| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10521157B2 |
Jump page cache read method in NAND flash memory and NAND flash memory
A NAND flash memory including a control unit which includes a signal receiving circuit and a flash array; the signal receiving circuit is used to receive a cache read command from an external NAND controller; the flash array includes at least one chip, each chip includes at least one plane, each plane includes a plurality of blocks, each block includes a plurality of pages; when a cache read command is received, it reads pages in a first block according to an address of the page until reaching the last page in the first block; when the last page in the first block is reached, an address of a next to-be-read page is generated according to an address of the last page in the first block to allow the cache read command to read the next to-be-read page. |
| US10521147B2 |
Device reservation state synchronization in data mirroring
One general aspect of device reservation state synchronization in accordance with the present description, device reservation management logic ensures synchronization of reservation states of primary and secondary volumes of a mirror relationship in the event of a change in the state of the mirroring relationship such as achieving full data synchronization between the volumes. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US10521142B2 |
Flash memory controller
A flash memory controller for controlling a flash memory module includes a communication interface for receiving a first data and a second data; and a processing circuit for dynamically controlling a data writing mode of the flash memory module according to an amount of stored data in the flash memory module. If the amount of stored data in the flash memory module is less than a first threshold when the communication interface receives the first data, the processing circuit controls the flash memory module so that the first data is written into the first data block under an one-bit-per-cell mode. If the amount of stored data in the flash memory module is greater than the first threshold when the communication interface receives the second data, the processing circuit controls the flash memory module so that the second data is written into the second data block under a two-bit-per-cell mode. |
| US10521139B2 |
Copy source to target management in a data storage system
Copy source to target operations may be selectively and preemptively undertaken in advance of source destage operations. In another aspect, logic detects sequential writes including large block writes to point-in-time copy sources. In response, destage tasks on the associated point-in-time copy targets are started which include in one embodiment, stride-aligned copy source to target operations which copy unmodified data from the point-in-time copy sources to the point-in-time copy targets in alignment with the strides of the target. As a result, when write data of write operations is destaged to the point-in-time copy sources, such source destages do not need to wait for copy source to target operations since they have already been performed. In addition, the copy source to target operations may be stride-aligned with respect to the stride boundaries of the point-in-time copy targets. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US10521138B2 |
Memory system and operating method for re-building map data according to operation logs
A memory system including a nonvolatile memory device storing operation logs and map data; a volatile memory for temporarily storing the map data; and a controller flushing the map data from the volatile memory into the nonvolatile memory device by units of map data groups, and rebuilding the map data by selectively reading the map data by the units of map data groups from the nonvolatile memory device into the volatile memory according to the operation logs, wherein the operation logs indicate: locations of first and last pages to store the flushed map data; a start of an error management operation to a program error during the flushing of the map data; and a location of a last page storing normally flushed map data before an occurrence of the program error. |
| US10521135B2 |
Data system with data flush mechanism
A data storage system includes a head node and mass storage devices. The head node is configured to flush data stored in a storage of the head node, based at least in part on one or more triggers being met, from the storage of the head node to a set of the mass storage devices of the data storage system. The flushed data is written to a segment of free storage space across the set of the mass storage devices allocated for the given data flush operation. In some embodiments, a head node may flush both current version data and point-in-time version data to the set of mass storage devices. Also, the data storage system maintains an index that indicates storage locations of data for particular portions of a volume before and after the data is flushed to the set of mass storage devices. |
| US10521133B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time blank page detection in data transmission
A device for reading data from a first memory to a second memory based on real-time blank page detection includes a memory controller for reading a page of data from the first memory, a buffer for buffering a portion of the page data, a blank page pre-detection unit for generating a pre-detection result that indicates whether the page is a blank page based on a pre-determined part of the page data, a data processing unit for processing all of the page data to identify a page type, and a control unit for signaling the memory controller to read the page of data from the first memory and enabling the data processing unit based on the pre-detection result. |
| US10521129B2 |
Memory system capable of accessing memory cell arrays in parallel
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory as a nonvolatile memory storing first data, second data as a translation table for accessing the first data, third data, fourth data as a translation table for accessing the third data, and including two memory cell arrays which are accessible in parallel, a second memory in which the second and fourth data is storable, and which stores a management table for managing information about whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory, a controller checking whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory based on the management table, a third memory storing an order of executing commands to be issued to the first memory, and a scheduler scheduling the order based on a result of the checking, two of a first command for reading the first data, a second command for reading the second data, a third command for reading the third data and a fourth command for reading the fourth data being executed in parallel in the order. |
| US10521127B2 |
Building stable storage area networks for compute clusters
Systems and methods that result in a stable storage system are provided. In the storage system, the latency spikes may be reduced when multiple volumes are aggregated into transfer sets according to system characteristics. The storage system transfers ownership of volumes in each transfer set as a single transaction. In the storage system, connectivity between the host and the storage controller is re-established based on the connectivity in a physical transport layer and a single path. In the storage system, pre-mature failback is also avoided when ownership of volumes is transferred back to a preferred storage controller when the same number of paths existed between the host and the preferred storage controller before and after a failover operation. Further, the storage system generates connectivity reports that display connectivity paths between hosts, storage controllers, and volumes. |
| US10521125B2 |
Storage system, storage management apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program of controlling data relocation
A storage system includes a first storage apparatus including a first storage portion and a second storage portion, a second storage apparatus including a third storage portion and a fourth storage portion, and a storage management apparatus including a processor configured to control the first storage apparatus in an active state and control the second storage apparatus in a standby state, cause the first storage apparatus to execute first data relocation processing, cause the second storage apparatus to execute second data relocation processing, cause the first storage apparatus to suspend the first data relocation processing and cause the second storage apparatus to continue the second data relocation processing, switch the first storage apparatus from the active state to the standby state and switch the second storage apparatus from the standby state to the active state, and cause the first storage apparatus to resume the first data relocation processing. |
| US10521118B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for write classification and aggregation using host memory buffer (HMB)
A method for write aggregation using a host memory buffer includes fetching write commands and data specified by the write commands from a host over a bus to a non-volatile memory system coupled to the host. Writing the data specified by the write commands from the non-volatile memory system over the bus to the host. The method further includes aggregating the data specified by the write commands in a host memory buffer maintained in memory of the host. The method further includes determining whether the data in the host memory buffer has aggregated to a threshold amount. The method further includes, in response to determining that the data has aggregated to the threshold amount, reading the data from the host memory buffer to the non-volatile memory system and writing the data to non-volatile memory in the non-volatile memory system. |
| US10521111B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method for displaying a plurality of images in a plurality of areas of a display
An electronic apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium, and a display method of an electronic apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a display that displays an image in a display area, an operation detector that detects an operation on the display area, and a controller that controls the display. The controller has a split display mode in which the controller splits a first display area included in the display area into a plurality of split areas and controls display contents of each of the plurality of split areas independently of one another. In the split display mode, the controller causes the display to display an operation target image with which a setting for each of the plurality of split areas is made. |
| US10521110B2 |
Display device including button configured according to displayed windows and control method therefor
A method for controlling a display device comprising a touch screen is provided. The control method displaying, on the touch screen, a plurality of windows that do not overlap one another and that respectively correspond to executing, displaying a center button disposed at an intersection of a plurality of dividing lines that distinguishes the plurality of windows, receiving an input of a window size change command for changing a size of at least one of the plurality of windows, changing the size of at least one of the plurality of windows in response to the window size change command, and discontinuing the displaying of less than all of the plurality of windows and enlarging a size of at least one remaining window. |
| US10521107B2 |
Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for selecting and interacting with different device modes
A method is performed at a mobile device with a display. The method includes displaying a first mode of a plurality of modes of the device. The first mode of the device is active when a first set of time and/or device location criteria are met and the second mode of the device is active when a second set of time and/or device location criteria are met. While the first set of time and/or device location criteria are met and the first mode of the device is active, the mobile device detects a first input that overrides the first mode of the device. In response to detecting the first input, the mobile device activates the second mode of the device. The mobile device detects a second input and, in response to detecting the second input, performs an operation in the second mode of the device. |
| US10521105B2 |
Detecting primary hover point for multi-hover point device
Example apparatus and methods concern establishing, managing, or dis-establishing a primary hover-point for a hover-sensitive input/output interface. One example apparatus includes a proximity detector that detects an object in a hover-space associated with the input/output interface. The apparatus produces characterization data concerning the object. The characterization data may identify where the object is located, how the object is moving, what the object is doing, or other attributes of the object. The apparatus may assign a hover point designation to the object as a function of the characterization data. The apparatus selectively controls input actions associated with the object based on the hover point designation. The apparatus may accept input actions associated with a primary hover point and ignore actions associated with a non-primary hover point. |
| US10521104B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An apparatus includes an operation unit, a movement amount correction unit, and a display control unit. The operation unit is configured to acquire a drag operation on a display unit. The movement amount correction unit is configured to increase a movement amount of the drag operation. The display control unit is configured to control the display unit according to the increased movement amount. |
| US10521102B1 |
Handling touch inputs based on user intention inference
Users can navigate and manipulate content, such as by scrolling a document or selecting content in the document, by using various touch inputs that indicate a behavior that the user is trying to perform. In order to improve the user interface experience for a user, embodiments analyze touch inputs to determine when a user would like to perform a navigational jump and then execute such a jump, based on the specific touch inputs involved. |
| US10521099B2 |
Systems and methods for providing interactivity for panoramic media content
In some cases, a panoramic media content item to be displayed can be acquired. An interface including a viewable area for displaying at least a portion of the content item can be generated. Based on a size of the content item, a scroll bar can be generated, within the interface, for scrolling the content item. Based on a size of the viewable area, a scroll element can be generated, within the scroll bar, to be movable based on user interactions to scroll the content item. In some cases, at least a first portion of the content item can be automatically scrolled through such that the viewable area displays, over time, at least a second portion of the content item. In some cases, a leftmost or rightmost edge of the content item is displayable via the viewable area. A transitional animation associated with the leftmost or rightmost edge can be performed. |
| US10521092B2 |
Methods and devices for adjusting chart magnification asymmetrically
A method is performed at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display. The method includes displaying a chart on the display. The chart has a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. The horizontal axis includes first horizontal scale markers. The vertical axis includes first vertical scale markers. The method also includes detecting a first touch input at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on the display of the chart. The method further includes, while detecting the first touch input: horizontally expanding a portion of the chart such that a distance between first horizontal scale markers increases; and maintaining a vertical scale of the chart such that a distance between first vertical scale markers remains the same. |
| US10521078B2 |
Systems and methods for accelerating user interactions on touchscreen devices
Disclosed systems and methods provide an integrated hypermedia engine (IHE) that monitors and predicts user activity on spawned document windows and spliced network management CLI/GUI sessions. In embodiments, the IHE pro-actively assists a user to efficiently use device-related documentation in an intuitive manner that requires minimal user interaction and, thereby, reduces the likelihood of human error, e.g., when configuring network devices involves multi-tiered, dynamic configuration paths. The IHE may acts as bridge between document windows and spliced network management sessions, for example, to enable seamless transfer of a CLI command from a document window to an inline GUI panel launched by a CLI session when constructing a command line. In embodiments, a context-ware IHE may create and take advantage of documentation tags by interpreting relationships between commands to enable auto-navigation of the document. Certain embodiments provide for monitoring and mapping a CLI/GUI output back to the appropriate documentation. |
| US10521073B2 |
Exposing non-authoring features through document status information in an out-space user interface
An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface. The out-space user interface may be used to display one or more status panes for providing status information about a document being edited in the in-space user interface. Application features for affecting changes to a given document's status may be exposed in the out-space interface in proximity to associated status information. An out-space communication user interface (UI) component may be temporarily displayed in the document in-space user interface to communicate document status information that is presently available in the out-space user interface. A message bar may be displayed in the in-space user interface for communicating information from the out-space user interface. |
| US10521071B2 |
Expression curve generating method based on voice input and device thereof
Disclosed are an expression curve generating method based on voice input, and an device using the same. The method comprises the following steps: (1) inputting voice, and generating an audio file; (2) selecting expression graph buttons corresponding to a type of expressions from multiple expression graph buttons; (3) dividing the audio file into multiple equal time sections according to a time length, and respectively calculating a corresponding volume of each time section; (4) quantifying the corresponding volumes of the different time sections in the audio file into different volume levels; (5) obtaining expression icons corresponding to the volume level of each time section from a same group of expression icons, generating an expression curve using time as a horizontal axis and the volume level as a vertical axis; and (6) displaying the expression curve formed in step (5). |
| US10521066B2 |
Resistive touch panel
The invention provides a touch panel including: two resistive layers; a plurality of spacer dots disposed between the two resistive layers, the spacer dots spacing the two resistive layers apart from each other, the two resistive layers facing each other; and a glass panel bonded to an underside of one of the resistive layers to provide support, the one of the resistive layers positioned opposite from a touch surface, wherein one side of the glass panel has at least one region including a material having a modulus of elasticity different from a modulus of elasticity of the glass panel, the one side of the glass panel being adjacent to the one of the resistive layers. With this configuration, the touch sensitivity in the at least one region is differentiated from that of the remaining regions. |
| US10521059B2 |
Touch panel, mutual capacitive touch screen, and touch display device
A touch panel includes a substrate, a first touch electrode disposed over the substrate and including a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode electrically coupled to each other, and a second touch electrode disposed over the substrate and intersecting the first touch electrode. The first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are arranged in an extension direction of the first touch electrode. The first sub-electrode includes a first strip-shaped electrode. The second sub-electrode includes a second strip-shaped electrode. An angle between an extension direction of the first strip-shaped electrode and an extension direction of the second strip-shaped electrode is non-zero. |
| US10521055B2 |
Terminal, method, apparatus and electronic device for identifying touch
The present disclosure relates to a terminal, a method, an apparatus and an electronic device for determining a mode of operation. In some aspects, the terminal includes: an ultrasonic wave emitter, an ultrasonic wave signal path and a microphone. The ultrasonic wave emitter is arranged inside the terminal, a first hole is arranged on a side-frame of the terminal for accommodating the microphone, an ultrasonic wave signal emitted by the ultrasonic wave emitter propagates from inside of the terminal to a surface of the terminal via the ultrasonic wave signal path, the microphone is configured to receive an ultrasonic echo signal of the ultrasonic wave signal, and to determine whether the terminal is touched according to the ultrasonic echo signal. |
| US10521052B2 |
3D interactive system
A processing system is provided. The processing system includes: a sensor module configured to obtain a first image including a first reflected view of an input object within a sensing region associated with an input surface; and a determination module configured to: determine a first position of the input object within the first image; and determine a distance of the input object from the input surface using the first position. |
| US10521044B2 |
Display device having an auxiliary wiring
The display device includes a detection circuit, a touch detection region including a plurality of detection electrodes, a peripheral region around the touch detection region, a plurality of wirings passing the peripheral region from the detection electrodes so as to be connected to the detection circuit, and at least one auxiliary wiring extending parallel to the wirings so as to be connected to the detection circuit. |
| US10521043B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a touch screen configured to display a plurality of content items, an artificial intelligence unit configured to sense a scroll search state, and a controller configured to control the touch screen and the artificial intelligence unit. The controller 180 acquires first force touch input for a first content item among the plurality of content items after sensing the scroll search state, displays first depth information of the first content item on the touch screen according to the acquired first force touch input, acquires second force touch input for the content item, and displays second depth information of the content item on the touch screen according to the acquired second force touch input. |
| US10521039B2 |
Method for manufacturing flexible touch display panel
A method for manufacturing a flexible touch display panel is provided. First, a display mother substrate including a plurality of first pad sets and a flexible touch mother substrate including a plurality of second pad sets are provided. Next, a plurality of first openings are formed in the display mother substrate, and a plurality of second openings are formed in the flexible touch mother substrate. Then, the flexible touch mother substrate is adhered to the display mother substrate by an adhesive layer, in which each first opening exposes one of the second pad sets respectively, and each second opening exposes one of the first pad sets respectively. Afterward, a cutting process is performed to form a plurality of touch display units. |
| US10521035B2 |
Driving circuit and touch display device
A touch display device and a driving circuit are disclosed in which the driving circuit is included in the touch display device. The driving circuit may be capable of reducing a chip size and power consumption by configuring an amplifier disposed in an output terminal of a data voltage to be electrically coupled with a feedback capacitor through a switch, and enabling both display driving and touch sensing to be performed through ON/OFF control of the switch. Further, the accuracy and performance of touch sensing may be improved by adjusting an ON/OFF operation of a switch and the number of amplifiers electrically coupled with the feedback capacitor, and a circuit structure for touch driving may be further simplified by generating a load-free driving voltage output in a touch driving period using the amplifiers and a digital-to-analog converter within the driving circuit. |
| US10521028B2 |
System and method for facilitating virtual interactions with a three-dimensional virtual environment in response to sensor input into a control device having sensors
Various implementations provide for a three-dimensional trackpad in which sensors and a three-dimensional physical region may be used to interact with a three-dimensional virtual environment. The methods, systems, techniques, and components described herein may facilitate interactions with virtual objects in a three-dimensional virtual environment in response to sensor input into a control device having one or more sensors implemented thereon. The control device may be coupled to a display that may be configured to display the three-dimensional virtual environment. In various implementations, the sensor(s) capture physical movement of a user interaction element (a hand, a stylus, a physical object, etc.) within a specified three-dimensional physical region. The physical movement may be translated into a virtual interaction with the three-dimensional virtual environment. A virtual action in the three-dimensional virtual environment may be identified and displayed. |
| US10521023B2 |
Optical processing apparatus and operating method thereof
An optical processing apparatus and a light source luminance adjustment method adapted to detect a rotational displacement and a pressing state are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same. |
| US10521021B2 |
Detecting, representing, and interpreting three-space input: gestural continuum subsuming freespace, proximal, and surface-contact modes
Systems and methods for detecting, representing, and interpreting three-space input are described. Embodiments of the system, in the context of an SOE, process low-level data from a plurality of sources of spatial tracking data and analyze these semantically uncorrelated spatiotemporal data and generate high-level gestural events according to dynamically configurable implicit and explicit gesture descriptions. The events produced are suitable for consumption by interactive systems, and the embodiments provide one or more mechanisms for controlling and effecting event distribution to these consumers. The embodiments further provide to the consumers of its events a facility for transforming gestural events among arbitrary spatial and semantic frames of reference. |
| US10521020B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying UI elements in mixed reality environments
A method for improving a display of a user interface element in a mixed reality environment is disclosed. A request to display the user interface element is received. The request includes display instructions, angle threshold data, distance threshold data, and velocity threshold data. Display operations are continuously performed while sensor data is continuously received from a mixed reality user interface device. The display operations include displaying the user interface element according to the display instructions, and, based on the sensor data indicating a distance between the user interface element and the mixed reality user interface device in the mixed reality environment has exceeded a distance threshold or based on the sensor data indicating an angle of view of the mixed reality user interface device has exceeded an angle threshold with respect to the user interface element in the mixed reality environment, hiding the user interface element. |
| US10521013B2 |
High-speed staggered binocular eye tracking systems
A method, an electronic device and a non-transitory computer readable medium for are provided. The method includes capturing a first eye and a second eye. The method also includes identifying a first position of the first eye and a second position the second eye. Additionally, the method includes staggering the capture of the first eye and the second eye, wherein the first eye is captured prior to capturing the second eye. The method also includes identifying the first gaze direction with respect to a display. The method further includes mapping the second gaze direction of the second eye based on the identified first gaze direction, prior to capturing the second eye. |
| US10521011B2 |
Calibration of inertial measurement units attached to arms of a user and to a head mounted device
A system including: a sensor module having an inertial measurement unit and attached to the head of a user. The sensor module is initially calibrated to measure its orientation relative a reference pose. To recalibrate the sensor module according to a calibration pose, a camera of the sensor module is used to capture an image of at least one optical mark (e.g., configured on devices held in hands in the calibration pose in front of the user). A direction identified from the image is rotated according to the rotational transformation between the reference pose and the calibration pose measured by the sensor module and then projected on to a horizontal plane relative to the reference pose. The angle in the horizontal plane between the projected direction and the front facing direction is used for the calibration of the subsequent orientation measurements of the sensor module. |
| US10521006B2 |
Report updated threshold level based on parameter
An example computing device includes a battery to power the computing device, a first operating system (OS), a second OS, and a hypervisor. The hypervisor is to: monitor a parameter of the first OS related to power to be drawn by the computing device for the first OS to enter a hibernate state; monitor a parameter of the second OS related to power to be drawn by the computing device for the second OS to enter the hibernate state; set a first modified remaining battery capacity of the first OS based on an actual remaining battery capacity of the battery and the parameter of the first OS; and set a second modified remaining battery capacity of the second OS based on the actual remaining battery capacity and the parameter of the second OS. |
| US10521005B2 |
System and method for full range control of dual active bridge
A power converter includes primary and secondary bridges, a transformer, and a controller configured to generate a switching mode map that correlates each of a plurality of switching modes to a respective set of value ranges of system parameters of the power converter. The sets of system parameter value ranges are contiguous and non-overlapping across the switching mode map, each of the plurality of switching modes includes gate trigger voltage timings for commuting at least one of the primary and secondary bridges. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of measured system parameter values, select from the switching mode map one of the plurality of switching modes that correlates to the set of system parameter values containing the plurality of measured system parameter values, and adjust gate trigger voltage timings of at least one of the primary and secondary bridges, according to the selected switching mode. |
| US10521000B2 |
Electronic apparatus and battery information providing method thereof
An electronic apparatus for providing battery information is provided. The electronic apparatus includes at least one battery, a processor supplied with power from the at least one battery that is configured to operate using the power and to control the electronic apparatus, a battery voltage determination unit connected to the at least one battery in parallel with the processor, and supplied with power directly from the at least one battery, the battery voltage determination configured to operate with the power, and to output a control signal when a voltage of the at least one battery satisfies a designated condition, and a battery information output unit configured to output battery information according to the control signal the is output by the battery voltage determination unit. Also, other embodiments may be implemented. |
| US10520997B2 |
Supplying power to a computer accessory from a captured wifi signal
Examples herein disclose capturing a wifi signal from a computing device corresponding to a computing accessory and harvesting energy from the captured wifi signal. The examples power the computing accessory based on the harvested energy. |
| US10520995B2 |
Portable electronic module and heat dissipating mechanism thereof
A portable electronic module includes a casing having an air inlet, a heat generating member disposed in the casing, and a heat dissipating mechanism. The heat dissipating mechanism includes a fixing frame disposed at the casing corresponding to the air inlet, a driving handle, a driving device for driving the driving handle to move reciprocally, and a plurality of fans. The driving handle is disposed at a side of the fixing frame and has a plurality of holes arranged alternately. The fans are pivotally connected to the fixing frame in an alternate arrangement so as to swing relative to the fixing frame. Each fan has a protruding pillar extending toward the corresponding hole. Each protruding pillar is movably disposed through the corresponding hole, so that each fan could swing with reciprocation of the driving handle to guide airflow to pass through the air inlet to the heat generating member. |
| US10520994B2 |
Storage cartridge
A storage cartridge is provided comprising a system connector configured to be hot-pluggable with an external receiving system. The storage cartridge includes a plurality of storage receiving connectors, each of which can be configured to receive either a hot-pluggable storage drive or a storage drive that has not designed to be natively hot-pluggable. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of storage receiving connectors is configured to receive a storage drive that has not been designed to be natively hot-pluggable. In addition, electrical connections are provided between the system connector and the plurality of storage receiving connectors that enable a plurality of the not natively hot-pluggable storage drives engaged with the storage cartridge to communicate with the external receiving system via the system connector configured to be hot-pluggable. |
| US10520993B1 |
Fixing bracket and chassis using the same
A chassis includes a frame and a fixing bracket for fixing an expansion card to the frame. The frame defines at least one card hole and includes a side hook. The fixing bracket includes a bracket body, at least one rotating hook fixed to the bracket body and a movable hook fixed to the bracket body. The rotating hook and the movable hook are not in the same plane. When the at least rotating hook is inserted into the at least one card hole and the bracket body is rotated in a first direction to a predetermined position, the rotating hook is locked in the card hole, and the movable hook is hooked on the side hook to make the bracket body fix an expansion card to the frame. |
| US10520991B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body, a driven component, a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component. The driven component is slidably disposed in the body. The first magnetic component is disposed at the driven component. The second magnetic component is located at one side of the driven component, and the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are disposed corresponding to each other. The second magnetic component is configured to generate a magnetic attraction force or a magnetic repulsion force to the first magnetic component, so as to position the driven component based on the magnetic attraction force or the magnetic repulsion force between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component. |
| US10520989B1 |
Hinge device
The present invention provides a hinge device, comprising two rotating members and two movable plates. Each of the rotating members includes a hinge portion and seat body, and each hinge portion has a curved guiding channel and a restoring member, and each hinge portion shares a rotating center so as to be rotated with each other, thereby the first and second rotating members are folded or unfolded. A first movable plate and a second movable plate is symmetrically provided, and each plate leg is guided into the corresponding seat body and the arc segment of each plate leg is located in each curved guiding channel to be moved, and the free end of each plate leg is contacted with each restoring member. When being unfolded, each movable plate is respectively lifted up to be aligned with each other by each hinge portion, and each restoring members is respectively pushed by the respective plate leg to accumulate force. When being unfolded, the hinge portion of each rotating member is respectively separated from each movable plate to release each restoring member to push the respective plate leg to move respectively, causing each movable plate to be unfolded and forms an accommodation space there between. |
| US10520988B2 |
Bendable display apparatus and supporting device
A bendable display apparatus includes two supporting devices and a bendable display mounted on the two supporting devices. Each supporting device includes a dual-shaft driving module and two buffering modules respectively arranged at two opposite outer sides of the dual-shaft driving module. The dual-shaft driving module includes two shafts parallel to each other and a synchronizing member sandwiched between the two shafts. Each buffering module includes an internal connecting member fixed on the synchronizing member, an external connecting member slidably disposed on the internal connecting member, and a linkage mechanism configured to be driven by the synchronizing shaft for moving the external connecting member relative to the internal connecting member. When the dual-shaft driving modules are rotated, the bendable display is bent while a length of the bendable display remains constant, and each external connecting member is moved relative to the corresponding internal connecting member. |
| US10520985B2 |
Security apparatus
A security apparatus for securing a portable electronic device to an immovable object includes a locking head having a base and a plurality of engagement portions extending from the base. The plurality of engagement portions is configured to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device. The locking head also includes a linear portion positioned between the plurality of engagement portions and extending from the base. The linear portion is twistable about its length to move the plurality of engagement portions radially outward. The security apparatus further includes a security device attached to the locking head and configured to engage the immovable object. |
| US10520981B2 |
Case for an electronic device
A case includes a main body, a cover, and first and second operation units. The main body includes first and second side portions, and a recessed portion between the first and second side portions. The second side portion is positionable at a first position at which a longitudinal end is aligned with a first longitudinal end of the first side portion and at a second position at which the longitudinal end is aligned with a second longitudinal end of the first side portion. The recessed portion is configured to receive, therein, a portable electronic device. The cover is rotatably attached to the first side portion. The first operation unit is on a surface of the cover that faces the front surface of the portable electronic device when the cover is at the closed position. The second operation unit is on an outer surface of the second side portion. |
| US10520980B2 |
Plug-in module and smartboard
A plug-in module (100), has a first side face (110), a first elastic strip (10) and a first pull tab (20) provided at a same end of the first side face; the first elastic strip has an elongated shape, and is provided with at least one first limiting lug (11) on a first surface of the first elastic strip opposite to the first side face, an end of the first elastic strip located in close proximity to the first pull tab is referred to as an opposite end, another end of the first elastic strip is referred to as the distal end, and the distal end and the first side face are affixed together. The opposite end is provided with an elastic strip retraction head (12), and the elastic strip retraction head is provided in correspondence with the first pull tab. Further provided is a smartboard. The plug-in module can be conveniently plugged in and unplugged, simplifying user operations and improving user experience. |
| US10520978B1 |
Foldable display panel and foldable display device
A foldable display panel, including: a first non-folding region, a folding region, and a second non-folding region arranged in the first direction; a plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines having first and second data lines; a plurality of first data pins located in the first non-folding region; a plurality of second data pins located in the second non-folding region; a plurality of first data leads; and a plurality of second data leads. The plurality of gate lines extends in the first direction from the first non-folding region, passes through the folding region and extends to the second non-folding region. The first data lines are electrically connected to the plurality of first data pins, and the second data lines are electrically connected to the plurality of second data pins. A folding axis of the foldable display panel is substantially parallel to the plurality of data lines. |
| US10520975B2 |
Polysynchronous stochastic circuits
In some examples, a device includes an integrated circuit and two or more computational units configured to process respective stochastic bit streams in accordance with respective input clocks. Each of the stochastic bit streams comprises sequential sets of data bits, each of the sets of data bits representing a numerical value based on a probability that any bit in the respective set of data bits is one. The respective input clocks for each of the two or more computational units are unsynchronized. |
| US10520974B2 |
Clock distribution system
One embodiment includes a clock distribution system. The system includes a standing-wave resonator configured to receive and to resonate a sinusoidal clock signal. The standing-wave resonator includes at least one anti-node portion associated with a peak current amplitude of the sinusoidal clock signal. The system also includes at least one clock line interconnecting each of the at least one anti-node portion and an associated circuit. The at least one clock line can be configured to propagate the sinusoidal clock signal for timing functions associated with the associated circuit. |
| US10520964B1 |
Communication system and voltage converter
A communication system includes an STB (Set-Top Box), an LNB (Low Noise Block Down Converter), and a voltage converter. The voltage converter is coupled between the STB and the LNB. The voltage converter includes a DC (Direct Current) switch element, a voltage regulator, and a controller. The DC switch element is coupled between an input node and an output node. The voltage regulator is coupled between the input node and the output node. The controller detects an input voltage at the input node. If the input voltage is higher than or equal to a threshold voltage, the controller will open the DC switch element. If the input voltage is lower than the threshold voltage, the controller will close the DC switch element. |
| US10520963B2 |
Voltage monitoring circuit that manages voltage drift caused from negative bias temperature instability
Regulating voltages at inputs of an electronic device by performing at least the following: receiving, at a voltage monitoring circuit, a monitoring voltage corresponding to a power system, determining, at the voltage monitoring circuit, whether the monitoring voltage is equal to or exceeds a monitoring threshold voltage, receiving, at the voltage monitoring circuit, an output indicating whether an inputted reference voltage and an inputted feedback voltage at a comparator circuit differs, regulating, at the voltage monitoring circuit, a feedback voltage to match the inputted reference voltage based on the output and a determination that the monitoring voltage is equal to or exceeds the monitoring threshold voltage, and providing, from the voltage monitoring circuit, the feedback voltage as an updated inputted feedback voltage for the comparator circuit. |
| US10520962B2 |
Supply voltage detection device and method for detecting a supply voltage
The present invention relates to a supply voltage detection device (1), in particular for at least one load, for monitoring a rectified mains voltage of a mains voltage supply (2) and for comparing a detected mains voltage value with a predetermined reference value, wherein, if the detected mains voltage value is lower than the reference value, switching to e.g. an emergency voltage of an emergency voltage supply can be effected by means of an electronic control system (3). In addition, if a voltage limit value has been exceeded, the rectified mains voltage can be fed to an optocoupler (4) and a signal can be transmitted by said optocoupler for the duration of this excess, a duty factor that is dependent on the mains voltage value being determinable from the duration and the period of said signal. |
| US10520958B2 |
Pressure control device
A pressure control device maintains a pressure within a target of pressure control at a set pressure. The pressure control device includes a correction circuit that corrects a pressure signal, which represents the pressure within the target of pressure control that is detected by a pressure sensor, such that the pressure signal approaches a set pressure signal representing the set pressure; a comparison circuit that compares the corrected pressure signal with the set pressure signal; and a valve drive circuit that controls an opening and closing of a flow control valve based on a comparison result from the comparison circuit. The correction circuit is a filter circuit. The frequency characteristic of the filter circuit has a peak at a prescribed frequency, and corrects the pressure signal so as to raise a component of the prescribed frequency of the pressure signal. |
| US10520957B2 |
Pressure regulating device having a variable travel stop
A pressure regulating device including a valve body, an actuator assembly coupled to the valve body and including a diaphragm, a valve seat disposed in the valve body, a control assembly operatively connected to the diaphragm to move responsive to movement of the diaphragm, and a travel stop. The control assembly includes a control element that is movable, relative to the valve seat, between an open position, wherein the control element is spaced from the valve seat, and a closed position, wherein the control element sealingly engages the valve seat. The travel stop is configured to engage the control element to stop movement of the control element upon reaching the open position. The travel stop is adjustable to change the open position of the control element, such that a wide open flow capacity of the pressure regulating device can be adjusted. |
| US10520956B2 |
One-gauge one-turn regulator manifold
