US09141547B2
An atomic transaction includes one or more memory access operations that are completed atomically. A Best-Effort Transaction (BET) system makes its best effort to complete each atomic transaction without guaranteeing completion of all atomic transactions. When an atomic transaction is aborted, BET may provide software with appropriate runtime information such as cause of the abortion. With proper coherence layer enhancements, BET can be implemented efficiently for multiprocessor systems, using caches as buffers for data accessed by atomic transactions. Furthermore, with appropriate fairness support, forward progress can be guaranteed for atomic transactions that incur no buffer overflow.
US09141545B2
A cache coherence manager, disposed in a multi-core microprocessor, includes a request unit, an intervention unit, a response unit and an interface unit. The request unit receives coherent requests and selectively issues speculative requests in response. The interface unit selectively forwards the speculative requests to a memory. The interface unit includes at least three tables. Each entry in the first table represents an index to the second table. Each entry in the second table represents an index to the third table. The entry in the first table is allocated when a response to an associated intervention message is stored in the first table but before the speculative request is received by the interface unit. The entry in the second table is allocated when the speculative request is stored in the interface unit. The entry in the third table is allocated when the speculative request is issued to the memory.
US09141542B1
System, apparatus and computer program product for automatically determining a type of tape drive that is present in a media library and accessing the tape drive using commands that are adapted to the identified type of the drive. In one embodiment, a system includes a set of hosts, a media library and an archive node appliance. The archive node appliance is coupled between the hosts and the media library to provide the hosts with access to a set of drives and media in the media library. The archive node appliance has a processor and a data store that contains instructions that are executable on the processor to perform, for one or more of the drives, the method of identifying the type of the drive, identifying a set of software applications adapted to control the drive, and executing the software application, where the drive is accessed through the software application.
US09141539B2
A system and method for object deletion in persistent memory using bitmap windows representing memory chunks. In accordance with an embodiment, the system can generally be used with computing environments that use persistent memory, such as smart cards, Java Cards, and other resource-constrained environments. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a processor or computational engine and a persistent memory for storage of software objects; and a data structure which can include one or more memory bitmap windows, each of which represents a chunk of addressable space in the persistent memory; wherein the system uses the one or more memory bitmap windows in deleting non-reachable objects from the persistent memory.
US09141536B2
Embodiments describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for providing targeted wear management in nonvolatile memory. Specifically, embodiments may include a memory controller to receive a memory access request directed to a storage unit of the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller may access metadata in the storage unit and determine whether to perform a memory access in accordance with the memory access request based on the state information. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.
US09141528B2
A non-volatile memory organized into flash erasable blocks sorts units of data according to a temperature assigned to each unit of data, where a higher temperature indicates a higher probability that the unit of data will suffer subsequent rewrites due to garbage collection operations. The units of data either come from a host write or from a relocation operation. Among the units more likely to suffer subsequent rewrites, a smaller subset of data super-hot is determined. These super-hot data are then maintained in a dedicated portion of the memory, such as a resident binary zone in a memory system with both binary and MLC portions.
US09141524B2
A data storage device and method of accessing a word line of a memory array using values of one or more parameters based on a physical location of the word line. The method includes determining a block identifier of a physical block of a memory array that is to be accessed. The method further includes determining a word line index of a first word line within the physical block based on the block identifier and further based on a first position of the first word line within the physical block. The method further includes accessing the first word line using a first value of the first parameter.
US09141509B2
Disclosed is a method of updating Care knowledgebase for specific device models with identification of common device problem types and possible corrective actions for specific mobile device models based on the actions performed by the CSR remotely on the device or by the end user on the device during remote control session.
US09141499B2
A semiconductor inspection apparatus has a test-program execution part, a signal-condition detection part, a test-time calculation part to calculate an optimum test time having a duration from a period of the unstable region to a certain period at a leading portion of the stable region subsequent to the unstable region based on the unstable and stable regions detected by the signal-condition detection part, a test-program modification part to reflect the optimum test time in the test program, and a signal waveform importing part to import a signal at the signal output pin of the device to be tested based on a test time written in the test program in which the optimum test time is reflected. The test-program execution part executes the test program again after the optimum test time is reflected in the test program by the test-program modification part.
US09141498B2
A method for verifying an operation of a reconfigurable processor is provided. The method includes generating a random test program using a test description and an architecture description, executing the generated random test program in the reconfigurable processor and in a simulator, and then comparing types of output values in the execution result.
US09141495B2
In one embodiment, a method of coordinating data recovery in a storage stack with a hierarchy of layers includes, upon an input/output (I/O) request from a layer of the stack, issuing a help response to recover the data from a higher layer in hierarchy order. The method further includes processing the help response, at the higher layer, by issuing a return code of success or further help response to an even higher layer.
US09141487B2
Embodiments described herein are directed to migrating affected services away from a faulted cloud node and to handling faults during an upgrade. In one scenario, a computer system determines that virtual machines running on a first cloud node are in a faulted state. The computer system determines which cloud resources on the first cloud node were allocated to the faulted virtual machine, allocates the determined cloud resources of the first cloud node to a second, different cloud node and re-instantiates the faulted virtual machine on the second, different cloud node using the allocated cloud resources.
US09141486B2
Systems and methods presented herein provide for redundancy in I/O caching. In one embodiment, a storage controller includes a first cache operable to receive input/output requests between a host system and a storage device, to compress data of the input/output requests, and to cache the compressed data before writing to the storage device. The storage controller also includes a second cache operable to track chunks of the compressed data in the first cache. When the first cache fails, the second cache is operable to cache the tracked chunks of the compressed data that have not been written to the storage device in a third cache while leaving chunks of data in the second cache that have been written to the storage device.
US09141484B2
Mass storage uses additional error correction codes. The additional codes can be stored in a storage medium (e.g., volatile solid state memory) separate from the associated data. The additional codes may be written to a nonvolatile medium. The additional codes may be transient. The additional codes may be cached. As long as present, the additional codes may be used to correct user data in synch with or in addition to other error detection and correction codes.
US09141483B1
The present invention provides a system and method for multi-tiered data synchronization. Data is synchronized between a master synchronization server, one or more proxy synchronization servers, and client devices. Client devices establish synchronization sessions with either a proxy synchronization server or a master synchronization server, depending on which server provides the “best” available connection to that client device. Each proxy synchronization server synchronizes data with client devices that have established a synchronization session with such proxy synchronization server. The master synchronization server synchronizes data with client devices that have established a synchronization session with the master synchronization server. Each proxy synchronization server synchronizes data with the master synchronization server. Metadata associated with synchronized files is synchronized throughout the system in real-time. Files may be synchronized in real-time or at a delayed time.
US09141481B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium for reliable messaging between two or more servers. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. The reliable messaging ensures consistent ordered delivery of messages in the event that messages are lost; arrive out of order, or in duplicate. The messaging layer operates over TCP or UDP with our without multi-cast and broad-cast and requires no modification to applications, operating system or libraries.
US09141469B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for cyclic redundancy check circuits using Galois-field arithmetic.
US09141462B2
A system is provided for managing error reporting in a network. The system comprises a buffer for storing traps, a timer that measures a time period and a buffer manager that compares incoming traps to traps already stored in the buffer. An incoming trap is stored in the buffer if it is determined that the incoming trap is not similar to traps already stored in the buffer. The buffer is cleared after the time period measured by the timer has elapsed.
US09141460B2
A mechanism is provided for identifying failed components during data collection. For each data source combination in a plurality of data sources, a determination is made as to whether a standard deviation (σ) for an estimated collection interval of the data source is above a predetermined standard deviation threshold (σth). Responsive to the standard deviation (σ) for the estimated collection interval of the data source being above the predetermined standard deviation threshold (σth), an error signal is generated indicating an error in data collection with the data source.
US09141456B2
Arrangements and methods for employing empirical evidence to estimate the performance of applications with very few data samples, in complex environments such as dynamic SDP environments, using one or more effective, data-plotting models.
US09141453B2
A method for creating diagnostic files that includes receiving an error notification indicating that an error has occurred in a particular system section of a system that has a plurality of system sections. The error notification includes information about the error. A diagnostic file that includes a summarized error report of the particular system section is created based on the information included in the error notification. The diagnostic file is saved.
US09141447B2
Conditional deferred queuing may be provided. Upon receiving a message, one or more throttle conditions associated with the message may be identified. A lock associated with the throttle condition may be created on the message until the throttle condition is satisfied. Then, the lock on the message may be removed and the message may be delivered.
US09141446B2
Messages may be provided to a source queue in serialized order, each message associated with a serialization context. The messages may be buffered in the source queue until a transmission time is reached, in turn, for each buffered message. Transmission-ready messages may be sent from the source queue according to the serialized order, using the serialization context, while continuing to store existing messages that are not yet transmission-ready. A queue assignment of the serialization context may be changed to a target queue. Subsequent messages may be provided with the serialization context to the target queue for buffering therein, while remaining transmission-ready messages may be continued to be sent from the source queue. The existing messages from the source queue associated with the serialization context may be determined to have been sent, and the subsequent messages may be sent from the target queue in serialized order, using the serialization context.
US09141439B2
A system and computer-implemented method for reporting a synchronization event in a runtime system of a computer system. A synchronization primitive in a runtime system of the computer system is monitored. A synchronization operation performed on the synchronization primitive by a thread in the runtime system is detected. An enumerator for the synchronization primitive is incremented when the synchronization operation satisfies predetermined criteria. A synchronization event that includes data relating to the synchronization operation performed on the synchronization primitive is reported.
US09141430B2
Determining a schedule of a batch workload of MapReduce jobs is disclosed. A set of multi-stage jobs for processing in a MapReduce framework is received, for example, in a master node. Each multi-stage job includes a duration attribute, and each duration attribute includes a stage duration and a stage type. The MapReduce framework is separated into a plurality of resource pools. The multi-stage jobs are separated into a plurality of subgroups corresponding with the plurality of pools. Each subgroup is configured for concurrent processing in the MapReduce framework. The multi-stage jobs in each of the plurality of subgroups are placed in an order according to increasing stage duration. For each pool, the multi-stage jobs in increasing order of stage duration are sequentially assigned from either a front of the schedule or a tail of the schedule by stage type.
US09141429B2
A multicore processor system includes a core configured to detect a change in a state of assignment of a multicore processor; obtain, upon detecting the change in the state of assignment, number of accesses of a common resource shared by the multicore processor by each of process that are assigned to cores of the multicore processor; calculate an access ratio based on the obtained number of accesses; and notify an arbitration circuit of the calculated access ratio, the arbitration circuit arbitrating accesses of the common resource by the multicore processor.
US09141402B2
A system for providing a user interface includes a gadget definition, a style definition, and a scene file. The gadget definition includes one or more XML-based gadget definition tags defining a gadget element and the style definition includes one or more XML-based style definition tags defining one or more style attributes to be applied to the gadget element. The scene file is an XML-based document that includes a gadget element tag that specifies the gadget element. The system further includes a parser to parse the scene file, the style definition, and the gadget definition, and to generate an object that includes a gadget object corresponding to the gadget element. The system also includes a layout engine to determine, based on the object model, a layout of the user interface, and a rendering engine to render, based on the determined layout, the user interface including the gadget element.
US09141399B2
A system and a method for input tool invocation and a proxy device enable an installable operating system to perform input operation by invoking the input tool of a local operating system, such as a soft keyboard of the local operating system, an input method of the local operating system, or a soft keyboard and an input method of the local operating system. Even an operating system not installed with input tools can perform input operation by invoking an input tool of a local operating system, thereby avoiding repeated installations of input tools for different operating systems, and resolving the issue of large resource usage caused by repetitive installations of input tools.
US09141394B2
The present disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for switching between processor cache and random-access memory. In some aspects, the techniques and apparatuses are able to reduce die size of application-specific components by forgoing dedicated random-access memory (RAM). Instead of using dedicated RAM, a memory having a cache configuration is reconfigured to a RAM configuration during operations of the application-specific component and then, when the operations are complete, the memory is configured back to the cache configuration. Because many application-specific components already include memory having the cache configuration, reconfiguring this memory rather than including a dedicated RAM reduces die size for the application component.
US09141393B2
Technology is described for authoring and distributing business content. In various embodiments, the technology can receive a wordprocessing document, the wordprocessing document including a script tag and an instruction within the script tag, the instruction identifying at least the one named cell or region; and produce source code corresponding to the received wordprocessing document.
US09141390B2
A method wherein a plurality of data processors are associated with application IDs whereby the array processes a plurality of applications in parallel.
US09141388B2
A digital system includes a processor core and a cache control unit. The processor core can be coupled to a first memory containing data and a second memory with a faster speed than the first memory, and is configured to execute a segment of instructions having at least one instruction accessing the data from the second memory using a base register. The cache control unit is configured to be coupled to the first memory, the second memory, and the processor core to fill the data from the first memory to the second memory before the processor core executes the instruction accessing the data, and is further configured to examine the segment of instructions to extract instruction information containing at least data access instruction information and last register updating instruction information and to create a track corresponding to the segment of instructions based on the extracted instruction information.
US09141363B2
Example systems and methods of application construction for execution on diverse computing infrastructures are presented. In one example, an application descriptor comprising information regarding an application is received. Available computing machine resources for execution of the application are selected based on the information in the application descriptor. Software resources comprising the application are installed on the selected computing machine resources based on the information in the application descriptor. At least one of the selected computing machine resources and the installed software resources are configured for execution of the application based on the information in the application descriptor.
US09141360B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing a translation service that generates native object code by translating an intermediate representation of application code in a portable code format. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a translation service request for a native executable for a particular instruction set architecture from a requestor, where the translation service request includes data specifying portable code in an instruction-set neutral format; obtaining the portable code; translating the portable code into native object code for execution on the particular instruction set architecture; generating a native executable for the particular instruction set architecture; and returning the native executable to the requestor.
US09141353B2
Locale objects are dynamically built from locale source files when requested at run-time. When a locale object is dynamically built, it is stored in global memory so it may be read by multiple applications. Dynamically building locale objects when requested allows software to operate with a relatively small number of locale objects instead of with hundreds or thousands of locale objects, as is known in the art. The result is significant savings in system-wide resources while still allowing for access to a large number of possible locales.
US09141348B1
Using program code to generate help information, and using help information to generate program code
A device may determine to provide help information associated with a portion of program code included in a program and provided via a user interface of a programming environment. The device may obtain generic help information, associated with the portion of program code, based on determining to provide the help information. The device may determine a set of rules for modifying the generic help information using the portion of program code. The device may analyze the program, using the set of rules, to identify information, included in the program, to be included in modified help information. The device may modify the generic help information, to generate the modified help information, using the information identified based on analyzing the program. The device may provide the modified help information for display via the user interface.
US09141344B2
A method and apparatus for proving hover help support is described. In one embodiment, the method includes loading a documentation file generated from application source code. The method may also include parsing the documentation file to determine a context of elements within the documentation file. Furthermore, the method may include generating a model of the documentation file based on the context of the elements and storing the model in a memory.
US09141343B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the development and compilation of a software program. During operation, the system provides, in a programming language platform associated with source code for the software program, an indicator for a resource with a close method that does not complete erroneously. Next, the system enables use of the indicator with a resource-management statement in the source code, wherein the indicator facilitates omission of an exception-handling construct for the resource-management statement.
US09141339B2
Disclosed are ten functional circuits for the direct processing (linear, nonlinear and mixed analog/digital) of a delta-modulated pulse stream. This invention comprising of; a digital circuit for squaring and rectification; a mix mode analog/digital squaring circuit; a digital circuit for AC-to-DC conversion; a mixed mode analog/digital multiplication circuit of two delta-sigma modulated pulse streams; a digital circuit for multiplication of two delta-sigma modulated streams; a digital circuit for RMS-t-DC conversion; a circuit for multiplication of delta-sigma modulated signal by a constant; a circuit for addition of three or more delta-sigma modulated pulse streams; and a correlator circuit of two delta-sigma modulated pulse signals.
US09141331B2
A method and a system includes devices for remote operation of a device, especially a field device. The method may be executed on a system including a first device, especially a field device, which supplies data according to a display content, especially image data, to a second device, also a field device for visualizing the image data.
US09141328B2
A wireless communication device is provided that includes a cellular telephony module to access a cellular network, a wireless communication module to access a non-cellular network, an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks including the cellular and non-cellular networks, and a mobile network analyzer operable to periodically send a packet through each of the compatible and currently accessible networks and time each of the compatible and currently accessible networks to determine a measured data packet throughput speed and data packet integrity.
US09141317B2
The image forming apparatus includes an image processing portion for creating image data of a document read by an image reading portion and a communication portion for transmitting the created image data to a server or cloud, and obtains the image data saved in the server or the like to perform required processing, in which a reduced image generating portion for creating reduced image data based on the created image data, a main storage portion for linking the reduced image data and a saving destination of the data serving as original thereof for storage, and a display portion for displaying an operation screen are included, and the reduced image data stored in the main storage portion is displayed on the display portion to select image data for which the required processing is performed.
US09141315B2
The present invention provides a server including: a communication unit; a storage unit; and a controlling unit. The communication unit is configured to communicate with a printer. The controlling unit is configured to store a job in association with error data in the storage unit upon receiving the job and the error data from the printer via the communication unit. The error data indicates details of an error that has occurred when the printer is executing the job.
US09141301B1
A computer-implemented method for performing garbage collection in a delta compressed data storage system selects a file recipe to traverse to identify live data chunks and a chunk identifier from the file recipe. The chunk identifier is added to a set of live data chunks. Delta references in the file recipe corresponding to the chunk identifier are added to the set of live data chunks. Data chunks in a data storage system not identified by the set of live data chunks are discarded.
US09141299B2
Apparatus and methods of reducing power consumption in solid-state storage devices such as solid-state disks (SSDs) that can reduce idle power levels in an SSD, while maintaining low resume latency upon exiting a reduced power state. By arranging a storage controller and at least one NAND flash package of the SSD in separate power islands, storing context information for the SSD in at least one page buffer of NAND flash memory within the NAND flash package on one power island upon entering the reduced power state, and, once the context information is stored in the page buffer, allowing the NAND flash memory to enter a standby mode, placing the storage controller on the other power island in a predefined low power mode, and removing power from any unneeded components on the same power island as the storage controller, a scalable approach to reducing idle power levels in the SSD can be achieved.
US09141298B2
Various techniques of solid-state drive (“SSD”) management systems, components, modules, routines, and processes are described in this application. In one embodiment, a management engine for controlling a solid-state drive includes an input interface configured to receive a target operation profile from an input source. The management engine also includes a process component g configured to receive the target operation profile from the input interface, retrieve an operating policy from a database based on the target operation profile, and determine operating parameters for the SSD based on the retrieved operating policy. The management engine further includes a device interface coupled to the process component, the device interface being configured to transmit the determined operating parameters to the SSD for controlling operation of the SSD.
US09141297B2
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module of a storage device receiving an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices, where the set of encoded data slices has associated therewith a set of integrity values, and where integrity information is generated from the set of integrity values. The method continues with the DS processing module generating an integrity value for the encoded data slice and obtaining at least a portion of the integrity information from another storage device. The method continues with the DS processing module generating a comparative integrity value for the encoded data slice based on the at least a portion of the integrity information and facilitating storage of the encoded data slice in memory of the storage device when the integrity value compares favorably to the comparative integrity value.
US09141295B2
Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for, within a data storage system performing data mirroring, performing load balancing pursuant to completing a read request. At least one of a preferred storage controller and preferred storage device to accommodate the read request is determined by performing one of selecting a request queue having a closest offset to an offset of the read request, selecting a request queue having a most requests within a predetermined distance of the offset of the read request, selecting a request queue having a closest median offset to the offset of the read request, selecting a request queue having a closest average offset to the offset of the read request, and selecting a request queue having a predetermined additional number of entries than another request queue. The selected request queue is associated with the preferred storage controller and the preferred storage device.
US09141291B2
A controller circuit for a non-volatile memory of one or more memory circuits is described. The controller is connectable by a port with the memory circuits through a bus structure and can operate the memory circuits according to one or more threads. The controller includes a command processing section to issue high level commands for execution in the memory circuits and a memory circuit interface module to issue in sequence by the port to the memory circuits a series of instruction derived from the high level commands. A queue manager on the controller derives the series of instructions from the high level commands. When deriving a series of instruction from a set of high level data access commands, the queue manager can modify the timing for the issuance to the memory circuit interface module of memory circuit check status instructions based upon feedback from the memory circuit interface module and the state of earlier instruction in the series.
US09141282B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for changing an input mode of a portable terminal according to the current state of the portable terminal during a character input operation using an input tool such as a stylus pen. The apparatus includes a touch sensor for detecting an input and a controller for controlling the touch sensor to receive the input from the touch sensor and changing the input mode if the input is a character input.
US09141280B2
An example method includes associating a first area of a non-display area of a touch-sensitive display with a first control, wherein a touch associated with the first control results in moving an indicator through the information in a first direction and in a second direction. The method may also include associating a second area of the non-display area with a second control, wherein a touch associated with the second control results in moving the indicator through the information in the first direction and in the second direction. The method may also include detecting a first touch associated with the first control, in response to detecting the first touch, moving the indicator in the first direction, detecting a second touch associated with the second control, and in response to detecting the second touch, moving the indicator in the first direction.
US09141278B2
A method and computing device are provided for facilitating data entry to a computing device. Data from first and second data sources is combined to provide a single view with contextual information for the user.
US09141275B2
A method comprises detecting two fingers touching a first object icon on a touch sensitive display and then moving in generally opposing directions. The first object icon is associated with on or more constituent elements. In response to such detecting, the method causes additional object icons to appear on the display. Each additional object icon represents a constituent element of the first object icon.
US09141274B2
There is provided an image displaying device including a first display area on which thumbnail images respectively corresponding to a plurality of pieces of image data are displayed, the thumbnail images being selectable on the first display area; a second display area on which an image corresponding to one of the thumbnail images selected through the first display area is displayed; a setting unit to set an enlargement condition of the image being displayed on the second display area, the enlargement condition including an enlarging factor; a storing unit to store the enlargement condition; and a display control unit configured such that in response to selection of one of the thumbnail images, the display control unit displays the image corresponding to a selected thumbnail image in accordance with the stored enlargement condition.
