| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US11023365B2 |
Systems and methods for automated provisioning of a virtual mainframe test environment
There is provided a computer-implemented method and system for provisioning a virtual development and test environment for testing a mainframe computer, comprising: obtaining an indication of a software change to an application on the mainframe computer; receiving a request, from a requesting device, for testing the software change. Said method and system further comprises, in response to the request: receiving, from the mainframe computer, configuration data characterizing the software change and characterizing the application; automatically provisioning, using the configuration data, an instance of a virtual testing environment for the mainframe on a cloud network for testing the application; and, based on the configuration data, automatically providing one or more test scripts to the virtual testing environment for testing the software change to the application on the virtual environment, the one or more test scripts further generated based on automatically determining from the configuration data, a set of prior test scripts implemented for another application similar to the application and having a previously implemented software change. |
| US11023364B2 |
Method and system for automating the process of testing of software applications
The invention relates to a method and a system for testing interactive applications on at least one TV device according to at least one test scenario. The test scenario is run and monitored by a test driver system separate from the at least one TV device, wherein the test scenario comprises a series of user interaction steps and at least one target state of the application and/or the at least one TV device to be achieved after a specified user interaction step, the method comprising the steps of: a. integrating a test definition helper library into the interactive application, wherein the test definition helper library is configured to obtain information on the state of the interactive application and/or the at least one TV device; b. providing the modified interactive application to the at least one TV device; c. running the at least one test scenario, wherein the test driver system non-transparently performs the series of user interaction steps on the at least one TV device; and d. comparing the information on the state of the interactive application and/or the at least one TV device obtained by the test definition helper library with the at least one target state after the specified user interaction step. |
| US11023362B2 |
Co-verification of hardware and software
An apparatus, a computer program product and a method for co-verification of systems comprising software and hardware components. The method comprises obtaining an over-approximation of the system that over-approximates the software or the hardware by using a non-deterministic version thereof; performing simulation of the over-approximation of the system; and utilizing an outcome of the simulation to guide a co-simulation of the system. The co-simulation comprises instrumenting the software to identify whether the coverage goals are reached during execution, generating a test input for the system, simulating execution of the test input by the instrumented software, wherein during said simulating, stimuli provided from the instrumented software to underlying hardware is provided to a hardware simulator that is configured to simulate the hardware-under-test; determining a coverage of the execution of the test input, and utilizing the coverage information in a successive iteration of the method. |
| US11023356B2 |
Utilization of publicly available source code
A method of determining the utility of publicly available source code includes analyzing, by one or more processors of a computer system, source code of an application in development, determining, by the one or more processors of the computer system, efficacy of a publicly available target code sample based a discriminant function analysis model, computing, by the one or more processors of the computer system, a goodness of fit assessment of the publicly available target code sample to the application in development based on the analyzing the source code of the application in development, and determining, by the one or more processors of the computer system, whether to use the publicly available target code sample based on the goodness of fit assessment. |
| US11023355B2 |
Dynamic tracing using ranking and rating
Method, computer program product, and system for dynamic tracing, including monitoring a log file, wherein the log file comprises events, wherein an event comprises an event code and an event time stamp, receiving a ranking and rating table (“table”), wherein the table comprises one or more error codes and a ranking for each of the one or more error codes, matching the event code with an error code of the one or more error codes, calculating a rating for the error code, comparing the calculated rating to a rating threshold, enabling an information capture level based on the rating threshold of the calculated rating, in response to enabling the information capture level, copying events from the log file into an abbreviated log file, wherein the copied events include the error code for the calculated rating, creating an alert indicating a changed information capture level, and resetting the dynamic tracing. |
| US11023354B2 |
Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) log system
A Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) system that includes a plurality of HCI log generating components and an HCI storage system that provides at least a portion of a log database. The HCI system receives a request from a management system to store a first log bundle of the plurality of HCI log generating components and determines the at least one second log bundle that is stored in the log database is at least a size threshold. The HCI system performs a log database clean operation on the at least one second log bundle and determines that the log database clean operation on the at least one second log bundle has provided an available storage capacity in the log database that is sufficient to store the first log bundle. The HCI system then stores the first log bundle in the log database. |
| US11023352B2 |
Wear mitigation in a data storage system through data migration
Method and apparatus for distributing wear in a disc stack. A data transducer is used to record data to a data recording surface in the disc stack. Performance statistics are accumulated including a dwell metric value indicative of dwell time of the transducer adjacent a selected radial location and an operational life metric value indicative of accumulated elapsed operation of the transducer. Data are migrated from the selected radial location to a target location within the disc stack responsive to at least a selected one of the dwell metric value or the operational life metric value. In some cases, the dwell metric value may indicate an estimated amount of lubricant disturbance and the operational life operation may indicate operational hours of a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) element. The target location may be on a different data recording surface having an associated transducer with a lower operational life metric value. |
| US11023351B2 |
System and method of selecting a computational platform
Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a computational platform. The method includes collecting platform feature data for each of a plurality of existing computational platforms in a particular class of computational platforms. The platform feature data for each of the plurality of existing computational platforms includes a plurality of design parameters and a performance measurement for the computational platform to complete a benchmarking software component. The method further includes training a mathematical model using the collected platform feature data to devise a predictive model for predicting a predicted performance measurement for a computational platform in the particular class of computational platforms when provided with design parameters, predicting, with the predictive model, the predicted performance measurement of a new computational platform that is not available for testing, and selecting a computational platform using the predicted performance measurement. |
| US11023333B2 |
Online recovery approach to space accounting
Techniques for performing online recovery of space accounting metadata. The techniques include reestablishing a plurality of counters for tracking amounts of physical storage space committed and/or unique to the volumes and/or volume families. The techniques include, while reestablishing the counters, conducting a tree walk through a mapping hierarchy of each volume and/or volume family, marking starting and ending points through the mapping hierarchy, and monitoring a logical offset from the starting point during the tree walk. Upon receipt of an IO request, the techniques determine whether the IO request and space accounting metadata recovery activities are attempting to access the same metadata based on the logical offset relative to the starting point, and update the counters and/or temporary versions of the counters, as appropriate. By providing such techniques, metadata inconsistencies can be addressed while allowing users of the data storage system full or at least partial access to their data. |
| US11023331B2 |
Fast recovery of data in a geographically distributed storage environment
Described herein, system that facilitates recovery of an object segment in a geographically distributed storage environment. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise receiving a read request to read an object segment from a first data chunk stored in a geographically diverse data storage system, wherein the first data chunk is inaccessible, executing a GEO recovery process in response to determining that the first data chunk is inaccessible, wherein the GEO recovery process comprises accessing a first slice of data from a second data chunk stored in the geographically diverse data storage system, accessing a second slice of data from a third data chunk stored in the geographically diverse data storage system, and applying an XOR operation to the first slice of data and the second slice of data to determine a third slice of data, and extracting the object segment from the third slice of data. |
| US11023327B2 |
Encryption detection and backup management
A first entropy indicator is calculated at a first time for a collection of data stored in at least one memory. A second entropy indicator is calculated at a second time for the collection of data. The first entropy indicator is compared with the second entropy indicator. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether to back up the collection of data and/or whether to retain an earlier backup of the collection of data. |
| US11023323B2 |
Protecting data memory in a signal processing system
Data memory protection is provided for a signal processing system such as a radar system in which the data memory is protected with a common set of parity bits rather than requiring a set of parity bits for each memory word as in Error Correction Coded (ECC) memories. The common set of parity bits may be updated as memory words in the data memory are accessed as part of signal processing of one or more digital signals. The memory protection ensures that in the absence of memory errors the common parity bits are zero at the end of processing the digital signals as long as each word in the data memory that is used for storing the signal processing data is written and read an equal number of times. |
| US11023320B2 |
Technologies for providing multiple levels of error correction
Technologies for providing multiple levels of error correction include a memory that includes media access circuitry coupled to a memory media. The media access circuitry is to read data from the memory media. Additionally, the media access circuitry is to perform, with an error correction logic unit located in the media access circuitry, error correction on the read data to produce error-corrected data. |
| US11023317B2 |
Read recovery control circuitry
An apparatus includes an error correction component coupled to read recovery control circuitry. The error correction component can be configured to perform one or more initial error correction operations on codewords contained within a managed unit received thereto. The read recovery control circuitry can be configured to receive the error corrected codewords from the error correction component and determine whether codewords among the error corrected codewords contain an uncorrectable error. The read recovery control circuitry can be further configured to determine that a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) codeword included in the plurality of error corrected codewords contains the uncorrectable error, request that codewords among the error corrected codewords that contain the uncorrectable error are rewritten in response to the determination, and cause the plurality of error corrected codewords to be transferred to a host coupleable to the read recovery control circuitry. |
| US11023316B2 |
DRAM-based storage device and associated data processing method
A DRAM-based storage device includes a DRAM and a control circuit. The DRAM includes a buffering area and a host accessing area. A data is stored in the host accessing area. The control circuit is electrically connected with the DRAM. The control circuit copies a portion of the data from the host accessing area to the buffering area at a predetermined time interval counted by the control circuit. Before the portion of the data is written to the buffering area, a first ECC decoding operation is performed on the portion of the data to correct error bits contained therein. If the portion of the data is corrected, the control circuit rewrites the corrected portion of the data into the host accessing area. |
| US11023314B2 |
Prioritizing shared blockchain data storage
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for storing blockchain data. One of the methods includes receiving a plurality of blocks from a blockchain node in the blockchain network; for each of the plurality of blocks: determining a first number of blockchain nodes that store a dataset divided from an error correction coding (ECC) encoded version of the block and a second number of blockchain nodes that store a dataset comprised of redundant bits divided from the ECC encoded version of the block; calculating a priority value of the block based on the first number and the second number; and encoding at least a portion of the plurality of blocks using ECC to generate a plurality of encoded blocks based on the priority value. |
| US11023313B2 |
Look-aside RAID controller storage-device-assisted data update system
A RAID storage controller storage-device-assisted data update system includes a RAID storage controller device coupled to a host system and RAID storage devices in a “look aside” RAID storage controller device configuration. Based on command(s) from the RAID storage controller device, a first RAID primary data storage device may perform a first DMA operation to access first primary data stored on the host system, and write the first primary data to its first buffer subsystem. The first RAID primary data storage device may then perform a first XOR operation using the first primary data stored in its first buffer subsystem and second primary data stored in its first storage subsystem in order to produce first interim parity data, and write the first interim parity data to its second buffer subsystem. The first RAID primary data storage device may then update the second primary data with the first primary data. |
| US11023311B2 |
On-demand code execution in input path of data uploaded to storage service in multiple data portions
Systems and methods are described for modifying input and output (I/O) to an object storage service by implementing one or more owner-specified functions to I/O requests. A function can implement a data manipulation, such as filtering out sensitive data before reading or writing the data. The functions can be applied prior to implementing a request method (e.g., GET or PUT) specified within the I/O request, such that the data to which the method is applied my not match the object specified within the request. For example, a user may request to obtain (e.g., GET) a data set. The data set may be passed to a function that filters sensitive data to the data set, and the GET request method may then be applied to the output of the function. In this manner, owners of objects on an object storage service are provided with greater control of objects stored or retrieved from the service. |
| US11023310B1 |
Detection of address errors in memory devices using multi-segment error detection codes
A system including a user interface, a memory, and a processor configured to perform operations including receiving memory scrambling information including address scrambling information and data scrambling information, and associating one or more address bus bits of a plurality of address bus bits with an address grouping of a plurality of address groupings based on the address scrambling information is disclosed. In an embodiment, the address grouping corresponds to at least one address segment of a plurality of address segments. The operations include determining an error correction code for the at least one address segment that includes one or more address check bits. The operations include generating a physical layout of memory components based on the memory scrambling information. The memory components include at least one of the plurality of address bus bits, and the one or more address check bits. |
| US11023308B2 |
Traffic and geography based cognitive disaster recovery
In a system having at least two data storage and processing sites, each capable of alternatively serving as a primary site and a backup or target site, disaster recovery migration is optimized by cognitively analyzing at least one system parameter. Using machine learning, at least one pattern of that system related parameter is predicted, and planned or unplanned migration procedures are performed based on the predicted parameter patterns. The analyzed parameter may be data traffic at the sites, and the predicted data traffic pattern is used to assign primary and backup site status to those sites. The analyzed parameter may be the occurrence of events or transactions at the sites, and the predicted event or transaction patterns may be used to determine times of disaster recovery procedure processing so as to not interrupt a critical event or transaction. |
| US11023307B2 |
Automatic remediation of distributed storage system node components through visualization
A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method begins by gathering, at a DSN management unit, an abstracted DSN node hardware configuration and associated node health information for a plurality of DSN nodes residing in the DSN. The method continues by generating a graphical display indicating a state and a presence of the plurality of DSN nodes and associated hardware. The method continues by performing, at the DSN management unit, specific remediating actions on the plurality of DSN nodes based on the state and presence of the plurality of DSN nodes and associated hardware. |
| US11023300B2 |
Governing access to third-party application programming interfaces
Techniques for governing access to third-party application programming interfaces (API's) are disclosed. A proxy service exposes an API configured to receive requests, from user-facing services, to perform functions of backend services. The proxy service stores a usage policy that defines a criterion that is (a) different from any authorization criterion and (b) associated with using a function of a backend service. The proxy service receives a request to perform the function of the first backend service for a user-facing service and determines that the request does not satisfy the usage policy. Based on determining that the request does not satisfy the usage policy, the proxy service refrains from accessing the backend service to perform the function responsive to the request, and transmits an alert to the user-facing service indicating that the request does not satisfy the usage policy. |
| US11023299B2 |
System and method of a shared memory allocator
A method and apparatus of a network device that allocates a shared memory buffer for an object is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network device receives an allocation request for the shared memory buffer for the object. In addition, the network device allocates the shared memory buffer from shared memory of a network device, where the shared memory buffer is accessible by a writer and a plurality of readers. The network device further returns a writer pointer to the writer, where the writer pointer references a base address of the shared memory buffer. Furthermore, the network device stores the object in the shared memory buffer, wherein the writer accesses the shared memory using the writer pointer. The network device further shares the writer pointer with at least a first reader of the plurality of readers. The network device additionally translates the base address of the shared memory buffer to a reader pointer, where the reader pointer is expressed in a memory space of the first reader. |
| US11023291B2 |
Synchronization between processes in a coordination namespace
A system and method of supporting point-to-point synchronization among processes/nodes implementing different hardware barriers in a tuple space/coordinated namespace (CNS) extended memory storage architecture. The system-wide CNS provides an efficient means for storing data, communications, and coordination within applications and workflows implementing barriers in a multi-tier, multi-nodal tree hierarchy. The system provides a hardware accelerated mechanism to support barriers between the participating processes. Also architected is a tree structure for a barrier processing method where processes are mapped to nodes of a tree, e.g., a tree of degree k to provide an efficient way of scaling the number of processes in a tuple space/coordination namespace. |
| US11023289B2 |
Cloud environment configuration based on task parallelization
Example methods and computer systems for cloud environment configuration based on task parallelization. One example method may comprise: obtaining a task data structure specifying execution dependency information associated with a set of multiple configuration tasks that are executable to perform cloud environment configuration. The method may also comprise: In response to identifying a first configuration task and a second configuration task that are ready for execution based on the task data structure, triggering execution of the first configuration task and the second configuration task. The method may further comprise: in response to determination that the first configuration task has been completed, identifying third configuration task(s) that are ready for execution based on the task data structure; and triggering execution of the third configuration task(s) by respective third compute node(s). |
| US11023288B2 |
Cloud data center with reduced energy consumption
Technology for computing number of active servers needed over time in a cloud/compute cluster includes the following operations (not necessarily in the following order): (i) determining the capacity of each VCE provisioned on the cloud against the resource guaranteed to that VCE; (ii) forecasting the resource needs over time using historical requests for each VCE flavor; and (iii) using the forecasted resource needs to determine the required number of future servers at some future time. Some embodiments of the present invention use a formula that accounts for the interplay among various parameter values of the VCE flavors and also the mapping of the needs of VCEs of various flavors to the capabilities of physical resources. |
| US11023286B2 |
Container based service management
A method, computer system, and a computer program product for migrating a service from one container to another container is provided. The present invention may include obtaining a first group of requests that are accessing a service launched in a first container instance and a second group of requests that are waiting for accessing the service. The present invention may also include generating a migrated service in a second container instance by migrating the service from the first container instance to the second container instance based on the obtained first and second groups of requests. The present invention may further include directing the second group of requests to the migrated service in the second container instance. |
| US11023285B2 |
Acceleration method for FPGA-based distributed stream processing system
The present invention relates to an acceleration method for an FPGA-based distributed stream processing system, which accomplishes computational processing of stream processing operations through collaborative computing conducted by FPGA devices and a CPU module and at least comprises following steps: building the FPGA-based distributed stream processing system having a master node by installing the FPGA devices on slave nodes; dividing stream applications into first tasks suitable to be executed by the FPGA devices and second tasks suitable to be executed by the CPU module; and where the stream applications submitted to the master node are configured with kernel files that can be compiled and executed by the FPGA devices or with uploading paths of the kernel files, making the master node allocate and schedule resources by pre-processing the stream applications. |
| US11023283B2 |
Method and resource manager for scheduling of instances in a data centre
A method, a resource manager, and a computer program are described for scheduling instances in a logical server, where each instance belongs to a class of instances, where each class is associated with a required service level objective (SLO). Based on determined margins between current SLOs and required SLOs, instances are sorted. If resources are not enough, an instance having a large margin may be pre-empted irrespective of the class. If available resources are sufficient for an instance having a small margin, this instance can be allocated resources. If the available resources do not suffice, it may be decided to pre-empt another instance to which resource are allocated, in order to free resources sufficient for the instance having the small margin. Accordingly, scheduling is performed for instances having various classes without violating the SLOs of the instances and such that resources are more efficiently used. |
| US11023280B2 |
Processing data streams received from instrumented software using incremental finite window double exponential smoothing
A system receives a time series of data values from instrumented software executing on an external system. Each data value corresponds to a metric of the external system. The system stores a level value representing a current estimate of the time series and a trend value representing a trend in the time series. The level and trend values are based on data in a window having a trailing value. In response to receiving a most recent value, the system updates the level value and the trend value to add an influence of the most recent value and remove an influence of the trailing value. The system forecasts based on the updated level and trend values, and in response to determining that the forecast indicates the potential resource shortage event, takes action. |
| US11023274B2 |
Method and system for processing data
A method for processing data includes receiving an adjustment request for adjusting a number of consumer instances from a first number to a second number, and determining a migration overhead for adjusting a first distribution of states associated with the first number of consumer instances to a second distribution of the states associated with the second number of consumer instances, wherein the states are intermediate results of processing the data and the migration overhead includes a latency and a bandwidth shortage incurred for migrating the states. Based on the determined migration overhead, the states are migrated between the first number of consumer instances and the second number of consumer instances, and thereafter the data is processed based on the second distribution of the states at the second number of consumer instances. |
| US11023268B2 |
Computer system and computer
A computer system comprises a storage unit which stores communication information that passes through a path control virtual machine as a virtual machine which performs path control of communication between a plurality of virtual machines and a physical machine, virtual machine information shows a status of use of the plurality of virtual machines, placement information shows a physical host configured from the plurality of virtual machines, physical resource information shows a status of use of physical resources in the physical host, and path information shows a path of communication between the plurality of virtual machines and the physical machine, and a placement processing unit selects a physical host to place the path control virtual machine based on the virtual machine information, the placement information and the physical resource information, and calculates a communication cost on an assumption that the path control virtual machine is placed in the selected physical host. |
| US11023265B2 |
Techniques for improving output-packet-similarity between primary and secondary virtual machines
Examples may include intercepting packets outputted from a primary virtual machine (PVM) hosted by a first server and converting one or more fields of protocol headers for each intercepted packet such that output-packet-similarity may be increased between the PVM outputted packets and packets outputted by a secondary virtual machine (SVM) hosted by a second server. |
| US11023261B1 |
3RD party application management
Methods and systems for secure applications running web view applications are disclosed. In some aspects, user data may be secured within a first security domain, that is inaccessible to a web view application running within a second application. The second application accesses the user data via a second security domain, when a request is received from the web view application to display a user interface. The second application then displays a user interface based at least in part, on the user data. |
| US11023255B2 |
Declarative technical configuration composer for integration setup
Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for receiving a configuration descriptor from configuration descriptor repository, the configuration descriptor declaring a configuration task, and providing an order of invoking two or more application programming interfaces (APIs) to respective components of the enterprise-side landscape to execute the configuration task, processing the configuration descriptor by a configuration executor of an integration services platform to automatically execute at least a portion of the configuration task by invoking the two or more APIs in the order, a response of a first API being provided as a request to a second API, and selectively indicating one of success and failure of the configuration task based on at least one response of the two or more APIs. |
| US11023252B2 |
Method and apparatus for bidirectional control connecting hardware device action with URL-based web navigation
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for associating digital media with physical device. A method for controlling a hardware state input based on uniform resource locator (URL) data can include identifying URL data associated with a web browser, comparing the identified URL data to stored URL data, identifying stored hardware device data based on the comparison, generating a control signal based on the determined hardware device data, and/or transmitting the control signal to a microcontroller communicatively coupled to a hardware device. The microcontroller can adjust a hardware state of the hardware device based on the received control signal. A method for navigating to a URL location based on hardware device data can include receiving hardware device data from a microcontroller communicatively coupled to a hardware device, comparing the received hardware device data with stored hardware device data, identifying URL data based on the comparison, and causing a browser to navigate to a URL location based on the URL data. |
| US11023251B2 |
Efficient sharing of artifacts between collaboration applications
A method can include evaluating each of a plurality of collaborative systems, using a processor, for suitability hosting an artifact according to at least one attribute of the artifact. A first collaborative system can be selected from the plurality of collaborative systems according to the evaluation. The artifact can be stored in the first collaborative system. |
| US11023249B1 |
First stage bootloader (FSBL)
The present invention relates to a method of reading images using redundant copies and recovery mechanisms to produce valid images, including: reading an OS boot table from a default location in at least one flash memory to at least one DDR SDRAM of a printed circuit board, using at least one processor connected to at least one FPGA; wherein the boot table describes where to find an OS image and a RAM filesystem image in the flash memory; reading a RAM filesystem image from the flash memory into the DDR SDRAM; and validating the boot table and the RAM filesystem image by checking them for corruption using header information and cyclic redundancy check methods; wherein when at least one of the OS image or the RAM filesystem image is corrupt, a valid image can be compiled using valid sections of each of the OS image or the RAM filesystem image. |
| US11023248B2 |
Assured application services
A computer implemented method to execute a software application in a network attached computing environment, the application being defined by a set of required software services to constitute the application, the required services being selected from services indicated in a component registry, the method including recording a block to a blockchain data structure, the new block identifying at least a subset of the set of required services; receiving one or more further blocks from the blockchain data structure, each of the further blocks referencing a service provider for providing one or more of the required services; and selecting one or more service providers identified in the blockchain and defining a specification for an application assembler component to assemble the software application, the specification identifying selected service providers. |
| US11023242B2 |
Method and apparatus for asynchronous scheduling
A method and apparatus of asynchronous scheduling in a graphics device includes sending one or more instructions from an instruction scheduler to one or more instruction first-in/first-out (FIFO) devices. An instruction in the one or more FIFO devices is selected for execution by a single-instruction/multiple-data (SIMD) pipeline unit. It is determined whether all operands for the selected instruction are available for execution of the instruction, and if all the operands are available, the selected instruction is executed on the SIMD pipeline unit. The self-timed arithmetic pipeline unit (SIMD pipeline unit) is effectively encapsulated in a synchronous, (e.g., clocked by global clock), scheduler and register file environment. |
| US11023241B2 |
Systems and methods for selectively bypassing address-generation hardware in processor instruction pipelines
Systems and methods selectively bypass address-generation hardware in processor instruction pipelines. In an embodiment, a processor includes an address-generation stage and an address-generation-bypass-determination unit (ABDU). The ABDU receives a load/store instruction. If an effective address for the load/store instruction is not known at the ABDU, the ABDU routes the load/store instruction via the address-generation stage of the processor. If, however, the effective address of the load/store instruction is known at the ABDU, the ABDU routes the load/store instruction to bypass the address-generation stage of the processor. |
| US11023240B1 |
Systems and methods for efficient scaling of quantized integers
The disclosed computer-implemented method may include receiving an input value and a floating-point scaling factor and determining (1) an integer scaling factor based on the floating-point scaling factor, (2) a pre-scaling adjustment value representative of a number of places by which to shift a binary representation of the input value prior to a scaling operation, and (3) a post-scaling adjustment value representative of a number of places by which to shift the binary representation of the input value following the scaling operation. The method may further include calculating a scaled result value by (1) shifting rightwards the binary representation of the input value by the pre-scaling adjustment value, (2) scaling the shifted binary representation of the input value by the integer scaling factor, and (3) shifting rightwards the shifted and scaled binary value by the post-scaling adjustment value. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US11023236B2 |
Instruction and logic for processing text strings
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing a string comparison operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, said execution resources store a result of a comparison between each data element of a first and second operand corresponding to a first and second text string, respectively. |
| US11023235B2 |
Systems and methods to zero a tile register pair
Embodiments detailed herein relate to systems and methods to zero a tile register pair. In one example, a processor includes decode circuitry to decode a matrix pair zeroing instruction having fields for an opcode and an identifier to identify a destination matrix having a PAIR parameter equal to TRUE; and execution circuitry to execute the decoded matrix pair zeroing instruction to zero every element of a left matrix and a right matrix of the identified destination matrix. |
| US11023232B2 |
Control transfer termination instructions of an instruction set architecture (ISA)
In an embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having an execution logic to execute instructions and a control transfer termination (CTT) logic coupled to the execution logic. This logic is to cause a CTT fault to be raised if a target instruction of a control transfer instruction is not a CTT instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US11023230B2 |
Apparatus for calculating and retaining a bound on error during floating-point operations and methods thereof
The apparatus and method for calculating and retaining a bound on error during floating-point operations inserts an additional bounding field into the standard floating-point format that records the retained significant bits of the calculation with notification upon insufficient retention. The bounding field, accounting for both rounding and cancellation errors, includes the lost bits D Field and the accumulated rounding error R Field. The D Field states the number of bits in the floating-point representation that are no longer meaningful. The bounds on the represented real value are determined by the truncated floating-point value and the addition of the error determined by the number of lost bits. The true, real value is absolutely contained by these bounds. The allowable loss (optionally programmable) of significant digits provides a fail-safe, real-time notification of loss of significant digits. This allows representation of real numbers accurate to the last digit. |
| US11023221B2 |
Artificial intelligence driven configuration management
Techniques for artificial intelligence driven configuration management are described herein. In some embodiments, a machine-learning process determines a feature set for a plurality of deployments of a software resource. Based on varying values in the feature set, the process clusters each of the plurality of deployments into a cluster of a plurality of clusters. Each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprises one or more nodes and each node of the one or more nodes corresponds to at least a subset of values of the feature set that are detected in at least one deployment of the plurality of deployments of the software resource. The process determines a representative node for each cluster of the plurality of clusters. An operation may be performed based on the representative node for at least one cluster. |
| US11023219B2 |
Upgrade implementation of a virtualization management system
Aspects of updating or upgrading a management system for a virtualized computing environment are described. In some aspects, a virtualization management system that manages a virtualized computing environment can be upgraded or updated with limited downtime of the system by deploying a new instance of the system and subsequently assigning a network address of the previous instance to the new instance once it is deployed in the environment. |
| US11023218B1 |
Metadata driven product configuration management
A method may include: receiving a notification of a triggering event, the triggering event identifying an associated product; accessing a baseline configuration for the product; transmitting a notification to a recipient responsible for maintaining the baseline configuration for the product; receiving an approved update to the baseline configuration from the recipient; generating an updated baseline configuration for the product based on the approved update; querying a database to identify an application subscriber for the triggering event for the product; and transmitting the updated baseline configuration to the identified application subscriber. |
| US11023217B2 |
Systems and methods for support of selective processor microcode updates
An information handling system may include a plurality of processors, a basic input/output system (BIOS) comprising a program of instructions executable by one or more of the plurality of processors configured to, when executed, cause the one or more of the plurality of processors, to initialize one or more information handling resources of the information handling system, wherein the BIOS is further configured to receive a user selection of respective microcode versions desired to be loaded on each of the plurality of processors and cause each of the plurality of processors to load a respective microcode version in accordance with the user selection such that the respective microcode version loaded by a first of the plurality of processors is different than the respective microcode version loaded by a second of the plurality of processors. |
| US11023216B2 |
Storage medium, information processing apparatus, and control method
After first application software is installed, second application software is installed, and a shortcut for accepting a user operation on the application software is created. |
| US11023214B2 |
System and method for eliminating runtime out-of-bounds errors and exceptions
Embodiments herein disclose systems and methods for enabling new types (referred to as existent types), that allow for expressing additional possible values and, thereby, eliminating out-of-bounds access errors in programming. In addition to the value “null” as supported by many programming languages, embodiments herein introduce a new special or reserved value to represent an out-of-bounds access. In an exemplary embodiment, a special “undefined” value or memory address, which is distinct from “null”, that exclusively describes out-of-bounds accesses is defined. The implementation includes but is not limited to value checks, bounds checks, and container-level implementations. |
| US11023211B2 |
Methods for generating a semantic description of a composite interaction
The embodiments proposed herein provide a simplified configuration of an industrial entity and an application design development using a visual programming environment. The concept is based on graphical representation of semantic models as configurable entity icons. An entity icon corresponding to a semantic configuration template acts as a template for an atomic capability of an industrial entity providing a configuration that is consistent with preconfigured solutions of the semantic model. The entity icon may be customized according to a device specification of the industrial entity by configuring one or more attributes according to the device specifications. The configuration act is guided and validated. One or more configured entity icons may be used to describe capabilities of an industrial entity or to create an IoT application template. |
| US11023204B2 |
Hardware implementation of a tournament tree sort algorithm using an external memory
Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for performing a tournament tree sort on a hardware accelerator having an external memory. The method includes receiving a plurality of key values by the hardware accelerator, assigning each of the plurality of key values a sequential key number as the plurality of key values are received and performing pairwise comparisons of each of the plurality of key values to identify a winning key and a losing key. The method also includes storing the losing key of each pairwise comparison in a first section of the external memory, wherein a location in the first section is based on the key number of the losing key and storing the winning key of each pairwise comparison in a second section of the external memory, wherein a location in the second section is based on the key number of the winning key. |
| US11023203B2 |
Method, device, and computer program for merge-sorting record groups having tree structure efficiently
A first record group and a second record group having a tree structure are merge-sorted. The first record group and the second record group are acquired, and depth information indicative of the hierarchical depth of the tree structure is attached as metadata to key information on each node of each record included in the acquired first record group and second record group. The depth information is compared in preference to the key information to perform merge sort sequentially. |
| US11023198B2 |
Electronic sticky note processing system and apparatus
An information processing system includes first and second information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display controller. The first display controller performs control to display a parent message and a child message on a first display. The second information processing apparatus includes a second display controller and a receiver. The second display controller performs control to display a file attached to a parent message and a sticky note which shows the content of a child message on a second display. The receiver receives a file attached to a parent message and a child message from the first information processing apparatus. When the receiver has received the file and the child message, the second display controller performs control to display a sticky note which shows the content of the child message on the second display such that the sticky note is superposed on the file. |
| US11023190B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a controller that controls the image forming apparatus; a memory that stores noise levels produced by a plurality of devices constituting the image forming apparatus during operation of the devices; and a microphone that accepts a speech instruction for the image forming apparatus. The controller accepts a job, detects a speech level from the speech accepted by the microphone, compares the detected speech level with a noise level that corresponds to the job to be executed in the image forming apparatus and that has been read from the memory, and controls, based on a result of the comparison, which one of a process of accepting the speech instruction and a process of executing the job in the image forming apparatus should be preferentially performed. |
| US11023189B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method for image processing apparatus, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus that performs print processing based on a job includes a reception unit configured to receive an operation performed by a user, a change unit configured to, in response to the reception unit receiving a predetermined operation, change a job on which the print processing is not yet completed to a suspended state, and a job control unit configured to, when detecting a logout event that causes a user who is logged into the image processing apparatus to log out of the image processing apparatus, resume at least one job and cancel a job or jobs that are not resumed by the job control unit selected from jobs changed by the change unit to be in the suspended state. |
