic composition may be in the form of a fiber, thread, yarn, and/or fabric. Also described herein are methods of making and using the acrylic compositions and articles comprising an acrylic composition as described herein. |
| US10214828B2 |
Control of current density in an electroplating apparatus
Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating metal onto substrates. In various cases, a reference electrode may be modified to promote improved electroplating results. The modifications may relate to one or more of the reference electrode's shape, position, relative conductivity compared to the electrolyte, or other design feature. In some particular examples the reference electrode may be dynamically changeable, for example having a changeable shape and/or position. In a particular example the reference electrode may be made of multiple segments. The techniques described herein may be combined as desired for individual applications. |
| US10214827B2 |
Microcrystalline anodic coatings and related methods therefor
Methods of preparing metal and metal alloys with partially microcrystalline anodic coatings are disclosed. Associated article therefrom are correspondingly disclosed. The partially microcrystalline anodic coatings exhibit fade and pattern removal resistance when subjected to sterilization processes. Partially microcrystalline anodic coating can be prepared by impregnation of micropores of a metal or metal substrate with metal precursor species, conversion of the metal precursor species into metal hydroxides, and one or more additional treatments to promote phase transformation of the metal hydroxide product into metal oxides solids and bonding with metastable metal oxide substance in the pore structure of the metal or metal alloy substrate. |
| US10214823B2 |
Bimetallic zincating processing for enhanced adhesion of aluminum on aluminum alloys
A coated metal component includes an aluminum alloy substrate and a protective aluminum coating on a substrate. An interfacial boundary layer between the coating and substrate enhances coating adhesion. The boundary layer includes isolated regions of copper or tin produced by a double zincating process. The protective aluminum coating exhibits improved adhesion and is formed by electrodeposition in an ionic liquid. |