| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10234805B2 |
Image forming apparatus and ultrasonic sensor
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, a control unit configured to obtain a time period until the reception unit receives a first ultrasonic wave via a first recording material and an amplitude value thereof at a reference temperature, obtain a time period until the reception unit receives a second ultrasonic wave via a second recording material and an amplitude value thereof at a different temperature, control an image formation condition for forming the image on the first recording material on the basis of the amplitude value of the first ultrasonic wave, obtain a difference time period between reception of the first and second ultrasonic waves, and control an image formation condition for forming the image on the second recording material on the basis of the difference time period and the amplitude value of the second ultrasonic wave. |
| US10234804B2 |
Image processing apparatus and information providing method
According to one embodiment, there is provided an image processing apparatus which is provided with an application controller, a display unit, and a controller. The application controller executes an application. The display unit configured to display display information which indicates that an error is generated when the application is not normally executed. The controller configured to determine a display location of the display information in accordance with a process state of the application when the error is generated. |
| US10234802B2 |
Image forming device and method
Provided are an apparatus and a method of detecting an error in the apparatus. The apparatus includes an image former and an induction heating fusing device. The image former forms an image. The induction heating fusing device fuses the image formed by the image former onto paper. Whether the apparatus has an error is determined by limiting a current applied to a resonance circuit included in the induction heating fusing device to less than a certain level. |
| US10234800B2 |
Control device and image forming apparatus
A control device includes a controller configured to receive either one of a periodical first signal and a non-periodical second signal at a single port thereof. Depending on a state of the second signal, the controller switches first control for effecting control synchronized with the first signal and second control for effecting control synchronized with a predetermined cyclic period on the basis of a cyclic period of the first signal. |
| US10234798B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, and a pressure assembly that forms a fixing nip therebetween and includes a first adjuster and a second adjuster. The first adjuster includes a pressure cam, a first biasing device, a first pressure lever that holds the pressure rotator, and a second pressure lever that moves with the pressure cam and presses against the first pressure lever via the first biasing device. The first adjuster adjusts a load of the first biasing device to adjust a pressure force from the pressure rotator to the fixing rotator. The second adjuster includes an adjustment screw is driven into the second pressure lever, and a retainer that retains an adjusted state between the adjustment screw and the first pressure lever. The second adjuster adjusts a holding position of the first pressure lever to hold the pressure rotator. |
| US10234791B2 |
Developer storage container and image forming apparatus including the same
Provided are a developer storage container in which a large change of a developer distributed state due to a backward movement of a moving wall is restrained and an image forming apparatus provided with the developer storage container. A toner container includes a container body, a moving wall and a shaft. The moving wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. When the shaft is rotated in a first rotating direction, the second wall portion presses the first wall portion, whereby the second wall portion moves in a first direction integrally with the first wall portion. When the shaft is rotated in a second rotating direction, the second wall portion relatively moves to an upstream side in the first direction with respect to the first wall portion. |
| US10234789B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developer container having a movable wall therein, a determination unit, a movable wall driving unit, and a movable wall driving controller. The determination unit outputs first determination information when a number of outputs of a signal indicating that a detection sensor has detected a developer is less than a threshold value, and outputs second determination information when the number of outputs thereof is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The movable wall driving unit includes a first driving motor for moving the movable wall and a first driving circuit for controlling driving thereof. The movable wall driving controller includes a signal controller. The signal controller transmits a drive permission signal for the first driving motor when the first determination information is output, and transmits a drive non-permission signal for the first driving motor when the second determination information is output. |
| US10234786B2 |
Developing roller, and method of producing the same
The inventive developing roller (1) includes a roller body (2) having an outer peripheral surface (5) which includes a surface roughness component including a multiplicity of asperities and having a void volume Vv of not greater than 0.5 ml/m2, and a surface waviness component including a multiplicity of asperities having a longer periodicity than the surface roughness component and having a void volume Vv of not less than 0.05 ml/m2 and not greater than 3.5 ml/m2, the void volumes Vv being each defined as the sum Vvc+Vvv of a core void volume Vvc and a dale void volume Vvv. The inventive production method includes the steps of: polishing the outer peripheral surface (5); and finishing the polished outer peripheral surface by at least one method selected from the group consisting of a laser processing method, a wet blasting method and a dry blasting method, so that the outer peripheral surface has a surface geometry satisfying the requirements for the void volumes Vv. |
| US10234785B2 |
Charging device and image forming device including the same
A parameter detection unit detects a first factor parameter that corresponds to change in layer thickness of an organic photosensitive layer in a photoreceptor drum and a second factor parameter other than the first factor parameter. A discharge voltage applying unit and a grid voltage applying unit are controlled by a first charging control unit and a second charging control unit. The first charging control unit determines a charging current for a discharge wire of the discharge voltage applying unit in accordance with a detection value of the first factor parameter, which has been detected by the parameter detection unit. On the other hand, the second charging control unit determines an output voltage that corresponds to a grid electrode of the grid voltage applying unit in accordance with a detection value of the second factor parameter, which has been detected by the second charging control unit. |
| US10234784B2 |
Liquid developer
A liquid developer containing toner particles containing a resin containing a polyester and a pigment, wherein the toner particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid in the presence of a dispersant, wherein the insulating liquid has an evaporation rate after holding at 40° C. for 30 minutes of less than 0.26% by mass; and a method for producing a liquid developer containing toner particles containing a resin containing a polyester and a pigment, wherein the toner particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid in the presence of a dispersant, including: step 1: melt-kneading a resin containing a polyester and a pigment, and pulverizing a kneaded product obtained, to provide toner particles; step 2: adding a dispersant to the toner particles obtained in the step 1, and dispersing the toner particles in an insulating liquid to provide a dispersion of toner particles, and step 3: subjecting the dispersion of toner particles obtained in the step 2 to wet-milling, to provide a liquid developer, wherein the insulating liquid has an evaporation rate after holding at 40° C. for 30 minutes of less than 0.26% by mass. The liquid developer of the present invention is suitably used, for example, in development or the like of latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like. |
| US10234782B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing carrier
Carrier particles each include a carrier core having recesses in a surface thereof, and first and second coat layers covering the surface of the carrier core. The first and second coat layers are in a multi-layer structure in which the first coat layer and the second coat layer cover the surface of the carrier core in the stated order. The first coat layer entirely covers the surface of the carrier core. The second coat layer selectively covers regions of a surface of the first coat layer that correspond to the recesses in the surface of the carrier core. The first coat layer contains a first resin. The second coat layer contains a second resin. The second coat layer has a lower electric resistance than the first coat layer. |
| US10234781B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner and image forming apparatus
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes toner particles. Each of the toner particles includes a toner mother particle and an external additive. The toner mother particle contains a binder resin. The external additive includes external additive particles adhering to a surface of the toner mother particle. Each of the external additive particles includes a titanium oxide particle and resin particles adhering to a surface of the titanium oxide particle. |
| US10234780B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic charge image and method for preparing the same
A toner for developing an electrostatic charge image includes three or more elements selected from a group including an iron element, a silicon element, a sulfur element and a fluorine element and a binder resin including an amorphous polyester-based resin. |
| US10234775B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate, comprising a measurement unit configured to measure a height of the substrate at each of a plurality of measurement points, and a control unit configured to control the height of the substrate based on measurement results obtained by the measurement unit, and control an operation to arrange a shot region of the substrate in a first position and expose the shot region, wherein the shot region includes a plurality of partial regions, and the control unit causes the measurement unit to measure the height of the substrate by arranging the shot region in a second position different from the first position so that the number of measurement points arranged in the plurality of partial regions is larger than that when arranging the shot region in the first position. |
| US10234772B2 |
Overlay error correction
A calibration curve for a wafer comprising a layer on a substrate is determined. The calibration curve represents a local parameter change as a function of a treatment parameter associated with a wafer exposure to a light. The local parameter of the wafer is measured. An overlay error is determined based on the local parameter of the wafer. A treatment map is computed based on the calibration curve to correct the overlay error for the wafer. The treatment map represents the treatment parameter as a function of a location on the wafer. |
| US10234770B2 |
Polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile. |
| US10234767B2 |
Device and method for processing a radiation beam with coherence
Devices and methods for processing a radiation beam with coherence are disclosed. In one arrangement, an optical system receives a radiation beam with coherence. The radiation beam comprises components distributed over one or more radiation beam spatial modes. A waveguide supports a plurality of waveguide spatial modes. The optical system directs a plurality of the components of the radiation beam belonging to a common radiation beam spatial mode and having different frequencies onto the waveguide in such a way that each of the plurality of components couples to a different set of the waveguide spatial modes, each set comprising one or more of the waveguide spatial modes. |
| US10234766B2 |
Mask protection device, exposure apparatus, and method for manufacturing device
A reticle protection device capable of keeping a reticle therein is provided with an inner pod capable of keeping the reticle therein; an outer pod capable of keeping the inner pod therein; an electroconductive movable contact portion provided on at least one of the inner pod and the outer pod and being capable of coining into contact with an electroconductive film of the reticle; and a leaf spring for achieving electric conduction of the contact portion to at least one of the inner pod and the outer pod. The reticle is kept in the inner pod and the inner pod is kept in the outer pod, thereby enabling stable grounding of the reticle. |
| US10234762B2 |
Pattern-forming method
A pattern-forming method comprises: forming a resist underlayer film on an upper face side of a substrate; forming a silicon-containing film on an upper face side of the resist underlayer film; and removing the silicon-containing film with a basic aqueous solution. The pattern-forming method does not include, after the forming of the silicon-containing film and before the removing of the silicon-containing film, treating the silicon-containing film with a treatment liquid comprising an acid or a fluorine compound. The silicon-containing film is preferably formed a hydrolytic condensation product of a composition containing a compound represented by formula (1) in an amount of no less than 60 mol % with respect to total silicon compounds. X represents a halogen atom or —OR2, and R2 represents a monovalent organic group. SiX4 (1) |
| US10234761B2 |
Oxime ester photoinitiators
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein Q is a direct bond or an n-valent linking group; n is an integer 2, 3, or 4; Z is for example C1-C20alkylene, C2-C20alkenylene, C5-C8cycloalkylene or C5-C8cycloalkenylene; Y is for example C6-C20aryl or C3-C20heteroaryl; R1 is for example hydrogen, C2-C5alkenyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, C1-C12alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, C3-C20heteroaryl, C1-C8alkoxy, benzyloxy or phenoxy; R2 is for example C1-C20alkyl, C2-C12alkenyl, C4-C8cycloalkenyl, C2-C12alkinyl, C3-C10cycloalkyl, phenyl or naphthyl; R15, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20 independently of each other for example are hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20alkyl, C6-C20aryl or C4-C20heteroaryl; provided that a compound wherein R15, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20 are hydrogen, Y is thienyl, R1 is methyl, R2 is ethyl, n is 2, Q is a direct bond and Z is n-propylene and a compound wherein R15, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20 are hydrogen, Y is thienyl, R1 is methyl, R2 is ethyl, n is 2, Q as an n-valent linking group is methylene and Z is methylene are excluded; are reactive photoinitiators in particular in electronic applications. |
| US10234757B2 |
Polymer, making method, resist composition, and patterning process
A sulfonic acid anion-containing polymer having an alkylsulfonium cation not in covalent bond thereto can be readily prepared by reacting a sulfonic acid anion-containing polymer having an ammonium or metal cation with an alkylsulfonium salt under mild conditions. A resist composition comprising the inventive polymer is effective for suppressing acid diffusion since the sulfonium salt is bound to the polymer backbone. When processed by the ArF lithography, the polymer exhibits a lower absorption at the exposure wavelength than the triarylsulfonium salt form PAGs, resulting in improved resolution, mask fidelity, and LWR. |
| US10234753B2 |
Method of manufacturing composite material
The invention provides a light emitting apparatus including a projector color wheel and a light emitting diode (LED) device using a composite material, a method of manufacturing the composite material, and an optical film. The stability of the composite material has been greatly improved. Light emitting devices using the composite material have wide color gamut. |
| US10234740B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A display device comprises a substrate having a display area, first and second gate lines extending in a first direction in the display area, first and second data lines extending in the display area in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a pixel defined by the first and second gate lines and the first and second data lines, and having a thin-film transistor and a pixel electrode. The thin-film transistor comprises a gate electrode connected to the second gate line, a source electrode connected to the first data line, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the first source electrode. The drain electrode includes a first end portion extending in the second direction and overlapping with the gate electrode in plan view, and a second end portion electrically connected to the first end portion and to the pixel electrode. |
| US10234739B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and display apparatus
A thin film transistor substrate includes a substrate and thin film transistors arranged in first and second directions above the substrate. Each thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a drain electrode, a source electrode and a semiconductor layer. The drain electrode is above the gate electrode and includes a first drain oblique portion and a second drain oblique portion extending from an end portion of the first drain oblique portion. The source electrode is spaced apart from the drain electrode above the gate electrode and includes a first source oblique portion and a second source oblique portion extending from an end portion of the first source oblique portion. The semiconductor layer at least partially overlaps the gate electrode and includes a drain region to which the drain electrode is connected, a source region to which the source electrode is connected, and a channel region therebetween. |
| US10234736B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes at least one pixel that includes first, second, third, and fourth switches connected to at least one gate line and at least one data line, a first sub-pixel electrode connected to the first switch, a second sub-pixel electrode connected to the second switch, a third sub-pixel electrode connected to the third switch, a fourth sub-pixel electrode connected to the fourth switch, a first capacitor connected between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the first switch, a second capacitor connected between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the second switch, a third capacitor connected between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the third switch, and a fourth capacitor connected between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the fourth switch. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth capacitors have different capacitance values from one another. |
| US10234735B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided. The display device includes a display panel, an electronic element, a flexible circuit board, a frame and a roller. The electronic element is located outside the display panel; the flexible circuit board connects the display panel to the electronic element; the frame includes a protrusion portion extending out of the display panel, the protrusion portion overlaps with a portion of the flexible circuit board located between the display panel and the electronic element; and at a position where the flexible circuit board overlaps with the protrusion portion of the frame, the roller is disposed between the flexible circuit board and the protrusion portion. |
| US10234734B2 |
In-plane switching liquid crystal display backplane using amorphous metal non-linear resistors as active sub-pixel devices
A physical layout for a circuit using amorphous metal non-linear resistors as active devices for an in-plane switching liquid crystal display sub-pixel is provided. The lower interconnect of the two amorphous metal non-linear resistors and the lower electrode of the storage capacitor may be concurrently deposited and patterned. The area of the storage capacitor is defined by the overlap of the data signal inter-connect and the storage capacitor lower electrode, which is easily modified through the size of the lower electrode and/or the size of the data signal interconnect where it overlaps the lower electrode and does not degrade the aperture ratio of the pixel. Two embodiments of sub-pixel circuits are described. One, which employs a select line bridge, enables the use of full dot inversion of the image data. The second only allows row inversion of the image data. |
| US10234732B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel and a display device are disclosed. Each of pixels in the display panel includes a pixel area; a switch element located near an intersection of a data line and a scan line; a pixel electrode electrically connected to the switch element; and a common electrode located on the first substrate. The common electrode comprises first common electrodes superposing data lines or scan lines and having the same first width; and second common electrodes overlapping with respective pixel areas and having the same second width, the first width is the same as the second width. Alternatively, the common electrode comprises first slits, which have the same first slit width, located above data lines and scan lines, and second slits, which have the same second slit width and are located in respective pixel areas. The first slit width is the same as the second slit width. |
| US10234730B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate, a counter substrate, an adhesive layer, a liquid crystal layer, a frame portion, and first and second barrier members. The first barrier member includes a first wall portion having a frame shape and provided on a surface of the array substrate opposing the counter substrate, and first pillar portions arranged spaced apart from each other and each having opposite end faces abutting against the first wall portion and the counter substrate. The second barrier member includes a second wall portion having a frame shape and provided on a surface of the counter substrate opposing the array substrate, and second pillar portions arranged spaced apart from each other and each having opposite end faces abutting against the second wall portion and the array substrate. |
| US10234729B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including one surface, a second substrate including one surface and the other surface, a first alignment layer which is disposed on the one surface of the first substrate, includes a polymeric material, and has a first thickness, a first photocured layer disposed on the first alignment layer, a second alignment layer which is disposed on the one surface of the second substrate, and includes a polymeric material same as the polymeric material in the first alignment layer, and which has a second thickness less than the first thickness, a second photocured layer disposed on the second alignment layer, and a liquid crystal layer which includes first liquid crystal molecules and second liquid crystal molecules further vertically aligned than the first liquid crystal molecules in an initial aligned state. |
| US10234723B2 |
Backlight unit including anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystal particles, production method thereof, and electronic device including the same
A backlight unit including: a light source; and a photoconversion layer disposed separately from the light source to convert a wavelength of incident light from the light source and thereby provide converted light, wherein the photoconversion layer includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystals disposed in the polymer matrix, and wherein the polymer matrix includes a polymer having a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 1: wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group, each R2 is independently hydrogen or a C1 to C3 alkyl group, and R3 is a C2 to C5 alkyl group, wherein the polymer exhibits elasticity at a temperature between a glass transition temperature of the polymer and about 100° C., and wherein the plurality of anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystals are aligned along a long axis thereof for the photoconversion layer to emit polarized light. |
| US10234715B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a light shielding unit, a supporting unit, and a backlight module. The display panel includes a first substrate and a first polarizer. The first substrate has a first surface, and the first surface has a first active area and a first non-active area. The first non-active area is disposed adjacent to the first active area, and the first polarizer is disposed on the first active area. The light shielding unit is disposed on the first non-active area and connected to the first polarizer. The supporting unit is disposed corresponding to the light shielding unit. The backlight module is disposed corresponding to the display panel and includes an optical film. The supporting unit is disposed between the light shielding unit and the optical film, and contacts the light shielding unit and the optical film. |
| US10234713B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate that disposed opposite to each other, and a first optical film that provided on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The first optical film is provided with a plurality of nanoscale microstructures, so that the first optical film is capable of splitting incident white light into a plurality of monochromatic light beams with different colors. |
| US10234711B2 |
Touch display device and method for manufacturing the same
A touch display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, wherein a touch functional layer and a conductive layer are insulated from each other and are disposed on the second substrate. The conductive layer is disposed between the touch function layer and the first substrate; and the conductive layer serves as a heating layer in a first state and serves as a shield layer in a second state. |
| US10234710B2 |
Method of wafer scale fabrication and assembly of a liquid crystal electro-optic device
An electro-optic device having at least one liquid crystal cell for providing spatially variable control of light includes: a pair of opposed substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer therebetween; a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field therebetween, each electrode being deposited on a corresponding substrate; and a liquid crystal reservoir wall defining a lateral extent of the liquid crystal layer between the substrates. The reservoir wall includes: a first bottom barrier deposited on a bottom one of the pair of substrates; and a second curable top barrier deposited on the top substrate outside the first barrier. The first barrier and second uncured barrier are configured to merge on contact to retain liquid crystal material inside the reservoir wall prior to curing the second barrier. Also, a method of wafer level manufacturing and assembly of a liquid crystal optical device. |
| US10234709B2 |
Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a display apparatus or the like based on a housing-in technique capable of improving display quality and yield. A display apparatus comprises an upper-lower substrate 100, a display module 103 including a housing 102 with an opening, a resin member 105 formed on the upper-lower substrate 100 along an entire periphery of an opening of the housing 102, and a front panel 106 opposed to the display module 103 across the resin member 105. The housing 102 is so placed as to be interposed between the upper-lower substrate 100 and the front panel 106. A worked surface 500 is located at a part of a ridge line of a boundary part of the housing 102. The resin member 105 is in contact with the entire periphery of the boundary part of the housing 102 and hangs over the inner edge of the upper surface of the housing 102. |
| US10234707B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel and a display cover that is arranged being opposite to the display panel and covers a display surface of the display panel. The display cover includes a transmission region that transmits light from the display panel, a light shielding region that is arranged at an outer circumference of the transmission region and shields the light from the display panel, a first light shielding member arranged on a surface of a display panel side of the display cover in the light shielding region, and a translucent conductive film laminated on the first light shielding member. |
| US10234703B2 |
Optical modulator with automatic bias correction
An optical modulator uses an optoelectronic phase comparator configured to provide, in the form of an electrical signal, a measure of a phase difference between two optical waves. The phase comparator includes an optical directional coupler having two coupled channels respectively defining two optical inputs for receiving the two optical waves to be compared. Two photodiodes are configured to respectively receive the optical output powers of the two channels of the directional coupler. An electrical circuit is configured to supply, as a measure of the optical phase shift, an electrical signal proportional to the difference between the electrical signals produced by the two photodiodes. |
| US10234702B2 |
In-situ ring-resonator-modulator calibration
In an optical device, a ring-resonator modulator, having an adjustable resonance (center) wavelength, receives an optical signal that includes a carrier wavelength from an input-output optical waveguide. Then, a monitoring mechanism monitors a performance metric (such as an average power or a signal swing) of a monitor optical signal from the ring-resonator modulator. Moreover, control logic in the optical device adjusts the resonance wavelength based on the monitored performance metric so that the resonance wavelength is locked to the carrier wavelength. In particular, the control logic may apply a change to an adjustment signal that is provided to the ring-resonator modulator. If the change increases the performance metric, the control logic may continue to modify the resonance wavelength. Otherwise, the control logic may modify the resonance wavelength by applying one or more changes, having an opposite sign to the change, to the adjustment signal. |
| US10234698B2 |
Method for determining a lens design of an optical lens adapted to a wearer
A method, implemented by a computer, for determining a lens design of an optical lens adapted to a wearer, the method including: providing a wearer parameter; a lens design determining, during which the lens design of the optical lens adapted to the wearer is determined based at least on the wearer parameters. The wearer parameters include at least optical distortion sensitivity data representative of sensitivity of the wearer to optical distortions. |
| US10234693B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a display panel configured to display an image; a window on the display panel, the window having a display area at which the image is displayed and a non-display area around the display area; and a first adhesive layer between the display panel and the window, wherein the window includes: a window substrate on the display panel; a first hard coating layer at a first surface of the window substrate; a second hard coating layer at a second surface of the window substrate opposite to the first surface; a protection layer on the first hard coating layer; an auxiliary adhesive layer on the second hard coating layer; a base film on the auxiliary adhesive layer; and a second adhesive layer between the auxiliary adhesive layer and the base film. |
| US10234692B2 |
Floating hologram apparatus
An optical element may be arranged, relative to an observer, in front of first and second displays. The optical element may include a prism array in which multiple prisms are arranged in series. The optical element may refract light rays incident into one or more prisms toward a viewing direction of the observer in front of the optical element. Virtual images generated by the refracted light rays may generate a floating hologram in the viewing direction of the observer. The virtual images corresponding to the images output from the first display and the second display may be generated between the optical element and the displays. That is, the observer may perceive the virtual images corresponding to the images output from the first display and the second display by the refracted light rays toward the viewing direction of the observer when the observer sees the images through the optical element. |
| US10234691B2 |
Method and system for performing color filter offsets in order to reduce moiré interference in a display system including multiple displays
A multi-display system (e.g., a display including multiple display panels) includes at least first and second displays (e.g., display panels or display layers) arranged substantially parallel to each other in order to display three-dimensional (3D) features to a viewer(s). The first and second displays have different color filter patterns, respectively, as viewed from a point of view of a viewer of the display device, in order to reduce moiré interference. |
| US10234690B2 |
Autostereoscopic display device
An autostereoscopic display comprises a pixelated display panel comprising an array of single color pixels or an array of sub-pixels of different colors and a view forming arrangement comprising an array of lens elements. The pixels form a square (or near square) grid, and the lenses also repeat in a square (or near square) grid. A vector p is defined which relates to a mapping between the pixel grid and the lens grid. Regions in the two dimension space for this vector p are identified which give good or poor banding performance, and the better banding performance regions are selected. |
| US10234688B2 |
Mobile electronic device compatible immersive headwear for providing both augmented reality and virtual reality experiences
An apparatus can include headwear having a head receiver that is pivotally coupled to a first shield. A second shield can be attached to the headwear exterior to the first shield. The second shield can include a holographic optical element. An electronic device can be coupled to, or alternatively integrated with, the first shield. One or more processors of the electronic device can determined whether the first shield is in a first position relative to the head receiver or a second, angularly displaced position. Where the first shield is in the first position, the one or more processors can operate the electronic device in a virtual reality mode of operation. Where the first shield is in the second, angularly displaced position, the one or more processors can operate the electronic device in an augmented reality mode of operation. |
| US10234685B2 |
Head-up display apparatus
To downsize a head-up display apparatus, a recess is provided by cutting a part of the reflection mirror having a quadrilateral shape as a basic shape. A head-up display apparatus includes, in a casing thereof, an image display and an optical path forming member. The optical path forming member includes at least a reflection mirror that reflects the image. The reflection mirror has a quadrilateral shape as a basic shape. The reflection mirror having the quadrilateral shape as the basic shape includes a recess in at least one of four corners. The reflection mirror having the quadrilateral shape as the basic shape is disposed in the casing to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction. The recess is provided in at least one of a top corner and a bottom corner which are diagonally placed in the inclined reflection mirror. |
| US10234680B2 |
Voice coil motor comprising a magnet fixing structure
A camera module is disclosed, the camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), a base arranged at an upper surface of the PCB, a holder member arranged at an upper surface of the base and formed with a plurality of magnet reception portions, a surface of which facing the base is opened, and a plurality of magnets coupled to the magnet reception portions, wherein the base is formed with a protrusion configured to support a bottom surface of the magnet by being protrusively formed at a position corresponding to an opening of the magnet reception portions. |
| US10234676B1 |
Optical probes with reflecting components for astigmatism correction
Some devices comprise a first light-guiding component, a second light-guiding component, a lens, an optical-correction component that has a reflecting surface that faces the lens, and a sheath, which causes astigmatism. The reflecting surface has an optical power on a first axis of two orthogonal axes, the optical power on the first axis compensates for the astigmatism, and the reflecting surface has a negligible optical power on a second axis of the two orthogonal axes. Also, the reflecting surface is configured to reflect light from the lens and redirect the reflected light through the sheath. |
| US10234673B2 |
Confocal microscope apparatus, stitched image construction method and computer-readable medium
A confocal microscope apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to obtain a first all-in-focus image of each of a plurality of measurement visual field areas constituting a measurement target area in a brightness setting in accordance with the corresponding measurement visual field area, and a stitched image constructor configured to construct a stitched image on the basis of a plurality of second all-in-focus images. The second all-in-focus images are obtained through conversion of the plurality of first all-in-focus images obtained by the image acquisition unit so that the images become closer to a plurality of reference all-in-focus images. The plurality of reference all-in-focus images are obtained when the plurality of measurement visual field area are captured in a brightness setting serving as a reference. |
| US10234671B2 |
Microscope with self-adapting iris diaphragm
The invention relates to a microscope (10) that encompasses an objective system (30) and a zoom system (32). The microscope furthermore has a diaphragm (60) for limiting the aperture of the beam path. A control unit (64) is furthermore provided, that control unit (64) automatically ascertaining, as a function of the current manifestation of at least one parameter of the microscope (10), a respective setting of the diaphragm (60) predetermined for the current manifestation, and setting the diaphragm (60) accordingly. |
| US10234669B2 |
Zoom objective lens of operating microscope
Disclosed is a zoom objective lens (16) of an operating microscope (10), wherein the zoom objective lens (16) and a lens cone of the operating microscope (10) are provided along a same axis (24). The zoom objective lens (16) comprises a positive lens group (11) and a negative lens group (12) provided along a same axis (24). The positive lens group (11) is provided on an objective lens holder (14), and the negative lens group (12) is provided on a negative lens group holder (15) and directly faces the object under observation (G). The zoom objective lens (16) is changeably connected to a body (20) of the operating microscope through the objective lens holder (14) or a coupling holder, the negative lens group holder (15) is capable of moving in the optical axis (24) direction relative to the objective lens holder (14), and the position of the objective lens holder (14) relative to an illumination system (21) and an observation system (22) remains unchanged. The focus length of this zoom objective lens (16) can be continuously adjusted, and the zoom objective lens can be replaced as a whole. The structures of the illumination system (21) and the observation system (22) of the operating microscope (10) can remain unchanged, and in the zooming process, the positions of the zoom objective lens (16) relative to the illumination system (21) and the observation system (22) remain unchanged. In the zoom objective lens (16), a guide mechanism (17) for leading the negative lens group holder (15) to move in the optical axis (24) direction, and a drive mechanism (18) for driving the negative lens group holder (15) to move in the optical axis (24) direction are provided, thereby causing that the zoom objective lens (16) have a compact structure and is convenient to adjust. |
| US10234662B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes a high-performance projection zoom lens with a very wide field angle and an image display device including a projection zoom lens of a five-lens-group type, which achieves high performance across the entire zoom area. The image display device is configured to project an image onto a target projection surface and display a magnified image of the image, which uses a projection zoom lens having a five-lens-group configuration in which first to fifth lens groups G1 to G5 are arranged from the magnification side toward the reduction side, and each of the constituent lens groups or lenses included in the lens groups has a combination of negative and positive refractive powers, and in the lens configuration, focal lengths of the constituent lens groups, relative travel distances, lens distances to the image display element, and constituent lens shapes are properly selected. |
| US10234661B2 |
Wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and an aperture arranged in that sequence from object side to image side. The first lens group as a whole has a positive refractive power, and includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens. The first lens has a negative refractive power. The second lens has a negative refractive power. The third lens has a negative refractive power. The fourth lens has a positive refractive power. The second lens group as a whole has a positive refractive power, and includes a fifth lens, a sixth lens, a seventh lens, and an eighth lens. The fifth lens has a positive refractive power. The sixth lens has a negative refractive power. The seventh lens has a positive refractive power. The eighth lens has a positive refractive power. |
| US10234660B2 |
Optical lens accessory for panoramic photography
An optical lens accessory used in conjunction with a terminal device equipped with two camera devices is provided, the optical lens accessory includes: an optical device including two fisheye lenses arranged in a back-to-back configuration, where directions of the two respective viewing angles associated with the two fisheye lenses are opposite to each other, and where viewing angle of each of the fisheye lenses is greater than 180° to allow each of the two fisheye lenses to independently frame a view in the respective direction of the respective viewing angle, to let the framed lights into the two camera devices; a housing device positioned outside the optical device, where the housing device is configured to support the optical device, and to isolate the framed lights from external stray light; and a fixture device configured to attach the optical lens accessory to the terminal device. |
| US10234654B2 |
Lens assembly
A lens assembly comprises sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens. The first lens is a meniscus lens with negative refractive power. The second lens is a meniscus lens with negative refractive power. The third lens is a biconvex lens with positive refractive power. The fourth lens is a biconvex lens with positive refractive power. The fifth lens is a biconcave lens with negative refractive power. The sixth lens is a biconvex lens with positive refractive power. |
| US10234651B2 |
Optical lens assembly
An optical lens assembly includes a first lens element and a second lens element. The first lens element has at least one contacting surface. The second lens element has at least one contacting surface. The contacting surface of the first lens element comes in contact with the contacting surface of the second lens element, and at least one air duct is disposed on at least one of the contacting surface of the first lens element and the contacting surface of the second lens element. |
| US10234649B2 |
Fabric encased micro tubes for air blown fibers
A device to be inserted into a conduit includes at least one tube intended to receive optic fibers or micro fiber optic cables therein. A jacket surrounds the tube. In an embodiment where there are a plurality of tubes, they are loosely aligned within the jacket. In another embodiment, opposed surfaces of the jacket are attached to each other to form compartments for each tube. In still another embodiment, the jacket holds the tubes generally in a bundle. The jacket of a tube may also be attached to one or more innerducts, each of which can receive a fiber optic cable. Alternatively, an innerduct may be attached to two jackets each of which carry a tube therein. |
| US10234644B1 |
Optical-electrical printed circuit boards with integrated optical waveguide arrays and photonic assemblies using same