US09141267B2
Systems and methods disclosed herein accept a user-selected adjustment position associated with a value-selection display screen widget. A non-linear calculation is performed on the user-selected adjustment position, a length of the screen widget, a smallest represented value associated with a range of values, a largest represented value associated with a range of values, and/or an adjustment granularity associated with the display screen widget. The non-linear calculation determines a selected value corresponding to the user-selected adjustment position. The selected value is then sent to a physical output device. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09141266B2
Customization features for providing users with the ability to customize various aspects of a vehicle management system are described. These customization features can include functionality for generating custom reports based on vehicle parameters, including diagnostic codes. The customization features can also include features for customizing alerts based on vehicle parameters and features for customizing nomenclature in the vehicle management system.
US09141262B2
Presented herein are techniques for invoking user interfaces in graphical computing environments involving “hooking” gestures applicable to an edge of a display. These gestures involve positioning a pointer near an edge of the display depicting the environment, and then moving the cursor to a second location that is distanced from but near the first location (e.g., moving the pointer into a corner of the display, and then toward the center of the display, or to a midpoint of an adjacent edge of the display), resulting in the presentation of the user interface under the pointer at the second location. Variations include presenting a preview of the user interface (e.g., a subset of a user interface menu) at the second location while the pointer is in the first location, and refraining from presenting the user interface upon failing to complete the gesture or receiving extraneous input before completing the gesture.
US09141260B2
A method for providing a workspace management tool includes presenting a workspace overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of favorite applications of a user, and the second area includes multiple regions, each region representing a different work space. The method further includes receiving, via the workspace overview GUI, a user request to open a new window for one of the favorite applications in a first work space, adding the new window to the first work space, and presenting the new window in a reduced form in a region representing the first work space without overlapping other open windows of the first work space.
US09141256B2
A portable electronic device having a display and a processor is disclosed herein. The processor is configured to render an active application on substantially the entire display. In response to a status change, an alert is rendered in a visually insignificant area of the display.
US09141254B2
A navigation system is provided to direct control of a user interface work-flow during a procedure. Such a need can arise in sterile environments were touchless interaction is preferable over physical contact. The system includes a wand and receiver for controlling a pagination and parameter entry of the work-flow, a processor to compare wand movement profiles, a clock for limiting a time window between the comparison, and a controller for activating a user interface control in the workflow when a wand movement profile or gesture is recognized. The comparison can be based on the wand's direction, orientation and movement to and from various locations. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09141248B2
Disclosed herein is a touch panel capable of preventing a moire phenomenon from being generated by forming an electrode pattern so as to have rotational symmetry rather than translation symmetry.
US09141242B2
Provided is an electrode structure for use with a capacitive touch panel to enhance capacitance sensing capability thereof. The electrode structure includes electrically conductive fine lines each forming fine line portions, sensing portions, and cross portions. The fine line portions, the sensing portions, and the cross portions together form a latticed pattern. The sensing portions are each disposed between two adjacent ones of the cross portions. Two ends of each said sensing portion are connected to two said cross portions through two fine line portions, respectively. The sensing portions each have a geometric configuration with a short axis and a long axis. The long axis extends in the direction of a corresponding one of the fine line portions. The short axis is of a width larger than a corresponding one of the fine line portions.
US09141234B2
Pointing devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve manipulation of a cursor or other user interface component based on inputs from a user. In one embodiment, an image sensor captures an image of the underside of a transparent contact surface and determines whether an object (e.g., a user's finger) is present in the image. Cursor movement information comprising direction and velocity components can be calculated from a single image by equating the size of a detected object with a desired velocity and by equating the position of the detected object relative to a fixed reference point with a desired direction. Thus, detection of user motion is not required, nor is comparison of successive image frames relative to a time reference. As a result, a device having few or no moving parts can be provided while at the same time permitting continuous cursor motion without repetitive swiping by a user.
US09141231B2
An optical touch device includes an indication plane, an image sensing unit, a light emitting unit and a frame. A sensing region is defined on the indication plane. The image sensing unit is disposed at a corner of the indication plane. The light emitting unit is disposed beside the image sensing unit and used for emitting light to the sensing region. The frame is disposed at one side of the indication plane. The frame includes two first inclined surfaces connected to each other and facing the sensing region.
US09141223B2
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display device having touch and three-dimensional display functions and a method for manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal display device includes a touch and three-dimensional image display panel adhered to a liquid crystal panel through an adhesive layer, wherein the touch and three-dimensional image display panel includes a lower substrate provided with first and second electrodes for realizing a three-dimensional image, a upper substrate provided with third and fourth electrodes for sensing touch and a common electrode for realizing the three-dimensional image, and a liquid crystal display filled between the upper and lower substrates.
US09141215B2
An apparatus is configured for inclusion in an arrow. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensor configured to provide data concerning one or more flight characteristics of the arrow in flight and a communication link coupled to the sensor, the communication link configured to communicate the data to a device external to the arrow.
US09141210B2
This disclosure relates to a proximity/motion and touch sensor. The proximity/motion and touch sensor includes a proximity/motion driving electrode, a plurality of first proximity/motion sensing electrode, a plurality of second proximity/motion sensing electrode serials, a plurality of first touch electrode serials, and a plurality of second touch electrode serials.
US09141198B2
A method for controlling at least one control parameter of a control element comprises determining first information indicating a distance between a part of a human body and a reference. Based on the first information, determining second information indicating a transformation relation between a gesture movement of the part of the human body and an effected change of the control parameter by the gesture movement. The transformation relation is modified based on a change of the distance between the human body and the reference.
US09141196B2
This disclosure presents methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for optically tracking the location of one or more objects. The techniques may involve accumulation of initial image data, establishment of a dataset library containing image features, and tracking using a plurality of modules or trackers, for example an optical flow module, decision forest module, and color tracking module. Tracking outputs from the optical flow, decision forest and/or color tracking modules are synthesized to provide a final tracking output. The dataset library may be updated in the process.
US09141190B2
An information processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a discrimination section configured to discriminate an object drawing the line of sight of a user viewing an image displayed on a display screen, the discrimination being based both on coordinate information indicative of where the line of sight of the user is positioned relative to the image and on object information including area information indicative of an image area including the object in the image; and a processing section configured such that when the discrimination section discriminates the object drawing the line of sight of the user, the processing section selectively performs a process corresponding to the object discriminated by the discrimination section.
US09141184B2
Detection of a specific person with a specific person detecting system using surveillance cameras installed in various environments has not been successfully accurate. A monitoring system of the present invention includes an image pickup device capturing images, an updating type specified person detection server receiving captured images, extracting image feature quantities therefrom and storing image feature quantities and provisional person information of unspecified persons and the reliability thereof in real time, and a monitor station with an image searching function capable of searching an image afterward, which are connected via a network. The updating type specified person detection server adds the person information to a specified person list during system operation on the basis of an unspecified person list that is updated.
US09141182B2
An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.
US09141177B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory powered by a supply voltage. The supply voltage is compared to a power loss threshold, and when the supply voltage falls below the power loss threshold, a power loss event is detected and an emergency operation is executed. The power loss threshold is decreased, and after an interval the power loss threshold is increased.
US09141176B1
Power management for a data storage device (DSD). A number of host commands is counted within a predetermined time period. Data is stored on at least one disk of the DSD or in a solid state memory of the DSD based on whether the number of commands within the predetermined time period exceeds a threshold number of commands. According to another aspect, a performance mode for operation of a DSD is set based on a number of consecutive time periods where the DSD receives more than a threshold number of host commands. A power saving mode for operation of the DSD is set based on a number of consecutive time periods where the DSD receives less than the threshold number of host commands.
US09141172B1
A method and apparatus to control and manage a power state in a related set of storage devices is described. In one example a method includes, determining an idleness measure at the file system, the idleness measure indicating availability requirements of the device set, and setting an idle state based on the idleness measure. The method also includes receiving the idle state setting at the storage subsystem, determining whether the idle state setting is different from a current state of the device set, determining whether to change the idle state of the device set if the idle state setting is different from the current state of the device set, the determining being based on information about the device set. The method also includes commanding the device set to change the current idle state to correspond to the idle state setting based on determining whether to change the idle state.
US09141165B2
A method of controlling the clock frequency of a processor executing software in a plurality of active periods, the method comprising, for each period: supplying to a power management application at least one parameter defining an execution profile for the period having high frequency and low frequency operating intervals; the power management application determining, based on said profile, granted clock frequencies for the high and low frequency operating intervals; the processor supplying to the power management application at the commencement of a period an operating cycle requirement for the period; the power management application determining, for each period, based on the operating cycle requirement, the length of the low frequency interval; and controlling the clock frequency in each interval based on the granted clock frequencies determined by the power management application.
US09141160B2
In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment (PSE) coupled to a powered device (PD) carries out an inline power discovery process to verify that the PD is adapted to receive inline power, then a plurality of classification cycles are carried out to convey a series of inline power classes back to the PSE. The series of inline power classes may all be the same, in which case the PD is legacy equipment and is adapted to receive the power level corresponding to that class. If they are not all the same, information is thus conveyed to the PSE which may, for example, correspond to a specific power level to be applied or to other information.
US09141154B2
Methods and computer equipment racks configured for data communications and power distribution are disclosed that include a plurality of servers mounted horizontally, each server having a power distribution connection and one or more switch connections; one or more power distribution units (‘PDUs’) mounted vertically; and one or more network switches mounted vertically, each network switch comprising one or more rows of switch connections.
US09141152B2
Interface card mounts to storage device connections, systems and methods are provided. An example of the interface card mount to storage device connection includes a PCI-Express card having an edge connector, a mounting bracket on the PCI-Express card to releasably receive a memory storage device, and lanes between the edge connector and the mounting bracket that provide, in addition to PCI-Express slot signals, side-band signals and power from a motherboard to the mounting bracket for the memory storage device.
US09141138B2
A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity.
US09141137B2
An electronic device includes a display, a keyboard, and a fixing element. The display includes a display surface and an opposite rear surface having a fixing structure. The keyboard has a using state and a folded state. When the keyboard is in the using state, the keyboard is positioned in front of the display, and when the keyboard is in the folded state, the keyboard is fixed on the rear surface. The fixing element is connected between the fixing structure and the keyboard and configured to cooperate with the fixing structure to enable the keyboard to change between the using state and the folded state.
US09141135B2
A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. Selected desktops and/or running applications are displayed on dual screen displays. Desktops and applications can be shifted between screens by user gestures, and/or moved off of the screens and therefore hidden. Hidden desktops and screens can be re-displayed by other gestures. The desktops and applications are arranged in a window stack that represents a logical order of the desktops and applications providing a user with an intuitive ability to manage multiple applications/desktops running simultaneously. User gestures rearrange the order of the applications and desktops in the window stack. One embodiment provides an annunciator display or window extending across both screens in a dual screen configuration of the device. The annunciator window provides alerts, notifications, and statuses of the device in an increased area thereby enhancing viewability of information in the window.
US09141114B2
A method for automatic feedback control and/or monitoring of an oil and/or gas production system, or part(s) thereof, which includes one or more processing unit(s) and/or one or more flow line(s) and/or one or more controls. The method includes measuring or estimating value(s) of at least one level or pressure or flow rate or load indicator associated with at least one of the processing unit(s) and/or flow line(s) and at least one of calculating setting(s) for the controls based on at least one controlled variable in form of the measured or estimated level or pressure or flow rate or load indicator, including compensating for nonlinearities of the control means or estimating at least one of the oil-, gas-, water-, or liquid flow rate(s) into and/or out of at least one of the processing units and/or flow line(s).
US09141113B1
Apparatuses, systems, computer programs and methods for performing hazard detection and avoidance for landing vehicles are provided. Hazard assessment takes into consideration the geometry of the lander. Safety probabilities are computed for a plurality of pixels in a digital elevation map. The safety probabilities are combined for pixels associated with one or more aim points and orientations. A worst case probability value is assigned to each of the one or more aim points and orientations.
US09141111B2
A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. Relative orientations and attitudes between motive and working components can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. The system can also be used to guide multiple vehicles in relation to each other.
US09141103B2
A method for a safety-oriented industrial automation component, wherein the controller is connected to the automation component by a data link includes providing, by a user, an input to the controller at a first user interface. The controller transmits a result of the input to the automation component. The result of the input is used in the automation component to calculate a first test value. The input is converted into a status display in the controller and is output at a second user interface. Here, the user or another user acknowledges the status display by inputting a confirmation, after which a second test value is formed from the status display and the confirmation in the controller, and the second test value is transmitted to the automation component. Finally, the first and second test values are compared in the automation component and the result of the input is used if the comparison is positive.
US09141100B2
Systems and methods of analyzing the performance of a conservation system for improving the performance of an electrical power delivery system are disclosed. In one implementation, the system receives first observation information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in a first mode, and second observation information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in a second mode. The system generates a first model of the performance of the conservation system in the first mode based on the first observation information, and a second model of the performance of the conservation system in the second mode based on the second observation information. The system determines first controlled performance information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in the first mode based on the first model, and second controlled performance information indicative of the performance of the conservation system in the second mode based on the second model.
US09141091B2
Methods and systems are described herein for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device. The card reader transmits a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network. The remote computing device receives the request for service via the cloud-based communications network and generates service instructions based on the received request for service. The remote computing device transmits the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network. The card reader receives the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network and configures operational settings based on the received service instructions.
US09141088B1
A time-to-digital converter adopted to transform an enabled time of a time signal into an output data and an operation method thereof are provided. The operation method includes the following steps: providing a counter clock signal by a digital phase locked loop according to a reference clock signal; providing a counter result by a counter unit according to the counter clock signal and the time signal; comparing the enabled time of the time signal with a minimum time to provide a comparison result by a comparator unit; and outputting the counter result as the output data according to the comparison result when the enabled time of the time signal is longer than the minimum time.
US09141083B2
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
US09141079B2
In an image forming apparatus, each of a plurality of image forming units includes a receiving member formed with a reception opening configured to receive developer. Each of a plurality of developer cartridges includes a supply member formed with a supply opening through which developer is configured to be supplied to a corresponding one of the plurality of image forming units. A cartridge supporting member is mounted in a main casing and configured to move between a first position and a second position. The supply opening and the reception opening are in communication with each other when the cartridge supporting member is in the first position and the cartridge supporting member is pulled outside the main casing when the cartridge supporting member is in the second position. One of the receiving member and the supply member protrudes toward remaining one, and the remaining one is configured to receive the one.
US09141076B2
An image forming apparatus includes an exposure device exposing a photosensitive member, an exposure device support member supporting the exposure device, a cartridge holding member holding a cartridge which includes the photosensitive member, and a locking mechanism to prevent the cartridge holding member from being drawn out from the main body of the apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a locking member that is movable between a locking position at which the locking member is engaged with the cartridge holding member and an unlocking position at which the locking member is disengaged from the cartridge holding member, and an interlocking mechanism having an urging member urging the locking member so it is located at the locking position, and a pressing member that is displaced along with the movement of the exposure device support member and presses the locking member against an urging force of the urging member so as to move the locking member to the unlocking position.
US09141075B2
An image forming apparatus including: a first body including a developing unit to perform an image forming operation on a print medium, and a second body provided above the first body to pivot between a closed position and an open position in relation to the first body, the second body including a light emitting unit, wherein the light emitting unit is directly above the developing unit when the second body is in the closed position, and the developing unit is exposed to an outside of the image forming apparatus when the second body is in the closed position. A user can place the image forming apparatus on a desktop, which increases convenience in using the apparatus. Additionally, a specialized image forming apparatus can be provided to a user who mainly wants to print and copy in small quantities.
US09141072B2
An image forming apparatus includes a heating element, an interior temperature/humidity detection section, and a controller. The heating element is conducted during connection of the image forming apparatus to an external power source to heat an image bearing member. The interior temperature/humidity detection section detects temperature and humidity in the interior of the image forming apparatus. The controller performs a refresh operation when a relative humidity calculated on the basis of the temperature and humidity detected by the interior temperature/humidity detection section immediately after the image forming apparatus is connected to the external power source is higher than the preset value. The refresh operation is an operation for supply of developer from a development device to the image bearing member and for polish of the surface of the image bearing member with the use of a polishing member.
US09141067B2
An image forming apparatus that is capable of using a residual sheet effectively even in a double-sided printing mode. A control unit controls to perform a double-sided image formation process to recording sheets. A detection unit detects a jam of the recording sheet. A determination unit determines whether residual sheets, which are recording sheets on the conveyance path other than a jamming sheet that generates a jam, are available in the image forming process resumed after the jam is removed based on the number of copies of sheets on which the same image is formed, the recording sheets on which images have been formed on one sides, and the latest recording sheet that was normally ejected. The control unit stops the process and ejects the residual sheets that are determined unavailable from the conveyance path when a jam is detected during the process.
US09141065B2
An image forming apparatus, including: an electrophotographic image forming unit which forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing unit which thermally fixes the image; an insulating chute disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit, including: a guide face and a back face, and configured to guide the image-formed recording medium to the fixing unit; and a planar metal member disposed on the back face and expanding to a first end edge portion as an edge portion of one of end portions of the chute nearer to the fixing unit. The metal member includes a second end edge portion that is an edge portion of one of end portions of the metal member nearer to the fixing unit. The second end edge portion has an acute angle in cross section as viewed in a widthwise direction of the recording medium.
US09141059B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotation-position detector, a development device, a transfer unit, a density sensor, and an image-forming-condition determination unit. The density sensor senses a density of a toner image on a transfer body. The image-forming-condition determination unit forms an image pattern, acquires periodical density variation information sensed by the density sensor and detection information of the rotation-position detector, and determines an image forming condition based on the periodical density variation information and the detection information acquired. The image carrier and the transfer body are different in linear velocity in an image formation in which the toner image is transferred to a recording medium. The image carrier and the transfer body are controlled to be equal in linear velocity in an information acquisition in which the image-forming-condition determination unit acquires the periodical density variation information and the detection information.
US09141057B2
The switching control apparatus includes a switching driving unit for turning on and off the switch, a control-purpose power supply for outputting electric power, a power transmission unit provided between the switching driving unit and the control-purpose power supply, for supplying or cutting off electric power from the control-purpose power supply to the switching driving unit, and a control unit for controlling the power transmission unit. The control unit controls the switching driving unit to turn the switch on or off, during a period in which the electric power from the power supply to the switching driving unit is cut off by the power transmission unit, or supplied from the power supply to the switching driving unit.
US09141041B2
An image forming apparatus includes a stretch roller and a steering roller rotatably supporting an intermediate transfer belt and a control portion executing a meandering control operation of controlling a widthwise position of the intermediate transfer belt by operating a tilting portion tilting the steering roller. The control portion tilts the steering roller to a reference position when transfer biases are applied to first and second transfer members in forming an image to perform the meandering control operation from the reference position. The control portion is also configured to be able to update the reference position stored in a storage portion based on an inclined position of the steering roller during the meandering control operation in the state in which the transfer members are applied.
US09141039B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer member to form a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer member and the secondary transfer member; a biasing mechanism to bias the secondary transfer member toward the intermediate transfer member; a cam member rotatable between a first position, at which a predetermined space is formed in the secondary transfer nip, and a second position, at which the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member contact each other; and a contact-separation controller configured to put the cam member in the first position before entry of the recording medium into the secondary transfer nip, rotate the cam member toward the second position when the recording medium enters the secondary transfer nip, and change a start timing of rotation of the cam member in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium.
US09141031B2
A toner housing container includes: container body; conveying portion; pipe receiving port; and uplifting portion. Container body includes; protruding portion protruding from container body interior side of container opening portion to one end of container body; and shutter member moving between closing and opening positions to close and open container opening portion. Uplifting portion includes: uplifting wall surface extending from container body internal wall surface toward protruding portion; and curving portion curving to conform to protruding portion. Shutter member moves from closing to opening position upon push by conveying pipe. When toner housing container is mounted on toner conveying device, protruding portion is present between curving portion and toner receiving port of conveying pipe inserted and extends along shutter member moving region. Toner has bulk density of ≦0.399 g/cm3 when toner housing container is shaken up-and-down 10 times at 25° C., 50% RH, and put such that container opening portion faces downward.
US09141022B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a unit supporting member for supporting the image forming unit, and an exposure device, wherein the unit supporting member includes a first contact supporting portion for supporting the image forming unit, and a second contact supporting portion disposed on a downstream side of the first contact supporting portion in a taking out direction of the image forming unit with a step portion. The image forming unit includes a first contact supported portion contacting and being supported by the first contact supporting portion, a second contact supported portion contacting and being supported by the second contact supporting portion, and a cleaner for cleaning the exposure device. Because the cleaner cleans the exposure device when the image forming unit is taken out from the unit supporting member, light from the exposure device is surely radiated to an image carrier surface.
US09141005B2
A temperature sensing probe including a temperature sensor in an elongate housing wherein the elongate housing of the probe is elongate in a first direction and the elongate housing is comprised of a material which has a thermal conductivity of at least 500 W/mK at 20° C. in at least one direction.
US09140989B2
A material forms a pattern by applying a photosensitive composition to a base material and drying to form a photosensitive coating and performing exposure and development, and a method for forming the pattern. A photosensitive composition includes water-soluble organic particles, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is a poor solvent for the water-soluble organic particles. Preferably, the water-soluble organic particles of the photosensitive composition includes a polymer which contains a unit structure (A) for forming organic particles, a unit structure (B) for forming interparticle crosslinkage, and a unit structure (C) for imparting dispersibility, and the photosensitive composition further includes a photoacid generator. In addition, the water-soluble organic particles of the photosensitive composition includes a polymer which contains the unit structure (A) for forming organic particles, the unit structure (B) for forming interparticle crosslinkage, the unit structure (C) for imparting dispersibility, and a unit structure (D) having a photoacid generating group.
US09140987B2
A method of reducing resist outgassing for EUV lithography is disclosed. The method includes forming a material layer over a substrate wherein a top surface of the material layer contains a certain concentration of a quencher or a base. The method further includes forming a resist layer over the top surface of the material layer and exposing the resist layer to a EUV radiation for patterning. The quencher or the base underneath the resist layer acts to suppress resist outgassing during the EUV exposure. The material layer itself may serve as a hard mask layer or an anti-reflection layer for the patterning process, in addition to being the carrier of the quencher or the base. The method can be used in other types of lithography, such as e-beam lithography, for reducing resist outgassing.
