US09017817B2
The method for producing the porous sheet of the present invention includes the steps of (I) preparing a plurality of sheet materials that contain polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon particles and (II) stacking the plurality of sheet materials over one another and rolling the stacked sheet materials. In the method for producing the porous sheet of the present invention, step (I) and step (II) may be repeated alternately. Further, as the sheet materials to be used in the production method of the present invention, a base sheet obtained by forming a mixture containing polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon particles into sheet form also can be used, or a laminated sheet obtained by stacking a plurality of base sheets over one another and rolling them also can be used, for example.
US09017812B2
A process of producing polylactic acid-based resin microparticles includes a dissolving process that forms a system, which can cause phase separation into two phases of a solution phase mainly composed of polylactic acid-based resin (A) and a solution phase mainly composed of polymer (B) different from polylactic acid-based resin, by dissolving the polylactic acid-based resin (A) and the polymer (B) different from polylactic acid-based resin in an ether-based organic solvent (C), an emulsion-forming process that forms an emulsion by applying a shear force to the system, and a microparticle-forming process that precipitates polylactic acid-based resin microparticles by contacting the emulsion with a poor solvent which has lower solubility of the polylactic acid-based resin (A) than the ether-based organic solvent (C).
US09017792B2
A tri-barrier ceramic coating system is provided having a base thermal barrier layer, an intermediate CMAS barrier layer, and a top erosion barrier layer, and the method of applying such a coating system to a substrate. The base layer has a typical columnar structure with inter-columnar gaps and intra-columnar micro-pores that provides the stress tolerance during thermal cycles. The intermediate CMAS barrier layer has the fiber-like columns with inter-columnar nano-pores and a grid structure on the bottom of the layer. The fine structured intermediate layer covers the gaps between the columns of the base layer and will block CMAS infiltration effectively. The top erosion resistant layer contains wider TBC columns with narrow inter-columnar gaps and a modified cauliflower-like TBC head that provides erosion resistance for the underlying layers. The tri-barrier coating microstructure will further reduce the thermal conductivity as comparing to the conventional single layer system.
US09017791B2
A shingle blank comprises an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat. The cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion. The perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.
US09017782B2
Provided is a heat-shrinkable polyester-based film having: a slow shrinkage speed; a shrinkage rate that increases gently with the increase of temperature; a large shrinkage stress; and an excellent shrinkage finish. This heat-shrinkable polyester-based film is characterized in that: the ratio (A1/A2) between the absorbancy (A1) at 1340 cm−1 of the heat-shrinkable polyester-based film measured by the polarized ATR-FTIR method and the absorbancy (A2) at 1410 cm−1 is from 0.65 to 0.9 in the main shrinkage direction of the film and from 0.45 to 0.75 in the direction orthogonal to the main shrinkage direction; and the warm-water heat shrinkage rate for when the film is immersed in 90-degree warm water for 10 seconds is from 40% to 60% in the main shrinkage direction of the film and from 0% to 12% in the direction orthogonal to the main shrinkage direction.
US09017781B2
The invention is directed to a matting and/or frosting additive concentrate for polymers or polymer blends, said additive comprising to 75% by weight of hollow glass microspheres and 20 to 95% by weight of a liquid or waxy carrier material and optionally up to 75% by weight of additives.
US09017778B2
The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and a polarizer and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device using the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and more particularly, to a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition including (A) an acrylic copolymer and (B) a liquid optically-anisotropic compound having a mesogen core in its structure. The liquid optically-anisotropic compound having a mesogen core in its structure according to the present invention has superior solubility and compatibility with pressure-sensitive adhesive resin, and thus the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition including the liquid optically-anisotropic compound can relax stress caused by shrinkage of the polarizer and effectively compensate negative birefringence. Therefore, the polarizer and the LCD device using the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition can prevent light leakage originating from stress concentration in spite of long-term use.
US09017773B2
A method is described for depositing nanostructures, such as nanostructures of conducting polymers, carbon nanostructures, or combinations thereof. The process comprises placing the nanostructures in a liquid composition comprising an immiscible combination of aqueous phase and an organic phase. The mixture is mixed for a period of time sufficient to form an emulsion and then allowed to stand undisturbed so that the phases are allowed to separate. As a result the nanostructure materials locate at the interface of the forming phases and are uniformly dispersed along that interface. A film of the nanostructure materials will then form on a substrate intersecting the interface, said substrate having been placed in the mixture before the phases are allowed to settle and separate.
US09017751B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished. At first a set temperature value for a core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is defined. Next the actual temperatures in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) at predetermined times are measured and the time dependence of the measured temperature in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is determined. At last the time dependence of the measured temperature is compared with the set temperature value and “the residual time of the cooking process is estimated. The invention relates further to a corresponding apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished.
US09017749B2
A beverage flavoring apparatus comprising of an elongated tubular body, having at least three elongated hollow sections and a container for holding liquid flavor. The top hollow section is for suction and at least one of the hollow sections is adapted to receive liquid flavor and it has a smaller cross sectional area and shorter length which enables the flavoring liquid to be introduced into the beverage stream in minute quantity. The other hollow section is adapted to receive beverage. The container is mounted or loaded on the elongated tubular body so that the section adapted to receive liquid flavor is immersed in the liquid flavor while the other hollow section is dipped in a beverage. As oral suction is being applied, both the liquid flavor and the beverage are drawn up the tubular body and mixes at the hollow suction end before ingestion.
US09017747B2
Provided are a seasoning that contains deep and rich flavor of ingredients mainly composed of a large amount of glutamic acid, and a method for producing the seasoning. The glutamic acid content in a glutamic acid containing seasoning liquid thus produced is not lowered even after long-term storage thereof. Herein, a protein raw material such as wheat gluten, defatted soybeans, and an extracted residue of dried and fermented fish shavings is enzymatically decomposed by the liquid koji. In that step, a zinc containing compound or zinc yeast is added to the mixture of the raw materials such that the zinc concentration is set in the range from 5 ppm or more to 700 ppm or less as a conversion amount of pure zinc. This procedure facilitates the enzymatic decomposition to produce an excellently flavored seasoning liquid or powder including a large amount of glutamic acid.
US09017739B2
The present invention provides a method for suppressing and relieving itching and inflammation, by administering to a host in need of such treatment an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition containing highly lipophilic polyalkoxyflavonoid. The pharmaceutical composition and functional food of the present invention for suppressing and relieving itching and inflammation contain highly lipophilic polyalkoxyflavonoid extracted from squeezed juice of a whole portion of a citrus fruit (inclusive of pericarp thereof). Furthermore, the functional food of the present invention contains it.
US09017731B2
The invention relates to dosage forms that provide prolonged therapy. In particular, the invention relates to dosage forms including various pluralities of drug-containing resin particles. In a particular embodiment, the drug dosage form comprises a mixture of dextro- and levo-amphetamines complexed with ion-exchange resin particles to form drug resin particles. The invention also relates to methods of making these dosage forms and methods of treating using these dosage forms.
US09017727B2
The invention relates to agglomerated amino acid particles comprising between 1 and 95 wt % of at least one component selected from the group of amino acids and peptides, including esters thereof and salts thereof, having a solubility in water at 20 degrees Celsius of less than 5 g/100 ml, wherein said at least one component is agglomerated with at least one water soluble amino acid, which may be a free amino acid, an ester thereof or a salt thereof, having a solubility in water at 20 degrees Celsius of at least 5 g/100 ml.
US09017722B2
A tablet characterized by comprising 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone as the main ingredient and, based on the main ingredient, 10 to 50 wt. % excipient, 5 to 40 wt. % disintegrator, 1 to 10 wt. % binder, 0.5 to 5 wt. % lubricant, 2 to 6 wt. % coating basis, and 0.05 to 3 wt. % light-shielding agent, wherein the odor or bitterness of the 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone is masked and the light stability is improved.
US09017709B2
The present invention relates to an injectable composition which comprises polymeric, water-insoluble, non-biodegradable, anionic particles, these particles having an irregular shape and a biocompatible carrier with a lubricated surface, a method for preparing the same, a method for treating a tissue in a patient which comprises injecting into the tissue site the injectable composition as a permanent implant and the use of the injectable composition as a medicament, particularly for bulking a tissue site.
US09017701B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising an organogel which comprises: (a) an alkylated benzimidazolone compound; and (b) an organic liquid.
US09017700B2
The present application describes a novel, advantageous purification method which guarantees the embryonation capability and the viability of a worm egg suspension. The T. suis worm eggs are first treated in a non-embryonated condition in a sulfuric acid solution at about =ph 2. Bacteria and viruses are thereby killed successfully. The germination number of yeasts and fungi is reduced. In a second step, the pH-value is increased and an orally tolerated preservative is added. Yeasts and fungi are thereby killed successfully. The suspension medium used in the second purification step can then be used as a culture medium for additional production (embryonation) and storage.
US09017695B2
Chimeric therapeutics are disclosed that include a modified viral core protein comprising at least one mutation or modification in an immunogenic epitope and a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent may be associated with the modified viral core protein and may be a nucleic acid, a protein, or a small molecule. Also disclosed are particles and compositions that include the disclosed chimeric therapeutics.
US09017692B2
Provided herein is a biologically pure culture of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE, as well as an antimicrobial agent isolated and/or purified from the culture having any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66. The disclosure also provides compositions and articles of manufacture comprising an antimicrobial agent and/or the bacterial cell of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. Further provided are methods of use, including methods of affecting microbial activity, methods of inhibiting growth and/or proliferation of a microbe, methods of treating a condition or disease associated with the presence of a microbe, and methods of treating a microbial infection in a subject comprising contacting a microbial cell with at least one active agent of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66 and/or the bacterial cell Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. The disclosure also provides the biosynthetic machinery (e.g., utilizing a NRPS mechanism) including isolated proteins, isolated polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells for production of the antimicrobials described herein.
US09017691B2
The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.
US09017689B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising peptides for preventing or treating allergy to birch, and in particular to optimal combinations of peptides for preventing or treating said allergy.
US09017683B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-cadherin antibody having high antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The present invention provides an anti-cadherin antibody, which recognizes any one of an upstream region of EC1, a cadherin domain 4 (EC4) and a cadherin domain 5 (EC5), wherein an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity at an antibody concentration of 1 μg/mL is 30% or more.
US09017681B2
The present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating a disease caused by bacterial infection by administering an effective amount of a modulator of bacterial adenylyl cyclase. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions useful for preventing or treating a disease, with the compositions containing a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of bacterial adenylyl cyclase. The invention also provides screening methods for identifying selective modulators of bacterial adenylyl cyclase that do not substantially modulate adenylyl cyclase of the subject. The invention also provides methods for culturing bacterial pathogens and methods for inducing the pathogenic state in vitro.
US09017678B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US09017674B2
The current invention relates to high-affinity antibodies to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor that have reduced immunogenicity when administered to a human to treat diseases and method of using such antibodies.
US09017672B2
The invention provides a hexon Tat-PTD modified adenovirus, a gene delivery vector based on the modified adenovirus that enhances gene delivery efficiency, and an oncolytic agent based on the modified adenovirus that enhances tumor cell killing efficiency and improves therapeutic outcome.
US09017669B2
The present invention relates to anti-CDH3 antibodies, which can be labeled with a radioisotope. Moreover, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an anti-CDH3 antibody as an active ingredient. Since CDH3 is strongly expressed in pancreatic, lung, colon, prostate, breast, gastric or liver cancer cells, the present invention is useful in pancreatic, lung, colon, prostate, breast, gastric or liver cancer therapies.
US09017653B2
The invention relates to nitric oxide-releasing compositions comprising polyacrylonitrile polymers that are diazeniumdiolated, and to medical devices comprising such compositions, as well as to methods of making and using the compositions and medical devices.
US09017647B2
Oral compositions containing a polyorganosilsesquioxane particle, preferably polymethylsilsesquioxane particles and an orally-acceptable carrier containing a gel network. Method of using such compositions for the cleaning and polishing of dental enamel, such methods including the step of applying such oral care compositions to the teeth of a user.
US09017643B2
A process for making particles comprising a hydrophobic dopant for subsequent release therefrom is disclosed. The process comprises providing an emulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the hydrophilic phase, and reacting the precursor material to form the particles comprising the dopant therein. The hydrophobic phase comprises a precursor material and the dopant.
US09017642B2
A process for reducing free oxygen in a hydrocarbon gas stream comprises the steps of (i) forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, (ii) mixing the hydrogen gas mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon stream containing free oxygen, and (iii) passing the resulting hydrocarbon gas mixture over a conversion catalyst that converts at least a portion of the free oxygen present in the gaseous hydrocarbon to steam.
US09017641B2
In a process for purifying a hydrogen stream, the stream is contacted with a first washing fluid in a first purification zone under conditions effective to transfer at least some water from the hydrogen stream to the first washing fluid, thereby transforming the hydrogen stream into a water-depleted hydrogen stream. At least a portion of the water-depleted hydrogen stream may then be transferred from the first purification zone to a second purification zone, where it is contacted with a second washing fluid under conditions effective to transfer at least some oxygenates from the water-depleted hydrogen stream to the second washing fluid.
US09017624B2
A method comprising: providing an alkyl halide stream; contacting at least some of the alkyl halides with a coupling catalyst to form a product stream comprising higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen halide; contacting the product stream with a solid reactant to remove at least a portion of the hydrogen halide from the product stream; and reacting the solid reactant with a source of oxygen to generate a corresponding halogen.
US09017623B2
Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.
US09017617B2
Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.
US09017603B2
Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys with addition of transition and rare earth elements were produced by conventional induction melting and by rapid solidification. The magnesium based-alloys of this invention posses reversible hydrogen storage capacities ranging from 3 to over 6 wt. %, and excellent performance on the hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics.
US09017596B2
An apparatus (20, 21) and method (80) operable to: feed (82) a granulated feedstock (26) into a chamber (22); apply (84) a melting or sintering energy (28) in programmable scans (30) producing a material deposit (32) overlaid with slag (34) in the chamber (22); position (86) a slag removal device (40, 52) such that its cutting surface (35) is coincident with a top surface (33) of the material deposit; cut or break the slag free (88) from the material deposit with the slag removal device; separate (92) the removed slag from a reusable portion of the granulated feedstock in a separator (42); and feed (94) the reusable portion of the granulated feedstock to the top surface of the material deposit for repeating (96) the above operations.
US09017594B2
A forming method, in a mold provided with a wall forming a cavity, of a container from a blank, which includes a boxing operation of pushing back the material of the blank by an insert movably mounted with respect to the wall of the mold between a retracted position in which the insert is retracted into the wall, and a deployed position in which the insert protrudes with respect to the wall, in order to form on the container, by pushing back, a hollow reserve projecting toward the interior of the container. Additionally, a local pressurization operation is performed, after formation of the hollow reserve, of injecting a pressurized fluid between the insert and the hollow reserve.
US09017588B2
A method of producing an electrophotographic blade member includes a continuous molding groove in an peripheral surface and an endless belt, in which the blade member includes a polyurethane resin cured a polyurethane composition having a viscosity of 500-3,000 mPa·s and including A)-D), and a position at which the composition is injected is set, on the belt, opposing to the groove, the position being away from a portion at which the molding drum and the belt are first contacted on an upstream for a moving direction of the belt: A) polyisocyanate; B) adipate-based polyester polyol having a number average molecular weight of 1,000-4,000; C) chain extender having a molecular weight of 200 or less; D) isocyanurate-forming catalyst at 20 to 500 ppm and a urethane-forming catalyst at 200-1,500 ppm.
US09017587B2
A manufacturing method of biodegradable net-shaped articles includes: (a) preparing a biodegradable mixture; (b) granulating the mixture into plastic grains; (c) baking the plastic grains in an oven at 60° C. to 70° C. for 3 to 4 hours; (d) melting and extruding the plastic grains by a screw-type extruder so as to obtain a net-shaped preform; and (e) cooling and thereby finalizing the net-shaped preform in a cooling bath at 15° C. to 30° C. so as to obtain the net-shaped article.
US09017572B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first insulating substrate, in which a pixel area is defined, a gate line formed on the first insulating substrate, a data line crossing the gate line, and a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates and includes a liquid crystal composition with a nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature (Tni) of 79° C. or above.
US09017571B2
A dry etching agent according to the present invention preferably contains: (A) 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; (B) at least one kind of additive gas selected from the group consisting of H2, O2, O3, CO, CO2, COCl2, COF2, CF3OF, NO2, F2, NF3, Cl2, Br2, I2, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, HF, HI, HBr, HCl, NO, NH3 and YFn (where Y represents Cl, Br or I; and n represents an integer satisfying 1≦n≦7); and (C) an inert gas. This dry etching agent has less effect on the global environment and can obtain a significant improvement in process window and address processing requirements such as low side etching ratio and high aspect ratio even without any special substrate excitation operation.
US09017569B2
A method for preparing a copper alloy given a certain special surface shape yields tremendous bonding strength through compatibility with an epoxy resin adhesive. With a composite part in which this technology is utilized to integrate a copper alloy member as a cover material with a CFRP, it is possible to take advantage of the characteristics of both the copper alloy and the FRP due to the tremendous bonding strength. In a step in which an FRP prepreg is put into a mold and heated and cured, usually the mold is first coated with a release agent to facilitate release from the mold, but with high-technology CFRP, bleeding of the release agent often diminishes the properties. A copper alloy sheet 21 is used as a cover material, and a CFRP 22 is cured.
US09017566B2
A glass article including: at least one anti-glare surface having haze, distinctness-of-image, surface roughness, and uniformity properties, as defined herein. A method of making the glass article includes, for example: depositing deformable particles on at least a portion of a glass surface of the article; causing the deposited deformable particles on the surface to deform and adhere to the surface; and contacting the surface having the adhered particles with an etchant to form the anti-glare surface. A display system that incorporates the glass article, as defined herein, is also disclosed.
US09017564B2
A plasma etching method performs plasma etching on a sample, which has laminated films containing a variable layer of a magnetic film, a barrier layer of an insulating material, and a fixed layer of a magnetic film, using a hard mask, which includes at least one of a Ta film and a TiN film. The plasma etching method includes a first step of etching the laminated films using N2 gas; and a second step of etching the laminated films after the first step using mixed gas of N2 gas and gas containing carbon elements.
US09017555B2
A waste liquid treatment apparatus with enhanced treatment capacity for a pre-treatment facility of a liquid radwaste treatment system for a nuclear power plant. The waste liquid treatment apparatus includes: a water tank into which a waste liquid is introduced and from which filtered permeated water is discharged; a waste liquid introduction section through which waste liquid is introduced into the water tank; submerged membranes annularly disposed and spaced apart from each other for filtering foreign substances from the waste liquid; a permeated water suctioning section suctioning the filtered water of the waste liquid and discharging the filtered water outside the water tank; an air supplying section supplying compressed air to the submerged membranes to remove foreign substances; and a porous support plate supporting the submerged membranes.
US09017552B2
A system for treating runoff water from a plastic container includes a tray having at least one drainage hole defined in a lower surface thereof. Remediation media is positioned within the tray for absorbing at least one nutrient from the runoff water. A container support member may be connected to the tray for supporting a number of potted plants above the space within the tray that is occupied by the remediation media.
US09017548B2
An oil collecting apparatus is provided to recover polluted nature environment and to keep nature environment clean in such a way that oil leaked over river or ocean is effectively collected on the spot, and only the oil is removed by separating water and oil, wherein the volume of the water tank configured to separate water and oil can be reduced in half, so the present invention may be applied to a small size ship, and only the oil leaked over river and ocean may be separated and collected on the spot. A water surface cleaner with an excellent oil connecting capacity may be built using the present invention.
US09017547B2
The recycle gas stream containing hydrogen that is part of the feedstream to a hydroprocessing reactor is mixed with the low purity make-up hydrogen and the sour flash gases upstream of the recycle gas compressor and compressed by the recycle gas compressor. The compressed gases pass through a methane and higher (C1+) absorber to produce a sweet hydrogen recycle gas stream that is delivered to the hydroprocessing reactor at 96-98 mol % hydrogen. The process can be used to advantage in existing process facilities to increase the hydrogen partial pressure in the feedstream to the hydroprocessor where the existing recycle gas compressor is not designed for compressing the high purity hydrogen.
US09017537B2
A method of separating metallic semiconducting carbon nanotubes includes providing a source of a mixture of semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes in a carrier liquid with one of the semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes being functionalized to carry a charge. The mixture is pressurized to cause a liquid jet of the mixture to be emitted through a nozzle. A drop formation mechanism modulates the liquid jet to form from the jet first and second drops traveling along a path. An electric field modulating device, positioned relative to the jet, produces first and second electric fields. A deflection device applies the first electric field as the first drop is formed to concentrate the functionalized carbon nanotubes in the first drop and applies the second electric field as the second drop is formed. The deflection device causes the first or second drop to begin traveling along another path.
US09017536B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring hemoglobin that enables short-time, high-accuracy measurement of hemoglobin, in particular stable hemoglobin A1c, which is used as a diagnostic indicator of diabetes mellitus, and an electrophoresis apparatus that is suitably used in this measurement method. The present invention provides a method for measuring hemoglobins using electrophoresis, which includes: using a migration path having an inner surface coated with a cationic substance to be immobilized on the inner surface or a migration path having an inner surface made of a cationic material; and using a buffer solution containing a water-soluble polymer having an anionic group as an electrophoresis buffer solution.
US09017528B2
A process electrolyte replenishment module adapted to replenish ions in a process electrolyte in a substrate electrochemical deposition apparatus having a first anode and a first cathode, the replenishment module having a second anode. A process electrolyte recirculation compartment is disposed in the frame configured so that the process electrolyte is recirculating between the replenishment module and the deposition apparatus. An anode compartment is coupled to the process electrolyte recirculation compartment having the second anode, that is a soluble anode, for immersion in a secondary anolyte, and having a first ion exchange membrane being a cationic member separating the secondary anolyte from the process electrolyte. A cathode compartment is provided in the frame coupled to the process electrolyte recirculation compartment having a second cathode for immersion in a secondary catholyte, and having a second ion exchange membrane being a monovalent selective membrane separating the secondary catholyte from the process electrolyte.
US09017527B2
An electrolytic oxide reduction system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of anode assemblies, a plurality of cathode assemblies, and a lift system configured to engage the anode and cathode assemblies. The cathode assemblies may be alternately arranged with the anode assemblies such that each cathode assembly is flanked by two anode assemblies. The lift system may be configured to selectively engage the anode and cathode assemblies so as to allow the simultaneous lifting of any combination of the anode and cathode assemblies (whether adjacent or non-adjacent).
US09017526B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for removing material from a substrate. In various implementations, conductive material is removed from a sidewall of a previously etched feature such as a trench, hole or pillar on a semiconductor substrate. In practicing the techniques herein, a substrate is provided in a reaction chamber that is divided into an upper plasma generation chamber and a lower processing chamber by a corrugated ion extractor plate with apertures therethrough. The extractor plate is corrugated such that the plasma sheath follows the shape of the extractor plate, such that ions enter the lower processing chamber at an angle relative to the substrate. As such, during processing, ions are able to penetrate into previously etched features and strike the substrate on the sidewalls of such features. Through this mechanism, the material on the sidewalls of the features may be removed.
US09017522B2
A process to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream which includes ethylene and other components with at least some of the components being present in a number of phases, is provided. The process includes in a first flash stage, flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream, from an elevated pressure and temperature to a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor stream at a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a) and a multi-phase stream which includes some ethylene. In a second flash stage, the multi-phase stream is flashed to a pressure of less than 6 bar(a), producing a second vapor stream at a pressure of less than 6 bar(a) and a bottoms stream. The first ethylene-containing vapor stream is removed from the first flash stage, the second vapor stream is removed from the second flash stage and the bottoms stream is removed from the second flash stage.
US09017517B2
A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. A papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a dewatered web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer surface moving at a transfer surface speed. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a generally planar polymeric creping belt provided with a plurality of perforations through the belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt travels at a belt speed that is slower than the transfer surface speed, and the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web. The web includes hollow domed regions, connecting regions, and transition areas. The web is dried to produce the belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet.
US09017512B2
A method for improving the optical clarity of a coated adhesive layer is described that comprises applying a curable composition onto the substrate surface, the curable composition comprising (a) a curable organopolysiloxane; and (b) a plurality of silica particles having an average particle size within the range of about 1 to about 7 micrometers.
US09017506B2
A core of a rotating electrical machine is formed by laminating core plates, which are each formed by a plurality of core pieces. According to the method for manufacturing the core, a belt-like workpiece is first conveyed intermittently in its longitudinal direction. Then, while the workpiece is in a stopped state, side edges of a core piece are punched out. At a downstream position in the conveying direction of the workpiece, the remaining edges of the core piece are cut, so that the core piece is punched out. The punched out core pieces are lined up on a support. The core plate is thus formed, and the core pieces are laminated.
US09017504B2
A system for manufacturing an optical display device includes providing a roll of a belt-shaped sheet material including an optical film and a release film, which has score lines previously formed by cutting layers of the material other than the release film. The optical film is bonded to a rectangular optical display unit of the display device. In the bonding steps, a first optical film is divided by the score lines into pieces each having a length corresponding to a long side of the display unit, and a second optical film is divided by the score lines into pieces each having a length corresponding to a short side of the display unit. The first optical film has a first polarizing plate whose longitudinal direction is parallel to its absorption axis, and the second optical film has a second polarizing plate whose longitudinal direction is parallel to its absorption axis.
US09017503B2
A method for making carbon nanotube paper is disclosed. The method includes using a roller, a pressing device, and at least one carbon nanotube array. At least one carbon nanotube film structure is formed by drawing a plurality of carbon nanotubes from the at least one carbon nanotube array. The at least one carbon nanotube film structure is wound onto the roller. The carbon nanotube paper is formed by pressing the at least one carbon nanotube film structure using the pressing device.
US09017500B2
A belt structure for a two-wheeled vehicle made by means of strip-like segments or elements, each including parallel cords embedded in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid along the circumferential extension of a toroidal support so as to form a reinforcing layer having a continuous circumferential extension around a geometric rotation axis of the toroidal support, wherein each strip-like element is laid in a laying trajectory defining, at each point, a laying angle; at each point of the laying trajectory a laying gap is formed between adjacent strip-like elements; the laying trajectory is formed starting from preselected laying angles on the shoulder and on the crown of the tire; the laying gap between adjacent strip-like elements varies along at least one length of said laying trajectory between crown and shoulder so as to cause variation of the laying angle and obtain the preselected angles on the shoulder and on the crown.
US09017496B2
A drum for cutting linerless labels from a continuous strip and transferring the labels to a container movable with a given trajectory and speed on a machine, the drum including a side surface suitable for guiding the strip by contacting a non-adhesive surface of the labels, the side surface defining a vertical slit, a coaxial and concentric sleeve for centering the drum on a corresponding support spindle, a cutting blade parallel to a vertical direction of the drum, the cutting blade being displaceable in a radial direction from a position retracted inside the drum to a position at least partially extended through the vertical slit outside the side surface of the drum, a fixed cam relative to which the drum rotates and that is configured to press against the cutting blade so as to cause the cutting blade to extend out in a predefined angular position, and a seat that extends in the vertical direction (Z-Z) and is connected to the cam and which is suitable for engagement with a corresponding fixed reference pin in order to determine a predefined angular position of the cam, wherein the drum is configured to retain the strip against the side surface of the drum.
US09017495B2
Methods and a reinforcement fabric are disclosed for making a reinforced smooth cementitious board having a cement skin adjacent to an outer face, by depositing a reinforcement fabric and a layer of hydraulic cementitious material, one on the other, wherein the reinforcement fabric comprises an open mesh united with a thin, porous nonwoven web.
US09017485B2
An ice dispensing system includes an ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein. The ice hopper may include a drain. A cleaning structure is coupled to the ice hopper structure. The cleaning structure includes a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper structure. The spray mechanism disperses a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.
US09017481B1
Embodiments related to managing the process feed conditions for a semiconductor process module are provided. In one example, a gas channel plate for a semiconductor process module is provided. The example gas channel plate includes a heat exchange surface including a plurality of heat exchange structures separated from one another by intervening gaps. The example gas channel plate also includes a heat exchange fluid director plate support surface for supporting a heat exchange fluid director plate above the plurality of heat exchange structures so that at least a portion of the plurality of heat exchange structures are spaced from the heat exchange fluid director plate.
