| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10387106B2 |
Media content system for enhancing rest
A media-playback device acquires a heart rate, selects a song with a first tempo, and initiates playback of the song. The song meets a set of qualification criteria and the first tempo is based on the heart rate, such as being equal to or less than the heart rate. The media-playback device also initiates playback of a binaural beat at a first frequency. Over a period of time, the binaural beat's first frequency is changed to a second frequency. Over the period of time, the first tempo can also be changed to a second tempo, where the second tempo is slower than the first tempo. |
| US10387101B2 |
Electronic device for providing content and control method therefor
Disclosed is a control method for an electronic device. An electronic device according to an embodiment comprises: at least one speaker; and a processor. The processor may be configured to: obtain sound source data; obtain first sound source data, corresponding to a first designated frequency band, from the sound source data by using a filter; generate second sound source data by applying sound effect to at least a portion of sound source data corresponding to a second designated frequency band among the sound source data; generate synthesized sound source data corresponding to the sound source data by synthesizing the first sound source data and the second sound source data; and output the synthesized sound source data through the at least one speaker. Other embodiments may also be possible. |
| US10387099B2 |
System, method and computer program product for generating remote views in a virtual mobile device platform using efficient color space conversion and frame encoding
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods and computer readable media for generating remote views in a virtual mobile device platform. A virtual mobile device platform may be coupled to a physical mobile device over a network and generate frames of data for generating views on the physical device. These frames can be generated using an efficient display encoding pipeline on the virtual mobile device platform. Such efficiencies may include, for example, the synchronization of various processes or operations, the governing of various processing rates, the elimination of duplicative or redundant processing, the application of different encoding schemes, the efficient detection of duplicative or redundant data or the combination of certain operations. |
| US10387092B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, a 2D code detecting unit detects a 2-dimensional code in a document image to be printed. A divisional code distributing unit (a) removes the 2-dimensional code in the document image, (b) divides the 2-dimensional code into a predetermined number of divisional codes, (c) performs a zooming process and/or a rotation process for a part or all of the divisional codes, (d) distributes the divisional codes after the zooming process and/or the rotation process, and (e) generates and outputs a decode key that includes (e1) the number of the divisional codes, (e2) positions of the divisional codes, and (e3) a zooming ratio of the zooming process and/or a rotation angle of the rotation process. A printing device prints the document image in which the divisional codes are distributed. |
| US10387091B2 |
Image processing device, control method, and non-transitory recording medium for processing one or more types of print jobs including at least one type of decolorable toner
An image processing device includes a heating unit, a memory, and a control unit. The heating unit heats a sheet at a temperature which is determined in each type of job in processing of a job related to image processing. The memory stores a type of job, and the number of sheets which is processed in the job, in each of job which is not executed yet. The control unit rearranges an executing order of jobs which are not executed yet so that jobs of the same type are continuously performed, when there is a job of which the number of sheets to be processed in one job is larger than the predetermined number of sheets. |
| US10387090B2 |
System, control apparatus, and control method that control an indicating pattern of an indicator light connected to an image forming apparatus
A control apparatus has a processor that executes instructions, stored in a memory, to receive a selection of a job from a job list indicating one or more jobs that are executed by one or more image forming apparatuses, to specify destination information corresponding to the selected job, and to transmit control information, based on the specified destination information, to an image forming apparatus, of the one or more image forming apparatuses, corresponding to the selected job, to control an indicating pattern of an indicator light connected to the image forming apparatus corresponding to the selected job. Each image forming apparatus has a processor that executes instructions, stored in a memory, to receive the control information transmitted from the control apparatus, and to control the indicating pattern of the indicator light connected to the image forming apparatus. |
| US10387087B2 |
Output systems or audio output devices that include an interface operable by a user to initiate wireless discovery for establishing wireless connections with mobile devices
A method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) and an output system (e.g., audio output device) are herein disclosed and enabled. The method comprises using an interface of the output system to receive an indication from a user, and initiating wireless discovery based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, subsequent to receiving the user indication. The method additionally comprises using the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly (1) discover the output system, (2) establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, and (3) transmit audio output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system over the established wireless communication link. Subsequently, the output system outputs or plays at least part of the wireles sly received audio output data from the mobile information apparatus. |
| US10387085B1 |
Modification of advanced function presentation (AFP) print jobs
Combining multiple pages of an AFP print job into a single AFP output page that can be more efficiently printed is described. A print job is received, where pages in the print job begin with a first electronic marker indicative of a beginning of the page and ends with a second electronic marker indicative of an end of the page. A first page and a second page in the print job are identified to combine together into an output page, and an amount of offset for page contents of the second page is determined. The page contents of the second page are shifted by the amount of the offset. The first electronic marker is removed from the first page, the second electronic marker is removed from the second page, and page contents of the first page and shifted page contents of the second page are combined together into the output page. The output page is transmitted to a printer for printing. |
| US10387084B2 |
Control method for information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus
A control method for an information processing apparatus that performs wireless communication with a communication apparatus includes receiving, via a communication in a state in which pairing between the communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus is complete, predetermined information transmitted from the communication apparatus in a case where the communication apparatus is in a predetermined error state, and causes a display unit to display a screen for eliminating an error occurring in the communication apparatus, wherein, in a case where the pairing is complete, a screen including first information for eliminating the predetermined error state is displayed based on the received predetermined information, and, in a case where the pairing is not complete, a screen including second information different from the first information is displayed. |
| US10387082B2 |
Printing machine and method for tray selection in printing
Tray selection in printing may involve checking for the availability of paper trays which may provide increased paper throughput, and by postponing a switch to use such trays to help avoid excessive tray switching that could adversely affect paper throughput. When a higher ranked tray is unavailable, tray selection may involve checking the availability of lower ranked trays before the present tray is empty, and by postponing a switch to such trays to help avoid excessive tray switching. A change in printing condition may provide a convenient and opportune time to switch between trays without adversely affecting paper throughput. |
| US10387081B2 |
System and method for processing and arbitrating submission and completion queues
Systems and methods for processing and arbitrating submission and completion queues are disclosed. NVM Express (NVMe) implements a paired submission queue and completion queue mechanism, with host software on the host device placing commands into the submission queue. The memory device processes the commands through various phases including fetching, processing, posting a completion message, and sending an interrupt to the host. The memory device may process the commands based on the determined priority of the command. For example, the memory device may determine a priority for performing the phases after fetching the command. As another example, the memory device may perform the internal command selection based on a priority associated with the command. In this way, commands may be executed based on the priority needs of the memory device or of the host device. |
| US10387079B2 |
Placement of dispersed storage data based on requestor properties
Methods for use in identifying optimal storage units for storage of data in a dispersed storage network (DSN) having geographically distributed storage units. In operation, a data object to be stored is received by a computing device functioning. When selecting from multiple sets of storage units servicing multiple geographic regions for placement of the data, the computing device biases its decision based on additional properties of the storage request or of the requestor. In one example, the primary or “home” location of the requestor is determined from metadata received from an authentication authority. Alternatively, the home location information may be derived from a store data request received from the requestor. Following a determination that the originating location of the storage request differs from the home location, the computing device selects storage units in relatively closer proximity to the home location as compared to a current location of the requestor. |
| US10387073B2 |
External dynamic virtual machine synchronization
Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and processes for replicating one or more user computing systems of an information management system at an external resource system to create a backup or fallback of the user computing systems. Replicating the user computing systems may include replicating data as well as the applications, operating systems and configuration of the user computing systems. This replicated or fallback user computing system may be implemented on a virtual machine at the external resource system. Thus, if a user computing system becomes inaccessible, a new user computing system can be generated based on the backup copy of the user computing system at the external resource system. Further, in some embodiments, the copy of the user computing system may be interacted with at the external resource system. Thus, certain embodiments disclosed herein can be used to transition an information management system to an external resource system. |
| US10387070B2 |
Migrating data in response to adding incremental storage resources in a dispersed storage network
A method for execution by a computing device includes detecting that an incremental storage cohort has been added to a storage generation to produce an updated plurality of storage cohorts of an updated storage generation, where each storage cohort includes a set of storage units. For each storage cohort, a slice listing process is initiated to identify a plurality of DSN addresses associated with storage of data objects within the each storage cohort. For each DSN address, ranked scoring information is obtained for the each storage cohort of the updated plurality of storage cohorts. One storage cohort is identified based on the ranked scoring information. When the identified storage cohort is different than another storage cohort associated with current storage of encoded data slices associated with the DSN address of the identified storage cohort, a migration process is initiated to migrate the encoded data slices to the identified storage cohort. |
| US10387068B2 |
Size adjustable volumes for containers
Implementations of the disclosure provide for size adjustable volumes for containers. A method of the disclosure includes determining, by a processing device of the PaaS system, a size used space in a storage volume with respect to a container associated with an execution of an application. The size is a summation of current usage of disk space for the storage volume by the application. This size of the used space is compared to a threshold size. The threshold size indicates a determined amount of the storage volume allocated to the container. Responsive to the size meeting the threshold size, an increase in the allocated amount of the storage volume associated with the container is regulated by the processing device. |
| US10387063B2 |
Securing encoding data slices using an integrity check value list
A method includes retrieving a read threshold number of integrity check value list (ICVL) encoded data slices of a set of ICVL encoded data slices. The method further includes determining whether an appended ICVL of each ICVL encoded data slice of the read threshold number of ICVL encoded data slices substantially match. When the appended ICVL of one of the ICVL encoded does not substantially match the appended ICVL of other ICVL encoded data slices, the method further includes determining a likely cause for the mismatch. When the likely cause is missing a revision update, the method further includes initiate rebuilding of the encoded data slice portion. The method further includes generating an integrity check value for the rebuilt encoded data slice and updating the integrity check value list. The method further includes appending the updated integrity check value list to the rebuilt encoded data slice. |
| US10387061B2 |
Performance of coprocessor assisted memset( ) through heterogeneous computing
Techniques herein perform coprocessor assisted memory filling in a pipeline. A computer receives a request to fill multiple ranges of memory addresses with a value. The computer selects a first subset of the multiple ranges and distributes the first subset of ranges to multiple coprocessors. The coprocessors begin to fill the memory locations of the first subset of ranges with the value. At the same time as the coprocessors fill the first subset of ranges, the computer selects a second subset of the multiple ranges of memory addresses. Also while the coprocessors are still filling the first subset of ranges, the computer distributes the second subset of ranges to the coprocessors This overlapping activity achieves a processing pipeline that can be extended for any amount of additional subsets of memory ranges. |
| US10387059B2 |
Memory-driven out-of-band management
According to an example, memory-driven OOB management may include OOB management of a computing node of a plurality of computing nodes. The OOB management may be executed independent of an OS of the computing node. A memory fabric may be used to provide for shared access to a plurality of NVM nodes by the plurality of computing nodes. |
| US10387055B2 |
Multiple endianness compatibility
Examples of the present disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for multiple endianness compatibility. An example method comprises receiving a plurality of bytes and determining a particular endianness format of the plurality of bytes. The method can include, responsive to determining the particular endianness format is a first endianness format, reordering bits of each byte of the plurality of bytes on a bytewise basis, storing the reordered plurality of bytes in an array of memory cells, and adjusting a shift direction associated with performing a number of operations on the plurality of bytes stored in the array. The method can include, responsive to determining the particular endianness format is a second endianness format, storing the plurality of bytes in the array without reordering bits of the plurality of bytes. |
| US10387052B2 |
Higher and lower availability prioritization of storage cells in an automated library
A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: designating a first set of drives as higher availability drives, and designating a second set of drives as lower availability drives. Each of the drives is configured to receive cartridges via one or more accessors. Moreover, each of the one or more accessors is assigned a servicing location corresponding to the lower availability drives. A first cartridge is also correlated with at least one of the higher availability drives and a second cartridge is correlated with at least one of the lower availability drives. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments. |
| US10387046B2 |
Bank to bank data transfer
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods to transfer data between banks of memory cells. An example includes a plurality of banks of memory cells and a controller coupled to the plurality of subarrays configured to cause transfer of data between the plurality of banks of memory cells via internal data path operations. |
| US10387040B2 |
Configure storage class memory command
An abstraction for storage class memory is provided that hides the details of the implementation of storage class memory from a program, and provides a standard channel programming interface for performing certain actions, such as controlling movement of data between main storage and storage class memory or managing storage class memory. |
| US10387037B2 |
Microarchitecture enabling enhanced parallelism for sparse linear algebra operations having write-to-read dependencies
Techniques for enabling enhanced parallelism for sparse linear algebra operations having write-to-read dependencies are disclosed. A hardware processor includes a plurality of processing elements, a memory that is heavily-banked into a plurality of banks, and an arbiter. The arbiter is to receive requests from threads executing at the plurality of processing elements seeking to perform operations involving the memory, and to maintain a plurality of lock buffers corresponding to the plurality of banks. Each of the lock buffers is able to track up to a plurality of memory addresses within the corresponding bank that are to be treated as locked in that the values stored at those memory addresses cannot be updated by those of the threads that did not cause the memory addresses to be locked until those memory addresses have been removed from being tracked by the plurality of lock buffers. |
| US10387030B2 |
Bendable display device and displaying method thereof
A bendable display device and a display method of the bendable display device including a bendable display are provided. The bendable display device includes a display; and a controller configured to display an object on the display, and in response to receiving a user input in a state which the display is rolled, change the object displayed on the display. The method includes displaying an object on the display; and in response to receiving a user input in a state which the display is rolled, changing the object displayed on the display. |
| US10387025B2 |
Multi-mode user interface
An approach is provided to display a grid user-interface on a display. The grid user-interface includes a number of medium-sized windows that are displayed in a grid format. Each of the medium-sized windows has a substantially common width and a substantially common height to the other medium-sized windows. The system receives a mixed-mode request from a user. The mixed-mode request corresponds to a selected application that is displayed in one of the medium-sized windows. A second user-interface is displayed in response to receiving the mixed-mode request. The selected application is displayed in a large window and a plurality of small-sized windows is displayed adjacent to the large window. Each of the small-sized windows also has a substantially common width and a substantially common height to the other small-sized windows. |
| US10387023B2 |
Going on location feasibility
Techniques and devices to assist an offshore unit in going on location and coming off location. A device may include an interface configured to receive a signal indicative of motions of an offshore unit. The device may also include a memory configured to store a set of values corresponding to acceptable motions of the offshore unit, as well as a processor configured to determine if a measured motion of the offshore unit exceeds at least one value of the set of values and generate an indication that going on location by the offshore unit can be undertaken when the processor determines that the measured motion of the offshore unit is less than or equal to the at least one value. |
| US10387021B2 |
Robotic hair transplantation system with touchscreen interface for controlling movement of tool
A system is disclosed for performing hair transplantation procedures. The system may include a robotic arm and a tool coupled to the robotic arm, the tool configured for hair harvesting, site making or hair implantation. The system further includes a touch screen user interface that supports touch gestures for efficiently creating and manipulating objects, such as reserved regions, that control the harvesting, site making, and/or implantation sites selected by the system. The user interface implements logic rules that use the context in which a touch gesture is performed to determine the type of operation intended. The touch interface substantially eliminates or reduces the need for a user to use a keyboard or mouse during the procedure. |
| US10387020B2 |
Display device, corresponding systems, and methods therefor
A display system includes a display and a control circuit operable with the display. The display is configured to provide visual output having a presentation orientation. When user input is received, the control circuit can alter the presentation orientation from an initial orientation in response to user input. When non-user events or device events are detected, the control circuit can revert the presentation orientation to the initial orientation in response to the non-user event or device event. Where the presentation orientation has a user input configuration associated therewith, the user input configuration can either be altered with the presentation orientation or retained in an initial disposition. |
| US10387017B2 |
Electronic device for displaying multiple screens and control method therefor
An electronic device having a plurality of display areas and an operation method therefor are provided. The electronic device includes a first display area; a second display area; and a processor configured to display an application screen including a control object on the first display area, detect an input to move the application screen from the first display area to the second display area, rearrange the control object on the application screen, based on a type of the control object and a movement direction of the application screen, and display the application screen including the rearranged control object on the second display area. |
| US10387012B2 |
Display of images with action zones
A method and system. An image, displayed on a display device, includes action zones. Maps of the image are stored. Each map defines, for a specific time stamp, a location for each action zone in the image. An operation of an action zone in the image displayed on the display device is received. The operation has a defined location in the image and a current time for an operation of the action zone. A time delay is applied to the current time to obtain a selection time for the operation of the action zone, by calculating the selection time as the current time minus the time delay. A map with a time stamp immediately prior to the selection time is determined from the maps. An action zone defined in the determined map and matching the defined location of the operation of the action zone in the image is operated. |
| US10387010B2 |
Method of computerized presentation of a document set view for auditing information and managing sets of multiple documents and pages
A method of computerized presentation of a document set view for auditing information of a set of documents. The method includes the initial step of receiving on a computer a selection of an original document. The original document has multiple pages with each of the pages of the original document having corresponding page content. A selection is received from the user of a first region a page of the original document. This process is repeated to retrieve a text string from all of the pages. An addendum document with multiple pages is received. A text string is retrieved from the pages of the addendum document without user intervention. A document set view is provided using the retrieved text stings and displayed for the user to update the associated information and thus allowing for the user to perform a data audit of the automated portion of the process. |
| US10387008B2 |
Method and device for selecting an object from a list
A method for selecting an object from a list. A portion of a list is displayed using graphical objects on a display surface and functions are assigned to each graphical object. The list is displayed as a stack in which a first graphical object is completely visible at the top of the stack, and other graphical objects are only partly visible perspectively behind the first graphical object, wherein one of the other graphical objects is selected by a selection operating process. The first graphical object displayed at the top of the stack disappears when a selection operating process has been detected such that one of the other graphical objects is displayed at the top of the stack after the first graphical object has disappeared, and the second graphical object is automatically selected so that the function assigned to the second graphical object is carried out. |
| US10386998B2 |
Resizing a response region of a moving object
An information processing apparatus includes a touch panel, a display control unit configured to perform control so that a moving object and a different object from the moving object are displayed on a display screen of the touch panel, wherein a display position of the moving object can be moved, and a control unit configured to set a response region for receiving a touch operation with respect to the moving object, wherein, in a case where the moving object overlaps the different object, the control unit reduces the response region of the moving object. |
| US10386995B2 |
User interface for combinable virtual desktops
The embodiments herein describe user interfaces for virtual desktops displayed on an electronic device. In some embodiments, each virtual desktop is associated with a corresponding application. By instantiating multiple virtual desktops that are each associated with an application, one or more application windows for the application are displayed in a corresponding virtual desktop. In some embodiments, multiple virtual desktops can be merged so as to display application windows from multiple virtual desktops in a single merged virtual desktop. |
| US10386990B2 |
Systems and methods for treating tissue with radiofrequency energy
A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to heat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having at least one electrode for applying radiofrequency energy to tissue, a controller including a connector to which a first treatment device is coupled for use, and a generator for applying radiofrequency energy to the electrodes. The controller controls application of energy so that the tissue is thermally treated to create lesions but preventing thermal treatment beyond a threshold which would ablate the tissue. |
| US10386988B1 |
Facilitating user progression in a virtual space based on user purchases of virtual currency
A system and method for facilitating user progression in a virtual space based user purchases of virtual currency are disclosed. The facilitated user progression may include user progression a virtual space ability or abilities based on purchases of the virtual currency with real world money. Such user progression in those abilities may be distinct and separate from user progressions in other virtual space abilities based on gameplays by the users. |
| US10386986B1 |
Providing an interactive presentation environment
An interactive presentation environment for eMeetings or the like that provides participants with more control over what they see and hear. The interactive presentation environment may comprise a meeting recorder adapted to create a recording of a live meeting and a navigation control for selecting a portion of the recording to view during the live meeting. The interactive presentation environment may further comprise a timeline control containing a first graphical indicator associated with a live position and a second graphical indicator associated with a current position, a bookmark control adapted to mark a portion of the recording for archiving, and a display operatively connected to the meeting recorder and the navigation control. |
| US10386985B2 |
User interface pattern mapping
A method for a mapping of user interfaces includes providing a mapping description between first data elements of a first user interface and second data elements of a second user interface, receiving input events via the first user interface, and intercepting a communication between the first user interface and an application by an interface mapper. The method also includes aggregating a series of the received input events to a first user interface pattern, transforming the first user interface pattern to a second user interface pattern based on the mapping description, and rendering the second user interface pattern in a second user interface in parallel to rendering the first user interface pattern in the first user such that both user interfaces are visible at the same time. |
| US10386981B2 |
Display device with touch detection function, and electronic unit
A display device with a touch detection function including: a plurality of elements performing display operation; a plurality of touch detection electrodes arranged side by side to extend in one direction, and each outputting a detection signal based on a change in an electrostatic capacitance caused by an external proximity object; a conductive film insulated from or connected with high resistance to the touch detection electrodes, and disposed to cover the touch detection electrodes; and a touch detection circuit detecting the external proximity object by sampling the detection signal. The conductive film has a sheet resistance equal to or smaller than a predetermined resistance value, and has a time constant larger than a predetermined minimum time constant defined by sampling timings in the touch detection circuit. |
| US10386979B2 |
Touch panel structure having a shielding layer and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure provides a touch panel structure, including a display device, a dielectric layer, a first sensing circuit, a second sensing circuit and a shielding layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the display device. The first sensing circuit includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of conducting bridges, wherein the first sensing electrodes are disposed on the dielectric layer, and the conducting bridges are disposed between the dielectric layer and the display device. Adjacent ones of the first sensing electrodes are electrically connected with each other through one of the conducting bridges. The second sensing circuit includes a plurality of second sensing electrodes, which are disposed on the dielectric layer. The second sensing circuit is insulated from and crosses the first sensing circuit. The shielding layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the display device and coplanar with the conducting bridges. |
| US10386978B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel (DP) and a sensor unit on the DP. The sensor unit includes: a first conductive layer (CL) including a first bridge (FB); a second CL disposed on the first CL, the second CL including first sensor portions (FSPs) spaced apart from each other and arranged in a first direction; a first insulating layer (IL) disposed between the first CL and the second CL, the first IL including through-holes (THs) extending between the FB and the FSPs overlapping the FB; and contact electrodes (CEs) filling spaces defined by a bridge top surface of the FB exposed by the THs, insulating sidewalls of the first IL defining the THs, and sensor bottom surfaces of the FSPs facing the FB. A cross-section, which is perpendicular to a top surface of the DP, of each of the CEs has a polygonal shape of five or more sides. |
| US10386977B2 |
Display device including sensor capacitor and light emitting device that contact same face of insulating layer
A display device may include a first transistor, a light emitting device, a sensor capacitor, and an insulating layer. The light emitting device may be electrically connected to the first transistor and may include a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and a light-emitting member positioned between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The sensor capacitor may include a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may be positioned between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode, may directly contact both the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode, and may not emit light. The second capacitor electrode may be electrically connected to the common electrode. A face of the insulating layer may directly contact each of the pixel electrode and the first capacitor electrode. |
| US10386976B2 |
Mutual capacitance sensing array
A method and apparatus for sensing a conductive object by a mutual capacitance sensing array is described according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mutual capacitance sensing array comprises one or more sensor elements. Each sensor element comprises an outer frame including a conductive material. A cavity is formed within the interior of the outer frame. |
| US10386967B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided. The display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit, and a rear chassis. The display panel is configured to display an image. The backlight unit is provided on a rear surface of the display panel. The rear chassis includes a protruding region, a vibration plate, and at least one acoustic element. The protruding region is protruded in a rear direction. The at least one acoustic element is provided in the vibration plate and includes a pair of electrodes and a vibration material layer provided therebetween. The protruding region and the vibration plate are made of different materials. |
| US10386962B1 |
Reducing touch node electrode coupling
A touch screen is disclosed. The touch screen comprises a first touch node electrode associated with a first display pixel, the first display pixel coupled to a first gate line. The touch screen also comprises a second touch node electrode associated with a second display pixel, the second display pixel coupled to a second gate line. The touch screen also comprises a voltage source coupled to a first gate line routing and a second gate line routing, wherein the first gate line is coupled to the first gate line routing, and the second gate line is coupled to the second gate line routing. |
| US10386961B2 |
Touch window
Disclosed is a touch window which includes a substrate; a plurality of sensing electrodes on the substrate; and an opening part between the sensing electrodes. |
| US10386959B2 |
Information processing device, operation input method and operation input program
Disclosed herein is an information processing device including a contact detection unit configured to detect a contact operation for an operation surface, an approach detection unit configured to detect an approach operation for the operation surface, and a control unit configured to recognize the contact operation and the approach operation as a series of operation inputs when the contact operation and the approach operation are continuously detected. |
| US10386958B2 |
Substrate, display device and driving method thereof, and touch control display system
A display device includes a substrate. The substrate includes a substratum. The substratum includes a main touch control area which includes a plurality of first touch control electrodes and a plurality of second touch control electrodes that are insulated from each other and intersect with each other. A first dummy electrode is disposed between the adjacent first touch control electrodes, and is electrically connected to the first touch control electrodes which are adjacent to the first dummy electrode. A second dummy electrode is disposed between the adjacent second touch control electrodes, and is electrically connected to the second touch control electrodes which are adjacent to the second dummy electrode. The material of the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode is photosensitive resistive material that is sensitive to light of a specific wavelength band, and both the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode are transparent. |
| US10386953B2 |
Capacitive sensor patterns
Methods and devices for providing fast multi-touch sensors are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is provided for design and manufacture of touch sensors for touch-sensitive devices. At least one behavioral quality is identified for the touch-sensitive devices. At least one parameter is selected, the parameter being associated with the composition or geometry of a stack of row conductors and column conductors on each of the touch sensors associated with the devices, the selection being based on the identified at least one behavioral quality. Multi-touch sensors are then manufactured by arranging a plurality of row conductors and a plurality of column conductors in a stack such that the stack or a component thereof has a geometry or composition that meets the at least one parameter. An orthogonal signal transmitter is provided for simultaneously transmitting each of a plurality of orthogonal row signals on a respective one of at least some of the plurality of row conductors. A detector is provided for detecting an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors. Specific multi-touch sensors are also disclosed for hover applications, large screen applications, and others. |
| US10386952B2 |
Force sensing touch system including a strain amplifying structure and computing device with a force sensing touch system
A computing device configured to take action based on user touch position and force comprises a touch system and a strain amplifying force sensing structure attached to an underside of the touch system. The strain amplifying force sensing structure comprises a force sensing layer and a support plate with a strain amplifying structure. |
| US10386950B2 |
Touch-panel-equipped display device and method for manufacturing touch-panel-equipped display device
A touch-panel-equipped display device includes an active matrix substrate 1, TFTs 4; a first insulating film 44 formed on a liquid crystal layer side with respect to the TFT 4; pixel electrodes 31 provided on a liquid crystal layer side with respect to the first insulating film; a second insulating film 46 provided on a liquid crystal layer side with respect to the pixel electrodes; counter electrodes 21 that are formed on a liquid crystal layer side with respect to the second insulating film, the counter electrodes and the pixel electrodes having electrostatic capacitances therebetween; a control unit that detects a touch position by supplying a touch driving signal to the counter electrodes; and signal lines 22 for supplying the touch driving signal from the control unit to the counter electrodes. The signal lines are formed between the first insulating film and the second insulating film. |
| US10386949B2 |
Display panel and touch display device
A display panel and a touch display device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the display panel includes data lines, gate lines, subpixels defined by the data lines and the gate lines, and touch sensors, and a touch sensing circuit sensing a touch or a touched position using the touch sensors. Each of the touch sensors is located on an encapsulation layer and comprises two or more sub-electrodes located on different layers, where the two or more sub-electrodes are electrically connected to each other. |
| US10386948B2 |
Method for touch detection enhancement based on identifying a cover film on a touch-screen
A first set of classifier data and a different second set of classifier data are stored. Each of the first set and the second set is configured to differentiate between different types of touches on a touch sensitive screen including a capacitive based sensor. The first set is adapted to differentiate between different types of touches on a touch sensitive screen with no cover film added on the screen and the second set is adapted to differentiate between different types of touches when a cover film is added to the screen. The cover film is identified on the screen based on output from at least one conductive line or at least one array of conductive electrodes of the capacitive based sensor. The second set of classifier data is selected based on the identifying. A touch interaction is reported based on the second set of classifier data. |
| US10386944B2 |
Capacitive stylus providing signals for tilt and orientation detection
A capacitive stylus capable of providing signals for tilt and orientation detection is provided. The capacitive stylus is used for a tablet or a touch panel. The capacitive stylus can emit two high voltage waves, and the tablet or the touch panel receives the two high voltage waves and determines a tilt angle and an orientation of the capacitive stylus according to the two high voltage waves. This capacitive stylus has configuration allowing the tilt and orientation detection to be precise. |
| US10386940B2 |
Touch sensing of user input device
Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user input. One example provides a method comprising receiving user inputs from a user input device, monitoring a touch-sensitive display device for detection of a presence of the user input device via the touch-sensitive display device, when the user input device is detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a first user input mode in which a first user interface is displayed on the touch-sensitive display device at a location based upon a location of the input device on the touch-sensitive display device, and when the user input device is not detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a second user input mode in which a second user interface is displayed at a location on the touch-sensitive display device not based upon a location of the input device. |
| US10386939B2 |
Mouse
A mouse includes a housing, a circuit board, at least one switch holder and at least one switch accommodating space. The housing of the mouse has at least one button. The circuit board is configured in the housing of the mouse. The switch holder supports the switch module, and the switch module and the switch holder are accommodated within the switch accommodating space. The housing of the mouse also has a gripper accommodating space, and a gripper is accommodated in the gripper accommodating space. |
| US10386938B2 |
Tracking of location and orientation of a virtual controller in a virtual reality system
In at least one aspect, a method can include determining a location of a head mounted display (HMD) of a user, defining a location of a joint based on the location of the HMD, defining a segment from the joint to an end of the segment, defining an initial virtual location of a virtual controller within a virtual reality (VR) environment based on a location of the end of the segment, and defining a virtual location and a virtual orientation of the virtual controller within the VR environment, based on the segment and the joint, in response to an orientation movement of a physical controller. |
| US10386937B2 |
Foreign object detection systems and control logic for vehicle compartment closure assemblies
Disclosed are object detection systems for automated compartment closure assemblies, methods for operating such systems, and motor vehicles with a power liftgate assembly and foreign object detection capabilities. A method is disclosed for detecting objects obstructing the path of an automated closure assembly. The method includes receiving a command signal to move the closure assembly to an open or closed position, and receiving gesture-sensitive sensor signals with a location and velocity of an object within a supervision field. Responsive to the object being inside a protected zone within the supervision field or the object's velocity being towards the protected zone, commanding an automated driving mechanism to: slow the closure assembly's speed; if the object is still located inside the protected zone after a calibrated period of time, stop the closure assembly; and if the object moves outside the protected zone, increase the closure assembly speed to a default speed. |
| US10386934B2 |
Gesture operation method based on depth values and system thereof
A gesture operation method based on depth values and the system thereof are revealed. A stereoscopic-image camera module acquires a first stereoscopic image. Then an algorithm is performed to judge if the first stereoscopic image includes a triggering gesture. Then the stereoscopic-image camera module acquires a second stereoscopic image. Another algorithm is performed to judge if the second stereoscopic image includes a command gesture for performing the corresponding operation of the command gesture. |
| US10386930B2 |
Depth determining method and depth determining device of operating body
A depth determining method and a depth determining device of an operating body are provided. The depth determining method includes following steps: deriving a first image and a second image that include the operating body from the at least two image capturing units respectively to calculate a first width of the operating body and a first displacement distance of the operating body between the first image and the second image in a first time point; deriving the first image and the second image that include the operating body from the at least two image capturing units respectively to calculate a second width of the operation body in a second time point; and calculating displacement depth of operating body between the first time point and the second time point by a transform function according to the first displacement distance and a different between the first width and the second width. |
| US10386929B2 |
Haptic interface providing improved haptic feedback especially in the reproduction of a stop