The optical-electrical printed circuit board disclosed herein includes a waveguide link assembly and a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly has first and second PCB layers between which optical waveguides of the waveguide link assembly are disposed. The end faces the optical waveguides are accessible through an access aperture in the printed circuit board assembly. An optical interconnector can be used to optically connect the optical waveguides to waveguides of an optical-electrical integrated circuit operably disposed on the printed circuit board assembly to form a photonic device. A waveguide bending structure can be used to bend the optical waveguides to facilitate optical coupling to the optical interconnector or directly to the waveguides of the optical-electrical integrated circuit. Methods of forming an optical-electrical printed circuit board, a photonic assembly and a photonic device are also disclosed. |
| US10234642B2 |
Method and system for a multi-fiber push-on/pull-off connector locking clip
Methods and systems for a multi-fiber push-on/pull-off connector locking clip are disclosed and may include operatively coupling a multi-fiber push-on/push-off (MPO) connector to an MPO adaptor by inserting the MPO connector into the MPO adaptor, where the MPO connector comprises an MPO connector pull-to-release housing. The MPO connector may be secured to the MPO adaptor by placing an MPO locking clip adjacent to the MPO connector pull-to-release housing, thereby preventing the MPO connector pull-to-release housing from being actuated. An optical cable may be coupled to the MPO connector. The adaptor may be coupled to an optical device, which may include an optical transceiver. The MPO locking clip may be plastic or metal. The MPO connector and the MPO connector pull-to-release housing may be plastic. |
| US10234638B2 |
Ferrule
A ferrule includes a ferrule body having a first opening formed in a side face thereof, and having a second opening formed in a top face thereof, wherein the first opening is configured to receive an optical waveguide inserted into the ferrule body at the side face, and wherein the second opening is formed over and in communication with the first opening, such that the second opening connects an inner space of the first opening to an outside of the ferrule body. |
| US10234632B1 |
Connectors for multicore optical fibers and methods thereof
The present invention relates to optical coupling systems that employ a multicore optical fiber. The system can be employed with two multicore optical fibers or with a single multicore optical fiber for use with an optical device. In particular, the system includes connectors having a lens assembly configured to relay optical signals and a ferrule to position the lens assembly. Additional details for making and using such systems are described herein. |
| US10234627B1 |
Compact photonic devices
A photonic device for converting optical modes of optical beams includes a first port to receive a first beam having a first mode, a mode converter and a second port to transmit the first beam. The mode converter is configured to broaden the first beam to convert the first mode into a second mode and narrow the broadened first beam at an output side of the mode converter, wherein the mode converter includes a guide material having a first refractive index and perturbation segments each having a second refractive index, wherein the first refractive index is greater than the second refractive index, wherein the perturbation segments are arranged in the guide material to cross the first beam. |
| US10234625B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels disposed in an active area, a plurality of non-pixels disposed in a non-active area adjacent to the active area, and a plurality of light guide members disposed on boundary pixels of the pixels in the active area and which extends into the non-active area and is disposed on the non-pixels in the non-active area. The boundary pixels are adjacent to a boundary between the active area and the non-active area, and the light guide members guide light exiting from the boundary pixels to the non-pixels. |
| US10234624B2 |
Display device including optical member with folded positioning portion and method of manufacturing the same
The display device includes a display panel, an optical member, a light guide plate, and a bottom member. The optical member includes a body contacting a bottom surface of the display panel and a plurality of foldable parts extending from the first body. The light guide plate overlaps the body and is disposed below the optical member. The bottom member is disposed below the light guide plate and has a plurality of slits, which correspond to the plurality of foldable parts. The plurality of first foldable parts are bent from the first body, respectively inserted into the plurality of first slits, and fixed to the bottom member. |
| US10234622B2 |
Light guide plate-positioning column, backlight module and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a light guide plate-positioning column, a backlight module and a display apparatus. The column comprises a first positioning body for positioning a light guide plate and a second positioning body for positioning an optical film; the second positioning body is located on a side of the first and fixedly connected to it; a projection of the first positioning body in a direction from it toward the second completely covers that of the second, and a projection area of the first positioning body is greater than that of the second; wherein in the direction, a surface on a side of the first positioning body close to the second does not extend beyond a surface on a side of the plate close to the second. Both the requirements of the positioning strength of the plate and the fine positioning of the film can be met. |
| US10234619B2 |
Backlight module for light-emitting keyboard, light-emitting keyboard using same
A backlight module for light-emitting keyboard includes light guide plate having reflective surface, opposing light-emitting surface and plurality of recessed dots located on reflective surface to create optical path of continuous wave-like reflecting portion for facing toward key switch unit in light-emitting keyboard. The spacing between the centers of each two adjacent recessed dots is smaller than or equal to diameter of one single recessed dot. The continuous wave-like reflecting portion exhibits a continuous ring-shaped pattern formed of a series of ring-shaped square waves, triangular waves, sawtooth waves or sine waves and consisting of at least one different cycle waveforms having varying cycle periods, amplitudes or peak-to-peak values that are interleaved in regular or irregular manner. The invention allows adjustment of the frequency and equivalent length of the optical path of the continuous ring-shaped pattern to effectively enhance uniform brightness distribution, improving the average brightness of the light guide plate. |
| US10234617B2 |
Glass light guide plate and back light unit having the same
Discussed is a glass light guide plate that is used in a back light unit of a display device. Some features of the glass light guide plate for the back light unit can be improved by optimizing a relationship between a direction of a bubble inside the glass light guide plate and a light source, the sizes of the bubble and a light guide pattern, and so on, and by optimizing an arrangement density of light guide patterns in each region, a kind of light guide pattern ink (IR-curable ink), a curing condition, a refractive index, and so on to be suitable for the material of the glass light guide plate. |
| US10234615B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device can include a light source; and a light guiding lens for receiving light from the light source. The light guiding lens includes a light emission portion that extends in a predetermined direction and has a main surface with reflecting cuts, and a light guiding portion provided to the light emission portion at an end portion thereof in the predetermined direction. The light guiding portion is configured to project more than the light emission portion in a thickness direction of the light emission portion and extend along the end portion of the light emission portion. The light source is disposed to face to an end face of the light guiding portion in an extending direction of the light guiding portion, the end face projecting more than the light emission portion. An end face of the light guiding portion has reflecting cuts arranged in the extending direction. |
| US10234612B2 |
Polarizing plate and method for manufacturing the same
A polarizing plate includes a polarizer and a protective film formed on at least one surface of the polarizer. A transverse direction (TD) shrinkage stress ratio SRA of the polarizing plate ranges from about 1% to about 10%, as calculated using Equation 1: SRA (%)=(S1/S2)×100 (1) In Equation 1, S1 is the TD shrinkage stress of the protective film, and S2 is the TD shrinkage stress of the polarizer. |
| US10234611B2 |
Polarizer, polarizing plate, and image display apparatus
There is provided a polarizer that can realize multi-functionalization and high-functionalization of an electronic device, such as an image display apparatus. A polarizer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a resin film containing iodine, wherein the polarizer has formed therein a transparent portion having a transmittance higher than that of another portion, and when the polarizer is placed under an environment having a temperature of 60° C. and a humidity of 90% for 2 hours, a transmittance change (ΔTs) of the transparent portion is 10% or less. |
| US10234609B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for production coatings of low-emissivity glass including a ternary alloy
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for forming low emissivity panels that may include a substrate and a reflective layer formed over the substrate. The low emissivity panels may further include a top dielectric layer formed over the reflective layer such that the reflective layer is formed between the top dielectric layer and the substrate. The top dielectric layer may include a ternary metal oxide, such as zinc tin aluminum oxide. The top dielectric layer may also include aluminum. The concentration of aluminum may be between about 1 atomic % and 15 atomic % or between about 2 atomic % and 10 atomic %. An atomic ratio of zinc to tin in the top dielectric layer may be between about 0.67 and about 1.5 or between about 0.9 and about 1.1. |
| US10234608B2 |
Nanoparticle light filtering method and apparatus
Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum. |
| US10234605B2 |
Liquid lens
A liquid lens includes a sealed shell, a liquid material, a transparent carbon nanotube structure within the liquid material, and a first electrode and a second electrode, a voltage being applied to the carbon nanotube structure causes rapid heating, which is transferred to the liquid material to change the density thereof, and the refractive index of the liquid material is thus changed. |
| US10234602B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
A functional polarizing film includes a polarizing layer, at least one moisture-binding layer on a first surface of the polarizing layer, and at least one moisture-blocking layer disposed on a first surface of the moisture-binding layer. |
| US10234600B2 |
Optical member, method for manufacturing optical member, and optical device
A method for manufacturing an optical member includes a step of applying a dispersion liquid containing particles and a dispersion medium on a substrate, a step of applying a solution containing a component to form a binder after the step of applying the dispersion liquid, and causing the solution to permeate a portion between the particles contained in the dispersion liquid applied in advance to form a single layer in which the portion between the particles is filled with the binder, and a step of drying the layer to prepare an antireflection film. The solution contains a silane-alkoxy condensate having an average particle diameter of 8 nm or more and 60 nm or less, and the solution contains a solvent having solubility of water of 10% by weight or less in an amount of 70% by mass or more. |
| US10234599B2 |
Anti-reflective film
Disclosed herein is an anti-reflective film comprising: a hard coating layer; and a low-refractive layer containing a binder resin and hollow inorganic nanoparticles and solid inorganic nanoparticles which are dispersed in the binder resin, wherein a ratio of an average particle diameter of the solid inorganic nanoparticles to an average particle diameter of the hollow inorganic nanoparticles is 0.26 to 0.55, and wherein at least 70 vol % of the entire solid inorganic nanoparticles are present within a distance corresponding to 50% of an entire thickness of the low-refractive layer from the interface between the hard coating layer and the low-refractive layer, and an anti-reflective film comprising: a hard coating layer containing a binder resin containing a photocurable resin, and organic or inorganic fine particles dispersed in the binder resin; and a low-refractive layer containing a binder resin and hollow inorganic nanoparticles and solid inorganic nanoparticles which are dispersed in the binder resin, wherein a ratio of an average particle diameter of the solid inorganic nanoparticles to an average particle diameter of the hollow inorganic nanoparticles is 0.15 to 0.55, and wherein at least 70 vol % of the entire solid inorganic nanoparticles are present within a distance corresponding to 50% of an entire thickness of the low-refractive layer from the interface between the hard coating layer and the low-refractive layer. |
| US10234591B2 |
Casing string monitoring using electromagnetic (EM) corrosion detection tool and junction effects correction
A corrosion monitoring method includes obtaining electromagnetic (EM) log, data along a casing string. The method also includes processing the EM log data to estimate casing thickness of the casing string as a function of position, where the processing includes correcting, for junction effects in the casing string. |
| US10234590B2 |
Method and apparatus for making resistivity measurements in a wellbore
A drilling assembly includes a first tubular member supporting a first transmitter antenna and a steering assembly located beneath the first tubular member. The drilling assembly also includes an earth boring device comprising a drill bit. The drill bit has a body member, a bottommost surface and a gage surface at a stabilizing section of the drill bit. The earth boring device is supported beneath the steering assembly. The earth boring device includes a second transmitter/receiver antenna supported in spaced relation to the first transmitter antenna and within 36 inches of the bottommost surface of the drill bit, and at least one electrode generally at an outer surface of the stabilizing section of the drill bit. |
| US10234588B2 |
Magnetic proximity sensor
A proximity sensor (12) is provided which comprises a magnet (16) and a sensor (18). The sensor (18) is aligned relative to the magnet (16) in such a manner that the direction (E) of maximum sensitivity of the sensor (18) is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the magnet axis (M) extending through the poles (20, 22) of the magnet (16). Further, an assembly unit (10) is provided. |
| US10234584B2 |
Method and system of inducing vibrations onto a sensor streamer
Inducing vibrations onto a sensor streamer. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: towing a sensor streamer through a body of water, the sensor streamer comprising a plurality of geophones spaced along the sensor streamer; inducing a vibration onto the sensor streamer at a predetermined location, the inducing as the sensor streamer is towed; measuring the vibration by a geophone at a distance from the predetermined location, the measuring creates a measured vibration; and creating, by a computer system, a model of noise propagation along the sensor streamer, the creating based on the measured vibration. |
| US10234581B2 |
System and method for high resolution seismic imaging
A method is described for high-resolution seismic imaging of complex subsurface volumes using a two-stage least-squares reverse time migration with two objective functions. A traveltime misfit objective function enables long-wavelength imaging and an amplitude misfit objective function enables short-wavelength imaging. The method may be executed by a computer system. |
| US10234580B2 |
Method for processing borehole seismic data
Seismic data recorded by subsurface seismic sensors placed in a borehole, such as an oil or gas well, are transformed via a process of upward wavefield propagation to pseudo-receivers at the surface of the earth. The seismic data thus transformed can be processed as though the data had been recorded by the pseudo-receivers at the surface rather than in the borehole where the data were actually recorded. This method accurately accounts for seismic source statics, anisotropy, and all velocity effects between the real receivers in the borehole and the pseudo-receivers at the surface of the earth. |
| US10234576B2 |
Method and system for calibrating gamma radiation flux levels in a solid state gamma radiation detection system
One aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method for calibrating a drive level of a non-radioactive calibration source. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method for using a non-radioactive calibration source to verify correct operation of a radiation detector. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a radiation detection system that comprises a radiation detector and a non-radioactive calibration source that is used to verify correct operation of the radiation detector. |
| US10234568B2 |
GNSS vehicle location involving overlapping roads
A system and method of determining a vehicle location where roads have different elevations and at least partially overlap. The method carried out by the system includes: receiving a plurality of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite signals at a vehicle; determining a vehicle location and a vehicle velocity including an up velocity based on the received GNSS signals; identifying a plurality of roads, within a range of the vehicle location, at least one of which has a different elevation than the other road(s); and selecting at least one of the plurality of roads within the range based on the up velocity component. |
| US10234567B2 |
Location awareness apparatus, vehicle having the same and method for controlling the apparatus
A location awareness apparatus includes: a communication unit performing communications with a plurality of satellites and with another device; and a controller recognizing a current location of the device based on information received from the plurality of satellites, controlling communications with the other device when a number of satellites available for communication is less than a reference number during the recognition of the current location, receiving satellite information from the other device, and correcting the current location based on the information received from the plurality of satellites and the satellite information received from the other device. |
| US10234566B2 |
Fast GNSS receiver convergence by relative positioning
A method of implementing fast GNSS convergence by relative positioning is disclosed. A GNSS receiver which is coupled with a mobile machine is shut down. The GNSS receiver is in a converged state at shut down. A movement sensor is monitored to determine if net movement of a GNSS antenna coupled with the mobile machine exceeds a threshold net movement parameter while the GNSS receiver is shut down. Upon power up of the GNSS receiver, a shorter convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has not been exceeded. The shorter convergence algorithm is also initiated upon power up of the GNSS receiver in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has been exceeded but information from the movement sensor has been used to update the location of the GNSS receiver since said shut down. |
| US10234565B2 |
Global navigation satellite system receiver convergence selection
A method of implementing convergence selection of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a GNSS receiver which is coupled with a mobile machine is shut down. The GNSS receiver is in a converged state at shut down. A movement sensor is monitored to determine if net movement of a GNSS antenna coupled with the mobile machine exceeds a threshold net movement parameter while the GNSS receiver is shut down. Upon power up of the GNSS receiver, a shorter convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has not been exceeded and a longer convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has been exceeded. |
| US10234559B2 |
Apparatus for detecting sea mines
An apparatus for detecting sea mines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser, a collection optics, a long-pass beam splitter, a short-pass beam splitter, a Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) channel imager, a Raman channel imager and a florescence channel imager. After the pulsed laser has sent a laser pulse to an ocean surface, the collection optics collects Rayleigh, Raman and florescence scattering return signals reflected from the ocean surface as a result of the laser pulse laser striking the ocean surface and any objects therein. The long-band beam splitter directs the Rayleigh scattering return signals to the LIDAR channel imager. The short-band beam splitter directs the Raman return signals to the Raman channel imager, and directs the florescence return signals to the florescence channel imager. |
| US10234549B2 |
Circuit for acoustic distance time of flight compensation
In one form, an acoustic signal is generated for an acoustic transducer, where the acoustic transducer transmits the acoustic signal to determine a first position of an obstacle. In response to the acoustic signal encountering the obstacle within a predetermined distance, an echo, or pulse, is detected at the acoustic transducer. At a first time, a magnitude is detected in response to a rising edge of the pulse intersecting a determined threshold. A second magnitude is detected in response to the detection of a first peak of the pulse. A time of flight of the acoustic signal, within the predetermined distance, is determined when a compensation time is extracted from a correction calculation algorithm in response to detecting the first magnitude and the second magnitude. The compensation time is subtracted from the first time, and the difference of the compensation time and the first time is the time of flight. |
| US10234546B2 |
Multiplexed multichannel photodetector
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode. |
| US10234539B2 |
Cycling reference multiplexing receiver system
A position tracking system for tracking a physical location of a radio frequency (RF) transmitter comprises at least four RF receiver antennae at known locations. Each receiver antenna receives RF signals from the RF transmitter. One receiver antenna is used as a reference antenna. A receiver channel unit is in communication with the RF receiver antennae. The receiver channel unit comprises a reference receiver channel and a measurement receiver channel. A multiplexer is dynamically configurable to selectively connect the reference receiver channel to the reference receiver antenna and to connect, in succession, each other receiver antenna to the measurement receiver channel. A comparator measures phase differences between the RF signals received by the reference antenna and those received by each other receiver antennae. A data processor computes the physical location of the RF transmitter from the phase differences measured by the comparator and the known locations of the receiver antennae. |
| US10234538B1 |
System and method for dismounted assured position, navigation and timing (DAPNT)
A process described herein may be used to determine a first asset's position in a GNSS-limited environment. The process includes transmitting a current position for each of at least three additional assets in wireless messages by wireless transmitters. The current position for each of the at least three additional assets is determined using previously received position data and one more additional measurement generated by instruments on board the additional assets. The transmitted messages are received at a device of the first asset and a processor on the device implements pre-programmed instructions to access the current position for each of the three additional assets and determine the first asset's position using the current position for each of the three additional assets. |
| US10234537B2 |
Directional beacon
A beacon includes a housing, multiple directional radio frequency antennas, a multiplexer, and a signal source that produces a signal output. The directional radio frequency antennas are attached to the housing such that each directional radio frequency antenna points out radially from an axis of the housing in a direction different than the other directional radio frequency antennas. The multiplexer is electrically connected to each of the directional radio frequency antennas and to the signal source. The multiplexer is configured to sequentially conduct the radio signal output from the signal source to each of the directional radio frequency antennas to produce a wireless signal, wherein the signal output is only conducted to one of the directional radio frequency antennas at any given time and includes a unique identifier identifying the antenna it is currently being transmitted from. The beacon may also include electrical hardware for performing time of flight measurements. |
| US10234532B2 |
Tracking system, tracking method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing program
A rotation determiner determines whether an antenna azimuth (AZ) angle rotates beyond a rotation range within a predetermined time based on a predicted orbit value. When the antenna AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range, an orbit determiner determines whether an estimated satellite position is within a drivable range that the AZ angle rotates from a reference value beyond the rotation range. When the AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range and the estimated satellite position is within the drivable range, three-axis control is executed, and the AZ angle is kept at a predetermined value. When the AZ angle rotates beyond the rotation range and the estimated satellite position is not within the drivable range, or when the AZ angle does not rotate beyond the rotation range, two-axis control is executed. |
| US10234530B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a gradient generation circuit configured to apply a gradient pulse according to a pulse sequence in which application of an RF pulse and application of the gradient pulse are included; and an RF transmission circuit configured to (a) perform modulation on a controlled output waveform of the RF pulse in such a manner that the controlled output waveform of the RF pulse follows time variation of a magnetic resonance frequency caused by time variation of an eddy-current magnetic field estimated from a waveform of the gradient pulse and (b) apply the RF pulse subjected to the modulation to an object. |
| US10234521B2 |
Systems and methods for field mapping in magnetic resonance imaging
Various embodiments of the present disclosure present unwrapping based B0 mapping systems and methods. An initial B0 map is obtained by unwrapping a pseudo-in-phase complex data that is generated from selected echoes of multi-echo gradient echo image data. Global and local phase errors that are present in the initial B0 map are corrected to produce a phase-error-corrected B0 map. A bias frequency shift is employed to produce a corrected fat-fraction map based on the phase-error-corrected B0 map. The corrected fat-fraction map is employed to generate a final B0 map. |
| US10234519B2 |
Electric power converter and MRI system comprising such converter
The present specification relates to an electric power converter, comprising at least a set of four controllable power switches, arranged in an H-bridge or a functionally equivalent circuit comprising two switching legs of two series switches connected to a voltage source, each power switch comprising an antiparallel diode, a controller configured for controlling the switches with a blanking time, a feedback loop for the load current, characterized by a first bias current injection circuit, coupled to the central point of the first leg of the H-bridge and a second bias current injection circuit, coupled to the central point of the second leg of the H-bridge. The specification further relates to a MRI scanner, provided with an electric power converter according to any of the preceding claims, for driving the gradient coils. |
| US10234515B2 |
Method for controlling of hall device and magnetic detection apparatus using the same
A magnetic detection apparatus includes a Hall device configured to include terminals and to generate an electromotive force based on a magnetic field, a Hall output controller configured to control an output of the Hall device such that an output phase alteration order of a first section of the output is symmetrical to an output phase alteration order of a second section of the output on the basis of half cycle of a control cycle of the Hall device, an amplifier configured to be connected to output terminals of the Hall device to amplify the output of the Hall device, and an amplifier output controller configured to control an output polarity of the amplifier based on the output of the Hall device. |
| US10234511B2 |
Optimizing sizing of grid-scale batteries for frequency regulation services
Systems and methods for optimal sizing of one or more grid-scale batteries for frequency regulation service, including determining a desired battery output power for the one or more batteries for a particular period of time. A battery size is optimized for the one or more batteries for the particular period of time, and the optimizing is repeated using different time periods to generate a set of optimal battery sizes based on at least one of generated operational constraints or quality criteria constraints for the one or more batteries. A most optimal battery is selected from the set of optimal battery sizes. |
| US10234505B1 |
Clock generation for integrated circuit testing
A disclosed integrated circuit includes first and second clock generation circuits, a stagger circuit, and a plurality of scan chains. The first clock generation circuit receives a first clock signal and generates a first set of clock pulses having a first frequency in response to receipt of a first clock trigger signal and a first enable signal. The second clock generation circuit receives a second clock signal and generates a second set of clock pulses having a second frequency in response to receipt of a second clock trigger signal and a second enable signal. The stagger circuit generates the first and second clock trigger signals from the global trigger signal at different times. The first set of clock pulses are staggered relative to the second set of clock pulses. The plurality of scan chains test functionality of logic circuitry within the IC chip using the first and second set of clock pulses. |
| US10234504B1 |
Optimizing core wrappers in an integrated circuit
According to certain aspects, the present embodiments relate to optimizing core wrappers in an integrated circuit to facilitate core-based testing of the integrated circuit. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit design flow is adjusted so as to increase the use of shared wrapper cells in inserted core wrappers, and to reduce the use of dedicated wrapper cells in such core wrappers, thereby improving timing and other integrated circuit design features. In these and other embodiments, the increased use of shared wrapper cells is performed even in the presence of shift registers in the integrated circuit design. |
| US10234503B2 |
Debugging method executed via scan chain for scan test and related circuitry system
A circuit debugging method includes: utilizing a debugging circuit to determine an operating status of a specific circuit to generate a result; utilizing a register located in a scan chain path to store the result, wherein the scan chain path is arranged for a scan test; and utilizing an output pad located in the scan chain path to output the result, wherein the result is arranged to be indicative of the operating status of the specific circuit. |
| US10234502B1 |
Circuit defect diagnosis based on sink cell fault models
Various aspects of the disclosed technology relate to circuit defect diagnosis based on sink cell fault models. Defect candidates are determined based on path-tracing from failing bits into the circuit design. Based on the defect candidates and one or more conventional fault models, failing test pattern simulations are performed to determine initial defect suspects. Initial defective sink cell suspects are then determined by comparing driving strengths for fan-out cells of the initial defect suspects with driving strengths for corresponding driver cells. Defective sink cell suspects may be identified in the initial defective sink cell suspects based on fault effect propagations and passing test pattern simulations. |
| US10234496B2 |
Detection of valve open time for solenoid operated fuel injectors
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes evaluating an analog electrical current waveform, determining a Boolean waveform based on the evaluated analog electrical current waveform, determining a collection of one or more first durations based on one or more on times identified from the Boolean waveform, determining a collection of one or more second durations based on one or more off times identified from the Boolean waveform, comparing the first durations and the second durations, determining, based on the comparing, an event based on the comparing, identifying a time at which the event occurred, and providing the time as a completion time. |
| US10234495B2 |
Decision tree SVM fault diagnosis method of photovoltaic diode-clamped three-level inverter
The present invention discloses a decision tree SVM fault diagnosis method of a photovoltaic diode-clamped three-level inverter in view of fault diagnosis problems of the photovoltaic three-level inverter in a photovoltaic microgrid. Taking an inverting state for example, firstly, analyzing running conditions of an inverter main circuit and performing fault classification, then taking the middle, upper and lower bridge leg voltages as measurement signals, extracting feature signals with a wavelet multiscale decomposition method, and thereby generating a decision tree SVM fault classification model with a particle swarm clustering algorithm, to finally achieve multi-mode fault diagnosis of the photovoltaic diode-clamped three-level inverter. Advantages of the present invention are that, this algorithm can obviously distinguish various fault states of the photovoltaic diode-clamped three-level inverter, complete the failure diagnostic task with fewer classification models And the diagnosis precision is high. The anti-interference capability is strong. |
| US10234492B2 |
Data center monitoring based on electromagnetic wave detection
A non-intrusive system which monitors a data center by detecting electromagnetic waves alleviates a resource burden on components and is inexpensive to deploy and scale within a data center. The system detects waves using omnidirectional antennas positioned throughout the data center, thus alleviating the need to physically attach directional antennas to components. The system performs a learning phase wherein representations of detected waves are mapped to occurrence of events within the data center. Once the learning phase is complete, operation of existing network monitoring tools, such as agents and probes, may cease, and the system may begin monitoring for events based on the detected waves. The system may also analyze wave data prior to the occurrence of events to identify event prediction indicators, e.g. distinctive wave values or patterns, which may be used to predict the occurrence of an event. |
| US10234491B2 |
Method for analysing a signal and apparatus for carrying out the method
A method and apparatus for analyzing a signal, in which a spectrum of the signal is provided, which spectrum is the result of a multiplication of the signal by a predefined window function and a subsequent Fourier transform, the highest spectral line and the adjacent second-highest spectral line are determined in the spectrum in the region of at least one local maximum, the amplitude of the highest spectral line and of the second-highest spectral line is determined, at least one value dependent on the amplitude of the highest spectral line and on the amplitude of the second-highest spectral line is determined, a frequency correction value is determined for the frequency of the highest spectral line from the determined value using a frequency correction characteristic curve which was created for the predefined window function, and the frequency of the highest spectral line is corrected by the frequency correction value. |
| US10234489B2 |
Method for managing assembling process of electrical product
A method for managing an assembling process of an electrical product. The electrical product at least includes a substrate with a semiconductor component mounted thereon and a power supply circuit. In the method, during assembly of the electrical product, a potential difference between two points on electric wires or signal wires electrically connected with an impedance element, which is inside the electrical product, interposed therebetween is constantly measured. Also, in the method, if a change that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, based on which electrostatic discharge noise and a normal potential range are distinguished from each other, occurs in the potential difference between the two points, measurement data on the potential difference between the two points is recorded and a mark for indicating that the electrical product was affected by electrostatic discharge is provided to the electrical product. |
| US10234488B2 |
Hand tool for current sensing
A hand tool for current sensing includes a body (110) and a current sensing module (200). The body (110) includes two clamping handles (120) pivotally connected by a pivot (130), two pliers jaws (140) disposed at respective one ends of the two clamping handles (120) respectively, and a clamping structure (150) disposed at the two pliers jaws (140). The current sensing module (200) is detachably coupled to any of the pliers jaws (140) and is arranged adjacent to the clamping structure (150). The current sensing module (200) includes an alert unit (220) for sending out an alert signal. Accordingly, an operator can sense whether a cable carries a current by means of the hand tool, thus ensuring safety of the operator during work. |
| US10234487B2 |
Accurate current sensing
A current sense circuit for a pass transistor is described. The circuit comprises a sense transistor having input and control ports that are coupled to input and control ports respectively of the pass transistor. The circuit comprises a differential amplifier comprising a differential input and output. An output port of the pass transistor is coupled to a first port of the differential input and an output port of the sense transistor is coupled to a second port of the differential input. The differential amplifier comprises a first sub-amplifier and a second sub-amplifier that are arranged in parallel and which are operated in an auto-zero phase and in an amplification phase in an alternating manner, and which are operated in the auto-zero phase in a mutually exclusive manner. The output of the differential amplifier is used to control voltage drops across the sense transistor and the pass transistor. |
| US10234484B2 |
Power meter with automatic configuration
A power monitoring system includes a plurality of current sensors suitable to sense respective changing electrical current within a respective conductor to a respective load and a conductor sensing a respective voltage potential provided to the respective load. A power monitors determines a type of circuit based upon a signal from at least one of the current sensors and a signal from the conductor, wherein the type of circuit includes at least one of a single phase circuit, a two phase circuit, and a three phase circuit. The power meter configures a set of registers corresponding to the determined type of circuit in a manner such that the configuring is different based upon each of the single phase circuit, two phase circuit, and three phase circuit suitable to provide data corresponding to the determined type of circuit. |
| US10234482B2 |
Probe card with a needle and a testing apparatus including the same
A probe card includes a probe board and a needle disposed on the probe board, the needle including a needle tip. The needle tip includes a bottom surface having a long axis and a short axis that crosses the long axis. The needle tip includes a top surface being spaced apart from the bottom surface, wherein the top surface has a long axis and a short axis that crosses the long axis, and wherein the long axis of the bottom surface and the long axis of the top surface extend in different directions. The needle tip includes a side surface connecting the bottom surface with the top surface, wherein the side surface is twisted between the top and bottom surfaces. |
| US10234481B2 |
Detection data storage device for detection probe
A detection data storage device includes a detection probe, an inspection instrument, a processor and a storage controller. The processor includes a software component. The storage controller includes a key and a prompt lamp. When a circuit is detected by the detection probe, a detection signal is generated. After the detection signal is received by the inspection instrument, a detection data is generated and transmitted to the software component of the processor. If the software component judges that the detection data matches a standard value, the software components issues a prompt signal to the prompt lamp of the storage controller. In response to the prompt signal, the prompt lamp emits a light beam. After the light beam from the prompt lamp is received by the user and the key is pressed, the detection data is stored in a storage unit. |
| US10234480B2 |
Methods of fabricating probe cards including nanotubes
Methods of fabricating a plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes on a substrate are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: providing a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; forming an array of electrically conductive pads on the top surface, the array of electrically conductive pads being formed to mirror an array of pads on an integrated circuit that is to be tested; applying a catalyst for promoting growth of carbon nanotubes on each of the array of electrically conductive pads; heating the substrate in a carbon-rich environment thereby growing nanotubes extending upwardly from each of the array of electrically conductive pads and above the top surface of the substrate thereby forming a plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes extending upwardly above the top surface of the substrate; and capping each of the plurality of carbon nanotube-bundle probes with an electrically conductive material. |
| US10234479B2 |
Resonance suppression structure of a wideband near-field magnetic probe and a construction method thereof
The resonance structure is that two rows of ground via holes are placed symmetrically along two sides of the CB-CPW central conductor; each row of the via holes are equally spaced; every via hole connects a top shield plane layer, a first middle layer and a bottom shield plane layer of the magnetic probe; every via hole is placed out of a rectangle gap at the bottom of the magnetic probe; the via holes form a fence. The construction method: 1. constructing a simulation model formed by the magnetic probe and a 50Ω microstrip in a CST® microwave studio; 2. simulation setting; 3. placing via holes along two sides of the central conductor; 4. connecting a 50Ω matching load to the second end of the microstrip and defining the first end as microstrip port1; defining the end on which mount a SMA connector as probe port2; simulating S21. |
| US10234478B2 |
Method for detecting a malfunction of a sensor of a vehicle safety device
A method for detecting a malfunction or defect of a sensor of a vehicle safety device uses a control unit of the vehicle safety device and at least one self-testing sensor which is separate from the control unit and transmits measuring values to the control unit. The following steps are performed: a) The sensor performs the self-test of the sensor, wherein the measuring section of the sensor is activated in a simulated manner in order to generate a test measuring value in response to the simulated activation, b) a signal is transmitted to the control unit which includes at least one of: a ratio of test measuring value to intensity of the simulated activation, a deviation of the test measuring value from the simulated activation and a test measuring value, c) it is checked by means of the control unit whether at least one of the ratio, the deviation and the measuring value is plausible, d) the control unit determines that the sensor has malfunctioned or is defective if at least one on the ratio, the deviation and the test measuring value is considered to be non-plausible. |
| US10234477B2 |
Composite vibratory in-plane accelerometer
