| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10678377B2 |
Sensor and display device
The present application provides a sensor comprising a grating and a sensor array sequentially disposed in a thickness direction of the sensor, wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of photosensitive sensor units, and light passing through a light transmission gap of the grating reaches the plurality of photosensitive sensor units. The present application further provides a display device comprising the sensor. The sensor may detect three-dimensional coordinates of an object so that the display device can realize three-dimensional touch control. |
| US10678376B2 |
Data processing method, and apparatus
A data processing method and an apparatus to resolve problems that a response speed is low and image display is not even during dragging, caused when a terminal processes reported-point data. The method includes generating, by a touchscreen, reported-point data, reporting the reported-point data to a microprocessor according to a preset reported-point reporting rate, receiving, by the microprocessor, the reported-point data, and receiving a frame synchronization signal from an application processor, processing, by the microprocessor according to the frame synchronization signal, a first amount of reported-point data received within a preset time to obtain a second amount of reported-point data, transmitting the second amount of reported-point data to the application processor, receiving, by the application processor, the second amount of reported-point data, and generating an image display frame according to the second amount of reported-point data. |
| US10678375B2 |
Display device and operating method thereof
A display device that achieves both high detection sensitivity of the touch sensor unit and smooth input on the touch sensor unit is provided. A method for driving a display device includes a first period and a second period. The display device includes pixels, a gate driver, and a touch sensor unit. The touch sensor unit detects a touch in the first period and stops detecting a touch in the second period. The gate driver supplies signals to some of the pixels and does not supply signals to the other pixels in the second period. |
| US10678370B2 |
Aligning method for use in semiconductor inspection apparatus
An aligning method for use in semiconductor inspection apparatus is provided. The semiconductor inspection apparatus includes a stage and a touch-control screen. The aligning method includes defining a reference direction; displaying an image of a device under test supported by the stage on the touch-control screen; detecting a first touch point and a second touch point occurred on the touch-control screen; defining a straight line according to the first touch point and the second touch point; calculating an included angle defined by the straight and the reference direction; and rotating the stage according to the included angle. |
| US10678365B2 |
Display device and pressure sensor structure
A display device includes a display panel. A window is disposed on the display panel. A conductive sheet is disposed beneath the display panel such that the display panel is disposed between the window and the conductive sheet. A pressure sensor is disposed between the display panel and the conductive sheet. The pressure sensor includes a sensing area corresponding to a portion of the pressure sensor. A pressure concentration bump is disposed between the window and the conductive sheet. The pressure concentration bump overlaps the sensing area. The pressure sensor includes a first electrode disposed within the sensing area and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode. |
| US10678364B2 |
System for providing sensor and actuation functionality for touch input device
A touch input system comprising a touch input device and an actuation and sensing system is presented. The actuation and sensing system has a transfer structure adjacent to a first surface of the touch input device, the transfer structure having a first portion and a beam extending from an edge of the first portion. The actuation and sensing system further has a transducer patch disposed on the beam. The transfer structure is configured to transfer forces between the touch input device and the transducer patch, such that movement of the touch input device by an external force causes deformation of the beam and of the transducer patch, and such that actuation output by the transducer patch causes movement of the touch input device. The transducer patch has a layer of transducer material that is configured to act as a sensor, and is configured to act as an actuator. |
| US10678363B2 |
Pressure sensor and display device
A pressure sensor and a display device are described. The pressure sensor includes a plurality of pressure units. Each of the pressure units includes four resistors having substantially the same resistance value. The four resistors form a Wheatstone bridge. Two resistors of the four resistors form a first resistor group. The other two resistors of the four resistors form a second resistor group. Orthogonal projections of electrodes of the two resistors of each of the resistor groups at least partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to a plane on which the pressure units are located. Extension directions of electrode patterns of the two resistors of each of the resistor groups are different. |
| US10678358B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A mobile phone is provided which includes a liquid crystal display device in which a front window and a touch panel are bonded together with an adhesive sheet, wherein a logo having plural layers is formed on a back side of the front window. A touch-panel flexible wiring substrate is mounted to the touch panel. A plane distance between an end portion of the plural layers of the logo and an end portion of the touch panel is set to greater than zero. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a peeling stress on the adhesive sheet, even if a thickness of the adhesive sheet is smaller than the sum of a thickness of the touch-panel flexible wiring substrate and a thickness of the logo. |
| US10678357B2 |
Electrode structure, method of manufacturing the same, touch panel, and touch display device
An electrode structure is disclosed, including: a plurality of first electrodes, which transfer an electrical signal; and a plurality of second electrodes, which do not transfer the electrical signal, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically separated from each other, the second electrode and the first electrode are alternately arranged, each of the second electrodes includes electrodes electrically separated from each other, and in the electrodes electrically separated from each other, some separation borders not perpendicular to an extending direction of the first electrode can be connected to form an oblique connecting line with respect to the extending direction. Further, a method of manufacturing an electrode structure, a touch panel and a touch display device are disclosed. |
| US10678356B2 |
Touch sensor integrated display device and method for driving the same
A disclosed touch sensor integrated display device includes a display panel; and a data drive circuit configured to set a gate-source voltage to turn on a driving TFT in the display panel by applying a data voltage for touch sensing to a gate node of the driving TFT through a data line and a reference voltage to a source node of the driving TFT through a sensing line, during a reset period based on a scan control signal and a sensing control signal, and to output a sensing value by sensing a change in a source-drain current of the driving TFT caused by touch input, during a sensing period subsequent to the reset period. |
| US10678352B2 |
Virtual touch knob assembly
A virtual touch knob assembly is provided that translates sensed movement of a user's fingers around a knob into control signals for operation of an appliance. A knob is provided on a user control panel of an appliance. The knob is fixed, i.e., does not turn or rotate. A system is provided that can sense the user's fingers moving around the fixed knob and translate the sensed input to control signals for setting the operation of the appliance or device. |
| US10678349B2 |
Handwriting input device
A handwriting input device, including a display component, a magnetic signal sensing component arranged at a random position on the display component, and a magnetic signal output component arranged corresponding to the sensing component, wherein the display component, the sensing component and the output component are all arranged in a shell, and the shell is further includes a mainboard, wherein the sensing component includes a sensing element and a detection control circuit connected with the sensing element; the sensing element includes a horizontal and a vertical encoding array; and both the horizontal and the vertical encoding arrays consist of magnetic signal sensing coil units. The handwriting input device aims at solving the problems of long detection time, slow reaction speed, low positioning sensing precision, big long-distance movement accumulative error and complicated device of the magnetic sensing devices in the prior art. |
| US10678346B2 |
Method for interacting a pointing device with a target point arranged on a projection screen of a virtual desktop and pointing device therefore
A pointing device interacts with a target point arranged on a projection surface of a virtual desktop and a pointing device. A spatial coordinate of a target point may be determined by means of an image processing system from a two-dimensional optical code applied to a carrier plane associated with the pointing device, and may be transmitted as a control variable to a control unit of the projection surface. A spatial position of a normal vector perpendicular to the center of gravity of the surface of the code may be determined. The normal vector may be aligned with the target point by shifting and tilting the carrier plane. A rotational movement of the carrier plane about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the carrier plane may be detected, and an activation signal of the pointing device may be generated as a function of a detected rotational movement. |
| US10678340B2 |
System and method for providing user interface tools
A system includes one or more hardware processors, a head mounted display (HMD) configured to display a virtual environment to a user wearing the HMD, an input device configured to allow the user to interact with virtual objects presented in the virtual environment, and a virtual mini-board module executable by the one or more hardware processors. The virtual mini-board module is configured to perform operations including providing a virtual mini-board to the user within the virtual environment, the virtual mini-board including a representation of a region of the virtual environment, detecting a scroll operation performed by the user, modifying the region of the virtual environment based on the scroll operation, and updating one or more of (1) the virtual environment and (2) the representation of the region of the virtual environment on the virtual mini-board, based on the modifying. |
| US10678337B2 |
Context aware movement recognition system
A movement recognition system includes a feature extraction circuit and a classification circuit that is orientation independent. The feature extraction circuit is configured to receive a plurality of acceleration or angular velocity measurements from a sensor or multiple sensors that include a three dimensional (3D) accelerometer and 3D gyroscope. Each of the measurements is taken at different times. The feature extraction circuit is also configured to determine a difference between a first of the measurements and each other of the measurements. The classification circuit is configured to classify a movement of an object attached to the sensor irrespective of an orientation of the sensor on the object utilizing a signal recognition technique based on the difference between the first of the measurements and each other of the measurements. |
| US10678335B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for creating haptic stimulations and tracking motion of a user
A method of creating haptic stimulations and anatomical information includes a wearable device including a plurality of transducers that can each generate one or more waves. The method includes activating one or more first transducers of the plurality of transducers based on an instruction received from a remote device. Waves generated by the activated one or more first transducers provide a haptic stimulation. The method further includes activating one or more second transducers of the plurality of transducers. Waves generated by the activated one or more second transducers provide anatomical information of a user of the wearable device when the waves are received by one or more transducers of the plurality of transducers. |
| US10678333B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting haptically perceptible virtual objects
An exemplary virtual object presentation system accesses depth data for surfaces of a three-dimensional (“3D”) virtual object. The system determines, based on the depth data, a set of element configuration operations that, when performed by field formation elements included within an array of reconfigurable field formation elements, form a field in accordance with the depth data. Specifically, the field formed is to be haptically perceptible to a user using a field perception apparatus. The system may direct the field formation elements included within the array of reconfigurable field formation elements to perform the set of element configuration operations to thereby form the haptically perceptible field. In this way, the array of reconfigurable field formation elements generates a haptically perceptible virtual object representative of the 3D virtual object for perception by the user using the field perception apparatus. Corresponding methods are also disclosed. |
| US10678325B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for accelerating positional tracking of head-mounted displays
The disclosed special-purpose hardware device may include an image signal processor that receives, from a camera device of a head-mounted-display system, image frames of a physical environment. The special-purpose hardware device may also include a positional tracking component that (1) stores at least a portion of the image frames in a cache of the special-purpose hardware device that has a faster access speed than a main memory of the special-purpose hardware device, (2) tracks, based on the portion of the image frames stored in the cache, a change in the position of the head-mounted display system within the physical environment, and (3) stores the change in the position of the head-mounted-display system in the main memory for use in generating one or more augmented-reality frames. The special-purpose hardware device may further include a frame-output interface that feeds the augmented-reality frames to a display device of the head-mounted-display system. |
| US10678324B2 |
Systems and methods for augmented reality
An augmented reality display system includes an electromagnetic field emitter to emit a known magnetic field in a known coordinate system. The system also includes an electromagnetic sensor to measure a parameter related to a magnetic flux at the electromagnetic sensor resulting from the known magnetic field. The system further includes a depth sensor to measure a distance in the known coordinate system. Moreover, the system includes a controller to determine pose information of the electromagnetic sensor relative to the electromagnetic field emitter in the known coordinate system based at least in part on the parameter related to the magnetic flux measured by the electromagnetic sensor and the distance measured by the depth sensor. In addition, the system includes a display system to display virtual content to a user based at least in part on the pose information of the electromagnetic sensor relative to the electromagnetic field emitter. |
| US10678321B2 |
Systems and methods for reduced boot power consumption using early BIOS controlled CPU P-states to enhance power budgeting and allocation
Systems and methods for reduced boot power consumption using early BIOS controlled CPU power states to enhance power budgeting and allocation. An information handling system may include a server. The server may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) device, a performance state (P-state) limiting indicator stored in the NVRAM device, a P-state value stored in the NVRAM, and a basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in the memory. The BIOS may read a power state limiting indicator stored in the NVRAM device and when the power state limiting indicator indicates that power state limiting is enabled, read a power state value stored in the NVRAM, and program the power state of the CPU to the power state value to cause the CPU to limit power supplied to the CPU to the power state value. |
| US10678319B2 |
Multi-level loops for computer processor control
In an embodiment, a processor includes processing cores, and a central control unit to: concurrently execute an outer control loop and an inner control loop, wherein the outer control loop is to monitor the processor as a whole, and wherein the inner control loop is to monitor a first processing core included in the processor; determine, based on the outer control loop, a first control action for the first processing core included in the processor; determine, based on the inner control loop, a second control action for the first processing core included in the processor; based on a comparison of the first control action and the second control action, select one of the first control action and the second control action as a selected control action; and apply the selected control action to the first processing core. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10678307B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a base, a first shaft structure, a second shaft structure, and a locking component. The second body is connected to the first body through the base. The first shaft structure includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The second body is pivoted to a first base portion of the base through the first shaft and a second base portion of the base through the second shaft. The second shaft structure includes a connecting component fixed to the first body and a third shaft pivoted to the first base portion and the connecting component. The first and second shafts are perpendicular to the third shaft. The locking component is slidably disposed between the second base portion and the first body and configured to lock or release a connection between the second base portion and the first body. |
| US10678306B2 |
Viewing angle changing film
A viewing angle changing film capable of changing the viewing angle of a display panel is provided. The viewing angle changing film includes a base film opposed to a display panel, and an attachment having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the base film. The base film can change the viewing angle of the display panel. The attachment is inserted into air gap defined between the display panel and a bezel. The attachment is a separate member from the base film, and is fixed to the base film. |
| US10678303B2 |
Method for controlling electronic device and electronic device
The present disclosure provides a method for controlling an electronic device and the electronic device. The method comprising: detecting a bending operation for deforming a flexible screen of the electronic device applied by an operator to the electronic device; determining whether the bending operation satisfies a preset condition or not; and when the bending operation satisfies the preset condition, controlling the flexible screen to be deformed from a first bent state to a second bent state, and after the bending operation is no longer applied to the electronic device, controlling the flexible screen to be deformed from the second bent state to a third bent state. The method according to the present disclosure may control a bending angle of the flexible screen accurately. |
| US10678301B1 |
Assembled industrial tablet
An assembled industrial tablet is provided. A first floating connector, which is disposed on a screen assembly, and a second floating connector, which is disposed on a tablet assembly, are assembled, and the tablet assembly is limited in an assembly space of the screen assembly through limiting structures of the screen assembly, so that the industrial tablet is assembled. Therefore, the technical efficiency of assembling the industrial tablet conveniently may be achieved. |
| US10678287B2 |
Positive and negative full-range back-bias generator circuit structure
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a circuit structure for producing a full range biasing voltage including: a logic control node; first and second voltage generators, coupled to the logic control node, the first and second voltage generators configured to generate a positive voltage output at a positive voltage node and a negative voltage output at a negative voltage node; first and second multiplexer cells, coupled to the logic control node, configured to multiplex the positive voltage level received from the first or the second positive voltage node and the negative voltage level received from the first or the second negative voltage node to provide a multiplexed output; and an output node coupled to each of the first multiplexer cell and the second multiplexer cell configured to receive the multiplexed output to provide a biasing voltage range to at least one transistor having a back-gate terminal. |
| US10678283B2 |
Voltage compensation circuit including low dropout regulators and operation method thereof
A method of recovering a voltage drop at an output terminal of a voltage compensation circuit connected to a load including a variable load current according to a condition of the load. A circuit portion for a regulator having an output terminal connected to a load including a variable load current may be provided. The circuit portion may include a plurality of stages connected in parallel to said output terminal. Each of said stages may be configured as a current driver having an output connected to the output terminal of said regulator. The circuit portion may include a comparator in each of said stages configured for receiving from a first input a reference voltage value and a predetermined threshold voltage from an other input. Each of said stages may receive a corresponding different threshold voltage value on said other input. The threshold voltage values may be correlated to the variable load current. At least a group of said stages may be sequentially enabled by each corresponding comparator to drive an extra current on said output terminal according to the amount of load current required by the load. |
| US10678282B1 |
Linear voltage regulators and associated methods
A linear voltage regulator includes a series-pass element electrically coupled between an input node and an output node, current sense circuitry configured to generate a current sense signal representing at least magnitude of current flowing through the series-pass element, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to control the series-pass element according to at least (a) the current sense signal and (b) a voltage sense signal representing magnitude of an output voltage, to clamp the magnitude of the output voltage to a maximum value, where the output voltage is a voltage at the output node, such that the magnitude of the output voltage decreases with increasing magnitude of current flowing through the series-pass element. |
| US10678275B2 |
Connection device for fluid circuits
The connection device comprises two thermal expansion valves releasably connected directly to each other, each valve being configured to be mounted to an end of a respective section of a fluid circuit and being shiftable between an open position and a closed position, in which it allows and prevents fluid flow through the device, respectively, depending on the fluid temperature. |
| US10678274B2 |
Adjustable deadband control system
Control systems include various combinations of pressure regulators, pilots, and pressure stabilizers to provide systems with adjustable deadbands for over pressure protection, adjustable deadbands for under pressure protection, adjustable deadbands for both over pressure and under pressure protection, pressure assisted closure for over pressure protection, pressure assisted closure for under pressure protection, pressure assisted closure for both over pressure and under pressure protection, or spring assisted closure for over pressure and under pressure protection. |
| US10678273B2 |
Pressure-regulating valve
A pressure-regulating valve has a valve piston (10) subjected to the action of an energy store and guided longitudinally in a valve housing (12). The valve housing has a supply port (14), a utility port (16) and a tank port (18) actuated by a control part (20) closing with a sealing action. In connecting from the supply port to the utility port, a pressure reduction function is realized. In a fluidic connection from the utility port to the tank port, a pressure-limiting function is realized. The control part (20) has a control rod (22) with two control bodies (24, 26) spaced apart from one another. One control body (24) controls the connection between supply port (14) and utility port (16). The other control body (26) controls the connection between utility port (16) and tank port (18). |
| US10678265B2 |
Revised speed advisory for an aircraft during flight based on holding time
A method including obtaining real-time data, wherein the real-time data is at least one of data associated with aircrafts in and around an airport, real-time weather information, and runway unavailability at the airport. The real-time data is analyzed. A holding time associated with an aircraft that is approaching the airport for landing is measured based on the analysis of the real-time data. A revised speed advisory is determined for the aircraft based on the holding time. The revised speed advisory is sent to a flight navigation and performance computer and/or a flight management system on-board the aircraft, wherein a speed of the aircraft is controlled based on the revised speed advisory. |
| US10678263B2 |
Method and apparatus for position error detection
A method and apparatus for determining a route of a vehicle are provided. The method includes activating fail operative steering in response to detecting an electronic power steering (EPS) failure, determining a length of a lane map fusion ring, calculating a desired route based on a line of the lane map fusion ring if the determined length is greater than a first predetermined distance, and calculating desired route based on offset information and heading information of the lane map fusion ring and curvature information and curvature derivative information calculated from map data if the determined length is less than the first predetermined distance. |
| US10678255B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for enhanced surface condition detection based on image scene and ambient light analysis
Systems, Methods and Apparatuses are provided for detecting surface conditions, which includes: an image scene captured by a camera wherein the image scene includes: a set of a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs); and a processor configured to receive the image scene to: extract at least a first and a second ROI from the set of the plurality of ROIs of the image scene; associate the first ROI with an above-horizon region and associate the second ROI with a surface region; analyze the first ROI and the second ROI in parallel for a condition related to an ambient lighting in the first ROI and for an effect related to the ambient lighting in the second ROI; and extract from the first ROI features of the condition of the ambient lighting and extract from the second ROI features of the effect of the ambient lighting on a surface region. |
| US10678253B2 |
Control systems, control methods and controllers for an autonomous vehicle
Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle (AV). A map generator module processes sensor data to generate a world representation of a particular driving scenario (PDS). A scene understanding module (SUM) processes navigation route data, position information and a feature map to define an autonomous driving task (ADT), and decomposes the ADT into a sequence of sub-tasks. The SUM selects a particular combination of sensorimotor primitive modules (SPMs) to be enabled and executed for the PDS. Each one of the SPMs addresses a sub-task in the sequence. A primitive processor module executes the particular combination of the SPMs such that each generates a vehicle trajectory and speed (VTS) profile. A selected one of the VTS profiles is then processed to generate the control signals, which are then processed at a low-level controller to generate commands that control one or more of actuators of the AV. |
| US10678241B2 |
Unsupervised learning agents for autonomous driving applications
Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes: training an autonomous driving agent is provided, the method including the steps of: extracting, by a processor, information from demonstrations of driving behavior using a neural network; transmitting the extracted information to a generator module; transmitting a real environmental state associated with the demonstrations of driving behavior to a discriminator module; generating, by a processor, environmental state interpretations from the extracted information using the generator module; training, by a processor, the discriminator module to better determine whether the generated environmental state interpretations correspond to the real environmental state, whilst training, by a processor, the generator module to generate an improved environmental state interpretation that the discriminator determines to correspond to the real environmental state; and recovering, by a processor, a reward map using generated environmental state interpretations from the trained generator module. |
| US10678240B2 |
Sensor modification based on an annotated environmental model
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage mediums which use annotated environmental models for sensor modification are disclosed. A computing system receives an environmental model for a vehicle. The environmental model can include data from a plurality of modalities. Object annotations are received from sensors which are used to modify the environmental model, creating an annotated environmental model. A classification of a current situation is generated using the annotated environmental model, and a sensor is modified using the classification. |
| US10678239B2 |
Steering wheel, steering wheel unit, and sensor sheet
On a steering wheel unit, a sensitive region for detecting contact of a human body with respect to a steering wheel is formed by arranging an electrostatic capacitance sensor on an outer circumferential portion of a rim of the steering wheel, and non-sensitive regions that do not detect contact of the human body with respect to the steering wheel are formed, respectively, on a left portion (left spoke connected part) positioned relatively to the left on the rim, and on a right portion (right spoke connected part) positioned in facing relation to the left portion via a center portion of the rim when the steering wheel is in a neutral state. |
| US10678233B2 |
Systems and methods for data collection and data sharing in an industrial environment
The present disclosure describes systems for data collection in an industrial environment having a self-sufficient data acquisition box for capturing and analyzing data in an industrial process. A system can include a data circuit for analyzing a plurality of sensor inputs, a network control circuit for sending and receiving information related to sensor inputs to an external system, wherein the system provides sensor data to one or more similarly configured systems, and wherein the data circuit dynamically nominates a similarly configured system capable of providing sensor data to replace the system. |
| US10678229B2 |
Equipment monitoring system, equipment monitoring program, and equipment monitoring method
An equipment monitoring system includes a control unit that switches a detection operation mode of a detector between a simple detection mode where the detector periodically performs a momentary detection operation, and a detailed detection mode where the detector performs a continuous detection operation. In the simple detection mode, a diagnosis unit diagnoses whether an operating state of monitored equipment is a normal state or a state requiring caution based on results of detection by the detector. In the simple detection mode, the control unit maintains the simple detection mode when the diagnosis unit has diagnosed that the operating state of the monitored equipment is a normal state, and switches the detection operation mode of the detector from the simple detection mode to the detailed detection mode when the diagnosis unit has diagnosed that the operating state of the monitored equipment is a state requiring caution. |
| US10678225B2 |
Data analytic services for distributed industrial performance monitoring
A data analytics service for performing data analytics functions within a distributed process control environment is provided. The service may provide a user interface for creating a first diagram, representing a data model. The first diagram may be configured, compiled, and evaluated using off-line (i.e., historical) data from a distributed process control system, which may include data stored in distributed data engines (DDEs). Following evaluation, the first diagram may be automatically converted into a second diagram that is bound to on-line (i.e., real-time) data sources within the process control environment, which may then be compiled and executed to generate performance or predictive analytics data for the process. The diagrams may comprise a plurality of configurable function blocks or modules, connected logically via wires conveying outputs or inputs of the blocks or modules. |
| US10678222B2 |
Data collection device and computer readable medium
To reliably collect measured data without requiring a large-capacity storage device. A data collection device which is connected with a plurality of machine tools via a network includes: a priority calculation means for calculating a degree of relative priority for each of the plurality of machines tools, based on information related to a state of each of the machine tools; and a measured data collection means for deciding, in a case of receiving a collection request of measured data for the machine tool, which machine tool among the machine tools corresponding to the collection request to set as a collection target of the measured data based on the degree of relative priority, and for collecting the measured data from the machine tool decided as the collection target via the network. |
| US10678219B2 |
Method and device for processing a workpiece on a numerically controlled machine tool
A method for processing a workpiece on a numerically controlled machine tool by a tool includes the steps of: controlling a relative movement of the tool relative to the workpiece for processing the workpiece, producing an ultrasonic vibration of the tool by an ultrasonic generator, detecting at least one sensor signal outputted from the ultrasonic generator and identifying a change in the material at the workpiece while controlling the relative movement of the tool relative to the workpiece on the basis of the at least one sensor signal outputted from the ultrasonic generator. |
| US10678213B2 |
Intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool with improved help function
An intrinsically-safe handheld field maintenance tool includes a controller, a process communication module, and a display. The process communication module is configured to communicate with a field device using a process communication protocol. The display is coupled to the controller. A user interface module is also coupled to the controller and is configured to receive user input. The controller is configured to detect a user input help request and provide a video output on the display in response to the user input help request. |
| US10678203B2 |
Communicating with and controlling load control systems by communicating messages from the load control systems related to events that occur in the load control systems
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating with and controlling load control systems of respective user environments from locations that are remote from the user environments. |
| US10678199B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for standby power entry without latency tolerance information
Standby power entry can be performed without latency tolerance information. The embodiments disclosed herein enable a power delivery system of a computing system to enter the requested low power state while ignoring any latency tolerance information throughout the platform. For example, an operating system (OS) can request a Forced Cx state (also known as a Forced C state), such as a Forced C10 state, allowing the system to ignore any latency tolerance information throughout the platform. This Forced Cx state can be used as a test mechanism to determine if a problematic device or integrated circuit is blocking entry into the low power state. |
| US10678198B2 |
Power distribution control system
A power distribution control system having a string of power assets comprising at least two different power assets selected from sources, stores and responsive loads is disclosed. The assets and associated local routers communicate with a central server and attempt to fulfil high level aims of the server by negotiating times and quantities of power transfer between themselves. Preferably a database stores parameters in relation to the power assets. Preferably a control system at the server anticipates future activity, such as future peaks in demand or supply, in the grid, and local power assets prepare in response. Preferably the power assets communicate between themselves on a peer-to-peer basis and collectively confirm to the server their ability to modify their collective behavior in response to an event in the grid. |
| US10678197B2 |
Method and apparatus for designing model-based control having temporally robust stability and performance for multiple-array cross-direction (CD) web manufacturing or processing systems or other systems
A method includes obtaining a model associated with a model-based controller in an industrial process having multiple actuator arrays and performing temporal tuning of the controller. The temporal tuning includes adjusting one or more parameters of a multivariable filter used to smooth reference trajectories of actuator profiles of the actuator arrays. The temporal tuning could also include obtaining one or more uncertainty specifications for one or more temporal parameters of the model, obtaining one or more overshoot limits for the actuator profiles, identifying a minimum bound for profile trajectory tuning parameters, and identifying one or more of the profile trajectory tuning parameters that minimize one or more measurement settling times without exceeding the one or more overshoot limits. The controller could be configured to use the adjusted parameter(s) during control of the industrial process such that the adjusting of the parameter(s) alters operation of the controller and the industrial process. |
| US10678196B1 |
Soft sensing of a nonlinear and multimode processes based on semi-supervised weighted Gaussian regression
Soft sensing of nonlinear and multimode industrial processes given a limited number of labeled data samples is disclosed. Methods include a semi-supervised probabilistic density-based regression approach, called Semi-supervised Weighted Gaussian Regression (SWGR). In SWGR, different weights are assigned to each training sample based on their similarities to a query sample. Then a local weighted Gaussian density is built for capturing the joint probability of historical samples around the query sample. The training process of parameters in SWGR incorporates both labeled and unlabeled data samples via a maximum likelihood estimation algorithm. In this way, the soft sensor model is able to approximate the nonlinear mechanics of input and output variables and remedy the insufficiency of labeled samples. At last, the output prediction as well as the uncertainty of prediction can be obtained by the conditional distribution. |
| US10678192B1 |
Optimization of production systems
The systems and techniques described herein optimize processing of requests, such as external requests, internal requests or inter-service requests. In some examples, a service may interact with a client device and determine, based at least in part on a state of the interaction with the client device, a potential client request that may subsequently be received from the client device. The service may then perform one or more actions to at least partially fulfill the potential client request. |
| US10678190B2 |
Time-to-digital converter, circuit device, physical quantity measurement apparatus, electronic instrument, and vehicle
A time-to-digital converter includes a first oscillation circuit that starts oscillating at the transition timing of a first signal and generates a first clock signal having a first clock frequency, a second oscillation circuit that starts oscillating at the transition timing of a second signal and generates a second clock signal having a second clock frequency, a first adjustment circuit that adjusts the oscillation frequency of the first oscillation circuit based on a reference clock signal, a second adjustment circuit that adjusts the oscillation frequency of the second oscillation circuit based on the reference clock signal, and a processing circuit that converts the time difference between the transition timing of the first signal and the transition timing of the second signal into a digital value based on the first and second clock signals. |
| US10678185B2 |
Cartridge, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a main assembly side drive transmission member and a main assembly side urging member, the cartridge including a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the drum, the developing roller contactable to and spaceable from the drum; an urging force receiving portion for receiving an urging force from the urging member to space the roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission portion capable of coupling with the main assembly side drive transmission member to receive a rotational force for rotating the roller; a releasing member capable of urging the main assembly side drive transmission member to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member by the urging force receiving portion receiving the urging force from the main assembly side urging member. |
| US10678184B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge
The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and an image forming apparatus main assembly. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes a drive output member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge. The drive output member is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes an inclination imparting portion for inclining the drive output member as the drive output member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position. |
| US10678183B2 |
Process cartridge
A developing roller and a photosensitive drum are aligned in a second direction different from a first direction. A toner storage portion stores toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum by the developing roller. A waste-toner storage portion stores toner conveyed through a conveyance pipe. The waste-toner storage portion has a main portion and a protruding portion protruding from the main portion in the first direction. A drum cartridge has a guide portion configured to guide the protruding portion of the waste-toner storage portion when a developing cartridge is being mounted on the drum cartridge. The guide portion includes first and second guides. The first guide extends in a third direction different from the first and second directions. The second guide continues from the first guide and is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the first guide is. The second guide extends in the second direction. |
| US10678175B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes: an endless intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transferrer, wherein the secondary transferrer includes a secondary transfer roller and a counter roller, a value calculated from w/Vsys is defined as a nip time N [sec], when the secondary transferrer is deemed as an equivalent circuit including a resistance R1 [Ω·m2] of the secondary transfer roller, a resistance R2 [Ω·m2] of the intermediate transfer belt, a resistance R3 [Ω·m2] of the counter roller, and capacitance Cmed [F/m2] of a recording medium, in a case where a combined resistance in the equivalent circuit is defined as Rtotal [Ω·m2], and combined capacitance in the equivalent circuit is defined as Ctotal [F/m2], a value calculated from Rtotal×Ctotal is defined as a time constant τ [sec], and the image forming device further includes: a sheet detector; and a hardware processor. |
| US10678174B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion capable of forming an image on a recording medium; an operation portion for performing an operation of the image forming apparatus; a push button which is arranged in a surface of the operation portion, and with which a signal of stopping an image forming action performed by the image forming portion is input; a receiving portion provided in the operation portion so as to be able to receive a radio signal from a communication component by placing the communication component transmitting the radio signal so as to face the receiving portion; and at least a central portion of the push button located at a position recessed from the surface of the operation portion. |
| US10678173B2 |
Heater and image forming apparatus
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a heater, comprising an insulator substrate, a first member, a plurality of electrodes, and a second member. The first member is configured to generate heat on an upper surface of the insulator substrate across a first direction. The first member has a first end opposite a second end. The plurality of electrodes are formed on both the first end and the second end of the first member, respectively, and each electrode is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second member is configured to store heat. The second member comprises a latent heat material having latent heat in a target temperature zone. Furthermore, the latent heat material is fixed to a side surface or a bottom surface of the insulator substrate. |
| US10678171B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a heater including a heat generator that is divided into a plurality of heat generating portions in an axial direction of the endless belt. The heat generator defines a dividing region between adjacent ones of the plurality of heat generating portions and a non-dividing region other than the dividing region. A primary guide contacts and guides the endless belt. The primary guide is disposed opposite the dividing region of the heat generator and has a first thermal capacity. A secondary guide contacts and guides the endless belt. The secondary guide is disposed opposite the non-dividing region of the heat generator and has a second thermal capacity that is greater than the first thermal capacity. |
| US10678166B2 |
Developer container