| US11023183B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus includes a notifying step of, if an error is occurring in a printing apparatus under non-completion of an initial setting process for the printing apparatus when a predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus, executing a notification process for notifying a user of the error occurring in the printing apparatus on the basis of error information, the initial setting process being a process executed in response to the user turning on the printing apparatus for a first time after the printing apparatus is unpacked, and not executing the notification process if an error is occurring in the printing apparatus under completion of the initial setting process for the printing apparatus when the predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus. |
| US11023181B2 |
Systems and methods for operating multiple client printing systems
A method for operating multiple client printing systems is described. The method includes creating an administration account. The method also includes instantiating a printing manager instance for each of the multiple client printing systems. The multiple client printing systems are associated with the administration account. The method further includes presenting a data structure comprising an object associated with each of the multiple client printing systems. The method additionally includes determining license usage data for the multiple client printing systems based on the printing manager instances. The method also includes presenting the license usage data. |
| US11023180B2 |
Method, equipment and system for managing the file system
A method for managing the file system of a computer terminal having a local memory, connected to a network comprising at least one remote storage device, comprising steps for periodically calculating the local or remote addressing of a digital file to be recorded, read or modified based on a periodically recalculated law, wherein said step of calculating the addressing is based on metadata present in said digital file to be processed, the access history of said file to be processed and the local tree structure of the files, said law is determined from a reference law, recalculated in the background, by processes based on a user's usage, to control the copying of a remote file to the local memory before access to said file is requested, and to erase local files for which the said law determines a usage indicator below a threshold value. |
| US11023176B2 |
Storage interface, timing control method, and storage system
The storage interface includes a first programmable input/output unit configured to perform phase inversion on a clock signal that is output by the master controller, and output the phase-inverted clock signal to the storage device. The storage interface includes a second programmable input/output unit configured to delay a data signal that is output by the master controller, and output the delayed data signal to the storage device, where the delayed data signal is delayed by a time ΔT relative to the clock signal that is output by the master controller, and TCLK/2−ΔT≥TISU and ΔT≥TIH, where TCLK represents a period of the clock signal, TISU represents a shortest input setup time required by the storage device in each of different data rate modes, and TIH represents a shortest input hold time employed by the storage device in each of different data rate modes. |
| US11023172B2 |
Selecting read voltage using write transaction data
A system includes a memory component; and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory component. The processing device is to receive a request to perform a read operation on data stored at a physical address of the memory component and determine whether the data satisfies a threshold criterion pertaining to when the data was written to the physical address. In response to the data satisfying the threshold criterion, the processing device is to perform the read operation on the data stored at the physical address using a first read voltage level, and in response to the data not satisfying the threshold criterion, perform the read operation on the data stored at the physical address using a second read voltage level. |
| US11023161B1 |
Host device with multi-path layer implementing efficient load balancing for active-active configuration
An apparatus comprises a host device that includes a multi-path input-output (MPIO) driver configured to control delivery of input-output (IO) operations from the host device to first and second storage systems over selected paths through a network. The MPIO driver is further configured to obtain a copy command associated with at least one of the IO operations, to identify a plurality of paths shared between source and destination logical storage devices of the copy command, to select a particular path from the identified paths, and to send the copy command to one of the first and second storage systems over the selected path. The first and second storage systems in some embodiments are arranged in an active-active configuration relative to one another. A given one of the source and destination logical storage devices may comprise a paired logical device established in accordance with the active-active configuration of the first and second storage systems. |
| US11023157B2 |
Intermediary duplication to facilitate copy requests in distributed storage systems
Generally described, aspects of the present application correspond to enabling rapid duplication of data within a data volume hosted on a network storage system. The network storage system can maintain a highly distributed replica of the data volume, designated for duplication of data within the volume and separate from one or more other replicas designated for handling modifications to the data volume. By providing increased parallelization, the highly distributed replica can facilitate rapid duplication of the volume. When a sufficiently large request to duplicate the data volume is received, the system can create additional duplicate portions of the volume to further increase parallelization. For example, a partition of the highly distributed replica may be repeatedly duplicated to create a large number of intermediary duplicate partitions. The intermediary duplicate partitions can then be used to service the duplication request rapidly, due to increased parallelism. |
| US11023156B2 |
Dynamic API allocation based on data-tagging
Dynamic API allocation based on data-tagging is provided. Data that is stored in a local system is parsed and normalized. One or more highly used fields is identified and tagged. A counter corresponding to each highly used field is incremented upon each reference. Upon exceeding a threshold, data is migrated to object storage. An index is created for each highly used field. A bi-directional pipeline is created between the local system and the cloud-based system. The data structure is created in object storage in the cloud-based system. Data is dynamically migrated through the pipeline from the local system to cloud-based object storage. Cloud-based system sends an API endpoint to local system. Future data accesses to local data are redirected to object storage using the API endpoint. Local system continues monitoring data utilization. Upon utilization dropping below a threshold, data accesses are redirected to local system, using the local pointer. |
| US11023149B1 |
Doubly mapped cluster contraction
Contraction of a doubly mapped redundant array of independent nodes, e.g., a doubly mapped cluster, is disclosed. Different mappings of data for a doubly mapped cluster corresponding to different uses of computing resources. Where a computing resource parameter indicates the computing resource is underutilized, an alternative mapping of the doubly mapped cluster can be undertaken. The alternative mapping can better utilize the computing resources. The contraction of the doubly mapped cluster can maintain access to stored data. The contraction can preserve data protection set integrity. The contraction can result in the doubly mapped cluster comprising fewer mapped nodes after the contraction but can avoid wholesale moving of corresponding data stored in a real cluster. As such, contraction of a doubly mapped cluster can be distinct from scaling-in of a doubly mapped cluster. |
| US11023146B1 |
System and method for managing buffers in a computer system
A system and method provides an integrated buffer management with flow control, in some cases via credits that may be redeemed for buffers, and interprocess communication. |
| US11023139B2 |
System for speculative block IO aggregation to reduce uneven wearing of SCMs in virtualized compute node by offloading intensive block IOs
An information handling system may include at least one processor and a non-transitory memory coupled to the at least one processor. The information handling system may be configured to implement a disk manager configured to receive a command to perform a block input/output (I/O) job at a first physical storage resource. The disk manager may, based on characteristics of the block I/O job, classify the block I/O job as an intensive write. In response to the block I/O job being classified as an intensive write, the disk manager may invoke a speculative I/O aggregator module of the disk manager. The disk manager may create a delta disk image for the first physical storage resource at a second physical storage resource, and redirect the block I/O job to the delta disk image at the second physical storage resource. |
| US11023135B2 |
Handling frequently accessed pages
Handling frequently accessed pages is disclosed. An indication is received of a stalling event caused by a requested portion of memory being inaccessible. It is determined that the requested portion of memory is a frequently updated portion of memory. The stalling event is handled based at least in part on the determination that the requested portion of memory is a frequently updated portion of memory. |
| US11023133B2 |
Systems and methods for modifying storage system configuration using artificial intelligence
Methods and systems are provided for modifying configuration of a storage system using artificial intelligence. An exemplary method comprises storing an initial configuration of the storage system as configuration parameters, collecting health information and parameter information related to the storage system over a period of time, analyzing the collected health information using machine learning by comparing the health and the parameter information to a set of goals of the storage system, and in response to determining that the storage system is not operating in accordance with the set of goals, identifying a problem with the storage system using artificial intelligence by analyzing the health information and generating parameter changes that correct the problem, updating the configuration parameters with the parameter changes and applying the parameter changes to the storage system to correct the problem and restore performance of the storage system. |
| US11023129B2 |
Hybrid intra-cluster migration of data between storage devices using chunk usage efficiency
Hybrid intra-cluster migration of data in an elastic cloud storage (ECS) environment is disclosed herein. A system comprises a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform operations that include moving a first data chunk from a first storage device to a second storage device during a data migration, based on a first determination that a first use efficiency of the first data chunk satisfies a defined use efficiency threshold. The operations also include moving a first data segment from a second data chunk in the first storage device to a third data chunk in the second storage device during the data migration, based on a second determination that a second use efficiency of the second data chunk fails to satisfy the defined use efficiency threshold. The first data segment includes data that is open for new writes and a second data segment includes data that is not open for new writes. After data is moved, capacity of the first data chuck is recovered. Moving the first data chunk preserves a chunk identifier of the first data chunk. |
| US11023126B2 |
Touch gesture confirmation
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing data corresponding to one or more settings of a network-enabled device; and determining one or more of the settings corresponds to an enhanced security level. Each of the one or more settings are activated by a corresponding confirmation touch gesture. The method also includes detecting a number of touch inputs; and determining the number of touch inputs correspond to a confirmation touch gesture. The confirmation touch gesture includes: an initial touch input; and a confirmation touch input located at a particular area of a touch-sensitive display that is located at least a pre-determined distance from an end location of the initial touch input. The method also includes sending data corresponding to one or more of the settings activated by the confirmation touch gesture in response to determining the number of touch inputs correspond to the confirmation touch gesture. |
| US11023124B1 |
Processing user input received during a display orientation change of a mobile device
A method, a mobile device, and a computer program product for processing user input received during a display orientation change of a mobile device. The method includes determining if touch screen data is received during a re-orientation of a display of the mobile device from a first mode to a second mode. In response to determining that touch screen data was received during the re-orientation, the method further includes identifying whether the touch screen data includes at least one user interface action having a corresponding response by/on the mobile device. In response to the touch screen data including the at least one user interface action and in response to completion of a re-orientation of the display of the mobile device from the first mode to the second mode, the at least one user interface action is executed to trigger the corresponding response by/on the mobile device. |
| US11023123B2 |
Reconfiguring a user interface according to interface device deterioration
For reconfiguring a user interface (UI) layout according to a deterioration of an interface device, a UI layout is analyzed to determine a position of a UI element on the interface device according to the UI layout determination is made that the UI element is positioned in a first area of the interface device, the first area having a first sensitivity to touch, where the first sensitivity is below a level of sensitivity. A second area of the interface device is identified, the second area having a second sensitivity to touch, where the second sensitivity is at least equal to the level of sensitivity. The UI element is relocated from the first area to the second area thereby forming a modified UI layout. The modified UI layout is sent for rendering on the interface device. |
| US11023121B2 |
Method of transversally aligning information elements along axes
A method of retrieving multiple copies of an information element on a display is presented, the method comprising displaying a plurality of information elements along a first axis including a first axial direction thereof, displaying a second plurality of information elements along a second axis including a second axial direction thereof parallel with the second direction, the first axis displaying a first information element thereon, the second axis including the first information element thereon, the first information element on the second axis being not transversally aligned with the first information element displayed on the first axis and displacing at least one of the first axis of information elements and the second axis of information elements to display the first information element from the first axis of information elements adjacent to the first information element from the second axis of information elements. |
| US11023119B2 |
Application program, terminal device controlling method, terminal device and server
The present invention provides: an application program which assists with an intuitive understanding of the position of each page of a slide on a time axis; a terminal device controlling method; a terminal device; and a server. The application program of the terminal device, which plays a slide and an audio synchronized with the slide, makes a computer of the terminal device 3 function as a display control unit 32 which displays an interface 100 provided with a first interface 123 that represents a playback position of the audio and a second interface 135 that represents a playback position of each page of the slide, and function as a play control unit 32 which plays the slide and audio at designated playback position, wherein when a playback position of one among the first interface 123 and the second interface 135 is designated, the display control unit 32 makes a playback position of the other correspond to the designated playback position. |
| US11023116B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for moving a user interface object based on an intensity of a press input
An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface, displays a respective control, which is associated with respective contact intensity criteria, used to determine whether or not a function associated with the respective control will be performed. The device detects a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, corresponding to an interaction with the respective control. In accordance with a determination that the gesture does not include a contact that meets the respective contact intensity criteria, the device changes the appearance of the respective control to indicate progress toward meeting the respective contact intensity criteria that is used to determine whether or not a function associated with the respective control will be performed. In response to detecting activation of the control, the device performs the function associated with the respective control in accordance with the detected gesture including a contact that meets the respective contact intensity criteria. |
| US11023103B2 |
User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing. |
| US11023102B2 |
Digital experiences using touchpoint-based prompts
The present disclosure relates to a digital experience system that non-intrusively obtains valuable user feedback by strategically prompting users for feedback during a user's journey of a digital content experience. For example, in one or more embodiments, the digital experience system detects when various discrete touchpoints are triggered throughout a user's journey. In response to detection a triggered touchpoint, the digital experience system can provide the user with a prompt from a template of prompts. In this manner, the digital experience system can receive valuable and meaningful feedback from users without disrupting the user's digital content experience. Indeed, the digital experience system enhances the content experience for the user by providing prompts to the user throughout the user's journey of the content experience. |
| US11023101B2 |
System and method for implementing a self service machine learning framework
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to reducing complexities in machine learning application development by providing a drag-and-drop user interface for an entire machine learning process. The innovative system significantly reduces development time and efforts. An embodiment of the present invention is directed to applying optimized common components that follow industry wide best practices thereby improving the time to market as well as the overall code quality. The embodiments of the present invention provide adaptability and extendibility to support various platforms. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a generic platform agnostic code generator may be extended to support various use cases, applications, platforms and environments. |
| US11023100B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for creating and updating a group of media content items
Methods, systems, and media for identifying and updating a group of media content items are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving indications of filtering criteria; identifying a first collection of media content items, wherein the first collection of media content items includes media content items associated with a particular topic; identifying a first group of candidate media content items, wherein the first group of candidate media content items includes media content items not included in the first collection of media content items; creating a second collection of media content items by applying the stored filtering criteria to the first collection of media content items and the first group of candidate media content items; and causing a user interface that indicates the second collection of media content items and the identifier of the collection of media content items to be presented. |
| US11023099B2 |
Identification of a set of objects based on a focal object
In one implementation, a system for managing data includes a tag engine to maintain associations among objects of a data set, an associates engine to identify a first set of objects having a tag that matches a tag coupled to a focal object, a filter engine to identify a second set of objects based on the filter evaluated on the first set of objects, and a load engine to cause the second set of objects to load for display in a window of a UI. |
| US11023095B2 |
Providing a first person view in a virtual world using a lens
An interactive virtual world having avatars. Scenes in the virtual world as seen by the eyes of the avatars are presented on user devices controlling the avatars. In one approach, a method includes identifying a location of an avatar in a virtual world, and a point of gaze of the avatar; adjusting, based on the point of gaze, a lens that directs available light received by the lens so that the lens can focus on objects at all distances; collecting, using the adjusted lens, image data; and generating a scene of the virtual world as seen by the avatar, the scene based on the collected image data, the location of the avatar, and the point of gaze of the avatar. |
| US11023091B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for improving visibility of affordances
An electronic device displays a user interface that includes a plurality of affordances including a first affordance. The first affordance is selectable to perform a respective operation. The first affordance is displayed at a first size. The device receives a user input at a location corresponding to the first affordance. In response to receiving the user input and in accordance with a determination that a text display setting has a first value, the device displays an overlay that includes an enlarged representation of the first affordance. The enlarged representation of the first affordance has a second size that is bigger than the first size. In response to receiving the user input and in accordance with a determination that the text display setting has a second value that is different from the first value, the device forgoes display of the enlarged representation of the first affordance. |
| US11023085B2 |
Touch panel and control method thereof, and display device
The present disclosure provides a touch panel and a control method thereof, and a display device. The touch panel includes: a plurality of touch electrodes, including a plurality of first electrodes not crossing with each other and including one or more first sub-electrodes located in a foldable area of the touch panel and a plurality of second electrodes not crossing with each other, wherein at least one of the plurality of second electrodes is disposed to be insulated from and crossing with at least one of the one or more first sub-electrodes, and at least one of the at least one of the one or more first sub-electrodes is configured to be connected to a first end at a first stage; and a first switching circuit configured to make the at least one of the plurality of second electrodes be connected to a second end at the first stage. |
| US11023084B2 |
Touch sensor, display device including the same, and method of manufacturing touch sensor
Disclosed is a touch sensor that includes a support layer including a touch area and a non-touch area surrounding the touch area, a sensing electrode part disposed on the support layer and in the touch area, and an insulating layer disposed in the touch area and a portion of the non-touch area. The insulating layer has a trench disposed along a perimeter of the touch area in the non-touch area. Also disclosed is a display device that includes the touch sensor and a method of manufacturing the touch sensor. |
| US11023078B2 |
Inputter, display apparatus having the same, and control method of the inputter
A control method of an inputter comprises an operation in which at least one of the inputter and an electronic apparatus connected to the inputter acquires reference data, an operation in which a manipulation detector of the inputter outputs a manipulation detection signal, an operation in which a light source of the inputter irradiates a first light, an operation in which a light detector detects a first reflected light that is incident to the light detector among the irradiated first light, and an operation in which at least one of the inputter and the electronic apparatus compares a detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data, and identifies whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result. |
| US11023066B2 |
Display device including touch sensor and driving method thereof
A display device may include: a first touch sensor including first sensing electrodes and second sensing electrodes, arranged in a sensing area intersecting each other; a display panel including: pixels arranged in a display area overlapping with the sensing area; and a second touch sensor including photo sensors disposed between the pixels or in the pixels; and a driving circuit configured to drive the first touch sensor and the display panel, wherein the driving circuit may be configured to detect a touch input by comparing a first touch detection value detected by the first touch sensor and a second touch detection value detected by the photo sensors. |
| US11023059B2 |
Touch display panel and touch display device
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a touch display panel and a touch display device. By arranging a shielding structure, which is connected to a touch electrode in a region where a touch line and a data line overlap each other or is applied with a shielding signal corresponding to a touch driving signal from an outside circuit, between the touch line and the data line, it is possible to prevent direct capacitance from being formed between the touch line and the data line, and to prevent the capacitance formed due to the data line from causing noise on a touch sensing signal. In addition, by arranging a touch load reduction layer between the shielding structure and the touch line, it is also possible to reduce the capacitance between the touch line and the data line arranged in the horizontal direction, thereby improving touch sensing performance. |
| US11023052B2 |
Method for outputting command by detecting object movement and system thereof
The present invention discloses a method for outputting a command by detecting a movement of an object, which includes the following steps. First, an image capturing device captures images generated by the movement of the object at different timings by. Next, a motion trajectory is calculated according to the plurality of images. Further next, a corresponding command is outputted according to the motion trajectory. The present invention also provides a system which employs the above-mentioned method. |
| US11023048B2 |
System and method for modulating a light-emitting peripheral device based on an unscripted feed using computer vision
A system and method for processing at least one of an audio or video input for non-scripted light modulation of at least one light-emitting peripheral device (LEPD), said method comprising the steps of: recognizing at least one of the audio or video input from at least one first device (D1) and determining for at least one tagged event, at least one of a pixel color score, a pixel velocity score, an event proximity score, or an audio score, and commanding a trigger or control over a light-emitting effect of the at least one LEPD upon a threshold-grade score. |
| US11023044B2 |
Compliant multi-region angular displacement and strain sensors
An apparatus includes a glove for a human hand, and a sensing network coupled to the glove. The sensing network includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis and a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit by a first joint of the human hand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit by a second joint of the human hand. |
| US11023041B1 |
System and method for producing images based on gaze direction and field of view
A system for producing images for a display apparatus. The system includes image source(s) and processor. The processor is configured to obtain information indicative of angular size of field of view providable by image renderer of display apparatus; obtain information indicative of gaze direction of user; receive sequence of images from image source(s); and process sequence of images to generate sequence of processed images. When processing sequence of images, processor is configured to crop a given image, based on gaze direction of user and angular size of field of view, to generate processed image. Angular size of field of view represented by processed image is larger than angular size of field of view providable by the image renderer. |
| US11023040B2 |
Systems and methods for interacting with a computing device using gaze information
Techniques for interacting with a first computing device based on gaze information are described. In an example, the first computing device captures a gaze direction of a first user of the first computing device by using an eye tracking device. The first computing device determines if the gaze direction of the first user is directed to a first display. Further, the first computing device receives information regarding if a gaze direction of a second user is directed to a second display. If the gaze direction of the first user is directed to the first display and the gaze direction of the second user is directed to the second display, the first computing device continuously updates content on the first display. If the gaze direction of the second user is not directed to the second display, the first computing device pauses the content on the first display. |
| US11023038B2 |
Line of sight detection adjustment unit and control method
Provided is an information processing device and a control method that can eliminate the need for an operation merely for line-of-sight detection calibration and can perform line-of-sight detection calibration in a normal user operation. An information processing device including a recognition unit to recognize a position of a target of gaze following a user operation, a line-of-sight detection unit to detect a line-of-sight position of a user during the user operation, and a line-of-sight detection adjustment unit to perform an adjustment to line-of-sight detection performed by the line-of-sight detection unit on the basis of the recognized position of the target of gaze and the line-of-sight position. |
| US11023037B2 |
Advanced communication method and apparatus
An advanced system and method of communication wherein users can communicate via audio, visual, or haptic signals over a wireless network. Non-verbal communication can be conducted via a lip-reading system with video sensors and an interpretive software model, facial and eye movements, and other methods. In some embodiments, the apparatus can be contained within a helmet and/or other wearable device. |
| US11023036B1 |
Virtual drawing surface interaction using a peripheral device in artificial reality environments
In some examples, a virtual surface presented by an artificial reality (AR) system may be a virtual drawing surface in an artificial reality environment, with which users may interact using a physical peripheral device. For example, the AR system may enable a user to draw or write on a surface of the peripheral device and may simultaneously, i.e., along with the user inputs, render virtual markings corresponding to the user inputs on a virtual drawing surface locked to the surface of the peripheral device. In some cases, the AR system enables the user to “transfer” the virtual markings rendered on the surface of the peripheral device (e.g., a virtual drawing) to another virtual drawing surface (e.g., to a planar or other surface in the artificial reality environment). |
| US11023031B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method and computer-readable medium
An image processing apparatus, including a power source, an image engine, an interface to communicate with an external device and deliver power from the power source to the external device, and a controller, is provided. The controller is configured to detect connection of the external device to the interface; receive power information, including a value of regular operable power and a value of minimum operable power, from the external device; receive a job execution command; in response to receiving the job execution command, determine whether a first power value including the value of the regular operable power exceeds a value of power available for the external device during a predetermined operation by the image engine; and in response to a determination that the first power value exceeds the value of power available for the external device, control the power source to deliver the minimum operable power to the external device. |
| US11023029B2 |
Preventing unexpected power-up failures of hardware components
In one embodiment, a method includes determining a plurality of hardware components of a system. The method also includes power cycling a first hardware component of the plurality of hardware components of the system according to a dynamic schedule. A period of time in which power cycling of the first hardware component takes place is shortened as the age of the first hardware component approaches the expected lifespan of the first hardware component. Also, the method includes determining whether the first hardware component experienced a power-up failure resulting from the power cycling. Moreover, the method includes outputting an indication to replace and/or repair the first hardware component in response to a determination that the first hardware component experienced the power-up failure resulting from the power cycling. Other systems, methods, ad computer program products for preventing unexpected power-up failures of individual hardware components are described in accordance with more embodiments. |
| US11023025B2 |
Microcontroller energy profiler
A method is disclosed to estimate energy consumed by a component in a microcontroller during operation including identifying “event” activities, where the energy consumed by the component may be determined by the number of events executed by the component, and “duration” activities, where the energy consumed may be determined by the duration of time required to execute of the activity, and determining the energy consumed by the component based on the number of events/duration of time and an energy coefficient which corresponds to the amount of energy consumed by the component to execute the activity, under given operating conditions. In an embodiment, data transfers at a bus interface may represent event activities. Apparatus to estimate the energy consumed is disclosed including bus monitors to receive signals representing data transfers at a bus interface and provide signals indicating the number of data transfers executed. |
| US11023023B2 |
Start-and-stop detecting apparatus and method for I3C bus
A start-and-stop detecting apparatus for an I3C bus is provided. The start-and-stop detecting apparatus is connected with a serial data line and a serial clock line. The start-and-stop detecting apparatus includes a first start detecting circuit, a second start detecting circuit and a first OR gate. The first start detecting circuit receives a data signal, a clock signal and a reset signal, and generates a first control signal and a first output signal. The second start detecting circuit receives the data signal, the clock signal, the reset signal and the first control signal, and generates a second output signal. A first input terminal of the first OR gate receives the first output signal. A second input terminal of the first OR gate receives the second output signal. An output terminal of the first OR gate generates a start signal. |
| US11023021B2 |
Cooling system to minimize generation of bubbles inside flow passage by utilizing an auxiliary pump
Provided is a cooling system capable of effectively avoiding generation of bubbles in the flow passage including the piping unit that climbs over the barrier upon start of the pump that has been in the stopped state. The cooling system 100 includes a cooling tank 11 filled with a coolant C, flow passages 15, 16 through which the coolant discharged from an outlet of the cooling tank 11 returns to an inlet of the cooling tank 11, an inverted U-like piping unit 16a disposed in the middle of the flow passage 16, a main pump 31, an auxiliary pump 33 disposed opposite the main pump 31 while interposing the inverted U-like piping unit 16a with the main pump 31, and a controller 35 which controls driving operations of the main pump 31 and the auxiliary pump 33. The controller 35 drives the auxiliary pump 33 for a predetermined time period before starting the main pump 31. The predetermined time period for driving the auxiliary pump 33 may be arbitrarily set so long as the preliminary flow of the coolant C is generated. As the auxiliary pump 33 may be driven for only a short time period, silence in the room is hardly deteriorated even in the case that the pump is disposed inside the building. |
| US11023013B2 |
Cover, method of producing the same, and method of producing imaging device including the same
A cover comprising a cover panel having a flat plate shape and light transmissivity, an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of one surface of the cover panel, and a release sheet disposed on the adhesive tape so as to be releasable from the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer includes a hole extending through the adhesive layer in a thickness direction thereof, and the release sheet has light transmissivity and covers the hole. |
| US11023012B2 |
Electronic device having a plurality of bodies
An electronic device includes a first body, a first supporting member, and a second body. The first supporting member has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the first end is pivoted at the first body. The second body has a notch, the second end is pivoted at the second body, and the first supporting member is fitted to the notch. The second body and the first supporting member fitted to the notch are closed or opened up with respect to the first body together as the first supporting member is pivotally rotated relative to the first body. When the second body is opened up, the second body and the first supporting member are pivotally rotated relatively to separate the first supporting member from the notch and move a bottom end of the second body to a preset position on the first body. |
| US11023008B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for native and virtualized video in a hybrid docking station
A hybrid docking station determines whether native video data exists and can be passed through to a video port or whether a virtual video processor should be activated to provide virtual video data to a video port. For example, a laptop is connected to a hybrid docking station using a USB™ 3.0 connection. The hybrid docking station recognizes that the USB™ 3.0 connection includes a native video data and passes the native video data to a DisplayPort™. By avoiding activating a virtualized video processor and using native video data, the laptop avoids installing software to communicate with the virtualized video processor and communicates with one or more displays using a native video channel. By avoiding installing software, it simplifies IT's and user's usage and experience with universal docking station. |
| US11023002B1 |
Stylus coupling system
Systems and methods are involved with but are not limited to an apparatus including a stylus coupling assembly, which includes a stylus retention component being couplable with a stylus-shaped computer input device and also includes an engagement component being couplable with the stylus retention component and also being couplable with a computing device case portion. In addition, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US11022997B2 |
Semiconductor device, signal processing device, and control method of signal processing device
A signal processing device includes an oscillation circuit, a protection target circuit, a delay time detection circuit, and a clock control circuit. The oscillation circuit receives the frequency control signal and generates a clock signal having a frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal. According to the above-mentioned configuration, even when a delay failure due to aging occurs in the signal processing device, it is possible to prevent a malfunction. |
| US11022995B2 |
Method and apparatus for actively managing consumption of electric power over an electric power grid
A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. The power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the one or more controllable devices to disable a flow of electric power to the one or more associated power consuming device. |
| US11022994B2 |
Utility console for controlling energy resources
A system and method for managing power consumption and storage in a power grid. Measurements are received from a plurality of geographically distributed energy management controllers. Each energy management controllers has energy storage units with stored energy. The measurements comprise the energy production and storage capacity of the energy management controllers and their associated energy storage units. The measurements are processed, e.g., aggregated, and displayed on a graphical user interface. Commands are transmitted to a first subset of the energy management controllers to command the units to discharge their stored energy into a power grid through an inverter. Commands are transmitted to a second subset of the plurality of energy management controllers to store energy in each unit's energy storage unit. |
| US11022993B2 |
Energy supply apparatus
The disclosure relates to an energy supply apparatus for the overcurrent-protected electric power supply to an electric consumer, including a power supply device configured to provide an electric current for the electric consumer, and a controllable power protection element configured to disable a supply of electric current to the electric consumer when the electric current reaches a first current limit value, wherein the controllable power protection element comprises an adjustable second current limit value set by the power supply device, wherein the power supply device receives an increased power requirement of the electric consumer within a time interval and to control the controllable power protection element for a duration of the time interval to set the second current limit value, and wherein the controllable power protection element disables the supply of the electric current to the electric consumer upon reaching the second current limit value by the electric current. |
| US11022987B2 |
Systems and methods for improved control of impingement mixing
A fluid delivery system includes a first pressure sensor disposed on or near a spray gun and configured to monitor a first fluid, and a second pressure sensor disposed on or near the spray gun and configured to monitor a second fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes control system comprising a processor configured to receive a first signal from the first pressure sensor and to receive a second signal from the second pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to derive a pressure difference between the first and the second pressure sensor representative of a fluid pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid and to control one or more pumps to obtain a desired pressure difference. |
| US11022985B2 |
Discrete valve flow rate converter
A discrete valve flow rate converter is provided to obtain a system flow through a valve in a dynamic hydronic pumping system, e.g., based on signaling containing information about the valve's differential pressure and the valve's hydronic characteristics calibration data. The discrete valve flow rate converter resolves the valve system flow rate directly and accurately with the valve's open position and the corresponding valve differential pressure signals associated therewith. The discrete valve flow rate converter may be applied to all kinds of valves as long as their open position and differential pressure associated with is available, e.g., including implementations for control valve applications, e.g., where the valve open position is controlled automatically and accurately, as well as implementations either for pumping system pressure controls with the flow rate known, such as adaptive hydronic system pressure controls, or as an alternative to sensorless pump monitoring and control. |
| US11022981B2 |
Control architecture for predictive and optimal vehicle operations in a single vehicle environment
There is disclosed a cloud computing control system for vehicle speed control and also for control of a vehicle in a platoon. The cloud computing control system determines a speed trajectory and neutral coasting command for a first vehicle of the platoon and a vehicle controller determines a reference speed for the first vehicle in response to the speed trajectory and the neutral coasting command, and is response to one or more vehicle specific factors associated with the first vehicle. |
| US11022980B2 |
Communication relationship establishing method and device, computer readable storage medium, electronic device and cleaning device
Provided are communication relationship establishing method and device, computer readable storage medium, electronic device, and cleaning device. The method includes: first dividing-to-be-cleaned area into at least two to-be-cleaned sub-areas, and then classifying, according to area, a large to-be-cleaned sub-area and a small to-be-cleaned sub-area; acquiring a boundary line between the large to-be-cleaned sub-area and the small to-be-cleaned sub-area; extending the boundary line and determining whether the extended boundary line can divide the large to-be-cleaned sub-area; and if yes, dividing the large to-be-cleaned sub-area into a first to-be-cleaned sub-area on the same side of the boundary line as the small to-be-cleaned sub-area and a second to-be-cleaned sub-area on the different side of the boundary line from the small to-be-cleaned sub-area, and respectively establishing communication relationships between the small to-be-cleaned sub-area and the first to-be-cleaned sub-area and between the small to-be-cleaned sub-area and the second to-be-cleaned sub-area. |
| US11022974B2 |
Sensor-based object-detection optimization for autonomous vehicles
Various embodiments relate generally to autonomous vehicles and associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to provide an autonomous vehicle fleet as a service. In particular, a method may include receiving an indication of a sensor anomaly, determining one or more sensor recovery strategies based on the sensor anomaly, and executing a course of action that ensures the autonomous vehicle system operates within accepted parameters. Alternative sensors may be relied upon to cover for the sensor anomaly, which may include a failed sensor while the autonomous vehicle is in operation. |
| US11022973B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating intent of an autonomous vehicle
The present disclosure provides systems and methods to communicate intent of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can receive, from an autonomy computing system of an autonomous vehicle, data indicating an intent of the autonomous vehicle to perform a driving maneuver. It can be determined that the intent of the autonomous vehicle should be communicated to a passenger of the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to determining that the intent of the autonomous vehicle should be communicated to the passenger of the autonomous vehicle, a graphical interface indicating the intent of the autonomous vehicle can be generated and provided for display for viewing by the passenger. |