Systems and methods are described herein for detecting and measuring inertial parameters, such as acceleration. In particular, the systems and methods relate to vibratory inertial sensors implementing time-domain sensing techniques. Within a composite mass sensor system, a sense mass may oscillate at a frequency different from its actuation frequency, allowing flexibility when integrating the sensor into drive systems without sacrificing sensitivity. |
| US10234476B2 |
Extracting inertial information from nonlinear periodic signals
Systems and methods are described herein for extracting inertial information from nonlinear periodic signals. A system for determining an inertial parameter can include circuitry configured for receiving a first periodic analog signal from a first sensor that is responsive to motion of a proof mass, converting the first periodic analog signal to a first periodic digital signal, determining a result of trigonometrically inverting a quantity, the quantity based on the first periodic digital signal, and determining the inertial parameter based on the result. |
| US10234474B2 |
Automated pipetting apparatus having a combined liquid pump and pipette head system
The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run. |
| US10234473B2 |
Analytical device for automated determining of a measured variable of a liquid sample
An analytical device for automated determining of a measured variable of a liquid sample comprises: a liquid storage, which includes one or more liquid containers for one or more liquids; a measuring cell for accommodating the liquid sample, especially a liquid sample, to which has been added one or more liquids from the liquid storage, and a measuring arrangement for providing one or more measurement signals correlated with the measured variable; an electronics unit, which includes a control unit for control of the analytical device and for determining the measured variable based on the measurement signals provided by the measuring arrangement; and a handling unit including a supply- and dosing, or metering, system for supplying and metering the liquid sample and liquids from the liquid storage into the measuring cell, wherein the analytical device includes at least one exchangeable cassette, into which are integrated at least parts of the liquid storage and/or at least parts of the handling unit. |
| US10234466B2 |
Kits and methods for determining physiologic level(s) and/or range(s) of hemoglobin and/or disease state
Diagnostic kits and methods configured to rapidly and non-invasively determine physiologic levels of hemoglobin. A diagnostic kit may include a chamber pre-filled with an indicator, the indicator solution including a tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) solution, the indicator being configured to change color; a collection device configured to collect a test sample from a subject. The kit may also include a hemoglobin physiologic level identifier legend, the legend indicating 1) at least one color of the indicator and 2) a physiologic level and/or range of the hemoglobin and/or disease state associated with the color. |
| US10234461B2 |
Analysis of the molecular weight distribution of complex polypeptide mixtures
The present invention relates to simple size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analytical methods useful for the assessment of accurate molecular weight distributions (MWDs) of certain polypeptide mixtures known as glatiramoids. The use of a SEC method based on one or more broad MWD standards furnishes the absolute (not relative) molecular weight distribution profile of complex polypeptide mixtures like, for instance, the glatiramer acetate (GA) polymer. |
| US10234459B2 |
Sensors and assays for ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins
The present invention provides compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides that bind to free ubiquitin proteins or free ubiquitin-like proteins with high affinity, as well as chimeric polypeptides that bind to both free and conjugated ubiquitin proteins or free and conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins, and methods of using the chimeric polypeptides to determine the amount of free or total ubiquitin or free or total ubiquitin-like proteins in various types of samples. |
| US10234458B2 |
Methods and materials for treating renal cell carcinoma
This document provides methods and materials related to treating renal cell carcinoma. For example, methods and materials for assessing a cancer patient (e.g., a renal cell carcinoma patient) for tumor or peritumoral tissue containing CD14+ cells and proceeding with a cancer treatment option (e.g., a renal cell carcinoma treatment option) based on the presence, absence, or level of CD14+ cells present within the tumor or peritumoral tissue are provided. |
| US10234454B2 |
Use of glycan as biomarkers for autoimmune diseases
The present invention discloses a method of determining the presence of autoimmune disease with the use of glycan biomarkers. A method of improving the detection sensitivity of trace glycans from a mixture of glycans and a microfluidic chip therefor are also disclosed. |
| US10234453B2 |
Method for increasing specificity of diagnostic tests for autoimmune diseases
Provided is a method for increasing the specificity of an antibody-based test to help in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases by contacting a subject's sample with a blocking antigen prior to testing that is capable of binding to any interfering antibody present in the sample. More specifically, a method for increasing specificity of an antibody-based autoimmune disease assay comprising the steps of providing a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with a DFS70 derived antigen, reacting the sample with an autoimmune disease target and detecting antibodies to the autoimmune disease target is disclosed. |
| US10234448B2 |
Methods for diagnosing impaired absorption of amino acids, monosaccharides and fatty acids
Provided herein are methods for diagnosing impaired nutrient absorption or determining a nutrient absorption level in an individual. A first stable absorption isotopologue of a nutrient and a second stable absorption isotopolog of the same nutrient are administered orally and intravenously, respectively, to the individual. Amounts of the first and second isotopologs are both measured in blood samples drawn periodically and a ratio of the first isotopolog to the second isotopolog is calculated providing a level of nutrient absorption. The results are compared with a healthy control or an ideal value of 1.0. The ratio less than that of a healthy control or significantly lower than 1.0 indicates an impaired nutrient absorption in the individual. |
| US10234446B2 |
Serpentine flow channels for flowing fluids over chip sensors
A nanopore based sequencing system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of nanopore sensors, each nanopore sensor having a top portion for receiving a fluid. The system further includes an inlet delivering the fluid into the nanopore based sequencing system and an outlet delivering the fluid out of the nanopore based sequencing system. The system includes a fluid chamber that comprises one or more fluid flow channels above top portions of the nanopore sensors; wherein the fluid chamber includes at least one divider that limits the width of the one or more fluid flow channels. In some embodiments, the at least one divider limits the width of the one or more fluid flow channel based on whether the surface tension and adhesive forces between the fluid and the fluid flow channel surfaces are sufficient to prevent the fluid from collapsing within the fluid flow channel. |
| US10234444B2 |
System and method for nano-opto-mechanical-fluidic sensing of particles
A system and method includes nano opto-mechanical-fluidic resonators (nano-resonators), e.g., for identification of particles, e.g., single viruses and/or cells. |
| US10234443B2 |
Spectroscopic tissue analysis apparatus and methods
An apparatus for spectroscopic tissue analysis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a light delivery system configured to direct an excitation signal on to a tissue sample; a light collection system configured to collect a backscattered signal comprising diffuse reflectance photons backscattered by the tissue sample; an imaging device; a spectrometer; an optical adaptor configured to direct a first portion of the backscattered signal to the imaging device and a second portion of the backscattered signal to the spectrometer; and an analysis system configured to apply polar decomposition to spectral image data of the tissue captured by the imaging device and the spectrometer and thereby derive polarization metrics for the tissue sample. |
| US10234433B2 |
Sampling device at high precision and high pressure utilizing two drives
The invention relates to a sampler for providing a sample for high-performance liquid chromatography, in which a volume of liquid to be taken up into a cylinder can be aspirated by means of a first drive and can be compressed to a high pressure level by means of a second drive independent of the first drive or can be decompressed from this level in a controlled manner. |
| US10234432B2 |
Device and method to detect cracks in the countersink of a fastener
Disclosed are methods and systems to nondestructively detect cracks at or near a countersink of a fastener, such as a rivet, in a thin walled structure using Lamb waves. Generation and detection of Lamb waves at symmetric locations relative to the fastener provides signals used to calculate a symmetry parameter. The symmetry parameter represents a comparison of the relative amplitudes of the detected Lamb wave signals and provides a simple indication of whether a crack exists. |
| US10234431B2 |
Transducer unit, acoustic probe including the transducer unit, and photoacoustic apparatus including the acoustic probe
A transducer unit includes a substrate, a capacitive transducer provided on the substrate and configured to receive an acoustic wave generated when a subject is irradiated with light from a light source and output an electric signal, a circuit substrate including a current/voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a current output from the capacitive transducer into a voltage, and a flexible printed wiring that electrically connects the capacitive transducer to the current/voltage conversion circuit, in which the circuit substrate is provided on a surface side opposite to a surface where the capacitive transducer is provided among surfaces of the substrate. |
| US10234426B2 |
Matrix phased array system for ultrasonic inspection of brazed welds
A system for non-destructively inspecting brazed joints that includes at least one matrix phased array probe that further includes plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in an array at one end of the probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and at least one tip adapted to be removably mounted over the array of ultrasonic transducer elements, wherein a region of the at least one tip has been shaped to correspond to the geometric characteristics of an item or a specific portion of an item that includes a brazed joint to be inspected; and a processor running software that includes at least one imaging algorithm for processing data received from the at least one matrix phased array probe and generating color coded ultrasonic C-scan images of inspected brazed joints. |
| US10234425B2 |
Thin film bulk acoustic resonator with signal enhancement
Sensitivity of thin film bulk acoustic resonance (TFBAR) sensors is enhanced by mass amplification and operating a high frequency. |
| US10234424B2 |
Magnetic particle inspection tool with 3D printed magnets
A magnetic particle inspection tool is provided including a yoke with an inspection magnet, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member. The inspection magnet is configured to magnetize a work piece. The first magnetic member is rotatable relative to the inspection magnet between a first position and a second position, and the inspection magnet is slidable relative to the first magnetic member. The first magnetic member and second magnetic member include a plurality of magnetic sources forming a magnetic surface with a first magnetic pattern and a magnetic surface with a second magnetic pattern. The magnetic surfaces are magnetically attracted when the first magnetic member is in the first position and repelled when in the second position. |
| US10234418B2 |
Gas sensor control device
An O2 sensor includes a sensor element using a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes placed at a position to interpose the solid electrolyte layer, detects an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine as an object of a detection, and outputs an electromotive force signal depending on an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. The sensor element is connected with a constant current circuit supplying a constant current that is prescribed. A microcomputer conducts an abnormality diagnosis of an output response of the sensor element on the basis of a state of variation in an electromotive force output. Further, when the microcomputer conducts the abnormality diagnosis, the microcomputer restricts a supply of the constant current by the constant current circuit before conducting the abnormality diagnosis. |
| US10234416B2 |
Anion sensor
The present invention announces a method for extending the storage life of a test reagent for quantification of ionic components in samples by using an anion sensor. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an anion sensor, wherein the storage life of the anion sensor itself may be extended, to thereby extend the storage life of the anion sensor beyond that of conventional anion sensors. According to the present invention, through adjustment of the pH of the internal solution (internal gel liquid), it is possible to provide an anion sensor that maintains consistent performance, and has longer storage life. |
| US10234415B2 |
Site specific chemically modified nanopore devices
Provided are site specific chemically modified nanopore devices and methods for manufacturing and using them. Site specific chemically modified nanopore devices can be used for analyte sensing and analysis, for example. |
| US10234414B2 |
Measurement apparatus, and method for operating measurement apparatus
A measurement apparatus to measure a physical quantity related to a measurement target by use of a sensor, comprising: an apparatus enclosure; a control unit to be electrically connected to the sensor; and a moving member including a sensor holding unit to hold the sensor, the moving member being movable to protrude the sensor holding unit outwardly of the apparatus enclosure and further including a conductive member to electrically connect the sensor to the control unit. |
| US10234413B2 |
Electronic device, abnormality determination method, and computer program product
According to one embodiment, an electronic device comprises a circuit board, an electrical component, and a measurement unit. The circuit board has a first face. The electrical component includes a second face electrically connected to the first face via a bonding material, a first end in a first direction along the second face, and a second end. The second end is opposite to the first end in the first direction. The measurement unit is configured to measure a characteristic changing depending on a conductivity of the bonding material. A first distance between the first face and the first end is shorter than a second distance between the first face and the second end. The measurement unit includes a first measurement unit configured to measure the characteristic of a part of the bonding material. The part is adjacent to the first end. |
| US10234403B2 |
Device and method of optical inspection on carbon fiber reinforced plastics components
An embodiment of the present disclosure, provides a method of optical inspection on a carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) component in which performs an inspection, by maintaining the focal distance for a surface of an object to be inspected, and making a light axis of an image device and a normal line of the surface of the object to be inspected to be identical. |
| US10234400B2 |
Feature detection with light transmitting medium
An apparatus for detecting surface features is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of strands configured to contain light and further configured to transmit light from a light source to a surface of an article. The apparatus may also include a detector configured to receive light reflected from the surface of the article via the plurality of strands, wherein the detector is further configured to detect features associated with the article. |
| US10234398B2 |
Deformation verification system and method of vehicle body
A deformation verification system of a vehicle body includes a dip tank in which fluid is contained. The dip tank has a transparent window from the outside to see the inside. A moving device is configured to lower the vehicle body into the fluid, to move the vehicle body in the fluid and to raise the vehicle body. A camera is installed to detect the form of the vehicle body through the transparent window. |
| US10234395B2 |
Raman apparatus and methods
Provided herein is an apparatus, including an excitation arm including excitation optics; a collection arm including collection optics, wherein the excitation arm and the collection arm are geometrically off-axis from one another for independent control of the excitation optics or the collection optics; and a full-surface spectroscopic analyzer to analyze a thin-film over an article from Raman-scattered light collected by the collection optics. |
| US10234393B2 |
Arrays of integrated analytical devices
Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices include an integrated diffractive beam shaping element that provides for the spatial separation of light emitted from the optical reactions. |
| US10234391B2 |
Biological substance quantitation method, pathological diagnosis support system and recording medium storing computer readable program
A biological substance quantitation method includes the following. A fluorescent image is input, which represents an expression of a specific biological substance in a sample stained with a fluorescent substance by a fluorescent bright spot. A quantitative evaluation value of the fluorescent bright spot is calculated. A standard fluorescent image of a standard sample stained under a same condition as the sample and representing an expression of the biological substance in a standard sample, is input under a same condition as the fluorescent image. A quantitative evaluation value in the standard fluorescent image is calculated under a same condition as the fluorescent image. Based on a correlation between an expression amount of the biological substance in a standard sample measured in advance and the evaluation value in the standard fluorescent image, the evaluation value in the fluorescent image is converted to an expression amount of the biological substance in the sample. |
| US10234388B2 |
System for determining abnormality in a monitored area
A system including a first information acquisition unit configured to acquire first information indicating a detection value of a first physical quantity in a monitored area, a second information acquisition unit configured to acquire second information indicating a detection value of a second physical quantity different from the first physical quantity, in the monitored area, and a determination unit configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the monitored area, based on the detection value of the first physical quantity indicated by the first information, the detection value of the second physical quantity indicated by the second information, a first coefficient corresponding to the detection value of the first physical quantity and the detection value of the second physical quantity, and a first threshold. |
| US10234386B2 |
Nephelometer
A nephelometer for determining the turbidity of a body of fluid in which a light beam is directed as an angled beam through the body and two light detectors measure the intensity of light scatter at two points in the beam. The two measurements are divided and scaled, and then the result is logarithmically amplified and displayed as the turbidity. |
| US10234381B2 |
Method of measuring the ratio of isotopologue concentrations in the gas phase
Method of measuring a ratio of concentrations of two isotopologues of a chemical species in a first gas mixture using an optical absorption spectroscopy based gas analyzer; the method includes measuring the line intensity of a rotational-vibrational line of one isotopologue and the line intensity of another rotational-vibrational line of another isotopologue. The method also includes determining the ratio of two line intensities and comparing it with another ratio measured using another gas analyzer for a gas mixture with known concentration of isotopologues. The second ratio can be measured for the same pair of lines or for different pair of lines. The second ratio can be measured at the same gas temperature or at different gas temperature. The method includes determining a ratio of concentrations of two isotopologues based on two ratios of line intensities and two temperatures. |
| US10234377B1 |
Fusion of independent component analysis and sparse representation-based classification for analysis of spectral data
Described is a system for remote analysis of spectral data. A set of measured spectral mixtures are separated using a blind demixing process, resulting in demixed outputs. A demixed output is selected for further processing, and a spectral library is selected from a set of spectral libraries that is specialized for the selected demixed output. Individual components in the selected demixed output are classified via a non-blind demixing process using the selected spectral library. Trace chemical residues are detected in the set of measured spectral mixtures. |
| US10234375B2 |
Integrated ultrasonic testing and cathodic protection measurement probe
This application discloses integrated probes and probe systems, which can be attached to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. In some embodiments, the integrated probe system couples an inner and outer gimbal together such that one or more electrically conductive legs pass from the outer gimbal through the inner gimbal. These legs are arranged about an ultrasonic sensor which extends from the front surface of the inner gimbal. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, both the ultrasonic sensor and at least one leg contact the surface, thereby providing substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements. |
| US10234374B2 |
Method for selecting boundary sample, apparatus for selecting boundary sample, storage medium, and system for selecting boundary sample
A method is used for selecting a boundary sample. The method includes acquiring a deterioration trend of a new device by performing a deterioration acceleration treatment to the new device, acquiring deterioration trends of a plurality of repaired devices which have been repaired after long-term use by performing a deterioration acceleration treatment to the plurality of repaired devices, calculating an upper limit of deterioration of the repaired device based on the deterioration trend of the new device, and selecting a boundary sample indicating a limit state in which the device can be reused as a standard of reuse of the device by specifying a repaired device having the largest deterioration among the repaired devices having a deterioration not larger than the upper limit. |
| US10234373B2 |
Resistive type particle detection device and particle detection method
A resistive type particle detection device includes a cathode, an amplification micro-gate, and an anode composed of a flat insulator including resistive tracks arranged on a face of the flat insulator facing the amplification micro-gate and reading tracks arranged on the opposite face of the flat insulator, the reading tracks being connected to a reading system. In a non-limiting embodiment, the resistive type particle detection device further includes a conductive track positioned between two resistive tracks. |
| US10234370B2 |
Particle size measuring method and device
To provide a particle size measuring device that enables simple in-line measurement of the particle size even in a case of nano-sized particles during dispersion. Provided is a particle size measuring device which measures the particle size of particles that perform Brownian motion in a dispersion medium. The particle size measuring device includes a transparent column which accommodates a dispersion medium therein; a laser light irradiating unit which irradiates the dispersion medium in the column with laser light; an imaging unit which includes a camera that images the dispersion medium in the column; an image analyzing unit which acquires a displacement of corresponding particles from at least a plurality of images captured at a predetermined time interval Δt; and a calculating unit which calculates the particle size based on the fact that a root mean square value of the displacement is proportional to kBT/3πηd where kB represents a Boltzmann constant, T represents an absolute temperature, η represents a viscosity coefficient of the dispersion medium, and d represents the particle size. |
| US10234369B2 |
Method and apparatus for chemical mapping by selective dissolution
An apparatus and method of analysis including at least one microscope means operable to characterize the surface of a sample in use, at least a first conduit to convey one or more solvents to the sample and a further conduit to convey at least part of the solution from the sample. At least one pump means delivers solvent to the sample and/or removes solution from the same. |
| US10234368B2 |
System and method for load evaluation
A load verification system and method may be used to assess the loading of material from a loading work vehicle having a load bucket to a haulage work vehicle having a load bin. The system includes at least one volume sensor coupled to the loading work vehicle that observes a volume of material in at least one of the load bucket and the load bin and generates a corresponding volume data signal. The system also includes a first controller onboard the loading work vehicle and a second controller onboard the haulage work vehicle. At least one of the first and second controllers: receives the volume data signal from the at least one volume sensor; receives a unique haulage work vehicle identifier; associates volume data of the corresponding volume data signal with the unique haulage work vehicle identifier; and stores in memory the associated volume data and haulage work vehicle identifier. |
| US10234367B2 |
Hydraulic test method and hydraulic test device
A water hydraulic test on test pipes having a wide range of sizes is conducted accurately, efficiently, and economically, by using a plurality of booster cylinders arranged in parallel with respect to a test pipe and having respective boosting ratios increasing in stages. A plurality of servo motor driven pumps arranged in parallel is used as a drive source for the plurality of booster cylinders. Before a water pressure on an output side of the booster cylinder reaches a pressure near a test pressure, the plurality of servo motor driven pumps operates simultaneously. Then, the plurality of servo motor driven pumps stops operating except one and the water pressure on the output side of the booster cylinder is increased to the test pressure by the one servo motor driven pump. During pressure increase, the plurality of booster cylinders is used in turn in order of increasing boosting ratio. |
| US10234362B2 |
Device for sequentially collecting rainwater, in particular with a view to studying the variation in the radioactivity of rainwater
The invention relates to a collection device (10) that comprises a plurality of collection containers (12A, 12B, 12C) suitable for receiving rainwater, each collection container (12A. 12B, 12C) comprising a circumferential wall (14) and a lower wall (16). The collection containers (12A, 12B, 12C) are stacked so as to form a stack along a vertical axis (Z). Each container (12A, 12B) arranged above another, adjacent container (12B, 12C) comprises a water flow opening (18) that is provided in the lower wall (16) thereof and leads into said other, adjacent container (12B, 12C). Each container (12B, 12C) that is arranged below another, adjacent container (12A, 12B) houses a buoyant closure element (20) that is movable along the vertical axis (Z) between a lower position and an upper position depending on the amount of water in said container (12B, 12C) and closes the flow opening (18) in the upper position. |
| US10234361B2 |
Heat exchanger testing device
An apparatus and a process for testing fluid from a heat exchanger. A first fluid from a heat exchanger to be tested is passed through a test heat exchanger. A second, heat transfer fluid, is in the test heat exchanger. The second fluid is heated with a heater so that a temperature in the test heat exchanger can be controlled, for example, to so that conditions in the heat exchanger are close to the conditions in the heat exchanger. After a period of time, the test heat exchanger can be removed and inspected, tested, or both. Also, multiple test heat exchangers may be used to test various process conditions. Additionally, the test heat exchangers may include different materials to test various materials. An outer portion of the test heat exchanger may be at least semi-transparent. |
| US10234357B2 |
Apparatuses for testing suction cups mounted to a track
An apparatus for testing suction cups mounted on a track is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The apparatus further comprises ports penetrating the base from the first surface to the second surface and vacuum sensors pneumatically coupled to the ports. The ports in the base are arranged in a geometric pattern. |
| US10234355B2 |
Leakage oil detection system
A leakage oil detection system includes a measurement device including a light source that causes a measured object which includes a leakage oil attachment part to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and an imaging device that detects fluorescence emitted from the leakage oil attachment part which is irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, and performs imaging on the measured object; and an analysis device that includes a driving control unit that controls operations of the light source and the imaging device, a recording unit that records an imaged image of the measured object which is imaged by the imaging device, and an image processing unit that calls the imaged image which is recorded in the recording unit and performs an image process to detect leakage oil. |
| US10234350B1 |
Appliance hose ballooning/failure detector loop
The present invention provides a system for detecting an imminent failure or an existing failure in a water supply hose to an appliance and reporting the changed condition of the hose to a designated person at a designated address. |
| US10234342B2 |
3D printed conductive compositions anticipating or indicating structural compromise
An article includes a body and at least one 3D-printable conductive composite segment in mechanical communication with the body. The body includes a first material and the at least one conductive composite segment includes a matrix material, a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and conductive additives. The conductive additives include a plurality of metallic particulates, a plurality of graphitic particles or a combination thereof. |
| US10234341B2 |
Finger movement-sensing assembly
A finger movement-sensing assembly includes a flexible substrate, a bend-sensing circuit structure and a depression-sensing circuit structure. The flexible substrate extends in a first direction for use on a finger. The flexible substrate has an outer extension section and an inner deflection section. The outer extension section is applied to be mounted onto a back of the finger, and the inner deflection section is applied to be mounted onto a pulp of the finger. The bend-sensing circuit structure is disposed on the outer extension section to produce a bend-sensing signal. The depression-sensing circuit structure is disposed on the inner deflection section to produce a depression-sensing signal. |
| US10234331B2 |
Monolithic spectrometer
The present disclosure concerns a monolithic spectrometer for spectrally resolving light. The spectrometer comprises a body of solid material having optical surfaces arranged to guide the light along an optical path inside the body. A collimating surface and focusing surface are part of a single surface having a continuous optically functional shape. The surfaces of the body are arranged to have a third or fourth part of the optical path between a grating surface and an exit surface cross with a first part of the optical path between an entry surface and a collimating surface. |
| US10234326B2 |
Indication type level indicator including total reflection prism
Provided is an indication type level indicator including a total reflection prism provided on a float buoyant in the indication type level indicator so that, when laser is irradiated from an upper portion of the float, the laser is scattered by the total reflection prism and thus level legibility is improved. The indication type level indicator includes a chamber filled with a fluid and including a reading portion through which a level of the fluid is measured; the float provided in the chamber and including a material buoyant on the fluid moving vertically in the chamber along with the fluid; the total reflection prism provided on the float and configured to scatter light; and a laser module configured to irradiate laser to the total reflection prism so that the laser irradiated from the laser module is scattered by the total reflection prism to the reading portion. |
| US10234322B2 |
Device for introducing a freezable liquid into the exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle
The specification discloses a device for introducing a freezable liquid into the exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle. The device may include a tank for accommodating the freezable liquid, a sensor for determining the concentration and/or the filling level of the freezable liquid in the tank, and a dome-shaped ice protector. The sensor may be arranged at least partially in the tank, on the floor thereof. The dome-shaped ice protector may have rounded side faces which run together in the upward direction and have the purpose of protecting the part of the sensor which is located in the tank. The ice protector may be embodied in one piece with a floor plate of the sensor or with the tank floor and the dome of the ice protector has a completely open upper side. |
| US10234318B2 |
Dosing cap
A liquid dosing device for a container includes a dosing chamber having a front end and a back end. An outlet passage is located at the front end. A plunger is located in the dosing chamber, divides it in a front and a back space, and is moveable between a forward position in which the plunger closes off the outlet passage, and a backward position, in which the front space has a maximal volume. An inlet passage provides fluid communication between the front space and the container. A timer passage provides fluid communication between the container and the back space. A release passage, being greater than the timer passage, provides fluid communication between the back space and the container. A valve assembly at the release passage includes a valve seat located at the back end of the dosing chamber. |
| US10234315B2 |
Method for determining flow rates of phases of a two-phase mixture in a pipeline
The disclosure relates to measurements of parameters of multiphase mixtures transported in pipelines. For determining phases flow rates of a two-phase mixture an unsteady pulsed flow regime of the mixture is formed in a pipeline to provide pulsating outbursts of a liquid phase at an outlet of the pipeline. Upon establishment of the pulsed flow regime at the pipeline outlet parameters of the liquid phase outbursts are measured and the flow rates of the phases are determined based on the measured parameters of the liquid phase outbursts. |
| US10234314B2 |
Nuclear magnetic flowmeter and method for operating nuclear magnetic flowmeters
A nuclear magnetic flowmeter (1) for determining the flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube (2) having a magnetic field generator (4), a measuring unit (5) and an antennae unit (6) with an antenna (7). wherein the antennae unit (6) has at least one further antenna (11, 12), that is designed as a coil and is designed for transmitting the excitation signal to the magnetized medium (3) and for detecting the measuring signal over a further measuring section (13, 14) aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (8) of the measuring tube and located in the magnetic field path (9), and the measuring section (10) and the further measuring section (13, 14) are different. |
| US10234312B2 |
Ultrasonic wave sensing module
A method of forming an ultrasonic wave sensing module for a vehicle includes providing a housing having a first containing space and a second containing space separated from each other by a blocking wall, and providing an adapter at the blocking wall that includes a first connecting portion and a first connecting pin. An ultrasonic wave sensor is disposed in the first containing space and a circuit board is disposed in the second containing space. A second connecting pin of the ultrasonic wave sensor extends into the blocking wall and is coupled to the first connecting portion of the adapter at the blocking wall. A second connecting portion of the circuit board is coupled to the first connecting pin of the adapter. The ultrasonic wave sensor is electrically connected with the circuit board via the adapter. |
| US10234311B2 |
Modifying optical signals output by a wavelength division demultiplexer to detect subterranean physical properties
A system for measuring subterranean physical properties, in some embodiments, comprises a source of broadband light, an input optical fiber coupled to the source of broadband light, a wavelength division demultiplexer coupled to the input optical fiber, a plurality of detectors arranged in parallel and coupled to the demultiplexer, a wavelength division multiplexer coupled to the plurality of detectors, and an output optical fiber coupled to the multiplexer. |
| US10234310B2 |
Light-emitting unit, light-emitting and light-receiving unit and photoelectric encoder
A light-emitting unit includes: a light source; and a reflector having reflection faces of first and second partial paraboloids, the first and second partial paraboloids being spaced from each other in an optical axis direction of the light source, the first and second partial paraboloids having a focal point on the light source, wherein: the second partial paraboloid is between the light source and the first partial paraboloid in the optical axis direction; the second partial paraboloid has a coefficient different from that of the first partial paraboloid; and the second partial paraboloid is positioned on a reflection direction side of a light from the light source reflected by the first partial paraboloid, with respect to a plane that is obtained on a presumption that the first partial paraboloid is extended to the light source side in accordance with the coefficient of the first partial paraboloid. |
| US10234307B1 |
Slot-based fenestration unit monitoring apparatus and methods
Fenestration unit monitoring apparatus configured to retrofit an existing fenestration unit to incorporate components that are capable of monitoring the locked or unlocked status of the existing lock assembly and/or the panel position status of a movable panel of the fenestration unit. The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus described herein may provide a relatively easy and aesthetically pleasing option to monitor the lock status and/or panel status of an existing fenestration unit with an existing lock assembly already located thereon. The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus may be inserted into an existing lock assembly slot in a frame member of an existing fenestration unit that already contains a lock assembly without requiring removal of the lock assembly from the lock assembly slot. |
| US10234306B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing a transmitter and receiver in a magnetic tracking system
A method and apparatus is disclosed for synchronizing a magnetic field transmitter and receiver to resolve phase ambiguity so that phase information for the position and orientation of the receiver may be derived and maintained. A synchronization process allows for the phase information to be initially derived based upon known information from other sources, and then tracked from one measurement to the next. In another embodiment, information from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is used to determine the phase information or to correct for errors in the determination from receiver data of the position and orientation of a receiver, and prevent such errors from accumulating as the receiver moves away from a transmitter. |
| US10234305B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a targeted map display from a plurality of data sources
An approach is provided for generating a targeted map display from a plurality of data sources. A mapping platform receives at least one request to provision at least one targeted map display for at least one device based, at least in part, on at least one targeted mapping object. The at least one targeted mapping object includes one or more parameters for retrieving targeted content from a plurality of data sources. The mapping platform also determines one or more map item detail records based, at least in part, on the one or more parameters. The one or more map item detail records include payload content assembled from the plurality of data sources about one or more map items. The mapping platform then causes, at least in part, a selective updating of the one or more map item detail records based, at least in part, on one or more validity criteria for provisioning the at least one targeted map display. |
| US10234302B2 |
Adaptive route and motion planning based on learned external and internal vehicle environment
The systems and methods described herein can be applied to a vehicle equipped with a sensor suite that can observe information about a location, for example, a traffic light duration. The system can record information, e.g., the traffic light colors, duration of color changes, and location of the traffic lights and can upload this information to the cloud. Then, the system can augment or learn about the location, e.g., learning of traffic patterns, and store the augmented data as database-based information, where available. The learned information can help a requesting vehicle to better estimate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for common routes taken, provide more accurate ETAs based on historical knowledge, and/or calculate or provide alternative route information. |
| US10234294B2 |
Road geometry matching with componentized junction models
In one embodiment, a method for road geometry matching with componentized junction models is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of predefined road component models, receiving map data representing a physical road junction, selecting a subset of the plurality of road component models to characterize the physical road junction represented by the received map data, and defining a road junction configuration for the physical road junction with the selected road component models. |
| US10234291B1 |
Collaborative localization between phone and infrastructure
A methodology includes determining coarse location coordinates for a mobile device, anchoring the coarse location coordinates to a map, receiving inertial measurement unit data supplied by the mobile device, wherein the inertial measurement unit data is indicative of relative location coordinates of the mobile device, generating an unanchored path of the mobile device based on the relative location coordinates, and anchoring the unanchored path of the mobile device to the map in a position that optimizes a match between the coarse location coordinates and the relative location coordinates of the mobile device. |
| US10234287B2 |
Surveying system
A system is disclosed that comprises a camera module and a control and evaluation unit. The camera module is designed to be attached to the surveying pole and comprises at least one camera for capturing images. The control and evaluation unit has stored a program with program code so as to control and execute a functionality in which a series of images of the surrounding is captured with the at least one camera; a SLAM-evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images is performed, wherein a reference point field is built up and poses for the captured images are determined; and, based on the determined poses, a point cloud comprising 3D-positions of points of the surrounding can be computed by forward intersection using the series of images, particularly by using dense matching algorithm. |
| US10234285B2 |
Device and method for multifunction relative alignment and sensing