US09017473B2
The invention relates to a method of neutralizing paints, that includes adding at least one associative neutralizing agent to a formulation such as a pigment concentrate, a white paint base or paint. The associative neutralizing agent includes at least one neutralizing group N and at least one nitrogenous associative group A bonded together by at least one “spacer” group Sp. The invention also relates to pigment concentrates and to paints containing at least one such associative neutralizing agent.
US09017464B2
A composition based on a certain chromium-free silicate-based binder is described. The one-part slurry composition is an aqueous solution of lithium-doped potassium silicate in combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy powder. The one-part slurry composition produces a corresponding coating exhibiting improved performance at a reduced coating thickness.
US09017462B2
Improvements in a filter where the filter self-expands based upon increased pressure or vacuum in the filtering stream. The expandable filter is adaptable to filtering a wide variety of media including air used in HVAC units, gases that are used to filter impurities out of gases and for industrial applications. The expandable filter to maintain a constant pressure or vacuum in the plenum or filter. The filter self-expands as the pressure or vacuum increases and pushes, pulls or draws the filter into an elongated or heightened configuration. As the filter expands new filter material is exposed that was not previously exposed for filtering. Expansion doubles, triples, or further increases the filter collection surface area. The filter does not rely upon gravity and expands based upon the increase of pressure or vacuum in the plenum the filter can be arranged in a vertical or horizontal orientation.
US09017446B2
A solder paste comprises an amount of a first solder alloy powder between about 60 wt % to about 92 wt %; an amount of a second solder alloy powder greater than 0 wt % and less than about 12 wt %; and a flux; wherein the first solder alloy powder comprises a first solder alloy that has a solidus temperature above about 260° C.; and wherein the second solder alloy powder comprises a second solder alloy that has a solidus temperature that is less than about 250° C.
US09017443B2
A water-insoluble phosphate fertilizer, methods of producing, and methods of using the same are provided. The fertilizer may comprise at least one alkaline earth metal selected from calcium and magnesium and optionally at least one nutrient ion selected from the group consisting of potassium, ammonium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron, chlorine, iodine, molybdenum or selenium. The fertilizer compounds are preferably water-insoluble, dilute acid-soluble, and free-flowing powders.
US09017441B1
A dual storage dust collector for a vacuum cleaner has a hopper for receiving the dust from the vacuum and a dump tank for receiving the dust from the hopper. A valve between the hopper and the dump tank is operable whether or not the vacuum is running. Thus, whenever the valve is open, dust falls from the hopper into the dump tank and, whenever the valve is closed, the dump tank can be disconnected from the hopper and emptied without interruption of the vacuuming process. In another embodiment, the dump tank can be replaced by a disposable bag filled directly from the valve.
US09017438B1
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa.
US09017437B2
A method of forming a synthesis gas utilizing a reformer is disclosed. The method utilizes a reformer that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein.
US09017429B2
Use in a gas oil fuel composition, which preferably comprises a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel, of a compound according to formula (I): wherein: R1 to R4 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-10 alkyl group, where such alkyl groups may be the same as or different from one another; and X is a nitrogen- or oxygen-containing group, for the purpose of reducing the cetane number of said fuel composition; preparation of such a fuel composition; and operating a fuel consuming system.
US09017424B2
The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.
US09017423B2
The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips. The results obtained are very much in line with those observed when carrying out conventional dry cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of solvents, with all the attendant drawbacks in terms of cost and environmental considerations, can be avoided.
US09017422B2
A prosthetic instrument is provided for attaching to a forearm shaft of an upper limb amputee to enable receipt of a handle, such as a weight-lifting barbell. The instrument includes a rod having a proximal end for receiving the forearm shaft and a distal end; and a yoke having a pair of prongs that extend from a bridge that connects to the distal end, wherein said pair of prongs provide a gap into which to insert the handle. Each prong includes a through-hole along a common axis to accommodate a clamp pin to secure the handle.
US09017418B2
Geomagnetic methods and systems are used for monitoring the directionality of a prosthetic or orthotic device. Certain methods may include measuring multiple data points over a particular time interval to identify orientation information with respect to a prosthetic or orthotic device and/or used in the real-time control of the prosthetic or orthotic device. In certain examples, multiple points may be further compared with stored orientation data associated with predefined unsafe gait patterns. Control instructions and/or alerts based on the geomagnetic measurements can then be generated for the prosthetic or orthotic device, such as if the orientation data information matches one of the predefined unsafe gait patterns.
US09017411B2
A system for implementing an improved spinal fusion cage having a centrally-located fixation screwhole of diameter minimized to accommodate a variable-angle, intervertebral, cannulated fixation screw is disclosed. The system includes a rigid connection between the spinal fusion cage to the shaft of the fixation screw, and a variable angle drill targeting device for directing the fixation screw through the non-visually acquirable, centrally-located fixation screwhole without X-ray or other imaging guidance.
US09017406B2
A device for covering and/or reconstructing a bone defect site and a method for producing a cap of a covering device for a bone defect site, wherein the device for covering and/or reconstructing a bone defect site consists of a cap (moulded shell, rigid shell, shaped body) and of at least one fixing means for fixing the cap on a bone. The cap is distinguished by having a dimensionally stable (rigid) nature, and a wall of the cap directed towards the bone defect or a wall of the cap directed away from the bone defect corresponds to the shape of the regenerated bone.
US09017394B2
Removable cardiac implants, applicators for inserting, repositioning and/or removing them, and methods of using them are described. In particular, removable or repositionable ventricular partitioning devices are described. Systems including removable implants and applicators for inserting and/or removing them are also described.
US09017389B2
A method of treating a facet joint of a patient. The facet joint includes a superior facet having superior articular face and an inferior facet having an inferior articular face. A distal end of an implant delivery cannula is extended between the superior and inferior articular faces. The implant delivery cannula has a channel extending therethrough. An implant is moved through the channel until the implant is between the superior and inferior articular faces while at least a portion of the implant is within the channel. The implant includes a first surface and a second surface. The implant delivery cannula is moved away from the superior and inferior articular faces so that the first surface is adjacent the superior articular face and the second surface is adjacent the inferior articular face.
US09017388B2
The present application is directed to devices and methods for correcting a spinal deformity. A spacer is positioned between processes that extend outward from a pair of vertebral members. A force applicator is operatively connected to apply a force to the vertebral members. The spacer then acts as a fulcrum with the force causing the vertebral members to pivot about the spacer and become aligned in a more desired orientation to eliminate or reduce the deformity.
US09017386B2
A connector assembly comprising a connector, spinal rod receiver, a washer and a compression member is provided. The connector extends between a first end and a second end configured for coupling to a bone fastener. The first end of the connector contains an upper surface and a lower splined surface configured for mating with a lower splined surface of a washer disposed between the first end of the connector and the rod receiver. The rod receiver containing a receiver body coupled to a threaded shaft. The rod receiver is configured for receiving a spinal rod and is attachable to the first end of the connector for selectively adjusting the direction of at least a portion of a spinal rod. The compression member connects the receiver with the first end of the connector for securing the spinal rod into the receiver body. Methods of use are also disclosed.
US09017380B2
A surgical method is provided, the method including the steps of: providing an artificial or allograft flexible planar structure; providing an implant, the implant including material liquefiable by mechanical oscillation, exposing a surface region of hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material; positioning the implant on an exposed area of the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material; and fastening the implant to the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material by impinging the proximal end of the implant with mechanical oscillation and simultaneously pressing the implant against the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material while the distal end of the implant protrudes into a cavity of the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material and regions of the liquefiable material are in contact with the hard tissue or hard tissue substitute material, and thereby liquefying at least a portion of the liquefiable material, and letting the liquefiable material resolidify.
US09017378B2
A thread, in particular surgical thread includes a cell-retaining structure and cells and a method for manufacturing the thread.
US09017376B2
Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.
US09017373B2
A closure device for a patent foramen ovale (PFO) has proximal and distal occlusion members for applying compressive forces to tissue on opposite sides of septal defects to help close the defects. The devices are collapsible for delivery and deployment, and can be easily retrieved and redeployed or repositioned if needed.
US09017351B2
In some embodiments, an apparatus, for reducing or stopping flow through a tubular structure of a patient, includes an elongate member arranged to form a frame having a distal and proximal opening and configured to be positioned within a lumen of the tubular structure. The frame includes a proximal, distal, and middle portion. The distal portion is tapered such that an outer cross sectional dimension (OCSD) of the distal opening is less than an OCSD of the middle portion. The frame is configured to be inverted such that the distal portion moves within and toward the middle portion for removing the frame from within the lumen. The apparatus also comprises a flow reducing member coupled to the frame such that when the frame is positioned within the lumen, the flow reducing member substantially reduces or totally obstructs flow of at least one of emboli and fluid flowing through the lumen.
US09017345B2
A coil fastener applier including a housing, a flexible elongated tubular member, a flexible drive member, a fastener assembly and a trigger is disclosed. The housing defines a longitudinal axis and includes a stationary handle affixed thereto. The flexible elongated tubular portion extends distally from the housing. The flexible drive member is rotatably mounted within the flexible elongated tubular portion. The fastener assembly is mounted adjacent a distal portion of the flexible drive member and is configured to releasably mount at least one coil fastener thereon. The trigger is movably mounted on the housing and movement of the trigger rotates the flexible drive member to drive a coil fastener into tissue. The flexible elongated tubular member and the flexible drive member enable off-axis delivery of a coil fastener.
US09017344B2
Disclosed is a syringe for injecting a surgical thread. The syringe includes a needle part, a connection part and an injection part. The needle part is adapted to penetrate the skin while accommodating a surgical thread. The connection part is connected to the needle part by taper coupling and is fixedly fastened to the needle part by turning operation of the needle part. The injection part is coupled to the connection part at the front end thereof. A push needle installed in the injection part pushes the surgical thread accommodated in the needle part to inject the surgical thread into a skin tissue in a syringe operation manner.
US09017340B2
A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.
US09017336B2
Arthroplasty jigs, arthroplasty jig blanks, and related methods and devices are disclosed. Some variations of the methods comprise forming an arthroplasty jig from a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank, where the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank has at least one feature specific to a target site to be matched by the arthroplasty jig. Certain of the methods comprise forming an arthroplasty jig having a first configuration from a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank having a second configuration approximating the first configuration. Some of the methods comprise forming a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank, where the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank is configured to be formed into an arthroplasty jig, and the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank has at least one feature specific to a target site to be matched by the arthroplasty jig.
US09017335B2
A computer assisted surgical navigation system and method is disclosed for registering the position of prosthetic hip joint components. Elements are applied to the pelvis and femur, generating a three-dimensional array. These two arrays combine to derive a reference point representing the native joint. A tracking device with a pre-determined shape and dimensions that precisely articulate with an acetabular cup component generates a third three-dimensional array. The device has a further shape and dimensions that independently articulate precisely with a neck portion of a femoral component, which represents a prosthetic joint center that is independently registered in the system. The tracking device concurrently registers the three dimensional positions of the femoral and acetabular prosthetic components, along with the prosthetic joint center and the native joint center, respectively enabling alterations in three dimensional location of the leg length and offset prior to reduction of the prosthetic joint.
US09017323B2
Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.
US09017317B2
Cryotherapeutic systems configured for refrigerant recompression and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a high-pressure line, a low-pressure line, a recompression unit, and a cryo-catheter. The recompression unit increases the pressure of refrigerant from the low-pressure line to the high-pressure line to a treatment pressure sufficient for cryogenic alteration of tissue. The high-pressure line and the low-pressure line include, respectively, a first connector and a second connector. The cryo-catheter includes a shaft, a supply lumen in the shaft that is coupled to the first connector, an exhaust lumen in the shaft that is coupled to the second connector, and a cryo-applicator attached to the shaft having a cooling chamber configured to receive refrigerant from the supply lumen and to return refrigerant via the exhaust lumen to the low-pressure line.
US09017311B2
An integrated diabetes management (IDM) system includes a safety layer which, in one configuration has two components, one located between a glucose sensor and a controller and a second component located between a controller and a pump, to monitor various aspects of signals and modify those signals for compatibility and safety purposes. In one application, the safety layer receives output control signals from a controller and modifies those control signals as a function of an actual amount of insulin delivered to the user. The safety layer allows for an increased level of safety in the IDM system and permits development of separate hardware and software upgrades with the safety layer assuring that compatibility between components will continue.
US09017303B2
A selective-capacity collection and drainage device having a first collection container, a second collection chamber and a common inlet valve characterized by a capacity selector and a common outlet valve connecting to each collection chamber. The common inlet valve consists of a common inflow tube, which connects via tubing to the catheter where bodily fluids will enter the selective capacity chamber. The inlet valve has a capacity-selector located between the common inflow tube and the multi-chambered container, such that bodily fluids are directed by the capacity-selector into one or all of the collection chambers via the divided inflow tube. Each individual chamber of the multi-chambered container is connected at its base to the common outlet valve. The common outlet valve consists of a divided outflow tube on top, which connects to each collection chamber, and converges at an outflow valve.
US09017296B2
An improved safety occluder and method of use provides an occluder for an infusion set having a first, occluding position, a second, non-occluding position which returns to the first, occluding position when the occluder's plunger is released, and a third, non-occluding position which retains the plunger in a configuration which allows fluid flow through the infusion set. The occluder may also include a locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement of the plunger out of the first, occluding position.
US09017294B2
A thrombectomy apparatus for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material in a lumen of a vascular graft or vessel. The apparatus includes a wire having a first configuration and a second deployed configuration, the wire having a straighter configuration in the first configuration. The wire is operatively connected to a motor for rotation of the wire to contact and break up the thrombus or other obstructive material. A blocking device at a distal portion of the apparatus is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and is configured in the expanded configuration to block thrombus dislodged by rotation of the wire.
US09017293B2
A device for the automatic injection of doses of a drug compound is described. The device has a sliding sheath which, when depressed with its front end against the injection site, interacts with cam means to activate triggering of a plunger, thus controlling delivery of a drug dose. Plunger guide means are provided for controlling the triggering sequence and means for arming the device in the dose delivery condition. Automatic needle re-sheathing and resetting of a lock-out condition after each dose is delivered are also provided.
US09017289B2
A transdermal fluid delivery device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. A fluid reservoir is disposed at the proximal end of the housing in communication with the passageway of the housing and is adapted for retaining a fluid therein. A base member is positioned at the distal end of the housing. A microneedle assembly including a plurality of microneedles extending distally therefrom is also provided. The microneedle assembly is selectively moveable with respect to the housing between a retracted position, wherein the microneedles are disposed within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the microneedles are advanced distally to penetrate the base member and extend distally therefrom for puncturing the patient's epidermis and delivering the fluid into the patient's bloodstream.
US09017288B1
A pre-slit cannula diaphragm is integrated into a peripheral venous catheter to provide a cannula ready intravenous catheter with a cannula chamber closed to the environment, thereby reducing the risk to health-care providers from blood borne diseases and the risk to patients from airborne hazards. The cannula ready intravenous catheter includes a cylindrical housing that provides an uninterrupted smooth surface, for reducing skin irritation. A proximal end of the cylindrical housing provides a luer-type connector site, and a distal end of the cylindrical housing provides a catheter hub. The catheter hub supports a catheter tube, which extends from a distal end of the catheter hub.
US09017284B2
Methods for easy, atraumatic access to areas of the vasculature that are otherwise difficult to access, using steerable guide catheters constructed with components that are selected to provide optimal navigability, torque transfer, and push ability for a variety of typical percutaneous access routes. The catheter wall thickness in the deflecting segment of the guide catheter is about 1 French (⅓ mm) or less, and includes a slotted deflection tube, and this construction allows a very tight turning radius which in turn enables guide catheter access to regions of the vasculature that are otherwise inaccessible.
US09017274B2
An orthopedic device has a main body panel including a longitudinal length with a curved cross-section, and opposed lateral and medial sides. A posterior panel is secured to the lateral and medial sides of the main body panel, and is sized longitudinally shorter than the main body panel in a non-stretched condition. The posterior panel is secured to the main body panel in a pretensioned condition and spans the longitudinal length of the main body panel along the lateral and medial sides thereof.
US09017273B2
An exemplary system for generating a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from RLS includes a device configured and arranged to generate a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from RLS, the counter-stimulation of an amplitude, intensity, and time duration lower than that which would wake the patient and higher than that sufficient to relieve RLS, or sufficient to relieve RLS symptoms and allow the patient to return to sleep, a controller configured and arranged to drive the counter-stimulation generation device, the controller being in communication with the counter-stimulation device, and a base configured and arranged to hold the counter-stimulation generation device adjacent to a patient, the counter-stimulation device attached to the base. An exemplary method of treating RLS includes selecting a patient experiencing RLS, and stimulating a portion of the patient at an amplitude, intensity, and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation to RLS.
US09017271B2
A system for arm therapy comprises a first drive (M2) that can be fixedly connected to an element (10) determining the position of a user (19) and rotationally driving, about a first axis (A2), a part (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, M1, 26) of the arm therapy system which can be connected to an upper arm module (26, M3, M4). The driven part of the arm therapy system comprises a second drive (M1) adapted to rotationally drive said upper arm module (26, M3, M4) about a second axis (A1), wherein said second axis (A1) is oriented orthogonal to the first axis (A2). The system can provide a statically determined exoskeleton with correct anatomical axes and misaligned technical axes.
US09017268B2
Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, a stranded wire that extends parallel to the core shaft, and a hollow stranded-wire coil disposed in the outer flexible tube. The hollow stranded-wire coil is formed of multiple strands and surrounds the distal end portion of the core shaft and the stranded wire. Distal ends of the hollow stranded-wire coil, the core shaft, and the stranded wire are joined to a distal end of the outer flexible tube.
US09017263B2
A system and method for quantitative determination of density of vasa vasorum in an arterial wall that utilizes a detection of temporal and/or spatial displacement of blood-flow with the use of intravascular ultrasound system. Locations of extrema in the spatial distribution can be identified to detect vascular defects. The system and method support a clinically-useful application for early detection of indicators of diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis.
US09017252B2
An access assembly configured to receive one or more surgical instruments is provided. The access assembly includes a compressible port having a proximal end and a distal end, the port defining a plurality of longitudinal passageway extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a flexible cannula assembly received in each of the longitudinal passageway of the port. The cannula assemblies each including a seal configured to receive an instrument inserted therethrough in a sealing manner.
US09017251B2
An improved access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes an inflatable port and an inflation cannula operably connected to the inflatable port to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable port. The inflatable port may be tapered in a first configuration to facilitate insertion through tissue. The inflation port defines a substantially hour-glass shape when in a second configuration to create a seal within an opening in the tissue.
US09017250B2
A seal anchor member defines a housing defining a longitudinal axis, the housing having leading and trailing ends, and including a plurality of lumens extending between the leading and trailing ends, each lumen being adapted for substantially sealed reception of an object therein and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein at least two of the lumens define longitudinal axes that are non-parallel to facilitate angled, at-rest placement of multiple instruments within the seal anchor member.
US09017246B2
Medical devices including devices and systems for endoscopic interventions that may access the biliary tree. An example biliary catheter system may include an endoscope having a working channel formed therein. An endoscopic instrument may be disposed in the channel. The endoscopic instrument may have a tool channel formed therein, a distal end, and a plurality of stabilizing members extending from the distal end. The plurality of stabilizing members may be configured to surround the ampulla of Vater during a biliary tract intervention.
US09017245B2
Penile implant and system comprising such an implant. The penile implant comprises a number of features which improves the function of the penile implant, e.g. a certain surface structure and portions with specific functions.
US09017242B2
An arterial device, system and method are provided for use with a patient undergoing a cardiac procedure. The system is configured for enabling one or more arterial devices to be accommodated in the aorta of the patient in use of the system, and a perfusion lumen arrangement provides therethrough a target perfusion flow into the aorta having a target perfusion flow rate that is significantly greater than a nominal perfusion flow rate, by an excess perfusion flow rate. A suction lumen arrangement provides therethrough a suction flow out of the aorta at a suction flow rate. The target perfusion flow rate and the suction flow rate may be concurrently and selectively controlled to cause embolic debris that may be present in the aorta to be diverted to the suction inlet, while providing the nominal flow rate to the body circulation of the patient.
US09017241B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to tucking opposing side panels into a chassis of a diaper pant. The apparatuses and methods may utilize one or more conveyors that advance the chassis along a machine direction. Each conveyor may have a vacuum zone that applies a vacuum force to hold the chassis. The chassis may be positioned between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone. The conveyors may apply opposing vacuum forces to hold the first waist region apart from the second waist region while the chassis advances in the machine direction toward a tucking device. The vacuum forces are then removed from the waist regions as the tucking device pushes the side panels toward each other. Pushing the side panels toward each other causes the inner surfaces of the waist regions to simultaneously move toward each other.
US09017236B1
A exercising assembly includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A mount is attached to the second end of the elongated member. A pair of body extenders is provided and each of the body extenders is attached to the mount. The elongated member is positioned between the body extenders. The body extenders are gripped to form a support point for a person's body as the person moves their torso toward or away from the elongated member.
US09017221B2
A biometric monitoring device with a display is provided. The biometric monitoring device may track the completion progress towards one or more biometric performance goals and provide a goal celebration indicator upon completion of a biometric performance goal and subsequent receipt of an input signal. In some implementations, the completion of a biometric performance goal may be signaled prior to receipt of the input signal using a secondary indicator.
US09017218B2
In a motor vehicle having a manual transmission, for, in particular, limiting the engine speed during the start-up operation when fulfilling at least one permission criterion for the engine torque, the criterion depending on the driving state of the motor vehicle, a default engine torque is preset, which is specified according to at least one engine characteristic value and which can be reduced with regard to the set engine torque called for by the position of the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle.
US09017217B2
Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to air mass flow not reaching a threshold for CAC self-cleansing for a set duration, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request and maximum air mass flow levels for engine misfire.
US09017216B1
A method for controlling a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and engine includes automatically engaging a brake, locking the transmission in neutral and starting the engine, in response to a signal whose origin is remote from the vehicle representing a desired engine start; and automatically engaging a brake and locking the transmission in neutral in response to a second signal indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle while the engine is running.
US09017215B2
A belt drive arrangement for an auxiliary unit of a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a belt pulley for receiving a drive belt, a shaft of the auxiliary unit that can be driven with the torque of the belt pulley, and a clutch device for the releasable torque transmission between the belt pulley and the shaft of the auxiliary unit. The clutch device includes, but is not limited to an electromagnet and a spring element. The spring element is preloaded in such a manner that the clutch in a currentless state of the electromagnet is closed.
US09017212B2
A clutch assembly, including: a one-way clutch connected to first and second components and a helical gear engaged with the one way clutch. The helical gear is arranged to rotate in a rotational direction such that the helical gear displaces in an axial direction. The displacement of the helical gear in the axial direction and rotation of the helical gear in the rotational direction are arranged to rotationally lock the one-way clutch to non-rotatably connect the first and second components.
US09017205B2
A transmission unit comprises a planetary wheel set, which comprises a plurality of gearwheel elements and is designed as a pump which effects delivery of hydraulic fluid from a suction zone to a pressure zone of a pump casing containing the planetary wheel set by means of the gearwheel elements. A controllable throttling device is provided in order to selectively throttle a fluid flow pumped between the suction zone and the pressure zone and thereby to brake the gearwheel elements of the planetary wheel set relative to one another. A fluid reservoir, which can be connected simultaneously to the suction zone and to the pressure zone via the throttling device, is arranged in a pump casing interspace formed between a plurality of gearwheel elements of the planetary wheel set.
US09017192B1
An athletic training device for training athletes is provided. The athletic training device comprises a training ball having an outer cover and an inner air bladder. A predetermined amount of silicon is positioned between the outer cover and the inner air bladder wherein the silicon covers a least a portion of the inner air bladder.
US09017186B2
Embodiments of club heads with multiple density weighting and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US09017183B1
An improved putter and method of use utilizing a putter shaft having a rectangular grip extending approximately half the shaft length. A polygonal-like ring provides a flat face with an extended toe and a short heel. The face of the putter head has a polymeric insert for weight redistribution and for better putting feel. The sides of the putter include triangular shaped indents also for weight redistribution. The rear of the putter head is arched to prevent ground contact during putting and further to increase head stability during the stroke.
US09017182B1
A golf training apparatus and method for maintaining proper position of a golfer's hands on the grip of a golf club during a swing. The apparatus is a strap assembly that wraps around the wrist of the upper hand and is secured to the shaft of the golf club just below the grip. A backswing loop secures the wrist to the top of the club grip. As the golfer swings the club, the apparatus maintains the hands in proper alignment resulting in proper swing mechanics that produce a straighter flight of the ball with reduced slice, draw or fade of the ball that may be imparted to the ball due to undesirable spin occurring throughout either the golfer's entire swing or a portion or thereof.
US09017175B2
A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.
US09017162B2
Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device that uses an internal hard drive for primary media storage. The software is installed on the hard drive without requiring physical access to the hard drive including, but not limited to, removal or replacement of the hard drive. According to one method, an install flash program is used to format and/or reformat an internal hard drive. Additionally, the install flash program is used to install media stored on a removable storage device onto the internal hard drive.
US09017154B2
A chassis and rack system is disclosed in which a chassis separated into two separate enclosures by a central partition. Each of the enclosures is sized to receive a computer system. The partition includes a pair of vertically oriented vents, with each of the vents in fluid communication with one of the enclosures and the computer system contained therein. Heated air is removed from each computer system through the vent in the partition that is associated with the computer system. Multiple chassis may be placed one atop another in a vertical configuration in which each chassis is either directly above or directly below another chassis. In this vertical configuration, the vents form a vertically oriented common plenum that can be used to evacuate air from multiple chassis arranged in a rack.
US09017149B2
A device used to smooth a material's surface with abrasion. More specifically, the device is in the form of a glove or mitten with an abrasive layer that is placed over, and secured on, a user's hand to protect the user's hand and to provide an agile and flexible range of motion while sanding a material's surface.
US09017146B2
The wafer polishing apparatus comprises a polishing plate, a polishing head capable of holding a wafer, and a slurry supplying section. The polishing plate includes: a plurality of concentric polishing zones, each of which has a prescribed width for polishing the wafer and on each of which a polishing cloth is adhered; and a groove for discharging slurry being formed between the polishing zones. A head cleaning section, which cleans the polishing head, or a wafer cleaning section, which cleans the polished wafer, is provided to a center part of the polishing plate and located on the inner side of the innermost polishing zone.
US09017144B2
An electronic grade synthetic quartz glass substrate having a recess, channel or step is manufactured by machining at least one surface of a synthetic quartz glass substrate having a maximum birefringence of up to 3 nm/cm in its entirety to form a recess, channel or step, and removing the residual stress due to machining.
US09017143B2
An electronic grade synthetic quartz glass substrate is manufactured by machining a synthetic quartz glass substrate to form a recess, channel or step and polishing the bottom and side surfaces of the recess, channel or step to mirror finish by a working portion of a rotary polishing tool while keeping the working portion in contact with the bottom and side surfaces under independent constant pressures.
US09017137B2
Disclosed herein are encased underwire assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies for attachment to an article of clothing. An encased underwire assembly may comprise an underwire having an inner radius, an outer radius, a first end and a second end, and a fabric enclosure having a first fastened side adjacent the inner radius, a first sealed end adjacent the first end, and a second sealed end adjacent the second end of the underwire. In a method of manufacturing such assembly, a fabric enclosure may be created by bringing together opposite side edges of a fabric layer and fastening the opposite side edges to one another, inserting an underwire into a first open end of the fabric enclosure until a first end and a second end of the underwire are housed within the fabric enclosure, and sealing the first open end and a second open end of the fabric enclosure.
US09017130B1
An method of attaching a polarizing plate to a liquid crystal display panel includes inspecting an alignment axis of the liquid crystal display panel using an optical axis inspector; controlling a position of the liquid crystal display panel with respect to a reference alignment axis, according to a result of the inspecting the alignment axis of the liquid crystal display panel; providing the polarizing plate to the liquid crystal display panel at the controlled position thereof; and attaching the polarizing plate to the liquid crystal panel at the controlled position thereof.