| US11022969B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle
Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The system comprises an image sensor configured to generate output signals conveying visual information, the visual information including one or more images of a user, and one or more physical processors. The one or more physical processors are configured by computer-readable instructions to recognize one or more gestures from the user based on the visual information, interpret the one or more gestures from the user as flight control information, and provide flight control for the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the flight control information. |
| US11022968B2 |
Methods and systems for applying run-to-run control and virtual metrology to reduce equipment recovery time
Described herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for reducing equipment repair time. Disclosed methods include collecting data including test substrate data or other metrology data and fault detection data for maintenance recovery of at least one manufacturing tool in a manufacturing facility. Disclosed methods include determining a relationship between tool parameter settings for the at least one manufacturing tool and at least some collected data including the test substrate data. The disclosure includes utilizing virtual metrology predictive algorithms and at least some collected data to obtain a metrology prediction and applying multivariate run-to-run (R2R) control modeling to obtain a tool parameter adjustment for at least one target parameter for the at least one manufacturing tool. The disclosure further includes applying the R2R control modeling to obtain tool parameter adjustments for at least one manufacturing tool. |
| US11022964B2 |
Method and system for controlling body-shop processing
A method and system to help control body-shop processing of vehicles, based on timing of interaction with a touch-screen display. In an example implementation, a body shop will be equipped with a computing system including a touch-screen display, with the computing system being configured to manage presentation on the display of graphical representations of job-cards for individual body-shop jobs, such as individual vehicles in for repair. With such an arrangement, body shop personnel could drag and drop job cards from one section to another to indicate transitions of jobs between body-shop processing steps. The computing system will then advantageously make use of data regarding the timing of those drag-and-drop operations as a basis to control body-shop processing, such as be predicting a processing duration of a job currently in process and taking action to modify processing of the job based on the predicted duration for instance. |
| US11022961B2 |
Industrial robotics systems and methods for continuous and automated learning
In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may maintain an first dataset configured to select pick points for objects. The apparatus may receive, from a user device, a user dataset including a user selected pick point associated with at least one object and a first image of the at least one first object. The apparatus may generate a second dataset based at least in part on the first dataset and the user dataset. The apparatus may receive a second image of a second object. The apparatus may select a pick point for the second object using the second dataset and the second image of the second object. The apparatus may send information associated with the pick point selected for the second object to a robotics device for picking up the second object. |
| US11022957B2 |
System and method for adaptive domain reduction for thermo-structural simulation of additive manufacturing process
A system and method are provided for adaptive domain reduction for thermo-structural simulation of an additive manufacturing process. The system may include a processor configured to carry out a simulation of a part being additively produced according to a set of tool paths. The simulation may include determining an original mesh of the part; determining an order of the elements of the original mesh to deposit; and simulating an incremental deposit of each of the elements of the original mesh for a material in the order that the elements are determined to be deposited. For each incremental deposit of an additional respective element the processor may determine thermal characteristics and structural deformation characteristics of the deposited elements. After the deposit of several layers have been simulated, subsequent simulation of elements may be carried out based on a respective modified version of the original mesh in which at least some of the layers of the original mesh previously simulated to be deposited under a current layer are retained and at least some are omitted. |
| US11022954B2 |
Techniques for providing a secured control parameter for multi-channel control of a machine
The present disclosure relates to a provisioning server for providing a secured control parameter for multi-channel control of a machine using a plurality of distributed controls that output single-channel control parameters. The provisioning server includes a first communication interface configured to receive a plurality of single-channel control parameters from the plurality of distributed controls, a processor configured to compare the received single-channel control parameters and output one of the received control parameters as the secured control parameter if a threshold number of the single-channel control parameters are in agreement, and a second communication interface configured to send the secured control parameter to the machine via a communication network. |
| US11022950B2 |
Resilient failover of industrial programmable logic controllers
A method of performing failover for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in an automation environment and controlling a physical system includes an input/output module receiving sensor inputs from field devices and creating a copy of the sensor inputs for a first group of PLC in a first PLC bank. The input/output module transfers the copy the sensor inputs to each PLC in the first group of PLCs and receives processing results from each PLC in the first group of PLCs in response to transferring the copy of the sensor inputs. The input/output module determines whether there are any inconsistencies between the processing results received from each PLC in the first group of PLCs. If there are any inconsistencies between the processing results received from each PLC in the first group of PLCs, a failover control process is initiated by sending a failover control message to a second input/output module. |
| US11022945B2 |
Mother-of-pearl substrate coated with a yellow layer
Method for coloured coating on a watchmaking or jewellery external part component, comprising at least one visible surface prepared in advance on a substrate, this method comprising a step of vacuum-deposition of at least one main layer of titanium and silicon nitride (Ti, Sik)Nx or of titanium and silicon nitride doped with oxygen (Ti, Sik)NxOy. |
| US11022942B2 |
Isochronous pivot for timepiece resonators
Isochronous pivot for a resonator including two flexible strips joining attachment points of a first and a second element, defining two strip directions, and a pivot axis, at the intersection of their projections or at their intersection, each strip having a free length between its attachment points, and an axial distance between the pivot axis and the attachment point thereof farthest from the axis, the attachment point ratio X=D/L being greater than one for each strip, the strip directions defining with the axis a first apex angle whose value in degrees is comprised between f1(X)=108+67/(10X−6), and f2(X)=113+67/(10X−6). |
| US11022939B2 |
Reduced bandwidth holographic near-eye display
Examples are disclosed that relate to holographic near-eye display systems. One example provides a near-eye display device, comprising a diverging light source, an image producing dynamic digital hologram panel configured to receive light from the diverging light source and form an image. The near-eye display device also includes and a combiner comprising a holographic optical element positioned to receive light from the dynamic digital hologram panel and to redirect the light toward an eyebox, the holographic optical element being positioned between the eyebox and a view of an external environment to combine a view of the image formed by the dynamic digital hologram panel and the view of the external environment. |
| US11022936B2 |
Developing cartridge including developing roller and coupling
In a developing cartridge, a first supporting member is attached to a housing and has a first developing supporting portion and a driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion, the first developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a first part of a rotational shaft, the driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a driving-force-receiving member. The second supporting member is attached to the housing and has a second developing supporting portion and a detection-rotational-body supporting portion, the second developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a second part of the rotational shaft, the detection-rotational-body supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a detection rotational body. |
| US11022935B2 |
Drum unit, cartridge and coupling member
A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller configured to develop a latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner, and a coupling member having a rotational axis, with the coupling member being operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a cylindrical portion having an outer surface and an inner surface that extends about the rotational axis of the coupling member, an arm portion extending from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and a projection projecting from the arm portion in a direction toward the rotational axis of the coupling member. The arm portion and the projection are movable relative to the inner surface. |
| US11022930B2 |
Mounting base and image forming apparatus set
An image forming apparatus set (200) includes an image forming apparatus (100) and a mounting base (3) on which the image forming apparatus (100) is placed. The mounting base (3) includes a locking mechanism (R). When the image forming apparatus (100) is placed at a first position in the mounting base (3), the locking mechanism (R) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) relative to the mounting base (3). The locking mechanism (R) includes a first locking mechanism (4) and a second locking mechanism (R2). The first locking mechanism (4) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) in a first direction (D1) relative to the mounting base (3). The second locking mechanism (R2) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) in a second direction (D2) relative to the mounting base (3). The second direction (D2) is opposite to the first direction (D1). |
| US11022927B1 |
Image formation device
An image formation device includes: a first unit for image formation, attachably and detachably disposed in the image formation device, a power source unit configured to supply electric power to the first unit, a second unit for image formation, attachably and detachably, independently of the first unit, disposed in the image formation device, and disposed between the first unit and the power source unit and a power supply path provided in the second unit, and configured to be supplied with the electric power from the power source unit and supply the electric power to the first unit. |
| US11022926B2 |
Image forming unit and image forming apparatus
An image forming unit insertable into an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a drum case supporting the photosensitive drum. The drum case includes a guide configured to (i) at least partially engage with a solid head of the image forming apparatus when inserted into the image forming apparatus along a first direction and (ii) guide the solid head in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction when the solid head is selectively repositioned along the second direction toward the photosensitive drum. |
| US11022923B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and method for controlling the same
An image forming apparatus includes: a housing part that is capable of housing a plurality of recording materials in such a manner that one recording material is put on another; a transport part that transports a recording material from the housing part; and a hardware processor that detects a kind of the recording material transported by the transport part, detects an amount of the recording materials housed in the housing part, detects replacement of recording materials housed in the housing part, or addition of recording materials in the housing part, on the basis of a result of the detection by the hardware processor, and, on the basis of a result of the detection by the hardware processor, switches whether or not to execute, by the hardware processor, the kind detection of the recording materials housed in the housing part. |
| US11022915B2 |
Image forming apparatus with belt unit having cleaning unit
An image forming apparatus includes a belt unit including an endless belt, a supporting unit and a steering unit, and further includes a cleaning unit, a receiving opening and a communicating portion. The communicating portion includes a tube-shaped portion constituted by a bellows-shaped elastic member capable of expansion and contraction with movement of the steering unit. |
| US11022914B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a revolving member, a first-transfer member, a second-transfer member that transfers the toner image on the revolving member onto a recording medium, a removing member downstream of the second-transfer member to remove a deposit on the revolving member, a fixing device that generates heat and that fixes the toner image transferred on the recording medium, a generating member that causes air to flow from the fixing device toward the revolving member, and an executing unit that executes a removal mode including causing the fixing device to generate heat, causing the generating member to operate, causing the revolving member to operate, causing the first-transfer member to operate so as to transfer a cleaning image as a toner image onto the revolving member, and causing the removing member to remove the cleaning image from the revolving member without transferring the cleaning image onto the recording medium. |
| US11022913B2 |
Carrier evaporators for liquid electrophotography printing
Aspects presented herein are directed towards a carrier evaporator for a Liquid Electrophotography Printing (LEP) system. In an example, the carrier evaporator provides a hot air supply to absorb an evaporated carrier liquid resulting in first air flow comprising a carrier vapour, an evacuator to evacuate at least a portion of the carrier vapour, a heat exchanger to decrease a temperature of the remaining carrier vapour thereby transforming the first air flow to a second airflow comprising carrier particles, and a filter to remove the carrier particles from the second air flow. |
| US11022910B2 |
Sensor positioning by a replaceable unit of an image forming device
A replaceable unit is removably installable in an image forming device. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable input gear that is positioned to mate with an output gear of the image forming device. The replaceable unit includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the replaceable unit and that is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member. The replaceable unit includes an alignment guide on the exterior of the replaceable unit. The image forming device includes a sensor supported by a sensor housing. The alignment guide is positioned to contact and move the sensor housing during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device to align the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member for reading the identifying information from the encoded member by the sensor. |
| US11022909B2 |
Toner container having an encoded member and an alignment guide for locating a sensor relative to the encoded member
A toner container includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the toner container and that is operatively connected to an input gear of the toner container such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the identifying information to a sensor. A first alignment guide on the first side of the toner container includes a top surface that is unobstructed to contact a sensor housing from below when the toner container is installed in an image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide inclines upward and rearward for contacting and lifting the sensor housing upward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for aligning the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member. |
| US11022908B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, a tubular body defining a space in which at least a part of the exposure device is contained, and a support portion that supports the exposure device and is provided along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member in the space of the tubular body. The image forming apparatus further includes, in the rotation axis direction, a first side plate fixed to one end portion of the tubular body, and a second side plate fixed to another end portion of the tubular body. One support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the first side plate, and another support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the second side plate. |
| US11022904B2 |
Electrophotographic member, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
Provided an electrophotographic member having an excellent electroconductivity and being capable of forming a high quality electrophotographic image even in long-term use. The electrophotographic member comprises an electroconductive substrate and an electroconductive layer on the substrate, the electroconductive layer containing a matrix polymer, and a specific imidazolium salt. |
| US11022903B2 |
Method for temperature control of a component
A method for temperature control of a component that is transferable between a first system and a second system includes: ascertaining a temperature drift of a temperature of the component that is to be expected after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system; and modifying a temperature prevailing in the first system and/or a temperature prevailing in the second system such that the temperature drift that is actually occurring after transfer of the component from the first system into the second system is reduced with respect to the expected temperature drift. |
| US11022895B2 |
Lithographic apparatus adjustment method
A method comprising determining aberrations caused by each lithographic apparatus of a set of lithographic apparatuses, calculating adjustments of the lithographic apparatuses which minimize differences between the aberrations caused by each of the lithographic apparatuses, and applying the adjustments to the lithographic apparatuses, providing better matching between the aberrations of patterns projected by the lithographic apparatuses. |
| US11022893B2 |
Optical assembly with a protective element and optical arrangement therewith
An optical assembly includes an optical element (13), configured in particular for the reflection of EUV radiation (4), and a protective element (30) for protecting a surface (31) of the optical element (13, 14) from contaminating substances (P). The protective element (30) has a membrane (33a-c) and a frame (34) on which the membrane (33a-c) is mounted. The membrane is formed by a plurality of membrane segments (33a, 33b, 33c) which respectively protect a partial region (T) of the surface (31) of the optical element (13) from the contaminating substances (P). The optical assembly can form part of an overall optical arrangement, for example an EUV lithography system. |
| US11022892B2 |
Method of measuring a structure, inspection apparatus, lithographic system and device manufacturing method
An inspection apparatus (140) measures asymmetry or other property of target structures (T) formed by a lithographic process on a substrate. For a given set of illumination conditions, accuracy of said measurement is influenced strongly by process variations across the substrate and/or between substrates. The apparatus is arranged to collect radiation scattered by a plurality of structures under two or more variants of said illumination conditions (p1−, p1, p1+; λ1−, λ1, λ1+). A processing system (PU) is arranged to derive the measurement of said property using radiation collected under a different selection or combination of said variants for different ones of said structures. The variants may be for example in wavelength, or in angular distribution, or in any characteristic of the illumination conditions. Selection and/or combination of variants is made with reference to a signal quality (302, Q, A) observed in the different variants. |
| US11022889B2 |
Overlay-shift measurement system and method for manufacturing semiconductor structure and measuring alignment mark of semiconductor structure
Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor structure are provided. A substrate is provided. A first lithography is performed according to a first layer mask, to form a plurality of first photonic crystals with a first pitch on a first area of a layer above the substrate. A second lithography is performed according to a second layer mask, to form a plurality of second photonic crystals with a second pitch on a second area of the layer. A light is provided to illuminate the first and second photonic crystals. Light reflected by the first and second photonic crystals or transmitted through the first and second photonic crystals is received. The received light is analyzed to detect overlay-shift between the first photonic crystals corresponding to the first layer mask and the second photonic crystals corresponding to the second layer mask. |
| US11022885B2 |
Photosensitive middle layer
A method includes providing a substrate; forming a bottom layer over the substrate; forming a middle layer over the bottom layer, a top surface of which including a photosensitive moiety having a first end anchored in the middle layer and a second end extending away from the top surface of the middle layer; forming a photoresist layer over the middle layer; exposing the photoresist layer to a radiation source; and developing the photoresist layer to form a pattern. The photosensitive moiety, which includes one of a photo-acid generator (PAG), a photo-base generator (PBG), photo-decomposable base (PDB), or photo-decomposable quencher (PDQ), may be anchored to a polymer backbone forming the middle layer via one or more linker groups. A distance by which the photosensitive moiety extends into the photoresist layer may be determined by a length of the linker group. |
| US11022884B2 |
Silicon-containing resist underlayer film-forming composition having halogenated sulfonylalkyl group
A resist underlayer film allows an excellent resist pattern shape to be formed when an upper resist layer is exposed to light and developed using an alkaline developing solution or organic solvent; and composition for forming the resist underlayer film. A resist underlayer film-forming composition for lithography, the composition including, as a silane, hydrolyzable silane, hydrolysis product thereof, hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, or combination, wherein the hydrolyzable silane includes hydrolyzable silane of Formula (1): R1aR2bSi(R3)4−(a+b) Formula (1) [where R1 is an organic group of Formula (2): —R4—R5—R6 Formula (2) (where R4 is optionally substituted C1-10 alkylene group; R5 is a sulfonyl group or sulfonamide group; and R6 is a halogen-containing organic group)]. In Formula (2), R6 may be a fluorine-containing organic group like trifluoromethyl group. A resist underlayer film obtained by applying the resist underlayer film-forming composition onto a semiconductor substrate, followed by baking. The underlayer film-forming composition may include acid as a hydrolysis catalyst, or water. |
| US11022881B2 |
Photoacid generator, chemically amplified resist composition, and patterning process
A photoacid generator having formula (1a) is provided. A chemically amplified resist composition comprising the PAG forms a pattern of rectangular profile with a good balance of sensitivity and LWR when processed by photolithography using ArF excimer laser, EB or EUV. |
| US11022878B2 |
Critical dimension uniformity
The present disclosure describes a method for improving post-photolithography critical dimension (CD) uniformity for features printed on a photoresist. A layer can be formed on one or more printed features and subsequently etched to improve overall CD uniformity across the features. For example the method includes a material layer disposed over a substrate and a photoresist over the material layer. The photoresist is patterned to form a first feature with a first critical dimension (CD) and a second feature with a second CD that is larger than the first CD. Further, a layer is formed with one or more deposition/etch cycles in the second feature to form a modified second CD that is nominally equal to the first CD. |
| US11022872B2 |
Projection system
A projection system includes a light source, a projection lens, and a light-adjusting diaphragm element. The light source emits a first light having a first dominant wavelength range and a second dominant wavelength range. The projection lens is disposed on the path of the first light. The light-adjusting diaphragm element, disposed between the light source and the projection lens, has an opening and a light shielding area outside the opening, a filter is disposed in the opening, wherein a part of the first light is blocked by the light shielding area, a wavelength band corresponding to the first dominant wavelength range of other part of the first light passes through the opening, and a wavelength band corresponding to the second dominant wavelength range of the other part of the first light is blocked by the filter to become a second light having a narrow wavelength range. |
| US11022871B2 |
Wavelength conversion element, illuminator, and projector
A wavelength conversion element according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate having a reflection surface, a wavelength converter that has a first surface on which excitation light that belongs to a first wavelength band is incident, a second surface located at a side opposite the first surface, and a third surface that intersects the first or second surface and converts the excitation light in terms of wavelength into fluorescence that belongs to a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band, a holder that is so provided as to face the first or third surface and holds the wavelength converter in the direction along the direction in which the excitation light is incident and in a direction that intersects the light incident direction, and a fixer that fixes the holder. |
| US11022865B2 |
LED effects projector
This system relates to a projection fixture designed to create a rippling effect in a variety of colors. By using an RGBX color mixing technique, a variety of colors can be produced without the need for color filters which detract from the overall brightness of the beam. A passive cooling technique is also used which allows for silent operation of the projection fixture. Ripple effects may be created through the use of glass gobos that have the capabilities to rotate. |
| US11022860B2 |
Imaging apparatus, method for controlling imaging apparatus, and processing apparatus
To increase the accuracy of adjusting the main light emission. An amount of main light emission is adjusted on the basis of an estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance or information corresponding to the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance and an estimated lens-focused subject distance. The estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance and the information corresponding to the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance are obtained by pre-light-emission processing. The estimated lens-focused subject distance is obtained from focus information through a lens. In a case of bounce light emission, in a case where the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance is smaller than the estimated lens-focused subject distance, a distance made closer to the estimated lens-focused subject distance from the estimated pre-light-emitted subject distance by a predetermined amount is set as an estimated subject distance for adjusting the main light emission. |
| US11022859B2 |
Light emission control apparatus, light emission control method, light emission apparatus, and imaging apparatus
Provided is a light emission control apparatus, a light emission control method, a light emission apparatus, and an imaging apparatus that make it possible to emit AF assist light with a more appropriate amount of light. A light emission unit is capable of emitting AF (Auto Focus) assist light when capturing a static image and illumination light when capturing a moving image. A light-amount setting unit sets the amount of AF assist light to a light emission control unit, the light amount being obtained in accordance with a distance to an object to be focused on or specification by a user, and the light emission control unit controls light emission of the AF assist light in accordance with the setting. |
| US11022854B2 |
Method of forming a top plane connection in an electro-optic device
An electrical connection between the backplane and the light-transmissive front electrode of an electro-optic display is provided by forming an aperture through the top front electrode coupled and a substrate coupled thereto and subsequently introducing a flowable, electrically-conductive material into the aperture. The flowable, electrically-conductive material provides an electrical contact between the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the backplane. |
| US11022853B2 |
Display panel
The present invention relates to a display panel including on a viewing surface side thereof a thin film transistor substrate. The thin film transistor substrate includes a multilayer film in a region in a plan view including at least one electrode of thin film transistor electrodes including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The multilayer film includes a stack including, in the order from the viewing surface side, a first metal layer having a thickness of 40 nm or smaller, a first transparent insulating layer having a thickness of 10 nm or greater and 155 nm or smaller, and a second metal layer having a greater thickness than the first metal layer. The multilayer film includes a layer formed from a metal having a reflectance at a thickness of 200 nm of 50% or lower. |
| US11022852B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel comprises: a first substrate, wherein a color filter layer is disposed on the first substrate; and a second substrate, wherein active switches are disposed on the second substrate. The second substrate comprises a display area and a fan-out area. A plurality of fan-out wires are disposed in the fan-out area. The fan-out area comprises a straight line portion, and the fan-out wire comprises a first straight line segment disposed in the straight line portion. A plurality of blocking members are disposed in the straight line portion, and the blocking members block a flow of a liquid. |
| US11022843B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a quadrangular liquid crystal panel having a reflection layer on a back surface opposite to a display surface, a light guiding plate that diffusely reflects light incident from one end surface of the light guiding plate toward the display surface, a back-side frame disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal panel on a side opposite to the light guiding plate, and a light source holding plate including a light source fixing plate that faces the one end surface and a fixing plate portion fixed to a surface of the back-side frame on a side opposite to the liquid crystal panel. A light source is mounted on the light source fixing plate, and the fixing plate portion is formed so as to be bent perpendicularly to the light source fixing plate. |
| US11022842B2 |
Planar light source device and display device
A planar light source device has: a housing, a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting devices each having a light-emitting element and a light-beam control member; and a light diffusing member. The housing has: a bottom surface and two inclined surfaces. In the light distribution characteristics of a light-emitting device, a light ray with the largest angle relative to the optical axis in an angular range within which a luminous intensity equal to or more than 70% of the maximum luminous intensity is exhibited reaches the inclined surfaces. A first angle between the optical axis of the light-emitting element and a light ray having the maximum luminous intensity emitted from the light-emitting device is larger than a second angle between the optical axis of the light-emitting element and a straight line connecting the luminescence center of the light-emitting element to the opening-side end portion of the housing. |
| US11022840B2 |
Displays with direct-lit backlight units
An array of pixels in a display may be illuminated by a backlight having an array of light-emitting diodes in an array of respective cells. A reflector is used to reflect light from the light-emitting diodes through the array of pixels. Within the cells, the reflector has cross-sectional profiles that help distribute light emitted from the light-emitting diodes toward edges of the cells. A light diffuser layer for the backlight may have a partially reflective layer such as a thin-film interference filter with an angularly dependent transmission. Within each cell, the reflector may have cross-sectional profiles with portions that are parabolic or elliptical. |
| US11022835B2 |
Optical system using segmented phase profile liquid crystal lenses
An optical system is provided. The optical system includes an electronic display, an adaptive lens assembly, and an eye tracking device. The electronic display displays a virtual scene for a user of the optical system; the adaptive lens assembly is optically coupled to the electronic display between the electronic display and eyes of the user; and the eye tracking device provides eye tracking information of the eyes of the user. The adaptive lens assembly includes a plurality of adjustable liquid crystal (LC) lenses arranged in an array, and the adjustable LC lenses are activated individually based on the eye tracking information. |
| US11022833B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
In a liquid crystal device serving as an electro-optical device, a liquid crystal layer as an electro-optical element is disposed between a base material 10s as a first substrate and a base material 20s as a second substrate which are disposed to face each other via a photo-curable type seal material, the substrate 10s and the substrate 20s are transmissive and include a plurality of light-shielding patterns disposed at intervals in a seal region of the substrate 10s where the seal material is disposed, and on the substrate 10s, a semiconductor layer of a transistor included in a driving circuit for driving the electro-optical element is disposed to overlap, in plan view, with at least one of the plurality of light-shielding patterns. |
| US11022832B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first light guide including a first main surface, a second main surface, a first end portion opposed to light-emitting elements, and a second end portion, a first layer which is arranged to be in contact with the first main surface, and a second layer which is arranged to be in contact with the first main surface, and is located between the first layer and the second end portion, wherein the first light guide has a first refractive index, the first layer has a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index, the second layer has a third refractive index higher than the second refractive index, and the first layer is located at a position closer to the first end portion than the second layer. |
| US11022830B2 |
Flexible display device
Disclosed is a flexible display device, comprising a rigid portion, in which a circuit board is provided; a flexible display portion, displaying an image. The circuit board is electrically connected with the flexible display portion. The flexible display portion comprises a first end and a second end, which are oppositely arranged, the first end is rotatably connected with one end of the rigid portion, the second end is provided with a first connecting member, and an end of the rigid portion away from the first end is provided with a second connecting member to cooperate with the first connecting member, and as the first connecting member is connected with the second connecting member, the rigid portion is connected to the flexible display portion end to end to form a ring structure. It is advantageous to switch between the unfolded state and the folded state of the flexible display device. |
| US11022826B2 |
All-optical spatial light modulators
A spatial light modulator (SLM) comprised of a 2D array of optically-controlled semiconductor nanocavities can have a fast modulation rate, small pixel pitch, low pixel tuning energy, and millions of pixels. Incoherent pump light from a control projector tunes each PhC cavity via the free-carrier dispersion effect, thereby modulating the coherent probe field emitted from the cavity array. The use of high-Q/V semiconductor cavities enables energy-efficient all-optical control and eliminates the need for individual tuning elements, which degrade the performance and limit the size of the optical surface. Using this technique, an SLM with 106 pixels, micron-order pixel pitch, and GHz-order refresh rates could be realized with less than 1 W of pump power. |
| US11022823B2 |
Switchable optical filter for imaging and optical beam modulation
switchable optical filter that is based on carrier injection induced semiconductor to metal phase transition (SMT) of vanadium oxide-based (e.g., VO2) thin films may reversibly change from optically transparent to opaque while undergoing such phase transition. Electrical carrier injection may be established by an electric field or by photoexcitation. The SMT may also be induced by a combination of applying an electric field and optical flux. Such a switchable optical filter, when inserted in the optical path of an optical radiation sensor, may be used to control and/or limit high power optical beams, such as a laser beam impinging on one or more sensor elements. Since the SMT may be configured to occur at ultrafast time scales (e.g., approximately 100 femtoseconds), it may also act as a beam shutter and/or as a fast optical beam modulator. |
| US11022821B2 |
Materials and methods for mitigating the harmful effects of blue light
Provided herein are optically transparent materials configured to block an appropriate amount of incident blue light, such that when the materials are positioned in the optical path between environmental light and the retina of a user, the optically transparent materials reduce the amount of blue light from the environmental light that reaches the retina of a user. The materials can block an effective amount of blue light to minimize damage to retinal tissue while permitting transmission of an effective amount of maintain acceptable photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and circadian rhythms. |
| US11022816B2 |
Contact lens comprising a lenticular in a superior portion of the contact lens
Disclosed herein is a contact lens comprising a lenticular in a superior portion of the contact lens wherein the contact lens attaches to an upper eyelid of a wearer by the lenticular interacting with an upper tarsal plate of the upper eyelid of a wearer, said interaction allows the contact lens to translate upwards in downgaze and maintain rotational stability. In one aspect, the lenticular has a top surface, said top surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of flat, flat with rounded corners, concave, convex or tapered having a thicker portion closer to an edge of the contact lens, or combinations thereof. In another aspect, the lenticular is comprised of a plurality of lenticular sections. In yet another aspect, the lenticular is anatomically-shaped. |
| US11022815B2 |
Multi-ring lens, systems and methods for extended depth of focus
Systems and methods for providing enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci encompass vision treatment techniques and ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs). Exemplary IOL optics can include an aspheric refractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface, and a diffractive profile imposed on a first or second lens surface. The aspheric refractive profile can focus light toward a far focus. The diffractive profile can include a central zone that distributes a first percentage of light toward a far focus and a second percentage of light toward an intermediate focus. The diffractive profile can also include a peripheral zone, surrounding the central zone, which distributes a third percentage of light toward the far focus and a fourth percentage of light toward the intermediate focus. |
| US11022810B2 |
Content presentation in head worn computing
Methods and systems may be directed to retrieving personal information relating to a user of a wearable head device, detecting a physical structure at a geo-spatial location, associating a digital content with the geo-spatial location based on at least the detected physical structure, determining whether the user is near the geo-spatial location, and presenting the digital content on a see-through display of the wearable head device. Presenting the digital content on the see-through display may comprise indicating a spatial relationship between the digital content and the physical structure. |
| US11022809B1 |
Display devices with wavelength-dependent reflectors for eye tracking
A head-mounted display device includes one or more infrared light sources configured to emit infrared light toward one or more eyes of a wearer, a first mirror configured to transmit the infrared light reflected from the one or more eyes of the wearer toward the first mirror, that reaches the first mirror at a first incident angle, the second mirror configured to reflect the infrared light transmitted through the first mirror, toward the first mirror so that the first mirror is configured to reflect the infrared light reflected by the second mirror, and incident on the first mirror at a second incident angle that is greater than the first incident angle, one or more sensors configured to detect the infrared light reflected by the first mirror and the second mirror for determining a gaze direction of the one or more eyes of the wearer. |
| US11022807B2 |
Electronic eye wear viewing device
The present invention relates to an electronic eyewear viewing device comprising—a frame (20) arranged to be wearable on a user's head, —a display module comprising a display for viewing images, —a carrier (15) for carrying the display module, said carrier being connected to the frame. The electronic eyewear viewing device further comprises—a primary pivoting hinge system arranged for interconnecting the carrier (15) and the display module and comprising a first at least partially spherical joint (2) rotatably mounted around a first axis (6) passing through the first at least partially spherical joint via a first cut-out (10) and rotatably mounted around a second axis (1) connected with the first at least partially spherical joint (2) via a second cut-out (11) and passing through a hole (60) in said first axis, whereby the second axis crosses the first axis through said hole in a centre point (70) of the first at least partially spherical joint. |
| US11022805B2 |
Head-mounted display apparatus with optical adjustment element
A head-mounted display apparatus including a light source module, an optical adjustment element, a display module and a lens element is provided. The light source module provides an illumination beam. The optical adjustment element and the display module are disposed on a transmission path of the illumination beam, and the display module is configured to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The optical adjustment element is located between the light source module and the display module. The lens element is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam, wherein a transmission direction of the maximum light-emitting intensity of the illumination beam transmitted from the light source module to the optical adjustment element is different to a transmission direction of the maximum light-emitting intensity of the illumination beam transmitted from the optical adjustment element to the display module. |
| US11022802B2 |
Dynamic ambient lighting control
An apparatus includes a transceiver and a controller in communication with the transceiver. The controller is configured to determine a target lighting condition in a room relative to a current lighting condition in the room. The controller is also configured to generate a control signal with instructions to adjust an ambient lighting peripheral in the room based on the determined target lighting condition. The control signal is provided to the transceiver for transmission. |
| US11022795B2 |
Vehicle display control device
A vehicle display control device, which adjusts a brightness of a display image as a display image brightness of a head-up display that superimposes and displays the display image as a virtual image over a foreground scenery of the vehicle by projecting the display image onto a projection member, includes: a visual line position specifying unit that specifies a visual line position of the driver of the vehicle; and a display control unit that adjusts the display image brightness according to the brightness in a set range of the foreground scenery with respect to the visual line position as a reference point. |
| US11022794B2 |
Visual indicators of user attention in AR/VR environment
A method of notifying a user about attention from another user in an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) system is provided. The method includes displaying a first image on a first electronic display to a first user of the AR/VR system and, upon detecting a gaze of the first user at a second user of the AR/VR system or the second user's avatar in the first image, notifying the second user about the gaze of the first user by displaying a second image on a second electronic display to the second user, the second image having a visual cue of the gaze of the first user. |
| US11022793B2 |
Method and system for fiber scanning projector
A fiber scanning projector includes a piezoelectric element and a scanning fiber mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element. The fiber scanning projector also includes an optical assembly section operable to receive light from the scanning fiber. The optical assembly section includes a prism element, a collimating element coupled to the prism element at an interface, a quarter wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter disposed at the interface. |
| US11022792B2 |
Coupling a magnet with a MEMS device
Aspects of the embodiments are directed to coupling a permanent magnet (PM) with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device. In embodiments, an adhesive, such as an epoxy or resin or other adhesive material, can be used to move the PM towards the MEMS device to magnetically couple the PM to the MEMS device. In embodiments, an adhesive that is configured to shrink up on curing can be applied (e.g., using a pick and place tool) to a location between the MEMS device and the PM. As a result of curing, the adhesive can pull the PM towards the MEMS device. In embodiments, an adhesive that is configured to expand as a result of curing can be applied to a location between the PM and a sidewall of the chassis. As a result of curing, the adhesive can push the PM towards the MEMS device. The adhesive can also secure the PM in place. |
| US11022790B2 |
Optical eyepiece using single-sided patterning of grating couplers