A method for generating haptic sensations from a haptic interface including: a rotatable button; an element for interacting with a fluid with a viscosity that varies as a function of an exterior stimulus, the element for interacting with the fluid moving with the button; a fluid with an apparent viscosity that varies as a function of a magnetic field and that surrounds the element for interacting with the fluid; and a system for generating a magnetic field on command in the fluid. The method includes: evaluating a current position of the button; determining a direction of rotation of the button; altering the value of the current position when the current position is in a haptic stop zone and the direction of rotation of the button is associated with the haptic stop, and as long as the direction of rotation of the button is not modified. |
| US10386928B2 |
Dynamic haptic effects generator
A haptic effects generator includes a circuit configured to generate a drive signal, and a haptic actuator coupled to the circuit. The haptic actuator includes a casing having first and second axial ends, a coil configured to receive the drive signal from the circuit and situated within the casing, and a mass designed to move between the first and second axial ends in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. The haptic actuator also includes a first spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the first axial end of the casing, and a second spring configured to damp the movement by the mass, situated between the mass and the second axial end of the casing. The haptic effects generator can cause the mass to oscillate in a range of frequencies. |
| US10386927B2 |
Method for providing notification and electronic device thereof
An electronic device and a method for providing notification are provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a touch screen, a communication circuit, an electric motor, a processor electrically coupled to the touch screen, the communication circuit, and the electric motor, and a memory electrically coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions to be executed by the processor which is configured to control for detecting occurrence of an event from a signal received through the communication circuit or an operation of the electronic device, generating a notification based on at least part of the event, detecting whether at least some areas of the touch screen are touched by a user's hand or finger using the touch screen, and, when the at least some areas of the touch screen are touched by the user's hand or finger, activating the electric motor. |
| US10386926B2 |
Haptic mapping
Systems, apparatuses, and methods may include recording forces from manipulation of a three-dimensional object by a haptic user interface and generating a digital electrical representation of the three-dimensional object from the recorded forces and from a visual representation of the three-dimensional object. |
| US10386924B2 |
Systems and methods for haptically-enabled neural interfaces
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a neural interface configured to detect an electrical signal associated with a nervous system. The processor is also configured to determine an interaction in with a virtual object in a virtual environment based on the sensor signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction with the virtual object in the virtual environment. The processor is also configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. |
| US10386914B2 |
Method and apparatus for running application program
The present invention discloses a method which includes: receiving, in a standby state, application entry information entered by a user; obtaining, according to the application entry information, an identifier of an application program that needs to be run; waking an operating system and keeping, still in a dormant state, a dormant application program in application programs except the application program that needs to be run; and running, by using the operating system and according to the identifier of the application program that needs to be run, the application program that needs to be run The apparatus includes: a receiving module, an obtaining module, a wake-up module, and a running module. In the present invention, only the application program that needs to be run is run, while the dormant application program in the application programs except the application program that needs to be run is still kept in the dormant state. |
| US10386910B2 |
Data storage power management
Systems and methods for data storage power management are described. In one embodiment, the method includes analyzing metrics collected from one or more storage devices, identifying, based at least in part on analyzing the metrics, a pattern of activity for at least one of the one or more storage devices over a predetermined period of time, generating a control model based at least in part on the identified pattern of activity, and modifying a power mode of at least one of the one or more storage devices based on the control mode. The control model indicate a first time period when at least one of the one or more storage devices is active and a second time period when at least one of the one or more storage devices is inactive. |
| US10386909B1 |
Method and system to mitigate large power load steps due to intermittent execution in a computation system
Disclosed herein are systems and methods to generate, by a compiling processor, one or more sets of one or more execution instructions responsive to compiling a netlist file. The method further includes storing, by the compiling processor, a set of execution instructions into an instruction memory of an execution processor. The method further includes generating, by a compiling processor, a set of one or more keephot instructions for the execution processor based upon the set of execution instructions stored into the instruction memory of the execution processor. The method further includes storing, by a compiling processor, the set of keephot instructions into the instruction memory of the execution processor. |
| US10386907B2 |
Backup power architecture for rack system
A computing device is associated with a circuit for sharing and distributing backup power. During normal operating conditions, a main bus bar provides power to each computing device in a rack via a main power bus of the corresponding circuit. In the event of an AC power outage, the main power bus is deactivated and a backup power path of the circuit is activated. Backup power is provided to the device from a battery of the circuit via the backup power path. A shared power path is also activated in the circuit such that backup power may be provided from the battery to the main bus bar. By providing backup power to the main bus bar, the other computing devices in the rack that do not have sufficient backup power may receive backup power from the main bus bar until AC power is restored. |
| US10386906B2 |
Information processing system
In a control device of the present invention, a whole upper limit power value, which is the upper limit power value of a whole system including a plurality of information processing devices, and an individual power value range including a predetermined range of values which can be set on each of the information processing devices are stored. The control device includes a setting part configured to set the upper limit power value of each of the information processing devices to a value within the individual power value range so that the total of the upper limit power values of the information processing devices does not exceed the whole upper limit power value. |
| US10386904B2 |
Hardware managed power collapse and clock wake-up for memory management units and distributed virtual memory networks
Methods and systems are disclosed for full-hardware management of power and clock domains related to a distributed virtual memory (DVM) network. An aspect includes transmitting, from a DVM initiator to a DVM network, a DVM operation, broadcasting, by the DVM network to a plurality of DVM targets, the DVM operation, and, based on the DVM operation being broadcasted to the plurality of DVM targets by the DVM network, performing one or more hardware optimizations comprising: turning on a clock domain coupled to the DVM network or a DVM target of the plurality of DVM targets that is a target of the DVM operation, increasing a frequency of the clock domain, turning on a power domain coupled to the DVM target based on the power domain being turned off, or terminating the DVM operation to the DVM target based on the DVM target being turned off. |
| US10386901B2 |
Adaptive power management
Disclosed are various embodiments of adaptive management of a device. The adaptive management includes, e.g., power management, energy management, and diagnostics. In one embodiment, a device including a power management unit (PMU) communicatively coupled to a processor is configured to transmit a status notification to the processor in response to an interrupt signal; obtain a high level state command from the processor in response to the status notification, and modify power operation of the device in response to the high level state command. In another embodiment, a method for charging a power source includes obtaining, by a PMU of a device, operational characteristics of a power supply in communication with the device; determining a power supply type based at least in part upon the operational characteristics; and controlling charging of the power source based at least in part upon the power supply type. |
| US10386897B2 |
Smart device cooling system
An enclosure for use with a portable electronic device. The enclosure comprises a plurality of connected walls defining surfaces of the enclosure for receiving the electronic device. Power for the electronics components of the enclosure is supplied from an on-board power source (battery) and from an external power source via a port. A thermoelectric cooler, operating in conjunction with a gel pack, cools the electronic device. A first surface of the gel pack is disposed in contact with or proximate the thermoelectric cooler and a second surface of the gel pack is in contact with or proximate the electronic device. |
| US10386896B2 |
Water cooling system for a computer and water cooling case having the same
The present invention discloses a water cooling system for a computer, which includes a radiator, a cooling block in fluid communication with the radiator, and a liquid storage tank in fluid communication with the radiator and the cooling block. The radiator, the cooling block and the liquid storage tank are of an integrated structure. The water cooling system of the invention has an integrated structure which does not require user to assemble the components, thereby avoiding incidents such as liquid leakage. The water cooling system is provided with the liquid storage tank that is at least partially exposed outside a water cooling case, thereby increasing the amount of a cooling liquid, improving the heat dissipating efficiency, enabling a user to easily observe the amount of the cooling liquid, and improving the appearance of the water cooling case. |
| US10386893B2 |
Electronic device with cradling function
An electronic device is provided which includes a first electronic device, an exterior cover including a first portion on which the first electronic device is mounted and a second portion folded one or more times to support a second electronic device in an inclined state, and a buttress disposed on a front face of the first electronic device, connected to the inclined second electronic device, and configured to support the inclined second electronic device. |
| US10386891B2 |
Systems and methods associated with smart devices
A system which in some embodiments comprises a wireless smart device assembly that includes a smart device, wherein the smart device assembly is attachable or mountable against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure. In some embodiments, a system comprises a smart device assembly that includes a smart device; and a fastener that includes adhesive and is coupled to the smart device assembly and releasably attachable to a wall or other structure. Some embodiments include a level indicator configured to indicate the angular position or orientation of one or more other portion of the smart device assembly relative to parallel and/or plumb to the force of gravity. In some embodiments, a mount and/or a cover define a catch to releasably attach the cover to the mount. |
| US10386890B2 |
Electronic device having a plurality of displays and operating method thereof
Disclosed is an electronic device that includes a first display arranged to face a first direction, a second display arranged to face a second direction, a memory configured to store display data to be output on the first display or the second display, and a processor which executes an application, outputs a function execution screen corresponding to execution of an application on the first display and outputs additional information associated with the function execution screen on the second display while transmitting application execution data according to the execution of the application to an external electronic device, in response to a specified input. |
| US10386888B2 |
Smartwatch device and method
A smartwatch device and method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner. |
| US10386886B2 |
Portable information device
A portable information device is capable of securing the appearance quality and the durability of products while having a foldable configuration. The portable information device has a backbone member provided throughout and between the inner surface of one edge portion of a first chassis member and the inner surface of one edge portion of a second chassis member so as to cover a gap between the one edge portion of the first chassis member and the one edge portion of the second chassis member connected by a hinge mechanism. The backbone member is provided to the inner surface of the one edge portion of the first chassis member so as to be slidable in an X direction from the second chassis member to the first chassis member along the inner surface, and is non-slidably fixed to the inner surface of the one edge portion of the second chassis member. |
| US10386878B2 |
Reconfigurable PV Configuration
A PV module is described with an array of PV cells whereby the module is reconfigurable, allowing different configurations to be applied after installation and during operation, i.e. at run-time. The run time configuration of the module has controllable devices. The main controllable devices are any of (individually or in combination): a) switches which determine the parallel/series connections of the cells as well as hybrid cases also. b) switches between the cells and local dc/dc converters and/or among the DC/DC converters; c) actively controlled bypass diodes placed in order to allow excess current to flow in the occurrence of a mismatch. |
| US10386876B2 |
High current limit trim apparatus and methodology
A circuit protective system. The system has: (i) an input for sensing an operational voltage responsive to a current flowing through a transistor; (ii) circuitry for applying a forced voltage at the input; (iii) voltage-to-current conversion circuitry for outputting a reference current in response to the forced voltage at the input; (iv) circuitry for providing a reference trim current in response to a trim indicator; and (v) comparison circuitry for outputting a limit signal in response to a comparison of the reference current and the reference trim current. |
| US10386873B2 |
Power supply voltage control circuit and method, driver integrated circuit, and display device
Provided are a power supply voltage control circuit and a method thereof, a driver integrated circuit, and a display device. The power supply voltage control circuit comprises: a voltage detection unit (11) configured to detect a power supply voltage (ELVDD, ELVSS) received by the display panel (72) from a power supply circuit (73); a comparison unit (12) configured to obtain a voltage difference between the power supply voltage (ELVDD, ELVSS) and a reference voltage (VF1,VF2) through comparison; and a power supply voltage control unit (13) configured to transmit a power supply voltage control signal to the power supply circuit (73) according to the voltage difference and the reference voltage (VF1,VF2), so that the power supply circuit (73) outputs a corresponding power supply voltage to the display panel (72), so as to compensate for the voltage drop loss during voltage transmission, optimize display effect of the product, reduce effectively the voltage drop loss from the output terminal of the power supply circuit to the display panel side can be, and ensure consistency of the voltages inputted into the display panel. |
| US10386868B2 |
Piston sensor with baffle plate
A valve assembly includes a sensing cavity and a piston cavity defined in valve body and/or in a bonnet. A piston head of a piston may be disposed within the piston cavity, and a piston stem has an end portion in contact with valve plug. A baffle plate has a first surface defining a portion of the sensing cavity and a second surface defines a portion of the piston cavity. The baffle plate includes at least one baffle aperture such that the sensing cavity is in fluid communication with the piston cavity, and pressure in the sensing cavity acts on a surface of the piston head to displace the piston and the valve plug between an open and closed position. The at least one baffle aperture is adapted to restrict the flow of fluid between the sensing cavity and the first working volume. |
| US10386867B2 |
Pressure control device for a liquid
A pressure regulating device for a liquid includes a main hollow body having an inlet end and an outlet end for the liquid, which are connected via a longitudinal passage, a tubular valve member, which is slidingly accommodated in the passage and has a regulating end upstream from the flow of the liquid, a seat placed inside the passage, upstream from the valve member, and having a transverse surface formed in the passage to interact with the regulating end of the valve member and define therewith a part having an adjustable width for the liquid. The seat is eccentrically supported in the passage and is formed of one piece with the main body, and is supported proximate to the inlet end for the liquid by a pair of longitudinal support wings substantially parallel to the flow direction. |
| US10386866B2 |
Automatic control of plunge velocity based on depth of cut
A system for automatically controlling operation of a milling drum on a cold planer includes an input device, a display device, a memory device configured to store a database of recommended plunge velocities at which a rotating milling drum having particular operational characteristics should be lowered into a pavement surface to break up and remove pavement material for various depths of cut to be achieved by the milling drum, and a processor in communication with the input device, the display device, and the memory device. The processor may be configured to receive, via the input device, a signal indicative of a particular depth of cut desired by an operator of the cold planer, determine from the database at least one plunge velocity at which the rotating milling drum should be lowered into the pavement surface during a milling operation for achieving the particular depth of cut, display the at least one plunge velocity for the particular desired depth of cut on the display device, generate a command control signal indicative of the at least one determined plunge velocity, and communicate the command control signal to an actuator configured to regulate a rate of descent of the milling drum into the pavement surface. |
| US10386860B2 |
Gravity center adjustable device, and gravity center self-adjusting device and electronic device using the same
A gravity center adjustable device comprises a driving member, and two gravity center adjusting members. The driving member comprises a driving main body, two transmission shafts, and two gear wheels. Each gear wheel is coiled around a transmission shaft. Each gravity center adjusting member comprises a gravity center adjusting shaft, and two weight balls. The gravity center adjusting shaft comprises a rack shaft, teeth of the rack shaft are engaged with those of the gear wheel, thus when the gear wheel rotates, the rack shaft will move around along its own axial relative to the gear wheel. A gravity center self-adjusting device and an electronic device using the gravity center adjustable device are also provided. |
| US10386859B2 |
Aircraft flight control method and system
A system including a set of computation modules configured to be utilized for computation of gains of at least one piloting law relative to at least one piloting axis of the aircraft and a data capture unit for capturing in at least one computation unit associated with a given piloting axis of the aircraft first values illustrating aerodynamic coefficients of the aircraft and second values defining delay and filter characteristics of the control chain relative to the given piloting axis, the computation unit being configured to compute the gains of the piloting law utilizing at least a part of the set of computation modules and the computation unit computing inputs intended for at least one actuator of a control surface adapted to control the aircraft relative to the given piloting axis in accordance with a corresponding current control value. |
| US10386855B2 |
Method and device for the decentralized coordination of driving maneuvers
A method for the decentralized coordination of driving maneuvers of at least two motorized transportation vehicles. A planned trajectory and a desired trajectory are transferred from a first motorized transportation vehicle to a second motorized transportation vehicle. In the second motorized transportation vehicle, a planned trajectory of the second motorized transportation vehicle is compared with the desired trajectory of the first motorized transportation vehicle. The planned trajectory of the second motorized transportation vehicle is adapted in response to satisfaction of adaptation criterion. The planned and desired trajectories of the first motorized transportation vehicle are combined with a strategic trajectory of the first motorized transportation vehicle. The planned trajectory and a desired trajectory of the second motorized transportation vehicle are combined with a strategic trajectory of the second motorized transportation vehicle. The planned trajectories of the first and second motorized transportation vehicles are collision-free with respect to one another. |
| US10386852B2 |
Control apparatus for utility vehicle
In an apparatus for controlling operation of a utility vehicle that detects a magnetic field generated by electric current flowing through a boundary wire of a working area and is driven to run within the working area based on the detected magnetic field, having left and right magnetic sensor installed at lateral right and left positions of the vehicle to produce outputs proportional to strength of the magnetic field, turning mode is switched between gentle turning mode to make the vehicle turn while running near the boundary wire and sharp turning mode to make the vehicle pause near the boundary wire and then turn, when it is determined from the outputs of the magnetic sensors that the vehicle approaches the boundary wire, each time predetermined conditions are satisfied, and operation of the prime mover is controlled such that the vehicle turns in accordance with the switched turning mode. |
| US10386851B2 |
Multi-resolution scan matching with exclusion zones
A method for navigating a robot from a current pose to a goal pose. A map represents obstacles and free space within an area for robot navigation. A matching map pyramid and an exclusion map pyramid are constructed based on the map and decimations from a highest resolution to successively lower resolutions of the map pyramids. Current pose for navigating from a current location to a goal pose along a goal path includes determining a search area and creating a search heap. Scoring of search tasks on the search heap determines a best candidate pose at a highest resolution matching map, or expands the search heap with search tasks at the next higher resolution matching map. Expanding the search heap at the next higher resolution matching map avoids search tasks that would localize the robot in an exclusion zone. |
| US10386849B2 |
ECU, autonomous vehicle including ECU, and method of recognizing nearby vehicle for the same
Disclosed herein is a method of recognizing a vehicle near an autonomous vehicle. The method includes, using an autonomous driving logic of an electronic control unit (ECU) extracting nearby vehicle information by sensing at least one nearby vehicle from a distance sensed at each angle within a certain angular range. The method further includes calculating an misrecognition index indicating a degree of closeness of a shape of the nearby vehicle to a shape of an exhaust gas based on the nearby vehicle information, executing an exhaust gas removal algorithm for correcting the nearby vehicle information when the misrecognition index is greater than a threshold misrecognition index, and estimating movement of the nearby vehicle after a current frame using the nearby vehicle information or the corrected nearby vehicle information obtained through the exhaust gas removal algorithm. |
| US10386848B2 |
Identifying a sensor in an autopilot vehicle
Systems, methods, and software can be used to identify a sensor on an autopilot vehicle. In some aspects, a video frame that is captured by a lens coupled to a vehicle is received. The video frame is determined to include an identifier of the lens. In response to determining that the video frame includes the identifier of the lens, the video frame is transmitted to an autopilot processor. |
| US10386846B2 |
Target path generating device and driving control device
A target pathway generating device is provided with a map information acquisition unit, a curved path determination unit, an obstacle determination unit and a target pathway generating unit. The map information acquisition unit acquires map information. The curved path determination unit determines whether or not a curved path is present on a driving pathway of a vehicle based on the map information. Upon determining that a curved path is present, the obstacle determination unit determines whether or not there is an object to be avoided in the vicinity of the curved path. Upon determining that there is an object to be avoided, the target path generating unit generates a target pathway of the vehicle in order to avoid a predetermined region including the object to be avoided. |
| US10386845B1 |
Autonomous vehicle parking
Methods and systems autonomously parking and retrieving vehicles are disclosed. Available parking spaces or parking facilities may be identified, and the vehicle may be navigated to an available space from a drop-off location without passengers. Special-purpose sensors, GPS data, or wireless signal triangulation may be used to identify vehicles and available parking spots. Upon a user request or a prediction of upcoming user demand, the vehicle may be retrieved autonomously from a parking space. Other vehicles may be autonomously moved to facilitate parking or retrieval. |
| US10386839B2 |
Mobile robot that emulates pedestrian walking behavior
Methods and systems for navigating a mobile robot through a crowded pedestrian environment based on a trained navigation model are described herein. The trained navigation model receives measurement data identifying nearby pedestrians and the velocity of each nearby pedestrian relative to the mobile robot, and the current position and desired endpoint position of the mobile robot in the crowded pedestrian environment. Based on this information, the trained navigation model generates command signals that cause the mobile robot to adjust its velocity. By repeatedly sampling the velocities of surrounding pedestrians and current location, the navigation model directs the mobile robot toward the endpoint location with a minimum of disruption to the pedestrian traffic flows. The navigation model is trained to emulate desirable pedestrian walking behaviors in a crowded pedestrian environment by tracking the movement of a behavioral trainer through a crowded pedestrian environment. |
| US10386835B2 |
System and method for externally interfacing with an autonomous vehicle
A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle using an external interface is disclosed. The method includes an external interface that is in operable communication with one or more control systems of the autonomous vehicle. The method allows an entity in proximity of an outside of the autonomous vehicle to interact with the external interface; receives from the entity one or more control inputs, and controls one or more operations of the autonomous vehicle based on the one or more control inputs. |
| US10386829B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an etch process
A system for controlling an etch process includes an etching tool, a metrology tool, and a controller. The etching tool is controllable via a set of control parameters and may execute a plurality of etch recipes containing values of the set of control parameters. The controller may direct the etching tool to execute a plurality of etch recipes on a plurality of metrology targets; direct the metrology tool to generate metrology data indicative of two or more etch characteristics on the plurality of metrology targets; determine one or more relationships between the two or more etch characteristics and the set of control parameters based on the metrology data; and generate, based on the one or more relationships, a particular etch recipe to constrain one of the two or more etch characteristics and maintain the remainder of the two or more etch characteristics within defined bounds. |
| US10386827B2 |
Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics platform
A system for monitoring and analyzing data in a distributed process control system is provided. The system includes a user interface having a set of user controls for selecting and configuring data blocks to create a data diagram representing a data model. The data blocks are associated with data operations, such as data analytics functions, and may be configured by the user for particular instances of general blocks. The data blocks are interconnected by wires conveying outputs or inputs of the blocks, which may also connect data sources to the data blocks. The data sources may include on-line data (i.e., data streams) or off-line data (i.e., stored data) from the process control system. Additional user controls may be used to evaluate the data diagram or convert the data diagram from an off-line to an on-line version. |
| US10386826B2 |
Start-up control device and start-up control method for power plant
To provide a start-up control device and a start-up control method for a power plant capable of changing the start-up completion estimated time to a desired time simply and safely while starting the power plant. The start-up control device includes an equipment state quantity acquisition unit acquiring an equipment state quantity of the power plant, a start-up schedule calculation unit calculating a current start-up schedule based on the equipment state quantity and a first thermal stress limiting value and calculating a start-up schedule changing plan based on the equipment state quantity and a second thermal stress limiting value, an equipment operation amount calculation unit calculating an equipment operation amount of the power plant based on the current start-up schedule, a screen display unit displaying respective start-up completion estimated times of the current start-up schedule and the start-up schedule changing plan, and an instruction input unit instructing the start-up schedule calculation unit to perform switching from the current start-up schedule to the start-up schedule changing plan. |
| US10386816B2 |
Manufacturing management system for changing abnormality detection condition according to manufacturing period-of-time information
A manufacturing management system includes a manufacturing management device and a machine control device. The machine control device includes an abnormality detection unit that changes a predetermined abnormality detection condition in response to an instruction from the manufacturing management device, and a control unit that transmits manufacturing period-of-time information of a robot to the manufacturing management device. The manufacturing management device includes a storage unit that stores a manufacturing start time of the robot, a storage unit that stores the manufacturing period-of-time information of the robot, an operation instruction unit that instructs, based on the manufacturing start time and the manufacturing period-of-time information of the robot, the control unit for an operation of the robot, and an abnormality detection condition change instruction unit that instructs, based on the manufacturing start time and the manufacturing period-of-time information of the robot, the abnormality detection unit to change the predetermined abnormality detection condition. |
| US10386815B2 |
Machining management apparatus
A machining management apparatus includes a tool information storage storing therein information relating to each cutting tool used in a machine tool and storing therein a coefficient n and a coefficient C in a tool life equation corresponding to tool life influencing factors including at least a workpiece and a cutting tool material, and an adapted cutting speed calculator executing a machining condition receiving processing of receiving information on the tool life influencing factors and information on a desired cutting speed, a coefficient recognition processing of recognizing the coefficient n and the coefficient C corresponding to the tool life influencing factors by referring to the tool information storage based on the received tool life influencing factor information, and a cutting speed calculation processing of calculating a cutting speed adapted to the desired cutting time according to the tool life equation based on the recognized coefficient n and coefficient C. |
| US10386811B2 |
Numerical controller
To provide a controller capable of exerting acceleration/deceleration control more accurately than has been exerted conventionally and capable of reducing the occurrence of shock and shortening cycle time. A numerical controller outputs a movement command for a drive axis of a machine based on a command in a program for controlling the machine having the drive axis controlled by a servo motor. The numerical controller exerts acceleration/deceleration control over the drive axis so as to satisfy a condition for the acceleration/deceleration in each of a machine coordinate system as an orthogonal coordinate system in the machine and a drive axis coordinate system by normalizing each of acceleration/deceleration related information in the machine coordinate system and acceleration/deceleration related information in the drive axis coordinate system to a value in the drive axis coordinate system. |
| US10386809B2 |
Remote command learning
Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to learn and share remote commands are disclosed. An example method to configure a playback device to be controlled by a remote control includes receiving by the playback device a first code for a first command from the remote control. The example method includes identifying by the playback device a second code for a second command based on the received first code. The example method includes receiving by the playback device the second code from the remote control. The example method includes executing the second command by the playback device. |
| US10386805B2 |
System and method for providing an adaptive user interface on an electronic appliance
A controllable device, such as a set top box, responds to a transmission received from a one of a plurality of controlling devices of differing capabilities by entering into a one of a plurality of operating modes wherein the one of the plurality of operating modes entered into corresponds to the capabilities of the controlling device from which the transmission originated. |
| US10386802B2 |
Home appliance and online system including the same
An online system, including a smart laundry machine, which is capable of easily and inexpensively using the smart laundry machine is disclosed. A further extended type of a smart home appliance, an online system including the same, and a method of using the online system are also disclosed. A method of using an online system includes transmitting user information to a server through an external terminal to log in to the server, the server specifying a home appliance for a remote service based on the user information received from the external terminal and determining whether remote service activation of the specified home appliance is set, upon determining that the remote service activation of the home appliance is set, the server transmitting operation information of the home appliance to the external terminal, the external terminal transmitting a command signal to the server such that the home appliance is operated based on the received operation information, the server receiving the command signal, and the server transmitting the command signal to the home appliance such that the home appliance is operated. |
| US10386797B2 |
Fracturing a shell of a three-dimensional object
An apparatus is provided for fracturing a shell of a three-dimensional object. The apparatus may be caused to receive a shell of a three-dimensional object composed of a plurality of facets including first facets and distinct second facets, and form layer data defining a plurality of layers of the shell for use in forming the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis. At least some of the plurality of layers may include respective first fragments, and at least some of the plurality of layers may include respective second fragments. The first fragments may be produced by first facets and exclusive of second facets, and the second fragments may be produced by second facets and exclusive of first facets. And at least one layer of the plurality of layers may include both a first fragment of the respective first fragments, and a second fragment of the respective second fragments. |
| US10386796B2 |
Model predictive controller and method with correction parameter to compensate for time lag
A new MPC controller design and method that may be applied to various different types of model predictive control (MPC) controllers and methods for use in any desired or appropriate controller setting, such as for plants, and can be imposed on conventional predictive control schemes to provide tighter control when tracking complex setpoint trajectories. The method introduces a correction parameter η, independent of plant gain, evaluated online at each control timestep to drive the plant output to its reference more accurately than the original schemes. In a linear system, the correction parameter converges to a constant when optimized (evaluated on-line). The new MPC controller and method can also be applied on a nonlinear system. In a non-linear system, where the time constant is non-linear, the correction parameter will be variable. |
| US10386789B2 |
Hologram display apparatus and hologram display method
A hologram display apparatus and a hologram display method are provided. The hologram display apparatus includes a controller and a display device. The controller is configured to obtain plural grayscale values Gi of an image of a to-be-displayed object, generate plural display sub-image codes Qj according to the plurality of grayscale values Gi and transmit the plurality of display sub-image codes Qj to the display device, where i=1, 2, . . . , m, j=1, 2, . . . N, each of m and N is a positive integer. The display device is configured to generate and display plural sub-holograms according to the plurality of display sub-image codes, a quantity of the plurality of sub-holograms being equal to that of the plurality of display sub-image codes, such that the plurality of sub-holograms are superimposed to generate a hologram of the image of the to-be-displayed object in human eyes. |
| US10386786B2 |
Cartridge, member constituting cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision.A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position. When the movable part receives force from the apparatus main assembly at the first force receiving part and is at the second position, the movable part receives urging force from the elastic part in a direction of moving the movable part from the second position to the first position. |
| US10386785B2 |
Cleaning apparatus, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
This invention concerns a cleaning unit which has a photosensitive body and a cleaning frame body supporting the photosensitive body, and which is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording material. In the cleaning unit, which is installed in the apparatus main body so as to adjoin a developing unit including a developing roller that bears toner for developing an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive body 1, engagement portions (bosses) are disposed on the cleaning frame body so as to protrude toward the developing unit side, and engage with engaged portions (insertion guide portions) disposed on the apparatus main body when the cleaning unit is attached to the apparatus main body. |
| US10386783B2 |
Grounding structure for electrically grounding equipment and image forming apparatus including the same
An grounding structure of an equipment includes a coil spring provided between a first member of an equipment side and a second member, which includes a metal plate member, of a ground side, wherein the first member and the second member are disposed opposite to each other, one end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the first member, and the other end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the second member. An engraved groove is formed at an abutting point of the second member with the coil spring, and is formed such that at least a part of a convex burr part generated along an end edge of the engraved groove abuts the other end of the coil spring. |
| US10386781B2 |
Image forming apparatus comprising intermediate transfer unit movably supported on main body cover
An image forming apparatus includes: a cover configured to be pivotal between a closed position and an open position to open an opening portion through which an intermediate transfer unit is removable, wherein when the cover is moved from an intermediate position to the open position, a secondary transfer unit is changed by using a self-weight of the secondary transfer unit from a first relative position to a second relative position, and wherein when the cover is located in the open position and the intermediate transfer unit is supported in a first position by a guiding portion, a secondary transfer unit interferes with the intermediate transfer unit if located in the first relative position, but does not interfere with the intermediate transfer unit if located in the second relative position. |
| US10386779B2 |
Waste toner system of an electrophotographic image forming device
A waste toner system includes a rotatable photoconductive drum and a cleaner member. A first toner sump extends along a length of the photoconductive drum for receiving waste toner removed from the outer surface of the photoconductive drum by the cleaner member. A first rotatable auger extends along the first toner sump. A pass-through opening extends from the first toner sump to a second toner sump. A second rotatable auger extends along the second toner sump. The first auger is positioned to move waste toner in the first toner sump to the pass-through opening upon rotation of the first auger in an operative rotational direction of the first auger and the second auger is positioned to distribute waste toner received through the pass-through opening into the second toner sump upon rotation of the second auger in an operative rotational direction of the second auger. |
| US10386771B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a cassette that has a placement plate on which a sheet is set, a paper feed roller, a raising/lowering mechanism that raises and lowers the placement plate, a print unit, a sheet sensor, an upper limit sensor and a control unit. The control unit recognizes, based on an output of the sheet sensor, that the sheet supplied from a paper feed device reaches an installation position of the sheet sensor. The control unit detects, based on an output of the upper limit sensor, that the paper feed roller reaches a predetermined upper limit position or that the raising/lowering mechanism raises the placement plate such that the sheet reaches a feed position and uses the sheet sensor and the upper limit sensor so as to detect that the paper feed device encounters overload. |
| US10386768B2 |
Image forming apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
A printer controller determines whether a cartridge refilled with a recording material is mounted on an image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the cartridge refilled with the recording material is mounted on the image forming apparatus, control for shifting a printer engine to a predetermined state is performed, raw data is acquired from the printer engine that has been shifted to the predetermined state, and a user is notified of the degree of wear of the cartridge based on the acquired raw data. On the other hand, if the printer controller determines that the cartridge refilled with the recording material is not mounted on the image forming apparatus, the printer controller acquires a predicted value from the printer engine, and notifies the user of the degree of wear of the cartridge based on the predicted value. |
| US10386767B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus and detecting streaks
An image forming apparatus forms a first image by adjusting a photosensitive member potential to a first charging potential and adjusting a developing potential to a first developing potential, and forms a second image by adjusting the member potential to a second charging potential and adjusting the developing potential to a second developing potential, but not causing an exposure unit to expose a photosensitive member, and forms a third image by adjusting the developing potential to a third developing potential, but not causing a charging unit to charge the member and not causing the exposure unit to expose the member. The apparatus detects a streak image based on read data of the first, second and third images, and read data corresponding to a non-image region of the test sheet. |
| US10386765B2 |
Image formation apparatus for preventing a thermal load defect
An image formation apparatus provided with an image forming unit and a server unit in a single housing includes a power supply unit that supplies the image forming unit and the server unit with power and a fan that sends external air into the server unit, and when supplying the image forming unit with power from the power supply unit is stopped the fan is still driven and sending external air into the server unit is thus not stopped. |
| US10386764B2 |
Fixing device having a multi-postion cam assembly
To switch between four nip modes, a cam is driven by a single drive to move between first to fourth positions. At the first position, a first nip between a first pressing body and a fixing member has a first width, and a second nip between a second pressing body and the fixing member has a second width. At the second position, the first nip has a third width smaller than the first width, and the second nip has a width greater than or equal to the second width. At the third position, the first nip has a width greater than or equal to the first width, and the second nip has a fourth width smaller than the second width. At the fourth position, the first nip has a fifth width smaller than the first width, and the second nip has a sixth width smaller than the second width. |
| US10386763B2 |
Addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture, electrophotographic member and production method therefor, and fixing apparatus
The present disclosure provides an electrophotographic member having an elastic layer containing graphite particles dispersed in a silicone rubber and having a high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction. The electrophotographic member includes a substrate and an elastic layer on the substrate, the elastic layer containing a cured product of an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture including an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber and graphite particles, and the graphite particles having a DBP oil absorption number of 40 cm3/100 g or more and lower than 80 cm3/100 g. |
| US10386762B2 |
Heating unit including heating parts, in which each heating part includes heating resistors, fixing device including this heating unit, and image forming apparatus including this fixing device
A heating unit includes a circuit board, heating parts, and electrode parts. The heating parts are arranged in a first direction on a surface of the circuit board. The electrode parts are disposed on the surface of the circuit board, and electrically connected to both sides of the heating parts in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. Each of the heating parts includes a plurality of heating resistors that is arranged in the first direction. Each of the heating resistors has a size ratio of a first length in the second direction to a second length in the first direction is 1 or more and 100 or less. |
| US10386758B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a sheet discharge unit to stack sheets, an acquisition unit, and a controller. The fixing unit fixes a toner image formed on a sheet by the image forming unit. The acquisition unit acquires information corresponding to a maximum toner application amount per unit area of the formed toner image. The controller controls the number of image formations on the sheets per unit time based on the acquired information. The controller executes a first job with a first number of image formations on the sheets per unit time during a period from an Lth sheet to an Mth sheet in the first job, and executes a second job with a second and smaller number of image formations on the sheets per unit time during the period from the Lth to the Mth sheet in the second job. |
| US10386752B2 |
Toner cartridge
A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the agitating member, and a rotational body which rotates according to rotation of the driven member, has a plurality of slits in rotational circumference for identifying a type of the toner cartridge, and has 1/K or more of the slits when a ratio of a rotational speed R1 (rad/s) of the driving member and a rotational speed R2 (rad/s) of the driven member is K=R2/R1. |
| US10386751B2 |
Developer container, cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
A cleaning unit includes a cleaning frame, a drum, a sheet member coming in contact with a surface of the drum, and an adhesive sealing member compressed between the cleaning frame, the drum, and the sheet member. The cleaning unit includes an end seal portion that is integrally molded with the cleaning frame by injection molding of a resin material, and the end seal portion is compressed and deformed between the cleaning frame and the adhesive sealing member and between the cleaning frame and the sheet member. |
| US10386745B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed. |
| US10386738B2 |
Photoconductor unit, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and method for manufacturing photoconductor unit
A photoconductor unit includes a photoconductor and an electrode. The photoconductor includes a base member that is cylindrical and has a hardness that decreases with increasing distance from a first end toward a second end in an axial direction, and a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of the base member. The electrode is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of an open end portion of the base member at the first end. |
| US10386734B2 |
Method of reducing effects of reticle heating and/or cooling in a lithographic process
A method of reducing effects of reticle heating and/or cooling in a lithographic process, the method including calibrating a linear time invariant reticle heating model using a system identification method; predicting distortions of the reticle using the reticle heating model and inputs in the lithographic process; and calculating and applying a correction in the lithographic process on the basis of the predicted distortions of the reticle. |
| US10386733B2 |
Optical system
The disclosure provides an optical system, having a first optical control loop, which is set up to regulate a position and/or spatial orientation of a first optical element relative to a first module sensor frame, and a first module control loop, which is set up to regulate a position and/or spatial orientation of the first module sensor frame relative to a base sensor frame. Related components and methods are also provided. |
| US10386732B2 |
Bearing assembly for a lithography system, and lithography system
The disclosure relates to a bearing assembly for a lithography system, having an optical element, a base, and a bearing device that moveably supports the optical element relative to the base. The bearing device has at least one torsion decoupling element that reduces a transmission of torsional moments between the optical element and the base. The torsion decoupling element has at least two leaf springs which have respective opposing narrow sides and which bring about torsional moments about an axis perpendicular to the narrow sides. The at least two leaf springs are also positioned at an angle to one another and are coupled to one another in such a way that a force flow through the torsion decoupling element simultaneously flows through the at least two leaf springs. |
| US10386731B2 |
Shadow-mask-deposition system and method therefor
A direct-deposition system capable of forming a high-resolution pattern of material on a substrate is disclosed. Vaporized atoms from an evaporation source pass through a pattern of through-holes in a shadow mask to deposit on the substrate in the desired pattern. The shadow mask is held in a mask chuck that enables the shadow mask and substrate to be separated by a distance that can be less than ten microns. As a result, the vaporized atoms that pass through the shadow mask exhibit little or no lateral spread (i.e., feathering) after passing through its apertures and the material deposits on the substrate in a pattern that has very high fidelity with the aperture pattern of the shadow mask. |
| US10386729B2 |
Dynamic removal of correlation of highly correlated parameters for optical metrology
Dynamic removal of correlation of highly-correlated parameters for optical metrology is described. An embodiment of a method includes determining a model of a structure, the model including a set of parameters; performing optical metrology measurement of the structure, including collecting spectra data on a hardware element; during the measurement of the structure, dynamically removing correlation of two or more parameters of the set of parameters, an iteration of the dynamic removal of correlation including: generating a Jacobian matrix of the set of parameters, applying a singular value decomposition of the Jacobian matrix, selecting a subset of the set of parameters, and computing a direction of the parameter search based on the subset of parameters. If the model does not converge, performing one or more additional iterations of the dynamic removal of correlation until the model converges; and if the model does converge, reporting the results of the measurement. |
| US10386728B2 |
Device and method for wavefront analysis
A device and a method for wavefront analysis. The device is designed for analyzing the wavefront of at least one light wave passing through an optical system, and has at least one illumination mask (105, 205, 305, 405, 406, 407), at least one first grating (120, 220, 320, 420), at least one second grating (130, 230, 330, 430) arranged in the predefined plane and at least one detector (140, 240, 340, 440) for detecting said superimposition pattern. The at least one first grating has at least one first grating structure and generates an interferogram in a predefined plane from a wavefront to be analyzed which proceeds from the illumination mask and passes through the optical system. The at least one second grating has at least one second grating structure and generates a superimposition pattern by the superimposition of the second grating structure with the interferogram generated by the first grating. |
| US10386726B2 |
Geometry vectorization for mask process correction
Various aspects include vectorization approaches for model-based mask proximity correction (MPC). In some cases, a computer-implemented method includes: assigning a set of vectors to geometry data describing at least one mask for forming an integrated circuit (IC); adjusting a statistical predictive model of the at least one mask based upon the set of vectors and the geometry data; predicting an adjustment to the at least one mask with the statistical predictive model; and adjusting instructions for forming the at least one mask in response to a predicted mask result of the statistical predictive model deviating from a target mask result for the at least one mask. |
| US10386714B2 |
Creating knowledge base for optical proximity correction to reduce sub-resolution assist feature printing
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, program products, and systems for creating a knowledge base for optical proximity correction (OPC). Methods according to the disclosure can include: fabricating a circuit using a proposed IC layout; identifying a plurality of features in an image of the fabricated circuit; predicting, based on the identifying and a predictive algorithm, whether the fabricated circuit includes a printed sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) from the proposed IC layout; determining the predicting as being correct when the fabricated circuit includes the printed SRAF, or as being incorrect when the fabricated circuit does not include the printed SRAF; in response to the predicting being incorrect: adjusting the predictive algorithm, and flagging the fabricated circuit as incorrectly predicted; in response to the predicting being correct, flagging the fabricated circuit as correctly predicted; and storing the image of the fabricated circuit in a repository of training data. |
| US10386711B2 |
Displacement-type scanning stereoscopic display apparatus
The disclosure discloses a displacement-type scanning stereoscopic display apparatus including: a protective shell, projection screens, light shielding cases, two rotary shafts, conveyor belts, at least two scattering plates; and the rotary shaft is uniformly rotated at a high speed, the scattering plates fixed on the conveyor belt periodically receives image slices projected from the projection screens, and when the scattering plates are moved from one of the rotary shaft positions to the other rotary shaft position, a scanning display of the image slice corresponding to the stereoscopic image is completed. According to the embodiment of the disclosure, by the rotation of the rotary shaft, the moving screen can be moved uniformly, and the display effect and the service life of the stereoscopic display apparatus can be remarkably improved. |
| US10386710B2 |
Projector and illumination system thereof
A projector and an illumination system thereof are provided. The illumination system includes an excitation light source group, a phosphor wheel, a light combiner element and a first lens group. The excitation light source group provides a first beam and has a first optical axis. The phosphor wheel has a reflection region and a wavelength conversion region. The light combiner element is disposed between the excitation light source group and the phosphor wheel and has a dichroic portion and a reflection portion. The first lens group is disposed between the light combiner element and the phosphor wheel. The first lens group has a second optical axis. The illumination system is provided in the projector to reduce the number of optical elements, thereby reducing the cost and volume. |
| US10386703B1 |
Systems and methods for orbiting imaging
Systems and methods for capturing an orbiting image of a subject are disclosed. The system includes a rotatable turntable mountable to an overhead surface with a spindle formed therein and a retractable line extending therefrom at a proximal end thereof. First and second lines extend from a distal end of retractable line in opposite directions as retractable line is extended from an exterior of rotatable turntable. The system further includes an imaging assembly with a housing and an interior compartment in which housing includes first and second rotors at first and second ends thereof such that first and second lines are connected to first and second rotors. Interior compartment receives a multimedia device attached thereto and is at least partially visible from an exterior of housing. A remote control is configured to control the rotatable turntable to in turn control speed of rotation of imaging assembly, and the length of line extended or retracted from/to spindle, and further configured to control first and second rotors to in turn control angle of multimedia device. Imaging assembly is rotated from above the subject along a rotation path to enable 360 degree orbiting image capture while the subject is in motion or static during operation. |
| US10386700B2 |
Illumination apparatus
The illumination apparatus includes a housing holding an optical member, a light emitter housed in the housing and including a light source configured to emit illumination light projected frontward through the optical member, an emission control substrate disposed behind the light emitter and on which electronic components for controlling emission of the light source are mounted, and a heat radiating member configured to cause heat transmitted from the light source to an outer face of the light emitter to radiate. The heat radiating member includes a lower face portion, a side face portion and a rear face portion disposed so as to respectively face a lower face and a side face of the light emitter and the emission control substrate. |
| US10386699B2 |
Shutter apparatus and image capturing apparatus
A shutter apparatus includes a shutter base plate having an opening, a light shield movable between a closed state for closing the opening and an open state for opening the opening, a cam member rotatable in a first angle range, a second angle range, and a third angle range between the first angle range and the second angle range, the cam member that rotates in the third angle range rotating the light shield, a motor configured to drive the cam member, a forcing member configured to force the cam member so as to rotate the cam member from the first angle range to the third angle range, and a restricting member configured to restrict the forcing member from forcing the cam member in at least part of the first angle range. |
| US10386698B2 |
Optical logic gates
In the examples provided herein, an optical logic gate includes multiple couplers, where no more than two types of couplers are used in the optical logic gate, and further wherein the two types of couplers consist of: a 3-dB coupler and a weak coupler with a given transmission-to-reflection ratio. The optical logic gate also includes a first resonator, wherein the first resonator comprises a photonic crystal resonator or a nonlinear ring resonator, wherein in operation, the first resonator has a dedicated continuous wave input to bias a complex amplitude of a total field input to the first resonator such that the total field input is either above or below a nonlinear switching threshold of the first resonator, where the optical logic gate is an integrated photonic circuit. |
| US10386692B2 |
Electrophoretic element and display device
An electrophoretic element according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; and an electrophoretic layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and has a plurality of pixels. In each pixel, the electrophoretic layer includes a dispersion medium, and a plurality of types of electrophoretic particles dispersed in the dispersion medium. The plurality of types of electrophoretic particles include first electrophoretic particles and second electrophoretic particles that are charged with the same polarity and have different threshold characteristics from each other. In each pixel, the electrophoretic element includes at least three electrodes to which different potentials can be applied. As seen from a layer normal direction of the electrophoretic layer, the at least three electrodes include a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode that are placed in this order along a certain direction that is parallel to a substrate surface of the first substrate, and the third electrode is provided in the opening region of each pixel. |
| US10386688B1 |
Electrochromic devices with patterned electrically conductive layers
An electrochromic device is provided. The device includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate and a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer. A first bus bar is in contact with the first electrically conductive layer and a second bus bar in contact with the second electrically conductive layer. The first and second electrically conductive layers are patterned with sets of scribed lines substantially parallel to the corresponding bus bar, wherein the sets of scribed lines are made up of a series of collinear segments, which are gaps in the electrically conductive layer, wherein the length of the collinear segments, the period, the valve width and the offset between segments in adjacent scribed lines determines the resistance to the flow of electrons traversing a set of scribed lines in the direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding bus bar. |
| US10386686B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel having a predetermined size, containing a wiring film formed of a metal, an insulating film containing an inorganic substance and a substrate formed of a non-alkali glass, in which the metal has the product of a Young's modulus (E) and a thermal expansion coefficient (α) at room temperature falling within a predetermined range, α of the inorganic substance is smaller than that of the non-alkali glass, the non-alkali glass has E of from 70 GPa to 95 GPa and α of from 32×10−7 to 45×10−7 (1/° C.) in which E and α satisfies a predetermined formula, and has a predetermined composition. |
| US10386685B2 |
Pixel structure, LCD panel, and LCD device
Disclosed are a pixel structure, an LCD panel and an LCD device. The pixel structure includes scan lines and data lines perpendicularly intersected with each other to form pixel areas in a matrix form. Each pixel area includes a pixel electrode, a first active switch and a second active switch. A gate of the first active switch and a gate of the second active switch are connected to the corresponding scan line, and a drain of the first active switch is connected to the corresponding data line, and a source of the first active switch is connected to the corresponding pixel electrode. A drain of the second active switch is connected to a reference voltage, and a source of the second active switch is connected to the pixel electrode of the next row and disposed together with the corresponding pixel electrode at the pixel electrode of the same column. |
| US10386681B2 |
Liquid crystal display element
A liquid crystal display device, containing: a pair of substrates provided with an electrode and a liquid crystal layer formed by disposing a liquid crystal composition between the pair of substrates and by irradiating and curing the liquid crystal composition with ultraviolet rays using an ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, wherein at least one of the substrates is further provided with a liquid crystal alignment film to vertically align a liquid crystal, the liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal, a curable resin, a bifunctional monomer and a monomer having at least one polar group of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group or a phosphoric acid group, and the liquid crystal alignment film is a liquid crystal alignment film obtained from a liquid crystal aligning agent containing a polymer having a specific side chain structure. |
| US10386680B2 |
Curved liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first curved substrate; a second curved substrate facing the first curved substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first curved substrate and the second curved substrate; a first curved liquid crystal alignment layer interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first curved substrate; and a second curved liquid crystal alignment layer interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second curved substrate, wherein the second curved liquid crystal alignment layer includes a nanoparticles including a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group. |
| US10386674B2 |
Light-emitting film
The present application relates to a light-emitting film, an illumination device, and a display device. The present application may provide a light-emitting film and the use thereof, the light-emitting film being capable of effectively generating a desired light, such as white light, and stably maintaining the performance thereof for a long period of time. |
| US10386673B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display module thereof
A liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display module are disclosed. The liquid crystal display module comprises a backlight unit, a liquid crystal display panel, and a quantum rod film between the backlight unit and the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel comprises an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal being filled between the upper and lower substrate, and an upper polarizer arranged at the outer side of the upper substrate, that is the light-emitting side of the liquid crystal display panel. The quantum rod film is arranged between the lower substrate and the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display module adopts the quantum rod material that may emit polarized light to replace the conventional color filter and the lower polarizer to achieve the purposes of high contrast, high color saturation, low power consumption and low cost for the color liquid crystal display. |
| US10386671B2 |
Display device and illumination device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel and an illumination device. The illumination device includes a light source unit, at least one light-shielding body which blocks part of the light emitted from the light source unit, at least one lens which refracts the light emitted from the light source unit, and an illumination controller. The illumination controller controls a first mode in which the light-shielding body and the lens are arranged at a first position, and a second mode in which at least one of the light-shielding body and the lens is arranged at a second position, which is different from the first position. |
| US10386669B2 |
Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof and display device
Provided is a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof a display panel and a display device. The display substrate comprises: a base substrate, and black matrixes, color filters and a blocking layer provided above the base substrate, the blocking layer being provided above the black matrixes and the color filters and being configured to block diffusion of particles generated by the color filters and/or the black matrixes. In the solutions of the display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device provided in the present application, the blocking layer is provided above the black matrixes and the color filters, and can block the particles generated by the color filters and/or the black matrixes, preventing the generated particles from diffusing to the opposite substrate facing the display substrate, generation of the progressive Zara can be prevented. |
| US10386667B2 |
Liquid crystal display with touch sensing function
A liquid crystal display device with a touch sensing function can improve productivity without a pitch limitation between pads in a pad area. The liquid crystal display device can include a touch signal line of a third wiring layer including lower and upper layers, and the lower layer is formed of the same material as a pixel electrode. A touch-common electrode of a fourth wiring layer is disposed on a second passivation layer, and is connected to a touch signal line via a second hole. A first data pad includes a first lower pad formed of a third wiring layer and connected to a first data link, a second lower pad formed of a first wiring layer, and an upper pad formed of the fourth wiring layer and connecting the first lower pad to the second lower pad, via a third contact hole and a fourth contact hole. |
| US10386663B2 |
GOA circuit and liquid crystal display device
A GOA circuit includes a plurality of cascaded GOA units. An N-th stage GOA unit controls charging of an N-th horizontal scanning line. The N-th stage GOA unit includes a pull-high control unit, a pull-high unit, a pull-down unit, a pull-down sustain unit, and a boast capacitor (Cb). The pull-high unit, the pull-down sustain unit and the boast capacitor (Cb) are connected with a first node (Q(N)) and a gate signal output terminal (G(N)) of the N-th stage GOA unit. The pull-high control unit and the pull-down unit are connected with the first node (Q(N)) of the N-th stage GOA unit. The pull-down sustain unit includes a first TFT (T61), a second TFT (T62), a third TFT (T64), a fourth TFT (T43), and a fifth TFT (T33). Also provided is a liquid crystal display device using the GOA circuit. |
| US10386658B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes: a display unit including scan lines, data lines, unit areas corresponding to intersections of the scan lines and the data lines, the unit areas including first unit areas in an effective display area, second unit areas in a dummy area around the effective display area, some of the second unit areas being smaller than the first unit areas, and pixels in the first unit areas; a timing controller configured to receive first data including image data corresponding to the first and second unit areas and to convert the first data into second data corresponding to the effective display area; and a data driver configured to generate a data signal corresponding to the second data. The display unit includes a first horizontal line having fewer pixels than the number of the data lines. |
| US10386654B2 |
Ophthalmic lens with graded microlenses
An ophthalmic lens incorporating an array of microlenses. |
| US10386645B2 |
Digital therapeutic corrective spectacles
Devices for testing, identifying, and compensating for ocular pathologies affecting the vision of a patient are provided in the form of digital therapeutic corrective spectacles that provided personalized, customized visual field corrected/enhancement. The devices include wearable spectacles with one or more digital monitors that are used to recreate an entire visual field as a digitized corrected image or that include custom-reality glasses that can be used to overlay a visual scene with generated image to correct or enhance the visual field of the subject. |
| US10386642B2 |
Holographic see-through optical device, stereoscopic imaging system, and multimedia head mounted system
A holographic see-through optical device, a stereoscopic imaging system including the same, and a multimedia head mounted system are provided. The holographic see-through optical device includes a micro display; a relay optical system, which relays an image generated by the micro display; at least one waveguide comprising at least two portions having different thicknesses or different refractive indexes; at least one first holographic optical element, which is arranged at one of the two portions; and at least one second holographic optical element, which is arranged at the other one of the two portions. |
| US10386639B2 |
Methods and systems for diagnosing eye conditions such as red reflex using light reflected from the eyes
Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects. |
| US10386636B2 |
Multi-focal display system and method
Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise an accommodation tracking module to track an accommodation of a user's eyes, a first variable focus element (VFE) to switch between at least two focal planes, wherein a distance between the two focal planes is relatively consistent, and a second VFE to shift the at least two focal planes based at least in part on the tracked accommodation of the user's eyes. |
| US10386633B2 |
Virtual object display system, and display control method and display control program for the same
A virtual object display system includes a plurality of head-mounted displays 1 each having a virtual object acquisition unit 22 that acquires a virtual object, a display information acquisition unit 23 that acquires display information used to display the virtual object, and a display control unit 24 that causes a display unit to display the virtual object on the basis of the display information, and enables switching between of first display control for causing the virtual object to be displayed on the basis of display information acquired by each of the plurality of head-mounted displays 1 and second display control for causing the virtual object having an identical orientation to an orientation of the virtual object displayed on the basis of display information acquired by another head-mounted display 1 to be displayed. |
| US10386632B2 |
Lens, camera, package inspection system and image processing method
The present application discloses a lens, camera, package inspection system and image processing method. The lens comprises an optical lens and a photosensitive chip, and further comprises an optical filter comprising a first filter portion and a second filter portion and disposed between the optical lens and the photosensitive chip, wherein a first object point is imaged on the photosensitive chip through the optical lens and the first filter portion, and a second object point is imaged on the photosensitive chip through the optical lens and the second filter portion, the first filter portion having a thickness greater than that of the second filter portion. The technical problem of a lens in relevant art having a relatively small DOF is solved by the present application. |
| US10386629B2 |
Light-enhancement device, and appliance having the same
A light-enhancement device includes a wavelength conversion member and a wavelength controlling element. The wavelength conversion member includes a light-transmissive substrate and wavelength conversion material which is disposed within the light-transmissive substrate for converting a portion of light with a first wavelength into another light with a second wavelength. The wavelength controlling element is disposed on a surface of the light-transmissive substrate for reflecting another portion of the light with the first wavelength into the light-transmissive substrate and enabling the portion of the light with the second wavelength to pass through the wavelength controlling element. A roughness of the surface of the light-transmissive substrate facing towards the wavelength controlling element is configured to be 0-1 μm. |
| US10386627B2 |
Simultaneous visible and fluorescence endoscopic imaging
An endoscope apparatus includes a fiber optic cable with a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The endoscope apparatus also includes a light source optically coupled to the proximal end of the fiber optic cable to emit visible light and excitation light into the fiber optic cable for output from the distal end. The light source is configured to emit both the visible light and the excitation light simultaneously, and a wavelength of the excitation light is outside a wavelength spectrum of the visible light. An image sensor coupled to the distal end of the fiber optic cable and positioned to receive a reflection of the visible light as reflected visible light. |
| US10386618B2 |
Projection optical system and projection type display device
A projection optical system is constituted by, in order from the reduction side, a first optical system constituted by a plurality of lenses for forming an image displayed by image display elements as an intermediate image, and a second optical system constituted by a plurality of lenses for forming the intermediate image on a magnification side conjugate plane. Conditional Formula (1) below is satisfied. 1.50 |
| US10386613B2 |
Photographing optical lens assembly, image capturing device and electronic device
A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power, and an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point. |
| US10386610B2 |
Camera optical lens
The present disclosure discloses a camera optical lens. The camera optical lens includes, in an order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens. The camera optical lens further satisfies specific conditions. |
| US10386606B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging device
Provided is a zoom lens that may achieve satisfactory optical performance from a wide angle position to a telephoto position and may be miniaturized. The zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a subsequent group including a plurality of lens groups and having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group, the second lens group, and the subsequent group are sequentially arranged from an object side. Since an image plane lens group located closest to an image plane side has a zooming function, a total length of the zoom lens may be reduced. |
| US10386605B2 |
Optical photographing assembly, image capturing apparatus, and electronic device comprising five-lens system having inflection point
An optical photographing assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has at least one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The fourth lens element has at least one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The fifth lens element has at least one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element includes at least one inflection point. |
| US10386597B2 |
Moving mechanism
A moving mechanism for holding a lens is provided, including a carrier having an accommodating space, a coil, a sensing object, a base, at least one magnetic member, and a position detector, wherein the lens is disposed in the accommodating space. The coil and the sensing object are disposed on the carrier, and the coil surrounds the accommodating space. At least a portion of the coil is disposed between the sensing object and the accommodating space. The magnetic member and the position detector are disposed on the base, and the position detector is adjacent to the sensing object. When a current flows through the coil, the carrier moves relative to the base. |
| US10386596B2 |
Lens driving device, camera module and optical apparatus
A lens driving device is provided, the lens driving device including a housing including a through hole; a bobbin accommodated at the through hole; a magnet disposed on the housing; a first coil disposed on the bobbin and facing the magnet; a first support member coupled to the housing and the bobbin, and movably supporting the bobbin in a direction of an optical axis; a protrusion part outwardly protruded from an outer lateral surface of the bobbin; and a groove part on the housing at a position corresponding with the protrusion part and accommodating at least a portion of the protrusion part, wherein an outer lateral surface of the protrusion part includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the first surface, the second surface and the third surface is parallel with an inner lateral surface of the groove part, and wherein an angle between the first surface and the third surface, and an angle between the second surface and the third surface are an obtuse angle. |
| US10386595B2 |
Support mechanism
An optical mechanism is provided. The optical mechanism includes a fixed member, a movable member, an optical element, a first sensing magnet and a first sensing element, wherein the movable member is movably connected to the fixed member, and the optical element is disposed on the movable member. The first sensing magnet corresponds to the optical element and has a first magnetic polar direction. The first sensing element corresponds to the first sensing magnet for detecting the rotation of the first sensing magnet around a first axis direction relative to the fixed member, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the first magnetic polar direction. |
| US10386592B2 |
Optical engine and optical module
An optical engine includes a substrate provided with terminals configured to connect to a connector provided on another substrate, a light receiver/emitter mounted on the substrate, and a cover covering the substrate. The light receiver/emitter is any one of a light receiver, a light emitter, and an element having functions of both the light receiver and the light emitter. |
| US10386587B2 |
Optical fiber fixation structure, semiconductor laser module, and method of manufacturing semiconductor laser module
The present invention provides a semiconductor laser module with high reliability that has a simple structure that can prevent a resin for fixing an optical fiber from coming off. The semiconductor laser module 1 has a base plate 11, a semiconductor laser device 22 disposed on the base plate 11, an optical fiber 30 operable to transmit a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser device 22, a fiber mount 40 that projects from an upper surface 11A of the base plate 11, and a resin 50 for fixing the optical fiber 30 on the fiber mount 40. The resin 50 is formed so as to cover side surfaces 42A, 42B, 43A, and 43B of the fiber mount 40. |
| US10386584B2 |
Optical connectors with locking and keying features for interfacing with multiports
Fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables include connector housings having locking portions defined on the connector housing that allow the connector housing to be selectively coupled to a corresponding push-button securing member of a multiport assembly. Methods for selectively connecting a fiber optic connector to, and disconnecting the fiber optic connector from the multiport assemblies allow for connector housings to be forcibly and nondestructively removed from the multiport assembly. |
| US10386580B2 |
Optical signal transmission system and optical receptacle
In an optical signal transmission system for transmitting signal light through a transmitting fiber, an optical connector, and a receiving fiber to an optical receptacle, the relationships ϕ1ex<ϕ2en and ϕpd<ϕ2en are satisfied, where ϕ1ex is the core diameter of the transmitting fiber at the exit face of the transmitting fiber, ϕ2en is the core diameter of the receiving fiber at the entrance face of the receiving fiber, and ϕpd is the diameter of a receiving surface of a light receiving element in the optical receptacle, and the relationship NA1ex>Na2en is satisfied, where, in the optical connector, NA1ex is the numerical aperture (NA) of the signal light emitted from the transmitting fiber, and NA2en is the NA of the signal light incident on the receiving fiber. |
| US10386577B2 |
Optical coupling assembly
A waveguide support and reflector member is provided for optically connecting a first optical component having at least one optical waveguide including an optical axis with a second optical component. The waveguide support and reflector member includes a body having a waveguide retention section and a reflector section. The waveguide retention section is configured to support the first optical component and defines an optical plane along which each optical waveguide is disposed upon positioning the optical component at the waveguide retention section. The reflector section has an optical reflector surface aligned with the optical plane and is configured to optically connect the at least one optical waveguide with the second optical component. An optical assembly incorporating a waveguide support and reflector member and a sheet metal blank for forming a waveguide support and reflector member are also provided. An in-line waveguide support and alignment member is further provided. |
| US10386575B2 |
Optical assembly and method for coupling a waveguide array to a photonic-integrated circuit
An optical assembly generally having a substrate; a photonic-integrated circuit (PIC) mounted on the substrate, the PIC having a plurality of optical ports; a first structure having a bottom surface connected to the substrate, and a first planar surface extending perpendicularly to the substrate; a second structure having a second planar surface being connected to the first planar surface of the first structure via an adhesive, and a support surface; and a waveguide array having a support surface being connected to the support surface of the second structure, the waveguide array having a plurality of waveguides each defining an optical path, with the optical paths lying in a waveguide plane, the waveguide plane being perpendicular to the first and second planar surfaces, the optical paths being maintained in optical alignment with corresponding ones of the optical ports via the adhered first and second planar surfaces. |
| US10386572B1 |
Electronic device display with a backlight
A backlight unit may be used to produce backlight illumination for a display. The backlight unit may have a row of light-emitting diodes that are mounted on a flexible printed circuit and that emit light into a light guide layer. The backlight unit may include a chassis that extends around the periphery of the light guide layer. The chassis may have a first portion that is mounted on the flexible printed circuit adjacent to the light-emitting diodes and a second portion that extends over the light-emitting diodes. A heat spreading layer may be attached to a reflector layer and the flexible printed circuit. The heat spreading layer may have a width that is less than the width of the reflector layer. Adhesive patches may attach the light guide layer to the flexible printed circuit. A patterned adhesive layer may be formed over the light-emitting diodes and the light guide layer. |
| US10386571B1 |
Apparatus for coupling light into lightguides
A system of light emitting diodes and lightguides can produce and distribute light in a luminaire. Two or more lightguides can be mounted adjacent one another so that their edges extend alongside one another. An optic can couple light between the light emitting diodes and the edges of the adjacent lightguides. The optic, which can be another lightguide in some examples, can mix, blend, or homogenize light received from the light emitting diodes and distribute the light among the adjacent lightguides. The optic can mix light emitted from multiple light emitting diodes so that light enters the adjacent lightguides uniformly along the edges of the lightguide, thereby eliminating or reducing any bright spots or visual inconsistencies. The optic can further allocate light uniformly among the adjacent lightguides. |
| US10386569B2 |
Optical member, optical element, liquid crystal display device, and near-to-eye optical member
Provided is an optical member having a high brightness, a low haze, and a small color change, an optical element, a liquid crystal display device, and a near-to-eye optical member. The optical member includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal dots that are provided on a substrate, in which a shape of each of the dots is a hemispherical or elliptical hemispherical shape in which the substrate side is planar, a conical or elliptical conical shape in which the substrate side is set as the bottom, or a shape in which a plurality of shapes selected from the shapes are laminated, the cholesteric liquid crystal dot has a reflection center wavelength with respect to visible light, the cholesteric structure of the dot has a stripe pattern including bright portions and dark portions in a cross-sectional view of the dot when observed with a scanning electron microscope, the dot includes a portion having a height which continuously increases to a maximum height in a direction moving from an end portion of the dot to the center of the dot, and in the portion, an angle between a normal line perpendicular to a line, which is formed using a first dark portion from a surface of the dot opposite to the substrate, and the surface of the dot is in a range of 70° to 90°. |
| US10386567B2 |
Optical sheet for liquid crystal display device, backlight unit for liquid crystal display device and production method of optical sheet for liquid crystal display device
An optical sheet for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of protruding portions provided scatteredly on a back face, in which the protruding portions each have a flattened semi-spherical shape or a flattened conical shape with a rounded apex. The protruding portions may each have a half spheroidal shape. An occupancy area ratio of the plurality of protruding portions may be no less than 2% and no greater than 80%. An average diameter of the protruding portions may be no less than 5 μm and no greater than 60 μm, and an average height of the protruding portions may be no less than 0.5 μm. A diffraction grating shape with multiple rows that are oriented in a single direction on the back face in a region where the plurality of protruding portions are absent. |
| US10386566B2 |
Vehicle cup-holder with illuminating light guide
A vehicle lighting device includes a storage member with an opening for receiving an object and a support bottom portion; a light source; and a light guide member including an incident portion positioned on an outer peripheral portion side of the light guide member, a light emission surface arranged along an edge of the opening, and a shielding wall positioned between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion and extending along the receiving opening. The light guide member further includes a portion where a distance between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion is gradually reduced as it moves in from the incident portion. |
| US10386563B2 |
Illuminator for a wearable display
A compact illuminator for a see-through image display system with highly uniform light distribution is disclosed. This invention enables wearable displays such as eye-glass type see-through display. This system provides a wide divergent beam from a display device so that a viewer can have a large eyebox. |
| US10386560B2 |
Wavelength conversion light guide assembly and light source module
A wavelength conversion light guide assembly including a light guide plate, a holding element, and a wavelength conversion material is provided. The holding element is jointed with at least one side of the light guide plate, wherein the holding element and the light guide plate enclose a closed accommodating space. The wavelength conversion material is disposed in the accommodating space and includes a plurality of quantum dots. A light source module using the wavelength conversion light guide assembly is also provided. |
| US10386558B2 |
Polarization conversion systems with geometric phase holograms
A polarization conversion system includes a geometric phase element and a retarder element. The geometric phase element has optical anisotropy with local optical axis orientations that vary non-linearly in at least one dimension along a surface thereof. The retarder element is arranged to receive light output from the geometric phase element. Related systems and methods are also discussed. |
| US10386554B2 |
IR-filter arrangement
