| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10921716B1 |
Lithographic dose characterization
Methods for determining unintentional exposure dose such as flare or out-of-band radiation of a lithography tool are provided. The methods generally include performing a series of open frame exposures with the lithography tool on a substrate having a photoresist therein to produce a primary array of controlled exposure dose blocks in the photoresist. Secondary exposure blocks are embedded within the primary array. The resultant open frame images are scanned with oblique light and the light scattered from the substrate surface captured. A haze map is created from a background signal of the captured scattered light data and converted to a graphical image file. Analyzing the graphical image file can be used to correlate any localized changes in the effective dose of the primary exposure array to the impact of secondary exposure blocks to characterize flare or out-of-band radiation associated with the exposure dose. |
| US10921715B2 |
Semiconductor structure for optical validation
An embodiment of the invention may include a semiconductor structure for ensuring semiconductor design integrity. The semiconductor structure may include an electrical circuit necessary for the operation of the semiconductor circuit and white space having no electrical circuit. The semiconductor structure may include an optical pattern used for validating the semiconductor circuit design formed in the white space of the electrical circuit. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical pattern may include one or more deposition layers. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical pattern may include covershapes. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical pattern may be physically isolated from the electrical circuit. The optical pattern may include a Moiré pattern. |
| US10921714B2 |
Reserving spatial light modulator sections to address field non-uniformities
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide improved photolithography systems and methods using a digital micromirror device (DMD). The DMD comprises columns and rows of micromirrors disposed opposite a substrate. Light beams reflect off the micromirrors onto the substrate, resulting in a patterned substrate. Certain subsets of the columns and rows of micromirrors may be positioned to the “off” position, such that they dump light, in order to correct for uniformity errors, i.e., features larger than desired, in the patterned substrate. Similarly, certain subsets of the columns and rows of micromirrors may be defaulted to the “off” position and selectively allowed to return to their programmed position in order to correct for uniformity errors, i.e., features smaller than desired, in the patterned substrate. |
| US10921712B2 |
Color developing composition, lithographic printing plate precursor, method for producing lithographic printing plate, and color developing compound
A color developing composition containing a compound represented by the Formula (1) as defined herein, a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support and an image-recording layer containing the color developing composition, a method for producing a lithographic printing plate including: exposing the lithographic printing plate precursor in an image pattern; and removing a non-exposed portion in the image-recording layer using at least one of printing ink or dampening water on a printer, and a color developing compound represented by the Formula (1) as defined herein. |
| US10921711B2 |
Resist composition and method of forming resist pattern
A resist composition which generates an acid when exposed and whose solubility in a developer is changed by an action of an acid, the resist composition including: a base material component (A) whose solubility in a developer is changed by an action of an acid, in which the base material component (A) comprises a polymer compound (A1) having a constitutional unit (a01) represented by Formula (a0-1), a constitutional unit (a02) represented by Formula (a0-2), and a constitutional unit (a03) which is represented by Formula (a0-3) and has a structure different from the constitutional unit (a02). |
| US10921707B2 |
Self-adaptive halogen treatment to improve photoresist pattern and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device uniformity
A process flow for shrinking a critical dimension (CD) in photoresist features and reducing CD non-uniformity across a wafer is disclosed. A photoresist pattern is treated with halogen plasma to form a passivation layer with thickness (t1) on feature sidewalls, and thickness (t2) on the photoresist top surface where t2>t1. Thereafter, an etch based on O2, or O2 with a fluorocarbon or halogen removes the passivation layer and shrinks the CD. The passivation layer slows the etch such that photoresist thickness is maintained while CD shrinks to a greater extent for features having a width (d1) than on features having width (d2) where d1>d2. Accordingly, CD non-uniformity is reduced from 2.3% to 1% when d2 is 70 nm and is shrunk to 44 nm after the aforementioned etch. After a second etch through a MTJ stack to form MTJ cells, CD non-uniformity is maintained at 1%. |
| US10921705B2 |
Mask blank substrate, substrate with multilayer reflective film, reflective mask blank, reflective mask and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a reflective mask capable of reducing out-of-band light when transferring a prescribed pattern onto a wafer by exposure using EUV light in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The mask blank substrate is provided with a base film on a substrate, the base film is formed with a material having a refractive index smaller than the substrate over a wavelength range of not less than 190 nm and not more than 280 nm, and reflectance of the base film arranged on the surface of the substrate is smaller than the reflectance of the substrate over a wavelength range of not less than 190 nm to not more than 280 nm. |
| US10921700B2 |
Projector
The projector appropriately generates white light from a laser light source and uses the white light for image display. A white light generator that generates white light from blue light and yellow light includes a dichroic mirror that is irradiated with blue light from a blue laser, a first condenser lens that focuses the blue light that has passed through the dichroic mirror, a diffusion plate that diffuses the focused blue light, a second condenser lens that focuses the blue light obtained by allowing the diffused blue light to pass through the dichroic mirror, and a phosphor that is irradiated with the focused blue light to emit yellow light; the diffusion plate is an alumina ceramic plate; the dichroic mirror has a first region that transmits one of the blue light and the yellow light and reflects the other and a second region that reflects or transmits both. |
| US10921699B2 |
Optical rotating device, illumination system and projection device
An optical rotating device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a rotating shaft connected to the substrate, a driving element connected to the rotating shaft and driving it to rotate, a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the first surface to convert a first laser beam into a converted beam, and a polarizing element disposed on the second surface. The first laser beam and at least one second laser beam are respectively transmitted to the wavelength conversion layer and the polarizing element from opposite directions. The driving element drives the substrate, the wavelength conversion layer and the polarizing element to rotate along the rotating shaft as a rotation central axis. When the polarizing element is rotated, the polarizing element makes the second laser beam have different polarization states at different times. An illumination system and a projection device are also provided. |
| US10921696B2 |
Illumination system and projection apparatus
An illumination system including a first excitation light source, a wavelength conversion wheel, and a filter wheel is provided. The first excitation light source is configured to emit a first excitation beam. The wavelength conversion wheel includes a wavelength conversion region and a first optical region. The wavelength conversion region and the first optical region alternately enter a transmission path of the first excitation beam. The first excitation beam is converted into a conversion beam by the wavelength conversion region when the wavelength conversion region enters the transmission path of the first excitation beam. The filter wheel includes a first region, a second region, and a blocking region. An angle covered by the second region in a circumferential direction is smaller than an angle covered by the first optical region. A projection apparatus is also provided. |
| US10921691B2 |
Camera accessory and camera
The camera accessory is attachable to a camera by relatively rotating from a first state to a second state. Camera side contact pins include a first camera side contact pin making contact with an accessory side contact holding portion in the first state and second camera side contact pins not making contact with the accessory side contact holding portion in the first state. Accessory side contact surfaces include a first accessory side contact surface making contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state and second accessory side contact surfaces not making contact with the first camera side contact pin in the second state. A pitch between the first and second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent thereto is larger than a pitch between the second accessory side contact surfaces adjacent to each other. |
| US10921685B2 |
Apparatus that enables the photographing of highly reflective, objects without reflections
An apparatus that enables the photographing of highly reflective, objects placed in it without the reflections of things in the environment surrounding the apparatus being seen in the objects includes: (a) a translucent, planar base, (b) a two-way, domed mirror that has a perimeter edge that defines the mirror's enclosed volume, (c) wherein this base and perimeter edge are adapted so as to allow the perimeter edge to be brought to a closed position proximate to the base so that light from the surrounding environment is prevented from entering the mirror's enclosed volume, and (d) a hinge that is configured to allow the mirror to move between a distal position where its perimeter edge is distal from the base and this closed position where it is proximate the base. |
| US10921684B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a ranging light source, an aperture that includes a through hole through which light emitted from the ranging light source passes, and a ranging lens disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the ranging light source, wherein the aperture includes a plurality of press-fit convex parts projecting in a direction opposite to the ranging light source, and the ranging lens is press-fitted into a region surrounded by the plurality of press-fit convex parts. |
| US10921678B2 |
Electrophoretic device
The present invention is in the field of an electrophoretic device for switching between a transparent and non-transparent mode, the device having pixels, the pixels comprising a fluid and colored particles, and comprising various further elements, as well as uses thereof, in particular as a window blind and for signage. |
| US10921676B2 |
Electrophoretic medium
An electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of charged particles disposed in a fluid. The fluid comprises at least about 75, and preferably at least about 95, percent by weight of a hydrocarbon selected from monounsaturated nonenes, nonane and methyloctane. The electrophoretic medium is especially useful in microcell electrophoretic media comprising a substrate having a plurality of cavities, and a sealing layer closing the open ends of the cavities, the cavities being filled with the electrophoretic medium. |
| US10921675B2 |
Cloud-based system for controlling electrochromic devices
A system for causing electrochromic devices to be controlled is described. The system may include a memory and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device may receive a data stream from a driver controlling a set of electrochromic devices, transmit a first subset of the data stream to a server device, and store at least a second subset of the data stream in a data file in the memory. The processing device may receive one or more instructions from the server device and transmit the one or more instructions to the driver to cause the set of electrochromic devices to be controlled based on the one or more instructions. |
| US10921673B2 |
Method for fabricating solid state electrochromic device, solid state electrochromic device and its applications
An electrochromic device includes a first flexible substrate, a first transparent electrode disposed on the first flexible substrate, an electrochromic layer disposed on the first transparent electrode, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed on the electrochromic layer. The solid electrolyte layer contains less than 20 wt % of neutral small organic molecules having a molecular weight of 3000 or less. The electrochromic device further includes an ion storage layer disposed on the solid electrolyte layer, a second transparent electrode disposed on the ion storage layer, and a second flexible substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode. |
| US10921668B1 |
Pixel unit, pixel array, and display panel
The invention provides a pixel unit, a pixel array, and a display panel. The pixel unit includes a first sub-pixel unit, a second sub-pixel unit, and a third sub-pixel unit, and the sub-pixel units share one data line. In the pixel unit of the present invention, which utilizes a plurality of sub-pixel units in the pixel unit sharing the same data line and simultaneously gate lines of a plurality of sub-pixel units arranging in parallel in the pixel unit, therefore, to save a wiring area, and an aperture ratio of the pixel unit is increased. Thereby increasing the light transmittance of the display panel and improving the display effect of the product. |
| US10921662B2 |
Manufacturing method of array substrate, array substrate, display panel and display device
The present disclosure discloses a manufacturing method of an array substrate, an array substrate, a display panel and a display device. The manufacturing method comprises: forming a shielding layer on a base substrate, wherein the shielding layer absorbs light and is made of photoresist; and forming a transistor device layer on the base substrate on which the shielding layer is formed, wherein an orthographic projection of a conductor in the transistor device layer on the base substrate is within an orthographic projection of the shielding layer on the base substrate. The shielding layer can prevent external light from irradiating the conductor in the transistor device layer, and can absorb external light. In addition, the manufacturing process is simple. |
| US10921657B2 |
Display device and wiring substrate
A display device includes: a display panel including panel terminals; and a wiring substrate including first substrate terminals coupled to the panel terminals. The panel terminals include panel terminals arranged in a first region and panel terminals arranged in second regions sandwiching the first region. The first substrate terminals include first substrate terminals arranged in a third region and first substrate terminals arranged in fourth regions sandwiching the third region. A gap between panel terminals is substantially constant in the first and second regions. A first width of the panel terminals in the first region is different from a second width of the panel terminals in the second regions. A width of the first substrate terminals is substantially constant in the third and fourth regions. A first gap between first substrate terminals in the third region is different from a second gap between first substrate terminals in the fourth regions. |
| US10921645B2 |
Display module
A display module includes a backlight module, a liquid crystal layer disposed on the backlight module, and a first light-expanding layer disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The backlight module provides a surface light source. The surface light source forms an image light through the liquid crystal layer, and the first light-expanding layer increases the viewing angle range of the image light along a first direction. The first light-expanding layer substantially extends along a virtual plane, the first direction is perpendicular to the normal of the virtual plane, and a second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the normal of the virtual plane. The light intensity at the 60-degree viewing angle of the surface light source along the first direction is lower than the light intensity at the 60-degree viewing angle of the surface light source along the second direction. |
| US10921644B1 |
Liquid crystal display backlight utilizing reflective stack
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device including an LCD panel and a backlight. The backlight includes a plurality of light sources to emit light, and a reflective stack. The reflective stack is positioned to receive light emitted from the light sources and transmit the light to the LCD panel. The reflective stack includes optical elements providing a folded beam path for the light emitted from the light sources to the LCD panel. The light emitted from the light sources is diffused while propagating towards and away from the LCD panel along the folded beam path. The folded beam path has an optical distance that is longer than the spatial distance between the light sources and the LCD panel to improve light diffusion by the backlight without substantially increasing backlight thickness. |
| US10921643B2 |
Backlighting display apparatus
A backlighting apparatus for an LCD display includes a substrate and a circuit trace disposed on a surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a plurality of light sources affixed to the substrate via the circuit trace in a predetermined pattern across the surface of the substrate. Each light source includes one or more micro-sized, unpackaged LEDs. A height of the one or more micro-sized, unpackaged LEDs is from about 12 microns to about 200 microns. |
| US10921642B2 |
Mini light emitting diode (LED) backlight with adhesive filled seams and grooves and the method of manufacturing same
A mini light emitting diode (LED) backlight and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The mini LED backlight includes a backboard and a plurality of rectangular light boards provided with a plurality of mini LEDs arranged in an array, and the plurality of light boards are arranged in an array and spliced on the backboard. A seam is provided between two of the light boards adjacent to each other, and the backboard is provided with a plurality of grooves corresponding to the seams, and the plurality of seams and the plurality of grooves are filled with a cured adhesive. The method of manufacturing the corresponding mini LED backlight is further provided. The mini LED backlight and the method of manufacturing the same are capable of effectively improving the problem about dark lines between the light boards of the mini LED backlight. |
| US10921631B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display module, a lens module and a transparent cover. The display module is provided with a lens area and a display area disposed outside the lens area. The display module is provided with a prism layer surrounding the lens area. The lens module is disposed in the lens area. The transparent cover covers the display module. |
| US10921630B2 |
Spatially variable liquid crystal diffraction gratings
The present disclosure relates to display systems and, more particularly, to augmented reality display systems. A diffraction grating includes a plurality of different diffracting zones having a periodically repeating lateral dimension corresponding to a grating period adapted for light diffraction. The diffraction grating additionally includes a plurality of different liquid crystal layers corresponding to the different diffracting zones. The different liquid crystal layers have liquid crystal molecules that are aligned differently, such that the different diffracting zones have different optical properties associated with light diffraction. |
| US10921629B1 |
Methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive sensor
Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sense electrode and a drive electrode configured to create at least one inflection point corresponding to an increase or decrease in rate of change of capacitance within one or more sensing regions of the electrical field of the capacitive sensor. In alternative embodiments, the sense electrode may be configured to create multiple zones that may be used to indicate a desired signal such an upcoming replacement period and a replace now period. |
| US10921627B2 |
Methods of manufacturing display panels and display panels
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of manufacturing display panels and display panels. The method of manufacturing a display panel includes: preparing a driving film layer on a substrate of the display panel, and removing at least a removal part of the driving film layer along a slotting-cutting path of the display panel; performing a cutting process on a slotted area of the display panel along the slotting-cutting path. By removing at least a removal part of the driving film layer along the slotting-cutting path before performing the cutting process on the slotted area of the display panel, problems such as thermal damage to the driving film layer and the like can be prevented, so that the problem of reducing the strength of the screen body in the slotted area can be avoided, and the quality of the product can be improved. |
| US10921618B2 |
Optical modulating device and apparatus including the same
An optical modulating device may include a plurality of quantum dot (QD)-containing layers having QDs and a plurality of refractive index change layers. The QD-containing layers may be disposed between the refractive index change layers, respectively. The optical modulating device may be configured to modulate light-emission characteristics of the plurality of QD-containing layers. At least two of the QD-containing layers may have different central emission wavelengths. At least two of the plurality of refractive index change layers may include different materials or have different carrier densities. |
| US10921616B2 |
Optoelectronic device
An optoelectronic device and method of making the same. The device comprising: a substrate; an epitaxial crystalline cladding layer, on top of the substrate; and an optically active region, above the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer; wherein the epitaxial crystalline cladding layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the optically active region, such that the optical power of the optoelectronic device is confined to the optically active region. |
| US10921615B2 |
Grey compounded infrared absorbing spectacles, goggles, faceshields and hood windows used in personal protective equipment for arc flash hazards
An improved personal protective device and composition thereof. The device comprises arc flash spectacles or goggles, an arc flash faceshield or an arc flash hood window to provide optical clarity, specifically color acuity. The spectacles or goggles, the faceshield and the hood window include polycarbonate material for high-impact, high-mass performance, and surface charring during arc flash exposure and provides an arc flash protective rating of at least 4 cal/cm2 (in the case of eyewear and face shields) or at least 15 cal/cm2 (in the case of hood windows). |
| US10921614B2 |
Low-convergence negative power spectacles
A convergence-reducing lens, wherein a central normal of the convergence-reducing lens defines a z-axis, and a center of the convergence-reducing lens defines a tangential, centered x-y plane, together defining a coordinate system, the convergence-reducing lens comprising a distance-vision region, having a negative distance-vision optical power, to refract a light ray, directed parallel to the z-axis at a distance-vision region point at an x-distance from a y-z plane of the coordinate system, so that its extension intersects the y-z plane at a distance-vision intersection z-distance; and a near-vision region, having a near-vision optical power that matches the distance-vision optical power within 0.5D, to refract a light ray, directed parallel to the z-axis at a near-vision region point at the x-distance of the distance-vision region point, at a corresponding y height, so that its extension intersects the y-z plane at a near-vision intersection z-distance that is smaller than the distance-vision intersection z-distance. |
| US10921612B2 |
Spectacles and associated methods for presbyopia treatment and myopia progression control
Presbyopia treatment and anti-myopia spectacles comprise a negative refractive element facing an object and a positive refractive element facing a patient eye. The negative refractive element has a central zone with a strong negative refractive power. The positive refractive element has a central zone with a less strong positive refractive power. The front focal point of the central zone of the positive lens does not have to overlap with the front focal point of the central zone of the negative lens. The negative refractive element and the positive refractive element are axially separated by a relatively small distance such that the combination of the two refractive elements is compact enough to be made into an easily wearable spectacle. For myopia progression control, at least one portion of the paracentral and/or peripheral zone of at least one of the two refractive elements has a relative add power with respect to that of the central zone such that the image of an off-axis distant or intermediate object is formed in front of a corresponding paracentral or peripheral retina area to create myopic defocus on the corresponding retina area. |
| US10921604B2 |
Video display system, video display method, non-transitory storage medium, and moving vehicle that projects a virtual image onto a target space
A video display system includes a display unit, a projection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit displays an image. The projection unit projects a virtual image onto a target space with outgoing light of the display unit. The display control unit shifts a projection position of the virtual image by changing at least one of a projection distance or an angle of depression. The projection distance is a distance from a viewpoint to the virtual image. The angle of depression is an angle from which the virtual image is viewed from the user's viewpoint. The display control unit changes the projection distance of the virtual image in accordance with a distance instruction and changes at least one of the projection distance or the angle of depression such that the virtual image is projected onto a displayable region of the target space. |
| US10921599B2 |
Automatic placement of a virtual object in a three-dimensional space
Augmented reality systems and methods for automatically repositioning a virtual object with respect to a destination object in a three-dimensional (3D) environment of a user are disclosed. The systems and methods can automatically attach the target virtual object to the destination object and re-orient the target virtual object based on the affordances of the virtual object or the destination object. The systems and methods can also track the movement of a user and detach the virtual object from the destination object when the user's movement passes a threshold condition. |
| US10921598B2 |
Image projection device
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where an image is projected on the retina 52 of one of the eyes 50 has been described, but an image may be projected on the retinas 52 of both eyes 50. In addition, the scan mirror 14 has been described as an example of a scan unit, but the scan unit may be any element as long as it can scan a light beam. For example, other components such as potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) crystal that is an electro-optic material may be used as the scan unit. The case where the light beam is a laser beam has been described as an example, but the light beam may be light other than the laser beam. |
| US10921595B2 |
Contextual adjustment to augmented reality glasses
A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with augmented reality glasses associated with a user, a memory that stores operational instructions, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory that is configured to execute the operational instructions to perform various operations. The computing device receives the information that is related to the position and/or movement of the augmented reality glasses with respect to the user from monitoring component(s) of the augmented reality glasses. The computing device processes that information to determine the position and/or the movement of the augmented reality glasses with respect to the user. The computing device transmits media to the reality display of the augmented reality glasses to be consumed by the user and modify at least a portion of the media based on the position and/or movement of the augmented reality glasses with respect to the user. |
| US10921590B1 |
Virtual reality devices and accessories
Systems and methods disclosed provided a virtual reality experience, including: a set of motorized pads for coupling to feet of a user; a means of communication between the set of motorized pads and a computing environment operating a virtual reality headset; such that the set of motorized pads are configured to provide pressure on a user's feet as an avatar within a virtual environment traverses the environment. Systems and methods disclosed further provide a multiuser virtual reality experience. Systems and methods disclosed further provide a multiuser experience including generation of a common environment viewable in the virtual reality headsets; and recording a tour including audio data as the first user describes the common environment. |
| US10921589B2 |
Virtual reality devices and accessories
Systems and methods disclosed provided a virtual reality experience, including: a set of motorized pads for coupling to feet of a user; a means of communication between the set of motorized pads and a computing environment operating a virtual reality headset; such that the set of motorized pads are configured to provide pressure on a user's feet as an avatar within a virtual environment traverses the environment. Systems and methods disclosed further provide a multiuser virtual reality experience. Systems and methods disclosed further provide a multiuser experience including generation of a common environment viewable in the virtual reality headsets; and recording a tour including audio data as the first user describes the common environment. |
| US10921588B2 |
Three-dimensional display apparatus, head-up display system, and mobile body
A three-dimensional display apparatus includes a display panel and an optical element. The display panel includes a display surface. The display surface extends in a first direction, extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first direction corresponds to a parallax direction of user's eyes seeing an image. The display surface curves around a central axis extending in the second direction. The display surface includes subpixels arranged in a grid pattern in the first direction and the second direction within the display surface. The optical element is arranged along the display surface, and the optical element includes strip-shaped regions, each of which extends in a certain direction. The optical element is configured to define a beam direction of image light emitted from the subpixels. The display surface forms an arc in a cross-section that is orthogonal to the second direction. A position of an eye box, in the first direction, is set to a position within a distance r sin θ from the center of the arc. The r represents a diameter of the arc. The θ represents an angle formed by a linear line connecting between a first direction edge of the display panel and a center of the arc and a linear line connecting between a first direction center of the display panel and the center of the arc viewed in the second direction. The eye box is an acceptable range of a position of the user's eyes when the user sees the image. |
| US10921587B2 |
Vehicle display apparatus
A vehicle display apparatus of the present disclosure includes a display and a reflective member. The reflective member reflects display light from the display. The display causes the display light to be incident on the reflective member as S polarized light. The reflective member is located along an incident light path of the display light from the display to a reflecting surface of a windshield of a vehicle or along a transmitted light path of transmitted light transmitted by the reflecting surface. The reflective member reflects linearly polarized incident light as circularly polarized reflected light. The vehicle display apparatus guides display light reflected at the reflective member and at the windshield to an eye box. |
| US10921581B2 |
Scan driving device, optical scan control apparatus, and driving waveform generation method
A scan driving device includes a waveform generator that generates a sawtooth driving waveform having a rise period in which a signal level rises, and a fall period in which the signal level falls, and a driving circuit that drives an optical scanning device, that resonates at a natural resonant frequency thereof, by a sawtooth driving voltage waveform corresponding to the sawtooth driving waveform. A time width of one of the rise period and the fall period is shorter than the other of the rise period and the fall period, and is an integer multiple of an inverse number of the natural resonant frequency. |
| US10921580B2 |
Systems and methods of increasing pupil size in a display system
A display system for presenting visual information to a user includes a fast scan mirror, a slow scan mirror, and anamorphic relay optics positioned optically between the fast scan mirror and slow scan mirror. The fast scan mirror has a fast scan arc in a scan direction of a display light provided by a light source. The slow scan mirror has a slow scan arc in a cross-scan direction of the display light that is perpendicular to the scan direction. The anamorphic relay optics are configured to magnify the display light in the cross-scan direction. |
| US10921577B2 |
Endoscope device
In an endoscope device, an imaging device sequentially reads pixel signals from at least some of a plurality of pixels row by row during a first period. A control unit causes a light source to generate illumination light during a second period. The second period is at least a part of a period other than the first period. The control unit causes the light source to stop the generation of the illumination light during a third period. The third period is all of a period other than the second period. The control unit causes a switching unit to start switching of an imaging condition during the third period and complete the switching of the imaging condition during the third period. |
| US10921575B2 |
Auto-focus methods and systems for digital imaging using multi-spectral trajectories
A method and associated method and computer program product for acquiring focused images of a specimen on a slide, by determining optimal scanning trajectories. The method includes capturing a relatively low magnification image of the slide to locate the specimen, forming a grid that includes an arrangement of grid points, overlaying at least part of the grid over a field of view that covers at least part of the specimen, capturing a relatively high magnification Z-stack of images of the specimen within the field of view, determining a best focus for each grid point within said at least part of the grid to form a resulting grid of three dimensional points, and based on the resulting grid, determining one or more three dimensional scanning trajectories. |
| US10921570B2 |
Camera lens assembly
The present disclosure describes a camera lens assembly. The camera lens assembly comprises, sequentially along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, the first to the seventh lenses. The first lens has a negative refractive power, and an object side surface of the first lens is a convex surface. The third lens has a positive refractive power, and an object side surface of the third lens is a convex surface. The sixth lens has a negative refractive power, and an image side surface of the sixth lens is a concave surface. The second lens, the fourth lens and the fifth lens respectively have a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. An effective radius of the object side surface of the first lens DT11 and an effective radius of an object side surface of the second lens DT21 may satisfy: 1 |
| US10921567B2 |
Photographing optical lens system, image capturing unit and electronic device
A photographing optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The eighth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the eighth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The photographing optical lens system has a total of eight lens elements. An air gap in a paraxial region is located between every two lens elements of the photographing optical lens system that are adjacent to each other. |
| US10921566B2 |
Optical assembly for a compact wide field of view digital camera with low first lens diameter to image diagonal ratio
An optical assembly for a point action camera or other compact digital camera having a wide field of view, includes multiple lens elements, including at least one lens element that has an aspheric lens surface. The optical assembly is configured to provide a field of view in excess of 120 degrees. The optical assembly includes a ratio of a diameter of a first lens element at the object end of the optical assembly to an image diagonal is less than approximately 3. |
| US10921564B2 |
Image capturing optical system, image capturing device and electronic device
The present disclosure provides an image capturing optical system comprising: a positive first lens element having a convex object-side surface; a negative second lens element having a concave object-side surface; a third lens element; a fourth lens element having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, the object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof being aspheric; a fifth lens element having a concave image-side surface concave, both of the object-side surface and the image-side surface being aspheric, at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface having at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof. |
| US10921561B2 |
Optical imaging lens assembly
The present disclosure discloses an optical imaging lens assembly. The optical imaging lens assembly includes, sequentially along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens and a seventh lens. The first lens has a positive refractive power. An image-side surface of the second lens and an image-side surface of the seventh lens are convex surfaces. A total effective focal length f of the optical imaging lens assembly and an entrance pupil diameter EPD of the optical imaging lens assembly satisfy: f/EPD≤1.90. |
| US10921560B2 |
Optical imaging lens assembly
An optical imaging lens assembly is disclosed. The optical imaging lens assembly includes, sequentially along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, a first lens to a fifth lens. The first lens may have a positive refractive power and a concave object-side surface. The second lens may have a positive or a negative refractive power and a concave object-side surface. The third lens may have a positive or a negative refractive power. The fourth lens may have a positive refractive power and a convex image-side surface. The fifth lens may have a negative refractive power, and an object-side surface of the fifth lens and an image-side surface of the fifth lens may both be concave surfaces. A center thickness CT3 of the third lens on the optical axis and a center thickness CT4 of the fourth lens on the optical axis satisfy: CT3/CT4≥1.5. |
| US10921556B2 |
Imaging lens
There is provided an imaging lens with high-resolution which satisfies demand of the wide field of view, the low-profileness and the low F-number, and excellently corrects aberrations. An imaging lens comprises in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having positive refractive power and a convex surface facing the object side near the optical axis, a second lens having negative refractive power near the optical axis, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens having negative refractive power and a concave surface facing the image side near the optical axis, wherein the image-side surface of said sixth lens is formed as an aspheric surface having at least one off-axial pole point, the image-side surface of said first lens has the concave surface facing the image side near the optical axis, the image-side surface of said third lens has the concave surface facing the image side near the optical axis, said fifth lens has a biconvex shape having the convex surfaces facing the object side and the image side near the optical axis, the object-side surface of the sixth lens has the convex surface facing the object side near the optical axis, and predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied. |
| US10921551B2 |
Moving speed control method of optical element switching device
A moving speed control method of an optical element switching device including a fixing member, a moveable member having a plurality of recess portions configured to hold one or more optical elements, a driving device supported to the fixing member and configured to move the moveable member, and an engaging mechanism supported to the fixing member and configured to be engaged to the recess portion to thereby position each of the one or more optical elements on an optical axis, the moving speed control method includes: starting to move the moveable member from a state where the recess portion is engaged to the engaging mechanism; accelerating a moving speed of the moveable member; decelerating the moving speed when the engaging mechanism is to be engaged to the next recess portion; and making the moving speed zero when the engaging mechanism is engaged to the recess portion. |
| US10921550B2 |
Lens device, camera device, and moving body
A lens device includes a first motor, a second motor, a lens, a cam ring, and a gear part. The cam ring is configured to, in cooperation with the first motor and the second motor, drive the lens to move in a direction along an optical axis of the lens. The gear part is configured to transmit a power of both the first motor and the second motor to the cam ring. The gear part includes a first gear connected to a first shaft of the first motor, a second gear connected to a second drive shaft of the second motor, and a third gear that meshes with the first gear and the second gear. The power of the first motor and the second motor is transmitted to the cam ring via the third gear. |
| US10921545B2 |
Lens assembly, camera module, and optical device
The present embodiment relates to a lens assembly comprising: a holder; a lens module disposed at an inner side of the holder; an optical module disposed at an upper side of the lens module; and an conductive substrate electrically connected to the optical module, wherein the conductive substrate includes: a body part disposed at an upper side of the holder; and an extension part extended from one end of the body part, and including a terminal part, the holder includes a second lateral surface formed by being recessed inwards from a portion of a first lateral surface, and at least a portion of the extension part is disposed at the second lateral surface. |
| US10921544B2 |
Lens apparatus and imaging apparatus
A lens apparatus includes a rotator configured to rotate around the optical axis direction when contacting the vibrator, a biasing member configured to bias the vibrator from a first side to a second side in the optical axis direction so as to compressively bring the vibrator into contact with the rotator, and a driving ring configured to receive a rotation of the rotator, to rotate around the optical axis direction relative to the fixed lens barrel, and to move the lens unit in the optical axis direction. The fixed lens barrel includes a receiver configured to receive the biasing force of the biasing member transmitted to the driving ring via the rotator. The receiver is provided inside the vibrator and the rotator in the radial direction and on the first side of the end of the driving ring on the second side. |
| US10921542B2 |
Optical cable wiring system and optical cable connecting component
This invention discloses a type of optical cable wiring system, including: a main optical cable, first optical cable connector box and optical cable fan-out disposed near a first user zone; a second optical cable connector box disposed at a distance from the first user zone and near a second user zone; and a single main adapter optical cable disposed between the first optical cable connector box and second optical cable connector box. An optical cable fan-out converts a single main adapter optical cable to multiple branch adapter optical cables. Multiple branch adapter optical cables are connected to the main optical cable via a first optical cable connector box; multiple first distribution optical cables for the purpose of connection to a first user zone are connected to a main optical cable via a first optical cable connector box; multiple first distribution optical cables for the purpose of connection to a second user zone are connected to a single main adapter optical cable via a second optical cable connector box. In this manner, it becomes unnecessary to lay multiple second distribution optical cables over long distances between the first user zone and second user zone, thus reducing the laying length of second distribution optical cables, reducing material and labour costs, and additionally improving municipal aesthetics. |
| US10921537B2 |
Optical communication assemblies
An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend. |
| US10921534B2 |
Optical module structure and fabrication method for optical module structure
An optical module structure includes a substrate, an optical chip and an electrical chip that are fixedly coupled to the substrate. The optical module structure further includes an optical coupling structure fixedly coupled to the optical chip. A side of the optical chip that faces the substrate has a first reference plane, and at least one first alignment mark is provided on the first reference plane. The optical coupling structure has a second reference plane, and at least one second alignment mark is provided on the second reference plane. The first reference plane is aligned with the second reference plane, and the first alignment mark is aligned with the second alignment mark. |