US09140981B2
Provided are an actinic-ray-sensitive or a radiation-sensitive resin composition with greater residual film ratio and capable of suppressing pattern collapse and an occurrence of bridge defects after development, and a resist film, a pattern forming method, an electronic device manufacturing method, and an electronic device, each using the same. An actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a resin (P) having a repeating unit (a) represented by following General Formula (I), a compound (B) represented by any of following General Formulae (B-1) to (B-3), and a solvent, in General Formula (I), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a straight chain or branched alkyl group.
US09140979B2
A light irradiation apparatus and a method of manufacture a photo-aligning layer are disclosed. A mask included in a light irradiation apparatus according to one embodiment is configured to irradiate the light having straightness at a high level of illumination to a subject that is apart from the mask with a certain distance. A photo-aligning layer with a desired alignment pattern can be fabricated using the mask.
US09140974B2
A method for use with 3-dimensional or stereoscopic projection is disclosed, with crosstalk and differential distortion compensations provided for stereoscopic images in a presentation such that the projected images will have reduced crosstalk and differential distortion.
US09140960B2
An apparatus for processing an image, including: a body; a lens module disposed on the body; and a control ring disposed on the lens module, wherein the control ring is configured to change a setting value of a setting item.
US09140959B2
A fiber optic parametric amplifier that includes a resonating cavity. The resonating cavity includes linear fiber optic gain medium, with negative chromatic dispersion; and a nonlinear fiber optic gain medium with positive chromatic dispersion.
US09140954B2
A reflective type display device is provided, and includes a drive layer that includes pigment particles containing at least two colors of pigments, and transparent electrodes provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of drive layer, respectively, so as to drive the pigment particles. The drive layer includes transparent particles provided among the pigment particles. In the reflective type display device, the pigment particles are arranged among the transparent particles that form the drive layer and a lighting device is disposed on the bottom surface of the drive layer. Thus, uniform lighting may be provided even in a dark environment regardless of the size of the display device.
US09140945B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a thin film transistor substrate having a pixel region and a frame region, and a color filter substrate. The frame region includes a first metal wire that surrounds the outside of the pixel region, and a second metal wire that is formed so as to surround the outside of the first metal wire. The first metal wire has at least one slit at an area overlapping with a seal material.
US09140942B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first scanning line, a second scanning line and a third scanning line which are provided for each of a plurality of pixel rows; a first signal line and a second signal line which are provided for each of a plurality of pixel columns; a pixel capacitor provided for each of a plurality of pixels; a temporary storage capacitor for temporarily storing a voltage to be written to the pixel capacitor; a first switching element for controlling electrical connection between the first signal line and the temporary storage capacitor; a second switching element for controlling electrical connection between the temporary storage capacitor and the pixel capacitor; and a third switching element for controlling electrical connection between the second signal line and the pixel capacitor.
US09140927B2
An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form active display structures with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structures may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Liquid crystal light distribution structures may be used to distribute light that is emitted from peripheral portions of the active display structures to a portion of the display overlapping the inactive border region, thereby increasing the apparent area of the display. The light distribution structures may include a liquid crystal cell, a reflecting polarizer, and a reflector that reflects light from the peripheral portions of the active display structures vertically upwards after the light has passed through the liquid crystal cell and has reflected off of the reflecting polarizer.
US09140926B2
A semiconductor wire grid may include a plurality of wires arranged separately on a substrate, formed of a semiconductor, and including a groove therebetween, wherein conductivity of the semiconductor wire grid varies according to an applied voltage such that a polarization rate of the semiconductor wire grid is controlled.
US09140925B2
An electronic device may be provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display having upper and lower polarizer layers, a color filter layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The display may have backlight structures that include a light guide plate, a reflector, and optical films. An opaque masking layer may be formed in a strip that runs along a peripheral edge of the lower polarizer in the display. The lower polarizer and the optical films may be separated by an air gap. The uppermost optical film may be a brightness enhancing film. The lower polarizer may be a matte polarizer layer, a polarizer film attached to an achromatic polarizing compensating film, or a matte polarizer that is attached to an achromatic polarizing compensating film coated with a matte coating.
US09140923B2
A novel photovoltaic device including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material that is capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and method for making. The device may optionally include a conductive container for holding the PDLC material. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a self assembled PDLC material, a holographically synthesized PDLC material or a block co-polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. It is envisioned that the invention may be used a power source for any device, system or application. In particular, the invention may be used for any application involving the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.
US09140903B2
To provide a vehicle information transmitting device capable of resolving the bothersome that occurs when the light is strong. According to the present embodiment, a plurality of light sources 10a is arranged in an array form of plural rows or plural columns in the light source panel 10 so that light can be irradiated in a horizontal direction (right and left direction) and vertical direction (height direction, up and down direction). The light source panel 10 includes a diffusion plate 10b and a shaft member 10c for entirely or partially adjusting the transmitting degree (blurring degree of light) of the light of the light source 10a in association with the arrangement position of the light source 10a, and a plurality of springs 10d that plays the role of a fail safe for maintaining the distance between the light source 10a and the diffusion plate 10b in a maximum state at the time of malfunctioning.
US09140897B2
An optical system, an optical module and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The optical module includes a top membrane and a bottom electrode. The top membrane includes a supporting layer, a first metal layer and an isolating layer with an opening. The first metal layer is disposed on lower surface of the supporting layer. The isolating layer is disposed on lower surface of the first metal layer. The bottom electrode, disposed below the top membrane, includes a second metal layer and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are disposed on upper surface of the second metal layer and below the isolating layer, wherein some of the pillars support the isolating layer. Wherein the pillars are used for preventing the top membrane from being pulled down to touch the second metal layer through the opening when a voltage is applied between the first and the second metal layers.
US09140894B2
An electro-wetting display apparatus includes a first base substrate, a plurality of first electrodes on the first base substrate, an insulating layer which overlaps the first electrodes, a pixel wall on the insulating layer, where the pixel wall partitions a plurality of pixels respectively corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes, a second base substrate which face the first base substrate, a second electrode on the second base substrate and including a plurality of openings, and a fluid between the first base substrate and the second base substrate and in the plurality of pixels. The movement of the fluid in the plurality of pixels is controlled by voltages respectively applied to the first electrodes and the second electrode.
US09140888B2
An objective lens for an endoscope, comprising a first lens group having a negative power, an aperture stop, and a second lens group having a positive power arranged in this order from an object side, wherein the first lens group comprises at least a negative front group lens having a concave surface facing an image side, and a positive front group lens having a convex surface facing the image side arranged in this order from the object side, and the second lens group comprises at least a positive rear group lens having a convex surface facing the image side and a cemented lens formed by cementing together a negative lens and a positive lens being arranged in this order from the object side, and wherein the objective lens for an endoscope is configured to satisfy a predetermined condition.
US09140884B2
A voice coil motor is disclosed, the motor including: a mover including a bobbin including a first bobbin having a lens secured therein and a plurality of second bobbins intermittently protruded from an upper surface of the first bobbin, and a coil block secured to a periphery of the first bobbin; a stator including a magnet facing the coil block and a yoke securing the magnet; a case including a bottom case formed with the bobbin and an upper case coupled to the bottom case and having a portion that is correspondingly opened to the bobbin; and an elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin, wherein any one of the yoke and the upper case is formed with a rotation prevention unit extended to the plurality of second bobbins in order to prevent the bobbin from rotating.
US09140880B2
A zoom lens and a zoom lens module are provided. The zoom lens is configured to form an image of an object at an object side onto an image plane at an image side. The zoom lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group and a fourth lens group disposed in sequence from the object side towards the image side. The refractive powers of the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group are negative, positive, and negative, respectively. The zoom lens satisfies 1.90<|T1G/FW|<2.40. T1G is a distance of the first lens group along an optical axis of the zoom lens, and FW is an effective focal length of the zoom lens when the zoom lens is at a wide-end.
US09140875B2
A lens drive device comprises a base, a lens holder, a piezoelectric actuator having a pair of frictional parts, and a pressing piece. The lens holder has a barrel, a projection projecting from the barrel, a support separated from the barrel, and a joint joining the projection and the support to each other. The pressing piece presses the piezoelectric actuator against the barrel so as to keep such a state that at least one of the pair of frictional parts is in contact with the barrel.
US09140869B2
An optical patch unit is adapted for mounting in or on an optical equipment rack and facilitates a migration from one optical shuffle box or topology to another. The optical patch unit simplifies the replacement of an optical shuffle box, in some cases allowing a phased migration that minimizes system down-time. The optical patch units described herein include passive optical patch panels. Chassis card and optical shuffle connections are terminated at the passive optical patch panel, making it possible to simplify the cabling between the chassis cards and the optical shuffle box. Once installed, chassis card cables do not need to be manipulated at all during subsequent optical shuffle maintenance procedures. Other optical patch units described herein include active optical patch units, which make the migration process less dependent on human intervention and can further reduce system down-time.
US09140865B1
A fiber connector system provides a pigtailed monolithic terminal block of a fiber connector configured to alter a space distribution of laser output radiation. The output facet of the pigtailed monolithic terminal block is configured to alter the divergence of an output beam allowing collimation, focusing, or any desired distribution without additional optical circuitry. The fiber connector system is operative to couple two fibers from respective different fiber devices and allows positioning additional optical components there between.
US09140861B2
An optical connector has guide pins with stepped profiles. The connector includes a connector body, two or more optical ports, and two or more cylindrical guide pins. Each guide pin has a first portion with a first length, a second portion with a second length, and a transitional portion between the first and second portions. The first portion has a first diameter. The second portion has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter.
US09140853B2
An optical device includes first and second waveguides and a micro-ring. The first waveguide is optically coupled to the micro-ring and is separated from the micro-ring by a first gap having a first gap distance. The second waveguide has a supply port, an output port, and a coupling portion optically coupled to the micro-ring. The coupling portion is separated from the micro-ring by a second gap having a second distance. The second gap distance is larger than the first gap distance. The second waveguide and the micro-ring cooperate to form a filter having a stop band. The first gap distance is selected such that a first optical signal on the first waveguide having a first strength causes a first shift in the stop band such that a first wavelength is within the stop band, and wherein the second gap distance is selected such that a second optical signal on the second waveguide having the first strength causes a second or no shift in the stop band such that the first wavelength is outside of the stop band.
US09140849B2
Provided are a backlight assembly with improved heat dissipation, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) having such a backlight assembly. The backlight assembly includes: a light guide plate; a light source unit disposed on a side of the light guide plate; an intermediate housing covering an upper surface of the light source unit; and a lower housing coupled to the intermediate housing to accommodate the light guide plate and the light source unit, wherein the lower housing includes: a light source unit-fixing frame to which the light source unit is fixed, the light source unit-fixing frame contacting an inner surface of the intermediate housing; and a body portion disposed under the light guide plate and coupled to the light source unit-fixing frame.
US09140846B2
A light-emitting device includes: a light guiding member; a plurality of light-emitting elements; and a reflection member. A light reflection/exit surface of the light guiding member has a concave-convex pattern including a plurality of convex portions reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting elements inward. On the assumption that L is a distance between the light-emitting elements, t is a thickness of the light guiding member, an incident angle φ of the light on the light reflection/exit surface is an angle between a line segment obtained by projecting a light path from the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface and a line segment extending from a central point of the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface, and θ is a maximum angle range of reflected light, a value of the angle range θ decreases as a value of the incident angle φ increases in a range of 0<φ
US09140842B2
A display device includes a display panel, a light guide plate which is disposed under the display panel and includes a first side surface, a second side surface connected to one end of the first side surface, and a third side surface connected to the other end of the first side surface, a first light source disposed to face the first side surface and including a plurality of light emitting devices including a first light emitting device to emit a first color light and a second light emitting device to emit a second color light, and a first reflecting member disposed on the second side surface and having a complementary color to a color of the light emitted from a light emitting device, which is disposed closest to the one end of the first side surface, among the plurality of light emitting devices.
US09140836B2
Provided is a method of shielding ultraviolet light and increasing visible light, enabling shielding or removal of ultraviolet light, transmission of visible light, effective utilization of ultraviolet energy to obtain visible light, and not requiring use of rare metal thus being low in cost. The method has: a first excitation step of exciting a fluorescent material by external light of 200 nm to 330 nm: an internal light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the first excitation step emits internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; a second excitation step of exciting the same or a different fluorescent material by external light of 330 nm to 400 nm and by the internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; and a visible light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the second excitation step emits visible light of 400 nm or more.
US09140832B2
A reflective article, such as a solar mirror, includes a highly transparent substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. At least one reflective coating is formed over at least a portion of one of the surfaces, e.g., the second major surface (or, alternatively, the first major surface). The reflective coating includes at least one metallic layer. An encapsulation structure can be formed over at least a portion of the second reflective coating.
US09140830B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio.
US09140817B2
A steerable or non-steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna. The antenna can also be embodied to be more sensitive to resistivity in a particular azimuthal direction.
US09140814B2
A technique facilitates the use of seismic data. The technique utilizes an autonomous underwater vehicle to obtain data on water column characteristics in a seismic survey area. The data can be used to adjust aspects of the seismic survey data and/or the seismic survey technique.
US09140813B2
Method and support assembly configured to change from a stowing position to an operational position. The support assembly includes a head module; an actuator attached to the head module; a tail module; plural modules provided between the head module and the tail module to form a first branch and a second branch, each branch being connected between the head module and the tail module; and a cable system provided through the means for guiding of the plural modules and connected to the actuator for being wind up and unwind to change a distribution of the modules from an operational position to a stowed position.
US09140810B2
A proton computed tomography (pCT) detector system, including two tracking detectors in sequence on a first side of an object to be imaged, two tracking detectors in sequence on an opposite side of the object to be imaged, a calorimeter, and a computer cluster, wherein the tracking detectors include plastic scintillation fibers. All fibers in the detector system are read out by Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). A method of imaging an object by emitting protons from a source through two tracking detectors, through and around the object, and through two opposite tracking detectors, detecting energy of the protons with a calorimeter, and imaging the object.
US09140803B2
A method includes generating, via a dose estimator, a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited in a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system, and generating, via a noise estimator, at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display, the dose and noise maps in a human readable format.
US09140800B2
This acquisition method is provided for acquiring a satellite signal emitted by a radio navigation satellite, the satellite signal containing a cyclic pseudo-random identification code specific to the satellite. The acquisition method includes the generation of a local code producing a replica of the identification code, and the production of a combined correlation (EDDC) of a received signal with the local code, the combined correlation corresponding to the linear combination of a first double delta correlation and of a second narrow correlation.
US09140799B2
A system and method for determining a set of satellites for which assistance data may be provided to a wireless device. A boundary for an approximate area in which the wireless device is located may be determined and one or more sets of satellites may be determined as a function of the boundary. An optimum set of satellites from the one or more sets of satellites may then be determined using a satellite selection function on the one or more sets of satellites at predetermined points substantially on the boundary.
US09140798B2
Transmitting positions of devices is described herein. One method for transmitting a position of a device includes converting a received Global Positioning System (GPS) signal to a short range signal with a first device, transmitting the short range signal using the first device, receiving the short range signal with a second device, and transmitting a position of the second device determined from the short range signal using the second device.
US09140795B2
A demodulation image sensor, such as used in time of flight (TOF) cameras, extracts all storage- and post-processing-related steps from the pixels to another array of storage and processing elements (proxels) on the chip. The pixel array has the task of photo-detection, first processing and intermediate storage to create subframes, while the array of storage and processing elements provides accumulation into frames. Particularly, sampled values of several subframes are summed in a compressed manner. Possible compression is to use exponential function.
US09140794B2
An electronic device for detecting presence includes a housing and an infrared (“IR”) sensor. The housing includes an outer surface having an opening formed thereon. The IR sensor is disposed in the housing and adjacent to the opening. The IR sensor has an unobstructed path and line of sight through the opening to outside of the housing. The IR sensor is configured to receive heat emitted by a person from outside of the housing via the opening and to generate a signal in response thereto.
US09140789B2
A vehicular forward facing sensing system includes a radar sensor device disposed within an interior cabin of a vehicle and having a sensing direction forward of the vehicle. An image sensor is disposed within the interior cabin of the vehicle and has a viewing direction forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor, which is operable to analyze images captured by the image sensor in order to, at least in part, detect an object present forward of the vehicle. The control, at least in part, determines that a potentially hazardous condition may exist in the path of forward travel of the vehicle. The radar sensor device and image sensor collaborate in a way that enhances the sensing capability of the sensing system for the potentially hazardous condition in the path of forward travel of the vehicle. The image processor processes captured image data utilizing object detection software.
US09140786B2
A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting radiometric data different frequencies, corresponding to respective different depths into the ice, using at least one airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice so that the radiometric data defines radiometric volumetric data. The radiometric volumetric data is processed to thereby detect an oil mass covered by the ice.
US09140785B2
A method for detecting an oil mass covered by ice includes collecting alert data at a first probability of detection using an airborne platform moved about a search area above the ice. An alert area having a likelihood of an oil mass covered by the ice is determined based upon the alert data. Confirmation data is collected at a second probability of detection higher than the first probability of detection using a ground platform moved over the alert area. An oil mass covered by the ice is detected based upon the confirmation data.
US09140784B1
A method for identification of one or more launched objects obscured by debris objects within a debris field comprises: directing one or more sensor pulses at the debris field to obtain a plurality of sensor images; identifying objects within the debris field based on the sensor images; determining acceleration characteristics for each of the identified objects within the debris field based on the sensor images; identifying objects exhibiting free fall acceleration characteristics as debris objects; and identifying objects exhibiting centripetal acceleration characteristics as the one or more launched objects.
US09140769B2
An embodiment of the current invention provides a method for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy, comprising: (a) selectively exciting exchangeable solute protons or protons of exchangeable solute-based water molecules within a frequency range in a subject using at least one frequency-selective radio frequency (RF) pulse, wherein the frequency range encompasses characteristic resonance frequencies of the exchangeable solute protons or protons of exchangeable solute-based water molecules, wherein the frequency range is substantially non-overlapping with a characteristic resonance frequency of bulk water protons in the subject, wherein the at least one frequency selective RF pulse performs a substantially minimal excitation on the bulk water protons, and wherein the at least one frequency-selective RF pulse, sometimes in combination with a time period that separates the at least one frequency-selective RF pulse, magnetically labels the exchangeable solute protons or the exchangeable solute-based water molecules; (b) allowing a portion of the magnetically labeled exchangeable solute protons to exchange with the bulk water protons or allowing the magnetically labeled exchangeable solute-based water molecules to exchange with bulk water molecules;(c) repeating (a) and (b) a plurality of times to enhance a population size of the magnetically labeled exchangeable solute protons or the magnetically labeled exchangeable solute-based water molecules; (d) irradiating the subject under observation with a water excitation RF pulse that is adapted to excite the bulk water protons; (e) recording a magnetic resonance (MR) signal from the subject under observation in response to the water excitation RF pulse; and (f) analyzing the recorded MR signal to estimate a quantity associated with the exchangeable solute protons or the exchangeable solute-based water molecules.
US09140767B2
Examples of the present invention include metamaterial lenses that allow enhanced resolution imaging, for example in MRI apparatus. An example metamaterial may be configured to have μ=−1 along three orthogonal axes. Superior performance was demonstrated using such improved designs, and in some examples, imaging resolution better than λ/500 was obtained. The use of one or more lumped reactive elements in a unit cell, such as one or more lumped capacitors and/or one or more lumped inductors, allowed unit cell dimensions and hence resolution to be dramatically enhanced. In some examples, a cubic unit cell was used with an essentially isotropic magnetic permeability of μ=−1 obtained at an operating electromagnetic frequency and wavelength (λ).
US09140762B2
It is possible to provide a mobile electronic device which can accurately judge the service life of a cell even when the cell is replaced. Provided is also a method for controlling the mobile electronic device. A control block (48) includes: a voltage measurement unit (100) which is connected to a charge cell (32) and measures a voltage value of the charge cell (32); and a control unit (101) which performs control to measure a voltage of the charge cell (32) by the voltage measuring unit (100) upon each start and end of charge of the charge cell (32), stores in a storage unit (42), information on a number of charge/discharge times identified by the measured voltage value, and outputs information on the service life of the charge cell (32) according to the information on the number of charge/discharge times from an output unit (equivalent to a display (21) a speaker (45)).
US09140754B2
A multi-die chip module (MCM) comprises a first die containing a first test controller and a second die containing a second test controller coupled to the first die via an interconnect. The first test controller is configured to place the first die in either a shift mode or a capture mode. The second controller is configured to place the second die in either the shift mode or the capture mode. After a scan shift operation, scan cells are initialized to predetermined values. During the capture operation one die remains in the shift mode and the other die enters the capture mode so that as test bits are shifted into registers associated with output pads on the die in the shift mode, the other die is in the capture mode and captures signals on input pads associated with that die, enabling scan based at-speed testing of the interconnect.
US09140744B2
Provided is a doubly-fed induction generator system and a self-test method for the active crowbar circuit of the doubly-fed induction generator system. The invention is featured by using the controller of the doubly-fed induction generator system to carry out a self-test procedure to detect the loop current of the active crowbar circuit for determining if the active crowbar circuit can be turned on and off normally. Also, the rotor-side converter and the active crowbar circuit of the doubly-fed induction generator system are forbidden to turn on simultaneously during the execution of the self-test procedure.
US09140733B2
A detector circuit can be used for determining the reflection coefficients of HF signals in a signal path. The detector circuit includes a bidirectional hybrid coupler, logarithmic amplifiers connected to the hybrid couple, and a subtractor having an offset connection.
US09140721B2
An electrical test contact electrically connects a test terminal of an Integrated Circuit (IC) test assembly with an IC terminal of an IC device in an electrical interconnect assembly. The test contact is formed of electrically conductive material and includes a head portion and a foot portion. The head portion includes a first electrical contacting portion for electrically engaging an IC terminal of an IC device during use, and the foot portion includes a second electrical contacting portion for electrically engaging a test terminal of a test assembly during use. The head portion includes a head receiving portion that receives a first resiliently biasing member to retain the first resiliently biasing member in contact with the test contact. The first resiliently biasing member biases the first electrical contacting portion against the IC terminal of the IC device during use. An electrical interconnect assembly having multiple test contacts is also disclosed.