An infrared (IR) filter arrangement for a camera having an associated IR illuminator, the arrangement comprising: a fixedly arranged bandpass IR filter filtering out IR frequencies other than those from the IR illuminator; and an IR cut filter at least blocking any IR wavelength transmitted by the fixed band-pass filter, the IR filter being integrated in a diaphragm of the camera, such that closing of the diaphragm aperture entails an increased relative proportion of the diaphragm aperture being covered by the IR cut filter, and opening of the diaphragm aperture entails a decreased relative proportion of the diaphragm aperture being covered by the IR cut filter. |
| US10386553B2 |
Partially etched phase-transforming optical element
An optical element (transmissive or reflective) includes a transmissive layer comprising two different optical media arranged among discrete volumes arranged along the layer. The discrete volumes are arranged to approximate a desired phase function (typically modulo 2π) and are smaller than an operational wavelength in order to provide a range of phase delays needed to adequately approximate the desired phase function. |
| US10386542B2 |
Predicting ice coating status on transmission lines
A method and apparatus for predicting ice coating status on transmission lines. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for predicting ice coating status on transmission lines, including: collecting real-time meteorological data from at least one meteorological sensor; generating a meteorological element predicted value based on the real-time meteorological data, an initial field and a weather forecasting model; and obtaining a set of lines that meet ice coating conditions among the transmission lines, based on the meteorological element predicted value and attribute information of the transmission lines. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for predicting ice coating status on transmission lines. |
| US10386539B2 |
Method of modelling a subsurface volume
Disclosed is a method of modelling a subsurface volume. The method comprises: discretizing said subsurface volume to define a grid comprising an array of cells (1, 2, 3), each cell being defined by cell faces, each cell having attributed thereto one or more high order properties (A,B); dividing each cell into a plurality of sub-cells, said plurality of sub-cells comprising: a plurality of central sub-cells adjacent a center of the cell, and a plurality of peripheral sub-cells, each adjacent a corresponding cell face; for each of said central sub-cells, and for each of said peripheral sub-cells for which the cell adjacent to that peripheral sub-cell has attributed thereto the same one or more high order properties as that of the cell in which said peripheral sub-cell is comprised, attributing one or more low order property values (c, d, e, x, y, z) in accordance with the high order property attributed to the cell in which said peripheral sub-cell is comprised; for each of said peripheral sub-cells for which the cell adjacent to that peripheral sub-cell has attributed thereto a different one or more high order properties than that of the cell in which said peripheral sub-cell is comprised, attributing one or more low order property values (c, d, e, x, y, z) in accordance with the high order property attributed to the adjacent cell; and determining one or more low order property values for each cell based on the one or more low order property values attributed to each cell's component sub-cells. |
| US10386535B2 |
Photoelectric sensor
A photoelectric sensor capable of preventing a malfunction caused by mutual interference is provided. The photoelectric sensor includes: a light projecting unit that repetitively emits a set of pulse light, which follows a projected light pattern in which a light projecting period is made different by a fixed time, as signal light; a light receiving element that receives the signal light; and a light receiving controller that distinguishes a light incident state and a light blocked state based on a received light signal from the light receiving element. The light projecting unit has a first pattern having the light projecting period increased by a fixed time and a second pattern having the light projecting period reduced by a fixed time as the projected light pattern, and in the first and second patterns, a pulse indicating a shortest period is included in the light projecting period other than the shortest period. |
| US10386532B2 |
Radiation signal processing system
A dual energy based X-ray scanning system has a linear detector array with high and low energy detectors. A signal processing method is employed that accounts for varying angles at which the transmitted X-rays impinge upon the detectors and also the varying order in which the transmitted X-rays pass through the high and low energy detectors. This yields both high resolution in the generated images and better penetration performance. |
| US10386527B2 |
Dual-guard imager probe
The present disclosure introduces an apparatus for downhole measurement of a formation resistivity. The apparatus includes a probe having a button electrode, a first guard electrode insulated from the button electrode, a second guard electrode insulated from the first guard electrode, and a return electrode positioned external to the second guard electrode. The apparatus also includes an electrical source for setting a voltage drop between the second guard electrode and the return electrode, a first impedance (RBOG) electrically coupled between the button electrode and the second guard electrode, and a second impedance (RIGOG) electrically coupled between the first guard electrode and the second guard electrode. |
| US10386526B2 |
Methods and systems for determining formation properties and pipe properties using ranging measurements
Methods and systems are presented in this disclosure for estimation of formation properties and pipe properties using ranging measurements. Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize ranging measurements to first determine a defined slope (e.g., leakage rate) of an electrical current signal flowing along a wellbore. The determined slope (e.g., leakage rate) may be then used to estimate properties of a formation surrounding the wellbore (e.g., formation resistivity) and properties of a conductive material (casing pipe) deployed in the wellbore (e.g., pipe resistance). Based on the estimated properties of the formation and the conductive material, drilling operation in a drilling well can be adjusted, and repair of defects or mechanical deformations on the casing pipe can be initiated. |
| US10386520B2 |
Seismic sensor recording system
A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms. |
| US10386514B2 |
Target-oriented process for estimating fracture attributes from seismic data
Method for characterizing a subterranean formation includes: obtaining azimuth-dependent observed travel-times from measured seismic data; inverting observed travel-times to calculate a fracture attribute selected from the group consisting of: magnitude and orientation; identifying presence of fracture based on calculated fracture magnitude; identifying fracture direction based on calculated fracture orientation; calculating predicted travel-times; calculating differences or residual errors between observed travel-times and predicted travel-times; identifying potential fault locations based on residual errors; inverting fracture magnitude and orientation using travel-time differences between a shallower horizon to a deeper horizon of interest to minimize overburden artifacts. |
| US10386512B2 |
System and method for petro-elastic modeling
A method is described for creating a petro-elastic model including receiving, at a computer processor, well log data; computing in situ rock properties; calculating dry frame moduli for a range of porosities based on a rock physics model such as a modified critical porosity model; performing fluid substitutions and computing elastic properties by statistical sampling for the range of porosities; creating a petro-elastic model in a seismic domain; and identifying and producing target hydrocarbon reservoirs based on the petro-elastic model. The method may be executed by a computer system. |
| US10386511B2 |
Seismic survey design using full wavefield inversion
Method for selecting an acquisition geometry for a seismic survey based on ability to resolve an a priori velocity model. Two or more candidate acquisition geometries are selected (301, 302), differing in areal coverage and cost to perform. Then compute a synthetic seismic dataset for each geometry using a detailed geometrical reference model of the subsurface (301). Invert the synthetic seismic datasets preferably using simultaneous source FWI, and preferably with Volume of Investigation constraints, to determine model updates (303, 304). Quantitatively assess the value of the additional traces in a fuller dataset relative to a subset (306), using one or more statistics based on the accuracy of the updated models, such as improved match to the reference model, better fit of seismic data, or rate of change in improvement with iterations. Inversions may be cascaded for further efficiency (314). |
| US10386510B2 |
Earthquake Detection System and Method
An earthquake detection system includes an earthquake data receiving module, for receiving a plurality of earthquake data and generating an earthquake parameter according to the plurality of earthquake data; a threshold value setting module, for setting an earthquake threshold according to the earthquake parameter; and an earthquake detector, for determining whether a new earthquake data belongs to an earthquake event according to the earthquake threshold when the new earthquake data is received, in order to generate a determination result; wherein the threshold value setting module further adjusts the earthquake threshold according to the determination result. |
| US10386500B2 |
Imaging panel and x-ray imaging device provided therewith
Provided is a technique that reduces patterning defects of data lines in an imaging panel and drain electrodes in thin film transistors without lowering the aperture ratio of the imaging panel. The imaging panel captures scintillation light, which are X-rays that have passed through a specimen and been converted by a scintillator. The imaging panel includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines. The imaging panel includes, in each of the pixels, a conversion element that converts scintillation light to electric charge, and a thin film transistor connected to the gate line, data line, and conversion element. A drain electrode of the thin film transistor is formed such that edges of the drain electrode near the data line are more inside the pixel than edges of the conversion element near the data line. |
| US10386498B2 |
Boom attitude detection device
A boom attitude detection device is equipped with: a GPS device that measures the position of the leading end of the boom; attitude detectors and that detect the attitude of the boom; and a calculation device. If the positioning reliability of the GPS device is high, the calculation device determines a correction value for correcting detection values of the attitude detectors to the attitude of the boom determined from the positioning value of the GPS device. If the positioning reliability of the GPS device is low, the calculation device corrects the detection values of the attitude detectors using correction values and determines the attitude of the boom. |
| US10386497B2 |
Automated localization for GNSS device
Systems and methods for performing automated localization are provided. In one example method, a plurality of coordinates representing positions of a plurality of locations may be received. The plurality of coordinates may be from two or more different coordinate systems. The numerical values of each of the plurality of coordinates may be evaluated to determine the coordinate system to which the coordinate belongs. The coordinates may be grouped into sets of coordinates based on their determined coordinate systems. Coordinates from one coordinate system may be paired with coordinates that represent the same locations from another coordinate system. A shape matching algorithm may be used to determine coordinates from different systems that represent the same locations. A localization process may then be used to convert the coordinates of the first coordinate system into coordinates of the second coordinate system based on the paired coordinates. |
| US10386493B2 |
System and method for localization and tracking
A method of determining location of a user device includes receiving global navigation satellite system (GNSS) fix data that represents GNSS calculated position of the user device, receiving signal strength data associated with each satellite communicating with the user device, and receiving satellite data regarding locations of satellites. The method further includes retrieving satellite blocking values from a cache that describe a likelihood of a satellite signal being blocked at a plurality of possible locations. A non-linear filter, implemented by one or more processors, is applied to the GNSS fix data, signal strength data, and satellite blocking values to generate an updated position estimate of the user device. |
| US10386491B2 |
Efficient covariance matrix update
An efficient covariance matrix computation method is disclosed in connection with certain GNSS applications, including Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM) and geometry screening. The system and method of the present application enable computation of multiple covariance matrices with substantially greater efficiency than previous approaches, including the rank-one update formula. For example, the system and method of the present application advantageously involves substantially fewer and simpler arithmetic operations than previous approaches. In addition, unlike the rank-one update formula, the system and method of the present application can be used to compute the subsolution in which all the satellites of a given constellation are removed. |
| US10386489B2 |
Beam scanner for autonomous vehicles
A light beam steering transmissive element with an arbitrarily sized aperture comprising at least one layer of a insulating matrix modified for increased polarizability under electrical, magnetic or optical stimulation, between two or more substrates that can be electrically configured to provide signal modulation (optical, magnetic or electrical) that will control the wavefronts of incident light, thereby taking off-axis electromagnetic signals and aligning them to the aperture of a receiving element positioned near the device, or the reverse, sending signals originating behind the steering device to a variety of user-defined angles in two or more dimensions. |
| US10386485B2 |
Laser scanner
The invention provides a laser scanner, which comprises a light projecting unit for irradiating a distance measuring light, a light receiving unit for receiving a reflected distance measuring light, a distance measuring unit for performing a distance measurement based on a light receiving signal, a rotary deflecting unit for performing a rotary irradiation of the distance measuring light, and an arithmetic control unit, wherein the arithmetic control unit has a light receiving intensity judging component and a threshold value setting component, a light receiving intensity which is obtained by scanning the distance measuring light is inputted in advance to the threshold value setting component from the light receiving intensity judging component, the threshold value setting component sets a threshold value for detecting light receiving corresponding to the light receiving intensity, and the arithmetic control unit acquires a light receiving signal based on the threshold value and performs a distance measurement. |
| US10386484B2 |
Optical apparatus and light sensitive device with micro-lens
There is provided an optical apparatus including a substrate, a light emitting device, a light sensitive device and a plurality of micro-lenses. The light emitting device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to provide a light beam. The light sensitive device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to receive a light beam reflected from an object, wherein the light sensitive device has a plurality of photosensitive units arranged in matrix. The micro-lenses are disposed above the light sensitive device and respectively opposite to the associated photosensitive units. There is further provided a light sensitive device with micro-lens and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US10386482B2 |
Device-free tracking system that accurately tracks hand movement
A method, system and computer program product for tracking movement of an object, such as a hand. Speakers of a device to be controlled transmit frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) audio signals. These signals are reflected by the object and received by the microphones at the controlled device. The received and transmitted audio signals are mixed. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is then performed on the mixed audio signals. One or more peak frequencies in the frequency domain of the FFT mixed audio signals are selected and used to estimate the distance between the object and the speakers of the controlled device. Furthermore, the velocity of the object is estimated. The coordinates of the object are then computed using the estimated distance between the object and the speakers and microphones of the controlled device and the estimated velocity of the object. |
| US10386481B1 |
Angle-of-arrival-based gesture recognition system and method
A method and system for gesture recognition using angle-of-arrival information. The method includes generating ultrasound waves with a transmitter; receiving the ultrasound waves at a receiver that includes two pairs of sensors that record the ultrasound waves; estimating with a processor, first and second angle-of-arrivals θx(ti),θy(ti) for the ultrasound waves, where x and y indicate two perpendicular axes that form a plane in which the two pairs of sensors are distributed and the first and second angle-of-arrivals are defined relative to the plane; grouping N estimated first and second angle-of-arrivals θx(ti),θy(ti) values to form a matrix g that corresponds to the predetermined path; comparing the matrix g with plural gesture templates from a gesture dictionary; identifying a gesture template from the plural gesture templates that corresponds to the predetermined path; and displaying the gesture template associated with the predetermined path. |
| US10386479B2 |
Metamaterial devices and methods of using the same
Compressive imaging captures images in compressed form, where each sensor does not directly correspond with a pixel, as opposed to standard image capture techniques. This can lead to faster image capture rates due to lower I/O bandwidth requirements, and avoids the need for image compression hardware, as the image is captured in compressed form. Measuring the transformation of an emitted multimodal signal is one method of compressive imaging. Metamaterial antennas and transceivers are well suited for both emitting and receiving multimodal signals, and are thus prime candidates for compressive imaging. |
| US10386478B2 |
Range-independent resolution radar
Embodiments of the present invention allow for radar imaging that is not range dependent for resolution. Arrays of cells comprised of antennas and true delays can be placed behind the target. The signal reflected by the individual cells provides information on whether the cell is blocked by the target. Additional information can be determined from the radar returns, such as material properties and target thickness. Similar structures can be constructed to act as wireless barcodes. |
| US10386473B2 |
Radar apparatus using chirp wave and signal processing method of radar apparatus
A radar apparatus includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and a speed determining unit. Of these units, the first processing unit determines at least speed including ambiguity caused by phase folding back within a predetermined speed measurement range, from phase rotation of frequency components detected in time-series for a same target, using a beat signal obtained by transmitting and receiving, a plurality of times, a predetermined first modulation wave. The second processing unit determines at least speed that is uniquely determined within the speed measurement range, from Doppler frequency included in frequency components indicating a target, using a beat signal obtained by transmitting and receiving a predetermined second modulation wave. The speed determining unit determines a measurement result for speed expressed by a resolution obtained by the first processing unit by comparing a calculation result of the first processing unit and a calculation result of the second processing unit. |
| US10386463B1 |
Retroreflector with wavelength-dependent response to convey pose information
A system includes: a light source; a detector configured to spectrally resolve light across an operative wavelength range; a retroreflector module including a reflector and an optical filter integrated with the reflector, the reflector being configured to retroreflect at least some of incident light across the operative wavelength range; an optical filter configured to filter light across the operative wavelength range, the optical filter having an angular-dependent optical characteristic for light across the operative wavelength range; and an electronic processing module in communication with the detector. The system is configured so that during operation the light source directs broadband light towards the retroreflector module, the detector detects filtered retroreflected light from the retroreflection module, and the electronic processing module determines information about an orientation of the retroreflector module with respect to the detector based on the spectral content of the filtered retroreflected light. |
| US10386461B1 |
Automotive sensor alignment with external IMU tool
An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may be used to align a plurality of radar units coupled to a vehicle via a plurality of mounting structures. The IMU may be placed at a reference location and reference-location data may be captured. The IMU may be coupled to each of the mounting structures and, at each mounting structure, respective mounting-location inertial measurement data may be captured using the IMU. For each mounting structure, a measured roll angle, measured elevational angle, and measured azimuthal angle is determined based on at least the mounting-location inertial measurement obtained at the mounting structure and the reference inertial measurement. Further, for each mounting structure, offsets are determined for the measured roll angle, the measured elevational angle, and the measured azimuthal angle. One or more of the mounting structures and/or radar units are adjusted based on one or more of the offsets. |
| US10386460B2 |
Self-calibrating sensor for elevator and automatic door systems
A self-calibrating sensor system is provided and includes one or more sensors supportively disposed on or proximate to a wall defining one or more apertures and a processor. Each of the one or more sensors is configured to track individuals proximate to at least one of the one or more apertures. The processor is configured to determine one or more of a location and an orientation of each of the one or more sensors relative to the at least one of the one or more apertures from analyses of the tracking of the individuals. |
| US10386457B2 |
Apparatus and method to automatically set a master-slave monitoring system
An apparatus is described that can monitor the sounds and voices of infants and children in a house by judicially placing nodes in key locations of the home. The network has intelligence and uses voice recognition to enable, disable, reroute, or alter the network. The network uses voice recognition to follow a child from node to node, monitors the children according to activity and uses memory to delay the voices so the adult can hear the individual conversations. An adult that has been assigned privilege can disable all nodes from any node in the network. Another apparatus can locate an individual by voice recognition or sounds they emit including walking, breathing and even a heartbeat. The sound is detected at several microphones that have a specific positional relationship to a room or an enclosement. Triangulations of the time differences of the audio signal detected by the microphones are used to determine the location or position of the audio source in the room. This information can be used to provide an improved audio delivery system to the individual. |
| US10386456B1 |
Wideband radio-frequency antenna
Radio-frequencies (RF) antennas for use in micro-localization systems are described. The RF antennas described herein may enable localization of objects with high resolutions, such as in the order of one centimeter or less. The RF antennas may be further configured to reduce range error variability across different directions, so that the accuracy of a micro-localization system is substantially the same regardless of the position of the object. An illustrative RF antenna includes a conductive housing forming a first cavity separated from a second cavity by a conductive wall. The RF antenna may further include an emitting element coupled to the conductive housing, a port coupled to the conductive housing, and an antenna feed electrically coupling the emitting element to the port. The antenna feed may pass through the cavities and the conductive wall. The antenna feed may comprise a symmetric and an asymmetric portion, disposed in the different cavities. |
| US10386455B2 |
Position detection system
A position detection system performs first through third processes to measure, using high-frequency signals, a position of a slave device in a measurement area surrounded by parent devices. The first process measures distances between the slave device and each of the master devices a plurality of times, to obtain a minimum value of each of the distances. The second process obtains a position of an intersection point of two arcs among arcs respectively having the minimum value of each of the distances as a radius from respective centers of the master devices when a number of intersection points of the two arcs within the measurement area is one. The third process regards a center of gravity of the intersection points as a true position of the slave device when the intersection points are densely arranged. |
| US10386452B2 |
Determining positions of transducers for receiving and/or transmitting wave signals
In a method for determining positions {pi}i=1, . . . , N of transducers {Ai}i=1, . . . , N of an apparatus, the transducers are assumed to be configured for receiving wave signals from and/or transmitting wave signals to one or more regions {Rm}m=1, . . . , M of interest in an n-dimensional space, with n=2 or 3. An n-dimensional spatial filter function {circumflex over (ω)}e(r) is determined, which matches projections {Pm}m=1, . . . , M of the one or more regions {Rm}m=1, . . . , M of interest onto an n−1-dimensional sphere centered on the apparatus. Then, a density function ƒb(p) is obtained, based on a Fourier transform ω(p) of the determined spatial filter function {circumflex over (ω)}e(r). Finally, a position pi is determined, within said n-dimensional space, for each of N transducers, based on the obtained density function ƒb(p) and a prescribed number N of the transducers. The invention is further directed to related devices, apparatuses and systems, as well as computer program products. |
| US10386449B2 |
System and method for radio tomographic image formation
A system and method for generating radio tomographic images is provided. A plurality of transceivers positioned around a region to be imaged is divided into a plurality of pixels. A control apparatus is configured to cause each of the plurality of transceivers in turn to send a signal to each of the other transceivers. The control apparatus is further configured to determine an attenuation in the received signals, generate weighing, derivative, and attenuation matrices from the signals, group the pixels into a plurality of provinces, select each province in turn and solve for a change in attenuation in each of the pixels while setting the pixels in other provinces to zero, aggregate solutions from each of the provinces into a rough estimate, re-solve each province using the aggregated rough estimate, aggregate the re-solved solutions from each province into a refined estimate, and generate an image from the refined estimate. |
| US10386448B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting atmospheric data of reference nodes for use in computing the altitude of a receiver
Using atmospheric data from one or more reference nodes to estimate an altitude of a receiver. Assistance data associated with a set of reference nodes within a region is identified, and the assistance data is used to identify atmospheric reference data associated with a subset of selected reference nodes. An estimate of the receiver's altitude is generated using the atmospheric reference data from the subset of reference nodes. |
| US10386446B2 |
Beacon array
A method comprises receiving a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a first beacon in an array of beacons and receiving a second RSSI of a second beacon in an array of beacons, calculating a RSSI of the array (r) as a function of the first RSSI and the second RSSI, retrieving a calibrated RSSI value of the array (r′) from a memory, determining whether r>r′, and outputting a signal to a user device responsive to determining that r>r′. |
| US10386445B2 |
Beacon array
A method comprises receiving a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a first beacon in an array of beacons and receiving a second RSSI of a second beacon in an array of beacons, calculating a RSSI of the array (r) as a function of the first RSSI and the second RSSI, retrieving a calibrated RSSI value of the array (r′) from a memory, determining whether r>r′, and outputting a signal to a user device responsive to determining that r>r′. |
| US10386439B2 |
Density guided attenuation map generation in PET/MR systems
A lung segmentation processor (40) is configured to classify magnetic resonance (MR) images based on noise characteristics. The MR segmenatation processor generates a lung region of interest (ROI) and detailed structure segmentation of the lung from the ROI. The MR segmentation processor performs an iterative normalization and region definition approach that captures the entire lung and the soft tissues within the lung accurately. Accuracy of the segmentation relies on artifact classification coming inherently from MR images. The MR segmentation processor (40) correlates segmented lung internal tissue pixels with the lung density to determine the attenuation coefficients based on the correlation. Lung densities are computed using MR data obtained from imaging sequences that minimize echo and acquisition times. The densities differentiate healthy tissues and lesions, which an attenuation map processor (36) uses to create localized attenuation maps for the lung. |
| US10386438B2 |
System and method for generating spatial maps of mechanical parameters using graph-cut based optimization
A system and method for generating a spatial map of parameters that describe the mechanically-induced harmonic motion information present within a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) data set is provided. A first temporal harmonic signal is estimated using a graph-cut based optimization strategy, and can subsequently be used to generate a spatial map of mechanical parameters. The MRE data set is used to estimate the harmonic. The spatial map is of a mechanical parameter derived from the estimated harmonic. |
| US10386437B2 |
Method for generating a radial or spiral MRT image
Disclosed herein is a method for generating an MRI image in which a radial or spiral k-chamber path with a constant angular increment Psi is used to take an MRI image, the angular increment Psi being in the angular range of between 5-55 degrees or being in the corresponding supplementary angle Psi′ and is selected according to the formula PsiN,M=pi/(N+1/(M+tau−1)). Alternatively, for an angular increment Psi which deviates from the angle increment of the optimal distribution of n radial profiles Psiopt=180°/n, the minimum scanning efficiency of the angular increment Psi for n>21 profiles is greater than 0.95, the angular increment Psi is in an angular range of 5° to less than 68.7537°, in particular between 5-55 degrees or in the corresponding supplementary angle Psi′. Compared to the arrangement of the radial or spiral profile using the golden angle of 111.24°, the angle increments calculated according to the above formula lead to lower eddy current artifacts, for example during the use of a b-SSFP-pulse sequence. |
| US10386435B2 |
Methods and systems for fast auto-calibrated reconstruction with random projection in parallel MRI
Methods and systems for fast auto-calibrated reconstruction with random projection in parallel MRI are disclosed. In one embodiment, calibration and reconstruction are accelerated by reducing the number of k-space data channels before calibration. During calibration, a random projection is performed in order to reduce the dimensionality of the calibration equation. The reduced-dimensionality equation is used to obtain the reconstruction coefficients, which are then used to synthesize reconstructed k-space data. The received and reconstructed k-space data together construct a parallel MRI image. Systems for fast GRAPPA reconstruction are disclosed comprising a processor configured, for example, through software, to collect k-space data, reduce the number of data channels, perform the random projection, solve a reduced calibration equation, and synthesize the k-space data to construct a final parallel MRI image. |
| US10386430B2 |
Single layer magnetic resonance imaging transmit/receive radio frequency coil
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil array configured to operate in a transmit (Tx) mode or in a receive (Rx) mode, the MRI RF coil array comprising at least one single-layer RF coil element. The at least one RF coil element includes a resonant LC coil, a matching Tx/Rx switch circuit, and a preamplifier. The matching and Tx/Rx switch circuit, when operating in Tx mode, electrically isolates the LC coil from the preamplifier upon the LC coil resonating with a primary coil at the primary coil's working frequency. The LC coil, upon resonating with the primary coil at the working frequency, generates a local amplified Tx field based on an induced current in the LC coil. A magnitude or a phase of the induced current is independently adjustable. The matching and Tx/Rx switch circuit, when in Rx mode, electrically connects the LC coil with the preamplifier. |
| US10386429B2 |
Systems and methods for the selective mapping of water T1 relaxation times
Described herein are systems and methods for the selective mapping of water T1 relaxation times. |
| US10386416B2 |
System for magnetic burst testing of large electric motors with portable tester powered by a domestic wall outlet
A system for magnetic/impedance burst testing of large electric motors to determine broken rotor bar defect. The system being a portable tester and includes a Signal Processor, a single-phase power source VAC, an AC/DC boost converter connected to the power source, at least one energy storage device connected to the AC to DC boost converter, a Pulse Width Modulated drive module (PWM) connected to the at least one energy storage device, and a series of at least three switches (IPM) using switch/level boost-type PWM rectification. The burst test is repeated until a full rotation of magnetic angles are tested and recorded with the Signal Processor. Rotor impedance versus magnetic angle of the full rotation is verified in order to check for failure, and broken rotor bar defect is determined when a shift in measured stator's impedance/admittance level for any of the given magnetic angles is identified by the Signal Processor. |
| US10386410B2 |
Highly flexible performance counter and system debug module
According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a plurality of performance and debug monitoring circuits (PDMCs). Each performance and debug monitoring circuit (PDMC) may include an input stage, a combinatorial stage, and a counter. The input stage may be configured to receive a plurality of input signals, wherein the input signals include: signals from other performance and debug monitoring circuits, signals from combinatorial logic circuits, and configuration values. The combinatorial stage may be configured to perform one or more logical operations on a selected sub-set of the input signals. The counter may be configured to increment based, at least in part, upon a result of the combinatorial stage. |
| US10386407B2 |
Socket
A socket has a main body that accommodates a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) to be inspected. The PCBA includes a substrate mounted with an electronic component, and terminals protruding from the substrate and having side surfaces exposed at an outer peripheral surface of the substrate, and the terminals are positioned within a cavity or opening of the main body in a state in which the PCBA is accommodated in the cavity or opening. The socket further has probes respectively including a fixed part fixed to the main body, and a movable part movable with respect to the fixed part, and a pressing part to press against the movable part of the probe. The movable part includes a tip end part that moves to a position contactable to the side surface of one terminal within the cavity or opening, when the pressing part presses against the movable part. |
| US10386406B1 |
Back gate tuning circuits
The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to back gate tuning circuits and methods of manufacture. The method includes applying a voltage to a back gate of a device; and selectively controlling the applied voltage to deactivate at least one trap within an insulating layer of the device to reduce noise contribution from the at least one trap. |
| US10386405B2 |
Method for continuous tester operation during multiple stage temperature testing
A method is provided for performing continuous single insertion semiconductor testing of a group of semiconductors that are divided into a first subgroup and a second subgroup at multiple different temperatures. The single insertion semiconductor testing is performed by sequentially executing testing cycles, characterized by the tester alternately executing temperature testing periods and temperature ramping periods for the first subgroup, while simultaneously executing temperature ramping periods and temperature testing periods for the second subgroup. The temperature testing periods operate at two or more different temperatures. The single insertion testing sequence entirely eliminates tester index time when the testing time is equal to or greater than the ramping times, and substantially reduces tester index time when the testing time is less that the ramping times. |
| US10386401B2 |
Electrical network inspection devices
An electrical system can include a diagnostic device that generates a first test signal. The electrical system can also include multiple energy transfer links coupled to the diagnostic device, where the first test signals flows through a first subset of the energy transfer links. The electrical system can further include a first monitoring device coupled to the first subset of energy transfer links, where the first monitoring device receives the first test signal from the diagnostic device through the first subset of the energy transfer links. The electrical system can also include a first electrical device coupled to the first monitoring device. The first monitoring device can implement a first test procedure based on the first test signal, where the first test procedure helps determine a first condition of the first electrical device. |
| US10386400B2 |
Abnormality detection device and method for insulation and welding
An abnormality detection device includes a measuring unit 14c and a determining unit 14d. The measuring unit 14c measures, among a power supply, a capacitor, a load circuit, a switch connecting the power supply to the load circuit, and ground of a vehicle body, which are mounted on a vehicle, a first voltage of the capacitor charged by serially connecting the power supply, the capacitor, and the body ground in a state where the switch is controlled to be turned off. The determining unit 14d determines that the switch is not fixed in an ON state and an insulation resistance of the vehicle is normal when the first voltage measured by the measuring unit 14c is less than a first threshold. |
| US10386395B1 |
Subcircuit physical level power monitoring technology for real-time hardware systems and simulators
Methods and systems, include, in one aspect, a system including: receiving a total static power indicating a static power dissipation from a complete circuit, wherein the circuit comprises a plurality of components; receiving dynamic power weights indicating changes in the static power dissipation from the complete circuit over time; applying an algorithm including the dynamic power weights to partition the total static power, based on the changes in the static power, into a summation of individual per-component static power values, wherein the per-component static power values indicate a decomposition of the static power dissipation from the complete circuit into separate amounts of per-component static power dissipation corresponding to each of the plurality of components; and processing the per-component static power to evaluate a performance of the circuit, the plurality of components, or both. |
| US10386394B2 |
Run-time configurable graphical interface for measuring device
A measuring device providing a display device. The operation of the measuring device can be adapted by a user. In this context, operation includes the input and output of parameters in dialogs and the switching between dialogs. The display device displays the dialogs and can display several dialogs simultaneously. The input of given values in given dialogs effects the opening and/or closing of at least one respectively associated further dialog. The content and/or the position and/or the form and/or the linking of the dialogs are adapted. The operation of the measuring device is functional during the adaptation. Exclusively the currently-displayed dialogs are adaptable. |
| US10386392B2 |
Hall element driving circuit, sensor circuit, and current measuring apparatus
A Hall element driving circuit includes: a signal switching unit which is disposed between a power supply, which outputs a current, and a Hall element having first and second terminals and performs switching control between a first switching state that supplies the current to the first terminals and a second switching state that supplies the current to the second terminals; a switching control unit that controls transitions between the first switching state and the second switching state; and a switching unit that is disposed between the power supply and the signal switching unit and controls switching between an on state where the current is supplied and an off state where the current is stopped. The switching control unit controls transitions between the on and off states and executes switching control over the signal switching unit only when the switching unit is in the off state. |
| US10386391B2 |
Method for simultaneous monitoring of phase current and spatial parameters of overhead transmission lines with non-contact magnetic field sensor array
The invention discloses a monitoring system for estimation of phase conductor parameters of overhead high voltage transmission lines. Particularly, these parameters include electric current, conductor clearance from ground and wind induced conductor motion. This is realized by utilizing magnetic field sensing at various points or of various components with state of art Tunnel Magneto resistive sensors. The measured data is then divided into two groups, where one group performs the reconstruction using magnetic field and the other group validates the reconstructed results. For each group, initial conductor to sensor position coefficients are stored in two different sensitivity matrices in memory. For a change in conductor spatial position, the sensitivity matrices are altered which is estimated for each group and then validated by comparison. Errors in the reconstruction process are minimized by sensor placement at optimal points which ensures the condition number remains close to unity. |
| US10386381B2 |
Device for releasably holding an elongated object in a predetermined orientation and system for transporting an elongated object disposed in a predetermined orientation
A device for releasably holding an elongated object, such as a test tube, in a predetermined orientation includes a gripping element configured for circumferential expansion and contraction with respect to the object. An actuator element coupled to the gripping element is configured to effect circumferential expansion of the gripping element to an expanded configuration able to receive an end of the elongated object. A locking mechanism coupled to the actuator element is configured to lock the actuator element in a position holding the gripping element in the expanded configuration. A lock release mechanism is configured to be triggered by an elongated object inserted into the expanded gripping element and to release the locking mechanism, thereby allowing the biased gripping element to return to a contracted configuration gripping a portion of the object. The device and an object held thereby can be conveyed on a conveyor. |
| US10386379B1 |
Chemical sensing system
A chemical sensing system is described. The chemical sensing system can include a plurality of sensors arranged on at least one substrate. The sensors may have differing sensitivities to sense different analytes, and may each be configured to output a signal in response to sensing one or more of the different analytes. The chemical sensing system can further include a computer processor programmed to receive the signals output from the plurality of sensors. The computer processor may be further programmed to determine a concentration of analytes in the sample based, at least in part, on the received signals and a model relating the signals or information derived from the signals to an output representation having bases corresponding to analytes. |
| US10386378B2 |
Method of diagnosing prostate cancer by detecting chemical elements
A method of diagnosing a prostate condition in a subject comprises determining, in a sample obtained from a subject, levels of a plurality of constituents selected from the group consisting of Ca, K, Mg, Zn, Ag, Al, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Fe, Gd, Hg, Ho, La, Li, Mn, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tl, U, Y, and Zr. A combination of the levels of the plurality of constituents in the sample is compared with a combination of control levels of the same plurality of constituents. A difference between the combinations is indicative of the prostate condition. |
| US10386377B2 |
Microfluidic devices and methods for performing serum separation and blood cross-matching
Microfluidic cartridges or devices for serum separation and blood cross-match analysis are provided. The devices may include a serum separation subcircuit alone or in combination with a solute mixing subcircuit. The serum separation subcircuit promotes on-cartridge clotting of a blood sample and manipulates the flow of the separated serum sample for subsequent cross-match analysis with a second blood sample, for example. The solute mixing subcircuit includes at least two intake channels, one for a whole blood sample from, for example, a blood donor and the other for the separated serum sample from, for example, a transfusion recipient. The solute mixing subcircuit further includes a serpentine mixing channel conjoined to a downstream channel. Under vacuum generated by a conjoined finger pump, the two input streams fill the serpentine mixing and downstream channels due to capillary action, enabling visualization of an agglutination reaction. |