A one-gauge one-turn regulator manifold includes a manifold body, a spring set, a knob set, an annular dial and one inlet pressure gauge. The outlet pressure is selected and adjusted by turning a control knob without a pressure gauge. The control knob with a marker indicating the outlet pressure from zero to maximum is rotatable within one turn. The knob set contains one adjusting screw which is used to fine-tune the pressure, and thus the outlet air pressure is calibrated as expected. The annular dial with pressure tick marks is located between the control knob and the manifold body. The outlet pressure is easy to selected and controlled by turning the knob to the desired pressure makers on the dial without the pressure gauge. |
| US10520954B2 |
Active cancellation of a pulsating flow with a flow signal noise reference
An electronics for active cancellation of a pulsating flow with a flow signal noise reference. The electronics includes a signal processor configured to receive a flow signal from a flow sensor that is configured to measure a flow rate of the pulsating flow, generate a flow rate signal and a noise reference signal from the flow signal, and generate a cancelling signal from the noise reference signal. The electronics also includes a controller coupled to the signal processor and configured to determine a flow rate control signal. The electronics includes a signal generator communicatively coupled to the signal processor and the controller and configured to receive the flow rate control signal, generate a valve signal based on the flow rate control signal and the cancelling signal, and provide the valve signal to a valve to control flow rate and attenuate pulses of the pulsating flow of the fluid. |
| US10520952B1 |
Devices, systems, and methods for transmitting vehicle data
Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, a lead vehicle can wirelessly transmit information from various electronic control units (ECUs) to ECUs in a rear vehicle. A rear vehicle can then apply transformations to the information to account for a desired following distance and a time offset. ECUs onboard the rear vehicle may then be controlled based on the ECUs of the lead vehicle, the desired following distance, and the time offset. |
| US10520950B2 |
Self-moving robot movement boundary delimiting method
In a self-moving robot movement boundary delimiting method, in step 100: setting up three or more base stations in a movement area of a self-moving robot, and establishing a coordinate system; in step 200: artificially planning a movement path in the movement area of the self-moving robot, gathering sample points on the path, and determining the coordinates of the sample points in the coordinate system; and in step 300: delimiting a boundary according to the coordinates of the gathered sample points, and setting the self-moving robot to work inside or outside the boundary. The present invention achieves a regional division by distance measurement and positioning based on stationary base stations, thus improving accuracy and convenience compared to the prior art. |
| US10520945B2 |
System and method for delivering products using lock boxes via autonomous ground vehicles
A method for unloading and loading a lock box are provided. An autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) stores a lock box to be delivered. The lock box includes a box body, a first set of stands and a second set of stands, and a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels. The first set of stands can extend of the lock box outwardly to contact the ground. The second set of stands can extend out of the lock box outwardly to contact the ground. It is determined that the package has been removed from the lock box and the lock box is automatically loaded onto the AGV. |
| US10520942B1 |
Autonomous vehicle control system and method
An autonomous vehicle control system. The system includes a first autonomous vehicle control center at a first location, and a second autonomous vehicle control center at a second location. The system also includes a controller configured to receive a first data input from the first autonomous vehicle control center and indicative of a first characteristic of the first autonomous vehicle control center, to receive a second data input from the second autonomous vehicle control center and indicative of a second characteristic of the second autonomous vehicle control center, and to receive a third data input indicative of an autonomous vehicle transport request or an autonomous vehicle storage request. The controller is also configured to select the first autonomous vehicle control center or the second autonomous vehicle control center based at least in part on the first data input, the second data input, and the third data input. Further, the controller is configured to instruct fulfillment of the autonomous vehicle transport request or the autonomous vehicle storage request based on the selection. |
| US10520940B2 |
Autonomous operation using deep spatio-temporal learning
A system and method to perform autonomous operation of a vehicle include obtaining one or more image frames for a time instance t from corresponding one or more sensors. Processing the one or more image frames includes performing convolutional processing to obtain a multi-dimensional matrix xt. The method includes operating on the multi-dimensional matrix xt to obtain output ht. The operating includes using an output ht−1 of the operating for a previous time instance t−1. The method also includes post-processing the output ht to obtain one or more control signals to affect operation of the vehicle. |
| US10520939B2 |
Drive assist apparatus
A drive assist apparatus includes an arrival window time calculation unit configured to calculate an arrival window time before the vehicle arrives at a switching completion point, a driving concentration degree estimation unit configured to estimate a driving concentration degree of a driver based on a state of the driver when the arrival window time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time, and a stimulation providing unit configured to provide a stimulus to the driver according to the driving concentration degree. In a case where the driving concentration degree is equal to or less than a threshold value set in advance, the stimulation providing unit provides a stimulus to the driver, which is stronger than that in a case where the driving concentration degree is greater than the threshold value, or provides a stronger stimulus to the driver in accordance with reduction in the driving concentration degree. |
| US10520935B2 |
Distributed control system, control device, control method, and computer program product
According to one embodiment, a distributed control system comprises a communication network and a plurality of control devices configured to control devices to be controlled, respectively. The control devices each include a simulator to which a program organization unit is allocated in advance, configured to simulate the allocated program organization unit, and a shared memory that stores a simulation result of the program organization unit simulated by the simulator to be shared with another control device. At least one of the control devices includes a simulation table database that can store therein an execution time of each of the program organization units allocated in advance to the control devices, and a simulation commander that stores, in the simulation table database, the execution time of each of the program organization units corresponding to the simulation result. |
| US10520934B2 |
Plant performance evaluation apparatus, plant performance evaluation system, and plant performance evaluation method
A plant performance evaluation apparatus includes a first storage storing a first static model indicating a model of a first steady state in a plant, a second storage storing a first dynamic model indicating a model of a dynamic state of the plant, a model converter configured to convert the first dynamic model to a second static model indicating a model of a second steady state of the plant, and to store the second static model into the first storage, the first steady state indicating a steady state of the plant temporally before the second steady state, a comparator configured to compare parameters included in the first static model with parameters included in the second static model and to output a comparison result, and a display configured to display the comparison result output from the comparator. |
| US10520931B2 |
Systems and methods for enabling and disabling operation of manufacturing machines
A system for enabling and disabling operation of manufacturing machines provides a manufacturing machine user interface that facilitates receiving quality control information regarding the manufacturing machine from a user. For quality assurance purposes, the computer system of the manufacturing machine may decide whether to enable operation of the manufacturing machine based on the received quality control information. The computer system of the manufacturing machine may also decide to disable operation of the manufacturing machine if the quality control information provided is incomplete, out of date, or otherwise insufficient to indicate the manufacturing machine is ready for safe and effective operation. In some embodiments, one or more client systems, telecommunications devices, and/or personal digital assistant (PDA) devices on which the user interface is displayed and with which the manufacturing machine is in communication may enable operation of the manufacturing machine based on the received quality control information. |
| US10520930B2 |
Component mounting system and progress display system of set-up work
A component mounting system includes a component mounting line, a storage device, and a display device. The component mounting line is formed by connecting a plurality of mounting board manufacturing machines. The storage device is connected to the component mounting line via a network to acquire information from each of the plurality of mounting board manufacturing machines. The display device is connected to the storage device via the network and displays a progress status of set-up work executed when changing a type of a mounting board manufactured by the component mounting line based on information stored in the storage device. |
| US10520927B2 |
System and method for managing an industrial equipment system
A system and method for monitoring operating conditions of an industrial installation system including a plurality industrial assets. A plurality of transponders or beacons is located in a facility or location, where each of the transponders defines a zone in which some of the industrial assets are located. One or more mobile devices is configured to identify assets located within one or more of the zones to provide information to a data acquisition and processing system, which monitors the operating conditions of each of the industrial assets. Each of the one or more mobile devices is authorized depending on a location within the facility, the identity of a user, or based on a time of day. Industrial assets that require support, such as maintenance or replacement, are identified. Authorized mobile devices are configured to transmit information to and to receive information from the data acquisition and processing system. |
| US10520922B2 |
Decentralized supply chain for three-dimensional printing based on distributed ledger technology
According to an example, with respect to decentralized supply chain for three-dimensional printing based on distributed ledger technology, three-dimensional printing constraints may be ascertained for a three-dimensional part to be printed, and a plurality of attributes for three-dimensional printers may be ascertained. The three-dimensional printing constraints may be compared to each attribute of the plurality of attributes. A determination may be made as to whether the three-dimensional part is printable by at least one three-dimensional printer or not printable by any three-dimensional printer. Costs associated with three-dimensional printing of the three-dimensional part and non-three-dimensional printing based manufacturing of the three-dimensional part may be ascertained. A determination may be made as to whether the three-dimensional part is to be printed by the at least one three-dimensional printer. A distributed electronic ledger may control execution of the electronic three-dimensional printing file for the three-dimensional part, and control printing of the three-dimensional part. |
| US10520920B2 |
Printing system for printing an object having a surface of varying height
A printer control system for controlling the printing of an object on a support in a number of passes on top of each other includes a user interface which has a display device and is arranged to visualize in a window on the display device a pixel-precise preview image before printing of the object. The preview image includes a representation of the surface of the object. The printer control system further includes a digital analyser for analysing the pass images in order to deduce before printing of the object locations of smooth areas at the surface of the object, and a preview emulator for digitally shining on the pixel-precise preview. The printer control system calculates a digital move path to be applied by the preview emulator over the pixel-precise preview based on the locations of the smooth areas in order to highlight regions of interest with a potential print artefact. |
| US10520911B2 |
Control systems for machines
A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module. |
| US10520906B2 |
Motor control system, motor control device, and non-transitory recording medium
The disclosure enables mutual relationships among operation statuses of each motor to be ascertained without using synchronous serial communication between multiple motor control devices. The motor control system is equipped with: a motor driver having a trigger determination part for determining whether or not a trigger condition is satisfied, a trigger notification part for transmitting a trigger notification indicating that the trigger condition is satisfied to motor drivers by asynchronous communication, and a trace result information generation part for causing a storage part to store a trigger data number for identifying operation data when the trigger condition is satisfied; and motor drivers each having a trace result information generation part for causing a storage part to store a slave trigger time at which the trigger notification is received, a trigger data number for identifying operation data corresponding to the slave trigger time, and a master trigger time. |
| US10520905B2 |
Using forecasting to control target systems
Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems to control operations of specified physical target systems. In some situations, the described techniques include forecasting future values of parameters that affect operation of a target system, and using the forecasted future values as part of determining current automated control actions to take for the target system—in this manner, the current automated control actions may be improved relative to other possible actions that do not reflect such forecasted future values. Various automated operations may also be performed to improve the forecasting in at least some situations, such as by combining the use of multiple different types of forecasting models and multiple different groups of past data to use for training the models, and/or by improving the estimated internal non-observable state information reflected in at least some of the models. |
| US10520904B2 |
Event classification and object tracking
This application discloses a computing system to implement object tracking in an assisted or automated driving system of a vehicle. The computing system can assign a pre-classification to a detection event in an environmental model, update the environmental model with new sensor measurements and corresponding detection events over time, and track the detection event in the updated environmental model. The computing system can track the detection event by predicting a future state of the detection event with a state change model selected based on the assigned pre-classification, comparing the predicted future state to an actual future state of the detection event in an update to the environmental model, and determining the detection event corresponds to an object proximate to the vehicle based on the comparison. A control system for the vehicle can control operation of the vehicle based, at least in part, on the tracked detection event. |
| US10520902B2 |
Mobile electronic device and smartwatch
A mobile electronic device comprises a housing, a display mounted on the housing and displaying an image, a strap connected to the housing to fix the housing to a part of a user's body and including a touch input portion, the touch input portion comprises a plurality of unit areas, and a controller configured to generate a control command based on the user's touch input in at least one of the plurality of unit areas and an application being executed, and control the mobile electronic device according to the control command. |
| US10520900B2 |
Methods and apparatus for magnetically compensated chip scale atomic clock
In described examples, an apparatus includes a physics cell and an electronic circuit. The physics cell includes an atomic chamber, a laser source, a modulator, a photodetector and a field coil. The electronic circuit includes a frequency synthesizer, a controller and a digital to analog converter. |
| US10520899B2 |
Electronic timer
An electronic interval timer in a regular dodecahedron case is described. The timer is set by orienting the timer so that the face with the time desired is uppermost. The timer is free of buttons, switches, and electronic displays. It is sealed for ruggedness and water-resistance, and free of a battery door. Detection of motion, taps, and orientation is via an accelerometer and a processor; it is free of mechanical motion and orientation switches. The timer indicates start and end of set time intervals with speech announcements or tones. Two time intervals may run concurrently by orienting the timer to a second time. The timer may be programmed via an orientation sequence. Taps may be used to request a time remaining announcement or to set volume. Functions include a stopwatch. Shells have seam lines on polyhedral edges and pin-and-socket connections for strength. A molded air-gap provides for pressure equalization while maintaining water resistance. |
| US10520896B2 |
Electronic watch clasp systems and methods
Embodiments of a watch can include a watch having an analog watch face, a first watch band portion, a second watch band portion and an analog watch face. The watch can include a digital clasp having a digital display and a circuit board associated with a controller. |
| US10520895B2 |
Smart watch that changes color of strap according to mood of user
A smart watch having a strap changing in color according to a user's mood, the smart watch includes: a body that collects information on a measurement target associated with a user or around the user to write state information, compares the state information with state combination information in which a plurality of pieces of combination information and a displayed color for each of the plurality of pieces of combination information are determined, selects one piece of corresponding combination information from among the plurality of pieces of combination information included in the state combination information, and selects a displayed color matching the selected combination information; and a strap that is connected with the body to fix the body to a user's body part, includes an output means of the displayed color, and outputs the displayed color through the output means according to a control of the body. |
| US10520890B2 |
Timepiece regulator, timepiece movement and timepiece having such a regulator
A timepiece regulator comprising an inertial regulating member which is mounted on a support by an elastic suspension so as to be able to oscillate in translation, along a main direction of translation. |
| US10520888B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus, including a casing, a toner cartridge, and a process cartridge, is provided. The toner cartridge detachably attached to the casing stores toner therein. The process cartridge detachably attached to the casing includes a developing unit and a drum unit. The developing unit includes a developer roller and a toner conveyer tube. The toner conveyer tube has a first opening, through which the toner from the toner cartridge is acceptable into the toner conveyer tube while the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the casing. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum supporting the toner conveyer tube by contacting a circumferential surface of the toner conveyer tube. The developing unit is pivotable with respect to the drum unit with the toner conveyer tube and the drum unit being slidable on each other. |
| US10520887B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member
A developing device that is useable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The developing device also includes a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller. |
| US10520882B2 |
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating body configured to contain developer. A developer discharging body is provided in fluid communication with the developer accommodating body, with the developer discharging body having a discharge opening configured to discharge the developer from the developer discharging body, and with the developer accommodating body being rotatable relative to the developer discharging body. A track is provided at each of opposite sides of the developer discharging body. |
| US10520879B2 |
Developing cartridge including electrode to which adapter is detachably attachable
A developing cartridge includes a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction of the developing roller, a casing having an outer surface positioned at one end of the casing in the axial direction, an electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and positioned at the outer surface, the electrode extending in the axial direction, a gear, a protrusion, and an adapter having an electric conductivity and detachably attachable to the electrode, the adapter being electrically connected to the electrode in a state where the adapter is attached to the electrode. A total length of the electrode and the adapter in the axial direction in the state where the adapter is attached to the electrode is greater than a length in the axial direction of the electrode in a state where the adapter is detached from the electrode. |
| US10520877B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a cover and a cover support
An image forming apparatus includes a cover support portion openably and closably supporting the cover on the image forming apparatus. The cover support portion includes a clamping portion and a pressure member. The clamping portion is configured to contact and clamp part of the cover or part of the cover support portion in a turning radius direction of the cover. The pressure member is mounted to the clamping portion to press the clamping portion. |
| US10520874B2 |
Cleaning blade and image forming apparatus including cleaning blade
A cleaning blade that removes a foreign matter adhering to a rotational body includes: an abutment member; a supporting member that supports the abutment member; and a holding member that holds the supporting member, wherein the abutment member includes: an abutment layer abutting on the rotational body; and an adjustment layer that is a part other than the abutment layer, and an elongation percentage of the adjustment layer is larger than an elongation percentage of the abutment layer in a case where frictional force is applied from the rotational body to the abutment member during rotation of the rotational body. |
| US10520873B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device to form an image on the image bearer, a transfer device to transfer the image formed on the image bearer onto a sheet, a storage to store the sheet, a sheet feeder to convey the sheet one by one to the transfer device, and a slip amount prediction controller. The slip amount prediction controller calculates a predicted slip amount between the sheet feeder and the sheet before forming the image and, subsequently calculates an interval between images based on the predicted slip amount. The slip amount prediction controller controls the image forming device based on the calculated interval between images to form the image on the image bearer. |
| US10520872B2 |
Image forming apparatus for adjusting image forming position
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a display, a reading unit configured to read a reference image formed on a test sheet by the image forming unit, wherein the reference image includes a mark corresponding to a reading order, a controller configured to control the image forming unit to form the reference image, cause the reading unit to execute a first reading operation, determine whether first read data is obtained, inform of a reading error if the first read data is not obtained in the first reading operation, cause the reading unit to execute a second reading operation, determine whether second read data is obtained, and inform of a reading error if the second read data is not obtained in the second reading operation, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust image forming positions based on the first read data and the second read data. |
| US10520869B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
The fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, a pressing member, a pressing rotator, and a heating unit. The pressing member includes a counter face that faces the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The counter face includes a curved portion that is concavely curved and an extended portion. The shape of the curved portion in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction of the fixing belt is configured to approach the center of the pressing rotator as it extends toward the downstream in the conveying direction. The extended portion is continuous with the curved portion and is provided at the downstream of the curved portion in the conveying direction of the recording medium. The shape of the extended portion in the cross section is configured to leave away from the center of the pressing rotator as it extends toward the downstream in the conveying direction. |
| US10520866B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus that set target temperatures of heat generating elements for heating a developer image in each of a plurality of regions
A fixing apparatus includes a plurality of heat generating elements for heating a developer image formed on a recording medium corresponding to a plurality of heating regions. A first target temperature of the heat generating elements is set based on a developer amount per unit area of the developer image in each of the heating regions, and the temperature of the heat generating elements is controlled to the first target temperature. If a difference between the first target temperatures for two adjacent heating regions is outside of a predetermined range, the first target temperature for one of the two adjacent heating regions is corrected to a second target temperature, which is greater than the first target temperature, so that the difference between the first target temperatures for the two adjacent heating regions is within the predetermined range. |
| US10520865B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus and holding member forming method
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heat source, a pressing member and a holding member. The holding member includes a base plate and a sliding sheet. The base plate includes a main body and a projection. The main body has one face facing an inner circumferential face of the fixing member and the other face opposite to the one face. The projection is formed on the other face. The sliding sheet has a through hole into which the projection is fitted. The sliding sheet is wrapped around the main body with the projection fitted into the through hole. The sliding sheet is subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature higher than a maximum temperature where a temperature of the fixing member reaches when the fixing member is heated by the heat source. |
| US10520864B2 |
Image forming apparatus that controls a target temperature of a heating member based on whether pixels for forming an image are a predetermined density or more
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording material, and a fixing portion including a cylindrical heat transfer member, and a heating member contacting an inner surface of the heat transfer member. The fixing portion fixes the image on the recording material by heating the recording material, on which the image has been formed, by heat from the heating member through the heat transfer member. A control unit controls a target temperature of the heating member, and analyzes whether or not a plurality of pixels, of image data corresponding to the image to be formed on the recording material, in each interval corresponding to a circumferential length of the heat transfer member, with respect to a recording material feeding direction, are pixels for forming an image with a predetermined density or more, and sets the target temperature depending on an analyzation result. |
| US10520860B2 |
Electrical blanket conditioning
According to an aspect there is provided a method for conditioning a blanket in an offset printer, the method comprising during a non-printing cycle of the offset printer, applying a first voltage to an intermediate transfer member of the offset printer, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises the blanket, and maintaining the first voltage for a first period of time. |
| US10520858B2 |
Image forming apparatus with removable waste toner container and exposable feeding path
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container. |
| US10520857B2 |
Electrophotographic printers
A method of operating an electrophotographic printer (100) to control the optical density of a printed image is described. The method comprises providing a printing substance on a transfer member (104); emitting a pulse of heat to heat the printing substance on the transfer member to increase flowability of the printing substance on the transfer member; and transferring, from the transfer member to a substrate (108), the printing substance heated by the pulse of heat so as to provide the printed image on the substrate. |
| US10520856B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A developing device includes a developer bearer opposed to an image bearer, configured to bear developer and rotate in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and configured to develop a latent image on the image bearer and a casing opposed to the developer bearer at a position downstream from an opposed position, at which the developer bearer is opposed to the image bearer, in the direction of rotation of the developer bearer. A casing gap between the developer bearer and the casing continuously decreases or increases from a first end of the developing device to a second end of the developing device across a center of the developing device in a longitudinal direction of the developing device. |
| US10520851B2 |
Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A light scanning apparatus including: a light source; a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect a light beam emitted from the light source; an optical component of an incident optical system configured to introduce the light beam to the rotary polygon mirror; an optical box configured to contain the rotary polygon mirror and the optical component; and a supporting base installed between the light source and the rotary polygon mirror and configured to support the optical component, wherein the supporting base includes: a first dust-proof member configured to seal a boundary portion between the optical box and the supporting base; and a protrusion configured to enter an opening, which is formed in a side wall of the optical box from the inside of the optical box in a state in which the supporting base is mounted to the optical box, the light source being fixed to the opening. |
| US10520848B2 |
Image forming apparatus with variable light emission amounts
When a photosensitive member and a developing portion are in a separation state and in a start-up period, a first light emission is performed in an image region and a non-image region. When light is detected at least twice during a period when the first light emission is being performed, a second light emission is performed in the non-image region. When a prescribed period of time has elapsed from the start of the second light emission, a third light emission is performed in the image region in a third light emission amount that is smaller than a second light emission amount during a period in which the photosensitive member makes at least one revolution. After the third light emission is performed, the photosensitive member and the developing portion are switched to a contact state. |
| US10520844B2 |
Toner, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
A toner includes toner particles. The toner particles each include a toner core and a shell layer covering a surface of the toner core. The toner core contains composite particles. The composite particles are particles of a composite of a releasing agent, an electrically conductive polymer, and a dopant. A ratio of an amount of the composite particles to a mass of the toner cores is at least 0.5% by mass and no greater than 15.0% by mass. |
| US10520842B2 |
Yellow toner
A yellow toner that is, even in small amounts, better in chroma than ever before. Disclosed is a yellow toner comprising a binder resin and a yellow colorant, wherein, as the yellow colorant, a compound A represented by the following general formula (1) and a compound B represented by the following formula (2) or (3) are contained, and wherein, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin, a content of the compound A is from 1 part by mass to 15 parts by mass, and a content of the compound B is from 0.1 part by mass to 8.0 parts by mass: |
| US10520838B2 |
Mounting arrangement for an optical imaging arrangement
A connection arrangement for connecting an optical component of an optical imaging arrangement to a support unit of a support structure includes: a connecting element unit having a support interface end with support interface section; and a component interface end with a component interface section. |
| US10520836B2 |
Immersion lithography system using a sealed wafer bath
Immersion lithography system and method using a sealed wafer bottom are described. One embodiment is an immersion lithography apparatus comprising a lens assembly comprising an imaging lens and a wafer stage for retaining a wafer beneath the lens assembly, the wafer stage comprising a seal ring disposed on a seal ring frame along a top edge of the wafer retained on the wafer stage, the seal ring for sealing a gap between an edge of the wafer and the wafer stage. The embodiment further includes a fluid tank for retaining immersion fluid, the fluid tank situated with respect to the wafer stage for enabling full immersion of the wafer retained on the wafer stage in the immersion fluid and a cover disposed over at least a portion of the fluid tank for providing a temperature-controlled, fluid-rich environment within the fluid tank. |
| US10520835B2 |
Measurement system, calibration method, lithographic apparatus and positioner
The invention relates to a measurement system for a projection system of a lithographic apparatus, comprising: —a sensor plate; —a detector comprising an array of detector areas; —a randomly ordered optical fiber bundle; —a positioner to position the sensor plate in the projection system; and —a control unit to control the positioning of the sensor plate and to obtain measurement data from an output of the detector, wherein a first free end of the optical fiber bundle is arranged to receive light from the sensor plate, wherein a second free end of the optical fiber bundle opposite the first free end of the optical fiber bundle is aligned with the array of detector areas of the detector, and wherein the control unit is configured to match each detector area with a corresponding location in a pupil plane of the projection system by collecting measurement data corresponding to different positions of the sensor plate relative to the projection system. |
| US10520834B2 |
Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, manufacturing method of flat-panel display and device manufacturing method, and movement method of object
A substrate stage device that moves a substrate has: a noncontact holder that supports the substrate in a noncontact manner; a first drive section that moves the noncontact holder; scale plates that serve as a reference of movement of the noncontact holder; a first measurement section that has scale plates and Y heads, one of the scale plates and the Y heads being provided at the noncontact holder and the other of the scale plates and the Y heads being provided between the scale plates and the noncontact holder, and that measures position information of the Y heads; a second measurement section that measures position information of the other of the scale plates and the Y heads; and a position measurement system that obtains position information of the noncontact holder on the basis of the position information measured by the first and the second measurement sections. |
| US10520832B2 |
Topographic phase control for overlay measurement
Metrology tools and methods are provided, which estimate the effect of topographic phases corresponding to different diffraction orders, which result from light scattering on periodic targets, and adjust the measurement conditions to improve measurement accuracy. In imaging, overlay error magnification may be reduced by choosing appropriate measurement conditions based on analysis of contrast function behavior, changing illumination conditions (reducing spectrum width and illumination NA), using polarizing targets and/or optical systems, using multiple defocusing positions etc. On-the-fly calibration of measurement results may be carried out in imaging or scatterometry using additional measurements or additional target cells. |
| US10520831B2 |
Substrate processing method, substrate processing system and substrate processing apparatus
A technique enabling a stable resist pattern forming process, when substrate processing apparatuses that perform a resist coating process separately from a developing process. A wafer having been heated after a resist coating process in a first substrate processing apparatus is also heated before an exposure process in a second substrate processing apparatus. Thus, even when amine in an atmosphere adheres to the wafer while it is being transported from the first substrate processing apparatus to the second substrate processing apparatus, the amine scatters by the heating process. At least one of a heating time and a heating temperature is adjusted based on a substrate rest time which includes a period of time between a time point at which a FOUP 10 is unloaded from the first substrate processing apparatus and a time point at which the FOUP 10 is loaded into the second substrate processing apparatus. |
| US10520829B2 |
Optical proximity correction methodology using underlying layer information
Examples of optical proximity correction (OPC) based computational lithography techniques are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving an IC design layout that includes an IC feature, the IC feature specifying a mask feature for selectively exposing to radiation a portion of a photoresist disposed on a substrate; determining topographical information of an underlying layer disposed on the substrate between the photoresist and the substrate; performing an OPC process on the IC feature to generate a modified IC feature; and providing a modified IC design layout including the modified IC feature for fabricating a mask based on the modified IC design layout. The OPC process may use the topographical information of the underlying layer to compensate for an amount of radiation directed towards the portion of the photoresist so as to expose the portion of the photoresist to a target dosage of radiation. |
| US10520824B2 |
Wavelength combining of multiple source
A light combiner (500) for use in a metrology tool includes a plurality of light sources (LED 1, LED 2, LED 3, LED 4, LED 5), a first filter (502), and a second filter (504). The first filter is designed to substantially reflect light generated from a first source of the plurality of light sources, and to substantially transmit light generated from a second source of the plurality of light sources. The second filter is designed to substantially reflect light generated from the first source and the second source of the plurality of light sources, and to substantially transmit light generated from a third source of the plurality of light sources. An angle of incidence of the light generated from the first source on a surface of the first filter is less than 30 degrees. |
| US10520822B2 |
Lithography techniques for reducing resist swelling
The present disclosure provides lithography resist materials and corresponding lithography techniques for improving lithography resolution, in particular, by reducing swelling of resist layers during development. An exemplary lithography method includes performing a treatment process on a resist layer to cause cross-linking of acid labile group components of the resist layer via cross-linkable functional components, performing an exposure process on the resist layer, and performing a development process on the resist layer. In some implementations, the resist layer includes an exposed portion and an unexposed portion after the exposure process, and the treatment process reduces solubility of the unexposed portion to a developer used during the development process by increasing a molecular weight of a polymer in the unexposed portion. The treatment process is performed before or after the exposure process. The treatment process can include performing a thermal treatment and/or an electromagnetic wave treatment to heat the resist layer. |
| US10520818B1 |
Critical dimension (CD) uniformity of photoresist island patterns using alternating phase shifting mask
A photoresist film is patterned into an array of island shapes with improved critical dimension uniformity and no phase edges by using two alternating phase shifting masks (AltPSMs) and one post expose bake (PEB). The photoresist layer is exposed with a first AltPSM having a line/space (L/S) pattern where light through alternating clear regions on each side of an opaque line is 180° phase shifted. Thereafter, there is a second exposure with a second AltPSM having a L/S pattern where opaque lines are aligned orthogonal to the lengthwise dimension of opaque lines in the first exposure, and with alternating 0° and 180° clear regions. Then, a PEB and subsequent development process are used to form an array of island shapes. The double exposure method enables smaller island shapes than conventional photolithography and uses relatively simple AltPSM designs that are easier to implement in production than other optical enhancement techniques. |
| US10520812B2 |
Resist composition
A resist composition which contains a resin (A1) which has a structural unit represented by formula (I), a structural unit represented by formula (II) and a structural unit having an acid-labile group, and an acid generator: wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group that may have a halogen atom, Ra25 represents a carboxy group, a cyano group or a C1-4 aliphatic hydrocarbon group, A1 represents a single bond, *-A2-O—, *-A2-CO—O—, etc., A2 and A3 independently represents a C1-6 alkanediyl group, and w1 represents an integer of 0 to 8, L1 represents a single bond or *-L2-CO—O-(L3-CO—O)g—, L2 and L3 independently represent a C1-12 divalent hydrocarbon group, g represent 0 or 1, R3 represents a C1-12 liner or branched alkyl group except for a tertiary alkyl group and * represents a binding position to an oxygen atom. |
| US10520807B2 |
Nanoimprint template, a method of making the same and applications thereof
A nanoimprint template is provided, including a main template, a plurality of photoresist micro-structures arranged on the main template, and a fluororubber polymer layer coated on an outer layer of the photoresist micro-structures. The fluororubber polymer layer has a bonding function with the main template, so as to fixedly connect to the surface of the main template. The nanoimprint template can not only protect the photoresist microstructure therein, but also prevent the nanoimprint template from being deformed during operating, thereby improving the process quality. Moreover, the surface oil resistance and corrosion resistance of the nanoimprint template is improved, so that the surface has lower surface energy, which can effectively improve the degumming problem during operating. A manufacturing method of the nanoimprint template and the application thereof in manufacturing a microstructure substrate are also provided, the microstructure size and shape of the formed microstructure substrate can be ensured. |
| US10520797B2 |
Projection system, control device, and control method of projection system
A projector system includes a plurality of projectors, in which a projector A and a projector B, and the projector B and a projector C are connected by a daisy chain method via each of cables, and the projector A outputs control information which controls the projector B or the projector C to the projector B via a data line of the cable along with image data and the projector B extracts and processes the control information input from the data line of the cable. |
| US10520782B2 |
Display devices, systems and methods capable of single-sided, dual-sided, and transparent mixed reality applications
The display includes a transparent display (TD) element or layer such as at least one Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) element and at least one active shutter (AS) element or layer such as a liquid crystal shutter. The AS may be opaque or transparent. The TD may be transparent or display or emit light in mixtures of color. Black may be displayed by a TD pixel by having the TD be transparent and turning an AS opaque. Each display is composed of elements that can have many states. The states can be used to create different display modes. Devices with these displays can have many form factors and configurations. These devices may change display modes based on spatial context as determined by any one of various environmental and configuration sensors. |
| US10520781B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display including: a lower electrode including a unit pixel electrode; an upper electrode including an upper unit electrode facing the unit pixel electrode; and a liquid crystal layer between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules aligned approximately perpendicular to the surfaces of the lower electrode and the upper electrode in the absence of an electric field, wherein the unit pixel electrode includes a stem forming a boundary between a plurality of sub-regions and a plurality of minute branches extending in different directions in two different sub-regions, the upper unit electrode includes an opening facing the stem and extending parallel to the stem, any alignment aid to pretilt the liquid crystal molecules is absent, and a length of the minute branches is equal to or less than about 53 μm. |
| US10520779B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In order to increase the transmittance around a pixel and to increase the brightness of the screen in an IPS mode liquid crystal display device, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on a common electrode through an interlayer insulating film. An opening is formed in the common electrode on the outside of the end portion of the pixel electrode as seen in a plane view. Because of the presence of the opening, the electric field lines from the end portion of the pixel electrode reach the layer above the liquid crystal layer and reach further away from the end portion of the pixel electrode, so that it is possible to increase the control ability to the liquid crystal around the pixel. As a result, the pixel transmittance can be increased as a whole and the brightness of the screen can be increased. |