US09140715B2
Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
US09140714B2
A bio-sensing device includes a first platform, a second platform, at least one first magnetic element, and at least one second magnetic element. The first platform is configured to support a microplate. The microplate has a plurality of wells, each of which stores a reagent and a plurality of microbeads. The second platform is movably placed below the first platform. The first and the second magnetic elements are respectively located on the second platform. The first magnetic element moves along with the second platform to magnetically attract the microbeads in the wells, the second magnetic element moves along with the second platform to demagnetize the microbeads in the wells, and magnetism of the first magnetic element is opposite to magnetism of the second magnetic element.
US09140689B2
This disclosure provides tyrosine kinase protein and nucleic acid variants, particularly FGFR2 variants, which are linked to drug resistance. The disclosure further provides methods of diagnosis and theranosis, and development of new therapeutic agents using these molecules and fragments thereof, and kits for employing these methods and compositions.
US09140667B2
The electrostatic sensors of bridge or cantilever type with multiple electrodes, the electrostatic sensors of comb type and piezoelectric sensors are used for the single molecule detection of ligands. The electrical driving of sensors is separated in some cases from the sensing for increased sensitivity. The large arrays of sensors with individual or common sensing circuits are employed to further improve detection sensitivity. The fabrication of the sensors, their functionalization for detection of many chemical and biological species and electrical circuitry, packaging, microfluidic subsystem and the system architecture are also disclosed. The individual, specific sensing of single species or simultaneous detection of multiple species is realized. The freeze drying or critical point drying after exposure of sensors to ligands present in liquids and detection in reduced pressure or vacuum is employed for increased sensitivity, down to the single molecule.
US09140660B2
A method for preventing the formation of gas bubbles inside a high pressure reference electrode in the electrolyte-filled section, and thus eliminating the gas bobble effect on the electrical continuity, was disclosed. One or more thin solid rods or tubes are inserted into the internal electrolyte-housing tube and the thin rods or tubes alter the surface tension of the gas bubbles so that the bubbles are unstable in the middle of the liquid electrolyte. Compared with the fiber wicks or porous powder used by previous researchers to ensure the electrical continuity, the thin tubes or rods are easy to handle and easy to clean. This method may also be used in other systems that contain a liquid-filled vertical or sloped tube (e.g., a pH electrode) to prevent the formation of gas bubbles in the liquid-filled section of the tube.
US09140654B2
An inspection apparatus comprising, a light source configured to emit an inspection light, a table configured to mount an inspection target thereon, an illumination optical system configured to direct the inspection light from the light source toward the target, an objective lens unit configured to gather transmitting or reflected light generated after the illumination optical system illuminates the target with the inspection light, a light receiving unit configured to capture an optical image formed from the light illuminated through the objective lens unit, a chamber configured to house the table, light receiving unit, illumination optical system and objective lens unit, a temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust a temperature in the chamber, and a gas supply unit configured to be connected to the objective lens unit to supply an inert gas at a predetermined temperature into the unit.
US09140650B2
There are provided methods for detection and measurement of stress in a cell, the method including introducing a labeled tRNA into the cell and detecting a change in subcellular localization of the labeled tRNA in the cell, based on the signal emitted from the labeled tRNA. There are further provided methods and systems for the generation of a stress index of a living cell. There are further provided methods and systems for detection of stress in a living cell, comprising detection of changes in subcellular localization of labeled tRNA in a cell, wherein the detection is performed in real time.
US09140646B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector determines the presence of smoke particles outside its housing based on measurements of light detected at different wavelengths and corrected based on an ambient light level.
US09140639B2
An airborne, gas, or liquid particle sensor with an on-board data acquisition system that can be used to capture detailed particle pulse information. The information can be used both for on-board analysis and reporting as well as off-line analysis and reporting.
US09140633B2
A method for performing surface sampling of an analyte, includes the step of placing the analyte on a stage with a material in molar excess to the analyte, such that analyte-analyte interactions are prevented and the analyte can be solubilized for further analysis. The material can be a matrix material that is mixed with the analyte. The material can be provided on a sample support. The analyte can then be contacted with a solvent to extract the analyte for further processing, such as by electrospray mass spectrometry.
US09140631B2
A method of measuring characteristics of a critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument is applied to a dilution mechanism including dilution units in series. Diluent gas of one dilution unit and diluent gas of the other dilution unit are kept flowing in a derivation flow passage for deriving redundant gas of the corresponding one dilution unit in a manner that the total flow rate thereof is equal to a prescribed constant flow rate and that the flow rate of the diluent gas from the corresponding dilution unit is equal to the flow rate in use. The flow rate characteristics of the critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument are measured based on at least an upstream side pressure of the critical orifice type constant flow rate instrument provided in the derivation flow passage at this time.
US09140630B2
Various embodiments described in the application relate to an apparatus, system, and method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The system can comprise an apparatus comprising at least one conduit operatively connected to one or more pumps for providing discrete volumes separated from one another by a fluid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.
US09140626B2
A motor vehicle test device and a motor vehicle test method are described. The motor vehicle test device includes a control unit for controlling a predefined test sequence; an operator interface device; and at least one measuring device for measuring at least one vehicle parameter. The motor vehicle test device has a vehicle communication interface and diagnosis software. The control device is developed in such a way that it is able to communicate with at least one control unit of the motor vehicle via the vehicle communication interface.
US09140615B2
A method for measuring pore pressure is provided using a rigid piezometer that does not need a filter and can be used to measure pore-water pressures in partially frozen soils. This method also can be used to measure pore pressure in a porous media when the hydraulic conductivity of the porous media is low or there is limited amount of pore-fluid available to transfer the pressures. A piezometer is also provided, including: a tube for hydraulic fluid; first and second valves to control fluid flow in the tube and into a porous medium; and a fitting wherein a pressure sensor is positioned to measure fluid pressure in the hydraulic fluid in the tube and a hydraulic fluid droplet ejected from an end of the tube into the porous medium; and an interface of the hydraulic fluid with the pore-fluid within the porous medium, using the droplet placed into the porous medium. The tube (or part of the tube), valves, fittings, and pressure sensor may be enclosed in a housing.
US09140612B2
A high temperature Seebeck coefficient measurement apparatus and method with various features to minimize typical sources of errors is described. Common sources of temperature and voltage measurement errors which may impact accurate measurement are identified and reduced. Applying the identified principles, a high temperature Seebeck measurement apparatus and method employing a uniaxial, four-point geometry is described to operate from room temperature up to 1300K. These techniques for non-destructive Seebeck coefficient measurements are simple to operate, and are suitable for bulk samples with a broad range of physical types and shapes.
US09140608B2
An image processing device includes: a demosaicking unit which converts a bayer image from a camera sensor into red, green image and blue images; a first color space conversion unit which converts first camera RGB data into first display R′G′B′ data using a first color space conversion matrix; and a display unit which displays an image using the first display R′G′B′ data, where the first color space conversion matrix is calculated from a relationship in which the product of the first color space conversion matrix and a transpose of a first N×3 matrix is a transpose of a second N×3 matrix, where the first N×3 matrix represents camera RGB data of N number of colors, and the second N×3 matrix represents display R′G′B′ data of the N number of colors calculated by measuring the N number of colors displayed in the display unit using a spectrophotometer.
US09140600B2
The present invention is an optical proximity sensor and manufacturing method thereof. The optical proximity sensor has an optical sensing unit, an illuminating unit, multiple transparent gels and a package. The package encapsulates the optical sensing unit and the illuminating unit. The transparent gels are respectively formed on top surfaces of the optical sensing unit and the illuminating unit. The transparent gels respectively have a convex part and a recess formed in the convex part. The package has through holes communicating with the recesses of the transparent gels to form openings. In a step of injecting encapsulant gel, because the transparent gels are still plastic, the protrusions can closely attach to the transparent gels. The encapsulant gel is prevented from forming above the sensing part and the illuminating part.
US09140599B1
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for sending and receiving messages between two user devices using vibration generation and detection techniques. The devices may be placed in proximity to each other and initiate a solicitation protocol and a communication protocol routine to establish a vibration communication link. The devices may exchange information using information that is encoded into the vibrations that are transferred from one user device to another user device.
US09140588B2
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor that is configured to measure a load applied from an occupant, a seat cushion frame that includes a right side frame and a left side frame, and a pan frame. At least one of the right and left side frames includes an upper-side protruding section provided at an upper part of the at least one side frame and a lower-side protruding section provided at a lower part of the at least one side frame, the upper-side protruding section and the lower-side protruding section extending along a right-left axis. At least one load sensor attachment bracket of the vehicle seat is attached to the at least one side frame between the upper-side protruding section and the lower-side protruding section.
US09140575B2
The disclosed subject matter relates to computer-implemented methods for navigating to a selected location. One method includes receiving from a client device, which includes a graphical user interface, a search query for locations. The method includes performing a search using the search query to obtain one or more locations corresponding to the search query. The method includes sending to the client device, for display on the graphical user interface, the one or more locations corresponding to the search query. The method includes receiving from the client device, an indication of a selected location which corresponds to one of the location or locations corresponding to the search query. The method includes calculating navigation instructions for the secondary device to navigate to the selected location. The method includes sending to the client device, the navigation instructions for the secondary device, and a request to forward the navigation instructions to the secondary device.
US09140573B2
A system and method for automatically finding a path between two selected road segments. A map editor displays road segments in a visual map to a user. The user selects a beginning segment and an ending segment from the displayed segments. The map editor then identifies the best path between these two segments by applying a path-finding algorithm. The path finding algorithm identifies the best path based on the total length of the path and the changes in attributes between adjacent road segments in the path. The path identified by the map editor is then displayed to the user.
US09140570B1
Timing information and deeper trip planning can enhance conventional mapping functionality. A user provides a specified time of arrival and/or departure information along with a starting and end point, and receives a travel route with estimated arrival and departure times based on time-specific information, such as traffic or construction at specific times of day. The user can choose or be prompted to add one or more waypoints along the way. The user can get recommendations for hotels, restaurants, points of interest, and other such locations based on location, time of day, travel time, or other such aspects. Upon selecting a waypoint, the amount of time the user will be at that waypoint and the additional driving time are used to adjust one or more other times of the trip, such as the starting or departure times, or times of other waypoints.
US09140561B2
A first position of a satellite is calculated at a first time in dependence on received orbit data corresponding to an orbit path of the satellite. An orbit path of the satellite is modeled from the first position at the first time to a second time to determine a second position of the satellite at the second time. A third position of the satellite is then calculated at the second time in dependence on the received orbit data. The second position and third position are compared to determine a validity of the orbit data.
US09140560B2
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to generate a vehicle communication system. The vehicle communication system can determine which devices are within the vehicle. From this determination, the vehicle communication system may create a universal bus and hotspot where applications, data, multimedia information, and resources can be shared both with the vehicle and with the other devices in the vehicle.
US09140556B1
A method and system for spacecraft navigation using distant celestial gamma-ray bursts which offer detectable, bright, high-energy events that provide well-defined characteristics conducive to accurate time-alignment among spatially separated spacecraft. Utilizing assemblages of photons from distant gamma-ray bursts, relative range between two spacecraft can be accurately computed along the direction to each burst's source based upon the difference in arrival time of the burst emission at each spacecraft's location. Correlation methods used to time-align the high-energy burst profiles are provided. The spacecraft navigation may be carried out autonomously or in a central control mode of operation.
US09140555B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for resolving erroneous movement signals and for providing navigation instructions. One of the methods includes receiving data from two or more sensors, synchronizing the received data, determining a first subset of the synchronized data from the camera for a particular period of time and a second subset of the synchronized data from the other sensor for the particular period of time, comparing the first subset with the second subset to determine whether the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, based on determining that the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, selecting data for one of the sensors based on a sensor priority scheme for the sensors, and resolving the erroneous movement signal based on the selected data for the one of the sensors.
US09140547B2
A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station mounted on the measuring device and another station mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus, wherein the station and the another station communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example, frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the another station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronizes its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal.
US09140540B2
A coordinate detector includes a pair of light sensor units disposed on a side of a display part having a display surface to be touched by a target to be detected, optical reflective members respectively disposed on remaining three sides of the display part, and a sensor position adjusting unit configured to adjust a rolling direction of the light sensor unit with respect to the optical reflective members. When the target touches the display surface, coordinates of the target are detected based on light reflected off the optical reflective members that is received by the light sensor units.
US09140531B2
A detecting gauge with high accuracy mainly comprises a machine table, a detecting set, a clamping apparatus, a detecting apparatus, and a sliding apparatus. Particularly, the sliding apparatus includes a sliding rail disposed on a machine table and a sliding base slidably disposed on said sliding rail. A sliding groove is disposed on both sides of the sliding rail, an embedding portion is formed on the sliding base for matching the sliding groove, and a plurality of rollers are embedded on a surface of said embedding portion which is in contact with said sliding groove. By matching the embedding portion with the sliding groove, the sliding base can be slid and moved precisely and smoothly on the sliding rail, and a target to be detected can be stably held by the clamping apparatus, whereby the detecting apparatus can obtain the measurement with high accuracy.
US09140530B2
A device, and a method of using the device, for inspecting a threading of a tubular component for exploration or working of hydrocarbon wells, the device including a threaded support that can cooperate by makeup with the threading of the tubular component, a mechanism blocking advance of the threaded support during makeup with the threading of the tubular component, a longitudinal rail fixed to the blocking mechanism and extending in a direction belonging to a plane passing through the axis of the threading of the treaded support, a mechanism inspecting treading of the tubular component, and a mechanism for longitudinal guidance to guide inspecting mechanism along the longitudinal rail.
US09140521B2
An improved electronic aiming device for use with a weapon or other manually aimed device. Means are provided to vary the field of view, determine range to target, compensate for bullet drop, and to compensate for crosswind, without removing either hand from the weapon, by monitoring the tilt of the weapon upon which the device is mounted.
US09140513B2
Embodiments include a compact compound bow. In various embodiments, the compact compound bow includes a first riser plate and a second riser plate. The bow can further include a first limb and a second limb, the first limb and second limb can be coupled to the first riser plate and the second riser plate. The bow can further include a re-locatable handle configured to be coupled to at least one of the first riser plate or the second riser plate in a first position and coupled to at least one of the first riser plate or the second riser plate in a second position. The re-locatable handle can be rotated 180 degrees from the first position to the second position. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US09140500B2
When performing heat storage in a heat storage container accommodating a plurality of kinds of heat storage materials with different melting points, heat storage in the heat storage materials is performed such that a higher melting point heat storage material is in a latent heat storage state as much as possible. In other words, heat storage in the heat storage materials is performed in such a manner that the heat storage materials are in the latent heat storage state in which heat can be stored most effectively. In addition, when performing heat release from the heat storage container to heat coolant water in a circulation circuit, heat release is performed from the heat storage material in the sensible heat storage state as a priority, out of the heat storage materials. Accordingly, heat release from the heat storage container in the heat storage state is performed in such a manner that the heat storage materials are maintained in latent heat storage state for as a long period of time as possible. When heat release from the heat storage container is performed in this manner, the heat storage materials can be kept in the latent heat storage state for as a long period of time as possible. As in the foregoing, the heat storage container can be kept in the heat storage state for a long period of time.
US09140492B1
A paint disposal or recovery system, which efficiently places the paint in layers and evaporates the water therefrom, permits efficient disposal or efficient recovery of the solid material or the formerly dispersed material. Layers of water-based paints are especially formed on vapor permeable surfaces in trays or on the Surface of a supported, vapor permeable pocket liner. The trays with the liner thereon or the supported pocket liner is then placed in dryer housing. Air or other drying agents are then forced through the dryer housing. The water evaporates and leaves the dispersed material from the water-based paint on the respective surface.
US09140490B2
The described invention relates to processes and systems for treating a gas stream, particularly one rich in methane for forming liquefied natural gas (LNG), the process including: (a) providing a gas stream; (b) providing a refrigerant; (c) compressing the refrigerant to provide a compressed refrigerant; (d) cooling the compressed refrigerant by indirect heat exchange with a cooling fluid; (e) expanding the refrigerant of (d) to cool the refrigerant, thereby producing an expanded, cooled refrigerant; (f) passing the expanded, cooled refrigerant to a first heat exchange area; (g) compressing the gas stream of (a) to a pressure of from greater than or equal to 1,000 psia to less than or equal to 4,500 psia; (h) cooling the compressed gas stream by indirect heat exchange with an external cooling fluid; and heat exchanging the compressed gas stream with the expanded, cooled refrigerant stream.
US09140485B2
A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, Peltier devices thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
US09140484B2
A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
US09140479B2
Synchronous temperature rate control and apparatus for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption
A refrigerator appliance configuration, and associated methods of operation, for an appliance with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The controller, by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system, depending on the appliance configuration, synchronizes alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature.
US09140471B2
A separator plate assembly for use in an indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) with an air-to-air heat exchanger. The assembly includes a separator plate with a first surface defining a dry channel and a second surface defining a wet channel. The assembly includes heat transfer enhancements provided on the first surface for increasing heat transfer rates. The heat transfer enhancements may include slit fins with bodies extending outward from the first surface of separator plate or may take other forms including vortex generators, offset strip fins, and wavy fins. In slit fin implementations, the separator plate has holes proximate to each of the slit fins, and the separator plate assembly may include a sealing layer applied to the second surface of the separator plate to block air flow through the holes. The sealing layer can be a thickness of adhesive, and a layer of wicking material is applied to the adhesive.
US09140469B2
A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.
US09140463B2
An indoor unit performs a control operation to not supply power to a load device through a power/communication line simultaneously with other indoor units. An air conditioning system may includes an indoor unit including a microcomputer to output a power application signal to supply power to a load device through a power/communication line, and a duplicate power application prevention unit to interrupt the power application signal from the microcomputer when the power is simultaneously applied to the power/communication line by a different indoor unit, to prevent the power from being duplicately applied to the power/communication line.
US09140455B2
A flowsleeve of a turbomachine component is provided. The flowsleeve includes an annular body including an upstream casing and a downstream casing. The upstream casing defines a fuel feed, and the downstream casing defines an airway opening, and a premixing passage. The premixing passage is fluidly coupled to the fuel feed and the airway opening and has a passage interior in which fuel and air receivable from the fuel feed and the airway opening, respectively, are combinable to form a fuel and air mixture.
US09140454B2
A turbomachine includes a compressor, a combustor operatively connected to the compressor, an end cover mounted to the combustor, and an injection nozzle assembly operatively connected to the combustor. The injection nozzle assembly includes a cap member having a first surface that extends to a second surface. The cap member further includes a plurality of openings. A plurality of bundled mini-tube assemblies are detachably mounted in the plurality of openings in the cap member. Each of the plurality of bundled mini-tube assemblies includes a main body section having a first end section and a second end section. A fluid plenum is arranged within the main body section. A plurality of tubes extend between the first and second end sections. Each of the plurality of tubes is fluidly connected to the fluid plenum.
US09140443B1
An illuminated cup holder includes a power source in a base, light sources, a light conducting body, and a reflecting rim cover. The power source may be batteries or an AC adapter, or both. The light conducting body includes a rim, walls, and a bottom edge. The bottom edge is preferably rippled to provide a light pattern. The light sources are preferably back to back LEDs aimed in opposite directions and into the rim of the body. The reflective rim cap has a reflective lower surface. The light generated by the LED circles the rim of the body and is reflected by the rim cap into the walls of the body onto the bottom edge providing an attractive and recognizable light filling the body.
US09140439B2
The present invention provides a novel cup-shaped heat dissipater (100) having the outer cup bottom of the cup-shaped heat dissipater formed as a planar or convex or concave surface for accommodating the electric luminous body (200), so the heat can be dissipated to the exterior from the surface of the heat dissipater (100), and with the enlarged heat dissipation surface formed in the cup-shaped inner recessed structure of the heat dissipater (100) opposite to the installation location of the electric luminous body (200), the heat can also be directly dissipated through the larger heat dissipation area, furthermore, flow guide holes allowing airflow to pass are formed on the heat dissipater (100) for performing heat dissipating convection through the heat dissipating fluid.
US09140436B2
A configurable ceiling lighting system for a grid ceiling comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of driver panels having a bottom and a defined perimeter sized to allow the driver panel to be set into and retained within the grid openings of a ceiling grid. The driver panel has at least one and preferably a plurality of electrical connectors accessible from the bottom of the driver panel. At least one and preferably a plurality of light modules are provided having a light source and an electrical connector complimentary to the electrical connectors of the panel drivers. The light modules can be operatively connected to the bottom of the ceiling panel drivers at selected connection points to produced desired arrays of ceiling lighting fixtures to meet particular lighting needs.
US09140435B2
Described are various embodiments of a method and apparatus for outlining recessed installation of a component within a surface material. In one embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises two or more template or alignment modules adjacently disposable against the surface material and each comprising opposed edges that can be aligned with adjacently disposed edges so to define a substantially continuous spacing along these adjacently disposed edges. This spacing is generally dimensioned so to accommodate a corresponding component dimension such that, the aligned edges guide removal of surface material along the spacing to accommodate recessed installation of the component within the surface material.
US09140430B2
A light source, for example a light emitting diode, can emit light and have an associated optical axis. The source can be deployed in applications where it is desirable to have illumination biased laterally relative to the optical axis, such as in a street luminaire where directing light towards a street is beneficial. The source can be coupled to an optic that comprises a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can have an outline that is egg-shaped in cross section. A backside of the cavity (or a backside portion of the optic) can have an irregular shape for receiving the light emitting diode, for example to form a receptacle shaped to fit a circuit board on which the light emitting diode is mounted.
US09140425B2
A luminaire including a light engine having a light source and a housing and a light-diffusing attachment that includes a frame secured to the housing of the light engine, a refracting lens supported by the frame, and a diffuser supported by the frame.
US09140422B2
An automotive light is provided having a substantially tub-shaped rear casing designed to fit to the vehicle body and a front lenticular half-shell which closes the opening of the rear casing and has at least one portion of transparent or semi-transparent material. The front lenticular half-shell includes a rear portion substantially aligned with the rear of the vehicle body, and a lateral portion substantially aligned with the side of the vehicle body. The automotive light also includes a strip light source designed to emit light when powered electrically and a light guide plate of photoconductive material shaped to substantially match the profile of the strip light source and housed inside the rear casing in a position substantially perpendicular to the rear portion of the front lenticular half-shell. A first side of the plate conducts light from the strip light source into the body of the light guide plate, and a second side of the plate directs light propagating in the light guide plate onto the lenticular half-shell. A transverse light-extracting band is provided to locally extract light onto a lateral portion of the front lenticular half-shell.