| US10386376B2 |
Sample container with integrated test strip
A test device for detection and visual identification of a specific analyte in a liquid sample such as a bodily fluid is disclosed. The device includes a collection container, a test strip affixed to an interior surface of the collection container, and a removable protective strip adhered over the test strip. The protective strip is configured to be removed from contact with the test strip after the liquid sample has been collected in order to prevent unnecessary exposure and/or contamination of the test strip. In certain embodiments, the protective strip may be removed from the contact with the test strip when the collection container is in a sealed configuration. In other embodiments, the protective strip may be dissolvable when placed in contact with the desired liquid sample. An assay specific to the anticipated analyte may be provided on the test strip. |
| US10386372B1 |
Materials and methods for screening topoisomers
The invention pertains to materials and methods for identifying and/or isolating isomers, particularly, of biomolecules, such as polypeptides and proteins. The methods of identifying and/or isolating isomers of a molecule according to the invention comprise subjecting a sample to ionization prior to IMS followed by MS. In some embodiments, the sample is subjected to metallization during the ionization step. |
| US10386359B2 |
Methods for determining whether a patient will achieve a response after radiation therapy
Disclosed are methods for determining whether a patient will achieve a response after radiation therapy, in particular a method for determining whether a patient suffering from a cancer will achieve a response after radiation therapy including the steps of i) determining the level of ceramide in a first blood sample obtained from the patient before radiation therapy, ii) determining the level of ceramide in a second blood sample obtained from the patient during or just after radiation therapy, iii) comparing the level determined at step i) with the level determined at step ii) and iv) concluding that the patient will achieve response when the level determined at step ii) is higher than the level determined at step i) or concluding that the patient will not achieve a response when the level determined at step ii) is lower than the level determined at step i). |
| US10386353B1 |
Serial chemical extraction and spectrometric analysis system
The system includes an infusion chamber to receive a selected amount of extraction solvent and a sample to be analyzed. The reagents are incubated in the infusion chamber, which is sealed at both ends by rubber stoppers and filter baskets. The reagents are agitated and incubated at the desired temperature for a specified length of time. One end of the infusion chamber is then replaced with a filter-funnel assembly, and a plunger is slidingly received in the opposite end of the infusion chamber to pressurize it and expel the contents of the infusion chamber. The filter-funnel assembly holds back solid matter while allowing the solution to pass through a funnel and either into a spectrometric cuvette. Spectrometry is used to identify compounds, varieties of cannabis, and calculate potencies of edible cannabis-infused products. This system serializes the infusion, extraction, filtration, spectroscopic analysis and can be operated by non-experts. |
| US10386344B2 |
Strain induced face seal
The invention relates to tubing assemblies and methods for forming a fluidic connection to make the same. The assemblies include an outer tube having disposed therein a first inner tube affixed to the outer tube, a second inner tube and a support tube disposed in the second inner tube. The second inner tube is abutted against the first inner tube. A radial crimp is made in the outer tube over the second inner tube a distance x from where the tubes abut; the distance x being such that the end of the second inner tube seals against the end of the first inner tube. Various embodiments provide assemblies suitable for use with high fluidic pressure (e.g., greater than an about 70 MPa, approximately about 10,000 psi) and formation of chromatographic column assemblies comprising a capillary tube predisposed within the first or second inner tube prior to formation of the seal. |
| US10386343B2 |
Gas chromatograph
When a flow rate of a carrier gas calculated by a column flow rate calculation unit is controlled to be a first flow rate, and when the flow rate of the carrier gas is controlled to be a second flow rate, the flow rates of the carrier gas are detected by a whole flow rate detection unit, and a gas leakage determination unit determines of leakage of the carrier gas on the basis of the rates. Since the flow rate of the carrier gas is changed and the detected value of the whole flow rate detection unit is used at different flow rates, a case can be discriminated where an offset occurs in the detected value of the whole flow rate detection unit and a case where leakage of the carrier gas occurs. Thus, it is satisfactorily determined the presence or absence of the leakage of the carrier gas. |
| US10386339B2 |
Modal vibration analysis system
A modal vibration analysis system and corresponding method is provided. Exciters are coupled to a structure under test for generating vibrations in the structure. Sensors are coupled to the structure at multiple locations for sensing vibrations generated in response to the excitations. A controller provides drive signals to the exciters such that the sensor signals have a target output spectrum with specified characteristics in multiple designated frequency domains of the spectrum, characterized by a random phase for each frequency. Modal analysis processes digitized sensor signals with a Fast Fourier Transform conducted at two or more specified data sampling rates to synthesize a spectrum containing data points with finer frequency resolution for lower frequency range, and regular frequency resolution for higher frequency range. From the multi-resolution spectra, natural frequencies and damping coefficients are determined at each mode, and a mode shape at each natural frequency is computed. |
| US10386337B2 |
Method for fingerprinting and sorting diamonds
Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) is applied to diamonds (both cut/polished gemstones and rough diamonds) to yield a digital fingerprint from which the stone may be authenticated and sorted according to the structural quality. Diamonds are mined as rough stones from which they undergo examination to determine their value as being gem, or of two different industrial qualities. Fewer than 25% of mined diamonds are worthy of cutting and polishing to yield gems for jewelry. About 40% of the remaining population still have value as industrial diamonds for machine tools, and the rest is ground into dust to provide coatings for grinding applications. Rough stones exist in two conditions being coated and uncoated. The coated stones have a layer of polycrystalline diamond, different from the predominant crystal structure, rendering them opaque. This interferes with optical inspection, as any cracks, or inclusions can't be seen. RUS provides a reliable sorting and fingerprinting system for both cut/polished stones as well as rough diamonds of sufficient structural quality to yield a spectral signature. As high value items, diamonds are shipped around the world, and but sometimes thefts occur. RUS yields a digital fingerprint allowing the identity of an individual stone to be verified upon recovery. |
| US10386334B2 |
Ion mobility spectrometry apparatus and method
An ion mobility spectrometry apparatus and method are provided. The ion mobility spectrometry apparatus includes an ion source for providing ions; an ion guiding device having at least three ends internally communicated: first, second and third guiding ends, wherein ions can enter or exit from the ion guiding device from any ends thereof, the first guiding end is used for entrance of ions provided by the ion source, and the third guiding end is communicated with a downstream device; at least one drift cell in correspondence to the second guiding end, for transmitting ions and/or performing ion mobility analysis, each drift cell having a first and second ends which are internally communicated, wherein the second end of drift cell is communicated with said second guiding end; an ion storage device communicated with said first end of the drift cell, for storing ions or ejecting ions. |
| US10386331B2 |
Particle manipulation and trapping in microfluidic devices using two-dimensional material
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for a microfluidic channel having a cover opposite its bottom and having electrodes with patterned two-dimensional conducting materials, such as graphene sheets integrated into the top of its bottom. Using the two-dimensional conducting materials, once a fluid sample is applied into the channel, highly localized modulated electric field distributions are generated inside the channel and the fluid sample. This generated field causes the inducing of dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces. These DEP forces are the same or greater than DEP forces that would result using metallic electrodes because of the sharp edges enabled by the two-dimension geometry of the two-dimensional conducting materials. Because of the induced forces, micro/nano-particles in the fluid sample are separated into particles that respond to a negative DEP force and particles that respond to a positive DEP. Microfluidic chips with microfluidic channels can be made using standard semiconductor manufacturing technology. |
| US10386325B2 |
Gas sensor with partitioned filter
A gas sensor including a housing containing a potassium permanganate element sandwiched between two polytetrafluoroethylene elements, a carbon element, a polytetrafluoroethylene element located adjacent to the carbon element, a sensing electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode with attached current collectors, and an electrolyte. |
| US10386324B2 |
Susceptance measurement for identifying biochemical sensors
Subject matter herein can include identifying a biochemical test strip assembly electrically, such as using the same test circuitry as can be used to perform an electrochemical measurement, without requiring use of optical techniques. The identification can include using information about a measured susceptance of an identification feature included as a portion of the test strip assembly. The identification can be used by test circuitry to select test parameters or calibration values, or to select an appropriate test protocol for the type of test strip coupled to the test circuitry. The identification can be used by the test circuitry to validate or reject a test strip assembly, such as to inhibit use of test strips that fail meet one or more specified criteria. |
| US10386322B2 |
Method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a liquid sample using small volume samples and fast test times
Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes from about 0.3 μl to less than 1 μl and test times from about 3.5 to about 6 seconds after detection of the sample. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action. |
| US10386317B2 |
Moisture detecting apparatus, moisture detecting method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores therein moisture detection program
A moisture detecting apparatus includes a pair of current electrodes, a pair of potential electrodes, a frequency allotting section, a resistivity calculating section, and an estimation section. The frequency allotting section allots frequencies at regular frequency intervals ΔF in a range between first and second frequencies F1 and F2 (>F1) to a frequency of an alternating current. Each time a frequency is allotted, the resistivity calculating section calculates a resistivity value ρ in a predetermined region of the ground using a current value A detected by the current electrodes and a voltage value V detected by the potential electrodes. The estimation section obtains a maximum value ρ1 and a minimum value ρ2 among resistivity values ρ and estimates such that the smaller a quotient (ρ1/ρ2) obtained by dividing the maximum value ρ1 by the minimum value ρ2 is, the more moisture the predetermined region contains. |
| US10386316B2 |
Device for in-situ measuring electrical properties of carbon nanotube array
A device for in-situ measuring electrical properties of a carbon nanotube array comprises a chamber, a substrate, a first electrode, a connecting wire, a second electrode, a support structure, and a measuring meter. The substrate, the first electrode, the connecting wire, the second electrode, and the support structure are located inside of the chamber. The measuring meter is located outside of the chamber, and the measuring meter is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode defines a cavity, and the substrate is suspended in the cavity by interaction of the support structure, the second electrode, and the connecting wire. |
| US10386312B2 |
Systems and methods for determining water-cut of a fluid mixture
Provided in some embodiments are systems and methods for measuring the water content (or water-cut) of a fluid mixture. Provided in some embodiments is a water-cut sensor system that includes a helical T-resonator, a helical ground conductor, and a separator provided at an exterior of a cylindrical pipe. The helical T-resonator including a feed line, and a helical open shunt stub conductively coupled to the feed line. The helical ground conductor including a helical ground plane opposite the helical open shunt stub and a ground ring conductively coupled to the helical ground plane. The feed line overlapping at least a portion of the ground ring, and the separator disposed between the feed line and the portion of the ground ring overlapped by the feed line to electrically isolate the helical T-resonator from the helical ground conductor. |
| US10386309B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining features of hot surface
An arrangement for photographing a hot surface includes a camera arranged to take a number of successive images of the surface, whereby each image includes a part of the surface to be photographed. A light source is arranged to illuminate the surface to be photographed, whereby the camera and the light source are synchronized in such a way that the light source illuminates the surface at the shooting moment of each image, and an image-processing unit is arranged to combine a complete image of the whole surface to be photographed out of the successive images taken by the camera. A server is arranged to determine a coordinate system for the complete image, to receive data on the surface generated by one or more measuring devices, and to combine the received data with the complete image. |
| US10386307B2 |
Method of creating quality grade discrimination criteria in granular material appearance quality grade discrimination device
A method of creating quality grade discrimination criteria in a discrimination device that determines appearance quality grades of granular materials in accordance with the present invention includes a granular material placement step of sorting the granular materials on a per-quality-grade basis and placing the granular materials on an image-capture surface of the image-capturing unit; an imaging data acquisition step of capturing images of the granular materials placed on the image-capture surface by the image-capturing unit and thereby obtaining imaging data; a quality grade information acquisition step of obtaining, on a per-quality-grade basis, pieces of quality grade information on the respective granular materials on the basis of the imaging data; and a quality grade discrimination criteria creation step of creating quality grade discrimination criteria by using the quality grade information obtained on a per-quality-grade basis. |
| US10386304B2 |
Light measuring apparatus
The invention is directed to a light measuring apparatus which is configured to generate broadband light from a laser beam emitted from a light source, the broadband light having a broader band than that of the laser beam, to divide the broadband light into a long wavelength component and a short wavelength component, to perform CARS measurement using the long wavelength component, and to perform fluorescence observation using the short wavelength component. |
| US10386293B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring moisture content of compressed recycled paper bale
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring a moisture content of a compressed recycled paper bale, and the apparatus includes: an impact unit 20 which applies impact to the compressed recycled paper bale 1, and vibrates the compressed recycled paper bale 1; an acceleration sensor unit 30 which is attached to the compressed recycled paper bale 1, and detects acceleration of the compressed recycled paper bale 1 vibrated by the impact unit 20; and a control device 10 which detects a moisture content of the compressed recycled paper bale 1 by receiving a detection result from the acceleration sensor unit 30, and comparing the detection result with a vibration model of the compressed recycled paper bale. |
| US10386284B2 |
Device and method for measurement of dispersed objects using fluorescent and non-fluorescent imaging with laser
Measuring devices and methods are described for generating microscopic fluorescence and excitation light images of dispersed objects in liquid or gas, and for analyzing the images to determine the volume fractions of dispersed objects and distinguish different types of objects by comparing the images. |
| US10386279B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing an analytical sample by fusion
There is provided a method for preparing an analytical sample by fusion. A mixture of a sample and flux material is heated and stirred, in a crucible, at a temperature sufficient to fuse the mixture and obtain a substantially homogeneous fused mixture; a first portion of heat radiation radiating from the crucible is reflected back to the crucible so as to provide additional heat to fuse the mixture, while heating and stirring the mixture; and the homogeneous fused mixture, is subsequently cooled, thereby forming the analytical sample. |
| US10386277B2 |
Container for specimen preparation
A mechanism for collecting a trace of a biological sample to be used for a biological sample analysis, and for preparing a diluted solution of the sample. A container for specimen preparation includes: a biological sample collecting device; and a container for sample dilution. The biological sample collecting device includes: a capillary tube having openings formed at both ends thereof; and a support member for supporting the capillary tube. The container for sample dilution includes: an opening; and a swirl flow generating member formed on an inner wall of the container for sample dilution. The capillary tube of the biological sample collecting device is arranged inside the container for sample dilution by the support member. |
| US10386274B2 |
Plug-in air quality detector, control method and control device
A plug-in air quality detector, a control method, and a control circuit are provided in the field of air quality detection. The plug-in air quality detector comprises a casing, a sensor component, a control circuit and a connector component. The connector component includes a power supply terminal and a data terminal, and is configured to connect the plug-in air quality detector with a user device. As such, the detector may prompt a user of the air quality around the user without being configured with a dedicated power supply and a dedicated display screen, thereby achieving the effects of reducing the size and the weight of the air quality detector and improving the ease of use. |
| US10386272B2 |
Testing downhole tools in a simulated environment
Systems and methods may include sending, to a downhole tool emulator, at least one input signal that represents one or more conditions in a simulated well system. The downhole tool emulator may include one or more electronic components to be placed in a downhole tool. The at least one input signal may be generated based at least partially on a reservoir model of the simulated well system. The method may include receiving at least one output signal that represents a response of the downhole tool emulator to the one or more conditions. The method may also include sending, to the downhole tool emulator, at least one command that represents an operation of the downhole tool emulator. The at least one command may represent a change in the operation of the downhole tool emulator based at least partially on the one or more conditions and the response. |
| US10386268B2 |
Method for processing a voltage signal relating to the pressure prevailing in a combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine
A method for processing a voltage signal relating to the pressure prevailing in a combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the signal, referred to as an “input signal”, having, in alternation, “plateau” phases and main peak phases. The method includes a step (E1) of rectification of the input signal such that the gradient of the base signal is zero, a step (E2) in which the peaks of the rectified signal of which the amplitude is greater than a predetermined voltage value are clipped so as to obtain an at least partially clipped signal referred to as a “clipped signal”, a step (E3) of detection of a main peak when the amplitude of the input signal is greater than the amplitude of the clipped signal, and a step (E4_1, E4_2) of compensation of the input signal in the absence of such a detection. |
| US10386264B2 |
Self-powered multi-functional structural health monitoring sensor
A structural health monitoring module including a sensor attached to a surface of a structural member configured to convert a strain on the structural member to electric energy, a gate operationally connected to the sensor and configured to control distribution of the energy, an energy storage device operationally connected to the gate and configured to receive the energy from the sensor, a data collection device configured to receive the energy from the sensor and at least one of process and record data related to the received energy, and a data transmission device configured to wirelessly transmit data from the data collection device to an external receiver. The gate is configured to direct a portion of the energy to the storage device in a storage state and configured to direct a portion of the energy to the data collection device when in load monitoring or interrogation states. |
| US10386263B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing access to pressurized pipes
An apparatus for providing access to pressurized pipes includes a body member configured to be attached to a pipe or vessel or a fitting coupled to a pipe or vessel. The body member has an internal barrel in fluid communication with the pipe or vessel or fitting when the body member is attached to the pipe or vessel or fitting. A hollow piston is slidable axially within the internal barrel, and the apparatus is configured such that when an internal volume of the piston is pressurized by a fluid from the pipe or vessel, a force exerted by pressurized fluid on the piston in an axial direction is opposed by a force exerted by pressurized fluid on a counter-pressure portion of the piston. The apparatus includes a conduit orifice that allows a conduit to be disposed therethrough so as to pass into the apparatus to an interior of the piston. |
| US10386262B2 |
Leak identification in a mass transport network
A method and system method to detect a leak within a pipeline network include measuring pressure at each of a plurality of sensors distributed along the pipeline network as a time-varying pressure signal. Tuning a model is based on gas mass conservation law in the absence of the leak, the tuning including obtaining the time-varying pressure signal from each of the plurality of sensors, and monitoring the time-varying pressure signals is done to detect the leak based on the model. |
| US10386261B2 |
High repetition rate thermometry system and method
An intelligent utility monitoring method and system for monitoring a network of utility lines can include a data collector configured to receive acoustic data based on real-time measurements of the utility line, an events historian configured store the acoustic data, an alarm and events (A&E) manager, a server, and an interface. The A&E manager can be configured to store alarm and even data. The A&E data can be based on analysis of the acoustic data. The interface can be configured to provide output based on the acoustic data and on the A&E data. The server can be configured to store the acoustic data and the A&E data. The server can further be configured to provide a computer network for at least the events historian, the A&E manager, and the interface. |
| US10386253B2 |
Vehicle wheel supporting rolling bearing unit
A vehicle wheel supporting rolling bearing unit includes a stationary side bearing ring member, a rotation side bearing ring member, and plural rolling elements. The rotation side bearing ring member is provided with a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, and a third acceleration sensor which are fixed on a virtual plane orthogonal to a center axis of the rotation side bearing ring member. The first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor are arranged on a virtual line passing through a rotation center of the rotation side bearing ring member with a same distance from the rotation center while detection directions thereof are directed in a radial direction and are opposite to each other in the radial direction. The third acceleration sensor is arranged such that a detection direction thereof is non-parallel to the detection directions of the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor. |
| US10386250B2 |
Detection compensation of mechanical stresses
A carrier of an electronic circuit, the carrier including a first sensor for determining a first signal based on a sum of a first normal stress component and a second normal stress component, and a second sensor for determining a second signal based on a difference between the first normal stress component and a second normal stress component. Also, a corresponding circuit, method and device. |
| US10386244B2 |
Compositions, apparatus and methods for capacitive temperature sensing
A passive temperature-sensing apparatus, which includes a capacitive sensing element that includes a capacitive sensing composition that includes a ferroelectric ceramic material that exhibits a measurable electrical Curie temperature that is below 30 degrees C. The capacitive sensing composition exhibits a negative slope of capacitance versus temperature over the temperature range of from 30 degrees C. to 150 degrees C. |
| US10386242B2 |
Analog temperature sensor for digital blocks
The disclosure provides a circuit that includes an analog control block, and a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the analog control block. At least one temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors includes a first transistor coupled to a first current source. A second transistor is coupled to a second current source and to the first transistor. The analog control block measures a local temperature from a first potential generated across the first transistor and from a second potential generated across the second transistor. |
| US10386232B2 |
Compact spectroscopic optical instrument
An optical instrument for spectroscopy applications includes a compact arrangement having a three-dimensional folded optical path. A plate configured as an optical reference plane is secured to a housing and is configured to secure optical components above or below the plate. A modular light source module may be secured within the housing without fasteners. A monochromator and spectrometer are secured below the plate. Mirrors disposed above the plate are configured to direct light from the monochromator passing through a first opening in the plate through a sample disposed above the plate, and to direct light from the sample through a second opening in the plate to the spectrometer. A controller is configured for communication with the monochromator and the spectrometer. The controller may control an entrance slit actuator for the spectrometer and positioning of an aperture upstream of the spectrometer to adjust resolution and throughput. |
| US10386229B2 |
Gated superconducting photon detector
The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating photodetector circuitry. In one aspect, a photon detector system includes: (1) a first superconducting wire having a first threshold superconducting current; (2) a second superconducting wire having a second threshold superconducting current; (3) a resistor coupled to the first wire and the second wire; (4) current source(s) coupled to the first wire and configured to supply a current that is below the second threshold current; and (3) a second circuit coupled to the second wire. In response to receiving light at the first wire, the first wire transitions from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state. In response to receiving light at the second wire while the first wire is in the non-superconducting state, the second wire transitions to a non-superconducting state, redirecting the first current to the second circuit. |
| US10386226B1 |
Infrared safety beam system
An optical safety beam method and system. A transmitter periodically sends bursts of light pulses with varying strengths. The receiver analyzes the received light pulses to automatically adjust its sensitivity and to detect when the light path is partially obstructed even when there are stray light pulse reflections that reach the receiver. |
| US10386222B2 |
Liquid detecting apparatus and liquid container
A liquid detecting apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave, and includes a piezoelectric layer which is formed of a thin film and an ultrasonic element which is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode to interpose the piezoelectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, on a diaphragm which is disposed on a substrate having a cavity, and a flow path that forms the same liquid level as a liquid level of a liquid which is stored in a container, in which an acoustic matching layer and a detection surface of a surface of a lens, which are disposed on a side of the ultrasonic sensor that transmits and receives the ultrasonic wave, are disposed to be in contact with the liquid within the flow path. |
| US10386209B2 |
Linear for protection of adhesives
Release liners and methods protect one or more adhesives, wherein the release liners and/or methods comprise at least one abhesive release layer and at least one layer of a getter material capable of sorbing at least one permeable substance, wherein the getter material is at least one substance selected from the group consisting of lithium, beryllium, boron, sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, nickel, zinc, gallium, germanium, cadmium, indium, caesium, barium, boron oxide, calcium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, silver oxide, indium oxide, barium oxide, lead oxide and mixtures of two or more of the above substances. |
| US10386207B2 |
Frequency detector for reciprocating moving body, and swinging joint device
A frequency detector includes an oscillation related information output portion to which moving body position related information and a correction parameter are input, and which outputs a frequency adjustment parameter and estimated moving body position related information; a frequency estimating portion to which the frequency adjustment parameter is input, and which outputs an estimated frequency; and an adjusting portion to which the moving body position related information, the estimated moving body position related information, and the estimated frequency are input, and which outputs the correction parameter. |
| US10386201B2 |
Device and method for controlling mobility
Methods and devices for controlling mobility in which a server arrangement determines the market prices for mobility resources. In devices associated with the vehicles, a route recommendation is then calculated based on market prices and a preference specified by the vehicle occupants. |
| US10386199B2 |
Navigation guidance apparatus and method using wide-angle lens camera image
The present invention relates to an apparatus for increasing navigation guidance efficiency using a camera image, and to a method for same. The navigation guidance apparatus includes an image obtaining unit that collects external images which are images in the moving direction of a vehicle and captured through a wide-angle lens camera; an image processing unit that processes the collected external images and obtains guidance images related to the guidance points; and an image displaying unit that displays the obtained guidance images on a navigation map. |
| US10386198B2 |
Adaptive audio guidance navigation
In a method for providing adaptive audio guidance, determining, by one or more processors, a route of a computing device, wherein the route is from an initial location of the computing device to a destination. Determining, by one or more processors, an estimated time of arrival at which the computing device would arrive at the destination. Prompting, by one or more processors, a user to input a desired arrival time. Determining, by one or more processors, whether to provide audio guidance based on a determination of whether the estimated time of arrival is within a pre-determined time period before the desired arrival time. |
| US10386197B2 |
Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops
Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops is described herein. A mapping application is configured to compute a route from a start point to an end point in dependence upon criteria specifying one or more intermediate stops. The initial route determination incorporates consideration of the one or more specified intermediate stops as part of calculating the route. In one example, a request is received to search for an intermediate stop that satisfies search criteria indicating at least a type of location. In response to the search, search results are obtained with multiple options for routes between the start point and end point including intermediate stops that satisfy the search criteria. An optimal route is selected from the multiple options based upon defined optimization criteria. Optimization criteria may include but is not limited to distance, travel time, traffic data, weather conditions, date and time, and so forth. |
| US10386193B2 |
Route guidance apparatus, route guidance method and computer program
There is provided a route guidance apparatus including a route search unit which searches for at least one route, to a predetermined destination, which is to be traveled by an electric vehicle propelled by electric power stored in a secondary battery provided within the vehicle, and a power consumption calculation unit which calculates power consumption of the electric vehicle when a route to a destination, which was searched for by the route search unit, is traveled by the electric vehicle, based on information on electric power to be consumed when the electric vehicle travels and geographical information relating to the route. |
| US10386192B1 |
Autonomous vehicle routing
Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency. |
| US10386191B2 |
Synthetic data collection for vehicle controller
A method for providing waypoint data to a vehicle controller. This method may include obtaining a plurality of coordinate locations describing a vehicle route, performing a computation of the vehicle route using said coordinates, obtaining route data describing the route, transforming the route data into coordinate data comprising a plurality of data points expressed in longitude and latitude form, converting the coordinate data into properly-spaced waypoint data, storing the waypoint data in a form accessible to a vehicle controller, and accessing the waypoint data via a vehicle controller. According to an exemplary embodiment, the properly-spaced waypoint data may be created from improperly-spaced data via interpolation. The vehicle controller may control other devices associated with a vehicle, such as an automated voice announcement system or an external display. |
| US10386187B1 |
Rotation and acceleration sensor based on nondegenerate ring lasers
Ring laser gyroscopes, in which rotation is detected by the Sagnac effect between counterpropagating lasers, are in common use in navigation applications. The invention disclosed here uses lasers operating at different frequencies; the resulting device is referred to as a Nondegenerate Ring Laser Gyroscope (NRLG). The invention disclosed here also incorporates an acceleration-sensing element that modifies the path length of the ring lasers in the gyroscope, the effects of which on the output of the gyroscope can be separated from those of rotation. The resulting composite device is a Nondegnerate Ring Laser Gyroscope/Accelerometer (NRLGA). |
| US10386185B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
An information processing method and an electronic device are provided. The method includes: obtaining first parameter information indicating a current posture of a first body part by a first sensor among M sensors of an electronic device fixed on the first body part; judging whether the first parameter information meets a predetermined condition; determining that the current posture of the first body part is a first posture in a case that the first parameter information meets the predetermined condition; obtaining N second parameters by N sensors other than the first sensor among the M sensors, wherein 1≤N |
| US10386183B2 |
Level with slotted engagement of full width bindings
A level having a main body with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of side surfaces extending therebetween, and a full-width binding member engaged with the main body and overlying at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. The binding member includes a main binding wall and a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the main binding wall. Each side surface of the main body includes a longitudinally extending indentation extending inwardly from the side surface at a location spaced from the surface over which the binding member is positioned Each of the spaced apart arms includes an engagement member secured within one of the axially extending indentations. The level may include a pair of full-width binding members, one of which overlies the top surface of the main body and the other of which overlies the bottom surface of the main body. |
| US10386180B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring thin material thicknesses in inventory management applications
An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal including an electromagnetic pulse towards material in a tank. The apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive a signal including multiple reflections of the pulse. The apparatus further includes at least one processing device configured to process the received signal and determine a measurement associated with the material in the tank. To process the received signal, the at least one processing device is configured to fit multiple models onto the received signal, select one of the models, identify at least one of the multiple reflections in the received signal using the selected model, and determine the measurement using the at least one identified reflection in the received signal. Each model is constructed from a superposition of multiple types of pulse reflections. |
| US10386179B2 |
Method of identifying geometric parameters of an articulated structure and of a set of reference frames of interest disposed on said structure
Parameters characterizing the orientation and the position of each sensor, including at least one accelerometer, are evaluated in the reference frame of each segment, together with the length of each segment, by using predetermined configurations and motions of a structure to which the sensors are attached. This makes it possible to provide a device for capturing the motions of a body with measurements which enables greater reliability of the measurements. |
| US10386178B2 |
Laser device for projecting a structured light pattern onto a scene
The present invention relates to a laser device (10) for projecting a structured light pattern (9) onto a scene (15). The device is formed of several arrays (1) of semiconductor lasers (2), each array (1) comprising an irregular distribution of emission areas (2a) of the semiconductor lasers (2). One or several imaging optics (4) image said arrays (1) to an imaging space and superpose the images of said arrays (1) in the imaging space to form said light pattern (9). The proposed laser device generates a light pattern with high contrast and efficiency which may be used for 3D imaging systems, e. g. in automotive applications. |
| US10386177B1 |
Device and method for determining surface topology and associated color
A device and method and system for utilizing confocal measurement and an optical arrangement to produce 3D color images. A color measurement optical path and a 3D measurement optical path may coincide at least at an object side of the device, and a minimal amount of light is extracted from a monitoring beam for color measurement without affecting 3D measurement. |
| US10386168B1 |
Conductive detonating cord for perforating gun
A detonating cord for using in a perforating gun includes an explosive layer and an electrically conductive layer extending around the explosive layer. The electrically conductive layer is configured to relay a communication signal along a length of the detonating cord. In an embodiment, a protective jacket extends around the electrically conductive layer of the detonating cord. The detonating cord may be assembled in a perforating gun to relay a communication signal from a top connector to a bottom connector of the perforating gun, and to propagate a detonating explosive stimulus along its length to initiate shaped charges of the perforating gun. A plurality of perforating guns, including the detonating cord, may be connected in series, with the detonating cord of a first perforating gun in communication with the detonating cord of a second perforating gun. |
| US10386167B2 |
Ammunition container with improved latching and sealing arrangements
Ammunition containers incorporate an advanced sealing/latching arrangement as well as a lightning mitigation scheme that exhibits a number of advantageous features. A cover assembly is provided that separates the latching functionality from the sealing functionality such that the latching assembly is rotatably engaged and the cover seal is provided via radial (rather than axial) compression of an annular sealing component. In addition, a novel lightning mitigation system also functions as a convenient method of grasping and transporting the containers. |
| US10386164B2 |
Projectile of small arms ammunition
The invention relates to small arms ammunition and can be used in the designs of projectiles intended for high precision long-range firing at supersonic and subsonic muzzle velocities of a projectile.A projectile of small arms ammunition comprises a head portion with a blunted nose surface, a central leading portion, and a boattail, which tapers towards the projectile base, wherein the largest diameter of the cross-section of the central leading portion is equal to “D”, the length of the head portion is equal to 1.9-2.9D, and the diameter at the interface between the nose surface and the lateral surface of the head portion is equal to 0.15-0.3D. The lateral surface of the head portion is limited by the surface of two adjoining truncated cones, namely a front cone and a rear cone with opening angles equal to 22-30 degrees and 8-16 degrees respectively, wherein the smaller base of the front truncated cone abuts the nose surface, and the larger base of the rear truncated cone abuts the surface of the central leading portion. Between the central leading portion and the boattail a step transition is made so that the largest diameter of the cross-section of the boattail is equal to 0.94-0.97D and is less than the diameter of the barrel bore measured at the rifling lands. The invention provides an increase in the ballistic characteristics of projectiles on the trajectory and a decrease in projectiles dispersion. |
| US10386160B2 |
Modular illumination and aiming apparatus
A modular illumination and aiming apparatus, a preferred embodiment of which includes an optical head module, mounting module, and an end cap module. The modular illumination and aiming apparatus is configured to be quickly and intuitively adjusted by a user in response to changing target and environmental conditions. The modular illumination and aiming apparatus is configured to be ergonomically supportive such that a user may maintain a consistent firing grip while activating the illumination and aiming functions. The optical head module is configured to allow the user to change radiation types by adjusting a cap. The alignment mechanism in the optical head module for the radiation source and optics is configured to provide a robust and zero-play optical mount in order to resist recoil and general physical shock. |
| US10386158B2 |
Light source with a gas-tight hollow body
A light source (1), which has a hollow body (2) closed in a gas-tight manner, which is coated on at least one inner side with a phosphor and is filled with gaseous tritium and emits colored light, the hollow body (2) being arranged in a housing (3) of the light source (1), the light source (1) having at least one body (4) of a colored material which annularly encircles a longitudinal center axis of the light source (1) and the color of which is different from black in daylight, the annularly encircling body (4) being arranged at least on a terminal end region of the housing (3) or at least between the terminal end region of the housing (3) and a light-emitting end face of the hollow body (2). |
| US10386155B2 |
Grip activation system for firearm accessory
Firearm accessories and methods are provided in which a grip force is received at a grip force receiving surface that is positioned at least one half of a trigger guard away from an actuation sensor in the accessory, at least a portion of a grip force is used to create a change in a physical condition proximate to the actuation sensor that the actuation sensor is adapted to sense; and the sensed change in physical condition is used to determine a control output for an electronic system in the firearm accessory. |
| US10386154B2 |
Air gun with cocking linkage shoe
Techniques and componentry are disclosed for an air gun with a cocking linkage shoe. The air gun includes a barrel pivotally attached to a cylinder. Attached to the barrel is a linkage. The linkage is operatively coupled to a piston within the cylinder and includes a lever and a shoe. The lever has a first end attached to the barrel and a second end that includes a first surface having a concave or convex shape. The shoe is attached to the lever and operatively connected to the piston. The shoe includes a second surface having a concave or convex shape in tangential contact with the first surface of the lever. The air gun further includes a trigger mechanism configured to release the piston in response to operating the trigger mechanism. |
| US10386143B2 |
Weapon motion alert system