| US10921533B2 |
Method for coupling electromagnetic waves into a chip using a cavity for a light source and an opening, for passage of light of the light source, which is connected to the cavity
A device for coupling electromagnetic waves into a chip or the like, including a cavity for accommodating a light source, an opening for the passage of light of the light source, which is connected to the cavity, the device including a first surface and a second surface situated opposite the first surface, at least one of the two surfaces including at least two first surface sections, which are inclined relative to one another at an inclination angle, and the distance between the first surface and the second surface being different on different sides of the cavity and/or of the opening, and surface areas on different sides of the cavity and/or opening respectively adjacent thereto having the identical inclination angle. |
| US10921526B2 |
Grating couplers with a silicide mirror
Structures for a grating coupler and methods of fabricating a structure for a grating coupler. A silicide layer is formed on a patterned section of a semiconductor layer. The grating structures of a grating coupler are formed over the silicide layer and the section of the semiconductor layer. |
| US10921523B2 |
Display system and components
A display system comprises a screen having a concave spherical surface positioned so as to be visible to a user of the system. The screen comprises a plurality of kite-shaped screen elements supported adjacent one another so as to form that spherical surface. Each of the screen elements comprises a respective faceplate comprising optical fibers extending adjacent each other so as to transmit light therethrough between two opposing face surfaces. One of the face surfaces is a concave spherical display image output surface, and the other of the face surfaces is a substantially planar image input surface. The screen elements also each comprise a respective image panel having a field of pixels each transmitting light corresponding to serial images of said panel. The fibers of the faceplate receive the light of the pixels of the image panel and together transmit the light from the image panel coherently to its image output surface so that the images of the panel are displayed on the image output surface. |
| US10921522B2 |
Optical fiber member and optical fiber holder
A first disclosure is an optical fiber member equipped with two holding members that hold an optical fiber such that an end surface of the optical fiber is located on one end and a curving portion having a coat of the optical fiber is curved to be extended at another end; the holding members are provided with holding flat portions that sandwich an end portion of the optical fiber where the coat is removed such that the end surface of the optical fiber is located on the one end; at least any of the holding flat portions has an aligning groove to fix a position of the end portion of the optical fiber; the holding member is provided with a curved surface at a position adjacent to the curving portion in the extending direction D1; and the two holding members are equal in thermal expansion coefficient. |
| US10921521B2 |
Splice closure and method for installing optical cable
Embodiments provide a splice closure and a method for installing an optical cable. The splice closure includes a closure body, a cable accommodating tray, a nut component, an abutting member, and an elastic member. The abutting member is located between an optical cable and the nut component, and the elastic member is located between the optical cable and an installation tube. When the nut component is screwed to an externally threaded section of the installation tube by using threads of an internally threaded section, the abutting member abuts the elastic member, so that the elastic member elastically deforms under an abutting effect of the abutting member, so as to cause an inner circumferential wall of the elastic member that elastically deforms to abut the optical cable, and an outer circumferential wall of the elastic member that elastically deforms to abut an inner circumferential wall of the installation tube. |
| US10921519B2 |
Deterministic frequency tuning of quantum dots in photonic crystal membranes using micro-laser processing
Emission frequency of quantum dots in a photonic crystal membrane can be tuned by laser light treatment. For example, a focused laser can heat InAs quantum dots embedded within a <200 nm photonic crystal GaAs membrane. At temperatures above about 600° C., indium atoms from the quantum dots and gallium atoms from the membrane interdiffuse, alloying the quantum dots with the surrounding membrane. This causes the quantum dots to become more gallium rich, which shifts the emission to higher frequencies. |
| US10921517B2 |
Electro-optic waveguide device and optical module
An electro-optic waveguide device may include a slot waveguide including a lower high-refractive-index layer with a first refractive index and an upper high-refractive-index layer with a second refractive index, wherein the lower high-refractive-index layer and the upper high-refractive-index layer have conductivity and are disposed to face each other with a gap; and a slot part formed as a low-refractive-index layer, wherein the low-refractive-index layer is formed of a material producing an electro-optic effect and has a third refractive index lower than the first refractive index and the second refractive index, wherein the low-refractive-index layer is formed in the gap to come into contact with the lower high-refractive-index layer and the upper high-refractive-index layer, and wherein one of the lower high-refractive-index layer or the upper high-refractive-index layer includes a stretch stretching on both sides of a contact portion with the slot part in a width direction intersecting a transmission direction. |
| US10921515B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface that have top and back relation, an insulating layer formed on the first surface of the substrate, and an optical waveguide formed on the insulating layer and formed of a semiconducting layer. A first opening is formed on the second surface of the substrate. The first opening overlaps the optical waveguide in plan view. |
| US10921513B2 |
Method of selecting wideband multimode fiber from 850 nm differential mode delays
A method is described for selecting fibers meeting requirements of a second minimum bandwidth at a second wavelength based on differential mode delay data measured at a first wavelength different from the second wavelength. The method comprises measuring the differential mode delay (DMD) data for the multimode fiber at the first wavelength, wherein the DMD data comprises output laser pulse data as a function of the radial position of an input laser pulse having the first wavelength; selecting the multimode fiber based on meeting requirements of the second minimum bandwidth at the second wavelength based on a second set of criteria, comprising a second criterion comprising: the radial dependence of the differential mode delay data measured at the first wavelength being within a pre-determined tolerance of a pre-determined reference function constructed by concatenating two or more even-order polynomials having the form: τ ( r ) ref , k = c 0 , k + c 1 , k ( r a ) 2 + c 2 , k ( r a ) 4 . |
| US10921511B1 |
Floor lighting assembly
A floor lighting assembly includes a luminous composite sheet and a light transmissive carpet. The luminous composite sheet has a top side, a bottom side, and an edge extending from the top side to the bottom side. The light sources are arranged in a row and are configured to emit light into the light guide film through the edge. The light transmissive carpet is disposed above the top side of the light guide film. The light transmissive carpet includes a backing structure and a pile mounted to and extending from the backing structure. The light guide film is configured to spread and redirect the light that is received therein through the edge for emitting the light through the top side of the light guide film such that some of the light is transmitted through the light transmissive carpet. |
| US10921509B2 |
Illumination device and liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light source disposed along a first direction, a light guide plate including a first end and a second end, the second end being positioned to be opposite to the first end in a second direction which crosses the first direction, a frame disposed along the second end and including an inner surface and an upper surface, and an adhesion member disposed on at least the upper surface of the frame, wherein the light source is disposed at the first end along the first direction, at least the inner surface of the frame is a light absorbing surface, and the adhesion member is light transmissive. |
| US10921506B2 |
Light guide plate, method of fabricating light guide plate, backlight module, display device
A light guide plate, a method of fabricating a light guide plate, a backlight module and a display device are disclosed. The light guide plate includes a light guide layer and a grating layer. The light guide layer includes a light incident surface, a light exit surface, and a bottom surface opposite to the light exit surface. The grating layer is disposed on a side of the light guide layer with the light exit surface being on the side and including a plurality of grating strips. The bottom surface is provided with a plurality of optical dots. The plurality of optical dots are configured to deflect light rays from the light incident surface toward the grating strips. The plurality of grating strips are configured to deflect light rays emitted from the light exit surface toward a normal line of the light exit surface. |
| US10921504B1 |
Light guide structure and luminous pad having the same
Disclosed are a light guide structure and a luminous pad with the structure. The luminous pad includes a pad body and a light guide structure installed at the periphery of the pad body. The light guide structure includes a light guide strip, a light source module, an electric object, a light pipe and a transmission wire set. The light guide strip has first and second positions; the light source module is installed at the first position and electrically connected to the transmitter; the electric object is installed at the second position; the light pipe is sheathed on light guide strip; the transmission wire set is installed between the light guide strip and the light pipe, and the transmission wire set is connected between the electric object and the transmitter. Therefore, the transmission wire set can be hidden to maintain aesthetics and ensure the flatness of the luminous pad. |
| US10921501B2 |
Infrared-light transmission filter and devices containing the infrared-light transmission filter
An optical member includes a reflection-scattering unit that reflects and scatters light having a wavelength band which corresponds to at least a portion of a visible wavelength range, and transmits light having a wavelength band which corresponds to at least a portion of an infrared region, wherein rectilinear transmittance for the light having the wavelength band which corresponds to at least the portion of the infrared region is equal to or greater than 75%. |
| US10921500B2 |
Optical element, and optical element-equipped article
A concavo-convex structure forming layer with a concavo-convex structure on one surface; and a light-reflecting layer on at least part of a surface of the concavo-convex structure. In the optical element, the concavo-convex structure forming layer includes a unit group made up of a plurality of units whose concavo-convex structures are different from each other; each of the units has a flat portion and either a plurality of convexities or a plurality of concavities, with an upper surface of each convexity or a bottom surface of each concavity being substantially parallel to a surface of the flat portion; the convexities or the concavities adjacent to each other have center-to-center distances that are not constant; the convexities or the concavities have a constant height or depth; and in the unit group, units having an identical concavo-convex structure are not arrayed at a pitch of less than 150 μm. |
| US10921498B2 |
Rotating arched heliograph for continuous visual signaling, drone tracking and bird deterrent
This invention relates to a rotating heliograph with arched convex reflective mirror surfaces that provides an autonomous continuous flashing visual signal from the reflection of the Sun, that can be used for many applications such as a survival distress signal, drone (UAV) anti-collision/tracking, and as a bird deterrent. |
| US10921496B2 |
Optical image lens assembly, imaging apparatus and electronic device
An optical image lens assembly includes a plurality of optical lens elements. The optical lens elements include a plurality of plastic optical lens elements having refractive power and aspheric surfaces. The plastic optical lens elements are formed by an injection molding method and include at least one defined-wavelength light absorbing optical lens element, and the defined-wavelength light absorbing optical lens element includes at least one defined-wavelength light absorbent. |
| US10921493B2 |
Virtual curved surface display panel, display device and displaying method
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a virtual curved surface display panel, a display device and a displaying method. The virtual curved surface display panel includes: a display panel having a plurality of pixels; and a plurality of imaging lens arrays disposed at a light emitting side of the display panel and arranged to image light from the plurality of pixels such that imaging trajectories for the plurality of pixels are located in a same virtual curved surface, thereby enabling a virtual curved surface display effect on a flat display panel. |
| US10921487B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting a sitting duck scenario
Systems and methods for detecting a sitting duck scenario of a vehicle on or near a road are disclosed. The current location and speed of the vehicle are used for different comparisons and/or determinations, including a comparison to road-specific information to determine whether the vehicle is in a particular proximity of a highway, and a determination whether the vehicle has been stationary continuously for at least a specified duration. Additional comparisons and/or determinations may be used. If such an occurrence has been detected, one or more notifications are generated, and provided to one or more of the vehicle operator and/or a remote computing server. |
| US10921486B2 |
Integrated logging tool
An integrated logging tool includes an outer housing and an insert, the insert positioned within the outer housing. The integrated logging tool further includes a gamma sensor within the insert. |
| US10921485B2 |
Illuminator obstruction detection to identify an obstruction on an optical window
A system includes an optical window, and an illuminator and a first light sensor deployed on a same side of the optical window. The system further includes a second light sensor on another side of the optical window. The system further includes a computer including a processor and memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to identify an obstruction on the optical window upon the first light sensor reporting first data from the illuminator that is above an expected threshold. The expected threshold is based on second data from the second light sensor. |
| US10921483B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor and method for detecting transparent objects
An optoelectronic sensor (10) is provided for detecting transparent objects (30) in a monitored zone (22) that has a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a light signal (14), a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal from the received light signal, an evaluation unit (28) that is configured to evaluate the received signal and to generate an object determination signal that indicates whether a transparent object (30) has been detected in the monitored zone (22), and an output (32) for outputting the object determination signal. The evaluation unit (28) is further configured to recognize with respect to the received signal and to a piece of reference information whether a detected transparent object (30) has an additional feature (34) and to output a corresponding piece of additional feature information. |
| US10921481B2 |
Nitrogen-vacancy-based downhole sensing
A system and method for making measurements inside a wellbore makes use of a diamond crystal with a nitrogen vacancy center (NV-center) to sense temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, strain, electric fields, or other parameters of the downhole environment. The system includes a microwave source that can be positioned to produce microwaves inside the wellbore and a light source that can be positioned to produce interrogation light inside the wellbore. The NV-center of the diamond is struck by the interrogation light. A spectrometer can be adapted to receive the excitation light output from the NV-center and produce a spectrum of the excitation light. The spectrum is indicative of the value of the parameter inside the wellbore. |
| US10921479B2 |
Magnetic induction intensity detection device and terminal equipment
The disclosure discloses a magnetic induction intensity detection device and a terminal equipment. The magnetic induction intensity detection device provided by an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a power supply, an electroluminescence component and a current detection component, wherein the electroluminescence component and the current detection component are connected in series; the power supply is configured to supply a voltage to the electroluminescence component so that the electroluminescence component generates a current; the current detection component is configured to detect a current variation flowing through the electroluminescence component, and determine a current magnetic induction intensity according to the current variation and a correspondence between current variations and magnetic induction intensities. |
| US10921477B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for eliminating frequency dispersion effect
The present disclosure disclose a method, an apparatus and a system for eliminating a frequency dispersion effect, wherein the method comprises: testing a core sample to obtain logging band velocities and seismic band velocities under different pressures; fitting a relationship between a stratum pressure and the logging band velocity using the logging band velocities under different pressures, and fitting a relationship between the stratum pressure and the seismic band velocity using the seismic band velocities under different pressures; and eliminating a frequency dispersion effect in a target area using the relationship between the stratum pressure and the logging band velocity and the relationship between the stratum pressure and the seismic band velocity. |
| US10921473B2 |
Method and system for separating seismic sources in marine simultaneous shooting acquisition
Seismic data are obtained by recording simultaneously in seismic streamer, acquired by activating approximately simultaneously two or more seismic sources towed at two positions in the vicinity of seismic streamers. A residual is updated iteratively for an inversion solution for the activations of the two or more seismic sources. The iterative updating of the residuals utilizes a sequence of overlapping temporal windows containing reflection events and utilizes normal moveout corrections based on largest reflection events in each temporal window. A final updated residual is added to a final updated model result. |
| US10921470B2 |
Inversion for tectonic stress
A method (710) can include receiving data for fractures associated with a geologic environment (712); performing stress inversion, based at least in part on a portion of the data and assignment of different mechanical fracture types to different populations of the fractures, to recover tectonic stress (716); and outputting the tectonic stress (720). |
| US10921469B2 |
Radiation detection device and method of manufacturing radiation detection device
Provided are a radiation detection device, in which the peeling of a sheet material that covers the outer peripheral surface can be suppressed, and a method of manufacturing a radiation detection device. A radiation detection device includes: a front surface member; a rear surface member assembled with the front surface member; a radiation detection panel disposed between the front surface member and the rear surface member and detecting radiation incident from the front surface member side; a sheet material that covers an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the front surface member or the rear surface member; a packing, the sheet material being interposed between the packing and the front surface member or the rear surface member; and a holding portion provided in at least one of the front surface member or the rear surface member and holding the packing in a pressed state. |
| US10921465B2 |
Radon monitor
A method of measuring a radon concentration or a radon exposure level comprising: placing a plurality of individual radon measurement instruments at locations, each instrument being capable of data output; receiving radon measurement data from each of said plurality of instruments; combining said data from said plurality of instruments into a single data set; and calculating a radon concentration or radon exposure value from said single data set. Using a plurality of individual detectors and combining their data provides a much better overall analysis of radon concentration or radon exposure level. The calculated value may include producing an average of the radon concentrations across the multiple instruments. The average may be weighted with weights determined according to different locations such as proximity to ventilation devices or based on the time that an average user spends in each location. |
| US10921460B2 |
Position estimating apparatus and method
Disclosed is a position estimating method and apparatus that estimates a position based on main sensing data and secondarily determines the position based on the main sensing data and auxiliary sensing data when the auxiliary sensing data is found to be reliable. |
| US10921459B2 |
Method and system for demodulating and tracking of CSK-modulated signals
GNSS receiver includes first type correlators and a maximum selecting unit selecting an output from the first type correlators, and with a common control of all the correlators in code delay, carrier phase and carrier frequency; second type correlators with individual control in code delay of each correlator or each sub-group of second type correlators and with common control of all second type correlators in carrier phase and frequency; and a processor. The first type correlators can convolve one quadrature only, and demodulates CSK symbols, the second type correlators calculate discriminator values for CSK-modulated signal DLL, the demodulated data then is used by the processor to produce improved position and velocity. |
| US10921454B2 |
System and method for determining a distance to an object
A system for determining a distance to an object including a solid-state light source for projecting a pattern of discrete spots of laser light towards the object in a sequence of pulses; a detector having a plurality of picture elements, for detecting light representing the pattern of discrete spots as reflected by the object in synchronization with the pulses; and a processor to calculate the distance to the object as a function of exposure values generated by the picture elements. The picture elements are configured to generate exposure values by accumulating, for each pulse of the sequence, a first amount of electrical charge representative of a first amount of light reflected by the object during a first time window and a second electrical charge representative of a second amount of light reflected by the object during a second time window, the second time window occurring after the first time window. |
| US10921453B2 |
Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) lidar scanner with multiple light sources
A LIDAR includes multiple light sources and a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) device for controllably redirecting beams from each of the multiple light sources. The same or a different LCOS device can be used to controllably redirect reflected light to each of several corresponding light detectors. The LCOS device can be adjusted on a slower time scale while the light sources can be sequentially activated on a faster time scale. The LCOS device provides for fine steering control of LIDAR beams. The use of multiple light sources and detectors allows for a higher LIDAR scan rate. |
| US10921452B2 |
Lidar system
Techniques for optimizing a scan pattern of a LIDAR system including a bistatic transceiver include receiving first SNR values based on values of a range of the target, where the first SNR values are for a respective scan rate. Techniques further include receiving second SNR values based on values of the range of the target, where the second SNR values are for a respective integration time. Techniques further include receiving a maximum design range of the target at each angle in the angle range. Techniques further include determining, for each angle in the angle range, a maximum scan rate and a minimum integration time. Techniques further include defining a scan pattern of the LIDAR system based on the maximum scan rate and the minimum integration time at each angle and operating the LIDAR system according to the scan pattern. |
| US10921447B2 |
Control circuit of light emitting and receiving device
A light emitting and receiving device includes: a light emitting element, a first light receiving element, and a second light receiving element. A reference signal generator generates a reference signal including a component of a predetermined reference frequency. A drive circuit supplies a drive signal to the light emitting element so that a feedback signal corresponding to an output of the first light receiving element matches a reference signal. A correlation detector detects an output of the second light receiving element by correlating with the component of the reference frequency. |
| US10921446B2 |
Collaborative mapping of a space using ultrasonic sonar
Generally, a scanning device performs a sonic scan of a space by generating an ultrasonic impulse and measuring reflected signals as raw audio data. Sonic scan data including raw audio data and an associated scan location is forwarded to a sonic mapping service, which generates and distributes a 3D map of the space called a sonic map. When multiple devices contribute, the map is a collaborative sonic map. The sonic mapping service is advantageously available as distributed computing service, and can detect acoustic characteristics of the space and/or attribute visual/audio features to elements of a 3D model based on a corresponding detected acoustic characteristic. Various implementations that utilize a sonic map, detected acoustic characteristics, an impacted visual map, and/or an impacted 3D object include mixed reality communications, automatic calibration, relocalization, visualizing materials, rendering 3D geometry, and the like. |
| US10921445B2 |
Method for operating an ultrasonic sensor apparatus for a motor vehicle with adaptation of a temporal profile of an amplitude in frequency-modulated excitation signals
The invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor apparatus (3) for a motor vehicle (1), in which a diaphragm of a first ultrasonic sensor (4a) is excited to emit a first ultrasonic signal using a frequency-modulated first excitation signal (10a) and a diaphragm of a second ultrasonic sensor (4b) is excited to emit a second ultrasonic signal using a frequency-modulated second excitation signal, wherein the diaphragm of the first ultrasonic sensor (4a) and the diaphragm of the second ultrasonic sensor (4b) have the same resonant frequency (fR), wherein the first excitation signal (10a) comprises a first frequency range (fa) and the second excitation signal comprises a second frequency range (fb) that differs from the first frequency range (fa), wherein a temporal profile of a maximum amplitude (Am) of the first excitation signal (10a) and a temporal profile of a maximum amplitude (Am) of the second excitation signal are changed. |
| US10921442B2 |
Sensor with flat-beam generation antenna
A sensor has an antenna. The antenna includes a radiation source and a wave guide. The radiation source is formed on a substrate. The wave guide internally propagates electromagnetic waves radiated from the radiation source and radiates the electromagnetic waves as a beam. The wave guide has a radiation-side opening in which a first direction and a second direction are orthogonal to each other, and the second direction is longer than the first direction. In a cross-sectional shape of the beam, perpendicular to a radiation direction of the beam radiated from the wave guide, a first direction and a second direction are orthogonal to each other, and the second direction is narrower than the first direction. |
| US10921441B2 |
Synthetic aperture radar signal processing device
A synthetic aperture radar signal processing device according to the present invention includes, a low-accuracy interpolation processing unit to perform interpolation processing on discrete data obtained from signals received by a synthetic aperture radar, a high-accuracy interpolation processing unit to perform interpolation processing on the discrete data with higher accuracy than the low-accuracy interpolation processing unit, a curvature determination unit to select either the high-accuracy interpolation processing unit or the low-accuracy interpolation processing unit in accordance with a first curvature that is a curvature of the discrete data at a target area for the interpolation processing, and an image reproduction processing unit to reproduce an image by use of a result of the interpolation processing selected by the curvature determination unit, wherein the curvature determination unit selects a point A, a point B, and a point C of discrete data adjacently arranged in a predetermined direction near the target area, and determines the first curvature based on a distance Δf1R between a point externally dividing a line segment connecting the point A and the point B at (AB+BC):BC and the point C (where AB is a distance between the point A and the point B, and BC is a distance between the point B and the point C). Therefore, the amount of computation in calculating curvature from discrete data can be suppressed. |
| US10921438B2 |
Position determination method and device
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention may include at least one antenna, a communication module, a sensor module for sensing a direction of the electronic device, and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to receive at least one wireless communication signal from a first external electronic device through the communication module, obtain direction information of the electronic device using the sensor module, receive at least one wireless communication signal information received at a second external electronic device and direction information of the second external electronic device from the second external electronic device, and determine the direction in which the first external electronic device is located, by using the at least one wireless communication signal information received from the first external electronic device, the direction information of the electronic device, and the at least one wireless communication signal information and the direction information of the second external electronic device received from the second external electronic device. In addition, other embodiments are also possible. |
| US10921436B2 |
MIMO radar coding for resolving velocity ambiguity
An apparatus for resolving velocity ambiguity in a MIMO RADAR includes a plurality of transmit channels and a virtual channel Each transmit channel includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit a plurality of chirps. Each chirp includes a frequency ramp of a transmit frequency of the respective transmit channel. Each transmit channel is orthogonal to another transmit channel and to a virtual transmit channel. A waveform generator is configured to generate a local oscillator (LO) signal for each transmit channel. A frequency offset circuit is configured to modify the LO signal of each transmit channel with a respective frequency offset to generate the respective transmit frequency. |
| US10921435B2 |
Method of detecting an object
A method (400) of detecting an object using a radar system is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting (401) a first radar beam having a first frequency and first radiation pattern (301) from an antenna (500), the first radiation pattern comprising a peak at zero azimuth angle, and detecting (402) a first signal from the object due to a reflection of the first radar beam. A second radar beam having a second frequency and second radiation pattern (302) is transmitted (403) from the antenna (500), the second radiation pattern comprising a peak at a non-zero azimuth angle. A second signal due to a reflection of the second radar beam from the object is detected (404), and the first signal and the second signal compared (405) to determine an angular location of the object relative to the zero azimuth angle. |
| US10921434B2 |
Radar system
A method of detecting an object is disclosed, comprising generating a transmission signal by generating a carrier signal and digitally modulating the carrier signal with a transmission modulation signal, and transmitting the transmission signal. A reflected signal is received, the reflected signal having been reflected from the object, and demodulated to extract a received modulation signal. The received modulation signal is correlated with the transmission modulation signal and a range of the object is determined from the correlation of the received modulation signal and the transmission modulation signal. |
| US10921432B2 |
Seamless authentication using radar
Techniques and devices for seamless authentication using radar are described. In some implementations, a radar field is provided through a radar-based authentication system. The radar-based authentication system can sense reflections from an object in the radar field and analyze the reflections to determine whether the object is a person. In response to determining that the object is a person, the radar-based authentication system can sense an identifying characteristic associated with the person. Based on the identifying characteristic, the radar-based authentication system can determine that the person is an authorized user. |
| US10921431B2 |
Apparatuses for scanning a lidar system in two dimensions
A scanning lidar system includes a fixed frame, a first platform, and a first electro-optic assembly. The first electro-optic assembly includes a first laser source and a first photodetector mounted on the first platform. The scanning lidar system further includes a first flexure assembly flexibly coupling the first platform to the fixed frame, and a drive mechanism configured to scan the first platform with respect to the fixed frame in two dimensions in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lidar system. The scanning lidar system further includes a controller coupled to the drive mechanism. The controller is configured to cause the drive mechanism to scan the first platform in a first direction with a first frequency and in a second direction with a second frequency. The second frequency is similar but not identical to the first frequency. |
| US10921429B2 |
Obstacle detection device, moving body, and obstacle detection method
An obstacle detection device (10) is provided with a distance measurement sensor (11) which measures a detection distance to an object to be detected, a detection image generation unit (30a) which generates a detection image indicating a presence of the object to be detected in a detection range, based on a result of measurement by the distance measurement sensor (11), a rainfall determination unit (30b) which performs a rainfall determination of whether or not a region in the detection range is in a rainfall state, a rain removal processing unit (30c) which executes a rain removal process for removing the isolated points from the detection image, and an obstacle determination unit (30d) which performs an obstacle determination of whether or not the object to be detected is an obstacle. The obstacle determination unit (30d) performs the obstacle determination, based on the detection image on which the rain removal process is performed by the rain removal processing unit (30c), in a case where a region is determined to be in the rainfall state by the rainfall determination unit (30b). |
| US10921427B2 |
Drone-based calibration of a phased array radar
A method of calibrating a phased-array radar includes receiving a signal at one of either a mobile platform or an antenna element of the phased-array radar, the transmission being sent as a transmitted signal from either the mobile platform or the antenna element, correlating the received signal to the transmitted signal to produce an initial phase delay for that antenna element, determining a difference between the initial phase delay and an expected phase delay, wherein the expected phase delay is based upon a relative position between the antenna element and the mobile platform, and saving the difference as a final phase delay for the antenna element. A system for calibrating a phased-array radar includes a phased-array radar having an array of antenna elements, and a mobile platform capable of flying over the phased-array. The mobile platform has an antenna, a transmitter to transmit signals through the antenna, a software defined receiver tuned to operations of the phased-array radar, and a global positioning satellite receiver. |
| US10921425B2 |
Radar device and control method of radar device
There is provided a radar device. A transmitting unit transmits a transmitted wave based on a transmitted signal which is frequency modulated. A receiving unit acquires a received signal based on a reflected wave which is the transmitted wave reflected by a target. An instruction unit matches a predetermined timing at which a frequency of the transmitted signal becomes a predetermined frequency to an output timing at which a beat signal based on the transmitted signal and the received signal is output from the receiving unit and outputs the beat signal from the receiving unit. |
| US10921421B2 |
Radar module
A radar module (100; 200) comprises a low temperature co-fired ceramic, LTCC, substrate (101; 201), with a radar chip (102; 202) attached to a first surface (101a; 201a) of the LTCC substrate (101; 201) and a transmitting antenna (105, 106) for transmitting the radar signal attached to a second surface (101b; 201b) of the LTCC substrate (101; 201). The radar chip (102; 202) is configured to generate a radar signal for transmission. The transmitting antenna (105, 106) is configured to communicate with the radar chip (102; 202) through the LTCC substrate (101; 201). The radar module (100; 200) further comprises a beam steering element (205) configured to introduce a phase delay to the radar signal in order to adjust a first component of a direction of transmission of the radar signal. |
| US10921418B2 |
Method and apparatus for location estimation of terminal in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and apparatus for location estimation of terminals in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a positioning apparatus may include (a) calculating distances between a terminal and first, second, and third base stations, (b) creating first, second, and third circles centered at locations of the first, second, and third base stations with radii corresponding to the distances, (c) calculating intersection distances between two intersections formed by the second circle, which is the smallest circle, and one of the first circle and the third circle and the other two intersections formed by the first circle and the third circle, and (d) determining one of the intersections corresponding to the shortest distance among the intersection distances as the terminal's location. |
| US10921417B2 |
Using bluetooth beacons to automatically update the location within a portable gas detector's logs
Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for updating the location information for a gas detector device. A gas detector device may comprise a wireless receiver operable to receive information from one or more wireless beacons. In some cases, the wireless beacons may comprise location information. When the gas detector device receives a wireless beacon, the location information stored on the gas detector device may be updated accordingly. In some cases, the subsequent readings of the gas detector device may be associated with the updated location information. In some cases, the wireless beacons may be located at critical areas within a facility, such as entrances or exits to locations. |
| US10921416B1 |
Multivariate position estimation
Multivariate position estimation can be performed to provide a position estimate of a moving object. The multivariate position estimation approach can employ multiple types of information including time of arrival (or time difference of arrival), angle of arrival, Doppler, and/or prior location information in an iterative process to calculate a location estimate that is highly accurate. In particular, the multivariate position estimation approach can employ the statistical quality of each of these types of information to quickly arrive at a highly accurate position estimate within a 3D coordinate system. The multivariate position estimation approach can be implemented in environments where a single receiver is available as well as in environments where multiple receivers exist. |
| US10921414B2 |
Tracking receiver with integrated phase calibration and method
A system and method of the disclosure relates to satellite tracking. The system may comprise a tracking receiver that includes a first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter coupled between a sum input and a digital signal processor (DSP), a second A/D converter coupled between a difference input and the DSP, and a calibration output coupled to the sum input and coupled to the difference input. The first A/D converter may convert an signal received at the sum input into a sum digital signal, and provide the sum digital signal to the DSP. The second A/D converter may convert an signal received at the difference input into a difference digital signal, and provide the difference digital signal to the DSP. The tracking receiver may generate an calibration signal and provide the calibration signal through the calibration output. |
| US10921413B2 |
High-frequency magnetic field generating device
A high-frequency magnetic field generating device includes two coils arranged with a predetermined gap in parallel with each other, the two coils (a) in between which electron spin resonance material is arranged or (b) arranged at one side from electron spin resonance material; a high-frequency power supply that generates microwave current that flows in the two coils; and a transmission line part connected to the two coils, that sets a current distribution so as to locate the two coils at positions other than a node of a stationary wave. |
| US10921412B2 |
Intensity corrected magnetic resonance images
The invention provides for a medical instrument (100) comprising a processor (134) and a memory (138) containing machine executable instructions (140). Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: receive (200) a first magnetic resonance image data set (146) descriptive of a first region of interest (122) of a subject (118) and receive (202) at least one second magnetic resonance image data set (152, 152′) descriptive of a second region of interest (124) of the subject. The first region of interest at least partially comprises the second region of interest. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to receive (204) an analysis region (126) within both the first region of interest and within the second region of interest. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to construct (206) a cost function comprising an intra-scan homogeneity measure separately for the first magnetic resonance image data set and separately for each of the at least one second magnetic resonance image data set. The cost function further comprises an inter-scan similarity measure calculated using both the first magnetic resonance image data set and each of the at least one second magnetic resonance image data set. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to by performing an optimization (208) of the cost function by calculating a first intensity correction map (154) for the first magnetic resonance image data set using an intensity correction algorithm within the analysis region and at least one second intensity correction map (156) for each of the at least one second magnetic resonance image data set within the analysis region. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to calculate (210) a first corrected magnetic resonance image (158) descriptive of the analysis region using the first magnetic resonance image data set and the first intensity correction map. Execution of the machine executable instructions further cause the processor to calculate (212) at least one second corrected magnetic resonance image (160) descriptive of the analysis region using the at least at least one second magnetic resonance image data set and the at least one second intensity correction map. |
| US10921410B2 |
Method and system for susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging
Method for susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging of vasculature, the method comprising the following steps: —acquiring multi-echo data containing a time-of-flight signal in at least the first echo (S1); —identifying voxels belonging to arteries from the data (S2); and—generating corresponding information on artery presence (S3); The invention further relates to a corresponding system (10) for susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging of vasculature. |
| US10921400B2 |
Conforming posterior radio frequency (RF) coil array for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system
Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil array of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a posterior RF coil assembly for a MRI system includes an RF coil array including a plurality of RF coils and a deformable material housing the plurality of RF coils, each RF coil comprising a loop portion of distributed capacitance wire conductors and a coupling electronics unit coupled to each of the plurality of RF coils. |
| US10921398B2 |
System and method for using coils in magnetic resonance imaging
Some implementations provide an MRI system that includes: a housing having a bore accommodating a portion of a subject; a main magnet enclosed by said housing and configured to generate a substantially uniform magnet field within the bore; a gradient sub-system to provide perturbations to the substantially uniform magnet field; a flexible coil assembly configured to (i) receive radio frequency (RF) signals from the subject in response to the portion of the subject being scanned, and (ii) generate and apply B0 shimming to improve a field homogeneity of the substantially uniform magnetic field; and a control unit configured to: drive the gradient sub-system using a gradient waveform; and receive measurement results responsive to the gradient waveform such that a coupling between the gradient sub-system and the flexible coil assembly is determined and subsequently reduced in response to the determined coupling exceeding a pre-determined threshold. |
| US10921391B2 |
Magnetic field sensor with spacer
Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor integrated circuit including a lead frame having a first surface, a second opposing surface, and a plurality of leads. A substrate has a first surface supporting a magnetic field sensing element and a second surface attached to the first surface of the lead frame. A magnet has a first surface and a second, opposing surface, and is configured to generate a magnetic field. A spacer is positioned between the first surface of the magnet and the second surface of the lead frame with a thickness selected to establish a predetermined distance between the first surface of the magnet and the magnetic field sensing element, the predetermined distance selected to provide the magnetic field signal as a sinusoidal signal. |
| US10921389B2 |
Planar hall effect sensors
A planar Hall effect (PHE) sensor for measuring at an external magnetic field includes a plurality of elongated magnetic regions. Each magnetic region includes a ferromagnetic material that is magnetized along a longitudinal axis. The magnetic regions cross one another at an overlap region that is characterized by a plurality of easy magnetic axes. At least two pairs of electrical leads are each aligned along one of the easy magnetic axes. A current source may be connected to a first pair of the electrical leads to cause a current to flow through the overlap region along a first easy magnetic axis. A voltage measurement device may be connected to another pair of the electrical leads to measure a PHE voltage that is generated by a component of the external magnetic field that is perpendicular to the easy magnetic axis along which the overlap region is magnetized. |
| US10921385B2 |
System and method for differentiating shorting in a battery
A system for differentiating short circuiting in a battery includes: a detector coupled to the battery; a monitor in communication with the detector, the monitor including a profile of a battery shorting behavior, and a comparator for matching data from the detector to the profile; and a controller for taking action based upon information from the detector. A method for detecting short circuiting in a battery includes the steps of: detecting a behavior of the battery; comparing the behavior of the battery to a predetermined battery behavior profile; determining the type of short based on the comparison; and taking mitigating action based on the determination. The system/method may monitor: temperature of the battery, heat generation from the battery, current flow through the battery, voltage drop across the battery, and/or combinations thereof. The system/method discriminates between the various battery shorting behaviors for aggressive response or passive response. |
| US10921380B2 |
Method for measuring the internal resistance of batteries
The present disclosure provides a method for measuring an internal resistance of a battery, after discharging/charging the battery under a preset constant-current, acquiring voltages of the battery within a period from ending the discharging/charging to a time when the voltage reaches stable, and then calculating different corresponding internal resistances caused by ohmic polarization, electrochemical polarization and concentration polarization separately. Since it is different for the orders of the magnitude of the characteristic time which these different polarizations need to get back into new equilibrium state after ending the discharging/charging, the method of the present disclosure classifies the internal resistances caused by these polarizations and calculated different internal resistances corresponding to the polarizations. Both the comparison with a result measured by other method and multiple embodiments in the application justify that the method in the present disclosure has high reliability and strong practicability. |
| US10921374B2 |
Diagnosis device, energy storage apparatus, and diagnosis method
A diagnosis device diagnoses current cutoff devices connected in parallel and disposed on an energization path to an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle. The diagnosis device performs switch processing of switching one of the current cutoff devices to be diagnosed from an opened state to a closed state or from the closed state to the opened state and closing the other current cutoff device while an engine of the vehicle is stopped. The diagnosis device detects end-to-end voltage of the current cutoff device when current larger than a threshold flows through the current cutoff device after the switch processing, and diagnoses the current cutoff device based on the detected end-to-end voltage. |
| US10921373B2 |
Magnetic field sensor able to identify an error condition
A method of determining an error condition in a magnetic field sensor can include receiving a first bridge signal, the first bridge signal generated by a first full bridge circuit. The method can also include receiving a second bridge signal, the second bridge signal generated by a second full bridge circuit. The method can also include determining a bridge separation from the first bridge signal and the second bridge signal. The method can also include comparing a function of the bridge separation to a threshold value. The method can also include generating an error signal indicative of the error condition or not indicative of the error condition in response to the comparing. |
| US10921371B2 |
Programmable scan shift testing
The disclosed technology facilitates programmable scan shift testing for a scan chain including at least a first segment of scan-flops connected in series with a second segment of scan-flops. The scan chain includes at least a first multiplexor positioned between the first segment and the second segment that is configured to selectively supply scan input from a test controller to the second segment while preventing the second segment from receiving an output of the first segment. |
| US10921367B2 |
Stable measurement of sensors methods and systems
Gain independent reference channel measurement system and method. A method of making robust, stable measurements, in a variety of different applications is disclosed. More specifically, this disclosure describes systems and methods relating to performing gain independent reference channel measurements by making two phase measurements of a device under test. Mathematically, the measurements are combined and many common mode parameters drop out. The result yields an analysis of a device under test analysis which mitigated errors, predominately arising from environmental variations and changes in circuit behavior stemming from swings in signal input. |
| US10921366B2 |
Detection device and detection method
A detection device for detecting a failure of a display device which is powered off during a test includes a micro control unit and a switch control unit. The switch control unit is configured to control an externally connected power source of the display device to be switched on and off alternately; and the micro control unit is configured to detect voltage values of respective components to be powered, in the display device when the externally connected power source is switched off, to compare the voltage values with pre-stored reference voltage values, and if a result of the comparison between them exceeds a preset threshold, to determine a failure of the display device which is powered off. |
| US10921360B2 |
Dual magnetic and electric field quartz sensor
A RF field sensor in which a magnetostrictive film is deposited on one or more electrodes of one or more quartz resonator(s) in which an electric field of the RF field is detected along one axis of the RF field sensor and a magnetic field of the RF field is detected along an orthogonal axis of the RF field sensor simultaneously. |
| US10921355B2 |
Method and system for detecting useful signals, with respective non-negligible frequency drift, in a total signal
A method for detecting a plurality of useful signals in a total signal. The useful signals correspond to radiofrequency signals emitted by different terminals in a multiplexing frequency band. A plurality of spectrograms calculated that have a compensated linear frequency drift and are respectively associated with different linear frequency drift values. For each analysis frequency and each spectrogram, time envelope filtering of the values is performed at the different times for analyzing the spectrogram at the analysis frequency using a filter representing a reference time envelope of the useful signals. A useful signal is detected at an analysis time and at an analysis frequency in response to a verification of a predefined detection criterion by the value from a spectrogram resulting from filtering at the analysis time and at the analysis frequency. |
| US10921351B2 |
Electronic system, sensing circuit and sensing method
The present invention provides a sensing circuit, for sensing a working status of a real-time clock (RTC) module, comprising a comparator module, coupled to the real-time clock module, for receiving an initial voltage of the real-time clock module, and comparing the initial voltage with a threshold voltage, to generate a comparison result; and a storage module, coupled to the comparator module, for storing the comparison result and delivering the comparison result to a host circuit; wherein the host circuit determines whether the working status of the real-time clock module is normal or abnormal according to the comparison result. |
| US10921350B2 |
Voltage testing system
A voltage testing system. The voltage testing system includes a pair of probes, each having a housing with a first end and a second end, wherein the pair of probes are electrically connected by a wire affixed to the first end of each of the pair of probes. A prong extends from the second end of the pair of probes, wherein a pin extends therethrough. The pin is electrically conductive, such that the pin is in communication with a fuse and a plurality of lights within the housing. The pin can be spring-biased such that a connection is formed between the fuse and the pin when the force is applied to the pin. The fuse can sever the electrical connection when a set current is transmitted through the fuse, such that a user is protected from excessive currents. The plurality of lights illuminate in response to receiving a preset voltage. |
| US10921349B2 |
Piezoelectric package-integrated current sensing devices
Embodiments of the invention include a current sensing device for sensing current in an organic substrate. The current sensing device includes a released base structure that is positioned in proximity to a cavity of the organic substrate and a piezoelectric film stack that is positioned in proximity to the released base structure. The piezoelectric film stack includes a piezoelectric material in contact with first and second electrodes. A magnetic field is applied to the current sensing device and this causes movement of the released base structure and the piezoelectric stack which induces a voltage (potential difference) between the first and second electrodes. |
| US10921345B2 |
Method for the contactless determining of flow parameters using laser doppler anemometry and Raman spectroscopy through a same optical lens system
The invention relates to a method for the contactless determining of the speed of a fluid flow and the concentration of at least one analyte therein, wherein a) the flow speed is measured by means of laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) using tracer particles which pass through an interference fringe pattern in the intersection region of two coherent monochromatic light beams and thereby generate a scattered light signal; and b) the concentration of the at least one analyte is measured by means of Raman spectroscopy, wherein a monochromatic light beam is radiated in and the Raman spectrum of the light inelastically scattered on the analyte molecules in the flow is recorded; wherein c) a single light source is used for both the LDA and the Raman spectroscopy, such that both measurements are carried out in the intersection region of two two coherent light beams coming from the light source, wherein the speed is measured by photons elastically scattered onto the tracer particles, and the concentration is measured by photons inelastically scattered onto analyte molecules; and d) for the purposes of speed measurement, the elastically back-scattered photons are detected by the same lens optic that is also used for the radiation of the light beams. |
| US10921342B2 |
Arm swing compensation techniques
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile GNSS device to compensate for arm swing. An example of an method for compensating for arm swing according to the disclosure includes determining an arm swing signal, such that the arm swing signal is approximately sinusoidal with a period of approximately T seconds, determining a position signal measurement period, receiving a plurality of positioning signals at intervals corresponding to the position signal measurement period, and determining current position information based on the plurality of positioning signals. |
| US10921341B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating a uniform response in a magnetic field sensor
A magnetic field sensor for detecting motion of an object includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements configured to generate a magnetic field signal in response to a magnetic field associated with the object. A motion detector responsive to the magnetic field signal and to a threshold signal is configured to generate a detector output signal having edges occurring in response to a comparison of the magnetic field signal and the threshold signal. A speed detector responsive to the detector output signal generates a speed signal indicative of a speed of motion of the object. A delay processor is responsive to the speed signal and configured to determine a delay for the detector output signal based on the speed of motion of the object. |
| US10921334B2 |
System, method and computer program product for classifying defects
An examination system, a method of obtaining a training set for a classifier, and a non-transitory computer readable medium, the method comprising: upon receiving in a memory device object inspection results comprising data indicative of potential defects, each potential defect of the potential defects associated with a multiplicity of attribute values defining a location of the potential defect in an attribute space: sampling by the processor a first set of defects from the potential defects, wherein the defects within the first set are dispersed independently of a density of the potential defects in the attribute space; and obtaining by the processor a training defect sample set comprising the first set of defects and data or parameters representative of the density of the potential defects in the attribute space. |
| US10921333B2 |
Control of pH in aqueous urea-containing solutions utilizing amino acid-containing compositions
Aqueous calibration or quality control reagents that include urea are disclosed; the reagents may further include at least one amino acid-containing composition to provide pH stability thereto. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed. |
| US10921330B2 |
Method for diagnosis of dementias and neuroinflammatory diseases based on an increased level of procalcitonin in cerebrospinal fluid
CSF diagnostic in vitro method for the diagnosis of dementias and neuroinflammatory diseases, in which a determination of the procalcitonin immunoreactivity (PCT immunoreactivity) is carried out in a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient who is suffering from a dementia or neuroinflammatory disease or is suspected of suffering from such a disease. Conclusions about the presence, the course, the severity or the success of a treatment of the dementia or neuroinflammatory disease are drawn from a measured PCT immunoreactivity which is above a threshold value typical for healthy individuals. |
| US10921328B2 |
Biomarkers for early determination of a critical or life threatening response to illness and/or treatment response
The invention relates to the use of novel biomarkers and biomarker combinations having utility in the early determination of an individual's critical and/or life threatening response to illness and/or in predicting outcome of said illness. The measurement of expression levels of the products of the biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers of the invention have utility in making the determination of an individual's critical and/or life threatening response to illness. In some embodiments, the biomarker and biomarker combinations are agnostic and are independent of the pre-identification and/or determination of the cause or nature of the illness. In some embodiments, the biomarkers and biomarker combinations can be utilized to select treatment and/or monitor the effectiveness of treatment interventions for an individual who has a critical illness. |
| US10921327B2 |
Probes for quantitative imaging of thiols in various environments
Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting a thiol in an environment by exposing the environment to a probe molecule that contains a marker and a thiol responsive group. The thiol responsive group reversibly reacts with the thiol in the environment to form a probe-thiol adduct. This in turn causes a ratiometric change in a spectrometric property of the probe molecule and the probe-thiol adduct, which can then be correlated to the presence of the thiol in the environment. The correlation can occur by quantifying the thiol concentration in the environment. In addition, thiol detection can occur in real-time. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to probe molecules that are utilized for detecting a thiol in an environment. In some embodiments, the probe molecule includes a marker and a thiol responsive group. In some embodiments, the probe molecule also includes an organelle targeting moiety. |
| US10921324B2 |
Compositions and methods related to the methylation of histone H1.0 protein
Provided herein are compositions and methods related to the production and detection of a histone H1.0 protein dimethylated at lysine residue 180 (K180) (H1.0K180me2 protein) or a histone H1.0 peptide dimethylated at a lysine residue corresponding to K180 (H1.0K180me2 peptides). The H1.0K180me2 protein and H1.0K180me2 peptides are useful for applications including, but not limited to, molecular diagnostics of DNA damage, genotoxic stress, radiation exposure, and Alzheimer's disease, therapeutics, monitoring of therapeutic regimens, patient stratification, and drug screening. Also provided herein are antibodies specific for the H1.0K180me2 protein and H1.0K180me2 peptides. |
| US10921319B2 |
Immunoassay detection device with test strip accommodated in a capillary tube
The present invention relates to a detection device for safe and convenient immunoassay of an analyte containing pathogens. |
| US10921318B2 |
Control marker for implementing analysis methods on spots
The present invention relates to the use of a control marker for implementing analysis methods on spots, in particular in the context of multiplex analyses. The present invention thus relates to solid supports containing said control marker, their preparation method and their use in analysis methods. The present invention makes it possible to verify the presence, location and/or integrity of the spots at the end of the analysis method, and thus to secure the obtained results while guaranteeing that the yielded result indeed results from a present, intact and localized spot. |
| US10921309B2 |
Single-molecule pore-based sensor for proteins and transient protein-protein interactions
A bioinspired protein pore-based nanostructure that can provide selective, real-time sampling of protein-protein interactions at single-molecule resolution. This modular nanostructure relied on a single polypeptide chain that encompassed a heavily truncated outer membrane protein, a highly flexible connector, a protein receptor element, as well as a polypeptide adapter. The presence of a protein ligand analyte in solution produced reversible binding and release events, in the form of discrete and stochastic current transitions between open substates of the transmembrane pore, the nature of which depend on both the amount of protein ligand analyte and the strength of the transient PPIs in aqueous phase. |
| US10921308B2 |
Ion selective fiber sensors for determining the water cut in wellbore-related fluids
The water cut of a fluid used or produced in conjunction with wellbore operations may be measured or otherwise estimated using an ion selective fiber sensor. For example, a method may include flowing a fluid comprising an aqueous phase and an oleaginous phase through a sensor; contacting an ion selective fiber positioned in the sensor with the fluid, wherein the ion selective fiber has an intrinsic time constant (τ0) associated with an intrinsic color change of the ion selective fiber in response to contact with the aqueous phase; measuring a color change of the ion selective fiber in response to contact with the fluid as a function of time; deriving an effective time constant (τeff) for the color change of the ion selective fiber in response to contact with the fluid; and calculating a water cut (Y) in the fluid based on Y= Y = τ 0 τ eff . ( A ) |
| US10921307B2 |
Decontaminating rock samples by thermovaporization
A rock sample includes multiple rock samples that are each obtained from the borehole. The rock samples have been exposed to contamination during a drilling operation to drill the borehole. The rock sample is split into a first sample portion and a second sample portion. The first sample portion is decontaminated with a solvent. The second sample portion is decontaminated by thermovaporization for an initial duration of time at an initial thermovaporization temperature below that of a cracking temperature of an organic matter carried within the rock sample. A difference between a first pyrolysis Tmax value of the first sample portion decontaminated by the solvent and a second pyrolysis Tmax value of the second sample portion decontaminated by the thermovaporization is determined to satisfy a decontamination level threshold. The remainder of rock samples are decontaminated by the thermovaporization in response to determining that the difference satisfies the decontamination level threshold. |
| US10921300B2 |
Internal server air quality station
Air quality inside a computing device is monitored utilizing an air quality monitor that can be sized to simulate a server computing device and can have multiple sensing equipment mounted inside, including equipment to detect corrosive aspects in the air and condensation sensing equipment to detect instances in which condensation can form on computing device hardware. Corrosion sensing can include metallic members that can be electrically coupled to voltage that can induce a current within the metallic members, thereby more accurately simulating the corrosion of operating PCBs. Condensation sensing can include condensation hosting members that can have a thermal mass that is approximately equal to the thermal mass of PCBs and can include heating elements by which the condensation hosting members can more accurately simulate the thermal effects and aspects of operating PCBs, and also moisture detectors, including electrical and optical moisture detectors. Additionally, an off-gassing chamber can be included. |
| US10921296B2 |
Separation column connection device, connection method, and analysis system
A separation column connecting device includes: a column holder for retaining a separation column; a first fitting holder carrying a first fitting which includes a seal portion to be connected to an upstream seal portion of the separation column and connected with an upstream pipe; a second fitting holder carrying a second fitting which includes a seal portion to be connected to a downstream seal portion of the separation column and connected with a downstream pipe; a body member to which either one of the first fitting holder and the second fitting holder is fixed; a driver for moving, relative to the body member, the first fitting holder or the second fitting holder not fixed to the body member; a guide for guiding the column holder in a direction of movement driven by the driver; and an elastic body disposed between the column holder and the second fitting holder. |
| US10921294B2 |
System for non-destructively inspecting and determining sealing of aluminum pouch by using ultrasonic waves
A non-destructive inspection judgment system for inspecting a non-destructive inspection subject using ultrasonic waves, including an ultrasonic wave generator transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals by generating ultrasonic waves to the non-destructive inspection subject placed on an inspection table, an interface transmitting an ultrasonic signal received from the ultrasonic wave generator to an ultrasonic wave generation data controller, the ultrasonic wave generation data controller processing ultrasonic wave data received from the interface, a sealing defect presence judger determining, using the processed ultrasonic wave data, whether a sealing defect is present, and a display displaying a result of the judgment on a monitor to detect an unsealed portion of an aluminum pouch. |
| US10921292B2 |
Supersonic inspection jig and supersonic inspection method
A supersonic inspection jig has an insertion section 22 inserted into a hole 10 of an inspection target 1, and a flange section 23 connected with the insertion section 22 and contacting the inspection target 1. The flange section 23 has a flange section first surface 231 which is a surface on the side contacting the inspection target 1 and a flange section second surface 232 which is a surface on the side contacting the probe 41. A position limiting section 26 is provided on the flange section second surface 232 to limit the position of the probe 41 so that the probe 41 is maintained in a position separate from a central axis C of the hole 10. Thus, the inspection around the hole becomes easily executable. |
| US10921290B2 |
Laser ultrasonic testing
Laser ultrasonic testing includes a laser apparatus; a splitting unit that splits a pulsed laser from the laser apparatus into first and second lasers; a first pulse width conversion unit that converts a pulse width of the first laser; a first optical system that guides the first laser having the converted pulse width to a test object; a second pulse width conversion unit that converts a pulse width of the second laser; a pulse propagation time adjustment unit that adjusts a propagation time of the second laser having the converted pulse width; a second optical system that guides the second laser having the converted pulse width and adjusted propagation time to the test object; and a detection unit that detects a surface displacement change of the test object caused by an ultrasonic wave generated by the first laser when the second laser is reflected by the test object. |
| US10921289B2 |
Method for measuring ultrasonic nonlinearity generated by high voltage pulser
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic nonlinearity measuring method generated by a high voltage pulser and more specifically, includes a calibration step of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from an object to be inspected having a reception probe attached thereto, by a receiving unit; a harmonic wave measuring step of transmitting a tone burst signal to an object to be inspected having a transmission/reception probe attached thereto and receiving the tone burst signal which passes through the object to be inspected, by the receiving unit; a harmonic wave measuring step of transmitting a tone burst signal to an object to be inspected having a transmission probe attached thereto and receiving the transmitted tone burst signal, by a transmitting unit; a calibration step of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from an object to be inspected having a transmission probe attached thereto, by the transmitting unit; and a step of measuring an ultrasonic nonlinearity of the object to be inspected by comparing a fundamental frequency and a harmonic component measured by the receiving unit and a fundamental frequency and a harmonic component measured by the transmitting unit. |
| US10921288B2 |
Fluid consumption meter with noise sensor
A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc. Such consumer noise level measurement at the consumer site allows collection of noise level data to assist in locating fluid leakages in a fluid supply pipe system. |
| US10921286B2 |
In-line inspection tool
An untethered in-line inspection tool for the non-destructive testing of a tubular test component is described which comprises one or more partial saturation eddy current testing (PSET) modules configured to locate with an internal surface of the test component. The one or more PSET modules comprise a variable strength permanent magnet for generating a variable DC magnetic field within the test component and at least one eddy current sensor. Having an in-line inspection tool that employs PSET techniques allows the in-line inspection tool to operate with an increased range of pipeline types. For the detection of cracks the in-line inspection tool may also comprise one or more crack detection modules. The in-line inspection tool further comprises one or more battery modules. Employing a dedicated battery module removes any need to employ an umbilical or wireline in order to provide power to one or more electromagnets. |
| US10921285B2 |
Sample separating implement and sample analyzing device
Provided is a novel sample separating instrument and a novel sample analyzing device each of which can be suitably used for emission transfer. A sample separating instrument (100) for use in emission transfer includes: a separation medium (10); and a holding section (21), the holding section (21) having an opening (21b) on an end part side, the separation medium (10) having an exposed part (10b), the exposed part (10b) having extending parts (10a) which extend on respective edge parts (21a) of the holding section (21) which edge parts are located on respective both sides of the opening (21b). |
| US10921283B2 |
Gas sensor for detecting concentration of specific gas component
A gas sensor includes a solid electrolyte, a gas chamber, a reference gas chamber, a pump cell, a monitor cell, and a sensor cell. The gas chamber has a spatial width W0 constant in a width direction W orthogonal to the direction of flow of a gas in a position where the pump electrode, the monitor electrode, and the sensor electrode are provided on the solid electrolyte. An amount of shift ΔX1 of a central position O2 of a gap S in the width direction W between the monitor electrode and the sensor electrode from a central position O1 in the width direction of the pump electrode has relationship of ΔX1≤¼ W1 where the pump electrode has a width W1. In addition, positions ΔY1 of a of a side surface of the monitor electrode and of a side surface of the sensor electrode from the central position O1 in the width direction W of the pump electrode have relationship of ΔY1≤½ W1. |
| US10921279B2 |
Fabrication of high aspect ratio tall free standing posts using carbon-nanotube (CNT) templated microfabrication
In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a substrate and a post disposed on the substrate. The post can include a plurality of nanotubes and extend substantially vertically from the substrate. The post can have an aspect ratio of a height of the post to a diameter of the post of greater than or equal to 25:1. |
| US10921277B2 |
Sensor arrangement and method for generating measurement signals
A sensor arrangement (10) comprises a capacitive sensor (11) with a first electrode line (12), a second electrode line (16) and a third electrode line (20) and a sensitive layer (30) arranged at the first, the second and the third electrode line (12, 16, 20). The sensor arrangement (10) comprises a readout circuit (50) that comprises a capacitance-to-digital converter (51), is coupled to the first, the second and the third electrode line (12, 16, 20) and is configured to generate a first measurement signal (S1) using the first and the second electrode line (12, 16) and a second measurement signal (S2) using at least the third electrode line (20). |
| US10921276B2 |
Sensor device
A sensor device includes a detection electrode opposing an external electrode, and generating a voltage corresponding to a change in capacitance; a capacitive amplifier circuit having a first capacitor and a second capacitor, and configured to detect the voltage generated in the detection electrode, and output a detection signal obtained by amplifying the voltage generated in the detection electrode based on a capacitance ratio between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; a reset switch configured to reset the voltage of the detection electrode to a reference potential; a changeover switch configured to switch the capacitive amplifier circuit between a capacitive amplifier and a voltage follower; a second changeover switch configured to disconnect the first capacitor from the capacitive amplifier circuit; and a second reset switch configured to reset a voltage of the first capacitor to the reference potential. |
| US10921275B2 |
Tomographic determination of multiphase flows in pipes and/or liquid/froth interfaces in process tanks using high speed multiplexed electrical impedance sensing
Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about coded and multiplexed voltages measured across pairs of electrodes in an array of electrodes configured in relation to a fluid processing structure, including a pipe, tank, vessel, vat or container, having a process fluid therein; and determine using a tomographic signal processing algorithm a tomographic indication of the process fluid, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the tomographic indication of the process fluid. The tomographic indication includes a 2D or 3D image or visualization of the process fluid, including an analysis of mixing in multiphase flows, liquid interfaces or liquid-froth layers detected in the process fluid. |
| US10921271B2 |
Mobile detector and method for detecting potentially explosive substances, explosives and drugs by nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR)
System for detecting explosive substances and drugs by nuclear quadrupole resonance having a central processing unit (UC) which connects to a storage, data processing, and interface unit (USPI) provided with a user console (1C) and a with a head (CS1) for scanning explosives/drugs around the legs and a head (CS2) for scanning suspicious objects on the ground or that cannot be moved having a radio processing system (SPR) which includes a programmable RF signal generator (DDS) which transmits RF pulses to a power amplifier (AP) coupled to an interface for gain control and for the acquisition of the reflected signal level (IAP), a series-parallel tuning circuit (CA) consisting of a flat spiral ferrite-core coil (L) and two variable capacitors (CV1, CV2) driven by two stepper motors (M1, M2) which are controlled by an automatic tuning matching module (WIAA) through control interfaces. |
| US10921269B2 |
Method for characterisation by CD-SEM scanning electronic microscopy
A method for implementing a scanning electron microscopy characterisation technique for the determination of at least one critical dimension of the structure of a sample in the field of dimensional metrology, known as CD-SEM technique, includes producing an experimental image; from a first theoretical model based on parametric mathematical functions, calculating a second theoretical model U(Pi,ti) describing the signal measured at the position Pi at the instant ti, the second model U(Pi,ti) being obtained by algebraic summation of a corrective term S(Pi,ti); determining the set of parameters present in the second theoretical model; wherein the corrective term S(Pi,ti) is calculated by summing the signal coming from the electric charges deposited by the primary electron beam at a plurality of instants t less than or equal to ti. |
| US10921266B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method, and imaging system
The present invention discloses an imaging device, an imaging method, and an imaging system, belonging to the field of sample image data acquisition and imaging technology. The imaging device includes: a charged particle source, a convergence system, a scanning control system, a detection module, and a spectral analysis module disposed below the detection module, where the detection module includes a plurality of pixelated detector units; and the detection module is provided with a hole thereon. The diffraction pattern is obtained by using the detection module, and the spectral analysis module performs spectral analysis on a charged particle beam passing through the hole, so as to obtain the diffraction pattern and spectral signal simultaneously by one scanning. The imaging method of the present invention is based on a hollow ptychography method, which enables toper form imaging on the diffraction pattern obtained through the detection module, with good imaging effects. |
| US10921264B2 |
Microwave reflectometry for physical inspections
Utilizing microwave reflections to compare a reference device with counterfeit and/or aging devices under test. The reflection from the device under test varies based on certain properties, which results in each device having a unique and intrinsic electromagnetic signature. Comparisons of the electromagnetic signature of the device under test to the electromagnetic signature of a reference device enable evaluating the acceptability of the device under test. |
| US10921262B2 |
Correlating SEM and optical images for wafer noise nuisance identification
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for inspecting a sample. Locations corresponding to candidate defect events on a sample are provided from an inspector operable to acquire optical images from which such candidate defect events are detected at their corresponding locations across the sample. High-resolution images are acquired from a high-resolution inspector of the candidate defect events at their corresponding locations on the sample. Each of a set of modelled optical images, which have been modeled from a set of the acquired high-resolution images, is correlated with corresponding ones of a set of the acquired optical images, to identify surface noise events, as shown in the set of high-resolution images, as sources for the corresponding candidate events in the set of acquired optical images. Otherwise, a subsurface event is identified as a likely source for a corresponding candidate defect event. |
| US10921259B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyte measurement
An example peripheral device to be placed over an image sensor and a light source of a portable computing device to assist the portable computing device in reading a reaction area on a test strip in the peripheral device is disclosed. The peripheral device includes a light guide to direct light from the light source to the test strip, and an alignment feature to aid placement of the peripheral device relative to the image sensor and the light source on the portable computing device. |
| US10921254B1 |
Thin stackup for diffuse fluorescence system
The present disclosure relates to optical systems for fluorescence-based imaging. An example optical system includes an image sensor. The image sensor is sensitive to at least a first wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light. The optical system also includes a light guiding layer optically coupled to the image sensor and a light source positioned to emit light into a side surface of the light guiding layer. The emitted light includes light at the first wavelength and the emitted light is transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer. The optical system further includes a thin film filter and an output coupler optically coupled to the light guiding layer. At least a portion of the emitted light transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer is coupled out of the light guiding layer in an out-of-plane direction via the output coupler. |
| US10921252B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of operating image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: a fluorescence intensity information storage configured to store therein fluorescence intensity information and fluorescence intensity information; and a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: calculate intensities of fluorescence in a plurality of fluorescence images; create a three-dimensional fluorescence intensity distribution of the same living body from the calculated intensities of fluorescence of the plurality of fluorescence images; identify, by using the created fluorescence intensity distribution, body tissue that is matched with the fluorescence intensity information on the predetermined body tissue read from the fluorescence intensity information storage; identify, by using the created fluorescence intensity distribution, for each of pieces of the identified body tissue, a cell that is matched with the fluorescence intensity information on the detection target cell read from the fluorescence intensity information storage; and determine a state of the identified body tissue based on information on the identified cell. |
| US10921248B2 |
Measurement apparatus and measurement method
A measurement apparatus includes: a projector configured to project pulse light or light whose intensity is periodically modulated onto a subject; an imaging sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, the imaging sensor being configured to image backscattered light of the light projected by the projector from the subject a plurality of times to output a plurality of image signals; a selection circuit configured to select, for each of the pixels, an image signal closest to a reference light amount from the plurality of image signals; and a characteristic calculation circuit configured to calculate, for each of the pixels, TOF information obtained when the image signal selected by the selection circuit is imaged, acquire light intensity information of the light projected by the projector, and calculate a characteristic of the subject based on the calculated TOF information and the acquired light intensity information. |
| US10921247B2 |
Multi-channel coherent detection
An optical receiver is provided that includes an array of photoreceivers. Each photoreceiver may be configured to receive a respective portion of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between an object beam and a scattering medium and each photoreceiver may be configured to generate respective electrical detection signals for provision to processing circuitry for summing of the electrical detection signals. A photoreceiver may include a collector, first detector and second detectors, and first and second optical splitters. The photoreceiver may be configured to generate a first electrical detection signal and a second electrical detection signal based on a received portion of the speckle pattern. |
| US10921243B2 |
Systems and methods for multispectral imaging and gas detection using a scanning illuminator and optical sensor
Presented herein are systems and methods directed to a multispectral absorption-based imaging approach that provides for rapid and accurate detection, localization, and quantification of gas leaks. The imaging technology described herein utilizes a scanning optical sensor in combination with structured and scannable illumination to detect and image spectral signatures produced by absorption of light by leaking gas in a quantitative manner over wide areas, at distance, and in the presence of background such as ambient gas and vapor. Moreover, the specifically structured and scannable illumination source of the systems and methods described herein provides a consistent source of illumination for the scanning optical sensor, allowing imaging to be performed even in the absence of sufficient natural light, such as sunlight. The imaging approaches described herein can, accordingly, be used for a variety of gas leak detection, emissions monitoring, and safety applications. |
| US10921242B2 |
Method and apparatus for indetification of counterfeit drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines
Systems and methods for measuring the isotope ratio of one or more gaseous oxides produced during combustion of drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines aiming to detect counterfeit drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines based on comparison of the isotopic composition of the tested drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medicines with the isotopic composition of the authentic products. |
| US10921240B1 |
High throughput analytical system for molecule detection and sensing
The present disclosure describes a throughput-scalable image sensing system for analyzing biological or chemical samples is provided. The system includes a plurality of image sensors configured to detect at least a portion of light emitted as a result of analyzing the biological or chemical samples. The plurality of image sensors is arranged on a plurality of wafer-level packaged semiconductor dies of a single semiconductor wafer. Each image sensor of the plurality of image sensors is disposed on a separate packaged semiconductor die of the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies. Neighboring packaged semiconductor dies are separated by a dicing street; and the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies and a plurality of dicing streets are arranged such that the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies can be diced from the single semiconductor wafer as a group. |