A developer container includes: a container body storing a developer, and having an opening at an end on a downstream side in a conveyance direction for conveying the developer, a side wall having a circular cross section perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a first protrusion spirally continuing in a continuous manner or at certain intervals toward the downstream side in a specific winding direction and provided on an inner surface of the side wall; a discharge member having a connection part fixed to the opening and a discharge port from which the developer is discharged; and a regulation member having a curved surface member with a cross section perpendicular to the conveyance direction on an upstream side of the connection part, and a second protrusion spirally continuing to the downstream side in the specific winding direction and provided on an outer surface of the curved surface member. |
| US10678165B2 |
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
A developer supply container 1 is detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a developer receiving portion 11 provided with a receiving port 11a for receiving a developer, a portion-to-be-engaged 11b a displaceable integrally with the developer receiving portion 11. The developer supply container 1 includes an engaging portion 30 and a discharging portion provided with a shutter opening 4j for discharging the developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion. The engaging portion 30 is provided at only one side with respect to a predetermined direction crossing with a mounting direction of the developer supply container 1 in the crossing with a displacing direction of the developer receiving portion 11. The engaging portion 30 engages with the portion-to-be-engaged 11b with a mounting operation of the developer supply container 1 to bring the receiving port 11a in the communication with the shutter opening 4j. |
| US10678161B2 |
Electrophotographic member having elastic layer with elastic modulus of 0.5 to 3.0 MPA and coating layer with elastic modulus of 5.0 to 100 MPA
An electrophotographic member has an electro-conductive substrate, an elastic layer on the substrate and a coating layer on the elastic layer. The elastic layer has an elastic modulus of 0.5 MPa to 3.0 MPa and the coating layer has an elastic modulus of 5.0 MPa to 100.0 MPa as measured in an environment of a temperature of 30° C. and a relative humidity of 80%. |
| US10678156B2 |
Pigment dispersion, method for manufacturing toner, aqueous ink, and triazo compound
A pigment dispersion has low viscosity and good dispersion property without depending on pigment species. The pigment dispersion contains a dispersion medium, an organic pigment, and a triazo compound having a specific structure. |
| US10678155B2 |
Toner comprising a surface layer of an organosilicon polymer protrusion
A toner comprising a toner particle that contains a toner base particle and an organosilicon polymer on a surface of the toner base particle, wherein the organosilicon polymer forms protruded portions with a prescribed structure on the surface of the toner base particle, and in the toner cross section, when the protrusion width w is the length of the segment where a protruded portion and the toner base particle form a continuous interface, the protrusion diameter D is the maximum length of a protruded portion, and the protrusion height H is the length from the peak of the protruded portion to the line along the circumference of the toner base particle surface, the numerical proportion of these protruded portions having a ratio D/w of the protrusion diameter D to the protrusion width w from 0.33 to 0.80, is a least 70 number %. |
| US10678145B2 |
Radiation receiving system
A radiation receiving system for an inspection apparatus, used to perform measurements on target structures on lithographic substrates as part of a lithographic process, comprises a spectrometer with a number of inputs. The radiation receiving system comprises: a plurality of inputs, each input being arranged to provide radiation from a target structure; a first optical element operable to receive radiation from each of the plurality of inputs; a second optical element operable to receive radiation from the first optical element and to scatter the radiation; and a third optical element operable to direct the scattered radiation onto a detector. The second optical element may for example be a reflective diffraction grating that diffracts incoming radiation into an output radiation spectrum. |
| US10678144B2 |
Projection exposure method and projection exposure apparatus for microlithography
The disclosure provides a projection exposure method for exposing a substrate arranged in the region of an image plane of a projection lens with at least one image of a pattern of a mask arranged in the region of an object plane of the projection lens. A substrate is coated with a radiation-sensitive multilayer system including a first photoresist layer composed of a first photoresist material and, between the first photoresist layer and the substrate and a separately applied second photoresist layer composed of a second photoresist material. The first photoresist material has a relatively high first sensitivity in a first wavelength range and a second sensitivity, which is lower relative to the first sensitivity, in a second wavelength range separate from the first wavelength range. The second photoresist material has an exposure-suitable second sensitivity in the second wavelength range. |
| US10678143B2 |
Projection system modelling method
A projection system model is configured to predict optical aberrations of a projection system based upon a set of projection system characteristics and to determine and output a set of optical element adjustments based upon a merit function. The merit function comprises a set of parameters and corresponding weights. The method comprises receiving an initial merit function and executing an optimization algorithm to determine a second merit function. The optimization algorithm scores different merit functions based upon projection system characteristics of a projection system adjusted according to the output of the projection system model using a merit function having that set of parameters and weights. |
| US10678140B2 |
Suppression filter, radiation collector and radiation source for a lithographic apparatus; method of determining a separation distance between at least two reflective surface levels of a suppression filter
Disclosed is a suppression filter having a profile defining at least two reflective surface levels, each reflected surface level being separated by a separation distance. The separation distance is such that the reflective suppression filter is operable to substantially prevent specular reflection of radiation at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength incident on said reflective suppression filter. Also disclosed is a radiation collector, radiation source and lithographic apparatus comprising such a suppression filter, and to a method of determining a separation distance between at least two reflective surface levels of a suppression filter. |
| US10678139B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid. |
| US10678138B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source and a method for generating extreme ultraviolet radiation
The EUV radiation source includes a rotatable EUV source vessel configured to collect fuel debris generated from the collision of fuel droplets and a laser beam. The source vessel includes an inner surface for receiving the fuel debris, an first aperture at one end of the inner surface, and a heater adjacent to the inner surface and configured to generate a heating area on the inner surface in coordination with a rotation speed of the source vessel. The fuel debris is reflowed to the heating area. A method for generating EUV radiation includes collecting fuel debris on an inner surface of a source vessel, rotating the source vessel at a rotation speed, and heating a portion of the source vessel to an elevated temperature to generate a heating area on the inner surface in coordination with the rotation speed. The fuel debris is reflowed to the heating area. |
| US10678131B2 |
Composition, film, cured film, optical sensor, and method for producing film
A composition includes at least one of particles having an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 150 nm or particles having an average major axis length of 50 to 150 nm, and a resin, in which the composition has an L* in an L*a*b* color space of CIE 1976 of 35 to 75 in a case of forming a film with a thickness of 3 μm using the composition. A film; a cured film; an optical sensor; and a method for producing a film each use the composition. |
| US10678126B2 |
Semiconductor mask blanks with a compatible stop layer
A mask for semiconductor manufacturing includes a mask substrate, a shifter layer over the mask substrate, a stop layer over and in contact with the shifter layer, and an absorber layer over the stop layer. The shifter layer includes each material of a set of materials, the materials being combined in a first proportion in the shifter layer. The stop layer includes each material of the set of materials, the materials being combined in a second proportion in the stop layer that is different from the first proportion. |
| US10678116B1 |
Active multi-color PBP elements
An active PBP device having a reduced chromatic and angular dependence of focusing power includes a stack of active PBP devices where each PBP LC element of the stack has a birefringence of odd number of half wavelengths at one of the R, G, B color channels, and even number of half wavelengths at remaining ones of the R, G, B color channels. Retarder sheets are used to improve off-axis operation of the active PBP device. The device can be placed near user's eye in a head mounted display. |
| US10678112B2 |
Fully differential traveling wave series push-pull mach-zehnder modulator
Disclosed herein are architectures for low power, low voltage traveling wave Mach-Zehnder optical modulators. By combining single-ended series push-pull modulator configurations with differential dual-drive modulator configurations, the advantages of each type may be utilized. In particular, the halved capacitance of single-ended series push-pull modulators may reduce microwave losses, thereby improving bandwidth performance within modulator configurations. Moreover, reduced required drive voltage of dual-drive modulators coupled with increased impedance may advantageously minimize the power consumption and maximize efficiency in the differential traveling wave series push-pull Mach-Zehnder modulator configurations disclosed herein. |
| US10678108B2 |
Electrochromic filtering in a camera
This application is directed to a lens assembly configured to focus light on a sensor array of an optical device. The lens assembly comprises one or more optical lenses and an electrochromic layer positioned between the one or more optical lenses and the sensor array. The electrochromic layer has one or more optical properties that are responsive to voltage applied to the layer, including a first optical property related to optical transmissivity. The first optical property includes a first state, responsive to a first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially opaque to a predefined band of IR wavelengths. The first optical property also includes a second state, responsive to a second applied voltage distinct from the first applied voltage, in which the layer is substantially transparent to the predefined band of IR wavelengths and visible wavelengths. |
| US10678106B2 |
Array substrate, liquid crystal display panel and display device
An array substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device are disclosed. The array substrate includes a first insulation layer disposed on a base substrate, a first conductive pattern disposed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer disposed on the first conductive pattern, a second conductive pattern disposed on the second insulation layer. The second conductive pattern is connected to the first conductive pattern through a second via hole penetrating the second insulation layer. The array substrate further includes a first via hole exposing the first insulation layer and penetrating the first conductive pattern. An orthogonal projection of the first via hole on the base substrate and an orthogonal projection of the second via hole on the base substrate at least partially overlap with each other, the second conductive pattern is connected to the first insulation layer through the first via hole. |
| US10678104B2 |
Display panel with flexible circuit board regions and display module
A display panel and a display module are provided. The display panel includes a bonding region. The bonding region includes a drive integrated circuit (IC) chip region, a first flexible circuit board region and a second flexible circuit board region. A first soldering pad is disposed in the first flexible circuit board region. A second soldering pad is disposed in the second flexible circuit board region. The first soldering pad and the second soldering pad are configured to output driving signals. |
| US10678102B2 |
Curved display panel and curved display apparatus
The present application discloses a curved display panel having an array substrate including an array of subpixels arranged in rows and columns. The array substrate includes a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to the array of subpixels; each of the plurality of pixel electrodes being in a subpixel and having a first dimension along a row direction and a second dimension along a column direction. The curved display panel is curved with respect to an axis substantially parallel to the column direction; and the first dimension is larger than the second dimension. |
| US10678096B1 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating display panel
A method and an apparatus for fabricating a display panel, where the method for fabricating the display panel includes providing a first substrate and a second substrate, arranging alignment layers at the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively, arranging liquid crystals and monomers between the first substrate and the second substrate to form a liquid crystal cell, and placing the liquid crystal cell in a reaction chamber, applying a drive voltage to the liquid crystal cell and illuminating the liquid crystal cell with a light source to perform polymerization between the monomers and the alignment layers. The light source includes at least one wavelength, and illumination times of the light source are at least one. The light source is an ultraviolet light or a visible light. By controlling the reaction condition between the alignment layers and the monomers, defects caused in the alignment process may be reduced. |
| US10678095B2 |
Liquid crystal composition, display device using the same, and method of manufacturing display device
A display device includes: a display panel including an insulating substrate, a first electrode disposed on the insulating substrate, and a second electrode disposed on the insulating substrate and disposed to be insulated from the first electrode; a liquid crystal layer disposed on the display panel; and an alignment-inducing layer disposed between the display panel and the liquid crystal layer, wherein the alignment-inducing layer includes a compound having a structure represented by Chemical Formula 1-A: In Chemical Formula 1-A above, R1 is a hydrophilic group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, and A is an alkylene group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkyleneoxy group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a single bond. |
| US10678091B2 |
Color conversion element and display device including the same
Provided are a wavelength conversion layer and a display device. A color conversion element comprises: a wavelength conversion layer; one or more low refractive layers which are disposed on and/or under the wavelength conversion layer and have a lower refractive index than the wavelength conversion layer; and one or more capping layers which are disposed between the wavelength conversion layer and the low refractive layers and/or on a surface opposite to a surface of each of the low refractive layers which faces the wavelength conversion layer. |
| US10678090B2 |
Liquid crystal display module and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display module and a liquid crystal display are provided. The liquid crystal display module includes a first substrate and a second substrate cell-aligned with each other, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; the first substrate or the second substrate includes a plurality of electrode sets, each electrode set including a plurality of mutually insulated electrodes. One of the electrode sets is disposed in each sub-pixel region of the liquid crystal display panel. The first substrate or the second substrate also includes a common electrode. The liquid crystal display module further includes a first polarizer disposed on the first substrate. The first substrate is disposed adjacent to a light incident side. |
| US10678087B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first λ/4 retardation layer, a first substrate, a color filter layer, a liquid crystal layer containing horizontally aligned liquid crystals, and a second λ/4 retardation layer that is formed from a different material from the first λ/4 retardation layer between the first substrate and the color filter layer or between the color filter layer and the liquid crystal layer. The second λ/4 retardation layer has a smaller thickness in a region overlapping the blue color filter than in a region overlapping the green color filter. The first λ/4 retardation layer provides a retardation Rout(λ) to light having a wavelength of λ nm. The second λ/4 retardation layer provides a retardation Rin(λ). The retardation Rout(λ) and the retardation Rin(λ) satisfy the following formula (1) in the region overlapping the blue color filter. −1.0 nm |
| US10678085B2 |
Display panel and display device
The disclosure relates to the technical field of displaying, and discloses a display panel and a display device. The display panel according to the present disclosure is divided into a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, the display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate connected by a sealant, wherein the sealant is in the peripheral area; and a black matrix layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a part of the black matrix layer in the peripheral area is provided with an opening for blocking static electricity, and the opening is located at an outer side of the sealant. |
| US10678084B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided in the present disclosure. The display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a diaphragm assembly, and a back plate. The liquid crystal panel has a light incident surface and a light exit surface which are oppositely disposed. The diaphragm assembly is attached to and fixed to the light incident surface of the liquid crystal panel, and configured to at least diffuse light entering the light incident surface. The back plate is disposed at a side of the diaphragm assembly away from the light incident surface of the liquid crystal panel, and configured to support the diaphragm assembly. The back plate includes a bottom plate and a side plate. The bottom plate is configured to be a flat plate structure, and oppositely disposed with the diaphragm assembly. The side plate is configured to surround the bottom plate, connected with a periphery of the bottom plate, and configured to extend to a side of the diaphragm assembly away from the liquid crystal panel in the direction toward the diaphragm assembly to support the diaphragm assembly. |
| US10678080B2 |
Display device
A display device including a display panel having an active area to display an image, and an inactive area provided with a pattern disposed thereto to apply an electrical signal to the active area, a side cover having a peripheral frame disposed at an outer portion of the display panel to form a side portion exterior of the display device, and a support frame extended from the peripheral frame to be disposed at a rear of the display panel and supporting the display panel, and a black matrix disposed at a front of the inactive area to hide a pattern of the inactive area. |
| US10678075B2 |
Monolithic, linear glass polarizer and attenuator
The disclosure is directed to an element that is capable of acting as both an optical polarizer and an optical attenuator, thus integrating both functions into a single element. The element comprises a monolithic or one piece glass polarizer (herein also call the “substrate”), a multilayer “light attenuation or light attenuating” (“LA”) coating that has been optimized for use at selected wavelengths and attenuations deposited on at least one polarizer facial surface, and a multilayer anti-reflective (AR) coating on top of the LA coating. The disclosure is further directed to an integrated optical isolator/attenuator comprising a first and a second polarizing elements and a Faraday rotator for rotating light positioned after the first polarizing element and before the second polarizing element, the integrated optical isolator/attenuator both polarizing and attenuation a light beam from a light source. |
| US10678074B2 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier, method for manufacturing same, and optical phase modulator
The present invention relates to a semiconductor optical amplifier, the semiconductor optical amplifier including: a plurality of optical amplification regions arranged in series; a passive waveguide region provided between optical amplification regions; and first and second electrodes provided on an upper surface of each of the optical amplification regions. The passive waveguide region electrically insulates between the first electrodes and between the second electrodes of the adjacent optical amplification regions and optically connects the adjacent optical amplification regions. The semiconductor optical amplifier electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode of the respective adjacent optical amplification regions so that the plurality of optical amplification regions are electrically connected in cascade, and feeds power to the optical amplification regions at both ends of arrangements of the plurality of optical amplification regions thereby driving the plurality of optical amplification regions. |
| US10678068B2 |
Electrochromic contact lens
Embodiments are disclosed of an eye-mountable device (EMD) including a lens enclosure including an anterior layer and a posterior layer sealed to the anterior layer. An anterior electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure on a concave side of the anterior layer, a posterior electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure on a convex side of the posterior layer, and an electrochromic element is disposed across a central region of the lens enclosure, wherein the electrochromic element separates the anterior electrode from the posterior electrode within the central region. |
| US10678067B2 |
Tear shaping for refractive correction
A lens for refractive tear shaping, including a curved lens body defining an anterior partial thickness cavity indented into its anterior surface. The anterior partial thickness cavity has an anterior facing tear shaping surface structured to form a tear lens within the anterior partial thickness cavity. The anterior partial thickness cavity is structured to define a tear lens within the anterior partial thickness cavity by interaction between a tear film of the eye and the anterior facing base tear shaping surface. The posterior curvature of the tear lens is dependent on the shape of the anterior facing base tear shaping surface. |
| US10678066B2 |
Method for determining an usage index value for an single-vision ophthalmic lens
The invention relates to a method for determining an usage index value for an single-vision ophthalmic lens adapted to correct the vision of a myopic wearer. According to the invention the method comprises: an optical profile providing step S1 during which an optical profile of said ophthalmic lens is determined; a material profile providing step S2 during which a material profile of said ophthalmic lens is determined; a physical parameter determining step S3 during which at least one physical parameter among physical parameters of said optical profile and material profile is determined; a gain assessing step S4 during which at least two gains brought by at least one determined physical parameter is evaluated on at least one evaluation criterion of dissatisfaction of said wearer when wearing said ophthalmic lens; an usage index value determining step S5 during which a value of an usage index is determined by adding the assessed gain for the evaluation criteria. |
| US10678056B2 |
Augmented reality light field head-mounted displays
A near-eye display system includes a transmissive display panel to display a near-eye light field frame comprising an array of elemental images. The transmissive display panel is configured to transmit light rays of the near-eye light field frame away from the user's eye and towards an array of curved beam splitters. The curved beam splitters collimate the transmitted light rays and reflect the collimated light rays back towards the transmissive display panel for passing to the user's eye. |
| US10678054B1 |
Segmented backlight for liquid crystal display
A display device includes a liquid crystal layer and a backlight. The liquid crystal layer includes a first liquid crystal portion including a first plurality of pixels, and a second liquid crystal portion including a second plurality of pixels. The backlight includes a first backlight unit corresponding to the first liquid crystal portion, and a second backlight unit corresponding to the second liquid crystal portion. Each backlight unit includes one or more light sources, and a light guide for guiding light generated by the one or more light sources to a respective liquid crystal portion. |
| US10678053B2 |
Diffractive projection apparatus
A light projection apparatus is provided comprising: a source of light; a switchable grating on a first substrate; and a diffractive optical element. Light is diffracted at least once by the switchable grating and is diffracted at least once by the DOE. |
| US10678052B2 |
Optical system
Optical systems including an image surface, a stop surface, a partial reflector disposed between the image surface and the stop surface, a reflective polarizer disposed between the stop surface and the partial reflector, and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector are described. The reflective polarizer is convex along two orthogonal axes. The reflective polarizer may be a thermoformed multilayer reflective polarizer. |
| US10678049B2 |
Near-eye display having lenslet array with reduced off-axis optical aberrations
A near-eye display system includes a display panel to display a lightfield image comprising an array of elemental images and a lenslet array facing the display panel, the lenslet array comprising lenslets with spatially-varying prescriptions, such as different diameters, different focal lengths, and different asphere terms. The lenslet array further may be formed with a planar or non-planar substrate. The system further may include a distortion map comprising a set of transform matrices, each transform matrix configured to pre-distort a corresponding elemental image of a lightfield image so as to compensate for distortion expected to be introduced by a corresponding lenslet of the lenslet array, as well as a rendering component configured to modify the array of elemental images of a rendered lightfield using the distortion map to generate a modified lightfield image, and provide the modified lightfield image for display at the display panel for viewing via the lenslet array. |
| US10678048B1 |
Head mounted display with tiled optical assembly
A display assembly includes a primary display, a temporal display, and a tiled optical assembly (TOA). The TOA includes a central optic and a peripheral lens assembly. The central optic provides light from the primary display to the user. The peripheral lens assembly is positioned to provide light from the temporal display to the user. The peripheral lens assembly may be a single or multi-lens array. In some embodiments, the temporal display is a lower resolution than the primary display. In some embodiments, the primary display and the temporal display are in the same plane, and a fold mirror is used to provide light from the peripheral display to the peripheral optical element. The display assembly may be incorporated into an artificial reality head-mounted display. |
| US10678047B2 |
Achromatized metasurface lens
An achromatized metasurface lens that includes a color filter array and a metasurface lens located proximate to the color filter array. The color filter array includes a plurality of color filter elements for different colors of light. The metasurface lens includes a corresponding plurality of subsets of nanostructures based on the color filter array. Each respective subset of nanostructures is optically aligned with a corresponding color filter element. For example, a subset of nanostructures configured to modify a particular color of light may be optically aligned with a color filter element that filters light of the same particular color. The achromatized metasurface lens may be incorporated into a display system, such as a head-mounted-display. The display system may also include a narrowband display source tuned to the color filter elements in the color filter array. |
| US10678044B2 |
Beam-steering devices employing electrowetting prisms
A rotation-free beam-steering device for manipulating probing and reflected optical beams includes at least one electrowetting cell having at least one side wall defining an inner space. The at least one side wall has a lining adjacent to the inner space. A liquid at least partially fills the inner space. The liquid has at least one controlled surface not in contact with the wall lining. The liquid further has a contact angle with the wall lining. The at least one controlled surface is disposed to interface with an optical beam exiting from a distal end of an optical fiber at an incidence angle. At least two electrodes are provided separated from the inner space by the lining. An electrical potential on the at least two electrodes is controlled to adjust the contact angle of the liquid bounding the at least one controlled surface. |
| US10678040B1 |
Microscope slide mounting system
A microscope slide mounting system includes a slide mounting medium, with a predetermined weight of powdered gum arabic in a predetermined weight of distilled water; a predetermined weight of anhydrous chloral; a predetermined weight of anhydrous glycerin; and a predetermined percentage of ethylene glycol; the ethylene glycol acts as a denaturant in the mounting medium; and the ethylene glycol causes mild illness when ingested, thereby discouraging the use of the mounting medium as a sedative or recreational drug and prevents the crystallization of the medium. |
| US10678036B2 |
Optical device and light source module including the same
An optical device is provided. The optical device includes a first surface that defines a concave light incident surface facing a central axis and a light source; a second surface disposed opposite the first surface which is configured to reflect light incident on the concave light incident surface; and an inclined light exit surface between the first surface and the second surface. The second surface includes a concave first reflective portion curving toward the first surface, and a substantially flat second reflective portion which portion is interposed between a first reflective portion edge of the first reflective portion and an outer second surface edge of the second surface. The first reflective portion is configured to totally reflect light incident at a predetermined angle or more with respect to a top surface of the light source once to the light exit surface. |
| US10678035B2 |
Compact, simultaneous dual field of view through a common aperture
A compact, uniaxially-aligned series of lenses are shaped and coated to allow coaxial viewing of two different fields of view on the same focal-plane array by selecting a type of light. The selection can be, for example, by spectrum or polarization. Zonal coatings on the lens surfaces permit for a catadioptric narrow field-of-view light path. The lens assembly accomplishes simultaneous dual field-of-view in a durable package without respective motion of optical elements, without substantial gaps between the lenses, and at lower cost than other assemblies. |
| US10678033B2 |
Zoom system with interchangeable optical elements
A method for adjusting the magnification scale of an optical imaging device for exposing or inspecting substrates is provided. The optical imaging device includes a first optical element group, which includes a plurality of first optical elements in an imaging beam path. The method includes replacing optical elements of the first optical element group in the imaging beam path by optical elements of a second optical element group for the purposes of adjusting the magnification scale. The first optical element group includes two reflecting optical elements with first optical parameters, which define a first Petzval sum. The second optical element group includes two reflecting optical elements with second optical parameters, which define a second Petzval sum. The value of the first Petzval sum is at least substantially identical to the value of the second Petzval sum. |
| US10678030B2 |
Zoom optical system, optical apparatus and method for manufacturing the zoom optical system
A zoom optical system comprises, in order from an object: a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power; and a subsequent group (GR) including at least one lens group. Upon zooming, distances between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) and between the second lens group (G2) and the subsequent group (GR) change. The subsequent group (GR) comprises a focusing group (Gfc) having negative refractive power for focusing. The first lens group (G1) comprises a 1-1st lens that has positive refractive power and is disposed closest to the object. The focusing group comprises a lens (L37) having positive refractive power and a lens (L38) having negative refractive power. Following conditional expressions are satisfied: 1.00 |
| US10678025B2 |
Photographing lens assembly, imaging apparatus and electronic device
A photographing lens assembly includes seven lens elements, which are, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The seventh lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, and at least one of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the seventh lens element includes at least one inflection point. At least one surface of the seven lens elements is aspheric. |
| US10678022B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes a stop; a first lens; a second lens; a third lens having positive refractive power; a fourth lens; a fifth lens having positive refractive power; and a sixth lens, arranged in this order from an object side to an image plane side. The fourth lens is formed in a shape so that a surface thereof on the image plane side is convex near an optical axis thereof. The sixth lens is formed in a shape so that a surface thereof on the image plane side is concave near an optical axis thereof. The second lens is formed in a shape so that a surface thereof on the object side and a surface thereof on the image plane side have specific curvature radii. |
| US10678019B2 |
Vision system camera with mount for multiple lens types
This invention provides a vision system housing having a front plate assembly that accommodates a plurality of lens mount types. The front plate includes a central aperture that is located at a predetermined axial (camera axis) distance from a plane of an image sensor. The aperture is stepped from a wider diameter adjacent to the front to a narrower diameter more adjacent to the sensor. This arrangement enables threaded mounting of a plurality of lens mount types, for example M12 and C-Mount. The exterior (front) surface of the front plate includes threaded holes and a removable spring clip arrangement constructed to accommodate a liquid lens positioned over the aperture with an associated lens assembly mounted within the aperture and in optical communication with the liquid lens. The lens is operated using an electrical connection provided by a cable that interconnects with a multi-pin socket positioned on the front plate. |
| US10678016B2 |
Camera lens module with one or more optical lens modules and manufacturing method thereof
A camera lens module includes an image sensor and a lens assembly. The image sensor includes a photosensitive chip defining a photosensitive path, wherein the lens assembly is coupled to the image sensor along the photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip. The lens assembly includes at least one optical lens module and an aperture member coupled at the optical lens module, wherein the optical lens module includes a lens barrel and at least an optical lens supported within the lens barrel. A relative position of the lens assembly with respect to the image sensor is adjustable for calibration and the relative position of the optical lens module is permanently fixed after calibration. |
| US10678008B1 |
Optical signal aggregation for optical communication in high bandwidth, high density architectures
An electro-optical aggregator system includes: a system board; a plurality of cards electrically connected to the system board, the plurality of cards each comporting with a standard form factor; and an electro-optical aggregator card comporting with the standard form factor and trafficking electrical signals with the plurality of cards, the electro-optical aggregator card including an optical transceiver chip through which the trafficked signals are optically communicated. |
| US10678005B2 |
Optically aligned hybrid semiconductor device and method
Two semiconductor chips are optically aligned to form a hybrid semiconductor device. Both chips have optical waveguides and alignment surface positioned at precisely-defined complementary vertical offsets from optical axes of the corresponding waveguides, so that the waveguides are vertically aligned when one of the chips is placed atop the other with their alignment surface abutting each other. The position of the at least one of the alignment surface in a layer stack of its chip is precisely defined by epitaxy. The chips are bonded at offset bonding pads with the alignment surfaces abutting in the absence of bonding material therebetween. |
| US10678004B2 |
Multiple waveguide alignment
According to some possible implementations, an optical device may include a plurality of photodiodes, wherein alignment of the plurality of photodiodes with a fixed separation to a plurality of multi-mode waveguides disposed on an optical waveguide chip and with the same fixed separation is optimized by alignment of at least one of the plurality of photodiodes to at least one single-mode waveguide and translation of the optical waveguide chip relative to the plurality of photodiodes by a fixed offset of the at least one single-mode waveguide relative to the plurality of multi-mode waveguides. |
| US10678003B2 |
Optical module
The disclosure provides an optical module that includes a circuit board, a first chip, a second chip, and a lens assembly, wherein the first chip and the second chip are arranged respectively on the surface of the circuit board, and the lens assembly is arranged above the first chip and the second chip; the lens assembly includes a first optic fiber insertion port, a second optic fiber insertion port, a first reflecting surface, and a second reflecting surface; the distance between the axis of the first optic fiber insertion port, and the axis of the second optic fiber insertion port is less than the distance between the first chip and the second chip; and the first reflecting surface faces the first chip, the first reflecting surface faces the second reflecting surface, and the second reflecting surface faces the first optic fiber insertion port. |
| US10677995B2 |
Optical fiber interface for optical device package
One example includes an optical fiber interface. The interface includes a first substrate comprising a pair of opposing surfaces. The substrate includes an opening extending therethrough that defines an inner periphery. One surface of the opposing surfaces of the first substrate can be configured to be bonded to a given surface of a second substrate. The interface also includes a plurality of optical fibers secured to the other opposing surface of the first substrate and extending inwardly from a plurality of surfaces of the inner periphery at fixed locations to align the set of optical fibers to optical inputs/outputs (I/O) of an optical system chip that is coupled to the given surface of the second substrate and received through the opening. |
| US10677994B2 |
Calibration system for a wavelength selective switch
Described herein is a calibration system (25) for a wavelength selective switch (1). The switch (1) is adapted for dynamically switching optical beams (5, 7) along respective trajectories between input and output ports disposed in an array (3) using a reconfigurable Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator device (17). The calibration system (25) includes a monitor (27) for projecting an optical monitor beam (29) through at least a portion of the switch (1) onto the LCOS (17) and detecting the monitor beam (29) reflected from the LCOS (17). In response, system (25) provides a calibration signal (33) to an active correction unit (35) for applying a correction to one or more of the trajectories while maintaining a constant switching state in the LCOS (17). |
| US10677993B2 |
System for coupling light to integrated devices and corresponding method
System for coupling light to integrated devices, comprising a grating coupler which couples light, such as light from a light source, into an optic fiber. The system includes an optic subsystem comprising a transmitter portion receiving the light emitted by the grating coupler and a receiver portion receiving light from the transmitter and focusing the light into the integrated device, the transmitter portion being configured to modify an angle distribution of the light emitted by the grating coupler and the receiving portion being configured to focus the light with modified angle distribution into the integrated device. |
| US10677992B2 |
Device for forming at least one focused beam in the near zone, from incident electromagnetic waves
The present disclosure concerns a device for forming at least one focused beam in a near zone, from an electromagnetic wave incident on said device. Such device is remarkable in that it comprises at least one layer of a dielectric material comprising at least partially a first element, said first element having a first refractive index value, said first element comprising at least partially a second element, said second element having a second refractive index value greater than said first index value, and wherein said second element comprises at least a base surface, defined with respect to an arrival direction of said electromagnetic wave, and wherein said at least a base surface comprises at least two opposite edge line segments whose shape and associated base angles between said at least a base surface and a lateral surface of said second element, in a vertical plane with respect to said at least a base surface, control a shape of said at least one focused beam. |
| US10677988B2 |
Optical device with segmented ring microresonator
An optical device including a waveguide microresonator, laid out to guide a light beam along a closed loop optical path; and at least one injection and/or extraction waveguide, optically coupled to the microresonator for injection and/or extraction of the light beam. The microresonator is composed of a plurality of elementary waveguides with a spacing between them, and located one after the other to form a loop-shaped layout. Among other things, the invention increases the sensitivity of the microresonator to the surrounding medium. |
| US10677985B2 |
Photonic multiplexer for single-photon sources
A device (e.g., a photonic multiplexer) is provided that includes a plurality of first switches. Each first switch in the plurality of first switches includes a plurality of first channels. Each first switch is configured to shift photons in the plurality of first channels by zero or more channels, based on first configuration information provided to the first switch. The device further includes a plurality of second switches. Each second switch includes a plurality of second channels. Each second channel is coupled with a respective first channel from a distinct first switch of the plurality of first switches. Each second switch is configured to shift photons in the plurality of second channels by zero or more channels, based on second configuration information provided to the second switch. |
| US10677980B2 |
Interconnectable light guide tiles
Interlocking light emitting diode (“LED”) light guide tiles are disclosed. The tiles have interlocking edge features that provide physical interlock fitting between tiles and present a continuous appearance, both in an “on,” where LEDs are powered on and emitting light state and an “off” state, where LEDs are powered off and not emitting light. The LED light guide tiles interface with LEDs (housed in or embodied as integrated circuit LED packages) to output light through the surfaces of the light guide. The interlocking edge features of the light guide tiles are shaped to obscure or block an image of the LED packages from being seen by observers looking at the light guide tiles. Light guide tile assemblies or installations can be easily formed out of interchangeable tiles with little or no requirement for relative directional alignment of the tiles. |
| US10677976B2 |
Mobile device capable of displaying hologram and hologram display method
A mobile device is provided which is capable of displaying a hologram. The mobile device includes a main body including a screen; a light guide member disposed above the screen; an entrance optical member disposed on a surface of the light guide member; and an image hologram disposed on a surface of the light guide member and laterally spaced apart from the entrance optical member. When an area of the screen corresponding to the entrance optical member emits a light, a holographic image stored in the image hologram is displayed above the light guide member. |
| US10677975B2 |
Display device, and method for selecting optical film for display device
There is provided a display device exhibiting a good color reproducibility, even when observed through polarized sunglasses. A display device comprises a display element, and a polarizer a and an optical film X on a surface on a light emitting surface side of the display element, wherein L1, which is the light incident vertically on the optical film X, among light incident on the optical film X from the display element side, satisfies a specific condition, and L2, which is the light emitting vertically from the light emitting surface side of the optical film X, and passing through a polarizer b having the absorption axis parallel to the absorption axis of the polarizer a, satisfies a specific condition. |
| US10677972B2 |
Multispectral sensor response balancing
An optical filter may include a substrate. The optical filter may include a first mirror. The optical filter may include a second mirror. The optical filter may include a spacer. The first mirror, the second mirror, and the spacer may form a plurality of component filters. A first component filter, of the plurality of component filters, may be associated with a first cross-sectional area and a second component filter, of the plurality of component filters, is associated with a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area may be configured to response balance the first component filter and the second component filter. |
| US10677971B2 |
Organic thin film structure and method for manufacturing same