| US10520772B1 |
Self-compensated liquid crystal polymer coatings on curved optical surface
A method disclosed herein includes applying a layer of photoalignment material on a non-flat optical surface, and exposing the layer of photoalignment material to alignment light that satisfies photoalignment criteria that are determined based on a representative thickness profile of a layer of liquid crystal material. The method also includes applying the layer of liquid crystal material over the layer of photoalignment material. Also disclosed is an optical element including a non-flat optical surface, a first layer of photoalignment material applied on the non-flat optical surface and a first layer of liquid crystal material. The layer of photoalignment material is aligned based on alignment light that satisfies photoalignment criteria that are determined based on a representative thickness profile of the layer of liquid crystal polymers. |
| US10520771B2 |
Liquid crystal device, electronic apparatus, method for manufacturing liquid crystal device, mother substrate for liquid cystal device, and method for manufacturing mother substrate for liquid crystal device
A liquid crystal device includes an elemental substrate provided with a silicon oxide alignment layer on the front surface side thereof. Silanol groups of the alignment layer are bound to an organic silane polymer layer by silane coupling treatment. The silane coupling treatment also forms an organic silane polymer layer on the rear surface side of the elemental substrate. This organic silane polymer layer is a layer having a higher hydrophilicity than the organic silane polymer layer. A light-transmitting plate bonded to the rear surface side of elemental substrate with an adhesive layer is thus unlikely to separate. |
| US10520770B2 |
Display apparatus
Provided is a display apparatus, including: a rectangular display panel including a screen in front; a rectangular sheet located behind the display panel, the sheet having a plurality of holes in a peripheral portion thereof; a light source illuminating the display panel with light from behind the display panel; and a housing accommodating the light source, the housing that has a generally box-like shape having a rectangular opening toward the display panel, and has a plurality of engageable portions arranged along a longitudinal direction in a peripheral portion of the rectangular opening, the plurality of engageable portions capable of engaging respectively with edges of the plurality of holes; wherein the plurality of engageable portions are adjustable in position or orientation so as to contact the edges of the plurality of holes. |
| US10520759B2 |
Opto-electronic oscillator and method of generating an electrical carrier signal
An opto-electronic oscillator (10) comprising: an optical source (12) to generate an optical carrier signal having a carrier wavelength; an optical phase modulator (14) to apply a sinusoidal phase modulation to the optical carrier signal to generate two first order sidebands having a π phase difference between them; an optical phase shifter (16) comprising an optical resonator configured to apply a substantially π phase-shift to one of the first order sidebands at a preselected wavelength within an optical spectrum of said first order sideband; and a photodetector (18) configured to perform optical heterodyne detection of the optical carrier signal with both: said one of the first order sidebands substantially it phase shifted by the optical resonator; and the other of the first order sidebands, to generate an electrical carrier signal (20), and wherein a first part of the electrical carrier signal (20a) is delivered to an electrical output (22) and a second part of the electrical carrier signal (20b) is delivered to the optical phase modulator as a drive signal. |
| US10520757B2 |
Method for verifying conformity with a predetermined criterion of use of a spectacle frame and associated device
Disclosed is a method for verifying conformity with a predetermined criterion of use of a spectacle frame intended to receive two ophthalmic lenses, including: a) at least one geometrical, mechanical, and/or structural characteristic is determined and the frame category to which the frame belongs from a set of predetermined spectacle-frame categories is deduced therefrom; b) an outline of at least one of the ophthalmic lenses intended to be mounted in the spectacle frame or of a rim of this spectacle frame is determined; c) the value of each parameter from a list of parameters of the frame is evaluated, considering the frame category of step a); the value of at least some of the parameters being evaluated as a function of the outline determined in step b); d) the conformity of the spectacle frame to the predetermined criterion is deduced from the values of the parameters of the spectacle frame. |
| US10520755B1 |
Viewing protection system for laser threats against aircraft
Provided is a selectively filtered vision protection system for defense against aircraft laser threats. The system comprises a viewing device having a frame supporting a transparent viewing surface. The frame is configured to be positioned on the face of a user such that the user may see through the viewing surface. A selective filter is positioned adjacent to the viewing surface such that the angle of the field of view of the user is regulated in at least one orthogonal plane. The viewing angle is selected to prevent light transmitted from a light source, located outside of the viewing angle, from being viewed by the user. The selective filter is configured to operate in a first mode for transmitting light unrestricted through the viewing surface, and a second mode to regulate the angle of the field of view of the user in at least one orthogonal plane. |
| US10520753B2 |
Lens with multi-segmented linear meniscus wall
The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of multiple segments of a frustum of a cone. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens. |
| US10520752B2 |
Method for determining an optical function of an ophthalmic lens adapted to a wearer
A method implemented by computer means for determining an optical function of an ophthalmic lens adapted to a wearer, the method comprising: a wearer data providing step, during which wearer data comprising at least an indication of the hearing sensitivity of the wearer and an indication of the ophthalmic prescription of the wearer are provided, an optical function determining step, during which an optical function adapted to the wearer is determined based at least on the wearer data. |
| US10520744B2 |
Adhesives inhibiting formation of artifacts in polymer based optical elements
Inhibiting formation of optical artifacts in a multi-layer film polarizer of an optical imaging assembly that includes a polarizing beam splitter. The beam splitter may include a multilayer reflective polarizing film having at least two materials, one of which may exhibit birefringence after uniaxial orientation; an adhesive disposed on the multilayer reflective polarizing film; and at least a first prism disposed on the adhesive. The adhesive may include a plasticizer for inhibiting formation of optical artifacts in the polarizing film. |
| US10520743B2 |
Backlight module, display device and method for driving the same
A backlight module, a display device and a method for driving the same are disclosed, such that brightness of display device can be increased when rendering 3D display. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light-splitting structure and an edge light source, wherein the light-splitting structure includes a plurality of strip-shaped first light-splitting units and a plurality of strip-shaped second light-splitting units, the first light-splitting unit and second light-splitting unit are alternately disposed on the light output surface of the light guide plate, each of first light-splitting unit and second light-splitting unit comprises at least one grating strip, the first light-splitting unit is configured for directing light to output towards a first position external to the backlight module, and the second light-splitting unit is configured for directing light to emit towards a second position external to the backlight module. The backlight module is applied into the display device, such that the display device achieves 3D display function. |
| US10520742B1 |
Beamsplitter assembly for eye tracking in head-mounted displays
A head-mounted display includes an electronic display configured to output image light, an optics assembly configured to direct image light in a first band from the electronic display to an eye box, an eye tracking unit configured to generate eye tracking information, and a beamsplitter configured to redirect light in a second band reflected from the eye box toward the eye tracking unit and transmit the image light in the first band. The beamsplitter includes a first region and a second region, and a first portion that joins the first region and the second region is curved such that an angle between the first region and the optical axis is larger than an angle between second region and the optical axis, and the beamsplitter is positioned along the optical axis between the optics assembly and the electronic display. |
| US10520738B2 |
Optical apparatus
Disclosed is an optical apparatus including a display unit, a lens configured to pass an image formed by and transmitted from the display unit, a base configured to accommodate the lens therein, and an adjustment unit configured to move the lens relative to the base so as to adjust a path of light passing through the lens. |
| US10520736B2 |
Integrated Microoptic imager, processor, and display
An optical system for displaying light from a scene includes an active optical component that includes a first plurality of light directing apertures, an optical detector, a processor, a display, and a second plurality of light directing apertures. The first plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical input to the optical detector. The optical detector is positioned to receive the optical input and convert the optical input to an electrical signal corresponding to intensity and location data. The processor is connected to receive the data from the optical detector and process the data for the display. The second plurality of light directing apertures is positioned to provide an optical output from the display. |
| US10520734B1 |
Optical system
An electronic device may include a display with a concave surface. A linear polarizer may be formed on the concave surface. A quarter wave plate may receive light from the linear polarizer. A catadioptric lens may have first and second lens elements. The first lens element may have first and second opposing surfaces. The second lens element may have opposing third and fourth surfaces. The first surface may be convex and may face the display. The fourth surface may be concave. The second surface may be concave. The third surface may be convex and may match the second surface. An additional quarter wave plate may be formed as a coating on the third surface. A partially reflective coating may be formed on the first surface. A reflective polarizer may be formed as a coating on the fourth surface. An additional polarizer may be formed on the reflective polarizer. |
| US10520730B2 |
Methods and systems for augmented reality
Methods and systems for image display with a head-mounted device, wherein customization of the display is achieved by taking into account wearer-specific visualization parameters. Such visualization parameters include parameters pertaining to the design of the device and/or wearer ophthalmic data such as wearer prescription data. Preferred images are computer-generated holographic images. |
| US10520729B1 |
Light scattering element for providing optical cues for lens position adjustment
A method includes displaying a high contrast image on a display screen; and projecting the high contrast image through a Fresnel lens to provide a cue for adjusting a position of the Fresnel lens. Also disclosed is a device for determining and/or adjusting an offset of a Fresnel lens. The device includes a Fresnel lens and a display screen configured to project a high contrast image through the Fresnel lens. Further disclosed is a method for adjusting a position of a Fresnel lens. The method includes receiving a projection of a high contrast image transmitted through a Fresnel lens; and adjusting a position of the Fresnel lens based on the projection of the high contrast image. |
| US10520724B2 |
Multi-wavelength head up display systems and methods
The disclosure is directed to an optically transparent visual display system that superimposes information onto the field of vision of a pilot or vehicle operator utilizing multiple wavelengths in order to extend the operator's range of vision. The display format may be presented on a head-up display (HUD) in a covert manner using near infra-red (NIR) light that is viewable with standard issue night vision goggles (NVGs) such as the AN/PVS-7, but not viewable to the unaided eye. Display information may originate from multiple wavelength sensors and illuminators for enhanced environmental and situational awareness that extend beyond the five human senses. Direct view displays, such as LCDs and instrument or vehicle lighting systems, may utilize NIR wavelengths that are viewable with NVGs but are not viewable to the unaided eye. |
| US10520720B2 |
Large format biocular lens
A novel optical design form for a biocular lens arrangement having a large format focal plane and large eye relief zone is disclosed. Key aspects of a large format biocular lens arrangement are: Lightweight plastic design for all but outermost lens, where more durable glass is desired; a large front aperture for comfortable eye motion; improved eye channel overlapping field of view with minimal distortion; and full color resolution. |
| US10520714B2 |
Systems and methods for instant total internal reflection fluorescence/ structured illumination microscopy
Embodiments related to systems and methods for instant structured microscopy where total internal reflection fluorescence techniques are used to improve optical sectioning and signal-to-noise ratio of structured illumination microscopy are disclosed. |
| US10520713B2 |
System for confocal illumination of a sample
A system for confocal observation of a sample, having a mask, which is arranged in both an illumination beam path and in an image beam path and which is rotatable around a central axis, openings arranged in a pinhole plane, an arrangement of focusing micro-optics aligned with the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask to generate a focal pattern, and an optical assembly with an objective, and which is configured to image the focal pattern onto the sample for generating an illumination pattern moving across the sample and to collect light from the sample by the objective and to image it onto the openings of the mask for confocal filtering. The focal plane and pinhole plane are separated by a distance and the optical assembly has a path length difference compensation arrangement which is selective with regard to the illumination light and the light collected from the sample. |
| US10520707B2 |
Optical imaging system
An optical imaging system includes a reflector, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, and a fifth lens element from an object side to an image side in order along an optical axis. The first lens element to the fifth lens element each include an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The object-side surface of the second lens element has a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the second lens element, and the image-side surface of the second lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The image-side surface of the fourth lens element has a convex portion in a vicinity of the optical axis, and the object-side surface of the fifth lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the fifth lens element. |
| US10520700B2 |
Lens driving unit, camera module and optical apparatus
A lens driving device is provided, the lens driving device including: a housing; a bobbin disposed at an inner side of the housing; a first driving part disposed on the bobbin; a second driving part disposed on the housing and facing the first driving part; a first mounting part disposed on the bobbin; a second mounting part disposed on the bobbin and disposed at an opposite side of the first mounting part based on a center of the bobbin; a first magnet disposed on the first mounting part; a sensor part sensing a position of the first magnet; and a second magnet disposed on the second mounting part. |
| US10520697B2 |
Camera module
A camera device is provided, including a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a frame, a base, a plurality of suspension wires, and an electromagnetic driving mechanism. The frame surrounds the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The suspension wires are connected to the base and the frame. The electromagnetic driving mechanism can drive the frame to move along a first direction relative to the base. |
| US10520695B2 |
Cable fixation devices and methods
A cable fixation device (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (102, 202) with fastener holes (104), an upright (110, 208) projecting from the base and including a fixation projection (126, 212, 316, 318) having a reduced dimensional portion (128, 214, 324) for receiving a cable tie (152, 222, 326). Protrusions (130, 218, 320) are provided for engaging the cable jacket. Variations on the cable fixation device include a fixation element (130, 218, 320) which can slide and/or rotate about a vertical rod; a plate element (304) which includes a plurality of fixation projections extending between two rods; and a plurality of uprights (208) integrally formed with the base and including forwardly and rearwardly projecting projections. The base (102, 202) and the fixation projections (126, 212, 316, 318) can be made from molded plastic. |
| US10520693B2 |
Pre-mounted fiber optic distribution cabinet assembly
A pre-mounted fiber optic distribution cabinet assembly is disclosed. The pre-mounted fiber optic distribution cabinet assembly includes a fiber optic distribution cabinet with an enclosure having an interior configured to house fiber optic components. The fiber optic distribution cabinet is sealed to protect against the ingress of solid foreign objects and liquids into the interior. A frame attaches to the exterior of the enclosure so that the fiber optic distribution cabinet is mounted in the frame when shipped to an installation location. The fiber optic distribution cabinet is configured to be mounted at the installation location via the frame. A stabilizer attached to the fiber optic distribution cabinet provides balancing support to the fiber optic distribution cabinet to maintain the fiber optic distribution cabinet in a generally upright orientation with the frame attached to the fiber optic distribution cabinet. |
| US10520692B2 |
Optical connection terminals for fiber optic communications networks
An optical connection terminal for a fiber optic communications network includes a base, the base comprising an exterior wall. The terminal further includes a cover connected to the base, wherein an interior cavity is defined between the base and the cover. The cover includes a bottom panel, a first end wall, a second opposing end wall, a first sidewall, and a second opposing sidewall, wherein the bottom panel extends between the first end wall and opposing second end wall and between the first side wall and second opposing sidewall. The terminal further includes an exterior channel defined in the bottom panel, and a stub cable port defined in the bottom panel within the exterior channel of the cover. The terminal further includes a plurality of connector ports defined in the exterior wall of the base. |
| US10520687B2 |
Push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly
A push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic connector connectable to fiber optic adapter and including connector housing, latch having elastic arm extended from top of connector housing for locking connector housing to fiber optic adapter, recessed portion located at bottom side relative to latch, pressure rod extended from recessed portion, fiber ferrule mounted in cable passage inside connector housing, connector sub assembly mounted in connector housing to hold fiber ferrule and fiber optic cable having fiber core inserted through fiber ferrule, and operating handle including sliding cap movably capped on connector housing, push member having push arm forwardly extended from sliding cap, cam located at one side of push arm and inserted into recessed portion of fiber optic connector, and handle shaft extended from sliding cap to pull sliding cap backwards in forcing down wedge-shaped pressure rod for disengaging fiber optic connector from fiber optic adapter. |
| US10520686B2 |
Optical connector with one-piece body
A multiple fiber push-on (MPO) optical connector is provided having a ferrule configured to house multiple optical fibers and including a stepped portion extending from at least one pair of opposing exterior surfaces of the ferrule. A one-piece housing-backpost is provided having a distal end in a connection direction and a proximal end in a cable direction. The one-piece housing-backpost is configured to receive a ferrule spring and the ferrule from the distal end. The housing-backpost includes at least one resiliently-deformable ferrule-retaining protrusion extending from a sidewall to engage a corresponding stepped portion of the ferrule. The resiliently-deformable ferrule-retaining protrusion is configured to deform towards the housing-backpost interior sidewall as the ferrule is inserted from the distal end and to extend outward against the stepped portion of the ferrule when the ferrule is seated in the housing-backpost to maintain the ferrule in the housing-backpost. |
| US10520685B2 |
Optical connector
Provided is an optical connector configured to be able to prevent a load caused by a bending stress of a protective boot from being concentrated on each of locking projections of a spring push on both right and left sides at the head thereof, thereby improving bending performance. At least a pair of locking holes (2b) and locking projections (6b) are respectively provided behind a locking hole (2a) at the front of a housing (2) and a locking projection (6a) at the head of a spring push (6) in such a manner as to distribute a load applied to the locking projection (6a) at the head of the spring push (6) with the aid of the rear locking projection (6b) at the rear thereof when an optical fiber cable (3b) is bent. |
| US10520673B2 |
Protection layers for polymer modulators/waveguides
A polymer waveguide/modulator including a lower cladding layer, a polymer core, an upper cladding layer, a first protection/barrier layer sandwiched between the lower cladding layer and the core, and a second protection/barrier layer sandwiched between the core and the upper cladding layer. The protection/barrier layers designed to protect the cladding layers and the core from solvents and gases and to prevent current leakage between the cladding layers and the core. The first protection/barrier layer is optically transparent and designed with a refractive index less than, greater than, or the same as the refractive index of the core and approximately equal to the refractive index of the lower cladding layer. The second protection/barrier layer is optically transparent and designed with a refractive index less than, greater than, or the same as the refractive index of the core and approximately equal to the refractive index of the upper cladding layer. |
| US10520668B2 |
Method for producing multicore optical fiber and multicore optical fiber
Provided is a method for producing a multicore optical fiber (MCF) in which variations in positions of cores relative to the outer shape of the MCF are small. The method includes: an integrating step of heating a common cladding tube and a core rods, thereby integrating the tube with the core rods to form a core-cladding composite body including a plurality of cores and a common cladding and having a noncircular cross-sectional shape; an outline detecting step of detecting the outline of the composite body; an optical fiber preform forming step of machining the outer circumferential surface of the composite body using results obtained in the outline detecting step to form the preform having a flat surface; and a drawing step of drawing one end of the preform under heating to obtain the MCF. Also provided is a MCF for which a rotation alignment operation is easily performed. |
| US10520665B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display with the same
A backlight module includes a backboard, a light guide plate arranged on the backboard, an optical film arranged on the light guide plate, a frame fixed with the backboard and configured to fix the light guide plate and the optical film, and an inclined block arranged on an upper surface of the frame. A slant of the inclined block is smoothly connected to the upper surface of the frame. A liquid crystal display having the backlight module is also provided. The backlight module and the LCD including the backlight module supply the glue with wide and broad attaching space. It brings great convenience to processing and assembly of the glue, thereby saving time and costs. |
| US10520663B2 |
Illumination system based on active and passive illumination devices
Illumination systems are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., a floor of a room, using active illumination devices in optical communication with passive illumination devices. The active and passive illumination devices of the illumination system are configured and arranged relative to each other in a variety of ways so a variety of intensity distributions can be provided by the illumination system. Such illumination system is implemented to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, garage lighting, or cabinet lighting. |
| US10520660B2 |
Spatial multiplexing coupler for light guide plates
A light guide plate suitable for use in a liquid crystal display device, the light guide plate comprising a glass plate and a light coupler bonded to a edge surface of the light guide plate. Also disclosed is a backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device employing the light guide plate, and a display device employing the backlight unit. |
| US10520657B2 |
Radar systems and methods for detecting objects
A radar system for detecting objects can comprise an RF transmitter that emits RF light and at least one light source that emits visible light in response to the RF light detecting the presence of an object. The system can include a dielectric lens that collects and focuses the RF light. The dielectric lens can also include features that collect and scatter the visible light. |
| US10520652B2 |
Lens Module
The present disclosure provides a lens module. The lens module includes a lens barrel with an accommodation space; a lens group accommodated in the accommodation space; a filter, a bracket and a sensor set by an image side of the lens group and outside the accommodation space. The bracket includes a top wall forming an optical aperture and a side wall extending from the top wall to the image side. The top wall has a first surface facing towards an object side, a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface and a third surface connecting the first surface to the second surface and enclosing the optical aperture. The bracket further includes a first hollow cavity arranged near the third surface, and the first hollow cavity is filled with a black light absorption substance. |
| US10520651B2 |
Voltage adjustable near-eye optical lens
An apparatus and system that uses lenses in front of a display screen to correct the vision of a user in near-eye display devices. The lenses replace the fixed lenses of typical near-eye display devices. The lenses have a wide range of adjustability such that users that require corrective eyeglass lenses or contacts can bring the displayed image into proper focus. This allows a user to experience near-eye display devices without the need for additional corrective lenses. |
| US10520650B2 |
External reservoir configuration for tunable acoustic gradient lens
A tunable acoustic gradient (TAG) lens is provided including a lens casing, a refractive fluid, a controllable acoustic wave generating element (e.g., a piezoelectric vibrator) and an external reservoir configuration. An operational volume of the refractive fluid is contained in a casing cavity of the lens casing. The external reservoir configuration includes a deformable external fluid reservoir that contains a reserve volume of the refractive fluid and that is connected to the casing cavity by a flow channel. The flow channel enables the refractive fluid to flow back and forth between the casing cavity and the deformable external fluid reservoir in accordance with expansion and contraction of the refractive fluid (e.g., due to changes in temperature). The lens casing, deformable external fluid reservoir and flow channel are configured as a sealed system, with no intentional gas volume included in the sealed system. |
| US10520649B2 |
Method of displaying an enhanced three-dimensional image
The present invention relates to an image-capturing apparatus and methods, a recording medium, a program and a display device that allows for the displaying of enhanced integral images. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and methods, a recording medium, a program and a display device and a display method which provide images of an object having enhanced three-dimensional resolution while allowing various viewpoints of the images. |
| US10520646B2 |
Haptic rain sensor
A system for detecting precipitation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect a presence of precipitation, a piezo sensor configured to be powered on in response to detection of the presence of the precipitation by the capacitive sensor, and a processor configured to detect a characteristic of the precipitation based at least in part on an output of the piezo sensor. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal from a piezo sensor, sampling the signal at a sampling rate, determining a frequency domain representation of the sampled signal, determining that a magnitude of a resonant frequency associated with the sampled signal meets a threshold, and determining a valid precipitation event based at least in part on the determination that the magnitude of the resonant frequency meets the threshold. |
| US10520641B2 |
Gamma calibration
Estimating parameters of interest of a formation, including density, porosity, and fluid saturation. Methods relate to gamma ray energy spectra calibration for a radiation detector including generating a calibration radiation spectrum using measurements of radiation with the detector in a time interval wherein the radiation comprises predominantly gamma rays emitted by decay of radionuclides produced by neutron activation reactions resulting from neutron irradiation, the time interval following a prior time interval corresponding to thermal neutrons produced from the irradiation; making at least one other radiation measurement with the detector outside the time interval; and producing a calibrated radiation measurement from the at least one other radiation measurement using the calibration radiation spectrum. The measurements may be taken in the time interval by conveying the radiation detector in the borehole at high speed and using a background gate of the detector. |
| US10520638B1 |
Optical fiber in metal tube with termination
The current disclosure describes a tube-in-tube optical fiber sensor system. A tube-in-tube optical fiber core includes an inner tube, an outer tube and one or more optical fiber sensors contained in the inner tube. The inner tube and the outer tube each include a termination portion about a sensing end of the optical fiber core. The termination portion of the outer tube includes a closed end that is swaged and welded. |
| US10520637B2 |
System and method for two dimensional gravity modeling with variable densities
Systems and methods for to two dimensional gravity modeling with variable densities are disclosed. The methods may include a method of modeling the density of a subsurface formation is disclosed. The methods may include generating a plurality of cells in a cross section of density values corresponding to a subsurface formation. The methods may further include assigning a density value to each cell. The methods may further include calculating a gravity effect for each cell based upon the density value. The methods may further include recording the gravity effect for each cell in a data structure. |
| US10520634B2 |
Downhole detection tool
The present invention concerns a downhole cable or control line detection tool. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns a method and apparatus for the downhole detection of a cable or control line associated with the external wall of a well casing. A downhole tool for the detection of downhole cable or control lines is provided. The downhole tool comprises an eddy current sensor, the eddy current sensor being arranged to be proximate to the internal wall of a well casing. The eddy current sensor is arranged for pulsed operation. The downhole tool further comprises a mechanism for rotating the eddy current sensor, with an axis of rotation parallel with the longitudinal axis of a well casing. |
| US10520630B2 |
Differential target antenna coupling (DTAC) data corrections
The present invention features a unique system of interdependent methods to greatly improve data acquired via the Differential Target Antenna Coupling (“DTAC”) method, which transmits electromagnetic (“EM”) fields and measures the primary EM field and the secondary EM fields generated in subsurface targets. These new data correction techniques provide improvements, in orders of magnitude, to the measured DTAC response accuracy. This improvement allows for greater depth of investigation, improved target location, and enhanced target characteristics. |
| US10520622B2 |
Method and apparatus performing super-virtual surface wave interferometry
A method for estimating surface waves generates incident, back-scattered, virtual back-scattered and super-virtual back-scattered traces. The stacked super-virtual back-scattered traces are an estimate of the surface waves. |
| US10520612B2 |
Readout circuitry for photomultiplier and photomultiplier
Readout circuitry for a PMT is provided, which is adapted for delivering a pair of first and second synchronous output voltage signals to a pair of outputs, the first output signal of the pair having a first AC portion being representative of a charge flow of an anode of the PMT over time, the second output signal of the pair having a second AC portion which corresponds to an inverted form of the first AC portion of the first output signal. The readout circuitry comprises a first sub-circuitry which is adapted to derive the first output signal from the charge flow over time of the anode, and a second sub-circuitry which is adapted to derive the second output signal from a charge flow over time of at least one dynode of the PMT. |
| US10520611B2 |
Structured detectors and detector systems for radiation imaging
Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween. |
| US10520605B2 |
Satellite signal reception characteristic estimation apparatus, method thereof, and program thereof
A satellite signal reception characteristic estimation apparatus includes a satellite orbital information collection unit that collects and outputs orbital information for a satellite; a peripheral environment spatial information collection unit that collects spatial information for a peripheral environment of an installation position of a satellite antenna; a positional information collection unit that collects and outputs positional information for the installation position of the satellite antenna; and a simulation server unit that estimates reception characteristics of satellite signals at the installation position of the satellite antenna by performing a simulation based on the orbital information, the spatial information, and the positional information outputted from the satellite orbital information collection unit, the peripheral environment spatial information collection unit, and the positional information collection unit. |
| US10520603B2 |
Tunnel detection system and method for a motor vehicle
A tunnel detection system for a motor vehicle comprises a radiofrequency signal receiver provided to receive a radiofrequency signal coming from a source external to the vehicle; a controller communicating with the radiofrequency signal receiver, the controller being configured to detect at least one amplitude variation in the radiofrequency signal received by the receiver; the controller is configured to determine at least one correspondence level representative of the difference between the detected amplitude variation in the radiofrequency signal and at least one predetermined reference signal amplitude variation representative of the amplitude variation in a signal received by the receiver when the receiver travels into a tunnel; the controller is configured to compare the determined correspondence level with a predetermined minimum correspondence threshold, and detect the tunnel being travelled through by the detection system when the determined correspondence level is greater than or equal to the predetermined minimum correspondence threshold. |
| US10520602B2 |
Pulsed laser for lidar system
In one embodiment, a laser system includes a seed laser configured to produce optical seed pulses. The laser system also includes a first fiber-optic amplifier configured to amplify the seed pulses by a first amplifier gain to produce a first-amplifier output that includes amplified seed pulses and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The laser system further includes a first optical filter configured to remove from the first-amplifier output an amount of the ASE. The laser system also includes a second fiber-optic amplifier configured to receive the amplified seed pulses from the first optical filter and amplify the received pulses by a second amplifier gain to produce output pulses. The output pulses have output-pulse characteristics that include: a pulse repetition frequency of less than or equal to 100 MHz; a pulse duration of less than or equal to 20 nanoseconds; and a duty cycle of less than or equal to 1%. |
| US10520601B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting at least the position of an object in space
According to some embodiments there is provided a sound and detection system comprising at least a digital sound reconstruction speaker apparatus, comprising a plurality of pressure-pulse producing elements, and at least a controlling unit configured to control the actuation of the plurality of pressure-pulse producing elements, so as to produce at least an ultrasonic beam directed towards space during at least a first time interval, for the calculation of at least the position of at least part of an object present in space based on the sensing of at least ultrasonic sound waves reflected by said part of the object, and control the actuation of the plurality of pressure-pulse producing elements, so as to produce audible content during at least a second time interval. Various other systems, methods and applications are described. |
| US10520598B2 |
Frame aware automatic gain control
A method and apparatus for automatic gain control in a frame-aware pulsed ranging system is disclosed. A frame covers a period of time, and locationing pulses are emitted once per frame. The pulses are detected by a mobile unit with a microphone, which is able to trilaterate its physical position. To counteract false positives from reverberations of pulses emitted in prior frames, a noise threshold function declines over the course of the frame. As such, small amplitude locationing pulses received late in a frame are still detected because the small amplitude pulse exceeds the decayed noise threshold function. In this way, the noise threshold function is a filter that may detect high amplitude pulses early in a frame as well as small amplitude pulses late in a frame without detecting reverberation pulses early in a frame as false positives. |
| US10520597B2 |
Aircraft radar system for bird and bat strike avoidance
This disclosure is directed to techniques, methods, devices, and systems for generating a bird and bat detection radar output using weather radar. In one example, a method includes generating, by a computing device that comprises one or more processors and is onboard a vehicle, a radar control output for an aircraft weather radar system to generate a radar transmission tuned to detect birds and bats. The method further includes receiving, by the computing device, radar data in response to the radar transmission. The method further includes determining, by the computing device, whether the radar data comprises data indicative of detected birds or bats. The method further includes generating, by the computing device, an output based at least in part on the data indicative of the detected birds or bats. |
| US10520595B2 |
Positioning method, apparatus, and mobile terminal
A positioning method and a mobile terminal in order to improve track fitting precision, eliminate erroneous track determining, improve a positioning presentation effect, and automatically set a suitable positioning frequency. The method includes determining, by the mobile terminal, an expected journey L, where the expected journey is an expected value of a distance traveled by the mobile terminal between two consecutive times of positioning, obtaining a speed value v of the mobile terminal, adjusting a positioning frequency according to the expected journey L and the speed value v of the mobile terminal such that a deviation of a distance traveled by the mobile terminal between two consecutive times of positioning from the expected journey L is less than a specified threshold, and performing positioning according to an adjusted positioning frequency. |
| US10520594B2 |
Method and fibre-optical system for illuminating and detecting an object by means of light
A method and a fibre-optical system for illuminating and detecting an object by light includes in situ calibration of a fibre bundle and disturbance-corrected illumination or disturbance-corrected detection of an object, in particular for endoscopic and microscopic applications, and makes it possible to directly determine the single phase distortion of the light, caused by the transmission by the fibre bundle, in order to calibrate the fibre bundle, and thus provides a possibility for determining the system function of a fibre bundle that is improved compared with the prior art of measuring the double phase distortion. The system function is used for disturbance correction when illuminating or detecting the object. |
| US10520593B2 |
Installation and use of vehicle light ranging system
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for calibrating a light ranging system and using the system to track environmental objects. In embodiments, the approach involves installing light ranging devices, such as lidar devices, on the vehicle exterior. The light ranging system may be calibrated using a calibration device to scan the vehicle exterior and construct a three-dimensional model of the vehicle exterior comprising the positions of the installed light ranging devices on the vehicle exterior. The calibrated light ranging system may use the model in conjunction with ranging data collected by the installed light ranging devices to track objects in the environment. In this way, the light ranging system may detect a proximity of environmental objects and help a driver of the vehicle avoid potential collisions. The light ranging system may further measure the vehicle exterior and thereby detect changes to the vehicle exterior. |
| US10520588B2 |
Maintaining clean laser lens windows using light absorbing materials
Laser sensor lenses and methods for maintaining clean laser sensors lenses are disclosed. One method may include applying a coating having first and second components to an exterior surface of a lens of a laser sensor, the first component including a thermogenic light-absorbing (TLA) material; and irradiating the TLA material from a light source within the laser sensor to generate heat from the TLA material to cause the second component to form an active coating. The light source may be a laser of a LiDAR sensor. The heat from the TLA material may cause the second component to cure, solidify, or undergo a phase change. The active coating may be at least one of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a removable cover having a TLA material may be positioned proximate the lens window and irradiated to heat the lens window (e.g., to melt ice thereon). |
| US10520586B2 |
System for generating virtual radar signatures
The invention relates to a method and system for testing and evaluating a response of an automotive radar system for a specific automotive safety scenario, wherein the method and system generates a simulated reflected radar signature corresponding to at least one virtual target in a specific virtual scenario. The simulated radar signature is generated from one or more of: a pre-recorded real reflected radar signature from at least one real target in a specific real scenario, an analytical representation of a radar target signature from at least one virtual target in a specific virtual scenario. |
| US10520585B2 |
Radar device and signal processing method
There is provided a radar device. An estimating unit estimates peak signals corresponding to a target in the latest periods of each of UP and DOWN beat sections of a beat signal on the basis of histories of peak signals corresponding to the target in past periods of the UP and DOWN beat sections. A pairing unit extracts peak signals within predetermined ranges defined with reference to the estimate peak signals on the basis of the histories, and pairs the extracted peak signals. In a case where a distance to the target is equal to or shorter than a predetermined value, the pairing unit extracts peak signals corresponding to the target, from a first range which is a predetermined angular range defined with reference to the estimate peak signals, or a second range which is a predetermined transverse position range defined with reference to the estimate peak signals. |
| US10520582B2 |
Method for iterative target location in a multiple receiver target location system
An disclosed method includes receiving, from receivers, TOA data associated with location tag transmissions; determining a first set of the receivers based on the received TOA data; calculating a first tag location estimate for the first set of the receivers by applying a minimizing function to a first set of the TOA data corresponding to the first set of the receivers; determining a first data quality indicator (DQI) for the first tag location estimate; and when the first DQI for the first tag location estimate does not meet a threshold: determining, for the first set of the TOA data, impacts of respective delays on the minimizing function; determining, based on the impacts of the respective delays on the minimizing function, a second set the receivers different from the first set of the receivers; and calculating a second tag location estimate for the second set of the receivers. |
| US10520580B2 |
Method and system of determining an estimated position of a target electronically tagged object
A method and system for determining a position of tagged objects by their proximity to each other, where the position of a target object is provided as common names of other objects nearby. This allows new ways of tracking objects that are required to be together with each other, or to be within a certain area, while reducing the power consumption of electronic tags and tag readers. |