| US10921232B2 |
Method for calculating permeability of porous medium by using analysis of friction flow characteristic variable in porous medium
Provided is a method of calculating permeability of a porous medium by using analysis of feature variables of friction flows through the porous medium for laminar and turbulent flows considering a geometric feature and a friction loss feature. A method of calculating permeability of a porous medium, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes obtaining hydraulic diameters and friction factor-Reynolds number relationships of a plurality of reference porous media, deriving a hydraulic diameter-friction factor-Reynolds number correlation between the hydraulic diameters and the friction factor-Reynolds number relationships, and obtaining permeability of a porous medium to be predicted, by using the hydraulic diameter-friction factor-Reynolds number correlation. |
| US10921230B2 |
Suspension particle sensing apparatus
A suspension particle sensing apparatus includes a first flow channel, a suspension particle concentration sensor and a suspension particle filtering assembly. The first flow channel has a first entrance and a first exit. The suspension particle concentration sensor is disposed in the first flow channel, and is located between the first entrance and the first exit. The suspension particle filtering assembly is disposed at the first entrance, and includes a casing and a suspension particle filtering structure. The casing has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is communicated with the first entrance of the first flow channel. The suspension particle filtering structure covers the second opening. |
| US10921229B2 |
Detection scheme for particle size and concentration measurement
The present invention provides a system and method of particle size and concentration measurement that comprises the steps of: providing a focused, synthesized, structured laser beam, causing the beam to interact with the particles, measuring the interaction signal and the number of interactions per unit time of the beam with the particles, and using algorithms to map the interaction signals to the particle size and the number of interactions per unit time to the concentration. |
| US10921221B2 |
Gas detecting device
A gas detecting device includes a casing, at least one gas transporting actuator, at least one valve and at least one external sensor. The easing has an airflow chamber, an inlet, a branch channel and a connection channel. The airflow chamber communicates with an environment outside the casing through the inlet, and the branch channel communicates with the airflow chamber and the connection channel. The gas transporting actuator is disposed within the branch channel for transporting air into the airflow chamber and the branch channel from the inlet, and has a nozzle plate, a chamber frame, an actuator, an insulation frame and a conducting frame. The valve is disposed between the connection channel and the branch channel for controlling the air to flow into the connection channel. The external sensor is detachably disposed within the connection channel and has a sensor for measuring the air in the connection channel. |
| US10921219B1 |
Wet gas lateral sampling system and method
A system for on-stream sampling of pressurized process gas such as natural gas or the like, said system optimized for use with pressurized process gas having liquid entrained therein, or otherwise referenced as “wet”. In the preferred embodiment, the probe tip is situated laterally from one side of the inner pipe wall to the other so as to span the entire inner diameter (ID) of the pipe, the probe tip having formed along its outer surface sample collection slot along the length of said outer surface, providing a “linear sample” of the fluid flow of the entire breadth of the flow, providing an accurate sample of even disassociated flow with entrained liquid particles and flow. Embodiments for continuous sampling, batch mode, spot sampling are provided, as well as an anti-vibration feature. |
| US10921218B2 |
Devices and methods for laser capture microdissection
A carrier for holding a biological sample includes a substrate. The substrate is configured to engage a first sample chamber comprising a first opening characterized by a first opening diameter or a second sample chamber comprising a second opening characterized by a second opening diameter that is greater than the first opening diameter. The substrate includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. The lower portion is disposed below the upper portion and comprises a bottom surface configured to receive a biological sample. The intermediate portion is characterized by a first substrate diameter and the lower portion is characterized by a second substrate diameter that is less than the first substrate diameter. |
| US10921213B2 |
Screening apparatus for optical fiber
A screening apparatus for an optical fiber includes a delivery unit that delivers an optical fiber; a screening unit that applies tension to the delivered optical fiber to perform screening of the optical fiber; a winding unit that winds the optical fiber after screening; and a static electricity removing unit that removes static electricity of the optical fiber traveling on the predetermined passage, the static electricity removing unit being disposed along a predetermined passage of a passage of the optical fiber from an exit side of the screening unit to an entry side of the winding unit. |
| US10921210B2 |
Sealing and testing segmented tools
A substantially air-tight triple seal arrangement along a seam between first and second tool segments comprises inner, middle and outer seals forming first and second substantially air tight vacuum chambers. |
| US10921204B2 |
Compact sensor connector for single-use fluid measurement
A connector for coupling a single-use container to a measurement instrument includes a connector region having a cylindrical sidewall. The connector includes a deflectable diaphragm sealed to the connector region and configured to contact a media sample. A portion of the deflectable diaphragm lines an interior surface of at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical sidewall. |
| US10921202B2 |
Tamper detection for breakable remakeable connections
A tamper detection system includes a detector that measures a value of a parameter for each connection of multiple breakable remakeable connections between first and second components. The system includes an analyzer that compares the measured parameter value for each connection or a representative value derived from measured parameter values of the connections to an expected value. Based on the comparisons, the analyzer determines whether the multiple breakable remakeable connections between the first and second components have been broken and remade. |
| US10921200B2 |
Pressure sensor, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic device
A pressure sensor, a method for manufacturing the pressure sensor, and an electronic device are provided. The pressure sensor includes an electroluminescent device and a resistor layer. The resistor layer and one electrode of the electroluminescent device are connected to two electrodes of a power source respectively to form a loop. The pressure sensor is capable of converting a deformation amount caused by a pressure into a brightness change of the electroluminescent device, and determining a size of the pressure in accordance with the brightness change. |
| US10921199B2 |
Force sensor and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided a force sensor including a substrate and a polymer material layer. The substrate has a circuit layout that includes a first electrode and a second electrode configured to form a capacitor therebetween. The polymer material layer covers at least on a space between the first electrode and the second electrode, and is used to change capacitance of the capacitor while being pressed. |
| US10921197B2 |
Visualization and manipulation of micro-scale calorimeter chamber data matrices
A method for microscale calorimeter chamber data manipulation and visualization includes receiving a dataset from a microscale calorimeter chamber. The dataset is indicative of heat release rates for a test material as a function of a temperature applied by the microscale calorimeter chamber to the test material. The method further includes generating a baseline for correcting the heat release rates for the test material based on a selected temperature interval of the dataset. The method also includes generating a modified dataset that includes modified heat release rate values for the test material based on the baseline. The method includes generating a graphical user interface and displaying, via the graphical user interface, a graphical depiction of the modified dataset. |
| US10921196B2 |
Optimized thermocouple system and method
An optimized thermocouple system and a method of optimizing a thermocouple system having a plurality of thermocouple probes and a junction box is provided and includes examining the thermocouple system to identify a first thermocouple probe of the plurality of thermocouple probes, wherein the first thermocouple probe includes a first positive leg and a first negative leg and is located electrically farthest from the junction box. The method includes calculating a first loop resistance between the first thermocouple probe and the junction box and configuring a second thermocouple probe of the plurality of thermocouple probes having a second positive leg, a second negative leg and a second loop resistance such that the second loop resistance is substantially equal to the first loop resistance. |
| US10921193B2 |
Electronic measurement apparatus
An electronic measurement apparatus includes a measurement device and a display device. The measurement device is configured to measure an object's weight and to generate a measurement signal. The display device is detachably assembled with the measurement device. Moreover, the display device can receive the measurement signal by wireless transmission, and the display device can display measurement data according to the measurement signal. Accordingly, the user can place the display device in an easy-to-view location to make it easier for the user to see the measurement data. |
| US10921190B2 |
Spectrum measuring apparatus and spectrum measuring method
A spectrum measuring apparatus includes a plurality of light sources configured to emit light of different wavelengths onto an object, based on current at various intensities that is applied to each of the plurality of light sources, a photodetector configured to receive light that is one among reflected from, scattered from, and transmitted into the object onto which the light is emitted, and measure an intensity of the received light, and a processor configured to obtain spectrum of the object, based on the measured intensity of the received light. |
| US10921186B2 |
Methods and apparatus for imaging discrete wavelength bands using a mobile device
An attachment device comprising a cover, with first and second windows, is affixed to a backing, with third and fourth windows, thereby forming a casing. The first and third windows form a first optical path with light entering the third window passing through the first window. The second and fourth windows form a second optical path with light entering the second window passing through the fourth window. A filter housing with a plurality of filters is driven by a motor so that the filters intercept the first optical path in accordance with an imaging regimen electronically stored in the casing interior. The imaging regimen communicates instructions, via a communications interface of the attachment device, to an imager and light source of an external device, to which the attachment device is attached, thereby controlling these components in accordance with the regimen. |
| US10921184B2 |
Stimulated Raman scattering spectroscope based on passive Q-switch and use thereof in industrial molecular analysis
The present application describes embodiments of a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectroscope based on a passive Q-switch system for high-resolution, real-time, on-site and multi-point industrial molecular analysis. |
| US10921183B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor and method for detecting objects in a monitored zone
An optoelectronic sensor is provided for detecting objects in a monitored zone that has a light receiver having a reception optics arranged in front of it for generating a received signal from received light that is incident on the sensor in a direction of incidence of light from the monitored zone, wherein the reception optics comprises a flat light guide plate having a first main surface and a lateral edge bounding the first main surface at a side; and wherein the first main surface of the light guide plate is arranged transversely to the direction of incidence of light and deflects the incident received light to the lateral edge. The light guide plate here has a diffractive structure for deflection to the lateral edge. |
| US10921180B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improved sensor vibration cancellation
Infrared sensing systems having improved vibration cancelation, and methods of achieving improved vibration cancelation. In one example, an infrared sensing system includes an infrared sensor configured to produce a sensor output signal representative of a response of the infrared sensor to infrared excitation and vibration excitation, an accelerometer configured to provide an acceleration signal responsive to the vibration excitation, and a controller, including an adaptive digital filter, coupled to the infrared sensor and to the accelerometer, and configured to receive the acceleration signal and to adjust coefficients of the adaptive digital filter so as to minimize coherence between a residual signal and the acceleration signal, the residual signal being a difference between the sensor output signal and a filter output signal from the adaptive digital filter. |
| US10921178B2 |
Method and apparatus to monitor a reservoir or a structure
A method and apparatus to monitor the weight of a silo or tank is disclosed. The system is adapted to be attached to a leg of the silo and comprises a load cell, a support member anchored to the ground and a lifting device attached to the load cell and to the support member. The load cell comprises two extremities that are attached to the silo leg and comprises an aperture there between. The aperture is preferably threaded to receive the lifting device, such as a bolt. The bolt is rotated using a tool as to induce a movement of the load cell along the axis of the bolt thereby lifting the load cell and the attached silo leg. Strain gauges are attached to the load cell to measure the variation in an electric or optical signal that is translated in human readable data using a monitoring device. |
| US10921175B1 |
Livestock weighing device
A livestock weighing device that performs a secondary operation such as marking animals having a desired minimum weight with a visual indicia to aid sorting thereof. The weight of an animal moving across the platform actuates a cable system to move a shuttle associated with an actuator. The actuator changes condition to initiate a secondary operation, such as opening an outlet valve for a container of paint to dispense a quantity of paint onto the animal supported on the platform, when the sled is moved in a predetermined direction and the animal weighs more than the minimum required weight. |
| US10921166B2 |
Sensor bracket
A sensor bracket includes a locking wall formed on a bracket main body of the sensor bracket and to which a side surface of the engaging is locked in a pressed state, the side surface of the engaging protrusion being formed so as to cross with a protruding direction of the engaging protrusion; and a biasing piece having a base section and a tip region, the base section being formed so as to be supported by the bracket main body, the tip region being formed so as to abut the side surface of the engaging protrusion and to bias the engaging protrusion in a direction pressing against the locking wall, wherein a plurality of bending deformation sections bent in a state in which the biasing piece is biasing the engaging protrusion against the locking wall are installed between the base section and the tip region of the biasing piece. |
| US10921162B2 |
Rotary switch or other encoder having non-sequential unique bit pattern and method for design
An apparatus for rotary encoding includes a knob configured to be rotated. The apparatus also includes multiple switches each configured to selectively form or not form a connection based on a current rotational position of the knob. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to generate or use a digital value associated with the current rotational position of the knob. The digital value is defined by which switches have or have not formed connections. Locations where the switches form the connections are selected such that the digital values uniquely identify different rotational positions of the knob and are non-sequential as the knob is rotated. |
| US10921160B2 |
Sensing circuit of moving body and moving body sensing device
A sensing circuit in a device having a moving body in which a unit to be detected including first and second pattern units spaced apart from each other is formed includes an oscillation circuit unit including first and second oscillation circuits fixedly mounted on a substrate spaced apart from the unit to be detected, including, respectively, first and second sensing coils having first and second inductance values depending on areas of overlap between the first and second sensing coils and the first and second pattern units and outputting, respectively, first and second sensed oscillation signals based on the first and second inductance values; and a sensing circuit outputting an output signal having movement information of the moving body based on each period count value for each of the first and second sensed oscillation signals using a reference oscillation signal. |
| US10921158B2 |
Power supply generating circuit, capacitive array sensing apparatus and terminal device
A power supply generating circuit includes a driving voltage generating circuit and a pulse generating circuit, where the driving voltage generating circuit is configured to generate a driving voltage signal, the pulse generating circuit receives the driving voltage signal through a first input end and receives a communication signal through a second input end; at a negative phase stage of the communication signal, the first output end does not output the driving voltage signal, and the pulse generating circuit outputs a charge to an energy storage end, where the charge is input from the first output end. |
| US10921157B2 |
Inductive angular position sensor
In one embodiment, a position sensor assembly is disclosed. The position sensor assembly includes a first bearing ring defining a first bearing raceway, and a second bearing ring defining a second bearing raceway. A ferromagnetic component is arranged on the first bearing ring. The ferromagnetic component defines a surface that has a non-uniform circumferential profile that varies for at least 90 degrees in a circumferential direction. An inductor assembly is arranged on the second bearing ring, and the inductor assembly includes at least two inductors that are circumferentially spaced from each other by at least 90 degrees. |
| US10921154B2 |
Monitoring a sensor array
In example implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an interface, an inheritance engine, an anomaly detection module and a processor. The interface communicates with a sensor array. The inheritance engine is used to create a model of the sensor array based on information collected from the each one of a plurality of nodes in the sensor array over the interface. The anomaly detection engine is used to monitor the sensor array in accordance with the model to detect an anomaly and initiate a corrective action to correct the anomaly in two or more of the plurality of nodes within the sensor array simultaneously. The processor is in communication with the inheritance engine and the anomaly detection engine is used to execute instructions associated with the inheritance engine and the anomaly detection engine. |
| US10921147B1 |
Customer and merchant location-based ETA determination
A customer offset may be determined with respect to a customer who has previously traveled to one or more merchant locations. A merchant location offset may be determined with respect to multiple customers who have each traveled to a particular merchant location. Upon determining that the customer is in transit to the merchant location, a generic ETA to the merchant location may be determined. A customer-based ETA for the customer with respect to the merchant location may be determined based on the generic ETA and the customer offset. Moreover, a merchant location-based ETA for the customer with respect to the merchant location may be determined based on the generic ETA and the merchant location offset. Based on the refined and more accurate ETAs, the merchant location may be instructed to begin assembling items for pick-up by the customer. |
| US10921146B2 |
User guidance system
A user guidance system includes a departure point acquisition unit that acquires departure point information, a destination acquisition unit that acquires destination information, a candidate route generation unit that generates a plurality of candidate routes, a point resource acquisition unit that acquires point resource information, a desire information acquisition unit that acquires desire information indicating a via point desired by the attraction desirer, a non-desire information acquisition unit that acquires non-desire information indicating a via point not desired by the attraction desirer, a point calculation unit that calculates a point that is imparted to the candidate route, or a via route or the via point included in the candidate route, and a point providing unit that provides point information indicating the point that is imparted to the candidate route or the via point included in the candidate route to a user. |
| US10921141B2 |
Geo-tagged mobile network information for intelligent navigation
In embodiments, an apparatus for providing wireless connectivity based routing for a vehicle may include a user interface to receive one or more wireless connectivity preferences and a navigation request from a user and to display a recommended route to a destination for the user, the recommended route to meet the one or more wireless connectivity preferences while the vehicle follows the recommended route to the destination. The apparatus may further include a local database to store geotagged wireless connectivity data for various geolocations, collected by one or more geotagged wireless connectivity scanners of the vehicle, and a route determination engine coupled to the user interface and to the local database to determine the recommended route, wherein the user interface, the local database and the route determination engine are disposed in the vehicle. |
| US10921140B2 |
Navigating drivers to service transportation requests from a simplified transportation request device
Systems and methods for navigating drivers to service transportation requests from a simplified transportation request device are described. In one implementation, a method includes establishing, by a processing device of a server device, a communication connection with a transportation request device dedicated solely to functions associated with a transportation service, communicating, via the communication connection, configuration information with the transportation request device, receiving, via the communication connection, one or more passenger preferences associated with the transportation service and a user of the transportation request device, receiving one or more transportation requests from the transportation request device, and causing, by the processing device, the received one or more transportation requests to be serviced based on the configuration information and the one or more passenger preferences. |
| US10921137B2 |
Data generation method for generating and updating a topological map for at least one room of at least one building
The present disclosure relates to a data generation method for generating and updating at least one room in at least one building in the surroundings of a vehicle, by at least one vehicle, in which an assessment of characteristic motion is corrected without GPS reception by means of subsequently available GPS data, and used for at least one topological map for at least one room of at least one building. |
| US10921135B2 |
Real-time map generation scheme for autonomous vehicles based on prior driving trajectories
In one embodiment, a real time map can be generated by an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) based on a navigation guideline for a lane and associated lane boundaries for the lane on a particular segment of a road. When travelling in the lane on the road segment, the ADV can use the navigation guideline as a reference line and use the lane boundaries as boundaries. The navigation guideline can be derived from manual driving path data collected by a manned vehicle that has travelled multiple times on the particular segment of the road. |
| US10921134B2 |
Road geometry matching with componentized junction models
In one embodiment, a method for road geometry matching with componentized junction models is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of predefined road component models, receiving map data representing a physical road junction, selecting a subset of the plurality of road component models to characterize the physical road junction represented by the received map data, and defining a road junction configuration for the physical road junction with the selected road component models. |
| US10921132B2 |
Method to determine search area for a person of interest based upon past route information from searchers
A method and server for determining the current location of a person of interest (POI) is provided. The server receives a first indication that a first searcher has identified a POI and requests first route information from the first searcher. Upon receiving the first route information from the first searcher, the server determines if second route information relating to the person of interest has been received from a second searcher. If so, the server determines a search area for the person of interest based at least in part upon the first route information and the second route information. |
| US10921126B2 |
Systems and methods for navigation using PULSARs
Pulsating radio star (PULSAR) navigation systems and methods can include a plurality of PULSARs that can emit PULSAR radiation pulses in the millisecond range, and a plurality of Josephson Junctions (JJs) that can be arranged as an array of microantennas. The systems and methods can include a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the JJs to an operating temperature based on the JJ materials, and a thermal management system for maintaining the operating temperature. An oscillator can determine times of arrival (TOAs) of magnetic field components of the PULSAR pulses. A processor can compute the terrestrial position of the navigation system using the TOAs and the known celestial position of the PULSARs. A GPS sub-system can be included for navigation using GPS signals. The processor can be configured to compute terrestrial location using the PULSAR magnetic field components when GPS signal strength falls below a predetermined level or is lost. |
| US10921121B2 |
Systems and methods for determining calibration values for atmospheric sensors that provide measured pressures used for estimating altitudes of mobile devices
Determining calibration values for atmospheric sensors that provide measured pressures used for estimating altitudes of mobile devices. Particular systems and methods determine if any uncalibrated reference-level pressure estimates associated with an unstable pressure sensor should not be used when calibrating the unstable pressure sensor, and calibrate the unstable pressure sensor using all of the uncalibrated reference-level pressure estimates except any uncalibrated reference-level pressure estimate that should not be used when calibrating the unstable pressure sensor. |
| US10921119B2 |
Three dimensional image measurement system
A three dimensional image measurement system including a first optical system and a second optical system is provided. The first optical system is adapted to output a structural light beam and a zero order light beam. There is an angle between the structural light beam and the zero order light beam. The first optical system performs an optical operation to project the structural light beam to a three dimensional object to obtain three dimensional information of the three dimensional object. The second optical system is adapted to receive the zero order light beam and perform another optical operation by using the zero order light beam. The first optical system includes a plurality of optical elements. The value of the angle between the structural light beam and the zero order light beam is determined according to position parameters of the optical elements. |
| US10921115B1 |
Tool measuring device having independent head tilt and alignment and hybrid pantograph-to-optical inner diameter measurement
The present invention teaches a punch and die measurement device which includes a linear array LED micrometer arranged so that the light beams and shadows pass vertically from transmitters to receivers, and further teaches a 1:1 ratio pantograph for transferring measurements from inside of a necker die to outside the die where it may then be measured by the linear array LED micrometers. The invention may include a precision alignment block, captive adjustment screws to adjust tilt plates angle of the linear array measurement carriage and lever arms to reduce motion of the adjustment screws as applied to the tilt plates. |
| US10921109B2 |
Self-calibrating sensor for simultaneous measurement of rub depth and running clearance in a jet engine
A sensor simultaneously determines a maximum rub depth and running clearance of a plurality of blade tips in a jet engine. The sensor includes an inductive component (e.g. inductor) and a resistive component comprising resistor portions each indicative of a depth into a layer of abradable material near the blade tips. When the blade tips move in proximity to the inductor, eddy currents in the blades generates a magnetic field that interact with the magnetic field generated by the inductor, which appears as an AC component in the current. When the blade tips abrade the abradable material, the resistor portions are severed and the DC current changes due to a change in resistance at the resistive component. An amplitude of the AC component indicates a running clearance as the blades move in proximity to the inductor. The frequency of the AC component indicates the rotational speed of the blades. |
| US10921105B2 |
Product and method to decrease torsional loads induced in sabots and riders in rifled gun bores
Disclosed herein is sabot for a sub-caliber projectile comprising a plurality of petals, such that a slip mechanism can be incorporated between the sabot petals and the pusher mechanism to decrease or prevent the sabot from rotating in a rifled gun bore, or the petals themselves can be separated into forward petals and aft petals, with only the aft petals rotating along with the gun rifle. When separate forward petals and aft petals are used, the torque transferred to the forward petals is greatly reduced, thus decreasing the angular rotation of the forward petals with the intent of preventing the forward petals from rotating. The slip mechanism has slip plates with low-coefficient of friction surfaces configured to contact adjacent slip plates prior to and during launch. As assembly, a system, and corresponding methods also are disclosed. |
| US10921103B2 |
Air driven projectile
A system for propelling an air-driven projectile from an air gun includes an air gun with an elongate bore and a source of compressed air in fluid communication with the elongate bore. A projectile is disposed within the bore of the air gun, the projectile having an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the elongate bore. |
| US10921101B2 |
Multi-piece polymer ammunition cartridge
The present invention provides polymeric ammunition having a generally cylindrical neck having a projectile aperture at a first end, an outer shoulder surface that extends from the generally cylindrical neck, an outer shoulder angle defined by the outer shoulder surface, an inner shoulder surface on the inside of the polymer nose opposite the outer shoulder surface, an inner shoulder angle defined by the outer shoulder surface, a skirt surface extending from the inner shoulder surface, a skirt angle defined by the skirt surface and a nose junction that extends from the outer shoulder surface to the skirt surface, wherein the nose junction is adapted to mate to a polymer cartridge. |
| US10921100B2 |
Multi-piece polymer ammunition cartridge
The present invention provides polymer ammunition having a generally cylindrical neck having a projectile aperture at a first end, a shoulder comprising a shoulder top connected to the generally cylindrical neck opposite a shoulder bottom, a nose junction positioned around the shoulder bottom, a skirt connected circumferentially about the nose junction to extend away from the shoulder bottom, wherein the nose junction and the skirt are adapted to mate to a base junction in a cartridge. |
| US10921096B2 |
Mounting and fastening system and mounting adapter
A mounting and fastening system includes a mounting adapter configured to adapt mounting of a second component with respect to a first component, and having a radially inward portion including a throughbore, and a radially outward portion with a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction and that cooperates with a tapered surface of the second component and such that an adapter inboard surface faces a first outboard surface of the first component. A mounting bolt for a mounting a fastening system includes: a head including flat opposite sides and semi-cylindrical opposite sides interposed between the flat opposite sides; a shank extending from the head; an external thread on at least a portion of the shank; a passage extending through the head and into at least a portion of the shank; and an internal thread in at least a portion of the passage. |
| US10921093B2 |
Motion tracking, analysis and feedback systems and methods for performance training applications
A highly portable system includes the necessary logic and analysis to provide immediate feedback and corrective instruction for any suitable motion. In particular, the system includes a capability for tracking individual shooter performance in a more comprehensive way, in order to provide an organized and methodical feedback to the shooter for the purpose of data-supported improvement, as well as the opportunity to improve marksmanship using dry-fire techniques, when a shooting range is unavailable and/or to reduce ammunition consumption. |
| US10921092B2 |
Viewfinder with mobile red dot and illuminator
A viewfinder with a mobile red dot comprising a first stationary light source and a first reflective strip, the light source generating a first collimated light beam which is projected onto the reflective strip so as to materialize a red dot or grid visible for the shooter by the reflection on the reflective strip, the first beam being projected onto the reflective strip by means of a rotary mirror with adjustable angle of inclination relative to the first light beam. |
| US10921091B2 |
Holographic weapon sight
A optic sight apparatus for a weapon that includes an electro-optical sight unit configured to project a reticle image for a sight setting of the optic sight apparatus, a controller electrically connected to the electro-optical sight unit; and a switching apparatus connected to the controller unit, the switching apparatus configured to transmit a sighting control signal to the controller unit to automatically change a current sight setting of the optic sight apparatus to a predetermined sight setting of the optic sight apparatus corresponding to the sighting control signal. |
| US10921090B2 |
Mounting adapter for self-loading firearms
Example apparatus are disclosed for an adapter to attach at least one device to a self-loading firearm, the adapter comprising a barrel-side section and a receiver-side section adjacent the barrel-side section, wherein the barrel-side section and the receiver-side section extend in a longitudinal direction of the firearm, wherein one of the barrel-side section and the receiver-side section is securable to a retention device on a firearm barrel or a firearm receiver, and wherein the other of the barrel-side section and the receiver-side section can be moveably supported on the firearm receiver or the firearm barrel by a guide that allows for longitudinal movement of the receiver-side section or the barrel-side section with respect to the firearm. |
| US10921089B1 |
Shaped charges for focusing a fluid mass
Provided herein are shaped charges for focusing a fluid mass and related methods of using the shaped charges for disruption of an explosive target. The shaped charge comprises a plastic shell having a special geometric shape configured to support a shape-conforming explosive. A cylindrical plastic body has an interior volume for containing a fluid and the plastic shell. The plastic body closed distal end has a geometric shape that is substantially matched to the shape of the plastic shell. |
| US10921088B2 |
Double lock connector
A double locking connector for an archery bow stabilizer includes a base having a tapered end portion and a fitting having a chamber configured to receive the tapered end portion. Two independent locking assemblies are provided to connect the fitting with the base tapered portion to provide a secure connection. The first locking assembly includes a screw which passes through an opening in the fitting for connection with a threaded opening in the tapered portion. The second locking assembly includes interlocking gear teeth provided on the fitting and on a plate connected with the base, respectively. An adjustable rod lock may also be connected with the base to prevent a side bar mount from moving during use of the bow. |
| US10921087B2 |
Double lock connector
A double locking connector includes a base having a tapered end portion and a fitting having a chamber configured to receive the tapered end portion. Two independent locking assemblies are provided to connect the fitting with the base tapered portion to provide a secure connection. The first locking assembly includes a screw which passes through an opening in the fitting for connection with a threaded opening in the tapered portion. The second locking assembly includes a locking pin arranged in a channel in the fitting and a screw which is operable to draw the locking pin against a portion of the tapered portion. The tapered portion preferably includes three symmetrical contact surfaces which engage an inner surface of the fitting chamber to evenly distribute clamping forces from the fitting onto the tapered portion when the first locking assembly is operated. |
| US10921086B2 |
Line-based limb control system and method for archery bows
An archery limb control system, method and bow are described herein. The archery limb control system, in an embodiment, includes an energy resource and a driver having a plurality of lines. The driver is configured to receive a force derived from the energy resource. In response to the force, the lines are configured to put the limbs of an archery bow in a condition to cause a draw cord to propel a projectile toward a target. |
| US10921077B2 |
Bolt hold open mechanism system and method of using it
A bolt hold open mechanism assembly is disclosed. The bolt hold open mechanism assembly contains a connector rod, a follower lever associated with the connector rod, a bolt stop associated with the connector rod, and a lifter lever comprising at least one protrusion configured to interact with a magazine follower. |
| US10921074B2 |
Method for operating gun having multi-drive link feed system
A method of feeding rounds of linked, or un-linked, ammunition to a gun includes a motor-driven chain drive which rotates about a track. A rotatable feeder engages the ammunition to feed an ammunition round into a round extractor/retractor. A rotatable round positioner receives an ammunition round from the round extractor/retractor, and rotates it to a firing position. A main geneva wheel, mounted near the chain drive, is sequentially engaged by first and second drive rollers, secured to the chain drive, for being periodically rotated thereby. Drive pins of the main geneva wheel sequentially engage radial slots in a belt/round feed geneva wheel and a round positioning geneva wheel for timed rotation thereof to synchronize the operation of the round feeder and round positioner. |
| US10921068B2 |
Integrated heat exchanger
Provided is an integrated heat exchanger including a header tank in which a gasket is interposed between the header and the tank to seal a portion that the header and the tank are coupled to each other, wherein an inner space of the header tank is partitioned such that a first space portion formed between regions in which the heat exchange medium flows is formed to be in communication with an external region of the header tank through a heat exchange medium discharging means formed at a portion that the header and the tank are coupled to each other, thereby preventing the heat exchange mediums from being leaked between two heat exchange portions and to detect a leakage of the heat exchange medium even when the leakage of the heat exchange medium occurs. |
| US10921059B2 |
Method and apparatus for a dryer system
Provided is a device for drying objects that are, for example, moving on a conveyor belt or assembly line. The objects may be container such as, for example, empty or filled can, empty or filled bottles, or non-container objects. |
| US10921056B2 |
Coated medical devices and methods for drying coated medical devices
Medical devices and methods for drying medical devices are disclosed. An example method for drying a medical device may include disposing a medical device within a drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may include a variable frequency microwave heating device. The medical device may include a substrate, the substrate including an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a solvent. The method may also include heating the medical device with the drying apparatus. Heating may evaporate at least a portion of the solvent. |
| US10921053B2 |
Domestic appliance comprising illumination device for recessed grip
A domestic appliance, in particular a refrigeration appliance, contains a door having a recessed grip and an illumination device for shining light onto the recessed grip. The illumination device has a projection device for projecting information onto the recessed grip. A method is used to operate a domestic appliance which contains the door having the recessed grip and the projection device for shining light onto the recessed grip, in which method information is projected onto the recessed grip by the projection device. The domestic appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, a preservation appliance or combinations thereof. |
| US10921051B2 |
Illuminated shelf for refrigerator appliance
A refrigerator appliance includes a an insulated cabinet defining a chilled food storage chamber within an interior thereof. An illuminated chamber is defined within the cabinet and is optically separated from the chilled food storage chamber by a wall of the chilled food storage chamber. At least one light source is positioned to emit light into the illuminated chamber. A shelf is selectively mountable in one of a plurality of positions within the food storage chamber. The shelf includes a light-transmitting body. The light-transmitting body of the shelf is in optical communication with the illuminated chamber when the shelf is mounted within the food storage chamber, such that light from the light source of the illuminated chamber travels through the light-transmitting body. As a result, an edge of the shelf is illuminated by the light. |
| US10921046B2 |
Method for defrosting an evaporator of a sealed system
A method for defrosting an evaporator of a sealed system includes determining that a defrost cycle is needed to remove frost from the evaporator and initiating such a defrost cycle. The method further includes determining that the defrost cycle failed to defrost the evaporator and repeating the defrost cycle until the defrost cycle is successful or until a predetermined number of defrost cycles have been performed. After a predetermined number of successive failed defrost cycles, the method includes preventing further operation of the sealed system, e.g., by locking out compressor, until the frost and/or ice build-up is removed. |
| US10921038B2 |
Access panel
A system comprises: a molded tub (92A; 92B) comprising: a base (96); a sidewall (98) extending from the base; and a mounting flange (94) extending from the sidewall; a pre-molded expanded material insert (162, 164; 220, 222; 700, 702) within the tub; and a cover (90A; 90B) over the insert. |
| US10921034B2 |
Refrigeration cycle device
During a normal operation, a refrigeration cycle device is switched to a refrigerant circuit in which heat contained in a high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of an interior radiator is stored in a heat storage member. When frost is formed on an evaporator, the refrigeration cycle device is switched to another refrigerant circuit in which the exterior heat exchanger is heated and defrosted using heat stored in the heat storage member as a heat source. The heat storage member uses a material formed by adding W (tungsten) as an additive to VO2 (vanadium dioxide) which is a transition metal oxide having a property of a phase transition between a metal and an insulator. The heat storage member effectively stores or dissipates heat depending on a temperature zone of the refrigerant, thereby suppressing an increase in energy consumption of a compressor. |
| US10921031B2 |
Heat pump with a gas trap, method for operating with a gas trap, and method for producing a heat pump with a gas trap