US09017127B1
A recreational buoyancy system is provided that includes multiple floats and a user support that engages and conforms to a shape of a body of a user. The user support may include an intermediate portion and multiple arms that extend from the intermediate portion in different directions toward outer ends of the multiple arms. Multiple floats are arranged at the outer ends of the multiple arms, respectively. The user support may be made from a flexible material so that the user support can conform to the body of the user while the multiple floats buoyantly support the user in the water at the spaced-apart locations while allowing the multiple floats to move relative to each other.
US09017125B2
Provided herein are improvements in surfboard security.
US09017122B2
An outboard motor configured so that an engine is covered by an engine cover, an intake opening is provided to both sides of the engine cover, and air drawn into the engine cover from the intake opening is introduced to a throttle body. A discharging/interference-type muffler is provided partway along an intake channel for guiding air from the intake opening to the throttle body. The discharging/interference-type muffler is provided vertically in the interior of the engine cover, and the interior of the discharging/interference-type muffler is divided in two in the vertical direction.
US09017117B2
Disclosed herein is a propulsion apparatus for ships. The propulsion apparatus, which includes a front propeller and a rear propeller to rotate in opposite directions and provides propulsion power to propel a hull of a ship, includes a power unit to supply power to rotate the rear propeller, a main shaft to transfer the power supplied from the power unit to the rear propeller, a hollow shaft extending in a longitudinal direction of the main shaft to allow the main shaft to pass therethrough and coupled to the front propeller, a drive motor including a rotor coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the hollow shaft and a stator supported by the hull, the drive motor rotating the hollow shaft in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the main shaft, and an electricity supply unit to supply electricity to the drive motor.
US09017114B2
An electrical interconnection system with high speed, high density electrical connectors. One of the connectors includes a mating contact portion that generates contact force as it is compressed against a wall of the connector housing. The mating contact portion has multiple segments, each with a contact region extending from the wall, such that multiple points of contact to a complementary mating contact portion in a mating connector are provided for mechanical robustness. Additionally, each signal path through the mating interface portions of the connectors can be narrow and has a relatively uniform cross section to provide a uniform impedance. Additional size reduction may be achieved by mounting a ground contact on an exterior surface of a connector housing in alternating rows. Additionally, embodiments in which a wavy contact is used in a cantilevered configuration are also described.
US09017106B2
This disclosure relates generally to a connector assembly. In various examples, first conductive members are secured with respect to one another and form a first row and second conductive members are secured with respect to one another, a first subset of the second conductive members forming a second row and a second subset of the second conductive members forming a third row, the second and third rows being parallel and stacked with respect to one another and the second and third rows being orthogonal to the first row. Individual ones of the first and second conductive members are arranged to be coupled at a first end to a corresponding one of contacts. Ones of the first conductive members are arranged to be coupled to a corresponding individual one of the second conductive members proximate a second end of each of the first and second conductive members.
US09017100B2
An electronic connector includes a body and a fixing member penetrating through the body. A fastening section of the fixing member is inserted in the body, and an extending section of the fixing member protrudes from the body. The fastening section withstands a block portion of the body toward the extending section inside the body. In this way, when the electronic connector is assembled with a circuit board, the body of the electronic connector is fixed to the circuit board by the fastening section of the fixing member, for avoiding the body separating from the fixing member.
US09017090B2
An electrical connector of the present invention is configured such that when abutting portions of leg portions of a support member are abutted against receiving faces of jutting portions of a retainer, and a connector housing at a first position is pressed toward the mating side, an elastic member undergoes elastic deformation. If the connector housing does not reach a second position, the connector housing returns to the first position by elastic restoring force of the elastic member. If the connector housing reaches the second position, then the abutting portions move away from the receiving faces due to being pressed by pressing portions, the support member is pressed toward the mating side due to being subjected to the elastic restoring force of the elastic member, and the connector housing becomes relatively positioned at the first position. Also, a squib connection device of the present invention includes this electrical connector.
US09017079B2
A data comparison apparatus 1 includes: an image acquisition unit 42 that acquires data of a plurality of motions; an interval identification unit 45 that identifies a predetermined interval that is common in data of the plurality of motions; a time period comparison unit 47 that compares the plurality of motions in the identified predetermined interval; and a notification unit 50 that notifies information corresponding to a comparison result of the time period comparison unit 47.
US09017071B2
An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side.
US09017066B2
The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an activating unit movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and at least two separate contact areas such that the user can apply enough force or torque with at least two fingers to overcome the torque/forces required to activate piezo, release the fuel the flame in which the activating unit has at least one internal surface.
US09017062B2
A slide, like those used in injection molds, includes a closure unit with a first complementary profile complementary with the second complementary profile of a slide body, the complementary profiles being double wedge-shaped, where the double wedge has oblique end surfaces determining a fixed positioning and locked position between the closure unit and the slide body, such that the slide body includes a rail in the lower base coupleable to a slide guide on which the slide body slides.
US09017047B2
Primer apparatus and methods are described herein. An example primer apparatus includes a flexible body defining an internal chamber to be fluidly coupled to a fuel system. The body includes a first layer material having a low permeation characteristic to substantially prevent diurnal emissions from escaping the fuel system, a second layer material adjacent the first layer material having a relatively high resiliency compared to the first layer material to enable the body to return to an uncompressed shape when the body is deflected and released by a user, and a third layer material adjacent to the first layer material such that the first layer material is disposed between the second layer material and the third layer material and having a relatively high resiliency compared to the first layer material to enable the body to return to the uncompressed shape when the body is deflected and released by the user.
US09017045B2
An electric compressor includes an inverter cover. The inverter cover has a metal plate that is arranged to cover an inverter (a circuit board). The metal plate has bolt insertion holes, through which metal bolts for fixing the inverter cover to a suction housing are passed. The head of each bolt contacts a flange portion, which is the periphery of the corresponding bolt insertion hole. The inverter cover is formed of plastic by being molded in a mold, using the metal plate as a core.
US09017037B2
A rotor blade comprises an airfoil extending radially from a root section to a tip section and axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge, the leading and trailing edges defining a curvature therebetween. The curvature determines a relative exit angle at a relative span height between the root section and the tip section, based on an incident flow velocity at the leading edge of the airfoil and a rotational velocity at the relative span height. In operation of the rotor blade, the relative exit angle determines a substantially flat exit pressure ratio profile for relative span heights from 75% to 95%, wherein the exit pressure ratio profile is constant within a tolerance of 10% of a maximum value of the exit pressure ratio profile.
US09017035B2
A blade is provided and includes a platform and a root configured to be connected to a blade carrier. Airfoil portions extend from opposite sides of the platform. Each airfoil portion defines an operating surface being the surface facing the other airfoil portion. An operating surface of one of the airfoil portions defines a suction side and the other operating surface of the other airfoil portion defines a pressure side.
US09017025B2
A serpentine cooling circuit (AFT) in a turbine airfoil (34A) starting from a radial feed channel (C1), and progressing axially (65) in alternating tangential directions through interconnected channels (C1, C2, C3) formed between partitions (T1, T2, J1). At least one of the partitions (T1, T2) has a T-shaped transverse section, with a base portion (67) extending from a suction or pressure side wall (64, 62) of the airfoil, and a crossing portion (68, 69) parallel to, and not directly attached to, the opposite pressure or suction side wall (62, 64). Each crossing portion bounds a near-wall passage (N1, N2) adjacent to the opposite pressure or suction side wall (62, 64). Each near-wall passage may have a smaller flow aperture area than one, or each, of two adjacent connected channels (C1, C2, C3). The serpentine circuit (AFT) may follow a forward cooling circuit (FWD) in the airfoil (34A).
US09017005B2
A lift linkage assembly for a work machine having a work tool. The lift linkage assembly includes a frame, a boom arm, an upper link, a lower link, and a hydraulic actuator. The boom arm is configured to be pivotally coupled to the work tool and has a surface that defines a longitudinal axis. The upper link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The lower link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The hydraulic actuator has a rod that is pivotally coupled to the boom arm and moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper link, lower link, and hydraulic actuator are each spaced from the longitudinal axis.
US09017002B1
A hauler apparatus includes a lower bracket having a first support arm with a first support arm opening extending therethrough. The hauler apparatus includes an upper bracket having a second support arm with a second support arm opening extending therethrough. The hauler apparatus includes a frame arm which extends through the first support arm opening, and has a distal end which terminates within the second support arm opening. The outer shape of the frame arm is different from the inner shape of the first and second support arm openings.
US09017001B1
An integrated elevator bin system for efficiently loading and distributing a particulate material within a storage bin. The integrated elevator bin system generally includes a storage bin having an elevator assembly positioned therein for aiding with the even distribution of particulate material being loaded into the bin. The elevator assembly, which vertically extends from a lower portion of the storage bin, includes an internal conveyor having a track and plurality of paddles for transferring the material up the elevator assembly. The upper and lower sections of the elevator assembly include louvered openings for selectively distributing the particulate material into the interior of the bin as the material is conveyed up the elevator assembly.
US09016987B2
In a pilot hole of a workpiece made of a difficult-to-cut cast iron, a cutting tool having a leading end to which a cutting insert is attached is inserted to cut the surface of the wall of the pilot hole. At this time, the cutting tool rotates about an axis (α) and also revolves about another axis (β), so that contouring is performed on the workpiece by the tool. The cutting insert is formed of a sintered body having a CBN content of not less than 85% by volume, and the cutting insert has a thermal conductivity of not less than 100 W/(mK).
US09016979B1
A molded plastic arch shape cross section stormwater chamber having a corrugated wall comprises separately molded half chambers which are connected by coupling features at a joint at the top of the chamber. Preferably, the half chambers are substantially identical and are made in the same mold. The half chambers may be compactly stored and transported. Near the point of use, the chambers may be assembled.
US09016976B2
This invention provides a modular ducting section and a networked utilities ducting system and rain and road water management system formed from two or more modular ducting sections laying end-to-end. Each modular ducting section comprises open-topped utility channels for carrying utility service supply lines such as electricity, gas, water, or communications, an open-topped catchment channel for carrying rain water captured from a building structure or garden, and a supply channel for supplying an end user with utility services via a supply line, while also allowing the end user to feed an end-user generated utility supply back into the corresponding utility service supply line via a return line. Each modular ducting section further comprises a road water runoff flange and a main channel cover, which when combined, form a curb-side structure that functions to keep any contaminated road water from the reusable rain water collected in the catchment channel.
US09016966B2
A printer includes a paper holder which includes a shaft portion for supporting roll paper, and a movable member in a predetermined vertical height position near and above a first end portion of the shaft portion. The movable member is configured to be displaced along an extending direction of the shaft portion between a pressing position, in which the movable member is brought into contact with and pressed against an end surface of the roll paper supported by the shaft portion, and a non-pressing position, in which the movable member is not in contact with the end surface of the roll paper. The movable member is also biased toward the non-pressing position. A movable member detector is configured to detect that the movable member is in the non-pressing position, and a remaining amount notifier is configured to notify that a remaining amount of the roll paper is low.
US09016965B1
A keyboard/keyboard enclosure is provided. The keyboard/keyboard enclosure includes front and rear shells removably connected together and made of a polymer material such as Nylon 6. A keypad is positioned on the front surface of the front shell. The rear shell includes a cutout and a removable hatch covering the cutout.
US09016960B2
A macro photographic apparatus for creating focus stacked images of a specimen may include a rigid longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis and including a camera mount thereon. A translation device may be fixed to the member for translating the specimen along the member toward and away from the camera mount. A rotation device may be mounted on the translation device. The rotation device may support the specimen and enable rotation of the specimen around first and second axes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member. At any single position of the translation device along the longitudinal axis of the member, as the specimen is rotated around the first and second axes, the spatial location of the specimen remains substantially the same.
US09016955B2
An optical connector for operation within a temperature range, comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a coefficient of thermal expansion COE-1, and a diameter no greater than a diameter d1 below a transition temperature Ts within the temperature range and no less than a diameter d2 above Ts; (b) a spring disposed behind and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a coefficient of thermal expansion COE-2 and defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than d2, and an interface having a restricted bore hole having a diameter no greater than a diameter d3 below Ts, and no less than a diameter d4 above Ts, wherein connector configuration is COE-2>COE-1 with d>d3 and d2
US09016954B2
An optical fiber connector includes a housing unit and a coupling unit. The housing unit includes an outer shell. The coupling unit includes a hollow seat assembled to the outer shell, a coupling seat assembled to the hollow seat and disposed in the outer shell, a core tube having a front portion disposed in the hollow seat and a rear portion proximate to the coupling seat, and a biasing member for providing a biasing force to bias the core tube away from the coupling seat.
US09016946B2
A slide plate hinge comprises a fixed plate, and a slide plate. A slide plate sliding guide groove is respectively arranged on each of both sides of the fixed plate. The central section of the groove wall at one side of the sliding guide groove is of an elastic structure, and the elastic structure and the groove wall at the other side of the sliding guide groove clamps the slide plate. The slide plate hinge can implement the sliding guide and friction clamping on the slide plate by use of the sliding guide groove of an elastic structure, with high structural integration and concealability, thereby enabling the slide plate hinge to still have good hand feeling even without driving springs and enabling the slide plate to be stopped at any time amid the sliding process. The driving springs are not indispensable, so the thickness of the hinge can be reduced.
US09016942B2
Disclosed in the present embodiments are a foldable pressing device and an X-ray machine. The foldable pressing device includes a motor, a lifting member, a pressing member, a linear guide member with a stop position, a pulling member and a resilient member. The lifting member, driven by the motor, causes a sliding element in the linear guide member with a stop position and the pressing member to move upwards. When the sliding element arrives at an uprising stop position, the pressing member, under the effect of the lifting member and the pulling member, overcomes the resistance of the resilient member to realize the folding thereof. The lifting member, driven by the motor, drives the pressing member to move downwards, and the pressing member is unfolded under the effect of the resilient member.
US09016937B2
An electrical temperature sensor (10) comprises a liquid crystalline material (12). First and second electrically conductive contacts (14), (16), having a spaced relationship therebetween, contact the liquid crystalline material (12). An electric property measuring device is electrically connected to the first and second contacts (14), (16) and is arranged to measure an electric property of the liquid crystalline material (12). The liquid crystalline material (12) has a transition temperature T at which it undergoes a phase change between polar and non-polar phases. The phase change between polar and non-polar phases causes a change in said electric property of the liquid crystalline material (12).
US09016932B2
The invention relates to a thermocompensated resonator comprising a body used in deformation, the core of the body being formed by a first material. According to the invention, at least one part of the body comprises at least one coating made of shape-memory metal, the variations in the Young's modulus of which as a function of the temperature (CTE) are of opposite sign to those (CTE) of the first material used for the core so as to allow said resonator to have a frequency variation as a function of the temperature which is substantially zero at least to the first order (α, β).
US09016925B2
Mixer for biphasic compounds, including a chamber for containing a solid phase and a cartridge containing a phial of a liquid phase, said chamber and said cartridge being able to communicate through respective channels, wherein said cartridge includes an external casing made in a deformable material and said phial is of the breakable type.
US09016923B2
A lighting device includes light sources arranged at an end, light guide portions arranged along an arrangement direction of the light sources and receiving light from the light sources, and light output portions arranged along a direction crossing the arrangement direction and exiting light from the light guide portions. The light output portions include at least a first light output portion and a second light output portion. The first light output portion is arranged relatively close to the light sources and the second light output portion is arranged relatively farther from the light sources with respect to the first light output portion. The light guide portions include at least a first light guide portion and a second light guide portion, and the first light guide portion is optically connected to the first light output portion and the second light guide portion is optically connected to the second light output portion.
US09016919B2
In order to improve brightness in a lighting device, a backlight unit 12 includes: LEDs 17 as a light source; a light guide member 19 having end portions LE facing the LEDs 17 and guiding light from the LEDs 17 to a light output side; a pressing member 16 configured to press the light guide member 19 from the light output side; and a pair of reflection sheets 21 and 22 disposed so as to sandwich the end portions LE of the light guide member 19 that face the LEDs 17. The pair of reflection sheets 21 and 22 includes the first reflection sheets 21 disposed on the light output side with respect to the light guide member 19, and the second reflection sheets 22 disposed on a side opposite to the light output side. The first reflection sheets 21 are fixed to the pressing member 16.
US09016916B2
A surgical lamp includes a lamp body with illuminants emitting bundled light beams with axes intersect a central axis of the lamp body, and illuminants emitting bundled light beams with axes that do not intersect the central axis. The shape of the light field and the distribution of the light intensity can be modified by driving different illuminants.
US09016904B2
A LED lamp includes a lamp base unit including an insulative base, a mating connection device configured like the base of a conventional incandescent bulb and located at the bottom side of the insulative base, an insulative hollow column located at the top side of the insulative, a heat sink including a plurality of radiation fins radially arranged around the insulative hollow column, a light-emitting module including a heat transfer plate fastened to the heat sink at the top, a circuit board supported on the heat transfer plate and light-emitting devices installed in the circuit board, and a light transmissive lampshade fastened to the heat sink and covered over the light-emitting module.
US09016901B2
An LED lamp that can take the place of incandescent lamps. An elevated light source is positioned above a screw-type base. A first plurality of LEDs is connected in a series on one side of a flat substrate and a second plurality of LEDs, equal in number to the first, is connected in series on an opposite side of the substrate. Each LED of the first and second plurality of LEDs is mounted proximate a heat sink and a drive circuit is provided for the LEDs, with the drive circuit being located proximate and electrically connected to the screw base.
US09016900B2
A light bulb shaped lamp according to the present invention includes: a hollow globe; an LED module including a base platform and an LED chip mounted on the base platform, the LED module being provided in the globe; a lead wire for supplying power to the LED module; and a stem extending toward the interior of the globe, in which the base platform is directly fixed to the stem.
US09016894B2
Color mixing using the reflective properties of an OLED is provided. At least one OLED is used to reflect light from at least one other light source such that light from the OLED and the additional light source are combined. Light from the additional light source is reflected from a surface in the OLED provided by e.g., the cathode of the OLED. By carefully selecting the individual light colors of the OLED and the additional light source, their combined light can provide a light color different from either the OLED or the additional light source alone.
US09016893B2
The present invention provides a LED lamp with high brightness, a uniform light-emitting surface and good heat dissipation. The LED lamp includes a LED strip and a cylindrical light guide body connected to the LED strip, wherein light emitted from the LED strip irradiates towards the light guide body and exits via the surface of the light guide body.
US09016891B2
An illumination apparatus includes a light emitting module and a containing base. The light emitting module includes a light guide bar and a light emitting device disposed on an end of the light guide bar. The light emitting device includes a heat dissipating sheet and a light emitting element. The heat dissipating sheet has a first positioning component. The light emitting element is disposed on the heat dissipating sheet for emitting light to the light guide bar. The containing base is used for containing the light emitting module. A second positioning component is formed on a side of the containing base corresponding to the first positioning component. The second positioning component is used for engaging with the first positioning component when the light emitting module is disposed on the containing base, so as to fix a position of the light emitting module relative to the containing base.
US09016883B2
The light emitting element includes and active layer that produces light; a polarizer layer having a first region that allows a polarization component in a first direction in the light produced in the active layer to pass through and reflects other polarization components, and a second region that allows a polarization component in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to pass through and reflects other polarization components; a wave plate layer having a third region and a fifth region that the light exiting from the first region enters, and a fourth region and a sixth region that the light exiting from the second region enters, the wave plate layer causing the lights that have entered the third to sixth regions to exit as lights in the same polarized state; and a reflective layer that reflects the lights reflected by the first region and the second region. The directions of optical axes of the third region and the fifth region, or the fourth region and the sixth region, are perpendicular to each other.
US09016876B2
A lens module includes a first lens and a first spacer. The first lens includes a first optical portion and a first support portion surrounding the first optical portion. The first support portion includes a first upper surface facing an object side of the lens module and a first lower surface facing an image side of the lens module. The first lower surface includes a first annular portion, a slanted annular portion and an inner annular portion. The slanted annular portion is obliquely interconnected between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion. The first annular portion and the inner annular portion are perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module. The slanted annular portion faces inwardly of the first lens. The outer shield portion covers the first annular portion. The intermediate shield portion covers the slanted annular portion. The inner shield portion covers the inner annular portion.
US09016872B2
A projector that modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the modulated image light on a projection surface, the projector including: an object detection unit for determining the position of an object that blocks projection of the image light; a distance detection unit for determining the distance to the object; and a projection control unit for determining an avoidance area where the object prevents the image light from reaching the projection surface based on the position of the object determined by the object detection unit and the distance to the object determined by the distance detection unit and projecting the image light in an area other than the avoidance area.
US09016870B2
The projector according to an exemplary embodiment includes an optical system which forms, expands, and projects the image, and includes at least one light source; a light source dissipation unit for dissipating heat generated by the light source; a plurality of circuit boards for operating the projector; an intake unit having an intake opening where external air is received; an exhaust unit having an exhaust opening where the received air is expelled; and a flow path dividing unit which divides a cooling flow path formed between the intake opening and the exhaust opening into an upper cooling flow path and a lower cooling flow path, wherein the light source dissipation unit is placed on the upper cooling flow path and at least one of the plurality of circuit boards is placed on the lower cooling flow path.
US09016862B2
Reference images from one or more OCT scanners are correlated with associated OCT scan data, which is in turn registered and correlated to a wide field image so as to present the OCT scan data registered and aligned to the correct location on the wide field image so as to permit displaying OCT scan data taken at different times or on different machines on a single screen all registered to the wide field image.
US09016858B2
The present invention is drawn to an optical article comprising: (a) a transparent optical polymer substrate, (b) a transparent intermediate abrasion-resistant coating obtained from at least one epoxysilane by a sol-gel process, and (c) a transparent outer coating comprising a polythiol-ene matrix obtained by curing a liquid monomer mixture comprising at least one polyfunctional thiol and at least one polyfunctional allyl monomer, said cured polythiol-ene matrix having a glass transition temperature comprised in the range from 40° C. to 70° C. and a thickness from 3.5 μm to less than 10 μm. It is also drawn to a method for preparing such an optical article and to a method for repairing scratches in such an optical article by heating.
US09016855B2
An eye-lens device includes a frame, at least a lens unit, two first magnets, and two fasteners. The frame includes at least a lens-holding portion and two magnet-seats. The lens unit is held by the lens-holding portion. The first magnets are disposed at the magnet-seats respectively. Each of the fasteners is disposed pivotally to the frame and includes a second magnet. The lens unit is fastened by the attraction of the first and second magnets when the fasteners rotate relative to the frame.
US09016851B2
A first guide includes a guiding face to support a recording medium on an upstream of a head in a conveyance direction, a recess formed on the upstream of the head in the conveyance direction, and a protrusion to protrude from the guiding face through the recess. The protrusion includes a first slope upwardly inclined from an upstream end of the protrusion toward the downstream. Atop of the protrusion is positioned on the same level as or an upper level than an upstream end of a supporter, when the supporter is at an opposing position and the protrusion protrudes from the guiding face.
US09016850B1
A system for printing information on a substrate includes a printer for printing the information on a first surface of the substrate; and a heater for heating the substrate causing at least a portion of the printed information to migrate to a second surface of the substrate.
US09016846B2
Provided are an actinic energy radiation curable ink, which can achieve a high fineness and natural glossiness when recording is carried out onto a non-absorptive recording medium such as a film or a laminated paper or a slightly absorptive recording medium such as a coated paper; and an actinic energy radiation curable inkjet recording method. This actinic energy radiation curable ink, which is to be used in inkjet recording, is characterized by: said actinic energy radiation curable ink undergoing reversible sol/gel phase transition depending on temperature; said actinic energy radiation curable ink containing from 1% or more by mass to less than 10% by mass of a gelling agent; and, at temperature Tm (° C.) that is separately defined, the storage elastic modulus (G′) of the actinic energy radiation curable ink being from 0.1 or more Pa to less than 1000 Pa and the storage elastic modulus (G′) being smaller than the loss elastic modulus (G″) thereof.
US09016833B2
A printing apparatus which prints onto a recording medium by causing a print head to move in a main scanning direction includes a flexible cable through which, together with an arc-shaped loop, a signal is transmitted from a control substrate to the print head, a supporting member which is provided at a position which supports a portion of the flexible cable from the print head to the loop, and an insulating film which is provided between the supporting member and the flexible cable.
US09016828B2
Liquid ejecting apparatus and method for detecting medium edge position in liquid ejecting apparatus
To provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a method for detecting a medium edge position in a liquid ejecting apparatus whereby a decline in the accuracy of detecting an edge position of a medium caused by fouling of an optical sensor can be minimized, a reference reflecting surface, used in order to acquire a sensitivity determination value for determining the timing of switching the sensitivity of a sheet width sensor provided to a carriage, is irradiated with light and the output voltage of a light-receiving unit receiving the reflected light thereof is acquired; the output voltage is subtract from a power source voltage to measure a reference surface voltage.
US09016821B2
Adequate correction processing is performed on image data based on the degree of ink concentration that occurs even. An image processing apparatus having: acquisition unit for acquiring multi-value image data and a first parameter related to the degree of concentration of ink; first generation unit for generating corrected data by correcting the multi-value data that is to be printed for the first pixel based on the multi-value data that is to printed in the first pixel and a first parameter; and second generation unit for generating the first parameter and a second parameter that indicates the degree of ink concentration of the plurality of nozzles when printing a second pixel that is printed by the nozzles next to the first pixel.
US09016806B2
A brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle braking system of the “brake-by-wire” type having a brake booster. In order to provide a brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle braking system of the “brake-by-wire” type, which on the one hand fulfills the statutory requirements care and which on the other hand is inexpensive to produce, it is proposed according to aspects of the invention, that the brake booster be provided as a travel-controlled brake booster, so that when not in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode the brake pedal is decoupled from feedback forces of the brake actuating unit, and the return force is simulated by the pedal travel simulator even when not in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode.
US09016801B2
An EPB shield machine without disc cutter, which includes a partition unit formed by a moveable partition member (30) and a stationary partition member (31), a front shield unit (13) including a cutting unit (1) with cutting head (11) and cutting teeth (12), a shaft member (2) connected to the cutting head (11) and a power transmission unit formed by a transfer case (5), a reducer (6) and a driving motor (7). In the power transmission unit at an upper portion of the machine, the transfer case (5) is fixedly to the moveable partition member (30), a sliding arrangement supports the reducer (6) and the driving motor (7), which are connected to the transfer case (5, and a telescopic cylinder (26) is connected to the sliding arrangement. The machine has advantages of high cutting efficiency, balanced service life, high directional construability and high adaptability to tunnel cross section.
US09016797B2
A seat device for use in a vehicle that can move through an opening of a vehicle between a loading and unloading position positioned outside the vehicle, where a passenger can load and unload as well as be seated, and a seating position positioned in the cabin of the vehicle, where the passenger can maintain a seated disposition. A securing member of the seat device can secure a wheelchair in a folded state to a side surface or a back surface of the seat. The wheelchair together with the seat can move from the loading and unloading position to inside the cabin of the vehicle, with the passenger in a seated position.
US09016796B2
A portable stool for providing convenient seating comprising: a base, where the base is placed on a surface during use of the stool; a support post, where the support post extends vertically from the base; a telescoping post connected to the support post, where the telescoping post is vertically adjustable; openings along the telescoping post; seat posts, where the seat posts extend vertically from the openings; and a nylon seat attached to each distal end of the seat posts. The telescoping post may include three openings and a seat post extends from each opening. In one particular embodiment, the posts extend at an angle from each opening. The support post may include an adjustment slot. Inherently the portable stool further includes a collapsed position and an extended position.
US09016791B2
A fixing device for a vehicle seat, especially for a motor vehicle seat, includes a multi-articulated mechanism and a locking device that unlocks the multiarticulated mechanism when the vehicle seat is pivoted or folded back past a defined limiting angle, enabling the vehicle seat to be guided, especially pivoted and longitudinally moved, in a controlled manner, between an unlocked first position and an unlocked second position or vice versa.
US09016790B2
The present invention relates to a convertible seating reclining chair. The chair comprises conventional elements such as a back frame, a seat frame, left and right support arms, and a reclining mechanism connected laterally between the support arms. The reclining mechanism has a stationary base frame, a back movement mechanism, and a seat movement mechanism. The seat movement mechanism and the back movement mechanism are dimensioned and configured to move, respectively, the seat frame and the back frame from their respective positions in the chair's upright seating position to their respective positions in the chair's fully horizontal, recumbent position. Such movement of the back frame and the seat frame occurs with the back frame seating surface at the lower end of the back frame being located substantially adjacent to the seat frame seating surface at the rear end of the seat frame.