A tiltmeter-integrated two element optical relative alignment monitor provides relative alignment and contact sensing and can provide precise information regarding the nature of physical contact experienced by objects being monitored. A computer monitor can display the information in real time, in an intuitive manner. This system can provide all the information with good resolution in a low-cost, easily installable package for a wide variety of research, high energy physics applications, and industrial uses. A projector unit is mounted on one component containing a diffuse light source, a coded mask, and a lens. The projector is aligned with a camera to receive the focused image. Shifts in the image of the mask indicate relative motion between the camera and the projector unit. A tiltmeter is affixed to either the camera or projector, to distinguish between image shifts due to translational movement and image shifts due to rotation or tilting. |
| US10234283B2 |
Binoculars rangefinder
A binoculars rangefinder includes a central shaft, two eyepieces, two objective lenses, two prism modules, an optical transmitter, and an optical receiver. The eyepieces are disposed on two sides of the central shaft, allowing a first light beam reflected by an object to pass therethrough. The objective lenses are disposed on the two sides of the central shaft. The prism modules are disposed between the eyepieces and objective lenses. The optical transmitter is configured to emit a second light beam to the object. The optical receiver is configured to receive the second beam which is reflected by the object. |
| US10234282B2 |
Method and system for determining the position of a radiation source
The present invention refers to a method for determining a position of a divergent radiation source (1), comprising Irradiating a pixel detector (2) with a predetermined intensity distribution of radiation with wavelength λ originated from the radiation source (1), wherein the pixel detector (2) comprises a plurality of pixels with pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi); Detecting, for each of the plurality of pixels, an intensity of the incident radiation (10); Determining, for each of the plurality of pixels, an incidence direction of the incident radiation using information on an orientation of an internal periodic structure at the pixel and the predetermined intensity distribution, wavelength λ and the detected intensity; and Determining the position (xp, yp, zp) of the radiation source (1) using the pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi) and the incidence direction for each of the plurality of pixels. The invention further refers to a system, a computer-related product and a sample (8) for performing such method and to the use of a pixel detector (2) for determining a position of a divergent radiation source (1). |
| US10234280B2 |
Reflection symmetric scatterometry overlay targets and methods
A method for target measurement is provided which comprises designing a reflection-symmetric target and measuring overlays of the target along at least one reflection symmetry direction of the target. Also, a tool calibration method comprising calibrating a scatterometry measurement tool with respect to a reflection symmetry of a reflection symmetric target. Further provided are methods of measuring scatterometry overlay using first order and zeroth order scatterometry measurements of a reflection-symmetric scatterometry targets. Also, a scatterometry target comprising a reflection-symmetric target having two cells in each of at least two measurement directions, wherein respective cells have different offsets along one measurement direction and similar offsets along other measurement directions. Further, a scatterometry measurement system comprising a reflection symmetric illumination and calibrated to measure reflection symmetric targets. Also, metrology tool comprising an illumination path and a collection path of the tool which are symmetric to reflection symmetries of a target. |
| US10234274B2 |
Method for thickness measurement on measurement objects and device for applying the method
A method for measuring the thickness on measurement objects, whereby at least one sensor measures against the object from the top and at least one other sensor measures against the object from the bottom and, at a known distance of the sensors to one another, the thickness of the object is calculated according to the formula D=Gap−(S1+S2), whereby D=the thickness of the measurement object, Gap=the distance between the sensors, S1=the distance of the top sensor to the upper side of the measurement object, and S2=the distance of the bottom sensor to the underside of the measurement object, is characterized by the compensation of a measurement error caused by tilting of the measurement object and/or by displacement of the sensors and/or by tilting of the sensors, whereby the displacement and/or the tilting is determined by calibration and the calculated thickness or the calculated thickness profile is corrected accordingly. The invention further concerns a device for applying the method. |
| US10234271B2 |
Method and system for spectroscopic beam profile metrology including a detection of collected light according to wavelength along a third dimension of a hyperspectral detector
A spectroscopic beam profile metrology system simultaneously detects measurement signals over a large wavelength range and a large range of angles of incidence (AOI). In one aspect, a multiple wavelength illumination beam is reshaped to a narrow line shaped beam of light before projection onto a specimen by a high numerical aperture objective. After interaction with the specimen, the collected light is passes through a wavelength dispersive element that projects the range of AOIs along one direction and wavelength components along another direction of a two-dimensional detector. Thus, the measurement signals detected at each pixel of the detector each represent a scatterometry signal for a particular AOI and a particular wavelength. In another aspect, a hyperspectral detector is employed to simultaneously detect measurement signals over a large wavelength range, range of AOIs, and range of azimuth angles. |
| US10234270B2 |
Estimating tracking sensor parametrization using known surface constraints
A sensor system and a method of operating a sensor system including a plurality of sensors tracking a moving object in an area having known bounding surfaces. The apparatus and method calculate a time-specific position of the object based on data and sensor parameters from at least two of the plurality of sensors and determine errors between the calculated time-specific positions calculated. The method and apparatus calculate a minimum system error attributable to the at least two sensors by constraining at least one dimension in the data of the sensor used in the calculated time-specific position of the object associated with the sensor, the constraining based on an object/surface interaction, the minimum system error calculated by solving for modified sensor parameters for each sensor. |
| US10234266B2 |
Method for calibrating 3D imaging and system for 3D imaging
A method for calibrating electromagnetic radiation-based three-dimensional imaging includes: obtaining (501) a calibration imaging result at least partly on the basis of electromagnetic waves received from a calibration artifact, forming (502) calibration data on the basis of the calibration imaging result and a known thickness profile of the calibration artifact, and correcting (503), with the aid of the calibration data, an imaging result obtained at least partly on the basis of electromagnetic waves received from a sample to be imaged. The calibration artifact includes layers, for example Langmuir-Blodgett films, having pre-determined thicknesses and stacked on each other so as to achieve the pre-determined thickness profile of the calibration artifact. A three-dimensional imaging system configured to carry out the method. |
| US10234265B2 |
Distance measuring device and method for measuring distances
A device for measuring a distance to an object comprises a beam splitter for splitting broadband coherent light emitted by a light source in measuring light which is guided through an object arm to the object to be measured and in reference light which is guided to a reference arm. The object arm includes a focusing optics with a focus movable along an optical axis of the object arm. The focusing optics comprises a movable optical element and is configured such that a movement of the movable optical element along the optical axis causes a higher movement of the focus of the focusing optics along the optical axis. The movable optical element of the focusing optics is coupled to the reference arm such that the optical path length of the reference arm can be tracked synchronously with and dependent on the movement of the focus of the focusing optics. |
| US10234264B2 |
Overall Z-direction displacement measuring system
The present disclosure relates to a full-field Z-direction displacement measurement system. Dynamic measurement is achieved on the basis of laser shearing speckle interferometry by using a spatial domain phase shift method. The homogeneity and similar measurement accuracy of the laser shearing speckle interferometry and the Doppler interferometry are further used to help the laser shearing speckle interferometry to implement absolute displacement measurement by using the single-point time domain Doppler interferometry. By means of the improvements in these aspects, the measurement system of the present invention can achieve full-field Z-direction displacement measurement, high-precision full-field absolute value vibration measurement and transient depth measurement, and can have important applications in depth measurement, three-dimensional sensing, vibration measurement in aerospace and the depth measurement in new material characterization detection and other fields. |
| US10234261B2 |
Fast and continuous eddy-current metrology of a conductive film
A measurement tool includes a rotation stage supporting an workpiece support, a thickness sensor overlying a workpiece support surface; a translation actuator coupled to the thickness sensor for translation of the thickness sensor relative to the workpiece support surface; and a computer coupled to control the rotation actuator and the translation actuator, and coupled to receive an output of the thickness sensor. |
| US10234259B2 |
Device for measuring the geometry of a wheel axle of a motor vehicle
A device for measuring the geometry of a wheel axle of a motor vehicle comprising a wheel hub support for defined positioning of a wheel hub of the wheel axle. The wheel hub support comprises a wheel hub dome formed correspondingly to an outer side of the wheel hub and encompassing the wheel hub dome in a precise fit. |
| US10234256B2 |
Wireless programmable measuring tape
A measuring tape for producing an electrical shock and/or emitting a novelty sound upon actuation of a measuring tape disposed therein. |
| US10234253B2 |
Method of making a polymer ammunition cartridge having a metal injection molded primer insert
The present invention provides a method of making a polymer ammunition cartridge having a metal injection molded primer insert. |
| US10234252B2 |
Target marking device and target processing system comprising such a target marking device
The target marking device comprises a small-size flying unit, said flying unit being configured to fly at low height and to be guided with the aid of guidance commands, said flying unit being furnished with at least one sensor able to measure at least one parameter of the environment, a data transmission unit configured to emit at least data relating to measurements carried out by the sensor from the flying unit and to receive guidance orders at the flying unit, and at least one emitter able to emit position information. |
| US10234247B2 |
Projectile weapon training apparatus using visual display to determine targeting, accuracy, and/or reaction timing
This apparatus offers multiple training scenarios which designates the targets to be hit and evaluates response. The apparatus assists in the evaluation and training of a shooter using multiple scenarios, detection of target strikes, timing, accuracy, and threat assessment. The system may be used with unmodified weapons and may not require attachments to weapon or shooter. The light source(s) in this apparatus may include visible lasers, focused light emitters, video or image projectors. The shooter may use live ammunition, and the weapon may be fired and operated independently of the control system. Hit detection on the targets may use vibration, accelerometer, acoustic, optical or thermal sensors that respond to projectile strikes on the designated target(s). If the specific location of the strike on the target is desired, nested targets and multiple sensor triangulation calculations may be used. This system designates which targets to shoot, when to fire, and evaluates the results. |
| US10234246B1 |
Rear cover of a dartboard and a noise attenuation structure thereof
A rear cover of a dartboard and a noise attenuation structure thereof includes: a rear cover, a shock and sound attenuation pad and a scoring board. The rear cover includes a plurality of reinforced ribs with a zigzag shape, every two reinforced ribs defines a resonant space. The shock and sound absorbing pad is provided with a plurality of grooves, every two said grooves define a stuffing portion, the reinforced ribs are disposed in the grooves, and the stuffing portions are stuffed in the resonant spaces, so as to reduce the resonant box. The zigzag reinforced ribs make it difficult for the resonance to be produced in the resonant spaces, and the stuffing portions stuffed in the resonant spaces further prevent the occurrence of resonance. |
| US10234244B2 |
Rigid ballistic composites having large denier per filament yarns
A rigid ballistic-resistant composite includes large denier per filament (dpf) yarns. The yarns are held in place by a resin to form a rigid composite panel with improved ballistic performance. The large dpf yarns may be selected from aromatic heterocyclic co-polyamide fibers, polyester-polyarylate fibers, high modulus polypropylene (HMPP) fibers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, poly-diimidazo pyridinylene (dihydroxy)phenylene (PIPD) fibers, carbon fibers, and polyolefin fibers. |
| US10234239B1 |
Finger-adjustable scope adjustment mechanism
The present disclosure describes an adjustment mechanism for a scope comprising: a first surface and a second surface, the first surface configured to engage the second surface axially when an amount of force is applied to the first surface, the first surface also configured to transfer torque applied to it to the second surface when the first surface and the second surface are engaged, and a member adjustable to apply force to the first surface to engage the first surface and the second surface, the member being adjustable using only one or more human fingers, wherein an adjustment of the member can always be initiated using only one or more human fingers. |
| US10234238B1 |
Reflex sight with two position-adjustable reticles
A reflex sight, having a mounting base that has an engagement element for attachment to a firearm. Also, a collimating front lens is mounted on the mounting base. A first reticle projection system projects a first reticle onto the front lens, at a first position, the first position being user adjustable, relative to the mounting base, by a first actuation assembly. In addition, a second reticle projection system, projecting a second reticle onto the front lens at a second position, the second position being user adjustable, relative to the first position by a second actuation assembly. |
| US10234237B1 |
Integrated fixed sight on firearm muzzle device
An integrated fixed sight on a firearm consists of a front sighting device and an external muzzle device. The external muzzle device includes a proximal end, a central axis, a mount body, a top surface, and a distal end. The front sighting device is laterally aligned with the central axis and mounted onto the top surface adjacent the proximal end. The front sighting device can vary in size and shape. The external muzzle device is mounted onto the barrel of the firearm through a clamp and a fastening mechanism. Since the threads on the barrel are not used, the threads of the barrel are preserved. |
| US10234236B2 |
Concealed cargo carry system
A concealed cargo carry system is used to holster, conceal, and surface mount a firearm. The system includes a first L-shaped bracket and a second L-shaped bracket which are slidably engaged with each other through a bracket adjustment mechanism. This allows the first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket to be adjusted to fit firearms and clothing applications of varying types. The first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket frame the firearm, concealing the shape of the firearm when carried in a bag or clothing. The system also includes a barrel support which is mounted onto the base member of the first L-shaped bracket. The barrel support is used to securely mount the firearm onto the system. The system also includes a receiver unit which engages with the first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket to attach additional mounting components to the system for expanded carry applications. |
| US10234234B2 |
Firearm recoil system
A firearm recoil system replaces a traditional slide of a fire arm to mitigate the recoil from the discharging an automatic firearm. The firearm recoil system includes a firearm, a first slide weight, a second slide weight, and a recoil transfer actuator. The first slide weight and the second slide weight are slideably engaged with a frame of the firearm. The first slide weight is slotted over a barrel of the firearm. The second slide weight is slotted over a bolt carrier of the firearm. As an ammunition round is ignited, the bolt is depressed causing the recoil transfer actuator to be displaced and redirects the force of the recoil into the first slide weight and the second slide weight. The first slide weight and the second slide weight translate away from the recoil transfer actuator to compensate for the recoil of the firearm. |
| US10234229B2 |
Muzzle end accessory mount for a firearm
An accessory mount includes a barrel connector and multiple accessory connectors. The barrel connector removably assembles the accessory mount to the barrel of the firearm in axial alignment with the firing axis of the firearm. The accessory mount includes one or more of the accessory connectors to securely and removably assemble accessories to thereto. The accessory connectors include axial alignment features to axially align accessories with the firing axis and/or rotational alignment features to align the accessory alignment with the firing axis. Accessory connectors also include that enable an accessory to be securely assembled to the accessory mount in different rotational orientations. |
| US10234224B2 |
Systems and methods to prevent hot-wiring of electronic gun racks
A system includes a controller in communication with a transmission device. The system further includes a gun rack that includes a locking mechanism. The controller is configured to release the locking mechanism in response to receiving, from the transmission device via modulation on a power wire that powers the controller, a pattern that corresponds to a predetermined pattern. |
| US10234223B2 |
Mortar shell extraction system
The present invention relates to a mortar shell extraction system, comprising gripping means adapted for being inserted into the mortar and holding the shell by the fuse, at least one connecting shaft connected to the gripping means, driving means connected to the at least one connecting shaft and configured for transmitting a driving force to the gripping means through the at least one connecting shaft. |
| US10234221B2 |
High capacity firearm magazine
A high capacity magazine for high powered rimfire cartridges comprises a header portion that has a form factor to be received in a rotary magazine receptacle and an arcuate cartridge bank portion that holds a column of cartridges. A pair of clamshell halves define an arcuate cartridge bank and a lower portion of the header potion. A header caps the upper ends of the clamshell halves securing the clamshell halves together. The head and clamshell halves define the cartridge pathway to the magazine exit to be fed into the rifle chamber. |
| US10234220B2 |
Detachable box magazine with follower retraction member
A detachable box magazine includes a housing having a base; a follower; a biasing element biasing the follower away from the base; a spool member; a retraction member operatively connected to the follower and to the spool member; a winding member selectively engaged with the spool member, and, when engaged with the spool member, manipulated to rotate the spool member in a winding direction to wind the retraction member about the spool member and pull the follower toward the base against the biasing element. |
| US10234218B2 |
Ceramic heat sink and method of making the same
A method for making a ceramic heat sink is provided. In the first step of the method, a mixed material of nitrite-based ceramic powder, titanium powder and inorganic resin is prepared. The mixed material is then molded into a ceramic blank with a mold coated with titanium. Thereafter, the ceramic blank may be sintered to form the ceramic heat sink. Since the mixture and the mold both contain a common material of titanium, the molded ceramic blank can be easily removed from the mold in its integrity. |
| US10234217B2 |
Nonmetal corrosion-resistant heat exchange device and plate-type heat exchanger having same
Provided are a nonmetal corrosion-resistant heat exchange device (20) and a plate-type heat exchanger (100) having same. The heat exchange device (20) comprises a plurality of nonmetal corrosion-resistant heat exchange sheets (21), upper support ribs (22) and lower support ribs (23) installed on top and bottom surfaces of each heat exchange sheet (21), sealing strips (25) disposed at the upper and lower edges at each side of the heat exchange sheets (21), and spacers (26). The adjacent upper support ribs (22) and the lower support ribs (23) located between the adjacent heat exchange sheets (21) together define multiple sealing channels for cold fluid and hot fluid. The spacers (26) completely seal the upper support ribs (22), the lower support ribs (23) and the sealing strips (25) via a press force. |
| US10234216B2 |
Valve arrangement for a heat treatment apparatus
A valve arrangement comprising a number of valves is provided. The valve arrangement is configured to be in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode sections in a heat treatment apparatus are passed by a product in a first order, and in the second mode the sections are passed in a second order. Since the first order is different from the second order, the first order can be used for full capacity production and the second order can be used for half capacity production. |
| US10234210B2 |
RSC external downcomer tube arrangement
A system includes a radiant syngas cooler which receives and cools syngas generated in a gasifier. The radiant syngas cooler includes an outer shell of the radiant syngas cooler defining an annular space of the radiant syngas cooler and a heat exchange tube of the radiant syngas cooler positioned within the annular space and configured to flow a cooling medium. The heat exchange tube is configured to enable heat exchange between the syngas and the cooling medium to cool the syngas. The radiant syngas cooler includes a downcomer tube of the radiant syngas cooler which supplies the cooling medium to the heat exchange tube, where the downcomer tube includes a downflow portion positioned outside of the annular space of the radiant syngas cooler. The downflow portion is fluidly coupled to a header, and the header fluidly couples the downcomer tube to the heat exchange tube. |
| US10234203B2 |
Separator for lumber stacking
An improved separator for separating lumber in a stack of a plurality of layers has a primary profile for minimizing the contact area and maximizing airflow between the separator and the adjacent boards and a secondary profile for improving frictional resistance between the separator and the adjacent boards. The primary profile comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of ridges formed therebetween. The secondary profile comprises a plurality of depressions on the ridges. |
| US10234202B2 |
Condensate water controlling type dryer
Disclosed is a condensate water control dryer. The condensate water control dryer includes: a dryer main body which has a drying space formed therein; a first condensate water panel which is attached, in a first direction, to an inner wall surface of the drying space of the dryer main body and has a superhydrophilic surface; a second condensate water panel which is attached, in a second direction that intersects the first direction, to the inner wall surface of the drying space of the dryer main body and has a superhydrophobic surface; and attachment members which attach the first condensate water panel and the second condensate water panel to the inner wall surface of the dryer main body. |
| US10234201B2 |
Complex type dryer for high viscous materials
A complex type dryer includes a rotational cylinder, a drying material, a hot air provider, a hot air chamber and a scraping unit. The drying material provider is disposed over the rotational cylinder and coats a drying material on a surface of the rotational cylinder. The hot air provider is connected to both sides of the rotational cylinder, and includes first and second hot air tubes. The first and second hot air tubes alternately provide a hot air into the rotational cylinder or alternately exhaust the hot air passing through the rotational cylinder. The hot air chamber is disposed along an outer surface of the rotational cylinder outside of the rotational cylinder. The scraping unit is disposed at a side of the rotational cylinder, and removes the drying material from the surface of the rotational cylinder after dried by the rotational cylinder and the hot air chamber. |
| US10234197B2 |
Dryer for a textile web, with improved hot-air supply
A dryer for a textile web includes a drying chamber having at least one air-permeable drum arranged in the drying chamber to rotate, wherein the drum includes an end face constituting an axially arranged suction side, the textile web is wrapable at least partially around the drum and heated drying air is flowable through the textile web. A hot gas source provides heated gas. A ventilator forms a suction draft via the suction side of the drum with drying air from inside of the drum and drying air that recirculates back into the drying chamber. At least one hot gas feeding ring encloses the suction draft and is configured to permit the hot gas from the hot gas source to flow essentially completely into the suction draft. |
| US10234180B1 |
Integrated cold plate with expansion device and uniform cooling method achieved therewith
A flow control cartridge is used with a cold plate to form a cold plate assembly within which a refrigerant circulates for cooling at least one heat generating device. The cartridge includes a thermal expansion valve and a sensing portion that with a bellows-type actuator within the cartridge. The bellows-type actuator is located directly in a stream of the refrigerant exiting the cold plate. The thermal expansion valve is comprised of a main body having an inlet orifice arranged to receive refrigerant that has been subcooled from a condenser of a vapor compression system or a recuperative heat exchanger, and a needle arranged in an expanded section of the main body in association with discharge ports in the expanded section for discharging the refrigerant in a two-phase state into the cold plate. |
| US10234174B2 |
Apparatus and method for flameless thermal oxidation at optimized equivalence ratios
In a flameless thermal oxidizer including a vessel configured to contain a matrix bed of media, and a vent gas stream conduit and an oxidizing agent conduit each extending into an interior of the vessel at least partially within the matrix bed of media, a method of delivering a vent gas stream and oxidizing agents into the vessel includes the steps of distributing the vent gas stream through the vent gas stream conduit; distributing the oxidizing agents through a mixing conduit; and combining the vent gas stream and the oxidizing agents in the mixing conduit. |
| US10234170B2 |
Boiler system
The present invention provides a boiler system, for example for use in heating a domestic hot water supply, and which is significantly more fuel efficient than existing boilers, the boiler system comprising a first reservoir and a second reservoir which together define a combustion enclosure, a storage tank positioned to define an upper wall or roof of the enclosure and being in fluid communication with the first water reservoir, a heat exchange tube located in the storage tank and being in fluid communication with the second water reservoir; and a burner arranged to directly heat atmospheric gases within the enclosure in order to indirectly heat the walls of the enclosure. |
| US10234168B2 |
Multi-tube offset pre-insulated HVAC ducting technology
The invention provides an HVAC duct having an inner composite tube and an outer composite tube. The inner composite tube has an interior metal wall, a primary foam wall, and an exterior metal wall. The outer composite tube has an interior metal wall, a secondary foam wall, and an exterior metal wall. In certain embodiments, the inner composite tube is nested inside the outer composite tube in an end-offset configuration. In these embodiments, the first end of the duct defines a male detent having a radially-outward-facing metal engagement face projecting beyond the interior metal wall of the outer composite tube, whereas the second end of the duct defines a female detent having a radially-inward-facing metal engagement face projecting beyond the exterior metal wall of the inner composite tube. Also provided is an HVAC ductwork assembly wherein two ducts of the described nature are connected in an advantageous end-to-end manner. |
| US10234164B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus includes a casing, a heat exchanger and a blower. In the casing, an intake port is formed and a blow-off port is formed in a top surface section. The heat exchanger and the blower are housed in the casing. The blower is caused to rotate while a flammable refrigerant flows to the heat exchanger during an operation, an intake air is taken into the casing from the intake port, a heat exchange is carried out between the flammable refrigerant and the intake air in the heat exchanger, and the heat-exchanged air is blown out from the blow-off port to an exterior of the casing. A first refrigerant sensor that detects the flammable refrigerant is disposed on a downwind side of the heat exchanger inside the casing. |
| US10234158B2 |
Coordinated operation of multiple space-conditioning systems
A controller controls a first air-conditioning system and a second air-conditioning system having separate refrigerant circuits, but arranged for conditioning a common space. The controller includes a multi-variable regulator to determine control signals for controlling operations of first components of the first and the second refrigerant circuits to reduce jointly and concurrently an environmental error between setpoint and measured values of environment in the common space. The controller also includes at least two single-variable regulators to receive operational errors between setpoint and measured values of an operation of a second component of the first and the second refrigerant circuits. The controller separately determines control signals for controlling the operation of different refrigerant circuits that reduce the operational errors. The controller also includes a lookup table that stores values for other inputs of the systems that improve its performance, and which selects specific input values for both systems according to the outputs of the multi-variable and/or single variable regulators. The controller includes an electrical circuit for controlling the first and the second air-conditioning systems according to the determined control signals. |
| US10234156B2 |
System and method of determining proper operation of an HVAC system
A system and method for determining proper operation of an HVAC system by generating a test condition, operating the HVAC system in a heating or cooling mode for either an operational duration of time or until a first indoor air temperature change limit is achieved, if the test condition is satisfied, determining whether the HVAC system is performing at an operational tolerance level, and generating an alert signal if the HVAC system is not performing at the operational tolerance level. |
| US10234154B2 |
Roof exhaust with counterweighted damper
A roof exhaust for exhausting gas from a building is provided. The roof exhaust includes: an enclosure including a base and a hollow body extending from said base, the enclosure having side sections and a front section extending between the side sections; a conduit extending within the hollow body along a central axis, the conduit having an inlet connectable to a source of gas and an outlet for exhausting the gas from the conduit; a hood extending in the front section over the outlet, the hood comprising an aperture and being configured to direct gas exiting the outlet through the aperture in a downward direction towards the base; and a damper hingedly mounted relative to the outlet and including a counterweight configured to bias the damper towards a closed position. |
| US10234149B2 |
HVAC systems having improved four-way valve reheat control
In one instance, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a four-way reheat valve and is configured to accesses pressures within a conduit network to facilitate control of the reheat valve. The four-way reheat valve includes a piston valve slide within a main valve chamber and a pilot valve fluidly coupled to the main valve chamber and a compressor-suction conduit fluidly coupled to the four-way valve and to a compressor. The system also includes a flow-restricting device disposed on the conduit downstream of the four-way valve and a pilot conduit coupled to the conduit downstream of the flow-restricting device and coupled to the pilot valve for assisting with movement of the piston valve slide. |
| US10234141B2 |
Ceramic and ceramic matrix composite attachment methods and systems
Attaching a fastener to a ceramic matrix composite or ceramic body by inserting a portion of the fastener into a compartment of the body, the compartment having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion outboard of and narrower than the first portion; and delivering a fluid into the fastener to expand a portion of the fastener within the blind compartment first portion. |
| US10234139B2 |
Control system and method for a solid fuel combustion appliance
Techniques for controlling a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, are disclosed. A control system measures an exhaust gas temperature of airflow through an outlet of the solid fuel combustion appliance. The control system determines a derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time. The derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time is compared to a predetermined threshold. The control system modulates the inlet damper in response to determining that the derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time reaches the predetermined threshold. |
| US10234137B2 |
Burner with adjustable injection of air or of gas
A burner that includes a primary air or gas duct delimited by an exterior wall and a concentric interior wall of axis X and ducts for radial primary air or gas injection is described. The air or gas duct includes a ring that is rotationally mobile and has axial protrusions constituting distributors which collaborate with the radial primary air ducts arranged on the interior wall and form two passages of different angles in each duct. Rotating the ring making it possible to vary the angle of injection of the radial primary air. Thus, the regulation is situated just at the tip of the burner, in the region of the outlet of the primary air into the kiln, by modifying the outlet angle of the radial component for fixed section, thereby greatly simplifying the regulating of the burner. |
| US10234136B2 |
Evaporator burner for a mobile heating unit operated using liquid fuel
An evaporator burner (100) for a mobile heating unit which is operated using liquid fuel is provided, said evaporator burner having: a mixture preparation region (2) for the mixing of fuel with combustion air to form a fuel-air mixture; a fuel feed (1) for feeding liquid fuel to the mixture preparation region (2); a combustion air feed (B) for feeding combustion air to the mixture preparation region (2); at least one evaporation surface (8) to which the liquid fuel is fed and which serves for the evaporation of the liquid fuel; a conversion region (3), positioned downstream of the mixture preparation region (2) in terms of flow, for the conversion of the fuel-air mixture into combustion exhaust gases (A) with a release of heat; and an exhaust-gas recirculation means (10; 210) for the recirculation of combustion exhaust gases (A) into the mixture preparation region (2). |
| US10234135B2 |
Device and method for producing fuel efficient candles configured with helical wicks
Helical wick candle and method of manufacturing this candle. The candle typically comprises a candle with meltable fuel such as wax, and at least one helical wick with a helical radius of at least ¼″ or greater. This helical wick is configured so that as the candle burns, the burning tip of the wick doesn't remain stationary, but rather circles the axis of the wick so as to burn more of the wax than would otherwise be possible with a prior art straight wick candle, at least when the diameter of the candle is larger than the pool of melted wax surrounding the wick. This results in higher fuel burning efficiency, often 1.5× or higher, as well as various interesting artistic shapes as the wick burns. Various wick sheath methods to improve the rigidity and burn resistance of the wick during the burning process are also discussed. |
| US10234132B2 |
Lighted tumbler holder
A lighted holding device is disclosed having at least one ring, having a hollow center, an outside surface, and an inside surface, said ring configured to receive a beverage container therein. The ring has a handle coupled thereto and a light source disposed opposite the handle. The device also has a power source coupled to the light source and a switch coupled to the power source and the light source. |
| US10234129B2 |
Modular street lighting system
A modular street lighting system comprising an attachment structure, power circuitry positioned, a support structure, and a lighting component comprising a body member comprising a light source housing section and a center component, the center component comprising a plurality of vertically-oriented heat dissipating structures, a circuit housing, circuitry, a rear attachment section, a lighting element in thermal communication, and an optic positioned within the light source housing section. The circuitry is configured to provide power for and control the operation of the lighting element. The lighting element is configured to emit light in the direction of the optic. The optic is configured to reflect light so as to be emitted by the lighting component. The plurality of heat dissipating structures are positioned in thermal communication with the back wall. |
| US10234128B2 |
Power source for a rotating light emitting diode driver mount
A power source includes a housing formed of a front face and a plurality of side walls extending from the front face; the front face and the plurality of side walls define a compartment. A first ballast is secured to a first side wall of the plurality of side walls, and a second ballast is secured to a second side wall of the plurality of side walls that is disposed opposite the first side wall. A first set of passive cooling fins extends from the first side wall, and a second set of passive cooling fins extends from the second side wall. |
| US10234127B2 |
LED luminaire having enhanced thermal management
In one aspect, luminaires are described herein having sensor modules integrated therein. In one aspect, a luminaire described herein comprises a light emitting face including a LED assembly. A sensor module is integrated into the luminaire at a position at least partially overlapping the light emitting face. In another aspect, a luminaire described herein comprises a LED assembly and a driver assembly. A sensor module is integrated into the luminaire along or more convective air current pathways cooling the LED assembly or driver assembly. |
| US10234122B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus including a base is provided. The base includes a through-hole. The through-hole is aligned with an optical path of laser light for receiving and transmitting the laser light. A light emitter which, when irradiated with the laser light transmitted through the through-hole, radiates light by converting a wavelength of the laser light. An attachment component is provided on the base for attachment of the light emitter to the base. The light emitter is removable from the base. A light blocker opens the optical path of the laser light by being contacted by the light emitter when the light emitter is attached to the base, and blocks the optical path of the laser light when the light emitter is removed from the base. |
| US10234117B2 |
Stadium lighting aiming system and method
A lighting aiming system for aiming a stadium lighting system, the lighting aiming system comprising: a luminaire (5), the luminaire having a mounting position and an orientation and configured to generate a light beam along an optical axis; a camera (1) configured to capture an image, the camera (1) coupled to the luminaire and having a defined relationship between a field of view of the camera and the optical axis; a memory (31) configured to store lighting information comprising a desired aiming location of the luminaire, and the memory further configured to store feature information comprising an expected location of at least one feature; a processor (33) configured to determine and output aiming information based on the feature information, lighting information and image to enable a determination on whether the luminaire is correctly aimed. |
| US10234116B2 |
Solar-powered lantern having collapsible shade structure
A portable and expandable solar-powered lantern that includes a light source, at least one solar panel in electrical communication with a battery to power the light source, and a self-erecting coil structure defining a frame covered by a compliant shade member. The frame includes an inner coil member coiled in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and an outer coil member coiled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The coil structure is moveable between a collapsed storage position and an expanded position, the compliant shade member limiting the length of the frame when the coil structure is in the expanded position. |
| US10234115B2 |
Lighting fixture mounting systems
Example embodiments provide lighting fixture mounting kits for mounting a flat panel lighting fixture to a mounting surface. One mounting kit comprises a mounting frame and a lighting fixture. When the mounting frame is secured to the mounting surface, a junction box is accessible therethrough. The mounting frame and lighting fixture are shaped for engagement and attachment to one another. Another mounting kit comprises a mounting plate and a lighting fixture. The mounting plate may comprise indexing tabs for alignment with corresponding indexing slots of the lighting fixture and extending outwardly from a plate portion of the mounting plate. The lighting fixture may comprise a back portion having therein one or more indexing slots for receiving an indexing tab therein. Insertion of the indexing tab into the indexing slot guides the engagement of the lighting fixture with the mounting plate. |
| US10234113B2 |
Sealed and sealable lighting systems incorporating flexible light sheets and related methods
In accordance with certain embodiments, lighting systems include flexible light sheets and one or more sealed regions containing light-emitting elements, the sealed regions defined by seals between a top housing and a bottom housing and/or the light sheet. |
| US10234109B1 |
Single-piece end cap
A single-piece end cap includes a plate, a perimeter wall extending around a perimeter of the plate. The single-piece end cap further includes structural tabs that protrude out from the plate. The structural tabs are used to attach the single-piece end cap to an extrusion frame. |
| US10234105B2 |
Optics for an automated luminaire
A gimbaled remotely automated pan and tilt luminaire with a multi-gobo rotating-gobo imager between a focusing light source and a highly faceted Fresnel output lens with sharp pointed facets which is articulated to move along the light path closer to or further away from the light source and gobo imager. |
| US10234102B2 |
Illuminating instrument
A lighting fixture varies a beam angle of light emitted by a light source and a beam angle of light to the exterior to provide excellent visual effect by indirect lighting, high in serviceability and safety, and applicable to a wide range of purposes. The lighting fixture comprises a lighting fixture body of substantially L-shaped cross-section, a light source constituting a light radiation unit, a first reflector, a second reflector, and an opening constituting an illumination port. The light source is installed at an innermost center region of the vertical lightguide section to face into the vertical lightguide section. The first reflector is installed obliquely near one corner of the vertical lightguide section and the lateral lightguide section. The second reflector is obliquely installed near an endmost corner of the lateral lightguide section to face the first reflector. |