A heat pump includes a condenser for condensing compressed working vapor, a gas trap coupled to the condenser via a foreign gas feed inlet and including: a housing having a foreign gas feed entrance, a working liquid feed inlet within the housing; a working liquid discharge outlet within the housing, and a pump for pumping off gas from the housing, wherein the housing, the working liquid feed inlet and the working liquid discharge outlet are configured such that during operation, a working liquid flow takes place, within the housing, from the working liquid feed inlet to the working liquid discharge outlet, and wherein the working liquid feed inlet is coupled to the heat pump so as to direct, during operation of the heat pump, working liquid which is colder than a working liquid within the condenser. |
| US10921030B2 |
Thermal energy system and method of operation
A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system having a heating demand, and a heat source connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat source connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sources for heating the first thermal system, the heat source connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system coupled to a first remote heat source containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat source, a fluid loop interconnecting the first thermal system, the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system, at least one mechanism for selectively altering the order of the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system in relation to a fluid flow direction around the fluid loop, and a controller for actuating the at least one mechanism. |
| US10921029B2 |
Test chamber
A test chamber (10) for conditioning air has a test space (12), and a temperature control device (11) for controlling the temperature of the test space and allowing a temperature in a range of −80° C. to +180° C., preferably −100° C. to +200° C., to be established within the test space, the temperature control device having a cooling device (16) with a cooling circuit (17), a heat exchanger (18), a compressor (19), a condenser (20), and an expansion element (21), wherein the refrigerant is a nearly azeotropic and/or zeotropic refrigerant mixture of a mass percentage of carbon dioxide and a mass percentage of at least one of the components ethane, ethene, hexafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, monofluoro-ethane, 1,1-difluoroethene, fluoromethane and/or propane and/or xenon, the refrigerant having a relative CO2 equivalent of <3000, preferably <500, in particular preferably <10, with respect to 20 years. |
| US10921027B2 |
Solar thermal concentrator and method of forming same
A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion. |
| US10921019B2 |
Ceiling concealed air-conditioning apparatus
A ceiling concealed air-conditioning apparatus includes: a box-shaped air-conditioning apparatus body having an open bottom; and an exterior panel attached to an underside of the air-conditioning apparatus body. The exterior panel includes: a panel body covering the open bottom of the air-conditioning apparatus body; and a panel unit removably attached to a lower part of the panel body. The panel body includes an opening at an area where the panel unit is attached to the panel body, and further includes a string hanger to hang a string at a corner of the opening, the string hanger being integral with the panel body and protruding to an inside of the opening. The panel unit includes a holding part to hold the string on a surface of the panel unit facing the panel body, the holding part being integral with the panel unit. One end of a loop of the string is held by the holding part and the other end of the loop of the string is hung on the string hanger to connect the panel body and the panel unit with the string. |
| US10921013B2 |
Actuator with stroke displacement setting via a stroke limiting attachment
An actuator includes an actuator housing having a first engagement feature and a motor located within the actuator housing and configured to rotate a driver. The actuator also includes a stroke limiting component coupled to the driver and has a second engagement feature. One of the first and second engagement features is a channel and another of the first and second engagement features is a protrusion. The protrusion is configured to fit within the channel to define a stroke of the actuator based at least in part on a length of the channel or a length of the protrusion. |
| US10921002B2 |
Dehumidifier with secondary evaporator and condenser coils in a single coil pack
A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser. |
| US10920999B2 |
Outdoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus
A fan motor support includes a rightward-and-leftward direction guide piece which projects in a direction of approaching a fan motor from a lower intermediate transverse plate or an upper intermediate transverse plate extending across a pair of support columns in a rightward-and-leftward direction at a position above or below the fan motor in a vertical direction at a distance apart from the fan motor. The rightward-and leftward direction guide piece is formed to be opened in a direction opposite to a machine chamber in a rightward-and-leftward direction and recessed toward the machine chamber. A rightward-and-leftward direction guide groove which is configured to change a wiring path of the lead wire of the fan motor hooked thereto to a direction toward the machine chamber from the upward-and-downward direction. |
| US10920996B2 |
Detection and quantification of domestic hot water use
Disclosed is a method for detecting domestic hot water use by a sanitary fitting during an observation period by analysing data relative to volumes of water passing through a water meter, the method including: receiving a first item of data, noted VΔ1, representing the maximum volume of fluid measured over a predetermined period, preferably equal to 5 minutes; receiving a second item of data, noted VΔ2, representing the maximum volume of fluid measured by the meter during another predetermined period, preferably equal to 15 minutes; and detecting that domestic hot water has been used when VΔ1>15 litres and VΔ2≥20 litres. |
| US10920995B2 |
Waste-liquid heat recovery
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring heat energy from a waste-liquid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises at least one heat exchange element (107) for transferring heat energy from waste liquid in a first container (101) to a first target fluid, at least one heat pump element (111) for transferring heat energy from waste-liquid transferred from the first container to the further container (102), at least one selectively operable exit-valve element (115) for selectively providing at least one fluid communication path for allowing waste-liquid to exit from the further container, and at least one controller element for selectively operating the heat pump element to transfer heat energy from waste-liquid in the further container to a further target fluid and/or for selectively operating the at least one selectively operable exit-valve element. |
| US10920994B2 |
Heated floor panels
A heater panel includes a core and a heater/dielectric layer including a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers. A structural facing is included, wherein the heater/dielectric layer is bonded directly between the core and the structural facing. A second structural facing can be bonded to the core opposite the heater/dielectric layer. An impact layer can be bonded to the structural facing, e.g., the first structural facing described above, opposite the heater/dielectric layer. |
| US10920992B2 |
Cooker
A cooker includes a heating coil, a housing accommodating the heating coil, a top plate provided on the housing, a partition defining a storage in the housing and below the heating coil and including a first partition extending parallel to the top plate and a second partition extending perpendicularly to the first partition, a first facing wall facing the first partition with a gap defined between the first facing wall and the first partition, a second facing wall facing the second partition with a gap defined between the second facing wall and the second partition, a heat-insulating layer provided between the first partition and the first facing wall, and a heat-insulating layer provided between the second partition and the second facing wall, the heat-insulating layers being each made of a substance having a lower thermal conductivity than one of the first facing wall and the second facing wall. |
| US10920989B2 |
Kiln and heating method thereof
A kiln includes a stove, a combustion device, and an exhaust pipe, wherein the stove includes a cavity, an entry, and an air outlet. The cavity includes a front section and a rear section, and a top wall surface of the front section is tilt. The air outlet is disposed between a top of the front section of the cavity and the entry. The combustion device is disposed in the rear section. The combustion device includes at least one burner, a supporting assembly, and an infrared ray generation assembly. The supporting assembly includes a cover plate having a hollow portion. The infrared ray generation assembly is mounted to the supporting assembly and located above the cover plate. The infrared ray generation assembly could be heated by the flames of the burner to generate infrared ray which passes through the hollow portion. The exhaust pipe communicates with the air outlet. |
| US10920988B2 |
Kiln
A kiln including a stove and a heat source wherein the stove includes a cavity, an entry, and an air outlet. The cavity includes a front section communicating with the entry, a rear section disposed away from the entry, and a middle section disposed between the front section and the rear section. A top wall surface of the front section tilts downwardly toward the entry, and a top wall surface of the rear section tilts downwardly from the middle section toward a direction away from the entry. The air outlet is located between a top of the front section and the entry. The heat source is disposed in the rear section and includes a heating assembly for generating heat. The heating assembly is located at a position higher than a half of a distance between a top and a bottom of the middle section of the cavity. |
| US10920987B2 |
Apparatus and method for burning solid fuel
A solid fuel burning device has at least one burn chamber wall, a burn chamber base, and an interior burn chamber. The burn chamber base is capable of supporting a combustible solid fuel thereon. At least one of the burn chamber walls is radially offset with respect to another of the burn chamber walls. At least two longitudinally extending air inlets are formed in the space between a first longitudinal edge of at least one of the burn chamber walls and a second longitudinal edge of another burn chamber wall. Each of the longitudinally extending air inlets tangentially directs an entry of air into the interior burn chamber to induce an interior swirl of air in the interior burn chamber. The interior swirl of air in the interior burn chamber causes a flame of a combusting solid fuel to swirl in the interior burn chamber. |
| US10920986B2 |
Gas turbine combustor base plate configuration
A combustor (3) includes a plurality of first burners extending along an axis (P) and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, a base plate (31) having support openings configured to support the plurality of first burners and a plurality of through-holes (34) through which base plate air flows toward a downstream side, a plurality of extension pipes supported by the base plate (31) to correspond to the first burners and configured to guide a pre-mixed gas ejected from the first burners toward the downstream side, and a base plate air guide section (35) configured to change a direction of at least some of the base plate air ejected from the through-holes (34) at a downstream side of the base plate (31). |
| US10920985B2 |
Fuel lance cooling for a gas turbine with sequential combustion
A fuel lance is disclosed for injecting a gaseous and/or liquid fuel mixed with air into an axial hot gas flow flowing through a sequential combustor of a gas turbine, the fuel lance having at least one finger extending in a longitudinal direction into the axial hot gas flow of the gas turbine essentially perpendicular to the hot gas flow. The finger is configured as a streamlined body which has a streamlined cross-sectional profile. The body has two lateral surfaces essentially parallel to the axial hot gas flow. The body includes an enclosing outer wall having a longitudinally extending air plenum for the distributed introduction of air into the at least one finger. The air plenum is provided with a plurality of distributed impingement cooling holes, such that air exiting through the impingement cooling holes impinges on the inner side of the leading edge region of the body. |
| US10920984B2 |
Airblast fuel nozzle
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine of an aircraft having a fuel nozzle including a fuel swirler and/or an outer air swirler. The fuel swirler may include a manifold for receiving fuel from a fuel conduit, and a plurality of fuel passages to direct fuel from the manifold to discharge orifices that direct fuel with swirling flow. The fuel swirler may be configured to provide uniform spray while minimizing recirculation zones; reduce residence time as fuel enters the manifold; minimize flow disruptions, boundary layer growth, and/or pressure drop as fuel flows through the fuel passages; reduces coking internally of the nozzle; reduces thermal stresses; and is simple and low-cost to manufacture. |
| US10920983B2 |
Counter-swirl doublet combustor with plunged holes
An improved system, apparatus and method may comprise an inner liner and an outer liner extending circumferentially around an engine centerline axis thereby forming a combustion chamber therebetween. The system, apparatus, and method may include a front end extending between the inner and outer liners and having a plurality of fuel nozzle ports configured to each receive a fuel nozzle. First and second outer plunged inlet holes may be formed in the outer liner and extending in a first radial direction toward the engine centerline axis and into at least a portion of the combustion chamber. First and second inner plunged inlet holes may be formed in the inner liner and extending in a second radial direction away from the engine centerline axis and into at least a portion of the combustion chamber. |
| US10920979B2 |
Low NOx burner and flow momentum enhancing device
A flow momentum enhancing device having an airfoil shape is used in a new or refurbished burner to increase the momentum of the burner combustion air stream and create a reduced pressure region which pulls inert products of combustion into the combustion process. The inert products of combustion mix with the burner air and/or fuel streams to lower the peak flame temperature of the burner and provide reduced NOx production. |
| US10920976B2 |
Helmets with lighting and lighting systems for helmets
Helmets and helmet lighting systems for use in demanding environments, such as fire, rescue, police and military applications. The helmets and systems provide one or more of high levels of light emission, long operational life, waterproofing/ability to operate in wet or submerged environments and relatively low weight. In some configurations, a helmet comprises a lighting system including an exterior layer and an interior layer applied to a shell of the helmet. In some configurations, a lighting module having an internal layer and an exterior layer is attached to an underlying helmet. In some configurations, a lighting system includes pods and/or strips containing a source of light. The pods or strips can be attached to an underlying helmet. |
| US10920975B2 |
Controlled environment light fixture
Controlled environment light fixture configurations include an LED light source. The light fixtures can be installed and removed from below the ceiling. The light fixture can be installed and removed without opening the lens frame of the light fixture. The light fixture includes a sealed housing and seals to the ceiling when installed. The light fixtures are provided in exterior dimension sizes that allow the fixtures to be installed in a variety of controlled environment ceilings in recessed configurations. The lower surface exposed to the controlled environment is free of welds and grinds in order to provide a corrosion resistant surface. |
| US10920969B1 |
Lighted sign
The present invention provides lighted signs and in particular electronic signs having embedded or integral light sources and in particular to lighted signs that have field replaceable lights and field replaceable face plates, and which preferably are controlled by an Internet-connected controller and which preferably includes an integral solar panel mount and an integral battery box mount, and still preferably include radios for pole-to-pole/machine-to-machine communication for synchronized control, and such products preferably having an additional network connection for Internet connectivity, such as by way of GPRS/GSM/cellular gateway functionality, WiFi, LAN, fiber optic or other network connectivity. |
| US10920962B2 |
Method and light source for generating a tailored spectrum light output
A method for generating uniform light with a tailored spectrum using one or more light sources, an integrating space, and one or more selected phosphors to build stable absolute irradiance calibration light sources for fiber and cosine correctors is disclosed. |
| US10920959B2 |
Method of making structurally reinforced illumination panels
A method of forming a structurally reinforced illumination panel which includes providing a multiwall structural panel having a pair of optically transmissive sheets joined with transverse ribs that define a plurality of linear hollow chambers, providing LED strips each including a plurality of interconnected LED sources distributed over a length the LED strip, a step of inserting the LED strips into the linear hollow chambers through open ends of the chambers, and a step of electrically connecting the LED strips to a power supply. |
| US10920954B2 |
Optical device for a lighting and/or signalling device of an automobile vehicle
The present invention discloses an optical device for a motor vehicle comprising: a light guide; at least one collimator; at least one light source associated with each collimator; and at least one optical coupler having at least two reflecting facets. The optical coupler couples a collimator with the light guide at the light entry face of the light guide. The collimator is adapted to receive the light beam emitted by a light source and to collimate this beam; and directing the collimated beam towards the reflecting facets of the optical coupler. At least part of collimated light beam from the reflecting facets enters the light guide and directed towards the light exit face along an optical axis of the light guide. The optical device further comprises at least one aperture for diverting other part of the collimated light beam out of the light guide. |
| US10920951B2 |
Headlight for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle having a plurality of main light modules configured to produce a main light distribution for low beam and high beam. The headlight also has a laser light module comprised of one or more laser diodes configured to produce a laser light distribution in addition to the main light distribution. The headlight is configured such that, during operation, the laser light distribution is movable in a manner decoupled from the main light distribution and relative to the main light distribution. |
| US10920949B2 |
Luminous device that images a virtual illuminated surface of a collector
The invention relates to a luminous device (2) for motor vehicles comprising a light source (4) that emits light rays; a collector (6) with a reflective surface (6.2) that collects and reflects light rays emitted by the light source (4); an optical system (10) that projects light rays from the reflective surface (6.2) into a light beam (12) along an optical axis of the device (8); and a mirror (7) that forms a virtual image (4, 6.2) from the light source (4) and the collector's (6) reflective surface where the optical system (10) forms a virtual image (4, 6.2). |
| US10920946B2 |
In-mold electronics package
An in-mold electronics package includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first side and a second side, the PCB defining an opening, a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the second side adjacent the opening, a light guide disposed on the second side of the PCB and partially disposed within the opening, a film disposed on the first side of the PCB, and a cover disposed over the film, the cover connected to the light guide, and wherein the cover and the light guide cooperate to form at least one sealed perimeter wall of the in-mold electronics package. |
| US10920944B2 |
Frameless night light with interchangeable decorative front cover
A frameless night light with interchangeable decorative front cover that solves prior inoperability of night lights that don't have easy access to the night light fixture and bulb and therefore become inoperable when the bulb and/or night light fixture ceases to work. This night light allows for easy replacement of front cover that is an improvement over many night lights wherein night light is inoperable if front cover is damaged. This night light allows for more emitted light than a traditional night light due to the light being able to shine through the front as well as all four sides (left, right, top, bottom). Night light omits the left, right, top and bottom sides that are included in many night lights, helping save on the material and manufacturing cost without loss of capability. The direct-print printing process allows the customer to choose various designs. The shape of night light is not limited to square. |
| US10920942B2 |
Rear facing multi-light and function light bar
A rear facing light bar assembly that incorporates a plurality of light functions in a small integrated unit. A multifunctional circuit board powers different colored light emitting diodes to produce the tail light, brake light, amber and/or backup light. The assembly also has end caps, a one-piece polycarbonate tube lens and an extruded housing. Heat from the circuit board is dissipated through the end caps and into the extruded housing. The assembly is constructed such that the electronics are completely protected from the outside environment, and sealed from water and dust intrusion. The light also minimizes tooling and assembly cost, yet provides a secure seal protecting the electrical components. In addition, the light is serviceable so individual parts can be replaced or repaired if parts are damaged. |
| US10920935B2 |
Insulated chamber and method for flushing such a chamber
The invention relates to an insulated chamber comprising at least one element that may operate at sub-ambient temperature, the space around the element(s) being filled with solid insulation and means for injecting a gas containing at least 95 mol-% nitrogen into the insulation, at least some of the gas-injection means opening at a position vertically above at least one element to insulate. |
| US10920929B1 |
Attachment stand and extendable member for mobile devices
A versatile device that may provide mobile devices with the ability to be propped up and held by person via art an extendable member for the purposes of both viewing and using mobile devices. The present invention comprises a versatile device that may have a base and a proximate end, a distal end, a back surface, and a front surface. The versatile device may also have a hinge that may be located on the proximate end of the base. Further, the invention may have an extendable member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end may be attached via the hinge. In some embodiments the versatile device may have a hack surface that utilizes a fastener for attaching the versatile device is an object such as a mobile device. In some embodiments the versatile device's extendable member may be configured to rotate about an axis defined by the hinge. Further, in some embodiments, the extendable member may be configured to stay in place at any single degree of rotation. |
| US10920928B2 |
Adjustable carrier assembly for a harness
A carrier assembly for a harness for carrying a motor-driven power tool, the carrier assembly including a back plate and an interface plate including connections for shoulder straps. The back plate includes a coupling interface on a front face arranged to be removably connected to a corresponding coupling interface on a rear face of the interface plate. The coupling interface of the back plate is adapted to be connected to and disconnected from the coupling interface of the interface plate in an at least partially translational or linear movement which is substantially parallel to the back plate. |
| US10920923B1 |
Portable mount
A portable mounting device that is configured to mount relatively small accessory devices, such as radars or lights, on a vessel or vehicle, such as a boat. The device uses a number of connectors that enable its components to be easily assembled and disassembled for ease of use, transportation, and storage, while still forming a strong device that is capable of supporting the accessory device. |
| US10920921B2 |
Housing for a compressor or expander installation, vacuum pump, generator or the like
A housing for a compressor or expander installation, vacuum pump, generator or similar, whereby this housing is made of metal plates, wherein at least one of the aforementioned metal plates is provided with one or more reinforcing profiles, respectively longitudinal profiles that extend in a certain longitudinal direction and transverse profiles that extend along a transverse direction that forms an angle to the aforementioned longitudinal direction, whereby the various metal plates and longitudinal profiles and/or transverse profiles are joined together solely by means of mechanical fasteners. |
| US10920918B2 |
Pipe-making apparatus and pipe-making method for spiral pipe
A spiral pipe (9) is formed by joining edges of adjacent turns of a strip member (90) while helically winding the strip member using a pipe-making apparatus. A propulsive reaction force for moving in a winding direction of the strip member is imparted to a following strip portion (92) or a preceding spiral pipe portion (91) of the strip member by a propulsive reaction force imparting portion of the pipe-making apparatus. The following strip portion follows a preceding spiral pipe portion that has already been made into a pipe. A resisting force in a direction opposite to the propulsive reaction force is imparted to the strip member along the winding direction by a friction between a resisting force imparting portion and the strip member generated while the strip member is moved forward. In this arrangement, a diameter limiting frame can be omitted, and thereby, the pipe-making apparatus can be downsized. |
| US10920916B2 |
Fluid coupling
A fluid coupling for automated analyzer systems suitable to provide liquids to the system, wherein the fluid coupling comprises a stationary part and a movable part for a fluid connection, wherein both parts have a three-part valve for sealing said stationary and movable part against leakage, said three-part valve comprising a first member composed of two rings that are connected by elastic arms, a second member composed of a rod having different diameters on both ends and a third annular member, wherein at least two member of both parts comprise at least one sealing surface and one sealing lip that get in contact for preventing leakage. |
| US10920913B2 |
Premium threaded connection and method for making same
A method of converting a tubular having NC46 connections to CET®43 connections. A method of applying a CET®43 thread to a pin connection or a box connection or both. A box connection and a pin connection of the tubular are machined and a CET®43 thread applied to the box connection and the pin connection. |
| US10920907B2 |
Valve diagnosis method and valve diagnosis device
A diagnosis method is provided for appropriately predicting a state change of a valve with a simple configuration. The valve diagnosis method comprises: calculating a value of a first rate of change, with respect to a predetermined damage index during reference data acquisition, of the predetermined damage index during diagnosis; calculating a value of a second rate of change, with respect to a root mean square value calculated from a difference between predicted waveform data of vibration during reference data acquisition and vibration data serving as reference, of a root mean square value calculated from a difference between predicted waveform data of vibration during diagnosis and vibration data during diagnosis; in a plane, arranging a plot of a diagnostic result based on a value of the first rate of change being calculated and a value of the second rate of change being calculated; and determining a state of a valve to be diagnosed based on a value of the first rate of change being calculated, a value of the second rate of change being calculated, and an arrangement position on the plane of a plot of the diagnostic result. |
| US10920906B2 |
Tamper-resistant operating nut for hydrants
A hydrant comprising: an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; a snap ring positioned on the stem, the snap ring configured to prevent the operating nut from being removed from the operating stem without removing the snap ring; and a tightening nut rotatably secured to the stem, the tightening nut comprising internal threads configured to matingly engage the threaded distal end of the stem. |
| US10920905B2 |
Universal fatigue valve system
A valve system includes a cam that has a shaft portion with an opening configured to receive a motor shaft, where the opening is off-center within the shaft portion. The system also includes a connecting rod assembly mounted to the shaft portion of the cam, where the connecting rod assembly includes a flexible one-piece connecting rod. The system further includes a valve mounted to an end of the flexible one-piece connecting rod such that rotation of cam results in translation of the valve. |
| US10920901B2 |
Electromagnetic valve
The invention relates to an electromagnetic valve having a valve housing (2) and a valve opening (29) with a valve seat (8) and an electric drive coil (3) and a magnetic yoke (11) and a longitudinal centre axis (14). The magnetic yoke (11) is assigned a metallic plate armature (5) which is mounted movably and has an armature disc (48). The armature disc (48) lies sealingly with a sealing surface (9) against the valve seat (8) in a first switching position of the valve, and opens the valve seat (8) in a second switching position of the valve. According to the invention, the valve seat (8) is configured on a valve component (18), wherein the valve component (18) has at least one valve opening (29) which lies at a radial spacing (r) from the longitudinal centre axis (14). The valve seat (8) of the valve opening (29), which valve seat (8) corresponds with direct body contact with the sealing surface (9) of the armature disc (48) of the plate armature (7), consists of metal. |
| US10920899B2 |
Electronic valve actuator with predictive self-calibrating torque controller
An electronic controller of a valve actuator predictively calculates motor inputs that will cause the actuator to apply desired forces or torques to a valve. A force/torque sensor of the actuator measures applied force or torque at the motor output and/or valve to verify the applied force or torque and enable updating of calibration settings as needed. Upon failure of the force/torque sensor, embodiments continue predictive operation without sensor verification or calibration updates. Upon failure of the predictive control, embodiments continue valve actuation under reactive control via the force/torque sensor. Connection to a calibration valve simulator enables embodiments to perform an initial self-calibration using the force/torque sensor of the actuator. The motor can be a variable frequency driven AC motor or a DC motor. The calibration can incorporate mechanical properties of an actuator gear train. |
| US10920897B2 |
Thermo valve and method of manufacturing same
A thermo valve is configured by coupling a valve body to a thermo actuator via a coupling part. The valve body has at least two recesses extending in a peripheral direction. The thermo actuator and the valve body overlap each other in a direction of an axial centerline to cover at least one of the recesses. The coupling part is formed by at least a certain section of the overlapping portion being depressed toward the axial centerline and another section of the thermo actuator fitting in the recesses. The depression of the coupling part has a shape elongated in a longitudinal direction along the axial centerline. |
| US10920896B2 |
Top entry axial flow regulator
A valve seat assembly for use in a fluid control valve. The valve seat assembly includes a pad holder and a support ring. The pad holder includes a support body configured to support a seat pad and a plurality of alignment struts projecting radially outwardly from the support body. The support ring extends around the radially outer perimeter of the alignment struts. The pad holder slides into and out of an operative position in the support ring. |
| US10920895B2 |
Ceramic disc valve cartridge
A valve cartridge includes a valve body that defines a hot water port that has a first end and a second end. The valve body includes a cold water port that has a first end and a second end. The valve cartridge includes a rotatable control stem that is disposed at least partially within the valve body. The valve body includes a main flow control disc that is coupled to the control stem. The main flow control disc has a cold water opening and a hot water opening. The valve cartridge includes a first auxiliary disc positioned between the first end of the hot water port and the main flow control disc and a second auxiliary disc positioned between the first end of the cold water port and the main flow control disc. |
| US10920894B2 |
Flow control device and method for manufacturing the same
A flow control device used in a vehicle heat exchange system and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The flow control device includes a housing and a valve body assembly. The valve body assembly comprises a first valve plate, a second valve plate, and a transmission n part. The housing has an accommodating portion and a protruding limiter, in which the protruding limiter circumferentially limits the first valve plate, a lower side surface of the second valve plate (22) is disposed opposite to the protruding limiter, and at least a part of the lower side surface of the second valve plate is in contact with the first valve plate. The transmission part drives the second valve plate to open or close the circulating valve port of the first valve plate and/or adjust the opening degree of the circulating valve port, such that the product sealing performance can be improved. |
| US10920893B2 |
Cage reset planetary roller screw device
The present disclosure relates to a cage reset planetary roller screw device comprising a male thread member provided with a male thread and a female thread member provided with a female thread, a number of planetary rollers disposed between the male thread and the female thread. The planetary rollers are disposed between the male thread and the female thread through a cage, and the planetary rollers are disposed in roller retaining pockets of the cage. The side surfaces of the cage are provided with convex ends. The male thread member and/or the female thread member are provided with limit blocks that are in contact with the convex ends of the cage in the circumferential direction of the cage. |
| US10920887B2 |
Anti-extrusion seal arrangement and ram-style blowout preventer
A blowout preventer (BOP) and a seal anti-extrusion apparatus is provided for well control about a tubular such as a polish rod. Each of opposing ram blocks support a semi-circular primary seal and at least one downstream backup ring. An extrusion gap is formed between the ram block and the rod. The backup ring has profile that is axially compressible by the primary seal when activated, causing an inner diameter diminish, and closing the extrusion gap for improved sealing integrity of the primary seal. |
| US10920886B2 |
Piston of an internal combustion engine
A piston of an internal combustion engine includes a piston head including a ring belt having a firing land and a plurality of ring grooves for receiving piston rings. A first ring groove of the plurality of ring grooves that is arranged directly adjacent to the firing land has a ring groove axis that runs coaxially to a piston axis of the piston. The first ring groove has an upper groove flank and a lower groove flank arranged away from the firing land relative to the upper groove flank. At least the lower groove flank of at least the first ring groove is inclined by an inclination angle with respect to an orthogonal plane relative to the piston axis, and the inclination angle of at least the lower groove flank varies in a circumferential direction of the piston axis. |
| US10920884B2 |
In-wheel motor drive device
In an in-wheel motor drive device, a speed reduction part is a parallel shaft gear reducer that includes a plurality of gear shafts extending in parallel to one another. One of the gear shafts is coupled with the rotation shaft of the motor part, the other one of the gear shafts is coupled with the wheel hub of the wheel hub bearing part. Remaining gear shafts decelerate the rotation of the motor part and transmit it to the wheel hub. The motor drive device includes a parking gear attached to any of the gear shafts. The parking pawl has a projection portion engaged with a recess portion of the parking gear. A movement member enables a parking pawl to move between a locking position engaged with the recess portion and an unlocking position not engaged therewith. The parking gear, the parking pawl, and movement member are housed inside a housing. |
| US10920880B2 |
Automotive transmission
Provided is an automotive transmission, and more specifically, an automotive transmission that prevents the occurrence of unnecessary handling feedback when a gear shift lever is operated. The automotive transmission includes a gear shift lever, a rotation unit configured to rotate together with the gear shift lever, a first gear unit disposed at a first side of the rotation unit to be rotated around a rotation axis of the rotation unit together with the rotation unit, a second gear unit configured to switch between a coupled position, at which the second gear unit is coupled to the first gear unit, and a separated position, at which the second gear unit is separated from the first gear unit, and a driving unit configured to change a position of the second gear unit and provide a driving force to the second gear unit. |
| US10920877B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicular transmission
A control apparatus for a vehicular transmission including at least one dog clutch each having a first dog member mounted on a first shaft such that the first dog member is rotated together with the first shaft, and at least one second dog member each mounted to be axially adjacent to the first dog member and rotatable relative to the first shaft, first gears each mounted to be rotatable relative to the first shaft and provided with the second dog member, second gear which are mounted such that the second gears are rotated together with a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, and which mesh with the respective first gears, and a shifting mechanism for selectively placing each dog clutch in an engaged or released state. The control apparatus includes: a first calculating portion for detecting to a rotary angular position of the first shaft, and calculating a rotary angular position of the first dog member on the basis of the detected rotary angular position of the first shaft; a second calculating portion for detecting a rotary angular position of the second shaft, and calculating a rotary angular position of each second dog member on the basis of the detected rotary angular position of the second shaft; and an engagement control portion for controlling the shifting mechanism on the basis of the rotary angular positions of the first and second dog members, for engagement of the first and second dog members with each other. |
| US10920875B2 |
Control system and method thereof for multispeed transmission
An electro-hydraulic control system for a multispeed transmission having a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms includes a controller for operably controlling the transmission, a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid, and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms being operably selected between an applied and an unapplied state to achieve a plurality of ranges including at least one reverse, a neutral, and a plurality of forward ranges. The system includes a plurality of trim systems having pressure control solenoids and trim valves. The system may also include one or more shift valves disposed in fluid communication with the fluid source and being capable of moving between stroked and de-stroked positions. In any given range, only two of the plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms may be applied. Moreover, three of the plurality of pressure control solenoids are normally high solenoids, and the remaining solenoids are normally low solenoids. |
| US10920862B2 |
Actuator having manual rotating and anti-pinch mechanisms
An actuator having a manual rotating mechanism and an anti-pinch mechanism includes an actuating body, a manual rotating mechanism, and an anti-pinch mechanism. The actuating body has a stretchable tube. The manual rotating mechanism has a sleeve assembly and a manual rotating wheel. The sleeve assembly has a central shaft and a connecting plate. The anti-pinch mechanism has a clutch wheel which is fixed to the stretchable tube and is movably sleeved around the central shaft. When the stretchable tube is blocked during a retraction stroke, the clutch wheel is detached from the connecting plate such that the clutch wheel follows the stretchable tube to idle. Therefore, the stretchable tube can be manually rotated to retract and the anti-pinch effect during the stretchable tube being retracted can be achieved. |
| US10920861B1 |
Tool for installation and removal of a stretch fit belt on a marine engine
A tool for installing and removing a stretch fit belt on a marine engine pulley includes a body having first and second ends, an inner face located adjacent an outer surface of the pulley, and an outer face guiding the belt. A rib on the inner face contacts a pulley groove. A wedge protrudes from a lower portion of the outer face near the body's first end and slopes downwardly from a wedge upper corner to a wedge lower corner located between the body's first and second ends. An overhang protrudes from an upper portion of the outer face near the body's second end and has a curved portion located between the body's first and second ends and a tapered portion extending from the curved portion to the body's second end. The tool is dimensioned to accommodate a width or a thickness of the belt during installation or removal thereof. |
| US10920854B2 |
Kenter shackle
The Invention relates to a Kenter shackle for anchor chains, at least comprising two half elements which can be coupled to one another and a coupling piece element that can be introduced between the half-elements wherein the half elements each have an L-shaped or J-shaped configuration, wherein the external toothing having a plurality of parallel toothing planes is formed at the end of a short connection leg and wherein a receiving chamber is formed at the end of a long connection leg, having an internal toothing with a plurality of parallel toothing planes, into which the external toothing of the short connection leg engages, and wherein the connection legs are connected to one another via a curved clasp. In addition, the receiving chamber in the long leg is extended by means of a cavity above the end side of the external toothing of the short leg and/or above the uppermost toothing plane of the internal toothing pointing towards the clasp. |
| US10920853B2 |
Elastic element for securing a jump mat to a trampoline frame
An elastic element for securing a jump mat to a trampoline frame includes a terminating element which is provided at each free end and alters the diameter of the elastic element. The elastic element includes a flexible cord element and two separate terminating elements that are connected to the flexible cord element at the free ends in a clamping fit, the terminating element being held in a connector connected to the jump mat, in a form fit and/or a clamping fit. |
| US10920850B2 |
Connector
Provided is a connector including: a first buffer member including a spiral-shaped wire; a second buffer member that has a substantially annular and flat plate-like shape; a collar member that includes a cylindrical portion surrounded by the first buffer member and the second buffer member, a first flange facing a radially inner side of the first buffer member, and a second flange facing a radially inner side of the second buffer member; and a coupling member that includes a first holder section holding radially outer sides of the first buffer member and the second buffer member, a second holder section holding the shielding body, and a coupling member base portion, in which a gap is formed between the second buffer member and the cylindrical portion, and the radially inner sides of the first buffer member and the second buffer member are sandwiched by the first flange and the second flange. |
| US10920849B2 |
Damping member for rolling guide device and seismic isolation structure utilizing same
Provided is a damping member which can be easily mounted to a rolling guide device already in use, can avoid an increase in size of the rolling guide device, and can easily enhance a damping force in an axial direction exerted by the rolling guide device. The damping member is applied to the rolling guide device in which a moving block is assembled to a track rail through intermediation of a plurality of rolling elements, is provided to the track rail in series with the moving block, and includes: a friction member which includes a sliding contact pad in contact with at least the track rail; and a fixing holder, which includes a holding portion configured to cover the friction member so as to press the sliding contact pad against the track rail, and is configured to couple the friction member to the moving block. |
| US10920848B2 |
Adjustable damping arrangement for a non-rotating tool holder