US09140419B2
A lighted cup holder and method for illuminating a cup holder, the cup holder having a base component having a cylindrical body for mounting through a spa shell, a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior; a lens or light diffuser at the first end of the body and located proximal to an exterior surface of the spa shell; a decorative or functional stencil or insert located within the hollow interior at or proximal to the first end of the body; a light source; and a light holder for retaining the light source on the base component at or proximal to the second end of the body.
US09140418B2
A multi-mode lighting system includes a collector unit and a lighting module. A plurality of fiber optic filaments extend from the collector to the lighting module to transmit radiation from first ends of the fiber optic filaments to second ends of the fiber optic elements. The first ends of the fiber optic filaments are disposed in the collector unit to receive radiation and second ends are disposed in the lighting module to emit radiation received by the first ends of the fiber optic filaments. At least a first portion of the radiation transmitted by the fiber optic filaments illuminates an area external to the lighting module and at least a second portion of the radiation impinges the photovoltaic element to generate electricity.
US09140415B2
The invention provides a lighting device (1) comprising (a) a light source (100), for producing light source light (110), and (b) a transparent converter device (200), for converting at least part of the light source light (110), wherein the transparent converter device (200) comprises a first polymer containing matrix (201) containing discrete particles (210), wherein the discrete particles (210) comprise a second polymer containing matrix with luminescent material (212) dispersed therein.
US09140394B1
An intake manifold assembly for storage tanks comprises a pair of fill tubes joined together in side-by-side relation to a common mounting plate with spring latches at opposite ends of the mounting plate for releasable connection to an inlet on the tank such that the fill tubes are mounted at a predetermined angle to the inlet, a float assembly is attached to the manifold assembly to measure the liquid level in the tank, and a net assembly extends over the inlet to prevent entry of foreign matter into the tank.
US09140393B2
A breakaway coupling including a pair of sleeves, one sleeve fitting within the other, each sleeve having a hose connector secured therethrough, the first sleeve holding a metal annulus, the second sleeve securing a continuous magnetic annulus, so when the sleeves are brought together the magnetic annulus secures onto the metal annulus to hold the coupler in its connected position. The continuous metallic annulus includes a metal base, a spacer that holds a series of standard round magnets equally spaced around the approximate perimeter of the spacer and its base.
US09140389B2
The present invention relates to new graphene-based steel tubes, pipes or risers, whose products are obtained by a method of manufacturing that consists in adding graphene nanosheets, heat treatment, forming tubular geometry and surface finish. In addition to the unique chemical composition based on graphene, with carbon content ranging between 0.01 and 21.0%, these products have the wall thickness between 800 nm and 80 mm (from ultra fine to thick), diameter between 10 and 5000 mm, and having a tensile strength not less than 2000 MPa reaching up to 50 GPa, with far superior features to those obtained by other methods. Such products can be used for petroleum, natural gas and biofuels transportation, including in deepwater submarine riser systems (>1500 m), with direct application in the oil industry.
US09140384B2
A method and connecting apparatus for attaching a pipeline termination assembly to a subsea structure. The pipeline termination assembly has a pivot axis member and the subsea structure has one or more capture slots to receive it. The pivot axis member is captured in the capture slot, the slot allowing vertical movement of the pipeline termination assembly. The pipeline termination assembly is rotated about the pivot axis to assume a horizontal position. In the horizontal position, the capture slot permits horizontal movement of the pipeline termination assembly. A capture device mounted on the subsea structure provides the capture slots. At least a part of the capture device is moved with respect to the subsea structure to retain the pivot axis member in the capture slot on rotating the pipeline termination assembly about the pivot axis.
US09140381B2
A butterfly valve (100) is provided according to the invention. The butterfly valve (100) includes a valve body (103) including a valve bore (109) passing through the valve body (103) and a shaft bore (112), a valve shaft (121) located in the shaft bore (112) and extending through the valve bore (109), a thermal conductor ring (156) fitted over an end of the valve shaft (121), and at least one compression ring (152) mounted to the thermal conductor ring (156) and located within the shaft bore (112). The at least one compression ring (152) fits partially into and extends partially out of a corresponding at least one ring groove (153) in the thermal conductor ring (156), with the at least one compression ring (152) substantially sealing the thermal conductor ring (156) to an actuator-side shaft bore (112A).
US09140366B2
A bearing isolator seal includes a rotor and stator wherein the stator has inboard and outboard radial projections which define a groove bounded by groove side faces and a groove bottom face. The rotor extends radially and then axially so as to lie closely adjacent to the terminal end of the outboard radial projection on the stator to define an entrance passageway. The bearing isolator seal includes a surface geometry which is believed to result in improved exclusion of contaminants, particularly from high velocity water spray, wherein the entrance passageway is angled to increase the rotational effects of exclusion during shaft rotation, and wherein the groove side faces are also angled to assist in redirecting spray and other contaminants away from the passageway.
US09140364B2
A system for the contactless sealing of a rotatably mounted shaft with respect to a housing, and a gear unit, oil being provided in the interior of the housing, in particular, the rotating shaft protruding from the interior into the outer area; a centrifugal disk, joined in rotatably fixed manner to the shaft, having at least partially radially extending bores that connect oil from a centrifugal chamber to a collection chamber surrounding the centrifugal disk.
US09140351B2
The invention relates to a bevel gear wheel of a bevel gear mechanism, the teeth of which bevel gear wheel have in each case a load flank and a rear flank, wherein the rear flanks have an engagement region for rear flanks of the meshing gear wheel, wherein the outer region, which surrounds the original maximum possible usable engagement region which normally comes into engagement, of the rear flank and an outer edge region of the original engagement region are reduced in terms of the face height thereof such that said reduced regions always remain free from contact and only the remaining, inner, raised region which is reduced in size comes into contact.
US09140344B2
A differential-velocity driving device and a mechanical arm to which the differential-velocity driving device is applied are provided. The differential-velocity driving device includes a first rotary driving element, a first transmission gear connected to the first rotary driving element, a second rotary driving element, a second transmission gear connected to the second rotary driving element, a fixing member connected to the first rotary driving element and the second rotary driving element such that the first rotary driving element does not move or rotate with respect to the second rotary driving element, a power output gear engaged with the first transmission gear and the second transmission gear, and an output shaft passing through an axle center of the power output gear and being coaxial with the axle center.
US09140342B2
The application discloses a harmonic pin drive which comprises at least one outer ring gear with inner teeth that are adapted to the shape of pins of a pin ring, a transmitter for connecting to a rotor of an electric motor, a ball bearing that is supported on the transmitter and an arrangement of flexible means. The flexible means are distributed essentially on the circumference of a radius and the flexible means are provided for attachment to a casing. Furthermore, the flexible means comprise openings for inserting pins of the pin ring. Furthermore, an output shaft is provided for receiving a rotation of the outer ring gear.
US09140334B2
In an automatic transmission, a connection member which connects a carrier of a planetary gear mechanism PGSa to a clutch hub of a clutch is made to abut on the carrier of the planetary gear mechanism PGSa in an abutting portion, a thrust bearing T2 is disposed between the connection member and a clutch drum of the clutch, a thrust bearing T1 is disposed between a transmission case and the clutch drum of the clutch, and a clearance between the thrust bearing T1 and the clutch drum of the clutch is adjusted by using a shim. Accordingly, a thrust load inputted from a sun gear Sb of a planetary gear mechanism PGSb can be transmitted to the transmission case without passing through a sun gear Sa, which rotates at a high speed, of the planetary gear mechanism PGSa, and friction loss is reduced.
US09140325B2
A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.
US09140324B2
A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of indentations disposed in an inner surface 60b of the force transmitting surface of the plate portion create turbulent and secondary flow in a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Optional ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel.
US09140323B2
A drum with replaceable shield elements for a constricting brake assembly and improved constricting drum brake assembly with replaceable shield elements for transferring heat from the brake and providing wear resistance for the drum.
US09140317B2
A wrench ratchet mechanism includes a driven member, a housing defining a chamber in which the driven member is at least partially received, a plurality of drive transmitting members disposed in respective recesses between the driven member and housing to transmit a drive force between the housing and driven member and a force applying member extending at least partially around the driven member. The force applying member is movable in a circumferential direction thereof to apply a circumferentially directed force to the drive transmitting members to move the drive transmitting members in the recesses from a non-drive transmitting position towards a drive transmitting position.
US09140312B2
A hydraulic control device configured with a source pressure generation section, a hydraulic servo for a clutch provided between an engine and a motor, a control solenoid valve that outputs a regulated source pressure to the hydraulic servo, and a switching section that switches a hydraulic passage, which extends between the source pressure generation section and the hydraulic servo to supply the engagement pressure, between a first and second state in which the hydraulic passage has a high conduit resistance compared to the first state at least until the clutch is engaged. The switching section switches the hydraulic passage into the second state during a failure in which the control solenoid valve is de-energized and the source pressure is directly supplied to the hydraulic servo as the engagement pressure, and switches the hydraulic passage into the first state during normal times when the failure does not occur.
US09140304B2
A roller bearing assembly includes at least one outer ring (16, 18) with an outer track (24, 26), which is surrounded on its outer side by an outer part (36), and at least one inner ring (20, 22) with an inner track (28, 30), which surrounds the inner part (52). The inner part (52) and the outer part (36) project axially beyond the inner ring (20, 22) and the outer ring (16, 18), so that an explosion prevention gap (62) is formed between the inner part (52) and the outer part (36). The explosion prevention gap (62) is at least substantially linear and cylindrical.
US09140298B2
The segmented viscoelastic bushing for rating electrical machines bearing is disclosed herein, and is designed to absorb radial and axial expansion variations during the rotating electrical machine operation. The bushing is configured to be housed between the bearing and the wheel hub in order to absorb impacts, while allowing for a controlled level of axial and radial movement of the bearing resulting from the existing clearance between the bearing and the outer ring of the bearing.
US09140286B2
A connector system having first and second connector segments held together by a rod threadably received in an internal axial bore through each of the first and second connector segments. Each connector segment has a breakaway portion formed from an angled face on one connector segment that cooperates with the mating angled face on the abutting connector segment to form a V-shaped breakpoint between the two connector segments. An intermediate segment can be positioned there between to provide two breakpoints, and multiple intermediate segments can be used for additional breakpoints. Upon impact, the system breaks at the breakpoint and only the rod needs to be in most cases. A longitudinal bore through the rod permits adaption of the rod to selected loads.
US09140284B2
An apparatus that includes a datum. The datum has a first portion configured to interface with a work-piece having a critical surface associated with a fit-and-finish surface, and a second portion configured to interface with a mating structure. The datum is adjusted in such a way that the datum facilitates placement of the critical surface within acceptable tolerance to the fit-and-finish surface once the datum is placed between the work-piece and the mating structure, and the work-piece is installed to the mating structure.
US09140273B2
A method and apparatus for conversion of heat into liquid fluid power includes at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, each having a gas reservoir and a liquid reservoir therein separated by a movable separator. Liquid added to a liquid reservoir of a first accumulator causes gas compression in the gas reservoir of the accumulator. Gas is conducted from the first accumulator through a heat exchanger and into a gas reservoir of a second accumulator. Expansion of the gas in the second accumulator causes working liquid to be expelled from the second accumulator. After expansion of the gas in the second accumulator, working liquid is added to the liquid reservoir of the second accumulator gas is conducted through a cooling heat exchanger to the gas reservoir of the first accumulator, causing working liquid to be expelled. The fluid power produced through the expelled working liquid is stored or utilized to operate hydraulic devices.
US09140267B2
A compressor housing defines a gas inlet flow path and a gas outlet and a rotatable impeller wheel between the gas inlet flow path and the gas outlet. An inner wall of the housing defines a surface in close proximity to radially outer edges of impeller wheel vanes that sweep across the surface as the wheel rotates. An opening is provided in the inner wall at the surface. A port is provided in the housing in gas communication with the opening for diverting gas in a direction away from the inlet flow path during relatively low flow conditions. A gas displacement device is disposed outside of the inlet flow path and connected to the port, wherein the pump is operable to remove gas selectively through the opening and the port in a direction away from the inlet flow path.
US09140264B2
A fluid pump kit is provided. The kit includes a magnetic driven member for coupling with and rotating a propeller, and a magnetic driver for magnetically coupling to and driving the magnetic driven member by a magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member. A motor of the kit operates the magnetic driver. First and second casings are provided for housing the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member, respectively. The first and second casings with housed magnetic driver and magnetic driven member, respectively, are detachably securable to opposite sides of a non-magnetic spacer solely by the magnetic attraction force establishable between the magnetic driver and the magnetic driven member sufficient to support the second casing and the housed magnetic driven member in a particular position without the use of mechanical aids.
US09140250B2
The present invention relates to a vacuum pumping system (18) for evacuating gas from a plurality of chambers (12, 14, 16) at different pressures. The pumping system comprises a plurality of compound vacuum pumps (20, 22), wherein each compound pump comprises a plurality of pumping mechanisms (24,26,28) connected in series between a pump inlet (30) and a pump exhaust (32) and an interstage port (34, 36) between pumping mechanisms in the series. The system is configured such that gas evacuated from one of said chambers is pumped through the interstage ports of at least two of said compound pumps.
US09140248B2
A method of assembling a swash plate-type fluid machine, comprising: bringing, with each of a plurality of pistons suspended by a swash plate, a shaft assembly in a vertical axis posture and a cylinder block close to each other to insert each of the pistons into a corresponding one of cylinder bores, in incorporating the shaft assembly, which has the plurality of pistons each installed on the swash plate via a pair of shoes matching with both end surfaces of the swash plate, respectively, into the cylinder block.
US09140247B2
Exemplary illustrations directed to a rotary piston pump, e.g., for metering a coating agent in a coating installation, as well as exemplary methods of using the same, are disclosed. An exemplary piston pump may comprise a plurality of pump units, each having one cylinder and one rotary piston which carries out a wobbling or tumbling movement in the cylinder.
US09140245B2
An electromagnetic pump includes a cylinder with a stepped inner diameter with first and second inner diameters. A piston inside the cylinder, with a stepped outer diameter including first and second outer diameters slidable on the respective inner diameters, defines first and second fluid chambers. Reciprocal movement of the piston produces a greater change in volume in the first chamber than the second chamber. An electromagnetic portion moves the piston to decrease the volume of the first chamber and increase the volume of the second chamber. A biasing member moves the piston to increase the volume of the first chamber and decrease the volume of the second chamber. A first valve allows fluid to flow to the first chamber and prohibits reverse flow. A second valve embedded in the piston allows fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber and prohibits reverse flow.
US09140239B2
A wind power plant, and its corresponding method of control, comprising a plurality of wind turbines and a power plant controller connected to at least a first and a second of the plurality of wind turbines, wherein the power plant controller is configured to detect a shutdown of the first wind turbine in response to current wind conditions, and wherein the power plant controller is further configured to control the second wind turbine such that an operating parameter of the second wind turbine is modified in response to detecting the automatic shutdown of the first wind turbine.
US09140226B2
A dimethyl ether (DME) common-rail fuel supply apparatus, may include a fuel pump fluid-connected to a fuel tank and a common rail and supplying DME fuel supplied via a fuel supply line from the fuel tank to the common rail, an injector receiving the DME fuel from the common rail and injecting the DME fuel at a predetermined pressure, a detector disposed on a fuel return line fluid-connecting the injector and the fuel tank to collect a fuel returned from the injector to the fuel tank, and a fuel amount control valve returning a portion of a fuel in the fuel pump to the fuel return line connected to the injector according to a value measured by the detector.
US09140222B2
The length of a connecting tube in an intake passage structure for a vehicle can be secured, and the number of components around the connecting tube can be reduced. Provided is an intake passage structure for a vehicle including a connecting tube and an engine, the connecting tube connecting an air cleaner box which purifies air and a throttle body and formed of two or more separate components, the engine being configured to be supplied with purified air. In the intake passage structure, a joint area at which the connecting tubes are connected in a predetermined positional relation is disposed inside the air cleaner box.
US09140217B2
An exhaust gas recirculation cooler for internal combustion engines and a method of forming same. One or more cooler tubes incorporate a flexible section, comprised of one or more integrally formed convolutions, with a tube and fin architecture. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler provides thermal compensation, on a per-tube basis, with the flexible sections of the one or more cooler tubes individually displacing upon the thermal expansion of any of the respective tubes.
US09140209B2
A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation.
US09140208B1
The present invention is a heat engine that has two piston assemblies and a center assembly between the piston assemblies. The heat engine uses a working fluid. The center assembly includes an outside wall and two end walls forming a sealed assembly. The center assembly includes two compression chambers internally. The piston assemblies are attached to the end walls of the center assembly in a sealed condition. The piston assemblies include a burner, piston cavity, piston with piston head and piston shaft. The piston shafts of the pistons are interconnected to each other. The burner is in contact with the piston cavities. There is also a heat exchanger connected to the center assembly and piston assemblies.
US09140206B2
A system of a vehicle includes a fueling prediction module, a short pulse determination module, a torque control module, and a generator control module. The fueling prediction module generates N predicted fueling pulse widths for N future combustion events of an engine, respectively. N is an integer greater than one. The short pulse determination module determines a number of the N predicted fueling pulse widths that are less than a predetermined period. The torque control module selectively increases a torque output of the engine based on the number. The generator control module selectively increases a load imposed by a generator of electricity based on the number.
US09140203B2
An apparatus for fresh airflow determination includes an operating conditions module that interprets a MAF value, a current operating condition and a charge flow value. The apparatus further includes a volume estimation module that determines an apparent plumbing volume of an air intake assembly in response to the MAF value, the current operating condition and the charge flow value. The apparatus further includes a volume reporting module that provides the apparent plumbing volume.
US09140201B2
A vehicle engine start control device controls a crank angle such that the crank angle falls within a predetermined crank angle stop range when an engine is automatically stopped, the vehicle engine start control device starting the automatically stopped engine if a predetermined engine start condition is satisfied, the vehicle including an automatic transmission making up a portion of a power transmission path between the engine and drive wheels, and the vehicle engine start control device providing engine rotation resistance control such that rotation resistance of the engine generated due to a change in air pressure in a combustion chamber of the engine is made larger during an automatic stop period of the engine that the engine is automatically stopped and during a change in gear ratio in a shift of the automatic transmission as compared to the time of engine start.
US09140200B2
An idle throttle valve control method of a diesel vehicle, may include a first step of determining whether an idle entry condition of the vehicle may be satisfied, a second step of controlling a throttle valve based on an air amount map and controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve based on an EGR map, when the first step may be satisfied, a third step of determining whether an idle release condition may be satisfied during the second step, and a fourth step of determining whether an EGR return condition may be satisfied, when the idle release condition may be satisfied in the third step.
US09140196B2
A method for controlling a gas turbine, including during transient operating states, and such a gas turbine are provided. The gas turbine includes a compressor for compressing inducted combustion air, a combustion chamber for generating hot gas by combusting a fuel with the aid of the compressed combustion air, and a multistage turbine for expanding the generated hot gas and performing work. The controlling of the gas turbine is carried out in accordance with the hot gas temperature which is derived from a plurality of other measured operating variables of the gas turbine. A reliable controlling of the gas turbine is achieved, even during rapid changes, by pressure measurements being gathered exclusively at different points of the gas turbine for derivation of the hot gas temperature.
US09140190B2
A system provides “fail fixed” functionality and allows a user to manually manipulate fuel flow to a gas turbine engine in the unlikely event the primary control means is unavailable. The fuel metering unit includes a fuel metering valve, a flow increase valve, and a flow decrease valve. The flow increase valve and flow decrease valves are both in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve and are each adapted to selectively receive fuel flow commands from a primary fuel flow command source and from a secondary fuel flow command source. The flow increase and decrease valves are responsive to the fuel flow commands to selectively control the position of the fuel metering valve.
US09140188B2
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a combustor section, a low spool including a fan section and an intercooling turbine section along an engine axis aft of the fan section and forward of a combustor section. The fan section and the intercooling turbine section are coaxial with the low spool. A high spool along the engine axis includes a high pressure compressor section and a high pressure turbine section, the high pressure compressor section is aft of the intercooling turbine section and forward of the combustor section, and the high pressure turbine section is aft of the combustor section. The high pressure compressor section and the high pressure turbine section are coaxial with the high spool. A method of operating a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US09140187B2
An apparatus has a first member having an exposed peripheral surface and an electrically and thermally conductive portion. A circumferential array of magnets of alternating polarity are mounted for rotation about an axis relative to the first member inboard of the peripheral surface, the magnets being in sufficient proximity to the electrically and thermally conductive portions so that the rotation of the magnets about the axis is effective to generate eddy currents, in turn, is effective to heat the electrically and thermally conductive portion and, thereby, heat the exposed peripheral surface.
US09140182B2
Disclosed is a variable compression ratio control system configured to change a top dead center of a piston in an engine according to an operation state of the engine. The control system may include a motor provided as a power source, a control shaft coupled to the piston, wherein the control shaft changes the top dead center of the piston by a rotation of the control shaft, a driving shaft connected to the motor and to be rotated by the motor, an operation unit movable in a shaft direction of the driving shaft by a rotation of the driving shaft, and an operation link protruding from one portion of an exterior circumferential surface of the control shaft, wherein the operation unit is connected with the operation link so that the operation link rotates the control shaft while the operation unit moves in the shaft direction of the driving shaft.
US09140181B2
A primary reciprocating engine is combined with a secondary turbine engine. The turbine engine utilizes the exhaust of the reciprocating engine as fuel, resulting in an increase in efficiency and reduction in emissions over a conventional reciprocating engine alone. The secondary turbine engine powers secondary functions of the reciprocating engine, such as relieving the back pressure at the exhaust ports, driving the turbocharger that pressurizes the air intake, and driving an electrical generator. Oxyhydrogen (HHO) used to ignite the reciprocating engine exhaust and complete combustion of the reciprocating engine fuel is obtained by disassociating distilled water into hydrogen and oxygen using the electricity from the electrical generator.
US09140178B2
Methods and systems are provided for draining condensate from a charge air cooler during a compressor bypass valve event. In one example, an engine controller may open a drain valve in the charge air cooler in response to potential compressor surge conditions. Opening the drain valve may be further based on an amount of condensate in the charge air cooler and a required decrease in pressure at an outlet of the compressor during the compressor bypass valve event.