A weapon motion alert system includes a weapon that may be manipulated. A base unit is provided and the base unit is removably coupled to the weapon. Additionally, the base unit detects motion. A remote unit is provided and the remote unit is positioned on a support surface. The remote unit is in electrical communication with the base unit. The remote unit generates an alarm sequence when the base unit has been moved. In this way the remote unit alerts a user that the weapon has been tampered with. |
| US10386139B1 |
Customizable firearm lower receiver
A customizable firearm lower receiver includes a lower receiver body having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end having a first lateral sidewall and an opposing second lateral sidewall, with a forward end wall between the first lateral sidewall and the second lateral sidewall. The opposing lateral sidewalls at least partially surround a magazine well. A mounting surface is configured on the lower receiver body along one of the forward end wall, first lateral sidewall, and second lateral sidewall. A custom face is removably attachable to the mounting surface. |
| US10386138B2 |
Interchangeable plates for a firearm
A firearm and related methods and components are disclosed. The firearm has a chassis, a stock portion coupled to the chassis, and a pair of interchangeable plates removably coupled to the chassis. Each of the pair of interchangeable plates is attachable to the chassis at a first location and a second location opposing the first location. A first one of the pair of interchangeable plates has a recess for receiving a portion of a bolt handle. A second one of the pair of interchangeable plates has a firearm tool interface. |
| US10386132B2 |
Heat exchanger
A forward-tilting protruding piece leans forward toward an upstream side in a gas flow direction. A rearward-tilting protruding piece is disposed downstream of the forward-tilting protruding piece and leans rearward toward a downstream side in the gas flow direction. The forward-tilting protruding piece is in a shape of a four- or more-sided polygon including a base side in contact with a peripheral surface of the gas passage and a pair of left and right sides. The base side is oriented obliquely with respect to a direction perpendicular to the gas flow direction. The angle of one of the sides which is located on the upstream side in the gas flow direction with respect to the base side is larger than the angle of the other of the sides which is located on the downstream side in the gas flow direction with respect to the base side. |
| US10386131B2 |
Self-regulating thermal insulation and related methods
Presently disclosed self-regulating thermal insulation may include one or more thermal actuators that may expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention. One example of self-regulating thermal insulation may include a first plate, a second plate, a support structure coupling the first plate and the second plate and defining an insulation thickness therebetween, an internal partition positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and at least one thermal actuator positioned between the second plate and the internal partition. |
| US10386128B2 |
Collector and associated heat exchanger
A collector for accommodating at least two flat tubes of a heat exchanger, which are disposed so as to be mutually parallel and each of which has a broad side and a narrow side, may include a first element and a second element. The first element may be configured as a metal strip, and the second element may be configured as one of an extruded section or a formed sheet-metal part. At least two punched through openings each configured as a passage for receiving one of the flat tubes may be provided in at least one of the first element and the second element. The at least two punched through openings may further be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the collector by way of the broad side of the flat tubes. |
| US10386126B2 |
Apparatus for controlling temperature uniformity of a substrate
Apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate can control the thermal uniformity of the substrate to be more uniform or to be non-uniform. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate includes: a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate thereon. A flow path is disposed within the substrate support to flow a heat transfer fluid beneath the support surface. The flow path comprises a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a substantially equivalent axial length. The first portion is spaced about 2 mm to about 10 mm from the second portion. The first portion provides a flow of heat transfer fluid in a direction opposite a flow of heat transfer fluid of the second portion. |
| US10386123B2 |
Heat exchanger unit and method for manufacturing a heat exchanger unit
A heat exchange unit that may be used in a cooling apparatus. According to one implementation the heat exchanger unit comprises a metal sheet, at least one metal exchange tube supported on said sheet, and fastening means for fastening the tube to the sheet, said unit being bent with respect to at least one bend line. The fastening means comprises a cover covering the entire or almost the entire length of the tube and the cover is fixed to the sheet by means of adhesive. The surface of the cover in contact with the tube has no adhesive, said surface having a coefficient of friction that allows sliding said tube under said cover when bending the unit with respect to said at least one bend line. |
| US10386119B2 |
Method for operating a shaft furnace
A method for operating a shaft furnace, in particular a blast furnace, is disclosed wherein at least one gas is introduced into the furnace. To achieve an acceleration of the reaction processes in the furnace, shockwaves are introduced into the furnace. |
| US10386116B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a main body having a storage compartment, a first door rotatably installed at a first side of the main body to open and close a first portion of the storage compartment, and a second door rotatably installed at a second side of the main body to open and close a second portion of the storage compartment. A first camera may be installed at the first door to take a picture of an interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the first door, and a second camera may be installed at the second door to take a picture of the interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the second door. A controller may combine plural pictures taken by the first camera and the second camera into a single corrected image of a region of the first compartment spanning from the first door to the second door. |
| US10386115B2 |
Refrigerator
There is disclosed a refrigerator; a lighting device provided in the storage chamber, a first door rotatably coupled to the case to open and close the storage chamber, an auxiliary storage chamber provided in the first door, a second door, a front panel formed of a transparent material, an evaporation treatment unit evaporated on an overall back surface of the front panel to transmit lights partially, a variable transparency film attached to a back surface of the evaporation treatment unit provided in the front panel to get transparent when the power is supplied, a frame unit with an opening having a corresponding size to an opening provided in the first door, an insulation panel distant from the front panel, a power supply unit for supplying an electric power to the variable transparency film and the lighting device, a proximity sensor provided in the second door to sense a user's approaching. |
| US10386112B2 |
Method and assembly aid tool for assembling a sliding door fitting
A method for assembling a sliding door fitting used for coupling an appliance door to a furniture door, which is coupled to a furniture body. The appliance is installed into the furniture body and an assembly aid tool is fixed to the device door. The appliance and furniture doors are closed so that markings are introduced onto an inner surface of the furniture door by pins of the assembly aid tool. The furniture door is opened and the assembly aid tool is released and removed. A base housing of the sliding door fitting is positioned using the markings. The base housing is secured to the furniture door and a slider of the sliding door fitting is fixed to the device door. The assembly aid tool has an angular shape with a first limb and a second limb. The first limb has at least one pin for introducing at least one marking onto the furniture door, and the second limb has a securing opening for fixing the assembly aid tool onto an end face of the device door. |
| US10386111B2 |
Home appliance device and method for assembling a home appliance device
For the purpose of improving properties regarding construction a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed. The device has at least one main body defining at least one storage space; at least one door mounted to the main body and featuring at least one sealed door section that forms at least a portion of a front wall of the storage space; and at least one protrusion unit arranged next to the sealed door section outside the storage space and protruding from the door towards the main body. |
| US10386107B2 |
Refrigerator and air passage device thereof
A refrigerator and an air passage device thereof. The air passage device comprises an air passage cover plate, an air passage foam, and an air door which comprises: a base plate part provided with at least one arcuate guide hole and an elongate through hole parallel with the arcuate guide hole, wherein the hole wall of at least a part of the arcuate guide holes is provided with multiple limiting portions, and the elongate through hole is arranged close to the side at which the hole wall is provided with the limiting portions; and a shielding part which adjusts the ventilation area of the air passage when being rotated, and at least one guide column, which is inserted into a corresponding arcuate guide hole and cooperates with the arcuate guide hole by interference fit. The air door is simple in structure, convenient in operation and does not consume any power. |
| US10386103B2 |
Suction conduit flow control for lubricant management
A system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and flow control device fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and the second compressor including a second lubricant sump. A lubricant transfer conduit fluidly connects the first lubricant sump and the second lubricant sump. The flow control device is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first compressor, a second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the second compressor. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the flow control device such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage. |
| US10386101B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermal exchange with two-phase media
In a temperature control system using a controlled mix of high temperature pressurized gas and a cooled vapor/liquid flow of the same medium to cool a thermal load to a target temperature in a high energy environment, particular advantages are obtained in precision and efficiency by passing at least a substantial percentage of the cooled vapor/liquid flow through the thermal load directly, and thereafter mixing the output with a portion of the pressurized gas flow. This “post load mixing” approach increases the thermal transfer coefficient, improves control and facilities target temperature change. Ad added mixing between the cooled expanded flow and a lesser flow of pressurized gas also is used prior to the input to the thermal load. A further feature, termed a remote “Line Box”, enables transport of the separate flows of the two phase medium through a substantial spacing from pressurizing and condensing units without undesired liquefaction in the transport lines. |
| US10386099B2 |
Desicating synthetic refrigeration oil composition for fluoro-olefin refrigeration systems
A working fluid for use in a compression refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump system, is described, which has a refrigerant composed of a fluoro-olefin, and a lubricant which is a mixture of polyol ester and a polyoxyalkylene glycol, and the polyol ester is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight based on the total weight of the polyol ester and the polyoxyalkylene glycol. A lubricant, being a mixture of a polyol ester and a polyoxyalkylene glycol, is described and comprises at least 10% by weight of polyoxyalkylene glycol based on the total weight of the polyol ester and the polyoxyalkylene glycol. |
| US10386097B2 |
Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating
Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum. |
| US10386095B2 |
Solar collectors including acrylic based cover sheet and methods for making and using the same
A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure. |
| US10386090B2 |
Reconfigurable system allowing air flow through an open window while blocking precipitation
This invention relates to two devices that are used to let fresh air in or through a window or opening but at the same time keep rain or any other kind of precipitation out. This is a device that will enable people to keep a window or an opening open even in inclement weather or when precipitation of any kind threatens to enter the opening or window. This is a device that will also save energy as it will significantly decrease the use of air conditioning in homes and offices. |
| US10386085B2 |
Semiconductor-based air conditioning device
The semiconductor-based air conditioning device includes at least a thermoelectric cooling chip, a cooling circulating member, a heat dissipating member, and a power provisioning and temperature controller. The cooling circulating member is joined to a cold production surface, and the heat dissipating member is joined to a heat production surface, of the thermoelectric cooling chip. Each of the cooling circulating member and the heat dissipating member includes a circulating box, a fan, and an auxiliary conduction device. Each circulating box is covered with fins and surrounding pipes. Each fan is located adjacent to corresponding fins. Each auxiliary conduction device includes an electrical pump. Fluid is stored and circulated in the surrounding pipes of each circulating box. Each electrical pump is configured to pump the fluid in a corresponding circulating box, and fluid is circulated to absorb the cold or heat from the thermoelectric cooling chip. |
| US10386080B2 |
Air conditioner having an ion generation device
Provided is an air conditioner having an ion generation device, the ion generation device including a main body including an electrode structure that includes a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, a coupling part disposed on at least one surface of the main body, the coupling part being coupled to the case, and an ion discharge part disposed on the main body to discharge the ions generated when a high voltage is applied to the electrode structure. |
| US10386078B2 |
Air conditioning system
An air conditioning system includes a heat pump unit including a radiator usable with a refrigerant, a gas furnace unit including a heating section arranged to heat passing air, a blower arranged to generate an air flow that passes through the radiator and the heating section, a first temperature sensor provided in a room, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The temperature sensor detects an indoor temperature in the room. The controller causes the gas furnace unit to operate as a heat source unit when a difference value obtained by subtracting the indoor temperature from a set temperature is equal to or greater than a first threshold at startup, and causes the heat pump unit to operate as a heat source unit when the difference value is less than the first threshold at startup. |
| US10386074B2 |
Injector head with a resonator for a gas turbine engine
A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. In embodiments, the fuel injector includes an injector head adjoining a stem. The injector head includes a main premix passage, a main air inlet, vanes, and a main premix resonator. The main premix passage extends through the injector head and the main air inlet directs compressed air into the main premix passage. The vanes are located within the main premix passage for swirling the compressed air. The main premix resonator is located adjacent to and downstream of the vanes. |
| US10386072B2 |
Internally cooled dilution hole bosses for gas turbine engine combustors
A cooling arrangement provides cooling around a dilution hole defined in a liner circumscribing a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The cooling arrangement comprises a hollow boss projecting from an outer surface of the liner about the dilution hole. The hollow boss defines an internal cavity extending circumferentially around the dilution hole. The internal cavity has an inlet in fluid flow communication with an air plenum surrounding the liner and an outlet in fluid flow communication with the combustion chamber. |
| US10386066B2 |
Turbine engine multi-walled structure with cooling element(s)
A multi-walled structure is provided for a turbine engine. This structure includes a shell with a textured first surface, and a heat shield with a second surface. The heat shield is attached to the shell. The first and the second surfaces vertically define a cooling cavity between the shell and the heat shield. The cooling cavity fluidly couples a plurality of cooling apertures defined in the shell with a plurality of cooling apertures defined in the heat shield. |
| US10386062B2 |
Method for operating a combustion system including a perforated flame holder
A method for operating a combustion system includes outputting fuel and oxidant from a fuel and oxidant source onto a perforated flame holder. The method further includes sustaining a combustion reaction of the fuel and oxidant within the perforated flame holder. |
| US10386059B2 |
Dehumidifying device and lamp
A vehicle lamp 1 is provided with: a ventilating unit 10 that is provided with a first opening 2a of a closed case 2, prevents entry of liquids and solids to an inside space S within the case 2, and allows circulation of air between the inside space S and an outside space of the vehicle lamp 1; and a dehumidifying unit 20 that is provided in a second opening 2b of the case 2 different in position from the first opening 2a and has an electrolysis dehumidifying element for discharging water vapor in the inside space S to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1 by electrolysis. Thus, a dehumidifying device and a lamp that can rapidly discharge water vapor that has entered the inside of a housing to the outside of the housing can be provided. |
| US10386058B1 |
LED luminaire
A luminaire having corrosion resistant and vapor tight properties. The luminaire comprises a first lighting module having a first housing with heat sink fins located thereon, a second lighting module having a second housing with heat sink fins located thereon, a raised junction box affixed between the first lighting module and the second lighting module, and at least one LED containing printed circuit board in each of the first lighting module and the second lighting module. The first housing and the second housing are each comprised of a thermally conductive plastic resin material. |
| US10386056B2 |
Illuminant with LEDs
An illuminant with at least two LEDs mounted on mutually opposite sides of a support plate and a reflection surface formed as a concave mirror, in which concave mirror the LEDs are arranged, wherein a housing part of the illuminant made of a transparent housing material is provided, which housing part at the same time forms an in relation to the main propagation direction lateral external surface of the illuminant and supports a reflecting layer forming the reflection surface at an internal surface opposite to the external surface. |
| US10386053B2 |
Heatsink and luminaire
Disclosed is a luminaire (100) comprising: a heatsink (10) comprising a rim (20) 5 having a first rim section (21), a second rim section (22) and an intermediate rim section (23) in between the first rim section and the second rim section; a first heatsink region comprising a mounting region (40) and a plurality of first fins (31, 32) extending from the mounting region to at least one of the first rim section and the second rim section; and a second heatsink region comprising a plurality of second fins (33) looping from the 10 intermediate rim section; a light module (110) mounted in the mounting region (40) and thermally coupled to the first heatsink region, the light module comprising at least one light engine (120) and a controller (140) for the at least one light engine; and a sensor (50) mounted on the second heatsink region, the sensor being communicatively coupled to the controller, the controller being adapted to control the at least one light engine in 15 response to a sensor signal from the sensor. |
| US10386045B2 |
Luminous module for an automotive vehicle with connection to ground
The invention proposes a luminous module comprising a flexible printed circuit board. The connection to ground of the electronic circuit accommodated by the printed circuit board is produced without adding fastening parts dedicated to this role. Compared to known prior-art techniques, the invention allows a luminous module to be produced comprising fewer constituent parts and occupying a smaller volume. |
| US10386044B2 |
LED light device with changable beam angle
The present invention relates to an optical device capable of effecting changeable beam angles. The optical device includes a light source plate, a convergence lens, and at least two diffusion lenses. When one of the at least two diffusion lenses is in use, the rest of the at least two diffusion lenses are in a stand-by state. The optical device is configured such that the light emitted by the light source plate is collimated by the convergence lens and allowed to go through the diffusion lens in use to be diffused. The optical device is configured to cause the collimated light incident on refraction surfaces of the different diffusion lenses with different incident angles to exit from the different diffusion lenses with different emergence angles. The optical device is capable of employing different diffusion lenses for changing the beam angle of the optical device. |
| US10386042B2 |
Wavelength conversion member, method of manufacturing the same, and backlight assembly including the same
A wavelength conversion member is disclosed. In one aspect, the wavelength conversion member includes a first substrate, a second substrate formed over the first substrate, and a wavelength conversion layer interposed between the first and second substrates. A sealant is interposed between the first and second substrates and surrounds the wavelength conversion layer. |
| US10386040B2 |
LED luminaire
A luminaire includes an elongate supporting post including an upper head section that flares outwardly, and a cap positioned on top of the head of the supporting post, the cap including a plurality of LED lighting units arranged circumferentially, and a shield adapted to block a substantial amount of outwardly directed light emitted from the plurality of LED lighting units, such that the light emitted from the LED lighting units is directed substantially onto the supporting post. A method of fabrication is provided. |
| US10386037B2 |
Arc light
An arched light source for illuminating an area comprising a base and an arched support extending from the base. The arched support has an upper edge corresponding to an arc having a center below the base and a lower edge meeting the base corresponding to a chord of the arc. The arched support includes a groove along the upper edge of the arched support. The arched light support includes a light source disposed in the groove and a transparent lens extending the length of the groove and sealing the light source within the groove. The light source may be a plurality of discrete LEDs spaced a distance apart, the plurality of LEDS extending substantially the entire length of the groove. The color emitted by the light source may be controllable by the user. The arched support may be opaque. The base may be mountable to a marine vessel. |
| US10386035B2 |
Luminaire for a motor vehicle with optical waveguide and optical sheet in contact with optical waveguide and disposed at an angle in relation to the optical waveguide
A luminaire for a motor vehicle bodywork includes a light source configured to generate light beams, an optical waveguide configured to forward the light beams, and an optical sheet configured to emit the light beams. The optical sheet is arranged at an angle (γ), which is greater than 0°, with respect to the optical waveguide. A contact is formed between the optical waveguide and the optical sheet. The optical waveguide is configured to transfer the light beams onto the optical sheet. The light beams are guided into the optical sheet with the aid of at least one light guiding element via the contact. |
| US10386034B2 |
Rotary electromagnetic actuator and car lamp low beam and high beam light switching device
A rotary electromagnetic actuator for car lamp low beam and high beam light switching device, comprises a shell (401), a rotor (402), a stator (403), a rotating shaft (405) and an end cover (407). The stator is fixedly installed in the shell to form a pair of arc-shaped stator magnetic poles (409) on which electric excitation can be applied; the rotor, as an arc-shaped permanent magnet, is fixed on the rotating shaft and is located in a magnetic field space of the arc-shaped magnetic poles of the stator; and the rotor is matched with the arc-shaped stator magnetic poles to form a closed magnetic circuit with an air gap (410); two swing bars (406) are connected to two ends of the rotating shaft respectively. |
| US10386033B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes at least one primary light source for emitting primary light, at least one phosphor body arranged at a distance from the primary light source, for converting the wavelength of primary light into secondary light, and at least one at least partly dichroic mirror, which at least partly deflects primary light radiated thereon onto at least one phosphor body and which passes secondary light radiated by the phosphor body. Used light radiated by the lighting apparatus contains the secondary light and primary light radiated by at least one primary light source, and the dichroic mirror includes at least one first and second mirror regions, in such a way that the first mirror region deflects primary light onto at least one phosphor body and passes secondary light incident from the phosphor body, and that the second mirror region deflects primary light in a manner circumventing the phosphor body. |
| US10386029B1 |
Solar powered submerged lighting system
The object of the present invention is a solar powered submerged lighting system that is self-contained, waterproof and provides underwater lighting during the nighttime. The system contains a solar cell array for charging a battery and electronic elements to control the transmission of the battery power towards a set of LED lights in the absence of solar light. The LED lights contain light projectors to improve the light penetration through the water body. |
| US10386028B2 |
Fast-mounted ceiling lamp convenient in wiring
A fast-mounted ceiling lamp convenient in wiring comprises a mounting frame, a base, a light source assembly and a lampshade, wherein a hook is arranged at one end of the mounting frame, a clamping ring is arranged on an outside wall of the base, the hook is hooked into the clamping ring, and a vertical beam of the mounting frame is fixedly connected to the base; a plurality of mounting parts are arranged on the outside wall of the base, and a plurality of elastic clamping sheets are arranged on an inside surface of the lampshade and are clamped onto the mounting parts. According to the fast-mounted ceiling lamp disclosed by the present invention, by arranging the hook on the mounting frame, the base can be directly hooked to the mounting frame when a wire on the base is connected to or disconnected from an external wire, without manual lifting. |
| US10386025B2 |
Electrical cover
An electrical cover including a pair of opposed rim sides having an amount of curvature between the pair of opposed rim sides, a switch guard medially disposed in the electrical cover, the switch guard including a pair of opposed grasp wall sides convex in relation to the interior space of the switch guard, and a pair of aperture elements disposed adjacent the switch guard. |
| US10386019B2 |
Flow control and gas metering process
A system for controlling a flow may be provided. The system may comprise a first flow controller and a gas density meter. The gas density meter may be in fluid communication with the first flow controller. The gas density meter may be configured to calculate a gas density for a first gas flowing through the gas density meter. In addition, the gas density meter may be configured to output a first signal configured to cause the first flow controller to alter a first flow rate of the first gas flowing through the first flow controller. Furthermore, the gas density meter may be configured to output a density signal going to the second controller. |
| US10386016B2 |
Multiple application orifice steam trap apparatus
A multiple application orifice steam trap apparatus of the present invention includes: an orifice steam trap that has an orifice hole and is connected to a live steam delivery pipe to prevent leakage of live steam and discharge only condensate water; a back pressure adjustment unit that is connected to the rear end of the orifice steam trap from which condensate water is discharged and adjusts back pressure of the orifice steam trap; and a meter that is disposed at any one of or both between the front of the back pressure adjustment unit and the orifice steam trap or at the rear of the back pressure adjustment unit and measures any one or both of temperature and pressure at any one or both of the front and rear of the back pressure adjustment unit. |
| US10386015B2 |
Lubricating device with a control unit for operating the lubricating pump
The invention relates to a lubricating device that includes a lubricant pump, a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to a machine to be lubricated, a control unit for determining an operating state of a machine and for operating the lubricant pump based on the signals of at least one sensor configured to detect emissions emanating from the machine to be lubricated, and a housing configured to be attached to a lubrication nozzle of the machine to be monitored. It is proposed that a reading of the signals of the sensor by the control unit is limited to a predetermined set of time windows with a predetermined width, wherein the time windows are separated by an interval where the signals of the sensor are not read. |
| US10386014B2 |
Desk platform structure for fitness bike
A desk platform structure for a fitness bike, including a desk platform, a desk platform fixing and sliding mechanism and a supporting rod is provided. The desk platform fixing and sliding mechanism includes a pair of fixing bars, a pair of sliding rails, and a fixing rack. The desk platform is installed on the fixing bars which are installed on the sliding rails. The sliding rails are fixed on guiding bars at two sides of the fixing rack which is connected to the supporting rod. A braking mechanism and a control mechanism for sliding and positioning of the fixing bar are disposed between the fixing bar and the fixing rack. Accordingly, the desk platform is more stable and reliable, and may slide and be positioned at any location. It is convenient to use the desk platform by further adjusting the inclination angle of the desk platform. |
| US10386011B2 |
Telescoping lock mechanism
The present disclosure may include a leg comprising first and second tubes, the first tube inside of the second tube, a lock mechanism within the second tube, the lock mechanism including a plug, a ramp, and bearings configured to roll along the ramp and contact the ramp and at least an interior wall of the first tube such that as the one or more bearings contact the ramp and the interior wall of the first tube, motion of the second tube relative to the first tube is inhibited, and a third tube inside of the second tube, and in response to the third tube being substantially disposed within the second tube, a proximate end of the third tube configured to push the one or more bearings towards the plug, reducing the interference of the one or more bearings with the interior wall of the first tube. |
| US10386007B2 |
Coating/membrane repair kit
There is disclosed a coating/membrane device for repairing defects such as holes or cracks in the membranes used to coat oil and gas metal pipes used in oil and gas pipelines and other metal based holding tanks, metal water pipes and the like. In one embodiment the device includes an applicator for applying a patch over a defect in the membrane. The device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and an applicator having a patch removably attached thereto is activated to apply the patch to the membrane covering the defect. In another embodiment the device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and a liquid sealant is injected into a chamber which then sets to seal the sealant over the defect and the device is removed. |
| US10386005B2 |
Self-contained, fully mechanical, 1 out of 2 flowline protection system
A flowline protection system includes a first and second isolation valve connectable to a fully rated pipeline to prevent the flow of fluid through the fully rated pipeline when either of the isolation valves are in a closed position, interrupting the flow of fluids to a downstream underrated piping system to reduce the risk of overpressure or quantity of hydrocarbon released into the environment in the event of a line break. First and second hydraulic control assemblies each include high and low pressure safety pilot valves. Both the isolation valves return to the closed position if either high pressure safety pilot valve senses an operating pressure greater than a high pressure setting or if either low pressure safety pilot valve senses the operating pressure is less than a low pressure setting. The system is self-contained and free of a connection to any component other than the fully rated pipeline. |
| US10386004B2 |
Flow control valve
Disclosed is a flow control valve 100. The flow control valve 100 comprises a cylindrical body 20, a piston 40, at least one fluid seal 60, a handle 60 and a nut 90. The flow control valve 100 is connected between an inlet and an outlet of a pipe to control flow of liquid/gases passing there through even at high temperature and pressure. The flow control valve 100 provides good force to the liquid/gas passing there through and provides an equal distribution of the flow at the outlet without resulting in pressure drop. |
| US10386003B2 |
Choke for a flow line
A choke for a flow line having an inner diameter has a body with an upstream end, a downstream end, and a sidewall that extends between the upstream end and the downstream end. The sidewall has a diameter that is sized to fit within the inner diameter of the flow line. A fluid impact face is provided at the upstream end of the body. The fluid impact face has a recessed central portion. One or more passages provide fluid communication between the downstream end and the sidewall of the body. |
| US10386002B2 |
Non-terminating double containment fitting
A double containment fitting for connection to a double containment tubing system with an outer, secondary containment tubing surrounding an inner, primary tubing. The fitting includes a fitting body defining a central passageway, the fitting body having a center portion disposed between opposed first and second body ports. The fitting body is configured to receive the tubing system into the first body port. The central passageway has a diameter in the first port selected to allow the secondary tubing into the first body port. A connection system mechanically secures the secondary tubing to the first body port. |
| US10386001B2 |
Multiple field device flange
A flange for process field devices includes a first end, a second end, and a first mounting area for mounting a first field device between the first end and the second end. The first mounting area has a first device port positioned in the first mounting area to allow fluid communication with the first field device. A second mounting area on the flange is for mounting a second field device between the first end and the second end. The second mounting area has a second device port positioned in the second mounting area to allow fluid communication with the second field device. A connection port that provides fluid to the flange is located on the first end of the flange. An internal chamber fluidly connects the connection port to the first device port and the second device port. |
| US10386000B2 |
Pipe connector for connecting two pipe sections
A pipe connector may include a lower motion link and an upper motion link, which may be fastened so as to be pivotable towards each other about a pivot axis. The lower motion link may have a lower seating for one of the pipe sections, and a bearing surface for the connection flange of the first pipe section. The upper motion link may have an upper seating for the other of the pipe sections, and a bearing surface for the connection flange of the second pipe section. The pivot axis may be aligned substantially at right angles to an axial direction of the lower seating and of the upper seating for the pipe sections. In a closed state, the bearing surfaces may be facing each other so that the connection flanges of both pipe sections may be able to be clasped. |
| US10385999B2 |
Fluid coupling devices
Fluid coupling devices for connecting to and disconnecting from a male barbed fitting to provide a continuous flow path or a flow termination point, include a frame and an elastomeric sealing material disposed about and at least partially encapsulating the frame. The frame can have a first end including a connecting element. The frame can also have a second end including a ring that has two inwardly directed, radial locking tabs. At least a portion of the sealing material can define a thru lumen. At least a portion of the thru lumen can include a tapered, inner portion configured to create a sealed connection with a male barbed fitting. The second end of the fluid coupling device, when compressed, can deflect the locking tabs in a radially outward direction for releasing the male barbed fitting. |
| US10385993B2 |
Pipe joint
A method and apparatus for creating a joint between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore. A connector (16) in the form of a sleeve is located over the ends of each tubular (12, 14) and the ends of the tubulars are morphed onto the sleeve to provide a metal to metal seal. In an embodiment the sleeve (16) is morphed onto the ends of the tubulars (12, 14). The connector may also have a profiled inner surface with circumferential grooves (266) and a sectioned locating groove (90) to provide axial and torsional load bearing capacity. |
| US10385992B2 |
Modular buoyancy element
A buoyancy element has a plurality of buoyancy modules interconnected to form a buoyancy element around the electrical cable or pipeline. A first buoyancy module is provided with at least one first fastening element and a second buoyancy module is provided with at least one second fastening element. The first fastening element has a snap element that snaps onto the second fastening element when the first buoyancy module is secured to the second buoyancy module. The buoyancy module has both the first fastening element and the second fastening element, oriented such that two identical buoyancy modules may be clamped together, whereby mutually cooperating first and second fastening elements of the respective modules align in locking engagement. This reduces production costs, as only a single type of module needs to be manufactured. |
| US10385990B2 |
Pressure-balanced pull-type manual actuation mechanism for a valve
An example manual actuation mechanism includes (i) a piston having: (a) a first flanged portion with a first annular surface area, (b) a second flanged portion with a second annular surface area, (c) a longitudinal cavity bounded by an interior peripheral surface of the piston, and (d) a shoulder on the interior peripheral surface of the piston; and (ii) a pin disposed in the longitudinal cavity of the piston, where the pin has an area with an enlarged diameter configured to interface with and rest against the shoulder of the piston, such that a force applied on the pin in a given axial direction is transferred to the piston, and where a difference between the second annular surface area of the second flanged portion and the first annular surface of the first flanged portion is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of the pin. |
| US10385989B2 |
Securing device for a valve
A securing device for a valve of a pressurized gas tank of a respiratory protection device, characterized by a securing element, which can be moved from a closed position to a flow position, especially an open position, by applying a torque, wherein at least one part of a housing serves as an abutment for the securing element when the torque is applied, wherein the valve is closed in the closed position of the securing element and can be brought spontaneously into a flow position after applying a particular torque to the securing element. |
| US10385987B2 |
Electromagnetically actuatable gas valve, and method for increasing the seal of an electromagnetically actuatable gas valve
The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuatable gas valve for metering a gaseous fuel into a suction tract of a motor, in particular a gas or diesel gas motor, comprising a valve seat (1) which is designed as a flat seat and which has multiple annular webs (3) that are arranged in a concentric manner and are connected via at least one radially running web (4) in order to delimit circular or semicircular through-flow openings (2). The electromagnetically actuatable gas valve further comprises a movable valve plate (5) which sealingly interacts with the valve seat (1) and which has multiple annular sealing webs (6) that are arranged in a concentric manner and can be brought into an overlapping arrangement with the circular or semicircular through-flow openings (2) of the valve seat (1). According to the invention, the rigidity of the valve seat (1) and/or the valve plate (5) is substantially constant in the radial direction, the rigidity of the valve seat (1) being greater than the rigidity of the valve plate (5). The invention further relates to a method for increasing the seal of an electromagnetically actuatable gas valve. |
| US10385986B2 |
Valve control device
A valve control device includes a housing provided with a control shaft, a motor for driving the control shaft to rotate, a control circuit board connected to the motor, and a sensor for detecting a rotational position of the control shaft. The sensor is connected to the control circuit board, which controls the motor to drive the control shaft to rotate in response to a position signal returned by the sensor. The valve control device may further include a position pointer, an indicating light, or a buzzer to facilitate observation of the opening and closing position of the valve. |
| US10385982B2 |
Robust in-line valve
A poppet valve is provided wherein the poppet and seat are integrally aligned to a bore within a housing of the valve. The poppet is configured to reciprocate within a guide also aligned to the bore, and a spring is provided between the guide and the poppet to bias the poppet against the seat. The poppet guide is positioned, with respect to the bore, by having an alignment portion thereof fixed in a feature of the housing in which it extends, and a second housing secures the feature in the first housing. A pilot, selectively positionable by a piston, is provided to mechanically move the poppet off of the seat. |
| US10385977B2 |
Shaft slide ring seal arrangement
A shaft slide ring seal arrangement including a shaft, which has a first and second end, and a slide ring seal, which includes a shaft slide ring connected non-rotatably to the shaft, the axial displaceability whereof is limited at least in the direction of the first end of the shaft by a limiting element, and a slide ring arrangement arranged at a radial distance from the shaft, which slide ring arrangement lies, at a side of the shaft slide ring pointing towards the second end of the shaft, axially adjacent thereto, as well as a retaining ring supported on the shaft, the axial displaceability whereof is limited at least in the direction of the second end of the shaft and which centers the slide ring arrangement, on its side facing away from the shaft slide ring, with respect to the shaft. |
| US10385975B2 |
Rotary machine system
A rotary machine system includes: a rotary machine including a gas seal portion; a gas seal device connected to the rotary machine and that supplies a seal gas to the gas seal portion; a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the seal gas; a vent portion that discharges the seal gas discharged from the gas seal portion; and a vent pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the vent portion. The rotary machine includes: a casing through which a working fluid flows; a rotatable rotary shaft that passes; and the gas seal portion provided between the casing and the rotary shaft and that seals the working fluid by the seal gas having a pressure higher than a pressure of the working fluid in the casing. The gas seal device includes: a pressure regulating valve; and a control part that controls the pressure regulating valve. |
| US10385972B2 |
Self-sealing bellows for use with vehicles
Self-sealing bellows for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example bellows includes a tubular body being expandable and contractible along an axis of the body. The bellows also includes a lining disposed along a surface of the body and a liquid or gelatinous material disposed between the body and the lining. The liquid or gelatinous material hardens when exposed to a fluid. |
| US10385969B2 |
Magnetic lock device and parking device
A magnetic lock device includes a lock shaft having an abutting portion capable of abutting against a roller of a piston rod of a hydraulic pressure actuator, a transfer shaft configured separately from the lock shaft, the transfer shaft abutting against an end surface of the lock shaft, and a magnetic portion locking (restricting movement to the right side in the drawing) the lock shaft, the transfer shaft, and a plunger by attracting the plunger toward an attracting portion using a magnetic force. The lock shaft is surface-hardened to have a higher hardness and the transfer shaft is made of non-magnetic material. |
| US10385967B2 |
Method and apparatus to control a continuously variable transmission
Controlling a powertrain system including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes determining, employing a first controller, a first desired speed ratio in response to an output torque request. The first desired speed ratio is evaluated to determine if it is valid and achievable. A second controller is employed to determine a second desired speed ratio, and a final desired speed ratio is determined based upon the first and second desired speed ratios. The final desired speed ratio is evaluated, and the CVT is controlled based upon the final desired speed ratio. |
| US10385962B2 |
Direct lubricating input shaft assembly
Transmission input shaft that includes a rearward end, a forward end, an interior circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface. A lubrication channel is positioned between the interior surface and the outer surface. |