US09016789B2
Vehicle seat has at least a front foot, a rear foot, a four-link configuration having four link parts coupled to one another via hinge points, and a compensation spring. Front foot and rear foot are accommodated in a longitudinal rail in a longitudinally adjustable manner, and the rear foot is releasable from the longitudinal rail after unlocking. Vehicle seat is movable forward from a seating position having a locked rear foot, after rear foot is unlocked, into a functional position with adjustment of four-link configuration, and with at least temporary assistance from the compensation spring. Vehicle seat has a support rod which is adjustably accommodated on the four-link configuration, and in the forward functional position the support rod comes into contact in front of the front foot, and in particular on the longitudinal rail.
US09016785B2
The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat pan for carrying a seat cushion of the vehicle seat, a support element adjustable along an adjustment direction relative to the seat pan for carrying an additional cushion adjustable relative to the seat cushion of the seat pan, and a seat depth adjusting means arranged on the seat pan for adjusting the support element relative to the seat pan. The seat depth adjusting means includes a guide assembly carrying the support element and an actuating assembly for actuating the seat depth adjusting means. By means of guide means the guide assembly is movably guided on the seat pan along the adjustment direction. It is provided that the guide means comprise at least one guiding device which is integrally molded into the seat pan.
US09016781B2
A child safety seat assembly includes a support base, and a child safety seat arranged on the support base. The support base includes a shell body, a latch assembly operable to fixedly attach the shell body with an anchorage fixture of a vehicle, and a cushion structure coupled with the shell body, wherein the cushion structure is operable to allow a cushioned displacement of the shell body relative to the latch assembly when the child safety seat is subject to collision.
US09016777B2
The present invention relates to an armrest for a vehicle. The armrest includes: an intake port which is formed in a front surface of a front end of an armrest body; an exhaust port which is formed in a rear end of the armrest body; a blower which is installed in the armrest body and connected to the intake port by an intake duct; a plurality of cup holders which are arranged in a row above the intake duct; an exhaust duct which extends from the blower and branching off into a plurality of diverged parts that pass by the respective cup holders and are connected to the exhaust port; and a thermoelement which is provided on each of the cup holders and is brought into close contact with the exhaust duct.
US09016776B2
The invention relates to a device for closing off an opening provided in the body of a motor vehicle, including: a stationary glass portion PF to be rigidly connected to said vehicle, and a movable glass panel PM capable of moving, relative to the stationary portion PF, between a closed position, in which the glass panel closes off an opening OUV provide in said stationary portion PF, and at least one open position, in which said opening OUV is at least partially uncovered. According to the invention, the movable panel PM is mounted on a movable frame CM that is provided with tilting means for tilting the movable panel PM relative to said movable frame CM. The invention enables the use of more compact tilting means than those used in the prior art.
US09016774B2
A chassis for a vehicle is disclosed which combines rigidity, speed of manufacture, and a small environmental footprint. Such a chassis comprises a framework of Interconnected tubular sections (14, 18) and at least one composite sheet (50) bonded to the framework, at least part of the composite sheet being of unidirectional fibers. The sheet can be non-flat, and is preferably a concave geometry such as a tub. It can be composed of a plurality of sections (78, 80). The part of the composite sheet that Is of unidirectional fibers extends obliquely rearwardly from a tubular section on one side of the chassis toward a further tubular section on another side of the chassis, the fibers also being oriented obliquely rearwardly In the same sense. A further similar part extends in the opposite direction/symmetrically, overlapping as necessary.
US09016763B2
A car having a frame, which supports a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, a passenger compartment, at least one pair of doors, and an underbody which delimits the car on the lower side, faces the road surface, and has an aerodynamic diffuser, which is arranged in a rear position and is provided with a chute having a height with respect to the road surface that progressively increases when longitudinally moving from the front to the rear. The underbody can include a pair of aerodynamic channels, each of which extends longitudinally, leads to the aerodynamic diffuser, is open on the lower side towards the road surface, has a shape of an upside-down “U” in its transverse section and is open underneath towards the road surface and has, in its transverse section, an area that progressively increases when longitudinally moving from the front to the rear.
US09016762B2
A vehicle door structure 1 comprises a slide door panel 6 for opening and closing a front region of a rear door opening in a vehicle body 2, a swing door panel 7 for opening and closing a rear region of the rear door opening in cooperation with the slide door panel 6, an opening degree detection mechanism 30 for presuming a locked state on the slide door panel 6 and swing door panel 7 by detecting the opening degree of the slide door panel 6, and a handle idling mechanism 31, provided with the swing door panel 7, for nullifying an operation of a swing door handle 10 when the swing door panel 7 is fully closed.
US09016758B1
A tonneau cover for a vehicle includes a housing, a first cover having a cover tab, wherein the first cover selectively extends from an interior of the housing to engage a rear seat, a second cover selectively extendable from the interior of the housing opposite the first cover and a seatback of the rear seat having a seat tab that engages the cover tab when the seatback is placed in an upright position.
US09016752B2
A pocket assembly for accommodating a portable electronic device in a vehicle includes a storage compartment and at least one port disposed within the storage compartment for operatively connecting to the portable electronic device. The storage compartment is disposed within the vehicle and is defined by at least one wall. An aperture is defined in the at least one wall for receiving an excess portion of a connecting cord adapted to operatively connect the portable electronic device to the at least one port.
US09016751B2
A method of manufacturing a roller blind and a roller blind is provided for opening and closing a tray, a storage compartment, a control panel or the like, particularly for use in motor vehicles. The roller blind includes a plurality of ribs manufactured from a hard component. A soft component joins the ribs to each other on a connecting side of the soft component. The soft component is manufactured with at least one underside opposite the connecting side that is flat along the direction of extension of the ribs.
US09016749B2
An underseat storage assembly for a vehicle seat includes a recess disposed on a floor below the vehicle seat. A front panel has an edge pivotally coupled with the floor and first and second side panels are pivotally coupled with opposing ends of the front panel. The front panel is movable between a stored position within the recess and a deployed position and has the first and second side panels vertically arranged and orthogonal to the front panel.
US09016745B2
A pick up mechanism includes a pick up rod, a pick up head, and a resisting assembly. The pick up head is assembled to an end of the pick up rod. The resisting assembly includes a guiding seat, a resisting member, a pair of guiding rods, and a pair of elastic members. The guiding seat is fixedly sleeved on the pick up rod, the resisting member slidably shields the pick up head. The pair of guiding rods is fixed on the guiding seat, and blocks the resisting member. The pair of elastic members is resisted between the guiding seat and the resisting member, wherein the pick up head is exposed or shielded by moving the resisting member relative to the pick up rod.
US09016733B2
Falling latch locking device having a first locking device casing that includes a handle, a closing element and a lock, and having a second locking device casing that includes a cut-out for receiving the closing element in the closed state, wherein the lock comprises a stop that can be moved by locking and unlocking the lock and in the locked state the stop blocks the opening of the handle.
US09016730B2
A method for connecting at least a first component (1) and a second component (2) together, wherein each said component (1, 2) comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component (1, 2) and keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components (1, 2) such that the keyways (11, 13) intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways (11, 13); and, extending a keyway connector (3) comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangements.
US09016729B2
In a quick connection device for piping installed with a checker (40), a connector housing (20) of a quick connector (10) is formed with opening portions (74) for inserting resilient legs (58) therein through the opening portions (74) in a direction perpendicular to an axis from leading ends of the resilient legs, and inserted portions of the resilient legs (58) are held inside the connector housing (20). The resilient legs (58) are resiliently deformed in an axially inward direction by an annular projecting portion on an outer peripheral surface of a mating pipe at insertion of the mating pipe, to unlatch latching pawls (64) of the resilient legs (58) from corresponding latch portions of the connector housing (20), whereby the checker (40) is allowed to be removed out of the connector housing (20).
US09016723B2
A steering wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle has a steering wheel which is coupled in terms of movement to a steerable axle of the motor vehicle via a steering axle. The steering wheel is arranged rotatably on a steering column having a housing body. The housing body has at least one upwardly open recess which is bounded at least by two opposite walls extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the housing body.
US09016710B2
An apparatus is provided for the articulated connection of two vehicle frames, a front and a rear frame, of a construction machine, especially a vibration roller. The apparatus comprises a pivot joint with a vertical pivot axis and a crab-steering joint with a vertical rotational axis, a connection support which connects the pivot joint and the crab-steering joint with one another, and a connecting rod which is linked on one side to the vehicle frame and on the other side to the connection support. The apparatus further comprises a steering drive for relative pivoting of the front and rear frame about the pivot axis, and a crab-steering drive for setting a lateral offset between the front and the rear frame.
US09016708B2
A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, a coupler member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member engaging the housing and the kingpin, and engaging the coupler member such that an uncoupling of the coupler member from the kingpin at least partially disengages the collet member from the kingpin.
US09016702B2
A scooter foldable seat structure comprising an elongated plate body is disclosed, wherein a footplate and a seat plate pivotally connect to two ends of the plate body respectively; an elongated front supporting element pivotally connected to a bottom side of the plate body; a first movable connecting element foldably connected to the bottom side of the plate body and the front supporting element respectively; an elongated rear supporting element pivotally connected to a bottom side of the seat plate; and a second movable connecting element foldably connected to the bottom side of the seat plate and the rear supporting element respectively. Thereby, the front supporting element, the first movable connecting element, the seat plate, the rear supporting element and the second movable connecting element can be folded away and accommodated under the plate body at the same time and unfolded to provide the stable seat plate to sit on.
US09016693B1
A packing seal for a reciprocating pump of the type typically used in connection with oil and gas drilling operations is described. Generally, the seal includes a rigid L shaped cartridge that carries an outer wiper and an O-ring on an exterior wall and a recessed seal body on an interior wall. The recessed seal body is of dual durometer, and its lower portion is constantly urged against the cylinder wall in self-sealing fashion. The seals, cartridge and wiper may be formed from rigid and/or non-rigid materials having low coefficients of friction and physical properties comprising low abrasion and wear resistance. The seal provides an improved self-lubricated unitary seal that is convenient to replace in the field regardless of the torque delivered to the gland nut of a packing box, which contains the seal.
US09016688B2
A system comprises a conveying unit configured to convey an original, a reading unit configured to read the original that is being conveyed by the conveying unit, a printing unit configured to print an image on a paper based on an image of the original read by the reading unit, a determination unit configured to determine an orientation of the original according to the image obtained by reading the original with the reading unit, and a deciding unit configured to decide an orientation of an image that is to be printed on the original, according to the orientation of the original determined by the determination unit, wherein the printing unit prints the image on the original, in the orientation of the image decided by the deciding unit.
US09016683B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting media items along a transport path. The apparatus comprises a first transport member and a further transport member that selectively apply an urging force to at least one media item to urge said media item along a transport path, wherein in a first mode of operation, the urging force is applied to said media item to transport said media item at least partially along the transport path and, in a further mode of operation, the urging force on said media item is released to allow at least one end region of the media item to move freely along the transport path.
US09016679B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes: a folding processing unit that folds a sheet by reversely rotating a second conveying member in a condition in which the sheet is held by a first and the second conveying members; a calculating unit that calculates an amount of deflection of the sheet held by the first and second conveying members from timings at which the sheet is detected by first and second detecting units disposed upstream of the first conveying member and downstream of the second conveying member and a distance between disposed positions of the first and second detecting units; and a control unit that sets, from the calculated amount of deflection of the sheet, an amount of conveyance for the first conveying member in a direction opposite to a sheet conveying direction in a condition in which the sheet is held by the first and second conveying members.
US09016676B2
The present invention relates to an adjusting device of wafer machine, which includes a rotary adjustment assembly that is rotatable to cause the rotation of a rod so as to displace a support block thereby elevating or lowering a support post. A balance board is thus caused to move a wafer substrate so as to realize balancing of wafer through the support post, whereby efficient adjustment of the wafer machine to a balanced position can be achieved without extra expense of time in adjustment operation and thus accelerating the time of manufacturing process and providing extremely high precision and further effectively reducing the potential risk of damage caused by over-adjustment.
US09016673B2
An excellent liquid-filled vibration damping device is provided, which is capable of effectively suppressing cavitation, which may otherwise cause abnormal noises, without impairing a vibration damping effect. The inventive liquid-filled vibration damping device includes a liquid-filled space partitioned into a primary liquid chamber and a secondary liquid chamber communicating with each other through an orifice, a molded vulcanized rubber member which defines at least a part of the liquid-filled space, and a first retention member and a second retention member retaining the molded vulcanized rubber member. Liquid (P) to be sealingly contained in the liquid-filled space comprises a polar organic solvent as a major component, and not less than 0.2 cm3 of a gas per 1 cm3 of the liquid as measured at an ordinary temperature at an atmospheric pressure is dissolved in the liquid.
US09016668B1
A barrier includes a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the exterior surface having a front face and an opposing back face each extending between a top face and an opposing bottom face and also between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast. An elongated first locking groove is recessed on the front face and extends between the top face and the opposing bottom face, the first locking groove including an elongated channel extending between the top face and the bottom face and a constricted mouth through which the channel can be accessed.
US09016665B2
Health and usage monitoring systems for aircraft hoist systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a health and usage monitoring system comprises a capacitive load cell and a processing unit for communication with the capacitive load cell, the capacitive load cell comprising a load receiving surface and a capacitive assembly coupled to the load receiving surface, the capacitive assembly comprising parallel electrically conductive plates separated by a reversibly deformable spacer construction wherein the parallel plates comprise aligned apertures providing a passageway through the capacitive assembly for the hoist system cable.
US09016647B2
The instant disclosure relates to a monitor mounting apparatus for disposing on a working surface. The mounting apparatus includes a base, an adjusting unit, and a tilt bracket. The base is arranged on the working surface and has at least one guiding member. The adjusting unit includes at least one sliding member and at least one connecting member interconnected. The sliding member may be slidably arranged on the guiding member. The tilt bracket has an outer end portion and at least one connecting portion. The connecting portion is pivotally connected to the connecting member, and the outer end portion is defined on one end of the tilt bracket away from the connecting member. The tilt bracket may be oriented at various angular and vertical positions. The user may adjust the monitor mounting apparatus to suit the person's needs.
US09016643B2
A device for adjustably and removably mounting accessory equipment to tow hooks of a vehicle without alteration to the bumper or surrounding fascia components. The device includes two angle brackets a mounting flange and a clamping plate. Each bracket has holes that align with the other bracket and with the mounting flange which attaches to accessory equipment. The assembly of the brackets and clamping plate surround the tow hook, which the mounting flange attaches to the accessory equipment. One possible piece of accessory equipment is a bumper guard, which can provide protection from debris damaging the vehicle oil cooler. Detachable brush bars provide further protection from brush harming the sides of the moving vehicle.
US09016642B1
A reconfigurable apparatus for hanging support of articles is provided. The reconfigurable apparatus provides a hanging member that, responsive to user actuation, transitions between a stowed position and an operative position to thereby reconfigure the hanging apparatus between operative and stowed configurations. In a stowed configuration, the hanging member may be substantially flush with a frame or faceplate of the apparatus. Such reconfigurable hanging apparatus may be substantially flush-mounted with a wall to avoid injury thereon, to maintain a decor, and to provide flexibility in placement of wall-abutting furnishings. The hanging member is retained until user actuation sufficient to overcome a retention member therein.
US09016637B2
A system and method to enable natural laminar flow over a fluid-dynamic body using a variable camber Krueger flap is disclosed. A sequence of flap positions is deployed where the variable camber Krueger flap is below and aft of the wing leading edge before reaching a configured takeoff and landing position. The variable camber Krueger flap is positioned in a high position relative to a wing leading edge when the variable camber Krueger flap is fully deployed.
US09016631B2
A multi-purpose hatch system having a removable antenna mounting plug, block or plate for installing multiple configurations of antennas or sensors is disclosed. The system features a hatch having an opening sized to receive the antenna mounting plug, block or plate. The hatch features handles which aid in installation and removal of the hatch. Multiple configurations of antennas or sensors attached to the plate can easily be removed and quickly installed to configure an aircraft for a specific mission. The system also features a billet machined hatch body, field replaceable seals and easily adaptable antenna or sensor mounting configurations which provide unprecedented ruggedness, antenna options, and field supportability.
US09016629B1
A window system for a vehicle comprising a pressure and thermal window pane, a seal system, and a retainer system. The pressure and thermal window pane may be configured to provide desired pressure protection and desired thermal protection when exposed to an environment around the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The pressure and thermal window pane may have a desired ductility. The seal system may be configured to contact the pressure and thermal window pane to seal the pressure and thermal window pane. The retainer system may be configured to hold the seal system and the pressure and thermal window pane.
US09016614B1
A fishing line reeling apparatus for loading a spool of fishing line about a reel of a fishing pole includes a clamp capable of being anchored to a ledge of an existing support surface, and a bracket attached to the clamp wherein the bracket has a dowel capable of rotatably receiving and suspending the existing spool of fishing line above the existing support surface. An arm is located subjacent to the dowel and statically mated to the bracket. The arm has an eyelet attached to a distal end thereof such the fishing line is downwardly guided from the spool and urged along a longitudinal length of the arm prior to passing through the eyelet.
US09016604B2
A portable vegetation treatment system includes a primary pump, a secondary pump, an intake-port assembly, a distribution assembly, and a control assembly. The primary pump is configured to couple with a diluent source while the secondary pump is configured to couple with a reservoir, containing a chemically-based fluid. The chemically-based fluid may be a concentrate, pre-mixed concentrate or other fluid(s), requiring dilution or combination with another fluid before application. The secondary pump includes components that meter one or more chemically-based fluids, during active operation. These components also substantially restrict migration or inappropriate flow of the chemically-based fluid when the system is inactive or in a passive state.
US09016584B2
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus that includes a magnetic field generator that is normally inactive and includes a magnetic stripe either mounted on the substrate or disposed within a substrate, one or more induction coils disposed within the substrate underneath a length of the magnetic stripe and a control circuit disposed within the substrate that is connected to the one or more induction coils. The control circuit generates a time-varying magnetic signal by pulsing the one or more induction coils underneath the magnetic stripe when activated by a processor. The time-varying magnetic signal is transmitted to a magnetic stripe reader and emulates a data stream generated by swiping a static magnetic stripe card through the magnetic stripe reader but is not created by swiping the magnetic stripe of the apparatus through the magnetic stripe reader or using an adapter to interface with the magnetic stripe reader.
US09016582B2
An electro-optical code reading terminal for dynamically switching mode of operation from a printed code reading mode to an electronically displayed code reading mode is provided. The electro-optical code reading terminal measures and monitors, using one or more magnetic sensors, a magnetic field experienced at the electro-optical code reading terminal. When the electro-optical code reading terminal device determines that a change in the measured magnetic field exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time period, the electro-optical code reading terminal device infers presence of an electronically displayed code. The electro-optical code reading terminal device then switches its mode of operation from the printed code reading mode of operation to the electronically displayed code reading mode of operation.
US09016579B2
A reader for electro-optically reading a target in the presence of ambient light, includes a scan component for scanning a laser beam across the target, a first filter for passing return laser light from the target and the ambient light to a first photodetector system for generating a first output signal constituted of an information signal and a first ambient light signal, a second filter for passing the ambient light to a second photodetector system for generating a second output signal constituted of a second ambient light signal, and signal processing circuitry for measuring a difference between the first and second ambient light signals, for equalizing the first and second ambient light signals when the difference exceeds a threshold, and for subtracting the second output signal from the first output signal to obtain a receiver output signal substantially constituted only of the information signal.
US09016577B2
A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
US09016569B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for modulating card information between a card reader and a user device. One of the methods includes receiving, from a read head of the card reader, card information associated with a card. The card information is encoded in a first format to be sent to the user device at a first data rate. The card information is encoded in a second format to be sent to the user device at a second data rate lower than the first data rate. The card information is sent to the user device encoded in the first format and the second format.
US09016565B2
Provided is a device and methods for facilitating mobile device payments using a wearable personal digital device. The device may comprise a processor, a memory unit, a timepiece module, a communication circuit, a display, a camera, control elements, a connection port, and a band adapted to secure the device on a human body or clothes. The processor may be configured to retrieve information encoded in a barcode, generate barcodes, display retrieved information and barcodes on the display. Additionally, the device may comprise a swipe card reader to make payments using the wearable personal digital device by swiping a payment card through the device. In addition to that, the device may comprise one or more sensors and one or more accelerometers to measure biometric parameters of the user, display measured parameters on the display, and store the parameters to the memory of the device.
US09016561B2
A method for server-based managing of unique memory device identifications, such as serial numbers, of memory devices having unique memory device identifications, such as emulated MIFARE devices like SmartMX cards, which memory devices are arranged in mobile communication devices, comprises keeping a repository (DB) of available memory device identifications; fetching a memory device identification from the repository and sending it to a specific mobile communication device; and instructing the mobile communication device to change the memory device identification of its associated memory device from its present value to the received new value. Further, the server instructs the mobile communication device to return the previous value of the memory device identification of its associated memory device. Finally, the server will add the returned memory device identification value to the repository of memory device identifications.
US09016554B2
Disclosed herein is a packing box in which the size and shape of an accommodation space are easily changeable to ensure convenient use of the contents. The packing box includes a rectangular bottom member and four sidewall members adapted to be erected at an outer perimeter of the bottom member, thereby defining an accommodation space having an open top. The sidewall members are divided into a pair of fixed sidewall members disposed facing each other to be vertically erected and fixed, and a pair of rotating sidewall members disposed facing each other between the fixed sidewall members to be inclined to an outside of the bottom member with respect to a vertical position thereof. The packing box includes at least one covering member to cover a gap between the fixed sidewall member and the rotating sidewall member when the rotating sidewalls are inclined.
US09016549B2
A weld stack includes a horn having a weld end, a polar mount adapted to receive a portion of the horn therein, a first adjustment ring coupled to the polar mount at a pre-determined distance from the weld end of the horn, and a second adjustment ring coupled to the polar mount adjacent the first adjustment ring, wherein the second adjustment ring includes a fine adjustment device for adjusting a relative position of the first adjustment ring and the second adjustment ring.
US09016546B2
A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.
US09016543B2
A surgical stapler is provided having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil. Buttress material is releasable affixed to the staple containing cartridge and the anvil. One of the jaws includes a pair of longitudinal projections at a first end of the jaw and configured to frictionally engage corresponding slots in a first end the buttress material. One of the jaws includes a post at a second end of the jaw. The buttress material includes a hole in a second end of the buttress material for receipt of the post.
US09016538B2
A corner device (10) having a main body (12) for carrying information or an ornamental pattern on an upper surface and locating formation (14) extending from one end of the main body. The locating formation locates and aligns the corner device with respect to an article before attaching the corner device to the article. The locating formation is shaped to receive the legs of a staple on either side thereof. The device also includes a folding area adapted to allow the main body to be folded over the locating formation once the corner device has been attached to the article, thereby to display the information or ornamental pattern.
US09016526B2
An apparatus including a fluid reservoir and a compressible metering chamber including a first end coupled to the fluid reservoir and a second end. The apparatus further including a valve coupled to the second end of the metering chamber and a nozzle coupled to the valve. A system including linearly translatable cartridge mounting assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations and a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges mounted to respective fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations. The system further including a plurality of compression assemblies coupled to respective fluid dispensing cartridges and a receiving assembly positioned beneath the mounting assembly. A method includes positioning a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising a fluid reservoir and a metering chamber over a sample retaining member, applying a compressive force to the metering chamber to eject a predetermined amount of fluid and removing the compressive force to refill the metering chamber.
US09016525B2
A beverage dispenser for use with a beverage container containing an alcoholic beverage includes a base with an upper outside surface, a vertically-inclined bore within the base, a valve bore in fluid communication with and transverse to the vertically-inclined bore, and a vent formed in the base to maintain fluid communication between the vertically-inclined bore and the atmosphere external to the base where the vertically-inclined bore extends a first pre-defined distance into the base from the upper outside surface and defines an upper opening in the base for receiving a neck portion of an inverted beverage container and where the valve bore extends a second pre-defined distance into the base and fluidly communicates with a lower portion of the vertically-inclined bore.
US09016523B2
A beverage dispensing system includes a nozzle body with a plurality of ingredient inlets and a water inlet disposed in the nozzle body. A diffuser is connected to the nozzle body and has floor with a plurality of holes therethrough. A nozzle cap is connected to the diffuser and has an outlet. A first mixing chamber is formed between the ingredient inlets and the diffuser floor, and a second mixing chamber is formed between the diffuser and the outlet, with the second mixing chamber being configured to receive fluid from the first mixing chamber via the holes in the diffuser floor. A first water flow path is situated between the water inlet and the first mixing chamber, and a second water flow path is situated between the water inlet and the second mixing chamber, wherein the second water flow path bypasses the first mixing chamber.
US09016517B2
Devices and methods for guiding a needle in movement through a bottle closure, such as a cork, to extracting fluids from the bottle without removal of the cork. A force indicator may indicate when a force exceeding a threshold value is applied to the needle during insertion and/or withdrawal of the needle from a cork.
US09016513B2
A splashguard is disclosed for use with a tank. The splashguard may include a main channel formed by an elongated base plate and side walls extending generally orthogonally from the elongated base plate by a first distance. The splashguard may also include a first end channel formed by a base plate and side walls extending generally orthogonally from the base plate by a second distance greater than the first distance. The first end channel may also be formed by an end wall extending generally orthogonally from the base plate by the second distance. The splashguard may further include a second end channel substantially identical to the first end channel. A first flow path may be maintained between the elongated base plate of the main channel and the base plate of the first end channel. A second flow path may be maintained between the elongated base plate of the main channel and the base plate of the second end channel.
US09016512B2
A storing container has a container body having a storage part and a bottom, the storage part having an opening in a distal end of the storage part, the bottom closing a basal end portion of the storage part, and a lid closing the opening in the distal end of the storage part. The storage part is made of a plastic film. The bottom is deformable between a first state and a second state. The bottom is convex in a direction from the distal end of the storage part to a basal end of the storage part in the first state.
US09016511B2
A temperature changing container includes a plurality of walls joined to form an enclosure which seals contents of the enclosure within the walls. One of the walls includes a depression extending into the enclosure. Upon activation, chemicals at least partially disposed within the depression change temperature.
US09016505B2
The present invention regards a package (1) for food products comprising a flexible container (2) having a first wall (5) and a second wall (6) opposite each other and peripherally sealed along at least the respective side edges (5a, 6a, 5b, 6b), a space (8) inside said walls containing, optionally in sterile conditions, a food product (73), and a gusset element (10) extended between the upper edges (5c, 6c) of said first wall (5) and of said second wall (6), said gusset element (10) defining a pocket (14) turned towards the interior of said flexible container (2), characterized in that it comprises an opening and closing device (3) housed in said pocket (14) and constrained to said flexible container (2), said opening and closing device (3) comprising a pourer body (15) associated with an opening and closing cap (16), and cutting means (42) suitable to perforate said flexible container (2) at the time of the first opening of said packaging (1). The invention also regards a method for packaging a food product, in particular in sterile conditions, in a package of the aforesaid type, a flexible container for a package of the aforesaid type as well as a method for producing such container.
US09016499B2
An adapter for an oil filler neck and an assembly method for the adapter are provided. In an embodiment, the adapter includes an extension piece with a lower partial region and an upper partial region. The lower partial region has an outer bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to an inner bayonet cap guide of an oil fill port. The upper partial region has the inner bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to the outer bayonet cap guide of an oil filler inlet cover. An outer retaining ferule with an anti-twist device apron engages an outer edge region of the oil fill port in a positive and torsionally rigid manner.
US09016493B2
A convertible and folding cooking pan includes a base plate and a plurality of pivotable and adjustable flanges removably coupled thereto. The flanges are moveable from a first substantially flat position to a second substantially upright position. When in the substantially upright position, the flanges are securely connected to define a baking zone with base plate and the flanges. In one embodiment, a plurality of sets of flanges are configured on the base plate to enable the selectable configuration of a first baking zone using the first set of flanges or a second, differently-sized baking zone using the second set of flanges.