US09140176B2
A method to operate a split coolant circuit of a combustion engine wherein a cylinder head coolant jacket and an engine block coolant jacket are provided in series with a pump delivering coolant to an inlet of the cylinder head coolant jacket without being directly connected to an inlet of the engine block coolant jacket. This allows for 100% of the pump flow rate to be delivered to the cylinder head coolant jacket before division of coolant flow occurs for various engine operating conditions.
US09140154B2
Disclosed is an engine device in which a diesel particulate filter is disposed, with high rigidity, in an engine as one constituent part of the engine, the need for countermeasures against exhaust gas for each of the devices of a vehicle is eliminated, and general versatility of the engine can be enhanced. The engine device includes an engine having an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas purifying device which purifies exhaust gas discharged from the engine. A plurality of filter supporting bodies which support the exhaust gas purifying device 1 are provided in a cylinder head of the engine. The diesel particulate filter is connected to the exhaust manifold, and is also connected to the cylinder head by the plurality of filter supporting bodies.
US09140148B2
A deactivating rocker arm can include an outer arm extending between a first end and a second end. The outer arm can have a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The first and second outer side arms can define outer pivot axle apertures and axle slots. The inner arm can be disposed between the first and second outer side arms. The inner arm can have a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The first and second inner side arms can define bearing apertures. A bearing can be mounted in the bearing apertures of the inner arm and the axle slots of the outer arm. The axle slots can be configured to permit lost motion movement of the bearing. A first biasing member can be disposed on the second end of the outer arm and in biasing contact with the bearing.
US09140147B2
A multiple variable valve lift apparatus has a simple design that efficiently operates without interference. The apparatus according may include: a camshaft formed in a hollow cylinder shape; a control shaft disposed in the hollow of the camshaft; a cam that rotates together with the camshaft; a cam rod connecting the control shaft with the cam to move together; an operating unit disposed on the exterior circumference of the camshaft to rotate together with the camshaft; an operating unit rod connecting the control shaft with the operating unit such that the control shaft and the operating unit move together; a solenoid selectively connected with the operating unit, and moving the operating unit along an axial direction of the camshaft; and a tappet contacting the cam to transform rotational motion of the cam to rectilinear motion of a valve.
US09140146B2
A steam generator (1) is provided for a Rankine cycle, especially for a waste heat recovery device (37) of an internal combustion engine (36), and preferably in a motor vehicle. The steam generator includes: a heat exchanger channel (2), in which a heat exchanger (3) is arranged, and a bypass channel (4) for bypassing the heat exchanger channel (2). A heating fluid can flow through the heat exchanger channel (2) and bypass channel (4) during the operation of the steam generator (1). A medium to be evaporated can flow through the heat exchanger (3) during operation of the steam generator (1). A compact structural shape with high energy efficiency is achieved with the heat exchanger channel (2) enveloping the bypass channel (4).
US09140142B2
Provided is a tail cylinder attaching and detaching fixture that attaches and detaches a tail cylinder to and from a casing, the tail cylinder being included in a combustor inserted into the casing so that the front end is connected to an inlet portion of a combustion gas passageway, the tail cylinder attaching and detaching fixture including: a guide portion of which the front end is disposed inside the casing and the front end and the base end are respectively supported by the casing and which supports the tail cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction of the combustor; and an advancing and retracting mechanism that advances and retracts the tail cylinder in the axial direction.
US09140140B2
A composite flange element formed on a casing comprising a portion of a component and an adjoining flange portion, the composite having a ply layup comprising: one or more first plies extending over both the portion of the component and the flange portion; one or more second plies extending over the flange portion; and one or more third plies extending over the portion of the component; wherein the first, second and third plies are selected to provide desirable properties for the portions over which they extend. The flange element so formed consists of one or more load spreading features associated with the flange portion and one or more stress reduction features in the region where the portion of the component meets the flange portion. Preferably the plies are arranged or interleaved such that they run up the case and flange without distortion.
US09140136B2
A sealing assembly for use in a gas turbine engine having a disk arranged relative to an axis, the assembly including a circumferential groove defined in the disk and an annular wire seal positioned at least partially within the groove. The groove includes a first sidewall, a base portion adjoining the first sidewall, and a second sidewall adjoining the base portion opposite the first sidewall, wherein the second sidewall is angled in a range greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the axis.
US09140130B2
A method of forming a leading edge protection component includes depositing particles using a cold spray process on a mandrel to form a leading edge protection component; and removing the leading edge protection structure from the mandrel. The leading edge protection can be formed in one or more pieces and involve using one or more mandrels.
US09140124B2
An excavation machine having a cutter head with a large diameter while making it possible to excavate excavation objects such as hard bedrock etc. with high efficiency is provided. The excavation machine comprises an outer circumference cutter head 20 having a circular opening and being rotated and contacted to excavation objects and a small diameter cutter head 23 disposed in the opening and rotatable independently from the outer circumference cutter head. Rotation centers of the rotation disk and the rotation plate are gapped and the gap is shorter than a rotation radius of the small diameter cutter head.
US09140116B2
A method for capturing a sample from a wellbore, comprising the steps of introducing a first message and a second message into a tubing positioned within the wellbore. The first message is directed to a first modem connected to a first sampler device to cause the first sampler device to collect a first sample. The second message is directed to a second modem connected to a second sampler device to cause the second sampler device to collect a second sample.
US09140111B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for “tagging” proppants so that they can be tracked and monitored in a downhole environment, based on the use of composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change at a detectable level under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. In another aspect, the invention relates to composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. The currently preferred embodiments use substantially spherical thermoset nanocomposite particles where the matrix comprises a terpolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene and divinylbenzene, a PZT alloy manifesting a strong piezoelectric effect or Terfenol-D manifesting giant magnetostrictive behavior is incorporated to provide the ability to track in a downhole environment, and carbon black particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction may optionally be incorporated as a nanofiller.
US09140110B2
The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems. The treatment fluid can comprise a water-based fracturing fluid or a waterless liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fracturing fluid.
US09140097B2
A method for wellbore treatment includes running a liner into a wellbore, the liner including a wall, an inner bore defined by the wall, a first port through the wall, a second port though the wall spaced axially from the first port, a first removable closure for the first port and a second removable closure for the second port; positioning the liner in an open hole section of the wellbore to create an annulus between the liner and a portion of the wellbore wall and with the second port downhole of the first port; inserting a treatment string assembly into the liner, the treatment string assembly including a tubing string and an annular seal about the tubing string and being insertable into the inner bore of the liner; setting the annular seal to create a seal between the tubing string and the liner downhole of the second port; and while the first port is closed to fluid flow therethrough, pumping wellbore treatment fluid into an annular area between the tubing string and the liner such that the fluid passes through the second port and into the annulus to treat the open hole section of the wellbore adjacent the second port. The treatment string assembly may further include a port-opening tool and a fluid communication port permitting fluid communication between the tubing string outer surface and a fluid conduit through the tubing string adjacent an upper side of the annular seal.
US09140092B2
A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring.
US09140090B2
A system for reducing pressure in a subsea operator. In one embodiment, a subsea system includes an operator and a deintensifier. The operator includes a housing and a piston. The piston is movably disposed within the operator housing and divides an inner volume of the operator housing into a closing chamber and a second chamber. The deintensifier is fluidically coupled to the operator. The deintensifier includes a housing and a piston. The piston includes a closing surface and an opening surface. The closing surface is fluidically coupled to the second chamber of the operator housing. The opening surface is fluidically coupled to ambient pressure. The area of the closing surface is greater than an area of the opening surface so as to increase the pressure differential between the closing chamber and the second chamber and assist in moving the operator piston to the closed position.
US09140086B2
A downhole apparatus for depositing a tool in a side pocket mandrel is described. The apparatus comprises an apparatus body, a tool holder and a displacement mechanism for connecting the tool holder to the apparatus body. The tool holder is movable between a run-in position, in which the tool holder is adjacent the body, to a displaced position, in which the tool holder is spaced away from the body. As a tool is moved between the run-in position and the displaced position, a tool longitudinal axis remains substantially parallel to an apparatus body longitudinal axis.
US09140082B2
A wellbore system includes an upper deflector arranged within a main bore and defines first and second channels that extend longitudinally therethrough. A lower deflector is arranged within the main bore and spaced from the upper deflector by a predetermined distance. The lower deflector defines a first conduit that communicates with a lower portion of the main bore and a second conduit that communicates with a lateral bore. A bullnose assembly includes a body, a bullnose tip arranged at a distal end of the body, and a sleeve member arranged about the body. The sleeve member or the bullnose tip is axially movable to vary a length of the bullnose tip, and the upper and lower deflectors direct the bullnose assembly into the lateral bore or the lower portion of the main bore based on the length of the bullnose tip.
US09140080B2
A transportable rig apparatus provides single operator control for moving pipe into and out of a wellbore. A transportable control van houses the operator. A rig carrier is utilized to transport the mast. A pipe tong is mounted in the mast and is remotely operable from the control van. Rig blocks which move up and down in the mast are remotely operable from control van. A skid mounted pipe moving member moves pipe to the mast assembly and away from the mast assembly. The pipe moving member remotely is operable from the control van. A pipe tub stores pipe and a pipe tub transfer system is operable for moving pipe from the pipe tub to the pipe moving member and for moving pipe from the pipe moving member to the pipe tub.
US09140076B2
A top drive torque track system includes a first elongate track with a male end. The male end includes a pin housing and a movable locking pin capable of being biased by a biasing member to extend out of the pin housing and to extend laterally from the male end. The torque track system includes a second elongate track having a female end configured to mate with the male end. The female end has a locking socket extending laterally within the female end. The locking socket is configured to receive the movable locking pin. The movable locking pin is configured to engage the locking socket to attach the first elongate track to the second elongate track when the male end of the first elongate track is inserted into the female end of the second elongate track.
US09140075B2
A down hole tool including a compression surface, a compression surface axis, and at least one support member configured to attach the compression surface to a well drilling tool assembly, wherein the extendable support member is extendable by an extension force provided to the support member. The down hole tool is rotable relative to an axis of the well drilling tool assembly, and as the well drilling tool assembly rotates, the at least one compression device exerts a lateral force along a sidewall of a wellbore. Also, a method of forming filter cake comprising releasing a drilling fluid and contacting the drilling fluid with a mechanical pressure on the sidewall of the wellbore and the drilling fluid.
US09140072B2
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may comprise a substrate, a polycrystalline table comprising superhard material secured to the substrate at an end of the substrate, and a non-planar interface defined between the polycrystalline table and the substrate. The non-planar interface may comprise a cross-shaped groove extending into one of the substrate and the polycrystalline table and L-shaped grooves extending into the other of the substrate and the polycrystalline table proximate corners of the cross-shaped groove. Transitions between surfaces defining the non-planar interface may be rounded. Methods of forming cutting elements for earth-boring tools may comprise forming a substrate to have a non-planar end. The non-planar end of the substrate may be provided adjacent particles of superhard material to impart an inverse shape to the particles. The particles may be sintered to form a polycrystalline table, with a non-planar interface defined between the substrate and the polycrystalline table.
US09140071B2
An insert for a rolling cone drill bit includes a base portion having a central axis. The base portion is configured to be seated in a mating socket in a cone cutter of the rolling cone drill bit. In addition, the insert includes a cutting portion extending from the base portion. The base portion has a radially outer surface including a non-cylindrical axial retention feature configured to prevent the insert from moving axially out of the mating socket or a non-cylindrical torque holding feature configured to prevent the insert from rotating relative to the cone cutter.
US09140069B2
The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.
US09140060B2
A window covering is disclosed that includes a first rail, window covering material adjacent the first rail, at least one lift cord extending through the window covering material to the headrail, a plurality of pulleys positioned adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor adjacent the first rail, at least one spring motor cord extending from the one or more spring motors and a deformable connector attached to one or more spring motor cords and one or more lift cords. The connector is deformable to a size and shape sufficient for the connector and one or more spring motor cords to pass along at least one of the pulleys during movement along a cord path defined by one or more of the pulleys.
US09140053B2
Using the lowest possible amount of resources, a system is to be provided with a structural element (1), which system allows the characteristics of a vacuum to be used in the construction sector in a particularly simple manner. In particular, with a substantial freedom from thermal bridges, it is possible to also subsequently insulate a building envelope, for example, in situ at the lowest possible cost and this insulation is to be flexibly adaptable to changes of the building envelope. For this purpose, the structural element (1) comprises two cover layers (2) arranged substantially parallel to one another and a closed frame structure (4) which is formed integrally with the cover layers (2) and is arranged between said cover layers (2) such that a gastight cavity (6) is formed, said cavity (6) containing a vacuum.
US09140048B2
An actuator comprises an actuator output shaft, a rotatable lock formation associated with the output shaft so as to be axially fixed relative thereto, the lock formation defining an entry passage, a lock pocket and an exit passage, a pin positioned for movement relative to the lock formation such that, as the actuator approaches a fully extended position, a part of the pin is received within and passes along the entry passage, and resilient detent means operable such that, once the pin has moved beyond a predetermined position within the entry passage, the resilient detent means prevents return movement of the pin along the entry passage.
US09140045B1
There is disclosed a hinge (10) which includes a mounting flange assembly (12) pivotally coupled to a strap assembly (15). The mounting flange assembly has a lower hinge flange (18) which includes a cam recess (19) having multiple pivot pin mounting holes (25). A cam follower (30) mounted to the mounting flange assembly includes a cam portion (35), seating plate (34) configured to nest within the flange recess, and a mounting post (38). A pivot pin channel (44) extends through the seating plate. A pivot pin (45) is mounted to one of the three pivot pin mounting holes depending upon the desired offset of the strap assembly. The hinge includes three different cam followers each having a unique configuration and positioning of the cam portion, cam follower mounting post, and position of the pivot pin channel.
US09140041B2
A compression latch comprising a housing, a handle, and a latch member is provided. The housing has an inboard and an outboard side, and defines a plane substantially parallel to a closure plane. The handle is pivotably connected to the housing at a handle pivot point having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the plane, and the latch member is pivotably connected to the housing through a latch member pivot point, which is remote and inboard from the handle pivot point and also has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to that of the handle pivot point. The latch member is pivotable about the latch member pivot point between an open and a closed position. The handle is connected to the latch member by a first linkage so the latch member is moveable between the open and closed positions by angular movement of the handle about the handle pivot point.
US09140038B2
Provided is a door lock system for locking a rear door to a vehicle body of a vehicle in which an ingress/egress opening is opened and closed by a front door and the rear door being double opening doors, comprising: a disablement mechanism for switching an inner handle and latch units between connected/unconnected states, the inner handle provided in the rear door, the latch units being capable of keeping the rear door closed to the vehicle body; a base member provided with the disablement mechanism; and an operation member coming into contact with the front door, working in response to the opening-and-closing of the front door, and switching the disablement mechanism between connected/unconnected states, wherein the door lock system is provided in a front end portion of the rear door, and the operation member to come into direct contact with the front door is movably provided in the base member.
US09140036B2
A bag container dispenser rack includes a containment structure that has an open first end and an opposite, second end. The structure is sized and shaped to fit slidably about a container dispenser for film bags and has an aperture at the second end. The aperture is sized, shaped and located to at least partially align with a dispensing opening in the container dispenser. A support stand is attached to the containment structure and provides connection to a surface. The support stand is pivotally mounted to an underside of the structure and optionally is securable in either a first, upper position or a second, lower position. A latch prevents unwanted removal of the dispenser from the rack. Two or more structures may be attached to the support stand, thereby providing a choice of bags. Openings are provided in the rack to provide visual access to outer surfaces of the dispenser.
US09140028B2
An automated parking system comprising a multi-level vehicle parking structure including multiple parking spaces arranged in one or more rows on each level of said structure; and an automatic vehicle positioning system configured to position and retrieve vehicles in said one or more rows of parking spaces, and further configured to shift a parking space of one or more vehicles in one row for retrieving one or more other vehicles in said row.
US09140023B2
A robotic casting machine (RCM) provides for on-site, or near-site casting and automated production of cast components, such as concrete modular, volumetric building components. The RCM includes stationary and mobile support structures, which can be positioned in a loading configuration, a casting configuration and an ejection configuration in which the cast volumetric component may be ejected from the mold. Tipping machines located beneath the cast component facilitate ejection, rotation and loading of the ejected module onto a transport surface for transport of the module. The support structures are constructed of prefabricated frames that may include at least one standardized section, which may be utilized on every project, and may also include a customized section, which may be provided to achieve desired dimensions of the cast module on a particular project. A casting process is provided in which a volumetric module is cast in a rotated orientation, in which the floor is cast with an initial vertical orientation, the transverse walls extend in a horizontal orientation, which is cast in vertical wall forms, and a longitudinal wall extends horizontally along the top of the mold. Modular, volumetric components created using the RCM and casting process are also described.
US09140013B2
A roof structure and a vented eave riser are described. A vented eave riser can include a barrier wall with one or more air flow openings, and an ember impedance structure positioned proximate to the barrier wall. A roof structure may comprise a roof deck and a layer of roof cover elements spaced above the roof deck to form an air layer between the roof deck and the roof cover elements. The roof structure may also comprise one or more vent members each replacing and mimicking an appearance of one or more roof cover elements of the layer of roof cover elements, and/or at least one vented eave riser positioned at an eave between the roof deck and the layer of roof cover elements. The vent members and/or the vented eave riser may further include an ember impedance structure, such as a fire-resistant mesh material or a baffle structure.
US09140012B1
A laminated roofing shingle is disclosed comprising a posterior layer with simulated tabs and an anterior layer with tabs spaced apart by openings, wherein each posterior simulated tab is partially covered by a corresponding anterior tab, wherein at least one anterior tab has a first anterior tab breadth and at least another anterior tab has a second anterior tab breadth, and wherein at least one anterior opening has a first anterior opening breadth that is about equal to the second anterior tab breadth and wherein at least another anterior opening has a second anterior opening breadth that is about equal to the first anterior tab breadth. Also disclosed is a roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingle.
US09140009B2
A joint (1) having a first edge (2) and a second edge (3), the first edge (2) being provided with a distal edge (21) and a downwards protruding heel (22). The distal edge (21) is further provided with an upper joint edge (25) beneath which a groove (23) is arranged. The second edge (3) is provided with lower cheek (31) having a distal end (32) at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel (33) is arranged. The second edge (3) is further provided with an upper joining edge (35) beneath which an undercut (34) is arranged. A moveable locking element (40) is arranged in the space created by the undercut (34). The moveable locking element (40) have a locking tongue (41), a locking tongue leg (42) and a maneuvering leg (43).
US09140006B2
A self-centering damper has an elongated damping body and at least one returning device. The elongated damping body has at least one first wing plate and a supporting element connected to and extending from the first wing plate. The at least one returning device is connected to the damping body and has two holding rib plates respectively connected to the end segments of the damping body, a supporting rib plate securely connected to the damping body between the holding rib plates and at least one pre-stressed stay wire extending through the supporting rib plate and connected the holding rib plates in a tension condition.
US09140005B2
A self-aligning corner bead for fireproofing structural steel, having a strip of welded wire fabric cut to the appropriate width for the fireproofing thickness and bent longitudinally to form an obtuse V-shaped device is disclosed. A plastic nosing is installed along one edge. A method of finishing the corners for fireproofing of structural steel member using an improved corner bead includes the step of attaching the first wing of an obtuse V-shaped device through a lathe to the structural steel member utilizing pneumatic or screw type fasteners. The mesh structure of the second wing of the V-shaped device provides a dam to form a roughened surface on the first application of fireproofing material until it hardens.
US09140003B1
A weatherproofing shroud for weatherproofing a sillcock or faucet. The weatherproofing shroud includes a top trim piece and a bottom trim piece that are fitted together to form a continuous waterproofing channel around a sillcock or faucet. The top trim piece and bottom trim piece each include a base flange and an outer flange that, when joined together, define a J-shaped channel for accepting the insertion siding, stucco, or other exterior finishes. The top trim piece and bottom trim piece each include an arcuate seat for sealing around the pipe section of a sillcock. A base flange extension on the top trim piece fits over a corresponding top flange on the bottom trim piece to further direct any water falling thereon to run off of the shroud. The weatherproofing shroud can be used in new home construction or on existing structures.
US09139979B2
An engine (32) is attached to a vehicle frame (31) on a front end side relative to a cab (1). An engine cooling module (33) serves for cooling the engine (32) and it is attached to the vehicle frame (31) at a rear end. In a top plan view, the cab (1) has a projection portion projecting outward from the vehicle frame (31). The cab (1) has a through hole (12a to 12c) opening into an outdoor space of the cab (1) and an opening (3b) communicating with the through hole (12a to 12c) and opening into an indoor space (10), and the through hole (12a to 12c) opens in a lower surface of the projection portion. Thus, a work vehicle capable of preventing dust, water, or the like from entering the cab and realizing an environment in the cab comfortable for an operator is obtained.
US09139976B2
A duckbill pod (100) having an ejector mechanism, the duckbill pod (100) comprising a tray (10) for providing a transport surface for goods or material, a pusher plate (50) arranged substantially perpendicular to the tray (10), a drive arrangement for actuating the pusher plate (50) and reciprocate same between a mouth and a rear end of the duckbill pod (100), and a lifting plate (20) secured to the tray (10) for attaching the duckbill pod (100) to a loader.
US09139975B2
A machine bucket may include a wrapper. The wrapper may form a portion of a receptacle for holding material. The wrapper may include a curved upper portion defining an arc. The curved upper portion may have a central angle value (θU) of between approximately 109.5° and 110.5′. The wrapper may also include a curved lower portion defining an arc. The curved lower portion may have a central angle value (θL) of between approximately 44.5° and 45.5°. Such a machine bucket finds particular utility collecting and transporting material that is adherent to itself and the surfaces of the bucket.
US09139973B2
A bag for retaining structures, includes a plurality of cells aligned side-by-side in a continuous manner and configured to be filled with a filling material. Each cell of the bag includes a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall, and a front wall, the front wall being longer than the back wall. Furthermore, the first and second side walls each include a) a first corner located where the back wall connects with the bottom wall, said first corner being substantially 90 degrees; and b) a second corner located where a respective top edge of each side wall connects with the rear wall, said second corner being substantially 90 degrees.
US09139969B2
Vacuum hose handling apparatuses and systems are disclosed herein. One exemplary implementation of the present disclosure includes a vacuum handling apparatus comprising a base, a support arm operatively coupled to the base, a connection hose configured to connect to an open end of an industrial vacuum hose, and a collection tube attached to the support arm and in fluid communication with the connection hose. In addition, the vacuum hose handling apparatus may be configured to allow movement of the collection tube relative to a corresponding collection vessel. Additional vacuum hose handling apparatuses and systems are also disclosed herein.