| US10234097B2 |
LED lighting device
A LED lighting device comprises a lighting body extending along an axis and internally provided with a chamber housing a LED light source and is delimited by at least one lateral wall consisting of a diffuser having an outer surface defining an emission surface of the device; the diffuser is an opaline diffuser having a transmission coefficient greater than or equal to 50% and a reflection coefficient greater than or equal to 45%. |
| US10234093B2 |
Optical waveguide with a reflective pattern for propagating a light beam
An optical waveguide for the propagation of a light beam adapted to travel by successive total reflections off the faces of the waveguide to an output face where the light beam is refracted. One of the faces of the waveguide forms, facing towards the output face, a support face for a pattern extending across the main direction of the beam to divert same towards the output face. According to a characterizing feature of the invention, the pattern is a bifunctional reflective pattern that is integral with the support face, having three portions including end portions formed by cone portions between which there is interposed an intermediate portion that comprises two facets that meet at a top edge, which is not parallel to the support face for the patterns. |
| US10234089B2 |
Lantern assembly and auxiliary base
A lantern auxiliary base can include a wall, a floor, a first cross-beam, a second cross-beam, and a ring. The wall can encircle an axis and extend between a top end and a bottom end. The floor can be engaged with the wall and at least partially close the bottom end, defining a cup-shaped cavity. The floor can have top and bottom surfaces. The first and second cross-beams can project along the axis away from the bottom surface and be transverse to one another. At least one of the first and second cross-beams can extend a first distance from the bottom surface. The ring can project along the axis away from the bottom surface to a bottom edge a second distance from the bottom surface along the longitudinal axis less than the first distance. |
| US10234087B2 |
Personal mobility assistance devices with light sets and methods
A personal mobility assistance device includes lights that accent the shape of the device. The lights include a battery, a wire, and a plurality of light emitting devices connected to the wire and powered by the battery. The light emitting devices are spaced sufficiently close to each other along the wire such that, when the vehicle is observed in low light conditions, the shape of the personal mobility assistance device is discernable to the observer. |
| US10234078B2 |
LED light source and lamp comprising such a LED light source
A LED light source comprises: a first rectifier with a first and a second input terminal for connection to an AC supply voltage source and a first and a second output terminal connected by a first LED-string, a second rectifier having a first and a second input terminal and output terminals, said first input terminal of said second rectifier being coupled to the first input terminal of the first rectifier and the second input terminal of the second rectifier being coupled to the second input terminal of the first rectifier, and the output terminals being connected by a second LED-string, and means for causing a phase shift between the voltages that are present during operation at the output terminals of the first rectifier and the output terminals of the second rectifier respectively. The LED strings are driven by very simple circuitry that can be supplied by mains supply voltage. Due to the phase shift stroboscopic effects are suppressed. |
| US10234075B2 |
Non-rotating flexure bearings with enhanced dynamic stability for cryocoolers and other devices
A system includes a device, a support structure, and a flexure bearing configured to connect the device to the support structure. The flexure bearing includes an outer hub and an inner hub, where the hubs are configured to be secured to the support structure and to the device. The flexure bearing also includes multiple sets of flexure arms connecting the outer hub and the inner hub, where each set of flexure arms includes symmetric flexure arms. The flexure bearing further includes multiple bridges, where each bridge connects one of the flexure arms in one set of flexure arms to one of the flexure arms in an adjacent set of flexure arms. |
| US10234073B2 |
Modular plastic motor bracket
The present disclosure includes a motor bracket including a first body portion, a second body portion, and/or a third body portion that may be configured to receive a drive shaft. The second body portion may be connected to the first body portion via a plurality of connecting members. At least a portion of the third body portion may be disposed inside the second body portion. The first body portion may include a plurality of wings extending in an outward direction from the first body portion. At least one of the plurality of wings may include an accessory aperture. Each wing may include a plurality of endcap apertures. The first body portion may include a substantially L-shaped flange. The flange may include a hooked portion. The first body portion, the second body portion, and/or the third body portion may each have different radii. |
| US10234067B2 |
Method and system for manufacturing insulation block and insulation block
A method for manufacturing an insulation block, preferably an insulation plate, in which method the casting mold is adjusted to a desired size by moving at least one wall of the casting mold, the pre-expanded polystyrene, polypropylene or polyethylene beads are led to the casting mold, the pre-expanded polymer beads are steamed in the casting mold, and the formed finished insulation block is removed from the mold. In a method according to the invention at least one wall of the casting mold is moved during the steaming and/or during the cooling phase after the steaming. |
| US10234063B2 |
Method for forming a pipe joint, pipe joint and flange part arrangement
Pipe joint, which is formed from the end portions of pipe sections to be joined together with the portions including a collar, and from flange parts which, as seen from the junction, are placed on different sides of the collars and tightened with applicable fixing members, such as with screws and nuts. The collar of the pipe section is formed from the wall of the end of the pipe section by shaping with a shaping member. The joint surface of the collar of at least one of the pipe sections to be joined is arranged to be divergent by the amount of an angle α, β from the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe section. A method and to a flange part arrangement are disclosed. |
| US10234062B2 |
Flexible tube and insertion apparatus
A flexible tube used as a part of an insertion section which defines a central axis of an insertion apparatus to be inserted into a hole, the flexible tube includes: a helical tube comprising a closely-wound region including a concave-convex portion which is provided on each of a pair of edges of a strip-shaped member elongated along a longitudinal axis, and which alternately includes convex portions and concave portions on the concave-convex portion, wherein, in a state where the strip-shaped member is spirally wound, the convex portions of the concave-convex portions facing each other along the central axis are compressed to each other; and a cylindrical outer tube which covers an outer surface of the helical tube. |
| US10234059B2 |
Vacuum valve
A vacuum valve including a valve body with first and second valve openings, first and second closure elements attached to a valve rod, a longitudinally adjustable transmission piece attached to the valve rod that is adjustable from an open position into an intermediate position, and in a transverse adjustment direction from the intermediate position into a first closing position, and counter thereto into a second closing position. The transmission piece is connected to the valve body via a longitudinal stroke linear guide and a transverse stroke linear guide having a transverse stroke guide part which extends parallel to an oblique adjustment direction and a transverse stroke carriage displaceably guided thereon. To adjust the transmission piece from the intermediate position into the first or second closing position, the transverse stroke carriage is linearly displaceable in or counter to the oblique adjustment direction from a central position into a first or second press-on position. |
| US10234058B2 |
Methods and apparatus of assessing a test of a solenoid valve via a positioner
Methods and apparatus of assessing a test of a solenoid valve via a positioner are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a solenoid valve to enable an actuator to close an emergency valve and a valve positioner fluidly and communicatively coupled to the solenoid valve. The valve positioner is to instruct the solenoid valve to transition the solenoid valve from a first state to a second state. The valve positioner is to monitor a pressure change of a pressure chamber of the actuator in fluid communication with the solenoid valve relative to an initial pressure for a monitoring duration. The valve positioner is to identify a maximum pressure change during the monitoring duration and determine a ready state of the solenoid valve when the maximum pressure change is greater than a minimum trip value and the pressure change at a monitoring end time is less than a maximum reset value. |
| US10234056B2 |
Control device for actuator, actuator, valve driving device and abnormality detecting method for actuator
A control device for a WG actuator includes a feedback control unit for performing feedback control on the WG actuator in such a way that the position of a shaft detected by a position sensor gets close to a target position, and an abnormality detecting unit for providing an instruction to move the shaft in an axial direction for the feedback control unit, and for detecting an abnormality in the WG actuator on the basis of a result of a movement of the shaft, the movement being detected by the position sensor while the feedback control unit performs the instruction. |
| US10234054B1 |
Labor-saving push-button water valve
A labor-saving push-button water valve includes a button, a valve core, a valve core spring, and a valve seat. The middle portion of the valve seat is formed with a core chamber. An outer periphery of a front end of the valve core is formed with an annular groove. When the button drives the valve core to move to the position where a water inlet hole is not communicated with a water outlet hole, an annular hydraulic chamber is formed between the valve core and the peripheral wall of the core chamber. The water valve is able to switch the opening and closing of the waterway smoothly by reducing the water pressure applied to the valve core, and reduces the wear of the valve core, and improves the service life and the airtightness of the water saving structure. |
| US10234048B2 |
System and valve for water use monitoring and control
A valve assembly capable of converting a small leak of a device into a measurable, relatively larger or “burst” flow event is described. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly includes a compliant chamber and, following pressurization of the device, permits flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber drops to a configured fill pressure and restricts (or prevents) flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to a shut-off pressure. The disclosed valve assemblies may be incorporated into a leak detection assembly capable of transmitting usage and/or alarm data to a central service. |
| US10234047B2 |
Gas line control system and modular variable pressure controller
A pneumatically controlled assembly, system, method and device for the regulation of pressure of a gas as it flows in a pressurized line and including at least one loading valve which is set to respond to variations in pressure in conjunction with a pneumatically actuated process control valve so as to effectively regulate and maintain pressure of the gas in the pressurized line. |
| US10234046B2 |
Check structure and hydraulic braking system having the same
A hydraulic braking system includes a base, which has an oil chamber and a connecting hole communicating with each other, a seat, which is provided in the oil chamber and has a receiving space communicating with the oil chamber and the connecting hole, a check valve movably provided in the receiving space and the connecting hole, and an elastic member. When one end of a connecting pipe which is connected to a brake actuator is inserted into the connecting hole to engage the base, the check valve is pushed inward to inject the hydraulic fluid in the oil chamber into the connecting pipe; when the connecting pipe is detached from the base, the check valve is pushed by the elastic member, and therefore returns to the original position. Whereby, the hydraulic fluid is prevented from leaking out. |
| US10234045B2 |
Three position closed center poppet valve
A poppet valve includes an inlet port, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port, and a spindle. A first poppet element and a second poppet element each float relative to the spindle. A first piston and a second piston are fixed relative to the spindle. The spindle moves from an initial centered closed position to a first actuated position or a second actuated position to direct air flowing from the inlet port to the first outlet port or the second outlet port, respectively. The initial centered closed position is located between the first actuated position and the second actuated position. A housing contains the spindle, the first poppet element, the second poppet element, the first piston and the second piston. |
| US10234044B2 |
Encapsulated valve system and method of use
An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways. |
| US10234041B2 |
Fluid control valve
A fluid control valve includes: a shaft member that moves along an axis of the shaft by a driving force from a driving source connected to one end of the shaft member; a valve body that is connected to the other end of the shaft member and includes a flat plate shaped main body portion having an outer periphery to which a sealing member is fixed; a housing that includes an inlet and an outlet, has an annular valve seat, and accommodates the shaft member and the valve body, in which the valve body is capable of swinging with respect to the shaft member, the valve seat includes an abutment portion and a protruding portion, and a tip end of the protrusion portion abuts on the main body portion in the state where the sealing member abuts on the abutment portion, so as to regulate movement of the valve body. |
| US10234040B2 |
Butterfly valve with improved seat ring providing instant valve closing and uniformly increasing sealing
A seat ring for a butterfly valve provided at an inner circumferential surface of a valve body so as to create a seal between the inner circumferential surface of a valve body and the valve disc when closing the valve, and a sealing projection continuously protruding inwardly provided between a pair of bosses formed around a pair of opposite valve stem holes for inserting valve stems positioned radially outwardly of a flow passage direction. The sealing projection consists of a contact surface and an adjacent semi-elliptic surface, wherein the contact line of the contact surface and top portion of the adjacent semi-elliptic surface is a semi-elliptic edge displaced by an offset “h” from a plane defined by a vertical valve centerline and a transversal valve centerline in disc closing direction. |
| US10234035B2 |
Seal structure of regulating valve gland portion
A regulating valve has a gland portion slidably holding a valve stem and the gland portion includes a lid member having a first through-hole into which the valve stem is inserted, gland packings disposed on a spacer provided between the inner wall of the first through-hole and the valve stem, a packing follower in which a first cylindrical portion is connected concentrically to a second cylindrical portion having an outer diameter smaller than the first cylindrical portion, disc springs laminated with each other on the first cylindrical portion to surround the second cylindrical portion of the packing follower, and a packing flange having a second through-hole into which the second cylindrical portion of the packing follower is inserted, the packing flange being disposed on the disc springs, the packing flange being fixed to the packing follower by fitting the second cylindrical portion to the second through-hole. |
| US10234034B2 |
Parking lock apparatus
A parking lock apparatus includes a parking gear rotatable together with a rotating body of a transmission. A slider is to be switched between a parking lock position in which a parking pawl is in engagement with the parking gear and a parking release position in which the parking pawl is out of engagement with the parking gear. A hydraulic circuit includes a third oil passage through which a first line pressure is applied to push the slider toward the parking release position, a fourth oil passage through which a second line pressure is applied to push the slider toward the parking lock direction, and a hydraulic cut valve provided in the third oil passage to be opened when a difference between the first line pressure and the second line pressure is higher than or equal to a threshold pressure when applying line |
| US10234032B2 |
Control system for vehicle transmission
A control system for a vehicle transmission is provided. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to, when control for engaging the at least one engaging device that switches power transmission to power transmission via a first power transmission mechanism and control for increasing hydraulic pressure that is applied to a continuously variable transmission are required, control the continuously variable transmission and the at least one engaging device so as to start control for engaging the at least one engaging device first and, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of control for engaging the at least one engaging device, start control for increasing hydraulic pressure that is applied to the continuously variable transmission. |
| US10234030B2 |
Motor controller
A motor controller includes a first forward driver rotating a motor in a forward rotation direction, a torque short determiner determining short of a switch torque, a backward driver driving the motor up to an extreme position in the backward rotation direction in a switch torque short case, and a second forward driver rotating the motor from the extreme position to a target position. When the second forward driver drives the motor, a drive objet is rotated not only by a motor torque but also by a twist backlash torque from a rotation transmission part. Further, after a rotation of the motor in the forward rotation direction, the backward rotation operation of the motor is performed only in the switch torque short case, thereby reducing a shift position switch time in a switch torque sufficient case. |
| US10234028B2 |
Shift by wire transmission shift control system
A gear shift control system may include an output mechanism, first and second drive members and a drivetrain. The first drive member may be coupled to the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism and cause a transmission shift. The drivetrain includes a first input driven by the drive member during a first mode of operation and an output coupled to both the first input and the output mechanism to drive the output mechanism as commanded by the drive member. During a second mode of operation a second input is coupled to the output and a second drive member is coupled to the second input to drive the output mechanism through the second input and the output to cause a transmission gear shift. The second drive member may be laterally offset from the drivetrain and axially positioned within an axial height of the drivetrain. |
| US10234025B2 |
Method for controlling a rotating electrical machine on changing from modulation of the full-wave type to pulse-width modulation
The invention mainly relates to a method for controlling a rotating electrical machine (7) interacting with a motor vehicle gearbox (1), characterized in that, during a phase of synchronization between two speed ratios (R1-Rn) during which the rotating electrical machine (7) is controlled for speed and there is a change of the type of modulation with transition from modulation of the full-wave type (FW) to pulse-width modulation (PWM), said method comprises a control step with the aim of limiting the variations of an output current of an inverter during the phase of change of the type of modulation without compensation of torque variations. |
| US10234019B2 |
Planetary gear set bearing retainer
A planetary gear set assembly for a transmission includes a planet carrier, a sun gear, a ring gear, a bearing plate, and a thrust bearing placed between the sun gear and the bearing plate. The bearing plate is retained by the planetary gear carrier and includes a plurality of lubrication features for providing a lubrication path from an input shaft through the thrust bearing and bearing plate to the pinion shafts. |
| US10234015B1 |
Wrought structural component for a marine outboard engine
Wrought structural components, including drive shaft housing components for marine outboard engines are disclosed. The components have a first face, a second face substantially parallel with respect to the first face, and a sidewall. The sidewall includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each extending from the first face to the second face. The wrought structural components are constructed of a wrought aluminum alloy and are essentially free of draft angles. The alloys may have low silicon content, low copper content, high plane strain fracture toughness, high tensile ductility, and/or a low porosity. The wrought structural components may be prepared by extrusion. |
| US10234009B2 |
Differential limiting device for vehicle
In a differential limiting device for a vehicle, when rotary motion of an electric motor is converted by a screw mechanism into linear motion of a nut member in a direction of a first axis C1 of a side gear shaft, and a piston mounted on the nut member is moved in a direction opposite to a direction to depress frictional engagement elements, the piston and a clutch drum are relatively non-rotatably engaged. Therefore, differential rotation of a pair of side gears is mechanically limited. Thus, rotation of one electric motor makes it possible to generate differential limiting torque for limiting differential rotation of the pair of side gears in a rear-wheel differential device. |
| US10234008B2 |
Hydrokinetic torque coupling device having axially movable turbine-piston and lockup clutch, and related methods
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device comprises a casing, a torque converter, a torsional vibration damper and a lockup clutch disposed within the casing. The torque converter comprises an impeller and a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with the impeller and axially movable toward and away from the casing to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is non-rotatably frictionally coupled to the casing. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member non-moveably secured to the turbine-piston, a first retainer plate and the elastic members elastically coupling the input member to the first retainer plate. The input member includes an actuating portion configured to actuate the lockup clutch. The lockup clutch is disposed within the casing between the actuating portion of the input member and a cover shell of the casing for frictionally coupling the casing and the turbine-piston. |
| US10233996B2 |
Pendulum damping system equipped with support member having raceways juxtaposed continuously around rotation axis
The invention relates to a vibration damping system for a motor vehicle transmission, comprising: a support member (1) capable of being driven rotationally around an axis X and having a plurality of outer raceways (16); and a plurality of pendulum flyweights (2) distributed circumferentially around the axis X; each of the pendulum flyweights (2) being mounted oscillatingly with respect to the support member (1) by means of two rolling bodies (12, 13) that interact respectively with one and the other of the two inner raceways (14, 15) of the pendulum flyweight (2) and each interact with one of the outer raceways (16) of the support member (1), the outer raceways (16) being juxtaposed one after another continuously around the axis X, so that the rolling bodies (12, 13) are each capable of passing freely from a first outer raceway (16) to a second outer raceway (16). |
| US10233994B2 |
Damper device
A damper device includes a cylinder, a piston, a seal ring member, and a transmitting portion. The piston includes an annular outer circumferential portion, a first stopper portion, a second stopper portion, and a projecting portion. The projecting portion has an inclined surface which is inclined radially outwards form a side of the second stopper portion towards a side of the first stopper portion. The seal ring member is configured to allow a first chamber to communicate with a second chamber when a portion of the seal ring member which is not restricted by the first stopper portion is deformed in a direction away from the second stopper portion due to friction caused between the seal ring member and the cylinder or a fluid pressure from the second chamber to ride on the inclined surface. |
| US10233993B2 |
Method and apparatus for simulating a non-linear force
Non-linear forces are simulated by a dual-rate spring apparatus, which may also be used to impose nonlinear forces. The apparatus includes a carriage and at least two springs arranged sequentially in series with one another. The spring constant is changed by initially allowing both of the springs to compress to a point and, thereafter, after one spring is generally completely compressed, allowing only the other spring to compress further. |
| US10233992B2 |
Elastomeric bearing component with wedge-shaped shims
A component of a laminated bearing assembly is for movably coupling an inner member and an outer member, the inner member having a central axis and the outer member having a bore. The component includes a laminated body disposeable within the outer member bore and having an inner radial end connectable with the inner member and an outer radial end connectable with the outer member. The body is formed of a plurality of alternating, generally arcuate elastomeric and metallic laminae nested generally about the central axis, each one of the elastomeric and metallic laminae having opposing first and second arcuate ends and inner and outer circumferential surfaces extending circumferentially between the first and second arcuate ends. Each metallic lamina has a radial thickness varying circumferentially between a first value at the first, radially-widest arcuate end and a second, lesser value at the second, radially-narrowest arcuate end. |
| US10233991B2 |
Adjustable negative stiffness mechanisms
An adjustable negative stiffness mechanism is disclosed. The adjustable negative stiffness mechanism includes a central shaft, an outer annular member extending around the central shaft, at least two negative stiffness elements extending between the central shaft and the annular member, and an actuator coupled to the negative stiffness elements. Each of the negative stiffness elements has an inner end coupled to the central shaft and an outer end engaging the annular member. The actuator is configured to compress and expand the negative stiffness elements to adjust a negative stiffness mechanical response exhibited by the negative stiffness elements. |
| US10233988B2 |
Friction material
A friction material comprising: (a) at least one lubricant, wherein the at least one lubricant includes an amount of graphite, and wherein at least about 30 percent by weight of the graphite has a particle size of greater than about 500 microns using a sieve analysis; (b) at least one metal containing constituent for imparting reinforcement, thermal conductivity, and/or friction when the friction material is brought into contact with a movable member, wherein the at least one metal containing constituent includes iron and an iron containing compound; (c) a micro-particulated material; (d) one or more filler materials; (e) optionally at least one processing aid; (f) a balance being an organic binder, wherein the organic binder has less than 1 percent by weight of free phenol; wherein the friction material is free of asbestos and substantially devoid of copper. |
| US10233987B2 |
Ball screw-type electro-mechanical brake
An electromechanical brake (EMB) may include a nut member coupled to the piston and transferring an axial moving force to the piston; a screw coupled to the nut member and rotated to move the nut member in an axial direction; balls inserted between the nut member and the screw and transferring a rotational force of the screw to the nut member; a compression coil spring having one side mounted on the nut member; and a ball retainer mounted at the other side of the compression coil spring, wherein the ball retainer is disposed to be adjacent to a ball at a rearmost end portion among the balls inserted between the nut member and the screw, and pressurizes the compression coil spring while coming in contact with the balls during braking pressurization. |
| US10233980B2 |
Spring pack assembly for a torque transmitting device
A torque transmitting device having a spring pack assembly, includes a first spring retainer ring abutting a hydraulically actuated piston, a second spring retainer ring abutting a piston housing, and a plurality of coiled springs biasing the first spring retainer ring apart from the second retainer ring, thereby urging the hydraulically actuated piston slideably apart from the fixed piston housing. A composite spring support ring is coaxially disposed between the first spring retainer ring and the second spring retainer ring. The spring support ring includes cylindrical walls defining cylindrical passageways configured to receive the coiled springs. Each of the cylindrical passageway includes include a diameter (d) that is sufficiently narrow such that the cylindrical wall completely surrounds the mid-portion of the coiled spring thus preventing the coiled spring from bending lengthwise, but sufficiently wide such that the coiled spring does not saw into the cylindrical walls. |
| US10233979B2 |
Clutch disc for a disengaging torque transmission device
A clutch disc for a disengaging torque transmission device includes a carrier plate on which a friction lining is provided for non-positive closure of the torque transmission device. At least one vibration-influencing area is formed on the carrier plate for influencing the vibration behaviour of the clutch disc, in particular for damping at least one defined clutch disc vibration, the vibration-influencing area being formed by an opening and/or by an impression on the carrier plate. |
| US10233978B2 |
Lock-up device for torque converter
A lock-up device for a torque converter is configured to transmit a torque from a front cover to a transmission-side member through a turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch portion, a piston and an elastic member. The clutch portion is disposed between the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch plate. The piston is movable in an axial direction. The piston includes a pressing surface for pressing the clutch plate. The piston turns the clutch portion into a torque transmission state. The elastic member is disposed on a same side as the pressing surface of the piston. The elastic member is begins to elastically deform before the pressing surface contacts the clutch plate in conjunction with movement of the piston toward the clutch portion. |
| US10233976B2 |
Vehicle drivetrain assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism
A vehicle drivetrain assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism. The clutch collar actuator mechanism may include an air bellow and a fork that may operatively connect an actuator rod to a clutch collar. The clutch collar actuator mechanism may actuate the clutch collar from a first position to a second position when the air bellow is inflated. |
| US10233972B1 |
Bearing race with serrations
A race of a bearing assembly is provided. The race includes an exterior facing surface having front and rear faces and serrations extending in an axial direction between the front and rear faces and protruding outwardly from the exterior facing surface. |
| US10233969B2 |
Heat resistant structure for shaft retainer, and actuator
A boss is provided around the periphery of a bushing that is penetrated by a shaft, which moves inside the bushing in the axial direction of the shaft. The boss retains the bushing and the shaft moving inside the bushing, and has a heat conductivity that is higher than that of the bushing. An air gap is provided between the bushing and the boss. |
| US10233965B2 |
Flexible transmission system for use in agricultural machines and tools in general
A flexible transmission system having a connection element for cables, which transmit rotation from the drive shaft to the dispensers, transmission housings are used. These are arranged in a manner to allow that possible vertical oscillations of the equipment, caused by irregularities in the ground, so not to interfere in the consistency and regularity of the rotation transmission, maintaining the product deposition rate for which the machine was initially regulated, to guarantee its productivity and using, to achieve this, a reduced number of component parts. This facilitates not only the assembly but also the maintenance of the equipment, with direct consequences on its production cost. |
| US10233957B2 |
Coil for a threaded insert
The present invention relates to a coil (10) for transmitting torque to a threaded insert sleeve with an external thread and/or for tapping a thread. The coil (10) comprises a radially outer profile for anchoring the coil (10) in a threaded insert sleeve and for transmitting a torque to the threaded insert sleeve and/or for tapping a thread. In addition, the coil (10) comprises a driving profile suitable for receiving a drive, which can engage in the driving profile in such a way that a torque can be transmitted from the drive to said coil (10) and that at the same time the drive limits or avoids any torsion of the coil (10). |
| US10233953B1 |
Connector for non-cylindrical composite tubing and methods for making the same
A connector for non-cylindrical composite tubing and methods for making the same. The method may involve assembling a connector for a non-cylindrical composite tubing by loosely fastening a pair of bonding plates to an end plate; arranging the bonding plates in an inward configuration; applying an epoxy adhesive onto the outer faces of the bonding plates, inserting the bonding plates into the open end of the composite tubing, inserting the bonding plate fasteners through the through-holes of the composite tubing and tightly fastening the bonding plate fasteners into the bonding plates until the bonding plates engage against the inner surface of the composite tubing until the epoxy adhesive is uniformly distributed. The method may also include steps of removing the bonding plate screw fasteners and adding shims between each bonding plate and the inner surface of the composite tubing in order to maintain a predetermined thickness of the epoxy adhesive. |
| US10233951B2 |
Method to detect uncommanded spool valve positioning and stop fluid flow to hydraulic actuators
A system and method for detecting uncommanded positioning of at least one valve spool in a plurality of valve spools and for stopping fluid flow to a plurality of hydraulic actuators fluidly connected to the plurality of valve spools is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving a signal fluid pressure detected in a signal passageway, identifying whether at least one activation command is currently enabled, and stopping the flow of fluid to the plurality of hydraulic actuators if no activation command is enabled for any of the plurality of valve spools, and the signal fluid pressure when detected (1) upstream of the plurality of valve spools is greater than a first threshold or (2) downstream of the plurality of valve spools is less than a second threshold. |
| US10233946B2 |
Compressor cover assembly method and forming tool
A method of assembling and retaining a noise attenuation device (30) within an air inlet (16) of a compressor cover (12) includes inserting the noise attenuation device (30) into the air inlet (16) and applying a rolling compressive force to the air inlet (16) using a forming tool (40). As a result, the air inlet terminal end (17) is deformed radially inward so as to form a radially-inwardly protruding lip (17b) about the air inlet terminal end (17). The radially-inwardly protruding lip (17b) is configured to retain the noise attenuation device (30) within the air inlet (16). The forming tool (40) used to form the radially-inwardly protruding lip (17b) is also described. |
| US10233945B2 |
Compressor assembly method, and bundle guiding device
This compressor assembly method involves: an arrangement step in which a bundle (2) is arranged such that an external travel device (31) can travel on a base surface (25) and an internal travel device can travel on the inner peripheral surface (12) of a casing (3); a vertical position adjustment step in which, while measuring the relative positions in the vertical direction of the inner peripheral surface (12) of the casing (3) and the outer peripheral surface (13) of the bundle (2) at the opening (15) of the casing, the height position of the bundle (2) supported by the outside travel device (31) is adjusted on the basis of the measured relative positions in the vertical direction; and an insertion step in which the bundle (2) is inserted into the casing (3) while the vertical position adjustment step is performed. |
| US10233941B2 |
Plastic variable inlet guide vane
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of variable geometry guide vanes for gas turbine engines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a plastic variable inlet guide vane for a gas turbine engine. |
| US10233940B2 |
Shaft seals and liquid pump comprising same
A liquid pump including a motor housing, a motor, a volute housing joined to the motor housing, and upper and lower seals contained in the volute housing. The motor housing has a motor housing side wall including a distal end joined to the volute housing. The motor includes a rotatable shaft that extends into the volute housing. The volute housing includes an upper volute wall having a major portion in direct fluid communication with the motor housing volume, thereby enabling a high rate of heat transfer from the motor to the fluid in the volute that is being pumped. In that manner, the pump has dual seal capability that reduces the risk of motor damage due to a seal failure, while also having a high rate of heat transfer out of the motor housing, which reduces the risk of failure of the motor from operating at a high temperature. |
| US10233933B2 |
Method for measuring air volume of blower motor
A method for measuring an air volume of a blower motor, including: a) establishing M constant air volume control functions Qi=F(n) corresponding to M air volume points CFMi in a microprocessor of a motor controller; b) starting the motor, measuring a real-time rotational speed n0 and a parameter Q0 of the motor after the motor runs in a stable state, putting the parameter Q0 into the functions Qi=F(n) to obtain multiple rotational speeds ni, comparing the real-time rotational speed n0 with the multiple rotational speeds ni corresponding to the multiple air volume points CFMi, and determining a real-time detected air volume CFM0 which falls within two air volumes CFMi and CFMi-1; and c) calculating the real-time detected air volume CFM0 according to the two air volumes CFMi and CFMi-1 and the rotational speeds ni and ni-1 using an interpolation method. |
| US10233932B2 |
Electric pump
An electric motor driven that includes a pump body and a motor body having a rotor enclosure coupled to the pump body. The motor body further includes a rotatable impeller arranged on a first side of the rotor enclosure. An electric motor arranged on a second side of the rotor enclosure, opposite the first side, the electric motor having a stator, at least one stator coil, terminals connected to the stator coil and a rotor, the rotor including a shaft that is coupled with the impeller. A cover is disposed over the electric motor, the cover having an open end that is attached to the rotor enclosure in a manner that produces a leak-tight chamber inside the cover, the stator and stator coil being arranged inside the leak-tight chamber, the leak-tight chamber being filled with a non-gaseous filler material, the non-gaseous filler material having a thermal conductivity greater than air. |
| US10233930B2 |
Rotary compressor having two cylinders
A rotary compressor having two cylinders includes crankshaft having first eccentric portion and second eccentric portion connected to each other by connecting portion. The rotary compressor further includes two compressive elements that compress working fluid in cylinder as first piston inserted over first eccentric portion eccentrically rotates in accordance with rotation of crankshaft. Further, first piston inserted over first eccentric portion undergoes assembly by being inserted over first eccentric portion through second eccentric portion. Further, a releasing portion is provided at each of outer diameter portions of first eccentric portion and second eccentric portion. |
| US10233928B2 |
Two-cylinder hermetic compressor
A main bearing is disposed on one surface of a first cylinder, an intermediate plate is disposed on another surface of the first cylinder, the intermediate plate is disposed on one surface of a second cylinder, and an auxiliary bearing is disposed on another surface of the second cylinder. A shaft is constituted by a main shaft portion, a first eccentric portion, a second eccentric portion, and an auxiliary shaft portion. A first eccentric portion center position (H1/2) which is the center position of the first eccentric portion in height (H1) is located at a position closer to the main bearing than a first piston center position (P1/2) which is the center position of a first piston in height (P1). A second eccentric portion center position (H2/2) which is the center position of the second eccentric portion in height (H2) is located at a position closer to the auxiliary bearing than a second piston center position (P2/2) which is the center position of a second piston in height (P2). |
| US10233921B2 |
Axis eccentric screw pump with decreasing sectional area of stator with a constant diameter rotor
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. |
| US10233920B2 |
System and method for a compressor
Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir, actuating a piston within a cylinder of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of an exhaust valve of the cylinder through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the piston is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor. |
| US10233915B2 |
Negative pressure pump and cylinder head cover
A negative pressure pump has: a casing; a pump portion; a drive-side clutch plate that rotates integrally with a drive shaft, is movable in an axial direction of the drive shaft, and is magnetic; a driven-side clutch plate that rotates integrally with a driven shaft and transmits the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft as a result of the drive-side clutch plate becoming engaged with it; a coil spring that presses the drive-side clutch plate against the driven-side clutch plate; an electromagnet that produces a magnetic force counter to a pressing force and pulls the drive-side clutch plate away from the driven-side clutch plate; and a jutting wall portion that is disposed in the casing and receives the driven-side clutch plate on which the pressing force acts and a jutting wall portion that supports one end portion of the coil spring. |
| US10233914B2 |
Vacuum-driven fluid delivery device with controlled vacuum pressure release
A fluid delivery device includes: a first chamber configured to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir; a second chamber configured generate a vacuum therein to apply pressure to the fluid in the first chamber to enable the fluid in the first chamber to be output from the fluid delivery device; and a flow control member configured to allow the fluid in the first chamber to flow through the flow control member into the fluid reservoir at a predetermined flow rate to decrease the vacuum in the second chamber. |
| US10233910B2 |
Flexible thin robotic actuators
Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non-extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions. |
| US10233909B2 |
Floating wind energy harvesting apparatus with improved maintenance