An organic thin film structure is formed on a surface of a glass substrate. At least two color resist blocks are formed by patterning. A recess is formed between the two adjacent color resist blocks. Each of the color resist blocks has a lower color resist layer and an upper color resist layer formed on a surface of the lower color resist layer. A boundary of the upper color resist layer and a boundary the lower color resist layer are connected, and an angle between the boundaries and the surface of the glass substrate ranges from 10° to 60°. |
| US10677967B1 |
Flexible border allowing vertical translation of membrane for fluid-filled lens
A flexible border for a liquid lens serves as a transition to allow movement at an edge of a membrane that is part of the liquid lens, thereby reducing distortion caused by the “beam effect” of the membrane securely attached to an anchor point. The flexible border allows vertical translation of an end of a membrane portion. |
| US10677959B2 |
Method of and apparatus for calculating UCS and CCS
A method of calculating the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of subterranean rock having a borehole formed or being formed therein comprises the steps of: (a) establishing or accessing a set of input variables pertaining to characteristics of the rock and the geographical region in which the rock exists; (b) allocating to each of a plurality of mnemonic types each representing a respective UCS calculation expression and contained within a database of UCS calculation curves up to one said input variable in the form of a data element or up to one series of said input variables in the form of a data curve the allocation taking place on the basis of identity of each said input variable or data curve, as applicable, to which a said UCS calculation curve is allocated to a variable of a said UCS calculation curve (herein “curve variables”); (c) dividing the set of allocated UCS calculation curves according to one or more respective zones of the rock to which they pertain and calculating a resultant curve; (d) as necessary filtering the resulting set of UCS calculation curves to reduce the number of allocated UCS calculation curves to a single UCS calculation curve for each zone; (e) repeating step (d) in respect of any further said zones of the rock; (f) when step (d) is repeated one or more times, combining the resulting single curves allocated to the respective zones so as to create a composite UCS calculation curve; and (g) using the composite UCS calculation curve to calculate UCS values at one or more locations in the borehole. |
| US10677958B2 |
Resolution of detection of an azimuthal distribution of materials in multi-casing wellbore environments
An x-ray based evaluation tool for measurement of the density of material volumes within and surrounding un-cased, single, dual and multiple-casing wellbore environments is provided, the tool including at least an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises an x-ray source; a radiation shield for radiation measuring detectors; and a plurality of sonde-dependent electronics; wherein the tool uses x-rays to illuminate the formation surrounding a borehole, wherein the geometry, movement, and plurality of output source beams is selected by moveable collimated shielded sleeves, and a plurality of detectors are used to directly measure the density of the cement annuli and any variations in density within. Various electromagnetic radiation detectors, shields, and practical internal configurations and subsystems and methods of use thereof are also provided. |
| US10677950B2 |
Occupant information detection sensor for steering wheel
Rim of steering wheel has a rim body and mounting component mounted to the rim body so as to be exposed from a portion of the rim body. Occupant information detection sensor for a steering wheel disposed in rim includes: sensor wire disposed in the rim body; and conductive member located on at least a surface side of mounting component and electrically connected or capacitively coupled with a portion of sensor wire. |
| US10677940B2 |
Packaging of semiconductor X-ray detectors
Disclosed herein is an image sensor comprising: a plurality of packages arranged in a plurality of layers; wherein each of the packages comprises an X-ray detector mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB); wherein the packages are mounted on one or more system PCBs; wherein within an area encompassing a plurality of the X-ray detectors in the plurality of packages, a dead zone of the packages in each of the plurality of layers is shadowed by the packages in the other layers. |
| US10677935B2 |
Light guide layer for a radiographic device
An x-ray detector, system and related method are described wherein a light redirection layer is provided and used to redirect light, converted from x-rays by a scintillator, to at least one pixel. The light redirection layer comprises at least one light redirecting cell comprising a channel and a light reflecting region, wherein the channel is arranged relative to the at least one pixel to direct the incoming light away from a non-light sensitive part of the at least one pixel and toward the light sensitive part of the at least one pixel. |
| US10677933B1 |
Heading or pitch determination systems and methods with high confidence error bounds
Systems and methods for use in navigating aircraft are provided. The systems can use Geometry Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GRAFS) or Geometry Extra Redundant Almost Fixed Solutions (GERAFS) to compute high confidence error bounds for a heading angle estimate or pitch angle derived using signals received on at least two antennas. |
| US10677932B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for geo-localization
According to the embodiments provided herein, a trajectory determination device for geo-localization can include one or more relative position sensors, one or more processors, and memory. The one or more processors can execute machine readable instructions to receive the relative position signals from the one or more relative position sensors. The relative position signals can be transformed into a sequence of relative trajectories. Each of the relative trajectories can include a distance and directional information indicative of a change in orientation of the trajectory determination device. A progressive topology can be created based upon the sequence of relative trajectories; this progressive topology can be compared to map data. A geolocation of the trajectory determination device can be determined. |
| US10677931B2 |
Positioning apparatus, positioning method, and recording medium
A positioning apparatus includes one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that cause the processors to perform the following. Performing first receiving to receive one piece of orbit information showing a position of one positioning satellite and which attempts to receive another piece of orbit information showing a position of another positioning satellite. Performing first obtaining to obtain the another piece of orbit information (i) when receiving the another piece of orbit information is attempted but the another piece of orbit information is not received and the another piece of orbit information is received by the another positioning apparatus or (ii) when, the another piece of orbit information received by the another positioning apparatus is newer than that received in the first receiving. Performing positioning processing based on the one piece of received orbit information and the another piece of obtained orbit information. |
| US10677930B2 |
Systems and methods for frequency drift compensation for radio receivers
A frequency drift compensation system for a radio receiver includes a pilot signal generator that is configured to generate two pilot signals, a local oscillator that is configured to generate a local oscillator frequency signal, a first mixer that generates a first offset pilot signal, a second mixer that generates a second offset pilot signal, and a summer that is configured to add the first offset pilot signal and the second offset pilot signal to the intermediate frequency signal to obtain a composite signal. The frequency drift compensation system includes a processor that is configured to detect frequency drift in the offset pilot signal responsive to the composite signal and to generate a frequency drift control signal to compensate for the frequency drift. Related radio receivers, GPS receivers, and methods are described. |
| US10677928B2 |
Method of processing offset carrier modulated ranging signals
A method of processing offset carrier modulated, OCM, ranging signals in a radionavigation system including a plurality of satellite-borne transmitters and at least one ground-based receiver includes receiving a first radionavigation signal from at least one of the plurality of satellite-borne transmitters and down-converting and digitizing the first radionavigation signal to derive therefrom a first OCM signal SA, receiving a second signal SB synchronously broadcast with the first OCM signal SA, the second signal SB having the same or substantially the same center frequency as the first OCM signal SA, coherently combining the first OCM signal SA with the second signal SB at the receiver to generate a combined signal SC, generating a combined correlation value YC corresponding to a correlation of the combined signal SC with a local replica of the first OCM signal SC, and deriving ranging information based on the combined correlation value YC. |
| US10677918B2 |
Systems and methods for improved angular resolution in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar
A MIMO radar transceiver assembly includes a plurality of transceiver circuit regions and a plurality of antennas. The plurality of antennas include a first transmit antenna coupled to a first transceiver circuit region among the plurality of transceiver circuit regions, a first receive antenna coupled to the first transceiver circuit region, a second transmit antenna coupled to a second transceiver circuit region among the plurality of transceiver circuit regions, and a second receive antenna coupled to the second transceiver circuit region. At least one of the second transmit antenna and the second receive antenna is interleaved between the first transmit antenna and the first receive antenna. Interleaving of the antennas can increase virtual aperture and angular resolution of the radar system without increasing physical dimensions of the transceiver assembly. |
| US10677913B2 |
Method for determining a distance between a vehicle and a vehicle access and starter identifier
The invention relates to a method (METH) for measuring a distance R between a vehicle (V) and an identifier (I) for accessing and starting the vehicle (V), the vehicle (V) and the identifier (I) being synthronised. The method (METH) comprises the following steps: —selecting (Sel_fp) N frequencies fp, pϵ[1;N], N being a natural number at least higher than 3; —implementing N sequences Sqp, each sequence Sqp comprising the following steps: •transmitting (Em_Svp) a first signal (Svp) of frequency fp from an emitter (TXv) of the vehicle (V) to a receiver (Rxi) of the identifier (I); •measuring (Mes_ϕvip) with a calculator (Xi) of the identifier (I) a phase ϕvip, modulo 2π, of the first signal (Svp) received, relative to a second signal (Sip) of phase ϕip(t)=ϕ0ip+2πfpt; •transmitting (Em_Sip) the second signal (Sip) from an emitter (TXi) of the identifier (I) to a receiver (RXv) of the vehicle (V); •calculating (Mes_ϕivp) with a calculator (Xv) of the vehicle (V) a phase ϕivp, modulo 2π, of the second signal (Sip) received, relative to the first signal (Svp); •calculating (Cal_ϕp) the average ϕp of the phase ϕvip and of the phase ϕivp; —for each p between 1 and N−1, calculating (Cal_Pp) a ramp Pp using the formula Pp=(ϕp+1−ϕp)/(fp+1−fp); and—calculating (Cal_R) distance R front the ramps Pp, pϵ[1;N]. |
| US10677909B2 |
Method for determining the impact point of a projectile fired at a target above sea surface, and radar system implementing such method
There is disclosed a method for determining the impact point of a projectile fired at a target (15) tracked by use of a radar antenna (11) through a dedicated antenna beam, the method being characterized in that it comprises at least a step of measuring the range and bearing of the projectile based upon the use of said radar antenna (11) and said dedicated antenna beam, a step of Doppler filtering distinguishing the projectile measurements from the tracked target (15) and sea clutter measurements, and a step of determining the projectile trajectory (131) from a plurality of range and bearing measurements performed at successive instants of time (ti), and a step of determining the impact point of the determined projectile based upon the projectile trajectory (131). The current invention can be applied to splash spot location prediction and miss distance indication. |
| US10677907B2 |
Method to determine the orientation of a target vehicle
A method to determine the heading or orientation of a target vehicle by a host vehicle, said host vehicle equipped with a lidar or radar system, said system including a sensor unit adapted to receive signals emitted from said host vehicle and reflected by said target vehicle, comprising: a) determining at least one reference angle being an initial estimate of target heading or orientation (β); b) emitting a signal from said system and determining a plurality of point radar or lidar detections belonging to said a target vehicle, said point detections having co-ordinates in the horizontal plane; c) formulating an initial rectangular boundary box from said point detections, where the bounding box is formulated such that such that two edges of the boundary box are drawn parallel to the reference angle and two sides are perpendicular to the reference angle and such that all the detections are either on the bounding box sides or lay within the bounding box and each edge has at least one detection point on it; d) for each point on lying on an edge of the boundary box, rotating a line coincident with the respective edge clockwise and anticlockwise until said line intersects another point detection or until a maximum angle of rotation is performed; and each time when said line intersects said another point detection, determining a correction angle Δi, where the correction angle is such that applied to the reference angle it gives an orientation candidate angle γi; e) in respect of each orientation candidate angle γi/correction angle Δi, determining a cost function; and f) selecting that orientation candidate angle having the lowest cost function. |
| US10677903B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing a transient glitch in ultrasound applications
Methods and apparatus for reducing a transient glitch in ultrasound applications are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a transducer to (A) output a signal during a transmit phase and (B) receive a reflected signal corresponding to the signal during a receive phase; a receiver switch coupled to the transducer at a first node, the receiver switch to (A) open during the transmit phase and (B) close during the receive phase; and a clamp coupled to the transducer at the first node, the clamp to provide a high impedance during the transmit phase and the receive phase and provide a low impedance during a transient phase. |
| US10677901B2 |
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus
Provided is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that may include a data acquisition unit that acquires ultrasound data based on received echo signals from an object; and a processor that may estimate a center frequency of the ultrasound data and, based on the center frequency, perform pulse compression on the ultrasound data to generate short signals from elongated signals. |
| US10677900B2 |
Detecting distortion using known shapes
A computer-implemented method of detecting object distortion. The method includes receiving sensor data generated by one or more sensors of the vehicle. The one or more sensors are configured to sense an environment through which the vehicle is moving by following a scan pattern. The method also includes obtaining, based on the sensor data, a point cloud frame representative of the environment and identifying a point cloud object within the point cloud frame. Additionally, the method includes analyzing the point cloud object to identify a feature of the point cloud object that has an expected shape and comparing the feature of the point cloud object to the expected shape. The method also includes identifying that the point cloud object is distorted based on the feature of the point cloud object not matching the expected shape. |
| US10677899B2 |
Aggregating non-imaging SPAD architecture for full digital monolithic, frame averaging receivers
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that include a monolithic, single-chip receiver. An example system includes a plurality of macropixels, each made up of an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). The system also includes a plurality of pipelined adders communicatively coupled to a respective portion of the plurality of macropixels. The system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations. The operations include during a listening period, receiving, at each pipelined adder of the plurality of pipelined adders, respective photosignals from the respective portion of the plurality of macropixels. The operations also include causing each pipelined adder of the plurality of pipelined adders to provide an output that includes a series of frames that provide an average number of SPADs of the respective portion of the plurality of macropixels that were triggered during a given listening period. |
| US10677898B2 |
Optical driver arrangement and method for generating a driver signal
An optical driver arrangement (10) comprises a comparator (11) and a pulse generator (15). The comparator (11) comprises a first input (12) for receiving a sensed output signal (S1) derived from a sensor signal (S2) generated by a light sensor (24), a second input (13) for receiving a reference signal (S3) and a comparator output (14) for providing a comparator signal (S4). The pulse generator (15) comprises a control input (16) coupled to the comparator output (14) and a generator output (22) for providing a driver signal (S5) to a light source (21). The driver signal (S4) comprises a series of at least one pulse and a parameter of the driver signal (S4) is controlled by the comparator signal (S4). |
| US10677891B2 |
Systems and methods for wave sensing and ship motion forecasting using multiple radars
Ship motion forecasting systems and methods are described herein that can enable accurate real-time forecasting of ocean waves and resultant ship motions. Such systems and methods can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of a variety of ship operations, including the moving of cargo between ships at sea. In general, the systems and methods transmit radar signals from multiple radars, and those radar signals from the multiple radars are reflected off the surface of a body of water. The reflected radar signals are received, and radar data is generated from the received radar signals. The radar data is used to generate ocean wave components, which represent the amplitude and phase of a multitude of individual waves that together can describe the surface of the ocean. These ocean wave components are then used generate ship motion forecasts, which can then be presented to one or more users. |
| US10677889B2 |
Signal processing system and signal processing method for object detection or data transmission
A signal processing system includes a transmission module and a receiving module. The transmission module generates and transmits a transmitted radio frequency signal according to a data signal and a first spread vector. The transmission module includes a spread spectrum unit, a digital-to-analog converter and a mixer. The spread spectrum unit generates a spread spectrum signal according to the data signal and the first spread vector. The digital-to-analog unit generates an analog signal according to the spread spectrum signal. The mixer mixes the analog signal and a carrier signal so as to generate the transmitted radio frequency signal. The receiving module receives a received radio frequency signal and a second spread vector so as to generate a spectrum despread signal and generate object detection information data accordingly. The received radio frequency signal is generated by having the transmitted radio frequency signal reflected by a measured object. |
| US10677884B2 |
Terminal positioning method and baseband unit
The present disclosure describes methods, terminals, and base stations for terminal positioning method. One example method applied to a baseband unit (BBU) in an indoor distributed NodeB system includes: receiving an uplink positioning signal forwarded by multiple remote radio units RRUs, where the uplink positioning signal is sent by a to-be-positioned terminal to the multiple RRUs; selecting, from the multiple RRUs, at least two RRUs as target RRUs according to the uplink positioning signal and a preset rule; and respectively obtaining signal angles of arrival corresponding to the target RRUs, and determining a location of the to-be-positioned terminal according to the signal angles of arrival, locations of the target RRUs, and a preset algorithm. |
| US10677875B2 |
System and method for magnetic resonance imaging
A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring a first set of MR signals and a second set of MR signals by applying a pulse sequence on a subject. The method also includes obtaining a first data line by filling the first set of MR signals into k-space along a first trajectory, and obtaining a second data line by filling the second set of MR signals into k-space along a second trajectory. The method also includes determining a candidate k-space shift based on the first data line and the second data line, and determining a candidate gradient delay based on the candidate k-space shift obtained in each of a plurality of iterations. The method also includes reconstructing an image of the subject based on the candidate gradient delay obtained in the last iteration. |
| US10677874B2 |
System and method for control of hyperpolarized gas-phase contamination in spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging
A system and method is provided to acquire images of a subject having received a tissue soluble hyperpolarized gas into the airways. The method includes performing a pulse sequence including (i) for each effective repetition time (TReff), acquiring at least one gas-phase dataset and at least one dissolved-phase dataset, wherein a gas-phase echo time (TEGas) of the at least one gas-phase dataset and a dissolved-phase echo time (TEDissolved) of the at least one dissolved-phase dataset are selected to isolate gas-phase contamination of the dissolved-phase dataset from dissolved-phase components in the dissolved-phase dataset. The method also includes (ii) estimating gas-phase contamination of the dissolved-phase dataset using the gas-phase dataset and a scaling factor (σ), (iii) producing a corrected dissolved-phase dataset by reducing the gas-phase contamination of the dissolved-phase dataset using the gas-phase contamination estimated in step (ii), and reconstructing an image from the corrected dissolved-phase dataset and the gas-phase dataset. |
| US10677871B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging of arterial structures
A medical imaging system (100, 1200) includes a memory (136) for storing machine executable instructions (170), and a processor (130) for controlling the medical imaging system. Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: receive (304, 1000) a tagged arterial spin labeled (ASL) magnitude image (148) of a region of interest of a subject (118); receive (306, 1002) a control ASL magnitude image (150) of the region of interest of the subject; construct (308, 1004) an arterial image (152) by subtracting the control ASL magnitude image and the tagged ASL magnitude image; construct (310, 1006) an arterial mask (154) using the arterial image by identifying arteries in the arterial image; receive (312, 1008) a phase contrast magnetic resonance image (156, 158, 160) of at least a portion of the region of interest of the subject; and construct a venous image (164) at least partially by setting voxels of the phase contrast image within the at least a portion of the region of interest that are within the arterial mask to a predetermined background value. |
| US10677866B1 |
Systems and methods for correcting measurement artifacts in MR thermometry
Systems and methods for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit and a controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to cause the MRI unit to acquire one or more baseline phase images of an imaging region and one or more treatment phase images of the imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a subregion within the imaging region, electronically generate a thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on the acquired baseline phase image and treatment phase image, computationally predict the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the subregion during treatment without reference to the generated thermal map, and determine whether the thermal map is inaccurate based at least in part on the temperature change of the subregion indicated by the thermal map and the predicted temperature change of the subregion. |
| US10677861B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry and sequence control circuitry. The processing circuitry specifies a position of an imaging target of a subject in a bore, using an image collected by a first imaging protocol. The processing circuitry determines, in accordance with the specified position, a correction value for a phase of an RF pulse and/or a correction value for an amplitude of the RF pulse, the RF pulse being related to a transmit RF wave, so that non-uniformity in a magnetic field of the transmit RF wave transmitted to the imaging target can be corrected. The sequence control circuitry executes a second imaging protocol for the subject, using the determined correction value. |
| US10677851B2 |
Voltage measurement device, voltage measurement system
A voltage measurement device includes a relay, a first voltage measurement unit, a second voltage measurement unit, a power supply circuit, and a control circuit. The power supply circuit is indirectly connected to a direct current bus. The first voltage measurement unit measures a first voltage applied to the power supply circuit. A first end of the relay is connected to the direct current bus and a second end of the relay is connected to the power storage device. The control circuit receives operating power from the power supply circuit, controls opening and closing of the relay, and closes a path between the first end and the second end when the first voltage is lower than or equal to a first threshold value. The second voltage measurement unit measures a second voltage applied to the second end at least when the relay is in an open state. |
| US10677848B2 |
Apparatus, circuit model, and method for battery modelling
A method and an apparatus for battery modelling. The method includes acquiring battery information from a sensor attached to a battery, the battery information including at least a terminal voltage and a load current; classifying, the battery information as effective data or ineffective data based on a phase of a battery cycle during which the battery information is acquired; identifying one or more parameters of the circuit model associated with the battery based on the effective data; and generating an estimation of a state of the battery using the circuit model having the one or more parameters identified using the effective data. Further, a circuit model is identified using effective data. |
| US10677844B2 |
Semiconductor device and test method for semiconductor device
A logic BIST circuits concurrently execute a first scan test for a scan chain as a target and a second scan test for a scan chain as a target, when they are set to a an LBIST mode, and execute the first scan test without executing the second scan test, when they are set to a simultaneous test mode. Memory BIST circuits execute a test for memory circuits concurrently with the first scan test, when they are set to the simultaneous test mode. |
| US10677838B2 |
Abnormality detector for electronic device
An abnormal state latch unit comprises: an detection circuit that masks an abnormality position signal; a timer circuit that starts motion when the abnormality position signal indicates the occurrence of an abnormality based on the abnormality position signal, and completes the motion and outputs a reset signal after passage of a predetermined period; and a latch circuit that latches the abnormality position signal output from the detection circuit when the reset signal is output. The detection circuit masks the abnormality position signal when the latch circuit makes latching motion to disable an output from the detection circuit. The timer circuit masks an input to the timer circuit when the latch circuit makes the latching motion to maintain a state indicating completion of the motion. Abnormality voltage signals generated by an signal generation circuit are wired-OR connected and supplied through a single signal line to a monitor circuit. |
| US10677836B2 |
Optoelectronic device with semiconductor heterostructure and stress controlling structure to exert stress onto layers of the heterostructure
An optoelectronic device with at least one stress controlling structure and method of testing the device is disclosed. The optoelectronic device includes a stress controlling structure formed adjacent to a semiconductor heterostructure. The optoelectronic device can further include a stress inducing component that is configured to induce a change in stress within the stress controlling structure. The stress inducing component can induce a number of different stresses during a test of the optoelectronic device. A strain evaluator can evaluate the stresses within the semiconductor heterostructure as a function of a strain generated in the stress controlling structure. |
| US10677835B2 |
Evaluation method for insulation performance of insulator
An evaluation method for insulation performance includes: a step α of applying a DC voltage to a first insulator and measuring an integration value of a current flowing through the first insulator from a start of application of the DC voltage after a prescribed time period; a step β of applying a DC voltage to the second insulator on an applying condition that is identical to that in the step α and measuring an integration value of a current flowing through the second insulator from a start of application of the DC voltage after a prescribed time period; and a step γ of comparing (i) a first graph obtained in the step α and (ii) a second graph obtained in the step β, to evaluate a difference between insulation performances of the insulators. |
| US10677827B2 |
Charging systems with direct charging port support and extended capabilities
An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions. |
| US10677825B2 |
System and method for detecting theft of electricity using meter data disaggregation
A system for detecting theft of electricity from a utility includes a controller configured to receive electricity readings from a metering device configured to sense electricity flowing therethrough to a primary load, disaggregate the electricity readings from the metering device into electricity readings for sub-loads identified within the primary load, and compare the disaggregated electricity readings for the identified sub-loads to expected electricity readings for each identified sub-load. The controller is also configured to calculate a level of interference with an electrical path through the metering device based on an extent that the disaggregated electricity readings deviate from the expected electricity readings and output to the utility the level of interference with the electrical path. |
| US10677813B2 |
Physical quantity detector, physical quantity detection device, electronic apparatus, and vehicle
A physical quantity detector according to the invention includes a substrate section including a base section, a movable part connected to the base section, a support section extending from the base section, an extending part extending from the support section, and a physical quantity detection element fixed to the base section and the movable part, and a weight fixed to the movable part, and the extending part and the weight overlap each other in a planar view from the thickness direction of the extending part. |
| US10677805B1 |
Color-changing eye drops for early screening alzheimer's disease and application thereof
The invention relates to color-changing eye drops for early screening Alzheimer's disease and an application thereof. The color-changing eye drop for early screening Alzheimer's disease comprises 1 pg/ml to 10 ng/ml of Aβ42 aptamer-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle thereof, which can be used to mix with a tear sample of a test subject to analyze a color change of the color-changing eye drop for determining the concentration proportion of Aβ40:Aβ42 contained in the tear sample of the test subject. |
| US10677804B2 |
Dissolved protein arthritis markers
Methods and kits for diagnosing arthritis are provided. The methods may involve detection of 14-3-3 eta or gamma proteins in a sera or synovial fluid sample. |
| US10677803B2 |
Method of assessing risk of PML
The invention relates to methods of assessing a patient's risk of developing Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). |
| US10677801B2 |
Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for-determining a treatment course of action. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prediction of a subject's response to cancer therapies and administration of appropriate treatments. |
| US10677799B2 |
Cathepsin K as a marker for cartilage production, repair and regeneration
Ctsk is used as a marker to identify, track, and manipulate Ctsk positive cartilaginous stem cells for cartilage repair and regeneration in vitro and in vivo. |
| US10677796B2 |
Method for the quantification of parasite eggs in feces
Method and kits are provided determining the presence or absence of parasitic helminth eggs in environmental samples, particularly fecal samples. The methods incorporate egg capture methods and the use of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specific ligands for egg detection. |
| US10677793B2 |
High resolution systems, kits, apparatus, and methods using lateral flow for high throughput microbiology applications
A method for providing a lateral flow of liquid across a plurality of microwells of a microfabricated device. The microwells of the microfabricated device are covered by a membrane which includes a first portion disposed on one side of at least one microwell and a second portion on the other side of the at least one microwell. The first portion of the membrane is contacted with a liquid absorbable by the membrane such that the liquid is wicked by the membrane and laterally flows from the first portion to the second portion and across the at least one microwell. At least a portion of the liquid enters the at least one microwell. |
| US10677791B2 |
Fluidic device, fluid control method, testing device, testing method, and fluidic device manufacturing method
A fluidic device includes a valve configured to adjust a fluid flow in a first direction of a flow path. The fluidic device includes: a diaphragm of the valve; a first substrate having a groove that constitutes the flow path and a protrusion part at a position facing the diaphragm in the groove; and a second substrate to which the diaphragm is fixed at a first fixation part and a second fixation part, wherein a length from a first end part of the protrusion part to a second end part of the protrusion part seen in the first direction is greater than a length from the first fixation part to the second fixation part. |
| US10677786B2 |
Methods of diagnosing mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I and methods of monitoring treatment of MPS by quantifying a non-reducing end glycan residual compound and comparing to a second biomarker
Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I or a disorder associated with MPS I. |
| US10677777B2 |
Method for manufacturing moistureproof unit and moistureproof container structure for accommodating biochemical test strip
A moistureproof unit for a moistureproof container for accommodating a biochemical test strip is manufactured by uniformly distributing a moistureproof layer of a hydrophilic polymer material on a surface of a carrier, and including water absorption semicircular units in the hydrophilic polymer material. The moistureproof unit is disposed in a container body which houses the biochemical test strip. The moistureproof unit absorbs the moisture in the container body via the moistureproof layer. |
| US10677776B2 |
Exporting measurements of nanopore arrays
A method of exporting measurements of a nanopore sensor on a nanopore based sequencing chip is disclosed. An electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is measured. The electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is processed. A summary for the electrical characteristic and one or more previous electrical characteristics is determined. The summary for the electrical characteristic and the one or more previous electrical characteristics are exported. Determining the summary includes determining that the electrical characteristic and at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics correspond to a base call event at the nanopore sensor. The summary represents the electrical characteristic and the at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics. |
| US10677774B2 |
Near-infrared time-of-flight cameras and imaging
A smart phone or tablet includes laser diodes configured to be pulsed and generate near-infrared light between 700-2500 nanometers. Lenses direct the light to a sample. A detection system includes a photodiode array with pixels coupled to CMOS transistors, and is configured to receive light reflected from the sample, to be synchronized to the light from the laser diodes, and to perform a time-of-flight measurement of a time difference between light from the laser diodes and light reflected from the sample. The detection system is configured to convert light received while the laser diodes are off into a first signal, and light received while at least one laser diodes is on, which includes light reflected from the sample, into a second signal. The smart phone or tablet is configured to difference the first signal and the second signal and to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image using the time-of-flight measurement. |
| US10677767B2 |
Vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy system and method
In one embodiment, an improved gas analysis system having a gas flow cell is provided. In another embodiment an improved gas flow cell is provided. As disclosed herein, dead volumes in a gas flow channel of a gas flow cell may be minimized through the use of one or more additional gas inlets. In one embodiment, an additional gas inlet is located between an analyte gas inlet and a light entrance optical coupling of the gas flow cell. In another embodiment, an additional gas inlet is located between an analyte gas outlet and a light exit optical coupling of the gas flow cell. In addition, enclosed regions may be formed adjacent seals of the gas flow channel of the gas flow cell. The enclosed regions may be evacuated and/or purged so as to minimize the passage of contaminants through the seals into the gas flow channel. |
| US10677758B2 |
System and method for detecting multiple fragments in a target missile
A system and method is provided for detecting the trajectory of multiple fragments through a conic or cylindrical section, such as the body of a missile. Three or more sensors are placed on the on the body of the object. Each of the sensors is constructed and arranged to measure signals to the sensor at from impacts on one or more locations on the body. The sensor then transmits a signal commiserate with the impact of a fragment thereon. A computer system is also provided to perform necessary calculations and, potentially, record the impact times and locations. When the body of the object is hit by fragments or shrapnel, a signal from one or more of the sensors is sent to the computer system. This operation is performed and constantly updated for all locations where a fragment is detected by one or more of the sensors. Waveforms of the impacts are recorded, but because multiple hits can occur, there can be superposition (or destruction) of the resulting waveform sent to the computer system. The computer system can interpret which superposition or destruction is indicative of another fragment strike, and filter out those additions or subtractions to the waveforms that could not possibly be from another fragment. |
| US10677757B2 |
Method for acoustically determining properties of a medium, and device for acoustically determining properties of a medium, comprising a reflective element
The invention relates in particular to a method for determining physical, chemical, and/or biological properties of a medium (M) located in the interior (30) of a waveguide (3) using at least one acoustic wave which has propagated at least partly through the medium (M). According to the invention, a first wall section (31a) and a second wall section (31b) of the waveguide (3) are connected together via a connection piece (31c) such that a second surface wave (OW2) propagates to the first wall section (31a) at least partly via the connection piece (31c). One of the wall sections (31a, 31b) and/or the connection piece (31c) is provided with at least one reflective element (4) on which at least one pert of a: least one first surface wave (OW1) that is excited on the first wall section (31a) by incurs of a transmitter (SE) is reflected ss a third surface wave (OW1′). A receiver (SE) is used to receive second and third surface waves (OW2, OW1′) on the first wall section (31a), and the second and third surface waves are used to determine physical, chemical, and/or biological properties of the medium (M). |
| US10677756B2 |
Integrated sensor cartridge system and method of use
A sensor system has an integrated sensor cartridge, and instrument, and an instrument side connector. The integrated sensor cartridge has a mechanical support, a flexible sensor array, and a rigid connector. The mechanical support is shaped to facilitate sensor measurements on a test object. The rigid connector has a mechanical connection and an electrical connection for simultaneous electrical and mechanical mating of the sensor cartridge to the instrument side connector. The flexible array has a connecting portion, a lead portion, and a sensing portion. The sensing portion is attached to the mechanical support, and the connecting portion interfaces with the rigid connector. The connecting portion may form the electrical connection of the rigid connector or may simply mate internally with the electrical connection. The instrument side connector is connected to the instrument which measures the response of the flexible sensor array. Test objects may include bolt holes, fillets, disk slots, and other types of parts or components. |
| US10677753B2 |
Method to measure the ability of a flowing powder to electrostatically charge and measurement device
A method and measurement device for measuring the ability of a flowing powder to electrostatically charge comprising a conduit comprised of a straight upper part fluidly connected to a straight lower part, the upper part being positioned at a first angle to the horizontal and the lower part being positioned at a second angle to the horizontal and wherein upper and lower part are positioned at a third angle relative to each other defining a bend at the intersection of the upper and lower part, wherein the upper part is provided with a supply opening for the powder and the lower part is provided with a discharge opening to discharge the powder and a faraday cup is connected to an electrometer positioned relative to the discharge opening to receive powder the from the conduit. |
| US10677750B2 |
Gas detection device
A gas detection device includes a temperature control part configured to detect an element impedance by applying a high frequency voltage to an element part, and to control an electric power to be supplied to a heating part based on the detected element impedance. The temperature control part is configured, when the applied voltage control for SOx detection is being performed and at least a voltage decrease sweep is being performed, to perform a second element temperature control to stop detecting the element impedance to set the electric power to be supplied to the heating part to a predetermined electric power. |
| US10677748B2 |
Washable analyte meters, sealed connectors, and methods of manufacturing and using same
An analyte meter to detect an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample may be cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning liquid without harming electrical and internal meter components. In some embodiments, the analyte meter is washable and immersable and may include a sealed sensor connector, sealed battery connector, and possibly a sealed USB connector that may be subjected to a cleaning liquid without the liquid entering an internal chamber of the analyte meter and contacting internal electronic components. In some embodiments, a sealed display screen and sealed keypad are provided such that liquids are prevented from entering the internal chamber. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US10677746B2 |
Measurement apparatus, system, and method for obtaining conductivity measurements of a surface of a structure
There is provided a measurement apparatus for obtaining conductivity measurements of a surface of a structure. The apparatus has a housing, and a pair of support legs depending from the housing. Each support leg has a first end, wherein the first ends define a support leg plane. The apparatus has a pair of conductive measurement probes slidably disposed between the support legs, and at least one force applying member coupled to the housing. The at least one force applying member applies a biasing force to cause the pair of conductive measurement probes to extend a predetermined distance beyond the support leg plane. A downward applied force applied to the housing, when the conductive measurement probes are in contact with the surface, causes a displacement of the conductive measurement probes, until the first ends of the support legs contact the surface. Conductivity measurements between the conductive measurement probes are consistently obtained. |
| US10677745B2 |
Tomography device for electrical impedance tomography
A tomography device for electric impedance tomography in a measuring volume having at least two measuring ports. The object is to provide a tomography device that allows adaptation to an application with less effort and/or a greater number of measuring ports than the prior art. The object is achieved with a tomography device in that the tomography device has at least two measuring modules, that each of the measuring modules is designed to be controllable via the respective module radio device and module control device and, in each case has a module control device, a module radio device and one of the measuring ports, and the respective measuring port can be arranged at a freely selectable position on a perimeter of the measuring volume, and that each of the module control devices is designed to carry out measurements for electrical impedance tomography using the respective measuring port. |
| US10677744B1 |
Multi-cone x-ray imaging Bragg crystal spectrometer
Embodiments provide a multi-cone X-ray imaging Bragg crystal spectrometer for spectroscopy of small x-ray sources with a well-defined spectral resolution. The spectrometer includes a glass substrate machined to a multi-cone form; and a thin crystal slab attached to the glass substrate, whereby the multi-cone X-ray imaging Bragg crystal spectrometer provides rotational symmetry of a ray pattern, providing for accurate imaging, for each wavelength in the spectral range of interest. One or more embodiments include a streak camera and/or a gated strip detector. |