US09016486B2
A traveling crane includes a longitudinal beam displaceable on rails. A traveler having a hoisting winch with a cable drum is displaceable in a transverse direction, and is operable to wind a cable reeved through at least one lower block. The hoisting winch is displaceable relative to the traveler in a hoisting winch travel direction such that a cable run out point remains in one location relative to the longitudinal extent of the cable drum. Two winching hoists are provided which are displaceable transversely to the longitudinal beam with respective cable drums thereof being disposed parallel to and spaced from each other. A common cable can be wound up and down by the two cable drums, and the two cable drums include cable grooves running in opposite directions. The two cable drums are operable in the opposite direction of rotation for lifting and lowering a load.
US09016484B2
A product display tray and associated mounting bar and bracket. The mounting bar and bracket are configured to minimize space occupied in a front to back direction and enable mounting of a tray in a manner to maximize the number of products displayed. The mounting brackets allow the bar to be turned end for end to adjust the vertical position of the bar by one-half spacing in order to maximize vertical density of the packaging display. The tray has specially configured, rearwardly opening recesses at its back edge to receive the mounting bar while allowing a base of the tray to extend underneath and behind the bar. The tray, bar and brackets are also uniquely designed to enable a tray to be mounted on two adjacent, aligned mounting bars, to maximize horizontal density of the packaging display. Other disclosed features enhance the usefulness and efficiency of the display.
US09016482B2
The present invention relates to a shelf for display of goods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a goods-display self in which improved are the structure of unit shelves composed by combining end caps with both ends of fixed frames accommodating roller units and the structure of front and rear support frames combined with both ends of the unit shelves. The said unit shelf not only can provide an easy space control to another unit shelf neighboring along front and rear support frames but also can fix set positions by using a stopper and can be separated conveniently by using a separation device.
US09016480B2
A multi-cyclone sediment filter having a housing with upper and lower shells and defining an interior space for fluid flow. A cyclone holder is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of fluid cyclones, each comprising a conical tube with a small opening at a lower end and a larger opening at an upper end. A fluid inlet introduces fluid into the filter housing. A fluid outlet in fluid discharges fluid. A manifold plate is disposed above the cyclone holder and includes a plurality of diffuser tubes, each extending downwardly into an upper end of one of the fluid cyclones. Fluid flowing from the fluid inlet is directed into a diverter cone under the manifold plate and is diverted outwardly between the manifold plate and the cyclone holder, into the fluid cyclones, outwardly through the diffuser tubes, and then out through the fluid outlet.
US09016473B2
A plastic cap for a container, such as a bottle or flexible package, in particular for liquid foods for children, comprising projecting ribs for attaching to a similar, laterally adjacent cap and axial teeth for attaching to a similar axially overlapping cap.
US09016472B2
A needle magazine (10, 110) for storing a plurality of pen needle assemblies in combination with a plurality of pen needle units is disclosed. The magazines each comprise a first part (11, 111) and a second part (12, 112), each holding a number of pen needle assemblies. The first part (11, 111) and the second part (12, 112) are hinged together by a hinge mechanism (13, 113) such that the pen needle magazine (10, 110) can be folded to be easily carried by a user. The needle magazine (10, 110) also comprises an irreversible locking mechanism (30, 31, 130) such that the needle magazine (10, 110) can be used as a waste bin when discarding the used pen needle assemblies.
US09016467B2
A conveyor of the articulated chain type for transporting products, includes a mounting frame for elements for supporting and guiding a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of links forming elements for supporting the product and articulated connected to each other, each link having a first and a second plurality of longitudinal protrusions which extend in opposite longitudinal directions and which are transversally spaced from each other so as to form respective spaces for receiving the longitudinal protrusions of an adjacent link. The link includes a perpendicular protuberance forming elements for engaging and sliding against a transversal centering surface of guide elements in a curved stretch of the belt and a transversal protuberance extending laterally of the link and forming elements for engagement and sliding relative to a perpendicular longitudinal retaining surface of the guide elements, retaining elements for keeping a connecting pin inserted between adjacent links.
US09016462B2
A V-plow belt cleaner has a cleaning element providing first and second opposing cleaning edges which can be flipped over so that the second cleaning edge is adjacent the conveyor belt; and reconnecting the V-plow belt cleaner to its mount. The flip-able V-plow belt cleaner may comprise: left and right arms defining an apex and providing a mounting interface for cleaning media; a front arm holder attached proximate the apex; a rear support bar attached proximate rearward ends of the arms for maintaining a spacing; one or more rear arm holders attached to the rear support bar; and two or more power arms for connecting to a V-plow mount, each power arm being pivotably connected to a front or rear arm holder and being mountable to positions both above and below the V-plow cleaner.
US09016458B2
A conveyor belt having a sensor probe extending upward from an outer conveying surface into a mat of bulk products conveyed on the belt. The probe senses a condition of the product mat at a predetermined depth. The probe height above the conveying surface may be fixed or may be adjustable to be positioned at a critical depth within the product mat.
US09016456B1
A material handling system incorporates one or more arcuate conveying surfaces defined by rollers with a large conveyor radius. The rollers may be tapered rollers, and may be live rollers.
US09016454B2
A clutch assembly, including: a secondary piston assembly; a primary piston including a portion located radially outward of the secondary piston assembly; a first chamber at least partially formed by a first side of the primary piston; a second chamber at least partially formed by the secondary piston assembly and a second side of the primary piston; and a check valve connecting the first and second chambers. For a first force applied by fluid in the first chamber: the primary piston remains axially stationary; the fluid flows from the first chamber into the second chamber; and the secondary piston assembly displaces in a first axial direction to contact a clutch pack. For an increase of the first force to a second force: fluid flow between the first and second chambers is blocked by the check valve; and the primary piston and the secondary piston assembly displace in the first axial direction to close the clutch pack.
US09016445B2
A light-weight and sound-damped brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and a rotor cheek supported by the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and a flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek, which provides at least one braking surface, is formed from two or more separate and distinct pieces which are fixedly secured to the flange of the rotor hat. Located within the rotor cheek underneath the at least one braking surface is a vibration damping element. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping element through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.
US09016437B2
A personal stair lift to transport an individual up and down a stairway on a chair assembly supported on a rail mounted rack comprising a carriage assembly configured to support a lift mechanism including a drive member coupled to a reversible drive motor to rotate the drive member wherein the carriage assembly includes at least one pair of upper rollers and at least one pair of lower rollers movably mounted on a stationary rail disposed on each side of the carriage assembly and a rack mounted to one of the stationary rails disposed to engage the drive member to selectively move the chair assembly and person up or down the stairway when the reversible motor rotates the drive member.
US09016436B2
The present invention relates to a device for wetting or lubricating a rail head (7). The device has at least one outlet (30) for a wetting agent and/or lubricant. To ensure that the noise generated by a track-bound vehicle is reduced safely and regardless of the weather, a rail head-side end portion (33) of the at least one outlet (30) is movably mounted between a position at a remote distance from the rail head (7) and a position in closer proximity to the rail head.
US09016433B1
A safety device comprising a foothold in association with a mounting assembly, wherein the position of the foothold relative to the mounting assembly is adjustable, thereby allowing the safety device to be used on a variety of sloped roofs. The safety device may further comprises a firefighter securing assembly which provides a means whereby an operator may secure himself to the safety device thereby preventing the operator from falling from the roof in the event the operator loses his balance.
US09016427B2
A motorcycle is provided with vehicle frame, an internal combustion engine operatively attached to the vehicle frame, and an exhaust system for routing exhaust gas from the engine therethrough. The motorcycle also includes a body cover that covers at least a lateral side portion of the engine and constitutes an outer face of the vehicle, and a heat shield having a face closely adjacent and visually continuous to the body cover, the heat shield covering a lateral side portion of the exhaust system. The heat shield and the body cover cooperate to configure the external face of the vehicle, and the heat shield is mounted to the exhaust system. The body cover is formed of a plastic material, and the heat shield is made of metal. The body cover and heat shield cooperate to provide an improved vehicle appearance.
US09016411B2
An engine encapsulation structure of a vehicle may include an engine room encapsulation member disposed at an upper portion of an engine compartment and covering an upper portion of a power train having an engine and a transmission, an underbody encapsulation member disposed at a lower portion of the engine compartment and covering a lower portion of the power train, wherein the engine room encapsulation member and the underbody encapsulation member form an inner space and enclose the power train in the inner space when being assembled each other, and a front inlet formed at a front portion of the assembly to allow air through the front inlet and to cool the power train while the air passes through the inner space of the assembly, the air being discharged through a rear outlet formed to the assembly.
US09016402B2
A compact, portable, hydraulically controlled and operated drill for both soil augering and rock drilling includes a trailer type drill carrier. A mast is attached to the rear of trailer which is hydraulic controlled, lightweight and provides an adjustable drilling angle. A motor box housing unit is mounted for sliding movement on the mast with quick change capability for hydraulic drive motors specific for the soil augering drilling application requiring higher torque, lower rotation speeds for soil augering or lower torque, high rotation speed for rock coring. The motor housing carries a thrust bearing and a coupling to the drill string and is driven along a drive axis by a fully adjustable drilling penetration rate hydraulic cylinder.
US09016400B2
A steerable drilling apparatus includes a control system inside a cylindrical housing connected to a drill bit having radially-extendable pistons. A fluid-metering assembly directs a piston actuating fluid into fluid channels in the drill bit leading to respective pistons. The control system controls the fluid-metering assembly to selectively allow fluid flow through the fluid channels to the pistons and to exit through orifices in the fluid channels. The selective fluid flow causes the actuated piston to temporarily extend in the opposite direction to a desired wellbore deviation, thereby deflecting the drill bit away from the borehole centerline. An upper member in the fluid-metering assembly can be moved to stabilize, steer, and change TFA within the drill bit. The control system and drill bit are connected so as to facilitate removal to change the drill bit's steering section and cutting structure configuration or gauge simultaneously.
US09016390B2
An actuatable wellbore isolation assembly comprising a housing generally defining an axial flowbore and comprising a mandrel portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, a radially expandable isolating member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the housing, a sliding sleeve circumferentially positioned about a portion of the mandrel of the cylindrical housing, the sliding sleeve being movable from, a first position in which the sliding sleeve retains the expandable isolating member in a narrower non-expanded conformation to a second position in which the sliding sleeve does not retain the expandable isolating member in the narrower non-expanded conformation, and an actuator assemblage configured to selectively allow movement of the sliding sleeve from the first position to the second position.
US09016385B2
A method of securing connections in well screens can include engaging a resilient ring with recesses formed in respective well screen connectors, the ring including projections extending from respective opposite ends of the ring, and disengaging the resilient ring from one of the recesses by relative displacement between the projections. A well screen connection can include well screen connectors, and a resilient ring received in annular recesses formed in the respective well screen connectors, projections extend from opposite ends of the ring and are received in an opening formed through a wall of one of the connectors, and the projections received in the opening prevent rotation of the ring relative to that connector.
US09016384B2
A system including a first component, a second component disposed radially adjacent to the first component, and a centralizer disposed between the first component and the second component for at least partially filling a radial clearance between the first component and the second component. The centralizer is formed at least partially from a disintegrable material responsive to a selected fluid. A method of completing a borehole is also included.
US09016381B2
Apparatuses useable in drilling installations for adjusting a mud return flow in a mud loop, at a location far from a mud tank are provided. An apparatus includes (1) a sensor located close to a seabed and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to a return mud flow, (2) a valve located near the sensor and configured to regulate the return mud flow, and (3) a controller connected to the valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically control the valve to regulate the return mud flow towards achieving a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor. Methods of incorporating an apparatus in a drilling installation and retrofitting existing installations are also provided.
US09016373B2
A Blowout Preventer comprising a housing, one or more magnets and a magnetic fluid is described. More particularly, a Magnetorheological Blowout Preventer with a Magnetorheological Ram Head that conforms to virtually any cross sectional shape is described with ultra-reliable termination of natural gas and/or oil effluent flow resulting.
US09016371B2
An apparatus for performing a wellbore operation, such as a gravel packing, includes a tool body, a flow passage formed in the tool body, the flow passage connecting a first space with a second space; and a flow control device positioned along the flow space. The flow control device may include a valve element configured to allow uni-directional; and a flow control element configured to allow flow in bi-directional flow. The valve element and the flow control element may be arranged to form a split flow path between the first space and the second space.
US09016364B2
A downhole isolation tool adapted to be converted in the field into any one of a bridge plug, ball drop plug, or a caged ball plug. The components used to assemble the tool, such as the mandrel, slips, and conversion adapters and accessories, are constructed primarily of non-metallic material. Through use of the disclosed isolation tool, drillout time is greatly reduced.
US09016362B2
A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for the stuffing box. To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only in the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.
US09016358B2
A system for conditioning ambient air in a room of a building in terms of heat and/or cold and optionally humidity, where air flow is accomplished by latent heat accumulator bodies arranged in the room of the building. A separate air duct, which forms an incoming-air flow, is provided to blow out incoming air underneath the latent heat accumulator bodies, while air is sucked in parallel to the surface of the latent heat accumulator bodies.
US09016356B2
A cooling device for engine oil and/or transmission fluid, in particular of an internal combustion engine, has a flow-through oil cooler in an oil trough. The oil cooler is formed by a plate heat exchanger with plate intermediate spaces which route coolant and oil. The plate intermediate spaces that conduct oil have an outer opening region which is arranged on the outer circumference of the plate heat exchanger as inflow region, via which hot oil to be cooled flows into the oil-conducting plate intermediate spaces. Furthermore, the oil-conducting plate intermediate spaces have an outer outflow region which is arranged on the outer circumference of the plate heat exchanger at a distance from the inflow region. The outflow region is connected indirectly or directly to an outer oil line connecting region, via which cooled oil flows out after heat exchange with the coolant. The plate heat exchanger is suspended in the oil trough at a defined spacing from the oil trough walls which surround it.
US09016353B2
A heat sink clip is provided for clipping a memory module. The heat sink clip is made from a flexible heat-conductive metal plate formed by bending, and includes a top plate and two side plates facing opposite. Each side plate has a top portion, an inwardly inclined portion and a lead. The top portions of the two side plates extend from two opposite side edges of the top plate, respectively, and incline inwardly. The inwardly inclined portions of the two side plates extend from bottoms of the two top portions, respectively, and continue to incline inwardly. The leads of the two side plates extend from bottoms of the two inwardly inclined portions, respectively, and incline outwardly.
US09016352B2
The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for cooling computer servers and/or electrical equipment in a rack device for data centers or telecommunication centers.
US09016350B2
A clean metal ingot mold comprises an ingot mold body and an insulating riser arranged on the ingot mold body. The bottom mold plate of the ingot mold is provided with at least a ridge connected thereto. The region having a V-shape containing impurities produced during the crystallization process of the liquid metal moves upwards because of the ridge, and then the impurities depart from the center of the cast ingot and the impurities are more centralized. A water-cooling device is arranged in the ridge to allow the temperature of the metal in the ingot mold to decrease rapidly, and the crystallization process of the metal to be rapid.
US09016342B2
The bonding apparatus is capable of effectively increasing temperature of a substrate and reducing occurrence of position gaps and poor connection in a process of flip-chip-bonding semiconductor devices to the substrate. The bonding apparatus comprises: a supporting unit for supporting the substrate, on which the semiconductor devices have been adhered by a non-conductive; and a heating/pressing unit for heating and pressing the substrate, the heating/pressing unit having a built-in heat source and a clamping face, onto which the substrate supported by the supporting unit is pressed. The substrate supported by the supporting unit is moved toward the clamping face of the heating/pressing unit so as to preheat the substrate and the semiconductor devices by radiation heat. Then, the semiconductor devices are pressed onto the clamping face of the heating/pressing unit so as to cure the non-conductive adhesive and bond bumps of the semiconductor devices to terminal sections of the substrate.
US09016340B2
The present invention includes a run-flat tire 1 comprising a plurality of turbulence generation ridges 20 which extend on a surface of a tire side portion 3 in a tire-radial direction and which are arranged at a pitch in a tire-circumferential direction and relationship Si>So is satisfied. Si is the sum of sidewall areas of all the turbulence generation ridges located at the inner side, in the tire-radial direction, of a maximum width position of the pneumatic tire. So is the sum of sidewall areas of all the turbulence generation ridges located at the outer side, in the tire-radial direction, of the tire maximum width position.
US09016339B2
A pneumatic tire including a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners wherein a first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface. In this pneumatic tire, the obtained engagement force of the pair of mechanical fasteners is great and is essentially free of variations (positional variation within the tire and variation from tire to tire); the engagement force deteriorates/declines minimally over time due to extreme usage conditions including repetitive deformation and compaction over an extended period of time caused by tire rotation at high speeds in a state of relatively elevated temperatures; and the desired engagement force can be maintained over an extended period of time.
US09016328B2
A protective metal netting comprises a plurality of longitudinal metal wires or cables (10) side by side, each interwoven with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire or cable (10) in an interweave portion (24), in which at least one of the metal wires or cables (20) has an almost rectilinear development, or in any case with loops that are less pronounced than the lower-strength neighboring cables. A machine for manufacturing interwoven metal nettings comprises a cylindrical drum (50), on the outer surface of which a plurality of pins (52) protruding radially and arranged in axial rows at equal angular intervals is fixed, with an equal pitch in all the rows. Some pins (54) present on the cylindrical drum (50) are fitted out-of-alignment with respect to the above-mentioned pitch.
US09016326B2
A flexible pipe body and a method for manufacturing flexible pipe body is disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes an internal pressure sheath, at least one insulating layer comprising a mesh layer comprising a plurality of pockets and an outer sheath.
US09016325B2
Corrosion of the steel components used in fire sprinkler systems that are exposed to salt air along seawater coastlines leads to costly repairs or the possible catastrophic failure of a life safety fire sprinkler system. Salt Guard provides a unique, specific, and particular method to protect steel piping using a combination of materials that are readily available on the market. The National Fire Protection Association #13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, does not define a method for “Protection of Piping Against Corrosion”, although the Standard requires it. Salt Guard improves on that Standard by defining a particular combination of materials to be used and a method for application of those materials to achieve the required corrosion protection and additionally provide corrosion prevention for the owner.
US09016322B2
The invention relates to a device (1) for renovating a pipe, the latter being provided with at least one opening arranged in the wall of the pipe, said device (1) having a base unit (2) that can be introduced into the pipe, a clearing unit (3) that is movable relative to the base unit (2), and an electronic sensor arrangement for detecting the instantaneous position of the clearing unit (3) relative to the base unit (2). To make available a novel device (1) for renovating a pipe provided with at least one opening arranged in the wall of the pipe, which device permits reliable and inexpensive repair of the pipe, the invention proposes that at least one electronic inclination sensor is arranged on the base unit (2).
US09016317B2
A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume includes a valve body, an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume, and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume. The valve also includes an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body. The valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member. The valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value.
US09016315B2
The invention relates to a mechanism, intended for assembly on an irrigation emitter, which includes a cylindrical housing (2) in which the pressure of the water flowing through the emitter moves a first disc-shaped part (3), thus rotating a tubular body (7) which in turn rotates a cylindrical part (9) which is connected to a second disc-shaped part (12), to which end screws (15) are connected, the extent to which said screws are tightened defining in the displacement and rotation of the parts the operation of the emitter during either one of the possible time periods relative to the total time commanded by the irrigation controller.
US09016311B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a flow passage network and a flow passage network for minimizing energy loss occurring during fluid flow, and there are effects in which flow loss is reduced during fluid transport and the energy efficiency of flow passages increases by optimizing geometric factors of flow passages on the basis of biomimetic techniques and theoretical formulae of fluid mechanics. Further, it is effective in manufacturing microfluidics in which laminar flow with a low Reynolds number is dominant.
US09016307B2
A diaphragm valve has a valve body with a passage to be opened to allow fluid to pass through the valve body and to be closed to prevent fluid from passing through the valve body, and has a bonnet assembly with a pressure ring to load and unload a diaphragm based on a first spring constant to seal a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, and a compressor to close or open the passage of the valve body. The valve body and bonnet assembly have a connection that allows the valve body and bonnet assembly to be substantially fixed together with a second spring constant that is substantially higher than and independent from the first spring constant.
US09016305B2
A configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) includes a valve body (120) including a valve bore (126) and a coil (180), a first port (101) and a third port (103) located at a first end (111) and a second port (102) located at a second end (112), a pole piece (138), an armature (130) configured to move in response to energization of the coil (180), and a biasing device (135) between the pole piece (138) and the armature (130). When the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-closed biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-closed (NC) valve and when the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-open biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-open (NO) valve.
US09016303B2
The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.
US09016300B1
An articulated sun shade apparatus including a fan member disposed endwise upon an elongate telescopic arm portion, said arm portion rotationally connected at a first pivot point slidingly securable along the length of an elongate base portion, wherein said arm portion is securable between a stowed position, disposed in contact and parallel with the base portion, and a deployed position, pivoted away from said base portion, whereby the fan member is moveable between a collapsed situation and a flared situation to position a plurality of blade members adjacently within a circular section appropriate to cast shade with precision, as desired.
US09016293B2
A compressor wash system for compressor washing includes stages of fluid delivery lines coupled at one end to a pump output and at the other end to a corresponding nozzle set. A control valve is connected to the fluid delivery line between the pump and the nozzle set, selectively supplying fluid between the pump and the nozzle set. Each nozzle of a nozzle set is positioned on an inlet of the compressor to allow the stages to wash a portion of the compressor. Nozzle sets are positioned around a bellmouth assembly and/or around an inlet cone of the compressor inlet, with a nozzle spray tip of each nozzle extending into an inlet air flow path of the compressor. Fluid may be directed to one or more of the stages in a sequencing pattern determined and configured to wash the compressor. Templates and installation guides are utilized to position the nozzles.
US09016282B2
A sterile imaging head protective apparatus includes a radiolucent rigid sheet configured to cover an imaging head of an X-ray imaging machine and a sterile flexible drape attached to the radiolucent rigid sheet. The drape extends away from the radiolucent rigid sheet to an open free end. A member is provided adjacent the open end, wherein the member is operable to maintain the open end in abutment with a portion of the X-ray imaging machine.
US09016281B2
A condom having an indicia disposed on the lower side of the roll when the condom is in the rolled configuration. Preferably, the indicia is a fluorescent marking disposed on the inner side of the condom disposed at a location so that, when the condom is in the rolled configuration, the indicia is visible from the lower side only. More preferably, the indicia is a ring-shaped marking extending about the inner side of the tubular body. In this configuration, a user holding a rolled condom can easily determine which is the upper side of the roll and which is the lower side of the roll. The user may then quickly orient the condom with the lower side facing toward the penis and unroll the condom in the proper direction.
US09016277B2
A compressed air control device for a CPAP device comprises a pressure measuring device for measuring a variation of the pressure in a hollow body of the CPAP device and for generating a corresponding pressure signal, a pressure variation evaluating device for evaluating the measured variation of the pressure according to at least one predetermined criterion and for generating a pressure modulation control signal based on the result of the evaluation, and a pressure modulating device for receiving a substantially constant compressed air stream and for outputting a modulated compressed air stream to the CPAP device. The pressure modulating device is configured in such a way that, in response to the pressure modulation control signal, it modulates the pressure of the compressed air stream output to the CPAP device.
US09016274B1
A device for vaporizing and delivering an aerosol agent includes a heat generator, a heat conductor in fluid (airflow) communication with the heat generator, and a substrate holder in heat conducting relation with the heat conductor. The heat generator is a handheld, portable torch and the heat conductor defines an annular heat conducting chamber surrounding a substrate disposed within the substrate holder that supports the aerosol agent and an aerosol forming agent. Another device is a handheld, battery-powered heat generator including a heating element in heat conducting relation with a substrate holder. The heating element is a nichrome heating coil wound about the substrate disposed within the substrate holder and electrically coupled to the battery. Another device further includes an auxiliary heat generator having an auxiliary heating element formed by a finely woven wire mesh positioned adjacent the substrate and electrically coupled to the battery.
US09016271B2
This invention relates to a device that comprises at least one collection unit (11), equipped with a collection tube (21) placed on supports (23), which is formed by an inner absorber tube (31) shaped as a continuous tube and an outer envelope tube (33). The collection unit (11) also comprises reflectors (15) that direct the radiation toward the collection tube (21). Moreover, the device comprises means (41, 43) designed to maintain the collection tube (21) space between the absorber tube (31) and the envelope tube (33) at a pressure of between 5·10−1-5·10−2 mbar. The main advantages of the invention include the reduction in the breaking of glass due to the lower stresses to fatigue, an increase in the effective collection surface (97%-99%) and active management of the vacuum, which makes it possible to monitor the evolution thereof at all times.
US09016258B2
A crankshaft may include first and second journals having circular cross-sections, and a crankpin, the crankpin extending between first and second crankpin journals. The crankpin may include first, second, and third cams including respective first, second, and third cam profiles, wherein the first, second, and third cam profiles differ from one another. At least one of the first, second, and third cam profiles may be configured to affect the stroke of a connecting rod coupled to the crankpin. A connecting rod may include first, second, and third followers including respective first, second, and third follower surfaces, wherein the first and second follower surfaces differ from one another. An internal combustion engine may include a crankshaft and a connecting rod configured to provide relative linear movement between a crankpin axis and a proximal end of the connecting rod.
US09016257B2
A combination usable together in an automotive vehicle includes an engine block, a cover, and a band clamp. The engine block includes an opening configured to provide access to an interior volume, a first flange having a periphery that surrounds the opening, and a first engagement surface disposed proximate the first flange. The cover includes a second flange disposed around a periphery of the cover, and a second engagement surface disposed proximate the second flange, the second engagement surface configured to mate with the first engagement surface, wherein when the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are disposed in engagement with each other the first flange and the second flange in combination define an exterior surface having a first profile. The band clamp includes an interior surface with a second profile that is complementary with the first profile.
US09016253B2
There is provided a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, including: a center electrode extending in the direction of an axis of the spark plug and having a core of higher thermal expansion coefficient than that of a front end thereof, the center electrode including a flanged portion radially outwardly protruding on a rear side thereof and a cylindrical portion located closer to a front end of the spark plug than the flanged portion and being smaller in diameter than the flanged portion; an insulator having an axial hole in the direction of the axis to retain the flanged portion in the axial hole with the cylindrical portion held in a loose-fit state in the axial hole; and a metal shell accommodating the insulator, wherein the spark plug satisfies the following condition: Cb
US09016252B2
A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. The rocker arm assembly pivots upon a hydraulic lash adjuster. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A pressure transducer is positioned within the hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) and is adapted to create a signal indicating the fluid pressure in the HLA. A control unit is coupled to the hydraulic valve and the pressure transducer, and is adapted to sense engine operation parameters, actuate the hydraulic valve, read the signal from the pressure transducer and identify malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly based upon the signal from the transducer.
US09016250B2
An internal combustion includes a crankshaft and a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft. The internal combustion engine also includes an oil source, an engine cover, and a drive member disposed within the engine cover for transferring rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft. A camshaft phaser actuated by an electric motor is disposed within the engine cover for controllably varying the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A supply passage communicates oil from the oil source to the camshaft phaser in order to lubricate the camshaft phaser and a drain passage drains oil from the camshaft phaser to the oil source. A sealing arrangement defines a dry zone within the engine cover to isolate the drive member from oil used to lubricate the camshaft phaser.
US09016249B2
Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include a rocker arm having an adjustable length push tube mounted to a first end and multiple contact surfaces for an engine valve bridge at a second end. An actuator piston assembly may be provided in the rocker arm between the first and second rocker arm ends. The actuator piston assembly is adapted to extend from the rocker arm under the influence of hydraulic pressure and actuate an inboard engine valve through the engine valve bridge when an actuator piston is locked into an extended position.
US09016247B2
A four-cylinder four-stroke engine contains a base, a gas valve, a holder, a driving device, and a driven assembly, and a seat. When a four-cylinder four-stroke engine operates, a plurality of cylinders push plural pistons in the plurality of cylinders of the driving device so as to drive plural pushing posts connecting with the plural pistons to move upward and downward repeatedly, such that the driven assembly coupling with the plural pushing posts is pushed to drive a rotary shaft to rotate, thus generating a rotational energy, and the driven assembly simultaneously pushes a gear set of the driving device so that the gear set drives the gas valve on the base to rotate 360 degrees to feed and exhaust gases in the base, such that the plurality of cylinders are driven to feed, compress, burst, and exhaust gases continuously without using a crankshaft and valves.