| US10385958B2 |
Chainrings and crank assemblies
A chainring for a bicycle includes a body and a plurality. The plurality of teeth are disposed about a periphery of the body. The plurality of teeth have a tooth body formed of a first material and include a load flank. The plurality of teeth also include an insert formed of a second material. The insert is coupled to a tooth body of the plurality of teeth forming a load flank surface of the plurality of teeth. |
| US10385957B2 |
Follower mechanism
A follower mechanism including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, and an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the follower mechanism. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, and is disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup and is non-rotatably fixed thereto by the annular lip of the outer cup which abuts the lip of the inner cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the annular lip portion of the outer cup. |
| US10385956B2 |
Mechanical system forming a cam follower or a rocker arm
A mechanical system forming one of a cam follower or a rocker arm, the mechanical system comprising: a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element, and a roller mounted on pin, movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes a bearing body adapted to receive pin, and an additional retaining member blocking the translation of pin back and forth, along first axis. |
| US10385955B2 |
Actuating device for actuating a cable
The invention provides an actuating device for actuating a cable. The actuating device comprises a housing defining an interior and a motor assembly including a shaft. The actuating device also comprises at least two planetary gears and a flex gear having an inner surface and an outer surface with the inner surface partially engaged with the planetary gears. The actuating device additionally comprises an output member having a drive portion and a mounting interface with the drive portion engaged with a section such that the output member is rotatable relative to the housing when the shaft rotates. The actuating device additionally comprises a connector coupled to the mounting interface for securing the cable to the mounting interface. The connector moves relative to the housing and in unison with the output member during the rotation of the output member for activating the cable during operation of the actuating device. |
| US10385954B2 |
Interference-type torque split differential
An interference-type torque split differential includes a differential housing, a first differential gear and an interference-type torque split module. The first differential gear is provided in the differential housing. The interference-type torque split module is provided outside the differential housing and has a second differential gear, a first brake source and a second brake source. The second differential gear is connected with the first differential gear. The first brake source and the second brake source are at two sides of the second differential gear, respectively. The first brake source or the second brake source provides multiple stages of clamping force for performing torque split. |
| US10385949B2 |
Shift on the fly transmission
A shift on the fly transmission is provided. The shift on the fly transmission includes a continuously variable transmission portion, a discrete transmission portion, at least one input shaft and a disconnect clutch. The continuously variable transmission portion is operationally coupled to receive torque from an engine. The discrete transmission portion includes a gear assembly. The at least one input shaft is operationally coupled to an output of the continuously variable transmission portion. The disconnect clutch operationally couples the at least one input shaft to the discrete transmission portion. The disconnect clutch is further configured to selectively decouple torque from the at least one input shaft to the discrete transmission portion during a range ratio shift of the discrete transmission portion. |
| US10385948B2 |
Electric actuator
An electric actuator such that a nut threadedly engaged with a sliding screw shaft is displaced along an axial direction under the operation of a motor, the sliding screw shaft being made of a light metal or light metal alloy. A diamond-like carbon film is formed on at least either a portion of screw threads of the nut that is located at least within three threads from a starting end in the axial direction, or screw threads of the sliding screw shaft. |
| US10385947B2 |
Belt attachment tool
The present invention relates to a belt attachment tool used for further winding a belt, which is wound on a first pulley (1) and a second pulley (2), on a third pulley (3), the belt attachment tool containing a side surface part (10), an attaching part (11), a first belt holding part (14), and a second belt holding part (15), and the second belt holding part (15) is arranged so that a point (F) of intersection between a first extension line (L1) extending the belt wound on the first belt holding part (14) from an outer periphery of the second pulley (2) and a second extension line (L2) extending the belt wound on the second belt holding part (15) from an outer periphery of the first pulley (1) is located to a front side in a rotation direction (A) of the third pulley (3) with respect to a center line (L3) connecting a center (1S) of the first pulley (1) with a center (3S) of the third pulley. |
| US10385946B2 |
Powertrain system and method for operating a powertrain
A powertrain system includes an input element, an output element, and a magnetic transmission stage disposed directly at the output element. The magnetic transmission stage includes a first rotor with a first number of pole pairs, a second rotor with a second number of pole pairs, the second number of pole pairs being different from the first number of pole pairs, a third rotor with a number of pole bars arranged such that the magnetic field between the first and second pole pairs is modulated. A mechanical transmission stage is disposed between the magnetic transmission stage and the input element in the powertrain, and a control means controls a power flow between the input element and the output element. The control means is connected to a rotor of the magnetic transmission stage and to a shaft of the mechanical transmission stage. |
| US10385945B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms. |
| US10385943B2 |
Conveyor belt fastener and method of manufacture
In one aspect, a conveyor belt fastener is provided having a rigid body made from a strip of cold-rolled or cold-drawn material such as steel. The body has an upper plate portion, a lower plate portion, and loop portions connecting the upper and lower plate portions. The upper and lower plate portions each have a variable cross-sectional thickness laterally thereacross including raised walls projecting outwardly and ribs projecting inwardly. The fastener has at least one attachment member, such as a staple, for connecting the plate portions to a conveyor belt end and the raised walls protect the staple once driven into the conveyor belt end. |
| US10385942B2 |
Pendulum vibration damper
A pendulum vibration damper in which a retainer is prevented from being moved or tilted in an axial direction. In the pendulum vibration damper, a restriction member formed on any one of the retainer and an inner face of the casing to be brought into contact to the other one of the retainer and the inner face of the casing when the retainer is moved or tilted in an axial direction of the rotary disc. A clearance between the casing and the rolling mass in the axial direction is shorter than a thickness of the retainer in the axial direction. |
| US10385939B2 |
Spring assembly with a protected attachment site
A spring assembly includes a coil spring having one or more helical coils between two longitudinally spaced ends, and an attachment site disposed at at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends. The attachment site includes a casing enclosing the at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends, the casing having a casing passage therethrough between a first side and a second side. The attachment site also includes a washer disposed on the first side and having a washer passage aligned with the casing passage, and a base disposed on the second side and having a base passage aligned with the casing passage. |
| US10385934B2 |
Method for determining and/or controlling a position of an electric motor
The invention relates to a method for determining and/or controlling a position of an electric motor, in particular in a clutch actuation system of a motor vehicle, wherein the position of a rotor of the electric motor is picked up by a sensor system situated on a stator of the electric motor outside an axis of rotation of the electric motor, and the position signal picked up by the sensor system is analyzed by an analysis unit. In a method in which the rotor position is detected with a high level of certainty, the position signal is transmitted to the analysis unit depending on a transmission distance between the sensor system and the analysis unit by means of an SPI protocol signal for short transmission distances, and/or by means of a PWM signal for longer transmission distances. |
| US10385929B2 |
Vehicle input shafts
Vehicle input shafts are disclosed. The vehicle input shafts include a bearing boss, a spline portion, a cylindrical shaft body portion and a drive end. The spline portion includes spline teeth and spline grooves that do not exit directly onto the shaft body. Instead, the spline grooves include blend out fillets that interrupt the spline grooves by providing additional material near the shaft body. The bearing boss includes an increased diameter at a central point along its axial length and decreased diameters at its first and second boss ends. |
| US10385928B2 |
Clutch with reduced load on edges
A clutch is comprised of a first clutch member including a plurality of first clutch teeth arranged circumferentially around an axis; and a second clutch member including a plurality of second clutch teeth arranged circumferentially around the axis and engageable with the first clutch teeth, each of the second clutch teeth including an end portion internal or external relative to the axis and a pair of side faces facing each other across the end portion, any of the side faces getting in contact with the first clutch teeth when engaged, each of the pair of side faces including a first face being flat and a second face being continuous to the first face and the end portion and having a slope oblique to the first face, wherein one of the first clutch member and the second clutch member is axially movable relative to the other. |
| US10385919B2 |
Bearing component and method
Bearing component providing unaffected material that has a surface, which has been subjected to a hard machining process during where the temperature of the surface did not exceed the austenitizing temperature of the unaffected material. The surface of the bearing component includes a white layer formed during the hard machining process. The white layer has a nano-crystalline microstructure that includes grains having a maximum grain size up to 500 nm. The white layer is located directly adjacent to the unaffected material of the bearing component, where no dark layer is formed during the hard machining process. |
| US10385918B1 |
Bearing with visco-metal layers reactive to increase dynamically clearance and minimum oil film thickness
A bearing supporting a non-homogeneously or homogeneously loaded rotating component of a motor vehicle engine includes a plurality of bearing portions joined together and forming a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical center bore, the substantially cylindrical central bore surrounding and supporting the non-homogeneously or homogeneously loaded rotating component. The bearing having a plurality of bearing layers made of different materials unevenly distributed about a circumference and along a longitudinal axis of the bearing, the bearing layers reactively ovalizing in response to loads imparted by the non-homogeneously or homogeneously rotating components, and changing a minimum lubricating fluid thickness on a portion of the substantially cylindrical central bore that ovalizes in response to transient local loads imparted by the non-homogeneously or homogeneously loaded rotating component. |
| US10385917B2 |
Motor
A motor capable of replacing a lubricant more easily is provided. A motor includes: a rotor supported by an output shaft-side bearing and an anti-output shaft-side bearing; a front housing that supports the output shaft-side bearing; a rear housing that supports the anti-output shaft-side bearing; a stator having both ends attached to the front housing and the rear housing, the stator surrounding the rotor; and a pair of pipelines which has an opening formed in a surface of the rotor close to the rear housing and which is provided inside the rotor, the pipelines communicating with at least one of the output shaft-side bearing and the anti-output shaft-side bearing and capable of circulating a lubricating liquid. |
| US10385915B2 |
High load capacity hybrid foil bearing
A bearing includes a bearing sleeve with a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. A bump foil extends along an inner face of the first portion of the bearing sleeve and a metal mesh extends along an inner face of the second portion of the bearing sleeve. A top foil extends along an inner face of the bump foil of the first portion and the metal mesh of the second portion. |
| US10385913B2 |
Length-adjustable Samer rod
A Samer rod has length adjustable along a longitudinal axis. A first element extends along the axis between a first coupling end and an engagement section end, and a second element extends along the axis between a second coupling end and a receiving end. A receiving hole extends along the axis, inside the first element, away from the receiving end to the second coupling end. The engagement section has an outer row of teeth extending parallel to the axis with evenly spaced teeth extending perpendicular to the axis in the circumferential direction of the engagement section. The receiving hole has an inner row of teeth extending parallel to the axis with evenly spaced teeth extending perpendicular to the axis in the circumferential direction of the receiving hole wall. The spacing of the teeth of the two rows in the direction of the axis corresponds to one another. |
| US10385910B2 |
Steering gear for boats
A steering gear for boats includes a control member connected to a drive shaft of a transmission having at least two dynamically engaged transmission elements, in particular, an input element and an output element. The output element drives a motion transfer member of the control member transferring motion to an operating unit, such that any displacement/rotation of the control member is transferred to the transfer member through the transmission. The motion transfer member includes a pull and/or push cable and a coupling member that is slidably attached to the steering gear and has a plurality of coupling seats, at least one of which is designed to engage a corresponding coupling claw on the steering gear. The coupling member includes a sheath-like element in which the pull and/or push cable is configured to slide, and the coupling seats include two annular throats of the sheath. |
| US10385908B2 |
Conformal clearance fit fastener, fastener system, and method for composite structures
A fastener includes an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, and a shaft body, a head portion, and a threaded portion. At least one inner feed channel extends through the head portion and the shaft body and terminates proximal to the threaded portion. The fastener has a plurality of flutes formed along and circumferentially spaced around an outer surface of the shaft body and an outer surface of the head portion. Each flute has a first end and extends from a first location proximal to the threaded portion, along the outer surface of the shaft body, and radially outward along the outer surface of the head portion. The fastener further has one or more lateral feed channels formed laterally through the shaft body and connecting the inner feed channel to at least two opposing flutes on the outer surface of the shaft body. |
| US10385907B2 |
Cap with injected sealant
A cap for forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener is disclosed having a cap body with an annular base terminating at an inner cap rim which surrounds an opening into a central cavity and lies in an inner cap plane around a majority of a circumference of the annular base. A skirt provides an annular pocket between the skirt and the annular base. The skirt has a first part which is integrally formed with the cap body from a first material and terminates at an edge, and a second part which is formed from a second material and extends from the edge of the first part of the skirt to a skirt rim which lies in or below the inner cap plane around a majority of a circumference of the skirt. |
| US10385906B2 |
Quick connect nut
A quick connect nut contains: a body including a first locking part, a second locking part, and a flexible C-shaped retainer. The first locking part includes a first forcing face, a first tilted face, a first peripheral groove, a first semicircular orifice having first inner threads, at least one first protrusion, and at least one first arcuate notch. The second locking part includes a second forcing face, a second tilted face, a second peripheral groove, a second semicircular orifice having second inner threads, at least one second protrusion, at least one second arcuate notch, and a second through hole. When the first and second locking parts lock together, an angle is defined between the first and second tilted faces so that a width of an expanding opening between the first and second locking parts is more than an outer diameter of the threaded rod. |
| US10385903B2 |
Metric self-tapping locking screw and the manufacturing method thereof
A metric self-tapping locking screw comprises a screw head which is connected to a thread locking body by a screw rod. The thread locking body and the self-tapping tip are provided with a screw thread on the surface. The self-tapping tip is arranged at the root of the thread locking body; the screw thread adopts the basic structure of the standard ordinary triangular thread. The flank angle back to the fastened surface is 15-20° and the flank angle of the screw thread facing the fastened surface is 30°. The metric self-tapping locking screw in the Invention make the installed parts to be fastened have higher axial clamping force and static loosing moment, which solves the attenuation problem of axial clamping force and static moment of fastened parts. |
| US10385900B2 |
Reduced diameter head rivet
An assembly, for example an automotive assembly, is provided that includes an upper workpiece, a lower workpiece, and a rivet extending through the upper workpiece and into the lower workpiece. The rivet, which may be a self-piercing rivet (SPR) in one form, includes a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion. A diameter of the head portion (Hd) is less than or equal to a diameter of the shaft portion (Sd), and an interface between the head portion of the rivet and the upper workpiece is flush. |
| US10385895B2 |
Hand-actuated closing device with a delaying system
A hand-actuated closing device is provided. The closing device includes two closing parts which are fittable together along a closing direction, are mechanically interconnected in a closed position and are releasable from one another as by releasing the mechanical connection. One of the closure parts includes a housing and a locking element which is arranged so as to be movable on the housing and is in connection with the other closure part in the closed position to produce the mechanical connection between the closure parts. In the closed position, the locking part assumes a first position on the housing, is manually movable from the first position into a second position to release the closure parts and is resettable from the second position into the first position under the action of a resetting force. The closing device further includes a delaying system. |
| US10385890B2 |
Detecting end of stroke in a hydraulic motor
It is challenging to detect end of stroke for hydraulically actuated, reciprocating piston pumps for a variety of reasons. When the pump pressurizes a process fluid to a 10 relatively low pressure the magnitude of hydraulic fluid pressure is not as distinct compared to the magnitude of a pressure drop across a shuttle valve employed to detect end of stroke, which makes detecting the end of stroke event difficult. A method is disclosed for detecting end of a piston stroke in a hydraulic motor comprising a reciprocating piston with a shuttle valve. The method comprises 1 detecting end of piston stroke when a magnitude of a rate of change of hydraulic fluid pressure is substantially greater than a magnitude of a mean rate of change of hydraulic fluid pressure over said piston stroke; and noise in a hydraulic fluid pressure signal is substantially negligible. |
| US10385889B2 |
Cylinder device
A piston body (11) of an advancing-retracting first piston (10) and a force-multiplying second piston (15) are arranged in series in a vertical direction in a housing (1). Force acting on the second piston (15) due to pressurized oil in a lock chamber (16) is multiplied and converted into multiplied upward force via engaging balls (32) of a force multiplier (30). Then, the multiplied upward force is transmitted to an output rod (12) of the first piston (10). At an intermediate part of a first air detection passage (38) for use in detection formed in the housing (1), a first detection valve (40) is provided. When the engaging balls (32) move inward in a radial direction, the first detection valve (40) is closed. |
| US10385886B2 |
Soft actuators and soft actuating devices
A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described. |
| US10385881B1 |
Flow divider assembly
A flow divider assembly for use with a hydraulic pump provides fluid flow to separate drive motors for use in a vehicle or other application. Flow may be provided alternatively to a first fluid side and second fluid side. First and second flow divider motors are in communication with an output of a shuttle valve. A first bypass valve is connected to the first fluid side and a second bypass valve is connected to the second fluid side, and both bypass valves have an open position and a closed position. A multi-position, pilot operated valve is operably connected to both flow divider motors and to both bypass valves. An embodiment permits the output of the system to be driven in either forward or reverse directions. |
| US10385878B2 |
Solenoid actuated safety compliant fan finger guard structures and methods
A fan guard and method of use thereof. The fan guard includes a first lattice, a second lattice, a first solenoid operably connected to the second lattice, wherein the first solenoid is configured to move the second lattice relative to the first lattice from a first position to an alternate position and a second solenoid, the second solenoid configured to extend through a portion of the first lattice when the second lattice is in the alternate position. |
| US10385875B2 |
Electric submersible pump with reduced vibration
An electric submersible pump (ESP) with reduced vibration is provided. In an implementation, an ESP section has radial bearings placed at shaft locations of reduced vibration to reduce wear. The locations of reduced vibration are selected to avoid areas of high vibration and vibrational waves that reinforce each other due to structure resonance and natural excitation frequencies. In an implementation, a radial bearing is positioned at a node of reduced vibration of a standing vibrational wave. In an implementation, a succession of multiple radial bearings are spaced at different intervals from each other to avoid conventional even spacing of the bearings that causes standing waves, resonance waves, and vibrational waves at natural excitation frequencies. In an implementation, a span between adjacent radial bearings is selected to spare other adjacent bearings at different spans the effects of vibrations that may extend over a range of excitation frequencies in the ESP section. |
| US10385873B2 |
Fan
A fan includes a hub, a plurality of blades, and a heat dissipation module. The blades surround the hub. The heat dissipation module includes a plurality of fins. The fins are disposed around the hub with respect to the blades. The end face of each fin facing the blades includes a noise reduction structure. The noise reduction structure is an inclined plane. |
| US10385868B2 |
Strut assembly for an aircraft engine
A strut assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an outer structural case. The outer structural case includes a first mounting pad for mounting a first strut and a second mounting pad for mounting a second strut. The outer structural case further includes a case ligament extending between the first mounting pad and the second mounting pad in a substantially straight direction to reduce an amount of bending stress on the outer structural case. |
| US10385865B2 |
Airfoil tip geometry to reduce blade wear in gas turbine engines
An airfoil for use in a turbomachine includes a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall coupled to the pressure sidewall. The suction sidewall and the pressure sidewall define a leading edge and an opposite trailing edge. The leading edge and the trailing edge define a chord distance. The airfoil further includes a root portion, and a tip portion. The tip portion extends between the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall such that the tip portion is substantially perpendicular to each sidewall. The tip portion includes at least one planar section and at least one oblique section that forms a recess within the tip portion. The at least one oblique section extends from the at least one planar section towards the root portion along the chord distance. The tip portion is configured to reduce airfoil wear during contact with a surrounding casing. |
| US10385861B2 |
Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
A method for compression of an incoming feed air stream using at least two variable speed compressor drive assemblies controlled in tandem is provided. The first variable speed drive assembly drives at least one compression stage in the lower pressure compressor unit driven while the second variable speed drive assembly drives higher pressure compression stage disposed either in the common air compression train or the split functional compression train of the air separation plant. The first and second variable speed drive assemblies are preferably high speed, variable speed electric motor assemblies each having a motor body, a motor housing, and a motor shaft with one or more impellers directly and rigidly coupled to the motor shaft via a sacrificial rigid shaft coupling. |
| US10385860B2 |
Pump arrangement for driving an impeller using an inner rotor which interacts with an outer rotor and the outer rotor having a radially outer circumferential projection
A pump arrangement, in particular a magnetic coupling pump arrangement, includes a pump housing having an interior, a split case which hermetically seals a chamber surrounded by the split case from the interior formed by the pump housing, an impeller shaft with an impeller thereon which can be driven in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, an inner rotor arranged at an end of the impeller shaft opposite the impeller end, an outer rotor which interacts with the inner rotor, and an adapter element which connects the split case to the pump housing or to a component paired with the pump housing, in particular a housing cover. The adapter element includes a mounting flange which rests against a support surface of the pump housing, in particular of the housing cover (4), on a face adjacent to the interior. |
| US10385858B2 |
Energy-generating pump
A pumping apparatus includes a container positioned over a left column and a right column that contains a first fluid, left and right intake valves that respectively connect the left and right columns to the container, left and right pumps respectively associated with the left and right columns, upper and lower connecting pipes that connect the left and right columns below the container, a plurality of gates positioned at entrances of the upper and lower connecting pipes in each of the left and right columns, a turbine positioned to be driven by fluid flowing through the upper and lower connecting pipes, and a third fluid disposed in the upper and lower connecting pipes, and the left column and a right column. The turbine generates electric power due to the flow of the third fluid through the left and right columns and the upper and lower connecting pipes. |
| US10385857B2 |
Electric submersible pump event detection
A method for monitoring operation of an electric submersible pump. The method includes receiving data signals indicating values for a plurality of parameters regarding operation of the electric submersible pumping system; establishing, for at least some of the plurality of parameters, an associated reference signal; and detecting a deviation of one of the parameters from the reference signal associated with that parameter. As a result of the deviation having a rate of change below a predetermined threshold, the method includes updating the value of the reference signal to reflect the deviation. As a result of the deviation having a rate of change above the predetermined threshold, the method includes detecting an event and generating an indication of the event. The indication of the event further depends on a type of the parameter and a direction of the deviation from the reference signal. |
| US10385856B1 |
Modular electric submersible pump assemblies with cooling systems
The disclosure herein includes an electric submersible pump assembly for pumping fluids from a wellbore, which electric submersible pump assembly may include: a pump; a housing coupled to the pump; a body disposed in the housing, wherein the body has a central aperture, an outer surface, and a flow path disposed in the outer surface; and a shaft assembly disposed in the central aperture of the body, wherein the shaft assembly has a central flow path and a port. |
| US10385854B2 |
Scroll compressor with oil chamber and cooling
A helical compressor consisting of a casing with at least one fixed spiral; a rotor that has been placed in the casing and has at least one spiral that can be rotated within the casing; a crankshaft that has a main spindle that is mounted on bearings within the casing and an auxiliary spindle that is eccentrically positioned with respect to the geometric axis of the main spindle. The rotor is attached to the auxiliary spindle using a bearing and there is a mechanism present to prevent the rotor from rotating by itself. The rotor has an oil chamber that is connected to the bearing of the auxiliary spindle and a de-gassing channel for the oil chamber that goes through the auxiliary spindle and through part of the main spindle. |
| US10385853B2 |
Rotary machine abnormality detection device and method thereof and rotary machine
A rotary machine abnormality detection device capable of determining abnormality with higher accuracy, a method thereof, and a rotary machine provided therewith. A rotary machine abnormality detection device detects abnormality in a rotary machine M having at least first and second rotating bodies using a specific feature amount based on a frequency spectrum of measurement data of vibration. The device obtains, from the frequency spectrum, a fundamental wave component F1 of a fundamental wave lobe mesh frequency f1 and n-th harmonic wave components Fn of n-th harmonic wave lobe mesh frequencies fn up to XAB, and obtains the specific feature amount based on these components. The f1 is obtained by dividing a rotational frequency by a teeth number of the first rotating body and the XAB represents the least common multiple of the teeth numbers of the two rotating bodies. |
| US10385851B2 |
Fluid transfer using devices with rotatable housings
A liquid ring pump includes an external housing enclosing a volume including a lower fluid reservoir. A rotatable inner housing is within the volume of the external housing, the inner housing enclosing an inner fluid chamber. A pitot tube provides fluid communication between the lower fluid reservoir and the inner fluid chamber. The housings and pitot tube are adapted so that when the inner housing rotates, fluid flows from the lower fluid reservoir through the pitot tube into the inner fluid chamber to develop a liquid ring within the inner fluid chamber such that an inner radial wall of the liquid ring is just radially outward from a point where the pitot tube enters the inner fluid chamber. |
| US10385850B2 |
Hydraulic pump having a cylindrical roller within a housing having an inlet gallery and an outlet gallery formed in a circumferential outer surface of the housing
A hydraulic pump is described comprising a rotor provided for rotation about a longitudinal axis (X-X) within a housing. The pump comprises a plurality of chambers for pumping a fluid that are provided by longitudinally extending recesses in a circumferential outer surface of the rotor. During use the recesses are moved across a circumferential inner surface of the housing, and in so doing, are moved over an inlet port in the housing to draw fluid into the chamber and then over an outlet port in the housing to discharge the fluid. The hydraulic pump further comprises a roller that is mounted in a longitudinally extending pocket of the housing. The roller is positioned after the outlet port in a direction of the rotor's rotation and is arranged to follow the outer surface of the rotor and seal against each recess as it is drawn past the roller, thereby directing fluid from the chamber into the outlet port. |
| US10385849B2 |
Method for operating a pump
A pump includes a pump housing, an inlet, an outlet, a rotatable eccentric, a deformable element between housing and eccentric and a delivery channel from inlet to outlet formed by the deformable element and the housing. The deformable element is pressed against the housing in sections by the eccentric forming a movable seal of the channel and a closed volume in the channel being movable along the channel from inlet to outlet to pump the liquid by rotating the eccentric. A method for operating the pump includes a) setting a liquid quantity to be pumped, b) determining a temperature of the deformable element, c) determining a parameter considering the temperature from step b), the parameter representing a dependence between movement of the eccentric and pump capacity and d) pumping the liquid quantity set in step a) by adapting an operating mode of the pump considering the parameter from step c). |
| US10385845B2 |
High pressure fuel pump
A high pressure fuel pump includes a pump head from which extends a turret, a bore extends along a main axis from a pumping chamber through the turret to an open end. A piston is arranged in the bore and protrudes out of the turret, an outer extremity being provided with a cam follower. A spring is arranged around the piston and slipped over the turret, the spring is compressed between the cam follower and the main part of the pump head. A cup shaped sleeve is arranged around the turret and defines a volume between the turret and the peripheral wall which fills with fuel that has leaked between the piston and the blind bore from the pumping chamber. A bottom face of the sleeve is provided with a hole through which the piston extends. An opening in the peripheral wall allows fuel to exit the volume. |
| US10385844B2 |
Abnormal discharge detection device and abnormal discharge detection method
A pump included in an oil supply unit includes a piezoelectric body that is repeatedly deformed when a pulsed drive voltage is applied from a drive unit. The pump discharges lubricant as the volume of a storage unit that stores fluid to be supplied decreases with deformation of the piezoelectric body. An abnormal discharge detection device that detects an abnormal fluid discharge operation of the pump includes: a measurement unit that measures a terminal voltage of the piezoelectric body; and a control unit functioning as a determination unit that determines if the discharge operation is being performed normally or not based on whether or not the measured terminal voltage has changed with time during application of a pulse of the drive voltage. |
| US10385842B2 |
Limiter for a dispensing device
A limiter for a dispensing device is provided. The limiter includes a body (20) arranged to mount with at least a portion of a dispensing device (300), and a stop extending from the body. The stop (40) is configured to permit movement a plunger of the dispensing device a predetermined distance in a dispensing direction correlated to a desired volume of medium to be delivered from the dispensing device. The stop is configured to prevent further movement of the plunger in the dispensing direction, thereby limiting the amount of medium delivered from the dispensing device. The dispensing device may be a syringe. |
| US10385836B2 |
Reciprocating compressor and hydrogen supply system
A reciprocating compressor of the disclosure includes a cylinder, a piston, a space for compressing gas, a discharge port for discharging the compressed gas from the space, a discharge valve, and a supplying port for supplying liquid that is different in kind from the gas. The cylinder has an axis extending in a direction of gravity. The piston is disposed to be reciprocable along the axis inside the cylinder. The space is constituted above the piston by being surrounded by the piston and an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The inner peripheral surface of the cylinder includes a straight portion and a throttle portion. The throttle portion is constituted such that an inner diameter of the cylinder decreases toward the discharge valve. |
| US10385835B2 |
Multi-fluid precision calibration pressure source
A pressure calibration device can include certain features that allow it to be used with a variety of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can be configured to provide pressure or vacuum, and can have a mode selector for selecting to provide pressure or vacuum. A pressure calibration device can have a volume adjuster configured to modify pressures for hydraulic or pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can have a pressure release valve and a bleed valve for adjusting pressure values. |
| US10385828B2 |
Adjustable dual rotor wind turbine
A dual rotor axis wind turbine that converts renewable energy into electrical energy. The dual rotor wind turbine addresses the counter productivity problem found in dual rotors wind turbines, which occurs due to adverse effects to the downwind rotor due to lying in the wake of the upwind rotor. The dual rotors lie on an axis with a relative angular displacement between the blades of such rotors, wherein the relative angular displacement is adjustable in order for the downwind rotor to avoid the counterproductive wake of the first rotor. |
| US10385827B2 |
Wind turbine blade handling aboard a vessel
A method is provided for handling wind turbine blades aboard a vessel, the method including providing on the vessel a blade rack assembly configured to accommodate more than one blade, the rack assembly having at least a root rack and a tip rack, and the root rack and tip rack defining between them a blade support plane. The method also includes providing a jack acting between the vessel and one of the root or tip rack; and raising or lowering one of the root or tip rack aboard the vessel by the jack to thereby move the blade support plane through an elevation angle θ. A jack assembly on a wind turbine installation vessel and an offshore wind turbine installation vessel are also provided, each capable of raising or lowering a rack of wind turbine blade root or tip support frame elements. |
| US10385826B2 |
Wind turbine air deflector system control
One or more controllers may perform one or more methods to control one or more air deflector units of one or more wind turbine rotor blades. The methods include per-blade control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce blade loading caused by wind gusts. The methods also include collective control methods that may be performed, e.g., to reduce tower motion and/or rotor speed. |
| US10385825B2 |
Turbine blade with adjustable tips
Embodiments of the invention relate to blades for turbines, such as wind turbines, comprising a structural frame with a sail mounted thereon. In certain embodiments, a portion of the frame contributes to the buoyancy of the blade. In further embodiments, the frame comprises strengthening cords.In further embodiments, the frame comprises a reinforced tip. In further embodiments, the blade has a tip arranged to articulate relative to a body portion to alter the aerodynamic profile of the blade as the blade rotates to thereby assist up-strokes of the blade. |
| US10385823B2 |
Composite component having safety edge
A composite component (130) such as a shear web for a wind turbine blade is described. The component comprises a molded laminate (44) formed from one or more fibrous layers (40) integrated by resin and defining a laminate edge (48). An edging strip (60) is located adjacent to the laminate edge (48) and is integrated with the laminate. In a particular example, the edging (60) is made from closed-cell foam. Accordingly, resin does not permeate into the bulk of the edging (60) during the molding process. After the molding process, a portion (60a) of the edging (60) is removed to reveal an exposed, substantially resin-free surface of the edging which defines a safety edge (64) of the component. |
| US10385818B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus comprises an engine, a starter, an accessory battery, and a high-voltage battery. The vehicle control apparatus is equipped with a DC-DC converter that is connected between the accessory battery and the high-voltage battery, a capacitor that is connected to a circuit on a side of the high-voltage battery, a high-voltage battery determination portion, and a startup control portion. The startup control portion executes power boost-startup control, whereby an output voltage of the accessory battery is boosted by the DC-DC converter, the capacitor is charged with necessary electrical energy for starting the engine by using an output voltage of the DC-DC converter, and the starter is driven to start the engine by using the electrical energy charged in the capacitor. |
| US10385816B2 |
Methods and system for operating an engine
Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started are disclosed. In one example, a speed at which a vehicle system induced automatic engine stop inhibit request is cleared may be adjusted to permit automatic engine stopping during a wide variety of driving conditions so that fuel may be conserved and the possibility of disturbing vehicle occupants may be reduced. |
| US10385815B1 |
Methods and system for operating an engine
Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, automatic stopping of the engine may be inhibited if voltage of a battery is reduced by more than a threshold voltage while an engine of the vehicle is operated in a deceleration fuel shut off mode. |
| US10385813B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A fuel injection valve includes: a circular plate portion that is abuttable against an end surface of a needle opposite from a valve seat while the needle being provided to open and close an injection hole upon lifting and seating of the needle relative to the valve seat; and a tubular portion that extends from the circular plate portion toward the valve seat and has an end part, which is opposite from the circular plate portion and is abuttable against a movable core second contact surface of a movable core opposite from the valve seat. In a state where the circular plate portion abuts against the needle, and the tubular portion abuts against the movable core, a gap is formed between a flange member end surface of a flange of the needle and a movable core first contact surface of the movable core opposite from the valve seat. |
| US10385812B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying an OEM fuel system for bi-fuel use
The present invention is a system and method for adapting and modifying an existing mono-fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine to run as a bi-fuel system by reusing and repurposing OEM components of the mono-fuel system. The bi-fuel system makes use of an integration plate that may be mounted to the system fuel filter in substantially the same location as the fuel filter is mounted in the mono-fuel configuration. The integration plate also may deliver either fuel types into the existing engine fuel intake port thus the system does not require the creation of a secondary fuel intake port for the secondary fuel. The integration plate may also be situated such that it minimizes the space it must use within the engine compat anent and it may use the preexisting engine mounting points designed for the fuel filter in the mono-fuel system. |
| US10385807B2 |
Efficiency and emissions improvements for natural gas conversions of EMD 2-cycle medium speed engines
A gas injection valve includes a poppet valve extending from a valve body having a valve seat, a plunger moveable within a plunger body, a plunger stop axially moveable within a plunger stop enclosure formed within a plunger stop body secured within the valve body adjacent to the plunger body, a plunger follower secured to and extending through the plunger stop and in contact with the poppet valve, and a port for receiving hydraulic fluid extending through the valve body into the plunger stop body enclosure. The plunger stop is moveable between a first position and a second position. The gas injection valve has a first stroke length when the plunger stop is in the first position and a second stroke length when the plunger stop is in the second position. |
| US10385806B2 |
Solid propellant grain
A solid rocket propellant grain having rocket propellant and a membrane in contact with the rocket propellant. The membrane includes a highly heat conductive pattern which affects the propellant burning rate through localized conductive heat transfer from the combustion zone and into the uncombusted propellant. Different geometries for the thermally conductive pattern produce different combustion results. |
| US10385805B2 |
Thrust vectoring nozzle
A variable geometry exhaust nozzle arrangement includes a plurality of hingable exhaust petals defining a perimeter of an exhaust duct and an annular ring slidably engagable against a radially outer surface of each petal. The annular ring is coupled to a plurality of circumferentially spaced actuator arrangements, each including first and second circumferentially spaced parallel actuator arms pivotably coupled to the annular ring at a first end and to a slide arrangement at a second end. Each slide arrangement is mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the annular ring, such that sliding movement of each slide arrangement causes pivoting of the first and second actuator arms to thereby translate the annular ring in one or both of a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. |
| US10385804B2 |
Single cylinder internal combustion engine
In a single cylinder internal combustion engine in which a plug hole is provided striding between a cylinder head and a head cover, and an intake side camshaft and an exhaust side camshaft are disposed at positions sandwiching the plug hole therebetween, a long hole portion formed long in a direction orthogonal to axes of the camshafts is formed as a part of the plug hole. A part of a plurality of cam holder attaching bolts used for fastening the cam holder to the cylinder head are disposed within the long hole portion. A breather chamber disposed around the long hole portion is formed between the head cover and a breather plate attached thereto. |