| US10677743B1 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method
According to an embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes an irradiation mechanism, an imaging device, a movable mechanism, and a control processor. The irradiation mechanism irradiates an inspection target with light. The imaging device captures an image of the inspection target through a lens. The movable mechanism changes, with respect to an axis extending in an inspection direction for the inspection target, an angle between the lens and a horizontal plane or an angle between the imaging device and the horizontal plane such that a sample surface of the inspection target, a principal face of the lens, and an imaging face of the imaging device conform to the Scheimpflug principle. The control processor adjusts sensitivities in an image of the sample surface captured by the imaging device at different levels in the image depending on a position in a perpendicular direction to the inspection direction. |
| US10677742B2 |
Detecting die repeating programmed defects located in backgrounds with non-repeating features
Systems and methods for detecting programmed defects on a water during inspection of the wafer are provided. One method includes selecting a mode of an inspection subsystem for detecting programmed defects on a wafer that generates output for the wafer having the lowest non-defect signal and at least a minimum signal for the programmed defects. The method also includes selecting a training care area that is mutually exclusive of care area(s) used for detecting the programmed defects during inspection of the wafer. The training care area generates less of the non-defect signal than the care area(s). The method further includes training a programmed defect detection method using the output generated with the selected mode in the training care area and detecting the programmed defects during the inspection of the wafer by applying the trained programmed defect detection method to the output generated in the care area(s) with the selected mode. |
| US10677739B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects on transparent substrate
A method of inspecting defects of a transparent substrate may include: illuminating a transparent substrate; calculating an incidence angle range of light so that a first region where the light meets a first surface of the transparent substrate and a second region where light meets a second surface being opposite the first surface of the transparent substrate do not overlap each other; adjusting an incidence angle according to the incidence angle range; adjusting a position of a first detector so that a first field-of-view of the first detector covers the first region and does not cover the second region; adjusting a position of a second detector so that a second field-of-view of the second detector covers the second region and does not cover the first region; and obtaining a first image of the first region and a second image of the second region from the first and second detector, respectively. |
| US10677738B2 |
Collapsible light tunnel
A collapsible light tunnel includes pairs of vertical, (optional angled) and overhead light panels collapsibly coupled together and moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The light panels include strips of LED lights, light diffusers, and fixtures/brackets for maintaining the panels in the deployed position. The overhead (and angled) light panels are collapsible adjacent the vertical panels in the stowed position. |
| US10677733B2 |
Device for positioning and isolating a sample in a sealed environment
Devices and methods are disclosed that allow for analysis with simplified sample preparation. Of particular relevance is the analysis of wire samples (e.g., weld wires) using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) or optical emission spectrometry (OES). Representative devices can isolate a sample, such as in a sealed, inert environment in an analytical instrument. These devices may include first and second sample end attachments connected to a body, which has a connecting portion that may be configured for alignment with the face of the instrument. The body may also include a rotatable cap, and the sample end attachments may be joined to this cap (e.g., at opposite ends thereof) to allow adjustment of the angular position of the sample, relative to the connecting portion, which in use may be affixed to the instrument. |
| US10677731B2 |
Method of manufacturing sensing chip and sensing chip
A first frame having a first through-hole is arranged on a support so that one opening of the first through-hole is closed. A liquid containing a capturer is fed into the first through-hole, and a capturer is immobilized on the support exposed in the first through-hole. After removing the liquid from the support, a second frame having the second through-hole is arranged on the support in the first through-hole so that one opening of the second through-hole is closed. |
| US10677730B1 |
Fast multiphoton microscope
The invention provides improved systems and methods for multiphoton microscopy including pixel clocking techniques for minimizing pixel integration time and providing consistent signal intensity with maximized imaging speeds. Various systems and method are described for optimizing laser repetition rate based on dye lifetime, combining polygonal mirror scanning and stage translation, using the laser pulse signal to time pixel collection, and minimizing laser pulses and dye usage based on signal to background ratios. |
| US10677729B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for measuring in situ saturations of petroleum and NAPL in soils
Improved devices, systems and methods for measuring in situ saturations of non-aqueous phase liquids and/or petroleum in media such as soil. A clear or otherwise UV-transparent well for detecting fluorescence in a soil column having a transparent casing and an oil sensing device positioned in the well configured to monitor the soil column. A method for real-time estimation of LNAPL saturations in media, including emplacing a UV-transparent well in the media and recording fluorescence in the media via an oil sensing device. |
| US10677727B2 |
Scattered light integrating collector
A system for measuring a liquid sample comprising biological material, the system comprising an integrating light collector for collecting light and for at least partially containing the sample; a light source for introducing light in the integrating light collector; a signal generator or modulator configured to cause a known modulation of the light output by the light source; a phase-sensitive detector for detecting scattered light in the integrating light collector; at least one of an exit port to allow un-scattered light to exit the integrating light collector, a beam dump, or a baffle arranged to absorb unscattered light; and a processor configured to analyse the detected modulated light to determine changes in the detected modulated light as a function of time thereby to determine at least one of: drug susceptibility of the biological material; a change in a number of cells in the sample; a change in cell state; a change in the biological material. |
| US10677726B2 |
Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy with corrected laser ramping nonlinearities
A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy device includes a tunable diode laser. A laser driver is configured to drive the diode laser and ramp it within a particular frequency range. An analyte gas container, a reference gas container, and a fringe generating device are configured to receive the laser therethrough. An optical detector is configured to detect the laser after it has passed through the analyte gas container and/or the reference gas container, and the in-line fringe generating device. An acquisition card is configured to sample an output of the optical detector. A spectral analyzer is configured to receive output data from the acquisition card, determine a spectrum of the output data, decouple the fringe spectrum from the measured spectrum, calibrate the spectrum based on an expected ideal spectrum of both the fringe and reference gas, and determine a composition of the analyte based on the calibrated spectrum. |
| US10677724B2 |
Sample testing apparatus and method
A sample testing apparatus is disclosed for use in optical transmission analysis of fluid samples such as oils or engine oils. The apparatus comprises a transmission cell comprising first and second fixed walls (1,2) and a movable window (3) that is moved with respect to the first and second walls in and out of a test region (6). When the movable window (3) is moved into the test region (6) an optical path through a fluid sample in the cell is defined, the optical path through the sample comprising a portion extending through the or each gap (L1,L2) between a one of the first and second fixed walls (1,2) and the at least a portion of the first movable window (3). Also disclosed are methods of using the sample testing apparatus and methods of performing a measurement for use in optical transmission analysis of a fluid sample. |
| US10677722B2 |
Photothermal imaging device and system
Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications. |
| US10677720B2 |
Detector, correction method and calibration method of detector, detection apparatus and detection system
There is provided a detector, and a method of calibrating or correcting a detection value in a wavelength range within an evaluable range by using a detection value in a wavelength range other than the evaluable range by using the detector. The detector includes an active layer containing a quantum well or quantum dots, and that is capable of sweeping a detection peak wavelength of a detection spectrum in a wavelength range within an evaluable range and a wavelength range other than the evaluable range, and is configured to correct or calibrate a detection value in the wavelength range within the evaluable range using a detection value in the wavelength range other than the evaluable range. |
| US10677717B2 |
Colorimetric analyzer with reagent diagnostics
A colorimetric analyzer includes a reaction chamber configured to receive a sample and at least one reagent. A measurement cell is operably coupled to the reaction chamber. The measurement cell has an illumination source and an illumination detector spaced from the illumination source such that illumination from the illumination source passes through the measurement cell to the illumination detector. A controller is coupled to the illumination source and the illumination detector. The controller is configured to determine an absorbance of a reducing reagent and store the determined reagent absorbance in the analyzer. The controller is configured to use the determined reagent absorbance to compensate at least one subsequent colorimetric sample measurement. |
| US10677708B2 |
Microfluidic device and method for detecting rare cells
A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10. |
| US10677707B2 |
Evaluating stress-dependent permeability in unsteady-state conditions and/or quality of microproppant placement in subterranean formations
Systems and methods for evaluating permeability at unsteady-state pressure conditions and areal distribution of microproppants are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: obtaining a first dataset relating to a positive permeability through a split core plug sample of a subterranean formation at a plurality of different differential pressures; obtaining a second dataset relating to a positive permeability through the split core plug sample at each different differential pressure after a plurality of microproppant particles have been placed between two halves of the sample; extrapolating a baseline positive permeability of the sample at a differential pressure equal to zero based on the first dataset; extrapolating a treated positive permeability of the sample at a differential pressure equal to zero based on the second dataset; calculating a closure resistance of the fracture and the fracture closure pressure using the second dataset; and estimating a proppant areal placement factor. |
| US10677705B2 |
Particle detection system and related methods
A particle detector, e.g. a smoke detector is described. In one form the detector includes a detection chamber and radiation source emitting a single beam of radiation. The detector also includes a radiation receiving system and an imaging system arranged to receive radiation from a common region of interest. Methods and systems for analysing the output of a particle detector are also disclosed. |
| US10677700B2 |
Method for testing performance of diamond saw blade, diamond grinding wheel and diamond drill bit
A method for testing cutting performance of a diamond saw blade, relating to a technical field of diamond tool test, is provided, which solves problems of inaccuracy and non-uniformity existing in conventional methods for testing cutting performance of a diamond tool. The method includes steps of: (1) obtaining a set load parameter value, particularly including steps of: controlling a feed amount of the diamond saw blade; finding out a load value K corresponding to a maximum feed amount of the diamond saw blade on a cutting object; and setting M=0.70K-0.85K, wherein M is the set load parameter value; and (2) during cutting, controlling a cutting load value of the diamond saw blade to be 0.90M-1.1M through a servo system. Therefore, uniform three cutting elements of machine and tool, object, and feed thrust are realized, and the performance of the diamond tool is automatically and accurately measured. |
| US10677699B2 |
Wear sensor and the corresponding wear element, assembly and use
Wear sensor and the corresponding wear element, assembly and use. The sensor is intended for a wear element in a bucket of an earth moving machine. The sensor includes a sensing electric circuit and at least one elongated arm (23) extending in a direction of detection defining a longitudinal axis. The arm (23) has a base (25) and an end. The end wears away together with the wear material of the wear element. The arm (23) includes a plurality of electrical connections (27) forming part of the sensing electric circuit and extending different lengths with respect to one another, measured according to the longitudinal axis along the arm (23). |
| US10677696B2 |
Rapid sample preparation for analytical analysis using dispersive energized extraction
An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure. |
| US10677694B1 |
Sample manipulation apparatus
A container sample manipulation apparatus utilizing a handle with a terminal portion. The apparatus may be manually operated in an upright position or in a tilted configuration in conjunction with a guide for interaction with the structure of a sample container. |
| US10677692B2 |
Unit for grinding biological samples
A unit for grinding biological samples, comprising a grinding device including at least two tubes having different volumes, suitable for being mounted on a support of the grinding device, each tube comprising an inner space having a height (h) along the axis of the corresponding tube, and being intended to contain samples to be ground, means for driving the support in a precession movement, the support having an axis the position of which varies by describing a cone, each tube being subjected to a movement (d) defined by the projection, onto the axis of said cone, of the distance between the extreme positions of a same point of the tube during the precession movement. |
| US10677687B2 |
Method and test object for carrying out a test run with a test object
To subject a test object during a test run on a test bench to real environmental and/or surrounding conditions, particularly thermal conditions, it is provided that at least one temperature is measured at a measurement point as a measured variable during the test run on the test bench. At least one test object component of the test object is subdivided in a number of segments. The thermal interaction of at least one segment with the environment of the vehicle is simulated during the test run by a thermal simulation model of the simulation model. The thermal simulation model calculates the segment heat flow that is supplied to or dissipated from the at least one segment. This segment heat flow is adjusted as a function of the measured temperature at the test bench on at least one segment by means of a number of heat flow actuators. |
| US10677684B2 |
Opto electrical test measurement system for integrated photonic devices and circuits
An optical testing circuit on a wafer includes an optical input configured to receive an optical test signal and photodetectors configured to generate corresponding electrical signals in response to optical processing of the optical test signal through the optical testing circuit. The electrical signals are simultaneously sensed by a probe circuit and then processed. In one process, test data from the electrical signals is simultaneously generated at each step of a sweep in wavelength of the optical test signal and output in response to a step change. In another process, the electrical signals are sequentially selected and the sweep in wavelength of the optical test signal is performed for each selected electrical signal to generate the test data. |
| US10677683B2 |
Pressure profiling system
A solution for acquiring pressure data for an object, such as an airfoil, is provided. One or more pressure sensor nodes are utilized, each of which includes a set of pressure sensors and a processing component. The pressure sensor node(s) are affixed to the object in a manner that enables the pressure sensors to acquire pressure data for a set of locations on the surface of the object. A pressure sensor node also can include a wireless communications component to provide wireless communications between the pressure sensor node and a computer system. |
| US10677681B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus for testing cap sealing of container that involves calculating surface temperature of temperature sensor and comparing difference between measured temperature and the calculated temperature with threshold for correcting thermal image data
In an inspection method and apparatus, when an infrared (IR) image is obtained by using an IR camera and thermal image data corresponding to the obtained IR image is stored or inspected, confidence of the thermal image data is improved. |
| US10677677B2 |
Wheel servicing machine with force detecting device
The present invention relates to a wheel clamping system for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel with a rim onto a wheel servicing machine, wherein the wheel clamping system comprises at least one force measuring device for measuring the value of a clamping force exerted by the wheel clamping system on a rim of a motor vehicle wheel held on the main shaft. |
| US10677676B2 |
Non-contact magnetostrictive sensor alignment
Systems, methods, and devices for positioning, orienting, and/or aligning a stress sensor assembly are provided. Raw stress signals, which can correspond to stress in the target, can be generated by detecting a magnetic flux that travels through the target. The raw stress signals can be sensitive to an alignment of the sensor relative to the target. In order to minimize measurement error, the stress sensor can be properly aligned relative to the target prior to taking a stress measurement. Sensor alignment can involve adjusting a yaw, pitch, and/or roll of the sensor, measuring the raw stress signals, attenuating the detected magnetic flux, and measuring the raw stress signals again. When the stress sensor is properly aligned, a change in a size of a gap between the sensor and a surface of a target can result in approximately equal changes in the raw stress signal. |
| US10677675B2 |
Pressure sensor module having a sensor chip and passive devices within a housing
A pressure sensor module including a housing, a pressure sensor chip, and one or more of an integrated passive device (IDP) chip and discrete passive devices are disclosed. The pressure sensor chip and one or more of the IPD chip and the discrete passive devices are arranged within the housing. |
| US10677670B2 |
Twisting torque sensor
The invention relates to a twisting torque sensor, comprising a transmission shaft (12) subjected to the torque to be measured, a reference shaft (14), and a device for measuring an angular deformation representing the torque to be measured between the two shafts. The torque sensor is characterised in that the transmission shaft (12) comprises a bore (24) extending from one end of the transmission shaft (12), referred to as input (28) of the shaft, to an opposite end, and in that the torque sensor comprises an enclosure (22) for confining the temperature of the two shafts, and a fluid circulation circuit including a portion made up of said bore (24), an injector (32) for injecting the fluid into the bore (24) at said input (28) of the shaft, and a fluid temperature sensor (34) in the fluid circulation circuit, the measured temperature being intended for correcting the torque measurement. |
| US10677667B2 |
Component transducer and multi-component transducer using such component transducer as well as use of such multi-component transducer
The invention relates to a component transducer (20) for sensing a torque component (Mx, My, Mz); wherein an element (21) made of piezoelectric crystal material comprises element surfaces; wherein a force component (Fx, Fy, Fz) produces electric polarization charges on the element surfaces; and wherein the torque component (Mx, My, Mz) to be sensed consists of at least one pair having force components (+Fx, −Fx; +Fy, −Fy; +Fz, −Fz) wherein said force components (+Fx, −Fx; +Fy, −Fy; +Fz, −Fz) of a pair have the same axis of action and opposite directions of action. The component transducer (20) receives the force components (+Fx, −Fx; +Fy, −Fy; +Fz, −Fz) of a pair separately. |
| US10677665B2 |
Gap compensation for magnetostrictive torque sensors
A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a torque sensor and a proximity sensor coupled to the sensor head. The torque and proximity sensors can each sense magnetic fluxes passing through the target and a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque sensor. The controller can determine an improved gap measurement that is independent of electromagnetic properties of the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque and proximity sensors. The estimated torque can be modified by the improved gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased. |
| US10677663B2 |
Intelligent temperature monitoring system and method therefor
A temperature monitoring system includes an enclosure, an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature sensor. The enclosure may be explosion-proof, and may include a controller and an internal display disposed within the enclosure. The external temperature sensor may be configured to detect an outside temperature, and the internal temperature sensor may be configured to detect a temperature inside the enclosure. Upon the external temperature sensor and/or the internal temperature sensor detecting a temperature that meets or exceeds a set or specified value or limit, the system may be configured to implement an action or order. In an embodiment of the system, the system may be configured to stop fueling in the event that the external temperature sensor and/or the interior temperature sensor detect a temperature that meets or exceeds a certain temperature. |
| US10677662B2 |
Environmental condition surveillance and methods thereof
A surveillance platform for the sensing, measuring, monitoring and controlling equipment and environments, such as food storage and retailing environments, data center environments, and other environments in which equipment performance, operating status, and environmental condition monitoring is desirable, is provided. The surveillance platform can facilitate reporting, visualizing, acknowledging, analyzing, calculating, event generating, notifying, trending, and tracking, of operational events occurring within the environment. Such techniques can be used to protect articles such as food articles, medical articles, computing devices and equipment, artifacts, documents, and the like. |
| US10677661B2 |
Stop-start method in a microfluidic calorimeter
A method for calorimetry includes flowing a first fluid through a co-flow reactor microchannel having plural inlets and an outlet, the first fluid flowing through each of the inlets, and measuring transmission of light through a Nano Hole Array (NHA) sensor to obtain a baseline extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) measurement. The flow of the first fluid is stopped, the microchannel is emptied of the first fluid, and the first fluid and a second fluid are passed through the microchannel such that a reaction occurs, the first fluid flowing through a first of the inlets and the second fluid flowing through a second of the inlets. While flowing the first and second fluids, transmission of light through the NHA sensor is measured to obtain a reaction EOT measurement. A calorimetry measurement, indicative of energy released during the reaction, is calculated as a function of the baseline and reaction EOT measurements. |
| US10677650B2 |
Fourier transform multi-channel spectral imager
A spectral imager, including: a photodetector including a plurality of photosensitive sites exposed on a photosensitive surface; a collimating lens including an intermediate focal plane; an array of interferometers including two main waves, each including a cavity defined by two faces; an array of microlenses arranged in a plane parallel to the photosensitive surface, each microlens paired with an interferometer to form an optical pair, including an image focal plane coinciding with the photosensitive surface and facing a section of the photosensitive surface. |
| US10677642B2 |
Flexible substrate fiber optic sensing mat for distributed acoustic sensing
A prefabricated mat-like structure having lengths of fiber mounted thereon or therein in a predetermined deployment pattern that provides a high spatial density of fiber to give increased spatial sensing resolution is described. The prefabricated mat-like structures may be very easily deployed by being placed against and/or wrapped around an object to be monitored, typically being fastened in place by clamps or the like. In addition, easy removal from the object is also obtained, by simply unfastening the mat-like structure, which may then be redeployed elsewhere. The prefabricated mat-like structure having the fiber already mounted thereon or therein therefore provides a very convenient and easily installable and removable solution. |
| US10677639B2 |
Load detector including placement plate and slope, and load detection system
There is provided a load detector including, a beam-type load cell which is supported on a support base in a cantilever manner; and a placement part which is connected to the beam-type load cell. The placement part includes a placement plate onto which a subject is to be placed, and a slope which is configured to guide the subject from a floor surface onto the placement plate. A forward end of the slope is swingable about a first perpendicular axis perpendicular to the placement plate or a second perpendicular axis perpendicular to the slope, and/or is movable in a width direction of the placement plate. |
| US10677632B2 |
Measurement ring for fluid flow in a pipeline
A measurement ring for a pipeline includes a body having a central hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the body and at least one tap for measuring fluid flow parameters in the pipeline. The at least one tap includes a threaded portion on a circumferential surface of the body extending through the body towards the central hole, and a first channel extending from the threaded portion to the central hole. |
| US10677629B1 |
System and method for utilizing district metering areas based on meter designations
A computer implemented method implemented on a computer system includes non-transient memory storing instructions for configuring a plurality of district metering areas within a utility supply network. The method includes identifying a plurality of flow measurement devices, wherein each flow measurement device is connected by a directional connection to at least one other flow measurement device, generating a utility supply network representation based on the directional connections between the flow measurement devices, and generating a plurality of district metering areas for the utility supply network representation, each district metering area being a directed acyclic graph based on the directional connections and including a subset of the plurality of flow measuring devices and including at least one flow measurement device designated as a supply meter and at least one flow measurement device designated as a demand meter. |
| US10677626B2 |
Flowmeter profiling system for use in groundwater production wells and boreholes
A flowmeter profiling system for measuring a flow profile of water in a subsurface environment includes a tracer injection system positioned at least partially within the subsurface environment. The tracer injection system includes an injection tube that contains a tracer material, and an injection port that is coupled to the injection tube near a bottom of the injection tube. Additionally, the injection port is configured to inject the tracer material substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment. The injection port can include a plurality of exit holes such that the tracer material is injected substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment through each of the plurality of exit holes. The water can be in a groundwater production well having a cross-sectional plane, and the tracer material can be injected substantially horizontally into the groundwater production well through each of the plurality of exit holes to fill substantially the entire cross-sectional plane of the groundwater production well. |
| US10677617B2 |
Shaft-integrated angle sensing device
A sensor arrangement includes a sensor element and a magnet module. The sensor element is configured to measure a magnetic field and is positioned within a shaft. The shaft is configured to shield the magnet module and the sensor element. The magnet module is configured to generate the magnetic field. The sensor element is at least partially positioned within the shaft. |
| US10677613B2 |
Resolver
Disclosed is a resolver, which includes a stator made of a magnetic material and having a plurality of teeth and a plurality of slots alternately formed at an inner side thereof; insulation covers respectively having a tooth insulating unit formed at an inner side thereof corresponding to the teeth and mounted to the stator at both upper and lower surfaces of the stator; and coils wound on the teeth with the tooth insulating unit being interposed therebetween, wherein a coil occupying ratio per slot, which is defined by the following equation and represents a ratio of area occupied by the coils in a slot to which the insulation covers are fixed, is 35% or below: Coil occupying ratio per slot=(area occupied by coils in a single slot)/(area of a single slot) Equation. |
| US10677611B2 |
Circular system and method for the digital correction of modulation effects in eletromechanical delta-sigma modulators
The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement and a method for reading a capacitive vibratory gyroscope with an at least primary mass and at least one secondary mass that is connected to the primary mass, wherein the primary mass is excited to a primary vibration during operation, and wherein the secondary mass is deflected out of a resting position in a direction that is transversal to the primary vibration when the vibratory gyroscope rotates around a sensitive axis. The circuit arrangement comprises a delta-sigma modulator with at least one control loop to perform a force feedback that resets the secondary mass into its resting state by applying a reset signal, wherein the reset signal forms a modulator output signal of the delta-sigma modulator, a correction unit that receives the modulator output signal and that is operated to generate a corrected modulator output signal that corresponds to an actually acting feedback force, a demodulator that is connected to the correction unit for demodulation of the corrected modulator output signal, and a filter arrangement to filter the demodulated signals and to output a rotary rate signal. |
| US10677609B2 |
Method and device for providing guidance to street view destination
Disclosed is a method and device for providing guidance to a street view destination. The method includes: acquiring a real scenario image of a scenario in which a device is located; determining, according to a current location and a device facing direction of the device, annotated information needing to be displayed; displaying, in the real scenario image, the annotated information needing to be displayed; determining selected annotated information; and displaying detailed information of a street view corresponding to the selected annotated information. |
| US10677605B2 |
System and method for determining motor vehicle collison risk based on traveled route and displaying determined risk as a map
A system for tracking cumulative motor vehicle risk includes a satellite navigation system receiver disposed within a motor vehicle and configured to determine a present location of the motor vehicle. A computer processor receives the determined present location of the motor vehicle from the satellite navigation system receiver and generates a traveled route therefrom. A first computer server receives a plurality of motor vehicle claims records, determines a plurality of motor vehicle accident locations from the plurality of motor vehicle claims records, and generates a motor vehicle accident heat map from the plurality of motor vehicle accident locations. A second computer server determines a cumulative risk exposure of the motor vehicle based on the generated traveled route and the generated motor vehicle accident heat map. |
| US10677604B1 |
Continuously updatable computer-generated routes with continuously configurable virtual bus stops for passenger ride-sharing of a fleet of ride-sharing vehicles and computer transportation systems and computer-implemented methods for use thereof
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a computer-implemented transportation system which can include at least the following components: a specialized computer machine, including: a non-transient memory, electronically storing particular computer executable program code; a specifically programmed computer processor of the specialized computer machine of the computer-implemented transportation system that is configured to perform at least the following operations: electronically receiving, in real-time, via a computer network, a plurality of electronic riding requests from a plurality of electronic computing devices operated by a plurality of ride-sharing requesting passengers; where each electronic riding request from each ride-sharing requesting passenger includes: a passenger-requested origin point, and a passenger-requested destination point; for a particular electronic riding request, dynamically determining, in real-time, from a plurality of candidate vehicles an assigned vehicle for picking up the particular ride-sharing requesting passenger and a pair of assigned virtual pickup and dropoff bus stop tasks. |
| US10677601B2 |
Method, electronic device, and computer-readable recording medium for planning a meeting point and routes
A method, an electronic device and a computer-readable recording medium for planning a meeting point and routes are provided, and the method including the following steps. Map information and a start point location of each of a plurality of user terminals are obtained. Prior planning information associated with the start point location is generated for each of the user terminals according to the map information. A best meeting point is determined for the user terminals according to the prior planning information. During a period in which at least one of the user terminals performs a navigation operation according to a navigation route, the best meeting point and the navigation route of at least one of the user terminals are dynamically adjusted according to a moving state of each of the user terminals and the prior planning information. |
| US10677597B2 |
Method and system for creating a digital map
A method for creating a digital map in at least one mobile device including capturing an image sequence of an environment; detecting and classifying objects in the captured image sequence; determining object positions of the objects relative to the mobile device; establishing a section in the environment wherein the section has a predetermined size and predetermined boundaries; assigning the detected and classified objects to the determined object positions in the established section; determining a traffic lane provided in the section; transmitting object information and the object positions of the detected and classified objects, section information relating to the established section, traffic lane information and time information to the map creation device. In the map creation device, the data is received, compared, and sections are joined and merged to form a digital map. Also disclosed is an associated system. |
| US10677594B2 |
Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device readout with optical directional coupler
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device comprises an optical directional coupler comprising: a first waveguide having a first and a second end, wherein a light beam is introduced into the first end; a second waveguide having a third and a fourth end, wherein the light beam is evanescently coupled between the two waveguides in the central region; a first photodetector to detect first optical power in the light beam at the second end; and a second photodetector to detect second optical power in the light beam at the fourth end; a vibrating proof mass adjacent to the coupler in a first direction from the coupler, wherein when inertial forces are applied to the MEMS device in a second direction, the proof mass moves in the first direction; a processor to determine the displacement of the proof mass from the coupler as a function of the first and the second optical power. |
| US10677588B2 |
Localized telecentricity and focus optimization for overlay metrology
An overlay metrology tool providing site-by-site alignment includes a controller coupled to a telecentric imaging system. The controller may receive two or more alignment images of an overlay target on a sample captured at two or more focal positions by the imaging system, generate alignment data indicative of an alignment of the overlay target within the imaging system based on the alignment images, set the alignment images as measurement images when the alignment of the overlay target is within selected alignment tolerances, direct the imaging system to adjust the alignment of the overlay target in the imaging system and further receive one or more measurement images from the imaging system when the alignment of the overlay target is outside the selected alignment tolerances, and determine overlay between two or more layers of the sample based on at least one of the measurement images. |
| US10677581B2 |
Multiple reference OCT system
The invention provides for generating a set of signature signals that correspond to a range of depths within a target. These signature signals can include multiple individual reference signals and be can modified to compensate for specific characteristics of the target. In the preferred embodiment the members of the set of signature signals are correlated with data sets by phase rotating individual reference signals to determine maximum and minimum correlation and thereby enabling determination of the scattering characteristic of the target at each depth. Also a pilot signal is monitored to dynamically determine the phase relationship between individual reference signals and thereby avail of phase sensitive detection techniques to enhance SNR at deeper regions where multiple individual reference signals exist. |
| US10677580B2 |
Optical coherence tomography system using polarization switching
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems using a polarization switch and/or a polarization beam splitter are generally described. In an example, an OCT system includes a light source configured to emit a beam and an interferometer configured to receive the beam. The interferometer includes a reference path and an interferometer sample path. The OCT system further includes a polarization switch configured to selectively change a polarization state of the beam and a lens system that includes a first sample path and a second sample path. The polarization switch is further configured to direct the beam onto the first sample path upon selection of a first polarization state and to direct the beam onto the second sample path upon selection of a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state. |
| US10677576B1 |
Multistage thermal trigger
Multistage thermal trigger devices disclosed herein may include a first stage and a second stage, wherein the first stage activates at a first temperature, and wherein the second stage activates at a second temperature. The first stage activates an arming assembly so that the second stage is armed. The second stage may then activate the output of the multistage thermal trigger device, via the arming assembly, when the second temperature is reached. An autoignition material (AIM) capsule is also disclosed herein. The AIM capsule may be deployed in connection with the disclosed multistage thermal trigger devices. |
| US10677570B2 |
Ruggedized holder
A ruggedized holder has a base unit that accepts a roll of target media. The base unit includes a first side plate and a second side plate that opposes the first side plate. Moreover, a lower deflector plate having a front facing surface extends between the first side plate and the second side plate. Also, the base unit includes an upper deflector plate that extends between the first side plate and the second side plate above the lower deflector plate. The first side plate, the second side plate, the lower deflector plate and the upper deflector plate define an enclosure that protects the roll of target media. In addition, a stand can couple to the base unit. Here, the front facing surface of the lower deflector plate is disposed at an angle that is not vertically parallel with any stand leg(s). |
| US10677563B2 |
Firearm usage monitoring system
A system for monitoring a user of a firearm generally includes an inertial measurement unit configured to be disposed inside a grip of the firearm for measuring motion of the firearm. The system also includes an event detection system for detecting a detected event that includes at least one of gripping of the firearm, raising of the firearm, aiming of the firearm, and discharging of the firearm based on the motion of the firearm measured by the inertial measurement unit. The system further includes a communication system for wirelessly communicating the detected event. |
| US10677560B2 |
Grip support harness
A grip support harness is described. The grip support harness may include a wrist cuff, a primary support strap connected to the wrist cuff, a primary connecting component connected to the wrist cuff; a secondary support strap connected to the wrist cuff and a secondary connecting component connected to the wrist cuff. |
| US10677559B2 |
Method of slowing down a moving projectile
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of slowing down a moving projectile, the projectile moving within an electromagnetic railgun, the method comprising: using an electromagnetic field generated by the railgun to slow down the projectile, wherein the projectile is a munitions projectile, and/or a carrier for catching the munitions projectile. |
| US10677556B2 |
Cleaning implement for firearm
A cleaning implement for a firearm comprises a rigid, axially extending, support adapted for connection to the end of a cleaning rod or other manipulating implement. Axially spaced, resilient panels are integrally molded onto a hub through which the support extends. A barb at an end of the support is provided to secure a cleaning patch that is wrapped around the outer edges of the panels and maintained in contact with an interior surface of the firearm during cleaning by the resilience of the panels. |
| US10677554B2 |
Suppressed pistol
A suppressed pistol has a breech block and a slide mounted on a frame. The breech block and slide are separate pieces, movable relatively to one another and the frame. A link extends between the breech block and the frame. The link carries a cam and a cam follower. The cam follower on the link engages a cam on the frame, the cam on the link engages a cam follower on the slide. Action between the cams, cam followers and the link causes separation between the breech block and the slide during operation of the pistol. The suppressor includes a container having baffle plates with truncated cones defining openings offset from the geometric centers of the baffle plates. |
| US10677551B2 |
Bolt action chassis for rifles, shotguns, and muzzle loaders
A universal chassis for a firearm includes sidewalls. The sidewalls define a trigger well that is configured to receive a trigger mechanism. One of the sidewalls may define a cutout adjacent the trigger well. The chassis is configured to interchangeably receive a bolt action and a barrel for a shotgun, a muzzle loader, and a rifle. The cutout is sized and dimensioned to receive a lever arm of the bolt action. |
| US10677549B2 |
Gas accumulation chamber
An upper receiver for a firearm. The firearm includes a barrel extending forward of the upper receiver and a buttstock extending rearward of the upper receiver. The upper receiver includes an arcuate surface formed in a wall of the chamber. The arcuate surface changes direction of gases that are directed rearward in the chamber such that the gases are vented from the upper receiver in a non-rearward direction. |
| US10677546B1 |
Semi-automatic shotgun with bottom ejecting port
A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, and a magazine. The magazine includes a cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. The magazine is positioned above the barrel and extends forward from the receiver. A load gating and locking block engages and guide each shell in a feed pathway towards the lower part of the receiver for chambering. In one embodiment, the receiver and magazine may be formed as a unitary integral structure forming a single piece. |
| US10677541B2 |
Acoustic resonance excited heat exchange
New exemplary heat exchange configurations that incorporate internal or external surfaces equipped with perturbators, for changing the thermal behavior of the system, or for modulating the surface temperature distribution of the flow surfaces. This is achieved by applying an acoustic wave to the fluid flow in a heat exchange passage, and selecting the frequency of the acoustic exciting wave to be the same as the acoustic resonance frequency of the heat exchange passage itself. As the traveling waves interact with the boundaries confining the heat exchange passages, constructive interference of the incident and reflected waves give rise to a standing wave. Thus, the heat exchange passages act as a resonator, and by superimposing this standing wave on the separating and reattaching fluid flow, significant heat transfer improvement can be achieved. This is accomplished without the need to significantly increase the pressure required to achieve the desired through flow. |
| US10677539B2 |
Plate-type heat transport device
