Document Document Title
US10235033B2 Method and system for providing ambiance settings in a bathing system
A method, device and system for displaying, via a user interface, an ambiance setting for a bathing system. The user interface is configured to display at least one display page on a display screen. The method comprises displaying on the display screen, a plurality of ambiance settings selectable by a user of the user interface, receiving, at a processor, an indication of a selected ambiance setting from the plurality of ambiance settings displayed on the display screen and in response to the selected ambiance setting, displaying on the display screen a first operational setting for at least one first type of bathing unit component and a second operational setting for at least one second type of bathing unit component. The first operational setting and the second operational setting are pre-programmed in association with the selected ambiance setting.
US10235032B2 Method for optimizing a captured photo or a recorded multi-media and system and electric device therefor
A method for optimizing a captured photo is provided. In step (a), an original photo is provided. In step (b), the original photo is adjusted according to two sets of parameters to generate two test photos. In step (c), the two test photos are shown on a display of an electric device for selection. In step (d), a user's preference is generated accordingly. In step (e), the captured photo is adjusted according to the user's preference.
US10235025B2 Various systems and methods for expressing an opinion
The opinion expression application enables a user of the client device to conduct a public-initiated open-ended poll that is event-time specific in duration to express likes and dislikes about anything and anyone associated with the event. A subject field on a user interface enables the user of the client device to choose exactly about what subject matter to express his/her opinion on, and then to express his/her opinion level by activating a single opinion level button that has a very specific meaning. A server aggregates the opinion level expressed by activating the opinion level button with all of the other cast opinion levels previously submitted by users of different client machines on this poll. The server feeds the aggregation of the cast opinion levels back to each of the client devices in near real-time to be displayed. The opinion expression application limits a time period when the user can cast an opinion level about the event.
US10235021B2 Inline message alert
A computing device can be running a current context and displaying a current interface for the current context when a communication is received on the device. The device can display an alert on a portion of a display screen in conjunction with the current interface being displayed. The alert can include information about the communication, which can allow a user to better determine whether or not the communication requires immediate attention. If the user ignores the alert, it will disappear in a specified amount of time. If the user chooses to deal with the communication, he/she can tap on the alert to bring up an overlay interface for replying to the communication without having to switch to another application specifically configured for handling (e.g., viewing, replying to) the communication. After the user replies to the communication using the overlay interface, he/she can be automatically brought back to the current interface.
US10235020B2 Dynamic index for a digital magazine
A solution is provided for presenting content items of a digital magazine to a user of a digital magazine server, where a dynamic index is provided to indicate which content items are currently displayed on a display of the computing device. Multiple content items of the digital magazine can be arranged in a content panel. A dynamic index is synchronized with the display region of the content panel such that when a position of the display region of the content panel changes, a dynamic index is updated to indicate the changed position of the display region of the content panel. A portion of a content item can be displayed or hidden depending on current user interaction with the display panel. The display region indicator indicates the displayed portions of the content items and their corresponding hidden portions.
US10235018B2 Browsing electronic messages displayed as titles
Electronic messages are displayed as tiles. A tile may include a background related to the electronic message. For example, the background of a tile may be a preview of an attachment to the message. When the message includes an attachment (e.g. document, picture, link . . . ), an overlay is displayed over the background. The overlay includes information relating to the electronic message (i.e. subject, sender, time, message preview . . . ). When the message does not include an attachment then the tile may include all/portion of the content of the electronic message. For example, the tile may include the subject, sender, time stamp, and message content. A user may switch between different browsing experiences (e.g. conversation view, list view, strip view, . . . ). When a tile represents a conversation each sender within the conversation may be displayed on a tile along with a preview of the messages of the conversation (i.e. the most recent message).
US10235017B2 Integrated media user interface
An integrated media user interface is described. In an implementation, a user interface is output that includes a plurality of representations of media, each of the media rendered by the mobile device through execution of a respective one of a plurality of applications. Responsive to selection of at least one of the representations, a corresponding application is located to render the media represented by the at least one said representation. The media represented by the selected representation is rendered through execution of the located application.
US10235016B2 Systems and methods for consumer-generated media reputation management
A method implementable in at least one electronic device coupled to a network and a display device, includes receiving, over the network, a data set, receiving, from a user, a selection of a first topic, determining, based on the data set, a plurality of network sites hosting commentary of the first topic and an authority level of each site of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, an authority level of each site of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, a plurality of authors providing the commentary hosted by the plurality of network sites, determining, based on the data set, an authority level of each author of the plurality, determining, based on the data set, a value characterizing an opinion of each author on the first topic.
US10235014B2 Music user interface
The present disclosure relates to music user interfaces. A device, including a display and a rotatable input mechanism, is described in relation to accessing and playing music. In some examples, a user can provide input through the rotatable input mechanism to access a landing screen of a music application. The landing screen concurrently displays an affordance for accessing playlists, an affordance for a list of artists, and an affordance for accessing a list of songs.
US10235013B2 Method and apparatus for providing recommendations to a user of a cloud computing service
A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring digital content from a computing cloud to a computing device and generating recommendations for the user of the computing device.
US10235012B2 Method and apparatus for providing recommendations to a user of a cloud computing service
A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring digital content from a computing cloud to a computing device and generating recommendations for the user of the computing device.
US10235011B2 Application icon adaptive adjustment method and terminal
Provided are an application icon adaptive adjustment method and terminal, the method comprising: collecting statistics on the running duration and/or use frequency of at least one application program in one or more state modes of a terminal; detecting the current state mode of the terminal; and according to the statistical running duration and/or use frequency of the at least one application program in the current state mode, adjusting the display status of the application icon on a terminal interface. The technical solution of the present invention adjusts the position of an application icon on a terminal interface according to the use habit of a user, thus enabling the user to quickly find a desired application icon.
US10235007B2 Guided operation of a language device based on constructed, time-dependent data structures
A personal electronic device is adapted to construct data tables from user input received over time relating to translations of translatable items from a first language to a second language. Entries in a data table for a user are dynamic and may indicate likelihoods of the user correctly translating translatable items as a function of time. Each translatable item may have a different time-dependent likelihood of a correct translation. Operation of the personal electronic device for a user may be based in part on the acquired, time-dependent likelihoods for that user, so that information may be presented to the user in a more efficient manner.
US10235006B2 Optimizing a user interface for a computing device
In general, embodiments of the invention provide an approach to organize a user interface, such as a computer desktop, based on the role or activity of the current user. Specifically, a display area configuration of a user device is defined by selecting resources from a plurality of available resources to include in a display area configuration, building a profile from the selected resources to preserve the display area configuration, and saving the profile. The display area is then built on a user device when the profile is selected from the user device.
US10235002B2 Touch sensor
A capacitive touch sensor device comprising set of crossing X and Y electrodes whose crossing points form a two-dimensional array of nodes which define a touch sensitive area. As well as the main electrode spines which cross, referred to as zeroth order electrode branches, the electrodes have higher order branches, some of which interdigitate. By varying the dimensions of the electrode branches, such as width and length, the overall area of the X and Y electrodes can be varied relatively independently of each other. It is therefore possible to produce an electrode pattern in which the self capacitances of the X and Y electrodes have a certain ratio, e.g. unity, and thereby compensate for the aspect ratio of the touch sensitive area, and/or to have a certain absolute value, e.g. in order not to overload a touch-sensor controller to which the sensor is to be connected.
US10235000B2 Sensing system and semiconductor device
A sensing system includes: a transmitter circuitry configured to transmit drive signals to N sensors, N being a positive integer; N receiver circuitries configured to receive in parallel N sense signals generated in response to the drive signals by N sensors, N being a positive integer; N modulation circuitries configured to modulate outputs of the N receiver circuitries; a mixer circuitry configured to mix outputs of the N modulation circuitries; an A/D converter circuitry configured to receive an output of the mixer circuitry; and a demodulation circuitry. The demodulation circuitry is configured to demodulate an output of the A/D converter circuitry to generate N digital sense values corresponding to the N sense signals.
US10234998B2 Touch display panel and manufacturing method thereof, touch display device
The touch display panel comprises an array substrate, a color film substrate a touch electrode layer located at a side of the color film substrate away from the array substrate, and a transparent electrically conductive layer between the color film substrate and the touch electrode layer and insulated from the touch electrode layer. The transparent electrically conductive layer comprises a first area and a second area, a thickness of the transparent electrically conductive layer in the first area is greater than a thickness of the transparent electrically conductive layer in the second area, the transparent electrically conductive layer is suitable for being electrically connected to ground. A projection area of the touch electrode layer on the color film substrate overlaps with a projection area of the transparent electrically conductive layer located in the second area on the color film substrate.
US10234996B2 Capacitive based digitizer sensor
A sensor includes a sensor layer patterned with conductive elements spread across the sensor layer and a resilient layer proximate to the sensor layer. The conductive elements are electrically isolated from one another. The sensor layer is configured for capacitive based sensing and to detect local compressions based on pressure applied to the resilient layer.
US10234994B2 Touch-panel-equipped display device
A technique is provided that enables to reduce false detection on a touch panel, without limiting the time when the display panel is driven. In a touch-panel-equipped display device 1, a display control unit 30 sequentially selects gate lines, and data signals are supplied to data lines, whereby a display panel 20 is driven. A transmission circuit 410 supplies a pulse signal to transmission electrode portions 11 at timings based on a horizontal synchronization signal. A controller 400 detects a contact position on the touch panel 10, based on output signals output from a reception circuit that correspond to capacitances between the transmission electrode portions 11 and reception electrode portions 12. The controller 400 adjusts the timings of supplying the pulse signal from the transmission circuit 410 so that the point of time when the voltage of the pulse signal changes should not coincide with the period when noise of the display device due to the supply of data signals occurs.
US10234989B2 Touch panel and display device including the same
A touch panel includes a first touch electrode disposed on a base substrate and a second touch electrode disposed on an insulating layer, which is disposed over the first touch electrode. The first touch electrode includes a first linear pattern disposed along a first direction and a first protrusion pattern extending from the first linear pattern. The second touch electrode includes a second linear pattern disposed along a second direction crossing the first direction and a second protrusion pattern extending from the second linear pattern. Wires connect the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode to a driving circuit. The second protrusion pattern partially overlaps the first protrusion pattern.
US10234983B2 Input/output panel, input/output device, and data processor
A novel input/output panel that is highly convenient or reliable is provided. In addition, a novel input/output device that is highly convenient or reliable is provided. The input/output panel includes a display element, a first conductive film, and a second conductive film. The first conductive film is electrically connected to a plurality of pixel circuits, and the second conductive film is provided so that an electric field which is partly interrupted by an object approaching on the display side of the display element is formed between the first conductive film and the second conductive film.
US10234981B2 Scrollable computing device display
The display of a scrollable list of items is described. In one disclosed embodiment, a list of items may be displayed on a scrollable computing device display in such a manner that, upon receiving an input requesting movement of a select indicator to a different list item, the select indicator is moved on the display toward the different list item and the list is scrolled on the display in an opposing direction.
US10234979B2 Array substrate, related display panels, and related display apparatus
The present disclosure provides an array substrate for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel. The array substrate includes a substrate; a thin film transistor layer comprising a plurality of thin film transistors, each including a source and a drain; and an anode layer comprising a plurality of anode electrodes for applying an anode voltage, and each connected to one of the source and the drain of a corresponding transistor. The array substrate also includes a cathode layer comprising a plurality of touch electrodes insulated from one another for a time-sharing operation, wherein a cathode voltage and a touch-sensing voltage are applied on the plurality of touch electrodes.
US10234976B2 Force detection apparatus
According to an aspect, a force detection apparatus includes: a first electrode facing an input surface to which an object to be detected applies a force; a second electrode facing the first electrode across a first layer deformable by the force; a conductor facing the second electrode across a second layer deformable by the force; and a force detection controller calculates a force signal value indicating the force, based on a first influence amount and a second influence amount, the first influence amount being an amount of influence added by the force to first capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second influence amount being an amount of influence added by the force to second capacitance between the second electrode and the conductor.
US10234974B2 Touch device
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer for generating an image for the display. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes, respectively, of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the respective voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is substantially zero. The controller also measures, to determine whether a touch event occurred, respective values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The respective values at the second plurality of nodes indicate an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
US10234971B2 Touch-display panel and touch-display device
The present disclosure provides a touch-display panel including a first substrate and a second substrate; a touch electrode layer provided on the first substrate and including a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch signal wire layer including a plurality of touch signal wires. The touch signal wire layer further includes a plurality of dummy touch signal wires. A plurality of spacers is provided on a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, wherein the plurality of spacers have a first orthographic projection on the plane of the touch signal wire layer, and the orthographic projection is overlapped with said touch signal wires or the dummy touch signal wires. The touch-display panel provides dummy touch signal wires and the first orthographic projections of the spacer on the plane of the touch signal wire layer are overlapped with the touch signal wires or dummy touch signal wires.
US10234961B2 Method and data entry device for the entry of data in electrical form
Method for the conversion of elementary finger movements and/or movement combinations of a user into respective characters and/or functions presented as electrical signals by using a hand held smart electronic including the steps of: —associating a group of the movements and movement combinations with respective ones of characters and/or functions prior to the beginning of the conversion step so that the movements take place in a region defined by a closed boundary line; —in the associating step defining a predetermined number of special positions along the boundary line of the permitted region of movement; —entering the required characters and/or functions in a consecutive sequence further including the steps of: —holding the device in a hand so that a free finger touches an upper surface thereof; —moving the finger according to the movements or movement combinations associated with the character or function to be entered; —providing haptic feedback to the user when the boundary line and any of the special positions has been reached; —following the termination of the entry of a character or function slightly raising the finger, —detecting the finger raising step and carrying out the conversion of the previously entered movement combination into the associated character or function, —repeating the entering steps as long as all required characters or functions have been entered and converted.
US10234957B2 Information processing device and method, program and recording medium for identifying a gesture of a person from captured image data
An information processing device includes: an outline extraction unit extracting an outline of a subject from a picked-up image of the subject; a characteristic amount extraction unit extracting a characteristic amount, by extracting sample points from points making up the outline, for each of the sample points; an estimation unit estimating a posture of a high degree of matching as a posture of the subject by calculating a degree of the characteristic amount extracted in the characteristic amount extraction unit being matched with each of a plurality of characteristic amounts that are prepared in advance and represent predetermined postures different from each other; and a determination unit determining accuracy of estimation by the estimation unit using a matching cost when the estimation unit carries out the estimation.
US10234955B2 Input recognition apparatus, input recognition method using maker location, and non-transitory computer-readable storage program
An input apparatus (2000) includes a position calculation unit (2020) and an input recognition unit (2040). The position calculation unit (2020) calculates a position of a marker included in a captured image. The marker is attached to the body of a user or is a part of the body of the user. The captured image is generated by a camera at a timing based on a result of detection by a sensor attached to the body of the user. The input recognition unit (2040) recognizes input specifying a location separated from the marker on the captured image on the basis of the calculated position of the marker. The location specified by the input is a location separated from the marker.
US10234954B2 Apparatus and method for remote control using camera-based virtual touch
A remote control apparatus comprises an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of the body of a user by photographing the image, a location calculation unit for calculating coordinate data representing the locations of a first coordinate (eye) and a second coordinate (a finger or a pointer) of the body of the user by means of the image received from the image acquisition unit, and a match confirmation unit for checking whether the locations of the first and second coordinates of the body of the user match the extended connecting straight line, the coordinates having been confirmed on the basis of the camera lens-based coordinate data calculated in the location calculation unit, and if the match is confirmed, then concluding the setup intention of the user to be an affirmative.
US10234949B2 Handheld device configured to selectively hide components from tactile perception
A user interface device having a user input component, a mechanical metamaterial region, one or more actuators, and a control unit is presented. The mechanical metamaterial region is located over the user input component. The one or more actuators are coupled to the mechanical metamaterial region, which has an internal structure that is mechanically alterable with the one or more actuators, and has a mechanical property that changes in response to the alteration of the internal structure by the one or more actuators. The control unit is in communication with the one or more actuators, and is configured to determine whether the user input component is to be hidden from tactile perception, and to activate the one or more actuators to mechanically alter the internal structure of the mechanical metamaterial region.
US10234948B2 System for haptically representing sensor input
A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect.
US10234944B2 Force feedback system including multi-tasking graphical host environment
A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts. One embodiment of a force feedback device provides both relative position reporting and absolute position reporting to allow great flexibility. A different device embodiment provides relative position reporting device allowing maximum compatibility with existing software. Information such as ballistic parameters and screen size sent from the host to the force feedback device allow accurate mouse positions and graphical object positions to be determined in the force feedback environment. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.
US10234942B2 Wearable and mobile brain computer interface (BCI) device and method
This invention is a wearable and mobile Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device which can be embodied in a head-worn undulating band. This band can have an ear-engaging segment, a side segment which spans the side part of a person's forehead and/or face, and a top segment which spans the top of the person's head. This band can encircle a person's head and include an ear prong. This band can include a movable loop which can be moved to span across a person's forehead.
US10234941B2 Wearable sensor for tracking articulated body-parts
A wearable sensor for tracking articulated body parts is described such as a wrist-worn device which enables 3D tracking of fingers and optionally also the arm and hand without the need to wear a glove or markers on the hand. In an embodiment a camera captures images of an articulated part of a body of a wearer of the device and an articulated model of the body part is tracked in real time to enable gesture-based control of a separate computing device such as a smart phone, laptop computer or other computing device. In examples the device has a structured illumination source and a diffuse illumination source for illuminating the articulated body part. In some examples an inertial measurement unit is also included in the sensor to enable tracking of the arm and hand
US10234940B2 Gaze tracker and a gaze tracking method
A gaze tracker and a computer-implemented method for gaze tracking, comprising the steps of: recording video images of a being's eye such that an eye pupil and a glint on the eye ball caused by a light source ( ) are recorded; processing the video images to compute an offset between the position of the predetermined spatial feature and a predetermined position with respect to the glint; by means of the light source such as a display, emitting light from a light pattern at a location selected among a multitude of preconfigured locations of light patterns towards the being's eye; wherein the location is controlled by a feedback signal; controlling the location of the light pattern from one location to another location among the predefined locations of light patterns, in response to the offset, such that the predetermined position with respect to the glint caused by the light source tracks the predetermined spatial feature of the being's eye; wherein the above steps are repeated to establish a control loop with the location of the light pattern being controlled via the feedback signal.
US10234939B2 Systems and methods for a plurality of users to interact with each other in augmented or virtual reality systems
One embodiment is directed to a system for enabling two or more users to interact within a virtual world comprising virtual world data, comprising a computer network comprising one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices comprising memory, processing circuitry, and software stored at least in part in the memory and executable by the processing circuitry to process at least a portion of the virtual world data; wherein at least a first portion of the virtual world data originates from a first user virtual world local to a first user, and wherein the computer network is operable to transmit the first portion to a user device for presentation to a second user, such that the second user may experience the first portion from the location of the second user, such that aspects of the first user virtual world are effectively passed to the second user.
US10234938B2 Control of a computer via distortions of facial geometry
A system which, with data provided by one or more sensors, detects a user's alteration of the geometries of parts of his face, head, neck, and/or shoulders. It determines the extent of each alteration and normalizes it with respect to the maximum possible range of each alteration so as to assign to each part-specific alteration a numeric score indicative of its extent. The normalized part-specific scores are combined so as to produce a composite numeric code representative of the complete set of simultaneously-executed geometric alterations. Each composite code is translated, or interpreted, relative to an appropriate context defined by an embodiment, an application executing on an embodiment, or by the user. For example, each composite code might be interpreted as, or assigned to, a specific alphanumeric letter, a color, a musical note, etc.
US10234935B2 Mediation of interaction methodologies in immersive environments
In various embodiments, computerized methods and systems for mediating interaction methodologies with virtual objects rendered in an immersive environment are provided. An intended target is identified from one or more virtual objects rendered in an at least partially-virtual environment. A relative proximity of the intended target to the user, or an extension of the user, is determined. An interaction methodology is selected for interaction with the intended target based on the determined relative proximity to the intended target, among other things. An indication of the selected interaction methodology is then provided to the user.
US10234934B2 Sensor array spanning multiple radial quadrants to measure body joint movement
This invention is a sensor array which longitudinally spans a body joint in order to measure movement of that body joint. In an example, this sensor array can comprise four longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in four different radial quadrants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can comprise six longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in six different radial hextants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can further comprise a first accelerometer which is proximal to the body joint and a second accelerometer which is distal to the body joint.
US10234929B2 Storage system and control apparatus
A first control apparatus includes a first memory unit including a local cache, a first power supply that supplies electric power to the first memory unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls a write into a memory device by a write-back method, using the local cache. The control unit mirrors data of the local cache in a mirror cache of a second control apparatus. The control unit determines whether the mirror cache is included in a second memory unit that receives electric power from a second power supply of the second control apparatus, upon detecting an abnormal state of a battery for supplying electric power to the second memory unit in case of power outage of the second power supply. The second memory unit switches write control for the memory device to a write-through method, when the second memory unit includes the mirror cache.
US10234928B2 Display device, computer system and method of managing the operating states of a computer system
A display device includes interface circuitry configured to receive a display signal from an external computing device; a display screen configured to display the received display signal; an energy management function configured to control an operating state of the display device; a sensor configured to provide at least one control signal indicative of the presence of a user in a predefined area in front of the display screen; and a control unit configured to select an energy saving mode from a plurality of energy saving modes based at least on the control signal provided by the sensor.
US10234926B2 Method and apparatus for customized energy policy based on energy demand estimation for client systems
An information handling system includes an application processor that executes instructions of an intelligent energy management system that determines energy demand estimation based on component device utilization data from a group of client information handling systems. The information handling system includes a power policy engine that determines a timeseries power cost estimation based on the energy demand estimation, day and time of energy usage, and energy rate for the time and location.
US10234924B2 Method and apparatus for displaying time on mobile device
The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for displaying time on a mobile device. The method includes detecting a first preset operation for displaying device time when a screen of the mobile device is off; computing the device time via a touch chip; sending the device time from the touch chip to a display driver chip, wherein the touch chip is configured to acquire standard time when an application processor is in a sleep state and to compute the device time based on an internal clock; activating the screen; and displaying the device time on the screen via the display driver chip.
US10234919B2 Accessory-based power distribution
Accessory-based power distribution techniques are described. In one or more implementations, power available from a power system of a computing device is intelligently and adaptively distributed between device systems and accessories in accordance with a current usage scenario. To do so, a power manager operates to collect information regarding the current usage scenario, including system state information and a power draw level for accessory devices. Power available from the power system is then divided between the device systems and accessories in dependence upon the usage scenario, such as by establishing and applying power limits dynamically based on the usage scenario. For instance, as system power level for device subsystems may be reduced to provide more power for accessories in some scenarios. Likewise, power for accessories may be limited to enable a high performance mode for device operations in scenarios in which the system is operating near applied limits.
US10234915B2 Graphite thermal conductor, electronic device and method for manufacturing graphite thermal conductor
A graphite thermal conductor includes graphite bands laminated in the thickness direction. The thermal conductivity coefficient of each graphite band in the extending path is greater than the thermal conductivity coefficient thereof in the thickness direction. The extending path of each graphite band has at least one first bend in a plane which is perpendicular to the thickness direction. An electronic device applying the above graphite thermal conductor and a method for manufacturing graphite thermal conductor are also provided.
US10234913B1 Apparatus, system, and method for securing expansion cards to printed circuit boards
An expansion card latching mechanism may include a base anchored to a printed circuit board. The latching mechanism may also include a latch coupled to the base such that a proximal end of the latch locks a proximal end of an expansion card to a fixed position on the printed circuit board. In addition the latching mechanism may include a compression spring wrapped around an arm of the latch such that the compression spring exerts a tension to maintain a locked position of the latch. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
US10234912B2 Drawer apparatus, industrial computer, and method
A drawer apparatus (10) for use in an expansion card (9) of an industrial computer (1) includes a drawer (22) used for accommodating the expansion card (9), where the drawer (22) includes a bottom portion (23) and at least one side wall (24) connected to the bottom portion (23), and a fixing element (57), where the fixing element (57) is adapted to at least sectionally buckle the at least one side wall (24) and the expansion card (9) in a shape fitting manner, so as to fasten the expansion card (9) on the drawer (22).
US10234907B2 Link hinge with dynamic length adjustment for stress management
Systems and methods are disclosed for rotationally coupling housing portions of an information handling system. An information handling system includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The information handling system also includes a hinge assembly coupling the first and second housing portions, the hinge assembly comprising a plurality of coupled links, the links coupled such that the links move in relation to one another to cause the hinge assembly to bend when the first housing portion is rotated in relation to the second housing portion. In addition, the information handling system includes a flexible display coupled to the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the flexible display covering the hinge assembly, the flexible display configured to bend when the hinge assembly bends.
US10234899B1 Information handling system with thin flex hinge
A flex hinge assembly includes a first flex hinge, which in turn includes multiple flexible sheets, a mounting bracket, multiple flexible spacer sheets, and a friction linkage element. A first flexible sheet bends at a different radius than a second flexible sheet when the first flex hinge is transitioned from a first position to a second position. The mounting bracket is fixed to a first end of each of the flexible sheets, and fixes the first end of each of the flexible sheets to a first portion of an information handling system. A first spacer sheet is located between and in physical communication with the first and second flexible sheet. The friction linkage element is mounted to the second flexible sheet and engaged with slots within a second end of each of the flexible sheets. A second mounting bracket couples the second end of a center flexible sheet to the information handling system.
US10234898B2 Protective cover for laptop computers
An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and a keyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior cover includes a first rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the display portion. The first rigid planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of the first rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward the display portion. The first rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display portion. The exterior cover further includes a second rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes a raised edge extending toward the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs for gripping the keyboard portion.
US10234896B2 Display assembly and interface for a communication device
A display (110) providing a tactile display user interface is provided. A display sub-assembly (204) with lens (104) is mounted within an internal frame (218) having a base (214). A perimeter seal (208) is mounted between the lens (104) and the internal frame (218). Mechanical switches (210) are disposed between a back surface of the display and the base (214) of the internal frame (218). The display sub-assembly (204) and lens (104) is moveable relative to the internal frame (218) resulting in actuation of a single mechanical switch in response to the display being pressed. Sealing of the lens (104) to the internal frame (218) being maintained during switch actuation.
US10234895B2 Clock synthesizer with hitless reference switching and frequency stabilization
A clock synthesizer for synthesizing an output clock locked to a selected reference clock input has a pair of phase locked loops locked to respective reference clock inputs first generating first and second frequencies. One of the frequencies is selected to control a controlled oscillator for generating an output clock. The frequency offset between the first and second frequencies at the time of switching is stored and added to the frequency controlling the controlled oscillator.
US10234885B2 Method and system for facilitating auditing of power generation and allocation thereof to consumption loads
Method and system for facilitating auditing of power generation and allocation thereof to consumption loads, and a method and system of certifying generation and consumption transactional pairings over a contiguous power grid network. The method of facilitating auditing of power generation and allocation thereof to consumption loads comprises measuring respective power generation time series for one or more power sources connected to a power grid; pairing the generation time series with one or more consumption loads connected to the power grid such that one generation time series is paired with one or more consumption loads and vice versa; and publishing publication data representing power generated by the power sources according to the measured power generation time series and an allocation of the generated power to the consumption loads.
US10234883B1 Dual loop adaptive LDO voltage regulator
A voltage regulator circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulator includes a voltage loop and a current loop. The current loop includes a source follower coupled to an output node of the LDO voltage regulator, the source follower being implemented with a PMOS transistor. The current loop also includes a current mirror coupled between a first branch of the current loop and a second branch of the current loop. The source follower is implemented in the second branch of the current loop. The voltage loop includes an amplifier circuit having an inverting input coupled to the output node, and a non-inverting input coupled to receive a reference voltage. The output of the amplifier is coupled to the gate terminal of the PMOS transistor of the current mirror.
US10234879B2 Thermostat switching circuitry with overcurrent protection
A thermostat may include one or more processors and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) wire connectors configured to receive HVAC wires from an HVAC system, including a call relay wire connector and a power return wire connector. The thermostat may also include an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the one or more processors. The IC may include one or more solid-state switching elements for actuating at least one HVAC function through the call relay wire connector and the power return wire connector; a first input/output (I/O) pin coupled to the one or more solid-state switching elements; and a second I/O pin coupled to a substrate of the IC. The thermostat may further include a Schottky diode coupled between the first I/O pin and the second I/O pin, wherein the Schottky diode is external to the IC.
US10234871B2 Distributed safety monitors for automated vehicles
Controllers, control architectures, systems and methods are described for controlling a host vehicle's participation in a platoon. In some embodiments, a vehicle control system includes a vehicle controller configured to determine vehicle control commands for at least partially automatically controlling the host vehicle based at least in part on sensor information. The vehicle control commands are arranged to be directly or indirectly utilized by one or more host vehicle control units resident on the host vehicle. The vehicle control system also includes one or more safety monitoring algorithms that, during at least partially automated driving, verify that selected vehicle control commands received from the vehicle controller meet selected safety criteria. At least some of the safety algorithms utilize sensor data in the verification of the commands received from the vehicle controller. The sensor data used by the safety algorithms may come from the host vehicle and/or a second vehicle.
US10234870B2 Autonomous public transportation system
Disclosed are systems and methods for providing separable vehicles from a main vehicle to pick up or drop off passengers and return and reconnect to the main vehicle.
US10234868B2 Mobile device initiation of vehicle remote-parking
Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device initiation of vehicle remote-parking. An example method for initiating vehicle remote parking includes presenting, via a touchscreen of a mobile device, a first motion track that is predefined by a user and continuous. The example method also includes detecting a travel point of the user on the touchscreen and initiating forward motion during remote parking of a vehicle in response to determining, via a processor, the travel point is moving in a clockwise direction within the first motion track.
US10234865B2 Control device, processing apparatus system, and recording medium
A control device includes: a receiving unit that receives a request for processing; and a control unit that, in a case where the receiving unit receives a plurality of requests for processing from a plurality of places, controls a traveling route of a processing apparatus based on traveling time taken for the processing apparatus to travel to the plurality of places and processing time taken for the processing apparatus to finish the processing after traveling.
US10234862B2 WWAN radio link quality navigation for a drone
Various embodiments include methods of navigating a drone that may include determining whether a radio link quality trigger event associated with communications with the drone has occurred while the drone travels along a set route to a destination. The radio link quality trigger event may correspond to predetermined characteristics of radio link quality. The drone may be steered to follow a search maneuver for improving radio link quality in response to determining the radio link quality trigger event has occurred. The search maneuver may follow a preconfigured deviation pattern that is configured before determining whether the radio link quality trigger event has occurred and departs from the set route.
US10234858B2 Automated vehicle control system
A vehicle-control system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes a human-machine-interface and a controller. The human-machine-interface accepts an input from an operator of a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the human-machine-interface. The operator inputs a notification to the human-machine-interface. The notification indicates that the operator detects a circumstance that suggests a presence of the emergency-vehicle on the roadway that has not been detected by the system. The controller drives the host-vehicle in accordance with rules governing an operation of vehicles proximate to an emergency-vehicle stopped alongside a roadway.
US10234856B2 System and method for controlling a machine
A system for communicating between a machine and a remote system generates machine data and image data on-board the machine. The data is segmented into machine data subsets and image data subsets. At least some of the machine data subsets and only some of the image data subsets are transmitted off-board the machine to an off-board controller. The off-board controller updates an electronic map based upon the image data subsets, and generates a machine movement plan based upon the updated electronic map.
US10234854B2 Remote HVAC monitoring and diagnosis
A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residence includes a monitoring device installed at the residence and a server located remotely from the residence. The monitoring device measures an aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of the HVAC system and transmits current data based on the measured aggregate current. The server receives the transmitted current data and, based on the received current, assesses whether a failure has occurred in a first component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system and assesses whether a failure has occurred in a second component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system.
US10234853B2 Systems and methods for managing industrial assets
Systems and methods described herein are configured for managing industrial assets. In an example embodiment, information about industrial assets or their use conditions, such as gathered from sensors embedded at or near industrial machines or assets themselves, can be aggregated, analyzed, and processed in software residing locally or remotely from the assets. In an example embodiment, applications can be provided to optimize an industrial asset for operation in a business context. In an example embodiment, a cloud-based asset management platform can include development tools to facilitate development, by end-users, of applications for interfacing with and optimizing industrial assets, and for managing relationships between various industrial assets.
US10234852B2 Batch authoring tool and bioreactor control system
A bioreactor control system comprises a batch server for controlling a bioreactor system in response to a recipe, a batch software system for generating a control sequence for the bioreactor system via the batch server for implementing the recipe, and a recipe conversion system that inputs the recipe into the batch software system. Preferably, the recipe conversion system reads a word processor file containing the recipe and interprets styles applied to text in the word processor file as indicating equipment and phases of the recipe to the recipe conversion system. Generally, the bioreactor system includes one or more bioreactors and additional hardware to perform the upstream and downstream processing. The document properties of the word processor file containing the recipe are applied as header information for the recipe input into the batch software system. This system solves a problem associated with traditional batching software systems, in which the authoring of recipes on the systems can be relatively arcane. Here, the recipe can be authored on a common word processor.
US10234850B2 Controller having a communications interface, receiver and method for communication
A controller for controlling an electric or a fluidic valve drive. The controller includes a communications interface which is configured to output a current signal and convert drive-related measurement information into a current signal level within a current interval according to a communications protocol. The communications interface is further configured to convert at least two different items of device status information into different current signals levels outside of the current interval.