US09139966B1
A vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool utilizing a housing having a chamber surrounded by an inner surface of the housing. A vibrator and a battery are placed within the chamber. The vibrator includes a resilient collar to separate the vibrator from the housing inner surface. First and second adaptors are employed for the housing to be placed between the handle and the terminus of a concrete finishing tool.
US09139965B1
A system and method for calibrating a compactor. The compactor may have a roller. The system may comprise a display and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive, when the roller rotates in a first direction, a first baseline compaction value, receive, when the roller rotates in a second direction, a second baseline compaction value, calculate an offset between the first and second baseline compaction values, receive a subsequent compaction value obtained while the roller is rotating in the second direction, adjust the subsequent compaction value by the offset difference, and display an adjusted subsequent compaction value on the display.
US09139958B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing paper which comprises: (i) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibers, (ii) adding to the suspension after the last point of high shear subsequent a centri-screen: (a) a first anionic component which is a water-soluble anionic anionic polysaccharide; (b) a second anionic component which is a water-dispersible or branched acrylamide-based polymer; and (c) a third anionic component which is an anionic siliceous material comprising an anionic silica-based polymer comprising anionic silica-based particles having a specific surface area within the range of from 100 to 1700 m2/g (iii) dewatering the obtained suspension to form paper.
US09139953B2
The invention relates to asphalt emulsions comprising an asphalt component selected from the group consisting of a solvent extracted asphalt, an oxidized asphalt, and combinations thereof. The invention also relates to products made therefrom, including fibrous mats comprising a fiber component, such as glass fibers, and a binder component comprising an asphalt emulsion. The invention further relates to wet-laid processes for manufacturing fibrous mats and that employ the use of an amphoteric surfactant, which is applied to a wet fiber web prepared from a dispersion of fiber components, such as glass fibers.
US09139952B2
An improved applicator for applying resin adhesive to a crease in fabric or an article of textile such as clothing in which a nozzle is located at the distal front end of the cartridge and a guide is located behind a receiver head. The receiver head is attached to the rear end of the cartridge.
US09139950B2
An automatic lint filter cleaning and lint collection system for a laundry dryer. The apparatus comprises a lint filter pivot chamber, a lint collection chamber, a lint filter housing pivotably mounted between the pivot chamber and collection chamber, a flange between the pivot chamber and collection chamber wherein the filter housing is biased into abutment with the flange, a lint collection container, an auger rotatably mounted within the collection chamber, and a drive assembly operably connected to the lint filter housing and auger. The drive assembly is operable to pivot the filter housing away from the flange and then to release the filter housing such that the filter housing forcibly returns into abutment with the flange and thereby causes the lint filter to release lint into the collection chamber. The drive assembly is operable to rotate the auger and thereby move lint from the collection chamber into the collection container.
US09139947B2
Provided is a washing and drying machine (1), including: a dewatering tub (30); a blower path (71) leading to the dewatering tub (30); another blower path (81) leading to an outside of the washing and drying machine; an ion generator (75) for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions, the ion generator (75) being arranged on the blower path (71); blower means (70) for blowing the ions generated from the ion generator (75); blower-path switching means (76) for switching the blower path leading to the dewatering tub (30) and the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine to each other; and control means (51) for activating the ion generator (75), the blower means (70), and the blower-path switching means (76) in a predetermined mode based on an operation condition of the washing and drying machine (1).
US09139946B2
In the In a washing machine (1) the type of the laundry placed in the drum (2) and the amount of laundry are estimated by detecting the laundry type information by the valve (4) opening pressure level (Pva1) and the valve (4) closing pressure level (Pvu1) in the water receiving step.
US09139945B2
A water tub for a washing machine, manufactured by injection molding under the condition that a bearing housing to install bearings is inserted into the water tub and including support holes to allow the bearing housing to be supported by a water tub manufacturing mold unit, and the water tub manufacturing mold unit including support protrusions to support the bearing housing through the support holes. The support holes and the support protrusions prevent the bearing housing from moving in the injection molding process of the water tub, into which the bearing housing is inserted.
US09139943B2
Implementation disclosed herein describe a drive link systems for use in a tufting machine. The drive link systems include a goose-neck, a rocker arm, and three drive links that impart increased rigidity to the connection between the goose-neck and the rocker arm. The drive link systems are provided without a lubrication system. The rocker arm and the drive links are formed of light-weight material.
US09139941B2
Sheet that has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 100 g/m2·day measured according to ISO 12572B at 1 bar, 23° C. and 85% relative humidity and that contains a film of a polymer composition containing a polar thermoplastic elastomer, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) and or a UV absorber and an aromatic amine radical scavenger. The sheet suitable to be used as a roofing membrane.
US09139937B2
Disclosed is a method of strengthening existing structures containing the following steps. An existing structure made of concrete, steel, timber, masonry to be reinforced and a reinforcing sheet are provided, where the reinforcing sheet contains an alternating arrangement of reinforcement zones and slitting zones. The reinforcement zones contain unidirectional strengthening fibers in the warp direction of the reinforcement sheet and the slitting zones have an absence of strengthening fibers. The reinforcement sheet is slit through the slitting zones and the reinforcement zones are adhered to the existing structure.
US09139926B2
A process of hard anodizing or Type III anodizing an aluminum article creates a heat stable, hard anodized, color surface on the exterior of the article. The process includes anodizing the aluminum article to achieve a hard anodized base layer on a surface of the article. A copper layer is deposited after the exterior is hard anodized. A tin layer is deposited after the step of depositing the copper layer.
US09139924B2
For forming a nickel mold, a metal and a corresponding etchant are selected such that the etchant selectively etches the metal over nickel. The metal is sputtered onto a surface of a template having nano-structures to form a sacrificial layer covering the nano-structures. Nickel is electroplated onto the sacrificial layer to form a nickel mold, but leaving a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed. The sacrificial layer is contacted with the etchant through the exposed portion of the sacrificial layer to etch away the sacrificial layer until the nickel mold is separated from the template. Subsequently, the nickel mold may be replicated or scaled-up to produce a replicate mold by electroplating, where the replicate mold has nano-structures that match the nano-structures on the template. The metal may be copper.
US09139918B2
A fluorine gas generating apparatus includes: a first main passage connected to a first gas chamber and supplying a fluorine gas to an external device; a first conveying device leading out and conveying the fluorine gas from the first gas chamber; a first pressure detector detecting the pressure on the upstream side of the first conveying device; a first pressure regulating valve returning the fluorine gas from the first conveying device to the suction side of the first conveying device; a controller controlling the opening degree of the first pressure regulating valve so that the pressure detected by the first pressure detector becomes a first set value; a start valve provided on the upstream side of the pressure detector; and a differential pressure detector for detecting the pressure difference before and after the start valve in the closed valve state.
US09139917B2
A nanocomposite material that is both transparent and electrically conductive is provided. The nanocomposite comprises a nanoporous matrix, preferably formed from nanoparticles, that is internally coated with a transparent conductive material to define an internal conductive path within the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite is substantially transparent over a defined spectral range that preferably includes at least a portion of the visible spectrum, and preferably comprises pores with a mean diameter of less than approximately 25 nm. A bilayer may be formed by depositing a layer of a transparent conductive material on top of a nanocomposite layer, or by depositing a second layer of a nanocomposite having different optical properties. The nanocomposites formed using a combination of sequential and/or concurrent deposition techniques are correspondingly discrete and/or continuously varying structures. Multilayer structures, such as photonic crystal reflectors, may be formed by depositing multiple bilayers, and integrated into devices such as tandem solar cells.
US09139913B2
Disclosed is an anti-corrosion treatment method for a heat exchanger, in which even if an aluminum material-made heat exchanger having been flux-brazed by the NB process, in particular, an aluminum material-made heat exchanger to be used for automobile air conditioner is not subjected to a chemical conversion treatment in advance, not only corrosion resistance can be significantly enhanced without impairing hydrophilicity, but deodorizing properties can be enhanced. The anti-corrosion treatment method for an aluminum material-made heat exchanger includes bringing an aluminum material-made heat exchanger having been flux-brazed by the NOCOLOK brazing process into contact with a hydrophilic treatment liquid and then applying a baking treatment, thereby forming a hydrophilic film on the surface of the aluminum material-made heat exchanger, wherein the hydrophilic treatment liquid contains a hydrophilic resin and a lithium ion, and a lithium concentration in the hydrophilic film is from 0.05 to 25% by mass.
US09139909B2
New and improved microwave plasma assisted reactors, for example chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactors, are disclosed. The disclosed microwave plasma assisted reactors operate at pressures ranging from about 10 Torr to about 760 Torr. The disclosed microwave plasma assisted reactors include a movable lower sliding short and/or a reduced diameter conductive stage in a coaxial cavity of a plasma chamber. For a particular application, the lower sliding short position and/or the conductive stage diameter can be variably selected such that, relative to conventional reactors, the reactors can be tuned to operate over larger substrate areas, operate at higher pressures, and discharge absorbed power densities with increased diamond synthesis rates (carats per hour) and increased deposition uniformity.
US09139908B2
An article comprising a thickness of a first film from a surface of the article, the first film having a gradient chemical composition within at least a portion of the thickness of the first film in a vertical and/or horizontal direction relative to the surface of the article, and methods and systems for producing same.
US09139906B2
Methods for doping a substrate surface or the interface between two thin films by atomic layer deposition process (ALD) are provided. By blocking some of the available binding sites for a dopant precursor with a blocking reactant, the concentration and uniformity of dopant deposited can be controlled. The blocking reactant may be introduced prior to introduction of the dopant precursor in the ALD process, or the blocking reactant and the dopant precursor can be introduced simultaneously.
US09139904B2
A thin film forming method for forming a thin film on a workpiece accommodated within a reaction chamber includes a first operation of supplying a first source gas and a second source gas into the reaction chamber, and a second operation of stopping the supply of the first source gas, supplying the second source gas into the reaction chamber and setting an internal pressure of the reaction chamber higher than an internal pressure of the reaction chamber set in the first operation. The first operation and the second operation are alternately repeated a plurality of times.
US09139900B2
The present invention provides an indium target and manufacturing method thereof, where deposition rate is high, initial discharge voltage is low, and deposition rate and discharge voltage, from the start of sputtering to the end of sputtering, are stable. In the indium target, an aspect ratio (length of longer direction/length of shorter direction) of crystal particle, observed from cross-section direction of the target, is 2.0 or less.
US09139896B2
Disclosed is a heat-insulating protective layer for a component located within the hot gas zone of a gas turbine. Said protective layer is composed of an adhesive layer, a diffusion layer, and a ceramic layer which is applied to the high temperature-resistant basic metal of the component. The adhesive layer comprises a metal alloy [MCrAlY (M=Ni, Co)] containing Ni, Co, Cr, Al, Y, the diffusion layer is produced by calorizing the adhesive layer, and the ceramic layer is composed of ZrO2 which is partially stabilized by means of yttrium oxide. One or several chemical metal elements that have a large atomic diameter and are selected among the group comprising Re, W, Si, Hf, and/or Ta are alloyed to the material of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has the following chemical composition after being applied: Co 15 to 30 percent, Cr 15 to 25 percent, Al 6 to 13 percent, Y 0.2 to 0.7 percent, Re up to 5 percent, W up to 5 percent, Si up to 3 percent, Hf up to 3 percent, Ta up to 5 percent, the remainder being composed of Ni.
US09139895B2
Disclosed herein are zirconium-based alloys and methods of fabricating nuclear reactor components, particularly fuel cladding tubes, from such alloys that exhibit improved corrosion resistance in aggressive coolant compositions. The fabrication steps include a late-stage β-treatment on the outer region of the tubes. The zirconium-based alloys will include between about 1.30 and 1.60 wt % tin; between about 0.06 and 0.15 wt % chromium; between about 0.16 and 0.24 wt % iron, and between 0.05 and 0.08 wt % nickel, with the total content of the iron, chromium and nickel comprising above about 0.31 wt % of the alloy and will be characterized by second phase precipitates having an average size typically less than about 40 nm. The final finished cladding will have a surface roughness of less than about 0.50 μm Ra and preferably less then about 0.10 μm Ra.
US09139891B2
The process described herein demonstrates a more efficient and effective way to remove certain chemicals from industrial waste water. Specifically, the invention set forth demonstrates a method comprised of at least two steps in which up to 96% of potassium can be removed from an aqueous solution comprising potassium hydroxide.
US09139884B2
A process and an apparatus for producing liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products from charge materials formed by iron ores and additions. The charge materials are subjected to a further reduction in a reducing zone (1) and are then fed to a smelting zone or a smelting unit (2), in particular a fusion gasifier, for smelting with the addition of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas to form a fixed bed. A CO- and H2-containing reduction gas is formed, which gas is introduced into the reducing zone converted there and drawn off as top gas. The hot top gas, laden with solid matter, after separation of the solids, is subjected at least to a dry coarse separation and at least parts of the hot solids segregated by the separation are returned into the smelting zone or the smelting unit (2) or the reducing unit (1). In addition, the top gas is treated in a further fine separation stage (13A).
US09139880B2
The present invention provides agents with tumor-inhibiting activity, and which are selective for cells expressing or abnormally expressing a tumor-associated antigen. Said tumor-associated antigen has a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence selected from the specific sequences set forth herein, or a 6-50 contiguous nucleotide residue portion thereof; (b) a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid which hybridizes with a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of (a) under stringent conditions; (c) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with respect to the nucleotide sequence of (a) or (b); and (d) a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c). Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the agents are also provided, as well as methods treating, diagnosing or monitoring a disease characterized by expression or abnormal expression of the tumor-associated antigen.
US09139871B2
A method for amplifying nucleic acid from a higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid source, the method comprising (a) contacting a sampling device with the source of higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid such that following said contacting, higher eukaryotic such as mammalian or plant nucleic acid-containing material is adhered to at least part of the sampling device, wherein the sampling device, or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered, is made of a suitable polymeric material; (b) introducing the sampling device or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered into a reaction vessel which contains a reaction mixture for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification reaction, without any prior treatment of the nucleic acid-containing material; and (c) performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction.
US09139869B2
Described herein are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving neutral conjugated polymers including methods for synthesis of neutral conjugated water-soluble polymers with linkers along the polymer main chain structure and terminal end capping units. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.
US09139861B2
A cellulose gel medium having good visibility of microbial colonies, a cellulose gel culture substrate for manufacturing the cellulose gel medium, a method for manufacturing the cellulose gel culture substrate, a method for screening cellulase-producing microorganisms or cellulase activity with greater efficiency and rapidity, and a culture substrate, which includes a cellulose gel containing cellulose and water as medium-solidifying components, the cellulose has the viscosity of 12 to 35 mPa·S as measured at 26° C. with a solution prepared by dissolving the cellulose at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL in dimethylacetamide containing 8% (W/V) lithium chloride.
US09139848B2
Disclosed is an alfalfa seed designated Magnum Salt and deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-13036. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the Magnum Salt cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in alfalfa breeding and alfalfa transformation.
US09139846B2
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-21 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bi:1 to Bl:28 and CA-I to CA-VIII, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, very slow bolting, moderately to deeply incised margins of the mature leaves and a large head size. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-21 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-21 RZ.
US09139841B2
The present invention relates to a method of production of plants having improved resistance to low-temperature stress, comprising a stage of conversion of the cells of a plant with a sequence of exogenous arginine decarboxylase gene ADC1 under control of a promoter capable of functioning in the plant. Plants thus obtained show resistance to low-temperature stress without the phenotype being affected when compared with the phenotype of plants of the wild type.
US09139830B2
Methods for assessing a pathological condition in a subject include measuring one or more markers where a difference is indicative of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or a predisposition to ALL, uses and compositions are disclosed.
US09139819B2
The present disclosure relates to engineered ketoreductase polypeptides for the preparation of hydroxyl substituted carbamate compounds, and polynucleotides, vectors, host cells, and methods of making and using the ketoreductase polypeptides.
US09139811B2
The present invention relates to a composition for suppressing the death of stem cells during suspension culturing, a composition for mass culturing of stem cells, and a method for suppressing cell death of stem cells during suspension culturing. The composition of the present invention can be usefully used for effective single suspension culturing of stem cells, particularly, mesenchymal stem cells, or used for mass suspension culturing under the circumstances in which cell aggregation does not occur.
US09139802B2
A fibrous structure including filaments wherein the filaments comprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed to conditions of intended use, the fibrous structure further having at least three regions. Methods of treating fabrics with a fibrous structure are also provided herein.
US09139801B2
Metallic soap compositions for use in various applications, including as adhesives, as having anti-corrosion properties on certain surfaces or materials, and as asphalt modifiers to reduce viscosity in an asphalt mixture, and process for making the same, are disclosed. The processes comprise at least a partial saponification of a mixture of an oil, often a natural oil which may be hydrogenated and/or metathesized, and a metal compound via a fusion process, or may comprise at least a partial saponification of a mixture of a similar oil and a metal compound, or optionally a fatty acid derived from a similar oil, via an aqueous process, with an optional addition of an inorganic metal salt via at least one ion exchange reaction.
US09139799B1
Provided are scale-inhibition compositions comprising (a) a first acrylic acid polymer having an average molecular weight of about 3000 to about 6000; (b) a second acrylic acid polymer having an average molecular weight of about 6000 to about 10000; (c) an aminocarboxylic acid selected from methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and a combination thereof; and (d) a phosphonic acid selected from 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), amino tris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP), tetramethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (TDTMP), hexamethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (HDTMP), diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), and a combination thereof. The scale-inhibition compositions may be useful in machine ware washing detergents and formulations.
US09139795B2
A biodegradable lubricating oil composition includes (A) an ester represented by a formula (1) below, the ester having a kinematic viscosity in a range from 300 mm2/s to 1000 mm2/s at 40 degrees C. and an acid value of 0.5 mgKOH/g or less; (B) an ester being obtained by reacting a straight-chain saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid with a polyhydric alcohol, the ester having an acid value of 0.5 mgKOH/g or less; and (C) a phosphate amine salt being obtained by reacting an acidic phosphate with an alkylamine. In the formula, Ra is a hydrocarbyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, Rb is a hydrocarbyl group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms, Rc is an acyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 3 to 15.
US09139794B2
Provided are processes for making polymer compositions, especially those with reduced or no gel formation in lubricating oils as identified by rheological and visual gel tests and which are useful as viscosity modifiers. The processes described herein aim to achieve this objective by adjusting the concentrations of the hydrogen feed(s) in the first and/or second polymerization reaction zones, preferably such that (a) the hydrogen feed concentration in the first polymerization reaction zone is 0.0-1.0 wt %, based on total weight of feed(s) of hydrogen, ethylene monomer, α-olefin comonomer, and solvent into the first polymerization reaction zone, and/or (b) the hydrogen feed concentration in the second polymerization reaction zone is 0.0-0.5 wt %, based on total weight of feed(s) of hydrogen, ethylene monomer, α-olefin comonomer, and solvent into the second polymerization reaction zone.
US09139788B2
A gasification system including a first feed line, a second feed line, a stabilization fuel line, and a fuel feed system controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the stabilization fuel line to inject a stabilization fuel into a gasifier to initiate a stabilizer flame inside the gasifier, enable the first feed line to inject a dry fuel into the gasifier at a start-up dry fuel flow rate, increase the flow rate of the dry fuel from the start-up dry fuel flow rate to a normal operating condition (NOC) dry fuel flow rate, decrease a flow rate of the stabilization fuel as the flow rate of the dry fuel increases to the NOC dry fuel flow rate, and prevent the stabilization fuel line from injecting the stabilization fuel into the gasifier once the flow rate of the dry fuel is at the NOC dry fuel flow rate.
US09139786B2
A sensing device for sensing a substance includes a photonics integrated circuit having a resonator element that supports two different radiation modes, e.g. radiation modes of different polarisation, at a predetermined resonance wavelength. The resonator element is configured to convert a phase change or amplitude change experienced by the two different radiation modes upon formation of a layer of receptor molecules onto a sensing surface of the device into a resonance wavelength shift for the two different radiation modes. The sensing device also includes a detection unit arranged to detect the resonance wavelength shift for the two different radiation modes. The detection unit includes a processor that is configured to derive from the detected resonance wavelength shifts for the two different radiation modes, a layer thickness and refractive index of the layer of receptor molecules.
US09139779B2
A catalyst separation system which separates catalyst particles from liquid hydrocarbons synthesized by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including a hydrogen and a carbon monoxide as the main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in a liquid, the catalyst separation system is provided with: a reactor; a storage tank which stores the slurry drawn from the reactor; a plurality of filters which filters the slurry; and a filtrate recovery vessel which recovers a filtrate which has passed through the plurality of filters, wherein the plurality of filters is disposed in series in a flow line for the slurry from the storage tank to the filtrate recovery vessel.
US09139770B2
Siloxane polymer ligands for binding to quantum dots are provided. The polymers include a multiplicity of amine or carboxy binding ligands in combination with long-alkyl chains providing improved stability for the ligated quantum dots. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nano structures.
US09139763B2
The invention relates to surface-modified phosphor particles based on luminescent particles of (Ca,Sr,Ba)2SiO4 and/or other silicates, in each case individually or mixtures thereof with one or more activator ions, such as Eu, Mn, Ce and/or Mg and/or Zn, where at least one metal, transition-metal or semimetal oxide coating and an organic coating are applied to the luminescent particles, and to a preparation process.
US09139753B2
Moisture-curable single-component (1K) coatings based on N-substituted urea polymers with extended chains and terminal alkoxysilane groups. The coatings are highly flexible, are gloss retentive, provide fast tack-free and dry-through times, provide high solvent resistance, and provide excellent exterior color stability to sunlight. The coatings can be formulated to produce high-gloss, semi-gloss and low-gloss finishes, and thus have application as both commercial and military coatings.
US09139752B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing polyamides, preferably crosslinked polyamides, via anionic polymerization of lactams in the presence of an anionic catalyst and of a caprolactam-capped polyisocyanate, where said isocyanate comprises more than 3.5 capped isocyanate groups.