A plate-type heat transport device is provided. The plate-type heat transport device includes a metal plate having a meandering shape flow passage. The flow passage includes multiple linear channels and return channels. The linear channels extends in parallel to each other from a first end of the metal plate to a second end of the metal plate. The return channels are located in the first and second ends of the metal plate to allow the linear channels to communicate with each other. A first area of the metal plate associated with the linear channels is thinner than a second area of the metal plate associated with the return channels. The flow passage of the metal plate contains a hydraulic fluid. |
| US10677537B2 |
Evaporator
An evaporator includes multiple cold storage mechanisms for lowering a temperature of a cold storage material housed inside a cold storage container by heat exchange with a refrigerant. The multiple cold storage mechanisms include a first cold storage mechanism and a second cold storage mechanism higher in heat storage-and-radiation performance than the first cold storage mechanism. |
| US10677535B1 |
Heat sink
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat sink that can equalize heat input in a heat receiving portion and increase a volume of the heat receiving portion, prevent an increase in heat resistance in the heat receiving portion even when a heat generation amount from a heat-generating element increases, and exhibit excellent cooling performance with respect to a cooling target.There is provided a heat sink including: a heat transport member having a heat receiving portion thermally connected to a heat-generating element; a tube body connected to a heat insulating portion or a heat radiating portion of the heat transport member; and a heat radiation fin group which is thermally connected to the tube body and in which a plurality of heat radiation fins are arranged, in which the heat transport member has an integral internal space that communicates from the heat receiving portion to a connection portion with the tube body and is sealed with a working fluid, and the internal space of the heat transport member communicates with an internal space of the tube body. |
| US10677534B1 |
Heat sink
The present disclosure is to provide a heat sink capable of improving cooling efficiency of a heat radiation fin and exhibiting excellent cooling performance with respect to a cooling target regardless of an installation posture of the heat sink, and capable of being installed even in a narrow space.The heat sink includes: a heat transport member having a heat receiving portion thermally connected to a heat-generating element and including a first wick structure; a tube body connected to a heat insulating portion or a heat radiating portion of the heat transport member and including a second wick structure; and a heat radiation fin group which is thermally connected to the tube body and in which a plurality of heat radiation fins are arranged, in which, the heat transport member has an integral internal space that communicates from the heat receiving portion to a connection portion with the tube body and is sealed with a working fluid, the internal space of the heat transport member communicating with an internal space of the tube body, and the first wick structure includes a branch portion branched in a thickness direction of the heat transport member and multi-stage stem parts extending from the branch portion in a predetermined direction. |
| US10677532B2 |
Ionic liquids for cooling in high temperature environment
Cooling medium comprising an ionic liquid with a hydrogen content of 0% to 8.5% by weight. The cooling medium can be used in a method for cooling a technical device, examples of which include: metallurgical ovens and their aggregates, ovens and aggregates in the glass and ceramic producing industry, ovens and aggregates in the cement producing industry, reactors and aggregates in gasification of organic matter and biofeedstocks, ovens and aggregates in incineration plants, reactors and aggregates in nuclear power plants, and combustion chambers and aggregates in conventional thermal power plants. |
| US10677531B2 |
Heat exchanger, air-conditioning apparatus including the same, and method of producing flat-tube U-bend
A heat exchanger includes plural flat tubes each having a flat cross section, and plural flat-tube U-bends each having a flat cross section and a U-shape in external appearance. Plural flat-tube columns each made up of the plural flat tubes installed in plural tiers in a set direction are arranged in a direction intersecting the set direction and in a staggered manner. Each of the plural flat-tube U-bends is placed in a pair of coupling portions of the plural flat tubes. Each of the pair of coupling portions is placed in one of a pair of the plural flat-tube columns. The plural flat-tube U-bends are twisted such that major axes of flat cross sections in both end portions of each of the plural flat-tube U-bends are oriented in the same directions as major axes of flat cross sections of the plural flat tubes connected to the both end portions. |
| US10677530B2 |
Tube body and production method
A tube body for a heat exchanger may include an outer structure composed of a band material. The outer structure may include two mutually opposite wide sides and two mutually opposite narrow sides delimiting an outer structure interior space. The tube body may further include an inner structure integrally arranged on the outer structure and composed of the band material. The inner structure may be arranged in the outer structure interior space and divide the outer structure interior space into at least two fluid ducts fluidically separated from one another through which a fluid is flowable. The band material may have a material thickness and, at least in certain portions, a material thickness of a portion of the band material defining the inner structure may be less than a material thickness of a portion of the band material defining the outer structure. |
| US10677528B2 |
Dual tumble dryer unit and system
A dual tumble dryer unit that includes a housing that defines an interior, a divider that extends between first and second side walls and divides the interior into first and second sections, and first and second dryer assemblies that are positioned in the first and second sections. The first and second dryer assemblies each include a basket positioned to rotate about a horizontal axis, and a blower disposed positioned to blow air on the basket. A first drying path is defined between a first entry opening defined in the first side wall, the first basket and a first exit opening defined in the second side wall, and a second drying path is defined between a second entry opening defined in the first side wall, the second basket and a second exit opening defined in the second side wall. |
| US10677527B2 |
Washstand furniture
A washstand may include a washing device, a cabinet and a dryer. The washing device may include a sink, a water-supply assembly that supplies water to the sink, and a water-discharge assembly that drains water from the sink. The cabinet may be provided below the sink and having an inner space. The dryer may be provided in the cabinet and may include a first outlet in communication with the inner space of the cabinet and a second outlet under the cabinet in communication with an outside of the cabinet. The dryer may be configured to selectively generate airflow through the first outlet to the inner space or through the second outlet to the outside of the cabinet. |
| US10677524B2 |
System and method for liquefying production gas from a gas source
A system for liquefying production gas from a gas source containing a fluid having C1-C12 entrained gases includes a first phase separator for separating the C1-C12 gases from the fluid from the gas source. The first phase separator has an inlet in fluid communication with the gas source, a gas outlet and at least one alternative outlet. A first cryogenic liquefaction vessel has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the gas outlet of the first phase separator. The first cryogenic liquefaction vessel cools the C1-C12 gases to liquefy the C3-C12 petroleum gases. A second phase separator is provided for separating the C3-C12 liquefied gases from the C1-C2 gases. The second phase separator has an inlet, a liquid outlet and a gas outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first cryogenic liquefaction vessel. At least one storage vessel is provided in fluid communication with the liquid outlet of the second phase separator for collection of the liquefied C3-C12 petroleum gases. |
| US10677523B2 |
Method for cooling a process flow
A method of cooling a process stream with an auxiliary stream is described, wherein the exchange of heat between the process stream and the auxiliary stream is effected in a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected downstream thereof. |
| US10677514B2 |
Door bin with dual material and system lock
A refrigerator door bin assembly includes a door liner defining a first side wall defining a supporting base extending from the first side wall. The supporting base defines a locking channel therein. The assembly further includes a bin body defining a first outer wall facing and positioned adjacent to the first side wall of the door liner. The first outer wall of the bin body defines an alignment channel receiving the supporting base therein. A locking rib extends within the alignment channel to engage with the locking channel. |
| US10677509B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment that is positioned vertically below the first storage compartment, a receiving drawer configured to be received into the second storage compartment, a mullion that partitions the first storage compartment from the second storage compartment, and an access cover configured to selectively open or close the access hole. The receiving drawer includes a receiving door configured to open and close the second storage compartment and a receiving box provided on a back surface of the receiving door. The mullion defines an access hole that allows fluid communication between the first and second storage compartments. |
| US10677506B2 |
Ice storage device and refrigerator
An ice storage device includes an ice storage box, an ice discharging door, an ice crushing device and at least one stirrer. The ice crushing device includes at least one fixed ice crushing blade and at least one moving ice crushing blade which is provided on a rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft. The at least one stirrer is provided on the rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft, and the stirrer includes a stirring body having at least one stirring finger on its outer surface. |
| US10677501B2 |
Component and efficient plate and frame absorber
An absorber for an absorption refrigeration system for a vertically mounted plate absorber has fins positioned over the plate to promote distribution of a fluid under flow as a nearly continuous thin film. The absorber has rows of fins that are evenly spaced with the fins occupying a portion of the active width of the plate with adjacent rows offset by the width of the plate. A combined evaporator-absorber module is constructed with the absorbing face of the absorber parallel with an evaporating surface of an evaporator where absorber solution and refrigerant fall as parallel falling sheets of liquid. The absorber is covered with a porous hydrophobic membrane to isolate the falling absorber solution from the falling liquid refrigerant. |
| US10677500B2 |
Heat pump system for vehicle
A heat pump system for vehicle includes a cooling device including a radiator and a first water pump by a cooling line and circulating a coolant along the cooling line to cool an electric component; a battery module provided on a battery cooling line selectively connected to the cooling line through a first valve; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module including an internal heater connected to the cooling line through a first connection line, a cooler connected to the battery cooling line through a second connection line, and an opening or closing door provided between the internal heater and the cooler and controlling external air passing through the cooler to be selectively introduced into the internal heater depending on cooling, heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle; and a centralized energy (CE) module connected to each of the battery cooling line and the cooling line. |
| US10677496B2 |
Compressor driving apparatus and chiller including the same
The present disclosure relates to a chiller. A compressor driver includes: a compressor including a compressor motor and a magnetic bearing; a coil driver including a switching element and to apply a current to a bearing coil of the magnetic bearing by a switching operation of the switching element to cause a rotor of the compressor motor to be levitated from or land on the magnetic bearing; and a controller to control the switching element of the coil driver, wherein, when the rotor of the compressor motor lands, the controller is configured to gradually decrease the current flowing through the bearing coil. Accordingly, damage to the rotor of the compressor motor can be prevented when the compressor motor is stopped in a magnetic levitation system. |
| US10677495B2 |
Stove
A stove for indoor use includes a housing having a bottom wall, a top wall and one or more side walls defining a combustion chamber adapted to retain a fire, and an air supply system for supplying air to the combustion chamber. The air supply system includes a primary air conduit for supplying air to the combustion chamber from below through the bottom wall and a secondary air conduit for supplying air to the combustion chamber from above. A valve is arranged in the primary air conduit or in a branching between the primary and secondary air conduits. The valve is controlled by a bimetal whereby the valve is in a maximum open position when the prevailing temperature is below a first predetermined temperature during start-up of a fire and in a maximum closed position when the prevailing temperature is above a second predetermined temperature after start-up of the fire. |
| US10677494B2 |
Leak detection system for water heaters
A water heater with a leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in an insulation cavity between an inner storage tank and an outer protective jacket of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly is configured to detect water that leaks from the storage tank. Further, the water heater includes a barrier that is disposed in the insulation cavity and wrapped around the inner storage tank to channel the water that leaks from the storage tank towards the leak sensor assembly, and prevent the water that leaks from the storage tank from flowing through an insulation material that is disposed in the insulation cavity. |
| US10677490B2 |
Compensational control system for indoor air conditioning apparatuses and compensational control method for the same
A compensational control method includes the steps of: controlling a plurality of indoor air conditioning apparatuses to be in operation according to a target temperature; receiving continuously an operating parameter and an environmental datum from each of the indoor air conditioning apparatus; determining whether there is a specific indoor air conditioning apparatus that needs support; acquiring an adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus which is influential for the specific indoor air conditioning apparatus according to an influence form which is previously built; establishing a supportive strategy according to a supportable operation capability of the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus; and adjusting the operating parameter of the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus according to the supportive strategy. Therefore, the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus is provided to improve an ambient temperature of an area where the specific indoor air conditioning apparatus is installed. |
| US10677487B2 |
Predictive HVAC system controlling apparatus and method
A predictive HVAC control apparatus and method, the predictive HVAC control apparatus having an input/output interface connected to a gain amplifier and a thermocouple amplifier, the gain amplifier connected to a first plurality of sensors disposed on an HVAC system, the HVAC system having HVAC system controls, and the temperature amplifier connected to a second plurality of sensors disposed on an HVAC system, a central processing unit connected to the input/output interface, and an HVAC control relay, connected to the input/output interface and the HVAC system controls. |
| US10677483B2 |
Wall, system of highly clean rooms, production method thereof and construction
Provided are a system of highly clean rooms capable of continuously maintaining high cleanliness of air of class 1 or above and supplying enough oxygen inside the room for several persons to live in and a wall adapted to the structure of such a system.The system of highly clean rooms 10 is provided with a living space 6 and a space 5 between the roof and the ceiling as subspaces of an enclosed space formed by a room 1a. One of the lateral walls of the room 1a is constituted of a wall 9 with an internal space 7, which is a hollow wall. The internal space 7 and the living space 6 are in contact via an inner wall 9a of the wall 9, and a gas exchange membrane 26 is stretched in the inner wall 9a. Furthermore, a gas flow path 24 is provided inside the inner space 7 and the gas flow path 24 allows airtight communication between an opening 23 provided on the lowest part of the internal wall 9a and a gas entry opening of a fan filter unit 21 provided on a ceiling wall 2a inside the space 5 between the roof and the ceiling. |
| US10677482B2 |
Magnetic suspension type water adding device and air humidifier
An air humidifier and its magnetic suspension type water adding device are provided. The magnetic suspension type water adding device includes a water tank, a water slot, a water outlet valve, and a magnetic power generator, wherein water in the water tank enters the water slot to provide supplement water through the water outlet valve. A magnetic element is arranged on the water outlet valve and matched with the magnetic power generator, so that the water outlet valve forms a magnetic suspension switch structure, which is arranged on the bottom of the water tank, wherein magnetic force of N-pole or S-pole is controlled through a current direction, and the magnetic suspension switch structures acts with the magnetic force part, so that a sealing part of the water outlet valve is pushed to open a water hole to provide supplement water into the water slot. |
| US10677480B2 |
Portable dehumidifier
A portable dehumidifier includes a cabinet, an evaporator, a condenser, a drain pan, multiple support legs, a compressor, and a fan. The cabinet includes an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, and at least two wheels. The evaporator is located adjacent to the airflow inlet. The condenser is located adjacent to the evaporator and on a side of the evaporator opposite the airflow inlet. The drain pan is located at least partially below the evaporator and the condenser. The support legs extend from a bottom side of the drain pan towards the bottom side of the cabinet. The compressor is located below the drain pan. The fan is located adjacent to the condenser and on a side of the condenser opposite the evaporator. |
| US10677475B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner including a base panel having an air inlet and an inspection opening, an intake grille mounted on the base panel so as to correspond to the air inlet, and an inspection opening cover coupled to the base panel so as to cover the inspection opening, wherein the inspection opening cover includes a dismantling handle disposed between the base panel and the intake grille. |
| US10677467B2 |
Cooling apparatus for a fuel injector
An annular air swirler configured to receive a fuel injector in a central bore. The swirler has one or more annular channels, defined by radially facing channel walls and having an inlet for receiving compressed air and an axially distal outlet. The channel walls converge inwardly towards the outlet and swirl vanes extend between opposing faces of the walls. The swirler turns incoming air to create a vortex at the channel outlet. An annular cooling apparatus associated with the air swirler is arranged axially adjacently downstream of the channel outlet(s), and includes a skirt portion radially spaced from a converging portion of the outermost channel wall defining a converging portion of a bowed coolant channel. A radially outwardly extending wall connects with the outermost channel wall and, with a face of the skirt portion, defines a radially outwardly extending portion of the bowed coolant channel adapted for increased heat exchange. |
| US10677462B2 |
Combustor liner panel end rail angled cooling interface passage for a gas turbine engine combustor
A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a support shell with an angled shell interface; a first liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs, the first liner panel including a first rail that extends from a cold side of the first liner panel adjacent to the angled shell interface; and a second liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs, the second liner panel including a second rail that extends from a cold side of the second liner panel adjacent to said first rail, the second rail adjacent to the angled shell interface. |
| US10677459B2 |
Gas fuel burner and method for heating with gas fuel burner
The gas fuel burner of the present invention has: a first oxidation agent discharge port that is disposed in the center of a first circular face constituting a combustion chamber having a truncated cone shape that expands from the basal end toward the distal end of a burner body and that discharges a first oxidation agent in the direction that the center axis of the burner body extends; a gas fuel discharge port that is disposed on the outside of the first oxidation agent discharge port and that discharges gas fuel in a direction intersecting the direction that the center axis extends; and a second oxidation agent discharge port that is disposed on a side face of the combustion chamber and that discharges a second oxidation agent in a direction intersecting the direction that the center axis extends. |
| US10677458B2 |
Combustor assembly for low-emissions and alternate liquid fuels
Implementations of a combustor assembly yield low emissions, require low power, are suitable for alternate liquid fuels, including highly viscous fuels, and are scalable for various heat release rates. The combustor assembly includes a fuel injector and a swirler. The fuel injector may include a choke portion and a spacer. The choke portion is disposed just upstream of an outlet of a liquid fuel conduit and prevents atomizing gas from interrupting continuous flow of the liquid fuel through the liquid fuel conduit. The spacer is disposed downstream of the outlet to precisely control the gap and thus, bifurcation of atomizing gas flow, between the outlet of liquid fuel conduit and an inlet of an orifice plate. The swirler is disposed radially outwardly and adjacent the fuel injector and includes a plurality of angled vanes. |
| US10677457B2 |
Combustion burner and boiler equipped with the same
A combustion burner includes a plurality of splitters (5), (6), (7) configured to divide a fuel gas flow by a widened portion where a width of the widened portion increases as the widened portion extends in the direction of the fuel gas flow. The splitters include: slitted splitters (5), (6) configured to slits (SL) at a downstream end in the fuel gas flow; and non-slitted splitters (7) configured to adjacently to the slitted splitters (5), (6), each of the non-slitted splitters (7) configured to the widened portion at a downstream end in the fuel gas flow, and configured to a fixed width in a direction of the longitudinal axis. |
| US10677456B2 |
Waveguide antenna for microwave enhanced combustion
The present invention is directed at a waveguide antenna for microwave enhanced combustion of a previously ignited fuel-air mixture. The waveguide antenna has a thermal conductivity of at least 150 W/m−k and can be formed from a metallic shell with a ceramic core. |
| US10677455B2 |
Electrostatically manipulated flames for compact heat generation
The location and morphology of an electrostatically manipulated flame can be controlled through the action of an electrostatic field on the flame, virtually independently of overall mixture composition and imposed strain rate. An electrostatically controlled burner can manipulate a position of a flame between an oxidizer source and a fuel source by way of one or more electrodes configured to produce an electrostatic field proximate to one of the fuel source and the oxidizer source. |
| US10677454B2 |
Electrical combustion control system including a complementary electrode pair
Two or more unipolar voltage generation systems may apply respective voltages to separate but complementary electrodes. The complementary electrodes may be disposed substantially congruently or analogously to one another to provide bipolar electrical effects on a combustion reaction. |
| US10677452B2 |
Heating tool
A heating tool (100) according to the present invention includes a steam generator (10) that a heat generating layer (11) which contains an oxidizable metal, a carbon component, a water absorbent polymer, and water, and a water absorbent sheet (102) which carries water are laminated, and a bag (20) at least a portion of which has an air permeability and accommodates the steam generator (10), in which a mass ratio of the water absorbent sheet (102) is equal to or greater than 0.9 and equal to or less than 15 with respect to the water absorbent polymer contained in the heat generating layer (11). |
| US10677451B2 |
Direct steam generation, electrical power generator, apparatus and method
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus comprising a direct steam generator configured to generate saturated steam or superheated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. A CONVAPORATOR™ Unit (CU) can be fluidly coupled to the direct steam generator. The CU can be configured to route the saturated steam or superheated steam and combustion exhaust constituents through a condenser portion of the CU via a condenser side steam conduit and can be configured to condense the super-heated steam or saturated steam to form a condensate. A separation tank and water return system can be fluidly coupled to a condenser side condensate conduit of the condenser portion of the CU. The separation tank and water return system can be configured to separate the combustion exhaust constituents from the condensate. An evaporator portion of the CU can be fluidly coupled with the separation tank and water return system via an evaporator side condensate conduit. The evaporator portion can be configured to evaporate the condensate from the separation tank and water return system via heat transfer between the condenser portion and evaporator portion to form steam. A turbine can be fluidly coupled with the evaporator portion of the CU via an evaporator side steam conduit. |
| US10677447B2 |
Waterproof and dustproof downlight
A waterproof and dustproof downlight has a housing cylinder, a top cover, an upper waterproof casing, a lower waterproof casing and a lighting assembly. The housing cylinder has a cavity with a top opening and a bottom opening. A partition board is mounted in the cavity. The top cover is mounted in the cavity of the housing cylinder. The upper waterproof casing is mounted on a top surface of the partition board and has an upper chamber defined in the upper waterproof casing. The lower waterproof casing is mounted on a bottom surface of the partition board and has a lower chamber defined in the lower waterproof casing a top. The lighting assembly is mounted securely on the bottom surface of the partition board in the lower chamber of the lower waterproof casing. The upper and lower waterproof casings provide excellent dustproof and waterproof functions. |
| US10677445B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device includes an LED element mounted on a surface of an LED substrate and electrically connected to a wiring pattern. For the surface of the LED substrate, a heatsink for dissipating heat of the LED substrate is arranged to face the surface of the LED substrate on which surface the LED element is mounted. The heatsink includes: a base portion attached in a manner allowing heat transfer in which a heat transfer surface of the base portion faces the surface of the LED substrate, the base portion allowing the illumination light from the LED element to pass through the base portion; and fins integrally protruding from the heat dissipating surface, being arranged spaced from each other, and being cooled by air that is naturally convected. |
| US10677443B2 |
Lamp with internally mounted heat dissipation device
Various embodiments may relate to an illuminating device including a light engine, a housing and a driver contained in the housing, wherein the illuminating device further includes a heat dissipation device disposed in the housing which includes a substrate for supporting the light engine and an insert ring in thermal-conductive contact with the substrate. |
| US10677441B2 |
LED lamp having sleeve and lamp neck
An LED lamp includes: a lamp shell including a lamp head, a lamp neck and a sleeve; a passive heat dissipating element having a heat sink connected to the lamp shell; a power source having a first portion and a second portion; a light emitting surface connected to the heat sink of the passive heat dissipating element and comprising LED chips electrically connected to the power source; a first heat dissipating channel formed in a first chamber of the lamp shell for dissipating heat generated from the power source while the LED lamp is working, and the first chamber is located between bottom of the LED lamp and an upper portion of the lamp neck; and a second heat dissipating channel formed in the heat sink and between the fins and the base of the heat sink for dissipating the heat generated from the LED chips and transferred to the heat sink; wherein the sleeve has a first positioning unit, the lamp neck has a second positioning unit, the sleeve can be connected with the lamp neck by engaging the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit, the first positioning unit is an engaging portion on the sleeve, and the second positioning unit is a latch on the lamp neck. |
| US10677437B2 |
Wavelength conversion device and lighting apparatus
A wavelength conversion device, etc., for laser light according to the present disclosure includes: a first substrate that is light-transmissive; a second substrate that is light-transmissive; and a phosphor layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a phosphor that converts the wavelength of incident laser light having a predetermined wavelength. The laser light has a laser irradiation power density of at least 0.03 W/mm2, and each of the first substrate and the second substrate has a thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the phosphor layer. |
| US10677432B2 |
LED light has a built-in projection light and night light and/or multiple functions
An LED light has a built-in projection light and a night light to offer at least two functions for people in a dark environment. The projection light can project an image from any type of display-unit irrespective of geometric shape or image source or type, including display of digital data, wireless digital data, an LCD or TFT screen display, or any other display, enabling images of enlarged size to be projected onto a preferred surface, making it easier for people to see the image. The built-in night light helps people see things in a dark environment. |
| US10677430B2 |
Driving device and lighting device
A driving device of an embodiment includes a first rotational unit and a holding unit. The first rotational unit is disposed with an object to be operated on one surface side intersecting with a first rotating shaft, and rotationally moves around the first rotating shaft with the object to be operated. The holding unit is disposed on another surface side of the first rotational unit, rotates with the first rotational unit, and holds a cable for supplying power to the object to be operated at a position away from the first rotational unit toward the other surface side, while placing the cable along the first rotating shaft. |
| US10677429B2 |
LED module with mounting brackets
A light module includes a heat sink and one or more light sources coupled within a heat sink cavity formed therein. The heat sink includes an internal surface surrounding the cavity. The internal surface includes a mounting region, a reflector region extending from the perimeter of the mounting region to a distal end, and a decorative region extending from the distal end to a second distal end. The light module includes multiple mounting pads coupled circumferentially around a portion of the heat sink. The mounting pads are configured to facilitate the heat sink being coupled within different housing diameter sizes. The light module includes a trim ring integrally formed with the heat sink and extending radially outward from one end of the heat sink. |
| US10677428B2 |
Lighting system
A lighting system and related methods are disclosed herein. The lighting system may have a mounting fixture and a light fixture. The mounting fixture is configured to engage a mounting surface. The light fixture is configured to engage the mounting fixture and has a driver configured to drive a light source. A first fastener having a movable elongated member is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in an extended configuration. A second fastener having a quick connect feature is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in a retracted configuration. |
| US10677426B2 |
Luminaire mounting system
A luminaire mounting system can accommodate mounting a luminaire to different structures. The luminaire can comprise an adapter, which may be formed into or otherwise associated with a frame of the luminaire, for example. The adapter can provide a mechanical interface to different brackets that are configured for mounting to different structures. The adapter can connect to a first type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a vertically extending pole, to a second type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a horizontally extending pole, and to a third type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a wall or other flat surface. |
| US10677425B2 |
Illumination device with adjustable curved reflector portions
A method and device for variable-beam illumination are disclosed. The device has a light source, a first reflector segment, and a second reflector segment. The first segment has a first parabolic cross section to produce a first light distribution having a wide-angle light distribution. The second segment has a second parabolic cross section to produce a second light distribution that is narrower than the first light distribution. At least one of the first and second segments is movable between first and second positions. At least a portion of the light is reflected to effectuate the first light distribution when the at least one of the first and second segments is in the first position. At least a portion of the light is reflected to effectuate the second light distribution when the at least one of the first and second segments is in the second position. |
| US10677424B2 |
Lighting module and a luminaire
The invention provides a lighting module for use in a reflector which comprises at least one first light source emitting first light having a first light distribution with a first main direction and at least one second light source emitting second light having a second light distribution with a second main direction opposite to the first main direction. A base connects the lighting module to a luminaire socket. The base has a longitudinal axis extending from the base. The first light source is positioned on the longitudinal axis and the second light source is positioned at a non-zero distance to the longitudinal axis. The first main direction and the second main direction are substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis. |
| US10677422B2 |
Decorative light filter
A decorative filter is disclosed. Quick, convenient, and festive update to garden lights and outdoor fixtures. The filter has a bag-like structure to facilitate placing it over a landscaping light fixture to change the color of the light that projects from the fixture. The filter is sheet-like and can be a gel or other color filter. Sometimes the filter is made from a polymeric material. |
| US10677419B1 |
Selectively frosted optical element for beam shaping
An apparatus can include a lens that can shape light emerging from a light emitting diode (LED). The emergent light from the LED can be substantially centered around an LED axis. An incident surface of the lens can be positioned to face the LED. The incident surface can include a concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially smooth, so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially centered around a concave portion axis that is non-coaxial with the LED axis. The incident surface can include a scattering portion, positioned away from the concave portion, which can be textured so as to scatter light that strikes the scattering portion. An exiting surface of the lens can optionally include a generally planar portion that at least partially surrounds a substantially smooth convex portion. |
| US10677414B2 |
Light emission module for motor vehicle
Light emission module, comprising a housing having at least one first opening and a second opening, a shaping optic, a light emission source, a module with mirrors disposed to receive at least a part of the light rays emitted by the light emission source, and a plurality of mirrors. The light emission module furthermore includes a cooling module configured to generate a flow of fluid circulating inside the inner space between the first and second openings in order to cool the light emission module. |
| US10677413B2 |
Lighting device having an LED, thermistor and resistor connected in series with a heat conduction suppressor configured to suppress heat to the thermistor
In a lighting device adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) thermistor (535), a first fixed resistor (R1), and a first light emitting element (531) are connected in series with a voltage source. A heat conduction suppressor (7) is configured to suppress heat conduction from the first fixed resistor (R1) to the PTC thermistor (535). |
| US10677406B2 |
Vehicular lamp
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp which creates light directed upward using a reflector that allows the light incident below the lower end of the lens to exit upward through a lens and which minimizes the uneven light distribution of the created light distribution pattern. The vehicular lamp according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor light source unit (20) including a light-emitting chip (21); a horizontally long lens (30) disposed in front of the light source unit (20); and a reflector (40) positioned between the lens (30) and light source unit (40) and disposed below the light-emitting chip (21) along a vertical direction. The reflector (40) includes a reflection surface (41) for creating a plurality of virtual focal points intersecting a vertical axis passing through the light emitting center O of the light-emitting chip (21). The distribution of light from the reflection surface (41) is controlled so that light is emitted from a light emitting surface (32) vertically below the optical axis Z of the lens (30). The lens (30) is formed such that, when a point light source is assumed on the optical axis Z, first direct light LM on the optical axis Z emitted from the point light source is distributed upward from the light emitting surface (32). |
| US10677405B2 |
High efficiency daylighting structure
A high efficiency daylight directing structure for application on fenestration deploys closely spaced macroscopic bars of transparent resin to eliminate different forms of glare. The spaced apart surfaces provide for efficient reflection of selective incident light, by TIR or metallic surfaces, via the ultra-smooth native surfaces from a mold or casting process. A close spacing is readily obtained in various attachment methods to boost efficiency. The fabrication method allows selective deposition of absorbing layers, such as by of painting/printing between alternating native optical surface to provide one way transparency at high angles of incidence. The bars are supported on at least one common planar surface by transparent support member with an optical quality adhesive material filling any imperfection in the bars common planar surface that form in fabrication. |
| US10677404B2 |
Emergency light system housing with two replaceable covers
Emergency light system housing, with two replaceable covers is invented to supplement the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,324 B1.The disadvantage of prior art is that it does not permit the cover of emergency light system housing to be replaceable.However, the present invention resolved this disadvantage by the way that it, creatively positions three connecting members on the cover and positions three holes on the housing.Three connecting members on the emergency light cover come to be respectively combined into three holes on the emergency light system housing.The shape of emergency light cover could be various as far as three connecting members on the emergency light cover are Properly positioned as described in the claim so that they come to be respectively combined into three holes on the emergency light system housing.The present invention could reduce an economic burden on an user because he or she could change only a different shape of emergency light cover with an existing cover without a need to change an entire emergency light system including housing with a circuit board and two covers with new one.In addition, the present invention is designed to shed a light in any direction by attaching the replaceable cover and the movable ball-shaped emergency light with a movable plastic circle.However, the movable emergency light is designed neither to be turned left or right side beyond 360 degree because of both one protruded-up and square-shaped object attached to the plastic moving circle and one blocking object located in the respective replaceable cover, nor to be turned downward or upwards beyond 80 degree because of both two protruded-up cross-shaped lines on each surface of two respective plastic ball-shaped covers and two respective smaller holes located in the movable plastic circle. |
| US10677403B1 |
Easy-to-install light-emitting diode double-ring ceiling lamp
The present application relates to an easy-to-install LED double-ring ceiling lamp, including a base plate, a LED light source board, a driving power supply, a translucent cover and a press ring. The LED light source board and the driving power supply are installed on the base plate, the translucent cover is covered on the base plate, and the press ring is covered outside the translucent cover and configured to support the translucent cover. The press ring and the base plate are detachably connected by multiple installation column-shaped bolts, and at least one of the multiple installation column-shaped bolts is a bendable installation column-shaped bolt. |
| US10677402B2 |
Lighting drywall
Techniques for smart light and lighting drywall are provided. A system and/or method can comprise a smart light comprising at least one light bulb; and a lighting drywall comprising: a power source; a mesh configured to provide power from the power source using a wireless power transfer mechanism; wherein the smart light is removably attachable to a plurality of locations on the lighting drywall and configured to receive the power using the wireless power transfer mechanism at respective locations of the plurality of locations. |
| US10677401B2 |
Lighting system with wireless power supply
A lighting system comprises a primary luminaire and a secondary luminaire each having a light source. Electrical power can be transmitted wirelessly via an inductive wireless power transmission from the primary to the secondary luminaire. Electrical power can also be transmitted wirelessly via an RF wireless power transmission from a RF wireless power transmitter to both luminaires. Energy can be stored in energy storage means. Thus, true wireless lighting can be achieved. |
| US10677400B2 |
Edgelit light emitting diode retrofit lamp
An edgelit lamp structure is provided. The lamp structure may include at least one optical diffuser having textured surface to direct light; a frame present on at least a portion of a perimeter of the optical diffuser; and a plurality of solid state light emitters that are present between the frame and the optical diffuser, the solid state light emitters emitting light that is received by the optical diffuser. |
| US10677397B2 |
LED lighting tube device and method
An LED lighting tube including a heat-dissipating tubular envelope having an LED assembly directly affixed to an inner surface of the heat-dissipating tubular envelope. A method of making an LED lighting tube by providing a heat-dissipating tubular envelope, and affixing an LED assembly directly to an inner surface of the heat-dissipating tubular envelope with an adhesive layer. A method of providing heat-dissipation without a heat sink in an LED lighting tube by providing a heat-dissipating tubular envelope, affixing an LED assembly directly to an inner surface of the heat-dissipating tubular envelope with an adhesive layer, and dissipating heat through the heat-dissipating tubular envelope. |
| US10677394B2 |
Real time integrity monitoring of on-shore pipes
A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs. |
| US10677392B2 |
Control system and method for pressure-let-downs stations
A system for depressurizing a gas in a pipeline is described. The system com-prises an expander configured and arranged for generating mechanical power by expanding gas from a first pressure to a second pressure. The system further comprises a heat pump and a heat transfer circuit containing a heat transfer fluid circu-lating therein, for receiving heat from the heat pump and delivering heat to the gas through a heat exchanger. A controller is further provided, configured and arranged for modulating a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the heat transfer circuit as a function of a heat rate to be transferred from the heat transfer fluid to the gas, particularly as a function of temperature differentials between the gas and the heat transfer fluid at a gas inlet side and a gas outlet side of the heat exchang-er. |
| US10677391B2 |
Gas supply device
Gas supply device, comprising a frame equipped with a base and accommodating a plurality of pressurised fluid cylinders connected to a fluidic circuit comprising a first connection end connected to the cylinders and a second end comprising at least one fluidic connection intended to be connected removably to an extraction or filling element for the cylinders, the frame comprising on one of its faces at least one opening giving access to at least one connection of the circuit, the frame also comprising at least one attachment element provided to cooperate with a lifting device. |
| US10677386B2 |
Swivel mount for electronic devices
A swivel mount assembly (SMA) for rotational mounting an electronic device onto a substantially stationary apparatus is provided comprising: a mounting portion adapted to mount the SMA to an electronic device; a swivel tube assembly attached to the mounting portion, and adapted to be inserted through a hole in the substantially stationary apparatus, and wherein the swivel tube is further adapted to provide rotational movement of the electronic device in regard to the substantially stationary apparatus; a rotation limiting assembly; and a securing assembly adapted to secure the swivel tube assembly to the substantially stationary apparatus in a securing but rotational manner. |
| US10677383B2 |
Male connector for a cooling pipe and a connection system