US10234843B2 Thermal displacement correction device for machine tool
A thermal displacement correction device for a machine tool that corrects thermal displacement of a spindle unit includes a memory that defines the spindle unit as a two-dimensional model in a thermally symmetrical plane or in a plane parallel to the thermally symmetrical plane, divides the two-dimensional model into regions, and stores a linear expansion coefficient, a heating coefficient and a radiation coefficient corresponding to each region, and a thermal conductivity coefficient between the each region and its adjacent region; a temperature estimating unit that estimates a temperature of the each region; a correction estimating unit; and a thermal displacement correction unit that performs correction in driving a feed shaft to a command position.
US10234842B2 Numerical controller for corner path optimization
A numerical controller includes a path conversion unit for obtaining a curved correction path passing through three points corresponding to a start point and an end point of a third block, and a shift point obtained by shifting an intermediate point of a command path based on the third block in an inward direction of a corner path within a limit of a preset allowable error amount when the corner path is formed by a series of blocks and a tangential direction of the corner path is continuous, and generating a path obtained by replacing the command path of the third block included in the corner path by the correction path, the third block commanding curvilinear movement at a larger curvature than a first curvature and a second curvature being interposed between the first block.
US10234839B2 I/O module
In an I/O module, a communication enables communications between first and second external devices upon a voltage being supplied from a power source thereto. A shutoff switch shuts off supply of the voltage to the communication controller when turned off. A capacitor is charged based on the voltage supplied from the voltage source while the shutoff switch is in an on state. The capacitor supplies an operating voltage to the communication controller while the shutoff switch is turned off. The communication controller detects a voltage across the capacitor as a diagnostic voltage, and outputs a turn-off command to the shutoff switch for turning off the shutoff switch. The communication controller determines whether there is a fixedly closed malfunction in the shutoff switch based on the diagnostic voltage while outputting the turn-off command to the shutoff switch.
US10234835B2 Management of computing devices using modulated electricity
This document relates to management of computing devices using modulated electricity. One example includes assigning a set of time slices to a computing device for drawing electricity and subsequently causing the computing device to adjust consumption of the electricity by assigning a different set of time slices to the computing device.
US10234834B2 Air conditioner energy-saving optimization control method and device
The invention is applied to control technologies, and provides an air conditioner control method and device, including collecting and storing current operating parameters of chillers, chilled water pumps and condenser water pumps of an air-conditioning system according to preset period; determining energy consumption increment of the air-conditioning system under operating status of an operating parameter to be adjusted relative to that under current operating status according to the current operating parameters and the operating parameter to be adjusted inputted by a user; and adjusting operating status of the air-conditioning system according to the operating parameter to be adjusted when the energy consumption increment is less than zero. According to the method and device provided by the invention, the air conditioning system is adjusted according to operating parameter to be adjusted when the energy consumption increment is less than zero to implement energy saving, and the invention is easy to implement.
US10234830B2 Feedback control device
To provide a feedback control device that achieves smooth continuous control at the time of switching of binary feedback controls. When, as a result of constant current feedback control being performed through a connection between a current control unit 12 and an I control unit 24, a detected measured voltage value of a control object 21 reaches a preset value that is maintained by constant voltage feedback control, a u1/u2 determination unit (switching determination unit) 27 controls changeover switches 22 and 23 to connect a voltage control unit 15 and the I control unit 24 and, in addition, connect the voltage control unit 15 to an adder 25 to which the I control unit 24 is connected, and performs switching to constant voltage feedback control.
US10234824B2 Waterproof smart watch
The present application discloses a waterproof smart watch having a hollow watch case; a cell phone core mounted inside the watch case; a through-hole provided on a lateral side of the watch case and in communication with a microphone of the cell phone core; an adjusting knob rotatably mounted at the lateral side of the watch case, a communication aperture being provided on the adjusting knob and in communication with the through-hole; and a sealing pad being provided between the adjusting knob and the watch case, a small hole being provided on the sealing pad and in communication with the through-hole. The adjusting knob can be rotated to a position where the communication aperture, small hole and through-hole are in communication with one another successively, and further rotation of the adjusting knob renders the communication aperture and the through-hole being sealed and separated by the sealing pad.
US10234823B2 Timepiece pallet fork for mechanical oscillator and timepiece time-delay release mechanism
A timepiece pallet fork for a mechanical oscillator including an arbor allowing the timepiece pallet fork to oscillate about a pivot axis, first and second pallets configured to alternatively engage with an escapement wheel when the timepiece pallet fork oscillates, the first pallet being displaceable with respect to the arbor by absorption of energy, the first pallet being displaceable from a first upstream waiting position to a first downstream stopping end position which is offset compared to the first upstream waiting position, and a first arm having an intermediate section including an elastic bend, one end of the arm being fixed with respect to the arbor to form a first fixed end, the intermediate section of the first arm being located between the first fixed end and the first pallet and returning the first pallet towards the first upstream waiting position by the intermediate section being elastically deformable from a first configuration into a second configuration.
US10234820B2 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
US10234818B2 Developing cartridge having arrangement of chip holder and coupling to provide compact cartridge
A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a storage medium; a first holder; a second holder; and a coupling. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the casing in a first direction. The first holder has an outer surface at which an electrical contact surface of the storage medium is held. The second holder is positioned away from the first holder in a direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The first holder and the second holder are movable relative to the casing and the coupling between a first position and a second position in the first direction. The second position is closer to the developing roller than the first position. A portion of the coupling is positioned between the first holder and the second holder in a case where the first holder and the second holder are positioned at the second position.
US10234812B2 Transport member and developing device including the same
A transport member, that transports a developer by rotating in a rotation direction that is predetermined around a rotation axis, includes: a shaft part including the rotation axis; and a blade part spirally provided on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft part, wherein the blade part includes a transport surface that is a surface facing a downstream side in a transport direction of the developer along the rotation axis, and a non-transport surface that is a surface other than the transport surface, and the transport member further includes a fin protruding from the non-transport surface of the blade part, the fin being provided with an interval from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft part.
US10234810B2 Conveyance device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A conveyance device includes a guide, a positioner, and a pusher. The guide extends in a longitudinal direction of an image bearer and is disposed upstream from a transfer position, at which an image is transferred from the image bearer to the recording medium, in a direction of conveyance of a recording medium to guide the recording medium. The positioner positions an end of the guide relative to the image bearer. The pusher contacts the guide at a position closer to a center of the guide than the end of the guide in the longitudinal direction, to push the guide toward the image bearer.
US10234809B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging device, a developing device, a transfer member, a registration roller pair, a conveyance guide, and a first cover member. The conveyance guide includes a first conveyance guide opposing one surface of a recording medium conveyed from the registration roller pair to a transfer nip, the one surface being on a side of image carrier, and a second transfer guide opposing another surface of the recording member, the other surface being on a side of the transfer member. The first cover member covers an area along a peripheral surface of the image carrier from the developing device to the transfer member, and forms a substantially sealed space together with the image carrier, the developing device, the transfer member, the registration roller pair, and the transfer guide. A through hole is formed in the first transfer guide.
US10234807B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a toner image forming portion, a transfer member, a cleaning member, and a controller configured to carry out a process for notifying information on a lifetime of the image bearing member on the basis of information on contact pressure of the cleaning member to the image bearing member.
US10234806B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum for bearing a developer, a charging roller that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum at a different velocity and that charges the photosensitive drum, a transfer roller that transfers a developer image on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and a developing sleeve that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum and that recovers a developer on the photosensitive drum after transfer. A detecting device detects information relating to injection charging, and a controller controls an amount of the fogging developer during image formation according to information detected by the detecting device while suppressing the amount of the developer recovered in the developing sleeve.
US10234801B2 Fixing device including heat source for heating fixing member and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heat source, a detecting part and a control part. The pressing member forms a pressing area with the fixing member. A sheet is conveyed through the pressing area. The heat source includes a main heating part heating a center portion of the fixing member in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet and a sub heating part heating both end portions of the fixing member in the sheet width direction. The detecting part detects a temperature of the end portion of the fixing member. The control part determines operation timings of the main heating part and the sub heating part based on the temperature detected by the detecting part such that the center portion and the both end portions of the fixing member are heated to a constant temperature.
US10234799B2 Image forming apparatus with an adjustable peeling guide
An image forming apparatus includes a rotating member configured to transport a sheet in a sheet transporting direction, a pressing member configured to form a nip with the rotating member, a peeling guide, and an adjusting device. The peeling guide is disposed on a downstream side of the rotating member in the sheet transporting direction, has a longitudinal side extending along an axial direction of the rotating member, and is configured to separate the sheet from the rotating member. The adjusting device is controlled to move the peeling guide to adjust a gap between an intermediate portion of the peeling guide and the rotating body by a greater amount than gaps between longitudinal ends of the peeling guide and the rotating body.
US10234796B1 Transfer assist check film members
A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of the layers being a check film layer comprising a mixture of a polymer and a conductive component in contact with a layer of a polyalkylene furandicarboxylate.
US10234795B2 Image forming apparatus having photosensitive member and intermediate transfer member with surface layers containing acrylic resin
The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member configured to bear a toner image, the photosensitive member having a surface layer containing acrylic resin, and an intermediate transfer member configured to secondarily transfer the toner image having been primarily transferred from the photosensitive member onto a transfer material, the intermediate transfer member having a surface layer containing acrylic resin and having a ten-point average roughness Rz set within a range of 0.35 μm≤Rz≤1.5 μm.
US10234788B2 Electronic device to which detachable member is attached, image forming apparatus
An electronic device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a first resistor, a second resistor, and an attachment/detachment detecting portion. The first electrode and the second electrode are separated from each other upon an attachment of a detachable member. The third electrode comes into contact with the first electrode upon the attachment of the detachable member. The first resistor is arranged on a conduction path that extends from a power supply to the first electrode. The second resistor is arranged on either a first conduction path or a second conduction path, the first conduction path extending from the second electrode to a ground, the second conduction path extending from the third electrode to the ground. The attachment/detachment detecting portion detects attachment state of the detachable member based on a voltage applied to the first electrode.
US10234787B2 Image forming apparatus having a controller that controls a fixing condition in response to a selected level of crease or finish of an envelope
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station configured to form a toner image on a recording material, a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image formed by the image forming station on the recording material, a selector configured to select a correction level for correcting a crease of an envelope, by an operator, and a controller configured to control a fixing condition in response to the correction level selected on the selector.
US10234783B2 Carrier, developer, image forming apparatus, developer stored unit, and image forming method
A carrier including a resin layer including at least one kind of particles, wherein the at least one kind of the particles are particles of barium sulfate, wherein an amount of Ba detected is 0.3 atomic % or greater in a Ba analysis through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the carrier, and wherein circle-equivalent diameters of the particles of the barium sulfate are 400 nm or greater but 900 nm or smaller.
US10234779B2 Toner and method of producing toner
A toner includes a toner particle containing a resin component containing an olefin copolymer, wherein the olefin copolymer includes a specific monomer unit Y1 and a specific monomer unit Y2, and the content of the olefin copolymer in the resin component is more than 50 mass % based on the total mass of the resin component, and the olefin copolymer has a melting point of 80° C. or more and 150° C. or less.
US10234773B2 Pattern forming apparatus, mark detecting apparatus, exposure apparatus, pattern forming method, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
While a wafer stage linearly moves in a Y-axis direction, a multipoint AF system detects surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points that are set at a predetermined distance in an X-axis direction and also a plurality of alignment systems that are arrayed in a line along the X-axis direction detect each of marks at positions different from one another on the wafer. That is, detection of surface position information of the wafer surface at a plurality of detection points and detection of the marks at positions different from one another on the wafer are finished, only by the wafer stage (wafer) linearly passing through the array of the plurality of detection points of the multipoint AF system and the plurality of alignment systems, and therefore, the throughput can be improved.
US10234765B2 Energy controller for excimer-laser silicon crystallization
Excimer laser annealing apparatus includes and excimer laser delivering laser-radiation pulses to a silicon layer supported on a substrate translated with respect to the laser pulses such that the consecutive pulses overlap on the substrate. The energy of each of the laser-radiation pulses is monitored, transmitted to control-electronics, and the energy of a next laser pulse is adjusted by a high-pass digital filter.
US10234763B2 Method of providing photopatterned functional surfaces
An article is prepared with surface regions having different contact angles. A reactive silane material is attached to a surface having a reactive tail component that is contacted with a first corresponding reactant, followed by imagewise UV exposure to cause imagewise reaction of the reactive tail component and first corresponding reactant, forming reacted regions and latent reaction regions. After rinsing, a second corresponding reactant that is capable of reaction with the reactive moiety is applied. Uniform UV exposure leads to a second reaction product only in the latent reaction regions. After rinsing, first regions comprise exclusively the first reaction product and second regions comprising exclusively the second reaction product. These first and second regions have contact angles that differ by 10-110 degrees. A composition can be applied that is exclusively attracted to either the first regions or the second regions, but not to both the first and second regions.
US10234759B2 Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive film and method of forming pattern
Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including a resin (A) and any of compounds (B) of general formula (I) below. (In general formula (I), Rf represents a fluorine atom or a monovalent organic group containing at least one fluorine atom; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent containing no fluorine atom; X1 represents a monovalent organic group having at least two carbon atoms, or a methyl group in which a substituent other than a fluorine atom is optionally introduced, provided that X1 may be bonded to R1 to thereby form a ring; and Z represents a moiety that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, is converted to a sulfonic acid group, an imidic acid group or a methide acid group).
US10234748B2 Imaging device with interchangeable lens and display device
There is provided an imaging device including an image sensor, and an outer case in which the image sensor is disposed. A shooting button configured to photograph a subject is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer case. When an intersection line between a horizontal surface including a center of the outer case in a vertical direction and the outer peripheral surface of the outer case is set as a horizontal line, the shooting button is positioned close to the horizontal line above the horizontal line. A zoom knob configured to change photographic magnification is positioned on a same side as the shooting button in a horizontal direction.
US10234747B2 Interchangeable lens, imaging apparatus, and camera system
Provided is a technology enabling an imaging apparatus and an interchangeable lens to appropriately perform initialization processes. An interchangeable lens includes a lens control unit configured to transmit lens-side initialization execution element information indicating a plurality of lens-side elements on which the lens control unit itself performs initialization to an imaging apparatus in response to reception of body-side initialization execution element information indicating body-side elements on which the imaging apparatus performs initialization from the imaging apparatus. The technology can be applied to, for example, a camera system including a detachable interchangeable lens and an imaging apparatus serving as a camera body side.
US10234746B2 Lens barrel
A lens barrel of this technique includes a movable lens barrel unit section, and a master flange unit having a lens unit, and is switched between a collapsed state where the movable lens barrel unit section is stored in the master flange unit and an extended state where the movable lens barrel unit section is extended from the master flange unit. The master flange unit has a moving frame supported to be movable in an optical axis direction via a first elastic member extendable in the optical axis direction, and a lens frame supported to be movable in the optical axis direction via a second elastic member extendable in the optical axis direction relative to the moving frame. In the collapsed state, the movable lens barrel unit section presses the lens frame such that the moving frame and the lens frame get closer to the master flange against repulsive forces of the first elastic member and the second elastic member.
US10234738B2 Liquid crystal display device including alternating colors in column
To provide a liquid crystal display device including a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction; a plurality of source lines extending in a second direction; and a plurality of pixel areas each surrounded by the gate line and the source line, and arranged in a matrix, wherein each of the pixel areas includes a switching device connected through a contact hole to the source line, each of the plurality of pixel areas is assigned any of at least four colors, two colors out of the four colors are alternately arranged in a same column of the pixel areas, and the switching devices in the respective pixel areas for the two colors alternately arranged share the contact hole connected to the source line.
US10234737B2 Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
A gas purge valve comprising a housing formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said fluid outlet bounded by a kinetic valve seating, and a sealing assembly comprising a float member coaxially displaceable within the housing, and a sealing cap coupled to said float member; the sealing cap being axially displaceable with respect to the float member between a first position in which it conjoins the float, and a second position in which it departs from the float; said sealing cap formed at an outside face thereof with a kinetic seal fitted for sealing engagement of the kinetic valve seating, and an automatic valve aperture formed in the sealing cap and bounded by an automatic valve seating; and an automatic sealing member articulated at an upper end of the float member for sealing engagement of the automatic valve seating.
US10234733B2 Array substrate, display device and method for manufacturing array substrate
An array substrate, a display device and a method for manufacturing an array substrate are provided. The array substrate includes: two first conductive connection strips arranged opposite to each other; and multiple electrode strips arranged between the two first conductive connection strips. The multiple electrode strips are electrically connected to each other via the two first conductive connection strips. Slits are formed between adjacent electrode strips. The multiple electrode strips include at least one electrode strip, of which one end is electrically connected to one of the two first conductive connection strips and another end is spaced at a distance from the other of the two first conductive connection strips to form an opening. The opening is communicated with two adjacent slits.
US10234727B2 Mirror display comprising a half mirror plate including a reflective polarizer and a polarization conversion layer
The present invention provides a mirror display that can be enlarged without quality deterioration. The mirror display includes, in the order from a viewing surface side, a half mirror plate including a reflective polarizer, a polarization conversion layer, and a display device including an absorptive polarizer on a side of the polarization conversion layer. The reflective polarizer includes a transmission axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display device and is jointless. The absorptive polarizer includes a transmission axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the display device and is jointless. The polarization conversion layer is configured to convert the polarization of polarized light passed through the absorptive polarizer.
US10234724B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light guide plate configured to guide light to the display panel, a light source module configured to emit light toward the light guide plate, optical sheets disposed between the display panel and the light guide plate, a bottom chassis, on which the light guide plate is seated, and configured to support the optical sheets to be spaced apart from the light guide plate forming an optical distance between the optical sheets and the light guide plate, and a plurality of supporters fixed to the bottom chassis and configured to support the optical sheets to prevent the optical sheets from sagging.
US10234722B2 Display device
A display device includes a first display unit and a second display unit. The first display unit emits a green light having a first output spectrum corresponding to a highest gray level of the display device. The second display unit emits a blue light having a second output spectrum corresponding to the highest gray level of the display device. Wherein, an intensity integral of the first output spectrum within a range from 380 nm to 780 nm is defined as a first intensity integral, an intensity integral of the second output spectrum within a range from 494 nm to 580 nm is defined as a second intensity integral, a ratio of the second intensity integral to the first intensity integral is defined as a first ratio, and the first ratio is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 26.0%.
US10234721B2 Transflective liquid crystal display device and method of forming the same
A transflective LCD device and a method of forming the same are proposed. The transflective LCD includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first alignment film, a second alignment film and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate and the second substrate are divided into a transmissive area and a reflective area, in which areas of the first alignment film and the second alignment film are configured respectively by different aligning angles. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the transmissive area and the reflective area are tilted by different pretilt angles. Therefore, light going one-way through the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the transmissive area generates the same phase retardation as making a round-trip through the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the reflective area.
US10234720B2 Second surface transflector for electro-optic device
An electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A space is defined between a first substrate and a second substrate. An electro-optic material is disposed between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is operable to change the transmittance state in either a discrete or continuous manner. A transflective coating is disposed on the second surface. The transflective coating includes a silver conductive layer and an overcoat layer including one of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and a noble metal. The overcoat layer is disposed between the silver conductive layer and the electro-optic material.
US10234719B2 Display panel and manufacturing method therefor, drive method and display device
A display panel and a manufacturing method therefor, a drive method and a display device. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged opposite to each other. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, and a plurality of first wire grid polarizers and a plurality of pixel units, which are successively located on a side of the first base substrate facing the second substrate in an array arrangement; polarization directions of two adjacent first wire grid polarizers are perpendicular to each other. The second substrate includes: a second base substrate, and a plurality of second wire grid polarizers in an array arrangement which are located on a side of the second base substrate facing the first substrate, and polarization directions of two adjacent second wire grid polarizers are perpendicular to each other.
US10234717B2 Apparatus and method for attaching polarizer
A method of attaching a polarizer includes preparing a first stage on which a display panel is disposed and a second stage on which a first polarizer is disposed, measuring a shape of a curl of the first polarizer; determining an attachment direction of the first polarizer with respect to the display panel based on the measured curl shape of the first polarizer and attaching the first polarizer to a first surface of the display panel by rotating at least one of the first stage and the second stage based on the determined attachment direction.
US10234712B2 Method for producing liquid crystal display apparatus with a uniform cell gap
A method produces a liquid crystal display. The display includes a plurality of pixels having sub-pixels that include one opening and one color layer. Some of the sub-pixels having the same color are continuously spaced in one direction. In the method, overlapping photolithographic patterns produce mask openings in which a color layer in two spaced adjacent sub-pixels is to be formed. The mask openings each have a size corresponding to two or more adjacent sub-pixels; and the number of sub-pixels of the same color that are continuously arranged in the one direction is at least twice the total number of sub-pixels of the same color included in each of the pixels.
US10234708B2 Display device
A display device including a display panel; an optical sheet positioned at a rear of the display panel; a guide panel positioned at a lateral side of at least one of the display panel and the optical sheet; and a back cover positioned at a rear of the guide panel. The guide panel includes a guide latch assembly facing the back cover, and the back cover includes a back cover latch assembly coupled to the guide latch assembly to couple the back cover to the guide panel.
US10234706B2 Device for photonic generation of arbitrary microwave signals having linear frequency modulation
Photonic devices for generating linearly frequency modulated arbitrary microwave signals comprise a laser, and assembly for forming the emitted signal and a photoreceiver the passband of which is in the domain of the microwave frequencies. The forming assembly comprises: a first beam splitter; a first optical channel including a frequency-shifting loop comprising a beam splitter, a first optical amplifier, an optical isolator, a first spectral optical filter and an acousto-optical frequency shifter; a second optical channel including an electro-optical frequency shifter; a second beam splitter; a second optical amplifier; and a second optical filter; the acousto-optical frequency shift, the electro-optical frequency shift and the amplification gain of the first optical amplifier being adjustable.
US10234701B2 Waveguide array modulator for high performance systems
In the Waveguide Array Modulator (WAM) a single electrical signal drives an array of waveguide optical modulators, creating multiple modulated output signals that can be combined to provide a higher output power than from a single waveguide based modulator, enabling a higher dynamic range system. Alternatively, using a WAM in which different waveguide optical modulators are designed for different dynamic ranges, e.g. one highly efficient modulator for low level signals and one low efficiency but linear modulator for high level signals, the WAM based system can provide a higher dynamic range than from a single waveguide based modulator. Various WAM based systems for different applications are included.
US10234700B2 Method for checking the correct assembly of a frame and corrective lenses
The invention relates to a method for checking the correct assembly of a device consisting of a frame and of two corrective ophthalmic lenses. The main feature of a method according to the invention is that it includes the following steps: an initial step of determining at least one parameter which makes it possible to position the lenses in the frame relative to the face; a subsequent step of acquiring at least one image of the face of said wearer with said device, which shows centering and horizontal level marks; a step of comparing said at least one parameter determined during said initial step with the corresponding parameter deduced from said at least one image; and a step of making a decision regarding the correct assembly of the device.
US10234699B2 Head-mounted display
A head-mounted display according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a main body, a nose pad, and a holding mechanism. The main body includes a display portion capable of presenting an image to a user and is configured to be mountable on a head of the user. The nose pad is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body. The holding mechanism is configured to be capable of holding correction glasses between the main body and the nose pad mounted to the main body, the correction glasses facing the display portion.
US10234694B2 Spectrally encoded probes
A novel endoscope, which can be a spectrally encoded endoscope (SEE) probe having forward-view, side-view, or a combination of forward and side views is provided herein. The SEE probe includes a light guiding component, a light focusing component, and a grating component. The probe is configured to forward a light such as a spectrally dispersed light from the grating component to a sample with no intermediate reflections between light guiding component and the grating component. A triangular grating, such as a staircase grating or an overhang grating may be used as the grating component.
US10234689B1 Compound optics with freeform optical surface
An optic to transform incident light emitted by a light source to form an irradiation pattern on a projection surface has a freeform surface formed by a union of an aspheric lens and a collection of Cartesian ovals. Each Cartesian oval is a lens focusing the incident light to a point and the collection of Cartesian ovals directs the incident light to a collection of points forming a border of the irradiation pattern. The aspheric lens is a portion of a refractive lens directing the incident light to form an interior of the irradiation pattern. The aspheric lens is combined with the collection of Cartesian ovals to form the union, such that each Cartesian oval shares a radiant focus of the refractive lens and makes a tangential contact with the surface of the aspheric lens at a single point.
US10234686B2 Rainbow removal in near-eye display using polarization-sensitive grating
In a near-eye optical display system comprising a waveguide and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) configured for in-coupling, exit pupil expansion, and out-coupling, a rainbow phenomenon manifested in the display may be removed or reduced using a polarizing filter at the front of the system so that real-world/stray light entering the system has a particular polarization state, for example TM-polarized. The polarizing filter is utilized in conjunction with a downstream out-coupling DOE that includes diffractive grating structures that are configured to enable sensitivity to an opposite polarization state, for example TE-polarized. An imager is configured to produce virtual-world images that also have a TE-polarized state. The polarization-sensitive out-coupling DOE diffracts the TE-polarized imaging beam out of the grating for display while the TM-polarized light from the real world and/or stray light passes through the grating without diffraction and thus cannot contribute to rainbows in the display.
US10234684B2 Projection member, head up display device, and polarized sunglasses
A head up display device mounted in a moving body uses a source light to project an image onto a projection member to display a virtual image so that the image is visible to a passenger, the projection member including a first transparent plate that maintains polarization state and has a first surface facing the passenger, a second transparent plate that maintains polarization state and has a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a waveplate interposed between the first and seconds transparent plates and including a fast axis and a slow axis that delays phase with respect to the fast axis, wherein the source light is emitted toward the first surface obliquely along a plane of incidence, the source light including an s-polarization component and a p-polarization component, and the slow axis of the waveplate is inclined with respect to the plane of incidence.
US10234682B2 Head-up display device and backlight device
A head-up display device includes: a light source that emits light; a condenser that condenses the light emitted from the light source in a first direction; an adjuster that adjusts the light emitted from the condenser; a first reflector that reflects the light emitted from the adjuster in a second direction different from the first direction; a display that includes an image display surface forming a display image and emits a display light representing the display image with the image display surface transmitting the light reflected by the first reflector; a second reflector that reflects the display light being emitted from the display and being incident from above; and a third reflector that reflects the display light incident from the second reflector to the projection member. The adjuster adjusts the light emitted from the condenser according to a size of the image display surface.
US10234679B2 Capacitive-load driver circuit and optical scanner
A capacitive-load driver circuit that is connected to terminals connected to capacitive loads and an output stage of an amplifier for feeding output voltages to the terminals to drive the capacitive loads. The capacitive-load driver circuit temporarily feeds a current during a transition period of the output voltages from one of the terminals transitioning from a high voltage state to a low voltage state to another terminal transitioning from a low voltage state to a high voltage state. The capacitive-load driver circuit includes a current-variation detector circuit and a charge transfer circuit. The current-variation detector circuit detects a variation in a current at the output stage. The charge transfer circuit feeds a predetermined current to one of the terminals to transfer charges from a capacitive load connected to a high voltage terminal to a capacitive load connected to a low voltage terminal.
US10234678B1 Fluid dispensing method for electrowetting element manufacture
A method of dispensing fluids for manufacturing an electrowetting element. The method comprises: dispensing a first layer of a first fluid on a support plate surface; letting a first portion of the first fluid vaporize as a vapor from the first layer into a region over the first layer; removing the vapor from the region over the first layer; and dispensing on the first layer a second layer of a second fluid, the second fluid immiscible with the first fluid.
US10234675B2 Stereoscopic imaging apparatus
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus includes: an objective optical system having a function of imaging a subject as a real image or a virtual image; and plural imaging optical systems that image plural subject luminous fluxes output from different paths of the objective optical system again as parallax images using plural independent optical systems, wherein, in the case where a focal length value when the objective optical system images the subject as the real image is positive and the focal length value when the objective optical system images the subject as the virtual image is negative, a focal distance (f) of the objective optical system and a distance (L) from a rear principal point of the objective optical system to a front principal point of the imaging optical system is set to values that satisfy the following equation |f/(L−f)|≤1.
US10234667B2 Evaluation of signals of fluorescence scanning microscopy using a confocal laser scanning microscope
A method for evaluating signals of fluorescence scanning microscopy with simultaneous excitation and detection of fluorescence in different focal planes of a sample by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy. The invention evaluates signals of fluorescence scanning microscopy without the signal losses usually taking place with a confocal aperture, by coupling an illumination beam into a microscope observation beam path which images a measuring volume on a detector array arranged in the image plane, focusing the illumination beam which passes through a beam-forming phase mask for generating an elongated focus in the measuring volume, collecting and collimating fluorescent light generated in the measuring volume and routing it to diffractive optics which split the light beams into different diffraction orders and impress a different spherical phase on the light beams, imaging the different diffraction orders on detector regions of the detector array so that fluorescent light from focal planes at different depths of the measuring volume are associated with different diffraction orders, and associating the fluorescence signals on which crosstalk is superposed from different focal planes of the measuring volume with defined focal planes by means of correlation-based association based on distinguishable blinking behavior of fluorescing dyes.
US10234666B2 Depth enhanced and fluorescence lifetime stimulated fluorescent emission for in-vivo imaging
The specification relates to a microscopy system. The microscopy system includes a first laser emitting a first laser pulse, the first laser pulse being a pump beam; a second laser emitting a second laser pulse, the second laser pulse being a probe beam; time delay components for delaying the probe beam, wherein the time delay components delay the probe beam by 0.3 ps to 5 ns relative to the pump beam; an optical device for combining the pump beam and the delayed probe beam into a combined laser pulse, the combined laser pulse having a reduced focal spot size; a galvanometer scanning system for delivering the combined laser pulse to a focal spot in a focal plane, wherein the reduced focal spot size of the combined laser pulse initiates a stimulated emission of a targeted molecule, the stimulated emission having dipole-like backscatter, and a detector for detecting the dipole-like backscatter.
US10234665B2 Infrared microscope
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an infrared microscope with good measuring accuracy and less crosstalk.The infrared microscope 10 comprises a light source 12, an irradiating unit 14 for irradiating the infrared light from the light source to a sample 16, a focusing unit 18 for focusing the infrared light transmitted through or reflected by the sample 16, and a detector 20 for detecting the focused infrared light. The irradiating unit 14 comprises a first aperture 24, and the first aperture is disposed at a position where the infrared light from the light source passes therethrough. The focusing unit 18 comprises a second aperture 30, and the second aperture is disposed at an imaging position of the infrared light at the first aperture 24. The first aperture has a plurality of holes, and the holes are disposed at intervals corresponding to the arrangement of the light-receiving elements provided in the detector 20 to detect the infrared light as a detecting light. The second aperture 30 has holes that have the same size and arrangement as the first aperture 24.
US10234663B2 Variable power optical system, optical device, and method of manufacturing variable power optical system
A variable magnification optical system comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; a third lens group having positive refractive power; a fourth lens group having positive refractive power; and a fifth lens group; upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group, a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group and a distance between the fourth lens group and the fifth lens group being varied, the fifth lens group being moved with respect to the image plane; upon focusing the third lens group being moved along the optical axis; and the given conditional expressions being satisfied; thereby providing a small-size variable magnification optical system having a high variable magnification ratio and an excellent optical performance.
US10234658B2 Imaging lens assembly and electronic device
An imaging lens assembly includes a plurality of lens elements, wherein at least one of the lens elements is a dual molded lens element. The dual molded lens element includes a light transmitting portion and a light absorbing portion. The light transmitting portion includes an effective optical section. The light absorbing portion is located on at least one surface of an object-side surface and an image-side surface of the dual molded lens element, wherein a plastic material and a color of the light absorbing portion are different from a plastic material and a color of the light transmitting portion, and the light absorbing portion includes an opening. The opening is non-circular and disposed correspondingly to the effective optical section.
US10234657B1 Camera optical lens
The present disclosure discloses a camera optical lens. The camera optical lens including, in an order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens and a seventh lens. The camera optical lens further satisfies specific conditions.
US10234655B2 Imaging lens
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens suitable for a camera module using a high resolution imaging sensor, decreasing a flare phenomenon and reducing the sensitivity. The imaging lens comprises, orderly from the object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive force; a second lens having negative (−) refractive force; a third lens having positive (+) refractive force; a fourth lens having positive (+) refractive force; and a fifth lens having negative (−) refractive force, wherein an object side plane of the third lens is convexly formed.
US10234653B2 Imaging device with focus lens stopped at each of focus positions during video capturing
In the case in which a plurality of regions which is obtained by dividing an image region of the image data is set as partial regions, a controller detects focus positions respectively with respect to the partial regions and moves a focus lens to each of the detected focus positions to capture a video. The controller has, as a video capturing method for the video capturing, a first method in which the video capturing is performed with the focus lens stopped at each of the focus positions, and a second method in which the video capturing is performed with the focus lens being moved without stopped at each of the focus positions.
US10234648B2 Fiber optic enclosure with internal cable spool
A fiber optic enclosure assembly includes a housing having an interior region and a bearing mount disposed in the interior region of the housing. A cable spool is connectedly engaged with the bearing mount such that the cable spool selectively rotates within the housing. A termination module disposed on the cable spool so that the termination module rotates in unison with the cable spool. A method of paying out a fiber optic cable from a fiber optic enclosure includes rotating a cable spool, which has a subscriber cable coiled around a spooling portion of the cable spool, about an axis of a housing of the fiber optic enclosure until a desired length of subscriber cable is paid out. A termination module is disposed on the cable spool.