A damper assembly for use with a non-rotating tool holder includes a hollow ram for supporting a non-rotating tool and a damper assembly mounted in the hollow ram for absorbing vibrations of the ram. The damper assembly includes a front plate and a rear plate, an upper tie rod and a lower tie rod extending between the front plate and the rear plate, and a damper mass mounted between the front plate and the rear plate. Ring dampers are mounted between the damper mass and the front and rear plates, and suspension springs are mounted between the upper tie rod and the lower tie rod. The suspension springs carry the weight of the damper mass so that the ring dampers do not have to carry the weight of the damper mass, and the damper mass is free to respond to vibrations in the ram. |
| US10920846B2 |
Air spring
An air spring has an air-spring lobe made of elastomer material, which is clamped at the lobe ends thereof via connection parts between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass and is connected by way of the connection parts to the fastening parts of the sprung and the unsprung mass. The connection parts and the air-spring lobe enclose the working chamber that is under internal pressure and contains the air-spring volume. The working chamber is in connection with at least one air connection provided in the connection parts. At least one of the connection parts is connected to the associated fastening part by a releasable snap-in or latching connection and the snap-in or latching connection includes at least one air connection, to which a feed line or a hose for the compressed air supply is connected. |
| US10920844B2 |
Vehicle suspension bushing assemblies and methods for manufacturing such bushing assemblies
A bushing assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system includes an outer sleeve, with an elastomeric element at least partially positioned within the outer sleeve. An inner sleeve is at least partially positioned within the elastomeric element, while a bar pin having a central section is at least partially positioned within the inner sleeve. A retaining ring is positioned at or adjacent to a first end of the central section of the bar pin and at least partially within the outer sleeve. The retaining ring is positioned between the inner sleeve and at least one radially enlarged section at the first end of the central section of the bar pin and/or at least one radially inwardly directed section at a first end of the outer sleeve. |
| US10920842B2 |
Foam spring for pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like and method for manufacturing such a foam spring
A foam spring for use in pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like, the foam spring having a tubular resilient body made of foam with holes extending inwardly from an outside surface to an inside surface, wherein the tubular body comprises at least one tubular foam layer and at least one reinforcing layer applied to said foam layer over at least a part of the axial length of the spring. |
| US10920840B2 |
Rotor assembly for a disc brake system
A rotor assembly for a disc brake system is provided with a central mounting section having a hub, a flange connected to a radially outer edge of the hub, and a first set of connection elements formed in or on the flange. The rotor assembly also includes an outer friction ring section including a radially inner flange and a second set of connection elements formed in or on the radially inner flange. The hub of the central mounting section is configured for connection to a wheel/axle of a vehicle. The outer friction ring section includes surfaces configured for contact with one or more brake pads of a caliper. Also, the first and second sets of connection elements are configured to be press fit together to connect the central mounting section with the outer friction ring section. The outer friction ring section may be implemented as attachable ring members. |
| US10920838B2 |
Brake device and method for operating a brake drum
A brake device for braking a wheel includes a brake drum, a brake pad carrier which is arranged or can be arranged in the brake drum and has at least one brake pad, and an actuator apparatus for the reversible transfer of the brake pad carrier between a braking state, in which the brake pad is operatively connected to the brake drum, and a freewheeling state, in which the operative connection between the brake pad and the brake drum is canceled, the brake pad carrier being elastically deformable for the transfer from the freewheeling state into the braking state. |
| US10920833B2 |
Gearless torque drive
Torque-limiting mechanisms comprising an upper shank component with a torque-limiting interface, a lower shank component with a torque-limiting interface, and a biasing element. Torque-limiting interfaces having a plurality of undulations arranged around an axial bore or drive socket and separated by a plurality of transition regions, with each undulation having an upslope, a peak, and a downslope. The torque-limiting interfaces are configured to engage and disengage to provide torque transmission with predetermined torque limits at various rotational speeds and for amounts of actuations while remaining within a specified operational range. |
| US10920832B2 |
Air vent system for constant velocity joints
An air venting system for a constant velocity joint (20) having an inner race (24), an outer race (22), a cage (26), a plurality of torque transferring elements (28), a drive sleeve, a drive nut and a boot assembly. The outer race has a wall portion (90) having a vent hole (88, 242) with a first and a second axially extending channel (224, 264). A radially extending wall integrally connects the second axially extending channel to the first axially extending channel. A valve (256) having a stopper portion (264), a disk portion (258) and a breather portion (260) is at least partially located within the vent hole. The breather portion (260) further includes an axially extending ring (292) that terminates in a radially extending wall. At least a portion (300) of an edge portion of the radially extending wall of the breather portion of the valve is in direct contact with at least a portion (250) of an outer surface of the wall portion of the outer race. |
| US10920831B2 |
Propshaft assembly having yoke friction welded to propshaft tube
A propshaft assembly that includes a propshaft tube and a weld yoke. The propshaft tube has a wall member. The weld yoke has a yoke body with an annular outer surface and an annular inner surface. The propshaft tube is welded to the yoke body such that a portion of the propshaft tube is disposed radially between the annular outer and inner surfaces and embedded into an axial end of the yoke body. |
| US10920827B2 |
Bearing shell and device for molding a bearing shell
A bearing shell comprising a body with a clearance hole defined by an inner wall of the body. The bearing shell further includes at least a first bearing surface and at least a second bearing surface. The first bearing surface is located on a first end and the second bearing surface is located on a second end of the body. In order to provide a bearing shell of simpler design, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, particularly shaped out of the body, are offset to each other in radial direction. |
| US10920826B2 |
Radial bearing with wear resistant inserts and a wear resistant coating
A radial bearing for transmitting a radial load, including a first radial bearing component having an inner surface defining a bore and a second radial bearing component received within the bore of the first radial bearing component and having an outer surface. The first radial bearing component includes a plurality of first component wear resistant inserts arranged and mounted on the inner surface. The second radial bearing component includes a second component wear resistant coating on at least a portion of the outer surface. The first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component interact to transmit the radial load between the first radial bearing component and the second radial bearing component. |
| US10920825B2 |
Motion guide device load measuring system and load measuring method, and motion guide device service life calculating method
Provided is a motion guide device load measuring system that can accurately measure loads acting on a motion guide device in use. The load measuring system includes a position detecting unit (4) for detecting the position of a sliding member (12) relative to a track member (11) in a direction of relative movement, and at least one sensor (2a-2d, 3a-3d) for detecting the relative displacement of the sliding member (12) relative to the track member (11) in a radial direction and/or a horizontal direction. A calculating unit (6) calculates loads acting on the motion guide device (1), in association with the position of the sliding member (12), on the basis of position information detected by the position detecting unit (4) and displacement information detected by one or more of the sensors (2a-2d, 3a-3d). |
| US10920823B2 |
Sealing arrangement for a wheel bearing
A sealing arrangement for a wheel bearing having a first bearing part and a second bearing part integrally connected to a wheel bearing flange, between which rolling elements are guided, wherein the sealing arrangement has a carrier element which is connected to the first bearing part and wherein a resilient element is provided on the carrier element, wherein the resilient element has at least one sealing lip, and the carrier element has a fastening portion which is connected to an outer circumference of the first bearing part, wherein a sealing ring which forms a seal for the fastening portion is formed on the resilient element, wherein the sealing ring has a cylindrical circumferential surface which abuts the external circumference of the first bearing part. |
| US10920821B2 |
Terminal securing device
[Problem] To provide a terminal securing device the size of which can be reduced. [Solution] When a key lock 7 is positioned in a second position a key 6 and the key lock 7 are arranged at overlapping positions in the lengthwise direction of a rod 3, so a portion of a space for displacing the key lock 7 from the second position to a first position can be provided at a position overlapping the key 6 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3. Thus, an increase in the size of a holder 4 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3 can be avoided, so the size of the terminal securing device 1 can be reduced. |
| US10920820B2 |
Noise reducing cable splitter
A latching system includes a first lever connected to a first cable having a first cable end, a second lever connected to a second cable having a second cable end, a latch connected to a third cable having a third cable end, and a cable splitter assembly. The cable splitter assembly has a housing with a first end and a second end and a body with an interior surface defining an interior chamber. A carriage is configured to translate within the interior chamber. The carriage includes a carriage body with a plurality of cavities arranged to seat the respective first, second, and third cable ends and a plurality of resilient arms integrally formed as one piece with the carriage body. |
| US10920819B2 |
Snap nut concrete anchor assembly
The present disclosure describes an anchor device for receiving and securing a shaft thereto. The device includes an outer housing within which a jaw assembly is secured. The outer housing of the device may in turn be secured to or within a support structure such as a building component. Jaw components of the jaw assembly may be threaded. Furthermore, the jaw assembly has at least two configurations. In a first configuration, at least one jaw component is positioned away from a central shaft axis against the biasing force of a biasing member. A removable or reconfigurable holding member or stop member selectively secures the at least one jaw component in its position. In as second configuration, the holding member is reconfigured by the inserted shaft to trigger movement of the at least one jaw component toward the central shaft axis and into contact with the shaft. |
| US10920815B2 |
High tolerance removable blind fastener
A removable blind fastener includes an anti-rotation body having an external face with an aperture, the external face being suitable for engaging with a surface of a work-piece to be clamped. The fastener further includes a hollow leg member with a plurality of slots defining outwardly biasable resilient legs at one end and an externally threaded portion at the other end, the leg member having a bore tapering towards the legs, the leg member being translatable through the aperture, the leg member and the aperture further having inter-engaging anti-rotation features to prevent the leg member from rotating about its central axis relative to the anti-rotation body. The fastener may further include a thread tube with an internal thread cooperable with the external thread of the leg member and located co-axially with the leg member and a rod member having a shaft with a head end and a free end. |
| US10920809B2 |
System for fastening a planar element to a component and fastening clip for use in such a system
The invention includes a system for fastening a planar element, which has a cut-out to a component, which has a borehole having a screw thread 5, including a fastening clip, which has a contact section having at least one contact plane for contacting a first side of the planar element facing away from the borehole, the fastening clip having an elastic first retaining element in a connection section, which first retaining element is connected to the contact section and is designed in such a way that, after the planar element 10 has been fastened, the first retaining element reaches through the cut-out of the planar element into the borehole when the contact plane lies on the first side of the planar element. |
| US10920808B2 |
Noise suppression member
A noise suppression member comprises a magnetic core and a case that houses the magnetic core therein. The case comprises a first housing and a second housing that form a housing space to house the magnetic core; a locking mechanism that allows the first housing and the second housing to be fixed to each other through engagement of a claw with a claw receiver; and a support receiver. The claw receiver comprises a movable portion displaceable to a first position and a second position, and the claw is released from the claw receiver when the movable portion is displaced to the second position. The movable portion is nondisplaceable to the second position when the support is inserted into the support receiver. |
| US10920807B2 |
Use of treating elements to facilitate flow in vessels
A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones. |
| US10920802B2 |
Cylinder with check valve
A harvester head having at least one hydraulic actuator with a cylinder and a piston. The hydraulic actuator having at least a cylinder chamber and a piston rod chamber, both chambers being connected to a hydraulic circuit. The piston separating the cylinder chamber and the piston rod chamber, a cavity provided in the piston, hydraulically connecting the cylinder chamber with the piston rod chamber and a check valve in connection with the cavity that allows hydraulic medium flow in an opening direction of the check valve. |
| US10920801B2 |
Blow down actuator assembly
An actuator assembly includes an actuation member, a release member, and a source of pressurized gas, wherein during a normal mode of operation, the actuation member and the release member are engaged to move in unison, and wherein during an emergency mode of operation, pressurized gas automatically decouples the actuation member from the release member to move separately. In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, an electro-mechanical actuator includes an electro-mechanical drive system and an integrated backup system operated by a gas generator, wherein when the backup system is activated, the electro-mechanical drive system is decoupled, and the actuator moves to a predetermined position and mechanically locks in place. |
| US10920799B2 |
Hydraulic system with a counterbalance valve configured as a meter-out valve and controlled by an independent pilot signal
An example valve assembly includes a meter-in valve configured to be fluidly coupled to a first source of pressurized fluid and control fluid flow from the first source of pressurized fluid into a first chamber of an actuator; a counterbalance valve including configured to open and control fluid flow from a second chamber of the actuator to a tank in response to a pilot pressure fluid signal received at a pilot port of the counterbalance valve; and a pressure reducing valve configured to be fluidly coupled to a second source of pressurized fluid and to be fluidly coupled to the pilot port of the counterbalance valve, where the pressure reducing valve is configured to receive pressurized fluid from the second source of pressurized fluid and, when actuated, provide the pilot pressure fluid signal to the pilot port of the counterbalance valve. |
| US10920798B2 |
Hydraulic circuit with controlled recirculation circuit
The invention relates to a hydraulic circuit (10) for an aircraft turboprop comprising a hydraulic fluid tank (16), a pump (14), a component (12) that is supplied with fluid pressurised by the pump (14) and that is selectively put into operation, and a fluid recirculation circuit (20) between the pump discharge (14) and the tank (16) characterised in that it comprises a valve (22) located in the recirculation circuit (20), that is capable of closing the recirculation circuit (20) when the component (12) is not in operation and is capable of opening the recirculation circuit (20) when the component is in operation. |
| US10920796B2 |
Hydraulic pressure intensifier
A hydraulic pressure intensifier (1) is described comprising a housing (2) having a low pressure chamber (3) and a high pressure chamber (4), force transmitting means (5) between the low pressure chamber (3) and the high pressure chamber (4), and a switching valve (8) connecting the low pressure chamber (3) to a first pressure or to a second pressure different from the first pressure. It is intended to have a large volume on the high pressure side of the pressure intensifier. To this end the switching valve (8) is controlled by a pilot valve 18. |
| US10920795B2 |
Bootstrap hydraulic reservoir
A bootstrap hydraulic reservoir includes a bootstrap chamber to hold hydraulic fluid, a piston chamber fluidly connected to a pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system, a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber, and a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system. The hydraulic accumulator accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line. The bootstrap hydraulic reservoir also includes a valve fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system between the hydraulic accumulator and an outlet of a pump of the hydraulic fluid system. The valve includes an actuator selectively moves the valve to an open position when the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system is de-pressurized. |
| US10920792B2 |
Air circulator
An air circulator includes an airflow guiding housing and a power assembly. The power assembly is disposed in said airflow guiding housing which sequentially has a purifying chamber and a guiding chamber from bottom to top. The power assembly is operated to drive air to flow into the purifying chamber through an air inlet formed on a bottom peripheral side of the airflow guiding housing radially and deliver along an airflow channel inside the airflow guiding housing. The airflow channel further has an airflow turning portion in the purifying chamber to drive the air in the purifying chamber to turn from a radial direction to and an upward direction to flow into the guiding chamber and discharge out through an air outlet formed on top of the airflow guiding channel upwardly, outwardly and helically. |
| US10920790B2 |
Fan
A fan includes a frame, an impeller, and a motor. The impeller is disposed in the frame and includes a hub, a plurality of annular blades, and a plurality of spacers. The annular blades are stacked along an axial direction of the hub and disposed around the outer periphery of the hub. The extension directions of the annular blades are perpendicular to the axial direction of the hub. Each of the spacers is disposed between the two adjacent annular blades. The motor is disposed in the frame and drives the impeller to rotate to induce an airflow. The thickness of each annular blade is smaller than or equals to 0.2 mm. |
| US10920788B2 |
Liquid tolerant impeller for centrifugal compressors
In order to reduce erosion of an impeller due to liquid droplets in an incoming flow of gas, the impeller comprises converging-diverging bottlenecks; the incoming flow passes through the bottlenecks so that the speed of the gas at the inlet of the impeller first suddenly and substantially increases and then suddenly and substantially decreases; furthermore, the impeller is configured so that, internally after its inlet, the incoming flow is deviated gradually in the meridional plane. |
| US10920785B2 |
Pump
A pump includes a closed pump rotor being rotatably housed about a rotational axis in a pump space in a casing and including a shroud, a seal ring being shiftably provided, along the rotational axis, being coaxial with the rotational axis with respect to a cylindrical portion in a center of the shroud, and a shift mechanism configured to exert a shift force in a direction along the rotational axis with respect to the seal ring with rotation of the pump rotor and bring the seal ring into contact with an inner wall of the pump space. |
| US10920781B2 |
Rotary pump
Disclosed is a rotary pump including a magnetic rotor arranged in a pump housing and having a magnetic rotor plane, which rotor is operatively connected to a drive for conveying a fluid. The drive is a bearingless motor having a stator configured as a bearing stator and drive stator and having a magnetic stator plane, wherein the stator bears a drive coil and a bearing coil lying in the stator plane and/or a drive bearing coil. The rotor is magnetically contactlessly journalled within the stator, wherein an axial height (H) of the rotor is smaller than or equal to half a diameter (D) of the rotor so that the rotor is passively magnetically stabilized by reluctance forces with respect to the magnetic stator plane both against axial displacement and against a tilt from an equilibrium position. |
| US10920780B2 |
Electrically driven compressor mounted on a vehicle engine having a weight inside to shift the resonance frequency of the compressor from that of the engine
An electrically-driven compressor is installed on an engine. Refrigerant is compressed with rotation of a rotating shaft in a compression unit. An electric motor is coupled to the rotating shaft and drives the compression unit through the rotating shaft. A housing accommodates the compression unit, the electric motor, and the motor drive circuit aligned in the listed order in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The housing is internally provided with the discharge chamber through which the refrigerant compressed by the compression unit is discharged. A weight is attached to the housing and disposed in the discharge chamber in a manner that a resonance frequency of the electrically-driven compressor is shifted relative to a resonance frequency of the engine, the weight including a material having a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of a constituent material of the housing. |
| US10920779B2 |
Package-type air-cooled screw compressor having a cooling air exhaust opening in the package with a duct extended downward with a lower-end inlet placed not viewable from the center position of the compressor
A package-type air-cooled screw compressor has a compressor body relating to an air-cooled screw compressor, a drive motor, a package that houses the compressor body and the drive motor, an intake opening that takes in an air that cools the compressor body and the drive motor, an exhaust opening that exhausts the air, a duct extended downward from the exhaust opening, to transport the air to the exhaust opening, and an exhaust fan that exhausts the air. A lower end of a wall face constituting the duct is extended downward so that a lower-end inlet of the duct is placed at a position not viewable from a center position of the compressor body. |
| US10920778B2 |
Heat exchanger for gas compressor
A heat exchanger includes: a heat exchange section through which a compressed gas flows; an upstream header section that is provided on an upstream side of the heat exchange section and communicates with the heat exchange section; a downstream header section that is provided on an downstream side of the heat exchange section and communicates with the heat exchange section; a gas inlet pipe that is connected to a wall surface of the upstream header section; and a gas outlet pipe that is connected to a wall surface of the downstream header section. A filter-cum-sound absorbing material of a porous material is mounted on an inner wall surface of at least one of the upstream header section and the downstream header section. The inner wall surface faces the heat exchange section. |
| US10920777B2 |
Method for regulating the liquid injection of a compressor or expander device, a liquid-injected compressor or expander device, and a liquid-injected compressor or expander element
A Method for controlling the liquid injection of a compressor device or expander device. This compressor device includes at least one compressor element or expander element, whereby the element comprises a housing that comprises a rotor chamber in which at least one rotor is rotatably affixed by means of bearings, whereby liquid is injected into the element. The method comprises the step of providing two independent separated liquid supplies to the element, whereby one liquid supply is injected into the rotor chamber and the other liquid supply is injected at the location of the bearings. The separated liquid supplies are realised by means of a modular channelling piece of an injection module. |
| US10920773B2 |
Variable oil pump
A variable oil pump includes a pump housing, a cover, an oil pump rotor rotationally driven while housed in a housing space between the pump housing and the cover, an adjustment member housed in the housing space to adjust the amount of oil discharged from the oil pump rotor by being displaced due to a drive force while rotatably holding the oil pump rotor from an outer peripheral side, and a guide portion including a groove in the adjustment member and a pin on the pump housing that engage one another. Engagement of the pin and the groove guides displacement of the adjustment member relative to the pump housing. A seal structure on at least one of the pump housing and the cover seals the inside of the groove relative to the housing space by surrounding a movement trajectory of the groove relative to the pin. |
| US10920772B2 |
Dual motor gear pump
A pump with two independent motors is disclosed. The first motor is mechanically connected to a first rotor comprising a first plurality of teeth radiating from the center of the first rotor. The second motor is mechanically connected to a second rotor comprising a second plurality of teeth radiating from the center of the first rotor, wherein the first plurality of teeth meshes with the second plurality of teeth. A sealed case may house the first and second rotors, and the case may include a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. Rotating the rotors propels a liquid from the suction inlet to the pressure outlet. Because the motors are independent of each other, when one motor fails to rotate the other motor will rotate both rotors and maintain the propelling liquid from the suction inlet to the pressure outlet. The pump may be a gear pump or a rotary lobe pump. |
| US10920771B2 |
Pump drive for conveying a reducing agent for motor vehicle exhaust gas systems, modular motor and pump family for forming different pump drives with several such electric motors
A pump drive for conveying a reducing agent for motor vehicle exhaust gas systems, with an electronically commutated direct current motor, a positive displacement pump, and a freezing compensation structure. Also, a modular motor and pump family for forming different pump drives with several such electric motors and pumps. It is the aim of the invention to ensure, in the simplest and most robust manner possible, the integration of a hydraulic unit (gear pump) into an electrical unit (electric motor), a sealing of a wet region from a dry region, an integration of a freezing compensation into the wet region, and a mechanical attachment on the customer side. A modular construction of the electric motor and of the positive displacement pump, which, without a large modification cost, via simple combination of assemblies or modules, can be used for different requirements, is important for this. |
| US10920767B2 |
Ophthalmic lubrication system and associated apparatus, systems, and methods
Devices, systems, and methods including a lubricating solution bath for a pump integrated into an ophthalmic surgical hand piece are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic pump system includes a housing defining a cavity. The system includes a rotating element positioned within the cavity of the housing. The system includes a flexible tubular structure positioned within the housing adjacent to the rotating element such that rotation of the rotation element urges a fluid through the flexible tubular structure. The system includes a lubricating solution positioned within the cavity around the rotating element and at least a portion of the flexible tubular structure. |
| US10920764B2 |
Pumping apparatus, treatment solution supplying device, substrate treating apparatus, liquid draining method, and liquid replacing method
A chamber has at least three openings, or a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therein that are in communication with a reservoir. The second opening is higher in level than the first opening. The third opening is used for discharging a liquid within the reservoir by introducing gas through at least one of the first opening and the second opening into the reservoir. Since the third opening is the lowest in level among the three openings, the liquid stored in the reservoir is able to be drained easily. |
| US10920753B2 |
Geothermal source on-site power generation plant with computing facility and method
An electronic signals processing facility which includes a site with a geothermal hot water resource which feeds hot water to an on-site heat engine that drives an on-site electricity generator which provides electrical power to an array of microprocessors, located in an enclosure structure, that processes data transmitted from a remote location at high speeds. The processed data is transmitted back to the remote locations at high speeds. |
| US10920750B2 |
Multi-class controller for wind power generator and wind power generation system using same
A multi-class controller for a wind power generator capable of controlling the operation of the wind power generator in an optimal state under various site conditions and a wind power generation system using same are proposed. The multi-class controller includes: a sensor unit for sensing the environmental conditions of an area where the wind power generator or the power transmission unit to be controlled is installed and a state of a component constituting an object to be controlled, and generating a sensing value; and a control unit for receiving the sensing value to determine an operation state of the object to be controlled, converting a predetermined control default value for controlling the object to be controlled to a control value. |
| US10920748B2 |
Imaging array for bird or bat detection and identification
An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind farm. The automated system may include an array of a plurality of image capturing devices independently mounted in a wind farm. The array may include a plurality of low resolution cameras and at least one high resolution camera. The plurality of low resolution cameras may be interconnected and may detect a spherical field surrounding the wind farm. A server is in communication with the array of image capturing devices. The server may automatically analyze images to classify an airborne object captured by the array of image capturing devices in response to receiving the images. |
| US10920733B2 |
Multi-mode integrated starter-generator device with preloaded clutch
A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least one gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a clutch arrangement with at least one active clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios in the first power flow direction and in the second power flow direction. The clutch arrangement further includes at least one drag clutch to apply a drag force on the gear set to slow the electric machine. |
| US10920726B2 |
Multi-function fuel injector for internal combustion engines and method
In the preferred embodiments an air flow diverting blade is integral to a base that doubles as a collar designed to co-axially attach to the nozzle tip end of a typical port fuel injector for internal combustion engines.Upon simple manual manipulation of the set rotational angle of the typically externally exposed portion of the port fuel injector along its longitudinal axis, as typical modern port injection systems allow after installation, the angle of the intra-port flow diverting blade can be selectively varied to either straighten existing swirl and increase top end flow, or, introduce lateral directional swirl to whatever angle and intensity in either direction is desired. The functional use of a typical port fuel injector is thereby elevated to a multifunction of tunable fuel and air flow control at the point of induction into a combustion chamber without any modification to existing engine designs or their engine management control systems employed therefore. The flow diverting blade can be configured to divert flow around the intake valve stem, guide and guide boss in such a manner to optimize the overall flow dimension of the induction system of a typical internal combustion engine. The flow diverting blade also provides an effective means by which the proximity and angle of fuel injection, relative to the combustion chamber, can be altered and improved as desired. The flow diverting blade also provides an effective means by which a modest increase in effective fuel injector nozzle pressure and fuel vaporization can be realized. |
| US10920725B2 |
Fluid passage device and method of manufacturing the same
A fluid passage device including a passage for flowing high-pressure fluid of a predetermined or higher pressure comprises a sac bore cylinder of a metal, which includes therein a closed passage and a branch passage. The closed passage is shaped to extend straightly in a predetermined direction and has a closed top end, and the branch passage is branched off from the closed passage. A top end part of the closed passage at a closed side is defined by a ceiling wall surface, which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction, a passage wall surface, which is parallel to the predetermined direction, and a connecting wall surface, which connects the ceiling wall surface and the passage wall surface. The connecting wall surface is shaped to curve in a direction to expand the closed passage. |
| US10920724B2 |
Filter assembly
A filter assembly includes a housing, a proximal end cap, and a nut plate. The housing defines a longitudinal axis and includes an inner surface surrounding the longitudinal axis. The proximal end cap is disposed within the housing and defines a central aperture. The nut plate is disposed within the housing and includes a flange portion and an outer wall. The flange portion is disposed within the central aperture. The outer wall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed about the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of protrusions engages the inner surface to prevent rotation of the nut plate relative to the housing. |
| US10920722B2 |
Wire with electrostatically conductive insulator
In at least some implementations, a wire includes a core formed from an electrically conductive material and having an outer surface, and a polymeric insulator surrounding the core. The insulator has a resistivity of between 105 and 109 ohms/square, and the insulator has an inner surface engaged with the core. In at least some implementations, the core is formed from metal and has a conductivity of at least 1×10−6 Ωm. The insulator may include a base material and a conductive material in the base material, wherein the conductive material has a conductivity between 105 and 106 ohms/square. The insulator may have an outer surface that defines an outer surface of the wire and/or the insulator may have an inner surface engaged with the core. |
| US10920721B2 |
Intake duct for internal combustion engine
An intake duct for an internal combustion engine includes a tubular side wall. The side wall includes a first molded body and a second molded body that are separate from each other in a circumferential direction of the side wall. The first molded body includes first and second joints. The second molded body includes first and second joints. The first and second joints of the first molded body and the first and second joints of the second molded body are joined to each other. The first molded body includes a rib protruding toward the second molded body and extending in an axial direction of the side wall. The rib is located inward from the first and second joints of the first molded body. The second molded body includes an accommodation recess that accommodates the rib. The accommodation recess is located outward from the rib. |
| US10920720B2 |
Internal combustion engine having air cleaner
An internal combustion engine (1) having a cylinder (5) having a rearwardly slanted axial line is provided with a plurality of cylindrical cyclone dust collection units (34) commonly connected to an upstream end of a filter dust collection unit (35). Each cyclone dust collection unit includes a main body (44, 45) internally defining a separation chamber (45C), and having an air inlet (31) communicating with outside and an air outlet (73) communicating with the filter dust collection unit, and the separation chamber is provided with a dust ejection hole (45D) directed tangentially in an obliquely forward direction. Thereby, dust ejected from the dust ejection hole is ejected away from the operator of the engine, and is prevented from depositing on the engine. |
| US10920719B2 |
Internal combustion engine
A compressor that feeds intake air under pressure is attached to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. An intercooler that cools intake air is attached to a portion of the intake passage on a downstream side of the compressor. One end of an exhaust gas recirculation passage that allows a part of exhaust air flowing in an exhaust passage to return is connected with the exhaust passage in the internal combustion engine. The other end of the exhaust gas recirculation passage is connected with a portion of the intake passage on an upstream side of the compressor. A dehumidifier that removes moisture contained in gas is attached to a portion of the intake passage from a connecting portion with the exhaust gas recirculation passage through the compressor. |
| US10920717B1 |
Hydrogen producing system and device for improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions of internal combustion and/or diesel engines
Provided herein is an optimizable hydrogen generation system for producing and injecting hydrogen gas as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion and/or diesel engines. Hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2) are produced with one or more pairs of cells to adjust the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the engine, while the oxygen gas is vented to the atmosphere. |
| US10920714B2 |
Stable hybrid rocket technology
A hybrid rocket engine is described that achieves stable, highly efficient hybrid combustion by having a core flow of fuel-rich gas generator gases, with the flow being surrounded with an annular injection of oxidizer. The fuel-rich gas serves to vaporize and decompose the oxidizer, such as nitrous oxide, and prepare it for effective, stable combustion. In one embodiment, this is done at the head-end of a combustion chamber. The combustion products can then be expanded through a nozzle to create thrust. The engine can be an upper stage engine that can include modular thrust chambers and an integrated aerospike nozzle. The thrust chambers can be arranged in an array that rings the top of the aerospike nozzle. |
| US10920711B2 |
Flow-directing water jacket diverter
Methods and systems are provided for a water jacket diverter. In one example, the water jacket diverter may be formed by injection molding and includes features such as cut-outs, an inlet ledge, a continuous upper rail, and one or more fins. The water jacket diverter may increase coolant flow in an upper portion of the water jacket, thereby increasing a cooling efficiency at an upper region of a cylinder block. |
| US10920709B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling environment-friendly vehicle
An apparatus for controlling an environment-friendly vehicle, a system having the same, and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a processor to perform a control operation to expand an operable area based on a motor efficiency gain and a state of charge (SOC) of a battery in an Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) operation or a lean burn operation, and a storage to store the motor efficiency gain and the SOC of the battery, which are acquired by the processor. |
| US10920703B1 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for wet stack residue mitigation
An intelligent electronic device (IED) may monitor wet stack residue buildup of a diesel engine. Once the wet stack residue accumulates to a certain amount, the IED may perform a mitigation procedure. Additionally, tracking wet stack residue buildup may allow an IED to attempt to prevent or reduce accumulation of the wet stack residue. The IED may track an operating power level of the diesel engine to estimate the rate of residue buildup. |
| US10920700B2 |
Sensor control apparatus
A sensor control apparatus supplies a constant current to an oxygen concentration detection cell when it judges that oxygen concentration is greater than 15% (the concentration of oxygen contained in a measurement chamber is high). The sensor control apparatus detects a first difference voltage generated in the oxygen concentration detection cell as a result of the flow of the constant current to the oxygen concentration detection cell after a predetermined first detection time following the supply of the constant current. The sensor control apparatus detects a second difference voltage generated in the oxygen concentration detection cell as a result of the flow of the constant current to the oxygen concentration detection cell after a second detection time, which is previously set to be longer than the first detection time, following the supply of the constant current. |
| US10920696B2 |
Engine controller and engine controlling method
An electronic control unit performs a cylinder-by-cylinder correction of a fuel injection amount to cause differences among air-fuel ratios of air-fuel mixture burned in multiple cylinders. In a case in which the cylinder-by-cylinder correction of the fuel injection amount results in a cylinder in which combustion is performed at an air-fuel ratio richer than an output air-fuel ratio, the output air-fuel ratio being an air-fuel ratio at which combustion torque is maximized, the electronic control unit performs a cylinder-by-cylinder correction of ignition timing such that the ignition timing of the cylinder in which combustion is performed at the air-fuel ratio richer than the output air-fuel ratio becomes more advanced than the ignition timing of the other cylinders. |
| US10920694B2 |
Multi-fuel engine system
Various methods and systems are provided for an engine capable of receiving liquid and gaseous fuel. In one example, cylinder misfire may be identified based on a misfire monitor. The misfire monitor may detect misfire based on signals from a crankshaft sensor. |
| US10920693B2 |
Cylinder deactivation change apparatus
A cylinder deactivation change apparatus including fuel supply parts supplying fuel into a first and second combustion chambers of a first and second cylinders, ignition parts igniting fuel-air mixture in the first and the second combustion chambers and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform determining whether changing the operation mode is necessary, and controlling the fuel supply parts and ignition parts so as to ignite at first ignition timing before it is determined that changing the operation mode to the first mode is necessary, and so as to ignite at second ignition timing retarded in comparison with the first ignition timing and so as to supply the fuel into the first combustion chamber in a manner that causes a stratified charge combustion in the first combustion chamber, when it is determined that changing the operation mode to the first mode is necessary. |
| US10920692B2 |
Active canister purge system and method for controlling the same
An active canister purge system according to the present disclosure includes a canister that traps fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank, a purge control valve that purges the fuel vapor trapped in the canister to an intake system of an engine, a purge pump disposed downstream of the purge control valve, a differential pressure measurement device that measures a differential pressure of the purge control valve, and a controller that determines a target purge flow rate of the fuel vapor trapped in the canister, sets a target differential pressure corresponding to the target purge flow rate, and adjusts an RPM of the purge pump such that an actual differential pressure of the purge control valve, which is measured by the differential pressure measurement device, reaches the target differential pressure. |
| US10920691B1 |
Active purge system for a hybrid vehicle and an active purge method of a hybrid vehicle
An active purge system for a hybrid vehicle may include an active purge unit for compressing evaporation gas generated in a fuel tank and supplying the compressed evaporation gas to an intake pipe. The active purge system may further include a control unit for controlling the active purge unit, wherein the control unit controls an amount of the evaporation gas to be purged according to a state of charge of a battery. |
| US10920690B2 |
Method and system for providing boost to an internal combustion engine
A method for adjusting boost provided via a turbocharger or supercharger is described. In one example, boost is increased in response to a change in road conditions before a driver reacts to the change in road conditions by applying an accelerator pedal. The boost is increased to reduce compressor lag, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the engine and vehicle. |