| US10520579B2 |
Compressing and decompressing data about radio signals
An apparatus obtains a set of radio data comprising signal strength related values for radio signals transmitted by a transmitter with an association of each signal strength related value with a representation of a geographical location (201). The apparatus applies a frequency transform to the obtained set of radio data to obtain transform coefficients, each transform coefficient comprising a transform index and an associated transform value (202). The apparatus selects a subset of transform indices having more significant transform values than the remaining transform indices (203) and compresses the transform indices by encoding each transform index exploiting a probability of occurrence of an index value of a respective transform index (204). The same or another apparatus decodes the compressed transform indices again for use in position operations. |
| US10520577B2 |
Methods and devices for determining and saving location information
Aspects of the present disclosure include devices configured for wireless communication with a mobile computing device having GPS capability that allow a user to record the user's current location with the user's mobile computing device without having to physically access the mobile computing device. Such devices can allow a user to mark or record a location or waypoint to a mobile computing device, such as a GPS-enabled mobile phone, using a wireless remote and software configured to enable communication with the mobile computing device. Such devices can enable a user to mark and record locations for navigation without having to physically touch and operate the mobile computing device. |
| US10520576B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing indoor travel path based on beacon
A method and apparatus provide an indoor travel path based on a beacon. In an embodiment, the apparatus extracts, as a target beacon, at least one beacon device corresponding to at least one destination and also extracts, as an intermediate beacon, one or more beacon devices intervening between the target beacon and a user's terminal device. Then the apparatus establishes a link connecting the target beacon and the intermediate beacon and, based on the established link, calculates one or more paths configured to start from a current location of the terminal device, to pass through the intermediate beacon, and to arrive at the target beacon. Further, the apparatus selects a travel path having the minimum number of link hops from among the calculated paths and offers it to the terminal device. |
| US10520575B2 |
System and method for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging using transmission lines to generate traveling waves
A system and method for an electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) system includes a magnet configured to apply a static magnetic field to a subject to be imaged and a gradient coil configured to apply a magnetic field gradient to the static magnetic field. The system also includes a parallel plate waveguide (PPWG) configured to use a traveling wave to generate a radio frequency (RF) magnetic field over a volume of interest (VOI) in the subject to elicit EPRI data from the VOI and a processor configured to reconstruct the EPRI data into an image of the VOI. |
| US10520573B2 |
System and method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object
A method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object is provided. The method includes applying one or more wave-encoded magnetic gradients to the object, and acquiring MR signals from the object. The method further includes calibrating a wave point-spread function, and reconstructing an image from the MR signals based at least in part on the calibrated wave point-spread function. Calibration of the wave point-spread function is based at least in part on one or more intermediate images generated from the MR signals. |
| US10520557B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for recording and transmitting data
Systems, devices, and methods for recording and transmitting data are provided. The systems, devices, and methods can be used in a variety of contexts, including in conjunction with swinging devices and prosthetics. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor is configured in a manner that allows it be omni-directional such that its orientation with respect to the object for which it is detecting data is irrelevant to the ability to accurately record and transmit data. In another exemplary embodiment, the system allows a user to use the same sensor across multiple platforms, such as using it for golf and prosthetics, for golf and tennis, or for a regular golf swing and a putting stroke. Other devices, systems, methods, and uses of the same are also provided. |
| US10520555B2 |
Battery monitoring apparatus
A battery monitoring apparatus that monitors a temperature of a battery includes a temperature detecting unit, a power supply, a limiting unit, a temperature acquiring unit, and determining unit. The temperature detecting unit is provided for the battery. Resistance of the temperature detecting unit changes with temperature. The power supply applies a voltage to the temperature detecting unit. The limiting unit limits the application of voltage to the temperature detecting unit from the power supply. When the limiting unit is not limiting the application of voltage, the temperature acquiring unit determines the temperature of the battery based on a voltage-drop amount in the temperature detecting unit. When the limiting unit is limiting the application of voltage, the determining unit makes a determination regarding a short circuit between the temperature detecting unit and the battery based on the voltage applied to the temperature detecting unit. |
| US10520552B2 |
Battery pack management
An electronic device includes a processor coupled to a battery and to determine whether the battery is being charged or discharged. If the battery being is being discharged, the processor operates to calculate an amount by which the battery has discharged since a preceding calculation of remaining capacity of the battery, compensate the amount by which the battery has discharged for a condition of the battery, and calculate a remaining capacity of the battery as a function of the amount by which the battery has discharged. If the battery is being charged, the processor operates to calculate an amount by which the battery has charged since a preceding calculation of remaining capacity of the battery, compensate the amount by which the battery has charged for a condition of the battery, and calculate the remaining capacity of the battery as a function of the amount by which the battery has charged. |
| US10520545B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a semiconductor device
The present disclosure provides methods for testing and evaluating electrical parameters of electronic circuits. An exemplary method includes providing a device-under-test electrically coupled to a testing apparatus; and determining an optimum value of a first electrical parameter and an optimum value of a second parameter by testing the device-under-test according to a set of first electrical parameter values and a set of second electrical parameter values. The optimum value of the first electrical parameter and the optimum value of the second parameter are determined based on an electrical noise response of the device-under-test. |
| US10520542B2 |
System for fault determination for electronic circuits
The system includes a positioning system for mounting the circuit board to be tested and for mounting a sensor assembly. A control system registers the position of the sensor assembly relative to the circuit board to be tested and for moving the sensor assembly about the circuit board. The sensor assembly detects noise or other emissions generated by the circuit elements on the board. The noise emissions are separate from the operating signals of the circuit. The spectrum analyzer receives the emissions from the sensor assembly and produces frequency spectrum data over a selected frequency range with amplitude information. A processing system then compares the frequency spectrum information with frequency spectrum information from boards known to be good and provides information as to any differences and whether they are in an acceptable tolerance range. |
| US10520536B2 |
Apparatus for predicting a maximum operational depth for an underground drilling procedure and method
A portable device and associated method are described for use with a system in which a locating signal is transmitted from within the ground during an operational procedure. The locating signal includes a transmission frequency that is selectable from a group of discrete transmission frequencies in a frequency range and the region includes electromagnetic noise that can vary. The portable device includes a receiver having a bandwidth that includes the transmission frequency range and is operable for measuring the electromagnetic noise in the transmission frequency range to establish a frequency content of the electromagnetic noise for use in selecting one of the discrete transmission frequencies that is subsequently transmitted as the locating signal during the operational procedure. The locating signal can be transmitted from a boring tool, a pullback arrangement or an inground cable. A predicted maximum operational depth for a transmitter can be determined prior to the operational procedure. |
| US10520530B2 |
Power sense output
Examples disclosed herein relate to determining a power sense output based on a current sense line and a voltage sense line. A first stage circuit has a first voltage input of the current sense line of a server. The first stage circuit also has a feedback voltage input based on an output voltage of the first stage circuit and a variable resistance value based on the voltage sense line of the server. A second stage circuit is used to buffer the first output voltage to yield a second output voltage. A third stage circuit yields a power sense output based on a difference between the second output voltage and the first voltage input. |
| US10520526B2 |
Folded tether structure for MEMS sensor devices
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor device with a compound folded tether is disclosed. The compound folded tether connects a movable proof mass to a substrate, and includes folds composed of multiple short segments aligned with each other to form a longer composite segment having multiple breaks along its length. The use of multiple short segments to create a longer composite segment of the folded tether provides the tether with increased stiffness without altering the fundamental resonance frequency of the tether. The increased stiffness can beneficially lower the occurrence of stiction. Moreover, such a tether configuration provides larger separation between the tether's fundamental resonance frequency and higher order resonant mode frequencies, meaning that the higher order modes may be suppressed in typical operation of the MEMS sensor device. |
| US10520523B2 |
Fluid movement sensor with instrumented centerbody
A fluid sensing device includes an outer shell, a three-axis force and moment balance, a strut, and a centerbody. The outer shell has an inlet at a first end of the outer shell, an aft vent at an opposing second end of the outer shell, and an interior space connecting the inlet and the aft vent. The three-axis force and moment balance is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The strut is connected to the outer shell and the three-axis force and moment balance such that the strut supports the three-axis force and moment balance in the interior space. At least a portion of the centerbody is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The centerbody is connected to the three-axis force and moment balance such that the three-axis force and moment balance is configured to measure force, moment, and/or movement of the centerbody. |
| US10520522B2 |
Automated analyzer
A control section causes one dispensing mechanism of either a reagent dispensing mechanism or a sample dispensing mechanism to first discharge a predetermined amount of a liquid into the reaction container, and then, with respect to the cases where the amount of a liquid to be discharged by the other dispensing mechanism is larger or smaller than the amount of the liquid in the reaction container, causes the other dispensing mechanism to discharge the liquid such that the discharge speed in the case where the amount of the liquid to be discharged is larger is decreased relative to the discharge speed in the case where the amount of the liquid to be discharged is smaller. |
| US10520519B2 |
Arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method
The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel. |
| US10520516B2 |
Complexes comprising transmembrane receptors and antibodies that bind the receptors in a conformationally selective manner
Provided herein are several methods for selecting agents that bind to transmembrane receptors in a conformationally-selective way. In some embodiments, the method may comprise producing: a transmembrane receptor in an active conformation; and said transmembrane receptor in an inactive conformation and using cell sorting to select, from a population of cells comprising a library of cell surface-tethered extracellular capture agents, cells that are specifically bound to either the transmembrane receptor in its active conformation or the transmembrane receptor in its inactive conformation, but not both. In other embodiments, the method may comprise: contacting a GPCR with a population of cells that comprise a library of surface-tethered extracellular proteins; labeling the cell population with a conformationally-specific binding agent, e.g., a G-protein or mimetic thereof; and using cell sorting to select from the cell population cells that bind to the agent. |
| US10520515B2 |
Glycated protein assay
Methods, devices, and reagents are described for performing assays for hemoglobin Ale, glycated albumin, and other glycated proteins. The methods involve a ratio determination between glycated protein and non-glycated protein. In some applications, the assay utilizes LOCI for signal generation. This invention is directed to assays and corresponding devices and reagents for detection of glycated protein, particularly including glycated hemoglobin. As is generally understood, such detection is useful in the management of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients and for monitoring the status of pre-diabetic individuals. |
| US10520511B2 |
Multimeric protein purity determination
Improved capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE), and partially filled-ACE (PF-ACE) systems and methods for the detection and quantification of specific molecular entities in a mixture thereof are provided. During manufacturing, heterodimeric bispecific antibodies are often produced along with homodimer species, which can confound quantification of the bispecific antibody. Disclosed are capillary electrophoretic systems and methods of detecting a specific homodimer in the mixture of bispecific heterodimer and homodimers. A ligand capable of binding one of the subunits of the bispecific antibody is contacted with the mixture to form a complex having a reduced electrophoretic mobility, thereby enabling detection of the unbound homodimer. |
| US10520507B2 |
Methods for determining the risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject having a chronic viral infection through the measurement of lysophosphatidic acid
A method for determining the risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject having a chronic viral infection includes determining a level of determining a level of at least one lysophophatidic acid (LPA) subtype in the subject, wherein the LPA subtype is selected from the group consisting of LPA 16:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 20:4 and comparing the determined level of the at least one LPA to a control level, wherein an increased level of at least one LPA subtype is indicative of the subject having an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with the chronic viral infection. |
| US10520504B2 |
Fluorescent polybranched probes for detecting bacteria and/or fungi in vitro and in vivo
A probe for detecting bacteria and/or fungi in vitro and in vivo is provided, the probe having a core and a plurality of probe elements; each probe element within the plurality of probe elements extending from the core and having a fluorophore and a binding moiety, wherein the binding moiety is a bacteria binding moiety and selectively binds to bacteria and/or to fungi and not to animal cells. Methods of use of the probe and kits comprising the probe are also provided. |
| US10520503B2 |
Compositions and methods for determining the likelihood of appendicitis
A method for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) determining the relative abundance of microorganisms corresponding to one or more operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in a test biological sample obtained from the subject; (b) comparing the relative abundance of the microorganisms in each of the one or more OTUs to a corresponding reference value assigned to each of the one or more OTUs, and (c) determining a likelihood of appendicitis in the subject based on the result in step (b), wherein a significant increase in relative abundance of the microorganisms in the one or more OTUs indicates a high risk of appendicitis in the subject. Also disclosed is a kit for determining a likelihood of appendicitis in a subject. |
| US10520500B2 |
Labelled silica-based nanomaterial with enhanced properties and uses thereof
The present invention relates to labelled silica-based nanoparticles with enhanced properties, to process for preparing them and to uses thereof. |
| US10520496B2 |
Methods, compositions, and kits for detection of bacterial proteases
Provided herein are novel fluorogenic and bioluminescent bacterial protease substrates that contain at least one bacterial protease cleavage site. In some embodiments, the proteases that cleave the protease substrates are bacterial proteases including those used for tissue dissociation, cell isolation, and cell detachment, such as the preparation of islet cells. Additionally, the novel protease substrates described herein may be used to assess the activity of certain bacterial proteases involved in isolating primary cells and stem cells. Methods and protease detection kits using the novel protease substrates are also provided herein. |
| US10520495B2 |
Dissolution-enhanced time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay based on rare earth nanomaterial
This invention relates to a rare earth nanomaterial labeled biomolecule, its labeling method and a dissolution-enhanced time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay based on the rare earth nanomaterial. The rare earth nanomaterial serves as a label having stable properties, large specific surface area, strong modifiability, low-cost and thousands of lanthanide ions contained in each nanocrystal, the labeling ratio of rare earth ions can be greatly improved. Furthermore, the rare earth nanomaterial can be less affected by exogenous rare earth ions, unaffected by anticoagulants, and has broader applicability; after the immune complex was formed by labeling the biomolecules with the nanomaterial containing rare earth, an enhancer solution was added to allow the rare earth nanomaterial to dissolve into the rare earth ions, which can in turn form new signaling molecules with the chelates in the enhancer solution to induce intramolecular and intermolecular energy transfer, thereby significantly increasing fluorescence intensity by about a million times to greatly enhance the detection sensitivity by using time-resolved fluorescence assay. |
| US10520492B2 |
Method of screening for candidate compounds for regulating melanogenesis or pigmentation
A method to identify target genes or proteins for regulating melanogenesis or pigmentation and to screen for compounds for manipulation of melanogenesis or pigmentation, the method of screening for candidate compounds for regulating melanogenesis or pigmentation, includes bringing test compounds into contact with cells capable of expressing mortalin and/or Hsp60 in vitro, and selecting, from among the test compounds, a compound that changes the expression level of mortalin and/or Hsp60. |
| US10520488B2 |
Method and measuring device for determination of the growth rate of biofilm
A method for determination of the growth rate of biofilm using an electrical impedance analyses is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: bringing a culture medium fluid in contact to an electrode structure, having biofilm grown within the fluid culture medium with the biofilm arranged in distance to the electrodes structure, so that the fluid culture medium is placed between the growing biofilm and the electrode structure; measuring the impedance of the electrodes structure over a monitoring time, and determining the growth rate of the biofilm as a function of the reduction rate of the impedance values measured on the electrode structure. |
| US10520487B2 |
Electric-field imager for assays
This disclosure describes an electric-field imaging system and method of use. In accordance with implementations of the electric-field imaging system, a fluid sample can be placed on top of a pixel-based impedance sensor. An image of the target analytes can be created immediately afterwards. From this image, computer imaging algorithms can determine attributes (e.g., size, type, morphology, volume, distribution, number, concentration, or motility, etc.) of the target analytes. |
| US10520486B2 |
Method for suppressing protein adsorption
Provided is a novel method of suppressing non-specific protein adsorption. The above-mentioned object can be achieved by treating a solid phase with a solid phase-treating liquid containing a phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer as a main component, and treating a specimen with a specimen-treating liquid containing, as a main component, a polymer having a phosphorylcholine group, a hydroxy group, and a hydrophobic group, followed by addition of the treated specimen to the treated solid phase. |
| US10520483B2 |
Autonomous device for detecting characteristics of a medium to be measured and method therefor
An autonomous device for detecting characteristics of a medium to be measured is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, a first microcontroller and a second microcontroller. The first microcontroller has a memory which is not resistant against gamma radiation during the sterilization of the device and the second microcontroller has a memory which is resistant against gamma radiation during the sterilization of the device. |
| US10520481B2 |
Hydrogen sulfide gas detector with humidity and temperature compensation
A hydrogen sulfide gas detector is provided. The detector includes a metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas sensor having an electrical characteristic that varies with hydrogen sulfide gas concentration. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas detector to measure the electrical characteristic. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to receive an indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor as well as an indication of ambient humidity. The controller is configured to provide a compensated hydrogen sulfide gas concentration output based on the indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor, an indication of ambient temperature, and the indication of ambient humidity. |
| US10520479B2 |
Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer
In a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC/MS) for performing mass spectrometry of fractionated samples prepared with a multi-dimensional LC or similar LC with high separatory capability, fractionated sample useful information which shows the degree of usefulness of various substances with respect to retention time is prepared from prior information which includes, for example, elution characteristics in the LC depending on the kind of column or other factors or the degree of ease of ionization in the MS. During a measurement, the preparative separation of an eluate and the preparation of fractionated samples are not performed within a period of time which has been judged to be useless based on the fractionated sample useful information. By selecting fractionated samples at each dimension of the multi-dimensional LC, the number of fractionated samples to be eventually subjected to mass spectrometry can be significantly reduced. |
| US10520477B2 |
High pressure valve with multi-piece stator assembly
Valve with multi-piece stator assembly for use with liquid chromatography or other analytical systems. A separate and removable stator plate is provided with a mounting device to provide a multi-piece stator assembly. The mounting device is adapted on one side to engage and contact the stator plate, and on the other side includes a plurality of ports for fluidic connections which are in fluid communication with fluid passageways in the stator plate. By making the stator face a separate component, the overall costs of the valve can be reduced, different materials can be used for the mounting device and the stator, and the valve can be used for ultra-high pressure applications, including in liquid chromatography and other analytical instrument systems. |
| US10520476B2 |
Method for inspecting high density polyethylene pipe
A system and method directed to inspecting a high density polyethylene pipe. The system includes a pipe inspection tool that is positioned about a fused polyethylene pipe joint. The inspection tool may include search units, a pipe carriage, a pulser and a phased array testing instrument programmed to adjust an amplitude response signal from the search units based on a vertically established time corrected gain curve. The inspection tool is rotated around the high density polyethylene pipe joint while propagating acoustical waves at various patterns and angles through the polyethylene pipe joint. Prior to the joint inspection, the inspection tool is calibrated using a calibration tool which includes a block having an array of equal sized bores positioned along different axis' through the block's depth. The block is constructed of the same material type and grade as the pipes that were fused together to form the polyethylene pipe joint. |
| US10520474B2 |
Inspection tool
An inspection tool for inspection of a hole of a metallic lug, including, a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, and a housing element, wherein the first arm, the third arm and the housing element may vary their position independently of each other in relation to the second arm. Also, the present invention discloses an inspection device for inspection of a metallic lug that comprises an inspection tool and a probe housed in the housing element, and a method for detecting cracks around metallic lug. |
| US10520473B2 |
Distributed sensing fiber acoustic emission fusion sensing system and running method
A distributed sensing fiber acoustic emission fusion sensing system includes a sensing fiber temperature-sensitive compensation device and a sensing fiber acoustic emission demodulation device. A sensing fiber in the sensing fiber temperature-sensitive compensation device after being compensated enters the sensing fiber acoustic emission demodulation device. |
| US10520468B2 |
Inspection apparatus for gas sensor
An inspection apparatus capable of performing responsivity inspection on a plurality of gas sensors at equivalent accuracies is provided. The inspection apparatus includes a plurality of inspected sensor disposing parts that are provided halfway through one gas flow path at equal intervals in an extending direction of the flow path and in each of which a gas sensor to be inspected is disposed, and a plurality of straightening plates provided upstream of each of the inspected sensor disposing parts on the gas flow path and separated at a constant distance from the inspected sensor disposing parts. The straightening plates each include a rectangular opening orthogonal to the gas flow path and open to the gas flow path. When the gas flow path extends in one direction in a horizontal plane, the opening has a longitudinal direction along a direction orthogonal to the one direction in the horizontal plane. |
| US10520464B2 |
Gas sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A gas sensor having a reliable measurement accuracy for specific gases even if a pump electrode is heated and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The gas sensor is provided with a measurement target gas chamber, a reference gas chamber, a solid electrolyte, a pump electrode, a sensor electrode, a reference electrode and a heater. The pump electrode includes Pt, Au and an aggregate. After the gas sensor has been manufactured, in a state that the pump electrode has not been heated to an activation temperature of the solid electrolyte yet, in the pump electrode, a pore is 5.2 vol % or less, a surface roughness Ra is 0.5 μm to 9.1 μm, and a content ratio of the aggregate is 4.9 vol % or more. |
| US10520463B2 |
Gas sensor
An insulating separator of a gas sensor is formed to be dividable into a forward separator having a terminal disposition hole, and a rear separator having four terminal disposition holes. The insulating separator has a ventilation path formed between the forward separator and the rear separator. As a result, moisture and the like which enter the insulating separator from a forward side of the forward separator through the terminal disposition hole can be discharged outward of the insulating separator through the ventilation path. As a result, corrosion of metal terminals caused by entry of moisture can be reduced, whereby transmission of a sensor signal and application of current or voltage through the metal terminals can be appropriately implemented. |
| US10520459B2 |
Chemometric analysis of chemical agents using electrochemical detection and classification techniques
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for the identification of chemical agents and determination of their level of exposure using electrochemical detection and advanced signal processing. In one aspect, a method includes collecting a sample from a surface containing a chemical agent to an electrode on a sensor such that the chemical agent transfers on the electrode, detecting an electrochemical signal of the chemical agent on the electrode to transduce chemical information associated with the chemical agent to an electrical signal, processing the electrical signal to obtain electrochemical spectral signature data to identify the chemical agent and generating a series of coefficients of the electrochemical spectral signature data to reduce the data, and classifying the chemical information based on the series of coefficients among preselected data sets to determine a level of exposure to the chemical agent. |
| US10520457B2 |
Sensor of volatile substances with integrated heater and process for manufacturing a sensor of volatile substances
A sensor of volatile substances including: a sensitive layer, of a sensitive material that is permeable to a volatile substance and has an electrical permittivity depending upon a concentration of the volatile substance absorbed; a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure capacitively coupled together and arranged so that a capacitance between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure is affected by the electrical permittivity of the sensitive material; and a supply device, configured to supply a heating current through one between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure in a first operating condition, so as to heat the sensitive layer. |
| US10520454B2 |
Innovative X-ray source for use in tomographic imaging
A method, target, and apparatus are disclosed for investigating a specimen using X-ray tomography. The specimen in mounted on a specimen holder. An X-ray target has a substrate of relatively low-atomic-number material carrying an array of mutually isolated nuggets of a relatively high-atomic number material. X-rays are generated by irradiating a single nugget in the target with a charged particle beam, which then illuminates the specimen along a first line of sight through the specimen. A flux of X-rays transmitted through the specimen is detected to form a first image. The illumination process is repeated for a series of different lines of sight through the specimen, to produce a series of images. A mathematical reconstruction on the series of images is then performed to produce a tomogram of at least part of the specimen. |
| US10520453B2 |
Image acquisition device, image acquisition method, and image correction program
Provided are an image acquisition device and an image acquisition method capable of acquiring the internal and external contours of a measured object with a high degree of accuracy. An image acquisition device 1 includes: a first X-ray source 10 that applies X-rays having a first focal point size; a first detector 20 that detects X-rays applied from the first X-ray source 10 and having passed through a measured object O; a first image generation means 30 that generates a first X-ray CT image on the basis of the X-rays detected by the first detector 20; a second X-ray source 40 that applies X-rays having a second focal point size smaller than the first focal point size; a second detector 50 that detects X-rays applied from the second X-ray source and having passed through the measured object O; a second image generation means 60 that generates a second X-ray CT image on the basis of the X-rays detected by the second detector 50; and an image correction means 70 that corrects the first X-ray CT image generated by the first image generation means 30 on the basis of the second X-ray CT image generated by the second image generation means 60. |
| US10520452B2 |
Automated quality control and selection
A non-destructive inspection method for inline inspection of an object comprises moving an object in between a radiation source and an image detector and through a three-dimensional scanner field of view, imaging the object using the image detector to obtain a projection radiograph of an internal structure of the object, scanning an exterior surface of the object using the 3D scanner, fitting a shape model of the object to a point cloud provided by the 3D scanner to obtain a surface model of the exterior surface, creating a solid model of the surface model by taking a grey value distribution of a reference object into account, simulating a reference radiograph from the solid model and comparing the reference and projection radiographs to detect internal deviations of the object. |
| US10520451B2 |
Diffraction based overlay metrology tool and method of diffraction based overlay metrology
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for determining overlay of a pattern on a substrate with a mask pattern defined in a resist layer on top of the pattern on the substrate. A first grating is provided under a second grating, each having substantially identical pitch to the other, together forming a composite grating. A first illumination beam is provided under an angle of incidence along a first horizontal direction. The intensity of a diffracted beam from the composite grating is measured. A second illumination beam is provided under the angle of incidence along a second horizontal direction. The second horizontal direction is opposite to the first horizontal direction. The intensity of the diffracted beam from the composite grating is measured. The difference between the diffracted beam from the first illumination beam and the diffracted beam from the second illumination beam, linearly scaled, results in the overlay error. |
| US10520450B2 |
Substrate inspection method, substrate treatment system, and computer storage medium
A substrate inspection method in a substrate treatment system including a plurality of treatment apparatuses each performing a predetermined treatment on a substrate, includes: imaging a surface of a substrate before being treated in the treatment apparatuses to acquire a first substrate image; extracting a predetermined feature amount from the first substrate image; selecting an inspection recipe corresponding to the feature amount extracted from the first substrate image, from a storage unit in which a plurality of inspection recipes each set corresponding to the feature amount in a different range are stored; imaging the surface of the substrate after being treated in the treatment apparatuses to acquire a second substrate image; and determining presence or absence of a defect of the substrate, based on the selected inspection recipe and the second substrate image. |
| US10520448B2 |
Method and system for detecting abnormalities in coated substrates
Provided is a detection system for detecting abnormalities in a coated substrate having a coating and a substrate, and including a detection device that includes a housing configured to block external sources of light from impinging on the coated substrate, a light source array including a plurality of light sources and configured to be arranged to direct light upon the coated substrate, an optical imaging system configured to capture a video data stream and still images of the coating and an underlying surface of the substrate including structure features comprising any abnormalities in the coated substrate, an on-board embedded system to control the light source array and the optical imaging system and perform real-time processing to correct spatial and temporal variations in intensity of the plurality of light sources of the light source array, and spatial and temporal variations in sensitivity and optical Narcissus effect of the optical imaging system. |
| US10520446B2 |
Polymer materials
A polyurethane material for the detection or sensing of species or stimulus comprising a polyurethane network comprising immobilized therein, or modified by the immobilization therein of, a hydrophilic polymer comprising a ligand or moiety for the detection or sensing of species or stimulus and an indicator for indicating detection or sensing wherein species or stimulus is selected from chemical or biological species or stimulus; the material for medical, dental, hygiene, point of use sterilization, sanitation, personal care, biosurveillance or packaging use, the use thereof preferably for detecting and/or sensing or binding bacteria, or for detecting or sensing pH or for detection or scanning with use of a reader; a Kit and a device comprising the same; and a process for the preparation thereof. |
| US10520438B2 |
Collection optics system for spectrometer and Raman spectral system
A collection optics system for a spectrometer and a Raman spectral system including the collection optics system is provided. The collection optics system is configured to selectively collect a Raman signal from scattered light output from a target object, the collection optics system includes a non-imaging collection unit configured to collect the Raman signal and output the Raman signal, the non-imaging collection unit including an entrance surface on which the scattered light is incident and an exit surface through which the Raman signal is output, and a Raman filter provided on a portion of the entrance surface of the non-imaging collection unit and configured to block the scattered light including a fluorescence signal. Therefore, the collection optics system may suppress reception of the fluorescence signal of the scattered light and selectively collect the Raman signal. |
| US10520434B2 |
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy method having time-correlated single-photon counting, which method permits higher light intensities
A fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy method with time-correlated single photon counting includes periodically exciting a sample to emit fluorescence photons, with a measurement interval being defined between each two successive excitation light pulses. A value characterizing fluorescence decay behavior is determined based on detection times of detected fluorescence photons, and imaging is performed based one the value. An analog detector signal is sampled within a plurality of sampling intervals within a respective one of the measurement intervals and is converted into a sequence of discrete signal values associated with the sampling intervals. It is determined based thereon whether more than a predefined number of fluorescence photons has been detected within the respective measurement interval. If more than the predefined number of fluorescence photons has been detected, the respective measurement interval is discarded in the step of determining the value characterizing the fluorescence decay behavior. |
| US10520433B2 |
Turbidimeter
Various turbidimeters are described that can detect light directly in a substantially circular, e.g., encompassing, manner such that an increased amount of scattered light from a sample vial may be detected by a light detector, e.g., a photodiode or photodiode array. In an embodiment, a substantially circular photodiode array is provided to directly detect scattered light in an arc about the sample vial. In other embodiments, light guides are provided in an arc element that guides light to a detector or detectors. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US10520431B2 |
Particle analyzer, particle analysis method, and particle analysis program
A particle analyzer is intended to accurately obtain an aspect ratio and a major axis length or a minor axis length of particles being dispersed in a dispersion medium. The particle analyzer includes a polarization relationship value calculation section to calculate a polarization relationship value whose parameter is light intensity of two kinds of polarization components, an aspect ratio calculation section to calculate an aspect ratio from a polarization relationship value already obtained by the polarization relationship value calculation section by using a relationship between the polarization relationship value and the aspect ratio, a diffusion coefficient acquisition section to acquire a diffusion coefficient indicating the behavior of the particles in a sample, and an axis length calculation section to calculate a major axis length from the aspect ratio already calculated by the aspect ratio calculation section and the diffusion coefficient already acquired by the diffusion coefficient acquisition section, by using a relationship between the diffusion coefficient, the major axis length, and the aspect ratio. |
| US10520428B2 |
Optical system
The invention relates to an optical system for measuring the absorption of light in a medium, comprising at least one light source for sending light and at least one optical detector, which receives the light and converts it into an electrical signal. The system is characterized in that the system comprises at least one light guide, wherein, in the region of the light source, light is coupled as reference light into the light guide, wherein the light guide is guided, at least in sections, past the medium, and wherein the light guide guides the reference light onto the detector. |
| US10520426B2 |
Peakforce photothermal-based detection of IR nanoabsorption
An apparatus and method of performing photothermal chemical nanoidentification of a sample includes positioning a tip of a probe at a region of interest of the sample, with the tip-sample separation being less than about 10 nm. Then, IR electromagnetic energy having a selected frequency, ω, is directed towards the tip. Using PFT mode AFM operation, absorption of the energy at the region of interest is identified. Calorimetry may also be performed with the photothermal PFT system. |
| US10520425B2 |
Optofluidic device
An integrated optofluidic device to illuminate, along an irradiation direction, a fluidic sample containing an object to be analysed, the device comprising: a substrate comprising an entry surface and being made of a material transparent to a light beam incident through the entry surface along the irradiation direction; a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate and having a channel portion intercepting the irradiation direction and extending along a longitudinal axis transverse to the irradiation direction, the microfluidic channel comprising a first flow inlet port for loading a fluidic sample therein, and an elongated lens cavity for an optofluidic cylindrical lens, the cavity being formed in the substrate and being arranged along the beam irradiation direction between the entry surface and the microfluidic channel, wherein the lens cavity is in fluid communication with a lens inlet port for loading a lens fluid. |
| US10520419B2 |
Cartridge for a magnetic flow cytometer, a magnetic flow cytometer, and method for analysing a sample with such a cartridge
The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for a magnetic flow cytometer, mainly extending in a x-y-plane, with an inlet (2) for injecting a sample (15) into the cartridge (1), a blister (3) for a buffer solution (21) with magnetic markers to mark pregiven particles (16, 16′) of the sample (15), an outlet, and a fluid channel (9), the fluid channel (9) comprising a first part that connects the inlet (2) with the blister (3) and a second part that connects the first part with the outlet, wherein the second part of the fluid channel (9) comprises an enrichment zone (5) with mechanical guiding structures to focus marked particles (16, 16′) of the sample (15) in a predetermined subsection of the fluid channel (9) and a measuring zone (6) between the enrichment zone (5) and the outlet, the measuring zone (6) comprising a magnetic field sensor (14) in the predetermined subsection of the fluid channel (9) in order to provide simplified and accelerated means for measuring particles, in particular concentrations of particles, of a sample. |
| US10520416B2 |
Substrate treating method for a substrate treating apparatus that carries out etching treatment of substrates
A substrate treating apparatus includes a circulating line having a treating tank for storing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution, a circulating pump for feeding the phosphoric acid aqueous solution, a heater for circulation for heating the phosphoric acid aqueous solution, a filter for filtering the phosphoric acid aqueous solution, the circulating line causing the phosphoric acid aqueous solution discharged from the treating tank to flow in order of the circulating pump, the heater for circulation and the filter, and returning the phosphoric acid aqueous solution from the filter to the treating tank. The apparatus also includes a branch pipe branching from the circulating line between the heater for circulation and the filter for extracting the phosphoric acid aqueous solution from the circulating line, and a concentration measuring station connected to the branch pipe for measuring silicon concentration in the phosphoric acid aqueous solution by potentiometry. |
| US10520415B2 |
Particulate matter detection element, particulate matter detection sensor, and method of manufacturing particulate matter detection element
A particulate matter detection element for detecting particulate matter in a gas to be measured includes flat-shaped conductor layers, flat-shaped insulating layers, a laminated structure in which the conductor layers and the insulating layers are alternately laminated, and a detecting unit having the conductor layers of different polarities as a pair of detection electrodes on a cross section of the laminated structure. The conductor layers each have a constant thickness, and include conductor layer planar portions having a stripped-pattern cross section, and tapered conductor layer end edge portions each having a triangular cross section, provided on both sides of the respective conductor layer planar portions. |
| US10520410B2 |
Probe and method for obtaining rheological property value