US10234647B2 Optical termination box
An optical termination box comprising: a tubular housing (10) with an open end (10b) and a closed end (10a) provided with an input opening (11) for an optical distribution cable (100); a cover (20) securable against the open end (10b) of the housing (10) and pierced by output adapters (30); and an optical fiber accommodating tray (40), internal to the tubular housing (10) and having a first end (41) carrying a tubular bushing (50) with a base portion (51) seated against the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10), and a projecting body portion (52) out of the input opening (11), to cooperate with a puller (60) that holds the tubular bushing (50) hermetically pressed against the closed end (10a) of the tubular housing (10). The tubular bushing (50) hermetically receives and retains an end portion (100a) of an optical distribution cable (100) containing at least one optical fiber (FO).
US10234646B2 Light source assembly supporting direct coupling to an integrated circuit
Methods and systems for a photonically enabled complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip are disclosed. The CMOS chip may comprise a plurality of lasers, a microlens, a turning mirror, and an optical bench, and may generate optical signals utilizing the lasers, focus the optical signals utilizing the microlens, and reflect the optical signals at an angle defined by the turning mirror. The reflected optical signals may be transmitted into the photonically enabled CMOS chip, which may comprise a non-reciprocal polarization rotator, comprising a latching faraday rotator. The CMOS chip may comprise a reciprocal polarization rotator, which may comprise a half-wave plate comprising birefringent materials operably coupled to the optical bench. The turning mirror may be integrated in the optical bench and may reflect the optical signals to transmit through a lid operably coupled to the optical bench.
US10234641B2 In-line sealed adapter tube
In-line sealed adapter tubes configured to seal non-hardened connectors when connected with hardened connectors such as an outdoor rated connectors. An adapter tube for sealing a non-hardened connector comprises an adapter body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The adapter tube further comprises a first adapter endcap configured to couple to the first end and further configured to receive a hardened connector. The adapter tube further comprises a second adapter endcap configured to couple to the second end and further configured to receive a non-hardened connector for coupling to the hardened connector, such that the non-hardened connector is disposed within the adapter body.
US10234639B2 Pressing cleaner for an optical connector's end face
A pressing cleaner for an optical connector's end face includes a housing, a support unit fixed inside the housing, a feeding unit which is opposite to the support unit and held and moved in the housing; the feeding unit is pivotally fitted at a rotary unit ahead, the rotary unit is provided with a cleaning head at the front side, the cleaning head is equipped with a pressing surface ahead, and the feeding unit allows a cleaning wire to be stretched and wound around the cleaning head as well as the pressing surface externally; the rotary unit includes a worm shaft on which guiding slots are opened wherein the guiding slots correspond to pins in the front of the support unit for holding the pins inside the guiding slots; an optical connector's end face is cleaned by the cleaning wire when the pressing surface is activated and the rotary unit is driven via the pins and the guiding slots for rotations.
US10234637B2 Expanded beam fiber optic connector, and cable assembly, and methods for manufacturing
A fiber optic cable and connector assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the assembly includes a cable optical fiber, an optical fiber stub and a beam expanding fiber segment optically coupled between the cable optical fiber and the optical fiber stub. The optical fiber stub has a constant mode field diameter along its length and has a larger mode field diameter than the cable optical fiber. In another aspect, a fiber optic cable and connector assembly includes a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including an expanded beam fiber segment supported within the ferrule. The expanded beam fiber segment can be constructed such that the expanded beam fiber segment is polished first and then cleaved to an exact pitch length. The expanded beam fiber segment can be fusion spliced to a single mode optical fiber at a splice location behind the ferrule.
US10234634B2 Flexible device for distributing hybrid cable and transitioning from trunk cable to jumper cable
A cable breakout assembly includes: a cable including a plurality of signal-carrying members enclosed in a protective jacket; a plurality of connector modules, each of the connector modules having at least one side wall and a connector mounted thereto, wherein the connector modules are arranged in serial relationship along an axis, with a gap between adjacent connector modules; and at least one flex member extending between the connector modules that substantially prevents the axial spacing of the gaps between adjacent connector modules from increasing, but enables adjacent connector modules to flex about the axis relative to each other. Each of the signal carrying-members is connected with a respective connector.
US10234631B2 Preventing delamination of a coating on an optical fiber when stripping the fiber
A length of a coating on an optical fiber is cut and stripped from an end of the fiber by supporting the fiber in confronting relation to a cutting edge on one or more blades. Each blade is positioned so that its cutting edge cuts into the coating without delaminating the coating from an underlying fiber cladding by providing the cutting edge with sufficient sharpness. The coating is sliced around the circumference of the fiber by either rotating the fiber about its axis so that the cutting edge of each blade slices the coating around a corresponding portion of the circumference of the fiber, or rotating the cutting edge of each blade about the fiber axis so that the cutting edge slices the coating around a corresponding portion of the circumference of the fiber. A cut length of the coating is then removed from the end of the fiber.
US10234629B2 Method for reducing threading dislocation of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and a method for producing a semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first silicon layer; a first dielectric layer, located on the first silicon layer, where the first dielectric layer includes a window, and a bottom horizontal size of the window of the first dielectric layer is not greater than 20 nm; and a III-V semiconductor layer, located on the first dielectric layer and in the window of the first dielectric layer, and connected to the first silicon layer in the window of the first dielectric layer. A III-V semiconductor material of the semiconductor device has no threading dislocations, and therefore has relatively high performance.
US10234628B2 Method for producing semiconductor device
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate product including a substrate and a first stacked semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate, the first stacked semiconductor layer including a plurality of semiconductor layers having different compositions that are alternately and periodically stacked with a predetermined period; forming a mask on the substrate product; and etching the first stacked semiconductor layer using the mask. The step of etching the first stacked semiconductor layer includes the steps of: optically monitoring an optical signal including a light component reflected from an etched surface of the substrate product for detecting an endpoint of etching; converting the optical signal to an electric signal to generate a monitoring signal; performing Fourier transform on the monitoring signal to generate a spectrum signal; and determining the endpoint detection of the etching by using the spectrum signal provided by the Fourier transform.
US10234623B2 Backlight module and backlight source and plastic frame thereof
The present disclosure proposes a backlight source of a backlight module. The backlight source includes: one or more strip-shaped source carrier, comprising a plurality of holes arranged on a light emitting surface; the source carrier combined with the plastic frame; the source carrier and the plastic frame enclosing a rectangular frame; a PCB, arranged on the source carrier; and a source, corresponding to the hole and arranged on the source carrier; the source connected to the printed circuit board and transmitting light into the backlight module from the hole. The combination of the plastic frame and the backlight source realizes the respective functions of the conventional plastic frame and the conventional backlight source. Owing to the simplified plastic frame and backlight source, the bezel of the display can be narrower and smaller to satisfy the demands for the display with a narrow bezel.
US10234621B2 Display device
A display device includes a first display panel including a display surface defined by first and second directions, a second display panel spaced apart from the first display panel in a third direction perpendicular to the display surface, and a backlight unit disposed between the first and second display panels to provide a light to the first and second display panels. The backlight unit includes a light emitting element, a first exit light guide plate, a second exit light guide plate spaced apart from the first exit light guide plate, a first light-division light guide member, and a second light-division light guide member.
US10234616B2 Simplified low profile module with light guide for pendant, surface mount, wall mount and stand alone luminaires
A luminaire having a waveguide suspended beneath a mounting element, the waveguide has a first surface proximal to the mounting element, a second surface distal to the mounting element, and an edge between the first and the second surfaces. At least one cavity extends into the waveguide from the first surface to the second surface. A LED component is coupled to the waveguide so as to emit light into the cavity. LED support structures are also disclosed.
US10234614B2 Light source assemblies and systems and methods with mode homogenization
A method of generating light for use in tracing an end of a cable assembly includes coupling convergent visible light into an input end of a multimode mode-homogenizing optical fiber having low-order and high-order modes and comprising an output end, a fiber angle, a length and a mode-homogenization length. The inputted light is initially concentrated mainly in the low-order modes. The method also includes conveying the light through the length of the mode-homogenizing optical fiber to form outputted light that is substantially mode-homogenized, substantially spatially uniform and substantially angularly uniform and having a divergence angle that is substantially the same as the fiber angle. Light source assemblies and systems for carrying out the method are also disclosed.
US10234610B2 Optical element
An optical element includes an optical block through which object light is transmitted along a light transmission axis direction, a first wavelength selection filter provided on a first filter surface set such that a normal line forms an angle α with the light transmission axis, and a second wavelength selection filter located on a rear side with respect to the first wavelength selection filter, and provided on a second filter surface set such that a normal line forms an angle α with the light transmission axis, the second filter surface being in non-parallel, having an opposite inclination direction, and forming an angle 2α with the first filter surface. The optical block is constituted by combining an incidence-side block, a first filter block, a second filter block, and an emission-side block, formed of the same material and in the same shape.
US10234607B1 Composite prism, manufacturing method thereof, backlight unit and display device
A composite prism, a manufacturing method thereof, a backlight unit and a display device are provided. The composite prism includes: a first prism sheet and a second prism sheet superimposed on each other, a part of a first surface of the second prism sheet near the first prism sheet contacting the first prism sheet; a gap being formed between the other part of the first surface and the first prism sheet; and a reflecting layer disposed on the surface of the second prism sheet contacting the first prism sheet and configured to allow light irradiated from the second prism sheet to the first prism sheet to travel through the gap.
US10234606B2 Nano diffuser
A method of scattering light includes positioning a Nanocomposite Optical Ceramic (NCOC) diffuser to receive light and scattering the light with the NCOC diffuser. The NCOC diffuser is substantially Lambertian over a waveband range.
US10234604B1 Ocular optical system
An ocular optical system configured to allow imaging rays from a display frame to enter an observer's eye through the ocular optical system to form an image is provided. The ocular optical system includes a lens element having an eye-side surface and a display-side surface. The lens element has an optical axis extending from a display side toward an eye side. The display-side surface of the lens element adopts a Fresnel lens design. The display-side has a plurality of effective sub-surfaces and a plurality of ineffective sub-surfaces. The effective sub-surfaces are configured to allow the image rays to form an image. Each ineffective sub-surface connects two adjacent effective sub-surfaces. The ocular optical system satisfies: 1.500≤R1/SagI≤4.000, where SagI is a total of lengths of orthogonal projections of the effective sub-surfaces respectively projected onto the optical axis, and R1 is a half of a clear aperture of the display-side surface.
US10234603B2 Head mounted display device
A head mounted display device includes at least one display panel, two first lenses, two second lenses, and microstructures. The display panel is adapted to provide an image beam. The first lenses are disposed between the display panel and a focus area. Each first lens includes a first surface and a second surface. The second lenses are disposed between the first lenses and the focus area. The microstructures are disposed on at least one of the first surfaces and the second surfaces. Each first lens has an axis. The microstructures include a first microstructure group disposed close to the axis and a second microstructure group disposed away from the axis. A first angle is formed between any two adjacent microstructures in the first microstructure group, and a second angle is formed between any two adjacent microstructures in the second microstructure group. The first angle is greater than the second angle.
US10234598B2 Aggregation and analytics for application-specific optimization based on multiple data sources
Aggregating and transforming data, and performing analytics thereupon, for application-specific optimization based on multiple data sources. The data is preferably ingressed automatically, and may originate from various public and/or private data sources. Data transformation preferably aligns the data aggregated from the various sources, to thereby allow meaningful referencing. Complex and non-aligned data can therefore be consolidated, such that it is readily digestible by simulation (or other) software. In an embodiment, risk of flooding for a supply chain is computed from the aggregated and transformed data, using data analytics based on physical computation for flood risk assessment, allowing the supply chain to be optimized with regard to threat of flooding and/or actual flooding. In another embodiment, risk of wild fire may be assessed. Other types of risk may also be assessed.
US10234594B2 Security scanning device
A method for scanning an individual with a security device includes providing a scanner, engaging the scanner in a first scanning mode to produce an initial scan of the individual with a controller, producing an initial representation based on the initial scan, determining a property of a second scanning mode based on information from the initial representation, and engaging the scanner in the second scanning mode to produce a second scan of the individual.
US10234593B2 Formation fluid analysis tool comprising an integrated computational element and an optical filter
An example formation fluid analysis tool includes an optical element and a detector configured to receive light passed through the optical element. The optical element is configured to receive light from a fluid sample and comprises a substrate, an integrated computational element (ICE) fabricated on a first side of the substrate, and an optical filter fabricated on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side.
US10234592B2 Electromagnetic (EM) well logging tools and related methods
An electromagnetic well logging tool for a wireline logging process, includes a shaft, a transmitter coil mounted on the shaft and configured to generate primary magnetic fields for propagation into a well formation, upon excitation by a first current, a receiver coil mounted on the shaft at a predefined distance from the transmitter coil and configured to receive secondary magnetic fields generated from the well formation, and a bucking coil mounted on the shaft in a concentric arrangement with the receiver coil, wherein the bucking coil is configured to generate magnetic fields at the receiver coil upon excitation by a second current, for cancelling the magnetic fields generated at the receiver coil due to direct coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils.
US10234589B2 Surface marking tool
A surface marking tool, comprising a housing a sensor coupled in the housing to identify a specific location on a surface a marker having a back end and an engaging end, whereby the back end is coupled to the underside of the housing and the engaging end extends beyond the underside of the housing to engage with the target surface; and at least one foot coupled to the underside of the housing. Another aspect of the present invention includes a surface marking tool, comprising a housing, a sensor coupled in the housing to identify a specific location on a surface, a marker having an engaging end, whereby the marker is housed in an open faced cartridge with a back end, whereby the engaging end of the marker extends beyond the cartridge to engage with the target surface, and the back end of the cartridge is coupled to the underside of the housing and extends beyond the underside of the housing, and at least one foot coupled to the underside of the housing. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of using a surface marking tool, comprising the steps of positioning the surface marking tool against a target surface, using a sensor coupled in the housing to identify a specific location on the target surface, and applying force to the surface marking tool against the target surface, and causing at least one foot to compress and causing a marker housed within the underside of the housing to engage with the target surface and leave a mark.
US10234587B2 Active steering for marine seismic sources
A seismic survey system having a source array (11) coupled to a deflector device (15) that controls the position of the source array. A positioning system unit (16) is mounted on the source array to provide a signal to a controller, informing the controller of the current position of the source array so that the controller can control the position of the deflector device (15) and the coupled source array. A seismic source (14) on the source array may be triggered when the source array is at a desired location as measured by the positioning system unit. The deflector device (15) comprises one or more wings (18) in a generally vertical or, alternatively, in a generally horizontal arrangement disposed adjacent to a central body (19). The streamlined central body has connection points that allow the deflector device (15) to be connected to a tow cable (13) from the tow vessel (12) and to the source array (11).
US10234586B2 System and method of a buoyant tail section of a geophysical streamer
Buoyant tail section of a geophysical streamer. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of performing a geophysical survey in a marine environment, the method including: towing an active section of a geophysical streamer in the marine environment, the active section having a buoyancy; towing a tail section, the tail section coupled to a distal end of the active section, the towing of the tail section by way of the active section, and at least a portion of the tail section having a buoyancy that is both positively buoyant and greater than buoyancy of the active section; towing a tail buoy in the marine environment, the tail buoy coupled to a distal end of the tail section, and the towing of the tail buoy by way of the tail section; and gathering geophysical survey data by way of the active section.
US10234582B2 Joint inversion of seismic data
A computer-implemented method of joint inversion of seismic data comprising receiving seismic data, selecting, by a computer system, a travel time data and waveform data, the selecting using the seismic data and generating a velocity model of a near-surface. The method comprises preparing parameters with which to update the velocity model by: calculating synthetic travel time data and synthetic waveform data; determining a travel time misfit gradient using the travel time data and synthetic travel time data; determining a wave-property misfit gradient based on the waveform data and the synthetic waveform data; calculating a join inversion gradient comprising the travel time misfit gradient and the wave-property misfit gradient; and estimating a step length. The method further comprises updating the velocity model using the step length and join inversion gradient; and repeating the preparing and updating steps until a travel time misfit and wave-property misfit reach a predetermined value.
US10234579B2 Simultaneous shooting nodal acquisition seismic survey methods
A method of performing a seismic survey including: deploying nodal seismic sensors at positions in a survey region; activating a plurality of seismic sources; and using the nodal seismic sensors to record seismic signals generated in response to the activation of the plurality of signals.
US10234572B2 Multiple spatial resolution scintillation detectors
High sensitivity and high spatial resolution detection modules are provided that that can be built into an array or incorporated into PET or other types of gamma ray detectors and imagers. Each detection module has a scintillation detector block, light detector and optional light guide. The detector block may be formed of a first scintillation layer material that has a fast decay constant and high light output (e.g. LYSO) and a second scintillation layer material with a slow decay constant and a lower light output (e.g. BGO) with a first layer to second layer array pitch ratio of approximately 2:3. Due to the large difference of light output and decay time of LYSO and BGO signals, three different types of events (LYSO, BGO and CLCS) can be identified with high accuracy.
US10234570B2 PET device, PET-MRI apparatus, and image processing method
In a PET device, a first detector includes a plurality of first scintillators and detects gamma rays emitted from positron-emitting radionuclides injected into a subject. A second detector is provided on the outer circumferential side of the first detector, includes a plurality of second scintillators arranged in an arrangement surface density lower than that of the first scintillators, and detects gamma rays that have passed through the first detector. A counted information acquiring unit acquires, as first counted information and second counted information, the detection positions, energy values, and detection time regarding gamma rays detected by the first detector and the second detector. Based on the detection time contained in each of the first counted information and the second counted information, an energy value adder generate corrected counted information by summing the energy values contained in the first counted information and the second counted information.
US10234560B2 Method and time-of-flight camera for providing distance information
The invention relates to a method for providing distance information of a scene with a time-of-flight camera, comprising the steps of emitting a modulated light pulse towards the scene, receiving reflections of the modulated light pulse from the scene, evaluating a time-of-flight information for the received reflections of the modulated light pulse, and deriving distance information from the time-of-flight information for the received reflections, whereby a spread spectrum signal is applied to a base frequency of the modulation of the light pulse, and the time-of-flight information is evaluated under consideration of the a spread spectrum signal applied to the base frequency of the modulation of the light pulse. The invention further relates to a time-of-flight camera for providing distance information from a scene, whereby the time-of-flight camera performs the above method.
US10234558B2 Moving object detection device using ultrasonic sensor, method thereof, and warning system using the same
A moving object detection device using an ultrasonic sensor, a method thereof, and a warning system using the same is provided. The moving object detection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor configured to receive a plurality of reflected signals per period; and a detector configured to divide a sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor into a plurality of regions, detect a region of the plurality of regions as a region of interest (ROI) when an intensity of a reflected signal of the plurality of reflected signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in a region of the plurality of regions, and detect a moving object based on changes in the ROI.
US10234553B2 Doppler-based compression of imaging radar data
A method for processing a sequence of images is provided. The method receives a sequence of images. Each image includes a plurality of pixels. The pixels include radial velocity information. The method compresses the sequence of images based on the radial velocity information. The method stores the compressed sequence of images in a storage device.
US10234548B2 Ultrasonic detection device to determine interference source by an additional reception mode
The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic detection device and detection method thereof. The ultrasonic detection device includes a processor and a transceiver module, whereby the transceiver module may be operated to enter an additional reception mode and receive a first ambient echo. The processor may analyze the first ambient echo and generate an analysis result. When the generated analysis result shows that the first ambient echo has a signal characteristic indicative of an interference source in the environment, the transceiver module may again enter the additional reception mode before a detection operation is performed. As a result, an elimination mode may be performed to correctly obtain or distinguish the corresponding reflected wave of the detection operation, thereby avoiding an error of operation, such as distance detection, due to the presence of an interference source.
US10234545B2 Light source module
An embodiment of the invention provides apparatus for providing light pulses comprising a light source electrically connected to a low inductance configuration of electrodes for electrically connecting the light source to a power supply.
US10234544B2 Laser radar device
An optical transmitter 1 includes an optical phase modulator 131 that performs phase modulation on a continuously oscillating light, a light intensity modulator 132 that performs pulse modulation on the light on which the phase modulation is performed, to output the light as a transmission light, a first signal generator 133 that generates a pulse modulation driving signal in which on and off time intervals are repeated periodically, to drive the optical intensity modulator 132, and a second signal generator 134 that generates a saw tooth wave driving signal having an amplitude equal to an integral multiple of a driving voltage needed to acquire a modulation phase of 2π of the optical phase modulator 131, and having a constant period, to drive the optical phase modulator 131.
US10234543B2 Methods and systems for locating targets using non linear radar with a matched filter which uses exponential value of the transmit signal
Embodiments of the present invention concern locating targets using non-linear radar with a matched filter which uses exponential value of the transmit signal. According to embodiments, a method of non-linear radar target location includes: transmitting a signal of a transmit waveform towards a target; receiving a signal from the target; creating a matched filter by generating an exponential function of the transmit waveform corresponding to a particular harmonic of the interest; and applying the matched filter to the received signal to generate and output a signature waveform for the target of the particular harmonic of interest. In other embodiments, the matched filtering may be combined with sidelobe reduction.
US10234542B2 Measurement of transceiver performance parameters in a radar system
Methods for monitoring of performance parameters of one or more receive channels and/or one or more transmit channels of a radar system-on-a-chip (SOC) are provided. The radar SOC may include a loopback path coupling at least one transmit channel to at least one receive channel to provide a test signal from the at least one transmit channel to the at least one receive channel when the radar SOC is operated in test mode. In some embodiments, the loopback path includes a combiner coupled to each of one or more transmit channels, a splitter coupled to each of one or more receive channels, and a single wire coupling an output of the combiner to an input of the splitter.
US10234540B2 Vehicle radar system and method for controlling the same
A vehicle radar system and a method for operating a vehicle radar system are disclosed. A vehicle radar system includes a first transmitting antenna configured to transmit a first radar signal toward a target, a second transmitting antenna configured to transmit a second radar signal having the same waveform as the first radar signal toward the target, and a first controller coupled to the first transmitting antenna. The first controller is configured to set a first blanking time that comprises a time of an inflection point of the first radar signal based on a delay time between a transmission time of the first radar signal and a transmission time of the second radar signal.
US10234536B2 ADS-B geolocation
A method of geolocating comprises: receiving wirelessly, at an asset located on the Earth's surface and from at least two airborne aircraft, ADS-B signals, respectively; interpolating, using a Bayes filter, at least some state information of the at least two airborne aircraft based on the ADS-B signals, respectively; determining differences in received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values (RSSI-difference values) of successive aircraft-specific ADS-B signals, respectively; estimating, using a likelihood function, locations of the asset based on the RSSI-difference values, the ADS-B signals and the interpolated state information, respectively, thereby producing a set of estimated locations; and searching amongst the set to find one of the estimated locations that is regarded as being most likely to most accurately describe an actual position of the asset.
US10234535B2 Computer system for measuring real time position of a plurality of animals
The present invention relates to a computer system for measuring real time position of a plurality of animals, which system receives input from a plurality of sensors, communicating with at least tags carried by the animals, which system based of measurement of delay in radio communication calculates the actual position of the animals. It is the first object of the invention to achieve real time position of animals in a limited area. A further object is based of the real time position to analyze the behavior of each of the animals. The sensors further performs communication with a plurality of reference tags, and performs a calibration of the real time position measured by the system, which system comprises a CPU with at least two cores, which system divides the data processing in a first real time position processing in the first core of the processor, and into a second processing of the activity of the animals performed in the second core of the processor. By using fixed reference tags together with tags, it the computer system performs an automatic calibration of all received signals from animals.
US10234534B2 Kalman filtered correlation interferometry geolocation
A method and system for Kalman-Filtering in geolocation is provided. One aspect of the disclosure provides using an extreme geo program/method to converge on the location of an emitter, using a correlation function inherent in a Correlation Interferometry Geolocation (CIGL) program, and using Kalman filtering to find a peak correlation surface for an array.
US10234526B2 Automatic creation of MR scan templates for a magnetic resonance apparatus
In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and operating method, an MR scan is designated in a processor by acquiring values of parameters of imaging sequences of the MR scan. The MR scan and properties of the MR scan are stored so as to be allocated to an MR scan template. The acquisition of an MR scan and the storing of an MR scan template are carried out several times. In the processor, one of the MR scan templates is determined by detecting properties of an MR scan to be performed and determining the MR scan template as a function of the properties. Imaging sequences of the determined MR scan template are then implemented in order to acquire MR data.
US10234525B2 Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquiring MR data from multiple slices simultaneously
In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a predetermined volume within an examination object, a control protocol for a gradient echo sequence is selected that specifies that gradient moments produced in said gradient echo sequence be balanced along all three spatial directions. In this gradient echo sequence a slice selection gradient is activated in a slice selection direction that produces a balanced gradient moment, with simultaneous radiation of an RF pulse that simultaneously excites nuclear spins in multiple slices of the examination object, with said excitation being repeated according to a repetition time. A phase of MR signals to be acquired from a same one of said multiple layers is varied from repetition time-to-repetition time. An additional gradient is activated in the slice selection gradient that produces an additional gradient moment that is constant over consecutive repetition times and thus overrides the condition of the gradient moments of the gradient echo sequence being balanced along said slice selection direction. The MR signals are acquired during activation of a readout gradient.
US10234524B2 Shifted pulses for simultaneous multi-slice imaging
A computer-implemented method for performing multi-slice magnetic resonance imaging with comparable contrast between simultaneously excited slices includes applying a first pulse sequence to a volume of interest to acquire a first k-space dataset. This first pulse sequence comprises a plurality of single-band slice-selective pulses applied in a first predefined order. One or more additional pulse sequences are also applied to the volume of interest to acquire one or more additional k-space datasets. Each additional pulse sequence comprises the plurality of single-band slice-selective pulses applied in one or more additional predefined orders that are distinct from the first predefined order. One or more final images are reconstructed using the first k-space dataset and the one or more additional k-space datasets.
US10234523B2 MRI with dixon-type water/fat separation with estimation of the main magnetic field variations
MR imaging of at least two chemical species having different MR spectra provides a Dixon water/fat separation that avoids swaps of water and fat signals in the reconstructed MR images due to large gradients of the main magnetic field B0. The method includes the steps of: a) generating echo signals at different echo times by subjecting an object (10) positioned in a main magnetic field to a multi-echo imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients; b) acquiring the echo signals; c) correcting the acquired echo signals by virtual shimming. The vertical shimming includes reconstructing single echo images from the echo signals; selecting a number of voxel positions; fitting a given mathematical function, which reproduces the spatial variation of the main magnetic field, to the echo time-dependent phase evolution of the single echo image values at the selected voxel positions; and demodulating the single echo images according to the spatial variation of the main magnetic field as reproduced by the mathematical function. In this manner, signal contributions of the at least two chemical species are separated on the basis of the demodulated single echo images.
US10234522B2 MR imaging with dixon-type water/fat separation
An improved method of MR imaging of at least two chemical species having different MR spectra, such as water and fat, enables a precise quantification of water and fat or derived measures, such as a fat fraction. The method includes the steps of: a) generating two or more echo signals at different echo times by subjecting a body (10) placed in the examination volume of a MR device (1) to an imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients; b) acquiring the two or more echo signals; c) separating signal contributions of the at least two chemical species to the acquired echo signals on the basis of a signal model including the MR spectrum of each of the chemical species, the spatial variation of the main magnetic field in the examination volume, the effective transverse relaxation rate, and eddy current-induced phase errors. The eddy current-induced phase errors are estimated by a fitting procedure from the two or more echo signals.
US10234520B2 Arrangement for modifying a main magnetic field and method for producing such an arrangement
A carrier structure (2) of an arrangement (1) for modifying a main magnetic field generated in a magnetic resonance tomograph from multiple carrier elements (3, 37). A conductor arrangement (4) is respectively arranged on each carrier element (3, 37). The conductor arrangements (4) respectively include a primary conductor arrangement (6) for generating a primary magnetic field that modifies the main magnetic field and a secondary conductor arrangement (7) for shielding the primary magnetic field. A method for producing a modularly constructible arrangement (1) is provided, which can be used for example for spatial encoding.
US10234517B2 Magnetism measuring device, manufacturing method of magnetism measuring device, gas cell, and manufacturing method of gas cell
A magnetism measuring device includes: a wall forming a cell portion; an opening which is open to a portion of the wall; a sealing material which seals the opening; a coating layer which covers the sealing material on an inside of the cell portion; and an alkali metal gas which is sealed in the cell portion.
US10234516B2 Magnetic field sensor
In one aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes a chopper stabilized amplifier and a plurality of Hall-type elements in parallel and connected to the chopper stabilized amplifier. In another aspect, a magnetic field sensor includes a chopper stabilized amplifier and a plurality of Hall quad elements in parallel and connected to the chopper stabilized amplifier. In a further aspect, a current sensor has a bandwidth of 1 MHz and includes a chopper stabilized amplifier and a plurality of Hall quad elements, fabricated in silicon, in parallel and connected to the chopper stabilized amplifier.
US10234512B2 Current-based cell modeling
An arrangement provides simulation of important battery factors such as state of charge or state of health, and the estimates are provided to the human user in ways that permit the human user to make better use of the battery, for example in an electric car. The arrangement is made up in part of nodes, each individually simulated, and at least some of the nodes communicate with each other by means of values which within the domain of the simulator are understood as currents but which may have real-world significance for some value that is not a current at all. The currents are passed on a (simulated) analog bus. Some lines on the analog bus, while understood as “currents” in the domain of the simulator, are actually values that merely pass messages between modeling elements, the “current” values not necessarily representing any real-life measurable such as the aforementioned temperature value.
US10234509B2 Controller and anomaly diagnostic device
The controller is equipped with a detection signal acquiring unit adapted to acquire a detection signal from a sensor that detects a physical quantity caused by vibrations generated at a detected location due to rotation of an electric motor, a phase information acquiring unit adapted to acquire phase information of the electric motor, a time width determining unit adapted to determine a time width, which coincides with a period of a phenomena occurring at the detected location due to rotation of the electric motor, on the basis of the phase information, a signal dividing unit adapted to divide the detection signal based on the determined time width, and an adding and averaging unit adapted to add and average a plurality of divided signals divided by the time width.
US10234508B1 Dynamic parameter estimation of generators
Various examples are provided for parameter estimation of generators. In one example, among others, a method includes collecting data corresponding to a generator using a phasor management unit (PMU) and estimating dynamic parameters of the generator using extended Kalman filtering (EKF) and the collected PMU data. In another example, a system includes at least one application executable in a processing device that obtains operational data corresponding to a generator and estimates a dynamic parameter of the generator using EKF and the operational data. In another example, an EKF estimator includes a dynamics estimator configured to estimate a state variable of a generator, a geometry estimator configured to estimate phasor values associated with the generator, and a Kalman filter gain configured to determine a correction to the state variable.
US10234507B2 Implementing register array (RA) repair using LBIST
A method and circuit for implementing register array repair using Logic Built In Self Test (LBIST), and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Register array repair includes identifying and creating a list of any repairable Register Arrays (RAs) that effect an LBIST fail result. Next a repair solution is detected for each of the repairable Register Arrays (RAs) isolating a failing location for the detected repair solution for each array.
US10234506B2 Continuous application and decompression of test patterns and selective compaction of test responses
A method for applying test patterns to scan chains in a circuit-under-test. The method includes providing a compressed test pattern of bits; decompressing the compressed test pattern into a decompressed test pattern of bits as the compressed test pattern is being provided; and applying the decompressed test pattern to scan chains of the circuit-under-test. The actions of providing the compressed test pattern, decompressing the compressed test pattern, and applying the decompressed pattern are performed synchronously at the same or different clock rates, depending on the way in which the decompressed bits are to be generated. A circuit that performs the decompression includes a decompressor such as a linear finite state machine adapted to receive a compressed test pattern of bits. The decompressor decompresses the test pattern into a decompressed test pattern of bits as the compressed test pattern is being received.
US10234499B1 Integrated circuit testing using on-chip electrical test structure
Techniques and test structures for determining reliability and performance characteristics of an integrated circuit (IC) device are disclosed. For example, an IC device includes multiple functional elements and multiple test elements. The test elements are electrically coupled in series between a first test port and a second test port. A method of testing the IC device includes applying an electrical stimulus between the first test port and the second test port, measuring a parametric value in response to the electrical stimulus, comparing the parametric value and a statistical value, and determining a pass or fail status of the IC device. The statistical value is representative of a predicted reliability of the IC device.
US10234498B2 Automated test equipment for testing a device under test and method for testing a device under test
An automated test equipment for testing a device under test includes a control unit and a plurality of tester subunits. The control unit is configured to put the tester subunits in a state of lower activity in dependence on a current demand on the test resources.
US10234497B2 Electronic component state determination
Techniques are disclosed for increasing a quantity of candidate electronic-component states determinable from one or more input pins. The techniques may use an internal pull resistor to test a strength of an external resistor to gain two extra candidate pin states. Additional candidate electronic-component states are then gained based on the extra candidate pin states, combinations of pin states of two or more input pins, and/or detecting a short between two or more input pins.
US10234493B2 Wireless module, electronic module, and measuring method
A wireless module includes a substrate, an antenna provided on a surface of the substrate, and a circuit, provided on the substrate, and configured to transmit and receive signals through the antenna. The antenna includes a terminal provided on a tip end part thereof.
US10234490B1 ANSI electrical modular meter for electricity meters
An electricity meter assembly includes a meter and a module assembly. The meter includes a meter cavity, at least one electrical component within the meter cavity, and a module compartment having a module cavity. The module compartment is within the meter cavity and the meter cavity is isolated from the module cavity. The module assembly includes at least one supplemental board configured to supplement the at least one electrical component. The module assembly is removably positioned within the module cavity such that the module assembly is field-removable, and wherein the module assembly is hot pluggable with the meter.