An eyepiece includes a substrate and an in-coupling grating patterned on a single side of the substrate. A first grating coupler is patterned on the single side of the substrate and has a first grating pattern. The first grating coupler is optically coupled to the in-coupling grating. A second grating coupler is patterned on the single side of the substrate adjacent to the first grating coupler. The second grating coupler has a second grating pattern different from the first grating pattern. The second grating coupler is optically coupled to the in-coupling grating. |
| US11022786B2 |
Handling device for handling a measuring probe
A handling apparatus for handling a measuring probe of a scanning probe microscope is disclosed. The measuring probe has a probe body and a probe tip which is coupled with the probe body by a cantilever. The handling apparatus includes a receiving device for receiving the measuring probe at a receiving area, a guide structure, in which the measuring probe is guidable while at the same time the probe body is at least partially limited and the cantilever and the probe tip are supported without contact, and a transport device for transporting the measuring probe from the receiving area along the guide structure to a target area. |
| US11022783B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus
Provided is a zoom lens including a plurality of lens units, which consist of, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; and a rear lens group including a plurality of lens units and having a positive refractive power as a whole, the first lens unit including a negative lens G1n arranged closest to the object side, and a plurality of positive lenses arranged on the image side of the negative lens, and the rear lens group includes a positive lens Grp. A lens unit arranged closest to the image side in the rear lens group includes the positive lens Grp. At this time, an Abbe number of the negative lens G1n, a refractive index of the positive lens Grp, and back focuses at a wide-angle end and a telephoto end, respectively, are appropriately set. |
| US11022777B2 |
Lens holder, lens member, lens arrangement and camera device comprising such a lens arrangement
A lens arrangement of a camera device includes a lens holder and a lens member, the lens member being slidingly received by the cavity by axial insertion of the lens member into the cavity such that the longitudinal lens holder axis coincides with the longitudinal lens member axis, wherein a locking force is applied by the locking member in a direction from the first lens holder surface section, the locking force being perpendicular to the plane, wherein the lens holder protrusion and the lens member protrusion are such aligned that the locking force applied by the locking member in the direction from the first lens holder surface section is applied to the first lens member surface section. The second lens member surface section engage the second lens holder surface section in response to the locking force applied to the first lens member surface section. |
| US11022776B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes: a lens frame that holds a lens and is movable in the optical axial direction of the lens; and a moving mechanism that moves the lens frame in the optical axial direction. The moving mechanism includes: a feed screw; a drive source that rotates the feed screw; a biasing member that biases the lens frame toward direction side; a nut on the direction side of the lens frame that is screwed with the feed screw; and a low-friction member between the nut and the lens frame in the optical axial direction. At least one of a friction coefficient between the lens frame and the low-friction member or a friction coefficient between the nut and the low-friction member is smaller than a friction coefficient between the lens frame and the nut when the lens frame is in contact with the nut. |
| US11022771B2 |
Slidable fiber optic connection module with cable slack management
A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a frame and a fiber optic module including a rack mount portion, a center portion, and a main housing portion. The rack mount portion is stationarily coupled to the frame, the center portion is slidably coupled to the rack mount portion along a sliding direction, and the main housing portion is slidably coupled to the center portion along the sliding direction. The main housing portion of the fiber optic module includes fiber optic connection locations for connecting cables to be routed through the frame. The center portion of the fiber optic module includes a radius limiter for guiding cables between the main housing portion and the frame, the center portion also including a latch for unlatching the center portion for slidable movement. Slidable movement of the center portion with respect to the rack mount portion moves the main housing portion with respect to the frame along the sliding direction. |
| US11022763B2 |
Optical module
An optical module in which an optical element is housed in a housing includes: an optical window member through which input light to the optical element or output light from the optical element passes and which hermetically seals inside of the housing; and a holding member that holds the optical window member. The optical window member is fixed to the housing by the holding member. A difference between linear expansion coefficients of the holding member and the optical window member is smaller than a difference between linear expansion coefficients of the housing and the optical window member. A position where the optical window member is attached on the holding member protrudes to an optical element side from a position where the holding member itself is fixed. |
| US11022760B2 |
Portable industrial fiber optic inspection scope
An apparatus includes a camera, a dark field illumination source, and a fiber inspection housing including a fiber connector input situated to receive an optical fiber connector so that an optical fiber output end of the optical fiber connector is removably insertable into an interior region of the fiber inspection housing and securable at a predetermined location in the interior region, a camera input situated to receive and secure the camera so that the camera is in optical communication with the interior region and the optical fiber output end, and a dark field illumination source input situated to receive the dark field illumination source so that light emitted from the dark field illumination source is received by the optical fiber output end at a dark field illumination angle and is scattered by contamination or defects associated with the optical fiber output end so as to be detectable by the camera. |
| US11022753B2 |
Biased total thickness variations in waveguide display substrates
A plurality of waveguide display substrates, each waveguide display substrate having a cylindrical portion having a diameter and a planar surface, a curved portion opposite the planar surface defining a nonlinear change in thickness across the substrate and having a maximum height D with respect to the cylindrical portion, and a wedge portion between the cylindrical portion and the curved portion defining a linear change in thickness across the substrate and having a maximum height W with respect to the cylindrical portion. A target maximum height Dt of the curved portion is 10−7 to 10−6 times the diameter, D is between about 70% and about 130% of Dt, and W is less than about 30% of Dt. |
| US11022749B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber includes a glass fiber and a coating resin covering an outer periphery of the glass fiber. The glass fiber includes a core and a cladding. An outer diameter of the glass fiber is 99 μm or larger and 101 μm or smaller. The coating resin includes a cured material of an ultraviolet curing resin composition. An outer diameter of the coating resin is 160 μm or larger and 170 μm or smaller. A mode field diameter for light having a wavelength of 1310 nm is 7.2 μm or larger and 8.2 μm or smaller. Bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm when wound in a ring shape having a radius of 10 mm is 0.1 dB/turn or less. Bending loss at the wavelength of 1550 nm when wound in the ring shape having the radius of 7.5 mm is 0.5 dB/turn or less. |
| US11022747B2 |
Laser processing apparatus and method
The invention concerns an apparatus and its use for laser processing. The invention also concerns a method and an optical component. According to the invention, at a first laser device, providing a first optical feed fiber and a second laser device providing a second optical feed fiber is provided. A beam combining means connected to the first and second feed fibers and to a multi-core optical fiber is adapted to form a composite laser beam by having the first optical feed fiber aligned with a first core of the multi-core optical fiber and the second optical feed fiber aligned with at least one second core of the multi-core optical fiber. The first and second cores outputs a composite laser beam to a workpiece to be processed. A control unit controls power density of at least one of first and second laser beams of the composite laser beam in at least one of: in response to approaching a change point in direction of cutting progression and to cause change in relation between the power density of the first output laser beam and power density of the second output laser beam in accordance with thickness of the workpiece being cut. |
| US11022744B2 |
Multilayer polymeric films and the methods of making thereof
A multilayer polymeric film includes a top layer comprising poly(methyl methacrylate); a bottom layer comprising a bottom layer composition comprising poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, copolymers thereof, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein a glass transition temperature of the bottom layer composition is less than or equal to 140° C.; and an inner layer disposed between an inside surface of the top layer and an inside surface of the bottom layer, wherein the inner layer comprises polycarbonate. |
| US11022737B2 |
Wire grid polarization element having gradually changing proportions of elements, liquid crystal apparatus, and electronic device
In a wire grid polarization element where wires are arranged in parallel on one surface of the substrate, each of the wires includes in a thickness direction thereof a reflection section composed primarily of a light reflective material and an absorption section composed primarily of a light absorptive material. The reflection section includes oxygen. Between a first portion on the substrate side of the reflection section and a second portion at an edge on an opposite side the reflection section from the substrate, is provided a mixture portion (a first mixture portion) where a proportion of oxygen gradually decreases and a proportion of aluminum which is the light reflective material gradually increases from the second portion to the first portion. Thus, even when the reflection section is provided with portions having different compositions, development of an interface does not occur inside the reflection section. |
| US11022733B2 |
ASi-H bandpass filter comprising a second material with high refractive index and a second bandpass filter as a blocker
An optical filter having a substrate including a primary bandpass filter at least predominantly on an interference basis and a secondary bandpass filter at least predominantly on an interference basis. Both bandpass filters are designed such that they transmit sufficiently over the entire required angle range in the desired spectral transmittance wavelength interval. The primary bandpass filter contains the small angle shift required by the overall system. It also has a spectral transmittance wavelength interval which is as small as possible according to the requirements of the respective application and restricted by narrow blocking bands. The secondary bandpass filter is designed such that its transmittance wavelength interval is limited by a short-wave edge and a long-wave edge and is adjusted to the primary bandpass filter in such a way that its edges shift over the required angle range only within the blocking bands of the primary bandpass filter. |
| US11022732B2 |
Optical film for eyewear, and functional film for eyewear, optical laminate for eyewear, and eyewear which have same
The present disclosure provides an optical film for eyewear that allows, when used by a person feeling stressed, easy of production of a space having a color tone that the person psychologically feels healing, and a functional film for eyewear, an optical laminate, and eyewear that each include the optical film. The optical film for eyewear including an optical functional layer, and has that transmitted light from a light source of white light has a pale tone, is provided. |
| US11022731B2 |
Optical phase retrieval systems using color-multiplexed illumination
Systems and methods are disclosed for recovering both phase and amplitude of an arbitrary sample in an optical microscope from a single image, using patterned partially coherent illumination. This is realized through the use of a encoded light source which embeds several different illumination patterns into color channels. The sample is modulated by each illumination wavelength separately and independently of each other, but all of the channels are sensed by the imaging device in a single step. This color image contains information about the phase and amplitude of a sample encoded in each channel, and can be used to recover both amplitude and phase from this single image, at the incoherent resolution limit. Further, extensions of this method are shown which allow the same recovery of a sample whilst it is moving during a single exposure using a motion deblurring algorithm. |
| US11022729B2 |
Multiple image scattering device
An optical element where a first and a second image is at least partially encoded by a pattern of a non-periodic, anisotropic surface relief microstructure such that when light is incident on the surface of the element the first image is optimally visible under a first viewing angle and the second image is optimally visible under a second viewing angle. The optical element is particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification. |
| US11022719B2 |
Statistical blending of weather data sets
In an approach, a method for fusing point data with areal averages is performed by a computing system. The fusion procedure is coherent, in the sense that the computing system takes into account what the areal averages represent with respect to the point data. The overarching goal is to fit a model that takes into account the information derived from both data sets. The areal averages provide an estimate for what the integral of a model representing the behavior of the environmental variable should be over a particular district and the point values indicate the estimated value at particular locations. Thus, the integral of the fitted model over a district of the grid should approximate the value provided by the areal averages while also approximating the value provided by the point data for locations which are provided by the point data. |
| US11022718B2 |
System, method and apparatus for determining the disposition of structural features present in borehole cores
A system method and apparatus for determining the disposition or orientation of a structural feature or structural feature present in a borehole core, such as a core sample. The apparatus is provided to capture data on structural features present in the core sample. The apparatus includes an orientation arrangement configured to determine the orientation, or change in orientation, of the apparatus, and a data-capturing arrangement configured to capture orientation data generated by the orientation arrangement. The orientation arrangement may include a gyroscope. The apparatus also includes an alignment arrangement operable to align the apparatus with a structural feature relating to the core sample. The alignment arrangement may include an alignment indicator operable to provide visual indication on the surface of the core sample. The method may include real-time delivery of data from the point of acquisition to cloud-based storage. |
| US11022717B2 |
Distributed measurement of minimum and maximum in-situ stress in substrates
A system for performing distributed measurements of in-situ stress includes an expandable element with at least one fiber optic sensor. The expandable element can be positioned at various depths in a hole in a substrate. A pressurizing device expands (and contracts) the expandable element when the expandable element is inserted in the hole in the substrate to exert pressure on the hole wall. A pressure sensor provides a sensor output indicative of a pressure applied to the hole wall by the expandable element. The fiber optic sensor and an optical interrogator measure strain along a length of the sensor in a continuous, high spatial resolution manner Based on the measured strain and pressure sensor output, the system determines various properties of the substrate such as, minimum principal stress, maximum principal stress, and/or principal stress direction associated with one or more fractures in the substrate, as well as substrate modulus. |
| US11022716B2 |
Methods and systems for determining bulk density, porosity, and pore size distribution of subsurface formations
Herein methods and systems for determining matrix or grain density of a subsurface formation are described. This includes measuring in-air mass of a fluid-saturated sample of the subsurface formation, wherein the in-air mass comprises mass of matrix or grains of the sample, mass of a fluid surrounding the sample, and mass of the fluid inside the sample. The volume of the fluid inside the sample, Vϕ, and volume of the fluid surrounding the sample, Vsur, are determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The fluid-saturated sample can then be submerged in a predetermined volume of a weighing fluid and mass of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid in the weighing fluid, mf is measured. Using the measured and determined values one can determine the volume of the sample without the surrounding fluid, Vc, the bulk density of the fluid-saturated sample without the surrounding fluid, ρb, the volume of the matrix, Vm, and the matrix or grain density of the subsurface formation, ρm. |
| US11022714B2 |
Antenna for downhole communication
An antenna 200, 300, 400 and associated systems 1400, 1500 and methods of use of an antenna 200, 300, 400 in downhole communication or detection. The antenna 200, 300, 400 comprises a plurality of planar substrates and wherein at least two of the plurality of planar substrates each comprise at least one conductive coil 830A-J, and the plurality of planar substrates are spaced apart. The system comprises a downhole arrangement defining a throughbore, a primary antenna and a secondary antenna. At least one of the primary and secondary antennae comprise a plurality of planar substrates. At least two of the plurality of planar substrates each comprise at least one conductive coil. The plurality of planar substrates are spaced apart. |
| US11022713B2 |
Dipole modeling for electric and/or magnetic fields
A method for dipole modeling may comprise providing an electromagnetic induction tool comprising an electromagnetic antenna, disposing the electromagnetic induction tool in a wellbore, and activating the electromagnetic antenna. The method may further comprise producing a dipole array equivalent of the electromagnetic antenna, where the dipole array equivalent comprises at least two dipoles. Additionally, the method may comprise implementing the dipole array equivalent in a forward model within an inversion process, wherein the inversion process determines an electromagnetic property. |
| US11022710B2 |
Identifying anomalies in a subterranean formation based on seismic attributes
Systems and methods for identifying anomalies in a subterranean formation based on seismic attributes include: receiving a seismic cube and a seismic surface, wherein the seismic cube includes traces recorded at receivers deployed to collect seismic data, and the seismic surface is picked on the seismic cube; extracting seismic wavelets with a selected length from the seismic cube along an intersection with the seismic surface for each spatial coordinate associated with the seismic surface; determining a population trend of the seismic wavelets; and generating a attribute map based on comparing each of the seismic wavelets to the population trend. |
| US11022703B2 |
Photoelectric converter, detector, and scanning apparatus
A photoelectric converter includes a silicon photomultiplier array and a light guide coupled to the silicon photomultiplier array. The silicon photomultiplier array is generated by splicing i×j silicon photomultipliers on a horizontal plane, where both i and j are integers greater than or equal to 2. A detector includes a scintillation crystal, an electronic system, a light guide and a silicon photomultiplier. A scanning device includes a detection apparatus and a rack, the detection apparatus includes a detector, and the detector includes the photoelectric converter. |
| US11022702B2 |
Improving azimuth determination accuracy using multiple GNSS antennas
Aspects of the present disclosure may improve the accuracy of the known azimuth determination techniques by employing more than two GNSS antennas positioned on a base station antenna. Techniques may use one or more combinations of the GNSS antennas to determine an azimuth of the base station antenna, which serve to improve accuracy of an azimuth determination. |
| US11022700B2 |
Method for navigation and positioning of receiver and receiver
The present application provides a method for navigation and positioning of a receiver, including: receiving basic broadcast messages and correction parameters of a plurality of satellites, and establishing a pseudorange observation equation and a carrier-phase observation equation corresponding to each of satellites respectively; correcting the pseudorange observation equation and the carrier-phase observation equation using the received correction parameters to obtain the corrected pseudorange observation equation and the corrected carrier-phase observation equation; constructing a first observation according to the corrected pseudorange observation equation and the corrected carrier-phase observation equation; constructing a second observation according to the corrected pseudorange observation equation and the corrected carrier-phase observation equation; and jointly solving the obtained first observations and second observations of the plurality of satellites to obtain anoperation result of user positioning. |
| US11022696B1 |
ADS-Bsec: a holistic framework to secure ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) is one of the most prominent air traffic surveillance technologies. It can be used not only as a complement in existing radar-based technologies to locate aircraft, but also as a replacement in areas without radar coverage. However, a major flaw in the deployment of this technology is it reliance on clear-text, open broadcast of messages, which makes it vulnerable to attackers. A solution to this vulnerability is ADS-Bsec, a holistic framework that solves the root cause of ADS-B problems by enforcing authenticity and integrity in ADS-B messages. This is accomplished without changing the message format and, along with a proper key exchange mechanism. The framework also leverages results from radio-location add risk-adaptive techniques in order to prevent attacks targeting ADS-B. ADS-Bsec is a promising framework for integrating ADS-B to NextGen infrastructure in a secure and affordable fashion. |
| US11022692B2 |
Triangulation scanner having flat geometry and projecting uncoded spots
A projector projects an uncoded pattern of uncoded spots onto an object, which is imaged by a first camera and a second camera, 3D coordinates of the spots on the object being determined by a processor based on triangulation, the processor further determining correspondence among the projected and imaged spots based at least in part on a nearness of intersection of lines drawn from the projector and image spots through their respective perspective centers. |
| US11022688B2 |
Multi-eye lidar system
A lidar system operating in a vehicle comprising a first eye configured to scan a first field of regard and a second eye configured to scan a second field of regard. Each of the first eye and the second eye includes a respective optical element configured to output a beam of light, a respective scan mirror configured to scan the beam of light along a vertical dimension of the respective field of regard, and a respective receiver configured to detect scattered light from the beam of light. The field of regard of the lidar system includes the first field of regard and the second field of regard, combined along a horizontal dimension of the first field of regard and the second field of regard. |
| US11022687B2 |
Wading staff with a sonar transducer
A wading staff is provided herein that is configured to provide stability for an angler that is standing in a body of water. The wading staff includes a staff portion defining a first end and a second end, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the staff portion, and a sonar transducer disposed at least partially within the staff portion. The sonar transducer is configured to transmit a sonar beam into an underwater environment. The sonar transducer is positioned and oriented within the staff portion such that the sonar transducer is configured to transmit the sonar beam into a portion of the underwater environment when the staff is at least partially submerged. A display may be mounted to the wading staff or located remotely to display corresponding sonar images. |
| US11022685B2 |
System and method for constructing pictures of tracks of moving targets from electro-optical detections
A tracking system and method for constructing pictures of tracks of moving targets on a scene from electro-optical (EO) detections are described. The system includes EO sensors, and an EO tracker constructing pictures of the tracks of the targets. The EO tracker includes a pre-processing system for receiving EO detections of the targets and locating the targets on a world map, a candidate track selection system for finding candidate tracks, a track initializing module for receiving the EO detections and initializing a new track, an assigning system for assigning the EO detections to the candidate tracks, a data updating system for updating the candidate tracks after the assigning, and for generating an ambiguity set of tracks and an exclusion set of tracks, a picture providing system for receiving the ambiguity set and the exclusion set to generate a picture, and a tracker database for storing the updated tracks. |
| US11022682B2 |
Simulation apparatus for a rotating lidar light measurement system
The invention relates to a simulation apparatus for a rotating lidar light measurement system having a lidar light reception sensor (1), wherein the lidar light reception sensor (1) rotates through 360° about a shaft (11), wherein a light transmitter strip (14) is present in the plane of the lidar light reception sensor (1). |
| US11022681B2 |
System and method for measuring and rendering terrain on a display
A system and method for rendering terrain on a display is disclosed. The system and method include a computer-implemented distance measuring system integrated in a drone to enable scanning of a terrain. The scanning may be performed from a given height. This results in the levels of the terrain which may then be rendered using a color scale. The rendering identifying the different levels may be superimposed over an image of the terrain, such as on a display, for example. By so doing, the superimposed terrain with the rendering provides the viewer of the display an enhanced view of the terrain. The system and method may be utilized when the viewer is watching the display, such as when watching golf and a player is about to putt on the putting green. The rendering may be removed once the putt is initiated. |
| US11022669B2 |
Beacon array
A method comprises receiving a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a first beacon in an array of beacons and receiving a second RSSI of a second beacon in an array of beacons, calculating a RSSI of the array (r) as a function of the first RSSI and the second RSSI, retrieving a calibrated RSSI value of the array (r′) from a memory, determining whether r>r′, and outputting a signal to a user device responsive to determining that r>r′. |
| US11022667B2 |
System and method for image reconstruction
The disclosure relates to a system and method for generating or using a synthesizing filter in image reconstruction. The method may include: acquiring a calibration data set including a plurality of data points, determining a first calibration region in the calibration data set, the first calibration region including a matrix having a plurality of data points, the plurality of data points includes a first data point at the center of the first calibration region, constructing a first relationship between the first data point and the data points in the first calibration region, and generating a synthesizing filter based on the first relationship. The first data point is at the center of the first calibration region. The method may be implemented on at least one machine each of which has at least one processor and storage. The generated synthesizing filter may be stored in the storage in electronic form as a data file. The synthesizing filter may be adapted for determining an unknown data point in an undersampled k-space data set based on a signal acquired by the receiver coil. |
| US11022664B2 |
MRI compatible intrabody fluid transfer systems and related devices and methods
Systems and methods for transferring fluid to or from a subject use a set of MRI compatible components that can aspirate intrabody structure and/or fluids. The components include a device guide, a semi-rigid guide sheath configured to slidably extend through the device guide, a stylet releasable coupled to the guide sheath and extending a fixed distance out of a distal end thereof, and a cannula coupled to flexible tubing that is releasably interchangeably held in the guide sheath in lieu of the stylet. |
| US11022660B2 |
Magnetic sensor including a magnetic member offset from a magnetoresistive effect element
The size and cost of a magnetic sensor suitable for closed loop control is reduced. A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive effect element that is electrically connected between terminals and extends in the x-direction and a magnetic member that is electrically connected between the terminals and extends in the x-direction along the magnetoresistive effect element. The magnetoresistive effect element is disposed offset with respect to the center position of the magnetic member in the y-direction. Magnetic flux to be detected is collected by a magnetic member and current is made to flow in the magnetic member in accordance with the resistance value of the magnetoresistive effect element, achieving closed loop control. The magnetic member functions both as a magnetism collection function and as a cancel coil, which reduces the number of elements required, and which also achieves a reduction in size and cost. |
| US11022657B2 |
Processor and chipset continuity testing of package interconnect for functional safety applications
Methods and apparatus relating to processor and chipset continuity testing of package interconnect for functional safety applications are described. In an embodiment, voltage divider logic circuitry divides a reference voltage. Controller logic circuitry compares a divided voltage value from a node of the voltage divider logic circuitry and a threshold voltage value. A first end of the voltage divider logic circuitry is coupled to receive the reference voltage and a second end of the voltage divider logic circuitry is coupled to a Non-Critical-To-Function (NCTF) solder ball. The controller logic circuitry generates an error signal in response to a mismatch between the divided voltage value and the threshold voltage value. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US11022651B2 |
Arrangement and method for a safe turn off
A safety circuit coupled between a first direct current (DC) circuit and a second DC circuit, wherein the first DC circuit supplies power to the second DC circuit. The safety circuit comprises a first series connection between positive poles of the first and second DC circuits (the first series connection comprising a first diode, a second diode and a first controllable switch), a second series connection between negative poles of the first and second DC circuits (the second series connection comprising a third diode, a fourth diode and a second controllable switch), a first energy storage device (coupled between the positive pole of the second DC circuit and the first terminal of the second controllable switch), and a second energy storage device (coupled between the negative pole of the second DC circuit and the first terminal of the first controllable switch). The safety circuit further comprises a first feedback circuit for indicating an active state of the first controllable switch and a second feedback circuit for indicating an active state of the second controllable switch. |
| US11022642B2 |
Semiconductor yield prediction
A method for predicting yield for a semiconductor process. A particular type of wafer is fabricated to have a first set of features disposed on the wafer, with a wafer map identifying a location for each of the first set of features on the wafer. Data from wafer acceptance tests and circuit probe tests is collected over time for wafers of that particular type as made in a semiconductor fabrication process, and at least one training dataset and a least one validation dataset are created from the collected data. A second set of “engineered” features are created and also incorporated onto the wafer and wafer map. Important features from the first and second sets of features are identified and selected, and using those important features as inputs, a number of different process models are run, with yield as the target. The results of the different models can be combined, for example, statistically. |
| US11022635B2 |
Measuring power consumption of an electronic display assembly
Methods for measuring power consumption include providing an assembly with electronic display subassemblies at a housing. The subassemblies each include light sources behind or adjacent to an electronic display layer and electricity consuming components. A simulated electric meter is electrically interposed between a utility electric supply and the electricity consuming components. The simulated electric meter includes a processor, an electronic storage device, and a current sensor. The assembly is operated. Current measurements are taken at the simulated electric meter. The power consumed is determined by multiplying each of the one or more current measurements with a predetermined amount or measurements from a voltage sensor to determine one or more power consumption measures. |
| US11022632B2 |
Electric current sensor
An electric current sensor includes a substrate, a first sloped surface, a second sloped surface, at least one conductive wire, a first anisotropic magnetoresistor (AMR) unit, a second AMR unit, a first magnetization direction setting device, and a second magnetization direction setting device. The first sloped surface and the second sloped surface are disposed on the substrate and arranged in a first direction. The at least one conductive wire extends along a second direction and is disposed beside the substrate. The first AMR unit is disposed on the first sloped surface. The second AMR unit is disposed on the second sloped surface. The first magnetization direction setting device and the second magnetization direction setting device are configured to set magnetization directions of the AMR units. |
| US11022629B2 |
Low-glitch range change techniques
Techniques are provided for changing a range of an output circuit with little or no voltage or current glitch. In an example, a method of changing a range of an output signal can include providing a first level of the output signal at an output of a first amplifier based on a received setpoint signal and receiving a range change command. In response to the range change command an input of a second amplifier can be shorted to an output of the second amplifier for a first interval. At the end of the first interval and over a second interval, a first impedance between the input of the second amplifier and the output of the second amplifier can be increased, and a second impedance between the input of the second amplifier and the setpoint signal can be increased. |
| US11022626B2 |
Testing device
Disclosed is a testing device. The testing device includes a testing socket configured to support a plurality of probes, a testing-circuit substrate which includes a contact point to contact the probe, a slider which makes the testing socket be coupled to and separated from the testing-circuit substrate, and a slider operator which includes a main body arranged on the testing socket, and a slider pressing portion up/down-movably supported on the main body and moving down from the main body toward the slider so that the slider can slide along a surface direction of the testing socket. |
| US11022624B2 |
Environmental sensor
An environmental sensor including a plurality of sensor elements that measure a plurality of physical quantities associated with a surrounding environment detects moving of an environmental sensor based on an illuminance and a change in the illuminance among the plurality of physical quantities, and transmits an alert signal to a user when the moving of the environmental sensor is detected. |
| US11022621B2 |
Image acquisition system and image acquisition method
An image acquisition system includes a cassette mounting unit that holds slide glasses in a plurality of stages, a cassette having an identification code imparted thereto being mounted in the cassette mounting unit, an identification code reading unit that reads an identification code from the cassette, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of a sample held on the slide glass, and a control computer that associates the image data with cassette identification information included in the identification code read by the identification code reading unit, wherein the cassette mounting unit includes a notch portion that exposes a bar code imparted to the cassette, and the identification code reading unit includes an imaging unit that images the identification code exposed from the notch portion in a reading position. |
| US11022620B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and quality check modules for detecting hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, or normality of a specimen
A method of characterizing a specimen for HILN (H, I, and/or L, or N). The method includes capturing images of the specimen at multiple different viewpoints, processing the images to provide segmentation information for each viewpoint, generating a semantic map from the segmentation information, selecting a synthetic viewpoint, identifying front view semantic data and back view semantic data for the synthetic viewpoint, and determining HILN of the serum or plasma portion based on the front view semantic data with an HILN classifier, while taking into account back view semantic data. Testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects. |
| US11022617B2 |
Methods for aiding in the diagnosis and evaluation of a subject who has sustained an orthopedic injury and that has or may have sustained an injury to the head, such as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and/or ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1)
Disclosed herein are methods, and kits for use in said methods, that aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of a subject that has sustained an orthopedic injury and sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head, such as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), using ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or a combination thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods, and kits for use in said methods, that aid in determining whether a subject that has sustained an orthopedic injury and sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head would benefit from and thus receive an imaging procedure, such as MRI or head computerized tomography (CT) scan based on the levels of GFAP and/or UCH-L1. These methods involve detecting levels and changes in levels of GFAP and/or UCH-L1 in biological samples taken from a subject at time points within 48 hours after the subject has sustained or may have sustained an injury to the head. |
| US11022615B2 |
Regulatory T-cells, method for their isolation and uses
The invention pertains to methods of isolating a Treg from a subject, the method comprising the steps of analyzing a sample of cells obtained from the subject to determine the level of expression of polypeptides and/or polynucleotides corresponding to proteins CD 127, CD4, CD25, and CD226 and isolating, as the Treg, a cell which expresses CD4 and CD25, expresses low levels of CD 127 or does not express CD 127, and expresses low levels of CD226 or does not express CD226. The Treg isolated from a subject can be proliferated in vitro. Accordingly, the invention also provides compositions comprising Treg isolated/proliferated according to the methods of the invention and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent inflammation mediated disease, for example, autoimmune diseases, such as, systemic lupus erythmatosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease. |
| US11022611B2 |
Methods and systems for diagnosis and treatment of viral infections
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing flaviviral or alphaviral infections in subjects in need thereof. The systems and methods of the disclosure enable rapid testing of small volumes of biological sample with the ability to reliably distinguish between flavival and alphaviral infections and determine whether the viral infection is acute or chronic. |
| US11022610B1 |
Integrated dual-modality microfluidic sensor for biomarker detection using lithographic plasmonic crystal
An integrated dual-modality microfluidic sensor chip and methods for using the same. In one form, the sensor comprises a patterned periodic array of nanoposts coated with a noble metal and graphene oxide (GO) to detect target biomarker molecules in a limited sample volume. The device generates both electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signals from a single sensing area of the metal-GO nanoposts. The metal-GO nanoposts are functionalized with specific receptor molecules, serving as a spatially well-defined nanostructured working electrode for electrochemical sensing, as well as a nanostructured plasmonic crystal for SPR-based sensing via the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. The integrated dual-modality sensor offers higher sensitivity (through higher surface area and diffusions from nanoposts for electrochemical measurements), as well as the dynamic measurements of antigen-antibody bindings (through the SPR measurement), while operating simultaneously in a same sensing area using a same sample volume. |
| US11022606B2 |
Cell information acquisition method and cell information acquisition device
A cell information acquisition method may include: binding a binding substance to a receptor on a cell membrane surface of a cell, the binding substance being bindable to the receptor; permeabilizing a cell membrane of the cell after the binding; labeling a receptor in an intracellular area of the cell with a binding substance labeled with a first labeling substance after the permeabilizing; causing a specimen including the cell to flow through a flow path after the labeling; irradiating the cell included in the specimen flowing through the flow path with light; and acquiring a signal based on light generated from the first labeling substance in the cell irradiated with light. |
| US11022605B2 |
Multi-component in vitro system to deduce cell signaling pathways by electronic stimulation patterns
Disclosed herein are cell culture analog devices, systems and methods for applying stimuli to components containing different cell types and recording the cell responses before, during, and after a stimulus (for example, a drug, metabolite, toxin, or electrical stimulus) is introduced. Responses can be stored to a database and compared to previous results. By analyzing how each cell type responds to various stimulation parameters, for example, by using multivariate analyses, cell signaling pathway information can be determined or new pathways can be discovered. In some implementations, an individual component interfaces with a specific cell type. This facilitates readout of the cell response to the stimulation. Various components can also interface with each other, such that the behavior of one cell type can affect a cell type in another component. Once assembled, the system is plugged into readout electronics and a programmable electrical stimulator. |
| US11022603B2 |
Microfluidic tissue biopsy and immune response drug evaluation devices and systems
This disclosure describes microfluidic tissue biopsy and immune response drug evaluation devices and systems. A microfluidic device can include an inlet channel having a first end configured to receive a fluid sample optionally containing a tissue sample. The microfluidic device can also include a tissue trapping region at the second end of the inlet channel downstream from the first end. The tissue trapping region can include one or more tissue traps configured to catch a tissue sample flowing through the inlet channel such that the fluid sample contacts the tissue trap. The microfluidic device can also include one or more channels providing an outlet. |
| US11022601B2 |
Use of Eomesodermin to determine risk of allograft rejection
Pre-existing alloreactive memory T cells are a major barrier to the induction of allograft tolerance in organ transplant recipients. The use of Eomesodermin (Eomes) expression in memory T cells to determine the risk of allograft rejection in a subject is described. Also described is the use of Eomes expression in memory T cells of transplant recipients to modify immunosuppressive therapy. |
| US11022599B2 |
Self-regulating alcohol breathalyzer
A Self-Regulating Alcohol Breathalyzer has a Main Module Enclosure to channel breath evenly to three Fuel-Cell Sensors. Within the Main Module Enclosure are the Main Circuit Board and the Exhaust Fan. When a user blows into the straw, their breath will flow through the Main Air-Flow Channel, Solenoid Pumps are triggered and breath samples are pulled into the Fuel-Cells as the user's air pressure begins to decline. Each Fuel-Cell Sensor has an opening that protrudes into the Main Air Flow Channel and will have access to pull in samples of the breath passing through the channel. After the breath sample is acquired, the three Fuel Cells comparatively test for alcohol content. |
| US11022597B2 |
Fluid sensing system using planar resonators
An example system includes a core comprised of a dielectric material; a planar resonator on the core; a conduit containing the core and the planar resonator, with the conduit including an electrically-conductive material; and a coupling that is electrically-conductive and that connects the planar resonator to the conduit to enable the conduit to function as an electrical ground for the planar resonator. |
| US11022595B2 |
Determining the phase composition of a fluid flow
A method of identifying the phase composition and/or changes in the phase composition of a fluid flowing through a turbomachine includes monitoring changes in at least one electrical parameter associated with operation of the turbomachine, and employing a known correlation between phase composition and or phase composition changes, and changes in the electrical parameter(s) to associate the monitored changes with changes in the actual phase composition of the fluid. |
| US11022594B2 |
Parallel plate capacitor system for determining impedance characteristics of material under test (MUT)
Various aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating the electromagnetic impedance characteristics of a material under test (MUT) over a range of frequencies. In particular aspects, a system includes: an electrically non-conducting container sized to hold the MUT, the electrically non-conducting container having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second, opposite end thereof; a transmitting electrode assembly at the first end of the electrically non-conducting container, the transmitting electrode assembly having a transmitting electrode with a transmitting surface; and a receiving electrode assembly at the second end of the electrically non-conducting container, the receiving electrode assembly having a receiving electrode with a receiving surface, wherein the receiving electrode is approximately parallel with the transmitting electrode, and wherein the transmitting surface of the transmitting electrode is larger than the receiving surface of the receiving electrode. |