| US10920689B2 |
Methods and system for improving transient torque response
Methods and systems are provided for improving engine torque response during transient condition. In one example, a method may include adjusting intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve based on the operator torque demand and concurrently, scheduling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and variable cam timing (VCT) based on a predicted torque shortfall ratio. The scheduling of EGR and VCT is independent of the actual position of intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve. |
| US10920687B2 |
Spark ignition engine control with exhaust manifold pressure sensor
Control of a spark ignited internal combustion in response to an exhaust manifold pressure measurement of an engine is disclosed. An engine out NOx amount for at least one cylinder is determined at least in part in response to the exhaust manifold pressure measurement and a brake mean effective pressure of the at least one cylinder. An operating condition of the engine is adjusted in response to the engine out NOx amount. |
| US10920686B2 |
Method and device for knock control of an internal combustion engine
A method and a device for knock control of an internal combustion engine, a knock signal of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine being measured by a knock sensor and, on the basis thereof, a knock intensity is generated. The knock intensity is compared to a reference level in order to classify a combustion as a knocking or non-knocking combustion. Moreover, an arrangement is provided, which takes the level of the knock intensity into account for the determination of the reference level. |
| US10920680B2 |
System and method for providing engine braking
Systems and methods for reducing noise and vibration that may be associated with engine braking are presented. In one example, intake and exhaust valve timings are adjusted to reduce engine noise and vibration at lower engine braking request levels. The engine intake and exhaust valve timings increase compression engine braking and decrease engine expansion braking for higher engine braking request levels. |
| US10920666B2 |
Air-cooled engine generator
An air-cooled engine generator usable in an enclosed and relatively small indoor space includes an engine including a crank shaft on which a generator and a fan are provided. An outside cover includes a discharge aperture which discharges cooling air generated by the fan, and covers the engine, the generator, the fan, and a cooling section. The cooling section includes a mixing chamber where a coolant introduced from the outside and exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust pipe of the engine mix with each other, and an outer circumferential surface which is cooled by the coolant that is introduced into the mixing chamber. The exhaust gas is mixed with and cooled by the coolant in the mixing chamber while the cooling air which is supposed to be discharged out of the air-cooled engine generator is cooled by the outer circumferential surface of the cooling section. |
| US10920665B2 |
Standby generator including multiple exercise cycles with ambient temperature control
A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval. |
| US10920664B2 |
Outboard motor
An intake manifold is connected to a cylinder of an engine, and extends backward from the cylinder. A throttle body is attached to the intake manifold. As seen in a plan view of an outboard motor, the throttle body is disposed backward of a head cover, while being disposed inward of a lateral end of the intake manifold in a right-and-left direction of the outboard motor. |
| US10920654B2 |
Connector
A connector for an engine cooling system is provided. The connector may be located in a chamber with two inlets and an outlet. The connector may include a thermostatic valve. A temperature sensitive element may move the thermostatic valve between an open and closed position. A pressure relief valve may also be incorporated into the thermostatic valve. An engine cooling system comprising the connector is also provided. |
| US10920652B2 |
Coolant pump for an internal combustion engine
An engine is provided with a cylinder block and a pump cover cooperating to define a volute chamber for a coolant pump. An impeller is connected to a drive shaft and positioned within the volute chamber. An insert is positioned within the volute chamber directly adjacent to a cutwater along a portion of the outer wall, with the insert positioned between the cutwater and the impeller. A method is provided where, in response to pre-determining a first coolant pump displacement, a first impeller is positioned within a volute chamber defined by a block and a cover. In response to pre-determining a second coolant pump displacement being less than the first displacement, an insert is affixed along the wall adjacent to the cutwater and a second impeller is positioned within the chamber. |
| US10920651B2 |
Internal combustion engine comprising a turbocharger
The present application refers to an internal combustion engine comprising a turbocharger, an intercooler and a cooling circuit for cooling of the intercooler, the cooling circuit comprising adjusting means for adjusting a temperature of a cooling liquid of the cooling circuit flowing through the intercooler, the internal combustion engine comprising a controller for controlling the adjusting means of the cooling circuit, the controller comprising a function for determining a dew point temperature of the charge air, characterized in that the controller is configured to control the temperature of the cooling liquid and/or of the intercooler relative to the dew point temperature. |
| US10920644B2 |
Combustion and thermal management strategies using variable valve timing
A system and method for thermal management of an aftertreatment component are described. The disclosed method can employ any one or combination of operating modes that obtain a target condition of the exhaust gas to support or initiate thermal management of the aftertreatment device. |
| US10920640B2 |
Mixer
A mixer for mixing exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine with reactant injected into the exhaust gas duct includes a plate-shaped exhaust gas collection body (12) with an incoming flow surface (14) on an exhaust gas incoming flow side (16) and with a rear side (18) facing away from the incoming flow side (16). A duct housing (20), arranged on the rear side (18) of the exhaust gas collection body (12), has a reactant-receiving duct (28) and at least one release duct (48, 50) leading away from the reactant-receiving duct (28). An exhaust gas collection opening (34) is formed in the exhaust gas collection body (12). An exhaust gas collection duct (36) leads from the exhaust gas collection opening (34) to the duct housing (20) and is open to the reactant-receiving duct (28). |
| US10920637B2 |
Calibrated non-thermal plasma systems for control of engine emissions
The instant invention is based on techniques for using non-thermal plasma reactors in both the main exhaust pipe and in the exhaust gas recirculation feed pipe to reduce particulate matter sufficiently to meet EPA limits for PM and enhanced exhaust gas recirculation to meet NOx limits. More specifically, it is based upon the use of a non-thermal plasma device in which a high voltage charge in the plasma reactor causes extremely rapid oxidation of soot particles in the exhaust stream of an engine and further chemical reactions that aid in the reduction of NOx. The primary benefit of this technology is that it can be calibrated to optimize both soot and NOx reduction. |
| US10920633B2 |
Maintenance tool and maintenance method for exhaust purification device
A maintenance pipe (30) used during maintenance of an exhaust purification device equipped with: a set of an oxidation catalyst (22) and a filter (23) for purifying exhaust gas from an engine (10); an upstream connecting pipe (16A) and a downstream connecting pipe (16B) which are mounted in a demountable way and guide the exhaust gas from the engine (10) to the oxidation catalyst (22); and an exhaust pipe injection device (24) and injectors (12) for increasing a concentration of unburned fuel contained in the exhaust gas. The maintenance pipe includes a flanged steel pipe (31) mounted to be replaceable with the downstream connecting pipe (16B), and a maintenance catalyst (32) that is housed in the flanged steel pipe (31), generates heat caused by oxidizing the unburned fuel contained in the exhaust gas from the engine (10), and heats the exhaust to discharge the exhaust to an exhaust downstream side. |
| US10920624B2 |
Energy-recovery turbines for gas streams
Processes for recovering electrical power from a process unit waste heat steam generation system are described. A power-recovery turbine reduces the pressure of a stream of superheated steam to a pressure lower than that needed by the steam reboiler for use in other process units or equipment in the plant. |
| US10920620B2 |
Mounting apparatuses secured to turbine airfoils of turbine systems
Mounting apparatuses for turbine airfoils of turbine systems are disclosed. The mounting apparatuses may include a body portion configured to be at least partially positioned between a first airfoil and a second airfoil of the turbine system, and an adjustable, first retention component formed on a first side of the body portion. The adjustable, first retention component may be configured to contact a portion of a suction side of the first airfoil of the turbine system. The mounting apparatuses may also include a second retention component formed on a second side of the body portion, opposite the first side. The second retention component may be configured to contact a portion of a pressure side of the second airfoil of the turbine system. |
| US10920617B2 |
Gas turbine engine seal ring assembly
A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor that has a hub carrying one or more rotatable blades. The rotor is mechanically attached to a shaft, and an annular seal is carried by the shaft. The annular seal includes a substrate and a first layer disposed on the substrate. The first layer includes copper, and a second layer is disposed on the first layer and arranged to establish a sealing relationship with the rotor. The second layer includes a solid lubricant. A method of sealing is also disclosed. |
| US10920614B1 |
Systems for a water-cooled center housing for a turbocharger
Various systems are provided for a turbocharger center housing. In one example, a center housing for a turbocharger includes an internal water jacket including at least two ports, and a selectively pluggable interconnect positioned within the internal water jacket that, when plugged, blocks flow in the internal water jacket between the at least two ports in a first direction and, when unplugged, enables flow in the internal water jacket between the at least two ports in the first direction. In this way, flow may be directed through the center housing via different flow path configurations. |
| US10920613B2 |
Retention system for improved fire protection
A fire protection system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a first fire blanket wall and a second fire blanket wall, the first fire blanket wall configured for attachment to a first fairing wall and the second fire blanket wall configured for attachment to a second fairing wall, and an attachment system configured to attach the first fire blanket wall to the first fairing wall and the second fire blanket wall to the second fairing wall. |
| US10920612B2 |
Mid-turbine frame spoke cooling system and method
A mid-turbine frame module comprises an outer structural ring, an inner structural ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart spokes structurally interconnecting the inner structural ring to the outer structural ring. At least one of the tubular spokes accommodates a service line. The remaining spokes with no service line have an internal architecture which mimics an air cooling scheme of the at least one spoke housing a service line in order to provide temperature uniformity across all spokes. |
| US10920604B2 |
Device forming a seal for a relief valve in a turbine engine
The invention relates to a device forming a seal for a relief valve in a turbine engine, the valve comprising: a gate intended for being mounted mobile between a position for sealing an air port made inside a casing of the turbine engine and a position for opening said port, the device comprising: a seal assembly extending along the peripheral edge of the gate in the sealing position thereof, the seal comprising: a main body (19) intended for being inserted sealingly between the peripheral edge of the gate in the closed position thereof and the rim of the port of the casing, and at least one attachment projection (17) extending from at least one portion of the main body (19) and involved in the attachment of the seal to the casing of the engine, said projection (17) being intended for being inserted into a corresponding notch (18) made in the casing. |
| US10920602B2 |
Tip clearance control system
Systems and methods for controlling tip clearance in a gas turbine engine are provided. The system may include a distribution manifold positioned along the engine case for a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The distribution manifold may include a passageway for a thermal fluid, an inlet configured to direct the thermal fluid into the passageway, an inner surface extending along and facing the outer surface of the engine case, and a plurality of outlets configured to direct the thermal fluid onto the outer surface of the engine case. The thermal fluid may include bypass air. A component may add kinetic energy to the thermal fluid. |
| US10920599B2 |
Contoured endwall for a gas turbine engine
A vane for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, first and second endwalls each having a radially facing surface that bounds a gas path, an airfoil section extending in a radial direction between the first and second endwalls, extending in an axial direction between an airfoil leading edge and an airfoil trailing edge, and extending in a circumferential direction between pressure and suction sides. The radially facing surface of each of the first and second endwalls is axially sloped such that the gas path converges in the axial direction between the airfoil leading and trailing edges. The first endwall has an axisymmetric contour at least partially swept in the circumferential direction from each of the pressure and suction sides. |
| US10920593B2 |
Movable ring assembly for a turbine engine turbine
A movable ring assembly (4) for a turbine engine turbine (10) that is mounted between two successive rotor discs (20a) and (20b) of said turbine (10), said rotor discs (20a) and (20b) being fixed to each other by bolting, characterised in that it comprises:—a fixing ferrule (44) fixed between the upstream (20a) and downstream (20b) discs by the bolting thereof; a part forming a movable ring (42), said part supporting radial sealing members (32) and being fixed between the upstream disc (20a) and the ferrule (44);—and a seal (46) interposed between said part forming the movable ring (42) and the ferrule (44). |
| US10920591B2 |
Turbine disk
A turbine rotor for a gas turbine engine includes a disk rotationally disposed about a central axis. The disk includes a bore, a rim and a web disposed radially between the bore and the rim. The bore includes a fore surface including a fore web transition portion, a fore ramp portion radially inward of the fore web transition portion and having a substantially linear portion and a fore base transition portion radially inward of the fore ramp portion. The bore also includes an aft surface including an aft web transition portion, an aft ramp portion radially inward of the aft web transition portion and having a substantially linear portion and an aft base transition portion radially inward of the aft ramp portion. A base portion of the bore includes a spool engagement surface, a first arm extending in an aft direction and a second arm extending in a fore direction and a radially extending first transition portion connecting an aft end of the spool engagement surface to a radially inward portion of the first arm and a radially extending second transition portion connecting a fore end of the spool engagement surface to a radially inward portion of the second arm. |
| US10920590B2 |
Turbine assembly maintenance methods
The present invention is directed to in situ methods for maintaining turbine assemblies. One such method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the rotor; positioning the maintenance apparatus proximate to the damaged region by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. Another method includes: disposing a maintenance apparatus on the stator; positioning the damaged region proximate to the maintenance apparatus by rotating the rotor; and repairing the damaged region by operating a repair tool disposed on the apparatus. |
| US10920589B2 |
Six-stroke rotary-vane internal combustion engine
A six-stroke rotary-vane internal combustion engine includes a stator having working chambers for intake and compression of air-fuel mixture alternating with working chambers for expansion and removing of combustion products, and a cylindrical rotor including longitudinal grooves housing blades. Side walls of all the working chambers are formed by rotating parts of the rotor, the combustion chambers are formed as hemispherical recesses on a cylindrical surface of the rotor, the working chambers of the stator are formed as cylindrical borings with axes parallel to the stator axis and evenly spaced along an inner surface of the stator, each blade consists of separate plates freely displaceable relative to each other, each plate of the blade being made of two parts movable apart in axial direction by a spring, the number of blades is a multiple of the number of the chambers for intake of air-fuel mixture. |
| US10920583B2 |
Monitoring water flood location using potentials between casing and casing-mounted electrodes
A system for locating water floods, in some embodiments, comprises: multiple transducers for coupling to a borehole casing to inject current into a formation within which the casing is disposed; and multiple electrodes, each of the electrodes coupled to a different one of the multiple transducers when coupled to the casing, wherein each of the multiple transducers is used to determine a potential between the casing and a corresponding one of the multiple electrodes to which the transducer is coupled, wherein the potentials from the multiple transducers are used to determine a water flood location. |
| US10920582B2 |
Systems and methods to use triangulation through one sensor beamforming in downhole leak detection
A method includes obtaining physical signals detected by a physical sensor traveling along a wellbore. The method also includes performing a first and second frame decomposition operations on a first and second set of physical signals detected by the physical sensor at first and second locations to obtain first and second pluralities of virtual signals associated with first and second arrays of virtual sensors. Each virtual sensor of the first and second arrays of virtual sensors is located at a virtual distance relative to the first and second locations, and the virtual distance corresponds to a physical distance. Additionally, the method includes computing first and second direction of arrival estimates of the first and second locations of the single physical sensor relative to a location of a downhole leak. Further, the method includes triangulating the first and second direction of arrival estimates to estimate the location of the downhole leak. |
| US10920580B2 |
Real-time bottom-hole flow measurements for hydraulic fracturing with a doppler sensor in bridge plug using DAS communication
A system and method for obtaining real time down hole flow measurements and proppant concentrations between perforations and/or perforation clusters during hydraulic fracturing in multistage stimulated wells. |
| US10920571B2 |
Measurement of torque with shear stress sensors
In some examples, a downhole torque measurement tool comprises a first surface of a structure and a second surface of the structure. The second surface is facing the first surface, and a shear stress sensor is positioned on the first surface. A flexible coupling is positioned between the shear stress sensor and the second surface, and the flexible coupling is coupled to the first and second surfaces. |
| US10920568B2 |
Evaluating cement integrity in a wellbore with multiple casing strings
A system and method for evaluating integrity of cement in a wellbore with multiple casing strings. The system and method may include at least one source that can emit a field of photons, and at least one photon detector spaced away from the source by a first distance that configures the tool to measure cement integrity in a first annulus, by a portion of the source photons being scattered back to the first detector which can produce photon count rates based on energy levels of received photons. Integrity of cement in the first annulus can be determined by the photon count rates. A second detector spaced a second distance from the source can be included and can measure cement integrity in a second annulus that is radially outside the first annulus by producing photon count rates for photons received from the second annulus. |
| US10920567B2 |
Health monitoring of power generation assembly for downhole applications
Method and system for implementing health monitoring of downhole tool without disassembly is presented in this disclosure. Investigative equipment can be installed in an exterior housing of the downhole tool so that the investigative equipment is in communication with an interior of the downhole tool. The tool can be positioned in a functional test system so that the tool is at least partially enclosed within the functional test system, and efficiency of the tool can be determined by operating the functional test system. The investigative equipment can be utilized to perform diagnostics on a condition of an internal component on the interior of the tool, and the health of the tool can be predicted based on the determined efficiency and the diagnostics. |
| US10920564B2 |
Downhole clutch joint for multi-directionally rotating downhole drilling assembly
Embodiments of a downhole drilling assembly generally include rotatable upper and lower drilling assemblies, and a drill bit, wherein an upper drilling assembly contains a mud motor adapted for clockwise stator rotation and counter-clockwise rotor rotation, whereby a lower drilling assembly is rotatable in the opposite direction of the upper drilling assembly or maintainable in a non-rotating state. The apparatus further includes sensors for continuously transmitting information relating thereto to the surface.Embodiments of a downhole clutch joint generally include a box end sub, a pin end sub, and a ratchet sleeve system containing a clutch joint mechanism, wherein the downhole clutch joint prevents rotation of a downhole drilling assembly in an undesired direction.Method embodiments generally include continuously measuring physical properties and/or drilling parameters, continuously transmitting information relating thereto, and controlling lower drilling assembly rotation in a non-rotating state or in the opposite direction of an upper drilling assembly. |
| US10920559B2 |
Inverted Y-tool for downhole gas separation
An inverted Y-tool is positioned in multiphase wellbore fluid flowing through a wellbore. The inverted Y-tool separates at least a portion of gas from the multiphase wellbore fluid and, after separating at least the portion of the gas from the multiphase wellbore fluid, directs the multiphase wellbore fluid to a downhole pump that pumps the wellbore fluid in an uphole direction. |
| US10920558B2 |
Method of enhancing proppant distribution and well production
A variety of systems, methods, and compositions are disclosed, including, a method for treating a subterranean formation, the method comprising: injecting a pad fluid into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; injecting a first treatment fluid into the at least one fracture, wherein the first treatment fluid comprises: an aqueous base fluid, and a first proppant particulate; allowing the first proppant particulate to gravitationally migrate into a portion of the at least one fracture; injecting a second treatment fluid into the at least one fracture, wherein the second treatment fluid comprises: a suspension base fluid comprising a viscosity of about 50 cP to about 10,000 cP, and a second proppant particulate; and allowing the fracture to close, thereby forming a full proppant pack and a partial proppant pack in the at least one fracture. |
| US10920552B2 |
Method of integrating fracture, production, and reservoir operations into geomechanical operations of a wellsite
A method of performing oilfield operations at a wellsite is disclosed. The wellsite is positioned about a subterranean formation having a wellbore therethrough and a fracture network therein. The fracture network includes natural fractures. The method involves generating fracture parameters including a hydraulic fracture network based on wellsite data including a mechanical earth model, generating reservoir parameters including a reservoir grid based on the wellsite data and the generated fracture wellsite parameters, generating production parameters comprising production rate over time based on the wellsite data and the hydraulic fracture network, forming a finite element grid from the fracture parameters, the production parameters, and the reservoir parameters by coupling the hydraulic fracture network to the reservoir grid, generating integrated geomechanical parameters including estimated microseismic events based on the finite element grid, and performing fracture operations and production operations based on the integrated geomechanical parameters. |
| US10920546B2 |
Apparatus and methods for operating gas lift wells
An exemplary method of the present disclosure includes causing, by a processing system proximate to the wellbore, injection of the lift gas into the wellbore at a first gas injection rate; obtaining, by the processing system, a first indication of a parameter associated with the wellbore, an arrival of a first fluid at a wellhead associated with the wellbore, or a composition of the first fluid; determining, by the processing system and based on the first indication, at least one of: a second gas injection rate of the intermittent gas lift system, a first period to inject the lift gas with the intermittent gas lift system, or a second period, subsequent to the first period, with no injection of the lift gas by the intermittent gas lift system; and operating, by the processing system, the intermittent gas lift system according to the determination. |
| US10920544B2 |
Setting tool igniter system and method
A downhole system includes a switch sub holding a gun switch and an adapter attached to the switch sub and holding an igniter switch. The gun switch is configured to detonate a detonator, and the igniter switch is configured to ignite an igniter system. |
| US10920543B2 |
Single charge perforating gun
A positioning device includes a shaped charge holder. A single shaped charge receptacle formed in the shaped charge holder is configured to arrange a single shaped charge in a desired orientation. The shaped charges are detonated by detonating cord in energetic communication with a detonator, in response to an initiation signal. The initiation signal may be electronically communicated from a first perforating gun module to a second perforating gun module without the use of a through-wire. The positioning device may be secured in a perforating gun module, with vertical and horizontal movement of the positioning device being inhibited in the perforating gun module. |
| US10920542B2 |
Perforator having movable clusters of perforator guns
An apparatus comprises a first cluster of perforator guns positioned circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis at a first axial position. The apparatus includes a second cluster of perforator guns positioned circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis at a second axial position. The first and second clusters are configured in a closed position while the apparatus is being lowered to a perforator position in a wellbore. After the apparatus is lowered to the perforator position, the first and second clusters are to move to an expanded position and the first cluster is to move axially such that the first cluster and the second cluster at least partially overlap. |
| US10920540B2 |
Reducing noise produced by well operations
A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point. |
| US10920538B2 |
Method integrating fracture and reservoir operations into geomechanical operations of a wellsite
A method of performing oilfield operations at a wellsite is disclosed. The wellsite is positioned about a subterranean formation having a wellbore therethrough and a fracture network therein. The fracture network includes natural fractures. The method involves generating fracture parameters including a hydraulic fracture network based on wellsite data including a mechanical earth model, generating reservoir parameters including a reservoir grid based on the wellsite data and the generated fracture wellsite parameters, forming a finite element grid from the fracture and reservoir parameters by coupling the hydraulic fracture network to the reservoir grid, generating integrated geomechanical parameters including estimated microseismic events based on the finite element grid, and performing fracture operations and production operations based on the integrated geomechanical parameters. |
| US10920537B2 |
Shroud assembly
A shroud assembly having two semi-cylindrical covers having a connector at each end; a plurality of receiver rings for supporting the covers and engaging the connector; and an extender ring configured to move a first receiver ring toward a second receiver ring. |
| US10920534B2 |
Method for adjusting the level of inhibitors in an oil or gas well
A method for adjusting, to a pre-determined value, the level of a mineral deposition or corrosion inhibitor injected into a gas or oil well. Using of the time-resolved fluorescence method for detecting and quantifying a mineral deposition or corrosion inhibitor in a fluid from an oil or gas production well. |
| US10920524B2 |
Optimized composite downhole tool for well completion
A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding. |
| US10920522B1 |
Rotating and reciprocating swivel apparatus and method
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a rotating and reciprocating swivel of adjustable stroke length and shearable by ram blow out preventers can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the lower wellbore from the riser. In one embodiment the mandrel of the swivel extends through a sleeve/housing. The sleeve/housing has a wiping arrangement of improved configuration that wipes debris from the mandrel, preventing entry of the debris into the sleeve/housing. Ports enable discharge of the removed debris from the area of the sleeve/housing. |
| US10920521B2 |
Self-contained well intervention system and method
A method for performing a well intervention operation includes the steps of: (a) sealingly coupling a lubricator onto an open top end of a well tree, the lubricator having a hollow interior in which a rotatable winch is contained, the winch having a cable wound thereabout; (b) attaching a tool to the cable; (c) lowering the tool within a well bore to which the well tree is attached; and (d) operating the winch from a location exterior to the lubricator to cause rotation of the winch and winding of the cable, whereby the tool is retrieved from the wellbore. |
| US10920516B2 |
Device and method for collecting debris of deposits in a wellbore
The invention relates to a collecting device for collecting debris of deposits while said deposits are being removed from a wellbore wall or an equipment arranged in a wellbore of a subterranean formation in order to improve the recovery of formation fluids and/or gases, said collecting device being configured for being attached to a cleaning device, said cleaning device being configured for removing deposits from a wellbore wall or an equipment arranged in a wellbore. The collecting device comprises a deflector, configured for deflecting falling debris of deposits while said deposits are being removed from said wellbore wall or said equipment, and a debris storing module, connected to said deflector for collecting and storing debris deflected by said deflector. |
| US10920515B2 |
Device and method for retrieving a restriction element from a well
A setting tool (402) for setting a plug in a well, the setting tool (402) including a body (404) extending along a longitudinal axis X; a rod (408) extending along the longitudinal axis of the body (404), from an upstream end (402B) to a downstream end (402A) of the body (404); a chamber (406) formed at the downstream end (402A) of the body; and a restriction element (450) located in the chamber (406). The rod (408) extends through the entire chamber (406) and the restriction element (450) is located between the rod (408) and a wall (404A) of the chamber (406). |
| US10920513B2 |
Composite permanent packer spacer system
A downhole tool for shutting off perforations has upper and lower sealing assemblies. A spacer separates the upper and lower sealing assemblies. The upper and lower sealing assemblies may engage a well above and below perforations to be shut off. A settable material may be injected into a space between the upper an lower assemblies, and into the perforations. |
| US10920511B2 |
Tool positioning devices for oil and gas applications
A positioning device for adjusting an axial position of a tool within a wellbore includes an anchor configured for attachment to the wellbore at a fixed axial location within the wellbore, a shaft coupled to the anchor, and a coupling member to which the tool is rigidly attached. The coupling member is configured to be translated along the shaft to adjust the axial position of the tool with respect to the fixed axial location of the anchor within the wellbore. |
| US10920510B2 |
Downhole anchor
An anchoring apparatus (110) for use in a wellbore, comprises at least one movable wall engaging member (120) for engaging a wall of a wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member (120) is movable from a retracted position to an expanded position to engage the wall, and from the expanded position to a retracted position to disengage the wall. Provision of one or more wall engaging members (120) being movable from an expanded position to a retracted position allows the anchoring apparatus to be retrieved from the wellbore, and in particular, from an open hole. |
| US10920509B2 |
Subterranean well thrust-propelled torpedo deployment system and method
Provided in some embodiments is a method of deploying a payload in a subterranean well. The method including advancing a torpedo in a first portion of a wellbore of a subterranean well (the torpedo including a body, a fiber-optic (FO) umbilical that is physically coupled to a surface component, and adapted to unspool from the torpedo as the torpedo advances in the wellbore, and an engine adapted to generate thrust to propel the torpedo), and activating the engine to generate thrust to propel advancement of the torpedo within a second portion of the wellbore such that the FO umbilical is disposed in the second portion of the wellbore. |
| US10920505B2 |
Dual device apparatus and methods usable in well drilling and other operations
A trailer-mounted drilling rig incorporates a dual top drive apparatus and a plurality of lifting assemblies useable for decreasing connection time of pipe segments useable during well drilling or other well operations, and methods of connecting pipe segments useable during well drilling or other operations. The plurality of lifting assemblies operatively connected to the dual top drive apparatus and a first lifting assembly is capable of moving a first top drive vertically inline with a wellbore while a second lifting assembly is capable of independently moving a second top drive vertically out of alignment with the wellbore. |
| US10920502B2 |
Casing friction reduction methods and tool
Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is sized to be removably attached to an outer diameter of the casing string and to be stationary relative to the casing string. |
| US10920501B2 |
Expansion chamber
An expansion chamber for use on a tubular includes a shell that is configured to be attached to the tubular by a bonding material, the shell having a port configured to receive the bonding material therethrough and into a cavity of the shell. The expansion chamber also includes a tube unit configured to be placed in the cavity of the shell, the tube unit having a tube with a port that is in fluid communication with the port of the shell. |
| US10920499B1 |
Polycrystalline diamond compact including a non-uniformly leached polycrystalline diamond table and applications therefor
In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table defines an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains. The PCD table includes a first region adjacent to the substrate that includes a metallic constituent disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof, and a leached second region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the at least one peripheral surface that is depleted of the metallic constituent. The leached second region exhibits a leach depth profile having a maximum leach depth that is measured from the upper surface. A leach depth of the leach depth profile decreases with lateral distance from a central axis of the PCD table and toward the at least one peripheral surface. |
| US10920494B2 |
Hydraulic fracture composition and method
A method for improving the performance of fracturing processes in oil production fields may rely on polymer coated particles carried in the fracturing fluid. The particles may include heavy substrates, such as sand, ceramic sand, or the like coated with polymers selected to absorb water, increasing the area and volume to travel more readily with the flow of fluid without settling out, or allowing the substrate to settle out. Ultimately, the substrate may become lodged in the fissures formed by the pressure or hydraulic fracturing, resulting in propping open of the fissures for improved productivity. |
| US10920487B2 |
Photovoltaic sunshade with photovoltaic thin film strips
A self-powered dynamic photovoltaic sunshade system having sunshades constructed of lightweight ETFE panels covered with at least one thin film of photovoltaic cells. The sunshades track the sun by light detectors, and move against the sun from east to west to block direct rays. The ETFE fabric is stretched on a lightweight frame, which rotates vertically around its axis as a pivotal panel for maximum solar protection. Sunshades rotate to face the sun by day, and reset to a starting position at night. Each sunshade is rotated by a stepped electric motor, powered by thin film(s) of solar photovoltaic cells. Sunshades are suspended between an electric motor shaft and a lower hinge. The sunshades are designed to provide sustainable dynamic shading for building facades exposed to different sun angles, are self-powered, and can generate electric power for other building functions, such as lighting and fan ventilation inside a building. |
| US10920479B2 |
Storage system
A storage system for securing a weapon or valuable item. The storage system has an outer housing assembly including an elongated housing, an arcuate housing door and a handle assembly. The elongated housing has a non-rotatable curved inner structure. The handle assembly rotates the arcuate housing door concentrically about a longitudinal axis and partially within and adjacent to the non-rotatable curved inner structure. A rotational pivot of the handle assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis and rotates the arcuate housing door about the longitudinal axis between a closed position that prevents access to an internal compartment within the elongated housing, and an open position that provides an access opening of approximately 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis into the internal compartment within the elongated housing. |
| US10920477B2 |
Sliding door with wireless-controlled motor housed in jamb
A sliding door assembly includes a frame that supports and interfaces directly to a fixed door panel and a moving door panel. The frame includes opposed side jamb portions, a sill portion, and head jamb portion opposite the sill portion. The door assembly includes an electric motor, a wireless motor controller, and a drive belt that is operably coupled to the moving door panel. The drive belt is driven by the electric motor under control of the wireless motor controller. The head jamb portion includes at least one internal channel that accommodates the drive belt. One of the side jamb portions has a first internal compartment that houses the electric motor and the wireless motor controller. |
| US10920475B2 |
Sliding-door closer set
Provided is a sliding door closer set which makes it possible to adjust the position of a trigger arranged inside a door pocket from outside of the door pocket. A sliding door closer set comprises a rail (4), a closer (6) hanging a sliding door (1) and being capable of moving along the rail (4), and a trigger (8) arranged inside the door pocket (2), wherein the sliding door (1) is pulled into the door pocket (2) as a result of engagement between the trigger (8) and the closer (6), which has moved to a predetermined position on the rail (4). The trigger (8) arranged inside the door pocket (2) is integrally connected to a trigger integrated plate (10). The trigger integrated plate (10) is mounted to the rail (4) outside the door pocket (2). |
| US10920474B2 |
Hinge device
A hinge device is configured to apply an urging force to a case for returning the case to its neutral position. The hinge device comprises a first and a second contact portion, the case with a cylindrical portion1, a coil spring fitted in the cylindrical portion1 of the case, a shaft inserted inside the coil spring, and a shaft member having a first and a second engaging portion fixed to the shaft in anti-rotatable. The first and second contact portion are formed integral with the cylindrical portion1. |
| US10920470B2 |
Lock mechanism for securing a lockable volume
A lock and method of locking a lockable volume is described. The lock may be located on a door of a lockable volume, such as a locker configured to hold an item. The lock may comprise a post and a cam, the cam having an opening corresponding to the size and shape of the post. The cam is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotation of the cam about the axis releasably secures the post within the opening, thereby locking the door to which the post is attached. |
| US10920469B2 |
Double-action, adjustable, after-market sash stop
An adjustable stop limits sliding sash window/door travel between a closed position and a safe position, where the safe position is a position less than a full-open position. The stop can be installed upon window/door master frames during initial manufacturing, or as an after-market option while the sash windows/doors are in service in a building. The safety stop may be comprised of a housing and a tumbler being pivotally mounted within a cavity in the housing, with a spring to bias the tumbler out of an opening in the housing. Mounting is by a flange extending from the housing, with spacers of varying thickness that are capable of removably attaching thereon to accommodate sash to master frame height differences. A safety member may be added to either the tumbler or housing to create a double action stop, requiring disengagement of the safety member, prior to toggling of the stop. |
| US10920468B2 |
Window lock
A lock assembly is provided for a window having a first sash and a second sash. The lock assembly comprises an elongate strip configured to be coupled to the first sash. The elongate strip has a plurality of recesses defined along a length of the elongate strip. The lock assembly also includes a lock member configured to be coupled to the second sash and operable to move along the length of the elongate strip. The lock member includes a biasing member and a coupler biased in a direction of the elongate strip by the biasing member. The coupler is configured to enter each of the plurality of recesses to selectively lock the lock member to the elongate strip. |
| US10920466B2 |
Aircraft lavatory door latch
A door latch assembly configured to be used in an aircraft lavatory door. The door latch assembly includes a housing that includes a housing interior, a switch member operatively associated with the housing that is rotatable between a first position and a second position, and a locking bolt that is movable linearly between an unlocked position and a locked position. Rotation of the switch member from the first position to the second position moves the locking bolt from the unlocked position to the locked position. |
| US10920459B2 |
Multi-lock handcuffs
Handcuffs include an outer frame and at least one bow pivotally coupled to the outer frame. The at least one bow includes an arcuate shape and a plurality of ratchet teeth. At least a first locking bar and a second locking bar are pivotally coupled within the outer frame and each include a plurality of ratchet teeth and offset shoulders. At least one spring is disposed within the outer frame and includes a first portion biasing the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first locking bar to interlock with the plurality of ratchet teeth of the at least one bow and a second portion biasing the plurality of ratchet teeth of the second locking bar to interlock with the plurality of ratchet teeth of the at least one bow when the at least one bow is brought into cooperation with the first locking bar and the second locking bar. |
| US10920454B2 |
Mechanism for securing a digital lock from unauthorized use
The invention provides a digital lock including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to move to close the digital lock in the event of malicious attack, blocking the intruder thereby the magnets acting as a blocking pin, and the mechanical and/or electromagnetic energy of the attack is configured to move the hard magnet to seal the digital lock from the intruder. |
| US10920450B2 |
Locking structure for cover covering handle seat