US10234485B2 Measuring arrangement
A measuring arrangement for determining at least one measured variable with a sensor device (2), a signal outlet for outputting of an output signal and a current-adjusting device for adjusting the current of the output signal provides a measuring arrangement whose power consumption is at a maximum for preferably all states of operation. The object is obtained the measuring arrangement that a load current device and a regulating device are provided. Here, the regulating device controls the load current device based on a voltage drop via the current-adjusting device (4).
US10234483B2 Sampling circuit, sampling method, sampling oscilloscope, and waveform display method
A frequency synthesizer 11a outputs a periodic signal r(t) at a frequency detuned by a predetermined frequency Δf [Hz] from a frequency of 1/integer of a frequency of a reference clock signal f0 synchronized with a signal to be measured ws. A first sampler unit 12 samples the signal to be measured ws at a timing of the trigger signal CLK. A second sampler unit 13a samples an I signal I(t) at the timing of the trigger signal CLK. A phase shifter 13b outputs a Q signal Q(t) obtained by shifting a phase of the reference clock signal f0 by 90°. A third sampler unit 13c samples the Q signal at the timing of the trigger signal CLK. A correction value calculation unit 13d calculates a correction value Δt(n) based on sampling data I(n) and Q(n) and a set value t(n) of a sampling time.
US10234475B2 Additive manufacturing method for an avionic equipment
Manufacturing method by addition for at least one part of a piece of aeronautic equipment intended to equip an aircraft, the equipment piece including at least one part intended to be arranged at a skin of the aircraft and heating elements for that part, which include a thermodynamic loop including a closed circuit at least partially integrated, in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, the closed circuit including an evaporator and a zone in which condensation of the heat transfer fluid can occur in the appendage to heat it, outside the evaporator, the circuit being formed by a tubular channel with an empty section at least partially integral with the equipment piece, at least the part of the equipment piece arranged outside the aircraft is made by additive manufacturing and includes a base for fastening on the skin of the aircraft from which support elements for a Pitot tube extend.
US10234472B2 Automatic analysis device
Disclosed is an automatic analysis device in which a check item at a time of an analysis start can be set in accordance with a skill level of an operator, an analysis can be performed after the check item being displayed and confirmed, and erroneous measurement caused due to a missed check can be prevented. The check item such as checking the remaining quantity of a reagent or the like displayed in a check screen before the analysis start can be set for each type of operator, each day, each time. The set check item is configured to be displayed in a screen before the analysis start, and unless the operator confirms the check item, the analysis start is not allowed in principle. An automatic analysis device which can prevent erroneous measurement caused due to a missed check of the operator before the analysis start is realized.
US10234470B2 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for detecting dinitolmide and use thereof
The present invention discloses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for detecting dinitolmide and use thereof. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit of the present invention comprises dinitolmide antibody and coating antigen and enzyme conjugate; wherein, the dinitolmide antibody is dinitolmide monoclonal antibody or dinitolmide polyclonal antibody; when the coating antigen is the conjugate of dinitolmide hapten and carrier protein, the enzyme conjugate is enzyme-labeled secondary antibody, or enzyme-labeled specific anti-dinitolmide monoclonal or polyclonal antibody; when the coating antigen is dinitolmide antibody or secondary antibody, the enzyme conjugate is enzyme-labeled dinitolmide hapten. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit has a simple structure, and it is convenient for use, cheap and portable. Its detection is high effective, accurate, and convenient. It can be used for on-site monitoring and is suitable for qualitative and quantitative screenings of a great number of samples. And thus, it will play an important role in the detection of dinitolmide.
US10234469B2 Blood state analysis device, blood state analysis system, blood state analysis method, and storage device
A blood state analysis device (1) that analyzes a state of a blood sample, as used for clotting time testing, said blood sample comprising a plasma and at least one reagent, including a correction unit (11) configured to correct a measured blood coagulation evaluation result of the blood sample based on a relation between reference concentrations of the at least one reagent in plasma and reference blood coagulation evaluation results, the at least one reagent is an anticoagulation treatment releasing agent, a coagulation activator, an anticoagulant, a platelet activator, an antiplatelet drug, or a combination thereof and is present in the blood sample. For instance, such device (1) allows to correct blood clotting time results with respect to concentrations of an anti-coagulant drug present in the blood sample.
US10234467B2 Apparatus and method for testing medicaments
Apparatus for testing the solubility of a medical dosage form includes a chamber (12) for holding a solvent medium (18), in the preferred embodiment a bicarbonate based buffer system. The apparatus also includes a pH probe (66) which is connectable to a supply of carbon dioxide (32, 34), as well as to a supply of helium (40), the supplies being controlled by a control unit (50). The control unit (50) monitors changes in pH of the solvent medium (18) and, as appropriate, feeds pH increasing and/or pH reducing gas from the supplies (32, 34, 40) into the chamber (12). The control unit (50) is able to maintain a uniform pH during testing or to provide a dynamically adjustable pH during testing, for example to three or more different pH levels in order to test the performance of a drug carrier at different levels of acidity or alkalinity for example, mimicking the conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus (20) and associated method are particularly suitable for testing and developing dosage forms for oral delivery of drugs.
US10234464B2 Marker for statin treatment stratification in heart failure
The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.
US10234463B2 Aiding assessment of prognosis in inflammatory disease by measuring octameric PTX3
Some embodiments are directed to a method of collecting information useful in predicting clinical outcome in a subject, the method including providing a sample from said subject, and determining the level of octameric PTX3 in said sample, wherein determining the level of octameric PTX3 includes measuring the total amount of PTX3 present, and measuring the amount of octameric PTX3 present, and calculating the proportion of total PTX3 which is present as octamer, wherein if the proportion of octameric PTX3 is greater than 50%, the subject is identified as a likely non-survivor. Some embodiments are also directed to a method of collecting information useful in predicting clinical outcome in a subject, the method including providing a sample from said subject, and determining the level of octameric PTX3 in said sample, wherein an elevated level of octameric PTX3 compared to a reference level indicates a reduced likelihood of survival.
US10234462B2 Use of mimecan in the assessment of heart failure
The disclosure relates to assessing heart failure in vitro by measuring the concentration of the marker mimecan in a sample, and optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration of mimecan and the one or more other marker(s) to reference concentrations of this (or these) marker(s) as established in a reference population. The one or more markers may be selected from the group comprising a natriuretic peptide marker, a cardiac troponin marker, and a marker of inflammation. Also disclosed are the use of mimecan as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising mimecan, and a kit for measuring mimecan.
US10234460B2 Macrocyclic peptide, method for producing same, and screening method using macrocyclic peptide library
An object of the present invention is to provide a peptide excellent in resistance against metabolism, having a stable structure in vivo, and capable of penetrating a cell membrane and reaching in cells. The present invention provides a macrocyclic peptide having a macrocyclic structure comprised of four or more amino acids. At least two amino acids not adjacent to each other have a hydrophobic side chain and the hydrophobic side chains interact with each other inside the ring of the macrocyclic peptide in a hydrophilic environment.
US10234455B2 Regulatory brain specific ctyoplasmic RNAs (BC RNAs) and methods of use thereof in diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric lupus
Compositions and methods for diagnosing an increased risk of NPSLE are provided.
US10234447B2 Method for identification, selection and analysis of tumour cells
The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of tumoural conditions and/or of the corresponding state of advance, wherein a specimen of an organic fluid taken from the patient and having a high probability of containing at least one circulating tumor cell (CTC) or a disseminated tumor cell (CTD) is enriched in a population of CTCs or CTDs. According to the invention, at least one type of CTCs or CTDs is isolated by selecting individually single cells in a microfluidic device so to constitute a diagnostic specimen having a purity of at least 90%. On the specimen thus obtained there is subsequently performed a molecular analysis such as to highlight a characteristic thereof suited to enabling diagnosis.
US10234441B2 Water in fuel (WIF) sensor having electrostatic discharge capability
A water in fuel (WIF) sensor is disclosed, and comprises a main body defining a surface, a pair of electrical contacts, and a third electrical contact assembly. The pair of electrical contacts each have a first end portion that is located along the surface of the main body. A predetermined resistance flows between the electrical contacts when the first end portions of the electrical contacts are submerged in water. The third electrical contact assembly has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the third electrical contact assembly is located along the surface of the main body and the second end portion of the third electrical contact assembly is connectable to a ground.
US10234439B2 Methods and systems for analyzing a field
A method and system for monitoring the health and growth of plants in a field. The method and system acquire a thermal image indicative of thermal energy emitted by the plants and process the thermal image to assess variations in the temperatures among the plants.
US10234437B2 Hydrocarbon gas detection device
A device and associated method can detect hydrocarbon gas with at least a control module having a plurality of different gas detection means housed in a mobile enclosure, the control module configured to activate at least two different gas detection means to provide amounts and types of gases present in a fluid.
US10234435B2 Conductivity detector and ion chromatography system including the same
A conductivity detector includes a flow channel, an electrode arrangement, and a detector. The flow channel has a tube shape with a channel diameter through which a solution including ion components flows. The electrode arrangement is on the flow channel and includes at least an anode and at least a cathode. The anode and cathode are spaced apart by an electrode gap less than or equal to the channel diameter. The detector is connected to the electrode arrangement to detect electrical conductivity of the ion components.
US10234427B2 Noncontact deformation detecting device with inclination measurement
A deformation detecting device comprises a vibration module configured to vibrate a first point of a measuring plane of a measured object in a non-contact manner; a transmission time measurement module configured to measure transmission time of vibration from the first point to a second point of the measuring plane in a non-contact manner; an inclination measurement module configured to measure an inclination of the measuring plane to a reference surface in a non-contact manner; and a determination module configured to determine presence/absence of deformation in the measured object by comparing the transmission time with reference transmission time serving as transmission time of vibration from the first point to the second point in a case in which there is no inclination of the measuring plane and corrects the reference transmission time in response to the inclination of the measuring plane.
US10234420B2 Gas sensor control device
A NOx sensor includes a pump cell, a monitor cell, and a sensor cell, and the pump cell discharges an oxygen in an exhaust gas introduced into a chamber. The sensor cell outputs a detected signal depending on a concentration of a NOx according to a gas after the oxygen is discharged. A microcomputer of a sensor control circuit temporarily changes an amount of the oxygen discharged by the pump cell, and then calculates output change amounts ΔIp, ΔIs, and ΔIm of the cells. The microcomputer performs a correction of the concentration of the NOx detected by the sensor cell and a deterioration diagnosis of the sensor cell, based on the output change amounts ΔIp, ΔIs, and ΔIm of the cells. When the sensor cell current Is is smaller than the monitor cell current Im, the microcomputer determines that the NOx sensor has an abnormality.
US10234419B2 Static disk electrode for electroplating bath analysis
The presently claimed invention provides an electrochemical analytical apparatus for electrochemical bath analysis. The apparatus comprise a static electrode and a rotatable unit. As steady liquid flow can be generated on the electrolytic surface of the static electrode by the rotatable unit through rotation, the static disk electrode does not involve any movement during the bath analysis such that the design of the electrical contact in the electrode can be substantially simplified.
US10234411B2 System and method for the direct calorimetric measurement of laser absorptivity of materials
A method and system for calorimetrically measuring the temperature-dependent absorptivity of a homogeneous material dimensioned to be thin and flat with a predetermined uniform thickness and a predetermined porosity. The system includes a material holder adapted to support and thermally isolate the material to be measured, an irradiation source adapted to uniformly irradiate the material with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and an irradiation source controller adapted to control the irradiation source to uniformly heat the material during a heating period, followed by a cooling period when the material is not irradiated. A thermal sensor measures temperature of the material during the heating and cooling periods, and a computing system first calculates temperature-dependent convective and radiative thermal losses of the material based on the measured temperature of the material during the cooling period when beam intensity is zero, followed by calculation of the temperature-dependent absorptivity of the material based on the temperature-dependent convective and radiative thermal losses determined from the cooling period.
US10234409B2 Test equipment arrangement having a superheat controller
A test equipment arrangement includes a superheat controller configured for connection to a unit under test, and further configured to test at least one operational parameter of the unit under test.
US10234408B2 Method for analyzing the length of sulfur crosslinking bonds in a vulcanized rubber
The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the length of sulfur crosslinking bonds in a vulcanized rubber using NMR spectrum. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining, independently, a carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectrum of a standard substance, wherein the standard substance containing carbon atoms, and a 13C NMR spectrum of the vulcanized rubber, wherein the 13C NMR spectrum of the standard substance and the 13C NMR spectrum of the vulcanized rubber are obtained under the same conditions; obtaining, independently, free induction decay (FID) amplification values of characteristic peaks in the 13C NMR spectrum of the standard substance, and FID amplification values of characteristic peaks in the 13C NMR spectrum of the vulcanized rubber; and measuring the length of sulfur crosslinking bonds in the vulcanized rubber.
US10234404B2 Liquid scanning system and method for IV drug verification and identification
A system and method are disclosed for interrogating a liquid in a container. The liquid sample, such as drugs in a liquid base, is identified based on a radio frequency and/or ultrasonic measurement.
US10234402B2 Systems and methods for defect material classification
A inspection system includes an illumination source to generate an illumination beam, focusing elements to direct the illumination beam to a sample, a detector, collection elements configured to direct radiation emanating from the sample to the detector, a detection mode control device to image the sample in two or more detection modes such that the detector generates two or more collection signals based on the two or more detection modes, and a controller. Radiation emanating from the sample includes at least radiation specularly reflected by the sample and radiation scattered by the sample. The controller determines defect scattering characteristics associated with radiation scattered by defects on the sample based on the two or more collection signals. The controller also classifies the one or more particles according to a set of predetermined defect classifications based on the one or more defect scattering characteristics.
US10234401B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor devices by using sampling plans
A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices includes defining a sampling plan that contains position information about metrology sites on process wafers. A first property of the process wafers is measured to obtain measurement values at measurement points, wherein a quantity of the measurement points per process wafer is at least tenfold a quantity of the metrology sites. A sampling model that includes at least a wafer model is updated on the basis of the measurement values. The sampling plan is updated on the basis of an assessment of deviations of the measurement values from a current sampling model.
US10234396B1 Device for analyzing the material composition of a sample via plasma spectrum analysis
A device for analyzing the material composition of a sample via plasma spectrum analysis includes a laser assembly configured to emit a beam for plasma spectrum analysis and an optical assembly configured to direct the beam towards a target for plasma spectrum analysis of the target. The optical assembly is configured to collect a plasma emitted light emitted from a plasma and provide the plasma emitted light to a dispersion module. The dispersion module includes a first and second diffraction gratings. The first diffraction grating and second diffraction grating are positioned within the dispersion module such that light received from the optical assembly contacts the first diffraction grating at least two times before being directed out of the dispersion module.
US10234394B2 Method for highly sensitive detection of biomarkers for diagnostics
This disclosure provides, among other things, a nanosensor comprising a substrate and one or a plurality of pillars extending from a surface of the substrate, where the pillars comprise a metallic dot structure, a metal disc, and a metallic back plane. The nanosensor comprises a molecular adhesion layer that covers at least a part of the metallic dot structure, the metal disc, and/or the metallic back plane and a capture agent bound to the molecular adhesion layer. The nanosensor amplifies a light signal from an analyte, when the analyte is specifically bound to the capture agent.
US10234392B2 Optical engine for flow cytometer, flow cytometer system and methods of use
An optical engine for use in a bench top flow cytometer, the optical engine comprising a set of lasers; a different set of beam shaping optics for each laser, wherein each set comprises two lenses to adjustably focus light horizontally along an x-axis to a same horizontal position and vertically along a y-axis to a different vertical position along a same plane; collection optics for collecting fluorescence from the flow cell; filtration optics that filter the collected fluorescence from the flow cell into different detection channels according to wavelength ranges; and a detector for each detection channel that converts the filtered fluorescence to electrical signals, wherein electrical signals are processed so that the fluorescence from each laser at the different vertical positions is distinguished at the same detector.
US10234384B2 Inspection apparatus and method, lithographic apparatus, method of manufacturing devices and computer program
Disclosed is a method of obtaining data describing an object structure. The method comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating the object structure with illuminating radiation; (b) modulating the phase of the illuminating radiation after scattering by the object structure, the modulation comprising applying a first phase factor dependent upon at least one controllable parameter and an aberration function having a form of a subadditive function of a vector norm; (c) capturing a plurality of intensity patterns, wherein each intensity pattern corresponds to a unique value of the at least one controllable parameter; and (d) reconstructing the data describing the object structure based on the plurality of intensity patterns. Also disclosed are corresponding inspection and lithographic apparatuses, a method of manufacturing devices and a computer program.
US10234379B2 Electromagnetic wave detector, electromagnetic wave detector array, and gas analyzing apparatus
An electromagnetic wave detector that selectively detects electromagnetic waves of wavelength λA includes a temperature detection unit that includes: a substrate including a cavity portion; a wavelength selection structure that generates a surface plasmon resonance with an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined wavelength λA for converting to heat and absorbing, and a detection film that detects the absorbed heat; and a support structure that retains the temperature detection unit above the cavity portion; wherein the support structure further includes a reflection structure that reflects the electromagnetic waves of the absorption wavelength of the support structure.
US10234378B2 Method and system for reduction of influence of baseline distortion in absorption spectroscopy measurements
A method and system for reducing the effect of distortions on the baseline signal in an absorption spectroscopy system used for the detection or measurement of chemical species in a medium, whereby one or more correlations or convolutions are performed on the signal using a kernel function. The shape of the kernel function is chosen to reduce the influence of the baseline distortions on the processed measurand determination. The kernel function may also be chosen to enhance the absorption signal.
US10234376B2 Non-contact monitoring of biofilms and corrosion on submerged surfaces with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Systems and methods for monitoring microorganisms on a surface are provided. In particular, a flat, patterned sensing electrode can be positioned proximate a surface in non-contact relationship with the surface. The sensing electrode can include a working electrode and a counter electrode. The surface and the sensing electrode can be submerged in an aqueous medium. An alternating current signal can be applied at the working electrode. The signal can propagate through the aqueous medium and can be measured at the counter electrode. The presence of microorganisms on the surface can cause changes in the signal as the signal propagates through the aqueous medium. Such changes in the signal can be used to determine impedance parameters, which can correspond to microbial characteristics associated with the surface. For instance, the microbial characteristics can be associated with a biofilm, corrosion and/or bio-corrosion on the surface.
US10234372B2 NMR analysis system and method for porous media
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) simulations of a porous medium are provided based on physical data such as CT images. A method of evaluating the surface relaxation of the porous medium based on random-walk NMR simulations includes a novel algorithm to derive the absorption probabilities of the random walkers, and algorithms that can evaluate more accurately the surface area and reduce the voxel discretization effect. The methods can be applied to conventional porous media as well as unconventional porous media such as reservoir rocks with high surface-to-volume ratios, for example tight sandstones or shale.
US10234365B2 Methods and compositions for hematoxylin and eosin staining
The present invention provide for solutions of a defined composition useful in a staining protocol, such as a hematoxylin and eosin staining protocol, when used at certain points of the staining protocol. The formulations of these defined solutions are such that carry-over of the solutions will not negatively impact, or preferably, will stabilize or favorably modify staining reagent solutions coming in contact with the solutions. In certain embodiments of the invention, solutions are buffered to maintain a specific pH that when carried-over—such as carried-over into hematoxylin—will not significantly influence the pH of the next staining reagent.
US10234363B2 Automatic liquid waste reservoir level control
Systems and methods for automatically purging by pneumatic ejection with a select pressurized media, gravity-accumulated hydrocarbon liquid dropout from a retrograde vapor waste liquid collection containment reservoir.
US10234360B2 Device degradation cause estimation method and device
A degradation cause estimation device is provided with a degradation detector for detecting the amount of degradation undergone by a device, a state observation device for detecting observation values for internal portions, values observed from outside, or device control and operation information, a degradation section detector for detecting a section undergoing degradation using the output values of the degradation detector, and a cause estimator for estimating the cause of the degradation using the device state observations for the degradation section, and outputs the cause for the degradation section.
US10234358B2 Optical time domain reflectometer with high resolution and high sensitivity
An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) system with an integrated high speed optical modulator is capable of operating at a speed similar to the OTDR pulse width to improve the measurement resolution and reduce the time required to acquire a high dynamic range OTDR measurement over existing approaches. ASICs can be used to control the modulator and generation of pulses. The high-speed optical modulator enables high resolution single-photon OTDR measurement by blocking out all return light except from the region of fiber under examination.
US10234356B2 Evaporation leakage checking system and checking method of evaporation leakage using the same
An evaporation leakage checking system includes a pump, a pump passage unit, a tank passage unit, a specified passage unit, an atmosphere passage unit, a flow-passage area changing unit, an atmosphere valve unit, a pressure sensing unit, and a control unit. The control unit includes a calculating unit that calculates a leakage threshold, based on a first pressure, a first area, an Nth pressure, an Nth area, and a reference area that is predetermined, and a leakage checking unit that activates the pump, closes the atmosphere passage unit by changing the flow-passage area of the atmosphere passage unit by using the atmosphere valve unit, and checks the existence of the evaporation leakage based on the leakage threshold and a checking pressure that is the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor in a case where a communication between the tank passage unit and the pump passage unit is allowed.
US10234354B2 Leak detection
Apparatus and corresponding method are invented for detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, such as a stuffing box. The apparatus includes an image analyzer configured to receive an image from camera and analyze the image to determine if a leak on the equipment is present by comparing a color channel of the image with a reference and the image analyzer having an output port for delivering a notification upon the image analyzer determining that a leak is present on the equipment.
US10234353B2 Automatic pressure correction for level gauges in storage tanks
A level gauge system for mounting on a roof of a semi-closed storage tank includes an automatic tank level gauge for determining a level reading for a liquid including at least one liquid component in the tank. A processor includes a memory storing pressure correction factors or a pressure correction factor equation for correcting the level reading for a measured gas pressure above the liquid in the tank. The processor is programmed for implementing choosing a selected pressure correction factor from the pressure correction factors or the equation based on a received current gas pressure above, and applying the selected pressure correction factor for automatically correcting the level reading provided by the tank level gauge to generate a corrected level reading which compensates for the current gas pressure above effects on the roof and on the level gauge.
US10234349B2 Sensor system
Provided is a sensor system capable of more accurately detecting abnormality. A sensor IC includes a first detector, a second detector, and a communication circuit. The first detector and the second detector output a first digital value and a second digital value according to the strength of a magnetic flux applied thereto, respectively. The communication circuit transmits the first and second digital values received from the first and second detectors to a control device. At this time, the communication circuitplaces the first and second digital values in a plurality of frames to transmit the plurality of frames. The communication circuit forms the plurality of frames such that bit information data of the first and second digital values placed in the frames is arranged in different orders between the first and second digital values.
US10234346B2 Serial weak FBG interrogator using pulses of differing wavelengths
A serial weak FBG interrogator is disclosed. The serial weak FBG interrogator may include a CW tunable laser or pulsed laser utilized as a laser source and an EDFA. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also be an interrogation of a single sensor system by utilization of a DFB laser which utilizes a single sensor, which may be an interferometer sensor, an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer or a wavelength-modulated sensor. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also include a computer system or CSPU.
US10234345B2 Method and system for detecting dynamic strain
A system and method for detecting dynamic strain of a housing. The system includes an optical fiber linearly affixed along a surface of a length of the housing and an interrogator comprising a laser source and a photodetector. The optical fiber comprises at least one pair of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) tuned to reflect substantially identical wavelengths with a segment of the optical fiber extending between the FBGs. The segment of the optical fiber is linearly affixed along the surface of the housing. The interrogator is configured to perform interferometry by shining laser light along the optical fiber and detecting light reflected by the FBGs. The interrogator outputs dynamic strain measurements based on interferometry performed on the reflected light.
US10234343B2 Pressure sensor, acoustic microphone, blood pressure sensor, and touch panel
According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.
US10234340B2 Multilayer structure for capacitive pressure sensing
A multilayer structure for a garment, optionally footwear, includes a flexible substrate film for accommodating electronics, a number of flexible sensor pads provided on the film utilizing printed electronics technology, optionally screen printing or ink jetting, at least one electronic circuit, preferably integrated circuit, further provided on the film for controlling capacitive measurements via the number of sensor pads for obtaining an indication of pressure subjected to the multilayer structure, a number of conductor traces further printed on the film for electrically connecting the at least one electronic circuit and the number of capacitive sensor pads, a power supply element for powering electricity-driven components including the at least one electronic circuit, and at least one plastic layer molded upon the film substantially embedding the number of sensor pads, conductor traces and the at least one electronic circuit therewithin. A related method of manufacture is presented.
US10234336B2 Ring oscillators for temperature detection in wideband supply noise environments
A temperature identification system may include temperature sensing circuitry and a temperature measurement module. The temperature sensing circuitry may include a ring oscillator that generates a ring oscillator output signal having a frequency that varies depending on an operating temperature on the ring oscillator. A frequency divider circuit may divide the frequency of the ring oscillator output signal such that two or more cycles of a noise component of supply voltage are averaged, which may reduce the impact that the noise has on the frequency of the ring oscillator output signal. In some embodiments, a regulator may supply a regulated voltage to the ring oscillator. The regulator may reduce the impact of the noise for low frequency components of the noise, while the frequency divider may reduce the impact for high frequency of the noise.
US10234333B2 Temperature sensing drain cover
A drain covering device is described with built in temperature sensors and lights which signal various measured temperatures which are acceptable, cold, or hot for an intended use. The device is easily separable and can be rinsed and stored using an attached suction cup.
US10234332B2 Bolometer and method for measurement of electromagnetic radiation
A bolometer (10) comprises a first and a second suspension beam (12, 13) and a semiconductor portion (11) that is suspended by the first and the second suspension beam (12, 13) and comprises a first region (17) of a first conductivity type and a second region (18) of a second conductivity type. The first region (17) comprises a first triangle (21) or at least two stripes (40, 41) or islands (60, 61) which each contribute to a non-short-circuited diode (20) with the second region (18).
US10234329B2 Sensor device
A sensor device includes: a cylindrical casing; a vibration detecting unit including a detection probe, a bottomed cylindrical holder having a bottom in which a rear end of the detection probe is inserted and fixed, piezoelectric elements disposed rearward of the detection probe in the holder and configured to contact the rear end of the detection probe, and a push member held in the holder and configured to push the piezoelectric elements against the rear end of the detection probe, the vibration detecting unit being disposed in the casing; and a coil spring that is disposed rearward of the vibration detecting unit, is configured to contact the holder to bias the holder forward, and causes a tip of the detection probe to project from the casing, wherein the tip of the detection probe is pushed against a measurement object to detect vibration of the measurement object.
US10234328B2 Vibration sensor of magnetic type
A vibration sensor having at least one magnet and at least one coil, a first leg having a first and second mounting positions, and a second leg having first and second mounting positions, wherein a coil unit having a coil is arranged at the first mounting position of the first leg, and wherein a permanent magnet holder with a magnet is arranged at the first mounting position of the second leg, and the coil unit surrounds the magnet unit so that the magnet unit can move relative to the coil unit and be surrounded by the coil unit, and wherein the first leg, in the second mounting position, is arranged with a spacing relative to the second mounting position of the second leg, so that the first leg at the first mounting position is arranged spring-like with respect to the second leg at the first mounting position.
US10234327B2 Calibration device
To provide a calibration device for apparatus filling a gas such as hydrogen gas and capable of efficiently and safely measuring weight and amount of the gas such as hydrogen gas that are filled at high pressure. Calibration devices 100, 200, 300, 400 according to the present invention include a measurement housing 1, accommodated in a housing main body 10, to the measurement housing 1 a high pressure fuel gas being fed from outside of the housing main body 10; and a scale 3 for measuring a weight of a fuel gas fed to the measurement housing 1, wherein an inside of the measurement housing 1 is visible from outside of the housing main body 10.
US10234324B2 Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable
Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container. The apparatus includes at least one mechanically oscillatable unit, and at least one driving/receiving unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations, and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit. The mechanically oscillatable unit has at least one membrane, or diaphragm. The membrane, or diaphragm, is connected with a housing. The driving/receiving unit is arranged between the membrane and a holding portion, and the holding portion is secured to the housing. The invention holding portion is embodied in such a manner and secured to the housing in such a manner, that a radial force, which acts essentially in the direction of the normals of the housing, produces a force component and/or a moment, which acts essentially in the direction of a normal of the holding portion.
US10234323B2 Method for determining a liquid level and quality in a tank
A method for determining a liquid level in a tank of a vehicle uses an ultrasonic sensor for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Basically the liquid level is determined based upon measuring the transition time of an ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the emitted wave is deflected two times before being reflected by the surface of the liquid contained in the tank.
US10234321B2 Radar level gauge system with single propagation mode feed-through
A radar level gauge system, comprising a transceiver; an antenna; a feed-through connecting the transceiver and the antenna; and processing circuitry coupled to the transceiver. The feed-through comprises a first waveguide section comprising a dielectric plug sealingly arranged in a cylindrical first hollow conductor section having a diameter selected for single mode propagation; a second waveguide section arranged between the transceiver and the first waveguide section and comprising a cylindrical second hollow conductor section having a second diameter selected for single mode propagation, a third waveguide section arranged between the antenna and the first waveguide section comprising a cylindrical third hollow conductor section having a third diameter selected for single mode propagation; a first impedance matching waveguide section arranged between the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section, and a second impedance matching waveguide section arranged between the first waveguide section and the third waveguide section.
US10234317B2 Metering device for liquid supply with connector
The dosing device consists, for example, of a closure, having a closure body (1) with sealing closing means (7), which can be placed in a sealing manner on the connector. The metering means of the closure consist of just two components. There is first, seated securely in the closure body (1), a hollow cup (4) having, on the bottom side of the cup (4), a window (12) arranged in its side wall. The second component is a cap-shaped metering piston (10) having, on the upper side of the cap, a projection (5) which extends in the axial direction. This metering piston (10) with projection (5) fits into the cup (4), wherein its projection (5) covers and closes the window (12). The metering piston (10) is able to move axially in the cup (4) and its projection (5) is able to pivot to a limited degree toward the outer side of the window (12). In the pivoted-out state, it forms, together with the cup (4), an open valve which is otherwise closed.
US10234313B2 Method for making resin hollow body and flow measuring device
A metal mold includes a restraining part that is fitted in a recess provided at a part of surfaces of at least two resin parts that serves as an outer surface of a resin hollow body. A linear space is filled with high-pressure resin fluid injected at a predetermined injection pressure. The resin parts are joined together. The mold receives injection pressure of resin fluid, with which the space is filled, through the resin parts, and applies pressing force, which pushes back the resin parts toward the space, to the resin parts as reaction force against injection pressure. Stress is produced on a hollow wall surface in a direction in which the wall surface projects into a hollow portion due to injection pressure. The restraining part applies pressing force to the resin parts in a direction opposite from the stress projecting the wall surface into the hollow portion.
US10234309B2 Photon momentum sensor
A photon momentum sensor includes: a reflector plate that includes: a central disk including a mirror; an annular member; a plurality of spring legs interposed between the central disk and the annular member, such that: the spring legs are interleaved; neighboring spring legs are spaced apart; and the spring legs individually are arranged in an Archimedean spiral that provides orthogonal motion of the central disk relative to the plane of the annular member; and a bias plate disposed opposing the reflector plate such that: the central disk of the reflector plate moves orthogonally to a plane of the bias plate in response to reflection of laser light, and the central disk and the bias plate are arranged spaced apart as a capacitive structure.
US10234308B2 Encoder, manufacturing method of encoder scale, manufacturing method of encoder, and driving apparatus
An encoder includes a scale unit having a substrate configured of a metal material and in which a pattern is formed on a first surface of the substrate and a passive state member is formed on a second surface different from the first surface in the substrate, and a detection unit that is configured to move relative to the scale unit and detects the pattern.
US10234304B2 Map information creating device, navigation system, information display method, information display program, and recording medium
A map information navigation system includes: a storage unit that stores POI data including point data about a POI, node data of nodes set on roads in advance, and link data of links connecting neighboring nodes; a specification unit that specifies one link located at a shortest distance from the POI among the links for each of a plurality of directions; a determination unit that sets one of the nodes included in the specified links as a specific point and determines a predetermined area centered on the POI and passing through the specific point as a presentation target range of map information; an acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position; and a presentation unit that presents POI data including the point data about the POI with entrance of the current position into the presentation target range as a trigger.
US10234301B2 Route calculation device, navigation device, route calculation method, navigation method, and communication system
The present invention provides a route calculation device, a navigation device, a route calculation method, and a navigation device that can calculate a route that allows a user to arrive at a destination or a stop-off point within a determined time period. The route calculation device according to the present invention includes a communication available hours acquisition unit 11 that acquires communication available hours of a plurality of branch stations that establish communication with a mobile station, a reference time acquisition unit 12 that acquires a reference time, a road information acquisition unit 13 that acquires time information of a road section, and a route calculation unit 31 that calculates a first travel route that offers the shortest required time for stopping by the branch stations based on the communication available hours, the reference time, and the time information of a road section.
US10234299B2 Geo-location tracking system and method
A system and method that includes a user management device, a server, and executable instructions that provide geo-tracking routing from point to point in a geographical location and to geo-tracking of a user's progress by tracking user location via storing of waypoints along a route and developing a “return home” path for the user. The systems and methods described herein can be employed in a mapping system that may include various geo-tracking services, social networking services, and geo-tracking capabilities, and the determination of return paths, and utilizes Artificial Intelligence to map location, time, and user preferences. The method employs analysis of user trends and will recommend locations that the user will identify as useful. The user's interactive input will be age-agnostic.
US10234297B2 Apparatus and associated method for providing U-turn guidance
An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: receive an indication of disruption to a planned route of travel for a road vehicle following the planned route; based on consideration of contextual data in respect of a location in proximity to the current vehicle location against one or more predefined manoeuvering criteria, dynamically identify a U-turn location on the planned route of travel at which it is possible for the vehicle to perform a U-turn onto a different route of travel; and provide an indication of the dynamically identified U-turn location for use in route navigation onto the different route of travel.