| US11022593B2 |
Solid phase sampling device and methods for point-source sampling of polar organic analytes
Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable. |
| US11022590B2 |
Electronic component including sensor device and method of manufacturing same
An electronic component comprises a carrier (3), a sensor device (2) mounted on the carrier (3), which sensor device (2) comprises a sensor chip (21), and an electrostatic discharge protection element (1) for protecting the sensor chip (21) from an electrostatic discharge, which protection element (1) is mounted on the carrier (3). |
| US11022588B2 |
Characterization of crude oil by simulated distillation
A system and a method is provided for calculating and assigning one or more indicative properties (e.g., cetane number, pour point, cloud point and/or aniline point) of a fractions of a crude oil sample based upon gas chromatographic simulated distillation data. |
| US11022586B2 |
Multi-column separation apparatus and method
The invention provides an apparatus and system for the separation and optional analysis of the components of a sample of material, the apparatus and system comprising a cartridge comprising: at least one sample inlet port, at least one resin inlet port and a multiplicity of reagent and purge fluid input ports which are fluidically connected via a multiplicity of control valves to a multiplicity of chromatographic columns which are fluidically connected together in series; and a multiplicity of outlet ports wherein each outlet port additionally comprises an outlet valve which is adapted to control the flow of fluid through said outlet ports; wherein each of said multiplicity of chromatographic columns is aligned with one of said multiplicity of outlet ports so as to allow for fluid flow from said column through said outlet port. The system optionally additionally facilitates the analysis of the components. The invention additionally provides a method for the separation of the components of a sample of material which comprises the use of the apparatus and system of the invention. The apparatus, system and method of the invention are advantageously applied to the separation and analysis of radioactive materials. |
| US11022576B2 |
Gas sensor with a gas permeable region
A gas sensor with a gas permeable region is disclosed. In an embodiment a gas sensor includes a dielectric membrane formed on a semiconductor substrate having a cavity portion, a heater located within or over the dielectric membrane, a material for sensing a gas, wherein the material is located on one side of the dielectric membrane, a support structure located near the material, a gas permeable membrane coupled to the support structure so as to protect the material, wherein the semiconductor substrate forms the support structure. |
| US11022575B1 |
Systems and methods for measuring unique microelectronic electromagnetic signatures
Systems and methods for measuring unique microelectronic electromagnetic signatures are provided. A method includes injecting a nondestructive signal as input into a port of an object. The method may further include receiving as output from a signal path within the object a unique frequency dependent complex spectrum comprising a reflection spectrum or a transmission spectrum. The method may also include generating a unique object signature based upon the port and the received spectrum. The method may still further include differentiating the object from a different object based upon a comparison of the unique object signature of each. |
| US11022573B2 |
Positive controls
The present invention relates to the use of one or more amplicons as temperature calibrators. In some embodiments, the calibrators may be used to calibrate the temperature of a microfluidic channel in which amplification and/or melt analysis is performed. In some embodiments, the amplicons may be genomic, ultra conserved elements and/or synthetic. The amplicon(s) may have a known or expected melt temperature(s). The calibrators may be added to primers of study or may follow or lead the primers of study in the channel. The amplicon(s) may be amplified and melted, and the temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) melted may be determined. The measured temperature(s) may be compared to the known temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) was expected to melt. The difference(s) between the measured and expected temperatures may be used to calibrate/adjust one or more temperature control elements used to control and/or detect the temperature of the channel. In other embodiments, the UCE primers may function as a positive control to validate amplification has occurred. |
| US11022572B2 |
Substrate contamination analysis system
Provided is a substrate contamination analysis system capable of individually analyzing impurities present in a film and impurities present on a surface of the film. The substrate contamination analysis system includes: a vapor phase decomposition device configured to expose a film formed on a surface of a first substrate to a gas that reacts with the film, to thereby dissolve the film; a recovery device configured to perform a first recovery operation of moving an object to be measured to a first measurement position before the film is dissolved and a second recovery operation of moving the object to be measured to a second measurement position after the film is dissolved; and an analyzer configured to analyze the object to be measured every time the recovery device performs the first recovery operation and the second recovery operation. |
| US11022570B2 |
X-ray transmission inspection apparatus and X-ray transmission inspection method
An X-ray transmission inspection apparatus includes an X-ray source for irradiating a sample with X-rays, a two-dimensional sensor for detecting transmission X-rays passing through the sample, a sample moving mechanism for moving the sample, a calculation unit for processing an image of the transmission X-rays detected by the two-dimensional sensor, and a display unit for displaying a cross-sectional image. When V1 is a speed at which the sample moves, F is a frame rate of the two-dimensional sensor, A is a sample pitch of the two-dimensional sensor, and LS is a distance between the X-ray source and the two-dimensional sensor, the calculation unit creates a cross-sectional image taken at a distance L from the X-ray source by adding the images of the pixels positioned at an interval of [(LS×V2)/(L×F×A)] in a direction in which the sample moves. |
| US11022561B2 |
Integrated and automated video/structural health monitoring system
Structural health monitoring (SHM)/nondestructive evaluation (NDE) exists as a tool in conjunction with manufactured pieces. Presently disclosed subject matter integrates automated video with a structural health monitoring system. In conjunction with bridge monitoring, integration of such two systems automates determination of the effect or correlation of vehicular loading on SHM data from a subject bridge. Such correlations help to understand the sources of structural health monitoring data, particularly acoustic emission data, in bridges and other structures, such as dams and nuclear plants. Automation of the evaluation of bridges and other structures increases accuracy and minimizes risk to workers and the public. Assessing the structural condition of bridges and other structures as presently disclosed also facilitates automated asset management of transportation systems, such as by state departments of transportation and other bridge/structural owners. |
| US11022556B2 |
Tetrazolium compound for detecting microorganisms, reagent for detecting microorganisms and method for detecting microorganisms
The object of the present invention is to provide a compound used in a reagent for detecting microorganisms, by which microorganisms can be rapidly and reliably detected without requiring any special instrument, the reagent for detecting microorganisms, and a method for detecting microorganisms. The object can be achieved by a tetrazolium compound represented by general formula (I) below: wherein the symbols are as defined in the description, a chromogenic reagent for detecting microorganism comprising the tetrazolium compound, or a method for detecting microorganisms using the chromogenic reagent. |
| US11022551B2 |
Turbidity sensor with improved flow path
Systems and methods for increasing the accuracy of a turbidity sensor are disclosed. The systems include a turbidity sensor and a flow module with a specialized flow path, with the turbidity sensor engaging with the flow module such that a measurement zone of the turbidity sensor is disposed within a flow path of the flow module and a bypass path of the flow module does not pass through the measurement zone. The methods include flowing a fluid containing bubbles into a system that separates the fluid in the flow module into a first stream of fluid containing relatively more bubbles and a second stream of fluid containing relatively fewer bubbles, the first stream flowing through a bypass path that does not pass through the measurement zone, and the second stream flowing through the measurement zone of the turbidity sensor. |
| US11022550B2 |
Method for observing organisms and associated system
The invention relates to a method for observing a sample (12), the sample (12) comprising a set of organisms (14), a solid substrate (16) supporting the set of organisms (14). The method being characterized in that the method includes steps for illuminating at least one portion of the sample (12) with a light beam, for acquiring a first diffraction pattern corresponding to an image of waves from the diffraction of the light beam by at least one portion of the set of organisms (14), for acquiring a second diffraction pattern corresponding to an image of waves from the diffraction of the light beam by at least one portion of the sample (12), for comparing the second diffraction pattern with the first diffraction pattern, for determining at least one characteristic relating to the set of organisms (14) from the result of the comparison step. |
| US11022549B2 |
Optical fiber inspecting device, optical fiber manufacturing apparatus, method for inspecting optical fiber, and method for manufacturing optical fiber
An optical fiber inspecting device is disclosed. The optical fiber inspecting device includes a first light-emitting unit that irradiates an optical fiber with a first light beam, the optical fiber including a glass fiber and a coating resin and moving in an axial direction, and a first light-receiving unit that receives scattered light resulting from the first light beam scattered in the optical fiber, and converts the scattered light to an electrical signal. An optical axis of the first light-receiving unit passes through an irradiation position where the first light beam strikes the optical fiber, and the first light beam and the optical axis of the first light-receiving unit diagonally intersect each other, thereby preventing the first light beam from directly entering the first light-receiving unit. |
| US11022545B2 |
Multi-spectral gas analyzer system with multiple sets of spectral sensitivity
A system and method for multi-spectral gas concentration analysis that includes using a library of multiple sets of optimized spectral sensitivities prepared in advance, and a multi-spectral IR gas analyzer tuned to a set of optimized spectral sensitivity. The multi-spectral IR gas analyzer measures spectral absorption of gas using one or more different sets of optimized spectral sensitivities. |
| US11022542B2 |
On-chip spectroscopic sensors with optical fringe suppression
An on-chip spectroscopic sensor includes a tunable diode laser. A laser driver for drives the tunable diode laser. An analyte test cavity receives a chemical sample and exposes the received chemical sample to light from the tunable diode laser. An optical detector detects light emerging from the analyte test cavity as a result of the laser exposure. A spectral analyzer determines a spectrum of the emerging light, matches and removes one or more known optical fringe patterns from the determined spectrum, and determines a composition or concentration of the chemical sample from the optical fringe pattern-removed spectrum. |
| US11022539B2 |
Masking of images of biological particles
The current invention relates to the task of masking, i.e. determination of boundaries in an image of biological particles and/or elements or parts of biological particles in image cytometry. Methods for masking of a biological particle or element or region of a biological particle in a sample are provided which include staining a first element or region of the biological particle with a first fluorescent dye, staining a second element or region of the biological particle with a second fluorescent dye, recording an image of the fluorescent light signal emitted from the sample, and determining boundaries of the biological particle or element or region of the biological particle based on the fluorescent light signal in the image. |
| US11022535B2 |
Particulate matter detection sensor
A PM detection sensor has a sensor body part made of an insulating member and a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive electrode is composed of a plurality of positive electrode segments. The negative electrode is composed of a plurality of negative electrode segments. A deposition surface is formed on the sensor body part. These electrode segments are formed on the deposition surface to be exposed to exhaust gas introduced into the inside of the PM detection sensor. The positive electrode segments and the negative electrode segments are arranged adjacently to and separately from each other, on the deposition surface, along a short width direction and a long width direction of each electrode segment. The short width direction and the long width direction are orthogonal to a normal direction of the deposition surface. |
| US11022534B2 |
Generation source analyzing device and generation source analyzing system
An analyzing device is provided, which can accurately analyze information related to generation sources. A generation source analyzing device is provided, which includes a measurement value acquiring unit to acquire time-series measurement values of a concentration of each of a plurality of measured object components at a measurement point, a correlation calculating unit to calculate a correlation value between the time-series measurement values of at least one set of the measured object components, and a generation source analyzing unit to analyze information related to generation sources of at least one measured object component based on the correlation value calculated by the correlation calculating unit. |
| US11022530B2 |
System and method for determining structural characteristics of a machine tool
The present invention is directed to a system for determining the structural characteristics of a machine tool. The system comprises an excitation device configured to induce a dynamic excitation in a tool of the machine tool, a preloading device configured to generate a static force on the tool, and a sensing device for acquiring a set of data based on which the structural characteristics of the tool can be determined. |
| US11022528B2 |
Composition for biological tissue transparency and method for biological tissue transparency using same
The clarity method for biotissue using a biotissue clearing agent including CHAPS of the present invention enables fast tissue clarity without denaturation. |
| US11022527B2 |
Apparatus and methods of collecting and sampling fluids
A method of collecting a fluid sample includes flowing the fluid sample into an isolating container, wherein the isolating container includes a reactant material; removing a component from the fluid sample by reacting the component with the reactant material; and collecting the fluid sample leaving the isolating container into a sample container. |
| US11022526B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring a condition of a fracturing component section of a hydraulic fracturing unit
Systems and methods to monitor a condition of a fracturing component section including a section frame and a hydraulic fracturing component of a hydraulic fracturing unit to pump fracturing fluid connected to the section frame may include a condition monitoring controller configured to receive one or more signals from one or more sensors configured to be connected to the fracturing component section and generate signals indicative of operating parameters associated with operation of the fracturing component. The condition monitoring controller may be configured to generate, based at least in part on the signals, condition signals indicative of approaching maintenance due to be performed, predicted component damage, predicted component failure, existing component damage, existing component failure, irregularities of component operation, and/or operation exceeding rated operation. The systems and methods also may include exchanging the fracturing component for another fracturing component based at least in part on the condition signals. |
| US11022523B2 |
Mode-dependent loss measurement method and measurement device
A present embodiment relates to a MDL measurement method and the like including a structure for enabling MDL measurement without increasing a processing load. The present embodiment sequentially executes, for N (≥2) spatial modes, light-input operation of inputting light of a predetermined intensity to an arbitrary spatial mode, and intensity measurement operation of measuring an output light intensity of each of the N spatial modes including the arbitrary spatial mode, to generate a transfer matrix relating to transmission loss in an optical fiber as a measurement target, and determine at least a linear value of MDL per unit fiber length by using each component value of the generated transfer matrix. |
| US11022522B2 |
Photonic wafer level testing systems, devices, and methods of operation
A photonic testing device includes a substrate, an optical device under test (DUT) disposed over the substrate, and an optical input circuit disposed over the substrate. The optical input circuit includes a first plurality of inputs each configured to transmit a respective optical test signal of a plurality of optical test signals. Each of the plurality of optical test signals includes a respective dominant wavelength of a plurality of dominant wavelengths. The optical input circuit further includes an output coupled to an input waveguide of the optical DUT. The output is configured to transmit a combined optical test signal comprising the plurality of optical test signals. |
| US11022521B2 |
Test device and heterogeneously integrated structure
A test device configured to test a photonic integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The photonic IC includes at least one waveguide edge coupler, and the test device includes an optical coupler. The optical coupler is configured to be optically aligned with the photonic IC, and includes at least one focusing lens and a first reflector. The at least one focusing lens is aligned with the at least one waveguide edge coupler. A light from the waveguide edge coupler is focused by the focusing lens, reflected by the first reflector, and transmitted to a fiber connector in sequence, or a light from the fiber connector is reflected by the first reflector and focused onto the waveguide edge coupler by the focusing lens in sequence. A heterogeneously integrated structure is also provided. |
| US11022519B2 |
High-volume, long-range headlamp aiming
A system for aiming a headlamp of a vehicle includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes a translatable aim box carrying at least one headlamp imager oriented to capture images of a single headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the single headlamp. At least one fixed imager is oriented to capture one or more images of the displaceable aiming surface. The translatable aim box may be configured to translate between the single headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. Methods for headlamp aim correction are described. |
| US11022512B2 |
Measurement system, measurement method, and pressure measurement apparatus
A measurement system (20) includes pressure measurement apparatuses (220, 221, 222) capable of measuring pressure. The pressure measurement apparatuses (220, 221, 222) measure pressure at a measurement timing designated by a trigger signal. |
| US11022508B2 |
Torque detection unit and vehicle
A torque detection unit for actively detecting a torque acting on a shaft, and in particular on a crankshaft, of a vehicle drivable by muscle power and/or by motor power along a rotational axis, including an excitation unit, which is configured to apply a magnetic field which changes over time to the shaft, and a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit, which are configured to detect a magnetic field carried by the shaft, the first and the second sensor unit, in particular with an otherwise identical setup, having different orientations with respect to one another so that they, during operation, are oriented differently from one another with respect to the shaft, and in particular with respect to the rotational axis. |
| US11022507B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor
An improved ultrasonic transducer for measuring stretch loads on bolts is provided. The improved ultrasonic transducer is separated into a pickup unit and a base sensor unit. The base sensor unit includes a piezo ceramic inside an aluminum can covered by a PCB for protection, which is surrounded by a strong magnet. Honey is used as a couplant between the base sensor unit and the bolt during operation. The base sensor unit stays on the bolt before and after tightening without changing the mechanical bonding between the sensor and bolt therefore achieving higher accuracy stretch readings. The base sensor unit is low cost and reusable, as it can be placed on number of bolts before tightening and can be removed after tightening, washed and then reused. |
| US11022505B2 |
Fiber-reinforced composite material with a sensor assembly for monitoring the structure of the composite material
A fiber-reinforced composite material having a sensor array of a plurality of sensors for structural health monitoring of the composite material, and also having electrical conducting paths incorporated in the composite material and extending through the composite material. The electrical conducting paths are arranged in a first group and in a second group different from the first group, with the first group extending in a first direction, and the second group extending in a second direction and intersecting the electrical conducting path of the first group. The intersecting paths form together with the conducting paths of first group a network of n row conductors and m column conductors. There is also a signal processing means for monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of the conducting paths. |
| US11022500B2 |
Systems and methods for thermometry and theranostic applications
In one aspect, methods of measuring the temperature of an environment are described herein. In some embodiments, such a method comprises (a) disposing a population of ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the environment, the population comprising n differing fluorophores having n differing switching threshold temperatures; (b) exposing the environment to an ultrasound beam to create an activation region having a temperature greater than or equal to one or more of the switching threshold temperatures; (c) disposing the fluorophores within the activation region to switch at least one fluorophore from an off state to an on state; (d) exposing the environment to up to n beams of electromagnetic radiation, thereby exciting at least one fluorophore in the on state; (e) detecting up to n photoluminescence signals emitted by the fluorophores; and (f) correlating the photoluminescence signals with up to n temperatures or temperature ranges. |
| US11022489B2 |
Portable multi-spectrometry system for chemical and biological sensing in atmospheric air
The invention relates to a portable multi-spectrometry system for chemical and biological sensing in atmospheric air. A portable, spectrometric system integrates multiple spectroscopy theories, combines their advantageous features, and fills the gaps for their limitations. The combined spectrometry system with operations for PLS, IRAS, MAS, MFS, RSS, and MS, will detect particles and chemicals, directly and sequentially, in the same air-stream. |
| US11022488B1 |
Spectrometer for VNIR spectrometry
A spectrometer is disclosed, comprising: a light source configured to receive light from a scene; a diffraction grating configured to receive a light beam from the light source and to disperse the light beam to form a dispersed light beam, the diffraction grating comprising an axis of normal incidence and a plurality of grooves, these defining a plane that includes the axis of normal incidence and which is normal to the grooves; a detector configured to detect the dispersed light beam; wherein the angle of incidence, between the light beam and the axis of normal incidence in the plane, is 5 to 8 degrees, and the out-of-plane angle, between the light beam and the axis of normal incidence outside the plane is 1.5 to 4 degrees. A correcting lens may be provided, disposed between the diffraction grating and the detector. |
| US11022485B2 |
System, apparatus and method for in situ polychromatic measurement of optical properties of topically applied sunscreen
A system, apparatus and method of improved measurement of the SPF factor of sunscreen compositions. In one embodiment, a method of measuring the protection of a sunscreen composition includes exposing skin to a known intensity of light, measuring the amount of remitted light from the skin, applying sunscreen to the skin, exposing the skin to which the sunscreen has been applied the known intensity of emitted light of the spectrum of light from which the sunscreen is intended to protect the skin, measuring the amount of light remitted from the skin, and calculating a UltraViolet-A Protection Factor (UVA-PF) of the sunscreen by comparing the amount of light remitted from the skin with the sunscreen to the amount of light remitted from the skin without the sunscreen. |
| US11022482B2 |
Fluid container measurement system
A fluid container measurement system is disclosed. The fluid container measurement system is configured to suspend a load measurement assembly a distance above a support surface. The load measurement assembly houses a load cell and a measurement control circuit. The measurement control circuit is coupled to the load cell and configured to receive electrical signals indicative of a force imposed on the load cell. Electrical signals generated by the load cell indicative of the force exerted on the load cell can be used to measure the fluid container attached to the load cell linkage member. |
| US11022481B2 |
Load cell having compensation of temperature differences
The invention relates to a load cell for a scale, comprising a measuring device for producing a temperature-dependent weight measurement signal corresponding to an acting weight and at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the load cell, wherein a temperature-compensated weight can be calculated by an evaluating unit from the produced weight measurement signal and the measured temperature. The temperature sensor is designed as a sensor, in particular a thermocouple, that measures a temperature difference between a first point, in particular a measurement point, of the load cell and a second point, in particular a comparison point, of the load cell. |
| US11022480B2 |
Method for checking the functional ability of a radar-based fill-level measuring device
A method for checking the functional ability of an FMCW-based fill-level measuring device, which serves for measuring the fill level of a fill substance located in a container, as well as to a fill-level measuring device suitable for performing this method. For checking the functional ability, a microwave signal is produced, whose frequency change differs from the frequency change of the measurement signal used during regular measurement operation. By comparing the frequency of the difference signal resulting from the microwave signal with a predetermined reference frequency, it is ascertained, whether the fill-level measuring device is functionally able. Thus, the fill-level measuring device detects, independently, whether it is functionally able, or whether an error is present, caused principally by device-internal disturbance signals. This offers, especially, a clear advantage as regards meeting safety standards for the field device. |
| US11022476B2 |
Sound emission analysis
Systems and techniques for sound emission analysis are provided. An audio sample may be detected, including an engine audio sample associated with acoustic information of a motorcycle engine. Signal processing may be performed to isolate the engine audio sample associated with sounds from the motorcycle engine from background noise within the audio sample. The isolated engine audio sample may be analyzed for a characteristic indicative of a fuel level or a speed of the motorcycle. The fuel level or the speed may be estimated or calculated based on the engine audio sample. The isolation, the signal processing, and the estimation or calculation may occur device-side on a mobile device near the motorcycle. Alternatively, the isolation, the signal processing, and the estimation or calculation may occur server-side, and the results may be transmitted back to the mobile device. |
| US11022473B2 |
Calibration-free continuous bin level sensor
A sensor assembly is described herein that can automatically calibrate itself upon installation into an empty bin, eliminating the need to actually fill the bin to calibrate the level reading. The sensor will provide consistent measurement regardless of material properties (permittivity, density, temperature or moisture content). The capacitive nature of the sensor means that in some circumstances, it will sense the material through plastic/glass/fiber glass thereby allowing the sensor assembly to be mountable on the outside of a bin or container. The electrodes of the sensor system are designed to provide a continuous level reading. |
| US11022470B2 |
Free-jet dosing system
The invention relates to a free-jet dosing system for dosing a free fluid jet to be dispensed. The free-jet dosing system includes, inter alia, a pump including an inlet and an outlet and configured to deliver fluid to be dispensed to the outlet. The free-jet dosing system further includes a dosage monitoring device arranged on the outlet side of the pump, the dosage monitoring device having an opening through which at least some of the fluid to be dispensed may pass, and the dosage monitoring device having a flow rate meter configured to determine the flow rate of the fluid which passes through the opening of the dosage monitoring device. In the inventive free-jet dosing system, the opening of the dosage monitoring device is configured as an outlet nozzle for ejecting the free fluid jet. |
| US11022466B2 |
Pulser with double-bearing position encoder for non-invasive physiological monitoring
A double-bearing position encoder has an axle stabilized within a housing via two bearings disposed on opposite walls of the housing. The axle is in communications with a rotating cam. The cam actuates a pulser so as to generate an active pulse at a tissue site for analysis by an optical sensor. The axle rotates a slotted encoder wheel or a reflective encoder cylinder disposed within the housing so as to accurately determine the axle position and, hence, the active pulse frequency and phase. |
| US11022465B2 |
Fiber-optic equipment enclosure sensors
Fiber-optic equipment is often deployed in various locations, and performance of fiber-optic transmissions may be monitored as a gauge of equipment status to prevent costly and inconvenient communication outages. Events that damage equipment that eventually result in outage and may be desirable to address proactively, but the occurrence of such events may be difficult to detect only through equipment performance. Presented herein are techniques for monitoring and maintaining fiber-optic equipment performance via enclosure sensors that measure physical properties within a fiber-optic equipment enclosure, such as temperature, pressure, light, motion, vibration, and moisture, which are often diagnostic and predictive of causes of eventual communication outages, such as temperature-induced cable loss (TICL), incomplete flash-testing during installation, exposure to hazardous environmental conditions, and tampering. An enclosure sensor package transmits the physical measurements to a monitoring station, and automatic determination of enclosure-related events may enable triaging and transmission of repair alerts to maintenance personnel. |
| US11022464B2 |
Back-biased magnetic field sensor having one or more magnetoresistance elements
A magnetic field sensor includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements and a back-biased magnet arranged to avoid saturation of the one or more magnetic field sensing elements, particularly when the one or more magnetic field sensing elements comprise one or more magnetoresistance elements. The one or more magnetoresistance elements can be arranged in a resistor bridge. |
| US11022456B2 |
Method of audio processing and audio processing apparatus
An example approach for navigation is provided with an apparatus comprising: a navigation processor configured to generate at least one navigation command; and an audio processor configured to determine at least one directional audio parameter so as to provide a direction, the at least one directional audio parameter being based on the navigation command and further configured to process at least one audio signal based on the at least one directional audio parameter such that a virtual sound image of a navigation routing is generated based on the processed at least one audio signal. |
| US11022454B2 |
Transportation system reconstruction
A system for reconstructing vehicle itinerary include a processor and a memory storing instructions, implemented by the processor, to cluster historical trip records into a plurality of clusters, each of the plurality of clusters including a set of historical trip records that describe events occurring within a predetermined time range at one location; identify a sequence of clusters that includes a cluster at each location; and estimate an itinerary for a vehicle based on the sequence of clusters and constraint data describing physical constraints, the itinerary for the vehicle describing a sequence of arrival and departure times at a sequence of locations for the vehicle. |
| US11022453B2 |
Alternative route decision making
Recommended route change verification via a navigation system. The navigation system receives a destination from a user and then determines an initial route to the destination. While navigating along the initial route, the navigation system can determine a route change to the destination. Also, a convergence point is determined along where the initial route and the first route change converge. In order to verify that the route change is faster than continuing along the initial route, a first group of users utilizing the navigation system are routed along the initial route to the convergence point and a second group of other users are routed along the first route change to the convergence point. If more of the first group of users pass the convergence point before the second group of users, then the route change is recommended to the user rather than continuing along the initial route. |
| US11022452B2 |
Inconvenience for passenger pickups and drop offs for autonomous vehicles
Aspects of the disclosure relate to generating map data. For instance, data generated by a perception system of a vehicle may be received. This data corresponds to a plurality of observations including observed positions of a passenger of the vehicle as the passenger approached the vehicle at a first location. The data may be used to determine an observed distance traveled by a passenger to reach a vehicle. A road edge distance between an observed position of an observation of the plurality of observations and a nearest road edge to the observed position may be determined. An inconvenience value for the first location may be determined using the observed distance and the road edge distance. The map data is then generated using the inconvenience value. |
| US11022449B2 |
Route planning for an autonomous vehicle
Among other things, a determination is made of and ability of an autonomous vehicle to safely or robustly travel a road feature or a road segment or a route that is being considered for the autonomous vehicle as of a time or range of times. The route conforms to properties of stored road network information. The road feature or road segment or route is eliminated from consideration if the computer has determined that the road feature or road segment or route cannot be safely or robustly traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The determination is based on analysis of performance of the autonomous vehicle. |
| US11022446B2 |
Method and apparatus for two-stage planning
A plan through a space having a near field and a far field is determined. Using a sensor device, measurements of the far field are obtained and stored in an electronic memory. A processor uses the measurements to determine the viability of each far field plan among a plurality of candidate far field plans. The processor also determines a flexibility score for each of the candidate far field plans and selects a composite plan comprising the viable far field plan having a highest flexibility score among the viable candidate far field plans. |
| US11022443B2 |
System and method of personalized navigation inside a business enterprise
Systems and methods for tracking movement of individuals through a building receive, by one or more RF nodes disposed near an entrance to the building, RF signals from RF-transmitting mobile devices carried by persons near the entrance, capture an image of the persons while they are near the entrance, determine an identity and relative distance of each RF-transmitting mobile device from each RF node based on information associated with the RF signals received by that RF node, detect humans in the image, determine a relative depth of each human in the image, and assign the identity of each RF-transmitting mobile device to one of the humans detected in the image based on the relative distance of each RF-transmitting mobile device from each RF node and the relative depth of each human in the image, thereby identifying each individual who to be tracked optically as that individual moves throughout the building. |
| US11022439B2 |
Synchronized multi-axis gyroscope
The disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical gyroscope which comprises first and second proof masses which form a first proof mass pair and third and fourth proof masses which form a second proof mass pair. The oscillation of the first and second proof mass pairs is synchronized by a synchronization element which comprises a ringlike body and torsion bars which extend along the x-axis from the ringlike body to the first, second, third and fourth proof masses. |
| US11022437B2 |
Leveling sensor, load port including the same, and method of leveling a load port
A leveling sensor, a load port including a leveling sensor, and a method of leveling a load port using a load port are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor includes an accelerometer configured to detect leveling and vibration of a load port and produce a plurality of data; a plurality of indicator lights configured to display a level measurement and a level direction based on the leveling of the load port; a processor configured to process the data produced by the accelerometer; and a wired connection configured to connect the processor to an external device. |
| US11022435B2 |
Pattern projection depth value 3D scanning device and method
Disclosed are a 3D scanning apparatus and a 3D scanning method. The 3D scanning apparatus includes a projector projecting patterns previously set onto a subject that is to be 3D scanned, a photographing unit photographing each of the patterns projected onto the subject at each of exposure levels previously set, a calculating unit calculating a depth value for each pixel of the subject based on the patterns photographed at each of the exposure levels, and a scanning unit 3D scanning the subject, which is photographed, based on the calculated depth value. The calculating unit calculates the depth value for each pixel of the subject by calculating the depth value for each pixel of the subject at each of the exposure levels and combining the depth values for the pixel, which are calculated at each of the exposure levels. |
| US11022434B2 |
Thermal management of an optical scanning device
Thermal variations on an optical scanning device can affect measurements made by that device. Various ways are presented here to control the temperature of a device and compensate for temperature variations of the device. |
| US11022430B2 |
Eyeglass frame shape measurement device and storage medium
An eyeglass frame shape measurement device measures a shape of an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass frame shape measurement device includes a light projecting optical system that has a light source and emits a measurement light flux from the light source toward a groove of a rim of an eyeglass frame, a light receiving optical system that has a detector and causes the detector to receive a reflected light flux of the measurement light flux emitted toward the groove and reflected by the groove, an acquiring means section that acquires a cross-sectional shape of the groove based on the reflected light flux received by the detector, a change section that change a light receiving position of the reflected light flux, and a control section that control the change section to change the light receiving position of the reflected light flux so that the detector receives the reflected light flux. |
| US11022426B2 |
Layer thickness measurement of soil covering
A method for measure the layer thickness of soil coverings, in particular in the case of gas and oil pipelines laid underground, wherein the device to be covered is measured and the coordinates thereof in relation to a specified coordinate system are recorded, where the course of the terrain over the device is measured and a terrain model is determined therefrom and recorded in the specified coordinate system after the soil covering has been applied, and where the layer thickness of the soil covering is determined from the coordinates of the device and from the terrain model. |
| US11022424B2 |
Optical coherence tomography system
An optical coherence tomography system, includes a swept-source laser, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a balanced detector. The interferometer includes a first fiber coupler, a second fiber coupler, a sample arm and a reference arm. The reference arm includes a reference arm front section, a reference arm rear section and a delay line. A tail end of the reference arm front section is connected to the reference arm rear section through the delay line. The first fiber coupler is configured to split the output light of the swept-source into a sample light and a reference light and distribute the returned sample light to the second fiber coupler. A difference between the optical path length of a parasitic reflected signal of the delay line reaching the second fiber coupler and the optical path length of the sample light is greater than 8 times the cavity length of the swept-source laser. |
| US11022423B2 |
Method for calibrating an error of installation of an interferometer in a multi-axis laser displacement measurement system
Provided is a method for calibrating an error of installation of an interferometer in a multi-axis laser displacement measurement system, including: adding one or more redundant interferometers in a laser interferometer displacement measurement system; then establishing displacement calculating equations containing installation error of the laser interferometer and obtaining redundant measurement information by continuously measuring displacement information of multiple points, wherein the number of the combined displacement calculating equations is equal to the number of unknown quantities; and further solving the equation set to obtain the installation error of the interferometer. With a redundant arrangement of the laser interferometer, self-calibration of the installation error thereof can be achieved. A problem of difficulty in calibration of the installation error of the multi-axis interferometer in industrial application can be solved without assistance of other displacement sensors with higher precision. |
| US11022421B2 |
Low-frequency electromagnetic tracking
A medical system tracks the position of a medical instrument within a body of a patient. The medical instrument includes an electromagnet structure having an inductor coil wound around a core. A control circuit applies a low frequency excitation signal across the inductor coil. The inductor coil and the core generate a magnetic field. A plurality of sensors sense parameters of the generated magnetic field and produce sensor signals. The control circuit calculates the position of the medical instrument based on the produced sensor signals. |
| US11022420B2 |
Flatness sensing device and method for detecting pressures applied by an object to the flatness sensing device
A flatness sensing device includes a pressure sensing unit and a controller. The pressure sensing unit includes a plate portion, and a pressure sensor fixed and exposed at an edge of the plate portion. A sensing surface of the pressure sensor is flush with the bottom surface of the plate portion. The pressure sensor senses a pressure or lack of pressure of an object to be tested when it touches the object to be tested. The controller receives the pressure value output from the pressure sensor and determines a flatness of the object to be tested, the controller can issue an alarm on finding non-flatness and cause the degree of flatness to be displayed to a user. |
| US11022418B2 |
Form measuring apparatus
A form measuring apparatus that is provided with a form measuring device that includes a detection device detecting a position on a surface of an object, and a feeding mechanism that moves the form measuring device in an axis direction. The feeding mechanism includes a drive shaft provided so as to be rotatable around an axis; a traction nut that is provided so as to hold the drive shaft from a direction orthogonal to an axis line of the drive shaft, and that also can switch between a frictional contacting state frictionally contacting the drive shaft and a separation state separated from the drive shaft; and a bracket coupling the traction nut and the form measuring device. The bracket is provided with a motor that includes a rotation shaft that is inclined with respect to the axis line, and the motor rotates the drive shaft. |
| US11022417B2 |
Tape measure with fluid-based retraction speed controller
A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction. |
| US11022416B2 |
Tape measure with tape blade profile increasing tape standout
A tape measure, including a tape measure blade having a cross-sectional profile to increase standout is provided. The profile has a curved shape that increases standout. The tape blade may have a flat width of 30 mm or less and a standout of at least 132 inches. The tape blade may have a flat width greater than or equal to 29 mm and less than 32 mm and a standout of at least 156 inches. The tape blade may have a flat width greater than 32 mm and a standout of at least 168 inches. |
| US11022409B2 |
Electrode body features for a conducted electrical weapon
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) impedes locomotion of a human target by providing a stimulus signal through the target via one or more electrodes. A propulsion system provides a force that launches the one or more electrodes toward the target to deliver the stimulus signal. The electrodes may be mechanically and electrically coupled to a deployment unit by a filament. An electrode may cooperate with a winding machine to wind the filament into a winding. The winding may be positioned inside the body of the electrode for deployment during launch. |
| US11022408B2 |
Drone interceptor system, and methods and computer program products useful in conjunction therewith