A male connector for a cooling pipe is provided. The male connector includes a hollow cylindrical base having a first end having a chamfered outer circumferential edge and a second end. The base includes a circumferential notch adjacent to the first end and configured to receive an O-ring and an elastic pin integrally formed with and protruding from a surface of the base. An acute angle formed between the surface of the base and the elastic pin has a vertex pointing toward the first end of the base. |
| US10677382B2 |
Pipe joint device and method for manufacturing the same
A pipe joint device configured to interconnect two pipes to be inserted therein through openings of both opened ends thereof including a joint main body and a joint assembly disposed in the joint main body is provided. The joint main body includes a small-diameter part formed at a central part and large-diameter parts formed at both sides of the small-diameter part. Each of the large-diameter parts has a first horizontal part, a diameter-reduced part of which a diameter gradually decreases from the first horizontal part toward the opening, and a second horizontal part extending horizontally from the diameter-reduced part toward the opening. A portion of each of the second horizontal parts is configured as a curled part inclined toward an outer-diameter direction and the opening of the pipe joint device and then again inclined toward an inner-diameter direction and the opening and having a mountain-shaped section as a whole. |
| US10677377B2 |
Conduit clip and conduit clip arrangement with a conduit clip and a conduit
A conduit clip for use in a conduit clip arrangement together with a conduit includes: a ring member adapted to be placed around the conduit, the ring member having a through axis, a circumferential radially internal surface, and a circumferential radially external surface, the ring member comprising semi-circular ring portions connected by a living hinge. The circumferentially external surface has a circumferentially smooth envelope. Each side wall of the ring member is provided with a clamping device that cooperates with an attachment member. The circumferential radially internal surface has at least one upstanding projection configured to engage a groove in the conduit sheath when placed around it. |
| US10677376B1 |
Method and apparatus for suspending a package in an elevated position
One embodiment provides a method and apparatus for suspending air conditioning duct works from a support structure comprising unistrut type support beams which apparatus includes a plurality of support brackets arranged and configured for being slidably interlockable with the interior of the unistrut beam members. The support brackets can be slid inside the interior of the support beam until adjacent a support beam which support beam can be connected to the support bracket. In like manner additional support brackets can be inserted into the interior of the support beam members to be adjustably located next to their respective support rod. In such manner multiple support rods can be used to support a frame member even where the support rods are not symmetrically located along the length of the support beam as the support bracket can be slid/moved inside the support beam until lining up with its respective support rod. Additionally, the entire support framework can be moved relative to the plurality of support rods by sliding the framework relative to the support brackets. In such manner the location of the supporting frame member can be changed without moving the support rods. |
| US10677374B2 |
Limit switch for rising stem gate valves
A limit switch assembly, for a rising-stem valve having a stem with a diameter and a groove marking a desired stem position, includes an actuator arm having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end of the actuator arm forms a follower. A radius washer is mounted to the outer end of the actuator arm. An electrical switch has an operating lever and is mounted adjacent to the outer end of the actuating arm such that when the actuator arm is in an outward position the radius washer moves the operating lever, operating the electrical switch. When the actuator arm is in an inward position the radius washer does not move the operating lever and the electrical switch is not operated. A bias spring biases the actuating arm toward the inward position. |
| US10677373B2 |
Servo-valve and fluidic device
The disclosure discloses a servo-valve that controls a fluid discharged from a discharge port of a nozzle by displacing the nozzle and drives an actuator. The servo-valve includes a receiver that includes an inflow surface provided with a first inflow port and a second inflow port into which the fluid discharged from the discharge port flows. The nozzle includes a force generation portion that includes an end surface provided with the discharge port and an outer circumferential surface formed in the periphery of the end surface. When the nozzle is displaced from a neutral position toward the first inflow port, the fluid inside the second inflow port is blown out toward the nozzle. The force generation portion collides with the fluid blown out from the second inflow port and causes an assisting force in a direction matching a nozzle displacement direction toward the first inflow port. The nozzle easily moves by the assisting force generated in the force generation portion and thus a response speed is improved. |
| US10677372B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator of a valve device
An electromagnetic actuator of a valve device, in particular in a common rail system of a motor vehicle, comprising an armature for actuating a valve element located in a duct, said armature being arranged in a housing and being movable axially along a longitudinal axis of the actuator when an excitation coil is energized, further comprising a pole core, characterized in that the electromagnetic actuator is designed as an electromagnetic adhesive system that comprises a plate-type armature which entirely covers planar end faces of the pole core that extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. |
| US10677371B2 |
Control valve, in particular for use in cooling paths
A control valve for adjusting the cross-sectional area of flow in at least one pipe, in particular for highly dynamic control of the coolant volume for cooling sections in rolling mills, includes a valve body, at least one valve seat and a positioning actuator configured for modifying the position of the valve body. The positioning actuator includes a linear electric motor in order to achieve reproducible response behavior, short response times and high positioning precision of the control valve. |
| US10677370B2 |
Flow regulating apparatus and gas water heater having same
A flow regulating device (60) and a gas water heater (1) having the same are provided. The flow regulating device (60) includes a housing (100) defining a water inlet (110) and a water outlet (120) therein; a flow regulating assembly (200) disposed in the housing (100), a temperature-flow regulating orifice (230) located between the water inlet (110) and the water outlet (120) being defined in the flow regulating assembly (200), and the flow regulating assembly (200) further including a regulating component for regulating opening of the temperature-flow regulating orifice (230); a temperature sensitive assembly (300) disposed in the housing (100) and connected to the regulating component, and the temperature sensitive assembly (300) driving the regulating component according to temperature of water in the housing (100). The flow regulating device has advantages of short regulating time, and high regulating precision. |
| US10677366B2 |
System and method for safer venting of hydrogen or other combustible gases
A system and process for intermittently venting combustible gas (c-gas) from a continuous source to the atmosphere are presented. The system may include a c-gas storage tank, an admission valve located upstream of the c-gas storage tank for regulating the flow of c-gas from the continuous source to the storage tank; an inert gas storage tank and an inert gas valve for regulating flow of inert gas to the c-gas storage tank, the inert gas diluting the c-gas within the c-gas storage tank below a flammable level; a vent valve for atmospheric venting located downstream of the c-gas storage tank, and a PIC that opens the vent valve when pressure in the c-gas storage tank reaches a pre-determined PIC vent point. The system may also include an auxiliary system to receive and vent c-gas diluted below the flammable level while the primary admission valve is closed. |
| US10677363B2 |
Water hammer prevention valve and method
A valve for preventing water hammer includes a speed reduction device for reducing a speed at which the valve may be closed. A method of preventing water hammer includes closing a valve at a fire hydrant after extracting water from the fire hydrant, in which the valve comprising a speed reduction device that increases an amount of time needed for closing the valve, and operating the valve to close the valve comprises operating the speed reduction device. |
| US10677361B2 |
Shut-off device
An example shut-off device includes a valve body to surround a section of a pipe and form a chamber about the section of the pipe. The example shut-off device also includes a first flange bearing on a first side of the chamber. The first flange bearing in a closed position forming a first seal between the pipe and the chamber. The example shut-off device also includes a second flange bearing on a second side of the chamber. the second flange bearing in a closed position forming a second seal between the pipe and the chamber. The example shut-off device also includes a cutting blade in the chamber. The cutting blade tightens against the pipe to cut through the pipe and at least partially seals an opening in the cut pipe. The cutting blade is configured to operate as a gate valve. |
| US10677358B2 |
Blow out resistant seal and assembly
A seal assembly (10) includes a seal ring shell (12) and an insert (14). The seal ring shell includes an inside diameter surface, and may also include a seal ring shell tapered portion that extends radially inwardly from the inside diameter surface. The insert includes an upper surface, and may also include an insert tapered portion. With embodiments, a portion of the upper surface of the insert contacts or operatively engages the inside diameter surface of the seal ring shell, and a portion of the insert tapered portion engages the seal ring shell tapered portion such that the seal ring shell tapered portion may impede movement of the insert in a direction substantially along the inside diameter surface (e.g., in an axial direction). |
| US10677357B2 |
Dry gas seal with electronically controlled carrier load
A mechanical seal assembly with an electronically controllable carrier load. The assembly includes a magnetic ring affixed to the carrier and driven by a solenoid. The solenoid can apply an axial force to the carrier. The carrier load can be controlled to prevent or reduce friction between the primary ring and mating ring in slow-roll running conditions by partially or completely compensating a spring force provided by a biasing mechanism. The carrier load can further be controlled to inhibit seal hang-up. In embodiments, desired the carrier load can be determined by rotational speed. In embodiments, carrier load can be determined based on sensor signals. |
| US10677356B2 |
Sealing structure for airtight container and vehicle refrigerant compressor provided with said structure
An object of the present invention is to achieve favorable sealability by a simple and low-cost structure using an O-ring. A sealing structure according to the present invention is provided with: a first sealing surface formed in an annular shape on a first container structural member configuring a housing (container); a second sealing surface overlaid on the first sealing surface, formed in annular shape on a second container structural member configuring the housing; a plurality of concentric O-ring grooves formed on at least one of the first sealing surface and second sealing surface; and a plurality of O-rings fitted into the plurality of O-ring grooves. The filling ratio of the O-ring in the O-ring groove positioned on an outer side of the housing is larger than the filling ratio of the O-ring in the O-ring groove positioned on an inner side of the housing. |
| US10677355B2 |
Tribological system of an internal combustion engine with a coating
The present invention relates to a tribological system (1; 2) comprising a first body (102; 105) and a second body (101; 107), which each form a component of an internal combustion engine (100), in particular a piston (102), a piston ring (105) or a cylinder (101, 107), and the surfaces (112, 108, 113) of which have a first and a second material area (11, 12) which come into contact with each other at least in some regions during operation and form a tribological contact, wherein the first and/or the second material area (11, 12) is formed as a layer on the basis of chromium oxide or aluminum chromium oxide. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine (100) having such a system (1; 2). |
| US10677354B2 |
Hydraulic vehicle incorporating efficient energy storage and regeneration system
An energy storage and regeneration system that converts irregular, non-constant, and variable input power to regular, constant, and controlled output power using hydraulics whereby the irregular input power is used to pump hydraulic fluid into an accumulator array where it is stored pressurized. Energy is released in a controlled fashion using a hydraulic motor operated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator array, in accordance with the specified power demand. One or more power units may be deployed depending on the amount of energy required at the output. Each power unit includes a hydraulic motor and associated floating accumulator whose internal pressure is controlled to maintain a substantially constant pressure differential across its associated motor. The system can be integrated into various energy system sources including renewable energy such as wind, PV or thermal solar, wave, tidal, etc. as well as various types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, etc. |
| US10677352B2 |
Hydrostatic transmission assembly and system
A hydrostatic transmission system includes a hydraulic motor and at least one proportional control valve and at least one pump connected to the hydraulic motor to provide fluid to operate the hydraulic motor. The at least one pump includes at least one fluid driver having a prime mover and a fluid displacement assembly to be driven by the prime mover such that fluid is transferred from the pump inlet to the pump outlet. The hydrostatic transmission system also includes a controller that establishes at least one of a speed and a torque of the at least one prime mover and concurrently establishes an opening of the at least one proportional control valve to adjust at least one of a flow and a pressure in the hydrostatic transmission system to an operational set point. |
| US10677351B2 |
Shift device
In a transmission mechanism, a motor is driven to rotate a rotation shaft, thereby rotating a rotor cam and a lock gear through a worm gear, a helical gear, and an intermediate gear. A cam is rotated integrally with the lock gear, thereby causing a lock bar to move to a position to restrict rotation of a knob and to a position to release rotation-restriction of the knob. A magnet is provided at the lock gear, and the magnet rotates integrally with the lock gear. Accordingly, the position of the rotor cam and the position of the lock bar can be detected from the position of the magnet. |
| US10677348B2 |
Electric vehicle and control method for electric vehicle
An electric vehicle includes: a motor for traveling; a transmission connected to the motor; a battery; an inverter configured to convert direct-current power output by the battery, into alternating-current power for driving the motor; a capacitor connected between a positive electrode of direct-current input terminals of the inverter and a negative electrode of the direct-current input terminals of the inverter; and a controller configured to change a gear stage of the transmission when both of a condition i) and a condition ii) are satisfied. The condition i) is a condition that the rotation speed of the motor is in a predetermined range. The condition ii) is a condition that the output of the motor exceeds a predetermined output threshold. |
| US10677346B2 |
Hydraulic control module and solenoid assembly included therein
A solenoid assembly includes a solenoid adapted to be coupled to a solenoid connecting member, with the solenoid connecting member extending from a support member. The solenoid assembly also includes a retaining bracket having a body portion and a securing portion extending from the body portion. The body portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the solenoid connecting member, and the securing portion is removably coupled to the solenoid. The retaining bracket is moveable between an unsecured position, and a secured position. The securing portion of the retaining bracket provides a spring force to the solenoid when the retaining bracket is in the secured position such that the solenoid is biased toward the solenoid connecting member to secure the solenoid between the solenoid connecting member and the securing portion of the retaining bracket. |
| US10677345B2 |
Control device of automatic transmission
A control device of an automatic transmission controls an automatic transmission 1 comprising a transmission mechanism 3 including a plurality of engagement elements, and a hydraulic oil supply device 4 supplying hydraulic oil to the transmission mechanism The control device of the automatic transmission comprises an engagement element control part 41 configured to use the hydraulic oil supply device to make the plurality of engagement elements change between an engaged state and a disengaged state; and a deceleration degree calculating part 42 configured to calculate a target deceleration degree of a vehicle in which the automatic transmission is provided. The engagement element control part is configured to make the engagement element in the disengaged state engage so that the vehicle decelerates if the target deceleration degree is equal to or more than a predetermined value when an increase in temperature of hydraulic oil in the automatic transmission is demanded. |
| US10677343B2 |
Fluid distribution assembly having anti-clog inlet housing
A fluid distribution assembly for distributing a fluid, the fluid distribution assembly includes an inlet housing including a first conduit and a bypass conduit; a chip detector cavity in fluid communication with the first conduit such that the fluid can pass through the first conduit into the chip detector cavity; and an outlet housing in fluid communication with the chip detector cavity and the bypass conduit such that the fluid can pass into the outlet housing through the chip detector cavity and/or the bypass conduit. |
| US10677342B2 |
Gear housing including snap-fit connection between housing cover and gear shaft
An actuator housing is configured to receive an electric motor and a gear set that modifies the output of the motor. The actuator housing includes a gear housing that supports the gear set for rotation. The gear set includes a worm gear that is driven by the motor and has an opening that is concentric with a rotational axis of the gear. The gear housing includes a container and a cover that closes an open end of the container. The container houses the gear and defines a hollow gear shaft that extends through the gear opening. The cover is secured to the open end of the gear housing via a snap-fit mechanical connection between the cover and the gear shaft. |
| US10677341B2 |
Housing for a transmission
A housing for a transmission, in particular an actuator housing. The housing having a housing wall and ribs that protrude from the housing wall to the outside and/or inside. The protruding ribs are at least partially arranged such that they form a honeycomb-shaped structure on the housing wall. |
| US10677335B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
Provided is a continuously variable transmission capable of solving a technical problem in which upon activation of a continuously variable transmission, speed increase in vaned-wheel power density is low and unable to meet the requirement for rapidly increasing output torque. The present continuously variable transmission comprises a planetary gear set (101) at an input end and a planetary gear set (102) at an output end. A planetary carrier (104) having a cavity is provided between the planetary gear set (101) at the input end and the planetary gear set (102) at the output end. The planetary carrier (104) comprises an input end cover (6) and an output end cover (13). A vaned-wheel housing (14) having a cavity is fixed between the input end cover (6) and the output end cover (13). An inner side of the planetary gear set (101) at the input end is connected to the input end cover (6). An inner side of the planetary gear set (102) at the output end is connected to the output end cover (13). A vaned-wheel-based planetary gear set (103) is provided at one internal side of the vaned-wheel housing (14). |
| US10677334B2 |
Torque converter
A torque converter for transmitting torque to an input shaft of a transmission includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine disposed in opposition to the impeller, and a lock-up device. The lock-up device is for mechanically transmitting torque from the front cover to the turbine. The lock-up device includes a pressure receiving portion, a piston and an input part. The pressure receiving portion has an annular shape and is provided to protrude from an outer peripheral end of the turbine further radially outward. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be axially movable, and includes a friction portion in an outer peripheral part thereof. The friction portion is capable of being engaged by friction with the pressure receiving portion of the turbine when pressed onto the pressure receiving portion. The input part transmits the torque from the front cover to the piston. |
| US10677333B2 |
Rotation transmission mechanism and damper device
A rotation transmission mechanism may include a drive wheel structured to rotate to one side, a driven wheel turned by the drive wheel to one side, and an urging member urging the driven wheel to turn to the other side. The drive wheel may include a drive teeth forming part where drive teeth structured to turn the driven wheel to the one side are provided at positions different from each other in an axial line direction, and a cam face forming part on which the driven wheel is slid. The driven wheel is provided with a driven teeth forming part where driven teeth provided at positions different from each other in an axial line direction are disposed over an angular range so that, when the drive wheel is turned to the one side, the drive teeth are sequentially abutted with the driven teeth. |
| US10677329B2 |
Electromechanical actuator cylinder
The electromechanical actuator cylinder provides a casing, an actuation rod mounted to be movable longitudinally relative to the casing, an electric motor provided with a stator and with a rotating rotor shaft, and a mechanism for converting a rotational movement of the rotor shaft into a linear movement in translation of the actuation rod. The actuator cylinder includes at least one roller bearing for guiding the rotor shaft in rotation relative to the casing and providing at least one row of rolling elements. An inner raceway for the row of rolling elements of the bearing is formed directly on the rotor shaft. |
| US10677328B2 |
Bridge-type ball screw and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a bridge-type ball screw (1) with a bridge member (5) fit into a nut bridge window (6). The bridge member (5) has a linking groove (5a) with a rolling track that acts as a circulating path. After the bridge member (5) is fit into the nut bridge window (6), a cylindrical mandrel (8), with projections (9), is inserted into the nut (3). An upper die (10) restricts the upper surface of the bridge member (5) and is lowered while the nut (3) is held between the upper die (10) and the mandrel (8). A connection part is subject to plastic working by the projections (9) of the mandrel (8). The bridge member (5) is simultaneously deformed by the upper die (10) to secure the bridge member (5) into the nut bridge window (6). |
| US10677327B2 |
Toroidal continuously variable transmission
In a toroidal continuously variable transmission including at least one transmission unit including: an input disc and an output disc disposed coaxially; and a power roller tiltably interposed between the input disc and the output disc and configured to transmit a driving force from the input disc to the output disc, an integrally rotating member disposed so as to be spaced apart in an axial direction from at least one disc of the input disc and the output disc of each transmission unit and configured to rotate together with the at least one disc, and an annular interposed member provided between the at least one disc and the integrally rotating member and configured to rotate together with the at least one disc, are provided, and the interposed member is formed with a balance adjustment portion capable of adjusting weight balance in a circumferential direction. |
| US10677326B2 |
Modular tensioner system
A tensioner system may be replaced by selecting replacement components. Components such as a housing, roller arm, pulley, and index plate locating pin may be selected from a group of housings, roller arms, pulleys, and index plate locating pins, respectively. The selection of the components allows a user to assemble multiple variations of tensioner that are commercially available. The location of the index plate locating pin on the index plate allows for proper orientation of the tensioner in the vehicle in order to apply the proper tension to a belt. The selection of the components may be based on current tensioner model, or based on dimensions measured from the current tensioner. |
| US10677325B2 |
Chain drive tensioner spring force control mechanism
A tensioner which adjusts the mean tensioner force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain control, significantly improving drive efficiency as the chain wears and is subject to low dynamic loads. |
| US10677324B2 |
Variable speed accelerator
The present invention provides a variable speed accelerator including: a constant-speed motor (51) having a constant-speed rotor (52) which is configured to rotate a constant-speed input shaft (Ac) of a transmission device (10) in a first direction; and a variable-speed motor (71) which has a variable-speed rotor (72) connected to a variable-speed input shaft (Av) of the transmission device (10), having a cylindrical shape centered on an axis with a shaft insertion hole (74) passing therethrough in the axial direction through which the constant-speed input shaft (Ac) inserted, and configured to rotate an output shaft (Ao) at a maximum rotation rate by rotating the variable-speed rotor (72) at a maximum rotation rate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the variable speed accelerator further includes an AC power source line (110) which connects the variable-speed motor (71) with an AC power source to allow the variable-speed motor (71) to rotate in the second direction; a rotation rate controller (100) which is provided on the AC power source line (110) to control a rotation rate of the variable-speed motor (71); a first switch (SW1) provided on the AC power source line (110); and a braking circuit (2) connected to portions locating between the variable-speed motor (71) and the rotation rate controller (100) with the first switch (SW1) on the AC power source line (110). |
| US10677321B2 |
Speed reducing device having power source
A speed reducing device includes a motor and a speed reducing mechanism. The motor includes a stator portion, a shaft portion and rotator portion. The rotator portion includes first and second eccentric rings. The speed reducing mechanism includes first, second and third roller assemblies and first and second cycloid disc sets. These roller assemblies include first rollers, second rollers and third rollers. The first cycloid disc set is mounted around the first eccentric ring, and includes first teeth and second teeth. The second cycloid disc set is mounted around the second eccentric ring, and includes third teeth and fourth teeth. The first teeth are contacted with the first rollers. The third teeth are contacted with the second rollers. The second teeth and the fourth teeth are contacted with the third rollers. |
| US10677317B2 |
Rotation-movement conversion linear gear mechanism
The present invention discloses a line gear mechanism for rotation-movement conversion, comprising a driving line gear (1) and a driven line gear (2). A stagger angle between an axis of the driving line gear and an axis of the driven line gear is any value from 0° to 180°. By a point contact meshing between a driving contact curve of a driving line tooth on the driving line gear (1) and a driven contact curve of a driven line tooth on the driven line gear (2), and by utilizing rotation of the driving line gear (1), it achieves that the driven line gear (2) rotates while moving smoothly. The line gear mechanism for rotation-movement conversion is simple in structure, easy to design, can achieve small displacement of movement, and is especially suitable for the conversion of small machinery from rotation to linear motion. |
| US10677315B2 |
Belt splicing apparatus and method
A portable conveyor belt splicing apparatus is provided that includes an upper press assembly and a lower press assembly which include, respectively, upper and lower platen assemblies. The upper and lower press assemblies may each include a forced air cooling system for rapidly cooling platens of the platen assemblies. The upper and lower press assemblies may include insulating assemblies with resilient members that support the upper and lower press assemblies. The resilient members provide structural support and insulate the platens from the frame which reduces the power required to heat the platens. In one form, the apparatus includes a power supply circuit that can alternate between providing power to upper and lower heaters in response to the apparatus being connected to different types of standard power supplies. Further, the power supply circuit permits the use of a single recipe for a particular belt irrespective of the type of power supply. |
| US10677314B2 |
Power transmission apparatus with centrifugal pendulum damper
A power transmission apparatus with a centrifugal pendulum damper is realized, which can effectively suppress torque fluctuation and vibration noise of a vehicle while avoiding size increase of a centrifugal pendulum damper and deterioration of reliability of the centrifugal pendulum damper by high-speed rotation. A power transmission apparatus with a centrifugal pendulum damper includes: a centrifugal pendulum damper coupled to an input shaft through a speed-increasing mechanism configured to increase speed of rotation of the input shaft; and an engagement/disengagement mechanism capable of realizing and cutting off power transmission from the input shaft to the centrifugal pendulum damper. |
| US10677307B2 |
Barrel spring
A device for applying an axial force includes a longitudinal axis with a first compression surface located at a first end of the longitudinal axis and a second compression surface located at a second end of the longitudinal axis. A plurality of resilient members is positioned between the first compression surface and the second compression surface. A first resilient member is oriented with a first end proximate the first compression surface and a second end proximate the second compression surface. A second resilient member is oriented with a first end proximate the first compression surface and a second end proximate the second compression surface. The device has a compressed state and an expanded state where the first compression surface and second compression surface move in a direction of the longitudinal axis between the compressed state and the expanded state. |
| US10677305B2 |
Friction material composition, and friction material and friction member using friction material composition
The friction material composition, friction material and friction member are provided, in which copper, having serious environmental effects, is not contained or is not contained at more than 0.5 mass % of copper, rust adhering force is low, rust delamination is difficult to occur, the friction material composition includes a binder, an organic filler, an inorganic filler, and a fibrous substrate, wherein the friction material composition contains no copper as an element or contains not more than 0.5 mass % of copper, and contains fibrillated aramid fiber as the fibrous substrate, 0.2 to 2 mass % of sodium carbonate and 2.5 to 10 mass % of calcium hydroxide. |
| US10677304B2 |
Smart braking devices, systems, and methods with signal conditioners
Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance. |
| US10677303B2 |
Disc brake wear adjuster
A disc brake, a wear adjuster for a disc brake and a method for operating a disc brake are provided. The wear adjuster includes a pawl biased by a spring against, and actuated by, a rotary lever, a shaft with the ratchet wheel arranged to be rotated by the pawl when the rotary lever rotates in a brake release direction, and a tappet wheel threaded on a brake application tappet supported on a movable bridge in the disc brake caliper. During brake release the pawl rotates the ratchet wheel and the shaft. The shaft and the tappet wheel have gearing which rotates the tappet wheel with the shaft. Due to the threaded engagement of the tappet wheel and the non-rotating tappet, the rotating tappet wheel causes the tappet to advance relative to the bridge to compensate for brake pad wear. |
| US10677296B2 |
Electronic, high-efficiency vehicular transmission, overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly and switchable linear actuator device for use therein
An electronic, high-efficiency vehicular transmission, an overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly and switchable linear actuator device for use in the assembly and the transmission are provided. The device controls the operating mode of at least one non-friction coupling assembly. The device has a plurality of magnetic sources which produce corresponding magnetic fields to create a net translational force. The net translational force comprises a first translational force caused by energization of at least one electromagnetic source and a magnetic latching force based upon linear position of a permanent magnet source along an axis. |
| US10677295B2 |
Rocker one-way clutch with cutout to locate a spring and stator incorporating the same
A rocker one-way clutch including an outer race including a pocket and a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body and a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member. A rocker one-way clutch including an inner race, an outer race arranged radially outward of the inner race concentrically, the outer race including a pocket, a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member, the locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body, a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member and a protrusion operatively arranged within the first neck portion opposite of the cutout to ensure proper assembly of the strut within the inner and outer races. |
| US10677292B2 |
Generator disconnect couplings
A method of disconnecting a generator from a source of mechanical rotation includes receiving a generator disconnect command and receiving a rotational position of a generator input member. The input member rotational angle is compared to the target disconnect angle range, and a determination made whether to disconnect the input member from a generator drive member based on the comparison. |
| US10677291B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device including a sealing device main body 1 mounted on one of two members 101 that rotate relatively, and a seal flange mounted to the other of the two members 102. The sealing device main body 1 is provided with a structure provided with a seal lip 12 slidably connected to a seal flange 22, and a tube part 18 positioned further to the outer side than the seal lip 12. A labyrinth lip 15 is provided on the sealing device main body 1 positioned further to the outer side than the seal lip 12; and, the labyrinth lip 15 extends towards the radially opposite side to the tip end of the seal flange 22 facing the tube part 18 in a radial direction, as the tip end closely faces the seal flange 22 in an axial direction, and a labyrinth gap 3 is formed between the labyrinth lip 15 and the seal flange 22, and the tube part 18. |
| US10677290B2 |
Wind turbine pitch bearing with line contact rolling elements
A pitch bearing for coupling a rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine includes an outer race configured to be coupled to the hub, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race and configured to be coupled to the rotor blade, and a first plurality of line contact rolling elements. The outer race defines a first outer raceway wall and the inner race defines a first inner raceway wall. The first plurality of line contact rolling elements is disposed between the first inner and outer raceway walls. Each of the plurality of line contact rolling elements defines a predetermined contact angle. The predetermined contact angle is defined as an angle between a reference line extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of line contact rolling elements and a reference line extending parallel to a horizontal plane of the pitch bearing. Further, the predetermined contact angle includes angles between 0 degrees (°) and 90°. |
| US10677286B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing with injectors and deflectors
A hydrodynamic bearing contains a body of which an inner surface forms a cavity arranged to accommodate and surround a rotary shaft. The cavity has a plurality of pads installed on the inner surface so as to support and guide the rotary shaft in rotation in a direction of rotation w from “upstream” to “downstream”. Each pad has an upper surface of which one portion, referred to as the “active surface”, acts as a sliding surface for the rotary shaft. The bearing having at least one pad included in an active angular sector of the bearing and at least one pad included in a passive angular sector of the bearing such that the active surface of each pad of the passive angular sector is lower than the active surface of each of the pads of the active angular sector. |
| US10677282B2 |
Attachment device
A system including an attachment device having a generally flat plate having a securement structure, and two hooks movably coupled to the plate. A base end of each hook is spaced apart by a natural number multiple of a hook spacing distance, and the hook spacing distance is between about 1¾ inches and about 2¼ inches, or is between about 2¾ inches and about 3¼ inches. |
| US10677279B2 |
Snap ring assembly
A snap ring assembly includes a base set. The base set includes a first base section and a second base section. The first base section is adapted to be disposed adjacent and substantially coplanar with respect to the second base section. The snap ring assembly also includes a retaining set. The retaining set includes a first retaining section and a second retaining section. The first retaining section is adapted to be disposed adjacent and substantially coplanar with respect to the second retaining section. Each of the first retaining section and the second retaining section is adapted to be removably coupled to each of the first base section and the second base section. |
| US10677276B2 |
Fixing structure and fixing method
According to an aspect, a fixing structure includes: a supporting plate; a substrate arranged on a first surface of the supporting plate, the substrate including a component that is arranged on a surface opposite to the supporting plate and projects toward opposite to the supporting plate; a male screw that is fixed to the supporting plate so that a first end projects from the first surface to pass through the substrate, and a second end opposite to the first end does not project from a second surface opposite to the first surface of the supporting plate; and a female screw that is screwed with the first end of the male screw projecting from the substrate. |
| US10677263B2 |
Attachable personal cooling fans
This invention relates to attachable personal cooling fans specifically designed to provide several hours of cooling for the user. These units were originally designed for baseball/softball plate and base umpires for hot weather conditions, however, they could be adapted for other uses. The units are portable and lightweight and can be attached to any facemask or cap. |
| US10677261B2 |
Turbine engine and containment assembly for use in a turbine engine
A turbine engine that includes an engine casing including a shell and an angel wing member. The angel wing member includes a base defined at the shell, a tip positioned distal from the base, and a first side and a second side that define a thickness of the angel wing member. The thickness of the angel wing member is non-uniform between the base and the tip. |
| US10677260B2 |
Turbine engine and method of manufacturing
A turbine engine that includes a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades, an outer case positioned radially outward from the plurality of rotor blades, and an annular ring coupled to the outer case and positioned between the plurality of rotor blades and the outer case. The annular ring is configured to restrict thermal contraction of the outer case towards the plurality of rotor blades. |
| US10677252B2 |
Fan structure
A fan structure includes a fan impeller, a fan seat and a hollow shaft rod. The fan impeller has a circumferential section and a top section. The circumferential section has multiple fan blades. The fan seat has a bearing cup. A light-emitting unit and a photoconductive component are received in the bearing cup. The hollow shaft rod has a first end, a second end and a through hole. The through hole axially passes through the hollow shaft rod between the first and second ends. A first end of the hollow shaft rod is inserted in the top section of the fan impeller. A second end of the hollow shaft rod is inserted in the bearing cup of the fan seat and assembled with the photoconductive component. The fan structure improves the shortcoming of the conventional light-emitting fan that the light can be hardly fully projected. |
| US10677246B2 |
Variable volume ratio compressor
A compressor and method for controlling the volume ratio of a compressor is provided. The compressor includes a an intake passage, a discharge passage and a compression mechanism, the compression mechanism being positioned to receive vapor from the intake passage and provide compressed vapor to the discharge passage. At least one opening is positioned in the compression mechanism to bypass a portion of the vapor in the compression mechanism to the discharge passage, the at least one opening being sized and positioned to automatically vary a volume ratio in the compressor in response to a varying pressure differential between the intake passage and the discharge passage. |
| US10677240B2 |
Method for remanufacturing fluid end block
A method for remanufacturing a fluid end block of pump. The fluid end block includes a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis, a second bore defining a second longitudinal axis and a third bore defining a third longitudinal axis. The method includes enlarging, by a machining process, the first bore to a first predetermined dimension, the second bore to a second predetermined dimension and the third bore to a third predetermined dimension, inserting a first insert into the enlarged first bore and coupling the first insert to the fluid end block, the first insert having a first slot and a second slot, inserting a second insert into the enlarged second bore such that the second insert is at least partially received within the first slot and inserting a third insert into the enlarged third bore such that the third insert is at least partially received within the second slot. |
| US10677235B2 |
Compression device having connection unit for cooling unit
This compression device is provided with a reciprocating compressor which compresses a gas, and a heat exchanger which cools gas compressed by the compressor. The heat exchanger is provided with a cooling unit for cooling the gas and with a connection unit which abuts against the outside surface of the compressor and has a gas inlet passage to allow gas discharged from the compression chamber of the compressor to flow into the cooling unit. |
| US10677233B2 |
Vibration-dampening air compressor assembly
An air compressor assembly may include a support structure, an operating unit including a compressor operatively connected to a motor through at least one drive belt, and at least one vibration isolator that is positioned between at least a portion of the support structure and at least a portion of the operating unit. The vibration isolator(s) is configured to dampen vibratory energy generated by the operating unit. |
| US10677228B2 |
Vapor pressure solid articles and methods for making and using the same
Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatuses, methods, products, and other implementations of vapor pressure solids. In some embodiments, a vapor pressure solid may include a one- or multi-component matrix material. In some embodiments, the multi-components matrix material is a two-part PDMS comprising a first and second matrix material. The first matrix material is capable of being mixed with one or more vaporizable fluids that causes the first matrix material to swell. The second matrix material is capable of being mixed with the swelled first matrix material to produce an actuating material. When the actuating material is heated, the one or more vaporizable fluids expand, resulting in vapors. The increased pressure applied by the vapors causes the actuating material to expand. |
| US10677227B2 |
Gravity field energy storage and recovery system
Invention defines a method and apparatus for storing energy where a power source is used to reposition a mass in a gravitational field to a position of higher potential energy where the stored potential energy may be recovered with extremely low loss, where the force of gravity may be allowed to accelerates the mass, where the resulting kinetic energy is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power. A variation defines a method where a power source is used to submerge a buoyant object in a fluid, where the submerged object represents a potential energy, where the force of gravity displaces the submerged buoyant object, where the kinetic energy resulting from the displacement is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be similarly converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power. Invention defines a process where available energy can be used to do work to raise a massive object against a planetary gravitational field, to a position of high potential energy which can be maintained indefinitely. On demand the mass can be accelerated by the gravitational field and converted to kinetic energy, which is harnessed and converted to shaft horsepower, allowing the desired energy recovery from the energy storage system. |
| US10677224B2 |
Floating wind power plant