US10234295B2 Address remediation using geo-coordinates
A system includes reception of first address data associated with a first location, the first address data comprising first geo-coordinates, determination of a first two or more candidate cities based on the first address data, identification of a first one of the first two or more candidate cities based on the first geo-coordinates, and generation of second address data associated with the first location based on the identified first one of the first two or more candidate cities.
US10234290B2 Multi-activity platform and interface
Activity monitoring may include tracking of a route or location where the activity was performed. In some examples, the route may be displayed against a heat map identifying areas of higher activity or popularity. Alternatively or additionally, routes may be automatically generated by a system based on various specifications such as an amount of time, a preferred location (a start and an end), a level of popularity or activity level, and the like and/or combinations thereof. A user's workout information may further be stored in association with a particular location or route.
US10234288B2 Dual mode gyroscope
A BAW gyroscope is configured to operate with two pairs of orthogonal modes instead of a single pair in order to mitigate the impact of changes in gaps (e.g., introduced from external stresses such as thermal gradients, external shocks, mechanical stress/torque, etc.). Specifically, the BAW gyroscope resonator is configured to be simultaneously driven to resonate with a two disparate resonant modes (referred to herein as the “fundamental” mode and the “compound” mode), with the same set of drive electrodes used to drive both resonant modes (i.e., all of the drive electrodes are used to drive the two drive modes). When the sensor experiences external rotation, energy couples from the driven modes of vibration to two corresponding orthogonal sense modes via the Coriolis force. The same set of sense electrodes is used to sense both sense modes (i.e., all of the sense electrodes are used to sense the two sense modes). The fundamental mode is differential with respect to the electrodes, while the compound mode is seen as common-mode with respect to the electrodes. Thus, differential gap change will impact offset of rate measured with the fundamental mode only, while common-mode gap change will impact offset of rate measured with the compound mode only.
US10234278B2 Aerial device having a three-dimensional measurement device
A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measuring system is provided. The system includes an aerial measuring device that has an aerial drone and a 3D measurement device. The 3D measurement device being rotatably attached to the aerial drone, the aerial drone is movable from a first position to a stationary second position. The 3D measurement device being configured to optically measure points on the surface of an object. The system further includes one or more processors configured to execute nontransitory computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions comprise: moving the aerial measuring device from the first position; landing the aerial measuring device at the second position; rotating the 3D measurement device to optically measure a first object point; and determining a first 3D coordinates of the first object point with the 3D measuring device.
US10234277B2 Length-measuring device
A length-measuring device includes a scanning carriage for scanning a measuring graduation that is to be guided longitudinally in the measurement direction on a guide surface. A coupling couples the scanning carriage to a drive dog rigidly in the measurement direction and resiliently transversely to the measurement direction. A first spring is disposed between a connecting element of the coupling and the drive dog and exerts a pressure force on the scanning carriage at a first position so as to press the scanning carriage against the guide surface. A second spring is disposed between the connecting element and the scanning carriage. The second spring is spaced apart from the first spring in the measurement direction and exerts a pressure force on the scanning carriage at a second position spaced apart from the first position in the measurement direction so as to press the scanning carriage against the guide surface.
US10234272B2 Optical sensor having variable measuring channels
Optical sensors are adapted for distance measurement by emission and capture of measuring radiation reflected from an object to be measured. The optical sensors can be used with measuring devices, including coordinate measuring machines. The optical sensors have an optomechanical coupling unit, configured for automated coupling of the optical sensor to the measuring device and for bidirectional measuring radiation transmission between measuring device and optical sensor. The optical sensors have a first optical measuring channel, by which bidirectional measuring radiation transmission is provided between the measuring device and a first exit window of the optical sensor. The optical sensors have a second optical measuring channel, by which bidirectional measuring radiation transmission is provided between the measuring device and a second exit window of the optical sensor, and a switch for controlled variation of the measuring radiation transmission between at least the first or the second optical measuring channel.
US10234268B2 Method and apparatus for digital holographic microtomography
A method for digital holographic microtomography comprises (a) providing at least one wavefront controlling device for driving a sample to be rotated and/or an incident beam scanning the sample, (b) utilizing a digital holographic access unit for recording the transmitted or reflected wavefronts of the sample, (c) utilizing a digital holography reconstructing method for reconstructing the transmitted or reflected wavefronts of the sample, and (d) utilizing a tomographic reconstruction approach for reconstructing three dimensional image information of the sample.
US10234267B2 Apparatus and methods for one or more wavelength swept lasers and the detection of signals thereof
An optical instrument including at least a first and second wavelength swept vertical cavity laser (VCL) sources. The wavelength sweeping ranges spanned by the first and second VCL sources may differ with a region of spectral overlap. The first and second VCL sources may be operable under different modes of operation, wherein the modes of operation differ in at least one of: sweep repetition rate, sweep wavelength range, sweep center wavelength, and sweep trajectory. A VCL source may also exhibit sweep-to-sweep variation. Apparatus and methods are described for aligning sample signal data from the first VCL and sample signal data from the second VCL to generate output digital data. The output digital data is aligned with respect to at least one of: wavelength, wavenumber, and interferometric phase. The apparatus and methods can also be used to phase stabilize successive sweeps from the same VCL source or wavelength swept source.
US10234258B2 Device and method for detecting yarn characteristics
Various embodiments are directed to a yarn analyzer comprising a measurement mechanism configured to monitor the local thickness of the yarn moving along a yarn path. The measurement mechanism comprises a fixed member and a displaceable member between which the yarn path passes. The displaceable member is secured relative to a mechanical amplifier comprising a pivotable lever arm at a first end of the pivotable lever arm at a short distance from the pivot axis of the lever arm, and is biased toward the fixed member. The measurement mechanism further comprises a displacement sensor configured to monitor the displacement of a reference component secured relative to a second end of the lever arm at a long distance from the pivot axis. The monitored movement of the reference component is correlated with the thickness of the yarn, such that the yarn thickness is recorded for the length of yarn.
US10234257B2 Device for use with a reference tool
A device is provided for use with a reference tool during the construction of metal structures. The device comprises a body having a groove formed therein for receiving a portion of a straight side of the reference tool. The body further comprises a base surface for co-operating with the surface of a metal workpiece. The base surface is configured whereby, when a portion of the straight side is received within the groove, the base surface is parallel to the straight side of the reference tool. A retention assembly is mounted on the body for retaining the portion of the straight side of the reference tool, when provided, within the groove. At least one magnet is mounted on the base surface for temporarily holding the device to the metal workpiece, thereby holding the reference tool in position.
US10234254B2 Mechanical inertial igniters for reserve batteries and the like for munitions
A device including: an impact mass movably restrained relative to a base; and a release mechanism configured to be movable between a restrained position for preventing movement of the impact mass and a released position for permitting movement of the impact mass when the release mechanism is subjected to an acceleration greater than a predetermined magnitude and duration; wherein the release mechanism having a release mass movable when subjected to the acceleration, the movement of the release mass not being influenced by movement of the impact mass.
US10234248B1 Micro-electric-pyrotechnic energy-harvesting apparatus for munitions
A micro-electro-pyrotechnic energy-harvesting apparatus to harvest an incidental portion of a propellant energy utilized when a munition is fired freeing a magnet to strike an impact pin that strains a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element generates a collected voltage, which triggers a pyrotechnic initiator that, on activation, produces a straining force on a plurality of stacks of piezoelectric elements. The strained piezoelectric elements, in turn, generate a high voltage output sufficient to ignite the munition's explosive material. The apparatus may be quite small, for example, the cross-sectional size of a pen, which is about one centimeter, yet suitable for generating an electrical ignition of the explosive material.
US10234245B2 Multiple plate ballistic shield with ballistic layering
A ballistic shield may include multiple ballistic plates. The first plate may be smaller contain a handle and viewport and be able to connect to a second plate. The second plate shall be able to connect to the first plate and when combined, can create a larger shield using only the handle and viewport of the first plate. Other plates may be connected to the second plate to increase the ballistic coverage required. A rotating plate can be connected with a hinge and spacer. When dropped the rotating plate would enable extended coverage. When the rotating plate is rotated upward, an additional layer of ballistic coverage is provided.
US10234235B2 Convertible holster-and-benchrest assembly
An apparatus operates as both a holster and a benchrest for a handgun. The apparatus comprises first and second end walls, and a supporting pad secured between the first and second end walls. As a holster, the first and second end walls and the supporting pad define a cradle adapted for holstering a handgun. The holster may also be flipped upside-down and then operated as a benchrest. When the assembly is operating as a benchrest, a barrel rest may be inserted into a barrel-rest receiver slot on the top-side of the assembly. The barrel rest has a U-channel adapted for supporting the barrel of a handgun. The supporting pad further provides a surface for supporting the grip of the handgun.
US10234233B1 Toy water gun having illuminable water trajectory and associated use thereof
A toy water gun includes a hand-held body having a water reservoir capable of storing a predetermined quantity of water therein, and a guide rail engaged with the water reservoir. The toy water gun further includes a hand-operated pump mechanism is in fluid communication with the water reservoir and dynamically engaged with the guide rail, a discharge nozzle in fluid communication with the water reservoir and having an illuminable water trajectory selectively egressed distally away therefrom, and a light emitting mechanism attached to a dynamic portion of the pump mechanism. Advantageously, the dynamic portion of the pump mechanism and the light emitting source are contemporaneously reciprocated along a bi-directional travel path relative to a position of the discharge nozzle and thereby illuminate the illuminable water trajectory after being egressed from the discharge nozzle.
US10234232B1 Bipod base
A bipod base consisting of a rail clamp, a first quick-release, a ball joint, first and housing clamps, first and second spherical bushings and a second quick-release. When the second quick-release is loosened, the rail clamp is allowed for 360-degree angular position adjustment with the ball of the ball joint relative to the first and second spherical bushings and the first and second housing clamps. After adjustment, the second quick release handle is biased to fasten tight the first and second housing clamps in locking the first and second spherical bushings that are kept in surface contact with the ball of the ball joint.
US10234230B1 Flash suppressor and flash suppressor assembly
A muzzle device assembly, including a flash suppressor, wherein the flash suppressor comprises a body having a central bore aperture, and wherein the flash suppressor comprises a plurality of air channel inlets and air channels, wherein the air channel inlets and air channels are in fluid communication with the central bore aperture; and a collar, wherein the collar comprises a plurality of airflow apertures, wherein each airflow aperture corresponds to an air channel inlet, and wherein the collar is rotatable between at least an open position and a closed position relative to the flash suppressor, wherein when the collar is in the open position at least a portion of each airflow aperture is aligned with each air channel inlet.
US10234228B2 Firearm noise suppressor
The present invention relates to a fire arm silencer that utilizes internal reflection of shock waves and redirection of propulsive gasses to reduce the noise caused by the firing of a fire arm. The fire arm noise suppressor is comprised of a hollow body comprised of an end wall and a central opening with an inner tube extending partially within the body from the end wall of the hollow body. The inner tube has open ends and communicates with the central opening of the hollow body. Positioned between the inner tube and inner surface of the hollow body is a noise attenuating truss structure that is formed to break shock waves and redirect propellant gasses. The body further comprises a second end having an end wall that terminates into an outwardly extending hub. The hub has a centrally located bore that is formed to receive the end of a barrel of a firearm.
US10234227B2 Conversion device for a firearm
A conversion device for converting a firearm designed to fire a cartridge of a certain size and caliber to another size and caliber cartridge is disclosed. In some embodiments, the conversion device is suitable for converting an AR-15 type firearm to be able to fire .22 caliber cartridges. Disclosed embodiments of the conversion device may comprise an appropriately sized chamber insert to fit in the chamber of the firearm, a bolt, an extractor, extractor plunger, extractor spring, firing pins, firing pin springs, a bolt spring rod and block, a bolt return spring, slide rails, lock rings, and lock pins.
US10234225B2 Multiple mode disconnector for pistols
A disconnector for pistols having a trigger bar uses a body rotatably mounted on the pistol frame to permit or prevent engagement between the trigger bar and the pistol's sear. The body has a plurality of surfaces, one of which engages the trigger bar and pivots it between a safe orientation, out of alignment with the pistol's sear, and a fire orientation, aligned with the sear, when the body rotates between a safe position and a fire position. Another body surface engages the slide, the body being rotated into the safe position when the slide is out of battery. Another surface engages a grip safety and another surface engages a manual safety. Both safeties effect rotation of the body between the safe and fire positions when they are actuated.
US10234222B2 Single 40 mm projectile launcher
A launcher device for launching a 40 mm projectile (i.e., both high explosive grenades and less lethal 40 mm rounds) includes a receiver assembly, a removable buttstock, a pivoting barrel assembly, a barrel stop that limits opening of the barrel to approximately 45 degrees relative to the receiver for fast reloading, and an auto ejection assembly for ejecting spent casings out of the chamber upon opening the barrel. Individual 40 mm rounds are loaded into the chamber at the proximal end of the barrel assembly by releasing a barrel stop lever assembly and pivoting the barrel assembly open relative to the receiver assembly. The launcher further includes a hidden double action trigger group which prevents accidental firing. An arrangement of built-in picatinny rails on the barrel allow for attachment of accessories such as lights, fore grips, slings, etc.
US10234215B2 Mounting clip
A mounting clip that can be used to mount a heat exchanger to a housing, for example, in a HVAC system is disclosed. The mounting clip may include a receiver portion configured to receive, for example, an end portion of the heat exchanger. The mounting clip may also include a clip portion configured to secure the mounting clip to the housing. The mounting clip can be used to mount the heat exchanger to the housing relatively easily, reducing the manufacturing cost and time of the HVAC system.
US10234214B2 Heat storage body
A circular columnar body made of ceramics and including a plurality of through-holes extending in a single axial direction Z and having circular or elliptical cross sectional shapes orthogonal to the axial direction at a density of 2 to 50 pieces per square inch in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction is once hollowed out in a direction X orthogonal to the axial direction Z by a cylinder, and the circular columnar body can also be once again hollowed out in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Z and the direction X by the cylinder.
US10234212B2 Heat transfer plate and plate heat exchanger
A heat transfer plate comprising a first port opening and a second port opening for allowing a first fluid to flow over a top surface of the heat transfer plate, a first side opening and an opposite, second side opening for allowing a second fluid to flow over a bottom surface of the heat transfer plate, a number of rows of alternating tops and grooves that extend along the heat transfer plate, where a transition between a top and an adjacent groove is formed by an inclined portion, and plate portions that extend along the heat transfer plate, between the rows of tops and grooves, thereby forming flow channels between the rows of tops and grooves.
US10234207B2 Cooling apparatus for cooling a fluid by means of surface water
A cooling apparatus for cooling a fluid by surface water includes more than one tubes for containing and transporting the fluid in its interior, the exterior of the tube being in operation at least partially submerged in the surface water so as to cool the tube to thereby also cool the fluid. The cooling apparatus also includes at least one light source for producing light that hinders fouling on at least part of the submerged exterior, and at least one optic unit for enhancing the distribution of anti-fouling light on the submerged exterior.
US10234205B2 Method and apparatus for charging pallet cars of a traveling grate for the thermal treatment of bulk materials
A method for charging pallet cars of a traveling grate for the thermal treatment of bulk material includes in a first step a first layer is applied as a hearth layer on a grate surface of the pallet car. In at least one second step a second layer at the same time or successively is applied as a side layer on two opposed side walls of the pallet car and a third layer is applied as green pellet layer between the side layers and on the hearth layer. The pellets used for the grate and the side layer differ in terms of their diameter and size distribution.
US10234204B2 Method for managing the charge in a melting furnace and corresponding loading apparatus
Method for managing the metal charge in a melting furnace includes at least a step of depositing metal materials to be melted in a storage zone, a step of picking up and loading the metal materials from the storage zone onto feeding device by loading device, and a feed step in which the feeding device feeds the materials toward the melting furnace. The deposit step provides to divide the storage zone into a plurality of specialized areas in each of which a differentiated type of the metal materials is deposited, and during the pick-up and loading step, a processing device controls and commands the actuation of the feeding device which picks up the types of materials from the specialized areas and load them onto the feeding device according to a desired modality and quantity.
US10234200B2 Moisture reduction and mold and moisture damage preventative system and method in construction
A moisture removal system and method employing air movers, dehumidifiers, heaters and attendant methods for reducing moisture in a construction project. The method and system include operating moisture removal equipment and testing moisture content levels sufficient to reduce the moisture content levels to a desired threshold to reduce the likelihood of mold growing or moisture damage in the construction after it is completed.
US10234199B2 Air dispenser
An air dispenser for a paint drying chamber having a housing with a top, bottom, and a curvilinear wall extending between the top and the bottom. The wall has an elongated outlet extending between the top and the bottom and an air outlet is formed in the top or the bottom. The wall is generally circular in cross-sectional shape but with an outwardly protruding wall section adjacent the air outlet.
US10234198B2 Device and process for eradicating pests in wood
A device and process for heating wood for the purpose of eradicating burrowed pests such as gypsy moths and emerald ash borer beetles are disclosed. The device is used for treating firewood and pallets made of wood to insure that burrowed pests are killed before transporting the wood across state lines in following of state regulations. The device comprises a conveyor adapted for transporting firewood or pallets an insulated and heated chamber. The wood core temperature of the wood is monitored using wireless temperature sensors. Conveyor speed is adjusted according to temperature readings in order to achieve a threshold wood core temperature and in order to maintain the threshold wood core temperature for the minimum required period of time.
US10234195B2 Lifting device and refrigerator including the same
A refrigerator includes a body and a drawer. The body includes a storage compartment. The drawer is insertable or withdrawable into or from the storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a support configured to supports an item accommodated in the drawer. The refrigerator further includes a lifting device configured to lift the support with respect to the drawer. The lifting device includes a driving part that provides a driving force to the support, a wire that transfers the driving force of the driving part to the support, and at least one pulley which guides the wire.
US10234194B2 Door manufacturing method for a freezer drawer
A method of making a gasket track for a gasket is provided. A first section of a c-shaped channel comprising from 50% to 75% of the c-shaped channel of a first plastic material is formed. A second section of a c-shaped channel comprising from 25% to 50% of the c-shaped channel of a second plastic material is formed. The first section is joined together with the second section to form all of the c-shaped channel. The c-shaped channel has a circular cross section that forms at least 65% of an ellipse.
US10234193B2 Refrigerator comprising a drawer with humidity control
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2) wherein foodstuffs and beverages are placed; a protector plate (3) placed into the body (2); at least one drawer (4) that is placed under the protector plate (3), wherein fruits and vegetables are placed; a separator plate (6) that is disposed over the protector plate (3) and that has more than one hole (5) enabling the air delivered to the protector plate (3) to at least partially reach the drawer (4); a shelf (7) that is situated above the protector plate (3) so that there is a distance between the protector plate (6) and the shelf (7); and at least one air blowing opening (122) that is arranged on the body (2) and that enables cold air to be blown.
US10234191B2 Refrigerator
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet (10) configured to define a first storage region in which food is stored, a door (20) rotatably connected to a first rotating shaft via a first hinge member (40) to open or close the first storage region, the first rotating shaft being located at the front of the cabinet (10), a gasket provided at the door (20) and a container (100) configured to define a second storage region, the second storage region being received in the first storage region, the container (100) being rotatably connected to a second rotating shaft via a second hinge member (200), the second rotating shaft being located at the door (20).
US10234190B2 Locking assemblies for door-in-door refrigerator appliances
A locking assembly for a refrigerator appliance having inner and outer doors includes a catch mounted to an inner door of the refrigerator. The catch includes a body having a support surface and a locking member. The support surface may be positioned between an outer surface of the inner door and an inner surface of the outer door. The locking assembly also includes a latch coupled to the outer door and operable to engage the latch member. In addition, the locking assembly includes a magnet positioned on the support surface, and the magnet is operable to exert a magnetic bias on the outer door towards the inner door along the transverse direction to compress a gasket that is operable to seal against the outer surface of the inner door or the inner surface of the outer door.
US10234189B2 Refrigerator and control method for the same
A refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of cooling units to cool the plurality of storage compartments, a temperature sensing unit to sense temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments, a drive unit to drive the plurality of cooling units, and a controller to control the drive unit to drive the cooling unit that satisfies a predetermined driving condition. If at least one cooling unit among the plurality of cooling units is being driven, the controller delays driving the other cooling unit even if the other cooling unit satisfies the driving condition. The refrigerator minimizes simultaneous driving a plurality of compressors, which may prevent generation of noise and vibration, as well as excessive power consumption, due to driving the plurality of compressors.
US10234187B2 Fluid-jet emitting device
Described is a device (1) for emitting a jet of fluid comprising a tubular member (2) having at least one air inlet opening (4) and one air outlet opening (5). Moreover, the device (1) comprises blowing means (6), located inside the tubular member (2) for sucking air from the inlet opening (4) and generating a flow of air coming out of the outlet opening (5); the blowing means (6) comprising a drive unit (7) and an air movement member (8) connected to the drive unit (7). The device (1) also comprises an apparatus (11) having at least one fluid delivery nozzle (12) and an air compression structure (13) connected to the delivery nozzle (12). More specifically, the drive unit (7) is connected to the air compression structure (13) to set it in action and they are both located inside a container (16).
US10234186B1 Apparatus for manufacturing powdered ice with salinity
There is provided an apparatus for manufacturing powdered ice with salinity includes a water supply unit configured to supply a salted water; a spraying unit connected to the water supply unit and configured to generate a pressurized salted water-air mist; an ice generating unit connected to the spraying unit and configured to generate ice nuclei; a collecting unit connected to the ice generating unit and configured to grow the size of the powdered ice and to collect the powdered ice; and a reserving unit connected to the collecting unit and configured to transfer and store the powdered ice.
US10234185B2 Water purifier with ice maker
A water purifier with an ice maker is provided that includes an ice making part having an evaporator and a circulation cooling part that circulates water stored in a cold water tank to the evaporator so that the water stored in the cold water tank is cooled by heat exchange with refrigerant flowing in the evaporator, to simultaneously make ice and cool water using a single evaporator and eliminating the need to make separate ice so as to cool water, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.
US10234184B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring status of terminal compressor
The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for monitoring a status of a terminal compressor. The method includes: obtaining a working status parameter of a compressor in a first terminal; judging whether the working status parameter falls in a preset range; if the working status parameter does not fall in the preset range, determining that an abnormality of the compressor occurs; and analyzing a reason for the abnormality and transmitting preset information to a second terminal that controls the first terminal.
US10234181B2 Flash gas bypass evaporator
A heat exchanger includes a fluid distribution manifold, a fluid collection manifold, and a plurality of tubes extending there between. A separator within the fluid distribution manifold includes a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit extends through an inlet end and over at least a portion of the length of the fluid distribution manifold. A plurality of openings in the first fluid conduit fluidly couples the first fluid conduit to at least a first portion of the plurality of tubes. A first end of a second fluid conduit is arranged generally centrally within and parallel to the first fluid conduit. Refrigerant vapor is configured to flow through the second fluid conduit. Liquid refrigerant is configured to flow between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to at least the first portion of the plurality of tubes.
US10234178B2 Fin and tube-evaporator with mini-slab circuit extenders
An evaporator for a cooling system has a slab coil having a plurality of refrigerant circuits with each refrigerant circuit being a fin-and-tube assembly that extends across the slab coil. At least one of the refrigerant circuits has a mini-slab circuit extender that has a fin-and-tube assembly that extends across only a portion of the fin-and-tube assembly of that refrigerant circuit and is disposed in front of that portion of the fin-and-tube assembly of that refrigerant circuit.
US10234176B2 Solid-state latent heat pump system
A heat pump system includes a structure, in turn including a solid-state phase change material. The solid-state phase change material has a first phase state and a second phase state dependent on the temperature. A heat source is configured to supply heat to a first area of the structure, thereby creating a first domain having the first phase state and thereby storing latent heat in the first domain. The first domain is separated by domain walls from second domains having the second phase state. A heat sink is configured to receive heat from a second area of the structure. Furthermore, an electrical energy supply is configured to supply an electrical current to the structure, thereby moving the first domain and the corresponding latent heat stored in the first domain along the structure from the first area to the second area. A related thermal computing device, a related method, and a related computer program product are also disclosed.
US10234175B2 Turbo refrigerator
A turbo refrigerator is provided with: a turbo compressor having a motor; an oil cooling unit which cools lubricating oil which is supplied to at least a portion of the turbo compressor; a refrigerant introduction part which introduces some of the refrigerant which circulates between an evaporator and a condenser into a motor accommodation space and the oil cooling unit; and a cooling unit which cools the refrigerant which is introduced into the motor accommodation space and the oil cooling unit.
US10234171B2 Attachment structure for water heater
Provided is an attachment structure for a water heater capable of easily and securely attaching the water heater to a wall surface without performing strict alignment, and capable of fine adjustment of an attachment position of the water heater even after the attachment. The attachment structure for the water heater includes a first metal fitting (1) having a wall surface attachment portion (11) configured to be attached to a wall surface (W), and a second metal fitting (2) having an instrument attachment portion (23) configured to be attached to a back surface of the instrument body (3). In the wall surface attachment portion 11, a support portion (12) configured to hang and support a weight of the water heater is extended in a direction separate from the wall surface (W). In the instrument attachment portion (23), an engagement portion configured to engage with the support portion (12) from above is extended in a direction separate from the instrument body (3), and a lateral length of the support portion (12) is set to enough length to slide the engagement portion in a horizontal direction.
US10234169B2 Transition casting for boiler with steam cooled upper furnace
Transition castings are disclosed which comprise a steam tube, a water tube, and a pass-through tube, which are joined together by membranes. The ends of the tubes on one vertical end are aligned in a plane, while the ends of the tubes on the other vertical end are aligned in alternating planes, or put another way are angled instead of being in a straight line. The transition castings are used in a transition section of a boiler in which the furnace is divided into a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace uses water-cooled membrane walls, while the upper furnace uses steam-cooled membrane walls that act as superheating surfaces. The transition section joins the lower furnace and the upper furnace together.
US10234167B2 Air conditioner apparatus with partitioned suction and discharge channels
An air conditioner including a suction channel module having a suction module housing with a first and a second suction channel provided therein, and a suction connection channel to guide air between the first and second suction channels; a discharge channel module having a discharge module housing with a first and a second discharge channel provided therein, and a discharge connection channel to guide air between the first and second discharge channels; a first heat exchanger disposed between the first suction channel and the first discharge channel to exchange heat with air that passed through the first suction channel and operate as one of a condenser and an evaporator; and a second heat exchanger disposed between the second suction channel and the second discharge channel to exchange heat with air that passed through the second suction channel and operate as the other of the condenser and the evaporator.
US10234165B2 HVAC control system for household central air conditioning
An HVAC control system for a household central air conditioning, including an HVAC system controller, a centrifugal blower motor, a compressor motor, and an axial fan motor. The HVAC system controller includes an HVAC microprocessor, a sensor, an interface unit for motor control, a power supply part, and a signal processing circuit. The interface unit for motor control includes an inverter unit and a rotor position detection unit. At least one of the centrifugal blower motor, the compressor motor, and the axial fan motor is a permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller. The HVAC microprocessor drives the permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller via the inverter unit. The rotor position detection unit sends a rotor position signal of the permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller to the HVAC microprocessor.
US10234163B1 Thermostat technology
At least one aspect of the present disclose is directed towards a temperature control device that includes a face plate, a housing, and an adjustment mechanism. The housing may protrude away from the rear side of the face plate. The housing may include a mounting mechanism that includes a set of clamps configured to engage at least a portion of an inner surface. The set of clamps may be adjustable based on alterations to the adjustment mechanism. The housing may also include one or more cavities that may be configured to receive at least a portion of the set of clamps when the set of clamps is collapsed into the housing.
US10234162B2 Controller, indoor environment adjustment system, and indoor environment adjustment method
A controller, an indoor environment adjustment system and an indoor environment adjustment method are provided so as to automatically adjust an indoor environment. The controller is connected to at least one sensor and at least one smart home device, and configured to acquire indoor environment parameters collected by the at least one sensor, and send an adjustment instruction to the at least one smart home device in accordance with the indoor environment parameters.
US10234160B2 System and method for identifying CO2 concentration in a building area
According to embodiments of the invention, a system 200 and method 100 for identifying CO2 concentration in a building area using an imaging device 10 is disclosed. The disclosed method and system includes capturing the number of living beings present in a particular area of the building by the imaging device 10, identifying the active state of the living beings and categorizing the active state as per predefined criteria and identifying the CO2 concentration based on the size of the building area, total number of living beings present in the building area and the active state of the living beings at a given point of time.
US10234152B2 Air conditioning device
An air conditioner disclosed herein includes a cooling/heating module including a thermoelastic material and an actuator applying tension to the thermoelastic material and a switching control section selectively applying or removing tension to/from the thermoelastic material.
US10234151B2 Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a radiator, an upstream side expansion valve, a receiver, a downstream side expansion valve, an evaporator, and a receiver gas vent pipe. Gas vent control is performed so that gas refrigerant is led from a receiver to the suction side of a compressor via a receiver gas vent pipe by opening a receiver gas vent valve. Upstream side expansion valve subcooling control is performed so that the opening of an upstream side expansion valve is changed such that the subcooling of refrigerant is set to target subcooling at the outlet of a radiator. Downstream side expansion valve suction wetting control is performed so that the opening of a downstream side expansion valve is changed such that refrigerant is in a wetting state and the dryness is set to target dryness at the outlet of an evaporator.
US10234148B2 Air-conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus comprises an inlet module, an airflow guiding module, a hygroscopic wheel a dehumidification heating module and an internal recirculation heating module. The airflow guiding module includes an air channel switching unit, an outflowing air channel in air communication with an external environment outside of an air-conditioning environment, and an inflowing air channel in air communication with the air-conditioning environment. The air conditioning apparatus of the present invention meets various requirements for air conditioning. In addition, when the air conditioning apparatus performs a dehumidification process, the hygroscopic wheel and the dehumidification heating module is applied to remove the moisture of the air conditioning flow of the inflowing air channel, and thus the relative humidity of the air-conditioning environment is directly reduced so as to increase the dehumidifying efficiency.
US10234146B2 Oven door glass with interlocking mechanism
Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.
US10234145B2 Home cooking appliance having a fan channel
A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooking surface on a top of the housing, a cooking compartment in the housing, a cooling air system conveying air through the housing, and a fan channel in fluid communication with the cooling air system, the fan channel having an inlet that takes in air from along a rear wall of the housing into the cooling air system.
US10234142B2 Fuel delivery methods in combustion engine using wide range of gaseous fuels
A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe numbers and compositions.
US10234130B2 Illuminating dreamcatcher novelty apparatus
An illuminating dreamcatcher apparatus which provides a soothing visualization even when viewed in the dark includes a hoop member formed from a rigid circular shaped structural ring, a netting formed from an illuminating wire disposed in the open center of the hoop member and a plurality of decorative items hanging from the hoop member. The hoop member includes at least one hoop lighting element positioned around its circumferential edge as well as an electrical control unit that is wired to the hoop lighting elements and netting so as to allow the selective provision of electricity to the hoop lighting elements and netting. Each of the plurality of hanging decorative items defines a beaded strand with a fiber optic core so as to allow illumination from the hoop lighting element to be emitted from the bottom of the plurality of hanging decorative items.
US10234125B2 Lights integrated cooling system for indoor growing environments
A lights integrated cooling system for providing environmental temperature controls for indoor growing environments is provided. The indoor growing environment has a predetermined target temperature. The system comprises a frame structure having top and bottom plumbing manifolds. A water cooled light bar is provided having first and second ends with the first end being fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold and the second end being fluidly connect to the bottom plumbing manifold. A chiller is fluidly connected to the top plumbing manifold, the light bar and the bottom plumbing manifold. An amount of coolant circulates through the chiller, the top plumbing manifold, the light bar, and the bottom manifold. Heat from the light bar is transferred to the coolant thereby raising the temperature of the coolant. The chiller reduces the temperature of the coolant and the coolant leaving the chiller is chilled to a predetermined leaving water temperature. Heat transfer from the coolant results in the predetermined target temperature being approximately equal to the predetermined leaving water temperature.
US10234124B2 Backlight module and display device
A backlight module and a display device are provided. The backlight module includes: a rubber frame, a reflective film and an optical component. The optical component is arranged at a receiving region formed on the top of the rubber frame, the rubber frame is provided with an adhesive at the bottom, and the reflective film is fixed to the rubber frame through the adhesive to space the reflective film apart from the optical component by a predetermined interval.
US10234121B2 Flat trim ring lens for occupancy sensors
A sensor module for a lighting fixture includes a light sensor and a sensor cover over the light sensor. The sensor cover includes a front surface and a light focusing surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to face an area of interest that is generally illuminated by the lighting fixture. The light focusing surface is opposite the front surface and includes a number of lens sections, each of which is configured to focus light from a different portion of the area of interest toward the light sensor. By including a number of lens sections each focusing light from a different portion of the area of interest, a relatively large area of interest can be observed while maintaining desirable aesthetics of the sensor module.
US10234118B2 Decorative light
A decorative light including a beam splitter located inside a lamp case, the beam splitter defining an interior region; a lighting module located within the interior region of the beam splitter, the lighting module including a light emitting diode (LED) located thereon and a cover including a cutout, pattern, or image, the cover aligned with the LED; and a motor located inside the lamp case and configured to rotate the beam splitter. The light beam is projected from the LED and through the cover to generate a light shape. The light shape is projected through the beam splitter onto an exterior surface. A method for projecting a light shape with a decorative light is also discussed.