A floating VAWT comprising a wind turbine body having a lower body portion and an upper body portion; at least one blade attached to the upper body portion for converting wind energy to rotation of the wind turbine body; and an energy converter attached to the wind turbine body for converting the rotation of the wind turbine body to electrical energy. The energy converter comprises a first energy converter part, and a second energy converter part to be kept relatively stationary in relation to the first energy converter part. The energy converter is attached to the wind turbine body by means of a first releasable mechanical coupling between the first energy converter part and the lower body portion of the wind turbine body, and a second releasable mechanical coupling between the first energy converter part and the upper body portion of the wind turbine body. |
| US10233908B2 |
System and method for de-icing a wind turbine rotor blade
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for de-icing a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower. The nacelle has a rotor with a rotatable hub having rotor blade mounted thereto. The method includes shutting down the wind turbine in response to detecting ice on the rotor blade. The method also includes positioning the wind turbine in a de-icing position, the de-icing position including at least one of yawing the nacelle of the wind turbine such that the rotor is in a down-wind location of the tower or pitching the rotor blade such that a leading edge of the rotor blade is facing the tower. Another step includes de-icing the rotor blade while the rotor is in the de-icing position. |
| US10233898B1 |
Toilet with power generation assembly
A toilet includes a power generation assembly connected thereto which is activated when flushing the toilet so as to generate electric power. The power generation assembly includes a body with a rotary unit and a power generation unit received therein. The power generation unit includes multiple magnets and coil units which. When flushing, the rotary unit is rotated by water and the magnets are rotated relative to the coil units. The coil units generate electric current to provide the necessary electric power of the toilet. |
| US10233897B2 |
Potential energy store with seal
A potential energy store has a hydraulic cylinder in which a piston for storing energy in the form of potential energy of the piston is arranged. A position of the piston relative to the earth's surface can be varied. A pump pumps hydraulic fluid via lines into the hydraulic cylinder such that the piston is raised. A generator converts hydraulic energy of hydraulic fluid, which is displaced out of the hydraulic cylinder as the piston falls, into electricity. A seal arrangement is at least partially arranged between the hydraulic cylinder and the piston. The seal arrangement has a sealing section with a flexible support structure for absorbing the acting forces. The support structure may be coated on one or both sides with a layer which is impervious to fluid and which seals against the passage of fluid or may be impregnated with a solidified material which is impervious to fluid. |
| US10233895B2 |
Stepwise operating parallel type small hydro power generation system having fixed flow path
A stepwise operating parallel-type hydro power generation system having a fixed flow path includes a parallel pipe, a first power generation facility, a second power facility generation facility, first and second flow regulators, and a controller. The parallel pipe includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a first straight pipe and a second straight pipe. The first and second straight pipes connected between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. Each of the first and second power generation facilities includes a water turbine rotating with the water introduced thereinto and a power generator operating according to the rotation of the water turbine. The controller is configured to open and close either or both of the first and second flow rate regulators at the same time. |
| US10233892B2 |
Hydrokinetic rotor and device including such a rotor
This hydrokinetic rotor is arranged to be rotated by a flow of a liquid. This rotor comprises of an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one blade extending between the inner ring and the outer ring in a radial direction (R), the inner rings and the external rings being centered on a same longitudinal axis (X).This rotor comprises of at least one radial axis extending radially between the inner ring and the outer ring, and at least one blade is movable around the respective radial axis. The rotor comprises of the limitation means of the movement in rotation of at least one blade mentioned above around its respective radial axis. |
| US10233890B2 |
Gasoline engine starting relay and method of starting a gasoline engine
The present invention relates to the field of power tool devices, and more specifically, to a gasoline engine starting relay and a method of starting a gasoline engine. The small two-stroke or four-stroke gasoline engine starting relay comprises a housing, a power transfer end assembly, a power output end assembly, wherein the housing is provided with a device tube slot which has holes on both sides, namely a power transfer end hole and a power output end hole respectively, and which is mated with the power transfer end assembly and the power output end assembly. It can significantly improve and resolve the starting performance of a gasoline engine, and avoid difficulty in the hand-pulled starting so that the starting effect on a gasoline engine with large emissions for female workers, who may find difficulty in hand-pulled starting, is extremely obvious. |
| US10233889B2 |
Snowthrower with removable self-heating starter battery pack
A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack. |
| US10233888B2 |
Idle stop operation in response to steering input
In a steer by wire and idle stop vehicle, the idle stop is terminated if the steering wheel (11) is turned by more than a prescribed threshold value. For the purpose of preventing consumption of power by a steering actuator and preventing an unexpected steering action upon termination of the idle stop, the engine restart threshold value (Δθth) is varied depending on the direction of the change of the steering angle from the start of the idle stop operation. In particular, if the change (Δθ) of the steering angle is in the direction to increase the steering angle from the value (θs) at the start of the idle stop operation, the engine restart threshold value is raised. If the change of the steering angle is in the direction to decrease the steering angle from the value at the start of the idle stop operation, the engine restart threshold value is lowered. |
| US10233885B2 |
Piezo common rail injector with hydraulic clearance compensation integrated into the servo valve
The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. The teachings thereof may be embodied in injection valves with servo-valve control for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber. For example, an injection valve may include a valve pin connected to a valve body and an actuator preloaded by an actuator spring. The valve pin is fitted with a very small clearance to form a sealing gap between the valve pin and the valve body which includes bores. The lower end of the valve pin forms a coupling volume between the valve pin and the valve body, connected via the sealing gap and the bores to the valve chamber. The sealing gap provides a fluidic connection between the coupling volume and the valve chamber, but, during the short time of valve actuation, practically no exchange of fluid can take place between coupling volume and valve chamber so that the coupling volume does not substantially change in said short time. |
| US10233884B2 |
Fuel injection valve with resin-covered terminal-lead wire
The present invention includes a bobbin having a winding part around which a coil winding is wound, a terminal extending from the bobbin in the axial direction of the bobbin, and a wrapping part which is provided to the terminal and in which a terminal lead wire pulled out from a coil part that is wound around the winding part is wrapped and fused. The terminal lead wire wired between the bobbin and the wrapping part in a state of being in contact with the surface of the terminal. The peripheries of the bobbin, the wiring part of the terminal lead wire and the wrapping part are covered with resin. |
| US10233878B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling quantity of suction air
A method for controlling a position of a flap of a variable port flap control module (VCM) may include determining whether a vehicle state satisfies a predetermined opening condition of the VCM, determining a VCM opening voltage in consideration of tolerance of the flap of the VCM when the vehicle state satisfies the opening condition of the VCM, and controlling the flap of the VCM to be in an opened state by applying the VCM opening voltage to a motor of the VCM when the opening condition of the VCM is satisfied, during an engine starts. |
| US10233877B2 |
Air filter cleaning wand
An apparatus and a method are provided for an air filter cleaning wand for flushing contaminants from an intake air filter of an automobile engine. The air filter cleaning wand comprises a proximal flange, a conduit, and a distal end portion. The proximal flange is configured to receive a nozzle of a water hose. An interior of the conduit is in fluid communication with the proximal flange. The distal end portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned vents in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit. Upon passing water through the water hose and into the conduit, pressurized water streams exit the vents along the distal end portion so as to flush contaminants from the air filter. The air filter cleaning wand advantageously is comprised of a material which is sufficiently durable and temperature resistant to retain its configuration during operation when coupled to pressurized water sources. |
| US10233876B2 |
Filter element, in particular, for gas filtration
A filter element, including: a first filter medium body having an outflow side and an inflow side; a second filter medium body having an outflow side and an inflow side; wherein the filter element has a longitudinal axis; wherein the first and second filter elements are configured both install into and share in common a filter element housing in which the filter medium bodies delimit a shared common clean space from which the purified fluid is to be discharged via at least one outflow opening; wherein the first filter medium body and the second filter medium body have different sizes and/or different shapes and/or different angular positions of the outflow sides adjoining the clean space. |
| US10233875B2 |
Saddle-ridden vehicle
A saddle-ridden vehicle includes: an engine and an air cleaner case that are supported to a body frame and respectively arranged in front and rear sides of the vehicle; a rear cushion arranged between the engine and the air cleaner case, the rear cushion being coupled to the body frame; and a connecting tube that extends forward from the air cleaner case and is coupled to the engine. The connecting tube upwardly bypasses an upper end of the rear cushion so as to be curvedly arranged under an occupant seat. The connecting tube defines a breather-gas return chamber between an inner wall and an upper-side outer wall of the connecting tube, the breather-gas return chamber being communicated with an internal space of the air cleaner case and receiving breather gas from the engine, the inner wall being integrated with the upper-side outer wall. |
| US10233873B2 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle includes a fuel tank, a vehicle body frame, a pair of front forks, and a canister. The fuel tank contains gasoline therein. The vehicle body frame supports the fuel tank. The pair of front forks are placed spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction to support a front wheel from both sides in the vehicle width direction such that the front wheel is rotatable, and mounted to the vehicle body frame such that the pair of front forks are rotatable around a head pipe. The canister adsorbs gasoline contained in a gasoline vapor present inside the fuel tank and supplies the gasoline to an engine. The canister is placed inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the pair of front forks when viewed from a front, and in front of an engine when viewed from a side. |
| US10233869B2 |
System and method for creating a fluidic barrier from the leading edge of a fan blade
A turbofan engine has a fan portion in fluid communication with a core stream and a bypass stream of air separated by splitters disposed both upstream and downstream of the fan portion. A fluid passage is defined between the splitters. The turbofan engine has a plurality of vortex generators, each of the vortex generators positioned on the leading edge of a respective fan blade proximate the upstream splitter and the core stream restricting the migration of the core stream into the bypass stream through the fluid passage. |
| US10233868B2 |
Efficient, low pressure ratio propulsor for gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine includes a gear assembly, a bypass flow passage, and a core flow passage. The bypass flow passage includes an inlet. A fan is arranged at the inlet of the bypass flow passage. A first shaft and a second shaft are mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis. A first turbine is coupled with the first shaft such that rotation of the first turbine is configured to drive the fan, through the first shaft and gear assembly, at a lower speed than the first shaft. The fan includes a hub and a row of fan blades that extend from the hub. The row includes 12 (N) of the fan blades, a solidity value (R) that is from 1.0 to 1.2, and a ratio of N/R that is from 10.0 to 12.0. |
| US10233867B2 |
Gas turbine engine system for modulating flow of fan by-pass air and core engine air
The system (10) provides a modulator ring (54) secured adjacent an exhaust end (56) of an inner wall of a by-pass fan air duct (40) and secured adjacent a convergent nozzle section (38) of the engine wherein flow of by-pass fan air (42) and core engine air (18) converge within an exhaust nozzle (34), The modulator ring (54) may be actuated to extend beyond the exhaust end (56) of the duct (40) to decrease air passage (62) forcing more air into the core engine (14) for greater thrust from the core engine (14) with minimal loss of thrust from the by-pass fan air (42). The modulator ring (54) stay alternatively rotate to uncover trailing-edge slots in the exhaust end (56) of the duct to also modulate flow rates of by-pass fan air (42) into the convergent nozzle section (38). |
| US10233864B2 |
Piston and engine provided with the same
A piston and an engine including the same are provided. The piston includes an upper surface that is formed at an upper portion; a bowl that is concavely formed at the upper surface; a plurality of protruding portions that are separated by a predetermined distance along an edge of the bowl; and a central portion that is protruded upward at the center of the bowl. |
| US10233863B2 |
Pressure controlled dynamic seal with captured fluid transfer tubes
A system and method for fluidly sealing a cylinder head interface between an engine block and a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. An example apparatus includes a perimeter seal disposed on an outer periphery of the cylinder head. The perimeter seal has a first surface to abut a cylinder head sealing surface and a second surface to abut an engine block sealing surface. The perimeter seal is configured to prevent fluid from an external environment from entering the cylinder head interface and to allow fluid within the cylinder head interface to vent to the external environment when the fluid is above a predetermined pressure. A first fluid transfer tube seal fluidly seals a first fluid transfer orifice extending between the engine block and the cylinder head. The perimeter seal and the first fluid transfer tube seal are formed as a unitary structure. |
| US10233862B1 |
Marine engines having a cylinder block with cylinder liner
A marine engine comprises a cylinder block that defines a cylinder bore; a piston that reciprocates in the cylinder bore under force of combustion in the marine engine; and a liner disposed in the cylinder bore between the piston and the cylinder block. The liner provides a running surface for the piston. The liner has a cylindrical liner body that is sized to fit snugly within the cylinder bore and a pair of diametrically opposing tabs axially extends from liner body into the cylinder bore. Methods of making a marine engine are also disclosed. |
| US10233860B2 |
Method for starting an internal combustion engine
A method for starting an internal combustion engine with a fuel tank and a low-pressure pump which pumps gasoline out of the fuel tank at a low-pressure to a high-pressure pump that pumps the gasoline at a high-pressure to injectors of the internal combustion engine. An electronic controller is provided for controlling and/or regulating the low-pressure pump, the high-pressure pump, and the injectors. After a start pulse for the internal combustion engine, the method: checks whether a formation of vapor bubbles in the gasoline is possible on the low-pressure side during a hot start. If not possible, then the normal low-pressure is set. If possible, then a low pressure which is high enough that the formation of vapor bubbles is not possible on the low-pressure side is set, and the normal low-pressure is set after a period of time. The problem of vapor bubble formation is prevented in an inexpensive or cost neutral manner via the method. |
| US10233857B2 |
Systems and methods for discerning fuel tank pressure transducer degradation
A method for a fuel system is provided, wherein a fuel vapor canister is vented to an engine intake during a first condition, and wherein a restriction in a canister vent pathway is indicated, responsive to a change in a fuel tank pressure transducer output greater than a threshold. If the fuel tank pressure transducer output changes less than the threshold, degradation of the fuel tank pressure transducer is indicated. In this way, a fuel tank pressure transducer offset may be distinguished from a canister vent pathway restriction if a fuel tank pressure transducer indicates a significant pressure or vacuum in a fuel tank following a vehicle-off soak. |
| US10233856B2 |
Systems and methods for a variable displacement engine
Methods and systems for an engine are provided for monitoring cylinder valve deactivation of an engine. One example method includes, responsive to a request to diagnose a cylinder valve actuator of an engine during a non-fueling condition of the engine, commanding an EGR valve open and determining a first exhaust gas flow, and deactivating one or more cylinder valves and indicating cylinder valve actuator degradation when a second exhaust gas flow is not less than a threshold relative to the first exhaust gas flow. |
| US10233855B2 |
Failure diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing an insufficient output of an internal combustion engine
A failure diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle. The failure diagnosis apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: measure an abnormal time in which an abnormal state where an accelerator pedal operation amount is equal to or larger than a first specified operation amount and a rate of actual output torque to requested torque is smaller than a specified rate value continues; and record specified data for a failure diagnosis of the internal combustion engine on a recording device in the cases where the abnormal time is equal to or longer than a first specified time that is set in advance and the accelerator pedal operation amount is equal to or larger than a second specified operation amount that is larger than the first specified operation amount. |
| US10233850B2 |
Supervisory control of a compression ignition engine
A system for controlling the combustion behavior of an engine is provided. The engine is equipped with a plurality of control subsystems that influence combustion in the engine. The system includes a controller configured to receive a plurality of inputs, to determine a desired subsystem states to operate the engine, and to determine a target value for each of a plurality of control parameters, wherein the target values for one or more control parameters depends on the values of the plurality of inputs. The controller is further configured to communicate the target values of control parameters to the control subsystems. |
| US10233848B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of, when controlling a variable intake cam phase mechanism and a variable exhaust cam phase mechanism, ensuring a stable combustion of a mixture and improving the drivability, even when one of the two is in a failure state. The control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU calculates an intake cam phase and an exhaust cam phase, determines, based on the calculated intake cam phase and exhaust cam phase, whether or not there has occurred a failure state of one of the mechanisms, in which the valve overlap period becomes longer than during a normal time, and controls, when it is determined that there has occurred the failure state of the one mechanism, the other mechanism such that the valve overlap period becomes shorter. |
| US10233845B2 |
Bleed valve assembly for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a first compressor, a casing surrounding the first compressor, and a liner extending forward from the first compressor. The gas turbine engine also includes a core turbine frame assembly extending between the liner and the casing and a bleed air assembly. The bleed air assembly includes a bleed valve positioned in the liner, and a duct in airflow communication with the bleed valve and defining in outlet. The duct is positioned within the core turbine frame assembly and extends to the casing. |
| US10233843B2 |
Compositions and methods for generating cavitation resistance
A method for generating cavitation resistance in a liquid, a portion of which can be in contact with a surface is disclosed. The disclosed method can be carried out by pressure-treating the liquid, the liquid portion in contact with the surface, and/or the surface for a sufficient time to develop resistance to cavitation. The disclosed method can be carried out when the surface is made of a material having a surface roughness that is greater than the rc of the liquid. Suitable surfaces include borosilicate glass, drawn glass, copper, lead, steel, cast iron, metal alloys and concrete. The surfaces can be ship and boat propeller surfaces, the interior of fuel lines and fuel storage containers or any other surface where cavitation can occur. |
| US10233842B2 |
Tangential on-board injectors for gas turbine engines
A tangential on-board injector (TOBI) for a gas turbine engine and methods of making the same are provided. The TOBI includes at least one adjustable strut configured to control an airflow through the TOBI, the at least one adjustable strut moveable to change an airflow characteristic within the TOBI. |
| US10233837B2 |
Assembly for an aircraft turbine engine comprising a fan casing equipped with an acoustic liner incorporating a fan casing stiffener
The present invention relates to an assembly (20) for an aircraft turbine engine comprising a fan casing (14) having an inner surface (14b), at least one acoustic panel (26) fastened using fastening elements (48, 54) to the inner surface of the fan casing, and at least one circumferential stiffener (40) of the fan casing (14). According to the invention, the fastening elements (48, 54) connect the fan casing (14) to the stiffener (40) incorporated with the acoustic panel (26). |
| US10233834B2 |
Turbocharger combining axial flow turbine with a compressor stage utilizing active casing treatment
A turbocharger (1) with an axial flow turbine stage (2) includes a compressor stage (4) using active casing treatment (50) for choke flow improvement. With switchable slots (52, 54), one of the slots (52) may be between the compressor's full and splitter blades (27, 23) and one of the slots (54) can be located downstream of the compressor's splitter blades (23) to maximize choke flow capacity. In turbochargers with a wastegate assembly, a pneumatic actuator (32) may control both a wastegate control valve (30) and an active casing treatment slot selection valve (56). |
| US10233832B2 |
Exhaust device of multi-cylinder engine
An exhaust purification device of a multi-cylinder engine which improves exhaust gas purification performance by substantially uniforming a flow rate of exhaust gas throughout a treatment carrier such as a catalyst and improving dispersibility of the exhaust gas from the multi-cylinder engine to the catalyst and other components in the exhaust purification device wherein two collecting pipes are arranged at substantially symmetric positions across a partition plate part, which has a linear cross sectional shape, and is arranged centrally between the pipes which are each formed into D-shaped cross sectional shapes and comprise a first straight line part, a pair of second straight line parts connected with respective ends of a first straight line part and arranged to be substantially parallel with each other, and a circular arc part that connects ends of a pair of second straight line parts on opposite sides of the first straight line part. |
| US10233829B2 |
Control system for a generator
A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. |
| US10233826B2 |
Air intake device and valve
An air intake device includes: an air intake port; and a valve that includes an elastically deformable seal portion disposed in Ha side end portion, and switches between flow paths of the air intake port by being turned around a turning shaft, wherein the side end portion of the valve is provided with a curved side end portion that extends from one end portion side to the other end portion side along an extension direction of the turning shaft while being curved. |
| US10233825B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An intake port of an internal combustion engine is connected to a combustion chamber and includes a connecting portion having a passage cross-sectional area that increases as the connecting portion approaches the combustion chamber, and an upstream portion connected to an upstream end of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is provided at its downstream end with a valve seat with which an umbrella part of an intake valve is brought into contact. At least one recess extending in an extending direction of the intake port and included in the connecting portion and the upstream portion is provided at least at one of two portions, the two portions located on both sides in an extending direction of an output shaft, of a peripheral surface of the intake port. |
| US10233824B2 |
Ignition system for engine having adaptively controlled prechamber ignition device
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes a prechamber ignition device, a fuel admission valve for the prechamber ignition device, and a combustion consistency control mechanism configured to receive data indicative of at least one of a magnitude of a peak pressure in a combustion prechamber of the prechamber ignition device or a timing of the peak pressure in the combustion prechamber. The combustion consistency control mechanism calculates an error based on the data, and outputs a valve opening command to a fuel valve to produce a shot of combustion-initiating gases from the prechamber device, the valve opening command being based on the error. |
| US10233823B2 |
Thermostat monitor
Provided is a thermostat monitor (36) comprising a thermostat open failure detecting part (38) for detecting an open failure of a thermostat when a condition is such that a radiator heat radiation amount (14) radiated from a radiator on a radiator-side cooling water channel is larger than a heater core heat radiation amount (12) radiated from a heater core on a heater core-side cooling water channel, and that a difference between the radiator heat radiation amount and the heater core heat radiation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value A. Based on a temperature of engine cooling water detected by a temperature sensor positioned in the vicinity of an outlet of an in-engine cooling water channel, it is possible to detect the open failure of the thermostat relatively easily with certainty. |
| US10233817B2 |
Method and system for exhaust gas heat recovery
Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust flow and recovering heat from exhaust gas under different operating conditions. In one example, motive flow of fresh air via an ejector coupled to an exhaust bypass assembly may be utilized to divert exhaust through a heat exchanger during cold-start conditions and heat extracted from the exhaust gas may be utilized for passenger cabin heating and other vehicle heating demands. The exhaust bypass assembly may also be used for EGR delivery wherein the exhaust heat exchanger may be used as an EGR cooler. |
| US10233809B2 |
Apparatus and methods for exhaust gas recirculation for an internal combustion engine powered by a hydrocarbon fuel
A method to process exhaust gas expelled from at least one cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising providing an internal combustion engine, wherein the engine comprises a steam hydrocarbon reformer including a steam reformation catalyst, treating exhaust gas of the engine containing hydrocarbon and water by reacting the hydrocarbon and water in the presence of the steam reformation catalyst in the steam hydrocarbon reformer to provide treated exhaust gas. The treated exhaust gas includes carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen gas produced from the reaction, and mixing the treated exhaust gas, including the carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen gas produced in the steam hydrocarbon reformer with air to provide the mixture of air and treated exhaust gas introduced into the cylinders of the engine. |
| US10233802B2 |
Clean-side oil and air separator system and method
A clean-side oil and air separator includes (i) a first housing including a filter material; (ii) a second housing including a threaded portion adapted to be a direct replacement for an engine oil fill cap removably closing an oil engine fill port; and (iii) a coupler disposed between and removably coupling the first housing and the second housing; wherein the first housing, second housing, and coupler include a continuous fluid pathway therethrough that extends between (a) an air intake from a PCV valve and (b) the engine oil fill port; and wherein the filter material is disposed in said fluid pathway within said first housing. |
| US10233801B2 |
Device for cleaning a contaminated crankcase gas
A device for cleaning a contaminated crankcase gas generated during operation of an internal combustion engine is provided. An internal combustion engine including such a device is also provided. The device permits for an increased flexibility as to constructing the cleaning device while maintaining or possibly improving cleaning of the contaminated crankcase gas. |
| US10233799B2 |
Engine control device
An engine control device sets a target value for the engine oil temperature appropriately in an engine that uses gasoline as a fuel, even when the fuel does not have a single boiling point because the gasoline is a mixed composition, or when the fuel property changes (for example, when the vaporization property changes due to deterioration). In other words, the engine control device prevents excessive heating or insufficient heating by changing the oil temperature to the high side in a condition wherein the fuel being used does not easily vaporize, and changing the oil temperature to the low side in a condition wherein the fuel being used easily vaporizes. This engine control device includes an oil temperature controller that controls the temperature of oil lubricating the interior of the engine; a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to the engine; and a detector for detecting the property of the fuel. The temperature of the oil is controlled on the basis of a signal from the detector. |
| US10233795B2 |
Bypass valve for pressure oscillation control
A hydraulic fluid system for a variable valve train system is provided that allows hydraulic fluid flow from a high pressure chamber to a medium pressure chamber during a higher pressure phase after a control valve closes. The hydraulic fluid system includes a housing defining (a) the middle pressure chamber which is connected to a hydraulic fluid supply, and (b) the high pressure chamber which contains hydraulic fluid that is pressurized by a pump piston assembly configured to engage a rotating cam. A control valve selectively provides a first flowpath for hydraulic fluid between the middle pressure chamber and the high pressure chamber. A bypass valve selectively provides a second flowpath for hydraulic fluid between the middle pressure chamber and the high pressure chamber based on a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the high pressure chamber. |
| US10233793B2 |
Valve seat of sintered iron-based alloy
The present invention provides a valve seat of a Co-free, sintered iron-based alloy having excellent heat resistance, oxidation resistance and wear resistance, as well as excellent machinability, which is usable for internal combustion engines using a gas fuel. The valve seat is produced by using a prealloy containing 12% or more by mass of Cr in a matrix for, and hard particles having high strength and hardness at high temperatures are used, such that the entire valve seat has a composition comprising by mass 5.0-20.0% of Cr, 0.4-2.0% of Si, 2.0-6.0% of Ni, 5.0-25.0% of Mo, 0.1-5.0% of W, 0.5-5.0% of V, 1.0% or less of Nb, and 0.5-1.5% of C, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. |
| US10233791B2 |
Supercharged applied ignition internal combustion engine with exhaust-gas turbocharging and method for operating an internal combustion engine of said type
A turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided with at least a partially variable valve train on an intake side wherein the intake valves are controlled to optimize the actuation of a second inlet valve in relation to a first inlet valve for different load conditions. |
| US10233789B2 |
Method and plant for co-generation of heat and power
A method of operating a combined heat and power plant (10) (CHP plant) includes generating hot flue gas and cooling the hot flue gas in a sequence of cooling steps to recover heat and to generate steam in a heat recovery steam generator (16) (HRSG). The HRSG (16) includes an LP steam evaporator (36) designed to generate steam at least over a pressure range of from 2 bar(g) to 18 bar(g) so that either LP steam or MP steam can selectively be generated by the LP steam generator (36), thereby to cool the hot flue gas, and an MP steam superheater (24) upstream of the LP steam evaporator (36) to superheat MP steam in heat exchange with the hot flue gas thereby to cool the hot flue gas. The method further includes, when no or insufficient MP steam is being imported to the MP steam superheater (24) to ensure safe operation of the MP steam superheater, and/or when a demand exists for exporting MP steam which cannot be satisfied by imported MP steam superheated in the MP steam superheater (24), and/or when a demand exists for MP steam in the CHP plant which cannot be satisfied by imported MP steam, operating the LP steam evaporator (36) at an operating pressure in the range of between 8 bar(g) and 18 bar(g) to generate MP steam to wet the MP steam superheater (24) and/or to satisfy at least to some extent said demand for MP steam, and thereafter, when sufficient MP steam is being imported to the MP steam superheater (24) from external of the CHP plant (10) to ensure safe operation of the MP steam superheater (24), and/or when any demand for exported MP steam is satisfied by imported MP steam which is superheated in the MP steam superheater (24) and then exported, and/or when there is no more demand for exporting of MP steam, and/or when the demand for MP steam in the CHP plant (10) is being satisfied at least to some extent by imported MP steam, reducing the operating pressure of the LP steam evaporator (36) to a pressure in the range of between 2 bar(g) and 8 bar(g) thereby to generate LP steam. |
| US10233788B1 |
Method and apparatus utilizing thermally conductive pumps for conversion of thermal energy to mechanical energy
A heat-driven engine having a first, thermally conductive, pump to which a working medium is admitted and within which the working medium subsequently absorbs its latent heat while undergoing a phase change from low to high enthalpy phase before being expelled from the first pump. Also, a restrictive cooling element accepts the working medium in its high enthalpy phase and allows it to release its latent heat and undergo a phase change from a liquid to a low enthalpy phase. A first and a second passage, through which the working medium traverses, connects the first pump and the cooling element. The second passage incorporates a thermally conductive element, placing the working medium in thermal contact with a heat source or sink. Also, a heat pump is in thermal contact with the first pump and the cooling element. Finally, a power transmission element links the first pump to the heat pump. |
| US10233787B2 |
Storage of excess heat in cold side of heat engine
Extra heat in a closed cycle power generation system, such as a reversible closed Brayton cycle system, may be dissipated between discharge and charge cycles. An extra cooling heat exchanger may be added on the discharge cycle and disposed between a cold side heat exchanger and a compressor inlet. Additionally or alternatively, a cold thermal storage medium passing through the cold side heat exchanger may be allowed to heat up to a higher temperature during the discharge cycle than is needed on input to the charge cycle and the excess heat then dissipated to the atmosphere. |
| US10233784B2 |
Liquid heating appliance
A liquid heating appliance for heating water or other liquids, suitably to a target temperature of from 55° C. to around boiling point, includes a primary heat chamber or body (heat source chamber) that is thermally insulated and which in use contains a high thermal density heat storing liquid or solid; and a secondary chamber alongside the primary chamber through which a liquid to be heated is passed in use. The appliance has a heat transfer feature to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat-storing liquid or solid to the liquid to be heated in the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is preferably a conduit through which the liquid to be heated is able to flow and the thus heated liquid can be delivered to a tap as hot water for a range of uses. Water may also be heated for a central heating system for space heating. |
| US10233780B2 |
Flange partial section replacement repair
A method of repairing a casing for a gas turbine engine, wherein the casing has a wall extending generally axially, and between at least one radially extending flange, the radially extending flange being formed with a plurality of bolt holes, includes the steps of removing a portion of the flange including at least one bolt hole. The removed portion is associated with a defect and a remaining portion of the flange includes at least one non-removed bolt hole. A replacement portion is obtained to replace the removed portion. The replacement portion is secured in an opening left in the flange by the removed portion. A repaired gas turbine engine casing is also disclosed. |
| US10233775B2 |
Engine component for a gas turbine engine
An engine component for a gas turbine engine includes a film-cooled wall having a hot surface facing hot combustion gas and a cooling surface facing a cooling fluid flow. A film hole in the wall has an inlet, an outlet, and a passage connecting the inlet and outlet that defines an inflection point. |
| US10233774B2 |
Three spool turbofan engine with low noise intermediate turbine rotor
A turbine section including a high pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine and a fan drive turbine, the fan drive turbine driving a gear reduction to in turn drive a fan, and effecting a reduction in the speed of the fan relative to an input speed from the fan drive turbine and said high pressure turbine driving a high pressure compressor, and the intermediate pressure turbine driving a low pressure compressor, with the intermediate pressure turbine having a number of turbine blades in at least one row, and the turbine blades operating at least some of the time at a rotational speed, and the number of turbine blades in the at least one row, and the rotational speed being such that the following formula holds true for the at least one row of the intermediate pressure turbine: (number of blades×speed)/60?5500 Hz. |
| US10233773B2 |
Monitoring system for non-ferrous metal particles
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a debris monitoring system is disclosed that includes a fan, a geared architecture operatively coupled to the fan. The geared architecture includes a component having a non-ferrous metal coating. A scavenge pump is in fluid communication with the geared architecture via a lubrication sump. A non-ferrous chip detector is situated downstream of the geared architecture, but upstream of the scavenge pump. A controller is configured to determine a lubrication condition of the component based on a signal received from the non-ferrous chip detector, and command a status indicator in response thereto. |
| US10233770B2 |
Position adjustment device, rotating machine provided with same, and position adjustment method
A position adjustment device is provided with an eccentric pin and a push rod. The eccentric pin has a rotating shaft part, and an eccentric shaft part inserted into an end in a circumferential direction of a lower-half inside member. The push rod is inserted into the lower-half inside member from an end surface in the circumferential direction of the lower-half inside member, the push rod being able to come into contact with the eccentric shaft part within the lower-half inside member. The rotating shaft part has a columnar shape with a rotational axis line. The eccentric shaft part is formed with: a side peripheral surface that comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of an eccentric shaft hole in the lower-half inside member into which the eccentric shaft part is inserted, and a rod contact surface that comes into contact with the push rod. |
| US10233769B2 |
Stator vane assembly
Stator vane assembly includes plurality of vanes arranged in circumferential array, radially proximal mounting portion, radially distal mounting portion, and first latching mechanism. Each of plurality of vanes extends radially between radially proximal mounting portion and radially distal mounting portion, with each of plurality of vanes being pivotally mounted between radially proximal mounting portion and radially distal mounting portion. Plurality of vanes is movable between first arrangement allowing gas to flow across vanes, and second arrangement blocking gas flow across vanes. Pivot axis of each of plurality of vanes is offset from the line of aerodynamic center of pressure of vane towards trailing edge of vane, and first latching mechanism holds plurality of vanes in first arrangement. Upon receipt of signal, first latching mechanism releases plurality of vanes so that gas flow through vane assembly causes plurality of vanes to move from first arrangement to second arrangement. |
| US10233763B2 |
Seal assembly for turbine engine component
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a housing, a seal carrier secured to the housing and configured to be selectively biased from the housing, and a wedge seal secured to the seal carrier and configured to abut against at least two sealing surfaces. A method of sealing between adjacent components of a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. |
| US10233762B2 |
Cooled seal assembly for arranging between a stator and a rotor
A seal assembly is provided that extends along an axial centerline, and includes a rotor seal element that engages with a stator seal element. The rotor seal element extends radially between an inner element side and an outer element side, and includes a channel, a plurality of first passages and a plurality of second passages. The channel extends radially into the rotor seal element from the inner element side. The first and the second passages are fluidly coupled with the channel. Each of the first passages extends radially through the rotor seal element to a respective first passage outlet. Each of the second passages extends axially through the rotor seal element to a respective second passage outlet. |
| US10233761B2 |
Turbine airfoil trailing edge coolant passage created by cover
A turbine airfoil for a rotating blade or stationary nozzle vane includes an airfoil body including a leading edge and a trailing edge. A coolant supply passage extends within the airfoil body, and a coolant return passage extends within the airfoil body. A first trench is in an external surface of the airfoil body, the first trench extending to the trailing edge and being in fluid communication with the coolant supply passage. A second trench is in the external surface of the airfoil body, the second trench extending to the trailing edge and being in fluid communication with the coolant return passage and the first trench. A cover seats in the airfoil body and encloses the trenches to form coolant passages with the airfoil body. In embodiments, two coolant passages to and back from the trailing edge may be used to allow for a recycling flow. |
| US10233756B2 |
Two-sided turbocharger wheel with differing blade parameters