The probe can include a base and a resistance member extending from the base and onto which a resistance pressure is imparted by a rheological substance when the resistance member is submerged and moved therein. Rheological properties can be obtained using values indicative of the resistance pressure both in a low speed range and in a high speed range. |
| US10520408B2 |
Method and instrument for measuring the density of fluid media
A method and a measuring device measure the density of fluid media with a sensor having a density measuring device. A frequency oscillator with mass balance is used as the density sensor and all components related to the frequency oscillator with mass balance for the oscillation behavior, oscillation excitation and oscillation evaluation, as well as the frequency oscillator with mass balance directly associated with the measuring and sensor electronics, are enclosed in a housing or cartridge. These components are used with the frequency oscillator with mass balance in the cartridge, and/or the frequency oscillator with mass balance together with the cartridge is adjusted or calibrated using measurement standards and adapted as necessary to the specific application. The cartridge with the frequency oscillator with mass balance is releasably or replaceably connected with the measuring device or its base body before the beginning of the measuring operation to investigate the media. |
| US10520404B2 |
Biomolecule extraction device and biomolecule extraction method
A biomolecule extraction device and method for use thereof are disclosed. The biomolecule extraction device has an insertion part, a body part and at least on discharge port. The insertion port is insertable in a body part, and is configured to fix a sample of collected biomass containing biomolecules. The body part is configured to receive a lyses buffer and contact the surface of the fixed biomass with the lyses buffer to extract the biomolecules from the biomass when the insertion part is inserted in the body part. The at least one discharge part is disposed in the insertion part or the body part for discharging biomass lysate containing the extracted biomolecules. |
| US10520394B2 |
Elastomeric degradation indicator devices, systems, and methods
The present subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for indicating degradation in a component having one or more elastomeric elements. For example, a degradation indicator can include an indicator element in communication with at least a portion of the one or more elastomeric elements, wherein the indicator element is configured to show visible degradation or damage when a specific and predetermined condition of the one or more elastomeric elements is reached. |
| US10520393B2 |
System and method for verifying a diopter setting and range of an optical system eyepiece
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for verifying a diopter setting and range of an optical system eyepiece by utilizing an image sensor to view and analyze test patterns of spots displayed within the optical system eyepiece and calculating the diopter setting and range of the optical system eyepiece from an observed change in the test pattern at different diopter settings. |
| US10520391B1 |
Optical measurement apparatus
An optical measurement apparatus configured to measure a photonic integrated circuit (photonic IC) is provided. The optical measurement apparatus includes a substrate, at least one optical waveguide device, a first connector, and a second connector. The at least one optical waveguide device is disposed on the substrate. The first connector and the second connector are connected with the at least one optical waveguide device. An optical signal from a first optical fiber is transmitted to the at least one optical waveguide device through the first connector, transmitted to the inside of the photonic IC though at least one first evanescent coupler of the photonic IC, transmitted to the at least one optical waveguide device through at least one second evanescent coupler of the photonic IC, and transmitted to a second optical fiber through the second connector in sequence. |
| US10520386B2 |
Vibration measurement device and method for high-speed rotating machines
This vibration measurement device is configured to measure the balancing vibration of the cartridge, a kind of rotating machines, who has a rotor and a cartridge body to support the rotor rotatably for variable operating speed, and is provided with a rigidly fixed support structure, acceleration sensors which detect the vibration of the cartridge, and a flat spring which elastically supports the cartridge with respect to the support structure and has a variable spring constant of elastic support. |
| US10520383B2 |
Temperature-compensating absolute pressure sensor
A differential pressure transmitter configured to provide an absolute pressure measurement is presented. The differential pressure sensor comprises a first process fluid inlet. The differential pressure sensor also comprises a second process fluid inlet. The differential pressure sensor also comprises a differential pressure sensor operably coupled to the first and second process fluid inlets. The differential pressure sensor also comprises an absolute pressure cap coupled to the second pressure inlet. The cap comprises a volume of gas within an expansion feature. The volume of gas has a reference pressure. The expansion feature is configured to allow for expansion of the volume of gas in response to a temperature increase, such that the volume of gas maintains the reference pressure. |
| US10520378B1 |
Wearable user input device and sensors system to detect injury
A system for monitoring injuries comprising a plurality of wearable user input devices and a wireless transceiver. Each of the plurality of wearable user input devices may be configured to detect motion patterns of a user. Each of the plurality of wearable user input devices may be configured as performance equipment. The wireless transceiver may be configured to communicate the motion patterns to a user device. The user device may be configured to (i) develop and store reference patterns related to impacts, (ii) compare the detected motion patterns with the reference patterns, (iii) estimate a location and direction of an impact based on the comparison, (iv) accumulate data from the estimated impact with previously suffered impact data, (v) aggregate results based on the accumulated impact data and context information and (vi) generate feedback for the user based on the aggregated results. |
| US10520372B2 |
Optical manufacturing process sensing and status indication system
An optical manufacturing process sensing and status indication system is taught that is able to utilize optical emissions from a manufacturing process to infer the state of the process. In one case, it is able to use these optical emissions to distinguish thermal phenomena on two timescales and to perform feature extraction and classification so that nominal process conditions may be uniquely distinguished from off-nominal process conditions at a given instant in time or over a sequential series of instants in time occurring over the duration of the manufacturing process. In other case, it is able to utilize these optical emissions to derive corresponding spectra and identify features within those spectra so that nominal process conditions may be uniquely distinguished from off-nominal process conditions at a given instant in time or over a sequential series of instants in time occurring over the duration of the manufacturing process. |
| US10520370B2 |
Ultrasonic waveguide technique for distributed sensing and measurements of physical and chemical properties of surrounding media
This invention relates to a waveguide with distributed sensors that support travelling ultrasonic wave modes to provide quantitative local distributed sensing of the physical and chemical properties of the medium surrounding the sensor locations and/or the material properties of the waveguide. The plurality of sensor is operably associated with plurality wave mode for probing and identifying plurality of properties simultaneously. The reflected waves are representative of local information about the surrounding media at that sensor location. |
| US10520366B2 |
Wireless transmission of temperature data for a geographic area
A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data. |
| US10520364B2 |
Thermal protection mechanisms for uncooled microbolometers
Methods and apparatus for preventing solar damage, and other heat-related damage, to uncooled microbolometer pixels. In certain examples, a thermochroic membrane that becomes highly reflective at temperatures above a certain threshold is applied over at least some of the microbolometer pixels to prevent the pixels from being damaged by excessive heat. |
| US10520361B2 |
Spectral analysis system for capturing a spectrum
Spectral analysis system for capturing a spectrum including an inlet opening, a dispersive optical element and reflecting imaging optics having at least one optical functional element defining an optical path from the inlet opening across the dispersive optical element onto an outlet opening and/or detector area of the spectral analysis system and a carrier member defining a flat optical path volume with at least one lateral opening. The dispersive optical element is configured in a stationary manner. At least one of the inlet opening, the outlet opening and/or detector area, the at least one optical functional element and the dispersive optical element are integrated in at least one member. The at least one member is mounted on the carrier member at the at least one lateral opening, such that the optical path largely runs transversely to a thickness direction of the optical path volume. |
| US10520359B2 |
Terminal and method for detecting luminance of ambient light
A terminal and a method for detecting luminance of ambient light, where the terminal includes a processor, an ambient light sensor, and a screen. The ambient light sensor and the screen are both coupled to the processor. A light-sensitive element of the ambient light sensor faces the screen and is located on a lower surface of the screen. After the screen is lit up, the processor adjusts first luminance of the screen to a value below a first threshold within a visual persistence time of human eyes. The ambient light sensor detects luminance of first ambient light of the terminal within the visual persistence time of human eyes. The terminal may eliminate non-ambient light that enters the ambient light sensor such that the ambient light sensor may detect luminance of relatively real ambient light. |
| US10520358B2 |
Spectrophotometer and method for carrying out a spectrophotometric measurement
The present invention relates to a spectrophotometer comprising a light source; and a light sensor for measuring the light emitted by the light source and passing through or reflected a sample; and being characterized by an offset generator for applying an offset value to an output of the light sensor. The invention further relates to a method for performing a related spectrophotometric measurement. |
| US10520355B1 |
Fiber-optic temperature and flow sensor system and methods
A fiber optic sensor, a process for utilizing a fiber optic sensor, and a process for fabricating a fiber optic sensor are described, where a double-side-polished silicon pillar is attached to an optical fiber tip and forms a Fabry-Pérot cavity. In an implementation, a fiber optic sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes an optical fiber configured to be coupled to a light source and a spectrometer; and a single silicon layer or multiple silicon layers disposed on an end face of the optical fiber, where each of the silicon layer(s) defines a Fabry-Pérot interferometer, and where the sensor head reflects light from the light source to the spectrometer. In some implementations, the fiber optic sensor may include the light source coupled to the optical fiber, a spectrometer coupled to the optical fiber, and a controller coupled to the high-speed spectrometer. |
| US10520352B1 |
System to validate load cell data
Shelves or other fixtures may be used to hold items at a facility. Load cells at the shelf may be used to acquire weight data indicative of changes as items are added or removed from the shelf. The shelves may be part of a fixture that includes a door that results in air movement with respect to the shelves when opened or closed. This air movement may produce weight data that is erroneously indicative of an event, such as a pick or place, even when no actual event has taken place. Weight data from load cells of a shelf may be analyzed to determine a trajectory associated with changes in the weight data over time. A portion of the space may be designated as being associated with invalid weight data. If the trajectory avoids this portion of the space, the weight data may be deemed valid. |
| US10520350B2 |
Controlled batch distribution
A method of generating batches of food items, includes transferring food items to a weight determination means where the weight of the food items are obtained for single food items and/or food items in groups, and generating a plurality of batches based on the obtained weight of the single food items and/or food items in groups. The step of generating batches is controlled such that the weight of batches is within a pre-defined weight range, and such that the distribution of the batches within the weight range is pre-defined. |
| US10520346B2 |
Measuring cup
The measuring cup includes numerous embodiments configured for a user to precisely determine the cup contents without need to lift the cup to one's eye level or to lower the eye level to the level of the cup contents. The various embodiments include folding cups; cups having transparent passages in the wall; cups having adjustably positionable bottoms; cups having level indicator rods in the cup interior extending upward from the cup bottom; cups having one or more filaments extending across the cup interior; cups having rigid level indicators spanning the cup interior; cups having adjustably positionable level indicator tabs therein; cups having buoyant level indicator tabs adjustably positionable in the cup interior; and cups having removable clip-on scales extending down along the interior of the cup wall, the scales having a plurality of attachment points for the removable attachment of a level indicator tab at a desired attachment point. |
| US10520340B2 |
Sensing system, method and apparatus
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed. The system comprises a first sensing unit (11) adapted to detect change in a parameter and produce an electrical signal (12) based on the detection; and a memristive unit (13) electrically coupled to the first sensing unit (11), wherein the memristive unit (13) is adapted to switch between a first and a second states based on the electrical signal (12) produced by the first sensing unit (11), wherein the resistance value of the memristive unit (13) in the first state is lower than the resistance value of the memristive unit (13) in the second state. The system further comprises at least one additional sensing unit (14) electrically coupled to the memristive unit (13), wherein the at least one additional sensing unit (14) is adapted to stand by when the memristive unit (13) is in the second state, and perform measurement of a parameter when the memristive unit (13) is in the first state. A method (21-26) and apparatus for sensing parameters are also disclosed. |
| US10520339B2 |
Two-dimensional three-degree-of-freedom micro-motion platform structure for high-precision positioning and measurement
A two-dimensional three-degree-of-freedom micro-motion platform structure for high-precision positioning and measurement. Two series flexible hinges are connected in parallel to form a moving pair. One end of the moving pair is fixed, and driving force is applied to the other end. The driving force is amplified by means of a lever to drive the moving pair to translate and rotate. The moving pair drives a first flexible hinge of a platform to rotate, thereby driving the platform to produce corresponding displacement. Four identical moving pairs and four identical first flexible hinges respectively constitute four branch hinges which are different in arrangement; two branch hinges opposite to the platform are in central symmetry and constitute one group, and the four branch hinges are divided into two groups in total. The piezoelectric driving mode can be adopted, and thus the linear displacement in the x-axis direction, the linear displacement in the y-axis direction and the angular displacement in the direction around the z-axis are generated for optical precision positioning and measurement. |
| US10520336B2 |
Displacement detector
The displacement detector is configured to receive a transmission signal output from a transmission signal output unit by a reception electrode disposed in a detection head to detect a displacement between the detection head and a scale based on the received signal. The transmission signal is transmitted from a transmission electrode disposed in the detection head to the reception electrode through a coupling electrode disposed in the scale. Phase adjustment units generates a signal whose phase is adjusted from the transmission signal output from the transmission signal output unit. An amplitude adjustment unit adjusts an amplitude of the signal whose phase is adjusted by the phase adjustment unit to generate a crosstalk correction signal. A demodulation unit samples a signal generated by synthesizing the crosstalk correction signal and the received signal and to demodulate the sampled signal. |
| US10520335B2 |
Winding configuration for inductive position encoder
An electronic position encoder is provided including a scale, a detector and a signal processing configuration. The scale extends along an x-axis direction and includes a signal modulating scale pattern. The detector includes sensing elements and a field generating coil that surrounds an interior coil area. The field generating coil includes first and second elongated portions that each extend along the x-axis direction, connected by an end portion. The elongated portions have a nominal generating trace width dimension along the y-axis direction that is at least 0.1 times the nominal interior coil area width dimension in various embodiments. In various implementations, a conductive shield region of the detector may reduce the effect of a shielded end section of the end portion of the field generating coil on the sensing elements. The shielded end section may be located on a different PCB layer than the elongated portions. |
| US10520334B2 |
Induction based position sensing in an electromagnetic actuator
The present invention relates to a method and system for determining the position of the armature of a solenoid using a controller to determine the temperature of the solenoid and to indirectly determine the position of the armature without the need of an additional sensor using current sensing pulses and a solenoid capable of staying engaged due to residual magnetism after the coil has been de-energized. |
| US10520332B2 |
System and method to manage utility meter communications
A method for managing communications within a network comprising utility meters, each associated and connected to at least one utility management center through at least one intermediate data concentrator. A message is sent by a utility meter to the destination data concentrator. This message includes metering data measurement reported by said utility meter, its utility meter identifier, the destination data concentrator identifier and the management center identifier. Then, on the basis of several metering data measurements, a metering counter differential consumption value is calculated by difference of two metering counter consumption indexes measured by the utility meter within a time period interval. Then, a report containing at least the metering counter differential consumption value is sent from the destination data concentrator towards the utility management center to which said utility meter is associated. |
| US10520327B2 |
System and method for generating tactical routes
A method and system for generating tactical routes includes an intervisibility database pre-populated with pre-computed optical lines of sight between locations or nodes in geographic terrain, an intervisibility analyzer for analyzing propagation of the pre-computed optical lines of sight between the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain, a speed analyzer for analyzing speeds of travelers across the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain, a cost generator for generating a blended cost grid using said intervisibility and speed analyses, and a route generator for generating routes that facilitate tactical movement based on said blended cost grid. The route generator computes intervisibility unions at the locations or nodes in the geographic terrain and minimizing intervisibility unions along the generated route. |
| US10520326B2 |
Driving route matching method and apparatus, and storage medium
A driving route matching method, apparatus, and storage medium. The method includes: obtaining a route to be retrieved, the route including a retrieval start point and a retrieval end point; performing a search in a database of existing routes, and selecting the existing routes passing through grids within a predetermined range around the start point as routes available for the start point; performing a search in the database of the existing routes, and selecting the existing routes passing through grids within a predetermined range around the search endpoint as routes available for the end point; calculating intersections of the routes available for the start point and the routes available for the end point, and using the routes in the intersections as candidate routes; and screening the candidate routes according to detouring distances. The driving route matching method and apparatus enable a remarkable improvement in the efficiency of driving route matching. |
| US10520325B2 |
Method of selective ride-sharing among multiple users along an optimized travel route
A computer-implementable method and system for identifying the preferred commuting route to be used for a given route requirement subject to travel and personal preference criteria. The method and system uses computerized mapping software programs that match stored travel and user preferences to a given route by matching end points and waypoints along the given route and providing user-enabled filtering among multiple users. The method and system also serve well in finding people whose origin and destination are along the drive route. |
| US10520324B2 |
Route search device, control method, program and storage medium
An enhanced map information processing unit 14 of a driving assistance device 1 acquires from a determination unit 13 information on surroundings of a vehicle which is needed to perform autonomous driving, and acquires from a server device 2 environment information on surroundings of a route on which autonomous driving is performed. On the basis of the acquired environment information, the enhanced map information processing unit 14 extracts, as an autonomous driving unsuitable location Pn, a location at which the accuracy of the acquirement of the sensor unit 12 is predicted not to satisfy a standard for acquiring the information on the surroundings of the vehicle needed to perform autonomous driving. An informing unit 18 alerts the extracted autonomous driving unsuitable location Pn to a user. |
| US10520322B2 |
Predictive intersection search
A device can receive input indicating an intersection of two or more roads. The device can identify the two or more roads included in the input using an indicator. The device can determine a geographic location of another device using information that identifies the geographic location received from the other device. The device can identify a data structure that includes information identifying a set of intersections associated with the geographic location. The device can perform a search of the two or more roads using the information identifying the two or more roads and the information included in the data structure. The device can determine a priority for one or more results of the search for the intersection after performing the search of the two or more roads. The device can provide the one or more results of the search for the intersection to permit and/or cause an action to be performed. |
| US10520321B1 |
Route safety score
A system for scoring route safety includes and input interface and a processor. The input interface is to receive data associated with a route segment. The data includes a speed data. The processor is to determine a segment safety score using a speed distribution. The speed distribution is based at least in part on the speed data. |
| US10520320B2 |
Management system for work machine, work machine, and management device for work machine
A management system 1 for a work machine includes: a plurality of dump trucks 2 each creating a map information piece DTI of a sectioned region DT around the own vehicle; and a management device 10 that manages map information pieces DTI of a plurality of sectioned regions DT created by the plurality of dump trucks 2 and transmits, to each of the dump trucks 2, a map information piece DTI of a sectioned region DT where each of the dump trucks 2 exists and a map information piece DTI of a sectioned region DT adjacent to the sectioned region DT where each of the dump trucks 2 exists on the basis of information related to a position of each of the dump trucks 2. |
| US10520318B2 |
Method and system for providing map data of navigation device
Disclosed is a method and system for providing map data of a navigation device. The system comprises: a server for comparing, for each mesh, old version map data and new version map data, generating delta data by extracting only changed spatial data from the meshes, and providing an update of the map data compressed and stored in a navigation device on the basis of the delta data; and the navigation device for receiving a delta file and a delta file header from the server, decompressing the compressed file header included in the old version map data, and extracting only the compressed data block included in an update item in the old version map data by referring to the decompressed file header and the delta file header, the navigation device being built in a car. |
| US10520313B2 |
Continuous monitoring of drive amplitude in vibrating microelectromechanical gyroscopes
The disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical gyroscope comprising at least one mass element, a drive actuator and sense electrodes. The at least one mass element is configured to be driven by the drive actuator into oscillating movement with a drive oscillation frequency ωD, and the sense electrodes are configured to produce a sense signal from the oscillating movement of the at least one mass element. The gyroscope control circuit comprises an amplitude detection unit which detects a sense signal amplitude at the frequency 2ωD. This amplitude yields a measure of drive oscillation amplitude. Amplitude detection at the frequency ωD yields a measure of angular rotation rate. |
| US10520300B2 |
Optical liquid level measurement system for dispensing apparatus
An optical liquid height determination system of the present embodiments includes light sensors capturing different amounts of light, based on level of liquid in the tank that blocks or limits light to particular sensors. The tank is enclosed in a container with a light source and the light sensors are installed on walls of the container. Light emitted by the light source is transmitted to the light sensors by passing through the liquid product, scattered, diffused, diffracted or reflected by the dairy product, through the tank walls which may be transparent or translucent, or from other surfaces in the container within which the tank is enclosed by. The set of electrical signals received from all the light sensors are compared against sets of calibrated signals corresponding to known liquid levels in the tank. The known height corresponding to the nearest set of calibrated signals is determined as the measured liquid height in the tank. |
| US10520296B2 |
Confocal measurement device
A confocal measurement device includes a light source that outputs white light, an optical coupler, a sensor head that applies light with a chromatic aberration caused therein to a measurement object, and a spectroscope that acquires reflected light which is reflected by the measurement object and measures a spectrum of the reflected light. The optical coupler is a filter type coupler or a spatial optical system type coupler that brings a first transmission waveform when light is transmitted from a first optical fiber cable to a second optical fiber cable and a second transmission waveform when light is transmitted from the second optical fiber cable to a third optical fiber cable close to each other. |
| US10520295B2 |
Digital holographic microscope
Microscope (2) comprising a coherent light source (4) producing a coherent light beam (7), a light beam guide system (6) comprising a beam splitter (14) configured to split the coherent light beam (7) into a reference beam (7a) and a sample illumination beam (7b), a sample holder (18) configured to hold a sample (1) to be observed, a sample illumination device (28) configured to direct the sample illumination beam (7b) through the sample and into a microscope objective (37), a beam reuniter (16) configured to reunite the reference beam and sample illumination beam after passage of the sample illumination beam through the sample to be observed, and a light sensing system (8) configured to capture at least phase and intensity values of the coherent light beam downstream of the beam reuniter. |
| US10520289B2 |
Munition with multiple fragment layers
A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments. |
| US10520286B2 |
Inlay for shaped charge and method of use
According to some embodiments, a shaped charge inlay may include an upper edge that extends inward and horizontal to an edge of a shaped charge casing associated with a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes an existing liner and the shaped charge inlay further includes a body that extends inward toward an apex of the existing liner. The shaped charge inlay may be disposed above the existing liner in the shaped charge, to disrupt collapse of the existing liner upon detonation of the shaped charge and thereby change the geometry of a perforating jet and resulting perforation created by the shaped charge. |
| US10520282B2 |
Multifunctional personal safety device
A multifunctional personal safety device includes a main body having an ergonomic gripping surface, and a finger trigger for selectively activating a non-contact deterrent unit and an active deterrent unit. The non-contact deterrent unit including a controller, memory, wireless communication unit, a siren, a light, a laser, and a camera. The information captured by the camera is stored in one or both of a removable media card and the onboard memory. The active deterrent unit includes an aerosol canister containing one or both of a chemical irritant or an inflammatory agent. A safety switch transitions between a locked and unlocked position wherein the finger trigger is selectively blocked and allowed to engage the aerosol canister, respectively. |
| US10520280B2 |
Cut, slash and/or abrasion resistant protective fabric and lightweight shaped knit garment made therefrom
A cut, slash and/or abrasion resistant shaped knit garment having both high cut resistance and preferably light fabric weight, a cut resistance of at least 1500 (as measured by ASTM-F1790-2005) and preferably a fabric weight of no more than 27.9 ounces/square yard (OPSY). |
| US10520278B2 |
Auto-loading underwater firearm
A shockwave impulse disruptor system for use in an underwater firearm. The system includes a barrel having a bore, a muzzle, and at least one barrel port. A housing is external to the bore and defines at least a first gas expansion chamber. The expansion chamber is in fluid communication with the barrel port and has at least one exhaust port. The barrel bore and expansion chamber are flooded when underwater. Propellant gases that push a projectile through the bore are vented through the barrel port to force water from the expansion chamber through the exhaust port and to vent propellant gases. This delays the release of gases to surrounding water and reduces the amount of gas expelled through the muzzle. |
| US10520277B1 |
Self-defense apparatus
A self-defense apparatus includes a sleeve portion, an adapter portion connected to the sleeve portion, and a weapon. The sleeve portion includes one of a fastener or a fastener-receiving passage. The sleeve portion includes a proximal sleeve portion, a distal sleeve portion, a proximal end surface, an outer side surface, and a distal end surface. The sleeve portion defines an implement-receiving cavity that extends axially into the proximal end surface. The proximal end surface and a proximal portion of the outer side surface define a handle portion of the sleeve portion. The distal end surface and a distal portion of the outer side surface define a distal sleeve portion having an adapter-interfacing body of the sleeve portion. The adapter portion includes the other of the fastener and the fastener-receiving passage. The adapter portion defines an adapter body. The weapon is defined by the adapter body and the adapter-interfacing body. |
| US10520275B2 |
Toy for discharging a liquid
The invention relates to a toy for discharging a liquid. The toy comprises a discharging chamber adapted to receive a liquid from a liquid storage tank; an outlet arranged at the discharging chamber adapted to discharge at least some of the liquid received in the discharging chamber, the outlet being controllable by a covering mechanism movable between a closed position and an open position to thereby close and open the outlet, respectively; a movable member operably connected with the covering mechanism; wherein, in response to a triggering action of the toy, the movable member is movable from a first position to a second position thereby actuating the covering mechanism to move from the closed position to the open position, and at the same time, triggering discharge of the at least some of the liquid from the discharging chamber via the outlet. |
| US10520271B2 |
Integrally suppressed handgun
An integrally suppressed firearm in one embodiment includes a rear firing portion defining an axial projectile bore and front suppressor portion. The suppressor portion includes a longitudinal stack of sound suppression baffles each defining a gas expansion chamber in fluid communication with the projectile bore. A mounting rod extends rearward from a front end cap of the suppressor portion and threadably engages a mounting adapter that removably couples the suppressor portion to the firing portion. A muzzle cap disposed inside a rearmost baffle removably couples the mounting adapter to the firing portion. When tightened, the rod axially compresses the baffle stack and forms a combustion gas tight enclosure without need for an additional external pressure retention tube or sleeve. The baffles are configured to form a press-fit frictional interlock with each other such that the baffle stack is self-supporting. An optional accessory rail may be coupled to the adapter. |
| US10520267B1 |
Ergonomic self-cleaning base plate
An ergonomic self-cleaning base plate, which has an exterior face with a perimeter edge. Extending from the perimeter edge is a forward face and an aft section. The magazine floor plate further has an interior face having at least one channel that extends from the forward face to the aft section. Debris accumulated within the at least one channel exits therefrom via the aft section. The forward face extends to an edge and has at least one channel hole. The at least one channel hole aligns with a respective at least one channel. The debris accumulated within the at least one channel also exits from the at least one channel hole. |
| US10520263B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for interior fluid flow with optimized fin structures
A heat exchanging system includes one or more heat exchanging portions, wherein each heat exchanging portion includes an optimized internal fin structure. The optimization of the optimized internal fin structure includes receiving existing heat exchanging system information, analyzing exterior fluid flow around the one or more heat exchanging portions as a heat flux analysis, determining boundary conditions of a heat flux distribution based on the heat flux analysis, receiving material properties of the one or more heat exchanging portions, and designing the optimized internal fin structure based on the existing heat exchanging system information, the boundary conditions of the heat flux distribution, and the material properties of the one or more heat exchanging portions. |
| US10520261B2 |
Flat pipe
The invention relates to a flat pipe, comprising two substantially flat first walls that are opposite each other and arranged parallel to each other, two arcuate second walls that connect the two flat first walls, and an interior through which a medium can flow, wherein projections that protrude into the interior are provided in at least one of the flat first walls, wherein projections that protrude into the interior are provided in the arcuate second walls. |
| US10520260B2 |
Heat pipe
A heat pipe is divided into an evaporation section, an insulation section and a condensation section. The insulation section includes a pipe section and a liquid delivery structure. The pipe section has a top wall and a bottom wall. The liquid delivery structure is a solid structure and in contact with the top and bottom walls of the pipe section. The liquid delivery structure and the top and bottom walls of the pipe section form a vapor channel. The liquid delivery structure is divided into a center portion and an outer layer, and the center portion has a porosity greater than the porosity of the outer layer. The outer layer is coupled to the center portion, and the center portion and the vapor channel are spaced from one another, so as to achieve the liquid and vapor isolation and improve the heat conducting effect of the heat pipe. |
| US10520252B2 |
Dryer using high frequency vibration
A dryer includes a plurality of piezoelectric transducers in electrical communication with a high frequency piezoelectric oscillation generator. The piezoelectric oscillation generator controls the duty cycle and resonant frequency source signal that drive the plurality of piezoelectric transducers non-continuously. The piezoelectric transducers dry the wet articles without heating air passing through the articles. |
| US10520249B2 |
Process and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon gas stream
A process for separating a mixed or raw gas feed to produce a dry gas product and a hydrocarbon liquid product is provided. The process comprises scrubbing heavier hydrocarbon components from the gas feed to produce a lighter ends gas stream and a heavier ends liquid stream; cooling the lighter ends gas stream and separating the cooled lighter ends gas stream into a cold liquid stream and the dry gas product; and using the cold liquid stream to assist in scrubbing the heavier hydrocarbon components from the gas feed. |
| US10520247B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator of the present invention comprises: a cabinet that includes a storage compartment having an opening formed on the front side thereof; a door rotatably connected to the cabinet to open and close the opening; a drawer disposed within the storage compartment to accommodate stored goods therein; a drawer guide that supports the drawer and guides the drawer in order to enable the drawer to move forward and rearward; an extraction mechanism that includes a base part that is disposed below the drawer and moves forward while the door is opened and rearward while the door is closed, a rear frame that extends from the base part toward the rear side of the drawer and pushes the drawer forward when the base part moves forward, and an arm that extends forward from the rear frame and is disposed between the drawer and a side of the storage compartment; and an arm guide disposed between the side of the storage compartment and the drawer to guide the arm in order to enable the arm to move forward and rearward. |
| US10520242B2 |
Cooler lock
A cooler access control system locks a cooler when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler door open while stocking the cooler with product. |
| US10520240B2 |
Defrosting device and refrigerator having the same
The present disclosure discloses a defrosting device, including a heating unit provided in an evaporator; and a heat pipe, both end portions of which are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the heating unit, respectively, and at least part of which is disposed adjacent to a cooling tube to dissipate heat to the cooling tube of the evaporator due to high-temperature working fluid heated and transferred by the heating unit, wherein the heating unit includes a heater case provided with a vacant space therein, and provided with the inlet and the outlet at positions separated from each other, respectively, along a length direction; and a heater attached to an outer surface of the heater case to heat working fluid within the heater case. |
| US10520239B2 |
Refrigerator appliance and air duct therefor
A refrigerator appliance and air duct are provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an internal liner, and an air duct. The internal liner may be positioned within the cabinet and define a chilled chamber. The air duct may include a duct body and a plurality of resilient fingers. The duct body may extend between a first end to a second end. The duct body may define a fluid exchange path between the first end and the second end. The duct body may further define a first fluid opening at the first end in fluid communication with the fluid exchange path. The plurality of resilient fingers may be radially-spaced apart about the fluid opening. The plurality of resilient fingers may extend integrally from the duct body against the internal liner at the first end of the duct body. |
| US10520237B2 |
Refrigeration cycle comprising a common condensing section for two separate evaporator-compressor circuits
A refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator includes a first refrigeration cycle in which a first refrigerant flows along a first refrigerant tube and a second refrigeration cycle in which a second refrigerant flows along a second refrigerant tube. First and second compressors compress each of the first and second refrigerants, and a combined condenser condenses each of the first and second refrigerants. First and second expansion valves phase-change each of the first and second refrigerants passing through the combined condenser, and first and second evaporators change the refrigerant passing through each of the first and second expansion valves into a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. |
| US10520234B2 |
Methods and systems for preventing premature compressor failure from improper operation
Methods and systems for detecting and correcting improper operation of a compressor in a refrigeration system and/or an HVAC system include a component level detection and prevention and a system level detection and prevention. The system level detection and prevention can be a backup or a confirmation of the component level detection and prevention. The component level detection and prevention can detect and prevent improper compressor operation within a predetermined time so that the compressor's operation period in an improper direction can be minimized, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the compressor. |
| US10520231B2 |
Integrated valve
A first valve member switches between a first communication state, in which a first inlet passage communicates with a first outlet passage and a second inlet passage is closed, and a second communication state, in which the second inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage and the first inlet passage is closed. A second valve member switches between an opening state and a throttle state in which a smaller volume of a fluid flows from the third inlet passage to the second outlet passage as compared to the opening state. A valve driving member switches between a first operation state, in which the first valve member sets the first communication state and the second valve member sets the opening state, and a second operation state, in which the first valve member sets the second communication state and the second valve member sets the throttle state. |
| US10520227B2 |
Pulse tube cryocooler with axially-aligned components
A pulse-tube cryocooler includes a compressor piston that is axially aligned with a pulse tube. The compressor piston is an annular piston that has a central hole around its axis. An inertance tube, connected to one end of the pulse tube, runs through the central hole in the compressor piston. The cryocooler also includes a balancer that moves in opposition to the compressor piston, to offset the forces in moving the compressor piston. The balancer may also be axially aligned with the pulse tube, the annular piston, and the inertance tube. The alignment of the compressor piston, the pulse tube, and the inertance tube aligns the forces produced by movement of fluid within the cryocooler. |
| US10520221B2 |
Refractory for heating system
A refractory panel for a heat exchanger is provided having a body including a first planar surface having a plurality of refractory openings formed therein. A sidewall is arranged about a periphery of at least one of the plurality of refractory openings. The sidewall extends outwardly from the first planar surface and is configured to extend through an adjacent component into an inlet of a heat exchanger coil. |
| US10520220B2 |
Heat exchanger unit
Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a heat exchanger unit that includes a frame and at least one cooler. The cooler is associated with a respective side region of the heat exchanger unit, and the cooler has an outer surface and an inner surface. The unit can include a mount assembly for coupling the cooler to the frame. The mount assembly includes an elongated fastening member; a rigid outer ring; a rigid inner ring; and a deformable ring disposed between the rigid outer ring and the inner outer ring. The cooler may have a core end mass greater than a tank end mass. |
| US10520217B2 |
Assembled heatable media line comprising a media line having at least two heating elements arranged on the exterior thereof, and method for the production thereof
An assembled heatable media line having a media line having at least two heating elements arranged on the exterior of the media line and at least one line connector. In order to heat the at least one line connector, only one of the heating elements is arranged at or on said line connector and at least partially surrounds the same. |
| US10520216B2 |
Method and system for replacing air filter
An air intake of an air handling or HVAC system, such as located in a ceiling of a structure, includes a movable filter housing. The filter housing comprises a grate configured to support one or more air filters at a top side thereof. The filter housing is mounted via one or more extendable connectors and includes a control tool mount. Connection of a control tool to the filter housing allows a user to pull the filter housing downwardly to a lowered position for replacing the air filter(s). The filter housing may be biased upwardly to its use position and may include a latch or lock to secure it in the use position. |
| US10520207B1 |
Refrigerated drying module for moisture sensitive device storage
A refrigerated drying module includes a storage cabinet for storing moisture sensitive devices, an air flow loop configured to circulate air into and out of the storage cabinet and a refrigerant loop configured to remove moisture from the air circulated through the air flow loop. The refrigerated drying module is configured to remove moisture from air drawn from the storage cabinet and collect the removed moisture as ice formed on the surface of an evaporator coil included in the refrigerant loop. |