US10234112B2 Light source module and lighting device having same
An embodiment discloses a light source module. The disclosed light source module includes: a circuit board; and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged on the circuit board, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes include a plurality of first light emitting diodes connected to a power input terminal, and a plurality of second light emitting diodes connected to output ends of the plurality of first light emitting diodes, wherein the plurality of first light emitting diodes are spaced apart from each other, and at least two of the plurality of second light emitting diodes are disposed between the first light emitting diodes, respectively.
US10234111B2 Rotatable single piece optical array
A lighting device includes a housing, a light emitting device, and an optical array. The housing has a base and the light emitting device is connected to the base for producing a light output. The optical array includes a lens and removably connects to the base. The optical array is repositionable on the base to modify the light output.
US10234110B2 Recessed lighting fixture with independent adjustment between a light assembly and a driver assembly
A recessed lighting fixture apparatus is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a light fixture housing including a first opening configured to face an opening in a ceiling and a light assembly housing configured to slide horizontally within the light fixture housing. The light assembly housing includes a second opening configured to face the opening in the ceiling and a light receptacle. The example apparatus also includes a driver electrically connected to the light receptacle. In a first position, the light assembly housing is positioned within the light fixture housing such that the second opening is aligned with the opening to enable the lighting element to emit light out of the light fixture housing. In a second position, the light assembly housing is slid horizontally within the light fixture housing to enable access through the first opening of the light fixture housing to the driver.
US10234108B2 Laser light source, method for controlling dual color wheels of light source, and laser projection device
A laser light source is provided. The laser light source includes: a laser device; a first color wheel and a second color wheel, on both of which there are corresponding color regions, wherein the laser device emits laser which illuminates the first color wheel and the second color wheel sequentially, and exits from the color regions on the second color wheel; a first marker and a second marker arranged respectively on the first and the second color wheels; a first sensor configured to detect the first marker, and to generate a first sense signal; a second sensor configured to detect the second marker, and to generate a second sense signal; and a control unit configured to synchronize the first color wheel and the second color wheel.
US10234107B2 Projecting lamp structure having light adjusting device
A projecting lamp structure having a light adjusting device is provided. The projecting lamp structure includes a light source disposed on a circuit board and configured to provide light rays. A lens having an asymmetrical bat-wing candle power distribution is disposed on the circuit board, wherein the lens is configured to receive the light rays and emits the light rays. A light adjusting device is disposed on the circuit board and surrounding the lens having the asymmetrical bat-wing candle power distribution. The light adjusting device includes an opening and the light adjusting device is configured to adjust the light rays through the opening to form an illumination region having a preset shape by adjusting a geometric shape of the opening corresponding to the lens having the asymmetrical bat-wing candle power distribution.
US10234104B2 Collapsible suspended lighting system
A lighting system comprises a flexible support, such as a pair of fabric or web-like strips, and a plurality of tubular light sources supported by the flexible support. The flexible support may be hung from a support structure, and the tubular light sources will hang generally parallel to one another. Each tubular light source may include a plurality of LED chips, and power supply or conversion circuitry may also be disposed in the tubular light sources. Power cabling extends to the light sources, and may be adapted to provide pass-through power to other, similar assemblies to form a modular system. The assemblies may be easily deployed and repacked for storage and movement. The system is suitable for large area lighting, particularly with panels used for theater, television, and film sets, or with displays, trade show installations, and so forth.
US10234103B2 Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus comprises: a body comprising a first body and a second body, wherein the first body comprises a first bottom surface and a first side surface, wherein the second body comprises a second bottom surface and a second side surface, and wherein the body has a receiving recess configured by the first bottom surface, the second bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface; a reflector disposed in the receiving recess of the body and comprising a plurality of reflective surfaces; and a light source disposed on the first side surface of the first body and the second side surface of the second body, disposed at an area corresponding to the reflective surfaces of the reflector.
US10234095B2 Lens and vehicle headlamp structure
A vehicle headlamp structure free of reflective internal elements includes a lens and a light source. The lens includes a light emitting surface, a bottom surface, and a connecting surface. The light emitting surface is flat and the bottom surface includes at least one depression in the bottom surface to form at least one light incident structure. The at least one light incident structure includes a first light incident surface. The connecting surface is composed of a plurality of curved surfaces each with a different radius of curvature. The light source is substantially accommodated within the light incident structure and emits light through the first light incident surface to form an elliptical beam.
US10234092B2 Imitation flame lamp head and flickering imitation flame lamp
An imitation flame lamp head includes a mounting base, a drive device, an elastic shaft, a flame piece and an illuminant. The drive device is fixed in the mounting base, an upper end of the elastic shaft is fixed to a lower end of the flame piece, the flame piece is protruded outwards the mounting base, the illuminant is configured inside the mounting base to emit lights to a side of the flame piece, and the elastic shaft is driven by the drive device to actuate the flame piece to swing. The lamp displays flaming and flickering effect of faux flame to achieve an excellent imitation effect.
US10234091B1 Ceiling mountable led light fixture with accessible cct selectable switch
A ceiling mountable LED light fixture is described and wherein at least two sets of LED's of different correlated color temperatures (CCT) are mounted in its housing. The LED light fixture is adapted to be removably secured in a housing mounting hole in a ceiling sheeting material. A cable is secured to the light fixture to supply drive current to the LED sets. A toggle switch is mounted in the cable in close proximity to the light fixture. The cable also has a predetermined length and is also secured at a far end to a driver circuit mounted in a driver housing. The driver housing is positioned behind the ceiling sheeting material spaced from the housing mounting hole. The toggle switch is made accessible and visible by simply withdrawing the light fixture from its mounting hole and by displacing a slide switch button to select one of three positions to energize a selected one of both sets of LED's or both sets of LED's simultaneously whereby to cause the LED light fixture to generate one of three different color temperature (CCT) light.
US10234090B2 Lighting device
A lighting device may be provided according to the embodiment of the present invention. The lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source which includes a substrate including a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of light emitting devices disposed in a central portion of the bottom surface of the substrate, and an input/output portion disposed in an edge portion of the bottom surface of the substrate and electrically connected to a wire; and a body which is coupled to the substrate of the light source and includes an opening through which light from the plurality of light emitting devices of the light source passes. The body includes an inner surface which defines the opening. The body includes a cover portion which is disposed on the inner surface of the body and covers the input/output portion of the light source and the wire.
US10234085B2 Lighting strip system
In a lighting strip system having an elongate support arrangement for holding lamp units and lines for electricity supply and/or signal transmission, the support arrangement has an I-shaped profile in cross section, with two receiving regions, which run in the longitudinal direction of the support arrangement and are separated by a preferably vertically aligned partition, wherein the lines for electricity supply and/or signal transmission are arranged in one of the receiving regions and operational devices of the lamp units are arranged in the other receiving region.
US10234082B1 IR-VIS-flashlight
A flashlight includes a casing having a casing interior and a casing outer side, an infrared light source arranged in the casing interior for operation in at least one infrared light mode, a visible light source arranged in the casing interior for operation in at least one visible light mode, an energy source, a control unit for driving the infrared light source and the visible light source, and a manually operable operating element, arranged on the casing outer side, for selecting between the at least one infrared light mode, the at least one visible light mode and a switch-off mode. The flashlight further comprises a locking element for blocking the operating element during a transition from the at least one infrared light mode to the at least one visible light mode.
US10234080B2 Surface light source device, edge-lit type backlight module and display device
A surface light source device is additionally disposed with a light guide bar between a light-emitting source and a light guide film to collect rays emitted from the light-emitting source and transmit the rays to a light incident surface of the light guide film. A thickness of the light guide bar is designed to be gradually tapered to achieve the objective of reduction in the thickness of a conventional light guide plate. Moreover, the surface light source device can be applied in an edge-lit type backlight module and a display device, as well as in the illumination field.
US10234079B1 Self-supporting filament light emitting diode light engine lamp assembly
A light emitting diode (LED) light engine that includes an anode supporting base contact having a first arcular geometry; a cathode supporting base contact having a second arcular geometry; and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) filament structures connected in series, the plurality of light emitting diode (LED) filament structures all connected at a common apex interface, wherein at least a first of the plurality of light emitting diode (LED) filament structures has an anode contact in electrical communication with the anode supporting base contact, and at least a second of the plurality of light emitting diode (LED) filament structures of has a cathode contact in electrical communication with the cathode supporting base contact.
US10234077B1 Liquid evacuation system
A system for automatically evacuating liquids from natural gas pipelines. An embodiment may be used for associated drip vessels and other containers and gas wells. The system includes a tank, a compressor, and an electric generator system. The system evacuates liquid from a pipeline by creating a pressure differential between the pipeline and the tank. When adequate pressure differential is achieved, liquids flow into the tank from the pipeline. When liquids are removed, the system shuts down and awaits a run signal. The system is suited for remote locations, due, in part, to the use of an automatic generator capable of providing power to the compressor and to the CPU as necessary. Liquid removal may be determined by measuring tank pressure at time intervals and determining a rate of change of tank pressure for indicating blow through. The system utilizes the same pipeline tap for liquid removal and gas injection.
US10234070B2 Fitting structure for supply of gas
A fitting structure is provided for supply of gas and connectable between an air supply tube in the form of a hose or a plastic pipe and an air outlet of an air compressor and includes a fitting and a thermal insulation tube. The fitting includes a first coupling opening connectable with the air outlet of the air compressor and a second coupling opening connectable with the air supply tube. The thermal insulation tube has a first end part fixed inside the second coupling opening of the fitting and a second end part extending outside the second coupling opening such that a portion of the thermal insulation tube that extends outside the second coupling opening is received in the interior of the air supply tube. High-temperature air from the air compressor is conducted through the thermal insulation tube into the air supply tube without being directly applied to the fitting.
US10234069B2 High temperature flexible blanket for industrial insulation applications
According to one embodiment, an insulation blanket for insulating a structure includes a first facer layer and a second facer layer. A plurality of intermeshed non-woven glass fibers are disposed between the first and second facer layers and a fumed silica insulating powder is also disposed between the first and second facer layers. The fumed silica insulating powder has an average particle size of between about 2 and 20 nanometers. The insulation blanket includes at least one exposed edge having a cauterized face that forms a barrier on the exposed edge to encase the fumed silica insulating powder within the interior of the insulation blanket, which minimizes degradation of the insulating value due to loss or shedding of the fumed silica insulating powder through the exposed edge. The cauterized edge has a depth of cauterized material of between about 0.05 mm and 3 mm.
US10234066B2 Encapsulation collar for pipelines
An apparatus and method for the containment of a portion of a pipeline is provided. The apparatus includes first and second parts, which when brought together form an interior cavity in which the said portion of the pipeline is located. The first and second parts have respective connection flanges that are held together under force to form a seal. First and second sealing members are also provided to be placed substantially around a circumference of the pipeline, the first and second sealing members being spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the said pipeline portion.
US10234061B2 Formed hose with different fiber-reinforced regions
Formed hose configurations are provided which include an innermost elastomer layer, a first fiber-reinforcement region, and multiple second fiber-reinforcement regions. The first fiber-reinforcement region has a first fiber-reinforcement density, and is disposed, at least in part, at a bend region of the formed hose, and the multiple second fiber-reinforcement regions have a second fiber-reinforcement density, and are disposed at least at the first and second end regions of the formed hose. The second fiber-reinforcement density is greater than the first fiber-reinforcement density, and results in the first and second ends of the formed hose being less radially-deformable than the bend region of the hose. This facilitates providing a mechanical fluid-tight connection with a hose barb fitting when the formed hose is slid over the hose barb fitting, absent any clamp over the formed hose and hose barb fitting connection.
US10234055B2 Directional control valve locking device
An inexpensive, simple, effective, and easily implementable locking device for use with directional control valves that allows for the valve to be securely locked in a desired operating position, thereby preventing unauthorized, inadvertent or otherwise undesired manipulation of the valve minimizing potentially damaging or injurious conditions. The locking device has an adjustable locking plate and a fixed locking bracket, both of which are adapted to the valve using the valve's existing components for ease of installation and adaptation and so the normal operation of the valve is not impeded. The adjustable locking plate is mounted to the valve over the valve stem. The fixed locking bracket mounts to the valve body using the valve's existing bolts and nuts. Locking holes in the adjustable locking plate and fixed locking bracket line up and allow for the valve to be securely locked in a desired operating position with a locking member.
US10234052B2 Valve
The valve comprises a housing defining a cavity having a side wall, a ceiling and an open end, a plunge slidable within the cavity, a control device for causing the plunge movement. The cavity has at least one slot on the side wall.
US10234051B2 Electropneumatic magnet valve
An electropneumatic magnet valve for a pneumatically actuated field device can include a valve member, an electromagnetic controller, a magnet valve member, and an activator. The valve member can be moveable between at least two operating positions for ventilating and/or exhausting a magnet valve exit. The electromagnetic controller can move the valve member between the operating positions. The magnet valve member operator can move, additionally with respect to the electromagnetic controller, the valve member independently of an operation of the electromagnetic controller. The valve member operator can include an activator to selectively generate/provide a magnetic field for contact free operation of the valve member via which the magnet valve member operator is changeable between a passive operating condition and an active operating condition.
US10234039B2 Arranging butterfly valves for positive sealing of a valve assembly
Valve assemblies with butterfly valves for use as a double isolation & bleed (DIB) valve and a double block & bleed (DBB) valve. The embodiments may have a twin-disc design with a non-separable, valve body having a central bore. A pair of butterfly valves may reside in the central bore, each having an annular seal and a rotatable disc that contacts the annular seal to prevent flow of fluid into space between the butterfly valves. Implementations of the embodiments configure the annular seal with a sloped contact surface at an angle to positively seal the rotatable discs in the preferred direction of incoming flow. In this way, the valves can always close in response to either uni-directional flow into one end of the central bore or bi-directional flow into both ends of the central bore, respectively or simultaneously.
US10234038B2 Valve
A valve, which is provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine to release exhaust, includes a valve seat having an opening opened to the exhaust passage, a valve body having a conical surface or a spherical surface configured to close the opening by coming into contact with the valve seat, a movement unit configured to move the valve body in a direction of intersecting the opening, and an urging unit configured to urge the valve body in the direction of intersecting the opening, and the urging unit controls urging force by the movement unit in a direction of suppressing vibration of the valve body caused by vibration of exhaust pulse frequency determined by a speed of the internal combustion engine and a number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine.
US10234036B2 Wide differential pressure range air riding carbon seal
An exemplary carbon seal assembly generally may include a stator fixable to a static component, such as a mechanical housing of a gas turbine engine, and a rotor fixable to a rotating component, such as a shaft of the gas turbine engine, where the rotating component is rotatable relative to the static component. The carbon seal assembly may also include a carbon ring and a spring attached thereto positioned between the stator and the rotor, where the spring may be configured to move the carbon ring fore and aft between the stator and the rotor. The carbon seal assembly may further include a diaphragm operatively attached to stator and to the carbon ring and spring combination.
US10234033B2 Vehicle manual transmission
A vehicle manual transmission includes: shift fork shafts; shift forks; sleeves; and gear pieces. Each of the shift forks is coupled with the shift fork shaft so as to be moved together. Each of the sleeves has an annular shape. The sleeve includes an annular sliding groove to be fitted to the shift fork on an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve. The sleeve includes peripheral edges forming annular planes as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shift fork shaft. Each of the gear pieces includes outer peripheral teeth to be meshed with inner peripheral teeth formed on an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve when the sleeve is moved in accordance with the gear shift operation. The shift fork shaft or the shift fork includes a restricting member that abuts to the peripheral edge so as to restrict a movement of the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
US10234031B2 Engine control system and method
An engine control strategy for a marine vessel propulsion system receives a request for a gear from among plural transmission gears, determines an engine speed for the requested transmission gear shift, adjusts the engine to the determined speed for a predetermined amount of time, and prevents the requested transmission gear shift from occurring for the predetermined amount of time while maintaining the engine at the predetermined speed. After the predetermined amount of time elapses, the requested shift is allowed to occur.
US10234026B2 Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission capable of properly judging faults of a switching mechanism is provided. A control part ECU of the automatic transmission TM has an actual change gear ratio calculating part 10 and a fault judging part 11. Under a condition that the control part ECU has recognized that the first brake device B1 is switched to a reverse rotation preventing state, if the actual change gear ratio is kept to be an actual change gear ratio prior to a reduction of a rotational speed of a drive source ENG when the rotational speed of the drive source ENG is reduced, then the fault judging part 11 judges that a first brake B1 has a fault.
US10234023B2 Apparatus for electronically controllable transmission
An apparatus for electronically controllable transmission is provided to shift gears by moving a shift lever and sensing the magnetic flux density of a magnet, which moves based on the rotation of the shift lever, using a three-dimensional (3D) hall sensor. The apparatus includes a shift lever having one end connected to a magnet and shifting gears by moving the shift lever and a shift lever body connected to the shift lever and allows the shift lever to move around shift axis or select axis. A sensor unit is mounted fixedly intersecting the shift axis and select axis within the shift lever body and senses the movement of the magnet around an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis as the magnet moves. The sensor unit is mounted at a tilted angle to provide at least two of three output signals with linearity.
US10234022B2 Electronic transmission system
An electronic transmission system includes: a panel operation device that is rotatably installed by being coupled to a rotary shaft in a console panel, the panel operation device having a plurality of operation buttons on an end face, each of which transmits a gearshift signal; and a rotary operation device disposed on the panel operation device, exposed from a circumferential face of the panel operation device, and rotating in a circumferential direction of the panel operation device so that the rotary operation device transmits the gearshift signal while being rotationally operated. The gearshift signal is transmitted through the plurality of operation buttons of the panel operation device according to a position to which the panel operation device rotates in the console panel.
US10234021B2 Shift knob with selectable switches
A knob with internal switches can be installed on a gear shift to provide a driver with handy access to the switches while keeping a hand on the shifter. This can be very handy during four wheeling. A particular switch can be selected by rotating the lower section of the knob to the switch position for that switch. The selected switch can be activated or closed by pulling a spring loaded sliding piece up into the knob. A lockout position prevents the lower section from rotating while detents provide tactile guidance as to when the knob is in a switch position or the lockout position.
US10234018B2 Planet gearbox with cylindrical roller bearing with under race lube scheme
A planet gear rotatable on a planet bearing with cylindrical rollers is mounted to a carrier of an epicyclic gearing arrangement. Either the cylindrical outer surface of the support pin or the opposing cylindrical inner surface of the inner ring of the planet bearing includes a network of interconnected grooves. The support pin includes oil feed holes intersecting the grooves. Passages through the planet bearing's inner ring also connect to the grooves. A gas turbine engine includes a fan and LP shaft, which couples a compressor to a turbine. An epicyclic gearing arrangement has a single input from the LP shaft coupled to a sun gear, a single output coupled to the fan's shaft, and a planet bearing with a network of interconnected grooves.
US10234016B2 Heat exchanging device
A heat exchanging device includes: a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between first operating oil used in an engine and second operating oil used in a fluid transmitting device and an automatic transmission; and a heat exchanging amount decreasing unit configured to, when a temperature of the second operating oil is lower than a predetermined temperature at which it is allowed to engage a lock-up mechanism, decrease a flow amount of at least one of the first and second operating oil flowing in the heat exchanger as compared to a case in which the temperature of the second operating oil is not lower than the predetermined temperature.
US10234014B2 Actuator
An actuator includes: a housing, the housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber having a round cross section; an electric motor arranged in the first chamber of the housing, the electric motor having a motor shaft; an actuating element; a gear mechanism arranged in the second chamber of the housing, the gear mechanism being connected, on an input side of the gear mechanism, to the motor shaft of the electric motor, and being connected, on an output side of the gear mechanism, to the actuating element; and a round cover configured to close the second chamber having the round cross section.
US10234007B2 Hydrokinetic torque coupling device for motor vehicle
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device comprising an impeller wheel (2) able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (3) into rotation, with the impeller wheel (2) being rotationally coupled to a cover (5), with the turbine wheel (3) being able to be axially moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein it comprises an elastically deformable stress overtaking member (25) axially inserted between the turbine wheel (3) and a part (12) of the cover (5), with the stress overtaking member (25) being able to limit the axial displacement of the turbine wheel (3) towards the above-mentioned part (12) of the cover (5), opposite the turbine wheel (3).
US10234005B2 Device for continuously variable transmission
A mechanical rotary device for continuously variable transmission, the device comprising: a primary rotor adapted to transfer power from a rotary power source to an output shaft; a central rotating member comprising a first set of conical rollers operable by the first set of gears and a second set of conical rollers operatively connected to a second set of gears, mounted in an opposite direction to the first set of conical rollers, axially around the primary rotor. The device further comprises a power transfer ring, adapted to move axially along both sets of conical rollers to transfer power from the first set of conical rollers to the second set of conical rollers, thereby varying the rotation of the output shaft.
US10234004B2 Ball screw device and steering system
A ball screw device and a steering system that include a retainer having more uniform stiffness are provided. Between a rack shaft and a ball screw nut, a cylindrical retainer having a plurality of retainer grooves that retain balls in a rollable manner is provided. Each retainer groove has two short inner surfaces that intersect the extending direction of the retainer groove and two long inner surfaces that intersect these short inner surfaces and extend along the extending direction of the retainer groove. In each of interior-angle portions where the short inner surfaces and the long inner surfaces intersect, a corner round surface is formed. The radius of the corner round surface is set to be smaller than one half of the width of the retainer groove.
US10234002B2 Deflection mechanism
A steering mechanism may comprise an actuation system for one-fingered operation by a user, the system configured to move at least a distal portion of the medical device such that 360 degree articulation is achievable, and a housing coupled to the system, the housing having proximal and distal ends. The system may comprise a first lever rotatable about a first axis, the first lever coupled to a first cam and configured to move the first cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the first axis to deflect the distal portion; and a second lever rotatable about a second axis, the second lever coupled to a second cam and configured to move the second cam from a first position to a second position when rotated about the second axis to deflect the distal portion, wherein the first lever is coupled to the second lever.
US10234000B2 Power transmission apparatus for vehicle
Ten forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by a power transmission apparatus for a vehicle including a double clutch, a plurality of input, output, and idle shafts, a plurality of gears fixed to or rotatable on the shafts, a plurality of synchronizers selectively synchronizing gears to the shafts.
US10233999B2 Off-axis-loaded anti-backlash planetary drive for e-phaser
An electric phaser dynamically adjusting the rotational relationship of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with respect to an engine crankshaft includes an electric motor and a planetary drive. In some embodiments, the planetary drive includes a sun gear, planet gears, a sprocket ring gear driven by the engine crankshaft, a camshaft ring gear rotating with the camshaft, a carrier, a lever arm, and a load generator. The lever arm is rotatably attached to at least one planet gear and pivotably attached to the carrier at a pivot point on the carrier located off-axis from the sun axis. The load generator is coupled to the carrier and applies a torque load to the lever arm to reduce backlash in the split ring planetary drive. The difference between the number of camshaft ring gear teeth and sprocket ring gear teeth is a multiple of the number of planet gears.
US10233998B2 Incorporation of a gear train in a pinion wall in a gearbox for a turbomachine
An aircraft drive chain including a plurality of main pinions meshing with each other, a first main pinion including a wall delimiting an inner volume, external teeth being provided on an outer surface of the wall, the external teeth meshing with at least one second main pinion, a gear system being incorporated in the inner volume, the first main pinion and the gear system being jointly configured to form a multiplier or reducer and to ensure a mechanical energy transfer between a driving member and a slave member.
US10233997B2 Planetary gear sets for power transmissions
A planetary gear arrangement includes a planet carrier assembly defining a sun gear rotation axis for rotatably supporting a plurality of planetary gears about the sun gear rotation axis and a positioning element coupling a first of the planetary gears to the planet carrier. The planetary gear is movable between first and second positions for displacing a rotation axis of the first of the planetary gears relative to the sun gear rotation axis to change load share among the plurality of planetary gears.
US10233995B2 Shock absorber for railway vehicle
Provided is a shock absorber for a railway vehicle, in which an eccentric disk is disposed on a rear surface of a valve disk to set a supporting force for an initial opening position of the valve disk to a relatively low value and continuously open the valve disk from the initial opening position of the valve disk during strokes, thereby controlling a damping force in a low speed section and realizing a soft damping force.
US10233990B2 Composite coating for noise and vibration damping and brake pad having such a coating
A coating, in particular a coating for a back side of a brake pad opposite a braking side, includes a pair of bonding layers and a composite layer. Each of the bonding layers includes an epoxy material. The composite layer is disposed between the pair of bonding layers, and includes a mixture of a rubber material and particles of a secondary material. A method for forming the coating includes coating a layer of epoxy onto the surface to be coated to form a first bonding layer, coating the mixture of the rubber material and particles of a secondary material onto the first bonding layer to form a composite layer, coating a layer of epoxy to the composite layer to form a second bonding layer, and then curing the coating via a curing process.
US10233989B2 Friction material
A friction material includes a fiber base material, a friction modifying material and a binder. The friction modifying material includes alumina particles including, as a main component, θ-alumina particles. The θ-alumina particles are contained in an amount of 1 mass % or more in the friction material.
US10233986B2 Electromechanically and hydraulically actuatable motor vehicle brake with selective self-locking
A motor vehicle brake, in particular a combined hydraulically and electromechanically actuatable motor vehicle brake, with an actuator assembly comprising: a housing, an actuator which can be moved relative to the housing for hydraulically or electromechanically moving a brake lining, a motor drive, a movement mechanism which is arranged between the motor drive and the movable actuator, a gear arrangement which is paired with the movement mechanism, and a separate self-locking device which is designed to block the movement mechanism when necessary, wherein the movement mechanism has a ball screw drive with a rotatable spindle and a nut which can be moved in the housing in a linear manner. The nut can be moved within the housing in order to move the actuator by rotating the spindle, and the gear arrangement has at least two gear stages. In the motor vehicle brake, the self-locking device is arranged in or on the gear arrangement such that at least two gear stages are arranged between the ball screw drive and the self-locking device.
US10233985B2 Hand brake system used on pumping unit without walking beam
The utility model provides a hand brake system used on a non-beam pumping unit, including a drive mechanism mounted at the lower part of the pumping unit and an actuator mounted on a side of the main drive sprocket of the pumping unit, and the drive mechanism and the actuator are connected by a wire rope. In the utility model, the drive mechanism and actuator of the brake system are separately arranged, thus ensuring promptness of braking and eliminating the potential safety hazard of workers falling from a height. The braking mode of the existing brake system on a pumping unit is to achieve the braking function by locking the rotary shaft from the outer side. The braking force upon braking is relatively small and the braking reliability is relatively poor.
US10233983B2 Clutch actuating assembly
A process of controlling an actuating assembly for a coupling in the driveline of a motor vehicle, wherein the actuating assembly comprises a drive for moving an actuating element for operating the coupling unit, sensing a position signal representing the position of the actuating element; sensing a force signal representing the operating force required for displacing the actuating element; controlling the drive by means of an electronic control unit as a function of the position signal and the force signal. Further an actuating assembly is used for carrying out the process, as well as a drive assembly having such an actuating assembly.
US10233975B2 Elastomeric coupling for supercharger
A coupling assembly arranged between an input shaft and a rotor shaft of a supercharger can include a first hub, a second hub and an elastomeric coupling. The first hub can be coupled to the input shaft and include a first plurality of coupling pins extending therefrom. The second hub can be coupled to the input shaft and include a second plurality of coupling pins extending therefrom. The elastomeric coupling can include a coupling body having a series of openings. The first and second coupling pins can be alternately received by the respective openings. The elastomeric coupling can be configured to absorb torsional variations from the input shaft.
US10233973B2 Low-friction sealing device and rolling bearing equipped therewith
A sealing device for insertion between a first and a second bearing part. The device including a rotating first shield, a stationary second shield, and an elastomeric sealing element having a first and a second sealing lip. The first shield includes a peripheral section having a first and a second axially extending sleeve portion connected by a first radially extending flange portion. The second shield including a support section for the lips, having an intermediate frustoconical portion that connects a second flange portion of the peripheral section to a mounting section of the second shield. The intermediate portion is positioned axially at a step formed by the first flange portion and by the first sleeve portion. The mounting section is arranged partially inside the second sleeve portion to form an axially directed labyrinth seal that is in metal-to-metal contact with the second bearing.
US10233964B2 Carabiner
A carabiner has a hock body with a foot section, a back section connected to the foot section, a top section connected to the back section and bent like a hook in the direction of the foot section, a lug arranged at the foot section, and a snap tongue pivotally linked to the foot section and having the form of a wire which is bent to a U-shackle and is made of spring steel. The U-limbs of the U-shackle have different lengths and the ends of the U-limbs are bent inwardly and are inserted into bearing openings which are arranged in the region of the foot section such that the snap tongue, in the closed position of the carabiner, contacts spring loaded the inner surface of the top section which is bent in the direction of the foot section. A retaining element prevents the accidental displacement of the snap tongue out of its contact position against the inner surface of the end portion of the top section bent into the direction of the foot section.
US10233961B2 Methods for covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface
A cap for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface is provided. The portion includes threads. The cap includes an interior, a base that at least partially delimits the interior, a threaded receptacle on the interior configured to threadably engage the portion of the fastener, and a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.
US10233958B2 Bolted connection
The subject of the invention is an assembly and clamping bolt to be employed under tension, having a shank and a head, wherein the head, situated at a first end of the shank, is provided with a clamping tensioning means with a hydraulic cylinder mounted permanently on the bolt, clamping taking place between a rear shoulder device and the hydraulic cylinder, the rear shoulder device being disposed at a second end of the shank.
US10233956B2 Insert alignment and installation devices and methods
A method and device for sealing holes in blocks such as hydraulic manifolds, engine blocks and the like is provided and includes a sheet with a plurality of holes therein, each hole is designed to receive an insert of a particular size and each hole corresponds to an installation hole in a block or manifold such that when the sheet is aligned with the block/manifold, the insert can be pressed into the installation hole and expanded against the wall of the installation hole. The sheet provides protection against damage of the block during installation of the inserts therein, which may be accomplished with a pneumatic hammer.
US10233952B1 Method of profiling openings of elements of mechanical system for generating optimal pressure waves in elastic fluids
A method of and for optimizing pressure waves in fluids and profiling openings of elements of mechanical system to optimize systems, is provided. The method aids in the generation of pressure waves with predetermined waveform in elastic fluids and can be used to increase the energy efficiency in the pipeline technologies for the transportation of flowable media, one-phase and multi-phase, homogeneous, and heterogeneous media; powders, disperse mixtures; and technologies of forced extraction of liquids from capillary porous saturated media. Wherein, in the use of the method, changing a value of at least one of the parameters of the generating waves consisting of the shapes, sizes and single-position location of surfaces profiles of openings, amplitude, frequency, waveform, and the pressure difference (P+-P−) measured on the pump of generating compression and rarefaction pressure waves so, that an energy efficiency of a process of generating pressure waves determined by minimal value of the specific ratio and therefore a maximum energy efficiency of the interaction of the specific wave energy with the elastic fluid flow, is optimized.
US10233949B2 Accumulator assisted hydrostatic driveline and optimization method thereof
A method for minimizing a fuel consumption rate of a vehicle and a method for tracking an optimal state of charge function for a hydrostatic accumulator are provided. The first method includes the steps of providing a motor and pump, determining an efficiency of the motor and pump using an efficiency map, providing a power source, and controlling the motor independent from the pump with a controller. The controller employs the efficiency of the motor and the pump to minimize the fuel consumption rate of the vehicle. The second method includes the steps of determining the optimal state of charge control function, calculating an optimal state of charge of the hydrostatic accumulator, determining a state of charge error, calculating a corrective value, and adjusting a state of a charge based on the corrective value and the state of charge error by adjusting the charge of the hydrostatic accumulator.
US10233948B2 Gas turbine blade array with reduced acoustic output
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rotor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The rotor may include a rotor disk and a plurality of blade extending radially outward from the rotor disk. At least one of the blades may have a physical nonuniformity. The blades may be distributed about the rotor disk based on any physical nonuniformities of the blades to generate at least one decay-resistant harmonic.
US10233938B2 Organic matrix abradable coating resistant to clogging of abrasive blade tips
An abradable seal comprises an organic matrix composite comprising an additive and an organic component, the additive is configured to prevent adhesion of the organic component onto an abrasive blade tip.
US10233927B2 Scroll compressor counterweight with axially distributed mass
A scroll compressor includes first and second scroll bodies having respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases such that the scroll ribs mutually engage. The second scroll body is movable relative to the first scroll body for compressing fluid. A drive shaft has a longitudinal axis and an eccentric drive pin configured to engage a drive hub on the second scroll body. A counterweight has a hub portion, and a perimeter portion positioned radially outward from the hub portion. A radial axis divides the counterweight into a first and second regions. The mass of the hub portion in the first region being roughly equal to the mass of the hub portion in the second region, and the mass in the perimeter portion being distributed between the first and second regions such that the center of mass of the counterweight is located along the radial axis.
US10233924B2 Eccentric screw pump
An eccentric screw pump, comprising a rotor that extends along a longitudinal axis of the rotor from a drive end to a free end, a stator housing with an internal cavity that extends along the longitudinal axis from a stator inlet opening to a stator outlet opening and that is designed to accommodate the rotor, a drive motor with a drive shaft that is coupled with the rotor to transmit a torque, a first cardan joint which is placed within the transmission of the torque between the drive shaft and the rotor, and a stator outlet flange that is arranged in flow direction behind the rotor. The stator outlet flange comprises a flange connection plane that is oriented non-vertically to the longitudinal axis.