A two-sided turbocharger compressor wheel and a housing forming a diffuser for the compressor. A first side and a second side of the compressor wheel are characterized by different values of a trim and of an annulus area. A first side of the diffuser surrounds the first side of the compressor wheel, and a second side of the diffuser surrounds the second side of the compressor wheel. The first and second sides of the diffuser are characterized by different annulus area ratios. The blades of the first and second sides of the compressor wheel are angularly offset from one another. The compressor wheel is configured for greater flow through the side of the compressor wheel that faces away from a related turbine wheel. |
| US10233752B2 |
Cutting tool holding mechanism
A cutting tool holding mechanism includes a base, a handle and a locking assembly. The base includes an abutting portion, a receiving bore, at least one limiting bore and at least one limiting hole. The limiting hole is disposed at the base and communicated with the limiting bore. The handle abutted against the base includes a sleeved portion and a plurality of positioning surfaces. The locking assembly includes a packing ring, a locking screw, a locking member and a guiding bolt. The locking member received inside the limiting bore includes a screwed hole and a guiding groove. The guiding groove disposed at one side of the locking member and is aligned with the limiting hole when the locking member is disposed inside the limiting bore. The guiding bolt is disposed in the limiting hole and is abutted against the guiding groove to inhibit the locking member from rotating. |
| US10233751B2 |
Tool adapter for a rotary tool
A tool adapter comprises a body including at least one elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a flange disposed between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis, and a collar portion defining a collar outer surface and the body defines a first groove disposed adjacent the first end extending along the longitudinal axis on the outer collar surface along the majority of the longitudinal length of the collar portion. |
| US10233750B2 |
Method and system for predicting drilling events
Calculating wellbore energy. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: calculating an expected wellbore energy for a planned wellpath, the calculating by a computer system; calculating an expected tortuosity of the planned wellpath; calculating a first value indicative of probability of occurrence of a drilling event for drilling along the planned wellpath, the first value based on the expected wellbore energy and the expected tortuosity; and then drilling a wellbore along at least a first portion of the planned wellpath if the first value indicates the probability of the drilling event is less than a predetermined threshold. |
| US10233749B2 |
Multi-layer reservoir well drainage region
Provided are systems and methods for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir including determining properties of a well including a wellbore extending into a tested layer of a multi-layer hydrocarbon reservoir including a barrier located between the tested layer and an adjacent layer of the multi-layer hydrocarbon reservoir, determining a point in time at which a value of a rate of influx of production fluid across the barrier from the adjacent layer and into the tested layer corresponds to a production contribution tolerance value for the well, determining a derivative of a profile of pressure in the targeted layer as a function of radial distance from the wellbore of the well at the point in time, and determining a drainage radius for the well corresponding to the derivative of the profile of pressure in the targeted layer and a pressure derivative tolerance value. |
| US10233746B2 |
Wellbore completion for methane hydrate production with real time feedback of borehole integrity using fiber optic cable
In producing methane a bottom hole assembly the borehole may enlarge due to shifting sands in an unconsolidated formation as the methane is produced. The enlargement of the borehole can be sensed in real time such as by using a fiber optic cable. In response to such information parts of the bottom hole assembly near the washout can be isolated or the bottom hole assembly in the vicinity of the washout can be fortified with inserts from the surface to minimize damage from erosion caused by higher velocities resulting from borehole washouts. |
| US10233743B2 |
Extendable orienting tool for use in wells
An orienting tool for use in wells can include a flow control device which controls flow between an interior and an exterior of a body of the tool to thereby transmit a signal indicative of an orientation of the body, the flow control device being outwardly extendable relative to the body. A method of orienting a structure in a well can include transmitting at least one signal from an orienting tool, the signal being indicative of an orientation of the orienting tool, and displacing a housing of the tool outward relative to a generally tubular body of the tool. A well system can include an orienting tool connected to a structure and positioned in a wellbore, the tool including a housing which is outwardly extendable relative to a generally tubular body, the tool being configured to transmit at least one signal indicative of an orientation of the structure. |
| US10233742B2 |
Downhole acoustic ranging utilizing gradiometric data
An acoustic ranging system utilizes gradiometric data to determine the distance between a first and second well without any knowledge or involvement of the borehole or formation characteristics. An acoustic signal is generated from a downhole or surface source, propagated along a first well, and then received by receivers positioned along the second well. Processing circuitry coupled to the receivers takes a ratio of the absolute signal to the gradient signal in a certain direction to thereby determine the relative position and distance between the two wells. |
| US10233741B2 |
Well monitoring, sensing, control and mud logging on dual gradient drilling
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking system parameters in each of two or more circulatory systems, such as in a dual gradient drilling system. The systems and methods may include defining each of multiple circulatory systems and simultaneously tracking one or more system parameters for each circulatory system. Systems and methods may further include tracking a discrete portion of fluid circulating in each circulatory system, and associating one or more system parameters with each tracked discrete portion of fluid. Such association may be maintained as each portion of fluid circulates in each respective circulatory system. |
| US10233740B2 |
Stick-slip mitigation on direct drive top drive systems
A control system that mitigates stick-slip vibrations at higher harmonics than currently available is disclosed. A controller of a top drive is set to a torque control mode instead of a speed control mode. The controller receives torque measurements and compares to a target torque value. The controller accelerates or decelerates the top drive by a generated current adjustment command. A slow integration speed control loop, at least an order of magnitude slower in response than the torque control loop, receives a RPM set point. The slow integration speed control loop compares the RPM set point to an actual RPM measurement and generates a torque command. The torque command is sent to the torque control loop which results in an acceleration or deceleration of the top drive to maintain a desired torque amount. The speed of the top drive is bounded by a speed limit control loop. |
| US10233732B2 |
Active integrated flow control for completion system
A technique facilitates active zonal control over the inflow of fluids into a lateral wellbore completion at individual well zones of a plurality of well zones. The completion may comprise a plurality of sand screens through which inflowing fluids pass before entering an interior of the completion, e.g. before entering an interior of a completion base pipe. A control module is positioned along the completion between well zones. The control module is controlled via electrical control signals and is operatively connected with a plurality of intelligent flow control devices which are located along the completion in corresponding well zones. Based on signals received, the control module individually controls the intelligent flow control devices to allow or block flow into an interior of the completion at each well zone. |
| US10233729B2 |
Apparatus and method for isolating and securing an underwater oil wellhead and blowout preventer
A drilling package for an offshore wellbore having a wellhead, said drilling package comprising in a functional order a shear module situated above said wellhead and in fluid communication with said wellbore; a blowout preventer in fluid communication with the shear module; a lower marine riser package in fluid communication with the blowout preventer; and a bypass valve and port in a normal fluid path upstream of a well closure device that is actuated to divert flow from the normal path through the blowout preventer to an alternative flow path. |
| US10233728B2 |
Method and apparatus for drilling a new well using historic drilling data
A method for drilling a new oil or gas well in a selected geographical location includes extracting drilling modes from historic drilling data obtained from a group of drilled wells in the selected geographical location using a pattern recognition model. Each drilling mode represents a distinct pattern that quantifies at least two drilling variables at a specified drilling depth. The method also includes selecting a sequence of drilling modes at positions along a reference well as reference drilling modes that represent more efficient values for a selection of one or more of the at least two drilling variables compared to other extracted drilling modes; associating drilling parameter settings with the reference drilling modes; and drilling the new oil or gas well applying at least some of the drilling parameter settings. |
| US10233727B2 |
Induced control excitation for enhanced reservoir flow characterization
A system, method and a computer program product may be provided for characterizing natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions. The system prescribes alterations of one or more controls of a natural resource. The system applies the altered controls to the natural resource wells. The system collects measurement data of the natural resource wells that responds to the applied altered controls. The system determines, based on the collected measurement data, the natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions that pertain to the natural resource. |
| US10233726B2 |
Pressure differential device with constant pressure drop
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including: an inlet; an outlet; and a variable flow restriction configured to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet in response to a range of inlet flow rates. In another aspect, a method for providing a fluid flow within a wellbore is disclosed, including: providing the fluid flow to an inlet; restricting the fluid flow to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and an outlet in response to a range of fluid flow rates; and providing the fluid flow to the wellbore from the outlet. |
| US10233724B2 |
Downhole valve utilizing degradable material
An element is deployed within tubing extending to a downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a hydraulic tool and a valve coupled between the conveyance string and the hydraulic tool. The valve includes a valve seat having a passage directing the fluid from the conveyance string to the hydraulic tool. Deploying the element includes landing the element on the valve seat such that the element substantially obstructs flow of the fluid through the valve seat passage. The valve is opened to direct the flow of the fluid around the hydraulic tool, wherein opening the valve utilizes pressure generated in response to the element obstructing the flow of the fluid through the valve seat passage. At least a portion of at least one of the element and the valve seat is then degraded by an amount sufficient to permit the element to pass through the valve seat passage. |
| US10233718B2 |
Seat arrangement, method for creating a seat and method for fracturing a borehole
A degradable seat arrangement consisting of a pusher; a cone having a tapered face disposed radially outwardly of the pusher; and a seal having a seal deformation face configured to contact the tapered face. A method for creating a seat in a borehole. |
| US10233716B2 |
Blowout preventer including blind seal assembly
A ram blowout preventer (“BOP”) may be used for sealing about an object positioned in a vertical bore extending through the BOP. The ram BOP includes a body comprising a vertical bore extending through the body and a ram cavity intersecting the bore, a ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body, and an opposing ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body and a seal body coupled to the ram body, wherein the seal body comprises a seal configured to seal the entirety of the BOP vertical bore. The seal can be located on the upper and/or lower portion of the seal body to provide for bi-directional sealing across the BOP. |
| US10233713B2 |
Wellhead assembly and method
An embodiment of a tubing or casing hanger seal assembly includes a first carrier ring, a first energizing ring coupled to the first carrier ring and configured to set a first seal of the seal assembly in response to the application of a first load to the seal assembly, and a first lock ring configured to secure the first seal to the tubing or casing hanger in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly, wherein the first carrier ring and the first lock ring include corresponding angled engagement profiles for providing a radial force against the first lock ring relative a central axis of the seal assembly in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly. |
| US10233711B2 |
Wellbore seal energizing ring with retaining feature
A wellhead assembly includes an outer wellhead member having a bore and an inner wellhead member located in the bore, defining an annular pocket between the outer and inner wellhead members. A sealing assembly is located within the annular pocket, the sealing assembly having an annular seal and an energizing ring. The energizing ring engages inner and outer legs of the annular seal to push the inner and outer legs into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. A retainer nut is threadingly attached to the free end of the outer leg of the sealing assembly. Mating grooves are located on one of an inner diameter of the retainer nut and an outer diameter of the energizing ring and mating protrusions located on the other. The mating protrusions mate with the mating grooves to prevent relative axial movement between the energizing ring and the annular seal. |
| US10233701B2 |
Underwater engagement of tubular members
A connection assembly for engaging a tubular member underwater to restrain the tubular member from radial movement relative to the connection assembly includes a plurality of pads for engaging the tubular member at circumferentially spaced positions; and a plurality of biasing arrangements, each for biasing a respective pad radially inwardly into engagement with the tubular member; wherein each biasing arrangement includes a pre-loadable, mechanical, compressed spring arrangement for resiliently pressing its respective pad against the tubular member. The assembly need not employ any hydraulic components. |
| US10233699B2 |
Coiled tubing mast and method of servicing a well
In coiled tubing operations, a mast system is provided which allows for performing coiled tubing operations for multiple wells without repositioning the mast or reel of coiled tubing. The system has a telescoping mast, which is rotationally mounted on a transportable base. The mast is also pivotally attached to the base such that it can be tilted with respected to the base. Further, the mast includes a crown having a receptor configured to receive a coiled tubing injector, wherein the receptor can be rotated and tilted with respect to the mast. |
| US10233697B2 |
Methods of reducing stress in cutting elements for earth-boring tools and resulting cutting elements
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a superhard, polycrystalline material and a substrate adjacent to and secured to the superhard, polycrystalline material at an interface. The substrate may include a first region exhibiting a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second region exhibiting a second, different coefficient of thermal expansion. The first region may be spaced from the superhard, polycrystalline material. The second region may extend from laterally adjacent to at least a portion of the first region to longitudinally between the first region and the superhard, polycrystalline material. |
| US10233694B2 |
Dynamic inwardly eccentrically-placed directional drill bit type rotation guidance apparatus
A rotation guidance apparatus belonging to the technical field of oil drilling equipment. An end part of a lower connector has a ball-socketed ball-joint rod, and a drill bit is connected to the ball-socketed ball-joint rod. Several circumferentially and evenly distributed piston holes are provided in a side wall of the lower connector, wherein a piston matches each piston hole and a piston rod connected to the piston is movably connected to the ball-socketed ball-joint rod. An eccentrically-placed valve core is connected to a controller provided in an upper connector, wherein a working face of the eccentrically-placed valve core is opposite to the piston holes and rotation of the eccentrically-placed valve core makes the pistons in the piston holes move to control the rotation guidance of the ball-socketed ball-joint rod. |
| US10233692B2 |
Foldable ladder
A foldable ladder has a first ladder portion and a second ladder portion hingedly attached to the first ladder portion by a pair of hinge mechanisms. Each hinge mechanism adapted to lock the first and second ladder portions such that the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion form an angle therebetween. The hinge mechanism has a locking pin to lock the first and second ladder portions at an angular position. Each rung is connected to a column by a connector assembly having first and second release buttons. |
| US10233690B2 |
Rotating spacer applicator for window assembly
A spacer applicator assembly has tooling with a plurality of retention devices. An actuator is coupled to the tooling, where the actuator is adapted to continuously rotate the tooling about an axis in a first direction and the tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis. |
| US10233688B1 |
Compound fenestration assembly mull joints and methods
Compound fenestration assembly mull joints, compound fenestration assemblies using those mull joints, and methods of making and using the same are described herein. The mull joints in compound fenestration assemblies as described herein use universal joining strips to form both sides of a mull joint, as well as other universal components such as, e.g., corner gussets, locator plates, end plugs, seal members, etc. that may be used as needed to form mull joints as required in a compound fenestration assembly. |
| US10233684B2 |
Furniture hinge for increasing jumping length of furniture door
A furniture hinge mounted between a furniture wall and a furniture door so as to be used as an opening and closing mechanism of the furniture door, in which, by using the movement part provided on the body part of the furniture hinge and the adjustment part provided at the movement path of the movement part, the entire length of the furniture hinge is changed by advancing and returning the movement part in the opening and closing process of the furniture door such that, since the furniture wall and the furniture door do not come into contact with each other even though the furniture door is completely opened, the peeling damage to the exterior of the furniture is prevented and contact noise is eliminated, thereby improving the satisfaction of consumers. |
| US10233680B2 |
Vehicle door handle arrangement with a securing element having a stop
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door handle arrangement having a closing cylinder for actuating a door lock by means of a key, wherein the closing cylinder is fixed in its installation position by means of a securing element displaceable relative to the closing cylinder from a pre-mounting position into a mounting position, wherein the securing element is displaced from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position by means of at least one actuation screw engaging in a thread in the securing element. |
| US10233678B2 |
Apparatus for preventing door of vehicle from opening during collision
An apparatus for preventing a door of a vehicle from opening during a collision is provided. The door includes a cable that is connected to an exterior door handle and a connection bushing that is connected to the cable and coupled to an operating lever. When the exterior door handle is manipulated, the operating lever is moved upward to release a door latch. Additionally, an opening prevention unit is configured to allow the connection bushing to move upward under normal conditions, and when a vehicle collision occurs, the opening prevention unit is displaced from an original position to block upward movement of the connection bushing and prevent the door from opening. |
| US10233677B2 |
Locking mechanism with increased safety feature
A locking mechanism (1), in a motor vehicle, includes two elements (2, 4) that abut one another along a contact region (10). At least one element (2, 4) has a coating (9) at least in the contact region. The coating alters under stress during an accident, such that the contact region (10) between the two elements becomes larger and/or a coefficient of friction between the two elements increases. |
| US10233676B2 |
Connection lock
A connection lock includes an adapting assembly including an outer sleeve and an adapting member, a first connecting member including a first outer tube and a first cable, a lock structure connected to the first cable, second connecting members each including a second outer tube and a second cable, and engaging structures for anti-thefting of a 3C product. The first outer tube is connected with the outer sleeve, and the first cable is connected to the adapting member. The lock structure is movable to a locked position or an unlocked position. Each second outer tube is connected with the outer sleeve, and each second cable is connected to the adapting member. Each engaging structure is connected to one said second cable and movable between an engaged position and a released position so that each engaging structure, the adapting member and the lock structure are comovable. |
| US10233668B2 |
Fence post straightener
A wrench apparatus is provided for applying torsion to a T-shape cross-section fence post. A wrench head has a lateral opening so that the wrench head can be placed laterally about the T-shape cross-section post. The wrench head includes first, second and third engagement surfaces arranged to simultaneously engage the three flanges of the fence post so that a torsional load can be simultaneously applied to all three flanges of the fence post. |
| US10233662B2 |
Strut linkage for a steel construction, and steel construction having a strut linkage
A strut linkage for a steel construction may involve a tower of a wind turbine and/or a corner post of a lattice tower. In order that high forces can be removed via the strut linkage without causing increased stress concentrations, excessive use of material, and/or an excessive structural outlay, a plate element is provided for arranging between, preferably load-bearing, steel construction components. At least one connection element, which may be connected to the plate element, may be utilized to fasten at least one strut and/or guy of the steel construction to the steel construction components via the plate element. |
| US10233658B1 |
Multi-rotational concrete screed apparatus for screeding concrete
A multi-rotational concrete screed to produce a level finished surface that includes a frame assembly, a boom assembly secured to the frame assembly at a first end and to a screed head at a second end, and a drive assembly. A powered turntable is positioned between the frame assembly and drive assembly permitting complete rotation of each with respect to the other. |
| US10233656B2 |
Densified foam core (DFC) tile with imitation grout line
A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or ceiling surface comprises at least a top section and a core layer may be made from a densified foam material. In most embodiments, but not all, the top section comprises a polyvinyl chloride layer, and may also comprise a wear layer and/or a decorative layer. The tile includes a plurality of sides with an exposed portion(s) formed along at least one of the sides, but in some embodiments also across a middle section of the tile. The exposed portion(s) may be formed on the polyvinyl chloride layer below the tile's top surface at a depth to closely resemble an actual grout line. The tile may further comprise an interconnecting mechanism that at least partially enables an efficient tile installation. The interconnecting mechanism may further contribute to tile's visual appeal by at least partially concealing a connector(s). |
| US10233654B2 |
Flooring construction and method
This invention relates to an assembly type floor panel that is easy to assemble, dismantle, and maintain, and that closely and nonadhesively contacts an underlying floor. The floor panel is composed of a base panel of elastic material, e.g., calcium carbonate, a stiffer panel on the upper side of the base panel and a sliding protective sheet on the bottom side of the base panel. Adjacent panels are joined by the cooperation of a projection and groove along an edge of one panel with a projection and groove along an edge of an adjacent panel. By virtue of the elasticity of the base panel and the protective sheet, the floor panel can closely contact an underlying floor, accommodate uneveness in the underlying floor, and conduct heat from the underlying floor. |
| US10233648B2 |
Self-supporting bi-directional corrugated mesh leaf preclusion device
A roof gutter for the purpose of keeping small debris out of the gutter and allowing rainwater to pass into the gutter. The covering is comprised of a water permeable, weather resistant mesh having apertures of a pre-determined size for passing water, the mesh sized to substantially cover a rain gutter; corrugations formed in the mesh, providing a planar stiffness to the mesh causing the mesh to be self-supporting over a gutter; a debris collection first trough disposed along a longitudinal axis of the mesh, formed by making at least two bends in the mesh, the first trough located between a longitudinal midline of the mesh and a front gutter end of the mesh, wherein the gutter debris preclusion device, when attached directly or indirectly to a gutter does not require a separate support mechanism to keep the mesh substantially planar over the gutter. |
| US10233646B2 |
Sheet roofing with pre-taped seams and tape therefor
According to one aspect, a roof membrane is provided. The roofing membrane includes a main body, a first adhesive material, and a second adhesive material. The first adhesive material is bonded to a top surface of the main body and positioned toward a first edge thereof. The second adhesive material is bonded to the top surface of the main body and positioned toward a second edge thereof. The second edge is positioned opposite the first edge such that the first and second adhesive materials are positioned toward opposite edges of the main body and the same surface thereof. |
| US10233643B2 |
Panelized structural system for building construction
Structural truss panels include first, second, third, and fourth horizontal elongated members and first and second vertical elongated members fastened to the first, second, third, and fourth horizontal elongated members. The first and fourth horizontal elongated members form respectively a top and a bottom of the structural truss panel. The first and second vertical elongated members forming respective sides of the structural truss panel. The structural truss panel further includes and an angled webbing fastened between the first and second vertical elongated members and the first and second horizontal elongated members thereby creating an integrated web truss within the structural truss panel. The structural truss panel includes first, second, and third brace members forming a V-braced truss panel. |
| US10233641B2 |
Polyester laminated building boards with improved surface characteristics
This disclosure relates to using polyester films on building boards to enable improved surface coatings. The polyester film is preferably applied to a glass mat via an adhesive to form a laminate. This laminate is then bonded to the exterior surface of a gypsum board. The polyester film is advantageous because it allows for exterior surface coatings to be applied. In one embodiment, an exterior acrylic coating is applied to the polyester film. Boards constructed in accordance with this disclosure allow for exterior finishings to be achieved without the need for excessive finishing materials or steps. |
| US10233638B2 |
Building facade system
A building facade system includes framework having shelf members secured to the floor slabs. The top terminal ends of vertical mullions are fastened to the shelf members, thereby hanging the mullions therefrom. Horizontal support members fastened to the mullions support infill panels and are coupled to shelf members which are on the below floor slab. Intermediate support members fastened to the mullions support slab edge cover panels. Posts are fastened to the shelf members and are secured to the floor slabs within troughs formed with embedded channels. The posts are horizontally and vertically adjustably fastenable to the shelf members. The shelf members are thereby also horizontally and vertically adjustable relative to the floor slabs. Terminal edges of the floor slabs can project into mullion cutouts. |
| US10233637B2 |
Web frame
The web frame is a bonded assembly of panels and porous blanket layers, separated by an arrangement of isolated spacers. The panels and spacers are covered with a bonding means. A coating covers inner surfaces of the panels and spacers. The porous blanket is compressed and pinned between these panels, by spacers that are arranged as isolated nodes or columns The spacers have sharpened ends that penetrate the blanket and connect with the opposing panel. The web frame assembly provides thermal and sound insulation for buildings and other solid objects. These web frames are lightweight, durable, and permeable. Capillaries and passages throughout the panels and fibers of the blanket allow passage of moisture and air, thereby assisting in the management of condensation within the web frame. |
| US10233635B2 |
Temporary wall element
A wall element having two sets of columns with panel between the columns so that the columns of the first set and the second set are within each other so that the wall element can be extended and contracted, depending on the room height, in such a way that the wall panels cover the area between columns and form a substantially continuous wall from floor to ceiling. |
| US10233633B2 |
Expansion joint seal with load transfer and flexion
An expansion joint design for supporting transfer loads. The system includes an elongated core and at least one longitudinal load-transfer member which are bonded together. |
| US10233631B2 |
Panel junction attachments for use in a structure with integrated insulation
A structure with integrated insulation. The structure with integrated insulation includes a steel frame. The steel frame includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The structure with integrated insulation also includes an assembly with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation includes a first building panel with integrated insulation, the first building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the first support beam on the first surface of the first building panel with integrated insulation. The assembly with integrated insulation also includes a second building panel with integrated insulation. The second building panel with integrated insulation 4 includes an indentation in the first surface configured to receive at least a portion of the first building panel with integrated insulation. The second building panel with integrated insulation being attached to the second support beam on the second surface of the second building panel with integrated insulation. |
| US10233630B1 |
Bracket assembly having a rotating locking plate
A connector includes a embed plate having a hollow rectangular tube to be cast with a structure. An support member has a post extending with a pin extending radially through the post at a distal end. The pin is shorter than the longer rectangular dimension and longer than the shorter rectangular dimension. When the support member is positioned adjacent the embed plate and oriented with a longitudinal axis of the pin parallel to the longer rectangular dimension, the post can be inserted into the hollow tube and rotated to a position where the pin abuts a distal end of the hollow tube to lock the support member to the embed plate. |
| US10233629B2 |
Cable movement indicator for plumbing tools
Various assemblies for indicating movement and direction of drain cleaning cables used in plumbing tools are described. Generally, the plumbing tools include a cam that is in operable engagement with a guide tube. Upon axial movement of cable relative to the tool, the cam causes reciprocal movement of an indicator. The plumbing tools can additionally include switches and/or electronics in communication with the indicator to thereby provide information or processing of tool operation. |
| US10233628B2 |
Electrolytic water urinal
The present invention discloses an electrolytic water urinal. The electrolytic water urinal includes an electrolysis module and a urinal body. The electrolysis module produces the acidic electrolytic water and the alkaline electrolytic water. The electrolysis module includes a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The urinal body includes a bowl water inlet which is provided on an upper portion of the urinal body. The first water outlet and the second water outlet of the electrolysis module are connected to the bowl water inlet of the urinal body. The acidic electrolytic water and the alkaline electrolytic water produced by the electrolysis module are sprayed on an inner wall of the urinal body alternately or simultaneously through the bowl water inlet so as to perform washing from top to bottom. |
| US10233626B2 |
Sanitary washing apparatus
When a water discharge start operation section is operated, a control unit executes, before executing a main washing mode in which wash water is discharged at a set flow rate selected in a water force selection operation section, a stored water generating mode in which required wash water is stored in a bubble mixture section by discharging wash water at a set flow rate smaller than the flow rate selected in the water force selection operation section. |
| US10233625B1 |
Motion sensor controlled toilet tank air filter
A battery-operated motion sensor controlled toilet tank air filter including a pair of exhaust housing bodies and an attachment bracket to hang the exhaust housing bodies from the upper sides of a toilet tank and to house a centrally disposed motion sensor, which upon detection of motion, activates a single transmitter operationally communicating therewith. The transmitter then activates a motor disposed within each housing body to operate a respective fan, which directs airflow drawn in through a respective louvered air inlet port through a pair of compartments containing an activated charcoal air filter and a scented air filter therein, and subsequently out through an air exhaust port to provide clean and scented air in the bathroom. |
| US10233624B1 |
Toilet tank handle assembly
A toilet tank handle assembly, which includes a connecting rod group, a shaft, an internal fixed base, an external fixed base and a handle, wherein a hexagon connecting portion and a groove are set on the shaft, a hexagon hole and multiple elastic pieces are set on the head stock of the connecting rod group, stoppers are respectively set on the inner side of elastic pieces, so that the stoppers are provided to the groove if the hexagon connecting portion is inserted into the hexagon hole, to thereby achieve the purpose of quick assembly and be common to various toilet tanks. |
| US10233618B2 |
Faucet including control arm
A faucet that includes a base, a sprayhead, a flexible hose and a control arm. The base is mountable to a mounting surface. The sprayhead is movable relative to the base and is configured to emit water in at least one spray pattern. The flexible hose connects the sprayhead and the base. The control arm includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the base to allow rotation of the control arm relative to the base, and wherein the second end is detachably coupled to the sprayhead such that in a docked position, movement of the control arm moves the sprayhead relative to the base, and such that in a detached position, the sprayhead is movable relative to the base and the control arm. |
| US10233617B1 |
Quick connect faucet
A quick connect faucet contains: a hollow body, a control valve assembly, and a water supply set. The hollow body includes a longitudinal chamber and a channel, the longitudinal chamber has an accommodation groove having a fixing orifice and a first stepped. The control valve assembly includes a holder having a first locking rib, a cold-water conduit, a hot-water conduit, a mixing-water conduit, a bottom fence, and a fastener. The cold-water conduit has a cold-water inlet having a hot-water inlet, the bottom fence has at least one locking protrusion, and the fastener has at least two cutouts. The water supply set includes a cold-water inflow tube and a hot-water inflow tube, each of which has an outlet segment, wherein the outlet segment of the cold-water inflow tube has a peripheral trench, and the outlet segment of the hot-water inflow tube has a peripheral trench. |
| US10233607B2 |
Comprehensive excavation process
Disclosed is a comprehensive excavation process performed on an excavation site. The process includes installing wellpoints for lowering the groundwater level within the excavation site and stabilizing the boundary soil walls of the excavation site by an improved soil nailing method. The improved soil nailing method employs casing pipes that are part of the wellpoint system as reinforcing elements for the stabilization of the soil walls. |
| US10233606B2 |
Systems and methods for tethering subsea structure mounted on a wellhead
A pile top assembly includes an adapter configured to couple to an upper end of a subsea anchor, a tensioning system mounted on an upper end of the adapter, and a flexible tension member having a first end coupled to the tensioning system. The tensioning system is operable to pay in and pay out the flexible tension member relative to the tensioning system. The pile top assembly further includes means coupled to the adapter for selectively engaging the upper end of the subsea anchor. |
| US10233605B2 |
Offshore bipod
A bipod for use in ice prone offshore environments comprising a deck connected across a pair of members, each member having a neck, and angled portion disposed at the sea surface, and a base secured to the seafloor. The base is secured using a gravity-based system or pilings. An interior zone is defined between the pair of members which is maintained largely free of ice and provides ready access to the sea surface for resupply or emergency egress. |
| US10233602B2 |
Resevoir dredging assembly
A reservoir dredging assembly includes a dredging tube and at least one dredging device adapted to be installed to at least one secondary reservoir. The at least one dredging device includes a linking tube, an extending tube, a water gate, and a control unit. The linking tube is connected to the dredging tube for water in a primary reservoir, together with sediments deposited therein, to flow through. The extending tube has a top cutlet adapted to be located lower than the maximum water level of the primary reservoir. The water gate is mounted in the linking tube at a position downstream of the extending tube. The control unit is convertible between a first state for closing the water gate and a second state for opening the water gate. |
| US10233601B2 |
Crash barrier
A security barrier section includes two barrier section posts and at least one cable which extends between the two posts and is attached thereto, for example with U-bolts. Under impact of a vehicle the cable can slip to a limited degree. A security barrier includes a plurality of the security barrier sections and adjacent security barrier sections share a common barrier section post. |
| US10233596B2 |
Systems for applying roadway surface treatments, and methods of using same
Systems and methods for applying roadway surface treatments. The system has an aggregate application assembly and a resin application assembly that are mounted or otherwise secured to a truck or other vehicle. The resin application assembly is spaced from the aggregate application assembly in the direction of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves along a roadway surface, the resin and aggregate can be continuously applied such that the aggregate is provided to portions of the roadway surface that have been covered with resin. |
| US10233589B2 |
Composition for the permanent hydrophilic finishing of textile fibers and textile products
A composition to be used for providing a permanent hydrophilic finishing of textile fibers and textile products made thereof consists of a hydrophilically modified or amphoteric polydimethylsiloxane in a proportion of 3 to 30 weight percent, a quaternary ammonium compound in a proportion of 25 to 85 weight percent, the quaternary ammonium compound having a melting point of at least 55° C.; a fatty alcohol having a melting point of at least 60° C. in a proportion of 0 to 25 weight percent; a non-ionic consistency enhancer in a proportion of 0 to 40 weight percent and at least one dispersion additive in a proportion of 0 to 10 weight percent. The composition is preferably present as granulate and has a melting point of at least 45° C. |
| US10233585B2 |
Washing machine with modular computer board
Disclosed is a washing machine with a modular computer board, comprising a control circuit board and function control modules respectively connected to corresponding loads, characterized in that the control circuit board comprises a main control module; the function control modules include at least a motor control module, a water feeding control module, and a water discharge control module; at least one of the function control modules is arranged independently from the control circuit board; and the main control module and the independently arranged function control module are connected to a data bus and a power bus, respectively. A modular construction mode of the computer board control circuit board of the washing machine is achieved by connecting a computer board provided with the main control module to various function control modules respectively via a data bus and a power bus; moreover, the circuit configuration in the washing machine is simplified by mounting the function control modules on or close to corresponding loads. |
| US10233584B1 |
System for supplying a water-ozone mixture to a laundry washing machine
The instant invention relates to a system for supplying a water-ozone mixture or fluid to a large laundry washing machine. The system includes at least two identical boxes with each of the boxes including ozone generators and an injector for supplying the water-ozone fluid to the washing machine. |
| US10233583B1 |
System with serially and parallelly connected ozone generators for supplying a water-ozone mixture to a laundry washing machine
The instant invention relates to a system and method for supplying a water-ozone mixture to a large laundry washing machine. The system includes a plurality of ozone generators and a plurality of injectors for supplying a water-ozone mixture to the laundry washing machine. |
| US10233576B2 |
Apparatus for stitching vehicle interior components
An apparatus for stitching a component is provided. The apparatus having: an awl bar assembly, the awl bar assembly having an awl configured to be moved from a withdrawn position to an inserted position; a needle bar assembly having a needle, the needle movable between an inserted and a withdrawn position, the needle bar assembly being pivotally mounted to a pivot; and a biasing member coupled to the needle bar assembly, the biasing member being arranged to pivot and align the needle bar assembly in response to the needle being moved to the withdrawn position. |
| US10233568B2 |
Apparatus for production of polymeric nanofibers
The present invention is directed toward an apparatus comprising a high speed rotating disk or bowl for nanofiber spinning from the rotational sheared thin film fibrillation at the enclosed serrations with the optimized stretching zone to produce the defects-free nanofibrous web and nanofibrous membrane comprising a nanofiber network with a number average nanofiber diameter less than 500 nm that yield the crystallinity higher than the polymer resin used in making the web. |