US09016243B2
A circulating fluidized bed boiler includes a rectangular furnace having multiple particle separators connected to an upper portion of each of a front wall and a back wall of the furnace. Each particle separator includes a gas outlet, and a flue gas duct system connected to the gas outlets for conducting cleaned flue gas to a back pass. The particle separators are arranged in pairs. Each pair includes a front separator arranged adjacent to the front wall and a back separator arranged adjacent to the back wall. The flue gas duct system includes cross over ducts, each duct connecting the gas outlet of a front separator of a pair of particle separators, across and over the furnace, to the gas outlet of the back separator of the same pair of particle separators, and to the back pass, which back pass is arranged on the back wall side of the furnace.
US09016241B2
This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and finally exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance.
US09016239B2
A system for creating a plurality of sheltered stalls around feeding ports of a hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls may be formed by generally V-shaped members having opposed curved wings, one stall being formed beneath abutting wings of two abutting generally V-shaped members. The generally V-shaped members may be supported on mounting hooks which are either integral with or removable from the hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls and mounting hooks are red. The system may include the hummingbird feeder. The system deters dominant males from preventing use of the hummingbird feeder by competing hummingbirds.
US09016237B2
The present invention relates to a system and method of managing a group of dairy animals. More particularly, the invention relates to measuring one or more milk parameters, comparing this parameter to a criterion, and allowing an animal access to a pasture based on this comparison. The milk parameter is related to the composition of milk obtained from a dairy animal in as far as the composition is defined by at least one of the amount of protein and the energy intake of the dairy animal. The measured milk parameter is, for example, urea. Access to the pasture will be completely or partly blocked for a dairy animal having a high content of urea. This dairy animal is thus prevented from taking in an undesirably large amount of protein.
US09016235B2
The substrate coating device (10) includes a slit nozzle (1), a first camera (3), a second camera (4), a control section (5), a pump (8), and a pressure control chamber (9). The control section (5) controls the supply of the coating liquid from the pump (8) to the slit nozzle (1) in accordance with the result of comparison between a bead shape imaged by the first camera (3) and a reference shape. The control section (5) also controls the air pressure on the upstream side of the slit nozzle (1) by the pressure control chamber (9) in accordance with the result of comparison between a distance measured from an image taken by the second camera (4) and a reference distance.
US09016232B2
A paper coater includes a frame, an entry guide roll and an exit guide roll both carried by the frame and along a path of travel of a continuous paper sheet. The paper coater includes independently controllable hot wax applicators carried by the frame between the entry and exit guide rolls. Each independently controllable hot wax applicator includes a press roll, an engraved applicator roll opposite the press roll so that the continuous paper sheet is therebetween, and with the engraved applicator roll extending into a hot wax reservoir to pick up hot wax. Each wax applicator includes a doctor blade adjacent the engraved applicator roll to control a thickness of hot wax. At least one selectively operable positioner relatively moves the press and engraved applicator rolls between active and idle positions. The paper coater provides different wax application rates and can be reconfigured relatively quickly between different application rates.
US09016231B2
A solvent vapor is made to adhere efficiently to the surface of a resist pattern without using an ultraviolet irradiation process to improve processing accuracy, to reduce processing time and to suppress the diffusion of the solvent outside a substrate processing system. The surface of a resist pattern R formed on a semiconductor wafer W by an exposure process and a developing process is coated with water molecules m. A solvent vapor of a water-soluble solvent, such as NMP, is spouted on the surface of the resist pattern R coated with the water molecules m. A surface layer of the resist pattern R is swollen by the solvent vapor combined with the water molecules m to achieve a smoothing process. The water molecules m and the solvent s remaining on the resist pattern R on the wafer W after the smoothing process are removed by drying.
US09016228B2
A swim platform for mounting onto the stern of a boat. Generally, the swim platform includes an upper platform, a lower platform, and a central support member for interconnecting the platforms and for mounting the swim platform to the boat. The platforms are sized and configured such that one or more persons could comfortably stand or sit on them. A forward portion of the lower platform is disposed proximate a rearward portion of the upper platform. Also, the lower platform is spaced vertically below the top platform and is ideally positioned at or slightly above the surface of the water. In operation, as the boat accelerates, the lower platform tilts towards the water as the bow tilts upwards. As the lower platform contacts the water, an upward force is exerted onto the lower platform, which forces the bow downwards and simultaneously forces the stern up and out of the water.
US09016221B2
Disclosed herein is an article that includes a first plurality of spaced features. The spaced features are arranged in a plurality of groupings; the groupings of features include repeat units; the spaced features within a grouping are spaced apart at an average distance of about 1 nanometer to about 500 micrometers; each feature having a surface that is substantially parallel to a surface on a neighboring feature; each feature being separated from its neighboring feature; the groupings of features being arranged with respect to one another so as to define a tortuous pathway. The plurality of spaced features provide the article with an engineered roughness index of about 5 to about 20.
US09016213B2
A workstation with variable spatial configuration capabilities. It is designed to allow a plurality of office chairs to couple to the workstation and while coupled to the workstation move in tandem with the workstation. Such coupling will allow the workstation as a whole to be portable while still efficiently supporting and effectively organizing the components of a complex computer system. The workstation further comprises of work surfaces whose placement is adjustable in multiple dimensions and provides a solid, yet portable structure to work from, while being flexible enough to allow a user selective variable spatial configuration for the user work environment.
US09016211B2
Disclosed are wheelsets having a cured coating produced from the application and curing of a composition comprising a component A comprisinga1) 18 to 30% by weight of a polyether polyol with a hydroxy number of 300 to 500 mg KOH/g, a2) 38 to 60% by weight of castor oil, a3) 0.6 to 2.0% by weight of at least one di- or polyamine, a4) 5.6 to 9.0% by weight of trizinc bis(orthophosphate), a5) 2.2 to 3.5% by weight of zinc oxide and/or zinc phosphate, a6) 0.05 to 0.4% by weight of a catalyst which catalyzes urethane formation, where the percentage by weight data are based on the total mass of the coating composition, and a component B comprising one or more di- and/or polyisocyanates in an amount corresponding to a molar ratio of 0.6:1 to 1.2:1 of the isocyanate groups to the hydroxy groups of the constituents a1) and a2).
US09016209B2
A transverse adjustment mechanism for a bilateral half-spring type load-carrying head is installed in the casing of the load-carrying head of the lifting unit of a pit type unwheeling machine, fixedly connected with the casing, directly connected to an adjustment unit at the end of the load-carrying head, and installed on a lead screw of the adjustment unit. The transverse adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting nut, an adjusting nut guide, a guiding tube, and a guiding sleeve, a nut mounting plate, a flange plate, a compression spring and a sliding shaft. The invention is currently applied to the transverse adjustment of the no-loading heads and transverse fine adjustment of the load-carrying heads of a China Railway High-speed (CRH) train. The structure is reliable and practical, safe, convenient and energy-saving to use and satisfies the demand for the synchronous lifting operation of the entire CRH train of the compatible pit type unwheeling machine.
US09016204B2
This invention relates to fragmentation-beam ammunition capable of simultaneous axial and circular field destruction.The objects of this invention are providing a variable configuration axial field of the fabricated destructive elements for the reliable destruction of different types of tank threatening targets and providing for the complete destruction of the fragmentation unit following explosive charge detonation in the projectile.The technical solution according to this invention, the projectile comprises an elongated explosive charge with a detonator in the form of a rotation body with a curvilinear generatrix located coaxially with the fragmentation unit wherein said detonator is electrically connected with the fuse and said fuse comprises a device (an adapter booster) for varying the time interval between the activation of both detonators depending on the setting, said detonators comprising safety devices.
US09016191B2
A portable baking oven for a pizza or other food item includes a food item heating plate, a base having a heating chamber, and a top cover having a moisture vent and a heat reflector structure extending across the inside of said top cover. When placed on said base, the top cover forms a baking chamber above the heating plate. Heat produced in the base's heating chamber circulates up through air passageways in the base into the baking chamber above the food item heating plate. This circulated heat is reflected back down toward the food item heating plate by the top cover's heat reflecting structure to accelerate baking of the top of a food item placed on the heating plate. The top cover's moisture vent can be located above the heat reflector structure in the top cover, and openings can be provided in the heat reflector structure which allow moisture emitted by a food item being baked in the oven to pass through the reflector structure and out through the top cover moisture vent.
US09016190B2
A fryer for deep frying a turkey has an outer cooking pot for containing hot oil. A splatter sleeve is telescopically slidable into the pot, the sleeve having a surrounding side wall, an open top surrounded by a top sleeve rim and an open bottom surrounded by a bottom sleeve rim. A lid is sealingly seatable upon the top sleeve rim and has a lid hole. A lid latch latches the lid to the top sleeve rim. A turkey support has a turkey support base, extends upwardly from the base to a handle top end and is insertable through the hole in the lid. When these components and a turkey are assembled, suspended from the handle and lowered into hot cooking oil, the sleeve is sufficiently long that it enters the oil before the turkey thereby assuring a complete splatter barrier.
US09016185B1
The present disclosure provides a method for clearing weapons that have been sunk in waterways using a weapon clearance appliance. The weapon clearance appliance comprises means for detachable connection to an unmanned underwater vehicle, so that the underwater vehicle is a safe distance away when the weapon is detonated. The volume of the weapon clearance appliance is chosen such that the buoyancy force which acts on the weapon clearance appliance under water compensates for the force of gravity acting on the weapon clearance appliance. Therefore, the weapon clearance appliance has neutral buoyancy, as a result of which, after the weapon clearance appliance has been released from the underwater vehicle, there is no need to retrim the underwater vehicle. Therefore, there is no need for trimming devices on the underwater vehicle.
US09016178B2
An apparatus for cutting tubular members includes a support structure, a control system, a cutting station, a guide and an extracting assembly. The cutting station includes a first wheel having at least one cutting member located on the circumference of the first wheel and a second wheel having at least one projection located on the circumference of the second wheel. The extracting assembly has a cylindrical member with a first end and a second end. The cylindrical member also includes a pair of grooves extending along a portion of the interior thereof. The grooves decrease in height and depth from the first interior section to the third interior section.
US09016167B2
Integrated hand and controls protection system for vehicles utilizing handlebars for steering, consisting of; hand/controls guards (guards), integral/stowable mirror assembly, damper mount, display guard and integral electrical accessory mounting provisions.
US09016146B2
A method for injecting a sample being analyzed into the injection tube of a measurement cell which includes an injection opening and a punch. The sample is introduced into a syringe including a plunger, and the syringe is closed by an expendable cap having a male end closed by a strikable closure. The syringe is secured to the support of an injection station aligned with the injection opening, and a pusher displaces the syringe by vertical translation from an upper position to a lower position with the punch perforating the closure of the cap to inject the sample from the syringe into the injection tube.
US09016145B2
Device for taking samples of liquid from a collection container, characterized in that it comprises a support for liquid sample collection containers; a support for a set of containers into which the sample of liquid will be deposited; a support for connection elements; a container handling mechanism; and a device for inserting the containers into which the sample of liquid will be deposited into the connection element.
US09016137B2
For flow measurement a device with a compact housing and a fixable hinged cover has a measuring channel for inserting a flexible tube such that it becomes deformed in a defined way. The measuring channel extends over the entire width of the housing. A measuring cell arranged in the center of the measuring channel has four ceramics I, II, III, IV, integrated in a sound-decoupled way and facing each other diagonally in pairs, which are placed in lateral parts on the left and on the right of the measuring cell, and a base plate limiting the measuring cell downwards in the direction of an installation space for an electric evaluation system, wherein the base plate also limits the remaining area of the measuring channel from below.
US09016130B2
A method comprises positioning an ultrasonic probe against a surface of an item. The probe includes a chamber formed in part by a flexible membrane, which is opposite the surface. The method further comprises moving the probe along the surface while varying chamber pressure to flex the membrane to accommodate the surface.
US09016129B2
Low cost miniature vector sensors are provided. An acoustic vector sensor is provided that comprises at least one accelerometer to measure at least one component of acoustic particle acceleration, wherein the at least one accelerometer has a resonant frequency within a measurement band of the acoustic vector sensor. In addition, a method is disclosed for measuring an acoustic signal. The method comprises the steps of configuring an array of acoustic vector sensors comprised of at least one accelerometer to measure at least one component of acoustic particle acceleration; operating the at least one accelerometer at a resonant frequency within a measurement band of the acoustic vector sensor; and generating a voltage using one or more of the acoustic vector sensors representative of the acoustic signal as the acoustic signal propagates past the array. The voltage optionally indicates a bearing of the acoustic signal.
US09016127B2
A piezoelectric acceleration sensor comprises a piezoelectric element, a metallic sheet and a circuit board. The piezoelectric element is polarized in a predetermined direction. The circuit board includes a circuit portion and a roughly flat shaped base portion. The base portion protrudes from an end portion of the circuit portion. One of surfaces of the metallic sheet is fixed to and supported by a surface of the base portion. The piezoelectric element is fixed to and supported by a remaining one of the surfaces of the metallic sheet in a manner that the piezoelectric element and the base portion do not overlap each other in the predetermined direction.
US09016113B2
A testing device and method for testing scissors are disclosed. The testing device includes a mount device. The mount device includes a first mount feature for mounting a first grip end of the scissors thereon and a second mount feature movable with respect to the first mount feature for mounting a second grip end of the scissors thereon. The testing device additionally includes a feed device positioned to provide a test media between a first blade and a second blade of the scissors. The testing device further includes a position sensor associated with the mount device for measuring movement of the second grip end, and a load sensor associated with the mount device for measuring a load required for the scissors to cut the test media.
US09016108B1
A nanostructure device is provided and performs dual functions as a nano-switching/sensing device. The nanostructure device includes a doped semiconducting substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the doped semiconducting substrate, an electrode formed on the insulating layer, and at least one layer of graphene formed on the electrode. The at least one layer of graphene provides an electrical connection between the electrode and the substrate and is the electroactive element in the device.
US09016103B2
A method of using a hydraulically driven pressing device for pressing a fitting on a tube is provided. The pressing device includes a piston and a cylinder for acting on pressing jaws. A piston shaft is connected to rollers. The pressing device can be used to carry out pressing operations requiring different levels of pressing power, by using an adjustable stop which is provided in the direction of displacement of the piston in order to achieve different end positions for the piston during the piston return stroke.
US09016101B2
For the manufacture of can bodies as they are needed for the manufacture of aerosol cans or beverage cans, a special tool 2 is provided which combines the manufacture of the cup as well as the transformation of the cup into a can body into a single tool 3. The process is based on preferably round metal sheets which are first drawn in a first draw-stretching step of the tool 2 into cups and then are draw-stretched in a second draw-stretch process, the further draw- and slide-down-stretch to form can bodies. The drawing arrangements are the same in both operating steps. The tools required therefore are simple sturdy tools providing for a simple sturdy manufacturing process.
US09016097B2
Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.
US09016096B2
A locking lug nut system includes a primary locking lug nut, a secondary locking lug nut, and a key. The locking lug nuts each have non-hexagonal irregular key surfaces and the key has a non-hexagonal key element engageable with the key surface of at least one of the locking lug nuts.
US09016085B2
The invention relates to a refrigerating appliance having an evaporator area and at least two cooling areas partitioned off from one another inside the housing of the refrigerating appliance. A wall has a solid inner skin, a solid outer skin and a layer made of expanded insulating material located between the inner and outer skin. A cold air supply channel in the wall extends from the evaporator area past the first cooling area to the second cooling area. A shaped part made of an insulating material extends between the cold air supply channel and the inner skin of the wall. The cold air supply channel is separated from the expanded insulating material by a partition.
US09016081B2
A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.
US09016064B2
A combustor includes a breech end, a plurality of fuel nozzles connected to the breech end and extending downstream from the breech end; and a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel nozzles inside the combustor. A support extends radially inside at least a portion of the shroud, and a lip seal is between the support and at least one of the plurality of fuel nozzles.
US09016057B2
An actuator using a superelastic material characterized by a low heating temperature, excellent durability, and no necessity of composition adjustment is provided.An actuator (1) according to the invention includes a movable member operable in two directions, one direction and the other direction, and a pair of wire-like members made of a superelastic alloy and so attached to the movable member that the pair of wire-like members extend in the two respective directions and the same tensile force is applied thereto. The movable member is moved from a neutral position and left stationary in a predetermined position located along the one direction by applying a load to the movable member in the one direction and then removing the load, and the movable member is moved back from the predetermined position located along the one direction to the neutral position by applying a load to the movable member in the other direction and then removing the load.
US09016051B2
A burner device placed upstream of an exhaust treatment device mounted in an exhaust pipe to raise a temperature of an exhaust gas, comprises a fuel supply valve for supplying fuel into the exhaust pipe, an igniter that ignites the fuel supplied from the fuel supply valve, and a burner catalyst held in the exhaust pipe through a support member. The support member is formed in a corrugated shape in cross section including outer arc-shaped portions in contact with the exhaust pipe, inner arc-shaped portions in contact with an outer peripheral member of the burner catalyst, and coupling portions for coupling the outer arc-shaped portions and the inner arc-shaped portions to each other.
US09016049B2
A method is presented for controlling an internal combustion engine (10), which includes an exhaust gas system (12) having an exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22) that temporarily stores exhaust gas constituents and can be regenerated, wherein an expected value for a temperature of the exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22) is formed as a function of an increase in temperature, which arises as a result of exothermal reactions during the duration of an operating mode (BA2) of the internal combustion engine (10) which is set for the regeneration of said exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22), wherein the expected value is compared with an upper threshold value (T_max) and the control of said internal combustion engine (10) is changed when the threshold value (T_max) is exceeded, such that an expected value formed while taking the changed control into account does not exceed said threshold value (T_max). The method is thereby characterized in that a direction of change of a current temperature of said exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22) is taken into account when forming the expected value.
US09016045B2
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided and includes an exhaust gas conduit, a generator, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The generator operates at a generator speed to produce electrical power. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The EHC device includes a monolith structure that is divided into a plurality of segments that define discrete resistive paths. The resistive paths are selectively connected to the generator for receiving electrical power. The control module is in communication with the EHC device, the generator, and the internal combustion engine. The control module includes control logic for determining the generator speed.
US09016044B2
A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to storing exhaust gas while the engine is working, and supplying the stored exhaust gas into at least an engine cylinder during a subsequent start phase of the engine.
US09016026B2
The present invention provides a method of assembling frameless metal buildings by means of securing together a selected number of roll formed corrugated sheets by the use of cyclically bent corner members roll formed to identically match the roll formed sheets and holding the secured together sheets and bent corner members by mechanical fastening means to provide Total Load Connectivity. The formed frameless buildings have mechanical fasteners connecting adjoining similar corrugated panels to form joints with an engineered joint design that will transfer, without internal load redistribution, loads Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My and Mz across the formed joints in the subassemblies and any final on-site assembly so that any desired shaped building may be formed, limited only by the strength of the assembled components and the fastening elements.
US09016024B1
A multipurpose connector that minimally occludes the opening in a conventional steel wall stud when used to connect a conventional bridging member to the wall stud, conserving the opening's function as a pass-through for pipes, conduits and wiring. It has a tapering extension on one flange that maximizes its interface with a bridging member, and a matching central portion on the other flange that minimizes material waste when the connectors are cut from a roll of sheet metal on a progressive die machine. It has a pair of tapering tabs that maximize the functional interface with a wall stud and maximize the functional size of the opening in the wall stud. It has a plurality of fastener openings designed to permit a variety of secure connections to be made with the same fastener and a plurality of fasteners. It is one of a plurality of multipurpose connectors of different widths that can all be made on the same progressive die production line with minimal setup changes.
US09016015B2
A device is described for bridging the gap (4) between a wall (2) and a floor covering (3) having a floor profile (5), which is supported in one longitudinal edge region on the floor covering (3) and in the opposing longitudinal edge region on a wall-side spacer profile (6), which rests on a subfloor (1) for the floor covering (3). To achieve simple adaptation to different support heights, it is proposed that the spacer profile (6) have at least two contact areas, which are arranged angularly offset to one another about the profile longitudinal axis, and these contact areas have opposing supports for the floor profile (5), wherein the support lengths determined by the spacing of the supports from the associated contact areas are different.
US09016008B2
A vented ridge cap assembly can include an upper ridge cap member and one or more non-continuous members configured to support the ridge cap member at a position spaced above a roof of a structure. The non-continuous members include one or more gaps to allow air to pass there through. The ridge cap assembly can optionally include a non-continuous member with one or more folds so as to define two or more parallel walls which can provide enhanced rigidity and/or wind resistance. Optionally, the roof cap assembly can include lower mounting portions for mating with upper surface of a roof structure.
US09016005B2
The invention describes a process and a unit, both enabling to attach a wind turbine tower to a foundation, as well as describes also a wind turbine incorporating the unit. The process features a stage of installation of a support element for the transmission of stresses from the tower to the foundation, followed by a stage of levelling the support element and pouring foundation concrete up to the support element's lower side so that the lower side is adhered to the poured concrete once it has set. The unit comprises at least one support element.
US09016002B2
A construction set and method for assembling a single-, or multi-level Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) requiring a plurality of flat panels that include male (M) and female (F) lock connectors located on their respective peripheries and a frame constructed from a plurality vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. The entire RHU can be assembled using a single, hand-operated tool to engage a selected M lock with a selected F lock in addition to other securing hardware. First the floor is established and leveled. Next, starting at a corner, the walls are erected around the floor using vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. Finally, the roof is created. The same, hand-operated tool is used for each task.
US09016001B2
An erectable portable housing structure is disclosed herein which has a plurality of panels that can be pivoted outward to form a two-story portable housing structure for the purpose of providing shelter for people or storage area. The portable housing structure may have an external envelope that can be transported through standard intermodal transportation systems. When the portable housing structure has been transported to a particular site, the panels within the portable housing structure may be pivoted outward to erect the two-story portable housing structure.
US09015998B2
An airbeam includes at least a pair of inflatable beams each having an inner sleeve, middle sleeve and outer cover. Each sleeve is stitched to form flat side seams. The sleeves are inverted so that each flat side seam is disposed cantilevered inwardly on the inside of the sleeve. A linear common seam bisects the stitched side edges of the outer cover to form a pair of outer sleeves. One middle sleeve is nested within each outer sleeve. One inner sleeve is nested within each middle sleeve. One inner tube is nested in each inner sleeve. The nesting is arranged so that the side seams of the inner and middle sleeves are adjacent one another or overlap one another along, their entire length and so that the side seams of the outer cover are adjacent or overlap the side seams of the middle sleeve.
US09015985B2
A fishing sinker includes a tumbled limestone body and an element for attaching the limestone body to a fishing line. The element for attaching the limestone body to a fishing line can include: a break-away swivel fastener including a stem in a cavity of the limestone body, an eyelet, and a swivel body coupling the stem to the eyelet, an eyelet including a loop portion and a twisted portion, or a tongue and groove fastener.
US09015980B2
The present disclosure provides a gun having an off-hand grip adjustably coupled to a handguard and spaced apart from a grip with a trigger located between the grip and the off-hand grip. The off-hand grip has a first end and a second end that is distal from the first end. The off-hand grip includes a pivot located adjacent the first end such that the off-hand grip is pivotable with respect to the handguard. The off-hand grip is also pivotable between a use position where the off-hand grip longitudinally extends about transverse from the barrel, and a stowed position where the off-hand grip is longitudinally adjacent the barrel.
US09015977B2
A framing system having a base panel assembly configured so that an ornamental/informational object can be incorporated into the base panel assembly so as to be viewable from in front thereof. A frame extends around a peripheral region of the base panel assembly. Connectors on the base panel assembly and frame cooperate so as to allow the base panel assembly and frame to be: a) moved from a separated relationship relative to each other into an operatively joined relationship; and b) releasably maintained in the operatively joined relationship as an incident of the base panel assembly and frame changing from the separated relationship into the operatively joined relationship, without requiring use of any separate fasteners, once the operatively joined relationship is achieved.
US09015972B1
Mobile signs/billboards designed to attach to the back end of a vehicle are disclosed comprising a mounting device that is mounted to the back end of a vehicle via the holes for fixing a license plate, and a sign or billboard supported by the mounting device. The signs are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to provide a display for advertisement or personal messaging. The sign/billboard can be inserted or removed quickly from the mounting device. While the sign/billboard is supported by the mounting device at the back end of the vehicle, the license tag is affixed elsewhere on the mounting device for full viewing and lighting. The mounting device remains on the vehicle until easily removed whereupon the license plate can be reattached to the vehicle. The mounting device comprises an inner pocket for easy insertion and removal of signs and billboards. Lighting may be wired with the vehicle or use solar power or batteries to providing lighting for the sign/billboard.
US09015966B2
A harvesting device for harvesting and/or picking up crop such as plants or plant parts located on the field is configured with a pick-up unit with a working width oriented transversely to the direction of travel (F), for picking up the crop. The pick-up unit has a multiplicity of pick-up elements, each of which can move at least partially in the vertical direction and are disposed along the working width. Outer ends of the movable pick-up elements form envelope curves during operation. A conveyor unit for further conveying the picked-up crop is provided downstream of the pick-up unit in the direction of the crop flow. The harvesting device so arranged improves the pick-up or intake of crop because the conveyor unit at least partially overhangs the envelope curves of the pick-up elements in the direction of travel (F).
US09015955B2
The present document describes a container for storing and drying garments or sport equipment, the container comprising an external envelope comprising a resistant material; and a ventilation structure through which air can be blown for drying the garments or sports equipment, the ventilation structure supporting the external envelope, the ventilation structure comprising hanging elements for hanging the garments or sports equipment thereon, the ventilation structure capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the ventilation structure occupies more space than in the retracted position.
US09015950B2
A method and device for locking of a support ring (8) to a scaffolding column (1), wherein the support ring (8) is formed with a through opening (10), and wherein the support ring (8) fits in a complementary and displaceable manner onto the scaffolding column (1), and wherein the method comprises:—providing an external mantel surface of the scaffolding column (1) with a longitudinal column track (4);—providing an inner mantel (12) of the support ring (8) with a ring track (14);—displacing a support ring (8) along and around the scaffolding column (1);—positioning the column track (4) and the ring track (14) next to each other; and—displacing a thread body (22) into the column track (4) and the ring track (14) during rotation of the thread body (22) about a longitudinal axis (28) thereof, a column track depth (6) and a ring track depth (16) having a collective depth being smaller than an external thread diameter (30) of the thread body (22).
US09015949B2
A method for preventing twisting of a strap of a car seat, the method comprising receiving the strap through a body portion of a device, wherein the body portion includes opposite open ends, and wherein the strap extends through the body portion and protrudes from each of the ends, and positioning the device below at least one of a chest clip and a bottom clip coupled to the strap.
US09015948B2
Fuselage skins of aircraft are joined using friction stir welding. A strip of cladding is removed from the skins along an abutment between the skins before the skins are welded in order to prevent the cladding from interfering with the welding process. The cladding is replaced after the welding is completed.
US09015946B2
A method of manufacturing a nozzle plate of a spray apparatus is provided. The method includes providing a conductive layer; forming a plurality of insulating layers on the conductive layer, wherein each of the insulating layers has at least one first tapered geometrical structure with mirror symmetry and a centroid with positional deviation from a first pattern center, and wherein the centroid of the first tapered geometrical structure is a barycenter of the first tapered geometrical structure; forming an electroplating layer on the conductive layer and part of the insulating layer, leaving the central part of the insulating layer exposed; and removing the conductive layer and the insulating layer to form a main body resulting in a plurality of orifices each having an inlet end and an outlet end on the electroplating layer.
US09015945B2
A method of forming a flow restriction in a fluid communication system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a flow restricting section having a cross sectional area and a length, measuring the flow resistivity of the flow restricting section, and modifying the cross sectional area and/or the length of the flow restricting section until a desired flow resistivity of the flow restricting section is obtained. The method provides the possibility of forming a flow restriction in an easy and cost effective manner, and to subsequently adjust the flow resistivity of the flow restriction, thereby obtaining an accurate flow resistivity.
US09015941B2
A method of the present disclosure includes of repairing a core stiffened structure with structural foam. Another method includes splicing core members together using structural foam. Another method includes joining a core member to a structure using structural foam. Another method includes using structural foam to stabilize a core member during a machining process. Another method includes stabilizing a core member with structural foam to prevent the core member from crushing in autoclave pressure. The present disclosure further includes a core stiffened structure have a core member with structural foam therein.