A system operative to down a target drone having propellers deployed along a perimeter p, comprising a processor-controlled interceptor drone bearing a processor-controlled flexible elongate intercepting agent cannon and an onboard camera; and an onboard processor to receive sensed wind conditions and to a firing distance d, between interceptor and target drones, given a firing angle A, and wherein the processor is configured to track the target drone using imagery generated by the onboard camera including at least once, when said wind conditions exist, guiding the interceptor drone to a firing position whose distance from the target drone is d, and commanding the cannon to fire at firing angle A, once said firing position is achieved, thereby to use the flexible elongate intercepting agent to down target drones. |
| US11022404B2 |
Firearm and scope alignment
Systems for leveling a firearm receiver and aligning a scope to the receiver are precisely fabricated and assembled to maximize accuracy, including high sensitivity spirit levels. A bar assembly with a high sensitivity spirit level is received in the receiver with the bar in direct contact with the receiver rails. The bar may directly contact the full length of the receiver rails. A plate assembly includes a lower plate for connection to a bench rest, an upper plate for connection to the receiver, and a mechanism to pivot the upper plate relative to the lower plate about a pivot axis for windage adjustment. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US11022403B2 |
Targeting system
A targeting system operable to be used with a bow to assist an operator with striking a target with an arrow. The targeting system may comprise a processor, a target sighting window, a ranging module and a projector. The processor may be configured to control the projector to project a first sighting element onto the target sighting window to select the target, determine a range to the selected target based on the reflected beam, determine an orientation of the bow based at least partially on the determined range to the selected target, determine a location on the target sighting window to present a compensated sighting mark corresponding to the determined orientation, and control the projector to present the variable compensated sighting mark on the target sighting window. |
| US11022401B1 |
Firearm grip
In one aspect, a firearm grip may include an elongated grip body that includes a front side, a rear side, and opposing sides. The grip body may further include a front notch, side notches and a rear notch. A flange is formed on each side of the grip body between the rear notch and side notches. The front notch may include a first front securing edge and a second front securing edge. Likewise, the rear notch may include a first rear securing edge and a second rear securing edge. In one embodiment, the first front securing edge of the front notch and the first rear securing edge of the rear notch are configured to lean against the uneven surface, such as the edge of the desk to stabilize the firearm. |
| US11022394B1 |
Multi bore barrel for pistol
A gun barrel that has a proximal chamber end, a distal muzzle end, and an internal bore bounded by a bore wall where the internal bore has a cartridge chamber at the proximal chamber end of the barrel, a first rifled bore section distal to the cartridge chamber, a second rifled bore section at the distal muzzle end of the barrel, and a reducing section distal to the first rifled bore section and connecting the first rifled bore section and the second rifled bore section. |
| US11022392B2 |
Child firearm safety lock allowing adult proficiency training
A safety lock for a firearm comprises a casing, a releasable locking member at a second end, and a flexible member between the first end and the second end. When the lock is installed on the firearm, the lock extends along the barrel from the chamber to the muzzle end. When in the locked position, the casing is positioned in the chamber and the flexible member extends along the barrel, an ammunition round from being loaded. The safety lock allows a user to dry fire the firearm. |
| US11022391B2 |
Cartridge extraction with dummy extractor for a cased telescoped ammunition firearm
A firearm for firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges that includes a split chamber configured to fully support a CT cartridge when it is fired, and that includes i) a dynamic rear chamber portion defining a pocket in a face of a bolt, and ii) a static front chamber portion that is integral to the barrel and separate from the bolt. A cartridge extraction mechanism engages the CT cartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and holds the CT cartridge in the pocket in the bolt face as the bolt moves rearward to pull the CT cartridge out of the static front chamber portion and into an ejection position. An ejector is operable to eject the CT cartridge from the pocket in the face of the bolt when the CT cartridge reaches the ejection position. |
| US11022384B2 |
Framed heat exchanger core design-fabrication
A heat exchanger core includes a first fin passage. A first frame surrounds a perimeter of the first fin passage. The first frame includes a plurality of bars configured to be removable from the first frame. |
| US11022382B2 |
System and method for heat exchanger of an HVAC and R system
The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a first slab having a first plurality of tubes extending between a first manifold and a second manifold and a second slab having a second plurality of tubes and a third plurality of tubes. The second plurality of tubes extends between a third manifold and a fourth manifold and the third plurality of tubes extends between the fourth manifold and a fifth manifold, such that the heat exchanger defines a refrigerant path sequentially through the first plurality of tubes, the second plurality of tubes, and the third plurality of tubes. |
| US11022381B2 |
Heat exchange system with main heat exchange chamber and subsidiary heat exchange chamber and method for exchanging heat by using the heat exchange system
A heat exchange system with at least two heat exchange chambers is provided. Each of the heat exchange chambers includes heat exchange chamber boundaries which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber boundaries include at least one first opening for guiding in of an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the heat exchange chamber interior and at least one second opening for guiding out of an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior. At least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid. |
| US11022379B2 |
CTE-matched heat pipe
Heat sinks having a mounting surface with a coefficient of thermal expansion matching that of silicon are disclosed. Heat pipes having layered composite or integral composite low coefficient of expansion heat sinks are disclosed that can be mounted directly to silicon semiconductor devices. |
| US11022376B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes a first flow path through which a first fluid flows, a second flow path through which a second fluid flows, and an adjustment layer disposed between the first flow path and the second flow path adjacent to each other and that adjusts an amount of heat exchange between the first flow path and the second flow path. The adjustment layer includes a first portion and a second portion having a heat transfer performance lower than that of the first portion, and has a heat transfer performance varied depending on a position in the adjustment layer. |
| US11022374B2 |
Staged spray indirect evaporative cooling system
A heat exchanger assembly, an indirect evaporative heat exchanger including the heat exchanger, and methods of operating the same. The heat exchanger assembly includes at least one tube, a plurality of sections, and a plurality of nozzles. The at least one tube is configured to (i) have a process fluid flow therethrough in a first direction and (ii) have a scavenger cooling medium flow over the outer surface of the tube in a second direction. The second direction intersects the first direction. The plurality of sections is aligned in the first direction. The plurality of nozzles are located above the at least one tube. At least one nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is (i) located in each of the plurality of sections and (ii) configured to selectively discharge coolant onto the portion of the tube in that section of the heat exchanger. |
| US11022367B2 |
Apparatus for emptying and filling horizontal freezers and freezing system with apparatus for filling and emptying horizontal freezers
An apparatus for emptying and filling horizontal freezers, which includes a first and a second chain actuator, the chain actuators being arranged parallel to each other and parallel to an y axis, the chain actuators having first and second ends, a sliding beam arranged between the first and second chain actuators nearby, or at, the first end of the first and second chain actuators, and a feeding arrangement for retracting the first and second chain actuators from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration and for extending the chain actuators from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration. |
| US11022364B2 |
Wall covering assembly with ventilation pattern and air curtain system
A refrigerator includes a wall covering assembly having a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of a liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly includes a pattern of ports for providing outwardly directed cooled air to the refrigerator cabinet from a duct assembly. The duct assembly is configured to deliver cooled air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver cooled air to a front portion of the refrigerator cabinet via a downwardly directed air curtain. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly before the cooled air reaches a gasket assembly disposed around the refrigerator doors. Angled venting slots disposed on the wall covering assembly direct air towards inner surfaces of the doors without disruption from the air curtain. |
| US11022363B2 |
Refrigerator and control method therefor
Disclosed is a refrigerator including a main body forming a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber each including a temperature sensor, a cooling unit having a compressor and an evaporator accommodated inside the main body and driven to circulate a refrigerant in the compressor and the evaporator to generate cold air around the evaporator, a fan positioned inside the main body to supply the cold air to the freezing chamber, a damper positioned between the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber and opened and closed to allow the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to selectively communicate with each other, and a controller controlling the damper for a predetermined damper opening time when a temperature of the freezing chamber reaches a freezing satisfaction temperature according to driving of the cooling unit. A temperature change of the refrigerating chamber over time may be reduced and power consumption may be improved. |
| US11022362B2 |
Damper device
A damper device may include a frame structured of a tube part and an opening part formed on an inner side of the tube part, a baffle which is disposed on the inner side of the tube part and is supported by the frame in a state that the baffle is capable of being turned with a first edge as a turning center, and a baffle drive mechanism structured to turn the baffle between a closing position where the opening part is closed and an open position where the opening part is opened. The baffle is formed with a cut-out part at least one position of an edge except the first edge. |
| US11022361B2 |
Air filtration system for antimicrobial refrigerators
A refrigerator includes a cabinet coupled to one or more doors forming a storage compartment. The refrigerator additionally includes a first fan assembly positioned on an interior surface of a first cabinet wall, and a second fan assembly positioned on the interior surface of a second cabinet wall. The first and second fan assemblies each include: two or more circulation fans; a filter coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated filter; and a plurality of UV LEDs positioned to project light on the activated filter. An air circulation path is configured to direct air born bacteria and particulate matter within the storage compartment contemporaneously into the first and second fan assemblies using the two or more circulation fans and circulate filtered air into the storage compartment through the activated filter disposed in the air circulation path. |
| US11022359B2 |
Clear ice making appliance and method of same
An aspect of the present disclosure is generally directed to an ice making appliance that includes: an ice making compartment and an ice maker including an ice mold having a total water capacity. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice wells and is configured to release the ice cubes without the use of a heater and by twisting the ice mold. The ice wells are typically no more than about 12.2 mm in depth from a top surface of the ice mold and have a volume of about 20 mL or less. The ice maker is capable of producing at least about 3.5 lbs. of ice or more in a 24 hour span. |
| US11022357B2 |
System and method of operating a variable speed compressor with a two-stage controller
A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data. |
| US11022355B2 |
Converging suction line for compressor
A compressor includes an inlet and the inlet includes a flange and an impeller eye. The flange is connected to a suction line that transfers a refrigerant into the compressor via the impeller eye. The refrigerant flows into the compressor with an amount of swirl and a pressure loss. The suction line includes a geometry that includes a constantly decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction towards the compressor. The geometry of the suction line is configured to reduce the amount of swirl and the pressure loss. |
| US11022354B2 |
Air conditioner
Noise that is generated from an indoor unit is suppressed when performing two-phase transport of refrigerant by using a liquid-pressure-adjusting expansion valve in an air conditioner including an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units each including an indoor heat exchanger, a relay unit that switches the plurality of indoor heat exchangers so that the indoor heat exchangers individually function as an evaporator or radiator for refrigerant, and a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe and a gas-refrigerant connection pipe that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor unit via the relay unit. The relay unit includes a relay expansion valve that further decompresses the refrigerant that has been decompressed by the liquid-pressure-adjusting expansion valve. |
| US11022353B2 |
Pulse tube cryocooler and rotary valve unit for pulse tube cryocooler
A rotary valve unit includes a rotary valve and a reversible motor. The rotary valve operates according to a cooling valve timing for cooling a pulse tube cryocooler when the reversible motor rotates in a forward direction and is operated according to a heating valve timing for heating the pulse tube cryocooler when the reversible motor rotates in a backward direction. The cooling valve timing is designed to generate a working gas pressure oscillation in a pulse tube and apply a first phase delay to a working gas displacement oscillation in the pulse tube with respect to the working gas pressure oscillation. The heating valve timing is designed to generate the working gas pressure oscillation in the pulse tube and apply a second different phase delay to the working gas displacement oscillation in the pulse tube with respect to the working gas pressure oscillation. |
| US11022350B2 |
Cooling loop with a supercritical fluid system using compressed refrigerant fluid flow with a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient
Provided is a chiller and system that may be utilized in a supercritical fluid chromatography method, wherein a non-polar solvent may replace a portion or all of a polar solvent for the purpose of separating or extracting desired sample molecules from a combined sample/solvent stream. The system may reduce the amount of polar solvent necessary for chromatographic separation and/or extraction of desired samples. The system may incorporate a supercritical fluid chiller, a supercritical fluid pressure-equalizing vessel and a supercritical fluid cyclonic separator. The supercritical fluid chiller allows for efficient and consistent pumping of liquid-phase gases employing off-the-shelf HPLC pumps. The pressure equalizing vessel allows the use of off-the-shelf HPLC column cartridges. The system may further incorporate the use of one or more disposable cartridges containing silica gel or other suitable medium. The system may also utilize an open loop cooling circuit using fluids with a positive Joule-Thompson coefficient. |
| US11022348B2 |
Caloric heat pump for an appliance
A heat pump system includes a magneto-caloric material disposed within a chamber of a regenerator housing. A back iron extends between an outer magnet and an inner magnet in order to provide a flux path between the outer and inner magnets. At least a portion of the back iron extends between the outer and inner magnets along the radial direction and is not positioned coplanar with the inner and outer magnets in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided. |
| US11022345B1 |
Ground source heat pump heat exchanger
A heat pump, heat pump exchanger component, and method of using a heat exchanger, the heat pump exchanger has long pipes arranged in at least one layer in fluid communication with one another, and spaced a minimum of about two (2) feet apart. Shorter pipes may be disposed between long pipes. A cylindrical HDPE insert is placed between adjacent pipes to permit socket or butt fusing. The long pipes are composed of high thermal conductive materials, such as aluminum, while the short pipes and/or connectors may be composed of flexible lower thermal conductive materials. |
| US11022339B2 |
Flameless heating system
A mobile heating system includes an enclosure defining a plenum that houses a fan and an internal combustion engine. The heating system also includes a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pump operably coupled to the internal combustion engine and a first heat exchanger located in the plenum and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic circuit also includes a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the fan wherein the hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and driven by the hydraulic pump. A first valve is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the heat exchanger and is configured to restrict fluid flow and to increase a fluid pumping pressure of the hydraulic pump. A second valve is located upstream of the first valve and is configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid between the first valve and the hydraulic motor. |
| US11022336B2 |
Switching device for multi-split air conditioner and multi-split air conditioner having same
A switching device for a multi-split air conditioner, comprising: a housing, a gas-liquid separator, multiple first indoor unit interface pipes, at least one heat exchange component, and multiple second indoor unit interface pipes. The gas-liquid separator is provided with an inlet to an outdoor unit, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The multiple first indoor unit interface pipes and the multiple second indoor unit interface pipes are spaced from each other in a first direction. The first outlet is connected to multiple first interfaces by means of the multiple first indoor unit interface pipes, respectively. The first and second indoor unit interface pipes are spaced apart in a second direction. Some of the first and second indoor unit interface pipes are spaced apart from the rest of the first indoor unit interface pipes and the rest of the second indoor unit interface pipes in the second direction. |
| US11022334B2 |
Operational envelope control of an HVAC compressor
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor having a discharge port and a suction port, a first sensor configured to provide feedback corresponding to a first temperature of the working fluid exiting the compressor proximate the discharge port, a second sensor configured to provide feedback corresponding to a second temperature of the working fluid entering the compressor proximate the suction port, and an automation controller storing data indicative of an operational envelope. The operational envelope defines compressor operation coordinates corresponding to a range of suction temperatures and a range of discharge temperatures inside and outside of a target region of the operational envelope, and the automation controller is configured to control a target range of compressor speeds based on a comparison of the target region to an operation coordinate defined by the feedback from the first sensor and the feedback from the second sensor. |
| US11022330B2 |
Three-way heat exchangers for liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems and methods of manufacture
A three-way heat exchanger for a liquid desiccant air-conditioning system and method of manufacture. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of panel assemblies. Each panel assembly has a frame bordering a given space. The frame includes desiccant inlet and outlet ports and heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet ports. Two plates joined to the frame define a heat transfer fluid channel in the given space. The heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet ports are in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid channel. Microporous sheets cover the outer surfaces of the plates and define a desiccant channel. The desiccant inlet and outlet ports are in fluid communication with the desiccant channel. The plurality of panel assemblies have a stacked arrangement such that a microporous sheet on one panel assembly faces a microporous sheet on an adjacent panel assembly and defines an airflow channel therebetween. |
| US11022329B1 |
Humidity control system
A controller adjusts a humidity level within an enclosed space. When it is determined to cool the enclosed space, a compressor speed and a compressor run time are determined for a compressor. When it is determined to increase a humidity of the enclosed space, the compressor speed is decreased relative to the compressor speed determined for the compressor, the compressor run time is increased relative to the compressor run time determined for the compressor, a fan is turned on to direct air through an evaporator and into the enclosed space, and a flow of refrigerant is controlled through a coil of the evaporator based on the decreased compressor speed and the increased compressor run time. When it is determined to stop cooling, the compressor is turned off. The fan is turned off when it is determined to end an increase humidity state. |
| US11022328B2 |
Heat source unit
A heat source unit constitutes part of a basic refrigerant circuit including: a compressor that compresses refrigerant; an accumulator that temporarily accumulates the refrigerant before the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor; an oil separator that separates refrigerating machine oil from the refrigerant after the refrigerant has been discharged from the compressor; a heat source-side heat exchanger that functions as a radiator or an evaporator of the refrigerant; a liquid refrigerant communication pipe; utilization-side expansion valves; utilization-side heat exchangers; and a gas refrigerant communication pipe that are connected to one another, the heat source unit comprising refrigerant circuit constituent parts including the compressor, the accumulator, the oil separator, and the heat source-side heat exchanger that are provided inside a casing, and the refrigerant circuit constituent parts being changed or added in accordance with capacity or function. |
| US11022326B2 |
Heat source unit for refrigeration apparatus
A heat source unit includes: a casing; a heat exchanger; a fan disposed in the casing and that horizontally blows out the air passing through the heat exchanger; a shut-off valve having a connection port that opens in a direction toward either a front-surface side or a rear-surface side of the casing; and peripheral panels that form a front surface, a rear surface, a left-side surface, and a right-side surface of the casing. The peripheral panels include a first portion that forms the right-side surface. The first portion has a first cut-out portion that exposes the shut-off valve to an exterior of the casing such that the shut-off valve is visible from a right side of the casing without removing any intervening structures between the shut-off valve and the right-side surface of the casing. |
| US11022325B2 |
Air conditioner
Disclosed is an air conditioner including a housing having a suction port and a discharge port, a discharge panel having a plurality of discharge holes and disposed at the discharge port, a blowing fan provided inside the housing, and a reinforcing member disposed at a rear of the discharge panel to support the discharge panel. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the discharge panel from being deformed by pressing, and to minimize the exposure of the inside of the air conditioner through the discharge hole of the discharge panel. |
| US11022322B2 |
Cooking appliance with an imaging device
A cooking appliance can include a cooking chamber and an imaging device for capturing an image of a food item inside the chamber. The appliance can include a transparent, touchscreen display for displaying the interior contents of the cooking appliance to a user without requiring the user to open the cooking appliance, as well as providing for the user controlling, operating, and interacting with the cooking appliance. |
| US11022320B2 |
Food preparation entity
The invention relates to a method for calculating three-dimensional information of food received within a cavity of a food preparation entity, the method comprising the steps of: capturing at least one image of said food received within the cavity by a plenoptic camera, said image comprising information regarding the light intensity and the direction of light rays traveling in space; or capturing at least two images of said food received within the cavity, said images being taken from different positions during movement of a camera; or capturing at least two images of said food received within the cavity using a camera, said images comprising different focus points; and processing the at least one image in order to establish three-dimensional information of said food received within the cavity. |
| US11022318B1 |
Apparatus and method for operating a gas-fired burner on liquid fuels
A gas-fired burner adapted for use on a liquid fuel. A method for essentially smokeless start-up and steady state operation of a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances to be operated on a liquid fuel, thereby offering advantages in logistics and camp operations. |
| US11022315B2 |
Combination outdoor ventless fireplace and brick oven
A combination outdoor ventless fireplace and brick oven system includes a main body with a framework assembly. A fireplace firebox is formed in the framework assembly. An oven firebox is formed in the framework assembly and suspended above the fireplace firebox. A chimney flue is disposed above the oven firebox in the framework assembly. The framework assembly is covered by a refractory heat resistant mortar. The fireplace firebox has an aperture. The system also has a gas line disposed in the framework assembly below the aperture. The gas line is configured to connect the aperture with a gaseous fuel source. A burner pan may be disposed in the aperture. |
| US11022311B2 |
Fuel nozzle with turning guide and gas turbine including the same
A fuel nozzle with turning guide is included in a gas turbine. The turning guide is disposed in an air inlet of the fuel nozzle to distribute a flow of compressed air and includes at least one of a turning separator, an inner separator, and an outer separator. The fuel nozzle includes a central body having an outer wall; a shroud concentrically disposed with respect to the central body and configured to surround the central body while maintaining a space for an air passage between an inner wall of the shroud and the outer wall of the central body; a rim formed on one end of the shroud and forming an air inlet communicating with the air passage; and a turning guide including a turning separator disposed in the air inlet, to make the air flow uniform, thereby suppressing the creation of an air pocket. |
| US11022300B2 |
In-line orifice
An adaptor assembly includes: an adaptor piece including: a forged outer wall defining a substantially cylindrical shape; a through hole disposed at a top portion of the adaptor piece, the through hole defining an adaptor center cavity; a threaded portion disposed beneath the through hole; and a second hole disposed beneath the threaded portion. The adaptor assembly includes a hex socket including external threading. A diameter of the through hole is smaller than a diameter of the second hole. The hex socket is inserted through the second hole and screwed into the adaptor piece such that the external threading mates with the threaded portion. |
| US11022299B2 |
Multi-circulation heat recovery steam generator for enhanced oil recovery/steam assisted gravity drainage
A multi-circulation heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)/Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes comprises a steam drum internally partitioned to provide a clean side and a dirty side. The clean side downcomer pipe supplies water to one or more generating banks as part of a clean circuit located in a high heat flux zone of the boiler. Boiler water is fed from the clean side of the drum to the dirty side of the drum via natural head differential. Water is then fed through a corresponding downcomer to a dirty generating bank, which is located in a low heat flux zone of the boiler. |
| US11022292B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device that protects a member related to light emission from heat associated with light emission includes a light source, a first optical member configured to transmit light emitted by the light source, a second optical member, arranged between the light source and the first optical member, configured to transmit light emitted by the light source, and an air-sending mechanism configured to send air suctioned from a first space that is an inner space on a side nearer to the light source than the second optical member and includes the light source to a second space that is a space between the first optical member and the second optical member. |
| US11022291B1 |
High pressure hydro-cooled misting/vapor illumination system for LED devices using liquid or gas
The utility model embodies a greenhouse hydro-cooled grow light LED system that administers a mist or vapor. This system operates in a range of temperatures, which are determined by the liquid temperature running through the channeled copper heatsink. The manipulation of the liquid's temperature produces the desired humidity. A brass high pressure liquid barbed valve fitting is secured on either side of the light housing, which is also connected to a humidity sensor electrical outlet. Low humidity closes the liquid valve. This allows a liquid pressure increase in all liquid lines, until the liquid release pressure of 60 psi is reached. The mist/vapor component is realized through the placement of high pressure mist nozzles. At release pressure, an atomized mist with droplets under 60 microns is outflowed. |
| US11022289B2 |
Selectively illuminating firearm
Various means are provided which enable a user to individualize the appearance of a firearm and further enhance visibility of the various elements comprising the firearm in low light. More particularly, the firearm may comprise a serialized receiver and at least one of a barrel, upper receiver, grip, hand guard, and buttstock defining firearm accessories. A light source, means for distributing the light, a power source, and means for activating the light source are then provided to permit a user to selectively illuminate any of the elements comprising the firearm. The light source and means for distributing the light source may, for example, be disposed on a skin adhesible the serialized receiver and firearm accessories, on a clip slideably mateable with any of the serialized receiver and firearm accessories, or even integrated directly into the body of any of the firearm accessories and serialized receiver. |
| US11022287B2 |
Explosion proof luminaire
The present disclosure envisages a luminaire (100). The luminaire (100) comprises at least an array of light-emitting diodes (10), a driver (20) for driving the array of light-emitting diodes (10), a first compartment (30), a second compartment (40), a perforated wall (50), an array of fins (60) and a lid (70). The first compartment (30) houses the array of light-emitting diodes (10). The second compartment houses the driver (20). The second compartment (40) is separated from the first compartment (30) by a perforated wall (50). The array of fins (60) is disposed on an operative external wall surface surrounding the first compartment (30) and/or the second compartment (40) of the luminaire (100). The lid (70) is removably fitted on an operative end of the first compartment (30). The luminaire (100) has an explosion-proof construction, dissipates heat efficiently, is less expensive and is easy to assemble. |
| US11022286B2 |
Adjustable light stack
A light stack having an elongate body having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongate body. A plurality of light emitting diode (LED) arrays adjustably coupled with the elongate body and arranged along the length thereof and a control module coupled with the plurality of LED arrays, wherein the each of the plurality of LED arrays is operable to pivot, thereby forming an angle relative to the elongate body. The control module configured to individually transition each of the plurality of LED arrays between a light emitting condition and a non-light emitting condition. The plurality of LED arrays configured to be adjustable to pivot on an axis at an angle relative to the elongate body. |
| US11022283B2 |
Integrated ring clip of flashlight and flashlight
The present invention provides an integrated ring clamp of a flashlight, which includes a ring and a clip, wherein the ring has a base; the clip includes a clamping part and a holding part that can hold and be fixed to a body of the flashlight, the holding part is fixed to the clamping part, and the clamping part is detachably fixed to the base. The present invention also provides a flashlight, which includes a flashlight body and the integrated ring clip, and may further include a flashlight sleeve sleeved on the outer face of the flashlight body and wrapping the same. The integrated ring clamp and the flashlight solve the problem of a structural conflict of the ring and the clip, so that the ring and the clip can be present on the flashlight at the same time, thereby achieving diversified functions. |
| US11022282B2 |
System and method for mounting LED light modules
An LED support clip enables mounting of light-emitting diode (LED) modules onto support elements which may be pre-existing, such as tubing, while avoiding problems with current mounting methods. One or more LED light modules may be clamped into the LED support clip without the need for adhesives or screws, thereby forming an LED light assembly. One or more LED light assemblies may be clamped onto the support element. The LED support clip may comprise multiple clamps configured with spring tension jaws designed into the manufacturing process of the LED support clip. Support elements may be oriented horizontally, vertically or at various angles and may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, including: square, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, “I”-shaped, “L”-shaped, and round, over a wide cross-sectional dimension range. |
| US11022281B2 |
Lighting system
A lighting system and related methods are disclosed herein. The lighting system may have a mounting fixture and a light fixture. The mounting fixture is configured to engage a mounting surface. The light fixture is configured to engage the mounting fixture and has a driver configured to drive a light source. A first fastener having a movable elongated member is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in an extended configuration. A second fastener having a quick connect feature is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in a retracted configuration. |
| US11022277B2 |
Wavelength converter and lighting apparatus
A wavelength converter includes a base, a wavelength converting component that converts a wavelength of at least part of excitation light to emit converted light, and an optical filter disposed between the base and the wavelength converting component. The optical filter transmits or absorbs, out of the converted light including a wavelength range of from approximately 470 nm to approximately 750 nm, converted light of a predetermined wavelength included in the wavelength range. |
| US11022276B2 |
Wavelength conversion device, manufacturing method thereof, and related illumination device
A wavelength conversion device, a manufacturing method thereof, and a related illumination device. The wavelength conversion device comprises a fluorescent powder layer (110) that is successively stacked, a diffuse reflection layer (120), and a high-thermal-conductivity substrate (130). The diffuse reflection layer (120) comprises white scattered particles for scattering the incident light; the high-thermal-conductivity substrate (130) is one of an aluminum nitride substrate, a silicon nitride substrate, a silicon carbide substrate, a boron nitride substrate, and a beryllium oxide substrate. The wavelength conversion device has good reflectivity and thermal stability. |
| US11022273B2 |
Lens with elongated radiation pattern
A lens comprises an elongated shape. The lens has a short axis and a long axis. The lens comprises an upper surface through which a substantial majority of light exits the lens when a light emitting element is situated at or below a base of the lens. The upper surface includes a trough that extends along at least one of the short and the long axis. The upper surface includes a surface of a curved wall that joins the upper surface to the base of the lens. A lower surface of the trough is curved along the short axis and along the long axis. The lower surface of the trough has a curvature along the short axis that differs from a curvature along the long axis. |
| US11022270B2 |
Headlight unit
A headlight unit including a cooling circuit provided with at least two air circulation pipes linked to at least a same device for generating an air flow, particularly a fan, and provided with at least one element for varying a proportion of the air flow, which proportion is distributed into each of the at least two pipes. |
| US11022269B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device according to one embodiment comprises: a housing having an opening; a half mirror member arranged in the opening; a first light source unit for emitting light at the half mirror member; a mirror member for re-reflecting light reflected by the half mirror member; a diffusion plate arranged between the first light source unit and the half mirror member; and a guide unit protruding from the lower surface of the housing, wherein the housing includes a first area and a second area formed by the guide unit, the first light source unit is arranged in the first area and the mirror member is arranged in the second area, and the diffusion plate can be supported by the guide unit. Therefore, the lighting device can implement various three-dimensional effects of an optical image according to a field of view by using the half mirror member and the mirror member during lighting. |
| US11022267B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp (1) includes a light source (30) that emits pieces of laser light (LR, LG, LB) having different wavelengths in a time division manner, and a plurality of diffraction gratings (43R, 43G, 43B) corresponding to the pieces of laser light (LR, LG, LB) of the wavelengths, respectively. The laser light (LR, LG, LB) of the wavelengths emitted from the light source (30) are incident on the diffraction gratings (43R, 43G, 43B) corresponding to the laser light (LR, LG, LB), and regions irradiated with light (DLR, DLG, DLB) emitted from the diffraction grating (43R, 43G, 43B) overlap with each other. |
| US11022264B1 |
Headlight optical system and lamp using the same
A headlight optical system and a lamp using the same are provided. The headlight optical system is implemented with the refractive optical system of a single lens. The headlight optical system includes a first incident surface, a second incident surface, and an exit surface. The first incident surface is a horizontal plane. The second incident surface surrounds the first incident surface. The inner edge of the second incident surface is connected with the outer edge of the first incident surface. The second incident surface has an inclined angle with respect to the first incident surface. After the light emitted from the polycrystalline light source is incident on the first incident surface or the second incident surface, the refractive optical system refracts and emits the light from the exit surface. |
| US11022263B2 |
Headlight for vehicle
A headlight for a vehicle includes a light source. The light source includes: a substrate; a light emitting diode chip; and a phosphor. The phosphor through which light exiting from a light emitting surface penetrates. The phosphor includes an exiting surface through which the light from the light emitting surface penetrates and exits. A first direction of the exiting surface corresponds to a height direction of a light distribution pattern by the light exiting from the exiting surface, and a second direction of the exiting surface corresponds to a spread in a lateral direction of the light distribution pattern. A dimension in the first direction of the exiting surface is smaller than a dimension in the second direction of the exiting surface. |
| US11022259B2 |
Lighting module with separated light source and power supply circuit board
A housing has a sidewall that surrounds an interior cavity that has an open rear end and an open front end, and is divided by a partition into a top cavity and a bottom cavity. The top cavity extends to the open rear end, the bottom cavity extends to the open front end. A power supply circuit board is inside the top cavity, while a light source is inside the bottom cavity and emits light through the open front end to illuminate a room. First wires pass through an opening in the partition, and are coupled to the power supply circuit board at one end and to the light source at another end, to deliver power to the light source. A lid or cover covers the open rear end enclosing the top cavity, and is secured to the housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US11022252B2 |
Bilobe or multilobe tank
An exemplary bilobe or multilobe tank for storing liquefied natural gas includes at least two tank sections, each tank section having a curved upper surface and curved bottom surface, the tank sections being joined to each other so that the tank has an undulating upper surface and an undulating lower surface. Each tank section is connected to an adjacent tank section with at least one connecting duct so that a horizontal flow path is formed between the lowermost points of the adjacent tank sections or between the uppermost points of the adjacent tank sections. |
| US11022249B2 |
Pipe replacement system
Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses. |
| US11022247B2 |
Pipeline sensor conduit and adhesion method
A conduit embedded in thermoplastic and adhered to a pipeline with a porous material assisting in the adhesion. The porous material is adhered to the pipeline, the porous material having at least some pores occupied by the thermoplastic. The porous material may be a sleeve of fibrous material. The adhesion may be accomplished by positioning a sleeve of fibrous material around a guide, bringing the thermoplastic into contact with the sleeve and heating the thermoplastic to cause the thermoplastic to enter pores of the sleeve. The guide forms a barrier preventing the thermoplastic from reaching a portion of the sleeve, and that portion is adhered to the object. This method may also be applied to adhere a thermoplastic, with or without a conduit, to any object. |
| US11022243B2 |
Pipe coupling
A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections. |
| US11022240B2 |
Cooling and insulating manifold seal assembly for a propulsion system
A seal assembly for a propulsion system couples a plurality of manifolds of a manifold assembly of the propulsion system generally in fluid communication. Each of the manifolds defines a first end and a second end. The seal assembly includes a coupling member attaching the first end and the second end of the manifold assembly together in fluid communication; one or more seals disposed between the coupling member and at least one of the first end and the second end of the manifold; and a retainer adjacent to the coupling member and the seal. The retainer defines a radial wall and an axial wall, in which the radial wall is extended generally from one or more of the first end and the second end of the manifold alongside the coupling member and the seal, and the axial wall is extended generally from the radial wall alongside the coupling member and the seal. |
| US11022237B2 |
Hose assemblies with reduced axial stress
A hose assembly with reduced axial stress including an underlying hose, such as a composite hose, and one or more elongate matrices extending over a portion of the hose along an axis of vibration. The elongate matrices can be an extruded, molded, or braided matrix formed of engineered fibers, metallic materials, and/or elastomeric materials formulated to impart a desired amount of rigidity along an axis of vibration to which it is applied. The elongate matrix can be a composite matrix including one or more rigid members, such as wire rods, embedded in an elastomeric matrix which is chemically and/or mechanically coupled to the underlying hose. |
| US11022236B2 |
Long tubular pipe comprising a separating member and methods for mounting and bending such a pipe
The invention relates to a long tubular pipe comprising an outer tube, an inner fluid-transporting tube mounted in the outer tube, and a separating member designed to transmit bending efforts between said outer tube and said inner tube when said outer tube is bent, the separating member comprising means for the longitudinal passage of fluid between the inner tube and the outer tube, the separating member comprising a first edge and a second edge together defining an assembly slot, the first edge and the second edge respectively comprising a first connecting element and a second connecting element designed to cooperate mechanically on the outer periphery of the inner tube. |
| US11022233B2 |
Magnetic latch throttle valve
A latch valve includes a ferromagnetic shell, a ferromagnetic pole, a permanent magnet disposed within the ferromagnetic shell, an electromagnet disposed within the ferromagnetic shell, a seal, and a magnetic plunger disposed within the ferromagnetic shell. The ferromagnetic shell, the permanent magnet, the electromagnet and the magnetic plunger are configured in a magnetic circuit, and the magnetic plunger is configured to selectively compresses the seal based on a force produced by the magnetic circuit. |
| US11022231B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including an annular winding with an internal surface defining a winding lumen and an external surface, and a core including a central core portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular core portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, and an armature including a central armature portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular armature portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, wherein the armature is in communication with the poppet so that movement of one is translated into movement of the other. Solenoids for such valves are provided. Also provided are methods of assembling solenoid valves. |
| US11022223B2 |
Encapsulated valve system and method of use
An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways. |
| US11022219B2 |
Seal element for connecting a first component and a second component in a fluid-tight and electrically conductive manner, and corresponding component assembly