| US10520205B2 |
Thermostat
Discussed generally herein are systems and methods for comfort level regulation in a building. A comfort level regulation system for a building can include a plurality of air intakes configured to draw air into the building, and a processor configured to open the one or more air intakes of the plurality of air intakes as a function of an orientation of the building, the location of the air intake relative to the orientation of the building, air temperatures inside and outside the building, and humidity inside and outside the building. |
| US10520204B2 |
Heat pump and heat exchanger heating system for a domestic hot water tank
A water heating system for a domestic hot water tank, the system including: a heat pump adapted to provide heat energy; and a heat exchanger comprising a coil of thermally conductive material arranged such that a diameter of the coil is approximately between five and six times greater than a diameter of the thermally conductive material and the heat exchanger is adapted to be installed in the domestic hot water tank and operationally coupled to the heat pump. |
| US10520199B2 |
Methods and systems for heat treating a food product
Methods for heat treating food products include controlling a temperature of a heating element to a maximum temperature correlated to a desired temperature for the food product. A sensed temperature of the heating element may be used to control the maximum temperature. An oven includes a heating element and a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the heating element, and a controller that limits the temperature the heating element based on output from the temperature sensor. |
| US10520198B2 |
Griddle and cooking appliance having a griddle
A griddle and a cooking appliance having a griddle is provided. The griddle may include a housing, a heating plate seated on a top of the housing, a burner provided inside the housing under the heating plate, and an exhaust vent forming a passage through which exhaust gas generated in the housing by the burner is discharged. The exhaust vent may be provided at a rear of the housing adjacent to a second end of the heating plate. The burner may be arranged such that a first end of the burner adjacent to a first end of the heating plate is positioned closer to the heating plate than a second end of the burner adjacent to the exhaust vent. |
| US10520195B2 |
Effervescent atomizing structure and method of operation for rotating detonation propulsion system
A method and system of effervescent atomization of liquid fuel for a rotating detonation combustor (RDC) for a propulsion system is provided. The method includes flowing liquid fuel through a fuel injection port of a nozzle assembly of the RDC system; flowing a gas through the fuel injection port of the nozzle assembly volumetrically proportional to the liquid fuel; producing a gas-liquid fuel mixture at the fuel injection port by mixing the flow of gas and the flow of liquid fuel; flowing an oxidizer through a nozzle flowpath of the RDC system; producing an oxidizer-gas-liquid fuel mixture by mixing the gas-liquid fuel mixture and the flow of oxidizer within the nozzle flowpath; and igniting the oxidizer-gas-liquid fuel mixture within a combustion chamber of the RDC system. |
| US10520194B2 |
Radially stacked fuel injection module for a segmented annular combustion system
The present disclosure is directed to a radially stacked fuel injection module for a segmented annular combustion system. The fuel injection module includes a bundled tube fuel nozzle portion and a plurality of fuel injection lances. In one instance, a first set of fuel injection lances and a second set of fuel injection lances share a housing with the bundled tube fuel nozzle. The first and second sets of fuel injection lances are radially stacked, each set of lances being in communication with a respective injector fuel plenum. The fuel injection lances deliver fuel to a respective premixing channel formed between the side walls of an integrated combustor nozzle, an aft end of which defines a turbine nozzle. In another instance, the bundled tube fuel nozzle may be provided as a radially inner fuel nozzle and a radially outer fuel nozzle, each with a respective bundled tube fuel plenum. |
| US10520192B2 |
Air flow guide cap and combustion duct having the same
An air flow guide cap for inducing an air flow into a through hole of the floor includes: an upper surface upwardly inclined relative to a horizontal plane; and a wall surface downwardly extending along edges of the upper surface except the edge adjacent to an air inlet. |
| US10520187B2 |
Burner with baffle
In a burner in which fuel and gaseous oxidant are fed into the burner and combusted to produce a flame that extends out of an end of the burner, the noise produced by the burner is lessened by incorporating into the burner a baffle composed of a metal plate having a certain distribution of holes through the plate and a layer of metal filaments, and optionally a second metal plate. |
| US10520185B2 |
Heater device for heating liquefied gas
A device housing having a hollow portion including a gas intake pipe projectingly provided to an outer periphery of an instrument body, having a heater built therein and attached to the instrument body. In the hollow portion, a heating wall formed by a bulge extending from the outer end side to the inner end side in the axial direction of the intake pipe and the heater for heating are internally provided. Between the heating wall and a gas intake pipe, and between the heating wall and an inner wall of the housing, inner and outer gas flow paths are formed a liquefied gas introduction side opening is provided at an outer end side of the outer gas flow path, and the outer end side of the inner gas flow path is communicated with a gas intake opening of the tip of the gas intake pipe. |
| US10520180B1 |
Lamp
A lamp, including a lamp cover, the lamp cover is in the shape of a strip having openings at both ends, and the lamp cover is respectively provided with two side walls and a top surface along a direction away from the light emitting surface, and the two side walls and the top surface form an accommodating cavity; a PCB board, the PCB board being mounted in the accommodating cavity along the length direction of the lamp cover; the lamp also includes a conductive component connected to an external power supply, and the conductive component is electrically connected to the PCB board. |
| US10520175B2 |
Collimation and homogenization system for an LED luminaire
Disclosed is an LED light source automated luminaire with a multi sided elongated light collimator/mixer/integrator with receiving lens and output lens both with spill shields and where the receiving spill shield is nesting in the output spill shield. The elongated integrator has a square input cross-section and a hexagon or octagon output cross section and is tapered so that the input cross section is smaller than the output cross section. |
| US10520172B2 |
Recessed lighting fixture and method of installing LED lamps therein
Disclosed is a recessed lighting fixture having a housing (1), wherein an edge at an open end of the housing (1) extends horizontally and outwardly and then bends perpendicularly and downwardly to form a first chamber (2) having a rectangular cross section, a bottom of the perpendicular edge extends horizontally and outwardly and then bends perpendicularly and upwardly to form a tray (21) having a rectangular cross section, a mounting element (3) is fixed to a bottom of the first chamber (2), the mounting element (3) has a first mounting room (31) for receiving an LED lamp (4), and a magnetic body (5) for attracting and positioning the LED lamp (4). |
| US10520171B1 |
Lighting apparatus and method
A lighting apparatus for a ceiling or wall includes a mount having a hollow shaft whose top extends into the wall or ceiling when in place, and a flange that extends from the shaft adjacent the bottom of the shaft. The apparatus includes electrical leads connected to the top of the shaft disposed inside the wall or ceiling when the shaft extends into the wall or ceiling through which electricity passes. The apparatus includes a post that attaches to the shaft and through which electricity passes from the shaft. The apparatus includes an LED or a laser module that is connected to the post and receives electricity from the post to power the LED or the laser module. The LED or laser module swivels at least 45° relative to the post. The post structurally holding the LED or the laser module apart from the ceiling or wall. A method for lighting from a lighting apparatus attached to a wall or ceiling. |
| US10520164B2 |
Device for converting the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation
A device for converting the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes a carrier, a conversion layer configured to at least partly convert a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation and an intermediate layer, wherein the conversion layer is connected to the carrier via the intermediate layer, and wherein the intermediate layer, at least in partial regions, includes a solid layer and a connection layer. |
| US10520163B2 |
Light bundle control member, light emitting device, and illuminating device
A light bundle control member of the present invention comprises: an entry plane on which light emitted from a light emitting element becomes incident; two reflecting planes which are arranged across the entry plane in positions opposing the light emitting element, and which respectively reflect some of the light entering via the entry plane in two directions that are substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitting element and opposed to each other; and two output planes which are arranged opposing each other across the two reflecting planes, and which respectively cause the light reflected by the two reflecting planes to be externally output. Each of the two output planes has a plurality of first ridges arranged thereon, wherein, as viewed from the output plane side, a ridge line of the plurality of first ridges is substantially parallel with the optical axis of the light emitting element. |
| US10520161B1 |
Automobile lamp
An automobile lamp includes a lamp seat, a lighting unit, and a light guiding member. The lighting unit is positioned on the lamp sear. The light guiding member is disposed on the lamp seat and covers the lighting unit. The light guiding member is formed with a plurality of ribs thereon. The ribs form a corrugated structure along the radial direction of the light guiding member. When a plurality of light beams are emitted from the lighting unit into the light guiding member, part of the light beams travels along the corrugated structure. |
| US10520159B1 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp includes a lighting unit and a lens unit. The lighting unit includes pluralities of first and second light-emitting members. The lens unit includes a dispersing lens, a cover lens having a dispersing portion and a concentrating portion, and a shielding layer that has a light-transmissible section. Light emitted by the first light-emitting members passes through the dispersing lens, the light-transmissible section of the shielding layer, and the dispersing portion of the cover lens to produce a dispersing light pattern, and light emitted by the second light-emitting members passes through the concentrating portion of the cover lens to produce a concentrated light pattern. |
| US10520158B2 |
Arrangement of plural light emitting chips in a vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp includes a projection lens, a first light emitting chip and a second light emitting chip disposed on left and right sides, and a reflector which reflects light toward the projection lens. The reflector includes a reflecting surface which includes a left rear area, a right rear area, a left front area, and a right front area. The left rear area and the right front area reflect light emitted from the first light emitting chip to converge to a rear focal point of the projection lens at a higher convergence degree than light emitted from the second light emitting chip. The right rear area and the left front area reflect light emitted from the second light emitting chip to converge to the rear focal point of the projection lens at a higher convergence degree than light emitted from the first light emitting chip. |
| US10520156B2 |
Vehicle light
A vehicle light includes a light compartment, a first light emission unit, and a second light emission unit. The first light emission unit is arranged in the light compartment and includes a first light emission body and a light guide body configured to emit light by internally reflecting light from the first light emission body. The second light emission unit is arranged in the light compartment and includes a second light emission body and a reflector configured to reflect light from the second light emission body in a vehicle forward direction. The light guide body is arranged outward with respect to a vehicle widthwise direction in the light compartment, and a light emission portion of the light guide body at least partially overlaps a path of light reflected by the reflector. |
| US10520153B2 |
Light source module, illumination device and moving body
A light source module includes: a substrate; and multiple light sources mounted on a first surface of the substrate in a thickness direction of the substrate in a matrix. The light sources include a set of light sources arranged in a row direction and a set of light sources arranged in a column direction. Each of the light sources includes a first electric supply pad and a second electric supply pad. A first electric supply wire extends along the column direction and supplies electricity to each of the first electric supply pads. Second electric supply wires extend in the column direction and supply electricity to each of the second electric supply pads. Portions of light sources arranged in the column direction overlap at least one of the second electric supply wires and first electric supply pads. |
| US10520152B2 |
Laser-based light source with light emission control
The invention describes a laser-based light source (100) which is adapted to use the angular dependence of the reflection of polarized laser light (10) at a surface of a conversion material to control especially the color point of light emitted by means of the laser-based light source (100). The reflected laser light is within a first wavelength range and the converted light is in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range such that the color point of the light emitted by means of the laser-based light source (100) in a defined solid angle depends on the ratio between reflected and converted light. The invention further describes a corresponding method of light emission control, a vehicle headlight (200) comprising such a laser-based light source (100) and a lighting system comprising such vehicle headlights (200). |
| US10520150B2 |
Imitation flame device and imitation flame lamp having the same
An imitation flame device includes a base, a flame component, a swing support, a first magnet, and a ferromagnetic element. The swing support is configured in the base, the flame component is fixed on the swing support and protruded out of the base, one of the first magnet and the ferromagnetic element is installed in the base, another of the first magnet and the ferromagnetic element is fixed on the swing support, the first magnet and the ferromagnetic element are attracted each other to cause the swing support to suspend within the base, and the first magnet and the ferromagnetic element are in point contact. The device shows flaming effect of faux flame to achieve an excellent imitation effect and saves energy. |
| US10520148B2 |
Mounting mechanisms for electronic lighting devices
Flameless candles are described that improve the mounts used to support the flame element. The improved mounts can include a support base or a hook for movably supporting a flame element. The enhanced mounts improve the manufacturing of the assembly of the flameless candle and also enable the flame element to have a more natural flame-like flicker of light. |
| US10520147B2 |
Wall pack luminaire
A luminaire includes a housing having an outer wall and a mounting wall configured to be secured to a structure. The housing further includes a compartment defined at least partially between the outer wall and the mounting wall. The compartment is configured to support a plurality of control devices. A support is coupled to the housing and supports a light emitter assembly. The support includes a plurality of fins in thermal communication with the light emitter assembly. A wall is positioned between the compartment and the plurality of fins. |
| US10520146B2 |
Downlight apparatus
A downlight apparatus includes a main housing, a light module, a diffusion cover and a light guide. The main housing has a surrounding wall and a base part. The light module is attached to the base part for emitting a first light and a second light. The diffusion cover is fixed to a bottom end of the surrounding wall, for converting the second light to a peripheral light on an exterior surface of the diffusion cover. The light guide has a light entrance side facing to the base part for directing the first light through the light guide to escape at a light escape side of the light guide. The light escape side of the light guide is surrounded by diffusion cover. |
| US10520143B1 |
LED simulated neon with structural reinforcement
LED simulated neon with a reinforcing member is disclosed. The simulated neon has a flexible covering with a translucent upper portion and an opaque lower portion. At least the lower portion is filled with a transparent, flexible material. A channel is formed in the transparent, flexible material. Linear lighting is provided in the channel, along with a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is shaped and oriented such that it can bend in the primary bending plane of the simulated neon but provides strain relief and at least partially restricts or interferes with bending in other planes. The reinforcing member may, for example, have a rectangular cross-section, wider than it is thick. It may be made of plastic or metal, and its thickness may vary depending on the material of which it is made. |
| US10520141B2 |
Integrated air guide and beam shaping
The invention provides a lighting unit (1000) comprising a light mixing chamber (100) defined by faces (110) and an edge face (130), wherein a height (H) of the light mixing chamber (100) defined by a distance between the faces (110) is smaller than a first length (L1) of the light mixing chamber (100), wherein the lighting unit comprises a plurality of light sources (10) configured to provide light source light (11) in the light mixing chamber (100), wherein at least one of the faces (110) comprises a plurality of chamber openings (141) for escape of at least part of the light source light (11) from the light mixing chamber (100), wherein the lighting unit (1000) further comprises a plurality of beam shaping elements (150), with each beam shaping element (150) configured downstream from a corresponding chamber opening (141, and wherein the beam shaping elements (150) comprise reflectors (200). |
| US10520139B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) lighting device
Various embodiments provide a light emitting diode (LED) module, an LED lighting device comprising an LED module, and methods for manufacturing an LED module and/or an LED lighting device. In one embodiment, the LED lighting device comprises a housing comprising a metal shell and defining a central opening; and an LED module having one or more LEDs mounted about a periphery of a first surface of the LED module. The LED module is oriented and retained within the central opening of the housing such that the first surface faces out of the central opening. Furthermore, the LED module is secured to the housing via the metal shell. |
| US10520138B2 |
Light bulb with fixed structure
A light allocation item is set on a light source board to change the spread of the light comes out from the light source board. A light bulb shell shade is set around the light source board and the light allocation item. A bottom edge is set on the opening site of the bottom of the light bulb shell. The bottom edge is set around the light source board. A pressed device is set on light allocation item. The pressed device or the bottom edge is made of the elastic ingredients. The pressed device reaches to outside of the light source board to press the bottom edge of the light bulb shell. Setting the pressed device on the light allocation item makes the pressed device reach outside of the light source board. Therefore, the pressed device sets the bottom of the light bulb shell elastically to realize the fix. |
| US10520133B1 |
Method and system of mounting a VESDA system within a support structure
A method of mounting a VESDA system, having a flange insert device and series of individual sampling tubes and system components, within a support structure. The method comprises the steps of: cutting an aperture through the support structure; inserting the flange insert device within the surface structure; threading the individual sampling tube through the flange insert device; securing the flange insert device within the system components; affixing the flange insert device to the surface structure; and camouflaging the flange insert device with a respective substance. |
| US10520129B2 |
Machine body for a wheel servicing apparatus with display support unit
A machine body for a wheel servicing apparatus includes a casing and a display support unit configured to support a display unit, such as a touchscreen unit, that is connectable with a processing unit of the wheel servicing apparatus. The display support unit is movably arranged at the casing to provide a first position in which a display front surface of the display unit attachable to the display support unit is visible to a user, and a second position in which a display front surface of the display unit attachable to the display support unit is shielded from the outside such that the display front surface is not visible to the user. |
| US10520127B2 |
Mounting system capable of receiving threaded and threadless posts
Techniques are described herein that are capable of enabling a mounting system to receive threaded and threadless posts. The mounting system may have a cavity (a.k.a. void) that is configured to receive such posts. An interior surface of the cavity may include threads to allow corresponding threads of a threaded post to be twisted (e.g., screwed) into the threads of the cavity. The threads of the cavity may be configured to allow a threadless post to pass through the cavity without being encumbered by the threads. The mounting system uses magnetism and a taper of the cavity to facilitate magnetically and frictionally engaging the threadless post in the cavity. |
| US10520118B2 |
Tube fitting assembly
A fitting assembly having a longitudinal axis including a fitting body having a seat, a threaded drive nut, a tube, a first (rear) ferrule and a second (front) ferrule receivable over the tube, the first (rear) ferrule having a first driven end and a first driving end and defining a first (rear) ferrule length (FFL) therebetween, the second (front) ferrule having a second driven end and a second driving end and defining a second (front) ferrule length (SFL) therebetween, and a seal depth (SD) of the tube defined by a distance between the seat of the fitting body and the second driving end. A surface of the second driven end of the second (front) ferrule is a diametrical surface having a diameter (DSF). At least one of the following apply: SFL/SD≥0.9; 2.7≥SFL/DSF≥2.2; and SFL/FFL≥4.0. |
| US10520113B1 |
Threaded rod locking and ratcheting device and method of making
Trapeze system for suspending utilities from ceilings by threaded rod utilizing a rod locking and ratcheting device having a housing and a locking control lever for adjustably attaching a trapeze structure to the threaded rod suspension. The rod locking and ratcheting device quickly attaches to the trapeze structure by a channel tab that fastens the rod locking and ratcheting device to the trapeze. The rod locking and ratcheting device has a thumb actuated locking control lever that moves in the housing to engage or disengage a screw threaded portion on the locking control lever with threads on a threaded rod inside the housing of the locking and ratcheting device. The parts of the locking and ratcheting device are cold formed from 12 to 20 gauge steel. |
| US10520110B2 |
Systems and methods for executing cryptographic operations across different types of processing hardware
The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for executing cryptographic operations across different types of processing hardware. An intermediary device may identify a cryptographic function to be performed at the device, according to a message from a client or a server. The device may identify a sequence of cryptographic operations to be executed for performing the cryptographic function. The device may determine subsets of the cryptographic operations to be executed on across different types of processing hardware. The different types of processing hardware may reside on the device. Each of the types of processing hardware may execute, responsive to the determination, the respective subset of the cryptographic operations, according to the sequence of the cryptographic operations. |
| US10520107B2 |
Biasing device for linkage system and method of making and using the same
A number of variations may include a product comprising: a linkage system comprising: a first and second lever; a first interconnecting component and second interconnecting component operably connected to the first and second levers; a link bar having a first end with a first opening for receiving the first or second interconnecting component, and providing a clearance between the first opening and the first or second interconnecting component and; a second end with a second opening for receiving the first or second interconnecting component and providing a clearance between the second opening and the first or second interconnecting component; and a biasing device having a first and second end for engagement with the first and second interconnecting components and at least one section to allow for increasing or decreasing its length. |
| US10520106B2 |
Normally closed solenoid valve
A normally closed solenoid valve includes a valve sleeve, a pole core fixedly positioned in the sleeve, an axially displaceable armature, a spring, a closing element, a valve seat, and an elastic component. The spring acts between the pole core and the armature in order to push the closing element into the valve seat. The closing element interacts with the armature. A prestressing force of the spring causes a deformation of the elastic component, which is positioned between the armature and the pole core, such that an impact of the armature on the pole core is damped via a regression of the deformation of the elastic component. |
| US10520105B2 |
Spool valve, in particular for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle
A spool valve, for a motor vehicle's automatic transmission, having a housing and an axially movable valve spool in a guide recess of the housing, including at least one radial inlet connection and one radial outlet connection spaced axially apart therefrom, and a working connection on the front face, at least one first control opening connected to the inlet connection and one second control opening spaced axially apart therefrom and connected to the outlet, and one third control opening situated axially between these two and connected to the working connection being present on the guide recess, the control openings being hydraulically cooperate-able with one first and second control section on the valve spool, and a connection channel extending axially in sections being in the housing, connecting the third control opening to the working connection. The housing includes a section made of plastic, in which the connection channel is formed. |
| US10520104B2 |
Fuel cutoff valve
A fuel cutoff valve has: a valve mechanism that cuts off a communication between a fuel tank and a canister; an upper space defined above the valve mechanism; a tube body that has a tube passage to be communicated with the upper space and introduces a fuel gas to the canister; a retaining chamber defined by a first fuel shielding portion and a second fuel shielding portion to retain a liquid fuel stored in the upper space; a liquid reservoir portion defined between the tube body and the first fuel shielding portion to store the liquid fuel flowing out of the retaining chamber; and a communication portion through which the retaining chamber communicates with the liquid reservoir portion; wherein the communication portion is formed at a position deviated from the tube body so as not to overlap the tube body, when the tube body is seen in its axial direction. |
| US10520101B2 |
Contoured check valve disc for low cracking pressure
A contoured check valve disc features a pivot portion and a check valve portion. The check valve portion is attached to the pivot portion, and has two sides, a first side to respond to the fluid flow in a first direction and move the check valve portion away from a fluid opening to the one or more open positions depending on the fluid flow to allow the fluid to flow through the fluid opening, and a second and opposing side to respond to fluid flow in an opposite direction through the fluid opening and move the check valve portion towards the fluid opening to the closed position to seal the fluid opening and stop fluid flow. The check valve portion a near-sloped portion formed nearest to the pivot portion, having a near-sloped contoured surface curving away from the pivot point to a first point of inflection with a first curvature, and a far-sloped portion formed farthest from the pivot portion, having a far-sloped contoured surface curving away from the point of inflection towards a farthest point away from the pivot portion with a second curvature that is less curved or bent than the first curvature, the near-sloped portion and the far-sloped portion combining to form a combined surface having a contoured pressure/force distribution on the first side to respond to the fluid flow and move the check valve portion away from the fluid opening. |
| US10520098B2 |
Butterfly-valve seat ring and fixing structure of the same, and eccentric-type butterfly valve
A butterfly-valve seat ring and fixing structure of the same, and an eccentric-type butterfly valve in which, the butterfly-valve seat ring has a flexible part (31) with a predetermined material thickness integrally and extendedly provided on one side surface of an inner diameter of a ring-shaped base body part (30) having a substantially rectangular shape in section and has a fixing part (32) integrally and extendedly provided on one side surface of an outer diameter of the base body part, has a recessed-shaped space part (40) provided between an outer circumferential surface (36) of the flexible part and an inner circumferential surface (37) of the fixing part, and has a seal contact part (35) provided to project at an inner diameter position of the flexible part. The seal contact part is positioned on an inner circumferential surface of the flexible part rather than a depth-side position of the space part. |
| US10520095B2 |
Abradable seal
An abradable seal is provided, comprising an outer ring arrangement and an energiser for urging said outer ring arrangement against an opposing surface, wherein an outermost surface of said outer ring arrangement defines a sealing surface of said abradable seal; wherein said outer ring arrangement is configured such that after a first period of operation said sealing surface suddenly transitions from having a relatively large surface area to having a relatively small surface area, so as to cause a sudden increase in internal leakage across the seal at said transition. |
| US10520089B2 |
Liquid supply with spiral container
An electronic cigarette including a liquid supply, an air inlet, an inhalation port, and an atomizer. The liquid supply has a housing with a spiral container, having an outlet for directing a liquid held within the container out to the atomizer and at least one inlet sealed by a sealing agent to impede movement of the liquid. An air channel leads from the air inlet through the atomizer to the inhalation port for directing an aerosol generated at the atomizer to the inhalation port. |
| US10520088B2 |
Metal gasket
The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a metal gasket capable of limiting the loss of axial bolt fastening force even if a peripheral creased section is formed as an anti-saline intrusion measure; and a metal gasket, which has relatively small curved sections with a radius of curvature of not more than 20 mm on the outer edge and which is capable of limiting loss of axial bolt fastening force even when a peripheral creased section is formed over the entire perimeter of the metal gasket as an anti-saline intrusion measure. Said problem is solved by a metal gasket, which is disposed between the abutting surfaces of two members and has, on a metal base plate: bolt holes into which bolts are inserted; a bead that is to the inside of the bolt holes and is for sealing between the abutting surfaces; and a peripheral creased section configured by bending the perimeter of the metal base plate in one direction so that no gap in which saline can accumulate is formed between the abutting surfaces. The peripheral creased section has areas formed by gradually changing bend length in the gasket circumferential direction so that loss of axial bolt fastening force when compressed by bolts is limited. |
| US10520083B2 |
Fouling prevention system for submerged hydraulic cylinders
A system for preventing fouling of submerged hydraulic cylinder actuators includes a pneumatic line communicably connected to a protective bellows element surrounding the cylinder rod of the actuator mechanism. As the cylinder rod extends from the cylinder housing of the mechanism and the bellows element expands, filtered air is drawn into the bellows element. Water and accompanying contaminants are prevented from entering the bellows and interfering with operation of the hydraulic actuator mechanism. |
| US10520082B2 |
Device and method for hydraulically controlling continuously variable transmission for vehicle
A hydraulic pressure control device for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle which a continuously variable transmission mechanism; a stepwise variable transmission mechanism; a shift control means, the hydraulic pressure control device includes: the shift control means including a line pressure control section configured to increase the line pressure to be greater than the line pressure before a generation of an oil vibration when the oil vibration is generated in at least one of actual hydraulic pressures of the primary pressure and the secondary pressure, and the line pressure control section being configured to continue the increase of the line pressure until the shift of the stepwise variable transmission mechanism is finished when the stepwise variable transmission is shifted in a state where the line pressure is increased. |
| US10520077B2 |
Gear selector shift lever device, gear selector shift lever arrangement for a vehicle, and method for securing a gear selector shift lever device
A gear selection shift lever device for a vehicle is presented, which comprises a housing and an attachment device connected to the housing, wherein the housing has a cover surface, on which a shift lever can be or is disposed, and wherein the attachment device connected to the housing has a shaft and an eccentric disk coupled to the shaft, wherein a center of the eccentric disk lies outside the shaft axis of the shaft, wherein the attachment device is designed to connect the gear selection shift lever device to a mount for the gear selection shift lever device that can be or is attached to the vehicle, when the eccentric disk is moved about the shaft axis. |
| US10520074B2 |
Scissor gear assembly
A scissor gear assembly 31 has a main gear 33 and auxiliary gear 35 concentric to the main gear and in axial direction near the main gear. Further the assembly has planar annular springs 37 being interrupted at one place. At the interruption the springs have two ends 37a and 37b. The springs are present between both gears and are with one end 37a connected to the main gear 33 and with the other end 37b to the auxiliary gear 35, so that both gears are connected to each other in rotation direction via the springs. The springs 37 are completely placed radial outwards of the rotation axis 34 of the main gear 33 so space is created to assemble multiple springs. The solution is special suited for relative large size scissor gears. |
| US10520073B2 |
Gear wheel
A gear wheel (10), operable for transmitting substantial torques without developing or generating undue noise and exhibiting improved vibration damping, is axially mountable for operative rotation on a shaft (25) and includes a disc-shaped or cylindrical base body (11) that defines a recess (12) for passage of the shaft. The base body (11) carries a plurality of teeth (13, 14) radially distributed about the circumference of the base body. A disc-shaped damping element (17) is releasably connected to and against a side or face of the base body so as to accommodate relative movement between the base body and the damping element in response to dynamic loads acting on the operating gear wheel. A second damping element (17) can likewise be releasably connected to and against a second or opposite side or face of the base body so as to correspondingly accommodate relative movement between the base body and the second damping element in response to dynamic loads acting on the operating gear wheel. |
| US10520070B2 |
No-back device for flight control surface actuator
Disclosed is an actuator for varying the position of a flight control surface on an aircraft, wherein the actuator comprises a no-back device including a backlash adjuster, which is arranged to select a plurality of different backlash lengths. The backlash adjuster may be a nut which moves relative a housing of the no-back device by rotating the nut. Also disclosed is a method of adjusting the backlash (B) in a flight control surface actuator, by moving the backlash adjuster axially to adjust the backlash (B) to a desired value. |
| US10520068B2 |
Gear and an electric actuator provided therewith
A sintered gear and an electrical actuator with the sintered gear where the sintered gear has spur teeth formed on a circumference of the gear. A central hole is on the center of the gear. A boss is formed around the central hole. A peripheral portion is formed radially inward of the teeth. A thickness of a region between the boss and the peripheral portion is thinner than that of the boss. The peripheral portion is formed on at least one side of the gear. The peripheral portion has an axially larger thickness than the region between the boss and peripheral portion. |
| US10520063B2 |
Mechanical virtual elliptical drive
A mechanical virtual elliptical drive, including an input motor, a wobble plate, a stator gear, and an output plate. The input motor may have a rotation axis, a substantially flat surface, and a rounded protrusion extending from the flat surface. The wobble plate may have a wobble axis disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the rotation axis. The rounded protrusion of the motor may engage a substantially flat face of the wobble plate, thereby causing the wobble plate to nutate around the stator gear. |
| US10520060B2 |
International combustion engine with balancer device
An internal combustion engine includes: three or more cylinders including cylinders A, B and C according to the present disclosure arranged in a row in the cylinder row direction; and a balancer device for reducing engine vibration. The balancer device includes a balancer shaft arranged so as to extend from the cylinder A to the cylinder C along the cylinder row direction in a crank chamber. The balancer shaft includes: a first opening formed on the outer surface of the balancer shaft at a first location associated with the cylinder A in the cylinder row direction; a second opening formed on the outer surface at a second location associated with the cylinder C in the cylinder row direction; and a communication passage formed inside the balancer shaft so as to connect the first opening with the second opening. |
| US10520058B2 |
Antivibration device
A junction with an antivibration base body joined to its outer periphery is equipped with a chamfer portion where a corner connecting a flange portion to the junction is removed, a base portion connected to the chamfer portion in the axial direction, and an end portion connected to the base portion in the axial direction. At the base portion, a first projection plane made by being projected in a first direction orthogonal to the axis is substantially the same in area as a second projection plane made by being projected in a second direction orthogonal to the axis and the first direction. At the end portion, the area of the second projection plane is set to be larger than the area of the first projection plane. |
| US10520055B2 |
Recoil suppressing hydraulic damper for a train coupler
A damper for a train coupler is shown, comprising a hydraulic balancing chamber (115) defined in an annular space between a piston (101) and a housing (102) in which the piston is movably received, wherein the balancing chamber is in flow communication with a hydraulic high-pressure chamber (103) via inlet and outlet bores (116; 130) formed through a slip-ring (117) that journals the piston in the housing. A portion (129) of the piston is shielded in a buffer chamber (128) formed in the annular space between the piston and the housing, in axial alignment with the balancing chamber. |
| US10520054B2 |
Motor brake system
A motor includes a brake diagnostics system with sensors to assess the brake assembly condition. Acoustic or other vibration sensors provide vibration data that is compared to known vibration spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The brake diagnostics system monitors current flow in the brake coil to assess the condition of the brake assembly. The sensed brake coil current is compared to known coil current spectrum data to compare the condition of the brake assembly to a properly functioning brake assembly. The voltage input to the brake coil is varied depending upon the current sensed in the brake coil to minimize heat in the brake coil. The motor also includes a resilient layer of thermally conductive material located between the brake assembly and the housing that provides a continuous, uninterrupted thermal pathway between the brake assembly and the motor housing. |
| US10520053B2 |
Heat shield element
A heat shield element for a brake caliper of a disc brake, capable of providing complete radial and axial protection for the brake caliper, which is arranged straddling a disc brake disc and having a vehicle-side elongated portion and an opposite wheel-side elongated portion connected to each other by at least one caliper bridge. The element has a heat shield element body having at least two opposite snap engagement tongues adapted to snap-engage a portion of the brake caliper to interpose the heat shield element body between the brake caliper and the disc brake disc and support the heat shield element engaged with the brake caliper. |
| US10520052B2 |
Bicycle disc brake rotor
A bicycle disc brake rotor is provided with a base rotor plate and a surface region. The base rotor plate includes an outer portion that is formed of iron. The outer portion has first and second base surfaces facing in opposite axial directions. The surface region is formed by a diffusion process on the base rotor plate. The surface region has a corrosion resistant characteristic which is superior to the base rotor plate. |
| US10520043B2 |
Dual clutch assembly with neutral function and transmission assembly
A dual clutch assembly comprises a rotatable second input shaft that surrounds and is concentric with a rotatable first input shaft. A rotatable hub surrounds the first input shaft. A first and a second clutch rotor are connected to the rotatable hub. The first clutch rotor comprises a pulley coupling and a clutch surface. The second clutch rotor comprises a clutch surface. A stationary electromagnetic assembly is mounted between the first clutch rotor and the second clutch rotor. A first armature assembly is coupled to the first input shaft and is configured to couple to the first clutch surface of the first clutch rotor in response to a first electromagnetic signal. A second armature assembly is coupled to the second input shaft and is configured to couple to the clutch surface of the second clutch rotor in response to a second electromagnetic signal. |
| US10520042B2 |
Clutch assembly with integrated surface cooling
A clutch assembly may comprise a plurality of clutch discs and a housing configured to receive the plurality of clutch discs. The housing may include an outer wall and an inner wall defining a channel therebetween. The outer wall may have an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid connection with the channel. The channel may be configured to pass a first heat transfer medium between the inlet port and outlet port. The housing may include a plurality of surface features extending inwards from the inner wall and toward the plurality of clutch discs. The plurality of surface features is configured to transfer heat from second heat transfer medium to the housing, thereby transferring heat away from the plurality of clutch discs. The channel may be configured to transfer heat from the housing to the first heat transfer medium, thereby transferring heat away from the housing. |
| US10520026B2 |
Bearing structure and turbocharger
Provided is a bearing structure, including: a bearing housing having a bearing hole; a main body portion, which is provided in the bearing hole, and receives a shaft inserted to the main body portion; a damper portion formed on an outer circumference surface of the main body portion; a radial bearing surface formed on an inner circumference surface of the main body portion; a thrust bearing surface formed on one end surface of the main body portion in an axial direction of the shaft; a communication hole, which has one end opened in a gap between an outer circumference surface of the main body portion and an inner circumference surface of the bearing hole or in the damper portion, and has another end opened in the thrust bearing surface, in the radial bearing surface, or between the thrust bearing surface and the radial bearing surface. |
| US10520025B1 |
Bearing assembly for use in axial-flow cardiopulmonary bypass blood pumps and related pumps
Embodiments of the invention relate to bearing assemblies and associated cardiopulmonary bypass blood pumps in which the bearing assembly includes a stator and a rotor each including bearing surfaces oriented so as to be generally opposed to one another. The bearing surface may comprise a polycrystalline diamond material including a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions therebetween, in which a non-metallic catalyst (e.g., a carbonate) and/or at least one derivative thereof is disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains. |
| US10520023B2 |
Guide carriage having deformation sensor on track element
A guide carriage includes a main body, a separate track element connected to the main body, at least one carriage track, at least one deformation sensor, an evaluating device, and at least one row of endlessly revolving roller elements that roll off on an associated carriage track in a load-transmitting manner. The carriage track extends parallel to a longitudinal axis, and is positioned on the track element. The track element has at least one self-supporting section not supported on the main body and located at one end of the track element along the direction of the longitudinal axis. The at least one deformation sensor is connected to the evaluating device, positioned in a region of a respective self-supporting section of the track element, and configured to measure a deformation of the respective one of the at least one self-supporting sections of the track element. |