US10233923B2 Sliding member for pump and pump operation state detection system
Provided are a sliding member for pumps in which generation of a wear substance is quickly and accurately grasped even if the wear substance is generated when the sliding member slides while being in contact with another member, and a pump operation state detection system using the sliding member. The pump operation state detection system includes a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, a detection device capable of detecting metal powder in a fluid discharged from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and a determination device. In the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, a stator is arranged so as to be exposed to a fluid conveyance path through which the fluid flows. The stator is configured to slide while being in contact with a rotor along with operation of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump. The stator is made of a resin or a rubber and contains 10-30% of metal powder by weight ratio.
US10233922B2 Axis eccentric screw pump with an increasing diameter rotor with a constant sectional area stator
The present invention comprises: a stator 2 that is cylindrical and has a through hole 10, the through hole 10 in the shape of a female screw and being formed at a certain pitch in the flow direction from an inlet to an outlet; and a rotor 3 that is formed in the shape of a male screw, is inserted into the through hole 10 of the stator 2 to form a transport space 11 with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole, and rotates to move a fluid from the inlet to the outlet through the transport space 11 while being inscribed on the inner circumferential surface. The volume of the transport space 11 is reduced toward the flow direction. This prevents, reliably, the occurrence of bubbles from a fluid at a downstream-side when the fluid is transported through the transport space 11 formed between the stator 2 and the rotor 3.
US10233918B2 Blower
A piezoelectric blower includes a valve, a housing, a vibrating plate, and a piezoelectric element. The vibrating plate forms, together with the housing, a column-shaped blower chamber such that the blower chamber is interposed therebetween in a thickness direction of the vibrating plate. The vibrating plate and the housing are formed such that the blower chamber has a radius (a). The piezoelectric element causes the vibrating plate to undergo concentric bending vibration at a resonance frequency (f). The radius (a) of the blower chamber and the resonance frequency (f) of the vibrating plate satisfy a relationship of 0.8×(k0c)/(2π)≤af≤1.2×(k0c)/(2π), where an acoustic velocity of gas that passes through the blower chamber is (c) and a value that satisfies a relationship of a Bessel function of a first kind of J0(k0)=0 is k0.
US10233913B2 Liquid supply system
A liquid supply system includes first and second bellows 41 and 42 arranged in series in an expanding/contracting direction thereof in a vessel 12 and having first end portions respectively, which are close to each other and fixed to an inner wall of the vessel 12, and also having second end portions respectively, which are distant from each other and movable in the expanding/contracting direction. An inner space of the vessel 12 located outside the first bellows 41 serves as a first pump chamber P1. An inner space of the vessel 12 located outside the second bellows 42 serves as a second pump chamber P2. An inner space of the vessel 12 located inside the first and second bellows 41 and 42 serves as a sealed space R1. A shaft 15 to which the respective second end portions of the first and second bellows 41 and 42 are fixed is reciprocally moved to expand/contract the first and second bellows 41 and 42.
US10233911B2 Energy harvesting system
Among other things, an integrated portable energy conversion mat is to be installed at a pavement surface over which a car or truck is to pass. The mat has a width at least as wide as the distance between the outermost edges of the treads of the tires located at an axle of the car or truck. The mat has a top surface over which the tires of the car or truck are to pass. The mat includes a sealed enclosed space housing and energy conversion system. The energy conversion system includes two sets of channels that extend along a length of the mat and contain hydraulic fluid under pressure. An energy converter converts energy carried by the hydraulic fluid in response to the tires of the car or truck passing over the top surface into electrical energy. An electrical port is coupled to the energy converter and exposed at an outer surface of the mat. The two sets of channels are spaced apart across the width of the mat by a distance that corresponds to the distance between the treads of the tires located at an axle of the car or truck. The energy converter is located within the sealed enclosed space of the mat and in the portion of the mat that is between the two sets of channels.
US10233906B2 Joint member for wind power generation apparatus, and wind power generation apparatus
A joint member for a wind power generation apparatus includes: a first rotor integrally rotating with an output shaft of a speed increaser; a second rotor integrally rotating with an input shaft of a generator; and a one-way clutch provided between the first rotor and the second rotor. A torsion promoting portion being readily twisted and elastically deformed is provided at a portion of the first rotor where power is transmitted from the output shaft to the one-way clutch.
US10233905B2 Wind turbine gearbox lubrication system
A wind-turbine gearbox system includes an input gear stage having mating gear surfaces finished to a surface roughness of less than 0.25 micron and at least one bearing supporting the input gear stage. A lubrication circuit is arranged to deliver lubricant to the input gear stage and the bearing during operation of the wind-turbine and includes an inline filter for removal of particles of less than 2 micron from the lubricant prior to delivery. A lubricant for use in the system may have a relatively low viscosity compared to conventional wind turbine gearbox lubricants.
US10233904B2 Wind turbine with anchoring assembly
This invention is a wind turbine support assembly comprising that can include an anchored buoy connected to a main anchor line; a docking line attached to the floatable support and the anchored buoy for securing the floatable support to the anchored buoy; a trolley removably and slidably attached to the main anchor line; a secondary anchor line attached to the trolley and a secondary anchor; and, a drop line removably attached to the secondary anchor configured to lower the secondary anchor in proximity to the main anchor so that the trolley, secondary anchor line, and secondary anchor is configured to provide an anchor support structure for the main anchor.
US10233903B2 Mobile renewable energy structures providing wireless networking and associated systems and methods
A system for providing access to a wireless communication network can include a plurality of renewable energy structures. Each renewable energy structure can include an electricity generation assembly, a telescoping support pole positioned to support the electricity generation assembly, and a wireless communication device configured to relay wireless communication signals between a host signal source and a client device. The electricity generation assembly can include a wind turbine assembly and/or a solar power structure. The wireless communication device can include a cellular telephone signal repeater and/or wireless internet equipment. Each structure can include a display, such as an advertisement, one or more benches, and/or a container. Each structure can optionally include a water purification system, one or more cameras, one or more lights, and/or one or more motion or voice sensors for activating or deactivating various components of the system. Each structure may be permanently installed or mobile.
US10233900B2 Hydraulic motor system
A hydraulic motor includes a motor mechanism that rotates by hydraulic liquid that is supplied/discharged from a hydraulic liquid pressure source through one of a first motor passage and a second motor passage. The hydraulic motor comprises a casing that defines a casing chamber which accommodates the motor mechanism, and a flushing passage that is in communication with the casing chamber and extracts a portion of the hydraulic liquid from a low pressure side among the first motor passage and the second motor passage and leads it to the casing chamber.
US10233899B2 Hydrostatic axial piston machine
A hydrostatic axial piston machine includes a double-acting actuating cylinder configured to adjust the piston displacement. The actuating cylinder has two actuating chambers that are connected to two spatially separated cartridge valves. The two cartridge valves are inserted obliquely into a wall section of the axial piston machine. The wall section on the one hand forms a wall of the housing of the axial piston machine and on the other hand forms a wall of the actuating cylinder.
US10233894B2 Artificial coastal-protection reef with energy generation unit with or without direct contact with seawater
An artificial reef to be anchored to the seabed comprises two or more juxtaposed conduits which are positioned in parallel with the direction of wave propagation. Both conduits include directrices. The upper conduit includes directrices which drive the flow of the wave's crest, and the lower conduit includes directrices which drive the water diverging from the apertures in the area under the wave's trough. The upper and lower conduits are hydraulically connected, each connection comprising a shut-down valve associated with a useful energy-generating unit.
US10233893B2 Blade for a runner unit
The present invention generally relates to runner unit of a tidal power plant, and more particular to a blade of the runner unit. The blade according to the invention provides a maximised efficiency of energy production of the tidal power plant during functioning of both direct and reverse modes.
US10233891B1 Controller for spark plug of engine
A controller for a spark plug of an engine is provided. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an operational parameter of the engine. The controller is configured to define a breakdown time duration for the spark plug. Further, the controller is configured to determine an optimum amount of energy required to generate a spark for the spark plug based on the defined breakdown time duration and the operational parameter. The controller is further configured to cause the optimum amount of energy to be supplied to the spark plug to cause the spark to be generated for the spark plug.
US10233887B2 Permanent magnet electric motor for an internal combustion engine and related starting control system
An electric motor for starting internal combustion engines and a relative starting control system of such engine comprising said electric motor of the type with permanent magnets allows a more effective and simpler management of the internal combustion engine thereto the electric motor is connected, wherein a monitoring unit of the electric motor (EMU) and a monitoring unit of the internal combustion engine (ECU) are provided, wherein the electric motor comprises a direction sensor (18) providing a signal representing the rotation direction of the rotor (12) of the electric motor, which is connected to said monitoring unit of the internal combustion engine (ECU).
US10233886B2 Flow distribution measurement of a liquid spray stream
A measurement device for measuring a flow distribution of a liquid spray stream which has been atomized by a nozzle may comprise: a sensing wire; at least one further sensing wire; an electric power supply; a measurement unit; and a second grid of parallel sensing wires. The sensing wires may be positioned within a spray volume of the liquid spray stream and arranged in parallel with respect to each other to form grids of parallel sensing wires. The electric power supply unit may supply an electric current to the sensing wires. The measurement unit may measure an ohmic resistance change of the sensing wires. The first axis defined by the parallel sensing wires of the first grid and a second axis defined by the parallel additional sensing wires of the second grid may enclose a slanted angle.
US10233880B2 Suction head for connection to a fuel hose
A suction head for connection to a fuel hose in a fuel tank has a base member made of an injection molding material. The base member has a peripheral wall surface provided with cutouts and also has an end face opening. A cap closes off the end face opening. A connecting socket for the fuel hose is provided on the suction head. A first filter element is received inside the base member. A second filter element covering the cutouts is provided and is made of a filter fabric, wherein the filter fabric is a twill weave fabric or a satin weave fabric. The filter fabric has a mesh size that is greater than 10 μm and smaller than 25 μm. A power tool with a four-stroke engine is provided with such a suction head in the fuel tank.
US10233874B2 Fuel heating apparatus and methods
A fuel heating apparatus includes a fuel filter head having an upper side, a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A fuel filter is disposed on the fuel filter head including an unfiltered fuel plenum and a filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. A heating element is disposed inside the filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. One or more temperature sensors are included inside the fuel filter in some embodiments. The heating element and temperature sensor are connected to a thermostat to regulate the temperature inside the fuel filter to prevent gelling of fuel. Additionally, in some embodiments, a heat exchanger is disposed on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. A working thermal fluid passes through the heat exchanger in thermal contact with the fuel. Heat transfer between the working thermal fluid and the fuel preheats the fuel prior to delivery to the engine.
US10233871B2 Air-enriched gaseous fuel direct injection for an internal combustion engine
A method for introducing a gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes forming a non-ignitable mixture of the gaseous fuel and a gas including oxygen in a predefined mixture mass ratio within a predetermined range of tolerance having a pressure suitable for directly introducing the non-ignitable mixture into the combustion chamber during at least the compression stroke; and introducing the non-ignitable mixture directly into the combustion chamber.
US10233870B2 Control diaphragm for diaphragm carburetors
A control diaphragm for controlling a fuel feed in a diaphragm carburetor of an internal combustion engine, includes a central, substantially flat feeling region, a functional region circumferentially extending around the feeling region in a concentric manner, and a peripheral fastening border for fastening the control diaphragm. The control diaphragm closes off a control chamber of the diaphragm carburetor in a sealing manner in the installed state and is operatively connected by the central feeling region to a controlling lever of the diaphragm carburetor arranged in the control chamber, which controlling lever feels the axial deflection of the feeling region in accordance with an operating-related pressure change in the control chamber. The control diaphragm is composed of a temperature- and fuel-resistant, non-elastomeric and uniformly thick plastic film, in which a plurality of concentric corrugations forming the functional region are formed so that axial deflection of the feeling region progresses in dependence on the operating-related pressure change in the control chamber in accordance with a predefined displacement/pressure characteristic curve.
US10233854B1 Engine control systems and methods for regulating emissions during scavenging
A control system and method utilize an exhaust oxygen (O2) sensor and a controller configured to operate a turbocharged engine in a scavenging mode, and while the operating the engine in the scavenging mode: command a target in-cylinder air/fuel ratio (FA) for achieving a target exhaust gas FA, adjust the measurement of the exhaust O2 sensor based on a scavenging ratio and the target in-cylinder FA to obtain a modified O2 concentration, adjust an exhaust system temperature modeled by a thermal model to obtain a modified exhaust system temperature, and adjust the target in-cylinder FA based on the modified O2 concentration and the modified exhaust system temperature.
US10233844B2 System for thermally shielding a portion of a gas turbine shroud assembly
In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a system for thermally shielding a portion of a shroud assembly for a gas turbine. The system includes a shroud support having a forward wall that includes a front side that is axially spaced from a back side and a radially inner surface that extends axially between the front and back sides. A shroud is mounted to the shroud support. The shroud includes a leading edge portion that extends towards the forward wall of the shroud support and a trailing edge portion that extends towards the aft wall of the shroud support. A radial gap is defined between a top surface of the leading edge portion and the radially inner surface of the forward wall. A thermal shield is disposed along a bottom portion of the forward wall and is oriented to face towards a flow of combustion gases.
US10233841B2 Thermal management system for a gas turbine engine with an integral oil tank and heat exchanger in the nacelle
In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine system for cooling engine components includes an engine core, a core housing containing the engine core, an engine core driven fan forward of the core housing, a nacelle surrounding the fan and the core housing, and a bypass duct defined between an outer diameter of the core housing and an inner diameter of the nacelle. Also included is a thermal management system having a coolant circuit including at least one of a first heat exchanger disposed on the inner diameter of the nacelle and a second heat exchanger disposed on a leading edge of a BiFi spanning the bypass duct. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger.
US10233840B2 Compressor injector apparatus and system
Cooling systems for high pressure compressor systems are provided. The cooling systems may comprise tangential on board injectors (“TOBIs”). The TOBIs may comprise one or more fluid channels configured to conduct cooling fluid flow to components of the compressor, including, for example, disk-hub portions of the compressor. In this regard, the TOBI may be configured to exhaust cooling air in a manner such that the exhausted air has a similar linear velocity of the disk-hub portion. The cooling air may also be exhausted in a manner that is substantially parallel to the disk-hub portion.
US10233839B2 Composite heat exchanger
A heat exchanger assembly in one embodiment includes an inlet, an outlet, and a core. The inlet is configured to accept a fluid to be cooled and the outlet is configured to provide an exit for a flow of the fluid that has been cooled. The core includes at least one passageway formed therein configured for passage of the fluid to be cooled from the inlet to the outlet. The core also includes a receiving surface configured to receive a cooling flow therethrough. The core is configured to direct the cooling flow to pass by at least a portion of the at least one passageway to cool the fluid. The core is comprised of a high temperature geopolymer composite material. The composite material may be configured for use at temperatures above about 300 degrees Celsius, and may have a thermal conductivity below about 20 Watts/(meter*degree Kelvin).
US10233835B2 Gasification power plant control device, gasification power plant, and gasification power plant control method
This IGCC plant is provided with an ASU which separates oxygen gas and nitrogen gas from air, a coal gasification furnace which uses an oxidizing agent to gasify coal, and a gas turbine which is driven by the combustion gas resulting from burning a gas generated by means of the coal gasification furnace. This IGCC plant control device (50) is provided with an air separation amount determination unit (52) which determines the production amount of nitrogen gas produced by the ASU depending on the operating load of the IGCC plant, and supplies to the coal gasification furnace the entire amount of oxygen gas generated as a byproduct in response to the determined nitrogen gas production amount. By this means, the IGCC plant can minimize blow-off of oxygen gas produced from the air.
US10233827B2 Turbine wastegate
A turbine housing assembly can include a turbine housing that includes an exterior surface, an interior surface that includes a wastegate seat, and a bore that extends between the interior surface and the exterior surface; a bushing disposed at least partially in the bore where the bushing includes a bushing bore; a wastegate that includes a shaft that extends through the bushing bore to a shaft end, a shaft shoulder disposed in the bushing bore, a plug, and an arm disposed between the shaft and the plug; a ring disposed at least in part in the bushing bore between the shaft shoulder and the shaft end; and a control arm connected to the shaft proximate to the shaft end to define an axial distance between a surface of the control arm and the shaft shoulder where the ring has an axial length that is less than the axial distance.
US10233821B2 Method for monitoring the state of opening of a control valve of a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine, and device for the same
An apparatus and method for monitoring the state of opening of a control valve of a coolant circuit of a combustion engine. There is disclosed a method of a control valve of a coolant circuit of a combustion engine, with the control valve having a valve element that is actuatable by an actuator for enabling and/or blocking a coolant flow in the coolant circuit which has a heat exchanger, and having an assembly for detecting the position of the valve element for monitoring the opening state of the control valve. There also is provided an apparatus for carrying out the method.
US10233812B2 Method for the diagnosis of an SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine
In a method for diagnosing an SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine, the SCR catalyst system comprises at least one first SCR catalyst device (20) and at least one second SCR catalyst device (30). A first injection position upstream of the first SCR catalyst device (20) in the form of a first metering device (40) is provided for injecting liquid reducing agent for the SCR catalyst devices (20, 30). A second injection position between the two SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) in the form of a second metering device (50) is furthermore provided. Both SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) are monitored in a differentiated way by means of active and passive diagnostic methods.
US10233811B2 Soot model configurable correction block (CCB) control system
An engine control system includes a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) device that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) in exhaust gas in the presence of the reductant. A particulate filter (PF) is disposed downstream from the SCR device to collect particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream. The engine control system further includes an electronic hardware that calculates a particulate matter load value indicating an amount of particulate matter collected in the PF, and calculate a CCB value that compensates for pressure differential variations across the PF. The controller further calculates a CCB correction value that modifies the CCB value and compensates for an amount of reductant that slips from the SCR device and induces the pressure differential variations. In this manner, the electronic hardware controller can control a regeneration system to increase the temperature of the PF to burn off particulate matter from the PF based on the modified CCB value.
US10233808B2 Use of specific engine cylinders for reductant generation
A system comprises an engine including a plurality of cylinders. A first intake throttle is positioned upstream of a first set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders. The first intake throttle provides air at a first flow rate to the first set of cylinders so as to produce a lean air/fuel mixture in the first set of cylinders. A second intake throttle is positioned upstream of a second set of cylinders included in the plurality of cylinders and in parallel of the first intake throttle. The second intake throttle provides air at a second flow rate to the second set of cylinders so as to produce a rich air/fuel mixture in the second set of cylinders.
US10233806B2 Exhaust system
An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, the exhaust system comprising, a lean NOx trap, a NOx storage and reduction zone on a wall flow monolithic substrate having a pre-coated porosity of 50% or greater, the NOx storage and reduction zone comprising a platinum group metal loaded on one or more first support, the or each first support comprising one or more alkaline earth metal compound, and a selective catalytic reduction zone on a monolithic substrate, the selective catalytic reduction zone comprising copper or iron loaded on a second support, the second support comprising a molecular sieve.
US10233805B2 Exhaust gas control system
A first fuel addition valve disposed in a portion of a first exhaust passage upstream from a first upstream purification device, a first urea addition valve disposed in a portion of the first exhaust passage between the first upstream purification device and a first downstream purification device, and a first valve cooling passage configured such that i) refrigerant passes the first urea addition valve and the first fuel addition valve in order, and ii) the refrigerant cools the first fuel addition valve after the refrigerant cools the first urea addition valve.
US10233804B2 Particulate filter
A particulate filter (1) is provided having a first wall flow region (2) and a second flow through region (3). The filter is provided with a catalytic washcoat, whereby the filter can be used to remove both particulate matter and harmful gaseous emissions from an exhaust gas stream.
US10233803B2 Exhaust gas purification filter
Provided is an exhaust gas purification filter including a substrate comprising a plurality of porous partitions, wherein the partitions form an exhaust gas flow path, a porous catalytic layer is provided on the partitions and the catalytic layer having a thickness of 10 μm or greater is provided over at least 20% of the total length of the partitions in the lengthwise direction thereof, and the catalytic layer having a thickness of 10 μm or greater is not present on the partitions 15 mm from an outflow side.
US10233800B2 Method for operating a combustion engine
A method for operating a combustion engine having a crankcase, a piston group and a crankshaft, wherein the crankcase has an oil reservoir and an operational amount of lubricating oil is provided, wherein i) a partial amount of the lubricating oil is continuously discharged from the crankshaft and ii) a refill amount of new lubricating oil is continuously supplied, so that the operational amount of lubricating oil remains essentially the same; as well as a combustion engine for carrying out the method.
US10233798B2 Device for cooling oil for a turbine engine
The invention relates to a device (11) for cooling oil for a turbine engine, such as an aircraft turbojet or turboprop engine, characterized in that it comprises a duct (12) for circulating a flow of cold air (F1), means (16) for injecting oil into the duct, and means (19) for extracting the oil mixed with the flow of cold air (F1), located in the duct (12), downstream from the injection means (16).
US10233796B2 Internal combustion engine using variable valve lift and skip fire control
An internal combustion engine capable of cylinder deactivation or skip fire control in combination with variable valve lift control. One bank of cylinders can be deactivated while the air induction of the other bank of cylinders is regulated using variable valve lift control to increase engine efficiency. An internal combustion engine with two cylinder banks, where control of one cylinder bank using skip fire control can be operating at an appropriate firing fraction in combination with variable valve lift control on the other cylinder bank. A single bank of cylinders can be controlled in a skip fire manner in conjunction with variable valve lift control.
US10233790B2 Variable valve mechanism of internal combustion engine
A variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine includes a cam, a transmission mechanism, a first variable device that controls the transmission mechanism to continuously change at least a maximum lift amount of a lift curve indicating a lift amount of a valve that corresponds to a rotation angle of the internal combustion engine, and a second variable device that controls the transmission mechanism to continuously change at least an operation angle of the lift curve. When the lift curve lies in any condition within a predetermined range that covers all or part of a variable range of the lift curve, an absolute value of a ratio of a maximum lift amount variation to an operation angle variation for a slight change from the condition caused by the first variable device is larger than that for a slight change from the condition caused by the second variable device.
US10233785B1 Steam turbine power generation system
In a steam turbine power generation system according to the present invention, a regenerator and an ejector are selectively operated according to outdoor air temperature so that the effects of the outdoor air temperature can be minimized and thus an increase in back pressure of a turbine is prevented and thus the operating efficiency of the steam turbine power generation system can be guaranteed. In addition, when the outdoor air temperature is lower than a set temperature, only a steam condenser and an air cooling condenser are used, and when the outdoor air temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the regenerator and the ejector are operated so that the condensation efficiency of the air cooling condenser is improved and thus the cooling efficiency of the steam turbine power generation system can be maximized.
US10233779B2 Turbocharger diffuser center body
A turbocharger turbine having housing walls defining a diffuser. Within the diffuser, a center body within the diffuser is supported by de-swirl vanes extending from the diffuser wall. The center body forms a de-swirl passageway having an increasing mean diameter of flow from an upstream end of the center body to a leading edge of the de-swirl vanes. A trailing edge of the de-swirl vanes is near the downstream end of the center body. Annular-type guide vanes surround the center body within the de-swirl passageway. A wastegate system is configured to vent wastegate flow into the diffuser through injection ports on the de-swirl vanes, annular guide vanes and/or center body.
US10233777B2 First stage turbine vane arrangement
A first stage vane arrangement having an array of first stage vanes and an array of frame segments and method for cooling frame segments of the first vane arrangement of a gas turbine are disclosed. The frame segments are designed for axially receiving aft ends of a combustor transition pieces. The first stage vanes include extended vanes, each vane having a leading section, a trailing edge, and an airfoil extending between an outer platform and an inner platform. The frame segments having an I-beam with an upper horizontal element, a lower horizontal element, and a vertical web. The vertical web having a downstream face facing towards a first stage of a turbine when installed in a gas turbine. The downstream face of the vertical web of at least one of the frame segments overlaps, at least partially, the leading section of at least one of the extended vanes.
US10233772B2 Fan axial containment system
A gas turbine engine (20) and method for containing a fan inside an engine after a fan thrust bearing assembly failure. The engine (20) may comprise a fan (42), a housing (100) including a compartment (102), a fan shaft (104) inside the compartment (102) and comprising a bowl (108), a support structure (110) inside the compartment (102), a speed sensor pickup (114) mounted on the outer surface (120) of the bowl (108), a speed sensor (112) mounted on the support structure (110), and a fan thrust bearing assembly (41) disposed forward of the bowl (108). The fan thrust bearing assembly (41) including a bearing (126). The speed sensor (112) and the sensor pickup (114) define a defining a sensor gap (116). The bearing (126) and the outer surface (120) defining a fan thrust bearing gap (130), wherein the sensor gap (116) is less than the fan thrust bearing gap.
US10233768B1 Apparatus and process for optimizing turbine engine performance via load control through a power control module
A power plant for an aircraft such as an unmanned aero vehicle in which a gas turbine engine drives an electric generator to produce electrical power for a system load of the aircraft. An engine control unit monitors engine performance and regulates engine power output through fuel flow control to a combustor. A power control module regulates power output of the generator to the system load and to a battery through a bus. A pulse width modulation is used between the power control module and the bus to optimize performance of the gas turbine engine instead of adjusting fuel flow to the combustor.
US10233766B2 Blade of a rotary flow machine with a radial strip seal
The invention refers to a blade of a rotary flow machine including an airfoil having a suction surface and a pressure surface joining each other along a trailing and a leading edge. A radially outward directed airfoil tip and a radially inward directed end joining an inner platform connect the airfoil to a shank at a radial end of the airfoil and providing, at least one shank pocket radially encircled by an axially extending portion of the platform. At least one radially extending rim extends from the trailing edge side of the shank and has an essentially radially orientated first slot for receiving a seal. A mount extends radially inwardly from said shank pocket. The first slot has a first aperture on a shank surface orientated in an axial direction.
US10233765B2 Seal for turbofan engine
A seal for sealing a gap between a vane and a liner of an outlet guide vane is provided. The seal includes: a joint section for joining with the liner; a flexible fillet section elongated from the joint section and tapering toward a tip so as to form a round corner between the vane and the liner when the tip is placed in contact with the vane; and a flexible rib section projecting from an inner surface and so dimensioned as to get in contact with an upper surface of an external structure for securing the vane to keep gas tightness.
US10233760B2 CMAS-resistant thermal barrier coatings
A coating including a CMAS-resistant layer with a rare earth oxide. The CMAS-resistant layer is essentially free of zirconia and hafnia, and may further include at least one of alumina, silica, and combinations thereof.
US10233748B2 Acoustic anisotropy using statistical analysis
Acoustic anisotropy of downhole formations is determined using statistical analysis. During operation of a downhole system, acoustic slowness measurements are acquired around a borehole extending along a formation. Statistical analysis is performed on the acquired slowness measurements, whereby the maximum and minimum slownesses of the formation are determined.
US10233744B2 Methods, apparatus, and systems for steam flow profiling
Provided herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for profiling steam injected into a formation. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a dataset of temperature surveillance data, acoustic surveillance data, surface injection data, downhole pressure measurement device data, downhole temperature measurement device data, or any combination thereof. The method further include determining annular temperature profiles, tubing temperature profiles, behind liner temperature profiles, or any combination thereof from the dataset based on configuration of the fiber optic surveillance system in the well and design of the well. The method further includes using flow diagnostic results based on the dataset, the annular temperature profiles, the tubing temperature profiles, etc. to select which computational algorithm(s) can be used to determine a steam injection flow profile and associating each selected algorithm with a weight, executing each selected algorithm, and using results and the associated weight to determine the steam injection flow profile.
US10233738B2 System and method for processing natural gas produced from a subsea well
A system and method for processing natural gas produced from a subsea well is disclosed. The system includes a subsea processing system configured, in use, to receive a natural gas produced from a subsea well, separate free and condensable liquids comprising water and, optionally, liquid hydrocarbons therefrom, and produce a dry single phase gas. The system also includes a surface production facility having a processing system located thereon for processing the free and condensable liquids separated in the subsea processing system and one or more risers for transporting the separated free and condensable liquids to the processing system on the surface production facility. The dry single phase gas produced in the subsea processing system is transported to an onshore production facility via a subsea pipeline. The subsea processing system operates at high pressure and the processing system on the surface production facility operates at low pressure. Hydrocarbon liquids processed on the surface production facility may be combined with the dry single phase gas to produce a dry dense phase for transport via the subsea pipeline.
US10233736B2 Simulating fluid production in a common surface network using EOS models with black oil models
System and methods of simulating fluid production in a multi-reservoir system with a common surface network are provided. Black oil data is matched with an equation of state (EOS) model representing different fluid components of each reservoir in the multi-reservoir system. The black oil data is converted into a two-component black oil model for each reservoir, based on the EOS model. Fluid production in the multi-reservoir system is simulated for at least one simulation point in the common surface network, based in part on the two-component black oil model of each reservoir. When fluids produced at the simulation point are determined to be from different reservoirs, properties of the fluids are calculated based on weaved EOS models of the different reservoirs. Otherwise, properties of the fluids are calculated using the two-component black oil model for the reservoir from which the fluids are produced.
US10233735B2 Systems and methods for operating a linear motor to prevent impacts with hard stops
Systems and methods for operating a linear motor (e.g., for an ESP), where the motor's mover moves in a reciprocating motion within a bore of the stator. Hard stops are located at the ends of the bore. The motor has a first set of sensors in the stator positioned proximate to the bore. When the mover moves in the bore, the sensors produce corresponding output signals, except when the mover is in a position near, but not in contact with a hard stop. While the sensors produce output signals, the motor is driven in a first direction toward the hard stop. When the sensors stop producing the output signals, the mover has reached the first position, and the motor is controlled to reverse the direction of the mover.
US10233733B2 Crossover tool, method of making a crossover tool and two parts of a two-part crossover tool
A cross over tool includes, a first tubular forming part of a structure having a channel formed radially through a wall thereof and having a passageway formed longitudinally through the wall. The tool includes a second tubular forming part of a tool string, the second tubular is positionable radially of the first tubular, and has a port through a wall thereof, the port is alignable with the channel. The crossover tool is configured such that while the a port is aligned with the a channel fluid can flow through an inside of the tool string radially through the a port and the a channel and back into the inside of the tool string and through the a passageway and through an annular space defined between the tool string and the structure.
US10233730B2 Centrifugal particle accumulator and filter
An assembly may include a diverter extending inwardly from a casing string and extending along a length of the casing string. The assembly may also include a cavity defined by the diverter and the casing string. The cavity may be for receiving debris particles accumulated by a centrifuge positioned proximate to the diverter. The assembly may also include a valve extending between an inner surface of the casing string and an outer surface of the casing string, the valve may be in fluid communication with the cavity.
US10233725B2 Downhole system having isolation flow valve and method
A downhole system including a valve including a housing having a longitudinal axis, a flowbore within the housing for fluid flow along the longitudinal axis, an annulus within the housing, the annulus concentrically surrounding the flowbore and fluidically separated from the flowbore, a piston arrangement within the housing, the piston arrangement including a piston movable from a first position to a second position, and an electronic trigger system including an electronic trigger, a first fluid chamber, and a second fluid chamber. Activation of the electronic trigger communicates the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to move the piston from the first position corresponding to a closed condition of the valve blocking flow within the annulus to the second position corresponding to an open condition of the valve permitting flow within the annulus past the piston.
US10233722B2 Moving-rotating linear covering tool
A moving-rotating linear covering tool, comprising a port, a primary oil cylinder, a piston rod, a rear end cover, a base sleeved on the right end of the primary oil cylinder, and a handle fixedly connected onto the outer cylinder of the base. The port is fixedly connected to the left end of the primary oil cylinder, the center thereof being provided with a circular hole that clearance-fits the piston rod arranged in the primary oil cylinder. A circular flange of the rear end cover is fixedly connected onto the right end face of the primary oil cylinder. The base is connected to a guide supporting sheath sleeved, in a clearance-fitted way, on the outer cylinder of the primary oil cylinder. A bearing seat is provided on the right end wall of the base Two screw holes are symmetrically provided at the right end face of the rear end cover.
US10233719B2 Flow control in subterranean wells
A method for use with a subterranean well can include releasing flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, and the plugging devices blocking flow through respective openings in the well. Another method can include perforating a zone, releasing a set of flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, the set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the zone, perforating another zone, releasing another set of the flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, and the second set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the second zone.
US10233709B2 Top set liner hanger and packer with hanger slips above the packer seal
A system of tubulars includes a non-expandable mandrel having a body including an uphole end, a downhole end, and an outer surface. The non-expandable mandrel includes one or more slip members that are outwardly extendable relative to the outer surface. A seal assembly is arranged at the downhole end of the non-expandable mandrel. The seal assembly is settable after outward expansion of the one or more slip members.
US10233705B2 Reel control systems with data logging
An electronic control unit may, based on received sensor data, automatically direct the operation of a reel assembly for deploying a cable, hose or umbilical connection. The electronic control unit may operate in conjunction with an electro-pneumatic drive to control the reel assembly. Sensors may measure various parameters, such as a measured line tension and/or a length of cable, hose or umbilical connection that has been deployed, and transmit the measured data to the electronic control unit. Optionally, the sensor data and/or user control inputs and system status information may be logged. The system also may use this data to control the system, such as by activating an alarm when a certain alarm limit is exceeded by the data, adjusting the pressure or other parameters of the electro-pneumatic drive, and the like. The system also may generate a visual notification for an operator when an alarm is triggered.
US10233702B2 Device and method for cleaning or lubricating of drill rod element and drilling rig
The invention relates to a device and a method for cleaning or lubricating at least a connecting section of a drill rod element, with a housing, a channel-like recess and at least one washing means or lubricating means which is arranged along the channel-like recess. The channel-like recess is designed for horizontal insertion of at least a lower connecting section of the drill rod element when the drill rod element is substantially in vertical alignment. The invention further relates to a drilling rig with the said device for cleaning or lubricating.