| US10385803B2 |
Shaft assembly
A shaft assembly may include two or more Poka-Yoke bearing caps, each Poka-Yoke bearing cap having a pair of reference bores offset from a central axis of the bearing cap by differing offset distances, and each bearing cap defining a semi-circular recess that is positioned so as to align in use a central axis of the semi-cylindrical recess in the bearing cap with an axis of rotation of a shaft rotatably supported by the bearing cap. The differing offsets of the reference bores prevent the bearing cap from being assembled in a reversed orientation. To ensure that each bearing cap can only be fitted in one position, a center spacing between the first and second reference bores of each bearing cap is different to the center spacing used for other bearing caps used to support a single shaft. |
| US10385802B2 |
Piston of internal combustion engine
A piston of an internal combustion engine includes a crown surface, a first cavity, and a second cavity. The crown surface forms an internal wall surface of a combustion chamber. The first cavity is a depression provided in the crown surface. The second cavity is a depression provided inside the first cavity. The first cavity includes an upstream portion located upstream of the second cavity in a flow direction of a tumble flow flowing along the crown surface and a downstream portion located downstream of the second cavity in the flow direction. The upstream portion extends further in the flow direction than the downstream portion. |
| US10385798B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to cause diesel combustion to occur with reduced smoke in an internal combustion engine using a fuel having a relatively high self-ignition temperature. A control apparatus performs first injection at a first injection time during the compression stroke, causes spray guide combustion to occur, and starts to perform second injection at such a second injection time after the occurrence of the spray guide combustion and before the top dead center of the compression stroke that causes combustion of injected fuel to be started by flame generated by the spray guide combustion, thereby causing self-ignition and diffusion combustion of fuel to occur. In an operation range in which the engine load is higher than a predetermined load, the apparatus performs third injection at such a third injection time before the first injection time during the compression stroke that causes the fuel injected by said third injection to be burned by self-ignition or diffusion combustion after the start of the second injection. |
| US10385786B2 |
Throttle valve for an internal combustion engine provided with a conditioning circuit
A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine provided with a valve body, a tubular feeding duct defined in the valve body, a throttle plate, and an actuating device which controls rotation of the throttle plate. The actuating device includes an electric motor and an actuating device conditioning circuit defined in the valve body. The conditioning circuit includes a tube made of a first material able to conduct heat, and the valve body is entirely made of a second metal material and is provided with a seat for housing the tube, in which is provided a layer of a structural and heat-conducting resin, interposed between the seat and the tube. |
| US10385785B2 |
Air inlet for a gas turbine engine
A radial air inlet for a gas turbine engine. The air inlet has an inlet duct defined between two axially-spaced radially-extending annular walls and has a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axially-extending struts extending between the annular walls adjacent a radially-outer portion of the air inlet. At least one of the struts has an internal passage extending between a first opening in a forward end of the strut and a second opening in an aft end of the strut, the first and second openings being axially spaced apart. A transmission shaft extends through the internal passage of said strut. |
| US10385780B2 |
Integrated dual fuel delivery system
The present invention relates to dual fuel delivery system for a gas turbine. A dual fuel delivery system for a gas turbine includes a main fuel line having a main fuel oil conduit and a main fuel gas conduit, wherein the main fuel gas conduit encloses, at least partially, the main fuel oil conduit; and a first fuel divider having a first fuel oil divider connected to the main fuel oil conduit and a first fuel gas divider connected to the main fuel gas conduit, wherein the first fuel gas divider encloses, at least partially, the first fuel oil divider. |
| US10385779B2 |
System for cooling exhaust gas with absorption chiller
A gas turbine system includes a gas turbine engine configured to combust a fuel and produce an exhaust gas. An exhaust duct assembly is coupled to the gas turbine engine and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. An absorption chiller is fluidly coupled to the exhaust duct assembly and is configured to receive a take-off stream of the exhaust gas. The absorption chiller is configured to use the take-off stream to drive at least a portion of an absorption cooling process to generate a cooled take-off stream of exhaust gas. The exhaust duct assembly is configured to receive the cooled take-off stream of exhaust gas from the absorption chiller and to mix the cooled take-off stream with exhaust gas present within the exhaust duct assembly to cool the exhaust gas. |
| US10385778B2 |
System and method for an improved inlet silencer baffle
A system includes a silencer baffle which mounts in a fluid conduit along a fluid flow path, where the silencer baffle includes a plurality of baffle sections. At least two baffle sections of the plurality of baffle sections couple together via mating interlock structures, and at least one baffle section of the plurality of baffle sections has first and second baffle portions which couple together via mating joints. |
| US10385775B2 |
Combustion engine
A combustion engine comprising a radial compressor in flow communication via a flow passage with an annular compressor-combustor array radially outward of the radial compressor. Both the radial compressor and compressor-combustor are co-axial with, and rotatable around, a central axis. |
| US10385774B2 |
Split compressor turbine engine
A turbine engine includes a first compressor and a second compressor fluidly parallel to the first compressor. A reverse flow combustor is fluidly connected to the first compressor and the second compressor. A first turbine and a second turbine are fluidly connected in series, and fluidly connected to an output of the reverse flow combustor. |
| US10385770B2 |
Check valve for connecting rod of variable compression internal combustion engine and connecting rod with the check valve
A check valve for a connecting rod for a variable compression internal combustion engine with at least one hydraulic chamber arranged in the connecting rod and connectable with a supply connection or a tank through the check valve, the check valve including a valve housing; and a valve closure element that is axially movable in the valve housing along a longitudinal valve axis, wherein the valve closure element is applicable to a valve seat and arranged in the valve housing secured against separation from the valve housing, wherein a pin shaped separation prevention element is provided which secures the valve closure element in the valve housing and limits a stroke of the valve closure element. |
| US10385768B2 |
Outboard motor unit and marine vessel including plurality of engines and shared supercharger
An outboard motor unit includes a first outboard motor including a supercharger that is located inside a first cowling and supplies compressed air to a first engine, a second outboard motor including a second cowling and a second engine housed in the second cowling, and an air passage through which the air compressed by the supercharger of the first outboard motor is supplied to the second engine of the second outboard motor. |
| US10385767B2 |
Format-specific bids based on goal-oriented targeting of content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for determining bids for campaigns. The method comprises receiving an indication from a sponsor to create a video campaign and presenting a user interface for the sponsor to designate a goal for the video campaign. The goal is expressed in terms of a balance between maximizing any views versus engaged views. Engaged views arise when a user indicates their desire to view a video content item or where the user performs one or more actions related to the video content item while or after viewing the video content item. The method further comprises receiving a sponsor selection of a goal, receiving a maximum bid to be applied to all video campaign formats, automatically determining an adjusted maximum bid for each format based on the maximum bid and sponsor goal selection, and storing the campaign. |
| US10385766B2 |
Adjustment ring assembly for variable turbine geometry turbochargers
An adjustment ring (50) is configured to facilitate vane (30) position adjustment in a variable turbine geometry turbocharger (1), and is formed of an assembly of one or more first ring portions (60) that are formed of a first material, and one or more second ring portions (61) that are formed of a second material. The first material has different material properties than the second material. In some embodiments, high-wear portions of the adjustment ring (50) can selectively and cost-effectively be formed of wear-resistant material while remaining portions are formed of a conventional material. A cost-effective method of manufacturing multi-piece adjustment rings (50) is described. |
| US10385764B2 |
Turbocharger with a waste gate valve
A turbocharger includes a waste gate valve, a compressor with a turbine, a turbine housing which houses the turbine, a bypass channel with an opening cross-section, a bypass channel portion formed in the turbine housing, an actuator housing with a separate coolant channel, an electric motor arranged in the actuator housing, a transmission with an output shaft, the transmission being arranged in the actuator housing and being provided as a worm wheel gear unit, and a control body coupled to the output shaft of the transmission. The bypass channel bypasses the turbine. The actuator housing is removably secured to the turbine housing. The control body controls the opening cross-section of the bypass channel. |
| US10385763B2 |
Exhaust system of internal combustion engine
An exhaust system includes an electronic control unit that is configured to control a turbo bypass valve to be in a fully closed state and control an opening degree of a wastegate valve to a first predetermined opening degree during execution of fuel cut control, and maintain the turbo bypass valve in the fully closed state and control an opening degree of the wastegate valve to a second predetermined opening degree when a boost request is not made for the internal combustion engine at the end of the fuel cut control. An area of inflow of bypass gas on an upstream side end surface of the three-way catalyst when the opening degree of the wastegate valve is controlled to the first predetermined opening degree is in a different position from when the opening degree of the wastegate valve is controlled to the second predetermined opening degree. |
| US10385761B1 |
Automated system for flushing one or more motors
An automated flushing system includes a base having a flow inlet, flow outlets and a flow manifold, the system also including solenoid valves and a pressure switch mounted upon the manifold. The flow manifold includes a main flow channel connected to the flow inlet, and auxiliary flow channels interconnecting the main flow channel with respective ones of the flow outlets so as to provide flow communication in parallel to the flow outlets from the main flow channel. Each solenoid valve extends into a respective auxiliary flow channel and is actuatable between an activated status and a deactivated status to allow and block flow communication of liquid through the respective auxiliary flow channels to a flow outlet. The pressure switch in flow communication with the flow inlet is configured to sense that the pressure of liquid entering the flow inlet is above a preset minimum before initiation of automated flushing system operation. |
| US10385760B2 |
Cooling circuit for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a cooling circuit (1) which comprises a first cooling loop I designed to provide thermal control of a first member and at least one second cooling loop II, III designed to provide thermal control of a second member; moreover, the cooling circuit (1) comprises a single degassing tank (6) in fluid connection with the first loop and with the at least one second cooling loop II, III and an isolating valve (70, 700) inserted between the degassing tank (6) and the at least one second cooling loop II, III designed for selectively blocking the flow between the degassing tank 6 and the at least one second cooling loop II, III. |
| US10385759B2 |
Cooling system for internal combustion engine
A cooling system includes: a first coolant passage; a second coolant passage; a pump; a radiator; a third coolant passage; a connection switching mechanism that switches between a forward flow connection state and a reverse flow connection state; a fourth coolant passage; a fifth coolant passage; and a shutoff valve configured to open/shut off the fifth coolant passage. The radiator is disposed at a location at which coolant flowing from a second end of the first coolant passage into a fourth end of the second coolant passage is not cooled in the reverse flow connection state, and coolant flowing out from the second end of the first coolant passage and the fourth end of the second coolant passage is cooled in the forward flow connection state. |
| US10385755B2 |
Method for manufacturing a catalytic converter housing arrangement with at least one sensor carrier for an exhaust system of a vehicle
A method is provided for manufacturing a catalytic converter housing arrangement with at least one sensor carrier for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: a) providing at least one sensor carrier sheet metal blank (42); b) forming at least one sensor mounting opening (48) in the sensor carrier sheet metal blank (42) by flow drilling such that a length (L) of the opening is greater than a thickness (D) of the material of the sensor carrier sheet metal blank (42) before step b) is carried out; and c) preparing an internal thread in the at least one sensor mounting opening (48) for providing a sensor carrier. |
| US10385747B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine, internal combustion engine, and exhaust gas purification method for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine includes an oxidation catalyst device on an upstream side in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and a lean NOx trap catalyst device on a downstream side, a controller which controls the exhaust gas purification system is configured to, when a temperature-rising control of an exhaust gas in a regeneration control is performed to recover a purification ability of the exhaust gas purification system, perform a control that changes a measurement position of a control temperature which is a control amount of a feedback control in the temperature-rising control, according to an excess air ratio or an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust passage. |
| US10385745B2 |
Exhaust purifying device for internal combustion engine
An exhaust purifying device provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine comprises: a column-shaped honeycomb carrier; a cylindrical case member adapted to house the honeycomb carrier; a holding member provided between the honeycomb carrier and the case member to surround the outer circumference of the honeycomb carrier; buffer members provided on a peripheral edge of the edge surface of at least one side of an inflow side edge surface and an outflow side edge surface of the honeycomb carrier so as to regulate the movement of the honeycomb carrier in the central axis X direction; and setting members secured to the case member to regulate the movement of the buffer members by allowing their position regulation parts to contact the buffer members; wherein the buffer members are provided, on the outer circumferential sides, with recesses into which the position regulation parts of the setting members are fitted. |
| US10385741B2 |
Oil system with clog resistant oil filter
Systems are provided for an oil system including a filter with a large surface area. In one example, a system may include an oil filter with a prismatic shape. This shape may include a filter surface area greater than an inlet area of an oil port and the filter surface area may also be located a distance away from the oil port. |
| US10385736B2 |
Combined cycle power plant and start-up method of the same
There is provided a combined cycle power plant in which a high-pressure steam turbine and an intermediate-pressure steam turbine can operate in a state where amounts of thermal effect thereof are close to a limit value, and capable of reducing start-up time. A combined cycle power plant includes: an exhaust heat recovery boiler that includes a high-pressure superheater which superheats steam for a high-pressure steam turbine, and a reheater which reheats steam for an intermediate-pressure steam turbine; bypass pipes through which steam bypasses the high-pressure superheater and the reheater; bypass valves that regulate flow rates of steam which flows through the bypass pipes; and a bypass controller that controls the bypass valves such that a difference between thermal effect-amount margins of the turbines is decreased. |
| US10385733B2 |
Method for starting a steam turbine system
A method for starting a steam turbine system having a steam generator, a steam turbine which is connected to the steam generator and includes at least two turbine stages that, at the time of starting the steam turbine system, have different outlet temperatures, a condenser connected to the steam turbine and a consumer driven by the steam turbine, in which the steam generated in the steam generator is used to start the steam turbine, wherein, until the steam generated in the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature that at least corresponds to the temperature requirement of the turbine stage with the higher outlet temperature, only the turbine stage with the lower outlet temperature is operated, and in that the turbine stage with the higher outlet temperature is brought on-line only once the predetermined temperature has been reached. |
| US10385729B2 |
Cylindrical air guide in a turbine engine
An air/oil separator for a gas turbine engine includes a drive shaft having a central axis extending in an axial direction, a free vortex chamber mounted radially around the drive shaft, a separation chamber coupled with the free vortex chamber in the axial direction opposite to the drive shaft, and a rotatable outlet shaft radially rotatable and having an inlet end coupled with the separation chamber opposite to the free vortex chamber, an outlet end, and a hollow interior chamber therebetween. The hollow interior chamber has an inner circumference extending in the axial direction a cylindrical air guide extending coaxially therein. The cylindrical air guide has a nonporous cylindrical main body, an upstream end fixedly coupled with the inlet end of the rotatable outlet shaft, and a downstream end coaxially disposed within the outlet end of the rotatable outlet shaft. |
| US10385713B2 |
Seal assembly for gas turbine engines
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seal housing that extends about an axis. The seal housing defines an annular groove. A contacting-type seal is at least partially received in the annular groove. The seal includes a seal member and a seal carrier that extends about and mechanically attaches to an outer diameter of the seal member. The seal member defines an annular seal face that is moveable along the axis to abut against a seal seat. The seal member includes a first material, and the seal carrier includes a second, different material. |
| US10385712B2 |
Support assembly for a gas turbine engine
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first member including a first seal land for contacting a first structure. A second member includes a second seal land for contacting a second structure and a third seal land for contacting a third structure. The first member and the second member form a pivotable connection. |
| US10385706B2 |
Rotary assembly for a turbomachine
The invention relates to a rotary assembly for a turbomachine, comprising: a disk (16) having an external periphery exhibiting an alternation of slots (22) and of teeth (20), vanes (14) extending radially from the disk (16), the roots (24) of which are engaged axially and retained radially in the slots (22) of the disk, upstream and/or downstream of the disk, an annular sealing flange (52) of cavities (36) formed radially between, respectively, the roots of the vanes and the bottoms of the slots of the disk, said flange comprising an external part (56) arranged axially facing the upstream and/or downstream ends, respectively, of the teeth of the disk and of the roots of the vanes. According to the invention, the assembly further comprises an intermediate ring (66) which is arranged axially between the flange (52) and the teeth (20) of the disk, and also comprises a seal (70) which is arranged axially between, on the one side, the intermediate ring (6) and, on another side, the teeth (20) of the disk and the vane roots (24). |
| US10385703B2 |
Fan blades with protective sheaths and galvanic shields
Light weight fan blades for turbofan jet engines are disclosed. The fan blades may be fabricated from an aluminum alloy. To enhance the hardness of the leading edge of the fan blade, a titanium sheath may be attached to the leading edges of the fan blades. To prevent galvanic coupling between the titanium and the aluminum, a polymeric liner may be disposed between the protective titanium sheath and the aluminum fan blade. The liner may be fabricated from a polymer material, such as a polyimide or another high performance polymer. |
| US10385702B2 |
Turbomachinery rotor blade
A turbomachinery rotor blade is provided having an aerofoil body, and a hole penetrating the aerofoil body from a suction surface to a pressure surface thereof. The hole is suitable to receive a lacing wire. The blade further has a protrusion from the suction or pressure surface. The protrusion extends in a downstream direction from a downstream side of the hole and/or extends in an upstream direction from an upstream side of the hole, thereby disturbing the suction or pressure surface to locally thicken the aerofoil body adjacent the hole. The maximum radial extent of the protrusion in the radially outward direction of the blade is radially coterminous with the outboard side of the hole, and the maximum radial extent of the protrusion in the radially inward direction of the blade is radially coterminous with the inboard side of the hole. |
| US10385694B2 |
Enhanced PDM performance testing device
A method for evaluating load performance of a rotor/stator test coupon, advantageously within a sealable test chamber comprising test fluid. In some embodiments, the test coupon comprises at least a partial length of a PDM stage, and in others the test coupon comprises a splined rotor/stator. The method includes rotating either the rotor section or the stator section, wherein such rotation actuates corresponding rotation of the other of the rotor section and the stator section. A braking torque is applied to the actuated one of the rotor section and the stator section such that load performance of the test coupon may be evaluated. Embodiments include selectively applying non-linear torque to load the test coupon, and evaluating load performance of the test coupon with reference to relative angular positions of the rotor section and the stator section over time. |
| US10385691B2 |
Skip and crosshead
A conveyance system for moving a conveyance along a mine shaft during shaft construction, comprising: a first guide section; a second guide section located along the mineshaft in series with the first guide section, the conveyance being movable along the first guide section; and a head section for receiving the conveyance, the head section cooperating with the first guide section to enable the conveyance to travel from the second guide section along the first guide section when received by the head section. |
| US10385690B2 |
Shank chisel and fixing assembly for a shank chisel
The present invention relates to a shank chisel with a chisel head and a chisel shank, wherein the chisel shank has a securing element receptacle in which a securing element is arranged. In order to be able to make simple installation of the shank chisel in a chisel holder possible in a safe and maintenance-optimized manner of operation, it is provided according to the invention that a clamping element is adjustable relative to the chisel shank in such a manner that at least one part of the outer contour of the securing element is changed. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding fixing assembly for a shank chisel in a chisel holder. |
| US10385688B2 |
Wear monitoring system for milling drum
A milling drum is disclosed for use with a cold planer. The milling drum may have a cylindrical body, a flighting plate affixed to an outer surface of the cylindrical body, a base block affixed to the fighting plate and having a first bore, a tool holder disposed in the first bore of the base block and having a second bore, a cutting tool disposed in the second bore of the tool holder, and a paddle affixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical body adjacent the fighting plate. The milling drum may further have a first transmitter coupled to the cutting tool, and a second transmitter coupled to the tool holder. |
| US10385687B2 |
Determining the imminent rock failure state for improving multi-stage triaxial compression tests
Methods and apparatus for evaluation of an earth formation including evaluating a core sample obtained from the formation. Methods include using a change in measurements of at least one stress parameter of the core sample, such as radial strain, axial stress, and acoustic emission counts, over time responsive to an applied stress to estimate imminent rock failure in the core sample. This may include estimating the imminent rock failure using differences between portions of a curve generated based on the measurements. A method employing calculating a rate of change between a plurality of measurements of at least one stress parameter of the core sample over time responsive to an applied stress; and determining a point of imminent failure using the rate of change in the plurality of measurements of the at least one stress parameter is also included. |
| US10385680B2 |
Systems and methods for operating electrically-actuated coiled tubing tools and sensors
Electrically-operated downhole tools are run into a wellbore on a coiled tubing string which includes tube-wire that is capable of carrying power and data along its length. During operation, a downhole tool is provided power from surface using the tube-wire. Downhole data is provided to the surface via tube-wire. |
| US10385673B2 |
Fluid driven commingling system for oil and gas applications
A fluid management system positioned in a wellbore for recovering a multiphase stream from the wellbore. The system comprising a downhole separator configured to produce a carrier fluid having a carrier fluid pressure and a separated fluid having a separated fluid pressure, an artificial lift device configured to increase the carrier fluid pressure to produce the turbine feed stream having a turbine feed pressure, a turbine configured to convert fluid energy in the turbine feed stream to harvested energy, the conversion fluid energy from the turbine feed stream to harvested energy produces a turbine discharge stream having a turbine discharge pressure less than the turbine feed pressure, and a pressure boosting device configured to convert the harvested energy to pressurized fluid energy, the conversion of harvested energy to pressurized fluid energy produces a pressurized fluid stream having a pressurized fluid pressure greater than the separated fluid pressure. |
| US10385669B2 |
Apparatus and method for servicing a well
A blender apparatus is disclosed having a chassis, a mixer positioned on the chassis, and a transfer pump positioned on the chassis. The mixer has a mixer housing defining a first mixer inlet, a second mixer inlet, and a mixer outlet. The first mixer inlet receives a liquid component, and the second mixer inlet receives a dry component. The mixer pressurizes at least the liquid component within the housing and discharges the liquid component through the mixer outlet at a first pressure above hydrostatic pressure. The transfer pump has a pump housing defining a pump inlet, a pump outlet and is devoid of an inlet configured to receive a dry component through a gravity feed. The transfer pump receives the liquid component through the pump inlet, pressurizes the liquid component within the pump housing, and discharges the liquid component through the pump outlet at a second pressure above hydrostatic pressure. |
| US10385661B2 |
Sacrificial screen shroud
A method and apparatus including a screen assembly that includes a screen having a plurality of openings and a sacrificial shroud disposed over a portion of the openings and disposed to erode under flow of formation fluid through the screen. The shroud is configured to erode more quickly than the screen over which it is disposed, thereby altering the erosion zone of the screen over time and prolonging the life of the screen. |
| US10385650B2 |
Frac plug apparatus, setting tool, and method
An improved frac plug apparatus and method for setting a plug in a downhole. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inner cone shaped member having a first end and a second end, the inner cone shaped member having a generally increasing outer diameter from the first end, and an expandable outer sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the expandable outer sleeve adapted to receive the first end of the inner cone shaped member and the second end of the expandable outer sleeve having a plurality of fingers joined at their tips at predetermined break points. In use, upon receiving the first end of the inner cone shaped member further into the expandable outer sleeve, the fingers of the expandable outer sleeve are adapted to break at their tips at their predetermined break points and expand outwardly to engage a surface of the downhole. |
| US10385647B2 |
Swellable rubber compositions
This disclosure relates to swellable compositions, such as those, for example, comprising super absorbent polymers. |
| US10385646B1 |
Sealed grease head and top drive guide
The top drive guide assists with insertion of the drill string through the inner barrel and a rubber found in the RCD. The top drive guide aligns the drill string with the inner barrel and rubber for insertion through the inner barrel and the rubber. The top drive guide positions the drill string within the rubber for rotation of the inner barrel with the drill string. The contact of the drill string with the rubber caused by the top drive guide rotates the inner barrel with the drill string. The top drive guide may be used either in a low pressure head or a high pressure head. The sealed grease head provides a grease compartment with no oiler or oil lines. The grease compartment is sealed by a top seal and a bottom seal that seals between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. |
| US10385643B2 |
Fracturing manifold systems and methods
A fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the fracturing system includes a fracturing manifold for routing fracturing fluid to multiple wells. The fracturing manifold can be coupled via fluid conduits to fracturing trees installed at the wells. In some cases, a fracturing tree is coupled to the fracturing manifold by a pair of goat heads in fluid communication with each other via at least one rigid fluid conduit. The fracturing manifold can include a trunk line that provides fracturing fluid to multiple outlet branches, which can include valves for controlling flow of fracturing fluid to wells downstream of the valves. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed. |
| US10385642B2 |
Method of lowering an apparatus
A method of lowering an apparatus (1) through a body of water comprising lowering a guiding element (25) and a weight (27) through the body of water, the lower end of the guiding (element 25) being attached to the weight (27) such that the guiding element (25) is under tension and is maintained in a generally vertical orientation when in its lowered position, and lowering the apparatus (1) through the body of water while being guided by the guiding element. |
| US10385637B2 |
Stop collar
Stop collars may be fixedly mounted on a liner or other tubular member. The stop collar comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The sleeves are adapted to extend around the outer circumference of the tubular member and are engaged by threaded connections. The sleeves provide opposing inner thrust surfaces. The collar further comprises a radially expandable gripping member disposed between the opposing thrust surfaces. The sleeves may be drawn together by rotation about the threaded connection to cause the thrust surfaces to bear on the gripping member and expand the gripping member radially inward into frictional engagement with the tubular member. |
| US10385634B2 |
Drill rod handler
A drill rod handler provides rods to be used to form a drill string in on-shore drilling operations. The drill rod handler includes side arms which are moveable to encourage drill rods to roll towards or away from a center line of the drill rod handler. A working arm is arranged to grasp a centrally located drill rod, and to raise it from a horizontal to a vertical configuration. The working arm may then slew to correctly position the drill rod at the correct location for use. |
| US10385632B1 |
Casing grapple
A tubular is automatically gripped below an upset end or coupling and released mechanically or with the use of pressure or other devices such as motors and or gear arrangements. A mandrel connects to a traveling block and/or top drive and enables selective supporting and releasing of an “upset end” tubular (casing, tubing or drill pipe) by changing the load carrying element as well as sealing element, this allows supporting while running or pulling, filling, flow back and/or circulation. |
| US10385630B2 |
Riser tensioning system
A riser tensioning system for providing a tensioning to a riser connected to a floating installation via a tension ring. The riser tensioning system includes at least one riser tensioner assembly. Each of the at least one riser tensioner assembly includes a riser tensioning cylinder comprising a cylinder rod, at least one sheave, and a wireline with a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to the tension ring, and the second end is fixed to the cylinder rod. The wireline extends between the tension ring and the cylinder piston via the at least one sheave. |
| US10385628B2 |
Wear sleeve, and method of use, for a tubing hanger in a production wellhead assembly
Wear sleeves and methods of using and installing such sleeves within a tubing hanger in a production wellhead assembly. A method includes positioning a wear sleeve around a polished rod and within a tubing hanger in a production wellhead assembly, the wear sleeve defining a production fluid passage. A wear sleeve includes an outer part with pin threading sized to fit uphole facing box threading in an internal bore of a tubing hanger; an inner part defining a polished rod passage, the inner part comprising sacrificial material; a keyway defined on an uphole facing surface of one or both the outer part and the inner part; and a production fluid passage defined in use by one or more of the outer part or the inner part. |
| US10385625B2 |
Sucker rod apparatus and method
Sucker rods include end fittings having an outer wedge portion proximate to an open end, an inner wedge portion proximate to a closed end, and an intermediate wedge portion between the outer and inner wedges. Each wedge includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an angle between the leading and trailing edges. The triangular configuration, length of the leading edge, the length of the trailing edge, and size of the angle in each wedge portion cause distribution of force, such that compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the closed end exceed compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the open end. |
| US10385623B2 |
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools and earth-boring tools including such cutting elements
Cutting elements, earth-boring drill bits having such cutting elements and related methods include a cutting element having a superabrasive table positioned on a substrate, and at least one recessed surface in a cutting face of the superabrasive table. |
| US10385621B2 |
Drill bit for pulling material through pilot-channel
The present disclosure describes various embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system. More specifically, one non-limiting embodiment of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system comprises a bit and a product engagement member. The bit comprises a slant faced head and at least one exhaust port. The product engagement member comprises a product coupling portion and at least one fluid restriction portion. This improved drill bit assembly is such that, when the product engagement member is detachably engaged with the slant faced head of the bit, a first portion of the fluid stream expelled from the bit is directed substantially forward of the slant faced head and a second portion of the fluid stream is directed substantially rearward from the slant faced head. |
| US10385613B2 |
Tank car access ladder
A portable ladder having a pair of elongate stiles spaced from one another and each having first and second ends, and extending in a first direction; and a plurality of rungs each extending between the elongate stiles transverse to the first direction and having opposed ends one of each attached to each of the elongate stiles and each of the plurality of rungs being spaced from one another along the first direction, the rungs being arcuate in shape between the opposed ends. |
| US10385612B2 |
Door curtain anti-dropping device having latching pin locking mechanism
A door curtain anti-dropping falling device for a rolling door is provided. The device comprises a worm connected to the output shaft of the door operator, a drive shaft driving the winding shaft, a worm wheel having plural oblique elongated grooves and fixedly mounted on the drive shaft and meshes with the worm, a driven wheel having plural oblique elongated holes and is driven by the worm to move synchronously with the worm wheel, a limiting disk for restricting the driven wheel from moving axially, and plural latching pins extending through the elongated holes and received in the elongated slots. Under the normal operation of the door operator, the latching pins are retained in the center positions of the elongated holes and grooves. When the worm wheel are excessively worn and dislocated from the driven wheel, the latching pins lock the worm wheel and stop the winding shaft from rotating. |
| US10385609B2 |
Method and device for producing thermoplastic spacers
When producing insulating glass including at least two panes of glass (1) and at least one spacer of thermoplastic material arranged between the panes of glass, to seal the beginning (4) and the end (5) of the strand (2) of thermoplastic material the thermoplastic material is compressed with the aid of jaws placed against the side faces of the strand. In the region of the joint thus formed between the beginning and the end of the strand forming the spacer, the width of the strand is reduced with the aid of a compression die with a convexly curved active face such that a depression is created. This depression has the effect that, after the assembly of an insulating glass blank, placing a second pane of glass onto the free edges of the strand produces an opening that allows a pressure equalization during the subsequent compression of the insulating glass blank. |
| US10385600B2 |
Horizontal garage door assembly
A horizontal garage door assembly includes a plurality of panels, which are pivotally connected at adjacent side edges. A top rail receives the plurality of panels and includes a first straight portion, a curved portion, and a second straight portion. A motor is positioned at a first end of the first straight portion, a tensioning mechanism is disposed on a first panel, a gear mechanism is positioned at a second end of the first straight portion. A connecting band connects the motor, the gear mechanism, and the tensioning mechanism to form a loop along a length of the top rail. The motor drives the connecting band such that the plurality of panels moves between a closed position, in which the plurality of panels is substantially received in the first straight portion, and an open position, in which the plurality of panels is substantially received in the second straight portion. |
| US10385598B2 |
Tip for geared hinge
A tip is provided for a geared hinge including a first leaf, a second leaf and a cap enclosing complementary meshed edges of the first and the second leaves, at least one of the first leaf, the second leaf and the cap defining a channel. The tip includes a body with a depending tongue constructed and arranged for complementary engagement in the channel, an angled upper end projecting vertically from the tongue, the upper end including an inclined surface extending from a top portion to the tongue, the inclined surface defining an overhang extending on at least one side of the tongue for covering the channel. |
| US10385595B2 |
Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle
A vehicle door handle includes a sensor assembly for detecting an operation request. The door handle is fixed and actuates an electric lock. The sensor assembly includes a first capacitive sensor arranged in the door handle and oriented towards an inner side of the handle. It monitors a first handle section gripped when actuating the handle. Second and third sensors are arranged along an axial extension of the handle. The second sensor is oriented towards an outer side of the handle and monitors a touching from the outer side in a second handle section. The third sensor is oriented towards the inner side of the handle and monitors a touching from the inner side. The electronic control and evaluation device generates an opening signal when both the capacitive sensor detects a gripping of the door handle and the second sensor and the third sensor simultaneously each detect a touching. |
| US10385593B2 |
Remote control for vehicles
A remote control device for a vehicle includes an interior handle coupling lever that rotates in accordance with manipulation of an interior manipulating handle, an exterior handle coupling lever that rotates in accordance with manipulation of an exterior manipulating handle, and a switch device. The switch device includes an interior manipulation detector for detecting rotation of the interior manipulating handle, an exterior manipulation detector for detecting rotation of the exterior manipulating handle, and wiring members each having a detector connection terminal and an external connection terminal connected to the interior manipulation detector or the exterior manipulation detector. The remote control device further includes a body and a housing. The body accommodates the interior manipulation detector, the exterior manipulation detector, and the wiring members and has a connector portion enclosing all of the exterior connection terminals for the wiring members. The housing covers the body. |
| US10385588B2 |
Electric lock and clutch mechanism thereof
An electric lock includes a base, a driving module, a handle and a clutch member. The base has a first inclined surface. The driving module includes a driving member rotatable relative to the base and having a second inclined surface abutting against the first inclined surface, and a motor configured to drive the driving member to rotate. The handle is rotatably mounted to the base, and has a plurality of pushing structures. The clutch member includes a main body abutting against the driving member, and a pushed structure formed on the main body. Wherein, when the motor drives the driving member to rotate relative to the base along a first rotating direction, the driving member pushes the clutch member to move toward the handle, such that the pushing structure is configured to abut against the pushed structure to push the clutch member to rotate when the handle is rotated. |
| US10385584B2 |
Modular security system for above-ground structures
A system of modular components for on-site assembly of a shelter for an above-ground structure to protect the structure from blast, wind, fire or other physical hazards. A pyramidal shelter with triangular or rectangular base is formed by joining side panels to each other. Each side panel includes a triangular frame covered, except at access hatch, observation port and door openings, with either steel plate or diamond steel mesh to which blast-resistant, fire-resistant or other kinds of coatings or panels are applied. A corner anchor assembly to support each corner of a shelter has a lower plate, an overlying split plate, and a pair of upstanding, anchor rods attached to the split plates for insertion into hollow, lower portions of side beams of adjacent side panels. The corner anchor assemblies facilitate expansion of an assembled shelter by addition of more modular components. |
| US10385577B2 |
Device for dismountably connecting two intersecting formwork beams
The invention relates to a device for dismountably connecting two intersecting formwork beams, which comprises a single-component elastic structure with two intermediate arms joining together respective areas for pressing the two beams together in support areas, and which can longitudinally slide over one of the beams until it reaches the other beam, the device being elastically deformed by means of pressure or impact thereon, so as to clamp or hold both beams and press them together. |
| US10385575B2 |
Method of planning scaffolding for construction of an industrial plant
The invention is directed to a method for the construction of an industrial plant, in particular a petroleum refinery, by means of scaffolding units, each of which will be assembled from individual scaffolding components, comprising the following steps: Providing a 3D-construction plan in which building structures of the industrial plant are recorded; Drawing of scaffolding units to be used for the construction of the industrial plant in the 3D construction plan of the industrial plant including modifying of the 3D construction plan with respect to at least one building structure of the industrial plant for use of a predetermined scaffolding unit; Building of the industrial plant according to the modified construction plan and by use of the scaffolding units drawn in the 3D construction plan. The method according to the invention, allows for a significant reduction of scaffolding costs incurred during the construction of any industrial plant. The cost saving effects of the method according to the invention can be further increased by modifying the construction plan, wherever possible, for the use of the predetermined scaffolding units which may be of different or equal design. |