| US10520020B2 |
Support assembly with movable bearing assembly
A support assembly includes a body and a bearing assembly. The body defines a first opening. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable within the first opening. The bearing assembly includes a housing, a socket, and a ball. The housing defines a second opening. The socket is positioned at least partly within the second opening and coupled to the housing. The ball bearing is positioned within the socket. The ball bearing is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable between a first position, where the ball bearing extends from the body, and a second position, where the ball bearing does not extend from the body. |
| US10520019B2 |
Slide module
A slide module comprises an outer rail, a ball rail, first balls and second balls. The outer rail has a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The ball rail has a first holding section and a second holding section. The first balls are rollably disposed in a plurality of first holes of the first holding section in which the first ball is contacted with the first inner surface and the second holding section and distant from the second inner surface. The second balls are rollably disposed in a plurality of second holes of the second holding section in which the second ball is contacted with the second inner surface and the first holding section and distant from the inner surface. Thereby, the ball rail is capable of moving along the axial direction with respect to the outer rail through the first balls and the second balls. |
| US10520017B2 |
Tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing includes an inner ring including, on its outer circumferential surface, an inner raceway surface and including, on an end portion on a second axial side, a cone back face rib portion protruding radially outward, an outer ring including, on its inner circumferential surface, an outer raceway surface, a plurality of tapered rollers disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an annular cage that retains the plurality of tapered rollers spaced from each other in a circumferential direction. The cage includes a small-diameter annular portion, a large-diameter annular portion located on the second axial side relative to the tapered rollers and the outer ring, and a plurality of cage bar portions. The large-diameter annular portion has an oil pocket having a first aperture that is open radially inward and a second aperture that is open toward the outer raceway surface. |
| US10520014B2 |
Abnormal wearing detection device for seal members and rotor device
An abnormal wearing detection device for seal members for detecting abnormal wearing of a seal member that slides in relation to a circumferential surface of a rotating member to seal the circumferential surface of the rotating member, includes: at least two measuring units among a load ratio measuring unit that measures a load ratio during rotation of the rotating member, a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the seal member, and a gas concentration measuring unit that measures a concentration of a gas emitted from the seal member; and a determining unit that determines that abnormal wearing has occurred when it is detected that at least two measurement values measured by the at least two measuring units fail below a first reference value. |
| US10520012B1 |
Rod end having wear mitigation features for an augmenter nozzle on a jet engine turbine
A rod end includes a shaft and a head extending from the shaft. The head has an opening extending therethrough. The rod end includes a spherical bearing rotatably disposed in the opening. The spherical bearing is manufactured from an austenitic stainless steel alloy that includes 16 to 17 weight percent chromium and 0.1 to 0.18 weight percent nitrogen. |
| US10520010B2 |
Joint shaft, in particular universal joint shaft
A joint shaft, in particular a universal joint shaft, has first and second axial connection ends and a central part that connects the two connection ends to one another in a torsionally rigid and pivotable manner. At least one intermediate sleeve is provided between a first and a second shaft element with internal gearing having inner teeth, which are distributed over the circumference and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and external gearing with outer teeth, which are distributed over the circumference and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The sleeve is longitudinally displaceable relative to the first shaft element and to the second shaft element and is attached directly or indirectly in a torsionally rigid manner to the first shaft element by way of the intermediate sleeve external gearing and to the second shaft element by way of the intermediate sleeve internal gearing. |
| US10520002B2 |
Barrel nut with stress reduction features
A barrel nut with features for reducing tensile stresses under heavy load within the barrel nut has a partial-cylindrical body having a first planar end surface and a second planar end surface. A threaded bore extends through the partial-cylindrical body with a central axis substantially parallel to the first planar end surface and the second planar end surface. At least one groove is formed in each of the first planar end surface and the second planar end surface, the groove having a rounded surface extending at least a part of a distance between a curved upper surface of the partial-cylindrical body to a bottom surface thereof in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the threaded bore. |
| US10520001B2 |
Stamped housings to facilitate assembly and related methods
Connector housings and connector assemblies for mechanically connecting a pin to a housing with or without electrical conductivity. A connector housing can be formed by attaching two housing sections together with one or both housing sections formed at least in part by a stamping process. The connector housing can have an outer contour, such as an outer perimeter, with one or more sides and with a joining section connecting two adjacent sides together. The two or more sides can be used for handling, aligning, and/or assembling of the connector housing to a cavity. |
| US10520000B2 |
Connecting device and display screen with the same
A connecting device and a display screen with the same. Wherein, the connecting device includes: a first connecting member, including a first fixed part, a first movable part and a first elastic part positioned between the first fixed part and the first movable part, the first fixed part being provided with a first component connecting part and the first movable part being provided with a mounting through hole; and a second connecting member matched with the first connecting member, the first movable part having a connection state of causing the hole wall of the mounting through hole to extend into the accommodation groove and a separation state of causing the hole wall of the mounting through hole to extend out of the accommodation groove and the first movable part being in the connection state only under the action of the first elastic part. |
| US10519999B2 |
Cable toggle
A toggle can secure a cable relative to a structure with a fixing aperture. A body of the toggle can include a cable portion and a set of side walls. The cable portion can receive and secure the cable. The side walls can extend away from the cable portion to define a channel, with the channel being at least partly open along one or more sides of the toggle body. The toggle body can be configured to engage the structure along a loading side of the body to secure the cable relative to the structure. |
| US10519997B2 |
Piece of furniture, and furniture fitting for connecting furniture parts
A furniture fitting for connecting furniture parts of upholstered furniture has a first fitting part for fastening to a first furniture part and a second fitting part fastenable to a second furniture part. The first fitting part has a base and two axles arranged parallel to one another and parallel to the base. A first one of the axles is fixedly connected to the first fitting part and a second one of the axles is displaceably mounted relative to the first axle perpendicular to the axles against a force of an energy storage device. The second fitting part has a first and a second mount for the first and second axle and is positioned on the first axle with the first mount to pivot around the first axle. The second axle latches into the second mount during pivoting to connect the two fitting parts to each other. |
| US10519992B2 |
Spring clip with a single resilient cantilevered leg
A spring clip includes a base, a post carried on the base and a single resilient cantilevered leg depending from the post. That resilient cantilevered leg includes an S-curve segment and a distal end having a double blocked notch. |
| US10519991B2 |
Universal mounting apparatus for mobile electronic devices
A universal phone mounting apparatus is presented. The invention includes an elongate main body with an opening each end for access to a first and second axial cavities inside the main body. A first clamp with a first main rail slidably coupled in the first axial cavity through the first opening and a second clamp with a second main rail slidably coupled in the second axial cavity through the second opening. A compression spring may be located in either or both of the first and second cavities. On the side of the main body is a first port for selectively applying compressive force to the first main rail thereby restricting its movement, and a second port for selectively applying compressive force to the second main rail thereby restricting its movement. The main body further includes a channel on a bottom side for securely coupling an external mounting adapter. |
| US10519989B2 |
Safe-to-operate hydraulic drive
A safe hydraulic drive system and process, comprising at least one first cylinder chamber and a second, separate cylinder chamber which are connected to one another via a connecting line to form a fluid-filled hydraulic circuit, and a hydraulic drive for conveying the fluid from one cylinder chamber, via the connecting line, into the other cylinder chamber in which the connecting line is arranged. The connecting line has at least one parallel system, between the hydraulic drive and one of the two cylinder chambers, including at least one first sub-connection with at least one first stop valve and a second sub-connection with a baffle arranged therein. The connecting line, excluding the second sub-connection, has a first flow resistance and the second sub-connection has a second flow resistance due to the baffle arranged therein, which is greater than the first flow resistance for the fluid, wherein the drive system is provided with at least one open first stop valve in normal mode and with a closed first stop valve in safe mode for conveying the fluid, and a suitably high second flow resistance has been selected so that a maximum permissible speed for a piston rod is not exceeded in safe mode, even when an external force acts on the drive system in the direction of movement of the piston rod. |
| US10519981B2 |
Ice deflector for a fan housing
In various implementations, a fan system may include a housing and a fan. The fan may reside in an orifice of the housing. The fan system may include a grate disposed proximate a top surface and an ice deflector. The ice deflector may inhibit ice formation on portions of the housing, orifice, and/or fan residing in the orifice. |
| US10519980B2 |
Turbomachine component or collection of components and associated turbomachine
A turbomachine component or collection of components includes a first blade and a second blade and a platform from which the blades extend. The platform, between the pressure face of the first blade and the suction face of the second blade, has a non-axisymmetric surface defining a plurality of fins of substantially triangular section extending downstream of a leading edge of each of the blades. Each fin is associated with a leading position and a trailing position on the surface, between which positions the fin extends, such that the leading position is situated at between 5% and 35% length relative to a chord of the blade extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the blade. The further a fin is from the suction face of the second blade, the further the leading position of the fin is axially from the leading edge of the blades. |
| US10519978B2 |
Blade of a ventilator wheel, ventilator wheel and axial ventilator
The invention relates in particular to a ventilator wheel of an axial ventilator, which includes multiple blades, each having radially outward extending blade forward edges and radial outer edges on the outlet side, wherein a transition from the radial outer edges to the blade forward edges is formed, in each case with a projection extending in the circumferential direction relative to the adjacent, radially outward extending blade forward edges, wherein a seamless transition is formed from the radial outer edge portion (7) to a region of the respective blade situated radially further inward. |
| US10519976B2 |
Fluid diodes with ridges to control boundary layer in axial compressor stator vane
An entrance stator in a turbofan has an airfoil shape with a leading edge and a trailing edge connected by surfaces which define a suction side and a pressure side. The entrance stator has a channel with an opening on the pressure side, extending to an exit on the suction side, having a pressure gradient between the opening and the exit. The channels are preceded with a ridge. The channels and the ridges control the boundary layer, enabling higher efficiencies. The channels and ridges add energy to the boundary layer to prevent separation. |
| US10519975B2 |
Compressor stage
Compressor stage with a stator-side intake connection piece via which medium which is to be compressed can be introduced into the compressor stage in the region of the compressor stage, with a stator-side inflow channel via which the medium to be compressed can be conveyed in direction of a rotor-side impeller proceeding from the intake connection piece, wherein the impeller has a radially inner hub, a radially outer cover disk and impeller blades extending between the hub and the cover disk, wherein a plus measuring point and a minus measuring point are provided at the compressor stage for measuring the effective pressure at the compressor stage, and wherein the minus measuring point is positioned upstream of the impeller outside of the stator-side inflow channel in an annular gap which branches off from the inflow channel. |
| US10519973B2 |
Airfoil shape for seventh stage compressor rotor blade
A system is provided, including an airfoil. The airfoil includes a first suction portion of a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z of a suction side as set forth in TABLE I to a maximum of three decimal places, wherein the X and Y values of the suction side are coordinate values that couple together to define suction side sections of the first suction portion of the nominal airfoil profile at each Z coordinate value, the suction side sections of the first suction portion of the nominal airfoil profile are coupled together to define the first suction portion, the airfoil includes an airfoil length along a Z axis, the first suction portion comprises a first portion length along the Z axis, the first portion length is less than or equal to the airfoil length, and the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances. |
| US10519972B2 |
Airfoil shape for sixth stage compressor rotor blade
A system is provided, including an airfoil. The airfoil includes a first suction portion of a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z of a suction side as set forth in TABLE I to a maximum of three decimal places, wherein the X and Y values of the suction side are coordinate values that couple together to define suction side sections of the first suction portion of the nominal airfoil profile at each Z coordinate value, the suction side sections of the first suction portion of the nominal airfoil profile are coupled together to define the first suction portion, the airfoil includes an airfoil length along a Z axis, the first suction portion comprises a first portion length along the Z axis, the first portion length is less than or equal to the airfoil length, and the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances. |
| US10519968B2 |
Motor for suppressing entry of foreign matter
A motor includes a facing member having a part facing a rotary shaft, a seal member having elasticity, and an annular member supporting the seal member. Magnets are disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft. Coil units are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular member. The annular member is rotated by a magnetic force in the same direction as the rotary shaft when the rotary shaft rotates. The seal member rotates with the annular member at a rotation speed that is lower than a rotation speed of the rotary shaft. |
| US10519966B2 |
Plain bearing and pump
A plain bearing (410) is fixed to a shaft hole (401) of an impeller (400) of the pump (100) so as to rotatably support the impeller (400) with respect to the shaft (300), and is restricted from moving in an axial direction by an annular restrictor (310) fixed to the shaft (300). On an end face (411) of the plain bearing (410) facing the restrictor (310), a lubrication groove (412) connecting a radially inner side and a radially outer side of the end face (411) to supply cooling water onto the end face (411) for lubrication, and a dynamic pressure generating groove (413) that introduces a flow of cooling water created by rotation of the impeller (400) to generate a dynamic pressure, are provided. The present bearing suppresses an increase in rotation torque of the impeller (400) during high speed rotation. |
| US10519963B2 |
Engine bleed air system with waste gate valve for compressor surge management
A gas turbine engine includes a main engine compressor section. A booster compressor changes a pressure of airflow received from the main engine compressor section to a pressure desired for a pneumatic system. The booster compressor is configured to operate at airflow conditions greater than a demand of the pneumatic system. An exhaust valve controls airflow between an exhaust outlet and an outlet passage to the pneumatic system. The exhaust valve is operable to exhaust airflow from the booster compressor in excess of the demand of the pneumatic system. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed. |
| US10519962B2 |
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. |
| US10519960B2 |
Fan failure detection and reporting
A fan failure detection and reporting system organizes fans having similar characteristics into groups. The system establishes, for a given fan group, one or more reference characteristics and identifies, for each reference characteristic, a measure of tolerance. The system identifies as a problem fan a fan having a performance characteristic, obtained via monitoring, which exceeds a corresponding reference characteristic for the group to which the fan belongs by the measure of tolerance for the corresponding reference characteristic, and generates a notification that at least identifies the problem fan. In embodiments, the system is capable of determining the fan characteristics that are used for grouping and for identifying problem fans by monitoring the fans during operation thereof. Consequently, the system is capable of detecting problem fans even when the system initially has limited or no knowledge concerning the fans. |
| US10519959B2 |
Compressor end head heating arrangement
A compressor end head for providing a thermal barrier to a mechanical seal includes an inner end head having an inner end head opening, inner end head grooves in the inner end head opening, configured to place and seal an end portion of a compressor shaft; and an outer end head having an outer end head opening configured to enclose the inner end head. |
| US10519958B2 |
Systems and methods to provide lubricant to a bearing
Systems and methods to help provide lubricant to a bearing in a compressor are disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein generally are directed to systems and methods to provide a lubricant flow to the bearing, where the lubricant flow relies on the rotation of a shaft of the compressor, so that the lubricant flow can be independent of a power supply. |
| US10519956B2 |
Pump and pump assembly
Provided is a fluid pump assembly. The pump has a pair of housings magnetically coupled to each other. The first housing contains a drive motor and a magnetic assembly. The second housing contains a magnetic assembly and a blade for imparting movement to a fluid. As the first magnetic assembly is rotated by the drive motor, the magnetic connection to the assembly in the second housing causes the second magnet to rotate, driving the blade. |
| US10519950B2 |
Modular gland arrangements for a fluid end assembly
A closure element for a fluid end assembly that has two or more recessed grooves formed in its outer surface. The grooves are axially offset. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of axially offset grooves in a single closure element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical closure elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different axial position. Another closure element has a series of ledge-like surfaces defining spaces within which a seal may be received. One outer surface surrounds one or more of the other surfaces. A seal is placed in one and only one of the spaces. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other spaces. |
| US10519944B2 |
Variable displacement compressor
A variable displacement compressor which prevents leakage of a refrigerant flowing directly into a suction chamber without passing via a crank chamber at a time of a minimum discharge displacement operation, thus making it possible to prevent an increase of a minimum discharge displacement by increasing a refrigerant pressure in the crank chamber, and in addition, making it possible to prevent insufficient lubrication of sliding portions and the like in the crank chamber. |
| US10519937B2 |
Electrical connector for a wind turbine
An electrical connector for providing power between a nacelle and a hub of a wind turbine. The electrical connector includes a first electrical connector part for connection to one of the nacelle or the hub, and a second electrical connector part for connection to the other of the nacelle or the hub. The electrical connector further includes an actuator for moving the first or second electrical connector parts in a first direction between an extended position in which the first and second connector parts are in contact and form an electrical connection between the nacelle and the hub, and a retracted position in which the first and second electrical connector parts are spaced apart and do not form an electrical connection. The first and/or second electrical connector parts include one or more magnets arranged to secure the first and second parts together when the respective parts are in contact. |
| US10519933B2 |
Method of operating a wind turbine system including an energy storage system
Systems and methods for operating an energy storage system in a wind turbine system are provided. A wind turbine system can include a wind turbine, a power conversion system operably coupled to the wind turbine and an AC line bus, and an energy storage system coupled to the AC line bus. The energy storage system can include a transformer, a power converter, and an energy storage device and can be configured to store and provide power generated by the wind turbine. The method can include operating the wind turbine system to generate power, determining one or more operating parameters for the wind turbine system, determining an operating mode based on the one or more operating parameters, and controlling the wind turbine system based at least in part on the operating mode. Controlling the wind turbine can control a power flow into or out of the energy storage system. |
| US10519932B2 |
Imaging array for bird or bat detection and identification
An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind farm. The automated system may include an array of a plurality of image capturing devices independently mounted in a wind farm. The array may include a plurality of low resolution cameras and at least one high resolution camera. The plurality of low resolution cameras may be interconnected and may detect a spherical field surrounding the wind farm. A server is in communication with the array of image capturing devices. The server may automatically analyze images to classify an airborne object captured by the array of image capturing devices in response to receiving the images. |
| US10519930B2 |
Wind turbine controller with pitch feedback control loop in partial load
The control of the power output of wind turbine generator that operates in a derated mode to generate a produced power output level lower than an available power level. A pitch system sets the blade pitch of a rotor to a pitch value based on the received power reference signal. A power system controls the produced power output level of the wind turbine to the requested power output level. Moreover, the blade pitch of the rotor is further controlled by a pitch feedback control loop that modifies the pitch value based on a difference between the produced power output level and the requested power output level. |
| US10519928B2 |
Shear web for a wind turbine rotor blade
A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes an upper shell member having a spar cap configured on an internal face thereof, a lower shell member having a spar cap configured on an internal face thereof, and a shear web assembly extending between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the rotor blade. The shear web assembly includes, at least, a first shear web and a second shear web. The first shear web starts at a blade root of the rotor blade and extends to an intermediate span location. The second shear web overlaps the first shear web at the intermediate span location and extends towards a blade tip of the rotor blade so as to provide increase torsional rigidity to the rotor blade. |
| US10519925B2 |
System and method for converting fluid motion into electrical power
A system is provided for converting fluid motion into electrical power, with the system being deployable in a body of fluid. The system includes a support structure and a movable structure connected to the support structure. The support structure includes a generator assembly configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and provide electric power from the electrical energy. The movable structure has three or more degrees of freedom, and is configured to generate mechanical energy for conversion by the generator assembly during a power generation phase of a power cycle in which the fluid motion acts on the movable structure. The movable structure has a first configuration during the power generation phase and a second, different configuration during a recovery phase of the power cycle, with the movable structure in the first configuration having a greater surface area normal to the flow of fluid. |
| US10519924B2 |
Pool cleaner generator module with magnetic coupling
A pool cleaner generator module with magnetic coupling. The generator module can include a housing, a paddle wheel, a magnetic follower, and a generator. The generator can power components of the pool cleaner, such as light emitting diode (LEDs). The housing can be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and can include a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel can be located adjacent to the flow directing portion and can rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator can be magnetically coupled to the paddle wheel and can generate power through rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED can be coupled to the generator and can receive the generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner. |
| US10519920B2 |
Automatic two-mode high reduction power transmission system
An automatic two-mode high reduction power transmission system. A power transmission system includes a first device that delivers a first input and receives a second output. A second device delivers a second input and receives a first output. A power transmission has two planetary gear sets and operates in a first mode at a first speed ratio, where the first input is received from the first device and in response, the first output is delivered to the second device. The power transmission operates in a second mode at a second speed ratio that is different than the first speed ratio, where the second input is received from the second device and in response, the second output is delivered to the first device. A pair of freewheel mechanisms automatically couple one of the first or second devices with the power transmission to provide the two modes. |
| US10519919B2 |
Method to assist with the starting of a motor vehicle combustion engine
A method for assistance in starting a heat engine of a motor vehicle including an auxiliary network supplied by a low-voltage auxiliary battery and by a voltage-controlled DC current source. This method is launched in the first place when the electronic control system of the vehicle is woken up as a result of a specific action performed by a user, which may be followed by an action of starting the heat engine. This method also consists in controlling the current source so as to cause it to operate at its maximum power during a time interval adapted to reach a maximum positive polarization of the auxiliary battery, and then, at the end of this time interval, in the absence of an effective starting command, controlling the current source so as to cancel the current flowing in the auxiliary battery. |
| US10519918B2 |
Arrangement of solenoid assembly with an electronic switch for a starter motor
A starter for starting an engine in a vehicle, which includes a motor and an output shaft that rotates by receiving torque from the motor. The starter also includes a pinion movable body that includes a pinion for transmitting the torque of the motor to a ring gear of the engine. The pinion movable body is provided on an outer circumference of the output shaft integrally with the pinion in a manner allowing movement along an axial direction. The solenoid assembly consist of two divisions, one for to pull up the drive in the solenoid and the other to activate the starter motor by energizing the electronic circuit. |
| US10519913B2 |
High-pressure pump
A high-pressure pump has a metering valve and a valve stopper. The stopper has a regulation portion which an end surface of the valve is brought into contact with. An outer diameter of the regulation portion is equal to an outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the valve. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the regulation portion. When the end surface of the valve is in contact with the regulation portion, the sleeve covers a tapered surface of the valve. |
| US10519909B2 |
Valve for metering a fluid
A fluid metering valve includes a valve-seat surface; a valve closing element that interacts with the valve-seat surface in order to form a sealing seat; an electromagnetic actuator; a valve needle used for operating the valve-closing element; an armature that is guided on the valve needle and is used for opening or closing the sealing seat; at least one stop that is disposed on, and stationary relative to, the valve needle and that restricts a movement of the armature on the valve needle; and at least one damping element that is configured to provide a damping during the opening or closing of the sealing seat, has a volume that is able to be filled with a fluid medium, is configured such that a fluid medium can be exchanged between the volume and an environment of the damping element, and is configured for volume changes of the volume in order to enable the damping. |
| US10519903B2 |
Air inlet system
An air inlet system for an internal combustion engine comprising an air inlet duct which has an upstream end including an opening and a downstream end for connection to an air flow control component and further comprising a mass air flow sensor assembly, the mass air flow sensor being located closer to the downstream end than the upstream end. |
| US10519902B2 |
Intake manifold
A first downstream part of an intake manifold has a first downstream passage configured to communicate with an intake port of a first cylinder head. A second downstream part of the intake manifold has a second downstream passage configured to communicate with an intake port of a second cylinder head. An upstream part is coupled to the first downstream part and the second downstream part. The upstream part is arranged upstream from the first and second downstream parts in the flow direction of intake air and has a first upstream passage and a second upstream passage. The material of the first downstream part and the material of the second downstream part both have higher rigidity than the material of the upstream part. |
| US10519901B2 |
Low-pressure EGR valve having a condensate line
An Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve is disclosed including a housing having a first side configured to be coupled with a fresh air inlet, a second side configured to be coupled with an outlet, and an exhaust-gas inlet defined at a bottom of the housing. The housing may include one or more inner surfaces defining at least one path to direct a condensate, when present at any point on a bottom surface of an inside of the housing, to a low point within the housing directed by gravity. The outlet may be configured to be fluidically coupled with a turbo compressor. |
| US10519899B2 |
Thrust reverser system limiting aerodynamic perturbation in an inactive configuration
A thrust reverser system with a thrust reverser cascade and a reverser door with door segments laid out in a folded condition relatively to each other in an inactive configuration of the reverser system, and accommodated in an accommodation space located outside the secondary channel. Upon passing from the inactive configuration to the active configuration a rearward displacement of the cascade towards a nacelle aperture, released by an external movable nacelle cowl driven rearwards by the cascade, and a deployment of segments until they attain a deployed closing position within the secondary channel occurs simultaneously. |
| US10519896B2 |
Semi-compliant coating for thermal expansion absorption
An engine cylinder head includes an internal metal structure forming an upper portion of a combustion chamber. The internal metal structure includes a semi-compliant coating configured to absorb thermal expansion of the internal metal structure. The engine cylinder head also includes a polymer composite forming an external structure at least partially surrounding the internal metal structure. |
| US10519895B2 |
Cylinder head and engine
The cylinder head includes a plurality of port wall portions configured to form flow paths for intake and exhaust, an outer circumferential wall portion formed in an annular shape disposed at an interval on an outside of the plurality of port wall portions and having a water chamber through which cooling water flows and which is formed at least between the port wall portions and the outer circumferential wall portion, and a bottom wall portion configured to face a combustion chamber of an engine and to connect ends of the port wall portions and the outer circumferential wall portion, wherein the outer circumferential wall portion includes a padding portion of which a thickness is increased toward a side close to the port wall portions so that a distance between the port wall portions and the outer circumferential wall portion is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. |
| US10519893B2 |
Internal combustion engine having two fuel injectors per cylinder and control method therefor
A two-stroke internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a cylinder block defining at least one cylinder, a cylinder, a crankshaft, at least one piston, at least one scavenge port, at least one throttle body for supplying air to an interior of the crankcase, at least one direct fuel injector fluidly communicating with at least one combustion chamber for injecting fuel directly in the at least one combustion chamber; and at least one port fuel injector fluidly communicating with the interior of the crankcase for injecting fuel upstream of the at least one combustion chamber. Methods for controlling an engine having at least one direct fuel injector and at least one port fuel injector are also described. |
| US10519892B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine with intake manifold injection and direct injection, a value of at least one parameter that is correlated with an exhaust gas of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and that is influenced by purging of uncombusted fuel through the combustion chamber into the exhaust gas is ascertained, and, if it is concluded, based on the ascertained value of the at least one parameter, that uncombusted fuel is purged, at least one operating parameter for filling the combustion chamber is adjusted. |
| US10519883B2 |
Catalyst temperature maintenance systems and methods
A catalyst temperature control system of a vehicle includes a fuel control module configured to control fuel injection based on a target air/fuel ratio that is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and a target fuel injection start timing. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control module is configured to control an EGR valve based on a target EGR opening. An adjustment module is configured to, when a temperature of a catalyst in an exhaust system is less than a sum of a predetermined light-out temperature of the catalyst and a predetermined temperature and the target air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, based on a comparison of an engine speed and a predetermined engine speed, selectively adjust at least one of: a target throttle opening, a target spark timing, the target fuel injection start timing, the target air/fuel ratio, and the target EGR opening. |
| US10519878B2 |
Drive system with expander shut off upon detection of a leak
A drive system may include an internal combustion engine and an expander operated via a working medium. A force transmission device may be disposed between a crankcase and the expander. A first seal may be disposed between the expander and the force transmission device and/or a second seal may be disposed between the force transmission device and the crankcase. A crankcase ventilation line may lead from the crankcase into an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine. An air mass sensor may be disposed in the intake pipe. An engine control unit may be in communication with the air mass sensor, the expander, and the internal combustion engine and may be configured to detect a power of the internal combustion engine and an air mass flow of the air mass sensor and may switch off the expander if a power suddenly rises with the air mass flow remaining constant. |
| US10519875B2 |
Diagnostic device
An ECU that is a diagnostic device includes a calculation unit that is a water temperature obtaining unit obtaining the temperature of a discharge coolant which is a coolant discharged from an engine, a diagnostic unit that diagnoses a thermostat which is a temperature adjusting valve by comparing the temperature of the discharge coolant and a threshold, and a suspending unit that suspends a diagnosis performed by the diagnostic unit. The suspending unit suspends a diagnosis performed by the diagnostic unit in a case where the temperature of the discharge coolant is estimated to be lower than the threshold according to an operating condition of the vehicle even though the thermostat is normal. |
| US10519873B2 |
Air bypass system for rotor shaft cooling
An air bypass system for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The air bypass system includes the nozzle having an inner band, an outer band, and an airfoil extending between the inner band and the outer band. The airfoil defines an internal passage. A diaphragm includes an inner wall, a first rail, and a second rail, which collectively define a diaphragm cavity. The first rail defines a first rail aperture. A manifold is positioned in the diaphragm cavity. The manifold and the diaphragm collectively define a manifold chamber in fluid communication with the first rail aperture. A tube extends through the internal passage defined by the airfoil and into the diaphragm cavity. The tube is in fluid communication with the manifold chamber. Compressed air flows through the tube into the manifold chamber and exits the chamber through the first rail aperture. |
| US10519870B2 |
Multiple mounting surface gearbox
A gearbox for a gas turbine engine may comprise a first gear housing. A second gear housing may be located proximate a first end of the first gear housing and may extend axially from the first gear housing. A third gear housing may be located proximate a second end of the first gear housing and may extend axially from the first gear housing. A fourth gear housing may extend circumferentially between second gear housing and the third gear housing. |
| US10519865B2 |
Air turbine starter with decoupler
A method and decoupler for disengaging an output shaft from an engine in a back drive event with a backdrive decoupler. The backdrive decoupler includes a threaded shaft and a retention mechanism selectively coupling the output shaft to the threaded shaft. In a backdrive event, the decoupler decouples the output shaft from a drive shaft. |
| US10519863B2 |
Turbine engine case attachment and a method of using the same
The present disclosure relates generally to a turbine engine case assembly, the turbine engine case assembly including a fan case including an outer frame encircling an axis, the outer frame including an outer frame exterior surface and an outer frame interior surface, at least two mounts disposed on the outer frame exterior surface, wherein the at least two mounts are circumferentially spaced along the outer frame exterior surface, and a compliant attachment device operably coupled to the at least two mounts. |
| US10519861B2 |
Transition manifolds for cooling channel connections in cooled structures
A cooled structure of a gas turbine engine having a main body with a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side portion, a second side portion, and a cavity. A first set of cooling air micro-channels extends from the cavity and are arranged along the first side portion. A second set of cooling air micro-channels extends from the cavity and are arranged along the second side portion. Each set of cooling air micro-channels has at least one transition manifold in fluid communication with an adjacent micro-channel and also in fluid communication with at least one of an intake end, an exhaust end, and mixtures thereof. The cooled structure described above is also embodied in a gas turbine. |
| US10519859B2 |
Flutter dampening acoustic liner for a turbofan engine
Disclosed is a flutter damper, including an acoustic liner having a perforated radial inner face sheet and a radial outer back sheet, the acoustic liner being configured for peak acoustical energy absorption at a frequency range that is greater than a frequency range associated with fan flutter, a chamber secured to the radial outer back sheet, the chamber being in fluid communication with the acoustic liner, and the chamber being configured for peak acoustical energy absorption at a frequency range that is associated with one or more fan flutter modes, and at least one stiffening structure connected to a top surface of the chamber that tunes the top surface out of the frequency range associated with one or more fan flutter modes. |
| US10519857B2 |
Disk with lattice features adapted for use in gas turbine engines
An assembly for a gas turbine engine is arranged to rotate about a central axis of the gas turbine engine. The assembly includes a disk formed to include a plurality of apertures. The disk is operable to transfer rotational energy. |
| US10519855B2 |
Engine assembly with insulated crankshaft bearing housing
An engine assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a bearing housing portion configured to support a bearing for a crankshaft of the engine assembly, wherein the bearing housing portion comprises a bearing interface surface configured to interface with the bearing and an end face adjacent to the bearing interface surface, the end face being arranged so as to face a web of the crankshaft when installed. The engine assembly further comprises an insulation layer provided on the end face, the insulation layer being positioned such that the insulation layer is between the bearing housing portion and the web of the crankshaft when the crankshaft is installed in the engine assembly. |
| US10519852B2 |
Supercharging arrangement with a supercharger and variable-speed drive unit
A supercharging arrangement for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The supercharging arrangement comprises a supercharger having a rotational drive input, and a transmission having a rotational drive input to receive drive from an internal combustion engine, and a rotational drive output connected to the input of the supercharger. The transmission includes a variator operatively connected between the input and the output of the transmission, which variator has an output that is driven at an operating ratio from an input. There is a control system that operates to cause an engine to deliver an amount of torque that is indicated by the state of an input to the control system. The control system is further operative to set the operating ratio of the variator. |
| US10519851B2 |
Turbocharger
A turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a wastegate. The turbine housing has an accommodation space, is which a turbine wheel is accommodated. The accommodation space is connected to a scroll passage, which draws exhaust gas from the outside of the turbine housing, and a connection passage, which discharges exhaust gas from the accommodation space. The connection passage is connected to a merging passage, which discharges exhaust gas to the outside of the turbine housing. The merging passage is connected to a bypass passage, which bypasses the accommodation space. The central axis of an outlet portion of the connection passage is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the turbine wheel toward the side on which an outlet portion of the bypass passage is located. |
| US10519850B2 |
Turbine housing and method of producing turbine housing
An object is to provide a turbine housing with a simple structure whereby it is possible to reduce flow resistance of exhaust gas and improve efficiency of a turbocharger. A turbine housing made by casting has an opening part formed on a hub side of a scroll part, the opening part having a radius R2 which satisfies a relationship R1 |
| US10519847B2 |
System and method for managing temperature in air-cooled engines
An automated system for managing temperature and reducing crankcase oil dilution in an internal combustion engine. The system includes a rotatable shutter plate having an open portion, a closed portion and a peripheral rim, the peripheral rim having a frictional surface thereon; a motor having a rotatable shaft having a pinion affixed at one end thereof for engagement with the frictional surface of the peripheral rim of the rotatable shutter plate; and a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature indicative of engine warm-up and sending a signal to a controller; wherein the rotatable shutter plate is structured and arranged to at least partially occlude an air inlet to or outlet from the internal combustion engine when rotated in response to a signal received from the controller. A method of reducing crankcase oil dilution and managing temperature in a spark-ignited engine operating on middle-distillate fuel and a portable engine or engine-generator combination having multi-fuel capability are also provided. |