US09015939B2
In a method for increasing the strength of a component subjected to torsional and flexural stress, in particular of a crankshaft, in a first step essentially the entire component is provided with a nitriding layer. In a second step, the nitriding layer is at least partially removed in at least one highly stressed region of the component by means of cutting machining, and, in a third step, the at least one highly stressed component region freed of the nitriding layer is mechanically strain-hardened.
US09015933B2
A micro device may comprise a substrate, a first micro structure coupled to the substrate, a second micro structure coupled to the substrate, and port configured to receive an input. The first micro structure is configured to move into engagement with the second micro structure in response to the input.
US09015932B2
It is to provide an electronic component connecting method capable of performing dehumidification within a short time without giving a thermal influence to an electronic component which has already been mounted on a wiring board.When a first connection terminal group 5 formed on a connection area 3 of a rigid board 1 is connected to a flexible board 2 where a second connection terminal group 6 has been formed by employing a thermosetting resin in an electrically conductive manner, since a connection area 3 which is heated in a step for thermally hardening the thermosetting resin is locally preheated, moisture, and oils and fats contained in the connection area 3 among such moisture, and oils and fats, which have been absorbed in the rigid board 1 are dehumidified. Thereafter, the thermosetting resin interposed between the first connection terminal group 5 and the second connection terminal group 6 is thermally hardened. Since the connection area 3 is locally preheated, the dehumidification can be carried out within a short time without giving a thermal influence to an electronic component 4 which has already been mounted on the rigid board 1.
US09015917B2
A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.
US09015903B2
In one example, a connector includes: first and second pins protruding from opposite sides of a panel or a frame; first and second receivers on opposite sides of the other of the panel or the frame to receive the first and second pins; a first distance between the receivers shorter than a second distance between the protruding ends of the pins such that the first pin may be inserted into the first receiver and then the second pin inserted into the second receiver but both pins may not be inserted simultaneously into the receivers; and a movable retainer integral to the panel and the frame to retain the pins in the receivers. The retainer is movable between a first position to limit axial travel of the pins in the receivers and a second position to not limit axial travel of the pins in the receivers.
US09015900B2
Collected-dust-amount indicating device (16) includes a pointer tube, at least a part of which is configured with a transparent material. The pointer tube includes a first end portion to which a first pressure is applied, and a second end portion to which a second pressure is applied. In the inside of the pointer tube, a pointer is disposed which is displaced by a differential pressure between the first pressure applied to the first end portion and the second pressure applied to the second end portion. Moreover, a pointer spring is disposed to be accommodated in the pointer tube such that the pointer spring biases the pointer toward larger one of the first pressure and the second pressure.
US09015893B2
A brush including a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head has an upper surface and at least one protuberance positioned on the upper surface of the head. A plurality of bristle elements extend from the upper surface of the head and are positioned around the protuberance such that bristle elements positioned closest to the protuberance define a cup-shaped clearance space around the protuberance.
US09015890B1
The biodegradable toilet snake is a tool for dislodging clogs in drainpipes. Once a drainpipe clog is dislodged, the snake is detached and left in the drainpipe where the snake dissolves in water.
US09015889B1
A snake tool adaptor capable of coupling commercially available heavy duty drain cleaning cables and attachments normally associated with heavy electric drain cleaners with a portable rotary driving tool such as a hand-held drill. Adaptors of the subject invention include a hand grip having a proximal end terminating in a shank for operable attachment to a the chuck of a power drill, and a distal end terminating in coupling means for removable mating engagement with various heavy duty drain cleaning cables and their attachments normally associated with heavy electric drain cleaners.
US09015873B2
A drain sump includes a secondary chamber for providing an alternate source of water for the main drain to pull water from, thereby limiting the suction force created when the flow of water is obstructed. In a preferred embodiment, the two chambers within the drain sump are partitioned by a septum wall, which provides a passage for a drain pipe extension at the center of the septum wall and further includes a plurality of venting channels for ideal water flow between the two chambers. Each chamber is in open fluid flow communication with the pool water via the drain grate. Relief hole passages are included on the drain pipe extension for providing open fluid communication between the secondary chamber and the water flow passage. The drain pipe extension may further include two 90 degree bends for restricting access to the water flow passage of the drain pipe extension.
US09015865B2
A pair of notches or slits in a collar can prevent the formation of bulky crests or wrinkling when the collar is arranged in an outer open ‘continental style’ under a jacket, however there is also a propensity for such a collar to curl up at the notches. The invention herein discloses the use of a fastening means to prevent the slit borders, forming the edge surfaces of each back section of the collar, from curling up from the shirt surface. The fastener means are located on each side of the collar, such that one member is located on the inner surface of the back collar where the outside edge meets the base of the slit edge and the other member is located on the outer surface of the collar band.
US09015862B2
The present invention relates to a knee pad and a knee pad assembly. A pad for cushioning the knee when kneeling on a surface comprises structure defining longitudinal first passageways with their longitudinal axes arranged to be positioned, in use, so that they intersect with the surface being knelt on.
US09021606B1
Computer applications may generate event data based on a large volume of different types of record data. Described herein are systems, methods, and devices for enabling a computing node to implement new functions for dynamically consuming the event data. In one example, the computing node may implement a new function using an expression language, without modifying predefined hard coded functions.
US09021601B2
The present invention defines a strong authentication token for generating different dynamic credentials for different application providers comprising an input interface providing an output representing an application provider indicator; a secret key storage for storing one or more secret keys; a variability source for providing a dynamic variable value; a key providing agent for providing an application provider specific key as a function of said application provider indicator using one or more keys stored in said secret key storage; a cryptographic agent for cryptographically combining said application provider specific key with said dynamic variable value using symmetric cryptography; a transformation agent coupled to said cryptographic agent for transforming an output of said cryptographic agent to produce a dynamic credential; and an output interface to output said dynamic credential.The present invention defines furthermore a method to manage the secret keys of strong authentication tokens that can generate dynamic credentials for more than one supported application provider or application provider group using different secret keys for each supported application provider or application provider group comprising generating for each of a batch of strong authentication tokens a token specific master key; personalizing each token of said batch with the token specific master key associated with said token; generating for each of a plurality of supported application providers or application provider groups a set of application provider specific token keys, one application provider specific token key for each token of said batch, whereby each application provider specific token key of each of said sets is derived from that token's token specific master key and a unique identifier or indicator of that application provider or application provider group; providing to each application provider or an entity that is responsible for the verification on behalf of said application provider of the dynamic credentials that are generated for said application provider, the corresponding set of application provider specific token keys.
US09021599B2
A system and methods for protecting privacy via a gateway are provided. The system includes a data store comprising a computer readable medium storing a program of instructions for performing the protection of privacy via the gateway; a processor that executes the program of instructions; an event detection unit to detect an event behind the gateway; a correlation unit to detect a source associated with the detected event; a semi-stable identification unit to assign a semi-stable identification for the associated source with the detected event; a vector assigning unit to assign a vector to data associated with the semi-stable identification, the vector being related to the source independent any personal identification information (PII); and a communication unit to transmit the vector to instigate an action.
US09021591B2
A method for processing frames transmitted in a network including nodes and network segments connecting the nodes. Frames transmitted over network segments are detected. Frame information from each detected frame is stored in a frame information repository. A stored hierarchical data structure includes vectors specifying frame information defining frames permitted in the network, classes including vectors with constraints on the vectors, and patterns including classes with constraints on the classes. The frame information in the detected frames may not match the frame information specified in the vectors. The vectors, if matched by the frame information in the detected frames, may not satisfy the constraints in the classes. The vectors, if matched by the frame information in the detected frames, may satisfy the constraints in the classes, and the classes whose constraints are satisfied by the matched vectors may not satisfy the constraints in the patterns.
US09021584B2
Disclosed are system, method and computer program product for assessing security danger of software. The system collects information about a suspicious, high-danger software objects, including one or more malicious characteristics of the software object, security rating of the software object, and information about one or more security rating rules used in assessing the security rating of the software object. The system then determines whether the suspicious object is a clean (i.e., harmless). When the suspicious object is determined to be clean, the system identifies one or more unique, non-malicious characteristics of the software object and generates a new security rating rule that identifies the software object as clean based on the one or more selected non-malicious characteristics. The system then assigns high priority ranking to the new security rating rule to ensure that the rule precedes all other rules.
US09021577B2
A network element (NE) comprising a memory device configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions by dividing a first plurality of data packets of a data flow into a first plurality of sub-flows, and causing the first plurality of sub-flows to be transmitted to a second NE via a network, wherein the first plurality of sub-flows are transmitted using a first Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) security association (SA) cluster comprising a plurality of parallel sub-SAs. The disclosure also includes a NE comprising a processor configured to create an IPsec SA cluster comprising a first plurality of sub-SAs between the NE and a second NE using an internet key exchange (IKE) or an IKEv2, wherein the first sub-SAs are unidirectional, and wherein the first sub-SAs are configured to transport a first plurality of data packets in a common direction.
US09021574B1
Network activity detectors, such as firewalls, communicate with one another to form a Unified Threat Management System. A first network activity detector sends a request for configuration settings to a second network activity detector. The second network activity detector sends a set of configuration settings in response to the request. The configuration settings include information for detecting digital security threats and/or for responding to detected digital security threats. In this way, configuration settings are propagated from one network activity detector to another so that network activity detectors within a UTMS system are configured consistently, e.g., have up-to-date information for detecting and/or responding to digital security threats.
US09021571B2
In a method for processing a data transfer, an electronic device accesses card-specific data and a card account number from a data-storing card. The electronic device generates a device-generated authentication number which is associated with the data transfer, and which is transmitted, together with the card account number and the card-specific data, to a network platform. The network platform compares an inputted authentication number from a portable device and the device-generated authentication number, and transmits to-be-transferred data to the portable device when the authentication numbers correspond with each other.
US09021566B1
A web server authenticates a user with a web client using a database user table and provides a list of new applications, suspended application sessions, and running application sessions. In response to a request for a new application session, a connection is made from an agent server to an application server hosting the requested application, and connection information including a unique session_ID is added to a database session table such that the client can send a user selection for a session_ID to the web server, which associates the requested session_ID to an existing suspended or running application session using the connection database. For additional security, the client is determined to be trusted or untrusted, and if untrusted, connections to the client are made through a forwarding host, which makes connections to the agent server, and the agent server maintains persistent connections from the agent server to the application server.
US09021563B2
The accessory is capable of connecting to a host device, which is physically separated from the accessory. The accessory includes a first communication module and a contactless module. The first communication module is used to wirelessly coupled to the host device, and receive a first credential from the host device. The contactless module is coupled to the first communication module. The contactless module includes a controller, a first security element, an antenna, and a storage unit. The controller receives the credential from the first communication module. The first security element is coupled to the controller for receiving and storing the first credential. The antenna is coupled to the controller to wirelessly communicate with a first reader for a first application by using the stored first credential. The storage unit stores at least one first transaction record generated during the first application is operating.
US09021560B1
In some embodiments, techniques for authorizing a message comprise receiving a request to authorize delivery of a message for a recipient to be sent subsequent to the request, by a specified sender, wherein the request is embedded in a web page associated with the specified sender; determining whether the request is valid; updating information associated with the specified sender to indicate that the specified sender is authorized, when it is determined that the request is valid; receiving an incoming message for the message recipient; determining that the specified sender is a sender of the incoming message; determining whether the specified sender is authorized, wherein determining whether the specified sender is authorized includes checking the information associated with the specified sender; and when it is determined that the second sender is authorized, bypassing spam filtering for the incoming message and delivering the incoming message.
US09021558B2
Example systems and methods of user authentication based on network context are presented. In one example, a command to authenticate a user of a computing device is received in response to a request transmitted from the computing device to access a computing solution. In response to the command, a determination is made whether a network address corresponding to the request matches at least one network address associated with a protected network. Based on the network address corresponding to the request not matching the at least one network address associated with the protected network, authentication of the user is initiated at an identity provider corresponding to the computing solution. Otherwise, based on the network address corresponding to the request matching the at least one network address associated with the protected network, authentication of the user is delegated to an identity management system located within the protected network.
US09021548B2
A method, computer program, apparatus and a secure module are described. By example, in the method there are steps of receiving a request from a first entity for a secure module to enter an unlock lifecycle state; requesting confirmation to enter the unlock lifecycle state; and if the request is confirmed, transitioning the secure module from a current lifecycle state to the unlock lifecycle state.
US09021544B1
An apparatus for an electronic feedback system designed to work in combination with a television set to enable a viewer to express his or her anger toward televised events by allowing the viewer to vent his or her anger in a physical, satisfying manner, yet do no harm to the television set.
US09021538B2
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.
US09021527B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating initiation of communication actions in accordance with cable attributes. In one embodiment, cable attributes are referenced that indicate utilization of a cable device at a time a communication event is directed to a user device. The user device and the cable device may be associated with the same user. Communication actions to apply in accordance with the communication event are determined based on at least one of the cable attributes. Thereafter, the communication actions are initiated, for example, such that a user is provided with an indication of the communication event visually via the cable device and/or audibly via the user device, depending on the particular cable attributes.
US09021526B1
A method is described for providing a navigation preview file for a video. The method may include identifying a number of content images that may be associated with a video. An arrangement of the content images may be determined that may provide a low granularity preview of the entire length of the associated video where the low granularity preview increasingly becomes more granular as the content images are received on a client device. A navigation preview file may then be constructed according to the arrangement of the content images.
US09021523B2
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US09021513B2
Provided are apparatuses for grounding the objective lens driving unit of an optical pickup device. An optical pickup device includes an objective lens driving unit and a base that supports the objective lens driving unit, and wherein the objective lens driving unit includes a moving structure including an objective lens and a plurality of drive coils; a static structure comprising magnets corresponding to the plurality of drive coils, a yoke that supports the magnets, and a wire holder that has a plurality of wiring layers including a ground wiring layer; a plurality of suspension wires that connect the plurality of drive coils to the plurality of wiring layers; a supporting portion connected to the yoke and fixed to the wire holder; a projection extending from the supporting portion and disposed adjacent to the ground wiring layer; and conductive bonding material connects the ground wiring layer with the projection.
US09021498B1
In a method for adjusting a Pause-loop exiting window value, one or more processors execute an exit instruction for a first virtual CPU (vCPU) in a virtualized computer environment based on the first vCPU exceeding a first Pause-loop exiting (PLE) window value. The one or more processors initiate a first directed yield from the first vCPU to a second vCPU in the virtualized computer environment. The one or more processors determine whether the first directed yield was successful. The one or more processors adjust the first PLE window value based on the determination of whether the first directed yield was successful.
US09021487B2
Method and system for serializing access to datasets, suitable for use in a workflow management system which executes multiple business processes, wherein a single process instance is enabled to invoke web services which may update datasets of different storages holding redundant information. Business Process Execution Language for Web Services allows defining business processes that make use of web services and business processes that externalize their functionality as web services. As the business process has no knowledge about data that is accessed by invoked web services, concurrent process instances may update the same pieces of information within a database. Unless access to the data is carried out as a transaction, parallel execution of the process instances may cause data inconsistencies, which may be avoided by serializing the execution of process instances based on correlation information associated with messages consumed by the process instances.
US09021483B2
Performance in object-oriented systems may be improved by allowing multiple concurrent hardware control and diagnostic operations to run concurrently on the system while preventing race conditions, state/data corruption, and hangs due to deadlock conditions. Deadlock prevention rules may be employed to grant or deny request for hardware operation locks, hardware communication locks, and/or data locks.
US09021481B2
A control device includes a moving unit that moves a storage image of a machine that is currently used as a virtual machine environment, to a predetermined storage area, and a writing unit that, after a completion of a move by the moving unit, writes a new storage image including an operating system in a physical machine environment, to the machine in which the move is completed.
US09021479B2
A mechanism is provided for enforcing machine deployment zoning rules in an automatic provisioning system. Responsive to receiving a machine specification from a user for deployment of a virtual machine in a computing environment, the automatic provisioning system applies machine deployment zone rules to the machine specification. Responsive to the machine specification not meeting the machine deployment zone rules, the automatic provisioning system generates a failure notification. The automatic provisioning system presents the failure notification to the user.
US09021474B2
A method for hardware characterization in a virtual environment is provided in the illustrative embodiments. The hardware resource is allocated to a test virtual machine (VM). A characterization workload is configured to execute in the test VM to characterize a parameter of the hardware resource. The characterization workload is caused to execute on the test VM. A first result of the characterization workload execution is received from the test VM, wherein the result assigns a value to a characteristic of the hardware resource indicative of a behavior of the hardware resource under a set of circumstances.
US09021471B2
An approach that analyzes and manages unresolved (i.e., pending, outgoing) change-sets is provided. Specifically, this approach parses the change-set into a plurality (i.e., one or more) of changes to determine the impact each change may have. An alert may be provided to the user indicating whether the change-set should be checked-in based on the determined impact. Specifically, a change-set management tool provides this capability. The change-set management tool includes a parsing module configured to receive an outgoing change-set; and parse the change-set into a plurality of changes. The change-set management tool further comprises an evaluation module configured to evaluate an impact that each of the plurality of changes within the change-set has on other changes of the plurality of changes within the change-set.
US09021467B2
Disclosed is a software-defined radio terminal device of the present invention. The software-defined radio terminal device of the present invention is a software-defined radio terminal device configured adaptively according to a radio application, and comprises: a storage unit, a micro processor, and a baseband accelerator, wherein the micro processor delivers from the upper layer to the baseband accelerator a control command for controlling the baseband accelerator and information to be transmitted, reads from the storage unit a code including a radio controller layer delivering the information received from the baseband accelerator to the upper layer, and a baseband driver layer that enables the interface between the radio controller layer and the baseband accelerator and implements the code thereby, and is configured to load from the storage unit to the baseband accelerator at least one function block needed for implementing the radio application, and the function block loaded to the baseband accelerator is configured to include a baseband control function block that controls in real-time the baseband accelerator.
US09021447B2
A tracing system may divide trace objectives across multiple instances of an application, then deploy the objectives to be traced. The results of the various objectives may be aggregated into a detailed tracing representation of the application. The trace objectives may define specific functions, processes, memory objects, events, input parameters, or other subsets of tracing data that may be collected. The objectives may be deployed on separate instances of an application that may be running on different devices. In some cases, the objectives may be deployed at different time intervals. The trace objectives may be lightweight, relatively non-intrusive tracing workloads that, when results are aggregated, may provide a holistic view of an application's performance.
US09021444B2
A tracing and debugging system may collect both performance related tracer data and snapshot data. The tracer data may contain aggregated performance and operational data, while the snapshot data may contain call stack, source code, and other information that may be useful for debugging and detailed understanding of an application. The snapshot data may be stored in a separate database from the tracer data, as the snapshot data may contain data that may be private or sensitive, while the tracer data may be aggregated information that may be less sensitive. A debugging user interface may be used to access, display, and browse the stored snapshot data.
US09021442B2
A test automation system can include a web controller configured to provide access to at least one container displayed by an application and a web user interface (UI) configured to be controlled using the web controller. The system can include an application controller object configured to implement an application controller interface and expose methods for performing operations on application controls of the application and an application query object. The application query object can include at least one filter with at least one condition, the at least one condition defining an attribute or property of a UI element to check for. The application query object can be configured to return at least one UI control when the UI control includes at least one UI element that includes features that match criteria defined by the at least one filter and the at least one condition.
US09021440B1
A system and method for automatically generating a test script includes receiving a test case flow that includes steps, nodes, and sub-nodes, wherein each sub-node is associated with a use-case based application programming interface (UC-API), for each sub-node of the test case flow retrieving a template array corresponding to the UC-API associated with the sub-node, generating a test array wherein for each node in a step, generating a node array wherein the elements of each node array includes the sub-node arrays associated with the sub-nodes of the node, for each step, generating a step array wherein the elements of each step array include references to the node arrays of the nodes in the step, and populating the test array wherein each element of the test array includes one of the step arrays.
US09021437B2
In at least some embodiments, a mechanism is provided for web developers to request specific default behaviors, such as touch behaviors, on their webpages. In at least some implementations, a Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) rule is utilized to enable or disable manipulations such as panning, pinch zoom, and double-tap-zoom manipulations. The mechanism can be extensible to accommodate additional default behaviors that are added in the future. In various embodiments, the behaviors are declared upfront and thus differ from solutions which employ an imperative model. The declarative nature of this approach allows achievement of full independence from the main thread and deciding the correct response using independent hit testing.
US09021434B2
Architecture that facilitates the package partitioning of application resources based on conditions, and the package applicability based on the conditions. An index is created for a unified lookup of the available resources. At build time of an application, the resources are indexed and determined to be applicable based on the conditions. The condition under which the resource is applicable is then used to automatically partition the resource into an appropriate package. Each resource package then becomes applicable under the conditions in which the resources within it are applicable, and is deployed to the user if the user merits the conditions (e.g., an English user will receive an English package of English strings, but not a French package). Before the application is run, the references to the resources are merged and can be used to do appropriate lookup of what resources are available.
US09021427B2
A conversion method of applications of mobile devices is provided. The method includes the steps of obtaining a device feature information and a platform information of a mobile device, modifying, by a convertor, a first description data of a first application according to the obtained device feature information and platform information, and converting the modified first application to a second application in which the first application is represented by a platform-neutral language and at least includes the first description data for describing the interaction design of a user interface, and the second application is represented by a language corresponding to the platform information and can be executed on the mobile device.
US09021425B2
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for supporting software application extensions including receiving, by the one or more processors, application information associated with a to-be-extended application, the application including a plurality of logical layers and including a computer-executable application that can be executed using one or more computing devices; processing, by the one or more processors, the application information; providing, based on the processing, graphical representations of one or more extensible artifacts associated with the application; displaying a first graphical representation within a browser interface, the first graphical representation being based on a first logical layer of the plurality of logical layers, the browser interface being provided as a computer-executable program that is executed using the one or more processors; and receiving user input provided using the browser interface, and in response to the user input, providing an extension of the application.
US09021394B2
A system and method for capturing user feedback of content in a networked environment and controlling the software using a single action is disclosed. Feedback-software controls provide the user with a single interface that allows the user to simultaneously provide user review content while controlling the software displaying the content. The feedback-software controls eliminate the additional action(s) required to provide feedback and control software. By reducing the process of providing feedback and controlling software into a single action, the feedback-software controls increase the probability that a user will provide feedback. This increased feedback can result in improved recommendations given to users and insightful feedback for content providers or merchants. Another advantage provided by the feedback-software controls is that a viewer can easily provide feedback on all of the displayed content or can simply provide feedback on smaller portions of the content, e.g., a specific link provided on a webpage.
US09021392B2
According to some embodiments, information about a delta change package may be received. The delta change package may be, for example, associated with a customer extension project to be applied to content from a business service provider. A description tag for the delta change package may be received from a user, and the delta change package may be associated with the description tag in a repository of the business service provider.
US09021387B2
A resizable user interface object on a touch sensitive display is resized based on detection of first and second contacts at first and second locations on the touch sensitive display. The object is resized based on detection of relative movement of the first and second contacts.
US09021382B2
A screen display method and apparatus of a mobile terminal is provided for changing a screen represented by an index to another screen represented by a newly selected index. A screen display method of a mobile terminal includes displaying a page represented by an index, the page including an index region having a plurality of indices and a content region displaying content corresponding to the index highlighted in the index region, selecting a new index in the index region according to a selection input, and changing the page represented by the highlighted index for a new page represented by the new index, the new page appearing in a direction from a position of the new index to a position of the highlighted index.
US09021373B2
A computer network system for posting content at a web site includes computer servers configured to host a web site for a group of users, and a data storage configured to store an email address in association with a destination at the website. The computer servers can receive an electronic message at the email address by the computer servers from a user. A computer processor can automatically extract content from the electronic message. The computer servers can automatically post the content extracted from the electronic message at the destination at the website.
US09021356B2
Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
US09021345B2
A reference-management tool facilitates managing prior art references relating to one or more patent applications, which may be represented by matters. Interfaces can be presented to users to enable the users to group matters into clans, to associate references with matters, to automatically generate information disclosure statements (IDSs) and to track citations of references.
US09021339B2
A data storage system configured to implement a data reliability scheme is disclosed. In one embodiment, a data storage system controller detects uncorrectable errors using intra page parity when data units are read from a set of pages. When an uncorrectable error is detected, the data storage system controller attempts to recover user data using inter page parity without using all data from each page of the set of pages. Recovery of user data can thereby be performed without reading all data from each page. As a result, the amount of time needed to read data can be reduced in some cases and overall data storage system performance can be increased.
US09021338B2
A memory system comprises a nonvolatile memory device comprising a memory cell array comprising first and second memory blocks, and a memory controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device to read data from the first memory block, selectively determine an error correction operation to be performed on the data after it is read from the first memory block based on a state of at least one of the first and second memory blocks, and then store the data in the second memory block.
US09021328B2
A method for adding error detection, or error detection combined with error correction, to a plurality of register banks includes grouping the plurality of register banks into an array. The method also includes adding a first error control mechanism to the array in a first direction and adding a second error control mechanism to the array in a second direction. The method further includes adding a product code to the array, the product code including applying the second error control mechanism to a plurality of bits of the first error control mechanism.
US09021327B2
System (100) and methods (1100) for improving packet loss due to fast optical power fades in an FSO communication link (136). The methods involve: obtaining Channel Fade Statistics (“CFSs”) for the FSO communication link; and analyzing CFSs to determine if Redundant Packet Transmission (“RPT”) is required to mitigate fast optical power fading. If RPT is required, then first operations are performed at a data link layer (408) of a protocol stack (400) to generate first packets (600). Each packet has a sequence number (602) disposed between a data link layer header (502) and a network layer header (504). If RPT is not required, then second operations are performed at the data link layer to generate a second packet absent of the sequence number or alternatively having a sequence number equal to zero. Thereafter, the packet(s) is transmitted over the FSO communication link one or more times.
US09021321B2
An interface node selects a logical block address that corresponds to a contiguous memory location located on a storage device that is accessible by multiple interface nodes. The interface node retrieves a logical block address status indicator from a shared memory area and determines, based upon the logical block status indicator, whether the logical block address is utilized by a different interface node. If the logical block address is not utilized by a different interface node, the interface node tests the corresponding contiguous memory location.
US09021318B2
A voice processing apparatus is provided in an ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) voice transmission system in which voice data that is differentially quantized through an ADPCM scheme is transmitted. The voice processing apparatus includes an error detector which detects whether or not an error occurs in a transmission frame containing data that indicates a differential value, and an error determiner which determines a level of the error detected by the error detector when the error detector detects the error. The voice processing apparatus also includes a voice processor which corrects the voice data with a correction value depending on the level of the error detected by the error detector and an ADPCM decoder which decodes the voice data corrected by the voice processor.
US09021314B1
Methods, apparatus, and computer-accessible storage media for remotely monitoring and diagnosing storage gateways. Status information may be collected locally on the gateways and uploaded to a service provider via gateway-initiated connections. The uploaded information may be stored to status data store(s). Status proxy(s) on the provider network may analyze the information in the status data store(s) for one or more gateways to detect error conditions on individual gateways or patterns or error conditions on multiple gateways. Upon detecting an error condition on a gateway, the proxy may alert another process, for example an administrator process on the local network that includes the respective gateway. The other process may then message the gateway to address the condition. Information for particular gateways may be provided to clients on request. Information collected from multiple gateways may be viewed and analyzed by the service provider to detect patterns related to gateway design.
US09021308B2
A system for analyzing one or more process of software defect handling using one or more percentile-based statistical metric is provided herein. The system may include: a monitoring unit that is configured to monitor one or more processes of software defect handling, to yield monitored samples. The system further includes a percentile-based generator configured to generate one or more statistical metric that are at least partially based on percentile, further based on the monitored samples and further responsive to user selection; and a statistical calculation unit configured to apply the generated one or more statistical metric to real-time handling time samples obtained from the one or more processes of software defect handling, to yield a percentile-based analysis of the processes of software defect handling. The system may further include and a visual representation unit configured to visually present the percentile-based analysis responsive to preferences specified by the user.