A seal element for connecting a first component and a second component in a fluid-tight and electrically conductive manner. In this case, the seal element has an electrically conductive support element with a holding region and a main seal region which is angled relative to the holding region. The holding region has a first contact surface on one side for contacting the first component and a second contact surface on the other side for contacting the second component. At least one respective spring tongue which is formed integrally with the support element extends from the first contact surface and the second contact surface in the direction facing away from the respective other contact surface. |
| US11022217B2 |
Shift-type multi-phase-shifter drive transmission device
A shift-type multi-phase-shifter drive transmission device includes a drive device (3), a shifting mechanism, multiple angle adjustment mechanisms and multiple ruler mechanisms. When the shift-type drive transmission device works, the drive device (3) firstly drives a shifting rack (11) of the shifting mechanism to move to a position which is corresponding to one of the angle adjustment mechanisms, a shifting bulge (111) on the shifting rack (11) is against a driving lever (13) for engaging an active clutch gear (16) with a passive clutch gear (17) of the corresponding angle adjustment mechanism, so as to further drive a transmission screw (19), thus a transmission nut (20) on the transmission screw (19) implements the reciprocating linear motion. The shift-type drive transmission device is able to drive multiple phase shifters through one drive device (3) to perform angle adjustment, which reduces an amount of the drive sources and effectively decreases cost. |
| US11022213B2 |
Variable-speed gear box with hydraulic system for tiltrotor aircraft
An aircraft includes a variable-speed gearbox. The variable-speed gearbox includes a low-speed gear train and a high-speed gear train, each gear train of which is configured to selectively provide torque from an engine of the aircraft to a proprotor. The variable-speed gearbox also includes a hydraulic system configured to provide torque to the proprotor. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump driven by the engine of the tiltrotor aircraft and a variable-displacement motor driven by a hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump. |
| US11022210B2 |
Planet wheel shaft for a planetary gear
A planet wheel shaft includes a bearing portion for acting as a slide-bearing in cooperation with a planet wheel of a planetary gear. On at least one axial region of the bearing portion, a cross-sectional shape deviates from a circular shape so that the bearing portion is thicker in a first direction than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The deviation from the circular shape widens a wedge-shaped gap that is between the bearing portion and the planet wheel when there is load in the first direction. This facilitates oil supply to an area where hydrodynamic oil pressure is formed for carrying load in the first direction because the widening the wedge-shaped gap compensates for narrowing the gap due to ovalization of the planet wheel caused by load in the second direction. |
| US11022209B2 |
Scavenge system for gear assembly
A gear assembly including a first gear disposed at a centerline axis of the gear assembly; a second gear coupled to the first gear in adjacent radial arrangement; and a spraybar assembly disposed between a plurality of the second gear. The spraybar assembly defines an elongated neck extended between the plurality of second gear. A supply opening is defined through the elongated neck and the elongated neck defines a groove extended along a longitudinal direction. |
| US11022208B2 |
Drive-force transmitting apparatus for vehicle
A vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including: a casing provided with an oil supply hole through which an oil is to be supplied to a lubrication-required element. The casing is provided with a first guide portion and a second guide portion. The first guide portion defines a first path that is configured to guide the oil to flow from a diagonally upper side of the oil supply hole, toward the oil supply hole. The second guide portion defines a second path that is configured to separate the oil flowing along the first path, into a part of the oil and another part of the oil in an intermediate portion of the first path and to cause the part of the oil to join with the another part the oil in a position located right above the oil supply hole. |
| US11022207B2 |
Hydraulic control unit for limited slip differential
A hydraulic control unit that delivers hydraulic fluid to a limited slip differential includes a hydraulic control unit housing, a motor and a pump. The hydraulic control unit housing has a manifold housing portion and an accumulator housing portion. The manifold housing portion defines a fluid pathway arrangement for communicating fluid along at least a first fluid pathway. The accumulator housing portion houses an accumulator assembly having a biasing assembly and a piston. The accumulator housing portion and manifold housing portion cooperate to form an accumulator chamber that houses the biasing assembly. The motor is disposed on the first side of the manifold housing portion. The pump is disposed on a second side of the manifold portion, opposite the first side. The pump is configured to pump fluid into the accumulator chamber of the accumulator housing portion. |
| US11022205B2 |
Transmission module, gripper module with transmission module and gripper device with gripper module
A transmission module for transmitting torques having a base, a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft parallel thereto, a first output shaft and a second output shaft, both rotatable about a common axis, the axes of the drive shafts are arranged parallel to the axis of the output shafts, a gear unit, where the two drive shafts, the gear unit and the first output shaft are rotatably supported in the base, and the second output shaft is rotatably supported in the first output shaft and the gear unit is designed in such a way that a synchronous rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the first drive shaft and a relative rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the second drive shaft. |
| US11022201B1 |
Power train for electric vehicle
A power train for an electric vehicle may include a planetary gear set including three rotation elements having a first rotation element, a second rotation element and a third rotation element, wherein the first rotation element is connected to a first shaft, the second rotation element is connected to a second shaft, and the third rotation element is connected to a third shaft; a first motor mounted to selectively supply power to the first shaft in two or more gear ratios; and a second motor mounted to selectively supply power to the first shaft in two or more gear ratios. The third shaft is configured to be fixed to a transmission housing, and any two of the first shaft, the second shaft, and the third shaft are configured to be coupled to each other. |
| US11022197B2 |
Fastener for cable conveyor belt
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener is provided for securing to an end of a conveyor belt having cables. The fastener comprises a crimp configured to be fixed to a conveyor belt cable and a connector. The connector has a unitary, one-piece fastener body with an upper portion for being disposed adjacent an upper surface of the conveyor belt end and a lower portion for being disposed adjacent a lower surface of the conveyor belt end. The upper and lower portions are spaced apart to receive the crimp therebetween and permit the conveyor belt cable to extend in an outboard direction between the upper and lower portions. The connector includes a stop arranged to block inboard movement of the crimp and the conveyor belt cable fixed thereto. |
| US11022195B2 |
Elastic mount
An elastic mount for absorbing static and dynamic loads includes an inner part, an outer part, and at least one elastomer mount that elastically connects the parts. The elastomer mount transfers from a first position to a second position when absorbing a static load acting in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the mount, and may have a first elastomer body, second elastomer body, and an intermediate element arranged between the two elastomer bodies. The intermediate element may have a first connection surface aligned with the longitudinal axis such that in the second position the first elastomer body is soft in shear in the Z-direction, and rigid in the X-direction and/or the Y-direction; and a second connection surface aligned with the longitudinal axis such that in the second position the second elastomer body is soft in shear in the X-direction and/or in the Y-direction and rigid in the Z-direction. |
| US11022194B2 |
Adjustable damper in angle of attack sensors
A damper assembly for an angle of attack sensor includes a rotor including a conical portion, a damper housing in which the rotor is positioned, the damper housing being configured to be adjusted axially with respect to the rotor and including a tapered interior surface that matches a profile of the conical portion, and a locking mechanism adjacent the damper housing. |
| US11022189B2 |
Hydraulic pump for a hydraulic connection interface of a clutch mechanism
The invention concerns a hydraulic pump (6, 7) for a clutch mechanism (1) of a vehicle transmission, the hydraulic pump (6, 7) comprising a body (60, 70) in which there are formed a chamber (61, 71), an inlet opening (62, 72) through which a hydraulic fluid can enter the chamber (61, 71), and an outlet opening (63, 73) through which the hydraulic fluid can leave the chamber (61, 71), the chamber (61, 71) receiving at least one hydraulic wheel of the hydraulic pump (6, 7), the inlet opening (62, 72) and the outlet opening (63, 73) each opening into the chamber (61, 71) of the body (60, 70), the body (60, 70) of the hydraulic pump (6, 7) being delimited by an outer edge (80) on which at least one peripheral groove (81, 82) is formed, configured to receive a gasket (83, 84), the gasket (83, 84) being intended to provide contact sealing between the body (60, 70) of the hydraulic pump (6, 7) and a hydraulic connection interface (4) of the clutch mechanism (1). |
| US11022188B2 |
Overload clutch
The disclosure relates to an overload clutch, comprising a cylindrical clutch housing having a housing body and a housing cover, and comprising two clutch elements arranged within the clutch housing, via which a drive movement is transmissible in an engaged state, wherein the clutch elements, for transmitting the drive movement in the engaged state, are engaged with each other in an interlocking and/or frictional manner and, can be brought out of engagement when an overload occurs. The housing body comprises a plurality of engagement elements, and the housing cover comprises a plurality of retaining structures corresponding to the engagement elements, wherein the engagement elements are able to be brought into engagement with the retaining structures by rotating the housing cover relative to the housing body. |
| US11022182B2 |
Method for assembling cruciform universal joint, and cruciform universal joint
After a cup bearing (13a) is incorporated into a circular hole (11c) of a coupling arm portion (10c) forming a yoke, a notch (25) having a V-shaped cross section is formed in a portion near the periphery of the circular hole (11c) on an outer side surface of the coupling arm portion (10c). Thereafter, a thin-walled portion (27) having a substantially trapezoidal cross section formed in a radially inner portion of the notch (25) in an opening edge portion of the circular hole (11c) is plastically deformed inward in a radial direction to form a staking portion (14a). Therefore, it is possible to achieve a method of assembling a joint cross type universal joint and a joint cross type universal joint which can form the staking portion for preventing the cup bearing from falling off without complicating the staking work. |
| US11022179B2 |
Shaft coupling structure and telescopic shaft
The shaft coupling structure includes: a male joint, and a female shaft that is coupled to male joint. The outer peripheral surface of the male joint has an outer peripheral side concave-convex portion having a concave-convex shape in the circumferential direction and an annular concave groove, and the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft has an inner peripheral side concave-convex portion having a concave-convex shape in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral side concave-convex portion and the inner peripheral side concave-convex portion engage with a concave-convex engagement. The outer peripheral surface of the male joint and an end portion on one side of the female shaft in the axial direction are welded and fixed together, and an embossed portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft is arranged on the inner side of the annular concave groove. |
| US11022178B2 |
Sealing device and rolling bearing device
A sealing device includes a seal member and a slinger. The slinger has a slinger fixing part, a first radial part, a first axial part, a second radial part, and a second axial part facing a seal fixing part of the seal member in a radial direction across a first clearance. The seal member has a large-diameter part facing, in an axial direction, an end of the second axial part on the other side in an axial direction across a second clearance. An outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter part and an outer circumferential surface of the second axial part are included in a flow passage surface of a continuous outside flow passage that extends in a straight line along the axial direction. The first clearance and the second clearance communicate with each other, and the sealing device has a labyrinth clearance including the first clearance and the second clearance. |
| US11022176B2 |
Slewing bearing with sealing arrangement
A slewing bearing including a first ring, a second ring, the first and second rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, and at least two seals having each an annular heel mounted on a cylindrical frontal surface of first ring, and an oblique sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring. The slewing bearing further includes a guiding ring axially arranged between the two seals. The guiding ring provides a flange that prevents the reversion of one sealing lip, and an annular axial collar that radially blocks the annular heel of the other seal in a radial outwards direction. |
| US11022174B2 |
Drain arrangement for a squeeze film damper
An oil scavenge system of a rotatable machine having an axis of rotation is disclosed. The oil scavenge system comprises a sump housing, a scavenge conduit, a bearing, and a squeeze film damper. The sump housing is arranged about the axis and at least partly defining a sump. The sump housing has a radially inner surface for directing the flow of oil and defining a collection orifice. The scavenge conduit is in fluid communication with the collection orifice and a downstream location remote from the sump. The bearing is disposed within the sump. The squeeze film damper is positioned proximate the bearing. The squeeze film damper comprises an annular channel and a supply line. The supply line supplies oil to the annular channel. The squeeze film damper further comprises a discharge line. The discharge line is axially aligned with and discharges toward an inner wall of the scavenge conduit. |
| US11022169B2 |
Disposable rotary flexible driveshaft and surgical cutter
A flexible driveshaft includes a proximal coupler and a distal coupler each configured to couple to a respective component of an instrument, and a flexible shaft having a proximal end connected to the proximal coupler, a distal end connected to the distal coupler, and a longitudinal axis. The flexible shaft may include a sleeve, and a core having a first end and a second end. The core is housed within the sleeve. The flexible shaft also includes a plurality of coils arranged around the longitudinal axis in at least one layer. |
| US11022162B2 |
Structure for connecting cross member and stand member of bunk bed and bunk bed having same
The present invention is provided with a structure for connecting a cross member and a stand member of a bunk bed and a bunk bed. With two pairs of inclined surfaces, the cross member, the upper stand member, and the lower stand member can be quickly connected. The assembly and disassembly are quite convenient, time saving and labor saving. |
| US11022160B2 |
Plate mount
A plate mount is provided for mounting a plate to a frame assembly. The plate mount includes a generally cylindrical head extendable through an aperture the plate and having an upper surface, a lower face, an outer peripheral surface, and an alignment structure receivable in a slot of the frame member. The cylindrical head including a bolt-receiving bore extending through the cylindrical head along a bore axes at an acute angle to the upper face. A flange extending radially extending from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head. The flange has a diameter. At least one spacer is positionable about the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head at a location between the flange and the plate. |
| US11022156B2 |
Actuator-operation detecting apparatus
An actuator-operation detecting apparatus is configured to check the operating state of a piston of an actuator. The actuator includes a double-acting cylinder, the piston that partitions the cylinder into a first pressure acting chamber and a second pressure acting chamber, and a rod connected to an end face of the piston facing the second pressure acting chamber. The actuator-operation detecting apparatus includes a first pressure detector to detect the pressure in the first pressure acting chamber, a second pressure detector to detect the pressure in the second pressure acting chamber, a differential amplifier circuit to calculate a thrust force acting on the piston based on the pressures detected by the first and second pressure detectors and the pressure-receiving area of the piston, and a microcomputer to monitor the operation of the piston based on the thrust force. |
| US11022154B2 |
Hydraulic actuator and multi-cylinder hydraulic actuator system
A hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder; a piston within the hydraulic cylinder and movable in response to movement of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic circuit coupled to the hydraulic cylinder; a synchronisation connection for receiving an input from a simultaneous transmission line; and a valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit. The valve is a rotary valve comprising: a first valve section arranged to rotate in either a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction in response to input from the simultaneous transmission line in order to open a hydraulic flow path to the cylinder and urge the piston to move along the hydraulic cylinder in a corresponding first linear direction or second linear direction; and a second valve section arranged to rotate in either the first or second rotational direction. |
| US11022153B2 |
Hydraulic apparatus comprising synthetically commutated machine, and operating method
An apparatus comprising a synthetically commutated machine with one or more services, a prime mover coupled to the machine, a hydraulic circuit extending between the services and hydraulic loads to fluidically connect the services to the hydraulic loads such that groups of one or more services are fluidically connected to respective groups of one or more hydraulic loads. The apparatus configured such that the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from a group of services of the machine is controlled responsive to measuring a flow rate and/or pressure requirement of the hydraulic loads which are fluidically connected to the services, or receiving a demand signal indicative of a demanded pressure and/or flow rate based on a pressure and/or flow demand of hydraulic loads which are fluidically connected to the services. |
| US11022152B2 |
Hydraulic system
The present application is directed to a system for converting linear motion to rotary motion. The system includes at least first and second cylinders. The first and second cylinders are in fluid communication with each other. The system also includes a first piston. The first piston is slidably disposed in the first cylinder. The system further includes a second piston. The second piston is slidably disposed in the second cylinder. The first and second cylinders contain an incompressible fluid. The first piston is in operative connection with the second piston such that movement of the first piston in a first direction causes movement of the second piston in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. |
| US11022151B2 |
Hydraulic device and control method of hydraulic device
A hydraulic device is provided. Working fluid stored in a fluid storage portion is supplied by a fluid supply portion to a power output portion. The fluid supply portion is driven by a brushless motor. A bypass flow path portion can be switched between a first state of supplying the working fluid from the fluid supply portion to the fluid storage portion and a second state of blocking the fluid supply portion from the fluid storage portion. A control to switch the bypass flow path portion from the first state to the second state after the brushless motor is started and a control to switch the bypass flow path portion from the second state to the first state when the brushless motor is stopped is performed. Backflow of the working fluid from the power output portion to the bypass flow path portion is prevented by a backflow prevention valve. |
| US11022146B2 |
Fan assembly
There is provided a fan assembly comprising a motor-driven impeller for creating an airflow and a nozzle comprising a first air outlet. The nozzle defines a bore through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by any portion of the airflow that is emitted from the first outlet and which combines with the airflow emitted from the first air outlet to produce an amplified airflow. The fan assembly further comprises a second air outlet arranged such that any portion of the airflow that is emitted from the second air outlet does not draw air through the bore defined by the nozzle thereby producing a non-amplified airflow. |
| US11022141B2 |
Fan assembly
A fan assembly for a refrigerator interior includes a lower housing where a fan that rotates around a rotation axis as a center is installed, the rotation axis extending in an up-down direction; an upper housing that includes an inlet that sucks air from the refrigerator interior; and a side housing that covers a surrounding portion of the fan, wherein any one of the upper housing, the lower housing, and the side housing includes a flow straightening member that straightens a flow of air that is discharged from the fan, and wherein any one of the upper housing, the lower housing, and the side housing includes a discharge port. |
| US11022139B2 |
Fan wheel and radiator fan module with the fan wheel
A fan wheel has a hub cup and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from an outer wall of the hub cup, which is in particular at least substantially cylindrical. Each blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein for at least one blade, the progression of a relative position of the blade's leading edge and/or the progression of a relative position of the blade's trailing edge has an aperiodically wave-like shape. There is also described a radiator fan module with a fan wheel of the type described above, and a motor vehicle with such a radiator fan module. |
| US11022138B2 |
Fixture mount assembly
A fixture mount assembly for coupling with a support includes a fixture mount configured for mounting one or more fixtures on a support. The fixture mount includes a fixture body surrounding a wiring cavity, and one or more fixture coupling features extending from the fixture body. A grasping clamp is coupled with the fixture body. The grasping clamp is configured to grasp the support in an installed configuration. |
| US11022137B2 |
Fan device
A fan device 1 includes a second housing 12 and a hub 27. The hub 27 includes a hub body part 272 and a hub outer peripheral wall part 271. The hub body part 272 is a surface extending in the radial direction orthogonal to the direction of the axis x, and the hub body part 272 covers the motor 20 from the upper side “a” in the direction of an axis c. The hub outer peripheral wall part 271 extends from the end portion of the hub body part 272 toward the lower side “b” from the upper side “a” in the direction of the axis x. Assuming that the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the hub outer peripheral wall part 271 is “a1”, and the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the base outer peripheral wall part 124 is “b1”, 1.05 |
| US11022133B2 |
Sealing device for an immersible pump
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for an immersible pump. The apparatus can include a shaft for communicating with a motor. The shaft includes a first region having a first diameter, a second region having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a tapering region between the two regions. A sleeve can be provided to receive the shaft. A sealing device includes a receiving area in which the tapering region is at least partially positionable to form a seal, and an abutment that is configured to form a seal with the sleeve and that is responsive to a force directed from the sleeve to enhance the seal with the tapering region. In some embodiments, the sealing device is provided with a circumferential outer wall for centering the sleeve about the shaft and/or for aligning the force with the abutment. |
| US11022130B2 |
Turbocharger
This turbocharger (1A) is provided with: a rotating shaft (4); a turbine wheel (2); a compressor wheel (3); a bearing housing (6) provided with journal bearings (5A, 5B) for rotatably supporting a shaft (4), and a thrust bearing (8) for supporting the rotating shaft (4) in the center axis (C) direction thereof; and a turbine housing (31) in which the turbine wheel (2) is accommodated. A fluid supply section (70A) for supplying a fluid to the turbine wheel (2) is provided within the turbine housing (31) and said fluid presses the turbine wheel (2) toward a first end (4a) side. |
| US11022129B2 |
Pressurized cooling fan and instructions for use
A pressurized cooling fan and instructions for use, which is designed specifically to solve poor cooling effect due to poor effect of pressurizing of existing similar products and the technical issues of inconvenience of production, and high production cost. The fan frame of this cooling fan is provided with inner blades, a motor assembly is provided in the guard of inner blades. Airflow enters into the fan frame through the gap between outer blades and inner blades, and is guided out through the hollow hole in the rear of the fan frame, the top plane of inner blades is lower than the frame plane of the fan frame; outer blades and inner blades are integrally connected and relatively rotate when the motor assembly rotates, the air passes through the rear part of the fan frame that is guided by the gap between the fan frame, outer blades and inner blades. |
| US11022127B2 |
Laminar flow radial ceiling fan
The prior art has used pitched blades attached to a stationary motor, normally electric. to move air within the confines of a structure or room. The preferred invention incorporates a series of solid discs. The discs are affixed to a stationary electric motor and thus rotate around a central axis. The discs are equally spaced and centrally perforated in a manner that will allow air to flow in high volumes through the perforations and pass along the discs thus exiting symmetrically between each disc perpendicularly to the flow of air that is at its entrance. Due to the less restrictive or low pressure air entrance as well as the correct vertical disc spacing a corresponding increase in the laminar flow is realized. This feature of the preferred invention allows for operation at a rotational speed that practical for use as a ceiling fan. |
| US11022126B2 |
Rotary machine
A rotary machine includes: a casing; a rotor that includes a rotatable rotary shaft located inside the casing, and a plurality of stages of impellers fixed to an outer periphery of the rotary shaft; a diaphragm group including diaphragms that are respectively provided in the plurality of stages of the impellers; gas flow paths provided respectively corresponding to the impellers and through which process gas to be compressed flows; and a discharge volute connected to the gas flow paths. The discharge volute is provided to expand inward in an axis line direction of the casing. |
| US11022125B2 |
Centrifugal compressor
A centrifugal compressor includes: a rotor that includes a shaft rotatably disposed inside a casing and impellers fixed to an outer periphery of the shaft; a diaphragm that surrounds the impellers from an outer peripheral side; a suction-side casing head disposed separately from the diaphragm on a side on which fluid is sucked; a temperature controlling mechanism that is provided inside the suction-side casing head and is configured to control ambient temperature through flow of a heating medium; a heat insulating body disposed between the suction-side casing head and the diaphragm; and a locking structure that locks the heat insulating body and the suction-side casing head with each other to be relatively displaceable in a radial direction. |
| US11022120B2 |
Scroll compressor with first and second compression chambers having first and second discharge start points
A scroll compressor includes a casing, a low-pressure space and a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism includes fixed and movable scrolls, a fluid chamber including first and second compression chambers, and an adjustment mechanism. The fluid chamber has different discharge start points between the first and second compression chambers. An oil inflow groove is formed in one sliding surface, and an oil relief passage is formed in the other sliding surface. The oil relief passage includes a communication portion that communicates with the oil inflow groove in a predetermined angular range, lubricating oil flowing from the oil inflow groove into the low-pressure space through the communication portion. The predetermined angular range is from a position between a discharge start point of the first compression chamber and a discharge start point of the second compression chamber to a position after the discharge start of the second compression chamber. |
| US11022115B2 |
Controlled variable delivery external gear machine
A controlled variable delivery external gear machine (VD-EGM). The VD-EGM includes a housing, an inlet, a drive gear, a driven gear, the drive gear configured to engage the driven gear in an angular mesh zone, an outlet, a first slider comprising a first longitudinal portion connected to a second longitudinal portion such that longitudinal forces applied to the first and second longitudinal portions substantially cancel each other thereby requiring between about 0 N to about 20 N to longitudinally moving the first slider, selective positioning of the first slider configured to vary net operational volumes of fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet, for a given rotational speed of the drive gear, and a first drive mechanism coupled to the first slider and configured to cause the first slider to slide in a longitudinal direction. |
| US11022114B2 |
Screw pump
A screw pump comprises a body which has a cylindrical duct formed therein. A screw shaft is located in the cylindrical duct and is arranged to transport liquid between an inlet and an outlet of the screw pump. The screw shaft has a screw thread which defines a helical liquid path within the cylindrical duct. The body of the screw pump includes a groove extending along an inside surface of the cylindrical duct, the groove defining, in part, a ball-passage which extends alongside the screw shaft and intersects with the helical liquid path. The ball-passage contains a plurality of balls which are guided along the ball-passage by the screw thread when the screw shaft rotates relative to the body. |
| US11022113B2 |
Connection assembly with feed pump and elastic element
A connection assembly for use in an axial piston machine has a feed pump and a main body. The main body is equipped with at least one fluid connection. The feed pump is configured as an internal gear pump or as a vane-type pump. A pump assembly defines a planar sealing surface which bears at least indirectly against the main body. The main body has a second recess in which the pump assembly is received at least in certain portions. A separate cover is provided which covers the second recess and the pump assembly in each case at least in certain portions. The cover bears against the main body. An elastic element is installed under preload between the cover and the receiving part such that a corresponding preload force is supported at least indirectly on the main body via the sealing surface. |
| US11022110B2 |
Pump control system and abnormal processing and recovering method thereof
A pump control system and an abnormal processing and recovering method thereof are disclosed. The pump control system includes a pump; a motor mechanically connected to the pump; and a driving controller electrically coupled to the motor, and the driving controller configured to control a speed of the motor. The driving controller controls the speed of the motor to be varied in a multistage manner in response to an abnormal triggering event, so as to recover the pump control system to an originally set stable state. The abnormal triggering event is generated by at least one physical parameter when the pump control system is operated. |
| US11022108B2 |
Rotor device for peristaltic pump
A rotor device for a peristaltic pump containing a housing, a supporting shaft extending in an axial direction and being mounted in the housing, a rotor which contains a rotor-body mounted on the supporting shaft and extending in a radial direction from the supporting shaft and a plurality of rollers, mounted on the radially outer portion of the rotor-body and a driving device connected to the supporting shaft for driving the rotor, in which the peristaltic pump further contains a number of roller-markers corresponding to the number of rollers, in which the roller-markers indicate a dead zone, the roller-markers are provided directly or indirectly on the supporting shaft. |
| US11022104B2 |
Gas inlet for an ion thruster
A gas inlet (10), in particular for use in an ion thruster, comprises a housing (12) which is made of a gas-tight ceramics material and which is provided with a first gas feed channel (14) and a second gas feed channel (16) arranged downstream of the first gas feed channel (14). The gas inlet (10) further comprises an insert (18) which is arranged in the second gas feed channel (16) and is made of a porous ceramics material, wherein the geometry and pore structure of the insert (18) are such that the insert (18) forms a desired flow resistance for a gas stream flowing through the second gas feed channel (16) which is greater than a flow resistance acting on a gas stream flowing through the first gas feed channel (14), and wherein a ratio of a length (11) of the first gas feed channel (14) to a length (13) of the insert (18) is at least 1:2. |
| US11022094B2 |
Modular blade structure and method of assembly
The present disclosure is directed to a method of assembly of a rotor blade for a wind turbine. The method includes placing a first rotor blade section onto a first set location of an assembly fixture, wherein the first rotor blade includes a first locating datum such that the assembly fixture at the first set location constrains movement of the first rotor blade section at the first locating datum along a first direction; placing the first rotor blade section onto a second set location of the assembly fixture, wherein the first rotor blade includes a second locating datum such that the assembly fixture at the second set location constrains movement of the first rotor blade section at the second locating datum along a second direction; and positioning a second rotor blade section onto the first rotor blade section within the assembly fixture. |
| US11022090B2 |
System for energy conversion and respective method
A system for energy conversion, including a support structure defining at least one guide channel; at least a plurality of extensible elements between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and vice versa and configured to move a volume of a fluid in which they are immersible equal to the predetermined volume difference between the dilated configuration and the compressed configuration of each extensible element. The extensible elements are configured to slide along the guide channel during a switching of the extensible elements. During the switching of the extensible elements the system determines a conversion of potential energy into an useful energy, whose value is proportional to a total volume of the fluid displaced by the extensible elements in the dilated configuration and at a depth reached by an extensible element with respect to said free surface of the fluid. |
| US11022087B2 |
Double-regulated turbine, installation for converting hydraulic energy and process for the rehabilitation of a double-regulated turbine
The double-regulated turbine comprises a spherical hub, adapted to rotate around a first rotation axis, and blades, which are each able to be swivelled relative to the hub around a second rotation axis, transversal to the first rotation axis, by respective coupling flanges that are mounted fixedly on the spherical hub and that include each an attachment surface for a corresponding blade. The attachment surface of the coupling flanges includes a flat portion. |
| US11022086B2 |
Optimized barrier discharge device for corona ignition
An insulator for a corona igniter, referred to as a barrier discharge ignition (BDI) device, for use in an internal combustion engine, is provided. A central electrode is disposed in a slot of the insulator and an electrode tip is spaced from a round insulator tip by insulating material. A shell formed of metal surrounds a portion of the insulator. The insulator has a thickness tapering between a shell firing surface and the insulator tip. The tapering insulator thickness is unidirectional and thus does not increase between a start of the taper and the insulator tip. A method of manufacturing an insulator for a corona igniter is also provided. Equations can be used to determine if a taper in the insulator thickness is needed to encourage corona propagation along a core nose projection of the insulator, and if so, the location and size of the taper. |
| US11022082B2 |
Fuel distribution device
Provided is a fuel distribution device 1 including a fuel distribution pipe 3, a fuel pipe 4, and a connecting member 5. The fuel distribution pipe 3 has a seat section 21 having a first convex curved surface 24 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The fuel pipe 4 has a seal section 27 having a second concave curved surface 28 formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and a second convex curved surface 29 corresponding to the second concave curved surface 28 is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The connecting member 5 presses the seal section 27 against the seat section 21 from an opposite side of the fuel distribution pipe 3. A radius of curvature SR2 of the second concave curved surface 28 is greater than a radius of curvature SR1 of the first convex curved surface 24. |
| US11022080B2 |
Fuel pump assembly
A pump assembly for a fluid tank extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a cover at an external end, the cover including a flange that extends radially outward of the longitudinal axis, an insertable end opposite the external end along the longitudinal axis, and a rotatable arm that is flexible such that, when the rotatable arm is resiliently bent such that the rotatable arm has a radial extent, from the longitudinal axis, that is less than the flange, the sender assembly is in a compact state in which the insertable end and the flange would be able to move straight along the longitudinal axis, which is coaxial with a center axis of an opening of the fluid tank, from a position where the insertable end initially enters the opening to a position where the flange engages the fluid tank. |
| US11022077B2 |
EGR cooler with Inconel diffuser
An EGR cooler includes an elongated, stainless steel cooler housing with a first end having a stainless steel end plate and a second end opposite the first end, and an Inconel diffuser having an inlet end defining a gas inlet and an outlet end welded to the stainless steel end plate. The stainless steel end plate having a first thickness and the outlet end of the Inconel diffuser including a sidewall having a second thickness that is 50% or less of the first thickness. |
| US11022075B1 |
Enhanced fuel delivery system
An enhanced fuel delivery system having a fuel storage container for storing a quantity of liquid fuel and a vaporization vessel with an enclosed inner cavity having a central core structure with one or more openings and an inner core passage connected to a fuel line of a reciprocating engine, wherein liquid fuel is directed from the fuel storage container to the vaporization vessel and is drawn through the wicking material and converted into a vapor state where the fuel vapor is directed through the one or more openings to the inner core passage and out through the fuel line to be introduced into the combustion chamber of the reciprocating engine. |
| US11022074B2 |
Throttle and choke control linkage mechanism of diaphragm type carburetor
The present disclosure discloses a throttle and choke control linkage mechanism of carburetor including a choke shaft rotatably installed with a choke valve, a throttle shaft rotatably installed with a throttle, a choke handle fixed on the choke shaft and configured for rotating the choke valve from a fully opened position to a fully closed position, a throttle grip fixed on the throttle shaft and configured for rotating the throttle from an idling position to an opened position, and a fast idle handle rotatably around the choke shaft. The choke handle is further provided with a first surface which is able to link with the throttle grip. When the choke handle is linked with the throttle grip, the choke valve is at the fully closed position, and the throttle is opened with an angle larger than the idling position. |
| US11022073B1 |
Rocket engine turbopump with coolant passage in impeller central hub
Disclosed herein are various technologies pertinent to rocket engines, including injector, thrust chamber, and electrical turbopump devices that may be combined to provide a more efficient rocket engine. The electrical turbopump impeller includes a coolant bypass port fluidically connected with a coolant passage that passes through the impeller central hub and allows some of the propellant that is acted on by the impeller to bypass the impeller outlet and instead be flowed into the electrical turbopump housing so that the diverted propellant may be used to cool the various components housed within the housing such as the electric motor bearings, stator, rotor, and electronics. |
| US11022071B2 |
Load distribution panel assembly, system and method
There is provided a load distribution panel assembly for a gas turbine engine. The assembly has a panel structure having at least one circumferential structural panel having a first end, and a second end coupled to a fixed structure of the gas turbine engine. The circumferential structural panel has a first compliant portion extending away from the first end, and has a second stiffened portion angled with respect to and extending radially away from the first compliant portion, and terminating at the second end. The second stiffened portion has a closed stiffened cavity portion integral with a perimeter flange portion. The panel assembly converts fore/aft point load(s) applied to it by load applying apparatus(es), to hoop tension and compression loads, and reacts a load offset in in-plane load(s), to provide uniform load distribution of the fore/aft point load(s) to the fixed structure. |
| US11022066B2 |
Actuator device utilizing radiative cooling
An actuator device includes a housing that defines an enclosed volume region, the housing comprising a movable surface such that at least a portion of the housing is expandable between an expanded state to a contracted state, and the enclosed volume region having a characteristic dimension that is defined as a cube root of an average of a volume of the enclosed volume region in the expanded state and in the contracted state, a working fluid within the enclosed volumetric region, the working fluid comprising a substantially transparent compressible fluid and electromagnetic (EM) radiation-absorbing solid elements distributed within the compressible fluid, wherein the solid elements have an absorptivity in a particular range of EM radiation wavelengths, a heating system for directing thermal energy into the working fluid at predetermined times, and wherein the housing includes an EM radiation transmitting portion having a sufficient area and a sufficient transparency such that more than 25% of the thermal energy directed into the working fluid by the heating means is radiative emitted through the EM radiation transmitting portion as black body EM radiation emitted by the solid elements of the working fluid. |
| US11022064B2 |
Engine
An engine includes a cylinder head, an ignition plug disposed in the cylinder head, a head partition wall disposed on the cylinder head to surround a periphery of the ignition plug, an injector disposed in the cylinder head and having an injection hole exposed outside the head partition wall, a cylinder block coupled to the cylinder head, a cylinder formed in the cylinder block, a piston disposed in the cylinder, and a piston partition wall disposed on a crown surface of the piston to face the head partition wall in a sliding direction of the piston. The height of the piston partition wall from the crown surface on the side closer to the injector is less than the height of the piston partition wall from the crown surface on the side farther from the injector. |
| US11022063B2 |
Cylinder bore for a cylinder housing of an internal combustion engine, and arrangement having a cylinder bore and a piston
A cylinder bore for a cylinder housing of an internal combustion engine may have a cylinder running surface, an upper reversal point and a lower reversal point at which a piston, which may be moved up and down in the cylinder bore and may have piston rings and a piston skirt, may reach a speed which approaches zero during engine operation. The cylinder bore may also have a region between the upper reversal point and the lower reversal point at which the piston may reach a maximum speed during engine operation. The cylinder bore may further have at least two circumferential depressions formed within the region, the at least two circumferential depressions each having a diameter that may be greater than a diameter of the cylinder bore above the region and below the region. |
| US11022059B2 |
Abnormality determination apparatus for internal combustion engine
An abnormality determination apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which an intake passage upstream of a supercharger and a crankcase are connected by a breather line includes: an intake flow rate detection unit that detects an intake flow rate in the intake passage; and an abnormality determination unit that determines abnormality of the breather line. The abnormality determination unit accumulates a time for which a rotation second-order component of a fluctuation waveform of the intake flow rate is equal to or more than a threshold over a predetermined period of time and determines the abnormality of the breather line when the accumulated value is less than a predetermined accumulation threshold. |
| US11022057B2 |
Engine and control method therefor
Based on an exhaust gas temperature on an upstream side acquired by an upstream temperature acquisition device, in performing control of supplying an unburned fuel to an oxidation catalyst device in a case where the exhaust gas temperature on the upstream side is lower than a low temperature, a control device performs control of adjusting at least one of an injection timing of a cylinder injection valve and opening-closing timing of an exhaust valve at least one of before and after the supplying control; raising a temperature of the exhaust gas that substantially free of unburned fuel discharged from the exhaust valve to be higher than the low temperature; and warming the oxidation catalyst device until a predetermined warming period has passed. |
| US11022054B2 |