| US10519843B2 |
Valve body of a gas exchange valve, gas exchange valve and internal combustion engine
A valve body for a gas exchange valve of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine can be brought to lie against a valve seat of the gas exchange valve for closing the gas exchange valve and can be removed from the valve seat to open the gas exchange valve. The valve body is formed in multiple parts and has a first valve disc part interacting with the valve seat and a second valve disc part that is connected to the first valve disc part in a fixed manner and faces a combustion chamber of the cylinder. Between the first valve disc part and the second valve disc part a hollow space serving at least for the cooling of the second valve disc part is formed. |
| US10519832B2 |
Decomposition tube for exhaust treatment systems
A decomposition tube for an exhaust treatment system includes a housing with a housing wall that defines an exhaust flow path for exhaust; a reductant delivery mechanism coupled to the housing and having a nozzle configured to deliver a spray of reductant into the exhaust flow path; and a mesh device with a mounting element mounted on the housing wall and a mesh basket secured to the mounting element proximate to the nozzle to enclose and intercept the spray such that effectively all of the reductant passes through the mesh basket and into the exhaust flow path prior to impinging on the housing wall. |
| US10519827B2 |
Oil mist filter and oil separator
An oil mist filter includes: a filter body having a tubular shape, the filter body causing processing-target gas supplied to a hollow in the filter body pass through an outer peripheral surface to capture oil mist contained in the processing-target gas; and an end plate disposed at one end surface of the filter body the end plate projecting outward beyond an outer peripheral edge of the one end surface of the filter body. A plurality of ventholes are formed at a portion of the end plate projecting beyond the outer peripheral edge of the one end surface of the filter body. The processing-target gas blown out from the outer peripheral surface of the filter body passes through the ventholes. |
| US10519821B2 |
Engine valve system
A valve system for an engine includes two cams each having a follower, a summation lever coupled to the followers, a lash adjuster, a valve actuating rocker pivotably coupled to the summation lever and resting on the lash adjuster, a control spring urging the summation lever to compress the lash adjuster, a stop limiting an expansion of the control spring, a bore, a plunger which moves in the bore, and an abutment surface. The control spring acts on the summation lever via the plunger. A plunger end engages with the summation lever. A point of contact between the plunger and the summation lever is displaced in a direction transverse to a plunger axis during a pivoting movement of the summation lever. A plunger shoulder is arranged a distance from the plunger end to contact the abutment surface to limit a plunger displacement in a direction compressing the lash adjuster. |
| US10519819B2 |
Mounting structure of oil control valve unit and motorcycle
There is provided a mounting structure of an oil control valve unit configured to control a hydraulic pressure to a variable valve timing device of an engine. The engine is supported by a vehicle body frame. The oil control valve unit is mounted to an outer surface of the engine. The oil control valve unit is detachably mounted to the outer surface of the engine avoiding the vehicle body frame. |
| US10519817B1 |
Switchable rocker arm with lash adjustment and travel stop
A rocker arm includes an outer arm and an inner arm which selectively pivot relative to each other. A lock pin moves between a coupled position in which the lock pin prevents the inner arm from pivoting relative to the outer arm past a predetermined in a first direction and a decoupled position in which the lock pin permits rotation past the predetermined position in the first direction. A lost motion spring biases the inner arm to pivot relative to the outer arm in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction. A travel stop extends along a travel stop axis and has a travel stop surface such that the extent to which the inner arm pivots relative to the outer arm in the second direction is dependent upon the rotational position of the travel stop about the travel stop axis. |
| US10519813B2 |
Power generation apparatus
Disclosed are power generation apparatuses. An exemplary power generation apparatus (1) is configured such that water vapor generated in a steam generator (2) is supplied to a scroll expander (3) to drive the scroll expander, wherein: a condensation device (5) is arranged in a discharge path (12) downstream of the scroll expander, the condensation device being configured to mix water vapor having passed through the scroll expander directly with cooling water to condense the water vapor; and the condensation device includes a control unit (10) that performs a control of adjusting the amount of cooling water supply so as to obtain condensed water having a predetermined temperature. |
| US10519805B2 |
Turbine case coupling
A first case includes a first plurality of threads, a second case includes a second plurality of threads, an interface provides at least one of anti-rotation or alignment with respect to the first case and the second case, and a nut includes a third plurality of threads configured to engage with the first plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads configured to engage with the second plurality of threads. |
| US10519801B2 |
Instrumented flow passage of a turbine engine
An annular air flow passage, particularly for a turbine engine, comprising two radially internal and external annular walls. A measuring element is elongated in a direction between the internal and external annular walls, and a first of the internal or external ends of the element is fixed rigidly to a first of the internal or external walls. The element includes at least one tubular cavity extending along the element and supplied with pressurized fluid. |
| US10519798B2 |
Gas turbine engine with variable guide vanes and a unison ring
A gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of variable guide vanes, a unison ring, and a lever arrangement connecting the unison ring to the variable guide vanes. The lever arrangement comprises a lever pin received by the unison ring, and a bush provided between the lever pin and the unison ring. The bush comprises a sprung region biased outwardly away from the lever pin towards the unison ring. |
| US10519793B2 |
Brush seal for a turbine engine rotor
An aircraft turbojet low-pressure compressor includes a sealing device for a turbine engine. The device includes an internal stator shroud connected to an external casing via an annular row of stator vanes and a rotor with two brush seals arranged inside the shroud and respectively upstream and downstream. The internal shroud includes a frustoconial internal surface, which is associated with each brush seal. Each frustoconical surface lies flush with and is inclined with respect to the bristles of the brush seal, so as to seal with the said brush. A method for assembling a sealing device is also proposed. |
| US10519790B2 |
Turbine shroud assembly
A turbine component includes an outer shroud arranged within a turbine and further including opposed extending portions. The component further provides an inner shroud shielding the outer shroud from a gas path within the turbine during operation of the turbine and including opposed arcuate portions extending around and in direct contact with a corresponding extending portion of the outer shroud for supporting the inner shroud from the outer shroud. The component further provides a load path forming region at least partially extending between facing surfaces of each arcuate portion and corresponding extending portion. During operation of the turbine, load path forming regions extend into direct contact between at least a portion of the facing surfaces of each arcuate portion and corresponding extending portion, resulting in formation of a loading arrangement having generally evenly distributed radial load forces at the load path forming regions. |
| US10519787B2 |
Low rhenium single crystal superalloy for turbine blades and vane applications
A low rhenium nickel-base superalloy for single crystal casting that exhibits excellent high temperature creep resistance, while also exhibiting other desirable properties for such alloys, comprises 5.60% to 5.80% aluminum by weight, 9.4% to 9.9% cobalt by weight, 4.9% to 5.5% chromium by weight, 0.08% to 0.35% hafnium by weight, 0.50% to 0.70% molybdenum by weight, 1.4% to 1.6% rhenium by weight, 8.1% to 8.5% tantalum by weight, 0.60% to 0.80 titanium by weight, 7.6 to 8.0% tungsten by weight the balance comprising nickel and minor amounts of incidental impurity elements. |
| US10519777B2 |
Tip member for blade structure and related method to form turbomachine component
The disclosure relates to a tip member configured to be coupled to a blade structure for a turbomachine. A body of the tip member includes: a first surface configured to engage a radially outboard end of the blade structure, a second surface positioned opposite the first surface, and at least one perimeter sidewall positioned between the first and second surfaces, wherein the at least one perimeter sidewall has an airfoil cross-section; and an opening passing through the body from the first surface to the second surface, and having a single directional orientation therebetween, wherein the opening is sized to receive a post positioned on the radially outboard end of the blade structure. |
| US10519773B2 |
Quick release rotor attachment systems and methods
Provided herein is a rotor attachment assembly for an aircraft. A rotor attachment assembly includes a connecting assembly associated with the aircraft and a rotor assembly configured to be connected to the connecting assembly. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of fins configured to fit a respective plurality of cut-outs of the connecting assembly, a hollow section configured to accommodate at least a part of a pin of the connecting assembly so as to center the rotor assembly relative to the connecting assembly, and a spring configured to expand to allow the fins to pass and to close to retain the fins when the rotor assembly is connected to the connecting assembly. |
| US10519772B2 |
Construction element for creating a tunnel, tunnel comprising such an element and methods for constructing such an element and such a tunnel
Construction element for creating a tunnel, including an incompressible concrete first layer and a compressible second layer securedly united to the first layer to form a monoblock prefabricated construction element to be integrated in a section of the tunnel, the second layer including a material comprising granulates aggregated by a binder, and cavities sunk into the material. |
| US10519771B2 |
Rock breaking seismic source and active source three-dimensional seismic combined advanced detection system using tunnel boring machine
A rock breaking seismic source and active source three-dimensional seismic combined detection system uses a tunnel boring machine for three-dimensional seismic combined detection by active seismic source and rock breaking seismic source methods. Long-distance advanced prediction and position recognition of a geological anomalous body are realized using the active source seismic method. Machine construction is adjusted and optimized according to the detection result; real-time short-distance accurate prediction of the body is realized using the cutter head rock breaking vibration having weak energy but containing a high proportion of transverse wave components as seismic sources and adopting an unconventional rock breaking seismic source seism recording and handling method. An area surrounding rock quality to be excavated is represented and assessed. A comprehensive judgment is made to the geological condition in front of the working face with the results of active source and rock breaking seismic source three-dimensional seismic advanced detection. |
| US10519770B2 |
Calibration module for pooled optical sensors in downhole fluid analysis
A method including selecting candidate sensors for pooled calibration and determining a multivariate fluid characterization model with the pooled sensors is provided. The method includes determining a virtual master kernel standardization model with the pooled sensors, implementing a calibration result into a processor circuit and determining a value of a fluid characteristic by applying the multivariate fluid composition model to a plurality of responses obtained from a plurality of sensor responses to the fluid sample. The plurality of responses may be obtained from the plurality of sensor responses using the virtual master kernel standardization model. The method includes optimizing a wellbore operation based on the value of the fluid characteristic. A device for implementing the above method is also provided. |
| US10519769B2 |
Apparatus and method using measurements taken while drilling to generate and map mechanical boundaries and mechanical rock properties along a borehole
The present disclosure involves a novel way of using drilling vibrations generated by the deformation of a rock formation in response to forces acting on the rock formation, where the forces are related to a drill bit and/or drilling fluid system, to identify the nature and occurrence of fractures, fracture swarms and other mechanical discontinuities (boundaries) such as bedding planes and/or faults that offset or otherwise separate rock formations with different mechanical rock properties. |
| US10519767B2 |
Adaptive shell module with embedded functionality
An apparatus for use in a borehole formed in an earthen formation includes a flex sub having a reduced diameter flex section connecting a first end to a second end, the flex section having a surface radially recessed from an outer surface of the first end and a second end and a shell disposed around the radially recessed surface. The shell is more flexible than the flex section. The shell includes at least one module that has at least one sensor embedded in the shell that estimates a selected parameter of interest. The apparatus may also include a positioning module connected to the flex sub, the positioning module having a plurality of independently extendable ribs configured to selectively laterally position the flex sub in the borehole. |
| US10519766B2 |
Reservoir modelling with multiple point statistics from a non-stationary training image
A multiple point simulation technique for generating a model realization of a subterranean formation having different facies is described which uses a non-stationary training image which reflects facies spatial trends across the formation. The realization is formed by sequentially populating each cell; a facies pattern of neighboring cells is identified for each cell in the model grid, and then corresponding facies patterns identified in the training image. The probability of a target cell in the model grid having a given facies is calculated based on the proportion of occurrences of the corresponding facies pattern where the central cell has that facies. The contribution of each corresponding facies pattern occurrence in the training image to this proportion or probability is weighted according to the distance between its central cell and the training image cell corresponding in location to the target cell in the model grid. |
| US10519765B2 |
Plug tracking using through-the-earth communication system
A system for tracking an object in oil and gas wellbore operations wherein a releasable object carrying a first signal system is released into tube system associated with a wellbore. The first signal system communicates with one or more second signal systems positioned along the travel path of the object; along the surface of the formation; and/or throughout the wellbore. First signal system and the second signal system may communicate by RF signals. First signal system and any second signal systems positioned on the surface communicate by through-the-earth or very low frequency signals. A global positioning system may be utilized in conjunction with any second signal systems on the surface to identify the absolute location of the object in the underground wellbore. The first signal system carried by the object may be a piezoelectric system disposed to transmit a signal when the object experiences a predetermined pressure. |
| US10519764B2 |
Method and system for monitoring and controlling fluid movement through a wellbore
A method for moving fluid through a pipe in a wellbore includes placing at least two different fluids in the pipe and in an annular space between the pipe and the wellbore. Fluid is pumped into the pipe at a rate to achieve a desired set of conditions. Using a predetermined volume distribution of the annular space, an axial position of each of the at least two fluids in the annular space during the pumping the displacement fluid is calculated. |
| US10519760B2 |
Recoverable module for subsea environments and uses thereof
A recoverable module is configured for subsea environments, and is suitable for use in the processing of fluids linked to the oil industry, and subsea fluid separation equipment or equipment involving any process performed through liners. The recoverable module for subsea environments includes a separating vessel provided with an inlet and two underflow and overflow or tailing outlets, in addition to a cover which has a set of removable liners fastened to its interior. |
| US10519754B2 |
Fullbore firing heads including attached explosive automatic release
Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a perforation tool and method for operating the perforation tool. The perforation tool may include one or more firing heads and one or more gun assemblies. The perforation tool may also include a release mechanism coupled to the one or more firing head and the one or more gun assemblies. The release mechanism may release the one or more gun assemblies to a bottom of a wellbore upon firing of the one or more gun assemblies and maintain the one or more firing heads on the perforation tool. |
| US10519753B2 |
Apparatus and method for running casing in a wellbore
A float collar tool for running a casing string assembly into a wellbore includes a non-fragmenting rupture disc that temporarily isolates light fluid trapped in a lower portion of the casing string from heavier fluid in the upper portion of the casing string, thereby reducing the horizontal weight of the casing string by an amount sufficient to overcome a drag force. After the casing string is landed at a final location in the wellbore, the rupture disc is burst by increasing fluid pressure in the upper portion of the casing string. The increased pressure activates a piston that then moves the burst rupture disc into a protective region of the tool so that the inside diameter of the casing string is substantially restored. |
| US10519749B2 |
Adjustable steam injection tool
An adjustable fluid injection tool for use in a wellbore may be used to provide steam to a wellbore annulus. The tool may be adjusted immediately before being positioned in a well. Fluid may exit an inner space of the tool into an accumulation chamber, after which the fluid may exit the tool through one or more adjustable valves. An adjustable valve may be formed between a valve seat of a shroud and a valve plug of a plug sleeve. The plug sleeve may be positioned around a tubular of the tool and able to translate linearly with respect to the shroud by rotating the plug sleeve, thus adjusting the adjustable valve and controlling fluid flow out of the tool. |
| US10519748B2 |
Locking ring system for use in fracking operations
A sliding valve for opening one or more fluid ports in a piping string, having a valve body and a sliding sleeve in a longitudinal bore thereof. The valve body has one or more fluid ports in an uphole portion thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable in the valve body between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the ports. The sliding sleeve has a longitudinal bore for receiving a collet, and/or a stop ring and/or a protective sleeve. The stop ring forms a stop shoulder for preventing downhole movement of the collet relative to the sliding sleeve. |
| US10519744B2 |
Emergency disconnect isolation valve
An isolation valve system, method, and apparatus are provided that can isolate a wellbore and prevent fluids from exiting the well and prevent seawater from entering the well. The system can be a two-part design in some embodiments where a shear sub is selectively interconnected to a body via shearing screws. A sufficient force on the shear sub destroys the shearing screws and the shear sub is removed from the body. This movement rotates an actuator on the body, which in turn rotates a valve in the body to provide the isolating function during routine operation of a wellbore or during an emergency. |
| US10519737B2 |
Place-n-perf
A bottom hole assembly (BHA) and methods of using the BHA, the BHA having at least one tool configured to move between the interior and the exterior by fluid pumped down a string. The tool is configured to create a hole in a wellbore tubular, such as casing, tubing, or a liner. The BHA includes a ramp positioned adjacent to the tool to guide the tool to engage the tubular. The tool may be a mill configured to cut a hole in the tubular or a punch member configured to punch a hole in the tubular. A packing element of the BHA enables fluid to be pumped down the annulus and through the hole to treat and/or fracture the formation. The tool may be positioned between two packing elements and fluid may be pumped down the string and through a portion of the tool to treat and/or fracture the formation. |
| US10519735B2 |
Downhole-milling-tool method
A downhole-milling-tool method for milling through hard substances, such as barite, found in underground wells, providing a stepped increase of diameters and positioning of carbide cutters and appropriate positioning of fluid ports and channels, to provide removal of cuttings and cooling and lubricating of the cutting head, in turn providing more efficiency and a better rate of penetration (ROP). |
| US10519732B2 |
Mud pump annular friction pressure control system and method
A method of controlling bottom hole pressure in a wellbore, including pumping drilling mud into the wellbore, estimating the annular friction pressure in the wellbore, and measuring the pressure of the drilling mud exiting the wellbore. The method includes measuring the flow rate of the drilling mud exiting the wellbore, and, based on the pressure of the drilling mud exiting the wellbore, the flow rate of the drilling mud exiting the wellbore, expected annular friction pressure in the wellbore, and rotational speed of drill string in the wellbore, controlling the flow rate of drilling mud exiting the wellbore to achieve a specified bottom hole pressure. |
| US10519731B2 |
Evaluation and model of solids control equipment
Systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a drilling mud, a rate of penetration (ROP), and other factors to determine which remedial actions to perform and how to perform them. In conventional drilling operations, there are many systems which operate independently and do not share data, leading to inefficient actions when the operation is viewed as a whole. The systems and methods of the present disclosure enable a bigger picture to be considered, including a cost of replenishing mud, the wear on drilling tools, the effect of running a centrifuge, etc. |
| US10519729B2 |
Horizontal pipe connection and length detection system
A tubular handling apparatus for a drilling system, a method for handling tubulars, and a drilling system. The apparatus includes a first trough configured to receive at least a first tubular and a second tubular, a first skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a first end of the first tubular, and a second skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a second end of the second tubular. The first and second skates are configured to push a third end of the first tubular into engagement with a fourth end of the second tubular in the first trough. The apparatus also includes a tongs configured to engage the first and second tubulars in the first trough and apply torque thereto. |
| US10519726B2 |
Casing racking module
A casing racking module is located on a set-back platform at a forward edge of a drilling rig. The casing racking module has a casing frame forming rows for casing. Paddle assemblies are mounted on the casing frame. The paddle assemblies have a shaft, an arm pivotally located on the shaft, and a bumper pivotally located on the shaft. A rotary exit spring is located between the arm and the bumper. An arm stop limits rotation of the arm relative to the bumper. A rotary return spring is located between the bumper and the casing frame. A bumper stop aligns the bumper with the casing frame. An extendable gate opens from the end of each row. |
| US10519725B2 |
Hydraulic multi-displacement hoisting cylinder system
An assembly for hoisting and lowering a drill string of a drilling rig includes a multiple displacement hydraulic cylinder having a blind end, a rod end, and a single piston rod configured for slidable extension and retraction movement within the interior space of the cylinder. The interior space is defined by three chambers, each chamber having a port allowing switchable flow of hydraulic fluid into and out from the cylinder. The assembly also includes a pumping and switching system with hydraulic fluid connections to each port of the cylinder. The pumping and switching system is configured to switch the direction of hydraulic fluid flow through each of the ports of the three chambers, thereby providing the assembly with a plurality of hydraulic fluid flow path combinations. Each flow path combination provides a different speed-to-force ratio for extending or retracting the piston rod, thereby hoisting or lowering the drill string. |
| US10519724B2 |
Tubular connection with self-locking threading used in the oil industry
A threaded connection includes first and second tubular components, each including a respective male and female end. The male and female ends each include at least one threaded zone and finish in a terminal surface. The male threaded zone includes a first portion in which a width of teeth, CWTp, increases from a value CWTpmin corresponding to a width of a tooth closest to the terminal surface of the male end to a value CWTpmax corresponding to a width of a tooth furthest from the terminal surface. A width of teeth CWTb of the female threaded zone decreases from a value CWTbmax corresponding to a width of a tooth furthest from the terminal surface of the female end to a value CWTbmin corresponding to a width of a tooth closest to the terminal surface. The threaded zones cooperate in accordance with a self-locking make-up, with CWTpmin/CWTbmax≥0.2 and CWTbmin/CWTpmax≤CWTpmin/CWTbmax. |
| US10519722B2 |
Reamer
A reamer for enlarging an underground borehole comprises a plurality of cutter assemblies distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool. Each cutter assembly comprises a supporting structure and a plurality of hard faced cutters secured therein with a hard surface of each cutter exposed and facing in a direction of rotation of the tool and extending radially outwards from the tool axis to a radially outward extremity. These cutters are arranged in a sequence extending axially along the tool. In contrast with convention a1 cutter assemblies, the supporting structure comprises at least one radially outward-facing surface which is positioned to follow behind the leading face of at least one cutter as the tool rotates and which is aligned with the radially outer extremity of the cutter at the same radial distance from the tool axis. Thus the surface area available to contact the borehole wall and stabilize the positioning and motion of the rotating reamer is enhanced. |
| US10519719B2 |
Retractable auger head
A retractable auger boring cutter head. The cutter head has fixed cutters and at least one pivoting cutter. The pivoting cutter is biased to a position that extends beyond a diameter of a casing being installed. When pulled back through the casing, a surface of the pivoting cutter contacts the casing, reducing the effective diameter of the cutter head and allowing it to be removed. |
| US10519714B2 |
Methods and devices for electrostatic discharge of a workpiece
Example implementations relate to methods and devices for electric discharge of a workpiece. An example device includes a housing structure configured with an inner portion that extends partially into an outer portion and an elongate rod positioned inside the housing structure. The device also includes a cover component coupled to a first end of the rod proximate a slot of the outer portion of the housing structure, and a lock coupled around the rod proximate a slot of the inner portion of the housing structure. The device also includes a compressible spring positioned within the housing structure, a ground component coupled to a second end of the rod, and an attachment component that is configurable for coupling the device to a workpiece such that the ground component presses against a ground when the workpiece is positioned on the ground and is in use. |
| US10519707B2 |
Assembly for moving a door of a piece of furniture
An assembly for moving a door of a piece of furniture, the assembly being adapted to move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration so as to drive the door respectively between a closing position and an opening position. In particular, the assembly comprises a first arm adapted to be rotatably coupled with a first end to the side around a first rotational axis, a second arm articulated with a first end to a second end of the first arm around a second rotational axis, a third arm articulated to a second end of the second arm around a third rotational axis, the third arm being able to be attached to the door, and guiding means for guiding the roto-translatory motion of the door between the closing position and the opening position. |
| US10519703B1 |
Grill hinge
A hinge assembly for use on a grill that permits the selective removal of the lid from the bowl, the hinge assembly including a stationary bowl bracket affixed to the bowl, a pivotable middle bracket pivotably mounted to the bowl bracket and a removable lid bracket affixed to the lid and removably secured to the middle bracket. |
| US10519698B2 |
Electrically controlled locking arrangement
An electrically-controlled locking arrangement for a lock mechanism of a commercial vehicle load space door includes a housing and a hook member rotatably mounted within the housing for engagement with an external catch member. A handle is coupled to the hook member to effect movement between open and closed positions. A detent is provided either on the hook member itself or on a component coupled to the hook member, a locking dog being arranged for movement between a locked setting where the dog is in engagement with the detent and a free setting where the dog is clear of the detent, to allow operation of the handle to move the hook member to its open position. An electric actuator is mounted within the housing to drive the locking dog to its free setting allowing rotation of the hook member from its closed position to its open position. |
| US10519696B2 |
Padlock assembly with protective shield
The assembly includes a padlock having a lock body and a “U” shaped shackle. A protective shield is attached to one section of the shackle and is rotatable between a covered and uncovered positions relative to the padlock. In the unlocked position of the lock body, the shield may be moved to its uncovered position in which the lock body and the shackle are exposed. In its covered position, the shield protects the portion of the lock body and the shackle. In that position, the lock body can be moved to its locked position in which it cooperates with the shield to prevent the shield from being moved to its uncovered position. The assembly is mounted to a cargo access door over the latch handle such that the shield protects the padlock and the latch handle. |
| US10519693B2 |
Key cover
A cover for a key is disclosed. The cover includes: a first wall; a second wall opposite to the first wall; and an outer wall extending between the first wall and the second wall, the outer wall defining a pair of slots extending therethrough, the slots being positioned opposite to each other on the outer wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the outer wall define a closed chamber for receiving a bow of the key and an opening to the chamber. |
| US10519690B2 |
Barb tape and barb tape panel
A barb tape (10) includes: (i) a first wire (14, 114); (ii) a second wire (16, 116) that is spaced from, and extends substantially parallel to the first wire (14, 114); and (iii) an elongate strip material (12, 112) defining: a spine (18, 118) and a plurality of barbs (22, 122) extending from at least one major edge (20) of the spine (18, 118), wherein the spine (18, 118) crimps the first (14, 114) and second (16, 116) wires. |
| US10519688B2 |
Apparatus and method for identifying operational status of umbrella, parasol or shading system utilizing lighting elements
An umbrella includes a first lighting element, a second lighting element, a first electrical component associated with the first lighting element, a second electrical component associated with the second lighting element, and a computing device. The computing device includes one or more processors, one or more physical memory devices and computer-readable instructions being executable by the one or more processors to 1) receive first status message or signals from the first electrical component; 2) receive second status message or signals from the second electrical component; 3) generate first light element commands based, at least in part, on the received first status messages and communicate the generated first light element commands to the first light element; and 4) generate second light element commands based, at least in part, on the received second status messages and communicate the generated second light element commands to the second light element. |
| US10519687B2 |
Method of erecting a tethered wind turbine tower
The invention relates to a method of erecting a tower such as a wind turbine tower tethered by a number of cables where each of the cables extend between the tower and an anchoring element on an anchor block. The method comprises attaching at least some of the tethering cables to the tower, detachably fastening a motorized winch on an anchor block and connecting the wire of the winch to the end of a tethering cable. The winch is then operated to wind up the wire of the winch pulling the cable end towards the anchor block and into position for fastening the cable end to the anchoring element, where the cable end is then fastened to the anchoring element while held in position by the winch. The invention further relates to the use of a motorized winch to connect a cable to an anchor block when erecting a tower tethered by a number of cables as mentioned above. |
| US10519685B2 |
Hybrid concrete-composite tower for a wind turbine and method of manufacturing
A wind turbine tower includes a plurality of tower sections axially aligned and connected together. Each tower section includes an inner wall having a tapered cylindrical shape concentrically positioned within an outer wall having a tapered cylindrical shape. An annular space is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a layer of concrete is disposed within the annular space. A plurality of post-tensioning cables extend longitudinally within the annular space or outside the outer wall, such that a first one of the tower sections is connected to a second one of the tower sections by a plurality of the post-tensioning cables. |
| US10519683B2 |
Lattice mast structure and method for increasing the stability of a lattice mast structure
The invention relates to a lattice mast structure which comprises a plurality of supports which are designed as steel profiles and between which transverse and/or diagonal struts extend, wherein the lattice mast structure comprises at least one reinforcing bar, wherein the reinforcing bar extends in the longitudinal direction of a support, the reinforcing bar follows the course of the support, the reinforcing bar is connected to the support at at least two points which are remote from one another, with the result that the reinforcing bar forms a structural unit with said support with respect to the force flow and the reinforcing bar is designed as an at least two-part composite component which is formed as a structural unit consisting of an element which predominantly transfers tensile forces and an element which predominantly transfers compressive forces. |
| US10519680B2 |
System, method and apparatus for opening a spa hard cover
A cover lift system for a spa includes a lifter handle having an upper arm and a lower arm telescopically connected to the upper arm, the upper arm being configured for operative connection to a cover of a spa, and the lower arm being configured for pivotal connection to a base of the spa, and an adjuster mechanism associated with the lifter handle for selectively adjusting a length of the lifter handle to allow for use of the lifter handle with spas of varying sizes. |
| US10519678B2 |
Tool for marking and measuring struts for construction
A tool shaped in a U-shape for accepting a standard U strut. The tool has opening for marking the strut for cutting purposes and hole openings for marking the center of standard struts. |
| US10519677B2 |
Actuator and force driving mechanism for treatment tool
An actuator for a treatment tool including: a tube having a distal end configured to rotatably support the treatment tool; a twisting wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the twisting wire having a distal end and a proximal end, the treatment tool being connected to the distal end of the twisting wire, the twisting wire being actuated by applying a tensile force at the proximal end, the twisting wire converting the tensile force into rotation of the treatment tool around the longitudinal axis of the tube; and at least one wire movable in a longitudinal direction to actuate the treatment tool, the at least one wire actuating the treatment tool separately from actuation of the twisting wire to rotate the treatment tool. |
| US10519676B2 |
Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a vertical folding locking system on short edges that only locks vertically and a mechanical locking system on long edges that prevents displacement along the long edges. A locking system for primarily rectangular floor panels with long and short edges installed in parallel rows, which allows that the short edges may be locked to each other with a vertical movement without a horizontal connection and that such horizontal connection is accomplished by the locking system on the long edges including a first and second horizontal locking perpendicular to the edges and along the edges. |
| US10519672B1 |
Electromagnetically shielded wallpaper
The electromagnetic shielding of an enclosable building structure is provided by applying a shielding wallcovering to at least a portion of building structure. The shielding wall covering is wallpaper comprising a metal-coated substrate core and resin. To connect the shielded wallpaper to the building structure a layer of the resin or an adhesive layer may be used. |
| US10519671B2 |
Folding staircase
A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user. |
| US10519661B2 |
Metal roofing material
A metal roofing material according to the present invention comprises: a front substrate 2 having a body portion 20, the body portion 20 being comprised of a metal sheet and being formed into a box shape; a back substrate disposed on a back side of the front substrate 2 so as to cover an opening of the body portion 20; a core material filled between the body portion 20 and the back substrate, the metal roofing material being arranged side by side on a roof base together with other metal roofing materials, wherein at least one edge indicator 22 in the form of protrusion is provided at an edge portion of a top plate 20a of the body portion 20. |
| US10519658B1 |
High strength, low density columnar structure
A high strength, low density modular columnar structure. In the preferred embodiment, each module is a prism or cuboid having three or four vertical rectangular sides which meet in the module corners. The module ends perpendicular to the sides are the module faces. At least one face has a brace panel. The brace panels and the face are preferably the same shape, but off-set. A plurality of preferably triangular brace arms extends to the module corners. Each brace panel is preferably provided with a centrally located aperture. The lower face of each module is preferably provided with a lip, while the upper face is configured to receive the lip. A cylindrical column extends vertically through the center of each module, and a plurality of struts extends radially from each column. A stack of modules may be secured with a bolt run through the module apertures, an adhesive, or simply gravity. |
| US10519656B2 |
Retaining wall containing wall blocks with weight bearing pads
A retaining wall having a plurality of courses of retaining wall blocks including a first upper course and a second lower course. Each retaining wall block has opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and at least one weight bearing pad extends from one of the upper and lower surfaces. The at least one weight bearing pad extends substantially from the rear face to the front face of the block. The weight bearing pads are the only areas of contact between the blocks in the first upper course and the blocks in the second lower course. |
| US10519651B2 |
Fire resistant tunnel expansion joint systems
A fire resistant tunnel expansion joint system for installation between substrates of a tunnel. The system includes a fire protection barrier applied at a predetermined thickness to the substrates and a fire resistant tunnel expansion joint. The tunnel expansion joint includes a core and a fire retardant infused into the core. The core is configured to define a profile to facilitate the compression of the tunnel expansion joint when installed between the substrates. The fire protection barrier and the fire resistant tunnel expansion joint are each capable of withstanding exposure to a temperature of at least about 540° C. or greater for about five minutes. |
| US10519645B2 |
End wall for a gutter for surface drainage
In order to seal gutters at the ends with low output, an end wall (10) of a gutter (30) is provided for surface drainage, comprising a plate element (11) which can be secured at a first or a second end of the gutter (30) substantially sealingly closing a cross-section of the gutter (30). In addition, the ends (31, 32) of the gutter (30) are formed differently. According to the invention, in order to reduce the output, the plate element (11) can be secured at the first end (31) of the gutter (30) with a first edge (12) oriented upwards or can be secured at the second end (32) with a second edge (13) oriented upwards. In this way, an adjustment can be made to both differently formed ends (31, 32) of the gutter (30) by simply rotating the plate element. |
| US10519642B2 |
Adjustable sensor device for a plumbing fixture
A sensing device for a plumbing fixture includes an electronics housing including a rear wall. The rear wall includes a tool passage therethrough and a fastener head pocket in communication with the tool passage. The device further includes a fastener including head carried in the fastener head pocket of the rear wall of the electronics housing and a body extending away from the head and establishing a fastener axis. The device further includes a sensor assembly including a sensor housing having a first portion coupled to the electronics housing and a second portion carried on the body of the fastener and configured for movement relative to the electronics housing along the body of the fastener. |
| US10519638B2 |
External hair strainer
Disclosed are various embodiments for an external hair catcher. The external hair catcher can include a rim positioned on a first plane. In some instances, the external hair catcher can include a button positioned on a second plane parallel to the first plane. In other instances, the external hair catcher can include a suction cup protruding from the button in the direction of the rim. Moreover, the external hair catcher can include a plurality of spokes connecting an inner diameter of the rim to an outer diameter of the button, each of the plurality of spokes comprising a bend. |
| US10519637B2 |
Sink and drain for sink
Sinks and drains for sinks permitting the attachment of the drain to the sink such that the drain is substantially disposed below the top surface of the sink basin, and such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. A method of making a sink such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. |
| US10519635B2 |
Exposed hose faucet
A fluid delivery device comprises a faucet. The faucet includes a hub, a sprayhead, and a hose coupling the hub to the sprayhead. Each end of the hose has a pivot coupling. One of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the hose relative to the hub. Another of the pivot couplings is configured to permit rotation of the sprayhead relative to the hose. |
| US10519632B2 |
Shroud insert assembly using a resilient member
A support member for use with a support assembly for ground engaging tools comprises a structural member; and a resilient member that includes a base, and a contact surface, and wherein the structural member defines a direction of assembly and the resilient member defines a length and a width that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of assembly, wherein the length exceeds the width and the base defines a centerline that is parallel to the length, and the contact face defines a centerline that is parallel to the length. |
| US10519630B2 |
Posture calculation device of working machinery, posture calculation device of excavator, and working machinery
A posture calculation device of working machinery includes: a measuring device configured to detect an angle speed and acceleration; a posture angle calculation unit configured to obtain a posture angle of the working machinery from the detected angle speed and the detected acceleration; a first complementary filter to which a first cutoff frequency is set and configured to decrease a noise included in the obtained posture angle to output a first posture angle; a second complementary filter to which a second cutoff frequency different from the first cutoff frequency is set and configured to decrease a noise included in the obtained posture angle to output a second posture angle; and a switching unit configured to switch between the first posture angle and the second posture angle to output the first posture angle or the second posture angle according to a state of the measuring device. |
| US10519628B2 |
Control system for construction machinery and control method for construction machinery
A control system for construction machinery includes a first hydraulic pump, first and second actuators connected to the first hydraulic pump through first and second hydraulic lines respectively, first and second control valves installed in the first and second hydraulic lines respectively and configured to control operations of the first and second actuators, and a controller configured to adjust a spool displacement amount of the first control valve according to an amount of working oil to be supplied to the first actuator when the first actuator performs a single or multiple operation by self-load. |