US10233695B2 Weight-on-bit self-adjusting drill bit
A weight-on-bit self-adjusting drill bit includes a reaming bit, a WOB adjusting element, a transmission mechanism and a pilot bit and a pulsating impact generating mechanism; the pulsating impact generating mechanism includes a centralizing element, a driving element, a rotating element and a throttling element which are placed and connected successively, the centralizing element, the driving element and the rotating element are connected successively, the throttling element is in clearance fit with the rotating element, both of the centralizing element and the throttling element are respectively provided with a flow-through passage for the drilling fluid to flow through, the driving element drives the rotating element to rotate, the rotating element rotates relative to the flow-through passage on the throttling element.
US10233693B2 Adjustable ladders, ladder components and related methods
Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.
US10233687B2 Handgun mini-vault
The present invention provides a system and method for firearm storage; and more particularly, a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun that allows an authorized user rapid, unobstructed and effortless access to the handgun. The handgun mini-vault system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease of assembly and aesthetically appealing appearance, it also permits access to the handgun without the need to manually manipulate a locking device. The locking system of the present invention utilizes RFID technology to allow authorized users to open the mini-vault by simply waiving an RFID chip in proximity to the mini-vault interrogator.
US10233683B2 Vehicle having door rear edge opening mechanism
A vehicle is provided comprising a door having a front edge and a rear edge and an opening mechanism provided substantially at the rear edge of the door. The mechanism comprises two pivot locations configured such that the door opens through a combination of rotation at both pivot locations.
US10233679B1 Systems and methods for control systems to facilitate situational awareness of a vehicle
Systems and methods for control systems for facilitating situational awareness of a vehicle are provided. Sensors located around a stationary vehicle may detect moving objects that pose potentially dangerous situations for the vehicle occupants and for the object. This can cause the doors to lock automatically in order to make the situation safer. Additionally, electromagnetic radiation sensors located around the vehicle may detect the lights and sounds of emergency vehicles. If the electromagnetic data from the electromagnetic radiation sensors match a known pattern of electromagnetic data emitted by emergency vehicles stored in a library an alarm may be sounded through the speakers of the vehicle in order to alert the vehicle occupants of an emergency vehicle in the vicinity.
US10233674B2 Folding lock with alarm device
A folding lock includes a lock body having a latching mechanism, a jointed bar hoop having a plurality of jointed bars pivotably connected to one another, and a closing bar. A first end of the jointed bar hoop is permanently fastened to the lock body. The closing bar forms a free second end of the jointed bar hoop. The closing bar can be latched to the lock body by the latching mechanism. The lock body includes an alarm device for outputting an alarm signal. The closing bar can selectively be latched to the lock body in a first closing position or in a second closing position, with the alarm device not being able to be activated when the closing bar adopts the first closing position and with the alarm device being able to be activated or being activated when the closing bar adopts the second closing position.
US10233672B2 Lock devices, systems and methods
Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door.
US10233667B1 Temporary barrier post
A temporary barrier post having a main pole, adjustable post, and bracing shaft. A joint assembly is supported on and can slide axially along the main pole. An end of the adjustable post is connected to the joint assembly such that the adjustable post can rotate relative to the joint assembly. A coupler is fixed to the adjustable post axially between the proximate and remote ends such that the bracing shaft is pivotally connected to the adjustable post. The temporary barrier post is adjustable between an expanded condition, in which the adjustable post extends laterally relative to the main pole, the bracing shaft is oblique relative to the adjustable post, and the adjustable post and the bracing shaft retain the main pole in a set location via the joint assembly, and a collapsed condition, in which the main pole, the adjustable post, and the bracing shaft are parallel.
US10233665B1 Combination tent
A combination tent includes a tent frame standing upright on the ground. An outer tent fabric is spread out and mounted on the tent frame. The outer tent fabric encloses an arched space having front and rear ends that are open. An outer tent door fabric is disposed on a first side of the outer tent fabric and is openable and closeable. An inner tent is disposed in the arched space and is connected to the first side of the outer tent fabric. An inner tent door fabric is disposed on a side of the inner tent, is aligned with the outer tent door fabric, and is openable and closeable. The arched space includes an open passage defined between another side of the inner tent and a second side of the outer tent fabric. The open passage extends from the front end to the rear end of the arched space.
US10233664B2 Tent and tent frame with illumination
Disclosed are tents and tent frames with illumination. A tend frame includes a plurality of upper supporting poles (2), first connector (3) pivotally connecting the upper supporting poles (2) and a control box (4) disposed below the first connector (3) when the tent frame is unfold. The plurality of upper supporting poles (2) include one or more illumination supporting poles, each comprising an illumination groove (21) and an illumination source disposed in the illumination groove (21). The illumination groove (21) is elongated along the illumination supporting pole. The control box comprises a first PCB board (44) electrically coupled to the illumination source of each illumination supporting pole and electrically coupled to a battery set, an external power source, or a combination of the battery set and the external power source.
US10233663B1 Grave site memorial assembly
A grave site memorial assembly for housing an electronic display includes a base that has a lower surface. The lower surface is configured to couple to a tombstone. A fastener is coupled to an upper surface of the base and is configured to selectively couple to a display to position the display perpendicularly to the base. A housing that defines an interior space is configured to selectively couple to the base. The housing has a bottom that is open. The bottom is configured to insert the display to position the housing to couple to the base to sealably enclose the display in the interior space. An aperture is positioned in a front of the housing. A panel is coupled to the housing to cover the aperture. The panel is transparent so that the display is positioned to be viewed by persons proximate to the housing.
US10233660B2 Apparatus for producing waves for surfing using staggered wave generators extended along a curved stagger line
A wave pool having a deep end and a shallow end with a plurality of wave generators along the deep end that are extended along a curved stagger line positioned at an oblique angle relative to the moving waves. The wave generators are preferably extended in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the waves. A pair of dividing walls is preferably provided in front of each generator, wherein the dividing walls are extended substantially forward with a fade angle of no more than about 20 degrees relative to each other. The wave generators are preferably operated in sequence, such that a plurality of wave segments is generated, and such that the wave segments travel forward and then merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant wave which travels forward and then breaks along the shallow end.
US10233653B2 Flooring material
A surface element designed to be assembled together with similar surface elements to form a unit of a plurality of joined surface elements; said surface elements comprising a core, a decorative upper surface and edges for joining, including a first and a second edges allowing joining by rotational movement, and a third and a fourth edge allowing joining by vertical movement, wherein two adjacent edges of the surface element at the same time, and concurrently with said rotational movement, is joined with a surface element adjacent to the first edge and a surface element adjacent to the third or fourth edge.
US10233651B2 Building system
A furring strip for mounting a cladding article to a building substrate, the furring strip comprising a first member, a second member parallel to the first member, and a web disposed between and spacedly coupling the first member and the second member. The first member, the second member, and the web form at least one u-shaped channel configured to receive and retain a wall cladding panel. The furring strip is fixable to a building substrate by mechanical or chemical fasteners to retain one or more cladding articles at a fixed spacing from the building substrate.
US10233649B1 Roof edge bracket with extender plate for extended insulation
A roof edge mounting bracket preferably includes a base member and a vertical attachment flange. The base member extends outward in a horizontal orientation from the vertical attachment flange. A lower portion of the vertical attachment flange extends below the base member and an upper portion of the vertical attachment flange extends above the base member. The roof edge bracket has a plurality of variations. A roof edge bracket extender preferably includes a modified roof edge bracket and an extender plate. The modified roof edge bracket includes a roof edge bracket and an extender projection. A second embodiment of a roof edge bracket extender preferably includes a second modified roof edge bracket and a second extender plate. A third embodiment of a roof edge bracket extender preferably includes a third modified roof edge bracket and at least one third extender plate.
US10233647B2 Gutter hanger assembly
A universal gutter hanger assembly includes a hanger body having a front end and a back end. A front attachment feature at the front end of the hanger body is configured to engage with a front end of the gutter. A back attachment feature at the back end is configured to engage with a back end of the gutter. The back attachment includes a clip extending upwardly from the back end and configured to engage with gutters having various configurations of back ends. In some examples, the hanger body includes an arcuate-shaped bottom surface that extends from the front end to the back end.
US10233645B2 Metal roofing member, and roofing structure and roofing method using same
A metal roofing member 1 has a front substrate 10, a rear substrate 11 and a core material 12. The front substrate 10 is made of a metal sheet. In the front substrate 10, a box-shaped body portion 100 and a flange portion 110 extending from the body portion 100 are provided. The flange portion 110 is formed by folding back, over the rear side of the front substrate 10, of a metal sheet 111 extending outwards of the body portion 100 in a direction 100b perpendicular to a height direction 100a of the body portion 100, from a lower edge of the body portion 100, in such a manner that the metal sheet 111 wraps around the rear substrate 11. The metal roofing member 1 is disposed on a roof base, with the flange portion 110 butting against a flange portion 110 of another metal roofing member.
US10233644B2 Method of manufacturing a composite tube
Composite tube assemblies comprising a composite tube comprising a distal end having a first conical section and a second conical section, wherein a distal end of the first conical section is in contact with a proximal end of the second conical section having the same outer diameter as the distal end of the first conical section, wherein a proximal end of the first conical section and a distal end of the second conical section have a smaller outer diameter than the distal end of the first conical section, a locking ring disposed around the first conical section, an end fitting disposed around the second conical section, wherein the end fitting is coupled to the locking ring, and a retaining ring circumferentially disposed around the locking ring are disclosed.
US10233642B2 Buildings
A building comprising a structural frame of the building, at least one window or door supported by and substantially aligned to the frame, and an external wall formed by at least one insulated sandwich panel, the panel(s) in the external wall being supported by the frame and being offset externally from the frame, wherein the frame is exposed in at least part of the interior of the finished building and wherein at least part of the internal wiring of the building traverses the interior of the building on and/or in the frame.
US10233634B1 Building wall comprising stackable building blocks
A wall comprises building blocks with opposing like outer members spaced apart by at least two risers as cross members inward from outer member ends leaving a center open with a void between the outer members and the risers. The risers extend from the bottom of the block to above the outer member tops. A continuous tongue projects upward from the top of the outer members parallel thereto along the length of the outer member and mates with grooves along the bottom of a similar outer member stackable thereon for ease of block alignment. A next stacked block is nailed to the risers projecting into its center.
US10233623B2 Automatic leak-proof water inlet device for a water tank
An automatic leak-proof water inlet device for a water tank, including an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder set, a floating casing and an assist floating set; wherein the outer cylinder set is consisted of an outer cylinder, a cover, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, an adjusting rod, an interlocking rod, an insert, a water stopper, a first spring and a second spring; the assist floating set includes a supporting seat and a float; by the above structure, it could stop water leakage of water tank automatically and close water inlet in time, to thereby avoid the waste of water resources.
US10233615B2 Position measurement system and position measurement method
A position measurement system includes: at least a pair of imaging devices mounted on a work machine; a calculation unit provided at the work machine and configured to perform stereo measurement by using information of an image of an object captured by at least the pair of imaging devices; and a determination unit configured to determine condition related to image capturing by the imaging device based on a performance result of the stereo measurement.
US10233614B2 Fluid pressure control device
A fluid pressure control device includes a first circuit system having a first pump and a first control valve. The first circuit system includes an intermediate cut valve provided downstream of the first control valve in a first intermediate passage and which connects and disconnects a connection between the first intermediate passage and the tank, and an external output port communicating at a part downstream of the first control valve in the first intermediate passage and upstream of the intermediate cut valve, the external output port being capable of externally supplying working fluid discharged from the first pump.
US10233613B2 Shovel and method of driving shovel
A shovel includes a swing hydraulic motor configured to swing a rotating structure, a swing drive hydraulic circuit configured to drive the swing hydraulic motor, an assist hydraulic motor connected to an engine and configured to be supplied with hydraulic oil discharged from the swing drive hydraulic circuit, and a controller configured to control the driving of the shovel. The controller is configured to detect the load condition of the engine, and control the supply of the hydraulic oil to the assist hydraulic motor at the time of deceleration of the swing hydraulic motor, based on the detected load condition.
US10233611B2 Undercarriage drive module
A work machine may include a power module including a battery and engine and configured to provide power. The work machine also includes a drive module configured with one or more motors and positioned over a track roller frame. The work machine may also include a ripping module configured with one or more ripping devices to cut or rip encountered material. Further, the work machine may also include a hydraulic module including one or more devices in a front region to cut or rip the encountered material.
US10233610B1 Pier and beam foundation leveling system
A leveling apparatus many be used for building new construction or for releveling an existing structure. A user may place a leveling apparatus between a pier and a beam of a pier and beam foundation. The leveling apparatus may include a bottom plate that rests on the pier and a top plate that supports the beam. The bottom plate and the top plate may be separated by threaded rods. The leveling apparatus may be sufficiently small that it may fit between the pier and beam in situations where space may be limited. The user may rotate one or more nut fasteners to adjust the height between the bottom plate and the top plate. Adjusting the separation between the plates can result in leveling of a floor by adjusting the spacing between a beam and the ground.
US10233600B2 Intelligent speed regulator
A monitor detects a speed of a vehicle for controlling a speed regulator. A speed regulator controller configures a speed regulator based on the detected speed, the speed regulator being configurable to inflate to an extended configuration and deflate to a retracted configuration, the speed regulator controller configured to inflate the speed regulator to the extended configuration in a first mode and to deflate the speed regulator to the retracted configuration in the first mode based on the detected speed.
US10233597B2 Wide swath offset concrete screed
Methods and systems for making and using a wide swath offset concrete screed apparatus for screeding wet concrete slurry. The apparatus includes a cross support bar, an attachment mechanism for attaching the cross support bar to a liftable arm of a motorized vehicle, and a roller screed attached to the cross support bar. The roller screed is positioned offset from the motorized vehicle used to operate the screed, allowing the motorized vehicle to drive outside the forms.
US10233594B1 Switch point guard casting, associated support and full gage switch panel containing same
The invention may be described as including a switch guard casting, a switch guard assembly for a railway intersection, as well as a rail intersection design and a switch guard assembly therefor.
US10233592B2 Method for processing straw
Described herein is a method for processing straw into an intermediate straw product. The method comprises: (a) treating straw with an alkaline solution having a p H of between about 10 and about 14, at a temperature of between about 20° C. and about 80° C., for a period of between about 6 hours and about 30 hours; (b) separating excess alkaline solution and the treated straw from each other; and (c) maintaining the treated straw in an anaerobic environment at a temperature of between about 30° C. and about 45° C., for a period of between about 6 hours and about 30 hours to produce an intermediate straw product. Also described is an intermediate product produced by the method; a method for extracting lignin from straw; lignin thereby produced; a method for extracting cellulose fibers from straw to produce paper pulp; cellulose fibers and paper pulp thereby produced; a method for producing a paper pulp product or a paper product; a product thereby produced; and a container and apparatus for processing straw according to the methods described.
US10233591B2 Method and plant for pre-treating biomasses
A method is provided for pre-treating biomasses, more particularly, for pre-treating biomasses intended for a biorefinery or similar facility for producing biofuels. The method comprises the steps of shredding the biomasses, removing foreign bodies contained in the biomasses upstream of the step of shredding, and soaking the biomasses by immersing the biomasses in water upstream or downstream of the shredding step. A plant for pre-treating biomasses is also provided. The plant comprises a shredding station for shredding biomasses, a station for removing foreign bodies from the biomasses upstream of the shredding station, and a soaking station for soaking the biomasses upstream or downstream of the shredding station.
US10233587B2 Fabric treating appliance comprising a scrubbing tool
A fabric treating appliance having a cabinet with an interior and having a top wall defining an access opening. A cover is provided that is movable relative to the cabinet between an open position and a closed position to selectively close the access opening. A shroud extends between the cabinet and the tub. A scrubbing tool seat is located in one of the top wall and the shroud and a scrubbing tool is removably disposed in a scrubbing tool seat.
US10233581B2 Operating method for laundry machine
A laundry machine and an operation method for a laundry machine are disclosed. The laundry machine includes a tub configured to receive wash water; a drum that is configured to rotate in the tub and to receive clothes; a control panel configured to receive input from a user; a course selection part located on the control panel and configured to enable user selection of an operating course from a plurality of operating courses; and one or more option selection parts located on the control panel and configured to enable user selection of one or more options for the operating course selected by the user. The operating method includes selecting a specific course and controlling sequential performance of the following operations: cleaning the clothes by supplying wash water to the drum; drying the clothes by supplying hot air to the drum; and refreshing the clothes by supplying steam to the drum.
US10233579B2 Blower for airflow dyeing machine
A blower for an airflow dyeing machine is provided. Each four nozzles of the airflow dyeing machine shares a blower, the blower being disposed at a central position of the four nozzles; wherein the blower comprises: a motor, a blowing machine, a primary air duct, a secondary air duct, an air inlet and an air outlet, the motor driving the blowing machine to rotate, the blowing machine comprising a blowing machine housing and impellers, the impellers being disposed inside the blowing machine housing, two air outlets of the blowing machine being oppositely arranged and are disposed on two sides of the blowing machine housing which respectively supply air to the two nozzles at the two sides, the air inlet of the blowing machine being on a side opposing the motor, the two air outlets of the blowing machine being respectively coupled to one ends of the two primary air ducts.
US10233578B2 Tufting machine and method of tufting
A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.
US10233575B2 Assisting tool for making ornament
An assisting tool is provided for making a tufted ornament having a bunch of threads. The assisting tool includes a first frame and a second frame that form a generally rectangular shape when assembled. The first and second frames have first and second thread hanging portions, respectively, that are spaced apart from each other in a first direction. Each thread hanging portion extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The assisting tool further includes a length adjuster for adjustably varying the length in the first direction from the first thread hanging portion to the second thread hanging portion by allowing the first and second frames to slide toward or away from each other.
US10233573B2 Carpet having a shadow effect and method for weaving a carpet fabric having a shadow effect
A carpet having a shadow effect comprises a backing fabric having weft threads (S) and tension warp threads (S1, S2), further comprising pile warp threads (P) interlaced with the weft threads (S) of the backing fabric and forming pile elements, the weft threads (S) being provided in groups (G) of weft threads repeatedly appearing in a warp direction, each group (G) of weft threads providing a relative positioning of the weft threads (S) thereof relative to at least one tension warp thread (S1, S2), a weft thread (S) of a group (G) being either positioned on a pile side relative to a tension warp thread (S1, S2) or on a back side relative to this tension warp thread (S1, S2) in a respective relative positioning, a first group (G1) of weft threads having a first relative positioning of the weft threads (S) thereof and a second group (G2) having a second relative positioning of the weft threads (S) thereof different from the first relative positioning, wherein the first relative positioning and the second relative positioning provide a substantially mirror-symmetrical arrangement with respect to each other relative to a plane of symmetry (Sy1) extending in the weft direction, and/or wherein in the first relative positioning and the second relative positioning weft threads (S) positioned at a first group end region (E1) in the warp direction and weft threads (S) positioned at a second group end region (E2) in the warp direction have a different relative positioning with respect to at least one tension warp thread (S1, S2).
US10233572B2 Yarn take-up system for weaving and a method of weaving a reinforcing fiber structure for composite material parts
A warp yarn take-up system includes a clamping device for holding a plurality of layers of warp yarns, the clamping device being movable at least in a direction corresponding to the advance direction of the warp yarns. The clamping device includes a bottom clamp, a top clamp, and at least one intermediate clamping element present between the bottom clamp and the top clamp. The bottom clamp, the top clamp, and the at least one intermediate clamping element are held together by clamping.
US10233570B2 Process for increasing the enzymatic accessibility of a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock
It is disclosed a process for increasing the enzymatic accessibility of a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock which has been thermally treated at a severity factor. The process comprises a step of fiber shives reduction, for reducing the amount of long shives. The thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass after fiber shives reduction is characterized by having an increased glucans accessibility and by forming a slurry having a low viscosity.
US10233569B2 Carbon-fiber-precursor fiber bundle, carbon fiber bundle, and uses thereof
A carbon fiber bundle, wherein an average single-fiber fineness is from 1.0 to 2.4 dtex and a roundness is from 0.7 to 0.9 in a shape of a cross-section perpendicular to a fiber axis of a single fiber; the roundness being determined with equation (1): roundness=4πS/L2, where S is a cross-sectional area of the single fiber and L is a circumferential length of the single fiber, and S and L are obtained by observing, under an SEM, the cross-section of the single fiber perpendicular to the fiber axis of the single fiber and analyzing the obtained image.
US10233567B2 Cotton gin for pneumatic cotton harvesting machine
A cotton gin for use in a pneumatic cotton harvesting machine. The gin is located in the harvester downstream of the pneumatic picking heads. The gin receives seed bearing cotton balls on a front side of a fiber separation plate. Co-acting and oppositely rotating toothed fiber separation blades protrude through the separation plate and incrementally tear the cotton fiber free from the cotton ball leaving behind the seeds. The separated cotton fiber is, thereafter, drawn from the back or downstream side of the separation plate to a dust collector and then bailed in a dry condition in the harvester in the field. The separated seeds remain in the gin and fall downwardly, via gravity toward and into a seed collecting bin.
US10233566B2 Continuous single crystal growth of graphene
Systems and methods for synthesizing continuous single crystal graphene are provided. A catalytic substrate is drawn through a chemical vapor deposition chamber in a first lengthwise direction while flowing a hydrogen gas through the chemical vapor deposition chamber in the same lengthwise direction. A hydrocarbon precursor gas is supplied directly above a surface of the catalytic substrate. A high concentration gradient of the hydrocarbon precursor at the crystal growth front is generated to promote the growth of a continuous single crystal graphene film while suppressing the growth of seed domains ahead of the crystal growth front.
US10233565B2 Single-crystal manufacturing apparatus and method for controlling melt surface position
A single-crystal manufacturing apparatus including: at least two different melt surface position measuring means for measuring a melt surface position of a material melt; controlling means for controlling the melt surface position based on the measured melt surface position; and determining means for determining whether a measurement abnormality has occurred in the melt surface position measuring means, the apparatus being characterized in that the melt surface position is measured by the plurality of melt surface position measuring means at the same time, one melt surface position measuring means adopted for control over the melt surface position is selected from the plurality of melt surface position measuring means, and the melt surface position measuring means adopted for control over the melt surface position is switched to another melt surface position measuring means when the determining means determines that a measurement abnormality has occurred in the selected melt surface measuring means.
US10233564B2 Manufacturing method of monocrystalline silicon and monocrystalline silicon
A smonocrystalline silicon include a straight body formed without generating a remelt growth area of 200 μm or more in a height in a growth direction. Growth striations, which are formed radially across the straight body, include a growth striation with an outer end interrupted by another growth striation not to reach a peripheral portion of the straight body. The remelt growth area has the growth striation with the interrupted outer end.
US10233555B2 Method of obtaining a yellow gold alloy deposition by galvanoplasty without using toxic metals or metalloids
The invention relates to an electrolytic deposition in the form of a gold alloy with a thickness of between 1 and 800 microns and which includes copper. According to the invention, the deposition includes indium as the third main compound. The invention concerns the field of electroplating methods.
US10233554B2 Aluminum electroplating and oxide formation as barrier layer for aluminum semiconductor process equipment
The present disclosure generally relates to methods of electro-chemically forming aluminum or aluminum oxide. The methods may include the optional preparation of a an electrochemical bath, the electrodepositon of aluminum or aluminum oxide onto a substrate, removal of solvent form the surface of the substrate, and post treatment of the substrate having the electrodeposited aluminum or aluminum oxide thereon.
US10233553B2 Contact bar and capping board for supporting symmetrical electrodes for enhanced electrolytic refining of metals
A contact bar and related techniques allow enhanced electrolytic refining of metals, e.g. avoiding or reducing electrical short circuits. The contact bar is adapted to rest on an insulating capping board for contacting symmetrical electrodes to provide locations for electrical contact therewith. The contact bar includes a central portion laying on the capping board and branch portions extending laterally outward from the central portion, such that the branch portions fit in between seats of the capping board. The contact bar may include a retention member enabling to reduce lateral movement of the electrodes, and may include a plurality of apertures to engage corresponding holding arms of the capping board. There may be a plurality of adjacent similar contact bar segments.
US10233552B2 Apparatus and method for feeding a multi-phase mixture of reactants to an electrochemical reactor
This invention is a method and apparatus for operating electrochemical reactors with multi-phase feeds, in which a liquid feed stream is dispersed in a second fluid to form a spray, mist or emulsion before entering the reaction zone. The invention is applicable to both electro-synthesis and fuel cell reactors, with particular utility in mixed-reactant fuel cells.
US10233546B2 Metal plate, method of manufacturing metal plate, and method of manufacturing mask by use of metal plate
The object of the present invention is to provide a metal plate having an excellent transportability. A maximum value of a steepness degree at a central area in a width direction of the metal plate is not more than 0.4%. In addition, the maximum value of the steepness degree at the central area is not more than a steepness degree at one end side area, and is not more than a steepness degree at the other end side area. Further, a difference between the maximum value of the steepness degree at the one end side area and the maximum value of the steepness degree at the other end side area is not more than 0.4%.
US10233545B2 Method for producing particulate clusters
A method for producing particulate clusters comprises passing a core through an array of matrix-supported coating particles. Particulate clusters produced by the method may find application as catalytic particles, components of novel electronic and photonic materials and sensors, and as binding sites for protein molecules in biochips.
US10233544B2 Growth of nitride films
A gallium nitride thin film can be formed on a substrate at a low temperature (e.g., not higher than 600° C.) by applying a laser to resonantly excite molecules of a first precursor that contains nitrogen, in which the laser has a wavelength that is selected to match a vibration mode and/or a vibrational-rotational mode of the molecules of the first precursor. A second precursor is provided in which the excited first precursor and the second precursor react to form a nitride that is deposited on the substrate. For example, the second precursor may include gallium, and the nitride may be gallium nitride. Other nitride films can be produced in a similar manner.
US10233540B2 Device for loading porous substrates of three-dimensional shape in order to be densified by directed flow chemical vapor infiltration
A loader device for loading porous substrates of three-dimensional shapes extending mainly in a longitudinal direction into a reaction chamber of an infiltration oven for densification of the preforms by directed flow chemical vapor infiltration. The device comprising at least one annular loader stage formed by first and second annular vertical walls arranged coaxially relative to each other and defining between them an annular loader space for the porous substrates to be densified. First and second plates respectively cover the bottom portion and the top portion of the annular loader space. The first and second annular vertical walls include support elements arranged in the annular loader space so as to define between them unit loader cells, each for receiving a respective substrate to be densified. The device also comprises gas feed orifices and gas exhaust orifices in the vicinity of each unit loader cell.
US10233538B2 Demagnetization of magnetic media by C doping for HDD patterned media application
Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for treating a magnetic substrate having an imprinted, oxygen-reactive mask formed thereon by implanting ions into a magnetically active surface of the magnetic substrate through the imprinted oxygen-reactive mask, wherein the ions do not reduce the oxygen reactivity of the mask, and removing the mask by exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing plasma. The mask may be amorphous carbon, through which carbon-containing ions are implanted into the magnetically active surface. The carbon-containing ions, which may also contain hydrogen, may be formed by activating a mixture of hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen. A ratio of the hydrogen and the hydrocarbon gas may be selected or adjusted to control the ion implantation.
US10233537B2 Artificial joint cup, magnetic control sputtering coating film device and preparation method thereof
The present invention aims at improving and upgrading the conventional devices based on the low temperature magnetron sputtering coating devices. Starting from the material systems, the invention provides a new material system and a manufacturing method thereof based on a high molecular weight polyethylene joint cup to solve the poor binding force problem between the film and the matrix, and the problems of easy oxidization and carbonization of high molecular weight polyethylene with low temperature magnetron sputtering technologies at the same time. On the above basis, the ultra-lubrication performance of graphite-like structure films and ultra-hardness of diamond-like structure films are utilized to construct a nano-scale multilayer structure DLC film alternatively coated with a graphite-like film and a diamond-like film. The present invention improves the wear resistance of high molecular weight polyethylene joint cups, and restricts low accuracy of joints due to creeping by constructing a new artificial hip joint cup of ultra-wear-resisting nano-scale multilayer structure DLC film with high hardness and self-lubricating capability.
US10233536B2 Sputtering apparatus and method of discriminating state thereof
A method of discriminating a state of a sputtering apparatus in which, by sputtering a target, a film is formed on a substrate disposed to lie opposite to the target, the discrimination being made, prior to the film formation on the substrate, as to whether an atmosphere in the vacuum chamber is in a state fit for film formation. As the sputtering apparatus, use is made of one provided inside the vacuum chamber with an isolated space which is isolated from the vacuum chamber by an isolating means (6, 71˜73), the isolated space being for the target and the substrate to lie therein opposite to each other, the sputtering apparatus being so arranged that the isolated space is evacuated accompanied by the evacuation in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is evacuated to a predetermined set pressure and a gas is introduced therein in this state.
US10233535B2 Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma processing apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode, a chamber, a first high-frequency power supply, a direct-current power supply, and a gas supply source. The plasma processing apparatus generates first plasma to form a film of a reaction product on the second electrode by causing the first high-frequency power supply to supply first high-frequency power to the second electrode and causing the gas supply source to supply a first gas into the chamber; and generates second plasma to sputter the film of the reaction product by causing the first high-frequency power supply to supply the first high-frequency power to the second electrode, causing the direct-current power supply to supply direct-current power to the second electrode, and causing the gas supply source to supply a second gas into the chamber.
US10233533B2 Coating process using gas screen
A method for use in a coating process includes pre-heating a substrate in the presence of a coating material and shielding the substrate during the pre-heating from premature deposition of the coating material by establishing a gas screen between the substrate and the coating material. An apparatus for use in a coating process includes a chamber, a crucible that is configured to hold a coating material in the chamber, an energy source operable to heat the interior of the chamber, a coating envelope situated with respect to the crucible, and at least one gas manifold located near the coating envelope. The at least one gas manifold is configured to provide a gas screen between the coating envelope and the crucible. A second manifold provides gas during a later coating deposition to compress a vapor plume of the coating material and focus the plume on the substrate to increase deposition rate.
US10233527B2 Cooling apparatus for plated steel sheet
A cooling apparatus for a plated steel sheet according to the present invention comprises: an injection means for injecting a cooling fluid while facing a steel sheet in progress; and an injection width varying means for varying the injection width of the cooling fluid so as to correspond to the width of the steel sheet, installed at the outside of the injection means so as to not interfere with the injection flow path of the cooling fluid.
US10233526B2 Facility having a continuous annealing furnace and a galvanization bath and method for continuously manufacturing hot-dip galvanized steel sheet
A facility for continuously manufacturing a galvanized steel sheet includes a continuous annealing furnace, a snout, and a galvanization bath. The furnace is divided into a heating zone, a soaking zone, and a cooling zone. The bath is directly connected to the furnace through the snout. The facility has a dewpoint meter and a spray port and a suction port for a furnace gas that are provided in at least one of the zones, gas cyclic paths which connect the spray port and the suction port to a refiner, and a dewpoint meter and a humidification device that are provided in the snout. The gas cyclic paths are separately formed for the respective connected zones. The refiner functions so that a measured value of the dewpoint meter is equal to a target dewpoint, and the humidification device functions so that a measured value of the dewpoint meter in the snout is equal to a target dewpoint for the snout.
US10233521B2 Low cobalt hard facing alloy
A stainless steel alloy including essentially of 19 to 22 percent by weight chromium, 8.5 to 10.5 percent by weight nickel, 5.25 to 5.75 percent by weight silicon, 0.25 to 1.2 percent by weight carbon, 4.0 to 6.0 percent by weight niobium, 0.3 to 0.5 percent by weight titanium and the balance iron plus impurities. The impurities may include 0 to 0.2 percent by weight cobalt, 0 to 0.5 percent by weight manganese, 0 to 0.3 percent by weight molybdenum, 0 to 0.03 percent by weight phosphor, 0 to 0.03 percent by weight sulphur, 0 to 0.1 percent by weight nitrogen.
US10233518B2 Metal-coated steel strip
A steel strip having a coating of an aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy contains less than 1.2 wt. % silicon and also contains magnesium. A method of forming a coating of an aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy on a steel strip is also disclosed. The method includes moving steel strip upwardly through a coating pot containing a bath of an aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy and having an opening in a bottom wall of the pot and forming a coating of the alloy on the strip. The method is characterized by minimizing residence time of steel strip in contact with the aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy bath in the pot.
US10233515B1 Metal treatment station for use with ultrasonic degassing system
An apparatus may comprise a degassing system and a treatment station. The treatment station may comprise a shell, a refractory disposed in the shell, and insulation disposed between the shell and the refractory. The refractory may comprise a first plurality of slots, a second plurality of slots, and a trough. The first plurality of slots may be upstream from the degassing system and the second plurality of slots may be downstream from the degassing system. A first skim brick may be slideably disposed in a first one of the first plurality of slots and a second skim brick may be slideably disposed in a first one of the second plurality of slots. A first filter may be slideably disposed in a second one of the first plurality of slots and a second filter may be slideably disposed in a second one of the second plurality of slots.
US10233513B2 Method for purification of a cobalt containing solution by continuous ion exchange
Methods are for purification of a cobalt containing solution from impurity metals by processing the feed solution through a continuous counter-current ion exchange process comprising of several beds containing cationic ion exchange material arranged in interconnectable zones 1, 2, 3-N in a simulated moving bed arrangement.
US10233511B1 Portable cavitation peening method and apparatus
A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.
US10233506B2 Methods of detecting Trichomonas vaginalis
Compositions and methods for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis are provided.