The invention relates to an improved, in particular simpler, lighter, mechanically more stable and operationally more reliable offshore wind power plant (100) that can float. By means of a cable (110) constructed as a combination of a power line that is held at least virtually without loading and a holding cable that absorbs all the mechanical forces that occur for holding the wind power plant on a single fixed-location anchoring point (111), said power plant can be connected to the anchoring point such that the power plant can move with six degrees of freedom. A coupling (112) is arranged at a single connecting point (118) between the cable and the wind power plant and, to make an electrical connection, is constructed with a sliding coupling and, for mechanical transmission of force, is constructed with a swivel coupling. The wind power plant has a supporting unit (101) constructed as a semi-submersible having ballast units (102) and buoyancy units (103), in particular a floating unit, and a supporting mast (104) which is firmly connected to the supporting unit and has a machine gondola (105) fixedly arranged on the latter and having at least one rotor (106) and at least one electric generator. The highest possible horizontal distance is formed between the connecting point and a substantially vertical plane of rotation of the rotor. |
| US10677220B2 |
Wind turbine power generating apparatus and method of operating the same
A method of operating a wind turbine power generating apparatus includes a step of obtaining a wind direction of a wind; a step of obtaining at least one of a wind velocity of the wind or an index of turbulence degree of the wind velocity; and a step of selecting an operation mode of the wind turbine power generating apparatus from among a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode and at least one load-suppressing operation mode in which a load applied to a wind turbine blade is smaller than in the normal operation mode, on the basis of whether the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is at least a threshold. The threshold of the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is variable in accordance with the wind direction. |
| US10677218B2 |
Control of a wind turbine during recovery after a grid fault
Embodiments of the present invention relate to control of a wind turbine during a recovery period after a grid fault. It is disclosed to operate a wind turbine during the recovery period to determine the actual pitch angle of the rotor blades and the actual wind speed, and based on that determining a desired pitch angle of the rotor blades, as well as a pitch ramp rate so that the actual pitch angle can be brought to match the desired pitch angle before the end of the recovery period. In embodiments, the steps performed in the recovery mode are repeated at intervals during the recovery period. |
| US10677215B2 |
Wind turbine blade and a method of moulding a wind turbine blade tip section
A wind turbine blade and a method of moulding a wind turbine blade tip section. The overall wind turbine blade has an elongate structure extending in a radial sense in a finished wind turbine. The blade comprises a fairing that one is supported along its length by a spar extended along the full length of the fairing from the root end to the tip. The fairing is in two parts with a main part extending from the root for most the of the longitudinal length of the blade and the tip section forming the remainder of the blade. |
| US10677211B1 |
Integrated starter-generator
A prime mover for a lightweight vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a starter motor integrally integrated with the internal combustion engine, and a housing for the prime mover. The prime mover additionally comprises a Hall Effect sensor and an prime mover control module structured and operable to communicate with the Hall Effect sensor, determine when operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, and upon the determination that operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, utilize the communication from the Hall Effect sensor to stop the internal combustion engine such that a piston of the internal combustion engine is positioned at between 15° and 25° after bottom-dead-center. |
| US10677210B2 |
Air-assisted fuel injection system for ignition quality determination
Disclosed is an air-assisted fuel injection system, comprising a cylindrical bore; a plunger and a barrel within the cylindrical bore, the plunger having a flat surface; and a securing means abutting against the flat surface to keep the plunger from rotating within the cylindrical bore. |
| US10677205B2 |
Fuel delivery injector
A fuel delivery injector includes a housing, an end cap including an inlet port fluidly coupled to a cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel into the cavity and an outlet port fluidly coupled to the cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel out of the cavity, a magnetic assembly fixedly positioned within the cavity, and a pumping assembly including a bobbin and a piston. A return spring is coupled to the pumping assembly to bias the pumping assembly to a home position and a valve assembly including a biasing spring is positioned between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The liquid fuel entering the housing through the inlet port flows from the inlet port to the cavity and fuel vapor entering the housing through the inlet port is directed through a conduit to the outlet port. |
| US10677201B2 |
Internal EGR amount calculation device for internal combustion engine
An internal EGR amount calculation device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly and easily calculating an internal EGR amount according to the change in the valve timing and enhancing the calculation accuracy of the internal EGR amount. The device includes an ECU. The ECU calculates an amount of burned gases remaining in a cylinder when the valve timing is predetermined reference timing, as a reference internal EGR amount. The ECU calculates a change in the amount of burned gases flowing into or out of the cylinder with respect to the amount of burned gases flowing into or out of the cylinder when the valve timing is the predetermined reference timing, as an internal EGR increase/decrease amount. Then, the ECU calculates the internal EGR amount by adding the internal EGR increase/decrease amount to the reference internal EGR amount. |
| US10677199B2 |
Anomaly determination device for evaporated fuel processing device
An anomaly determination device for an evaporated fuel processing device comprises: an evaporated fuel processing device (60) including a canister (61), a purge passage (62) and a purge valve (66); a first pressure sensor (43) and/or a second pressure sensor (45) for acquiring a purge downstream pressure, a third pressure sensor (53) for acquiring a canister internal pressure, and a PCM (70) that calculates a purge flow rate per unit time based on the purge downstream pressure and an opening degree of the purge valve (66), and calculates an integrated purge flow rate by integrating the purge flow rate, so as to perform an anomaly determination for the evaporated fuel processing device (60) based on the canister internal pressure and the integrated purge flow rate. The PCM (70) uses the canister internal pressure when the integrated purge flow rate becomes a predetermined flow rate or more. |
| US10677188B2 |
Cylinder liner for an opposed-piston engine
A cylinder liner for an opposed-piston engine, and corresponding methods of extending engine durability and thermal management therewith, has opposite ends and a bore with a longitudinal axis for supporting reciprocating movement of a pair of opposed pistons. An intermediate portion of the liner extends between the opposite ends and includes an annular liner portion within which the pistons reach respective TC locations. A liner ring is seated in a portion of the bore in the annular liner portion, between the TC locations, for scraping carbon from top lands of the pistons and/or increasing the thermal resistance of the annular liner portion. |
| US10677187B2 |
Combustion control device for compression autoignition engine
A combustion control device for a compression autoignition engine includes an engine, a state quantity setting device, a spark plug, a controller, and a sensor. The spark plug receives a control signal from the controller and ignites air-fuel mixture at predetermined ignition timing such that the ignited air-fuel mixture is combusted by flame propagation and then unburned air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber is combusted by autoignition. The controller outputs a control signal to an injector such that, in a compression stroke, fuel is injected at specific timing at which a line obtained by extending an axis of each hole of the injector overlaps with a specific portion including an opening edge of a cavity in an upper surface of a piston. |
| US10677186B2 |
Control apparatus for compression auto-ignition engine
A control apparatus for a compression autoignition engine includes an engine, a spark plug, a controller, and sensors. After the spark plug ignites air-fuel mixture to start combustion, unburned air-fuel mixture is combusted by autoignition. The controller changes an SI rate in accordance with an operation state of the engine. Furthermore, the controller adjusts the SI rate when determining that the SI rate needs to be adjusted. |
| US10677180B2 |
Controller and control method for internal combustion engine
A first limit requesting process limits a dither control process of fuel injection valves in such a manner that the absolute value of the difference between the air-fuel ratios of the cylinders becomes smaller when the degree of variation of the injection amounts of the fuel injection valves provided for respective cylinders is great than when the degree of variation is small. A second limit requesting process limits the dither control process in such a manner that the absolute value is smaller when the torque fluctuation amount of the internal combustion engine is great than when the torque fluctuation amount is small. The limiting process limits the dither control process in accordance with one of requests generated by the first limit requesting process and the second limit requesting process that causes the absolute value to be smaller than the other. |
| US10677177B2 |
Engine control strategy
At least some implementations of a method of distinguishing between two loads being driven by an engine, includes the steps of determining engine speed at defined intervals, comparing a second engine speed against a previously determined first engine speed, determining if the second engine speed fits an expected pattern of engine speeds, and counting either the number of incidents where the second engine speed does not fit the expected pattern, or the number of incidents where the second engine speed does fit the expected pattern, or some combination of these two. A method of determining if an engine is operating at least near a lean limit of its air to fuel ratio is also disclosed. |
| US10677172B2 |
Method and system for engine control
Methods and systems are provided for using compression heating to heat a cylinder piston before cylinder combustion is resumed. Cylinder heating is achieved using combinations of slow unfueled engine rotation where the engine cylinders are heated via compression stroke heating, and slow compressor rotation where the cylinders are heated via compression heating. One or more intake or exhaust heaters may be concurrently operated to expedite cylinder heating. |
| US10677171B2 |
Angle detection mechanism and angle detection system
An angle detection mechanism to detect a rotation angle of a rotation body includes a first detection unit to cause a first output value to constantly change in response to an angle change of the rotation body in the entire region of a specific rotation range and to set a change quantity of the first output value relative to the angle change in a first rotation region of the specific rotation range to be greater than a change quantity in a non-first rotation region, and a second detection unit to cause a second output value to constantly change in response to an angle change and to set a change quantity of the second output value in a second rotation region including a rotation region different from the first rotation region to be greater than a change quantity in a non-second rotation region. |
| US10677164B2 |
Cooling system for a turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a high pressure compressor and a core casing surrounding the compressor section and defining an inlet. The gas turbine engine also includes a cooling system for cooling air in or to the compressor section. The cooling system includes a fluid tank for storing a volume of cooling fluid and a fluid line assembly in fluid communication with the fluid tank. The fluid line assembly includes an outlet positioned upstream of the high pressure compressor and downstream of the inlet defined by the core casing for injecting cooling fluid into an airflow upstream of the high pressure compressor. |
| US10677160B2 |
Integration of pressure swing adsorption with a power plant for CO2 capture/utilization and N2 production
Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. |
| US10677155B2 |
Switch valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow and connecting rod for a variable compression internal combustion engine with a switch valve
A switch valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow, the switch valve comprising a tapping element that is arranged in a valve housing, wherein the tapping element is displaceable into a first switching position or a second switching position and interlockable by a spring loaded interlocking element in the first switching position or the second switching position, wherein a first hydraulic connection is connected with a relief connection in the first switching position and a second hydraulic connection is connected with the relief connection in the second switching position, wherein a switching travel of the tapping element is limited, wherein the interlocking element is at least partially arranged in a recess of the tapping element, wherein the valve housing includes a first groove that is oriented in an axial direction of the valve housing and limited in the axial direction. |
| US10677149B2 |
Surge avoidance control method and surge avoidance control device for exhaust turbine turbocharger
A surge avoidance control method that includes a surge detection step of determining whether the operation point of the compressor is positioned in a surge operation region at each predetermined timing; a surge avoidance opening-degree calculation step calculating a surge avoidance opening degree of the operation device necessary for moving the operation point of the compressor determined to be positioned in the surge operation region in the surge detection step out of the surge operation region; a correction opening-degree calculation step calculating a correction opening degree of the operation device on the basis of a moving velocity of the operation point of the compressor which is determined to be positioned in the surge operation region in the surge detection step; and an opening-degree command value calculation step calculating an opening-degree command value of the operation device on the basis of the surge avoidance opening degree and the correction opening degree. |
| US10677145B2 |
Method and system for boost pressure control
Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure in a staged engine system comprising a turbocharger and an upstream electric supercharger. In one example, a method may include coordinating the operation of the electric supercharger and an electric supercharger bypass valve and to open the electric supercharger bypass valve to reduce the extent and duration of electric supercharger overboost. |
| US10677143B2 |
Control device for compression self-ignition engine
A compression self-ignition engine performs a SI combustion in which an air-fuel mixture is combusted due to flame propagation triggered by spark ignition, and a CI combustion in which the air-fuel mixture is combusted due to self-ignition induced by the flame propagation. An ECU comprises a first control means for controlling a SI ratio serving as an index relating to a ratio of a heat amount generated in the SI combustion with respect to a total heat amount generated in the SI and CI combustions or a heat amount generated in the CI combustion; and a second control means for controlling an in-cylinder temperature before the SI combustion. The ECU is configured to change a combustion state of each of the SI and CI combustions by both the first and second control means according to the operating state of the engine. |
| US10677140B1 |
Multi-port exhaust gas diverter valve for an internal combustion engine system
A multi-port exhaust gas diverter valve disposed within a linkage of an exhaust manifold for selectively diverting an exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine to one or more of a turbocharger system, an exhaust gas recirculation system, and an emissions control system. The diverter valve includes an inlet port for receiving an exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold and a plurality of outlet ports. A rotatable valve sleeve having an open end and a slot opening is co-axially disposed within a cylindrical chamber defined by the valve body. The open end of the valve sleeve is in continuous fluid communication with the inlet port. The valve sleeve is selectively rotatable to align the slot opening with at least one of the plurality of outlet ports such that the valve sleeve provides fluid communication between the inlet port and the at least one of the outlet ports. |
| US10677137B2 |
Motor engine having an oxygen sensor
A motor engine having an oxygen sensor is provided, including: a cylinder head, including a main body and a protruding tube protruding outwardly from the main body, the main body including a first end portion, a second end, and a combustion chamber, the protruding tube having a protrusive receptacle protruding outwardly therefrom, the main body defining an axial direction; an exhaust passage, communicated with the combustion chamber and the protruding tube; an oxygen sensor, inserted into the protrusive receptacle, including a sensing portion which is inserted into the exhaust passage; wherein as viewed in a lateral direction of the cylinder head, two surfaces of the main body along the axial direction disposed on two opposite sides defines two boundary lines, the oxygen sensor and the main body are in an overlapping arrangement and does not protrude out of the two boundary lines. |
| US10677136B2 |
Internal combustion engine control device
An internal combustion engine control device including an oxidation catalyst heating value estimation unit 88A, a NOx catalyst heating value estimation unit 88B, an oxidation catalyst temperature estimation unit 88C, a NOx catalyst temperature estimation unit 88D, and switches 801, 802, 803 that switch between an enabled state in which processing performed by the oxidation catalyst heating value estimation unit 88A and the oxidation catalyst temperature estimation unit 88C is executed and a disabled state in which the processing performed by the oxidation catalyst heating value estimation unit 88A and the oxidation catalyst temperature estimation unit 88C is not executed, wherein the control device is configured to be applied to both an exhaust gas purification system including an NOx-occlusion-reduction-type catalyst and an oxidation catalyst and an exhaust gas purification system including the NOx-occlusion-reduction-type catalyst and not including the oxidation catalyst. |
| US10677133B2 |
Tank system for a reducing agent
A tank system for a reducing agent includes: a vessel configured to store the reducing agent, the vessel having: an upper vessel wall, lateral vessel walls, and a lower vessel wall; and a conveying device, the conveying device being configured to provide the reducing agent under pressure by way of an outlet to an exhaust gas. One or more openings are arranged in the lower vessel wall, the one or more openings forming a connection to a further volume (V) filled with reducing agent. At least one opening of the one or more openings has radially inwardly directed elements arranged on a circumference of the at least one opening. |
| US10677131B2 |
Method for determining a temperature of a diaphragm of a pump
A method for determining a temperature of a diaphragm of a pump, the pump pumping a fluid out of a tank to a dispersion point by way of a movement of the diaphragm, the pump being fastened to the tank, the temperature of the diaphragm being estimated in a manner which is at least dependent on the temperature of the fluid in the tank. |
| US10677130B2 |
Methods for detecting a dosing error
A method for detecting a dosing error of a reduction agent in a dosing module of an SCR catalytic converter system. The SCR catalytic converter system comprises the dosing module, which has a dosing valve and a flow valve as well as a delivery module with delivery pump. The SCR catalytic converter system, furthermore, has a return, in which a further flow valve is arranged. Said flow valve changes an effective cross-sectional area of the return. The method herein comprises the following steps: at the beginning, the dosing valve is closed (200). At a first pressure value (p1) in the system the delivery pump is switched off (201) and a measurement (202) of a first pressure rate (βRLdynamic) of the flow valve of the return subsequently takes place. Additional operation of the pump and the dosing valve occurs and a ratio of pressure rates is determined. |
| US10677127B2 |
Method for heating a catalytic converter, as well as motor vehicle having a catalytic converter
A method for heating an electrically heatable catalytic converter in an exhaust duct of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine. To heat the catalytic converter prior to a start of the combustion engine, the catalytic converter should already be electrically heated prior to the start of the combustion engine, and the oxygen storage capacity of the electrically heatable catalytic converter should be filled. Thus, an efficient exhaust-gas aftertreatment is made possible already at the start of the combustion engine. A further heating of the catalytic converter by a combined electrical and chemical heating takes place following an electrical preheating phase after the start of the combustion engine by the exothermic reaction of unburned fuel components on a catalytically active surface of the electrically heatable catalytic converter. Also, a motor vehicle having a combustion engine and an exhaust system in which a method according to the present invention is implemented. |
| US10677123B2 |
Exhaust purification device
There is provided a first PM sensor provided upstream of a filter and including a first sensor filter having a plurality of first cells collecting PM in the exhaust gas to be introduced into the filter, and a first pair of electrodes arranged to face each other with the first cell interposed therebetween, a second PM sensor provided downstream of the filter and including a second sensor filter having a plurality of second cells collecting PM in the exhaust gas discharged from the filter, and a second pair of electrodes arranged to face each other with the second cell interposed therebetween, and a filter state determination unit for acquiring an efficiency of collecting the PM in the filter, based on a first electrostatic capacitance between the first pair of electrodes and a second electrostatic capacitance between the second pair of electrodes. |
| US10677122B2 |
Method and system for a particulate filter
Methods and systems are provided for regenerating and purging a particulate filter of an exhaust treatment system for a combustion engine. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust gas in a reverse direction through the particulate filter to purge particulate matter to an intake manifold of the engine for combusting. The duration of purging may be based on a regeneration achieved during a previous regeneration of the particulate filter during a deceleration fuel shut-off event. |
| US10677121B2 |
Oil and air separator system and method
An oil and air separator includes a first housing including a central chamber therein, the central chamber divided into a first outer portion and a second inner portion by a barrier; a filter material disposed between the first outer portion and the second inner portion; a cap directly coupled to the first housing, the cap including a first lumen therethrough, the first lumen including a first end disposed at the second inner portion; an extension portion including a second lumen therethrough; and a coupler removably coupling the cap and the extension portion. |
| US10677120B2 |
Built-in oil-gas separating device
A built-in oil-gas separating device includes a secondary oil-gas separator, a main oil-gas separator, an oil-gas barrel, an oil-gas barrel liner, and an oil-gas barrel lid. The secondary oil-gas separator is disposed inside the main oil-gas separator. The oil-gas barrel liner is disposed around the main oil-gas separator. The oil-gas barrel liner is disposed inside the oil-gas barrel. Upper end faces of the secondary oil-gas separator and the main oil-gas separator are sealingly connected to a lower end face of the oil-gas barrel lid. The oil-gas barrel lid has a gas discharging hole located above the secondary oil-gas separator. The gas discharging hole is sealingly connected to a pressure maintenance valve. The compressed air obtained by the double layer filtration structure of the present disclosure can achieve a 40% reduction in oil content as compared with the compressed air obtained by the ordinary single layer filtration structure. |
| US10677119B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing the oil volume and windage in fuel pumps
Systems and methods including spacers comprising a first face configured to engage with a cam shaft, a second face, and a third face operationally coupled to the first face and the second face, wherein the third face is configured to displace a lubricating fluid and permit rotation of the cam shaft are disclosed. |
| US10677118B2 |
Thermo valve and oil pump
A thermo actuator includes an actuator body and a large-diameter portion (54) that projects from the actuator body outward in the radial direction. The outer diameter of a return spring is smaller than the inner diameter of a case. The outer diameter of the actuator body and the outer diameter of a valve body are smaller than the inner diameter of the return spring. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the case and is larger than the average diameter of the return spring. One end of the return spring is in contact with the large-diameter portion. |
| US10677115B2 |
Valve drive device, in particular for an internal combustion engine
A valve train device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, includes at least one camshaft which has at least one cam element with at least one multi-track cam. The cam element is provided to be axially displaced by a maximum displacement path. The valve train device further includes a limiting mechanism which is provided to limit in at least one operating state the displacement path of the cam element to a switching path of the switching operation. |
| US10677111B2 |
Variable displacement engine including different cam lobe profiles
Methods and systems are provided for an engine including cams having different lobe profiles. In one example, cams of a first cam group drive a plurality of deactivatable cylinder valves and cams of a second cam group drive a plurality of non-deactivatable cylinder valves. The cams of the first cam group include a different lobe profile relative to cams of the second cam group. |
| US10677110B2 |
Method and device for manufacturing metallic-sodium-filled engine valve
An umbrella part metallic sodium insertion device for inserting rod-shaped metallic sodium into a hollow part of a hollow valve; a melting device for melting the metallic sodium in the hollow part by inserting a push rod from an opening into the hollow part of the hollow valve, in which the metallic sodium has been inserted by the device, and, while pushing the rod-shaped metallic sodium in the hollow part, heating the umbrella part to a temperature at which the metallic sodium is melted; a stem part cooling device for cooling a stem part of the hollow valve, in which the metallic sodium has been melted by the melting device, to a temperature lower than the temperature at which the metallic sodium is melted; and a stem part metallic sodium insertion device for inserting rod-shaped metallic sodium into the hollow part which has been cooled by the device. |
| US10677109B2 |
High performance iron-based alloys for engine valvetrain applications and methods of making and use thereof
An iron-based alloy includes, in weight percent, carbon from about 1 to about 2 percent; manganese from about 0.1 to about 1 percent; silicon from about 0.1 to about 2.5 percent; chromium from about 11 to about 19 percent; nickel up to about 8 percent; vanadium from about 0.8 to about 5 percent; molybdenum from about 11 to about 19 percent; tungsten up to about 0.5 percent; niobium from about 1 to about 4 percent; cobalt up to about 5.5 percent; boron up to about 0.5 percent; nitrogen up to about 0.5 percent, copper up to about 1.5 percent, sulfur up to about 0.3 percent, phosphorus up to about 0.3 percent, up to about 5 percent total of tantalum, titanium, hafnium and zirconium; iron from about 50 to about 70 percent; and incidental impurities. The alloy is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in valve seat inserts for combustion engines. |
| US10677108B1 |
Target wheel with a bayonet tab and a reinforcing groove and method thereof
A camshaft phaser, including: a first surface facing in a first axial direction; and a connection portion extending from the first surface in the first axial direction. The connection portion includes a wall with a second surface facing in a second axial direction, a first circumferentially disposed wall connected to the wall, a second circumferentially disposed wall connected to the wall, a first tab directly connected to the first circumferentially disposed wall and the second circumferentially disposed wall and extending radially outwardly past the first circumferentially disposed wall and the second circumferentially disposed wall, and a plurality of connected groove walls extending from the second surface into the wall in the first axial direction and bounding a reinforcing groove in the wall. At least a portion of the plurality of connected groove walls is located between the first circumferentially disposed wall and the second circumferentially disposed wall. |
| US10677102B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling machinery stress via temperature trajectory
A method includes determining, via a processor, a commanded temperature rate for a component of a steam turbine system. The method further includes determining, via the processor, a measured temperature rate for the component of the steam turbine system. The method additionally includes determining, via the processor, a variable multiplier based at least in part on the commanded temperature rate and the measured temperature rate. The method also includes deriving, via the processor, a multiplied temperature rate command by applying the variable multiplier to the commanded temperature rate. |
| US10677096B2 |
Turbocharger
A turbocharger with a turbine for expanding a first medium and a compressor for compressing a second medium utilizing energy extracted in the turbine during the expansion of the first medium. The turbine comprises a turbine housing and a turbine rotor. The turbine housing is connected to a bearing housing. An inflow housing of the turbine housing is formed in a double-walled manner, namely of an inner flow-conducting core and an outer force-conducting shell. |
| US10677093B2 |
Device for ventilation of a turbomachine turbine casing
The invention relates to a ventilation device for a turbomachine turbine casing, comprising a plurality of line sets (16′) configured to spray air over the turbine casing, the line sets being arranged next to one another, each line set comprising a main ring (161) in which air circulates, the main ring (161) comprising orifices (17′) configured to spray a stream of air towards the turbine casing, the line set comprising a shield (162) configured to isolate the main ring (161) from a stream of air returning from the turbine casing towards the line sets after having been sprayed towards the turbine casing, the said shield (162) enveloping the main ring (161) and having orifices aligned with the orifices of the main ring (161). |
| US10677092B2 |
Inner casing cooling passage for double flow turbine
A turbomachine structure having a first inner casing including a first and second flowpath oriented in opposing axial directions to one another; a second inner casing surrounding the first inner casing and including a third and fourth flowpath, wherein the third flowpath is fluidly connected to the first flowpath and the fourth flowpath is fluidly connected to the second flowpath; an extraction chamber defined between the first and second inner casings; a cooling passage defined between the first and second inner casings; a first extraction port fluidly connected to the cooling passage and to the first flowpath at a location in the first flowpath having a first pressure; and a second extraction port fluidly connected to the extraction chamber and to the second flowpath at a location in the second flowpath having a second pressure less than the first pressure. |
| US10677090B2 |
Component having co-bonded composite and metal rings and method of assembling same
An annular rotatable component for a machine includes a first element formed of a composite material, is ring-shaped, and is formed of one or more first ring segments. The first element includes a first interface surface. A second element is formed of a metallic material, is ring-shaped, and is formed of one or more second ring segments. The second element includes a second interface surface complementary to the first interface surface. The annular rotatable component also includes an interface comprising an interface material disposed between the first interface surface and the second interface surface. The interface material, the first element and the second element are co-bonded together to form a unitary structure of the annular rotatable component. |
| US10677085B2 |
Stop valve and steam turbine
A stop valve includes: a valve seat in a fluid flow path; a valve disc that contacts the valve seat and that closes the fluid flow path; a valve stem that extends along a center axis includes a first end, in a direction of the center axis, that is connected to the valve disc; a spindle that extends along the center axis and comprises an end surface of a first end, in the direction of the center axis, that faces an end surface of a second end of the valve stem, in the direction of the center axis; and a connector that connects the second end of the valve stem to the first end of the spindle. |
| US10677083B2 |
Blade outer air seal for a gas turbine engine
A blade outer air seal for a gas turbine engine is provided. The blade outer air seal having: a gas path surface exposed to exhaust gas flow; a first side extending radially outward from the gas path surface; a second side extending radially outward from the gas path surface; and a plurality of film cooling holes disposed on at least one of the gas path surface, the first side and the second side, the film cooling holes disposed at locations described by a set of Cartesian coordinates set forth in Table 1, the Cartesian coordinates provided by an axial coordinate, a circumferential coordinate and a radial coordinate relative to a defined point of origin. |
| US10677079B2 |
Airfoil with ceramic airfoil piece having internal cooling circuit
An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has radially inner and outer ends and defines an airfoil profile. The airfoil profile has a leading end, a trailing end, a suction side, and a pressure side. The airfoil section includes a ceramic airfoil piece that defines a portion of the airfoil profile. The ceramic airfoil piece includes an exterior wall that has an internal cooling circuit. |
| US10677075B2 |
Composite airfoil assembly for an interdigitated rotor
Rotor assemblies and methods for manufacturing airfoils for rotor assemblies are provided. For example, a rotor assembly comprises a rotary structure extending circumferentially about an axial centerline of a gas turbine engine, an airfoil having a root and a tip, and a pin extending through the root. The root is coupled to the rotary structure and has a bulbous shape, and the airfoil is formed from a plurality of composite plies. The pin defines both a planar first surface and a planar second surface on a pin body having a generally circular cross-section. Further, the pin includes a first end and a second end that contact the rotary structure. The first and second surfaces together form a point that is oriented toward the tip of the airfoil. In one embodiment, the rotary structure is an outer rotor of an interdigitated rotor assembly and the airfoil extends radially inward. |
| US10677074B2 |
Method for carrying out work on a rotor and associated foil
In the method for carrying out work, according to the invention, in order to maintain a metal turbine engine motor, such as a drum, in an operational state: an upstream and/or downstream face (343) of a circumferential groove (34) of the rotor is ground, with said face having recessed marks that the grinding is intended to remove or at least blur, and foils (43) are placed in the groove between the blades of the rotor (24) and the rotor, at least in the area where the face has been ground. |
| US10677073B2 |
Blade platform with damper restraint
A blade for a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The blade having: a root; a platform located between the root and the blade, wherein the platform defines a cavity; a damper restraint located at a peripheral edge of the platform, wherein the damper restraint is a raised feature extending along at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the platform. |
| US10677072B2 |
Bucket vibration damping structure and bucket and turbomachine having the same
Disclosed herein are a bucket vibration damping structure and a bucket and turbomachine having the same. The bucket vibration damping structure comprises a plurality of blades disposed on a plurality of buckets mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a rotor disk and a variable contact-type vibration damping means disposed on the plurality of blades and performing variable contact according to rotational speed of a rotor for damping vibration. The variable contact-type vibration damping means may comprise a first damping member disposed on one of the blades, and a second damping member disposed at a position corresponding to the first damping member on the other blade. According to the disclosure, it is possible to effectively damp vibration while performing variable contact according to the rotational speed of a turbine. |
| US10677068B2 |
Fan blade with filled pocket
A fan of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of fan blades secured to a rotor, each of the plurality of fan blades having an airfoil secured to the rotor at one end, wherein the airfoil comprises pockets filled with an elastomeric composite. |
| US10677066B2 |
Turbine blade with airfoil tip vortex control
A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The rotor blade having: an attachment; an airfoil extending from the attachment to a tip; and a tip shelf located in a surface of the tip proximate to a pressure side of the airfoil, wherein the tip shelf has a ledge portion extending from the pressure side to a wall portion extending upwardly from the ledge portion to the tip and wherein the wall portion is configured to have a convex portion with respect to the pressure side of the airfoil as it extends from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the airfoil. |
| US10677065B2 |
Airfoil shape for second 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. |
| US10677064B2 |
Thermal shielding in a gas turbine
An assembly for receiving in a radially extending bucket groove (31) of a turbine disc (22), the assembly including a turbine blade having an elongate body (26) of aerofoil cross-section, a root portion (24) at one end of the elongate body (26) and a tip at the other. The root portion (24) configured to be retained in the bucket groove (31). A heat shield (27) configured to be received between an end of the root portion (24) and a radially inner surface of the bucket groove (31) and to interlock with the root portion (24) in a manner which deters separation in a radial direction. |
| US10677060B2 |
Pneumatic motor with dual air intake
A pneumatic motor with dual air intake includes a pneumatic cylinder and a rotor. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, and an elliptic-cylinder-shaped accommodating room located in the cylinder body. The cylinder body has two air inletting paths, two air venting paths, two air venting holes and a front axial hole, which communicate with the accommodating room and outside. The rotor includes a rotor body rotatably accommodated in the accommodating room of the pneumatic cylinder, a plurality of grooves parallel provided on the rotor body, a plurality of vanes accommodated in the grooves respectively, and a front axle extended from the rotor body and inserted through the front axial hole. As a result, the pneumatic motor with dual air intake is lowered in friction of the rotor when it rotates, raised in power output, and lowered in vibration when in use. |
| US10677059B2 |
Rotary pump with deformable pump ring
The invention relates to a pump device (10) for pumping a fluid (13), comprising: a pump housing (12) having an annular portion (22); a pump ring (14), which is deformable and defines an annular pump chamber (57) at least in some portions; a first connection (51) and a second connection (52), said first connection (51) and said second connection (52) being in fluid communication with the pump chamber (57); an eccentric (18), which is designed to be rotatable relative to the pump housing (12) and which is arranged such in the pump device (10) that the eccentric (18), depending on a current rotational position of the eccentric (18), deforms the pump ring (14) in such a way that the pump ring (14) presses at least partially against the annular portion (22) in order to pump, by way of a rotation of the eccentric (18), the fluid (13) along the pump chamber (57) from the first connection (51) to the second connection (52) depending on the current rotational position of the eccentric; and a clamping element (114), which is designed to statically press the pump ring (14) against the annular portion (22) of the pump housing (12) in a clamping link region (45). The pump ring (14) has at least one recess (47) for accommodating at least part of the clamping element (114), said recess (47) being dimensioned such that in each rotational position of the eccentric (18) at least in some portions a distance (48) between the radially inner side (50) of the clamping element (114) and the pump ring (14) is provided. |
| US10677047B2 |
Advanced perforation modeling
A technique is provided for modeling flow simulations at downhole reservoir conditions and rock formations after performing wellbore perforations. By utilizing these flow simulations, a user may be able to simulate and compare different scenarios, thereby facilitating a more effective, profitable, and realistic choice of perforating systems and operating conditions. |
| US10677045B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring rate of penetration
Systems and methods for measuring rate of penetration (ROP) and well depth of a drill string are disclosed. As the drill string is constructed, a pair of rangefinders are positioned near the well site and are configured to measure a distance to points on the drill string without human intervention. The rangefinders calculate a length of drill string segments the measured distances and from the length and an elapsed time calculate an accurate, automatically generated ROP. |
| US10677044B2 |
Magnetic ranging using multiple downhole electrodes
A magnetic ranging system, in some embodiments, comprises: a wellbore in a formation; a conductive casing in said wellbore; and excitation and return electrodes electrically coupled to the conductive casing, the excitation electrode positioned downhole relative to the return electrode, the excitation and return electrodes generating a current in the casing, said current resulting in an electromagnetic signal that propagates through said formation toward a sensor in another wellbore. |
| US10677033B2 |
Pressure compensated motor power lead connection for submersible pump
A well pump electrical motor has a motor housing filled with a dielectric motor lubricant. A motor head has at least one motor lead passage in fluid communication with the motor lubricant. An outer seal, which is exposed to well fluid, seals around a motor lead in the motor lead passage. An inner seal seals around the motor lead in the motor lead passage inward from the outer seal and has an inner side in contact with the motor lubricant in the motor. A barrier fluid passage extends into an annular space between the inner and outer seals and contains a barrier fluid. A pressure compensating device has an inner side in contact with the barrier fluid in the barrier fluid passage for reducing a pressure differential between the barrier fluid and a hydrostatic fluid pressure of well fluid on the exterior of the motor. |
| US10677029B2 |
Method and system for servicing a well
A method and system for servicing a well. Servicing a well often includes running a service string into a production string, which may include a rod string. A service portion is provided in the production string during completion. The service portion is located at or uphole of a large rod string feature. The service portion has a greater inside diameter than production tubing and other standard production string components. The service portion provides sufficient clearance for the service string alongside the large feature. The large feature may be, for example, a PCP stator, a centralizer, or a rod collar. The large feature may be pulled uphole into the service portion prior to running in the service string, allowing servicing downhole of the large feature without pulling the entire rod string. The service portion may also mitigate rod wear in deviated or other portions of the well. |
| US10677024B2 |
Abrasive perforator with fluid bypass
An abrasive perforator tool with a bypass flow channel. Two valve sleeves are slidingly mounted inside a tool housing for sequential deployment. The valve sleeves may be arranged end-to-end and may be sealed to the inside diameter of the housing. Each of the valve sleeves may be telescopically mounted in a retainer sleeve and releasably secured in the undeployed position. When the valve sleeves are ball-actuated, the ball seat in the first valve sleeve may be at the lower end of the sleeve. Initially, with both sleeves in the undeployed position, fluid flows straight through the main bore and out the outlet end. When the first valve sleeve is deployed, fluid is redirected to the nozzles for perforating, and subsequent deployment of the second valve sleeve blocks the nozzles and opens the bypass channel to reestablish flow out through the bottom of the tool. |
| US10677022B2 |
Systems and methods for solving a multi-reservoir system with heterogeneous fluids coupled to a common gathering network
Systems and methods for determining operating settings of a fluid production system with a gathering network and a plurality of reservoirs, at least some of which include a method that includes lumping common pseudo-components into reservoir pseudo-components associated with each of the reservoirs. Each common pseudo-component is associated with the gathering network and maps to one reservoir pseudo-component of each of the reservoirs. The method further includes performing at least part of a fully-coupled simulation of the gathering network and the reservoirs using the common pseudo-components to obtain one or more operating settings that meet one or more constraints of the production system, and presenting to a user the operating settings. |
| US10677013B2 |
Annular barrier with shunt tube