US09021306B2
A coherence system includes a storage array that may store duplicate tag information associated with a cache memory of a processor. The system may also include a pipeline unit that includes a number of stages to control accesses to the storage array. The pipeline unit may pass through the pipeline stages, without generating an access to the storage array, an input/output (I/O) request that is received on a fabric. The system may also include a debug engine that may reformat the I/O request from the pipeline unit into a debug request. The debug engine may send the debug request to the pipeline unit via a debug bus. In response to receiving the debug request, the pipeline unit may access the storage array. The debug engine may return to the source of the I/O request via the fabric bus, a result of the access to the storage array.
US09021304B2
The disclosed fault analysis rule extraction device includes: an event preprocessing section and a fault analysis rule extraction section. The event preprocessing section merges, with respect to event groups each of which is grouped every certain time period, event groups that can be presumed to occur from the same fault by a cluster analysis. The fault analysis rule extraction section extracts a fault analysis rule useful for a fault analysis by relating event logs to clusters. By the fault analysis rule extraction device of the above configuration, highly accurate fault analysis rule are automatically provided from the event logs of a system.
US09021301B2
Providing high availability multi-way conferencing. Separate signaling and media components may be provided within an MCU or among a cluster of MCUs. A signaling server may control signaling aspects of a conference while a media server may provide media support for the conference. In the event of media server failure, the signaling server may assign a new media server to provide media support for the conference. A backup signaling server may also monitor the signaling server and may provide signaling support for the conference in the event of signaling server failure.
US09021293B2
A method for quickly calibrating a memory interface circuit from time to time in conjunction with operation of a functional circuit is described. The method uses controlling the memory interface circuit with respect to read data capture for byte lanes, including controlling CAS latency compensation for the byte lanes. In the method control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation are determined and set according to a dynamic calibration procedure performed from time to time in conjunction with functional operation of a circuit system containing one or more memory devices connected to the memory interface circuit. In the method, determining and setting the control settings for controlling CAS latency compensation is performed independently and parallely in each of the byte lanes.
US09021289B2
In a power estimator, a power coefficient-calculating section acquires an average value of the number of signal changes per unit time in each circuit range to thereby calculate a power coefficient for each circuit range or calculate a power coefficient for each circuit range when the average value of the number of signal changes per unit time is equal to 1, a correction coefficient-calculating section calculates a ratio of an average value of the number of signal changes per unit time at signal lines included in the circuit range to an average value of the number of signal changes per unit time at observing points designated in the circuit range, as a correction coefficient, and a power value-calculating section calculates a power value for each circuit range based on the correction coefficient and the power coefficient calculated for each circuit range.
US09021280B1
A power-saving method for a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer implemented in a memory. The memory is segmented into a plurality of logical segments. For each logical segment, for each power saving mode, a recovery time and recovery overhead to an operational mode, and a transition overhead for transitioning the logical segment into the power saving mode, are determined. During each clock cycle, a determination is made as to whether a net power saving will result by entering each logical segment into a power saving mode based on a minimum time before a read or write pointer will enter the logical segment as well as the recovery time, the recovery overhead, and the transition overhead. The logical segment is transitioned to the power saving mode only if a net power saving will result, and is returned to the operational mode when the minimum time is no longer greater than the recovery time.
US09021276B2
A method and device for setting a processor performance profile for a processor that is unable to directly measure voltage supplied by a voltage regulator includes determining a voltage requested of the voltage regulator and determining a first characteristic of a first portion of the electrical component. The first characteristic is one of power consumed by the first portion of the electrical component and load presented by the first portion of the electrical component. A first current is then determined by using the first voltage, the first characteristic, and a known relationship therebetween. A third voltage that is an estimate of the voltage supplied by the voltage regulator is then determined by comparing the first current to load line characteristics of the electrical component. The third voltage is then used to manage performance of the processor.
US09021275B1
A method and apparatus to exercise and manage a related set of power managed storage devices is described. In one example a method includes receiving a request to allow a transition of the set of storage devices from a first power state to a second power state, determining a wear level for each device in the set, comparing the determined wear levels to thresholds, testing data integrity for each device in the set, and if the wear level does not exceed the threshold and the data integrity tests are passed, then commanding the requested power state transition.
US09021274B2
There is provided a power management apparatus including: a managed appliance registering unit carrying out authentication on an electronic appliance connected to a power network and registering an electronic appliance for which the authentication has succeeded as a managed appliance, a control unit controlling operation of the managed appliance and supplying of power to the managed appliance, a managed appliance information acquiring unit acquiring, from the managed appliance, as managed appliance information, at least any of appliance information including identification information that is unique to the electronic appliance, information indicating an operation state of the electronic appliance, information indicating an usage state of the electronic appliance and power information of the electronic appliance, and an appliance state judging unit judging a state of the managed appliance based on the managed appliance information acquired by the managed appliance information acquiring unit.
US09021269B2
A blind hashing system and method are provided in which blind hashing is used for data encryption and secure data storage such as in password authentication, symmetric key encryption, revocable encryption keys, etc. The system and method include using a hash function output (digest) as an index or pointer into a huge block of random data, extracting a value from the indexed location within the random data block, using that value to salt the original password or message, and then hashing it to produce a second digest that is used to verify the password or message, encrypt or decrypt a document, and so on. A different hash function can be used at each stage in the process. The blind hashing algorithm typical runs on a dedicated server and only sees the digest and never sees the password, message, key, or the salt used to generate the digest.
US09021265B1
An anonymity authentication method for global mobility networks is provided. When a mobile user (MN) roams from an inner network to an outer network, a random number is introduced for participating an operation of the transmitted messages either in a registration procedure between the mobile user and a home agent (HA) or in a mutual verification procedure between the mobile user, the home agent, and a foreign agent (FA). Moreover, the operation of the transmitted messages uses only hash function and XOR operator. Therefore, the anonymity authentication method of the present disclosure has high efficiency, high security and low cost.
US09021260B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data analysis system that may automatically analyze a suspected malware file, or group of files. Automatic analysis of the suspected malware file(s) may include one or more automatic analysis techniques. Automatic analysis of may include production and gathering of various items of information related to the suspected malware file(s) including, for example, calculated hashes, file properties, academic analysis information, file execution information, third-party analysis information, and/or the like. The analysis information may be automatically associated with the suspected malware file(s), and a user interface may be generated in which the various analysis information items are presented to a human analyst such that the analyst may quickly and efficiently evaluate the suspected malware file(s). For example, the analyst may quickly determine one or more characteristics of the suspected malware file(s), whether or not the file(s) is malware, and/or a threat level of the file(s).
US09021250B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to security function processing of encrypted data in a security enforcement point and provide a method, system and computer program product for security enforcement point inspection of a traversing encrypted data in a secure, end-to-end communications path. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for security enforcement point inspection of encrypted data in a secure, end-to-end communications path can be provided. The method can include establishing a persistent secure session with a key server holding an SA for an end-to-end secure communications path between endpoints, receiving the SA for the end-to-end secure communications path over the persistent secure session, decrypting an encrypted payload for the end-to-end secure communications path using session key data in the SA, and performing a security function on the decrypted payload.
US09021248B2
Enhanced security measures are provided for accessing applications or data on a client device using an encryption scheme. The client device receives authorization to access the applications or data from a server that compares a password received at the client device with a password previously stored in the server. In addition to comparing the passwords, the server may implement additional security measures such as checking geographic locations of the client device or monitoring for suspicious patterns of usage on the client device. Further, different passwords may be used depending on whether the client device has connectivity with the server. When the connectivity is not available, a longer or more complicated password may be used instead of a shorter or simple password to provide added security. When the user is authenticated, a key is made available to access applications or data on the client device.
US09021246B2
A system and method for writing a new or replacement public key to a bootloader stored in a memory segment in the memory of a vehicle ECU without having to rewrite the entire bootloader. The method includes defining a key table in the bootloader memory segment includes a number of vacant memory slots that are available to store replacement public keys if they are needed. The key table is a separate section of the bootloader memory segment so that the key table memory slots are not used by the bootloader code.
US09021245B2
A method, data processing system, and computer program product for applying a setting. A request for a set of resources is received. The request is to use the set of resources over a network connection. An address associated with a device from the request is identified. A geographic location of the device is identified based on the address. A set of settings for the set of resources is identified based on the geographic location of the device. The set of settings is applied to the set of resources.
US09021235B2
A statue management section of a control section is provided with a corresponding real number storage section that stores a real number converted from a logical number by a configuration number converting section. When the corresponding real number storage section has stored configuration information with a real number of the next transition state, the state management section directly supplies the real number to the configuration information storage section in the next or later processing cycle.
US09021231B2
A method of operation of a storage control system includes: partitioning logical addresses into a number of subdrives, the logical addresses associated with a memory device; and monitoring a data write measure of one of the subdrives.
US09021215B2
A data storage method includes, in a memory controller that accepts memory access commands from a host for execution in one or more memory units, holding a definition of a policy to be applied by the memory controller in the execution of the memory access commands in the memory units. The policy is reported from the memory controller to the host so as to cause the host to format memory access commands based on the reported policy.
US09021214B2
According to a storage system of a prior art adopting a cluster structure, various types of large-capacity memories were arranged to enhance the access performance, so that the system required a dedicated control circuit, and there was difficulty in realizing cost reduction and improvement of access performance simultaneously. In order to solve the problems, the present invention provides a storage system in which a group of memories is integrated to MPU memories directly coupled to MPUs in respective controller units, wherein each MPU memory is divided into a duplication information area and a non-duplication information area, and attribute information for controlling accesses thereto are provided. Further, each duplication information area is provided with a double master information area capable of referring to a first memory and a second memory and a single master information area capable of referring only to either the first memory or the second memory, and the accesses thereto are performed based on the attribute information.
US09021208B2
An information processing device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor executes a process comprising selecting data included in a same file as deletion target data from the memory when deleting the data cached in the memory at the caching from the memory and deleting the deletion target data and the data selected at the selecting, from the memory.
US09021193B2
A method for configuring a memory controller including determining whether a serial number of at least one memory module matches a stored serial number corresponding to at least one of the memory module and utilizing a stored timing data to configure the memory controller when the serial number matches the stored serial number corresponding to at least one of the memory module.
US09021190B2
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory include a first area, and a second area smaller than the first area; and a controller configured to control data stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, wherein the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is configured to store a first data accessible by a host command and to a second data inaccessible by the host command, and when receiving the host command, the controller writes the second data of the first area within the second area and initializes a first address information related the first data.
US09021184B2
In a flash memory device, after an updated value is copied from a first block to a second block, a block management value of the first block is set to an unused state, and maintenance is performed to erase data from the first block. When performing maintenance, the block management value of the first block B1 is rewritten from “$FFF0” to “$FFFF.” When a reset occurs and the power supply is deactivated during the maintenance, the digit of “$0” in the block management value may become “1” to “E” of the hexadecimal system. In this manner, when the block management value includes a single digit of “1” to “E” and three digits of “F,” the reading of an updated value from the block corresponding to the block management value is restricted.
US09021175B2
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for reordering User Data Segment (UDS) lists to reduce seek times when accessing data stored on tape media. A host application sends a list of UDSs to a target tape drive and requests the tape drive to reorder the list to provide better performance. An ordered list of target User data Segments to retrieve from a target tape media is received. Information related to the location of each UDS on the target media is processed to determine its corresponding physical position on the tape media. The resulting physical positions are then processed to generate a reordered UDS list, where the order of the User Data Segments is reordered according to their physical location on the target tape media. The reordered list of User Data Segments is then used to perform seek, reposition and read operations to read User Data Segments from the tape media.
US09021173B2
A serial attached SCSI (SAS) system may include a host bus adaptor, a bus expander, and a multi-layer data transmission medium coupled between the host bus adaptor and the bus expander. The multi-layer data transmission medium may include a first microstrip structure located at a top surface portion of the multi-layer data transmission medium and a first stripline structure located within a first internal portion of the multi-layer data transmission medium. The microstrip structure provides, among other things, a repeaterless high-speed serial communications link between the host bus adaptor and the bus expander.
US09021166B2
A system and method for servers to belong to a cascaded cluster of nodes (or servers) is disclosed. Servers share storage in common without the need of an external element such as a switch and or external storage device. SAS technology is used with direct attached drives in each node, and connections between each node, to emulate a SAN environment through a cascaded SAS topology. SAS HBAs each containing an SAS expander, connect elements internal to each server with elements external to each. This cascaded DAS clustering enables bi-directional traffic from each server in the cluster to all other servers and their attached drives.
US09021162B2
A data processing apparatus may include a data conversion unit for, when converting a plurality of sequentially input data into conversion data of the same bit number as a data bus having a prescribed bit number and sequentially transferring the conversion data. The data conversion unit may include a first data generation unit, a second data generation unit for generating second data obtained by allocating a prescribed second number of input data in the input data not allocated to the first data, to the second bit range and a data coupling unit for coupling the first data and the second data to generate the conversion data having the bit number of the bus width of the data bus.
US09021161B2
A data collection unit obtains physiological data from a subject interface on a subject. The subject interface can be connected to the data collection unit. When the subject interface is connected to the data collection unit, subject interface contacts on the subject interface make contact with data collection unit contacts on the data collection unit. Some of the data collection unit contacts are for communicating physiological data from the subject interface to the data collection unit. Some of the contacts are for powering the data collection unit upon the subject interface being connected to the data collection unit and for powering down the data collection unit upon the subject interface being disconnected from the data collection unit.
US09021156B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes apparatus that is formed on a single semiconductor die having one or more cores, a memory controller, and a hub coupled to the memory controller. The hub includes multiple fabrics each to communicate with a peripheral controller via a target interface and a master interface according to a first protocol, and where the fabrics are serially coupled via a first plurality of target interfaces in an upstream direction and a second plurality of target interfaces in a downstream direction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09021148B2
Mechanisms are provided for providing an early warning of an error state of a remote direct memory access (RDMA) resource to a userspace application. The mechanisms detect, using kernelspace logic, an error event having occurred, and perform a write operation to write an error state value to a userspace shared memory state data structure indicating the RDMA resource to be in an error state. The mechanisms detect, using userspace logic, the RDMA resource being in an error state by reading the error state value from the userspace shared memory state data structure in response to a userspace application attempting to perform a RDMA operation using the RDMA resource. In addition, the mechanisms initiate, by the userspace application, an operation to tear down the RDMA resource in response to detecting the RDMA resource being in the error state.
US09021146B2
In an embodiment, a peripheral component may include a low priority command queue configured to store a set of commands to perform a transfer on a peripheral interface and a high priority command queue configured to store a second set of commands to perform a transfer on the interface. The commands in the low priority queue may include indications which identify points at which the set of commands can be interrupted to perform the second set of commands. A control circuit may be coupled to the low priority command queue and may interrupt the processing of the commands from the low priority queue responsive to the indications, and may process commands from the high priority command queue.
US09021137B2
Several different embodiments of a massively scalable object storage system are described. The object storage system is particularly useful for storage in a cloud computing installation whereby shared servers provide resources, software, and data to computers and other devices on demand. In several embodiments, the object storage system includes a ring implementation used to associate object storage commands with particular physical servers such that certain guarantees of consistency, availability, and performance can be met. In other embodiments, the object storage system includes a synchronization protocol used to order operations across a distributed system. In a third set of embodiments, the object storage system includes a metadata management system. In a fourth set of embodiments, the object storage system uses a structured information synchronization system. Features from each set of embodiments can be used to improve the performance and scalability of a cloud computing object storage system.
US09021131B2
Systems and methods are provided that dynamically route messages based on the availability of a message consumer on any given route, and which adapt to changes in message consumer availability throughout a messaging network. In various embodiments, changes to message routing criteria at a destination broker in the network are propagated to each source broker for the destination broker, which in turn propagates the changes to their source brokers until the entire network is adapted.
US09021129B2
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for request routing based on client location information are provided. A content delivery network service provider receives a DNS query from a client computing device. The DNS query corresponds to a resource identifier for requested content from the client computing device. The content delivery network service provider transmits an alternative resource identifier in response to the client computing device DNS query. The alternative resource identifier is selected as a function of client location information. The client location information is obtained from information corresponding to a mapping of at least partial IP addresses to known locations. The client computing device then issues a second DNS query to the same content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider can then either resolve the second DNS query or transmit another alternative resource identifier.
US09021125B2
There is disclosed a data switch in combination with a proxy controller, the data switch being configured for routing data traffic and control traffic between at least one input/output (I/O) device and at least one server including a memory having an address space including set of data buffers and a list of command/status descriptors. The data switch is configured to: i) distinguish between different types of traffic by examining packet headers; ii) route data traffic directly between the at least one I/O device and the at least one server; and iii) route control traffic by way of the proxy controller. In this way, I/O devices can be virtualized, since only the control traffic (which generally comprises less than 10% of the bandwidth) needs be processed by the proxy controller.
US09021112B2
A content distribution mechanism that distributes content of a content provider at various sites across a network and selects the site that is nearest a content requestor using an anycast address that resides at each of the sites. The sites are configured as nodes (or clusters) and each node includes a content server and a DNS server. The DNS servers are so associated with the content servers at their respective nodes as to resolve the name of the content provider to the IP address of the content servers at the nodes. The DNS servers each are assigned the anycast address in addition to a unique address, and the anycast address is advertised to the network (in particular, the network routing infrastructure) using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Node selection occurs when the network routing infrastructure selects a shortest path to the anycast address during DNS name resolution.
US09021102B2
A mechanism for platform-independent communication with web servers is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes accessing a web server of a plurality of web servers from a computer system using a CLI. Accessing the web server is performed independent of a runtime environment at the computer system. The method further includes establishing communication between the web server and the computer system. Establishing communication further includes converting web service arguments into command line arguments that are CLI-compatible and provided through a CLI console associated with the CLI.
US09021097B2
A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
US09021094B1
Plural sets of items corresponding to plural tiers of a multi-tiered system are defined, where the items represent amounts of resources to allocate to the tiers. Items from respective sets are selected based on a response time constraint and a target cost. Information is provided pertaining to allocation of amounts of resources to the respective tiers based on the selected items.
US09021090B2
The communications management systems manage access to a local area network or network content by external users, applications, and devices. The systems and methods are implemented on a network appliance to manage content within the network and facilitate content transmission through a firewall that separates the network from a larger networking environment, such as the World Wide Web.
US09021089B2
A network monitoring control apparatus includes: a traffic information acquisition unit to acquire traffic information of a network component included in a network; a decision information switching unit to set decision information for the network component based on a comparison result between the traffic information and one of a congestion decision threshold and a congestion recovery decision threshold of the network component; and a management information acquisition unit to acquire management information of the network component based on the decision information.
US09021088B2
A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring, with a computing device, a social media stream for the occurrence of a media sharing post. The media sharing post is processed, with the computing device, to extract file identification information. A playlist entry based, at least in part, upon the extracted file identification information is generated with the computing device. A media sharing playlist is populated, with the computing device, to include the playlist entry.
US09021087B1
Methods and systems for improving caching accuracy utilizing snapshot technology are provided. One or more requests for data are received. When the requests for data return valid data, the valid data is stored within a cache. The response performance of a server device is monitored. When the response performance of the server device is above a predetermined threshold, one or more snapshot versions of a memory block are taken. The memory block may include the current state of the valid data at the time the snapshot version was taken. Upon receiving a warm-up cache signal for the cache, a snapshot version is used to populate the cache and sent to a client device.
US09021075B2
A system for managing wakeup and sleep events of computers connected to a motor vehicle secondary CAN network, the secondary CAN network being connected to a main CAN network by a gateway. The system includes a master computer connected to the main CAN network and configured to manage the wakeup and sleep events of the computers through the exchange therewith of wakeup and sleep frames via the gateway. The gateway can: synthesize a single wakeup and sleep frame based on plural wakeup and sleep frames emitted by the computers, and emit the single frame to the master computer that is configured to interpret the frame.
US09021072B2
A method includes receiving, by an Internet Protocol (IP) anchor point, a session request to a network originating from a user equipment (UE); assigning an IP address to the UE; determining whether a reverse IP address registration is permitted to a first network device, wherein the reverse IP address registration permits a media flow associated with the IP address and the UE to omit traversing the IP anchor point; and assigning an ownership of the IP address to the first network device when reverse IP address registration is permitted.
US09021071B2
A method in one embodiment includes establishing communication between a master node and several federated nodes, wherein each node is an instance of a distributed application; initializing the distributed application, wherein the initialization includes the federated nodes processing data local thereto and providing information about the local data to the master node; and after initialization, at run time, receiving data requests, wherein the master node services the data requests by routing the requests to the nodes. A method in another embodiment includes establishing communication between a master node and several federated nodes, wherein each node is an instance of a distributed application; initializing the distributed application, including gathering information about local data associated with each of the federated nodes, the information including associations of local data across multiple federated nodes; and after initialization, at run time, receiving data requests, wherein the master node services the data requests by routing the requests to one of the nodes believed to have the requested data.
US09021068B2
Managing a networked storage system having a host operable to connect through a network fabric to storage apparatus comprises: a configuration component for inputting a configuration change into the networked storage system responsive to change instructions; a monitoring component operable in communication with the host and the network fabric to monitor I/O activity associated with elements of the networked storage system; an activity data storage component responsive to the monitoring component for storing a record of a monitored I/O activity; an analysis component, responsive to the configuration component for inputting configuration changes, for analysing the record of a monitored I/O activity for a recent activity; and an alert component, responsive to the analysis component detecting a recent activity, for alerting the configuration component.
US09021065B2
Automated topology formation in a dynamic distributed environment. The automatic topology formation includes receiving by an application of a first entity having an initial topology role, topology information from a master node. The first entity has an initial topology role and the received topology information varies based the initial topology role. A local topology representation information is derived from the received topology information wherein the local topology representation information comprises any one of: a first entity topology role as any one of a not-a-node, root node, a prime node or a leaf node for the topology; a list of entities that are parents of the first entity in the topology, or a list of entities that are subordinates to the first entity in the topology; and setting the local topology representation information at the first entity.
US09021058B2
A method, system and computer-readable device for presenting geographically relevant content are provided. They can include reading a remote internet protocol address of a user computing device based on an initial request for content from the user computer device, determining a primary home airport based on the internet protocol address of the user computing device and searching a database for an available flight and hotel package having a flight originating at the primary home airport. They can also include identifying a preferred flight and hotel package from among a plurality of available flight and hotel packages having flights originating at the primary home airport by eliminating travel packages from among the plurality of available flight and hotel packages that have destinations unlikely to be popular for a particular geographic region associated with the internet protocol address.
US09021050B2
A method for providing data over a network using an application server having off-heap caching includes receiving at an application server coupled to a network a request for requested data, using an key index stored on the application server to locate where the requested data is stored in oil-heap memory of the application server, retrieving the requested data from the off-heap memory of the application server, and resolving the request.
US09021047B2
A method and system for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device is described. In one embodiment, a method for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device is described. The method for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device involves intercepting a webpage at a network device, where the webpage is transmitted from a web server and is destined to a user agent, scanning the webpage at the network device to discover links that are embedded in the webpage, obtaining an object that is identified by one of the links at the network device, and transmitting the object from the network device to the user agent as soon as the object is obtained at the network device. Other embodiments are also described.
US09021045B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a shared photo space that is synchronized among members of a social network or group. In some embodiments, users of a social group automatically pull photos directly from all registered hard drives of clients and online services and mirror them around the group, thus making the collection available to the social network of users.
US09021044B2
A system for monitoring or controlling conditions or apparatuses in a home, business or other suitable place is provided. The system includes a first master module that is operative to communicate with a device over an Internet network. The system further includes a server that is operatively connected to the device and the first master module. The server is operative to allow communication between the first master module and the device. The system also includes a first slave module operatively connected to the first master module. The first master module is operative to direct data between the first slave module and the server. The first slave module is operative to establish communication with the first master module through a plug and play connection. The device is operative to allow at least one of controlling and monitoring the first slave module through the server and the first master module.
US09021040B1
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for distributing a content item toward target recipients solely via first degree connections (e.g., in a professional network, in a social network). For a selected content item and identified target recipients of the item, when a user initiates a message to forward or otherwise convey the content item, one or more schemes are applied to select and automatically populate the message with suitable addressees. In one scheme, values are computed for each neighbor of the sender, to indicate the value of delivering the item to that neighbor; the message is automatically addressed to the highest-value neighbors. In another scheme, user communities that encompass the target recipients are identified and the message is automatically addressed to neighbors that are best able to disseminate the item throughout a community. In another scheme a minimal set of neighbors having connections to all target recipients is identified.
US09021036B2
Embodiments of the application provide a method, server, client and system for aggregating a microblog single message. The method includes: triggering, by a user, to aggregate a microblog single message; and displaying a relaying process of the microblog single message for the user. The server includes: a receiving module, which is to receive a triggering message to aggregate a microblog single message from a client; an obtaining module, which is to obtain aggregation data of the microblog single message, according to the triggering message; a transmitting module, which is to transmit the aggregation data of the microblog single message obtained by the obtaining module to the client. Embodiments of the application also provide a corresponding client and system. By adopting the technical solution of the application, a user may clearly see a message relaying process. Thus, user satisfaction may be improved.
US09021034B2
A social networking system allows a user to create an event in the social networking system while viewing a web page from a third-party website from a domain different than the social networking system. A widget or other social plug-in is included in the web page, and user interaction with the widget communicates information from the web page to the social networking system. An event object is created in the social networking system from the information from the web page. The social networking system may perform various actions to increase user interaction with the created event object, such as identifying additional users to invite the event or identifying users attending the event to other users.
US09021030B2
A method that includes identifying a first electronic mail (email) addressed to at least two groups of recipients, the first email comprising content. The method further can include communicating the first email comprising the content to a first group of recipients. The method also can include generating a second email different than the first email and not comprising the content, the second email comprising information that indicates a contact that the second group of recipients are to contact regarding subject matter associated with the first email, and communicating the second email to a second group of recipients.
US09021028B2
Systems and methods to reduce false positives in spam filtering. In one aspect, a method includes automatically generating profiles for persons identified in messages, such as incoming and outgoing emails. Messages flagged as spam can be checked against the profile to identify false positives.
US09021022B2
A website server computer hosting a website can identify a visitor to the website by using information provided by a visitor server computer that interacts with the visitor. The information provided by the server computer, in some embodiments, can be a combination of an IP address and characteristics of a computing device from where the visitor visits the website. In some embodiments, the IP address of the visitor server computer is used. In embodiments where the visitor may be sharing the computing device with other users, the characteristics may include at least one characteristic that is uniquely associated with the visitor. The website server computer can use a visitor identifier thus generated to start tracking the pages that the visitor requests during the session and can generate and customize pages for the visitor by using characteristics originated from the visitor.
US09021020B1
A processing device receives, from a user device, image information associated with an image, the image information providing an indication of an application installed on the user device or a second electronic device. The processing device determines a descriptor associated with the application based on analyzing the image information. The processing device compares the descriptor to one or more stored image descriptors associated with each of a plurality of known applications. Based at least in part on the comparing, the processing device determines identifying information associated with the application. The processing device sends the identifying information to the user device.
US09021017B2
When each new device or service is installed into a network, a hyper-server reads a configuration description provided by the new device or service and adapts to provide a user interface for configuring its capabilities. A first server gathers descriptions of available commands and parameters from many diverse devices and services. A second server presents an administrator or operator with a control panel for one or many client devices. The panel presentation changes with respect to the devices or services selected. The hyper-server registers the capabilities of each device or service and transfers the commands and parameter settings to the appropriate device or service under configuration control.
US09021009B2
A cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. A seed device is connected to a network. From the seed device, a launching of a cloud computing management configuration is initiated. The seed device includes a repository of software. From the seed device, software is installed on one of the plurality of computing nodes to run a cloud computing management system. The software is loaded from one of the plurality of computing nodes onto each of the plurality of nodes. A computing node is selected from the plurality of computing nodes, to designate as a master node. Operations of the cloud computing management system is controlled from the master node.
US09021008B1
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate the evaluation of the operation of host computing devices by utilization of targeted scripts. Each host computing device includes a local targeted script management component that interfaces with a centralized or master targeted script management component. The local targeted script management component obtains targeted scripts, causes the execution of the targeted script and can terminate the targeted script. Additionally, the local targeted script management component can collect information associated with the execution of the targeted scripts and initiate the restoration of previous state in the event that the execution of the targeted script modifies or otherwise affects the host computing device.