Method for determining the cylinder air-charge of an internal combustion engine in a non-fired operation
A method for determining the cylinder air-charge of an internal combustion engine in a non-fired operation, wherein a method for determining the cylinder air-charge in a fired operation is performed. According to the invention, provision is made that in the method for determining the cylinder air-charge in the fired operation, a correction factor is provided as a function of engine speed and engine load which adjusts the value of the cylinder air-charge determined by the method in the fired operation to the non-fired operation. Thus, the previously known methods can be improved and made more efficient, in particular in view of the deviations of up to 30% between the cylinder air-charge values in the non-fired operation and the modeled values of the fired operation. |
| US11022053B1 |
Method and system for providing engine knock detection dynamic gains
Methods and systems for adjusting engine knock control system dynamic gains are presented. In one example, a plurality of tables or functions output gain values, each of which is adjusted via a unique weighting factor. A rectified and integrated engine knock sensor level is adjusted according to a sum of weighted gain output values of the plurality of tables or functions. |
| US11022047B2 |
External turning vane for IFS-mounted secondary flow systems
An external turning vane includes a vane body extending radially from the inner cowl and disposed upstream from an inlet of the secondary flow system, the vane body configured to turn an airflow in a bypass flow path towards an axial direction to minimize separation between the airflow and the secondary flow system. |
| US11022046B1 |
Reliable gearbox for gas turbine engine
An engine for an aircraft has an engine core having a turbine, a compressor, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan located upstream of the engine core, the fan having a plurality of fan blades; and a gearbox. The gearbox for an aircraft is arranged to receive an input from a core shaft and to output drive to a fan so as to drive the fan at a lower rotational speed than the core shaft. The gearbox is an epicyclic gearbox and has a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, and a planet carrier having a plurality of pins, each pin being arranged to have a planet gear of the plurality of planet gears mounted thereon. A ratio of planet carrier torsional stiffness to pin stiffness is within a specified range. |
| US11022041B2 |
Sensor snubber block for a gas turbine engine
A snubber block for a manifold assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a body with at least one passage with a respective flow restrictive orifice, the body operable to receive a sensor and a male section that extends from the body, the male section receivable within a fuel manifold. |
| US11022035B2 |
Cogeneration system for a boiler
Cogeneration system (200, 300) comprising: a boiler (201, 301) able to heat water for domestic use; a combustor (201a, 301a) placed into the boiler; a compressor (204, 304); a heat exchanger (202, 302) for the exchange of thermal energy between the combustion fumes generated in the combustor (201a, 301a) and a fluid coming from the compressor (204, 304); a gas turbine (203, 303); a current generator (205, 305) and a current converter (206, 306) able to produce electrical energy; a main fumes/water exchanger (207, 307) able to recover thermal energy.The cogeneration system (200, 300) comprises also a by-pass valve (210, 310) configured to adjust the flow of fluid entering the gas turbine (203, 303). |
| US11022034B2 |
Systems for cleaning internal combustion engine intake valves
A system including a solvent in fluid communication with the air intake valves of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine generating a vacuum to cause the solvent to disperse into the air intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. |
| US11022033B2 |
Internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, in particular for a car
An internal combustion engine includes an output shaft, fan, auxiliary unit, and wraparound drive. The drive has a first wraparound wheel which is drivable by the output shaft and a first wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel, which is drivable by the output shaft via the first wraparound wheel, and via which the auxiliary unit is drivable by the output shaft. The drive has a second wraparound wheel, a third wraparound wheel, a second wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel and the second wraparound wheel where the second wraparound wheel is drivable by the output shaft via the second wraparound belt and the first wraparound wheel, and a third wraparound belt which wraps around the second wraparound wheel and the third wraparound wheel such that the fan is drivable by the second wraparound wheel via the third wraparound wheel and the third wraparound belt. |
| US11022027B2 |
Internal combustion engine with reduced engine knocking
In an internal combustion engine provided with a combustion chamber defined by an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder, an end surface of a cylinder head facing the cylinder, a crown surface of a piston, an inner surface of an intake valve, and an inner surface of an exhaust valve, for the purpose of improving the anti-knocking performance of the engine, the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, the end surface of the cylinder head, the crown surface of the piston, the inner surface of the intake valve and the inner surface of the exhaust valve include a mirror surface region formed as a mirror surface having an arithmetic average roughness of 0.3 μm or less, and a rough surface region formed as a rough surface having an arithmetic average roughness of 0.3 μm or more. |
| US11022026B2 |
Methods and systems for a prechamber
Methods and systems are provided for a prechamber. In one example, the prechamber comprises an interior volume fluidly coupled to flow channels of an ignition plug and a bracket. The bracket is configured to move relative to the ignition plug and a cylinder head to misalign the flows channels and block the flow of air to the interior volume. |
| US11022021B2 |
Methods and systems for a cooling arrangement
Methods and systems are provided for a cooling arrangement. In one example, the cooling arrangement comprises flowing coolant to only an upper portion of a cylinder head during a cold-start. The cooling arrangement comprises flowing coolant to a cylinder block, a lower portion of the cylinder-head, and the upper portion of the cylinder head outside of the cold-start. |
| US11022015B2 |
Methods and systems for an exhaust gas aftertreatment device
Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas aftertreatment device. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters to produce ammonia in an ammonia generating device in response to an ammonia demand. |
| US11022012B2 |
Fluid method and system
A method of filling and/or draining a replaceable fluid container for an engine or vehicle, wherein the replaceable fluid container comprises a fluid reservoir and a plurality of container ports, wherein replaceable fluid container is configured to be docked with a dock associated with the vehicle or engine with the plurality of container ports positioned on and coupled to at least one port of the dock to place the fluid reservoir in fluidic communication with a fluid circulation system associated with the vehicle or engine, wherein each of the plurality of container ports has an operational function, wherein the operational function of at least one of the plurality container ports is that of being a fluid outlet port to allow the supply of fluid from the fluid reservoir, the method comprising modifying the operational function of at least one of the plurality of container ports to assist filling and/or draining of the reservoir, a related filling and/or draining interface plate configured to interface between a replaceable fluid container for a vehicle or engine and a filling and/or draining system of a replaceable fluid container management facility and a kit comprising such an interface plate and a replaceable fluid container for a vehicle or engine. |
| US11022011B2 |
Oil pan
The invention relates to an oil sump (1) comprising a lower shell (2) intended for containing lubricating oil of an engine, in which a flow of oil, referred to as suction oil flow (I), is sucked up via a suction tube (44) to supply a lubricating circuit, and an oil flow, referred to as returning oil flow (II), falls into the oil sump (1). The oil sump (1) comprises an anti-emulsion plate (8) arranged located at the mouth of the suction tube (44) during a transitional period in which the temperature of the oil is lower than an optimal operating temperature. |
| US11022008B2 |
Ball engine brake mechanism
An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves and including a rocker shaft, exhaust valve rocker arm assembly and a ball engine brake mechanism. The exhaust valve rocker arm assembly has an exhaust rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft. The ball engine brake mechanism is configured on the exhaust rocker arm and selectively actuates a valve plunger causing an exhaust valve to perform engine braking. The ball engine brake mechanism includes a capsule assembly having a capsule, a biasing member and a ball. The capsule has a cylindrical body that extends between a first end having an actuation face and a second end having a spring return face. |
| US11022007B1 |
Assembled camshaft and method for producing an assembled camshaft
A camshaft for an engine and a method of assembling such a camshaft, wherein the camshaft has a base shaft and an external toothing which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft A hub has an internal toothing which correlates with the external toothing of the base shaft such that the hub is connected rotationally conjointly and axially non-displaceably to the base shaft. The external toothing has at least one form-fit subregion, which extends axially at least in certain portions along the base shaft, or one force-fit subregion in order for the hub to be arranged at least in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner, and wherein at least the form-fit subregion or the force-fit subregion is adjoined by at least one alignment region which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft and which serves for the angular alignment of the hub. |
| US11022001B2 |
Methods and apparatus to adjust hydrodynamic designs of a hydrokinetic turbine
Methods and apparatus to adjust hydrodynamic designs of a hydrokinetic turbine are disclosed herein. An example turbine to be placed in a body of water includes a generator having a frame, an inlet, a first set of vanes disposed in the inlet, a second set of vanes, and a shroud. The inlet, the first set of vanes, the second set of vanes, and the shroud are removably coupled to the frame. The first set of vanes in removably coupled to the inlet. |
| US11021999B2 |
Gas turbine combustor casing having a projection part
A gas turbine includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor, the combustor, and the turbine are arranged along an extending direction of a rotating shaft. The gas turbine also includes a combustor casing housing the combustor and a turbine casing housing the turbine. The combustor casing and the turbine casing are joined to each other via respective flanges thereof projecting toward the outside. The gas turbine further includes a projection part on an inner face of the combustor casing. The projection part projects toward the inside in a radial direction in at least part of a range in the extending direction of the rotating shaft between the flanges and an end of a combustion chamber on the compressor side in the combustor. |
| US11021996B2 |
Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades. The fan delivers airflow to a bypass duct. A fan shaft support supports the fan shaft and defines a support transverse stiffness. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A gear system input is connected to the gear system and defines a gear system input lateral stiffness. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness and the flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness. |
| US11021994B2 |
Flanged integral piston bearing
A method of operating a gas turbine engine of a multi-engine aircraft is disclosed, where the gas turbine engine has an engine shaft mounted for rotation in a bearing of a bearing assembly. The method comprises limiting motive power supplied to the aircraft by the gas turbine engine by operating the gas turbine engine in a standby mode; and when the gas turbine engine is operating in the standby mode, using an oil piston integrated in the bearing supporting the engine shaft of the gas turbine engine to generate an axial preload force on the bearing. |
| US11021993B2 |
Thermal insulation coating member, axial flow turbine, and method for producing thermal insulation coating member
A thermal insulation coating member includes: a substrate having a surface; a binding layer on the surface, and a thermal insulation layer on the binding layer. The thermal insulation layer includes: a first ceramic layer including a plurality of first flat pores, the plurality of first flat pores being inclined at a first angle with respect to the surface and extending in a first direction; and a second ceramic layer including a plurality of second flat pores, the plurality of second flat pores being inclined at a second angle with respect to the surface and extending in a second direction. The second angle differs from the first angle, the second direction differing from the first direction, or the second angle and the second direction respectively differing from the first angle and the first direction. |
| US11021991B2 |
Proximity vane angle measurement
A measurement system for determining an angular position of a component of a gas turbine engine includes one or more proximity sensors positioned at a fixed structure of the gas turbine engine and one or more sensor targets positioned at a rotatable component of the gas turbine engine. Each sensor target of the one or more sensor targets includes a target surface having a variable distance between the target surface and the proximity sensor with rotation of the rotatable component about a component axis of rotation. A measurement of distance between the proximity sensor and the target surface as measured by the proximity sensor is indicative of an angular position of the rotatable component relative to the component axis of rotation. |
| US11021990B2 |
Shroud sealing for a gas turbine engine
A shroud assembly for gas turbine engine defining an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction includes a shroud segment extending substantially along the circumferential direction and including a forward wall and an aft wall spaced along the axial direction from one another and defining a cavity therebetween; and a hanger assembly including a first attachment member and a seal member, the first attachment member attached to one of the forward wall or the aft wall of the shroud segment, and the seal member positioned within the cavity and interference fit against the other of the forward wall or the aft wall of the shroud segment. |
| US11021987B2 |
CMC BOAS arrangement
A blade outer air seal assembly includes a support structure. A blade outer air seal has a plurality of segments that extend circumferentially about an axis and mounted in the support structure via a carrier. At least one of the plurality of segments has a base portion that extends between a first circumferential side and a second circumferential side and from a first axial side to a second axial side. A first hook extends from the base portion near the first axial side and faces towards the second axial side. A second hook extends from the base portion near the second axial side and faces towards the first axial side. A slot is in the second hook configured to receive a pin. |
| US11021983B2 |
Multi-piece seal
The present disclosure relates generally to a seal between two components. The seal includes a plurality of seal sections including convolutions therein that are inter-engaged with one another to form flexible and resilient seals. |
| US11021975B2 |
Gas turbine engine and rotary assembly therefor
The gas turbine engine can have a first and second rotary components structurally joined to one another via a connector, a first spigot fit between the connector and the first rotary component, the first spigot fit forming an interference fit at a first operating condition and forming a gap at a second operating condition, a second spigot fit between the connector and the first rotary component, the second spigot fit forming an interference fit at the second operating condition and forming a gap at the first operating condition, the gas turbine engine being further configured to form a radial interference fit between the connector and the second rotary component in both the first and second operating conditions. |
| US11021969B2 |
Turbine blade
An airfoil comprises one or more internal cooling circuits. The cooling circuit can further comprise a near wall cooling mesh, fluidly coupling a supply passage to a mesh plenum. The mesh plenum can be disposed adjacent to the external surface of the airfoil having a plurality of film holes extending between the mesh plenum and the external surface of the airfoil. The mesh plenum can further comprise a cross-sectional area sized to facilitate machining of the film holes without damage to the interior of the airfoil. |
| US11021967B2 |
Turbine engine component with a core tie hole
An apparatus and method of forming an engine component having an outer wall forming an interior. The interior can be separated into two or more flow paths or flow channels. The two flow paths can be formed by casting having one or more core ties connecting the flow paths during casting. One or more core tie holes can be formed remnant of the core ties during casting in order to fluidly couple the two or more flow paths or flow channels. |
| US11021964B2 |
Composite vane with metal reinforcement, and its method of manufacture
A composite vane includes both a vane body extending in a longitudinal direction between an inner end and an outer end and also at least one fastener base connected to the inner end or to the outer end of the vane body. The vane includes metal reinforcement associated with an organic matrix. The metal reinforcement defines integrally as a single part both a longitudinal core extending between the inner and outer ends of the vane body and also the fastener base, the longitudinal core having the organic matrix overmolded thereon, the organic matrix defining the outside shape of the vane. |
| US11021962B2 |
Turbulent air reducer for a gas turbine engine
A turbulent air reducer assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a windage cover attached to a first standoff and a second standoff, the windage cover tuned to a particular vibration response. A method of managing air within a turbine of a gas turbine engine includes reducing turbulence from a multiple of recesses within a tangential on-board injector with a turbulent air reducer assembly within each of the multiple of recesses, the turbulent air reducer assembly tuned to a particular vibration response from a turbine rotor. |
| US11021960B2 |
Set of turbines and a turbine train comprising at least one such set
A set of turbines, including: a first turbine including a first shaft supported in an overhung manner in a first case, a first rotor provided with first rotor blades and joined to a distal end of the first shaft; a second turbine including a second shaft supported in an overhung manner in a second case, and a second rotor provided with second rotor blades and joined to a distal end of the second shaft. A first front face of the first rotor faces a second front face of the second rotor. The set of turbines further includes a connection element connected to the first front face and to the second front face to transmit rotation from the first shaft to the second shaft or vice versa. The connection element includes at least one elastic joint configured to minimize the rotordynamic influence of the first and second turbine on each other. |
| US11021958B2 |
Split vernier ring for turbine rotor stack assembly
A power turbine rotor assembly including a rotor shaft. The assembly also includes a rotor stack surrounding the rotor shaft. The assembly further includes a nut axially retaining the rotor stack. The assembly yet further includes a Vernier ring engaged with the nut and the rotor shaft, the Vernier ring having an inner ring, a plurality of inner tabs extending radially inward from the inner ring, and a plurality of outer tabs extending radially outward from the inner ring, the Vernier ring formed of at least two ring segments. |
| US11021955B2 |
Tunnel support system and method
A tunnel reinforcement system having a plurality of structural supports positioned at spaced intervals along the length of a tunnel. Each structural support has a plurality of structural segments connected in an end to end relationship. Each structural segment has a plurality of bars connected to a first end and a second end, in which the first end comprises a first butt plate having one or more apertures, and the second end comprises a second butt plate having one or more apertures. The one or more apertures of the first butt plate or the second butt plate of a structural segment are coaxially aligned with the one or more apertures of the first butt plate or the second butt plate of another structural segment in an end to end relationship. The first butt plate or the second butt plate of a structural segment is attachable to the first butt plate or the second butt plate of another structural segment in an end to end relationship. Each structural support defines a geometric supporting framework. |
| US11021952B2 |
Formation pressure testing
A pressure testing module separable from and configured to be coupled with a tool base that is to be coupled along a downhole tool string to be conveyed within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The pressure testing module includes a chamber and a piston assembly slidably disposed within the chamber, thus dividing the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The piston assembly is operable to move in response to hydraulic fluid being pumped into the first chamber portion and to draw formation fluid of the wellbore into the second chamber portion in response to the movement of the piston assembly. |
| US11021950B2 |
Production-logging sensor
A sensor comprising three electrodes forming two electrode pairs, each pair having a gap between the electrodes, is disclosed. An electrically insulating layer is disposed in the gap of one electrode pair. The sensor may include a RC oscillator circuit connected to the electrode pair having the insulating layer such that the electrode pair contributes to the capacitance of the circuit. The sensor may include a power supply connected to the other electrode pair to provide a voltage across and current through material in the pair's gap. The sensor may be disposed in a borehole to allow borehole fluid to enter the gaps and the RC oscillator circuit and power supply may be operated to provide a measure of capacitance and resistance characteristics of the borehole fluid. |
| US11021949B2 |
Timeline visualization of events for monitoring well site drilling operations
System and methods for monitoring well site drilling operations using event detection and visualization are provided. Well site data related to a drilling operation is obtained from one or more data sources. Values of one or more wellsite parameters are monitored over a current time period during the drilling operation, based on the obtained well site data. Upon detecting at least one event of interest occurring during the current time period, based on the monitored values, an interactive timeline visualization of the detected event of interest is provided for display to a user relative to a duration of the drilling operation. |
| US11021941B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for enhanced oil and gas recovery with super focused heat
A system for improving a steam oil ratio (SOR) includes a boiler fluidly coupled with a downhole portion of a steam system via at least a boiler conduit, wherein the boiler is configured to schedule super-heat delivered to the downhole portion to optimize the SOR associated with the system. |
| US11021936B2 |
Utilizing electrically actuated explosives downhole
Electrically ignitable and electrically controllable explosive material (EIECEM) may be disposed within a shaped charge for deployment downhole. An explosion of the EIECEM is controlled by limiting the duration of excitation at the EIECEM, for example, the duration that an electrical source provides an electrical charge, electrical current or electrical signal. The shaped charge may be insulated from an electrical source to prevent explosion of the EIECEM and coupled to the electrical source to create ignite or explode the EIECEM. A plurality of shaped charges may be disposed downhole and may be ignited or exploded in any suitable order. The EIECEM may be ignited multiple times such that multiple explosions are created. The explosion of the EIECEM creates or extends a perforation or fracture in a formation. The shaped charges may be excited in a predetermined sequence and for a predetermined duration of time. |
| US11021932B2 |
Auto-bleeding setting tool and method
A setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well includes a housing holding a floating piston assembly, the floating piston assembly having a first end and a second end, which is opposite to the first end, an isolation valve assembly in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, where the isolation valve assembly is facing the second end of the floating piston assembly, and a frangible disc located at the first end of the floating piston assembly, to prevent a high-pressure gas to pass through a bore of the floating piston assembly. The floating piston assembly separates the frangible disc from the isolation valve assembly. |
| US11021928B2 |
Setting adapter assembly for plug
A setting adapter assembly for setting a plug is provided, it comprises a setting body, a crossover sub, a shear ring connecting the setting body and the crossover sub temporarily, a rotating dog carrier at a lower end of the setting body, a plurality of rotating dogs accommodated in the rotating dog carrier; an inner mandrel, The rotating dogs are in their vertical position to compress the plug during a process of setting the plug, and during a process of withdrawing, the rotating dogs rotate 90 degrees into their horizontal position driven by the inner mandrel to allow the setting adapter assembly pass through the plug. |
| US11021926B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for isolating a tubing string
An apparatus, system and method are provided for isolating a portion of a tubing string in a hydrocarbon well. The portion of isolated tubing string can be used to set a packer or test tubing integrity hydrostatically. The apparatus includes a dissolvable valve that is installed in a nipple and positioned below the portion of tubing string. The dissolvable valve includes a ball seat for receiving a dissolvable ball. When the dissolvable ball is dropped into the tubing string and seated on the ball seat of the dissolvable valve, the portion of tubing string is isolated from a second portion of tubing string below the nipple. Wellbore fluids in the hydrocarbon well dissolve the dissolvable valve and the dissolvable ball to leave behind a nipple without any restrictions. |
| US11021924B2 |
Flow control module
An assembly includes an inlet hub (112) coupled to a first flow passage (124) located within a flow control module, the first flow passage having a first flow bore, a flow meter (144) associated with the first flow bore and positioned for top-down fluid flow, a choke (109) disposed in a second flow passage (136) having a second flow bore, and an outlet hub (119) coupled to a distal end of the second flow passage. A system includes a flow control module assembly (902) having an inlet (912) and at least two outlets (914, 916), a main line (920) in fluid communication with the inlet, a first branch line (922) coupled to the main line and to a first outlet (916) of the at least two outlets, and a second branch line (924) coupled to the main line and to a second outlet (914) of the at least two outlets, and a tie-in connector (918) coupled to the inlet of the flow control module assembly. |
| US11021923B2 |
Detonation activated wireline release tool
A detonator activated wireline release tool is provided for use in geological well operations that enables the wireline cable to be easily released from tool string equipment upon activation of a detonator housed within the release tool. The release tool has a wireline subassembly portion that is connected to a tool string subassembly portion during assembly. It is sometimes necessary to disconnect the wireline subassembly from the tool string subassembly at a time when accessing the either is not physically possible. Such release is achieved by sending an electronic signal that detonates an explosive load which actuates a latch through an expansion chamber. The latch shifts and allows the finger flanges previously connecting the subassemblies to disengage, thus releasing the subassemblies. |
| US11021922B2 |
Locking collar stop
Disclosed herein is a collar stop configured for insertion into well production tubing where the collar stop provides an interference fit with a collar recess disposed between two adjacent sections of production tubing. The collar stop may be utilized to provide a bottom hole assembly at a desired location in a well bore. The collar stop device is configured to lock once positioned. Such locking prevents accidental removal during high fluid flows. |
| US11021921B2 |
Morphable anchor
A method of anchoring a morphable tubular in a wellbore includes providing a first tubular member including an expandable portion having an anchoring system arranged around a circumference thereof, the anchoring system including a gripper element, two wedge elements having inclined surfaces oriented to engage two oppositely arranged inclined surfaces of the gripper element, wherein each wedge element includes a beam spring, which are oppositely arranged to act against the inclined surfaces of the gripper element, locating the expandable portion in an existing tubular in a wellbore, introducing fluid pressure to an inner surface of the expandable portion and morphing the expandable portion towards the existing tubing so that the gripper element engages an inner surface of the existing tubing, reducing the fluid pressure, and maintaining engagement of the gripper element on the inner surface by action of the at least one beam spring axially on the gripper element. |
| US11021919B2 |
Mud circulation system for reducing the swab pressure while tripping out
The invention provides a mud circulation system for reducing swab pressure while tripping out, including drilling tool components, a normal drilling circulation channel and a tripping circulation channel, the drilling tool components include a drill string, a drill bit, and a top drive, the normal drilling circulation channel includes a first rotary valve, a solid phase control device, a mud tank, a mud pump, and a forth rotary valve connected in sequence, the tripping circulation channel includes a second rotary valve, a tripping mud pump, a tripping mud tank and a third rotary valve connected in sequence; the mud circulation system for reducing the swab pressure is operated to: shut down the mud pump, close the first rotary valve, and open the second rotary valve and the third rotary valve before tripping out; determine the pumping flow rate according to relevant parameters. |
| US11021918B2 |
Well control system having one or more adjustable orifice choke valves and method
A well drilling system is provided that includes a choke manifold and a controller. The choke manifold includes at least one choke valve. The choke valve is actuable between fully open and closed choke positions. The choke valve has a Cv value for each choke position. The controller is in communication with the choke valve and a non-transitory memory storing instructions. The instructions relate Cv values to choke positions for the choke valve. The instructions when executed cause the controller to: a) determine a difference in pressure (ΔP); b) input or determine a density value; c) input or determine a Q value; d) determine a first Cv value using the ΔP, the density value, and the Q value; and e) actuate the choke valve to a first choke position associated with the first Cv value. |
| US11021917B2 |
Piston-style drilling mud screen system and methods thereof
A drilling mud screen system, comprising: a first assembly having a first drilling mud inlet and outlet, a first body having a second drilling mud inlet and outlet, wherein the first drilling mud outlet of the first assembly is fluidly connected to the second drilling mud inlet of the first body, a second body having a third drilling mud inlet and outlet, wherein the second drilling mud outlet of the first body is fluidly connected to the third drilling mud inlet of the second body, a drilling mud screen, disposed within the first body and the second body between the first drilling mud inlet and the second drilling mud outlet, a lock system, comprising: a third body having a first inlet and outlet, wherein the first body is disposed through the third body such that the first body is held by a lip at the first end of the third body, a fourth body having a second inlet and outlet, wherein the first outlet of the third body is connected to the second inlet of the fourth body, wherein the second body is disposed through the fourth body such that the second body is held by a lip at or near the second end of the fourth body, a first lock, a second lock, a second assembly having a fourth drilling mud inlet and outlet, wherein the third drilling mud outlet of the second body is fluidly connected to the fourth drilling mud inlet of the second assembly is disclosed. Methods of installing and using the drilling mud screen system are also disclosed. |
| US11021912B2 |
Rotary steering systems and methods
A drilling system that includes a drill bit that drills a bore through rock. A shaft coupled to the drill bit, wherein the shaft transfers rotational power to the drill bit. A housing that receives at least part of the shaft. A rotary steering system that controls a drilling direction of the drill bit. The rotary steering system includes a steering sleeve that couples to and uncouples from the housing to control a drilling direction of the drill bit. |
| US11021910B2 |
Sealing assembly and related methods
A sealing assembly having a housing having a main cavity, a sealing unit configured to receive a rotatable shaft, and at least a first sealing element, and a second sealing element positioned uphole with respect to the first sealing element along the longitudinal axis. The sealing assembly includes a first valve carried by the housing and coupled to the first sealing element and the main cavity, and configured to open at a first pressure level. The sealing assembly further includes a second valve coupled to the second sealing element and the main cavity, and configured to open at a second pressure level higher than the first pressure level. The sealing assembly is configured such that pressure is distributed across the first and second sealing elements sequentially. |
| US11021903B2 |
Vehicle door opening and closing apparatus
A supporting member includes: a rotatable spindle supported in a first housing; a cylindrical first guide fixed in a second housing, and guiding a relative movement of the spindle in an axial direction; a second guide fixed in the first housing, having an inner diameter larger than a first guide's outer diameter, and relatively movable in the direction to the first guide; and a nut being a stepped shaft-like member including an insertion portion inserted into the first guide, a protruding portion protruded from the first guide, and a narrow portion provided therebetween. The first guide includes a caulking portion to the nut at an opening end. The caulking portion includes a portion extending to intersect in the direction along a step between the insertion portion and the narrow portion, and another portion parallel to the direction along an outer circumferential surface of the narrow portion. |
| US11021901B2 |
Multi-joint hinge
A multi-joint hinge includes a base part, on which a door bearing is held pivotably via a lever mechanism with a plurality of levers which are mounted in the manner of a parallelogram. A damping element for braking a closing movement and a spring element for tightening the door bearing in a closing area in the closing direction are arranged within the multi-joint hinge. The damping element and the spring element are connected in parallel. |
| US11021899B1 |
Hinge lock
A hinge lock comprising an rectangular elongate body having dimensions including a height, width and depth formed by a rear planar rectangular wall joining two opposing planar rectangular walls along opposing long edges and a top enclosed end. An open front channel is formed and an open bottom end are formed by the joined planar walls and the top, thereby enabling the elongate body to be slid into position over a pivot portion connecting two wall plates of a closed hinge assembly. |
| US11021895B2 |
Anti-theft device for cans, tins or bottles
An anti-theft device for an item having a peripheral shoulder, comprising two hinged portions each having a peripheral skirt provided with an edge capable of abutting under the peripheral shoulder, with the portions being hinged relative to a peripheral pivot; magnetically deactivatable locking means, which lock the two hinged portions in the closed position, and a detection means wherein the portions are made up of a stationary shell having a general cylindrical shape, the cross-section of which matches the cross-section of the item to be protected and a movable shell connected by a pivot, the stationary shell having a recess opening laterally to allow the insertion of the movable shell in closed position. |
| US11021883B2 |
Carriable and modular cabin
A carriable and modular cabin is provided with a parallelepipedal body creating a diaphanous space. Right bulkhead and left bulkhead separate the body from respective right and left side compartments. Other cabins can be stacked through the use of anchorages. Two tanks of water are provided including a tank of clean water possessing a submerged pump and a water entrance and a water exit. The second tank of waste water also possesses a submerged pump. The washbasin WC and shower, are located on the inner wall of the body. In the said bulkhead the clean water comes through a duct and is channeled towards the sanitary elements. The bulkhead includes an air conditioning compressor, water heater, and an inverter connected to one or more solar panels. The covers are provided with ventilation grids. |
| US11021872B2 |
Reconfigurable wall hanger mounting system
A reconfigurable wall hanger mounting system having a plurality of different types of interchangeable wall modules with different types of compatible connection components, each connection component being configured to align with another connection component at an interface. A channel is formed between two connection components in which a support rail or other accessory may be secured to support a ceiling. Another channel is defined by the connection component that can receive other accessories and accessory mounting mechanisms. A door-opening header module may be secured to a connection component so that a flush surface between the support rail, ceiling, and door-opening header module is created across the top of a door-opening in the reconfigurable wall system. |
| US11021871B2 |
Porous sound-absorbing board
A perforated sound-absorbing plate includes a perforated plate as a base material in which a large number of through holes are formed. A coating film is provided on an inner wall surface of the through hole, and a through-hole portion whose volume is smaller than a volume of the through hole is formed by the coating film. |
| US11021870B1 |
Sound blocking enclosures with antiresonant membranes
An enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure contains a plurality of walls coupled together and configured to al least partially cover one or more components, wherein at least one of the walls comprises a first plurality of antiresonant membranes configured to at least partially block acoustic emission from the one or more components. |
| US11021868B2 |
Finishing panel fixing device
The present invention relates to a finishing panel fixing device, and more particularly, to a finishing panel fixing device that fixes a finishing panel so that the finishing panel can be stably fixed when installing the finishing panel for finishing an indoor or outdoor wall surface or a floor. The finishing panel fixing device according to the present invention is extremely simple to assemble and install, and thus can reduce the time required for assembly, installation, and disassembly. The finishing panel fixing device also enhances fixability with respect to the finishing panel so that movement of the finishing panel due to an external force is prevented, and thus can also be applied to the finishing of an outdoor wall. The finishing panel fixing device can also facilitate maintenance. |
| US11021867B2 |
Hanger for fire separation wall
A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location. |
| US11021866B2 |
Building and construction method for same
A building and construction method include improved workability not causing variation in quality of buildings, by easily joining materials without special processing by forming mortises. A wooden building constructed by fitting horizontal and vertical members includes lower frames, first upper frames, second upper frames, and side joists as horizontal members; and pillars as vertical members, wherein the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists include mortises at part of the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists in longitudinal direction, the first upper frames include an entire length recessed groove in longitudinal direction, the second upper frames include an entire length protrusion in longitudinal direction, the mortises at the lower frames and the first upper frames are through holes, and the pillars include protrusions at both ends, fitting into the mortises at the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists. |
| US11021861B2 |
Toilet with collection chamber
A toilet includes a bowl portion, a rim portion, and a reservoir. The bowl portion defines a bowl cavity that is in fluid connection with a trapway. The bowl cavity is configured to hold a volume of water to provide a water seal for the trapway. The rim portion extends about an upper portion of the bowl portion. The rim portion defines an internal rim cavity that extends about an upper portion of the rim portion and a plurality of apertures that extend from the internal rim cavity and through a sidewall of the rim portion to direct water from the internal rim cavity to the bowl cavity. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the internal rim cavity and the bowl cavity and configured to receive a supply of pressurized water from a water source and direct at least a portion of the pressurized water to the internal rim cavity. |
| US11021859B2 |
Drain cleaning machine
A drain cleaning machine for moving a snake in a drain includes a rotating shell, a motor to rotate the rotating shell, and a radial drive mechanism coupled for rotation with the rotating shell and including a plurality of collets. The radial drive mechanism is switchable between an engaged state in which the one or more collets move toward a snake axis to engage the snake, and a disengaged state. A translate mechanism is coupled for rotation with the rotating shell and includes a plurality of wheels. The translate mechanism is switchable between an engaged state in which the wheels move toward the snake axis to engage the snake, and a disengaged state. A selection mechanism is configured to switch the radial drive mechanism from the disengaged state to the engaged state and configured to switch the translate mechanism from the disengaged state to the engaged state. |
| US11021856B2 |
Water mixer with lever handle
A water mixer with mixer cartridge (40) with control element (42) and lever handle (31) operable from left to right to control the ratio water flow from respective hot and cold intakes to a single outlet (18), and about a transverse axis to control rate of flow. A mixer body (20) defines a post (22) and a protruding outlet arm (24) at its end. The body defines, at the aforesaid end of the post and extending into the arm, a rim (25) about a recess (26) that receives part of the lever handle in a central off position thereof. In another aspect, lever handle (31) is pivotally mounted to support (50, 150) at a first pivot (52,54) that is fixed against translation and to the control element of the cartridge at a second pivot (48) that is slidable in a slot (39). |
| US11021855B2 |
Humidity collection apparatus
Method for collecting water vapor from air as liquid water. The method includes a refrigerant compressor circulating refrigerant through a controlled dimensioned condenser into a tubing loop. A portion of the tubing loop functions as a condenser. This tube conveys the pressurized refrigerant through an expansion valve. The refrigerant pressure and temperature decreases. Ambient water vapor collects on the exterior surface of the cooled section of tube now functioning as an evaporator. The water drops from the tube surface into a reservoir for use. The tube loop extends through a multiport control valve. The method includes a control valve that cyclically and sequentially directs the refrigerant pumped from the compressor into alternate ends of the tubing loop. The cycles continually repeat. The cycles can be controlled by fluid temperature. The device can include a power supply and microprocessor controlling the generator and valves. The device may utilize a switch that detects water or ice deposits on the tube. The device can comprise a moveable frame supporting all above components. |
| US11021854B2 |
Liquid desiccant vapor separation system
An atmospheric moisture harvesting system, in which water vapor is separated from the air using a liquid desiccant subsystem. The moisture charged liquid desiccant enters a desorber and condensation system, where the moisture is extracted. Cooling and condensation are performed on the extracted water vapor only, thereby saving the energy for cooling air containing the water vapor, as is done in direct cooling systems. The system thus operates as a single stage vapor separation system since the vapor concentration remains in the liquid desiccant which is circulated to the separation and condensation subsystems without air laden with the moisture. Low grade or solar heat can be used as the energy source for the vapor desorption. A heat exchanger utilizes unwanted heat from regenerated desiccant to heat up charged desiccant entering the regenerating stage. The system has substantial energy savings over prior art systems using direct cooling of air. |
| US11021851B2 |
System and method for vibration monitoring of a mining machine
A mining machine having a control system for operating the mining machine. The control system includes a vibration monitor. The mining machine further includes a sensor and a vibration control system. The sensor senses vibration of a component of the mining machine. The vibration control system determines when the mining machine is moving in a proper cycle, triggers acquisition of vibration sensor data from the sensor in response to determining that the mining machine is moving in the proper cycle, and outputs the vibration sensor data. |
| US11021849B2 |
Civil engineering anti-seismic structure
A civil engineering anti-seismic structure includes a base. A fixing structure is fixedly welded at the bottom center of the base. A through-hole is provided at the top center of the base. Sliding grooves are provided on corresponding inner walls at two sides of the base. Sliding blocks are slidably connected to the sliding grooves inside the grooves and are symmetrically installed at two sides of a sliding plate. A top block is fixedly welded at the top center of the sliding plate (8), and a fixing groove is provided at the top center of the top block. A shock-absorbing damping pad is fixedly adhered to a bottom inner wall of the base. A first limiting plate is fixedly welded around the top portion of the sliding plate, and a second limiting plate is fixedly welded around the through-hole at a top inner wall of the base. |