The present invention relates to an annular barrier for isolating a production zone, the annular barrier having a first end and a second end, comprising: a tubular metal part for mounting as part of a well tubular metal structure, the tubular metal part having an outer face, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an outer face facing a wall of a borehole, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, an annular space arranged between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part, the expandable metal sleeve being configured to expand by pressurised fluid entering the annular space, a first tubular metal connection assembly surrounding the tubular metal part connecting one end of the expandable metal sleeve with the tubular metal part and a second tubular metal connection assembly surrounding the tubular metal part connecting the other end of the expandable metal sleeve with the tubular metal part, each tubular metal connection assembly having a wall, and a shunt tube, wherein the tubular metal connection assemblies have at least one opening in the wall through which the shunt tube extends, the shunt tube extending along and outside the tubular metal part from the first end via the annular space to the second end. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a downhole completion system for completing a well and to an expansion method for expanding an annular barrier. |
| US10676999B2 |
Subsea wellbore operations vessel and method
A vessel adapted to perform subsea wellbore related operations involving a riser string that is assembled from releasably interconnected riser sections and extends between a subsea wellbore and the vessel. The riser string vertical handling system of the vessel comprises a controlled motion device that is adapted to displace the riser string lifting tool in at least one horizontal direction relative to the riser spider device at least whilst travelling between said elevated and lowered position thereof loaded by the riser string suspended from the riser string lifting tool, thereby allowing to establish an inclined travel path with selectively variable inclination of the riser string lifting tool relative to an imaginary vertical line through the riser string passage of the riser spider device, e.g. said inclined travel path having an inclination selected to correspond to an actual water current induced inclination of an upper portion of the riser string during the riser string assembly process. |
| US10676995B2 |
Drill stem element with fluid activation zone
A tubular element for a drill stem includes a substantially cylindrical body and two tool joints. Each tool joint is disposed at one end of the body and provided with a threaded portion that can be joined to a complementary element. At least one of the tool joints has a lifting surface that can cooperate with a lifting tool of the element to connect it into a drill stem. The lifting surface has a non-circular cross-section forming an activation zone for a drilling fluid. |
| US10676991B2 |
Door curtain anti-dropping device having latching pin locking mechanism
A door curtain anti-dropping device for a rolling door is provided. The device comprises a worm shaft connected to the output shaft of the door operator, and a drive shaft comprising a limiting disc with through holes. The worm wheel having receiving slots is fixed on the drive shaft to mesh with the worm. The driven wheel is disposed adjacent to the limiting disc. Baffle plates designed to cover the through holes and receiving slots extend from the driven wheel. Plural latching pins stored with spring potential energy are compressed by the baffle plates and retained in the through holes and receiving slots. When the worm wheel is excessively worn and dislocated from the driven wheel, the baffle plates are moved to allow the latching pins to spring out and insert into the notches of the front cover, thereby lock the worm wheel and prevent the winding shaft from rotating. |
| US10676989B2 |
Motor assembly for an architectural covering
An architectural covering including a motor assembly is provided. The covering may include a head rail, an end cap enclosing an end of the head rail, a roller tube rotatably supported within the head rail at least partially by the end cap, and a motor assembly including a housing in splined engagement with the end cap to non-rotatably secure the motor assembly to the end cap. The motor assembly may be received at least partially within the roller tube and may be in driving engagement with the roller tube. A covering material may be attached to the roller tube such that rotation of the roller tube extends or retracts the covering material. |
| US10676988B2 |
Window covering control apparatus
A window covering includes a first rail and a plurality tiltable slats. The slats can be connected to a slat tilt control mechanism positioned within the first rail. The slat tilt control mechanism can be configured to tilt the slats to a tilted position (e.g. a closed position, or orientation) during the lifting or lowering of the window covering. The slat tilt control mechanism can also be configured to tilt the slats from a tilted position to an open position, or horizontal orientation, during the lifting or lowering of the window covering material. |
| US10676986B2 |
Heat treatable coated article having titanium nitride and nickel chrome based IR reflecting layers
Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including titanium nitride (e.g., TiN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including NiCr (e.g., NiCr, NiCrNx, NiCrMo, and/or NiCrMoNx). |
| US10676985B2 |
Low compression-force TPE weatherseals
A weatherseal has a stiffener and a foam profile. A first portion of the foam profile is connected to the stiffener. A second portion of the foam profile is joined to the first portion at a hinge. The first and second foam profile portions have inner surfaces facing substantially towards each other and outer surfaces facing substantially away from each other. The foam profile defines at least one continuous elongate lumen. A portion of the foam profile has a resin coating. |
| US10676982B1 |
Protective garage door cover
The protective garage door cover comprises a composite textile, a plurality of fasteners, and a garage door. The garage door further comprises a plurality of door panels. The plurality of fasteners attach the composite textile to the garage door. The protective garage door cover forms a protective cover over the garage door. The protective garage door forms an insulating structure that insulates the garage door. The composite textile is a flexible structure such that the composite textile will bend with the garage door as the garage door is opened and closed. |
| US10676978B2 |
Actuatable sliding panel assembly; retrofit kit and method for retrofitting a sliding panel for mechanically assisted movement between open and closed positions
An actuatable slidable panel assembly, a retrofit kit for converting a slidable panel of a panel assembly from manually actuated sliding movement to mechanically assisted, actuatable sliding movement, and method of retrofitting a manually operating sliding panel therewith are provided. The retrofit kit includes an elongate driven rail configured for attachment to the slidable panel. The elongate driven rail is configured to be attached to the slidable panel. A rotatable drive member is configured for operable engagement with the elongate driven rail to drive the elongate driven rail and the slidable panel along the direction of travel between open and closed positions. |
| US10676977B2 |
Sliding operator handle break
A sliding operator handle includes an actuatable brake providing at least one braking position in which the actuatable brake is configured to contact a track and restrict sliding motion of the track mount along the track and at least one sliding position in which the actuatable brake is configured to reduce contact with the track and allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track, and a handle pivotably coupled to the track mount. The handle is configured to receive a manual input force to slide the track mount in either direction along the track, and being further configured to actuate the actuatable brake in response to the manual input force. The handle includes a neutral position corresponding to the at least one braking position of the actuatable brake and actuation positions to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in response to manual input forces. |
| US10676973B2 |
Latch hook-type positioning device
A latch hook-type positioning device includes a base fixed to a first part of an article. A positioning member is fixed to a second part of the article and includes a hook portion. An end of a pivotal member is pivotably connected to the base. A latch hook unit includes a body, a positioning pin, and a latch bar releasably engaged with the hook portion. The body includes a bottom side having a receiving space and at least one sliding groove at an end of the receiving space. The other end of the pivotal member is pivotably connected to the other end of the receiving space of the body. At least one elastic member is attached between the positioning pin and the latch bar. The latch bar is slideable in the at least one sliding groove to stretch the at least one elastic member, providing a larger tolerance for installation. |
| US10676972B2 |
Latch insert and spacers for slider window assembly
A trim assembly securable in a window frame includes a track on which a sliding window is supportable, a latch insert including a plurality of latch openings, and a latch mechanism securable to the sliding window adjacent the latch insert. The latch mechanism is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position and includes a lever connected with a latch tab. In the extended position, the latch tab is positioned in a selected one of the latch openings. The latch mechanism is biased toward the extended position. The spacing of the latch openings provides for essentially infinite open/close positions. |
| US10676968B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a security tag with a telescoping actuator and/or adjustable range of insert space sizes
Systems and methods for operating a tag. The methods comprise: actuating a telescoping actuator of the tag to transition a pin from an unengaged position in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of the tag's housing to an engaged position in which the pin extends through an insert space and into a second portion of the tag's housing; and mechanically securing the pin in the engaged position using a securement mechanism disposed in the second portion of the tag's housing. The pin is securely coupled to a movable component of the telescoping actuator so as to be integrated into the tag's body, and the first and second portions of the tag's housing are coupled to each other so as to form a unitary piece. |
| US10676965B2 |
Locks for storage containers and the like
Locks for storage containers having closures such as doors, covers or lids are disclosed. The lock is mounted to the closure and is latched in such a manner as to selectively prevent opening or removal of the closure. The latch of the lock can engage a slot in the storage container, a bracket on the storage container, or a strike on the storage container. Alternatively, the latch can engage a mounting bracket on the door or other portion of the door to selectively block movement of a handle for the door. Further, the latch can have a locking device which can selectively block movement of the latch. Movement of the locking device can be selectively controlled by a magnetic key. |
| US10676964B2 |
Cabinet gang lock system for electrically lockable slides
A locking system, for a cabinet having a plurality of drawers extendably mounted in an interior of the cabinet, includes a bar and a motor unit. The bar is movable to prevent at least some of the drawers from extending out of the cabinet when in a locked position and allowing at least one of the drawers to extend out of the cabinet in an unlocked position. The motor unit is configured to drive an arm coupled to the bar, the arm being drivable to change a position of the bar from the locked position to the unlocked position. |
| US10676951B2 |
Autonomous pool cleaning robot with an external docking station
An external docking station may be provided and may a filter manipulator that is arranged to (i) input without human intervention, a filter into a pool cleaning robot that exited a pool and is located in a filter replacement position and to (ii) assist without human intervention, in positioning the filter at a position in which the filter is at least partially disposed within a path formed between a first fluid opening and a second fluid opening of a housing of the pool cleaning robot thereby allowing the filter to apply a filtering operation when fluid passes through the fluid path. |
| US10676948B1 |
Swimming pool skimmer guard
An in-pool swimming pool skimmer/skimmer basket, weir, pump-motor/basket, water-inline and water intake inlet debris clog reduction embodiment system, that's size/shaped to be placed in-front of a pool skimmer/plate, unattached inside a pool. The embodiment has a geometric shape-correspondent to a pool skimmer, said with a flexible fabric that has apertures that is molded into it or fits over its frame. The Main Body Shaft© mass has optional embodiments(handle, various lengths, extension, series, etc.). The present invention geometric length shape frame, the Master Head Net© assembled unit, with flexible aperture fabric, is deployed over the top edge of a pool and in front of pool skimmer/plate from above ground. When used at different angles, it's a multiple tool unit in one, a skimmer/weir, water intake debris stopper/guard, a pool leaf rake or leaf skimmer, etc. |
| US10676944B2 |
Lifting cart for building construction
A lifting cart for assist in building construction processes using precast wall panels can include a panel handling mechanism coupled to a movable vehicle. The panel handling mechanism can include a clamping mechanism, a rotational mechanism, a linear mechanism, and a tilting mechanism. The movable vehicle can include two sets of wheels configured to move the vehicle in perpendicular directions. The lifting cart can handle the precast wall panels, from a wall panel package delivered to the construction site to the final location of the wall panels between beams of the building frame. |
| US10676942B2 |
Scaffolding apparatus and related methods
Scaffolding apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example scaffolding apparatus includes a beam defining a length between a first end of the beam and a second end of the beam opposite the second end. The length of the beam spans between a first side of a fuselage portion of an aircraft and a second side of the fuselage portion opposite the first side. A first connector is coupled to the first end of the beam. The first connector engages a first stringer on the first side of the fuselage portion to couple the first end of the beam to the fuselage portion. A second connector is coupled to the second end of the beam. The second connector engages a second stringer on the second side of the fuselage portion to couple the second end of the beam to the fuselage portion. |
| US10676938B2 |
Tread surface for decking system
A ramp and/or platform assembly includes a decking system having a tread surface on at least a portion of a top deck surface of the decking system, wherein the tread surface includes a plurality of multi-tiered ridges on the top deck surface for contact with a traveling body on the top deck surface. |
| US10676933B2 |
Snow brake anchoring system and method
A snow brake anchoring system for an inclined roof having a plurality generally T-shaped standing seams that extend upwardly from the inclined roof surface, the snow brake anchoring system having a two-part anchor body defining a width adjustable elongated and generally rectilinear channel. The first half of the body caring an elongated convexly shaped rotation protuberance on an interior surface, and the second half of the body defines an elongated concavely shaped notch on an interior surface, and the rotation protuberance is at least partially carried within the concavely shaped notch allowing the two body halves to move relative to one another to adjust the width dimension of the elongated generally rectilinear channel. Gripping protuberances are carried at a bottom portion of each edge of the channel to frictionally engage with the T-shaped standing seam, and a plurality of fasteners releasably interconnect the body halves to one another. |
| US10676931B2 |
Adjustable apparatus for water capture
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for water capture. A water collection opening is shaped to collect water from a water source. A water outlet is in fluid communication with a water collection opening to receive collected water from a water source through the water collection opening. A horizontal adjustment mechanism is configured to provide mechanical support to a water outlet and a water collection opening at any one of a plurality of user selectable positions at different horizontal offsets relative to a water source to accommodate different sizes and types of water sources. |
| US10676917B2 |
Holder and concrete anchor assemblies
A concrete anchor assembly includes a housing including a lower opening and a side wall; a flange portion extending from the housing; a ramp surface extending upwardly around the lower opening; a split body disposed over the lower opening, the split body including a bottom surface engaging the ramp surface, the split body including a threaded opening. The housing includes a gap between the split body and the side wall. A compressed spring forces the split body toward a bottom of the ramp surface. |
| US10676912B1 |
Domestic appliance floor drain assembly and method
The present disclosure describes a domestic appliance floor drain assembly and related methods for implementing a domestic appliance floor drain assembly. In one such embodiment, an exemplary domestic appliance floor drain assembly includes a floor drain liner with a basin to collect fluids that may be leaking from a domestic appliance; and a floor drain insert configured to fit within the basin, wherein the floor drain insert has a rigid structure that is configured to direct leaking fluids from the domestic appliance to an opening in the floor drain liner. |
| US10676909B2 |
Contamination barrier for plumbing systems and method of using same
A contamination unit for isolating a building from contamination of a sewer is disclosed. The contamination unit includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a trap assembly, and a fluid trigger. The inlet is in fluid communication with a fluid source, plumbing equipment, and/or condensating equipment to receive fluid. The housing has a reservoir to collect the fluid therein and to define a reservoir portion of a contamination barrier about the outlet. The trap assembly includes a trap conduit between the outlet and the sewer that is shaped to collect the fluid therein and define a trap portion of the contamination barrier. The fluid trigger is positionable about the housing to selectively release the fluid through the inlet and into the reservoir of the housing whereby the fluid in the contamination barrier is maintained to prevent the contamination from passing from the sewer into the building. |
| US10676907B2 |
Organic waste treatment process and device
A thermophilic enzymatic biosynthesis (TEBS) device (50) produces outputs of newly synthesized substances, stabilized matter and fully recovered organic material, wherein the preferred device is a dry closet employing multistage treatment of organic solid, liquid and gaseous wastes. Said contemplated device comprises a multiphase thermophilic environment chamber (MTEC) (1) having a mixing zone (4), a cultivation zone (12), a pasteurization zone (24) and a germination zone (7) which utilizes a multiphase germination (62). The device comprises a thermodynamic pathway (29) and a functional respiration (64) which is directed toward an ammine reaction chamber (ARC) (3), which includes an oxidation surface (47) having reactivity with ammonia, producing a metal ammine complex. The device further comprises a subterranean uptake chamber (SUC) (2) which includes a plant growth medium (44) where gases received from the ARC (3) disperse to an uptake root structure (46), thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. |
| US10676906B1 |
Control system for pneumatically operated toilet
A control system for a pneumatically operated toilet includes a valve arrangement and a controller. The valve arrangement includes a plurality of solenoid operated valves. The controller includes a microprocessor in signal communication with the plurality of solenoid operated valves, the controller configured to operate the valve arrangement to independently control operation of a water valve for selectively introducing water into a toilet bowl of the pneumatically operated toilet, operation of a flapper valve operating cylinder for opening and closing a waste opening of the toilet bowl, and pressurized air supply to a waste transfer chamber of the pneumatically operated toilet. |
| US10676903B2 |
Toilet tank washbasin
A toilet tank washbasin and faucet system that rests on top of a toilet tank is described by way of example. The faucet dispenses water intended to fill the toilet tank over a drain that leads into the toilet tank. The faucet is useful to a person for washing their hands with the water dispensed from the faucet to advantageously provide a second use of the water before flushing down the toilet. Generally described is a basin that sits atop an open toilet tank. A faucet having a nozzle end is attached to the basin via a keyed member that a) positions the nozzle end over a drain in the basin and b) prevents rotation of the faucet when attached to the basin, the drain leads into the toilet tank. Water is provided to a flexible tube that attaches to a bowl refill tube. The flexible tube extends through the faucet and terminates essentially at the nozzle end. |
| US10676902B2 |
Sensor-operated pull-out faucet
A sensor-operated pull-out faucet can include a spout having a hose disposed therein, a pull-out spray head fluidly coupled to the hose and configured to dock at an end of the spout, and a sensor assembly disposed at least partially in the spout proximate the end of the spout. The sensor assembly can include a sensor and a shutter disposed adjacent the sensor. The shutter can be operable to obscure the sensor in a closed state and expose the sensor in an open state. The faucet can also include a control unit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to control fluid flow through the hose and the pull-out spray head based on control signals generated by the sensor. |
| US10676901B2 |
Interactive water monitoring system
An exemplary system for an interactive water supply management system for use in residential and commercial properties and a method of installation and use are provided. In the preferred embodiment is a system comprising a water consumption sensor capable of being externally mounted to a water meter, circuitry for the collection of water consumption data, a communication system allowing two way communication with a user and a water main valve shutoff. Remote vibration sensors on water pipes or acceleration sensors on manually articulated water valves provide feedback to the system to allow automatic identification of water consumed by each faucet or appliance. The communication system includes a means of two way communication through the manipulation of the water flow rate by the water shut off valve or by a user. |
| US10676896B2 |
Swing type access system for an earth mover
An access system (10) for an earth moving equipment (100) to allow a person to travel from ground level to an elevated position, said access system (10) includes an access means (12) mountable on to the earth moving equipment (100), and a retraction mechanism (50) to move the access means (10) between a deployed position (14) wherein a person can ascend or descend on the access means and a retracted position (16) wherein the access means (10) is stowed, and a locking means (52) moveable to an operative position wherein the locking means (52) restrains movement of the access means (10) in the retracted position (16). |
| US10676895B2 |
Adjustable overflow system
An overflow system for a hopper dredger comprises an overflow tube; an inlet for taking in head water from the hopper; and a collector to collect the flow of head water entering the inlet and guide the flow to the overflow tube. The collector comprises a substantially horizontal top portion which delineates a top of a flowpath for head water into the collector to ensure substantially radial flow into the collector. At least one of the overflow tube and the inlet is adjustable for controlling flow into the overflow system. |
| US10676893B1 |
Self-leveling front-end loader having a double boom with a dogleg bend of 105 to 135 degrees including an extension powered by hydraulic cylinders
A self-leveling front-end loader for attachment to a tractor. The self-leveling front-end loader includes a support structure configured to be attached to the tractor, and two extendable booms, each boom including a proximal leg, a distal leg, and a self-leveling hydraulic linkage configured to maintain the tilt angle of an accessory, such as a bucket. Each extendable boom has a boom extension hydraulic cylinder for extending the boom by up to 2 to 4 feet, a lift hydraulic cylinder to lift each boom, a self-leveling hydraulic cylinder, and a tilt hydraulic cylinder to tilt the accessory. The extendable booms enhance the capability of the front-end loader to position payload higher and farther than a standard front end loader, while preserving the stability and lifting capacity of the front-end loader. The booms have a traditional “dogleg” bend of 105 to 135 degrees, providing the two booms a wide range of motion. |
| US10676890B2 |
Retaining wall system, method of supporting same, and kit for use in constructing same
A retaining wall can include wall blocks positioned to retain material against a rear side of the wall blocks. A method for supporting such a retaining wall method includes attaching at least one of the wall blocks to at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the wall blocks. The ground-stabilizing base body can include a flexible cable attached to the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks and to a portion extending rearward away from the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks. |
| US10676889B2 |
Tower foundation with concrete box girder beams
Concrete foundations for supporting towers and other structures under heavy cyclical loads are described. Some or all of the major concrete components, such as the beams and the hubs, that form the foundation are fabricated off-site and then transported to the intended use site for the foundation. The concrete components can be fabricated as pre-cast segments, sections, or pieces, with the pre-cast segments then being assembled in the field at the use site to form each component, and the components then being assembled together to form the foundation. In one embodiment, the beams used in the foundation may have a box-girder construction. |
| US10676888B1 |
Corrugated shell bearing piles and installation methods
A bearing pile including a plurality of connected corrugated steel shells inserted into a subsoil and installation methodology of the same. |
| US10676885B2 |
Shock absorber of road
Disclosed is a shock absorber for buffering the barrier wall of a road. According to the present invention, a horizontal inner pipe bumper is inserted into a pedestal attached to a boundary of a barrier wall and joined to the support pillar. The buffer rail transversely connected to the protruding portion of the buffer pad on the front surface of the pedestal constitutes the buffer portion of the collision portion barrier wall, and when the buffer pad adhered to the inner pipe bumper is displaced upright, tension of the elastic rail connecting the buffer pad and the elastic rail block is generated, and the guard rail of the pillar is coupled to the barrier bridging body by a connecting member. |
| US10676882B2 |
Cam operated grinding machine
An apparatus for cutting grooves in a ground surface includes a wheeled vehicle with a tool carrier connected to the wheeled vehicle. The tool carrier is rotatable about an axis parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A grinding tool for cutting grooves in a ground surface is rotatably mounted to the tool carrier. The grinding tool may be movable laterally relative to the vehicle. A rotatable cam is configured so that rotation of the cam causes pivotal movement of the tool carrier relative to the forward frame. Rotation of the cam moves the grinding tool into and out of engagement with the ground surface. |
| US10676880B2 |
Smoothing drum with precision leveling for smoothing pavement surfaces
An apparatus for smoothing pavement surfaces includes a wheeled frame and a smoothing drum with spaced cutting teeth that allow for making overlapping cuts on a pavement. The apparatus further includes a precision leveling system for profile averaging. |
| US10676879B2 |
Method for monitoring compaction process in road construction and road roller
A method for monitoring the compaction process of an asphalt layer to be compacted in road construction is provided comprising the steps: detecting the edges limiting the hot asphalt layer transversely to the road pathway by means of a temperature sensor arranged on a road roller compacting the asphalt layer, and dividing the detected asphalt layer into at least two width segments across the road pathway, wherein the position of the road roller on the asphalt layer transversely to the road pathway is determined from the measurement of the temperature sensor and is assigned to one of the width segments, the working operation of the road roller on the width segment is quantified via an operating parameter and stored, and the quantified working operation for each width segment is displayed to the operator for at least one past working interval. A road roller for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US10676876B1 |
Method and brick configuration for sports field construction
A method and clay brick configuration for use in sports field construction having a generally rectangular paver like configuration with spaced parallel flat upper and lower surface portions with angular inclined spaced parallel side surfaces. Oppositely disposed substantially vertical end surfaces define the brick's overall length. The clay brick provides for interlocking surface to surface engagement during field construction and compaction in vertical and horizontal brick surface adjacent engagement placement. |
| US10676872B2 |
Pulp molding negative angle container and its processing method
A pulp molding negative angle container comprises a conical pulp container which is open on the upper end. The inner wall of the open end of the pulp container has a separation space which is inclined downwards and set outwards. A protruding shoulder is provided on the outer wall of the open end of the pulp container, wherein the outer diameter of the protruding shoulder is larger than the inner diameter of the hole on the open end. When two pulp containers are nested over each other, the protruding shoulder is placed on the upper hole of the open end and a separation gap is formed between the separation space on one pulp container and the outer wall on the other pulp container. |
| US10676867B2 |
Defibrated material manufacturing device, and sheet manufacturing apparatus
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrator configured to produce defibrated material, a feedstock supply unit, a monitoring device, and a cleaning device. The feedstock supply unit includes a conveyance device configured to convey feedstock, a storage device configured to accumulate the feedstock conveyed from the conveyance device and supply the feedstock to the defibrator, and a measuring device configured to measure a state of the feedstock accumulated on the storage device. The monitoring device is configured to predict stopping of conveyance of the feedstock by the feedstock supply unit and activate the cleaning device when a conveyance speed of the feedstock by the feedstock supply unit becomes slower than during normal operation. The cleaning device is configured to execute on at least one of the conveyance device and the storage device a cleaning process that preemptively prevents the stopping of conveyance. |
| US10676865B2 |
Deflecting member for making fibrous structures
A deflection member that includes a reinforcing member and a plurality of tiles fastened to the reinforcing member. |
| US10676863B2 |
Eco-friendly artificial leather for interior of automobile and manufacturing method thereof
Provided herein is an eco-friendly artificial leather for an interior of an automobile and a manufacturing method thereof. The eco-friendly product is manufactured using a method that is compatible with various environmental regulations such as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The artificial leather includes a bio urethane-containing skin surface layer which uses biomass-derived components extracted from vegetable components, a solvent-free bio urethane adhesive layer, and a bio fiber base layer. The layers are sequentially stacked to minimize the use of organic solvents and components that are harmful to the human body. |
| US10676862B2 |
Textiles including carbon nanotubes
A textile article includes a first fabric including a plurality of first carbon nanotubes coupled to the first fabric. The first carbon nanotubes of the plurality of first carbon nanotubes are metallic carbon nanotubes. A second fabric includes a plurality of second carbon nanotubes coupled to the second fabric. The second carbon nanotubes of the plurality of second carbon nanotubes are semiconductive carbon nanotubes. The first fabric is interconnected with the second fabric. |
| US10676859B2 |
Laundry appliance with capacitive laundry drying degree sensing function
A method for measuring the humidity of a laundry mass contained in a laundry treatment chamber of a laundry appliance. The method includes: providing a capacitor in the laundry appliance, said capacitor having, as part of the capacitor dielectric, the laundry mass; measuring a capacitance of said capacitor by means of an electronic circuitry electrically supplied by a supply voltage and a reference voltage. Providing a capacitor comprises: providing in the laundry appliance at least one conductive plate which forms a plate of said capacitor, and exploiting, as a second plate of said capacitor, routing lines distributing inside the laundry drying appliance said reference voltage. |
| US10676854B2 |
Method and system for dispensing laundry chemistry based upon ozone concentration
Method and system for system for controlling dispensing of laundry chemistry from a laundry chemistry dispenser to a washing machine to minimize use of the laundry chemistry. The method and the system comprise an ozone monitor for determining a current ozone concentration level in the washing machine at a time that the washing machine requires dispensing of the laundry chemistry from the laundry chemistry dispenser; a control panel being coupled to the ozone monitor for receiving a signal indicative of the currently determined ozone concentration level in the washing machine; and the control panel is coupled to the laundry chemistry dispenser for controlling a dispensing operation of the laundry chemistry from the laundry chemistry dispenser based upon the currently determined ozone concentration level in the washing machine. When the ozone concentration level is low, less laundry chemistry is dispensed while when the level is high, more laundry chemistry is dispensed. |
| US10676850B2 |
Washing machine and method for controlling the same
A washing machine may include a drum rotationally arranged for containing laundry, a motion detector configured to detect a motion of the laundry, and a controller configured to control rotation speed of the drum based on the detected motion such that the laundry shows a predetermined motion. |
| US10676848B1 |
Sewing machine needle clamping device
A sewing machine needle is attached, fixed or exchanged to a needle clamp firmly and easily. The needle clamp 5 for clamping the sewing machine needle 3 has an accommodating recessed part 7 which accommodates a needle shank 15 of the sewing machine needle, a clamp lever 19 which has a clamp arm 21 which engages to the needle shank, is freely opened and closed and is fixed to a clamp lever abaft 17 which is fitted loosely to an elongate hole 13b which is bored at the needle clamp for the accommodating recessed part and a needle clamp spring 23 which repels elastically the clamp lever to an outer direction of a straight line which links a central point N of the needle shank and a central point of the clamp lever shaft, end the cam 71 is provided in the needle clamp 5, and the cam follower 70 which engages to the cam 71 is provided in the clamp wan 21, and the elongate hole has three surfaces that the can follower climbs over the cam and moves as the movement path of the clamp lever shaft which becomes a rotation center P of the clamp lever. |
| US10676838B2 |
Plating device, plating method, substrate holder, resistance measuring module, and substrate holder testing method
A resistance measuring module for measuring electric resistance of a substrate holder is provided. The substrate holder has an electric contact configured to feed a current to a held substrate and contactable with the substrate. The substrate holder is able to hold a testing substrate for measurement of electric resistance of the substrate holder, and is configured such that the electric contact comes into contact with the testing substrate in a state where the testing substrate is held. The resistance measuring module includes: a test probe contactable with the testing substrate held in the substrate holder; and a resistance measuring instrument for measurement of a resistance value between the electric contact and the probe via the testing substrate. |
| US10676837B2 |
High edge cathodic epoxy electrocoat composition
An electrocoating composition and a coating formed from the composition are described herein. The electrocoating composition includes at least an epoxy resin component, an isocyanate-functional component and a silica-based additive. The coating shows about 40 to 70% reduction in edge corrosion relative to a conventional coating. |
| US10676831B2 |
Electrolysis cathode and method for producing electrolysis cathode
The claimed invention provides an economical cathode for electrolysis and a method of manufacturing the same. The cathode includes a conductive base and a catalyst layer including a catalyst component. The conductive base, e.g. a wire mesh, includes plural intersection portions and is made of nickel. The cathode catalyst layer includes a catalyst component, such as platinum, and is formed by applying an application liquid to the base and drying and solidifying the liquid. The solidified portion of the applied liquid is not formed in the intersection portions of the base, or even if formed, the cross-sectional shape of the solidified portion has mesh-shaped pores with an average porosity of 15% or larger. The base is prepared by preheating to a temperature from 43° C. to 120° C. immediately before applying the application liquid, and thereafter the cathode catalyst layer is formed. |
| US10676827B2 |
Methods for making multilayer tubular articles
The present invention pertains to a multilayer tubular article, to processes for the manufacture of said multilayer tubular article and to uses of said multilayer tubular article in upstream applications for conveying hydrocarbons from a well to a floating off-shore unit via a bottom platform. |
| US10676826B2 |
Laser-assisted atomic layer deposition of 2D metal chalcogenide films
Methods of forming 2D metal chalcogenide films using laser-assisted atomic layer deposition are disclosed. A direct-growth method includes: adhering a layer of metal-bearing molecules to the surface of a heated substrate; then reacting the layer of metal-bearing molecules with a chalcogenide-bearing radicalized precursor gas delivered using a plasma to form an amorphous 2D film of the metal chalcogenide; then laser annealing the amorphous 2D film to form a crystalline 2D film of the metal chalcogenide, which can have the form MX or MX2, where M is a metal and X is the chalcogenide. An indirect growth method that includes forming an MO3 film is also disclosed. |
| US10676822B2 |
Method and apparatus for depositing atomic layers on a substrate
Method of depositing an atomic layer on a substrate. The method comprises supplying a precursor gas from a precursor-gas supply of a deposition head that may be part of a rotatable drum. The precursor gas is provided from the precursor-gas supply towards the substrate. The method further comprises moving the precursor-gas supply by rotating the deposition head along the substrate which in its turn is moved along the rotating drum. |
| US10676820B2 |
Cleaning method and film forming method
There is provided a cleaning method of a film forming apparatus in which a process of forming a silicon film, a germanium film or a silicon germanium film on a substrate mounted on a substrate holder in a processing container is performed, comprising: etching away the silicon film, the germanium film or the silicon germanium film adhered to an interior of the processing container including the substrate holder by supplying a halogen-containing gas not containing fluorine into the processing container in a state where the substrate holder, which was stored in a dew point-controlled atmosphere after the film forming process, is accommodated in the processing container with no substrate being mounted thereon. |
| US10676815B1 |
Method for manufacturing device for heat transmission, dissipation and highly efficient capillary siphoning action
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a device for heat transmission, dissipation and highly efficient capillary siphoning action. The method comprises preparing a metal substrate; processing a surface of the metal substrate to form a rugged surface layer thereon; neutralizing, cleaning and drying the metal substrate to remove oil and rust thereon; placing the metal substrate into a first vacuum chamber for heating, deoxygenizing by hydrogen gas and ion bombarding to the rugged surface layer. Further, the metal substrate can be selectively subject to deposition, decomposition, degradation and reaction treatments for obtainment of a device for heat transmission, dissipation and highly efficient capillary siphoning action. |
| US10676814B2 |
System and method for controlling the elemental composition of films produced by pulsed laser deposition
A pulsed laser deposition system comprising a split ablation target having a first half and a second half, wherein the target contains a film material for deposition on a substrate, and wherein the film material is comprised of a plurality of component elements, the elements varying in volatility, and wherein one half of the split ablation target contains more of the most volatile elements being deposited than the other half, and wherein the split ablation target is rotated about its center. A laser beam is rastered back and forth across the target such that the laser spends more time on one half of the split target than the other half depending on the elemental volatility. The target rotation and laser beam rastering are coordinated simultaneously to vary the elemental composition of the resulting film deposition. |
| US10676812B2 |
Evaporation source
Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to evaporation sources used for physical vapor deposition of material onto substrates and more particularly for controlled coating of large substrates, such as vacuum deposition of selenium on flexible substrates. In one embodiment an evaporation source for depositing a source material on a substrate is provided. The evaporation source includes a crucible having a base and a first plurality of walls surrounding an interior region of the crucible. The crucible further includes a supporting ridge extending inwardly towards the interior region. The evaporation source further includes a lid disposed on the supporting ridge, the lid including two or more adjacently positioned sheets, where each sheet includes a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and the plurality of openings in each sheet are not aligned with the plurality of openings formed in an adjacently positioned sheet. |
| US10676809B2 |
Methods and systems for generating patterns on flexible substrates
According to certain embodiments, a method of producing a pattern on a substrate comprises securing a flexible polymeric substrate, printing a layer of ink as a negative pattern on the substrate, and placing the flexible polymeric substrate in a vacuum chamber. The method further includes uniformly applying, while the flexible polymeric is under a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, a layer of material over both the layer of ink and the substrate via physical vapor deposition and then removing the flexible polymeric substrate from the vacuum chamber. The method further includes removing the ink and material applied over the ink by immersing the flexible polymeric substrate in a solvent such that it results in a desired pattern of the material on the flexible polymeric substrate. |
| US10676808B2 |
Method for producing a metal film
A method for producing a metal film from an over 50% nickel alloy melts more than one ton of the alloy in a furnace, followed by VOD or VLF system treatment, then pouring off to form a pre-product, followed by re-melting by VAR and/or ESU. The pre-product is annealed 1-300 hours between 800 and 1350° C. under air or protection gas, then hot-formed between 1300 and 600° C., such that the pre-product then has 1-100 mm thickness after the forming and is not recrystallized, recovered, and/or (dynamically) recrystallized having a grain size below 300 μm. The pre-product is pickled, then cold-formed to produce a film having 10-600 μm end thickness and a deformation ratio greater than 90%. The film is cut into 5-300 mm strips annealed 1 second to 5 hours under protection gas between 600 and 1200° C. in a continuous furnace, then recrystallized to have a high cubic texture proportion. |
| US10676792B2 |
Prognostic and diagnostic methods for colorectal cancer
Provided herein are methods for selecting a drug therapy for a patient with cancer, such as colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer or breast cancer. The method includes determining or measuring the level of RasGRP1 polynucleotide or polypeptide in a sample from the patient. Also provided herein are methods for determining the likelihood of a good prognosis for a patient with cancer. Additionally, provided herein are methods for predicting the likelihood of a negative clinical response to an anti-EGFR therapy in a subject with cancer. |
| US10676789B2 |
Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides
The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing. |
| US10676788B2 |
Modified nucleotide reagents
Labeled nucleotide analogs comprising at least one avidin protein, at least one dye-labeled compound, and at least one nucleotide compound are provided. The analogs are useful in various fluorescence-based analytical methods, including the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, such as single molecule real time nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The analogs are detectable with high sensitivity at desirable wavelengths. They contain structural components that modulate the interactions of the analogs with DNA polymerase, thus decreasing photodamage and improving the kinetic and other properties of the analogs in sequencing reactions. Also provided are nucleotide and dye-labeled compounds of the subject analogs, as well as intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds and analogs. Compositions comprising the compounds, methods of synthesis of the intermediates, compounds, and analogs, and mutant DNA polymerases are also provided. |