| US10233563B2 |
Device for detecting island position of single crystal ingot growing furnace and method for detecting island position
The present invention provides the device for detecting an island position of an ingot growing furnace, comprising a control means for detecting the position of an island by analyzing the image obtained by the photographing means, wherein the control means derives a plurality of singularities with respect to the temperature or brightness from the image, derives a plurality of connection lines respectively forming straight lines by the mutual connection of a series of the singularities, considers an area in which the most intersections are generated as an island among areas in which the plurality of connection lines intersect each other, and determines whether the island is positioned in a seed contact area in which the seed is set to be lowered. |
| US10233562B2 |
Method for producing single crystal, and method for producing silicon wafer
A manufacturing method of a single crystal uses a single-crystal pull-up apparatus includes: adding the red phosphorus to the silicon melt so that a resistivity of the single crystal falls in a range from 0.7 mΩ·cm to 0.9 mΩ·cm; subjecting an evaluation silicon wafer obtained from the single crystal to a heat treatment in which the evaluation silicon wafer is heated at 1200 degrees C. for 30 seconds in a hydrogen atmosphere; and pull-up the single crystal while appropriately controlling a period for a temperature of the single crystal to be in a range of 570±70 degrees C. so that the number of pits generated on the evaluation silicon wafer becomes 0.1/cm2 or less. |
| US10233561B2 |
Electrostatic levitation crystal growth apparatus comprising a droplet dispenser
An electrostatic levitation crystal growth apparatus for a solution and a crystal growing method using the same. The apparatus may include an upper electrode, a lower electrode vertically spaced apart from the upper electrode, a power supply unit configured to apply a vertical electrostatic field between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and a droplet dispenser configured to eject a solution into a region between the upper and lower electrodes and thereby to form a solution droplet. The solution droplet may be maintained in a charged state and may be electrostatically levitated against the gravity exerted thereon, by the vertical electrostatic field. The solution droplet may be evaporated in the electrostatically levitated state, and a solute dissolved in the solution may be grown to form a crystal. |
| US10233559B2 |
High rate electric field driven nanoelement assembly on an insulated surface
A method for high rate assembly of nanoelements into two-dimensional void patterns on a non-conductive substrate surface utilizes an applied electric field to stabilize against forces resulting from pulling the substrate through the surface of a nanoelement suspension. The electric field contours emanating from a conductive layer in the substrate, covered by an insulating layer, are modified by a patterned photoresist layer, resulting in an increased driving force for nanoelements to migrate from a liquid suspension to voids on a patterned substrate having a non-conductive surface. The method can be used for the production of microscale and nanoscale circuits, sensors, and other electronic devices. |
| US10233557B2 |
Electroplating method and electroplating device
An electroplating method according to an embodiment is a electroplating method of generating a metal film on a cathode surface by setting a negative potential to a cathode of an anode and the cathode provided in a reaction bath, including mixing and accommodating a plating solution containing at least plated metal ions, an electrolyte, and a surface active agent and a supercritical fluid in the reaction bath and applying a current in a concentration of the supercritical fluid and a cathode current density in which a polarization resistance obtained from a cathode polarization curve while the plated metal ions are reduced is larger than before the supercritical fluid is mixed. |
| US10233556B2 |
Dynamic modulation of cross flow manifold during electroplating
The embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating one or more materials onto a substrate. In many cases the material is a metal and the substrate is a semiconductor wafer, though the embodiments are no so limited. Typically, the embodiments herein utilize a channeled plate positioned near the substrate, creating a cross flow manifold defined on the bottom by the channeled plate, on the top by the substrate, and on the sides by a cross flow confinement ring. Also typically present is an edge flow element configured to direct electrolyte into a corner formed between the substrate and substrate holder. During plating, fluid enters the cross flow manifold both upward through the channels in the channeled plate, and laterally through a cross flow side inlet positioned on one side of the cross flow confinement ring. The flow paths combine in the cross flow manifold and exit at the cross flow exit, which is positioned opposite the cross flow inlet. These combined flow paths and the edge flow element result in improved plating uniformity, especially at the periphery of the substrate. |
| US10233551B2 |
Apparatus for making and concentrating an aqueous caustic alkali
A method for concentrating an aqueous caustic alkali produced by a membrane cell process by using a single or multiple effect evaporator system in which the vapor flows in a counter direction to the aqueous caustic alkali flow and the heat recovered from the catholyte circulation line is used as part of the concentration process. In one embodiment, a catholyte heat recovery heat exchanger and flash evaporation chamber are located after the last effect of a multiple effect evaporator system. In another embodiment, the catholyte heat recovery heat exchanger and flash evaporation chamber are located prior to the single or multiple effect evaporator system. In yet another embodiment, the catholyte heat recovery process is used in conjunction with additional heat exchanger processes to further concentrate the final product as desired. |
| US10233550B2 |
Porous electrode for proton-exchange membrane
A process for manufacturing a catalytic electrode includes depositing an electrocatalytic ink on a carrier, wherein the electrocatalytic ink includes an electrocatalytic material and a product polymerizable into a protonically conductive polymer. The process also includes solidifying the electrocatalytic ink so as to form an electrode wherein the composition of the product polymerizable into a protonically conductive polymer and its proportion in the ink is defined so that the electrode formed has a breaking strength greater than 1 MPa. The process further includes separating the electrode formed from the carrier. |
| US10233549B2 |
Photo-electrochemical reaction device
To convert light into a chemical substance with high conversion efficiency. A device, comprising: a photovoltaic layer having a first face and a second face; an oxidation electrode layer electrically connected to the first face of the photovoltaic layer; a reduction electrode layer electrically connected to the second face of the photovoltaic layer; a first electrolytic solution being supplied to the oxidation electrode layer; a second electrolytic solution being supplied to the reduction electrode layer; and a porous layer, provided to in contact with at least one of the first electrolytic solution and the second electrolytic solution, having fine pores through which a product produced by the oxidation reaction or the reduction reaction passes, and being given a temperature gradient wherein the product being purified by the porous layer. |
| US10233542B2 |
Apparatus for treating substrate and method for treating substrate
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus and method which facilitates to sequentially or repetitively carry out a thin film deposition process and a surface treatment process inside one process space, wherein the substrate processing apparatus comprises a process chamber for providing a process space; a substrate supporter for supporting at least one of substrates and moving the supported substrate in a predetermined direction; a chamber lid confronting the substrate supporter; and a gas distributor for spatially separating process gas for depositing a thin film on the substrate from a surface treatment gas for performing a surface treatment of the thin film, and locally distributing the process gas and the surface treatment gas on the substrate supporter, wherein the gas distributor confronting the substrate supporter is provided in the chamber lid. |
| US10233541B2 |
Deposition of films containing alkaline earth metals
Described are methods of depositing a metal film by chemical reaction on a substrate. The method comprises: exposing the substrate to flows of a first reactant gas comprising a group 2 metal and a second reactant gas comprising a halide to form a first layer containing a metal halide on the substrate; exposing the substrate to a third reactant gas comprising an oxidant to form a second layer containing a metal peroxide or metal hydroxide on the substrate during; exposing the substrate to heat or a plasma to convert the metal peroxide or metal hydroxide to metal oxide. The method may be repeated to form the metal oxide film absent any metal carbonate impurity. |
| US10233539B2 |
Vapor deposition apparatus
Disclosed is a vapor deposition apparatus comprising an adsorption apparatus disposed in a vapor deposition cavity, wherein the adsorption apparatus comprising: a plurality of magnetic blocks arranged in a matrix disposed on a side of a substrate to be vapor deposited away from a metal mask plate, and a towing apparatus for adjusting each of the magnetic blocks to move up and down relative to the substrate to be vapor deposited. Such a vapor deposition apparatus may cause the metal mask plate to closely fit the substrate to be vapor deposited, such that a correct pattern will be formed when sub-pixel units are vapor deposited, and cause the magnetic fields of all the magnetic blocks to tend to be consistent, avoiding affecting the above-mentioned pattern by a deformation of the metal mask plate due to the inhomogeneity of the magnetic fields. |
| US10233532B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating having reflecting system with silver and zinc based barrier layer(s)
A coated article includes a silver (Ag) based infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) on a glass substrate that is provided adjacent to and contacting at least one metallic or substantially metallic zinc (Zn) inclusive barrier layer in order to improve chemical durability characteristics of the low-E coating. In certain example embodiments, the silver based layer may be sandwiched between first and second metallic or substantially metallic barrier layers of or including zinc. The IR reflecting layer(s) and zinc based barrier layer(s) are part of a low emissivity (low-E) coating. |
| US10233529B2 |
Mask assembly, and apparatus and method for detecting film thickness of evaporation material on the mask
The disclosure provides a mask assembly comprising a mask which comprises a first surface facing towards an evaporation source and a second surface facing towards an article to be deposited, and pattern openings are formed in the mask, wherein the mask assembly further comprises at least one test sheet which is detachably provided on the mask. The test sheet is provided at a region on the mask where no pattern opening is provided, and is configured such that an evaporation material can be deposited on the test sheet when an evaporation process is performed by using the mask assembly. The disclosure further provides an apparatus and a method for detecting a film thickness of the evaporation material on the mask assembly. With the apparatus, the film thickness of the evaporation material deposited on the mask assembly can be easily detected. |
| US10233528B2 |
Mask for deposition system and method for using the mask
Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and apparatus for monitoring film properties on a substrate in-situ. In one embodiment, a deposition system is provided. The deposition system includes at least two deposition chambers, and a patterned mask designed specifically for each of the deposition chambers, wherein a first mask of the patterned masks has a first opening formed therethrough outside of a pattern formed thereon, and a second mask of the patterned masks has a first opening formed therethrough outside of a pattern formed thereon, the first opening of the second mask having a position on the second mask that is different than a position of the first opening on the first mask. |
| US10233525B2 |
Manipulating surface topology of BMG feedstock
Described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock has a surface with an average roughness of at least 200 microns. Also described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock, when supported on a support during a melting process of the feedstock, has a contact area between the feedstock and the support up to 50% of a total area of the support. These feedstocks can be made by molding ingots of BMG into a mole with surface patterns, enclosing one or more cores into a sheath with a roughened surface, chemical etching, laser ablating, machining, grinding, sandblasting, or shot peening. The feedstocks can be used as starting materials in an injection molding process. |
| US10233524B2 |
High ductility steel alloys with mixed microconstituent structure
This disclosure deals with steel alloys containing mixed microconstituent structure that has the ability to provide ductility at tensile strength levels at or above 900 MPa. More specifically, the alloys contain Fe, B, Si and Mn and indicate tensile strengths of 900 MPa to 1820 MPa and elongations of 2.5% to 76.0%. |
| US10233523B2 |
Carburization resistant metal material
There is provided a carburization resistant metal material suitable as a raw material for cracking furnaces, reforming furnaces, heating furnaces, heat exchangers, etc. in petroleum and gas refining, chemical plants, and the like. This metal material consists of, by mass %, C: 0.03 to 0.075%, Si: 0.6 to 2.0%, Mn: 0.05 to 2.5%, P: 0.04% or less, S: 0.015% or less, Cr: higher than 16.0% and less than 20.0%, Ni: 20.0% or higher and less than 30.0%, Cu: 0.5 to 10.0%, Al: 0.15% or less, Ti: 0.15% or less, N: 0.005 to 0.20%, and O (oxygen): 0.02% or less, the balance being Fe and impurities. The metal material may further contain one kind or more kinds of Co, Mo, W, Ta, B, V, Zr, Nb, Hf, Mg, Ca, Y, La, Ce and Nd. |
| US10233520B2 |
Low-alloy steel pipe for an oil well
A low-alloy steel pipe includes C: 0.15% to less than 0.30%, Si: 0.05 to 1.00%, Mn: 0.05 to 1.00%, P: at most 0.030%, S: at most 0.0050%, Al: 0.005 to 0.100%, O: at most 0.005%, N: at most 0.007%, Cr: 0.10% to less than 1.00%, Mo: 1.0% to not more than 2.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.30%, Ti: 0.002 to 0.009%. Nb: 0 to 0.050%, B: 0 to 0.0050%, Ca: 0 to 0.0050%, Mo/Cr≥2.0, and the balance being Fe and impurities. The pipe has a crystal grain size number of 7.0 or more, 50 or more particles of cementite based on equivalent circle diameter and area of the matrix, M2C-based alloy carbide in a number density of not less than 25/μm2, and a yield strength of 758 MPa or more. |
| US10233516B2 |
Method for recovering heavy rare earth element
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for recovering a heavy rare earth element from a workpiece containing at least a heavy rare earth element and an iron group element, which can be put into practical use as a low-cost, simple recycling system. The method for recovering a heavy rare earth element from a workpiece containing at least a heavy rare earth element and an iron group element of the present invention as a means for resolution is characterized by including at least the following step: a workpiece is subjected to an oxidation treatment or mixed with an oxidation-treated R—Fe—B based magnet alloy, and then subjected to a heat treatment in the presence of carbon at a temperature of 1000° C. or more, thereby separating a heavy rare earth element in the form of an oxide from an iron group element. |
| US10233510B2 |
System and method for fluidized bed reduction of powdered iron ore
A system for fluidized bed reduction of powdered iron ore. Use of high-gas-velocity processing accelerates iron ore reduction speed and greatly improves the gas-treatment capabilities of a unit-cross-sectional fluidized bed. Use of parallel connections involving reduced coal gas lessens the volume of gas passing through a single-stage fluidized bed. Use of serial/parallel-connection processing involving reduced coal gas increases the coal gas utilization rate. The invention achieves the highly-effective reduction of powdered iron ore in a fluidized bed under near-atmospheric pressure. A reduction method based on the present system is also disclosed. |
| US10233505B2 |
Co-detection and association of multiple genes from the same genome in a sample
The present invention is concerned with PCR-based detection methods and kits for the identification, differentiation, and quantification of different bacterial strains (e.g., Gram-negative bacterial strains), and also association of two or more PCR-positive genes to a single genome. The methods generally comprise carrying out PCR reactions using at least a first PCR primer set and/or probe for at least one target nucleic acid; and a second PCR primer set and/or probe for at least a second target nucleic acid. Positive PCR reaction products are then detected to determine test samples containing positive PCR reaction products for both the first and second target nucleic acids. This information can be used to calculate the gene association rate to determine whether the sample contains, for example, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli of the O-type serogroup. |
| US10233504B2 |
Methods and compositions for isothermal amplification and detection of mycoplasma pneumoniae
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions (e.g., oligonucleotide primers) for isothermal amplification and detection of M. pneumoniae nucleic acids in a sample. In some embodiments, the methods include contacting a sample with a set of LAMP primers specific for a M. pneumoniae CARDS toxin-encoding nucleic acid under conditions sufficient to produce an M. pneumoniae nucleic acid amplification product and detecting the resulting M. pneumoniae amplification product. Kits including sets of LAMP primers for detection of M. pneumoniae CARDS toxin nucleic acids are also provided herein. |
| US10233503B2 |
Method for the identification of the origin of a cancer of unknown primary origin by methylation analysis
The invention relates to methods and reagents for the identification of the origin of a carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP) based on the determination of the methylation profile in the genome of the CUP. The invention relates as well to methods for selecting a suitable therapy for a patient suffering a CUP as well as to methods for personalized medicine of patient suffering a CUP based on the use of a treatment which is adequate for the primary tumor from which the CUP is derived. The invention also relates to kits comprising reagents adequate for performing the above methods as well as to computer systems and programs which can be used for implementing the methods of the invention. |
| US10233501B2 |
Biomarkers predictive of predisposition to depression and response to treatment
The present invention relates generally to the identification of subjects with a predisposition to recurrent depression, predicting a subject's responsiveness to therapy, and determining whether a subject has remitted from depression following therapy. In particular, provided herein are biomarkers, methods, and kits for such uses. |
| US10233498B2 |
Therapeutic agent for emphysema and COPD
The invention described herein relates to methods of treating emphysema and COPD with a GHK tripeptide. The invention further relates to methods of determining the state of the lungs using biomarkers described herein. |
| US10233496B2 |
Ligation-based detection of genetic variants
The present invention provides assays systems and methods for detection of genetic variants in a sample, including copy number variation and single nucleotide polymorphisms. The invention preferably employs the technique of tandem ligation—, e.g., the ligation of two or more fixed sequence oligonucleotides and one or more bridging oligonucleotides complementary to a region between the fixed sequence oligonucleotides—combined with detection of levels of particular genomic regions using array hybridization. |
| US10233490B2 |
Methods for assembling and reading nucleic acid sequences from mixed populations
The disclosure relates to methods for obtaining nucleic acid sequence information by constructing a nucleic acid library and reconstructing longer nucleic acid sequences by assembling a series of shorter nucleic acid sequences. |
| US10233489B2 |
Multiplexed method for the identification and quantitation of minor alleles and polymorphisms
Provided herein are products and processes for detecting the presence or absence of minor nucleic acid species in a sample containing a mixture of minor nucleic acid species and one or more major nucleic acid species, where the amount (frequency or copy number) of the minor nucleic acid species is less than that of the major nucleic acid species. Certain methods include amplifying the mixture and extending the resulting amplicons using chain terminating reagents and extension primers that specifically hybridize to the amplicons, where a chain terminating reagent specific for the major nucleic acid species has a concentration that is less than a chain terminating reagent that is specific for a minor nucleic acid species. Skewing the concentrations of the chain terminating reagents in favor of high concentrations of the chain terminating reagents specific for the minor nucleic acid species relative to a chain terminating reagent specific for a major nucleic acid species improves the detection limit (sensitivity) of detecting minor nucleic acid species present at low frequency or copy number in the mixture. In addition, the signals generated from the extension product of the major nucleic acid species amplicon can serve as a positive control and permit quantification of the minor nucleic acid species relative to the major nucleic acid species in the mixture. |
| US10233486B2 |
Method for inline bilayer capacitance monitoring
A method of detecting a state of a lipid membrane in a cell of a nanopore based sequencing chip is disclosed. A lipid membrane is coupled with an integrating capacitor, wherein the lipid membrane is between a working electrode and a counter electrode. An alternating current (AC) voltage is applied to the counter electrode. A voltage across the integrating capacitor is periodically sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). A change in the sampled voltage across the integrating capacitor in response to an intermediate change in the AC voltage is determined. A state of the lipid membrane is determined based on the determined change in the sampled voltage across the integrating capacitor in response to the intermediate change in the AC voltage. |
| US10233477B2 |
Culture medium for microorganisms including para-aminobenzoic acid as a selective agent
The field of the invention is the analysis of target microorganisms in a complex sample. The present invention more particularly relates to a culture medium for the detection of at least one target microorganism including: at least one natural or synthetic fermentation or enzymatic activity substrate, and at least one selective agent, which inhibits non-target microorganisms, constituted by para-amino benzoic acid, one of its derivatives or one of their salts, at a concentration of between 0.05 and 1 g/L. |
| US10233474B2 |
Materials and methods for producing 6-carbon monomers
This document describes materials and methods for, for example, producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid using a β-ketothiolase or synthase and an alcohol O-acetyltransferase to form a 6-acetyloxy-3-oxohexanoyl-CoA intermediate. This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid using a β-ketothiolase or synthase and an alcohol O-acetyltransferase to form a 6-acetyloxy-3-oxohexanoyl-CoA intermediate. 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid can be enzymatically converted to adipic acid, caprolactam, 6-aminohexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine or 1,6-hexanediol. This document also describes recombinant hosts producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid as well as adipic acid, caprolactam, 6-aminohexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine and 1,6-hexanediol. |
| US10233471B2 |
Methods of preconditioning pretreated cellulosic material
The invention relates to methods of preconditioning pretreated cellulosic material in the presence of a combination of phenol oxidizing enzyme and glucoamylase. The invention also relates to processes of producing sugars and fermentation products including a preconditioning step. Finally the invention relates to a composition suitable for preconditioning. |
| US10233469B2 |
Method for extracting molecules produced by anaerobic fermentation from fermentable biomass
Process for extracting volatile fatty acids (VFA), organic molecules called precursors produced by microorganisms (M) in a fermentation reactor (2) by anaerobic fermentation (3) using fermentable biomass (1), said molecules being fermentative metabolites, comprising at least the following steps: a) selecting an extraction means (8) from extraction means that is, at least, insoluble in the fermentation medium and the processing conditions of which preserve the capacity of the microorganisms (M) present in the fermentation medium to produce the molecules, b) bringing the chosen extraction means (8) into contact (9) with the fermentation medium without interrupting the fermentation (3), c) recovering (12) the extracted molecules, at a pH lower than 4.5, by the extraction means (8) outside the fermentation reactor (2). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method. |
| US10233468B2 |
High molecular weight PHA-producing microbe and method of producing high molecular weight PHA using same
An object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism strain that accumulates a high molecular weight PHA, and a PHA production method using the microorganism. The present invention provides a method for producing a PHA copolymer, which includes culturing a microorganism, wherein at least a portion of either of the following genes (a) and (b) of the microorganism has been altered by substitution, deletion, insertion, and/or addition to reduce or eliminate the activity of a PHA degrading enzyme encoded by the gene: (a) a PHA degrading enzyme gene encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in the sequence listing; and (b) a gene encoding a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in the sequence listing and having PHA degrading enzyme activity. |
| US10233466B2 |
Economic ethanol fermentation sugar stream, processes and systems of producing same
Methods and system for producing a slip stream of sugar, for example for use in the production of one or more chemicals, in ethanol fermentation facilities. In some embodiments, the methods and systems have little to no impact on the level of production of ethanol, despite also producing a slip stream of sugar. The methods and systems can be implemented in dry mill ethanol, wet mill ethanol, and lignocellulosic ethanol fermentation facilities and processes. |
| US10233465B2 |
Optimal soybean loci
As disclosed herein, optimal native genomic loci have been identified in dicot plants, such as soybean plants, that represent best sites for targeted insertion of exogenous sequences. |
| US10233461B2 |
Nucleotide sequences and corresponding polypeptides conferring modulated growth rate and biomass in plants grown in saline and oxidative conditions
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able confer the trait of improved plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass in plants challenged with saline and/or oxidative stress conditions. The present invention further relates to the use of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides in making transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass that are improved in saline and/or oxidative stress conditions with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. |
| US10233460B2 |
Nucleotide sequences and corresponding polypeptides conferring modulated growth rate and biomass in plants grown in saline conditions
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able confer the trait of improved plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass in plants challenged with saline conditions. The present invention further relates to the use of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides in making transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having plant size, vegetative growth, growth rate, seedling vigor and/or biomass that are improved in saline conditions with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. |
| US10233457B2 |
Inhibition of a xylosyltransferase to improve saccharification efficiency
The invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of the gene XAX1 in grass plants. Plants with inhibited expression of XAX1 have use, e.g., in biofuel production by increasing the amount of soluble sugar that can be extracted from the plant. |
| US10233456B2 |
Method, vectors, cells, seeds and kits for stacking genes into a single genomic site
Methods of gene stacking are described herein. The methods can be used to repeatedly add genes into a chosen locus in a precise manner, which ensures co-segregation of all introduced genes and contributes to the stabilization of gene expression. In addition, methods of removing any additional foreign DNA elements such as selectable markers are provided. Seed stocks or cell lines comprising a gene stacking site, vectors containing an insert flanked by target sites for a site-specific DNA recombinase for use in the methods and kits for carrying out the methods are also provided herein. |
| US10233454B2 |
DNA vectors, transposons and transposases for eukaryotic genome modification
The present invention provides polynucleotide vectors for high expression of heterologous genes. Some vectors further comprise novel transposons and transposases that further improve expression. Further disclosed are vectors that can be used in a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acids into the DNA of a cell. The gene transfer systems can be used in methods, for example, gene expression, bioprocessing, gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, or gene discovery. |
| US10233453B2 |
Generating targeted sequence diversity in fusion proteins
Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods. |
| US10233452B2 |
Compositions and methods for increasing erythropoietin (EPO) production
The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting one or more EGLN genes, EGLN1, EGLN2 and/or EGLN3 and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of these genes. |
| US10233441B2 |
Capillary barriers for staged loading of microfluidic devices
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatuses for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels of a capillary structure. The methods and apparatuses can include providing at least one capillary barrier that positions a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces within the capillary structure. Additionally, a path is provided along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region. Additionally, gas pressure is released, via a gas-outflow port, from the fluid-interface region while flow of the first liquid is arrested. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid contact in the fluid-interface region with the capillary barrier holding the first liquid at the fluid-interface region. |
| US10233435B2 |
Glycoside hydrolases from thermophlic fungi
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic activity or hemicellulolytic activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US10233434B2 |
Process for treating an arabinoxylan-containing substrate
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US10233432B2 |
Materials and methods for characterizing and using a 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (KASIII) for production of bi-functional fatty acids
A mutant Bacillus subtilis, which does not express a functional KASIIIA and/or KASIIIB, and method of making; a mutant Rhodospirillum rubrum, which does not express a functional PhaC1, PhaC2, and/or PhaC3, and method of making; method of characterizing substrate specificity of KASIII; method of making mutant KASIII with altered substrate specificity and/or altered level of activity and nucleic acid, vector, host cell/organism, and mutant KASIII; an in vitro, high-throughput spectrophotometric method of assaying KASIII activity; and materials and methods for using KASIII for production of bi-functional fatty acids and the materials so produced. |
| US10233431B2 |
Producing 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid and ketone using polyketide synthases
The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone. |
| US10233429B2 |
Hand, foot, and mouth vaccines and methods of manufacture and use thereof
The present disclosure relates to hand, foot, and mouth disease vaccines and immunogenic compositions having one or more antigens from at least one virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease in humans, and methods of manufacture, formulation, and testing, and uses thereof. |
| US10233426B2 |
Method for inducing cardiac differentiation of pluripotent stem cell with low-molecular compounds
The present invention provides a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell, which comprises the steps of (1) culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a WNT signaling activator and a PKC activator and (2) culturing the cell after the step (1) in a medium containing a WNT signaling inhibitor, a Src inhibitor, and an EGFR inhibitor. |
| US10233422B2 |
Pluripotent cell lines and methods of use thereof
Methods of generating cell lines with a sequence variation or copy number variation of a gene of interest, methods of use thereof, and cell lines with a sequence variation or copy number variation of a gene of interest are provided. |
| US10233421B2 |
Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells
The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cells in medium comprising a sufficient amount of GDF-8 to cause the differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage. |
| US10233420B2 |
Methods of recellularizing a tissue or organ for improved transplantability
Described herein are methods of recellularizing an organ or tissue matrix. |
| US10233419B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for electroporation
Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing electroporation. |
| US10233414B2 |
Method of producing a fermented beverage
A method for preparing a fermented beverage having a modulated aromatic profile is provided as well as a fermented beverage produced thereby. The method includes preparing a fermentable mixture, such as juice, must, or wort and introducing ammonium sulphide into the fermentable mixture at a predetermined concentration. The fermentable mixture is then subjected to fermentation. A C6 aldehyde, C6 alcohol or a combination thereof may be added to the fermentable mixture in combination with ammonium sulphide to enhance its effect on the aromatic profile of the fermented beverage. |
| US10233413B2 |
Cleaning formulations
A composition useful for removing residue from a semiconductor substrate comprising in effective cleaning amounts: from about 55 to 80% by weight of water; from about 0.3 to about 5.0% by weight of EDTA; from about 10.0 to about 30.0% by weight of an amine compound wherein the amine compound is selected from the group consisting of a secondary amine, a tertiary amine, and mixtures thereof; from about 0.1 to about 5.0% by weight of a polyfunctional organic acid; from about 0.01 to about 8.0% by weight of a fluoride ion source; from about 0 to about 60% by weight of a water-miscible organic solvent; and from about 0 to about 15% by weight of a corrosion inhibitor. |
| US10233409B2 |
Liquid cleaning compositions
Disclosed are cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning fabrics to which stains are adhered. The cleaning composition contains a surfactant system comprising one or more anionic surfactants, a cleaning enzyme, and an organic acidulant having a calculated stability constant for Ca2+ ions of less than about 1.5 at a pH of about 4. The cleaning composition has a neat pH of from about 2 to about 6. |
| US10233406B2 |
Nonionic surfactant composition and surface cleaning formulation
The present invention describes a composition of nonionic surfactants comprising a mixture of Guerbet alcohols and natural fatty alcohols with different ethoxylation gradients for producing a surface cleaning formulation. Preferably, the natural fatty alcohols are the 4 EO and 6 EO lauryl alcohols. This cleaning formulation has the advantage of being more environmental-friendly and providing a similar efficiency of formulations from fossil origin. |
| US10233404B2 |
Methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct and system therefore
The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis. |
| US10233401B2 |
Char feeding hopper, char recovery system, and coal gasification combined power generation system
Provided are a char feeding hopper that makes it possible to accurately measure char, a char recovery system, and a coal gasification combined power generation system. The char feeding hopper comprises: a char feeding hopper body that feeds separated char to a coal gasifier side; at least two casing tubes (121, 122) that are inserted from a side wall of the char feeding hopper body and that are provided so as to be aligned with one another in the vertical axis direction; a radiation source section (101) that is provided within the casing tube (121) and that emits γ-rays within the char feeding hopper body; and a γ-ray detector that is provided within the casing tube (122) and that detects emitted γ-rays. The cross-section of each casing tube (121, 122) has a shape that is provided with a tapered section (200) having an apex angle on the upper edge thereof. |
| US10233393B2 |
Heated airlock feeder unit
A Heated Airlock Feeder is disclosed. The Heated Airlock Feeder allows for the continuous feeding of solid, shredded plastic into a reactor tube surrounded by clamshell burner boxes. Inside of the reactor tube, two augers, one with right hand flights and one with left hand flights are welded to smooth augers to create two continuous augers that push solid plastic material, liquid plastic material and molten plastic material through two small holes. As the plastic is in its molten state while being forced through the two small holes, an airlock is formed preventing air form entering the system. As the solid, shredded plastic is fed into the system, an airlock is formed allowing for the continuous feeding of the system. The clamshell burner boxes allow for convection and radiant heat allowing for even, continuous heat. |
| US10233392B2 |
Method for optimizing coke plant operation and output
The present technology is generally directed to methods of increasing coal processing rates for coke ovens. In various embodiments, the present technology is applied to methods of coking relatively small coal charges over relatively short time periods, resulting in an increase in coal processing rate. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly and forwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, a false door system includes a false door that is vertically oriented to maximize an amount of coal being charged into the oven. |
| US10233390B2 |
Gas phase enhancement of emission color quality in solid state LEDs
Light-emitting materials are made from a porous light-emitting semiconductor having quantum dots (QDs) disposed within the pores. According to some embodiments, the QDs have diameters that are essentially equal in size to the width of the pores. The QDs are formed in the pores by exposing the porous semiconductor to gaseous QD precursor compounds, which react within the pores to yield QDs. According to certain embodiments, the pore size limits the size of the QDs produced by the gas-phase reactions. The QDs absorb light emitted by the light-emitting semiconductor material and reemit light at a longer wavelength than the absorbed light, thereby “down-converting” light from the semiconductor material. |
| US10233389B2 |
Semiconductor nanoparticles and method of producing semiconductor nanoparticles
A method of producing semiconductor nanoparticles is provided. The method includes heating primary semiconductor nanoparticles and a salt of an element M1 in a solvent at a temperature set in a range of 100° C. to 300° C. The primary semiconductor nanoparticles contain the element M1, an element M2, optionally an element M3, and an element Z, and have an average particle size of 50 nm or less. The element M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, and Au. The element M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, and Tl. The element M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn and Cd. The element Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te. |
| US10233381B2 |
Methods and compositions for stabilizing fracture faces during hydraulic fracturing treatments
A method of treating a subterranean formation including introducing a preflush solution comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a surfactant onto the face of a fracture in a subterranean formation with particulates in the fracture; introducing a stabilizing composition onto the fracture face of the formation and onto the particulates proximate the fracture face, the composition including a second aqueous-based fluid; a silane-based resin; and a silane-based curing agent; allowing the stabilizing composition to consolidate the particulates proximate the fracture face, thereby stabilizing the fracture face and proximate particulates in the fracture. A method includes introducing a conformance treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, said treatment fluid including: an aqueous-based fluid; a silane-based resin; and a silane-based curing agent; and allowing the conformance treatment fluid to at least partially seal the pores of the formation. |
| US10233379B2 |
Loss circulation compositions (LCM) having portland cement clinker
Portland cement clinker LCMs that include Portland cement clinker to mitigate or prevent lost circulation in a well are provided. A Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker, Portland cement, a carrier fluid, and an inorganic consolidation activator. Another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and a crosslinked fluid, such as a polyuronide crosslinked via calcium ions or a polysaccharide crosslinked via divinyl sulfone. Yet another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and polymer fibers or particulate glass. Methods of lost circulation control using a Portland cement clinker LCM are also provided. |
| US10233375B1 |
Drilling fluid for inhibiting surface hydration of clay and preparation method thereof
The present invention relates to the field of drilling fluids, and discloses a drilling fluid that can inhibit surface hydration of clay and a preparation method of the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid contains water, bentonite, an intercalation inhibitor, a tackifier, a flow pattern regulator, a filtrate reducer, a lubricant, and a weighting agent, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of water, the content of the bentonite is 2-9 parts by weight, the content of the intercalation inhibitor is 0.3-4 parts by weight, the content of the tackifier is 1-10 parts by weight, the content of the flow pattern regulator is 0.8-7 parts by weight, the content of the filtrate reducer is 1-8 parts by weight, the content of the lubricant is 0.5-4 parts by weight, and the content of the weighting agent is 12-60 parts by weight; the intercalation inhibitor prepared in the present invention can effectively control the degree of surface hydration of clay and thereby greatly improve the inhibition performance of the drilling fluid system by virtue of adsorption, intercalation, and ion exchange effects, etc. attained by the adsorptive groups that have specific functions in the intercalation inhibitor, when the intercalation inhibitor is intercalated in a form of a single spread layer between grain layers of clay minerals. |
| US10233374B2 |
Polymer-based drilling fluids containing non-biodegradable materials and methods for use thereof
Polymer-based drilling fluids may be used as an alternative to drilling fluids containing bentonite or other clay materials, although filter cake formation with polymer-based drilling fluids can often be inadequate. Drilling methods can comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-crosslinked hydroxyalkylcellulose polymer and the non-biodegradable particulates. |
| US10233373B2 |
Drilling oil and method of preparing the same
Embodiments of the present invention relate to drilling oil, and to a method of preparing the drilling oil, including converting C16 and/or C18 fatty acids derived from fat of biological origin into C15 and/or C17 olefins through decarbonylation. |