A locking structure for a cover covering a handle seat may include a cover placed to cover a disk-shaped handle seat mounted on a surface of a door and may include a cover locking mechanism, a handle seat-side locking portion, and a rotation prevention mechanism. The cover locking mechanism may include a plurality of protrusion-shaped cover-side locking portions protruding inward at circumferential intervals at an opening end edge of the cover. The handle seat-side locking portion may include a groove portion and a hooking groove portion to which the cover is hooked when the cover-side locking portion is inserted when the cover placed is rotated. The rotation prevention mechanism may include a biased latch arranged at the groove portion. The latch may have an engagement portion projecting and retracting with respect to a bottom surface of the groove portion. |
| US10920442B2 |
Expedient retrofit for existing buildings
A configuration, all components of which are man portable in some embodiments, for holding panels to protect assets against external force and impacts from airborne projectiles. An open box-like stackable frame module holds panels along a side of the frame. Multiple frames are connected to construct a protective barrier, such as a wall. Frames include provisions for connection in a vertical configuration so as to allow stacking of the frames to increase the height of the barrier. A method of installing is also provided. |
| US10920439B2 |
Swimming pool skimmer including slidable weir gate and related methods
A skimmer for a swimming pool may include a skimmer housing having a water inlet opening coupled to an aperture in a wall of the swimming pool at a waterline thereof. The skimmer may also include a weir gate slidably moveable relative to the water inlet opening between open position and a closed position blocking the water inlet opening. |
| US10920438B2 |
Pool cover systems and methods
In one preferred form there is provide a pool cover arrangement (10) comprising: a body (12) having a first set of cells (24) and a second set of cells (26). The first set of cells (24) provide a first area (35) for floating on water. The first area (35) comprises the forward facing areas (27) of the first set of cells (24). The second set of cells (26) are spaced away from the forward facing areas (27), so as to sit above the water, when the first set of cells (24) sit on the water. In other preferred forms ventilation holes and layers are provided. |
| US10920434B1 |
Portable robotic construction system
A robotic system having a movable gantry robot (10) for conducting construction operations. The gantry may have an expandable bridge (20) and articulated gantry support legs (34) as well as a support track system (60) holding a gantry robot (800) which may hold one or more implements and peripheral devices (806). The device can be moved by propulsion mechanisms, a controller, and one or more geo-positioned control devices to provide position information for the robotic gantry as it moves back and forth along a plurality of work sites (700). The robotic gantry is connected to a power supply system (236). The controller is automated, self-navigating, and activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of the propulsion mechanisms, and deploys, retracts, activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of one or more of the construction implements. The height of the frame may be adjusted by extending and rotating risers and booms to accommodate different building heights or sub-level heights at a worksite. A conveyor system is optimized for removing dirt from or delivering material to the robotic arm. This invention can be applied to automating construction jobs including surveying, land preparation, excavation, foundation, masonry, framing, and additive fabrication. |
| US10920433B2 |
Heavy duty spanning forms and related systems and methods
A metal concrete form panel having a face sheet secured to a perimeter flange that includes side rails and end rails. One or more tie ribs extend between the end rails. A bolt block is secured in each corner to the perimeter flange where the side rails meet the end rails. A bar is located spaced inside each side rail and extended between and secured to each of the pair of opposing bolt blocks of the associated end rail and also secured to each intervening tie rib and to the face sheet. |
| US10920432B2 |
Hidden clip and fastening system for decking
A universal magazine mounts to a hand-operated power tool that will automatically feed a hidden deck board clip to the tool head from a strip of such clips and position the clips one at a time under the power tool's driving mechanism. The strip includes multiple hidden clips separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can be formed of a plastic material and include a locating tab defined on each side of the clip's body and fastener aperture defined in a center of the body. Further, strips can be adapted for manual use and manipulation rather than for use with a power tool. |
| US10920430B1 |
Support structure for supporting floor panel and access floor system including support structure
Disclosed is a support structure on which a floor panel is seated. The support structure includes a first beam element disposed in a first direction; a second beam element disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a post supporting the first beam element and the second beam element; and a pedestal seated on top of the post, and supporting the floor panel. |
| US10920428B2 |
Siding panel and assembly to address dimpling
The present disclosure describes composite siding panels with a structure that reduces dimpling. The siding panel comprises a backing member and a siding member that are joined by an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be made with fingers extending from its sides, or may be made with an adhesive that has an elongation factor of at least 1000%. These reduce dimpling. |
| US10920425B2 |
Snow removal apparatus
A snow removal apparatus for cutting and removing snow from a sloped surface. The apparatus comprises a frame. The frame has a lower section and an upper section connected by side sections. The apparatus also comprises an elongated handle removably engageable to the frame and a slide connected to the lower section of the frame and extending away therefrom in a slide extending direction. The apparatus is selectively configurable in a push configuration where the handle is engaged to the lower section of the frame and extends in a direction substantially similar to the slide extending direction and a pull configuration where the handle is engaged to the upper section of the frame and extends in a direction substantially opposite to the slide extending direction. |
| US10920424B2 |
Solar carport and water management for solar carports and canopies
The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy. |
| US10920420B2 |
Modified OSB board and its use in walls for house building systems
The present invention relates to a modified OSB board (oriented strand board) with an upper side and a lower side. The upper and/or lower side of the board are coated with at least two paper layers. The first paper layer is impregnated with at least one resin and the second paper layer is a raw paper layer. The invention relates further to a construction wall for a house building system, to a partition wall for a house building system and a house building system. |
| US10920418B2 |
Modular walls incorporating recessed, extendable furniture
A modular wall includes a plurality of inter-connectable and interchangeable wall modules. At least one of the wall modules includes a recessed, extendable piece of furniture, such as a bed, desk, table, work surface or chair. When in a closed configuration, the furniture folds into or otherwise resides within a recessed pocket in the modular wall. When in the closed configuration, the outer surface of the furniture forms an exterior surface of the wall module; thereby, concealing the furniture seamlessly into the modular wall. The exterior surface can comprise one or more exterior interchangeable tiles. |
| US10920413B2 |
Pergola building system and bracket
A pergola system and bracket is described, which includes a frame having a plurality of vertical spaced apart posts, and horizontal frame members each of which have an internal reinforcing rod passing through at least a portion of the posts/frame members. The internal reinforcing rods are removably secured to a corner connecting element which then connects the posts/frame members to each other making it easier to construct and provides increased stability to the structure upon completion. |
| US10920410B2 |
Trench drain providing variable drain location and installation
A trench drain apparatus includes a trench body and an insert that can be assembled to the trench body to adjustably locate a trench drain hole in the insert relative to a footprint of the trench body. This allows adjustment of the trench drain hole at the installation site, yet takes advantage of pre-manufactured components. An upper surface of the trench body may receive an optional waterproof membrane clamped onto the sealing surface by a clamp ring. The insert can be rotated 180 degrees prior to installation to provide two different drain hole locations, or can be cut on site at one or both ends so that the drain hole ends up at desired location optimally matching a pre-existing drainage pipe opening. Methods related to the above are also provided, including adjusting the insert to locate the trench drain hole at an optimal location. |
| US10920406B2 |
Leak-proof device for water inlet valve
Disclosed is a leak-proof device for a water inlet valve. A control valve is installed in a valve body for opening and closing a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel. An outer water tank and a leak-proof water tank are installed on the valve body. An inner water tank is disposed in the outer water tank, with the height of the inner water tank being lower than that of the outer water tank. The leak-proof water tank is in communication with the inner water tank via a water-passing channel A lever is pivotally connected to the valve body. Two ends of the lever are connected with an outer float and an inner float. The inner float is provided with a plug that is movable to block the water-passing channel. The leak-proof float is connected to the control valve. |
| US10920405B1 |
Food waste disposer interlock device
An interlock device coupled to a magnetically activated switch when the interlock device is removably seated in a sink flange coupled to a food waste disposer, comprising: a base having interlock device magnets, a recessed seat having drain holes, a helical cam, a strainer basket adjoined to a rotatably mounted spindle having a handle adjoined thereto, opposing nubs, which travel within the helical cam, when the handle is twisted, a spindle mounted seal adapted to block flow through the interlock device, when the spindle mounted seal is releasably seated in the recessed seat, and allowing fluid to flow through the interlock device, when the spindle mounted seal is releasably unseated from the recessed seat; the interlock device activating the food waste disposer when the interlock device is removably seated in the sink flange and one of the interlock device magnets is adjacent a switch magnet of the magnetically activated switch. |
| US10920403B2 |
Shovel
A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, an image capturing device attached to the upper turning body, and a display device. The operating condition of an object detecting function using the image capturing device is displayed on the display device. |
| US10920401B2 |
Managing work area reservations for autonomous vehicles
System and methods for managing work area reservations are disclosed. A system may receive an indication of a work area to be reserved for an autonomous operation of the autonomous vehicle; broadcast a request to reserve the work area for the autonomous vehicle; determine whether a communication, that indicates a reservation conflict for the work area, has been received; selectively reserve the work area and instructing one or more controllers of the autonomous vehicle to perform the autonomous operation in the work area based on determining whether the communication has been received by the autonomous vehicle; and broadcast, during the autonomous operation, one or more signals identifying the work area. |
| US10920396B1 |
Hydraulic system for a motor grader
A hydraulic system for a motor grader is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include a first hydraulic subsystem and a second hydraulic subsystem. A pump may be configured to provide pressurized fluid to the first and second hydraulic subsystems. The hydraulic system may further include a control valve located upstream of the first and second hydraulic subsystems. The control valve may be configured to vary a standby pressure of pressurized fluid for use by the first and second hydraulic subsystems. |
| US10920395B1 |
Excavating earth from a dig site using an excavation vehicle
This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying out an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collect any one or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data representing the status of the excavation vehicle and its surrounding environment. Based on the collected data, the excavation vehicle executes instructions to carry out an excavation routine. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool and helping prepare a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine. |
| US10920393B2 |
Rope shovel with non-linear digging assembly
A mining machine includes a frame, a boom, an elongated member supported by a pivot element for movement relative to the boom, and a digging attachment. The boom includes a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end. The pivot element is positioned between the first end and the second end of the boom. The hoist rope includes a portion extending over the second end of the boom. The member includes a first end, a second end, a first portion proximate the first end of the member, and a second portion positioned between the first portion and the second end of the member. At least a portion of the second portion is oriented at an angle relative to the first portion. The digging attachment is coupled to the second end of the member and is supported by the hoist rope. |
| US10920388B1 |
Oil skimmer
An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propeller means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel. |
| US10920386B2 |
Automatic moving snow removal device
An automatic moving snow removal device including a moving module, driving a snow blower to move; a working module, including a working motor and a snow throwing mechanism driven by the working motor, the snow throwing mechanism is driven by the working motor to collect accumulated snow and inclusions on the ground and throw out of the snow throwing mechanism; and a control module, configured to control a rotary speed of the working motor to cause a speed when the inclusions depart from the snow throwing mechanism is not higher than 41 m/s. |
| US10920384B2 |
Mobile barrier
A safety trailer is shown including first and second platforms, at least one of said first and second platforms having an axle and wheels attached thereto; a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining a protected work area on a side of the trailer; The axle of the trailer is engaged with a vertical adjustment member configured to selectively adjust a vertical position of the surface of the trailer. |
| US10920383B2 |
Cable anchorage system
A cable anchorage system for anchoring a cable to a support structure in a civil engineering construction comprises an anchorage socket attached to the cable, a support socket attached to the support structure and a longitudinal coupling rod, which couples the anchorage socket to the support socket. The coupling rod comprises a threaded end, which interacts with a counter thread on one of the two parts which are the anchorage socket and the support socket, and a mounting end with a radially extending rod shoulder. The other one of the two parts which are the anchorage socket and the support socket comprises a longitudinal opening for receiving the mounting end of the coupling rod, which opening comprises an inwardly extending abutment shoulder. The rod shoulder abuts on the abutment shoulder in a first longitudinal direction and is slideable within the opening in a second longitudinal direction opposite to the first direction, when the anchorage socket is moved towards the support socket for tuning the cable anchorage system. |
| US10920381B2 |
System and method for generating a paving material map
A method includes determining a first temperature of paving material, determining a first location of a paving machine corresponding to the first temperature, determining a second temperature of the paving material, and determining a second location of the paving machine corresponding to the second temperature. The method also includes generating a paving material map based at least partly on the first and second temperatures, and the first and second locations. The method further includes causing at least part of the paving material map to be displayed. The displayed at least part of the paving material map including visual indicia indicating the first temperature and the second temperature. |
| US10920380B2 |
System and method for automatically controlling compactor compaction surface contact pressure
A system and a method for controlling tire air pressure of a compactor having a plurality of tires. A weight distribution of the compactor is determined according to a per-tire basis. Target air pressures for each of the tires are determined in order to achieve a consistent compaction surface contact pressure across all of the tires or a set of the tires. Air pressure of the tires is controlled to achieve the target air pressures to make the compaction surface contact pressure consistent across all of the tires or the set of the tires. |
| US10920376B2 |
Fibrous structures with shaped polymer particles
A textured substrate comprising: a first side comprising discrete regions and a continuous region extending between the discrete regions and a second side comprising discrete portions corresponding to the discrete regions and a continuous portion corresponding to the continuous region and a second side comprising discrete portions corresponding to the discrete regions and a continuous portion corresponding to the continuous region. Each discrete region comprises an outer section and sidewall sections extending outwardly from the adjacent continuous region to the outer section. Polymer particles are deposited on at least one of the first side or the second side. At least a section of each polymer particle defines a raised edge. |
| US10920375B2 |
Method for increasing dimensional stability of a paper or a board product
The present invention relates to a process for producing a paper or a board product having increased dimension stability including providing a fibre slurry including never-dried fibres, treating the fibre slurry with a strength composition, and forming a paper or a board product from the treated fibre slurry, where the strength composition includes a permanent wet strength resin component and a sizing agent. The present invention further relates to a use of a strength composition for increasing dimensional stability of a paper and a board, and to a paper or a board product having improved dimensional stability. |
| US10920373B2 |
Method for operating a machine for producing a fibrous web and machine for producing a fibrous web
A method of operating a machine for producing a fibrous web. The machine has a de-watering device with a plurality of pivotally embodied de-watering strips. In the method, an inclination angle of at least one of the de-watering strips is modified as a function of at least one parameter. The modification is effected by way of the pivoting installation which is activated by a control installation. The actual inclination angle of the at least one de-watering strip to be pivoted is detected and transmitted to the control installation. The control installation activates the pivoting installation as a function of the transmitted inclination angle. |
| US10920372B2 |
Method for separating cellulose
A method for separating cellulose from a wood-based raw material including hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin as principal components, includes injecting the wood-based raw material into a dissolution reservoir in which ethylene glycol is stored as a separating agent, and heating the separating agent in the dissolution reservoir at atmospheric pressure to a temperature in a range of 260° C. to 280° C., and reacting the wood-based raw material with the separating agent, evaporating a hemicellulose component from the separating agent and condensing the hemicellulose component, and monitoring a pH value of the condensate of the hemicellulose component. A temperature of the condensate is held at the temperature at which a change in the pH value of the condensate decreases, lignin is dissolved in the separating agent, and crude cellulose that floats in the separating agent is separated and collected. |
| US10920369B2 |
Dispersions of β-ketocarbonyl-functional organosilicon compounds
Storage stable aqueous dispersions of β-ketocarbonyl functional organosilicon compounds are prepared using a non-ionic emulsifier having an HLB of less than 15. The compositions are suitable for treating textiles. |
| US10920368B2 |
Systems and methods for coloring nanofibrous materials
A method for coloring a carbon nanotube (CNT) product is provided, including placing a CNT product in an electric circuit to ground the product, charging a plurality of pigment molecules with an opposite charge from the CNT product, applying a coating of the charged pigment molecules to a surface of the CNT product, and exposing the coating to a temperature sufficient to cure the coating, while allowing the coating to form a substantially conformal film on the surface of the CNT product. |
| US10920364B2 |
Reusable filter canister for a dry-cleaning machine
A novel filter canister configured to dock into a dry-cleaning machine incorporates unique structural elements that reduce or eliminate debris overfill and jamming of the filter canister after an extended dry-cleaning operation. In particular, a novel perforated hollow inner core, a vertical strut-based canister docking frame, a washable and reusable cartridge with a perforated rigid inner surface layer and a particulate filtering element-encapsulating outer surface layer, and a removable lid that secures or frees the washable and reusable cartridge that constitute the novel filter canister enable a dry-cleaning operator to install, clean, and reuse the washable and reusable cartridge conveniently for numerous dry-cleaning cycles while avoiding debris overfill, canister jamming, and frequent filter canister replacement and repurchase needs that are endemic in conventional dry cleaner filter designs that tend to be cumbersome, costly, and environmentally detrimental. |
| US10920358B2 |
Balancing apparatus of a washing machine
The present invention refers to a balancing apparatus 100 for preventing vibrations and loud running in a drum 1 of a washing machine while operating. The balancing apparatus 100 according to the present invention preferably comprises of at least two half rings 2 and a plurality of propellers 3. The plurality of propellers are attached to the drum 1. The two half rings 2 are configured to cover the drum 1. The propellers 3 and the half rings 2 are magnetically polarized while electric current is passing through the propellers 3 and half rings 2. The drum 1 is balanced by forming similar polarity in poles of the half rings 2 and the poles of the propellers 3 facing each other. |
| US10920357B2 |
Washing apparatus
The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and to a washing apparatus having a convenient user interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing apparatus that provides a user interface that is concentrated, simple and intuitive. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a washing apparatus may be provided that is characterized by comprising: an annular rotary knob provided for course selection; a display for selectively displaying a course screen showing information on a course selected from within the radial directions of the rotary knob, and an options screen for changing options for at least one wash water temperature; washing intensity, number of rinses, and spin-dry intensity within the course; a switching input part provided within the radial directions of the rotary knob in order to switch between the course screen and the options screen through a selection by a user; and a single variable input part provided to change the options when in the options screen and to make inputs unrelated to the options when in the course screen. |
| US10920354B1 |
Floor covering
A method of making a floor covering including a tufted textile substrate and a reinforcement backing system. The backing system includes adhesive layers which are conditioned to include voids. A layer of reinforcement fibers is positioned between the adhesive layers. After drying, the layers of adhesive and reinforcement fibers are compressed to collapse the voids in the layers of adhesive and to encapsulate the reinforcement fibers. The layer of reinforcement fibers is also moved toward the primary backing substrate and into engagement with the ends of the tufts. |
| US10920351B2 |
Sewing method and apparatus to increase 3D object strength
An addition to additive manufacturing sews a number of printed substrate sheets together using industrial sewing machine technology. Portions of the final 3D object that will be solid are sewn together into bundles of the object with a needle protruding through the top of the bundle via a sewing machine with a looping mechanism connecting the thread loops under each bundle of printed substrate sheet layers. This will result in many well connected stack bundles that are then stacked in alignment to form the final stack. During heat and compression, the stitch thread may bunch together and become entangled with the cooled plastic of the final solid 3D object. Removal of the excess substrate may proceed as usual, since the sewing is applied only in the solid portions of the final object. The end result will be a part with much higher strength in the Z axis. |
| US10920346B2 |
Mechanically strong absorbent non-woven fibrous mats
The present invention is generally directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a liquid entrapping device comprising an absorbent component, hydrophilic elastomeric fibrous component in fluid communication therewith, and optionally an adhesive component. The present invention is also directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids while maintaining a suitable degree of mechanical strength. Furthermore, the present invention is generally directed to methods for making and using the foregoing devices and materials. |
| US10920345B2 |
Upper-torso garment with three-dimensional knit structures
An upper-torso garment includes a chest-covering portion having a knit textile region, which includes a plurality of courses fully spanning a dome-shaped portion. In addition, the knit textile region includes a plurality of partial-length courses partially spanning the dome-shaped portion. |
| US10920341B2 |
Electrospinning apparatus
An electrospinning apparatus according to an embodiment is configured to deposit a fiber on a collector or a member. The electrospinning apparatus includes a first nozzle head provided on one side of the collector or the member, and a second nozzle head provided on the side opposite to the first nozzle head with the collector or the member interposed. The first nozzle head and the second nozzle head are at a section where the collector or the member moves in a direction tilted with respect to a horizontal direction. |
| US10920337B2 |
Methods for forming single crystal silicon ingots with improved resistivity control
Methods for forming single crystal silicon ingots with improved resistivity control and, in particular, methods that involve gallium or indium doping are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ingots are characterized by a relatively high resistivity. |
| US10920336B2 |
Analysis of silver ion and complexing agent in tin-silver electrodeposition solution
The present disclosure relates to methods of monitoring the concentrations of silver ion and complexing agent in tin-silver (SnAg) electrodeposition solutions, and analysis and process control using such methods. Methods can include adding a precipitating agent to an electrodeposition solution including at least tin ions, silver ions, and complexing agent to cause a reaction between at least a portion of the precipitating agent and substantially all of the silver ions (to precipitate silver ions as a precipitant); adding a metallic salt to the electrodeposition solution to cause a reaction with substantially all of the remaining precipitating agent; measuring the endpoint of the silver ion back titration; further adding metallic salt to cause a further reaction with the complexing agent; and measuring the endpoint of the complexing agent titration. |
| US10920334B2 |
Electrohydrodynamically formed structures of carbonaceous material
A method for the electrohydrodynamic deposition of carbonaceous materials utilizing an electrohydrodynamic cell comprising two electrodes comprised of a conductive material, by first combining a solid phase comprising a carbonaceous material and a suspension medium, placing the suspension between the electrodes, applying an electric field in a first direction, varying the intensity of the electric field sufficiently to drive lateral movement, increasing the electrical field to stop the lateral transport and fix the layers in place, then removing the applied field and removing the electrodes. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the method may advantageously utilize: varying the spacing between the electrodes; removing the buildup from one or both electrodes; placing the electrodes into different suspensions; adjusting the concentration, pH, or temperature of the suspension(s); and varying the direction, intensity or duration of the electric fields. |
| US10920333B2 |
Process for producing white anodic oxide finish
The embodiments described herein relate to treatments for anodic layers. The methods described can be used to impart a white appearance for an anodized substrate. The anodized substrate can include a metal substrate and a porous anodic layer derived from the metal substrate. The porous anodic layer can include pores defined by pore walls and fissures formed within the pore walls. The fissures can act as a light scattering medium to diffusely reflect visible light. In some embodiments, the method can include forming fissures within the pore walls of the porous anodic layer. In some embodiments, exposing the porous anodic layer to an etching solution can form fissures. The method further includes removing a top portion of the porous anodic layer while retaining a portion of the porous anodic layer. |
| US10920331B2 |
Film deposition device of metal film and metal film deposition method
A film deposition device (1A) of a metal film (F) includes a positive electrode (11), a solid electrolyte membrane (13), and a power supply part (14) that applies a voltage between the positive electrode (11) and a base material (B) to be a negative electrode. The solid electrolyte membrane (13) allows a water content to be 15% by mass or more and is capable of containing a metal ion. The power supply part (14) applies a voltage between the positive electrode and the base material in a state where the solid electrolyte membrane is disposed on a surface of the positive electrode such that metal made of metal ions contained inside the solid electrolyte membrane (13) is precipitated on a surface of the base material (B). |
| US10920328B2 |
Photoelectrochemical cell
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell comprising a semiconductor photoelectrode configured with at least two light-harvesting faces; a catalyst layer deposited on at least one light-harvesting face and in contact with an electrolyte; a reference electrode deposited on at least another light-harvesting face; and a counter electrode in contact with the electrolyte. |
| US10920327B2 |
Method for transporting nitride ions in an electrochemical cell
A method for transporting nitride (N3−) ions in an electrochemical cell includes providing nitrogen to a first side of a solid electrolyte membrane to form nitride ions and transporting the nitride ions across the solid electrolyte membrane. The solid electrolyte membrane includes a metal nitride. The method may be used for ionically-mediated separation and/or compression of nitrogen or to form ammonia. |
| US10920325B2 |
Method for producing a hard material layer on a substrate, hard material layer, machining tool and coating source
A process for producing a hard material layer on a substrate. A multilayer coating system is applied to the substrate by alternate deposition of CrTaN and AlTiN by way of physical vapor deposition (PVD). The CrTaN and/or the AlTiN are preferably deposited from a composite target. |
| US10920320B2 |
Plasma health determination in semiconductor substrate processing reactors
Methods of monitoring a plasma while processing a semiconductor substrate are described. In embodiments, the methods include determining the difference in power between the power delivered from the plasma power supply and the power received by the plasma in a substrate processing chamber. The power received may be determined using a V/I sensor positioned after the matching circuit. The power reflected or the power lost is the difference between the delivered power and the received power. The process may be terminated by removing the delivered power if the reflected power is above a setpoint. The VRF may further be fourier transformed into frequency space and compared to the stored fourier transform of a healthy plasma process. Missing frequencies from the VRF fourier transform may independently or further indicate an out-of-tune plasma process and the process may be terminated. |
| US10920318B2 |
Shower plate, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and method for manufacturing shower plate
A shower plate according to the present disclosure includes a ceramic sintered body, the ceramic sintered body comprising a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a through hole positioned between the first surface and the second surface. An inner surface of the through hole includes a protruding crystal grain which protrudes more than an exposed part of a grain boundary phase existing between crystal grains. In addition, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the shower plate mentioned above. |
| US10920317B2 |
Shower head, vapor phase growth apparatus and vapor phase growth method
A shower head that supplies a process gas in a vapor phase growth apparatus includes a mixing chamber; and a plurality of cooling portions provided below the mixing chamber with gaps between cooling portions. The cooling portion includes a cooling hole provided in a horizontal direction, and the gaps extend linearly in the horizontal direction. The shower head further includes, below the gaps, a plurality of buffer regions extending linearly in the horizontal direction. The shower head further includes, below the buffer regions, a shower plate including a plurality of through holes disposed at a predetermined interval. The shower head can uniformly supply the process gas. |
| US10920311B2 |
Deposition mask, method for manufacturing the same, and method for repairing the same
A deposition mask includes: a mask sheet formed by stacking a metal layer provided with a plurality of through holes on a film layer provided with a plurality of opening patterns, each through hole enclosing at least one of the opening patterns, and by dividing one surface of the mask sheet into a plurality of unit cells each including two or more of the opening patterns and two or more of the through holes; and a support member which is made of metal and has openings corresponding to the unit cells of the mask sheet, the support member supporting the mask sheet by being joined to the metal layer of the mask sheet to which no external tension is applied. This ensures high shape and positional deposition accuracy in forming thin film patterns using the deposition mask. |
| US10920307B2 |
Thermo-hydrogen refinement of microstructure of titanium materials
A method of refining a microstructure of a titanium material can include providing a solid titanium material at a temperature below about 400° C. The titanium material can be heated under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a hydrogen charging temperature that is above a β transus temperature of the titanium material and below a melting temperature of the titanium material, and held at this temperature for a time sufficient to convert the titanium material to a substantially homogeneous β phase. The titanium material can be cooled under the hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a phase transformation temperature below the β transus temperature and above about 400° C., and held for a time to produce α phase regions. The titanium material can also be held under a substantially hydrogen-free atmosphere or vacuum at a dehydrogenation temperature below the β transus temperature and above the δ phase decomposition temperature to remove hydrogen from the titanium material. |
| US10920302B2 |
Cermet materials and method for making such materials
The invention relates to a cermet material comprising a first phase MAX having the general formula Tin+1AlCn and a second intermetallic phase having the general formula TixAly, where n equals 1 or 2, x is between 1 and 3, y is between 1 and 3, and x+y≤4. The proportion by volume of the first phase in the material is between 70% and 95%. The proportion by volume of the second phase in the material is between 30% and 5%. The void ratio is less than 5%. |
| US10920300B2 |
Titanium composite material and titanium material for hot rolling
A titanium composite material 1 is provided that includes: an inner layer 5 consisting of a commercially pure titanium or a titanium alloy; an outer layer 3 formed on at least one surface of the inner layer 5 and having a chemical composition that is different from a chemical composition of the inner layer 5; and an intermediate layer formed between the inner layer 5 and the outer layer 3 and having a chemical composition that is different from the chemical composition of the inner layer 5. The thickness of the outer layer 3 is 2 μm or more, and occupies no more than 40% of the overall thickness per side. The thickness of the intermediate layer is 0.5 μm or more. Despite being inexpensive, this titanium composite material has desired characteristics. |
| US10920298B2 |
Good fatigue- and crack growth-resistant steel plate and manufacturing method therefor
A steel plate having excellent resistance to fatigue crack growth and manufacturing method thereof, wherein the components of the steel plate in weight percentage are: 0.040-0.070% of C, 0.40-0.70% of Si, 1.30-1.60% of Mn, less than or equal to 0.013% of P, less than or equal to 0.003% of S, less than or equal to 0.30% of Cu, less than or equal to 0.30% of Ni, less than or equal to 0.10% of Mo, 0.008-0.018% of Ti, 0.015-0.030% of Nb, less than or equal to 0.0040% of N, 0.0010-0.0040% of Ca, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. By controlling [% C]×[% Si] between 0.022-0.042, {([% C]+3.33[% Nb])×[% Si]}×Vcooling rate/Tcooling-stopping between 1.15×10−4˜2.2×10−3, carrying out a Ca treatment, and Ca/S=1.0-3.0 and (% Ca)×(% S) 0.28≤1.0×10−3, the optimizing the TMCP process, the finished steel plate has a microstructure which a duplex-phase structure of ferrite+uniformly and dispersedly distributed bainite and has an improved resistance to fatigue crack growth. |
| US10920296B2 |
Alloy steel composition and producing method thereof
A method for producing an alloy steel composition includes the following steps: performing a first heat treatment on an alloy steel composition and maintaining for a first time period to soften the alloy steel composition; performing a first cooling treatment on the softened alloy steel composition; performing a treatment on the softened the alloy steel composition to form a workpiece; performing a second heat treatment on the workpiece and maintaining for a second time period; and performing a second cooling treatment on the workpiece to make the workpiece become to be a Bainite structure, and a cooling rate of the second cooling treatment is high than the cooling rate of the first cooling treatment. |
| US10920291B2 |
Surface treatment process
A method of hardening a surface of a ferro-alloy object, the method comprising at least partially gasifying a carbon-containing polymer to form a hardening material source; and exposing the object to the hardening material source, such that the hardening material source and the surface of the object react, thereby hardening the surface of the object. |
| US10920289B2 |
Method for evaluation of viability of viruses with lymphotropism properties
Methods and techniques to increase the reliability of detecting virus infections, particularly lymphotropism, to eliminate false negative reactions in testing blood for the presence of lymphotropic viruses during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and to better detect viruses with lymphotropism in biological materials having a concentration of virus particles lower than the sensitivity threshold of existing EIA and PCR methods, thereby making the techniques of the present invention more reliable. |
| US10920286B2 |
Plants with useful traits and related methods
The present invention provides methods for obtaining plants that exhibit useful traits by transient suppression of the MSH1 gene of the plants. Methods for identifying genetic loci that provide for useful traits in plants and plants produced with those loci are also provided. In addition, plants that exhibit the useful traits, parts of the plants including seeds, and products of the plants are provided as well as methods of using the plants. |
| US10920284B2 |
Pathogen and antimicrobial resistance testing
Systems and methods for determining pathogens and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens in a sample are provided. |
| US10920280B1 |
Genome capture and sequencing for comprehensive chromatin structure maps in complex genomes and cancer progression
A MNase-Sequence Capture method, mTSS-seq, was developed herein to map genome-wide nucleosome distribution in cancer, for example primary human lung and colon adenocarcinoma tissue. Here, it was confirmed that nucleosome redistribution is an early, widespread event in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and colon adenocarcinoma (CRC). These altered nucleosome architectures are consistent between LAC and CRC patient samples indicating that they can serve as important early adenocarcinoma markers. As such, this consistency would be expected in other adenocarcinomas, as well as other carcinomas. It was demonstrated that the nucleosome alterations are driven by the underlying DNA sequence and potentiate transcription factor binding. DNA-directed nucleosome redistributions are widespread early in cancer progression, thus providing a methodology for early detection of cancer in grade one patients. |
| US10920275B2 |
Methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis
Methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a panel of biomarkers for aiding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of tuberculosis. The identified biomarkers can be used to detect active tuberculosis as well as to distinguish active tuberculosis from latent tuberculosis and other pulmonary and infectious diseases, and for monitoring responses to treatment. |
| US10920273B2 |
Compositions and methods for immune repertoire sequencing
The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, kits, and systems useful in the determination and evaluation of the immune repertoire. In one aspect, target-specific primer panels provide for the effective amplification of sequences of T cell receptor and/or B cell receptor chains with improved sequencing accuracy and resolution over the repertoire. Variable regions associated with the immune cell receptor are resolved to effectively portray clonal diversity of a biological sample and/or differences associated with the immune cell repertoire of a biological sample. |
| US10920266B2 |
Device for real-time measurement of bacteria by atp detection
Provided is a device for real-time measurement of bacteria. The device for real-time measurement of bacteria includes reaction portions, a support portion configured to support the reaction portions, a rotational shaft configured to transfer the support portion, and a sample supply portion configured to supply a sample to each of the reaction portions, and according to the device for real-time measurement of bacteria, bacteria may be measured in real time through the detection of ATP. |
| US10920262B2 |
Cell measurement method
[Problem] To provide a highly accurate cell measurement method. [Solution] A cell measurement method comprising: a step of staining target cells with a dye; an image obtaining step for obtaining an image of the target cells; a discrimination step for discriminating the target cells from contaminating cells by applying multi-stage binarization processing to the image; a step of eliminating noises due to the contaminating cells from the image based on the result of the discrimination step; and a step of evaluating an amount of target cells by integrating an index value of cell amount in the image from which the contaminating cells have been eliminated. |
| US10920259B2 |
Two electrodes functioning as three electrodes in the fluid chamber of a test strip
An improved disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate reducing volume of fluid samples. It has a short fluid chamber having two electrodes that functions as three electrodes (one working electrode, one reference electrode and one blank electrode). The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be quickly drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The novel potential reverse and curve-fitting technology of the test sensor provided by the present invention can effectively eliminate most common interferents existing in the fluid samples. |
| US10920254B2 |
Methods and materials for producing 5 and 7-carbon monomers
This document describes biochemical pathways for biosynthesizing a 3-oxo-7-hydroxyheptanoyl-CoA intermediate using a β-ketothiolase, and enzymatically converting 3-oxo-7-hydroxyheptanoyl-CoA to 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid. —7-hydroxyheptanoic acid can be further enzymatically converted to pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine or 1,7-heptanediol. This document also describes recombinant hosts producing 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid as well as pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine and 1,7-heptanediol. |