US09139749B2
An ink composition contains a pigment represented by the following chemical formula 1; a hydrosoluble solvent; and water, wherein the pigment satisfies the following relation 1:0.040
US09139745B2
The present invention provides an aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, a process for producing the same, and a product such as an anti-reflection film having a high refractive index layer. The present invention relates to an aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles in which the core and shell are cerium oxide and a polymer, respectively, and the aggregate is highly concentrated, with a volume fraction of the spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles being at least 32% or higher, the aggregate contains a fixing agent, the aggregate is configured such that the fixing agent fills in voids between the spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, the aggregate has a uniform distribution of the core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, which are spherical secondary particles synthesized by the polyol method, and the aggregate has excellent mechanical strength, light transmittance, and UV light-blocking properties; and the present invention further relates a process for producing the same; and an antireflection film and ink having the same.
US09139736B2
The invention relates to novel surface modified semi-gels, to a method for producing same, and to the use thereof.
US09139733B2
The present disclosure generally relates to formulations for, and methods of making and using, an asphalt aggregate paving material without heating the material.
US09139730B2
The invention relates to (co)polycarbonate compositions and molding compositions which feature improved optical properties, good flowability, and high heat resistance.
US09139728B2
A pellet composed of a polymeric blend having a composition of between 99.5-51 wt % polyolefin and 0.5-49.9 wt % polylactic acid.
US09139727B2
A low damping high strength polymer with a blend of a terpolymer and a tetrapolymer utilizing ethylene, propylene, and non-conjugated dienes. This polymer allows for the creation of products with high diene contents and broad molecular weight distributions while utilizing a continuous flow reactor and a known catalyst. The polymer allows for these products to be made without gelling or fouling of the reactor, which are problems known in the art.
US09139724B2
The invention pertains to a polypropylene composition consisting of: 55 to 79 wt % base polymer mix; 18 to 44.5 wt % talc; and 0.5 to 3 wt % additives based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition, the base polymer mix containing a XCU fraction and a XCS fraction and the XCU fraction being present in an amount of 91 to 98 wt % and the XCS fraction being present in an amount of 2 to 9 wt %; the base polymer mix containing a comonomer content of less than 5 wt % with respect to the base polymer mix; the talc having a d50 median particle size of 1.0 to 3.0 μm when measured according to ISO 13317-3 15 using a Sedigraph; and the composition having a MFR (230° C./2.16 kg; ISO 1133) of 1 to 10 g/10 min. a process for the production of such a polypropylene composition and article comprising said polypropylene composition.
US09139716B2
The present invention is drawn to adhesion promoters comprising an organotitanium compound and a polyamide, for use in solvent-based liquid inks and coatings for flexible packaging, including non-direct food packaging, uses of such adhesion promoters, methods of using such adhesion promoters, inks and coating comprising such adhesion promoters and articles printed with the inks and coatings comprising such adhesion promoters, for example, a laminated printed article (20) comprising a printed image (1) on a substrate (2) and superimposed with an overlay (3) wherein the printed image (1) is prepared from inks or coatings comprising the adhesion promoters.
US09139711B2
The present disclosure relates to a polymer composite material and preparation method thereof. The polymer composite material includes a polyol and a phase changed cross-linking polymer. The phase changed cross-linking polymer has at least one ionic group, a hydrogen bond is formed between the ionic group and the hydroxyl group of the polyol, the polyol is encapsulated and dispersed within the phase changed cross-linking polymer, and a weight percentage of the polyol is 20-60%, a weight percentage of the phase changed cross-linking polymer is 40-80%.
US09139707B2
A method of producing a composite material, comprising an assembly of natural fibers, impregnated with an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer, said method including: i) a step of impregnating said assembly with a precursor composition in the molten state and including: a) at least one prepolymer P(X)n of said thermoplastic polymer, having a molecular chain P having, at the ends of same, n reactive functions X, with n ranging from 1 to 3, in particular n being 1 or 2, and preferably 2 b) at least one chain extender Y-A-Y including reactive functions Y with at least one of said functions X ii) a step of polymerization by mass (poly)addition, in the molten state, of said prepolymer with said chain extender with: said thermoplastic polymer being the result of said polymerization by mass polyaddition and said impregnation i) and polymerization ii) taking place at a temperature lower than 250° C.
US09139703B2
Provided is a method of solubilizing a poorly soluble/insoluble active material through formation of an oligomer composite, in which a structure having a hydrophobic cavity structure is formed by using oligomers derived from two types of hydrophilic natural polymers and a poorly soluble/insoluble component is encapsulated in the cavity structure, and thus, self-aggregation of the poorly soluble/insoluble material is prevented and simultaneously, thermodynamic stability increases to effectively solubilize the poorly soluble/insoluble material. According to the constitution of the present invention, the method may include a first operation of preparing an oligomer composite having a cavity structure formed therein by mixing and dissolving oligomers derived from two types of hydrophilic natural polymers in water, and a second operation of adding a poorly soluble/insoluble material to the oligomer composite to encapsulate the poorly soluble/insoluble material in the hydrophobic cavity structure of the oligomer composite.
US09139701B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer economically and stably, in particular, the present invention is concerned with a method for continuous production of a polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer including (A) a step of withdrawing a polymerization reaction solution obtained by polymerizing a dihydric phenol compound, a carbonate precursor, and a polyorganosiloxane in the presence of an alkaline compound aqueous solution and a water-insoluble organic solvent continuously or intermittently from a reactor; (B) a step of separating the polymerization reaction solution withdrawn in the step (A) into an aqueous phase and a water-insoluble organic solvent phase; and (C) a step of after washing the water-insoluble organic solvent phase separated in the step (B) with an acidic aqueous solution, separating the resultant into an aqueous phase and a water-insoluble organic solvent phase, wherein the content of the polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer in the aqueous phase separated in the step (C) is controlled to not more than 2% by mass, and a part or the whole of an extract obtained by extracting the aqueous phase separated in the step (C) with a water-insoluble organic solvent is reused for the step (A).
US09139690B2
An epoxy resin is provided that includes a diglycidyl ether of a substituted cycloaliphatic diol or bis-thiol, and a thermoset epoxy polymer is provided employing the same. The epoxy resin is bisphenol A free, and capable of forming thermoset epoxy polymers with fewer associated health and environmental concerns than conventional epoxies based on phenolic compounds.
US09139686B2
Oligo- or polyurethane compounds of the formula (I) wherein k and n independently are numbers from 1 to 100, m is from the range 1-100, (X) is a block of formula (II) and (Y) is a block of the formula (III), (A) is a residue of an aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate linker, (B) is a residue of a linear oligo- or polysiloxane containing alkanol end groups, and optionally further containing one or more aliphatic ether moieties, and (C) is an aromatic oligo- or polysulfone block, may advantageously be used as anti-adhesion additives in polymer compositions e.g. for membranes; related oligo- or polyurethanes wherein m is 0 are especially suitable for the preparation of antimicrobial water separation membranes.
US09139681B2
The present invention relates to methods for the production of a resin such as a thermosetting resin, particularly a bioresin, components for use in the methods, and products obtained from the methods. In one aspect the method of forming a resin comprising the steps of: (1) providing an aldehyde-cross-linking agent condensate obtained by reacting a volatile aldehyde with a cross-linking agent; (2) providing a non-volatile aldehyde; and (3) combining the aldehyde-cross-linking agent condensate and the non-volatile aldehyde, thereby forming the resin.
US09139675B2
The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal-based resin which has a high elastic modulus, is excellent in solubility to an alcoholic solvent, and gives a highly transparent alcohol solution. The polyvinyl acetal-based resin is obtained by acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (A) which has 0.1 to 1.5% by mol of a 1,2-diol structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) and a degree of saponification of 98.5% by mol or more: wherein R1, R2, and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group; X represents a single bond or a bonding chain; and R4, R5, and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group.
US09139674B2
Polymerizable compositions containing rigid and contorted divinyl crosslinkers and polymeric materials prepared from the polymerizable compositions are described. The crosslinkers have a spirobisindane-type structure and can undergo free radical polymerization reactions. Methods of preparing the polymeric materials from the polymerizable compositions are also described.
US09139669B2
A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US09139667B2
A method of conjugating a substrate includes exchanging a counter ion associated with a biomolecule with a lipophilic counter ion to form a biomolecule complex, dispersing the biomolecule complex in a nonaqueous solvent, and coupling the biomolecule complex to a substrate in the presence of the nonaqueous solvent.
US09139642B2
Provided herein are antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to the fusion (F) protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Also provided are methods for of prevention, treatment and diagnosis of viral infection and/or the treatment of one more symptoms of RSV-mediated disease. Methods of generating antibodies that immunospecifically bind RSV F protein also are provided.
US09139639B2
The present invention provides recombinant proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of an intracellular segment of CD40 and an amino acid sequence mediating the association of the recombinant protein with the constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The recombinant proteins according to the present invention are—useful for inducing clonal expansion of a B cell having a predetermined antigen-specificity without the need for T cell or CD40L mediated co-stimulation. Thus, the present invention provides tools for clonal expansion of B cells specific for an antigen of interest and the production of B cells secreting antibodies specific for an antigen of interest. The recombinant proteins of the present invention may also be used for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies with a predetermined antigen-specificity from the B cell repertoire of a human subject.
US09139638B2
Recombinant non-human mammals having reduced or no expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein (VAChT) as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal are provided. The mammal may have, e.g., impaired performance in object and social recognition and/or impaired neuromuscular performance and/or alterations in autonomic nervous system function as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. Methods of screening a compound for cholinergic activity or activity in treating a cholinergic neurotransmission disorder are also provided. In addition, a cell such as a nerve cell isolated from a mammal as described herein is provided, along with cell cultures, which are useful in vitro for screening the activity of candidate compounds for their effect on cholinergic neurotransmission, and for their activity in treating cholinergic neurotransmission disorders.
US09139631B2
The present disclosure is directed to methods, kits and compositions for preventing or treating age-related conditions or metabolic disorders. The fusion polypeptides of the disclosure include FGF23 or an active fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the fusion polypeptide comprises (a) a polypeptide comprising fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), or a functionally active variant or derivative thereof, wherein FGF23 has a mutation at one or more of the positions Q156, C206 and C244; and (b) either a modified Fe fragment having decreased affinity for Fc-gamma-receptor and/or increased serum half-life, or a polypeptide comprising at least one extracellular subdomain of a Klotho protein, or a functionally active variant or derivative thereof; and, optionally (c) a linker. In another embodiment, the fusion polypeptide comprises a FGF (such as FGF23), or a functionally active variant or derivative thereof; and a modified Fe fragment, or a functionally active variant or derivative thereof. In various embodiments of the fusion polypeptides, FGF23 has mutations which decrease aggregation and protease-mediated cleavage.
US09139627B2
A dried distiller soluble based biopolymer, processes for forming the biopolymer, and articles of manufacture thereof. The produced dried distillers solubles derives from co-products of corn fermentation facilities and is comprised in part of water-soluble proteins. A biopolymer consists essentially of dried distillers solubles, and an article of manufacture includes a biopolymer consisting of dried distillers solubles and an optional additive. The process of forming dried distiller solubles involves separating whole stillage into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the liquid fraction comprises water soluble proteins in an amount greater than the solid fraction, and wherein the solid fraction has a higher solid content than the liquid fraction. The liquid fraction is sprayed at an elevated temperature to remove at least a portion of moisture in the liquid fraction and form particles and granules of the liquid fraction. Addition moisture is removed from the particles and granules in a fluidized bed to form dried distillers solubles, wherein the particles and granules are heated to a temperature less than 300° F. and have a residence time effective to reduce the moisture content of the dried distillers solubles to less than 20 percent to greater than 3 percent by weight.
US09139619B2
The present invention provides an expression vector comprising a promoter and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein. The present invention further provides a method for purification of an interest protein. The present invention also provides a fusion protein comprising a single-stranded DNA binding protein and an interest protein or polypeptide fused directly or indirectly with the COOH-terminus or NH2-terminus of the single-stranded DNA binding protein, wherein said fusion protein is capable of binding to single-stranded DNA.
US09139616B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to isolated compounds useful as antifungal agents, for example, compounds having a structure represented by a formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxyl; wherein R2 is hydrogen or xylose; and wherein R3 and R4 are each hydrogen or together oxygen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; methods of isolating and purifying same; pharmaceutical compositions comprising same; agricultural compositions comprising same; and methods of treating and/or preventing fungal infections using same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09139612B2
The embodiments provide prodrug compounds of Formulae I-XVII. The present disclosure also provides compositions, and their methods of use, where the compositions comprise a prodrug compound of Formulae I-XVII that provides controlled release of an active agent. Such compositions can optionally provide a trypsin inhibitor that interacts with the enzyme that mediates the controlled release of an active agent from the prodrug so as to attenuate enzymatic cleavage of the prodrug.
US09139611B2
Protein particles are prepared by causing or allowing protein molecules dispersed in a liquid medium at a concentration of 8 mg.mL−1 or greater to react in the presence of a zero-length crosslinker, so as to produce protein particles comprising protein molecules that are covalently bonded together. The protein particles may be produced with sizes in the sub-micron range with closely defined sizes and size distributions. The particles have applications in many fields, but are useful inter alia for the delivery of therapeutic agents and other agents, eg imaging contrast agents, to the body.
US09139609B2
A macrolide compound represented by the formula (I) effective against erythromycin resistant bacteria (for example, resistant pneumococci, streptococci and mycoplasmas).
US09139603B2
A [3-(2-norbornyl)-2-norbornyl]silane compound having formula (1) is novel, wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, X is halogen or an organoxy OR2, R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, n is 1 or 2 when X is halogen, and n is 0, 1 or 2 when X is organoxy. It is a useful reactant for forming surface coatings on electronic parts.
US09139599B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for chemical assemblies, multidimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), supermolecular building layers (SBLs), inorganic molecular building blocks (MBBs), organic MBBs (designed ligands), methods of making each, and methods of using each, and the like. In an embodiment, the composition can be used in catalysis, separations, gas storage, and drug delivery.
US09139594B2
A compound represented by the general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NReCO— or the like (wherein Re is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a single bond or the like, Z is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, R1, R2 and Rx are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US09139592B2
The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the following compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound is a modulator of Nrf2 protein and binds at least one of the BTB domain, IVR domain and Kelch domain of Keap1 protein, activating or inhibiting Nrf2.
US09139585B2
This invention relates to compounds of Formula I-VI having the following general structure: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are inhibitors of the Renal Outer Medullary Potassium (ROMK) channel (Kir1.1). The compounds are useful as diuretics and natriuretics and therefore are useful for the therapy and prophylaxis of disorders resulting from excessive salt and water retention, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and chronic and acute heart failure.
US09139582B2
The present invention relates to electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, comprising compounds of the formula (1), and the corresponding compounds.
US09139566B2
A method for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of LRRK2 in tissue of a subject, the method comprising: administering a compound of formula I, formula II or formula III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the subject, wherein the compound includes at least one C11 or F18 label thereon; allowing the compound to penetrate into the tissue of the subject; and collecting a PET image of the CNS or brain tissue of the subject.
US09139565B2
Compounds of Formula (I), and methods of making and using thereof, are described herein; wherein AR is an aryl group, ZBG is a Zinc Binding Group, and other substituents are as defined herein. The compounds can be administered as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or solvate. The compounds may be useful to treat and/or prevent hyperproliferative disorders which may include hormone sensitive and hormone refractory prostate cancers. The compounds can be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, for enteral or parenteral administration.
US09139564B2
Compound of Table I are described. They are useful as stimulators of sGC, particularly NO-independent, heme-dependent stimulators. These compounds may be useful for treating, preventing or managing various disorders that are herein disclosed.
US09139557B2
The present invention relates to novel carboxamide compounds and their use for the manufacture of a medicament. The carboxamide compounds are inhibitors of calpain (calcium dependant cysteine proteases). The invention therefore also relates to the use of these carboxamide compounds for treating a disorder associated with an elevated calpain activity.The carboxamide compounds are compounds of the general formula I in which R1, R2, R3a, R3b, W, Y and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims and the description, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. In particular, the compounds have the general formula I-A.a′ and I-A.a″ in which m, E, R1, R3a, R3b, R2, Ry, Rw and Rw6*have the meanings mentioned in the claims, n is 0, 1 or 2, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof.
US09139553B2
The present invention relates to micelle-forming poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ester) block copolymers having reactive groups on the polyester block therein. The biodegradability of these copolymers and their biocompatibilities with a large number of bioactive agents make them suitable as carriers for various bioactive agents. The bioactive agents, such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotide, protein, peptide, drug and the like, can be coupled to the reactive groups on the polyester block of the copolymer.
US09139552B2
The present invention relates to indeno-fused naphthopyrans, and in particular indeno[2′,3′:3,4]naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans having certain groups bonded to the 3, 6, 7, 11, and 13 positions thereof. The indeno-fused naphthopyrans of the present invention have an ethylenically unsaturated group selected from (C1-C6 alkyl)acrylate and (C1-C6 alkyl)acrylamide, that is linked to the 11 position or 13 position thereof. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles and photochromic compositions containing such indeno-fused naphthopyrans.
US09139551B2
A new class of high water-soluble compound based upon the Hovenia plant, or its herbal extract form known as DHM, and the methods for synthesizing same, to produce anti-alcohol intoxication treatment to alleviate the symptoms of hangover and other over-drinking, binge-drinking related ailments. Such compounds, known as TDHM and PDHM, can reduce the alcohol concentration in the blood, lengthen the waking time, and shorten the period of drowsiness induced after drinking alcohol; they also are proved to have high water solubility and thus are suitable for immediate protection and treatment to persons with alcohol intoxication or hangover and over-drinking.
US09139550B2
A fluorescent dye or fluorophore capable of forming complexes with mercury comprises 6,8-difluoro-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate amide, wherein the amide is formed by reacting the succinimidyl ester (Pacific Blue™) with an amino acid containing a thiol group, such as cysteine or glutathione. Mercury complexes of the fluorophore fluoresce when excited by a UV or violet laser diode, and the detected intensity can be calibrated to quantify the concentration of mercury in a sample reacted with the fluorophore.
US09139546B2
Cannabinoid derivatives according to formula (I) are disclosed wherein, X, Y, R1, R2, and W can have the definitions provided herein. Without limitation, use of such compounds, their salts or pro-drug, or compositions containing the compounds, salts, or pro-drug, to modify the activity of CB1 and CB2 receptors and treat conditions mediated by these receptors.
US09139541B2
The present application provides for a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, and/or ester thereof, compositions containing such compounds, therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, and therapeutic methods and include the administration of such compounds with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
US09139539B2
The present invention relates to compounds which bind to the NR1H4 receptor (FXR) and act as agonists of FXR. The invention further relates to the use of the compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions through binding of said nuclear receptor by said compounds and to a process for the synthesis of said compounds.
US09139536B2
This invention relates to: (a) compounds and salts thereof that, inter alia, inhibit HCV; (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of such compounds and salts; (c) compositions comprising such compounds and salts; (d) methods for preparing such intermediates, compounds, salts, and compositions; (e) methods of use of such compounds, salts, and compositions; and (f) kits comprising such compounds, salts, and compositions.
US09139532B2
The invention provides pyrazolyl guanidine compounds that inhibit F1Fo-ATPase, and methods of using pyrazolyl guanidine compounds as therapeutic agents to treat medical disorders, such as an immune disorder, inflammatory condition, or cancer.
US09139530B2
The present invention relates to solid state forms of N-[2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide (Compound 1), pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods therewith.
US09139526B2
Disclosed are novel polymorphic trihydrated forms of the sodium salt of 4-tert-butyl-N-[4-chloro-2-(1-oxy-pyridine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]benzenesulfonamide. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a crystalline form of the sodium salt of 4-tert-butyl-N-[4-chloro-2-(1-oxy-pyridine-4-carbonyl)-25 phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide (hereinafter “Compound A crystalline trihydrate form I”), wherein the crystalline form is characterized by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern comprising diffraction angles (°28), when measured using Cu Ka radiation, at about 4.5, 9.0, 13.6, 13.9, 15.8, 17.8, 18.2, 18.5, 19.1, 19.9, 20A, 21.2, 22.1, 22.7, 24.3, 25.0, 25.6, 26.2, 26.8, 27.3, 27.6, 28.0, 28.8, and 30.8.
US09139519B2
The invention provides organonitro thioether compounds, compositions containing such compounds, isolated organonitro thioether compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions to treat cancer in a patient. Exemplary organonitro thioether compounds described herein include 2-(3,3-dinitroazetidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl thioethers and variants thereof. Another aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an organonitro thioether compound described herein, such as a compound of Formula I or II. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a patient. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an organonitro thioether compound described herein, such as a compound of Formula I or II, to treat the cancer.
US09139513B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of lacosamide in substantially optically pure form, which in one aspect comprises the following steps: (i) resolution of O-methyl-D,L-serine to provide O-methyl-D-serine in substantially optically pure form; (ii) acetylation of O-methyl-D-serine thereby obtained to provide the N-acetyl 10 derivative thereof in substantially optically pure form; (iii) activating the carboxy group of the compound thereby obtained; and (iv) reacting the compound thereby obtained with benzylamine.
US09139510B2
The invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of aromatic amines by hydrogenation of the corresponding nitroaromatics in the presence of catalysts arranged in reaction spaces, in which an adiabatically operated reaction space RA is connected downstream of an isothermally operated reaction space RI and RA additionally also has a separate feed for the nitroaromatic to be hydrogenated, RI is fed with the nitroaromatic to be hydrogenated from the start to the end of the hydrogenation, and the product mixture emerging from RI is fed into RA from the start to the end of the hydrogenation, wherein RA can additionally be fed via the separate feed with the nitroaromatic to be hydrogenated.
US09139509B2
A method and apparatus for removing non-aromatic impurities from non-nitrated aromatic reactant in a nitration production process, in which process an aromatic reactant is nitrated (100) to produce a nitrated aromatic product using a molar excess of the aromatic reactant, and non-nitrated aromatic reactant is recovered (102) from the produced nitrated aromatic product and is recycled (104) for use in the nitration production process. A portion of the removed excess non-nitrated aromatic reactant is diverted (106) and subjected to nitration (108). The nitrated stream may be further processed by separating out the spent acids (110) and the non-aromatic impurities (116). These streams may be sent (114, 118) to a suitable location in the nitration production train.
US09139504B2
This invention proposes a lanolin substitute, capable of absorbing up to at least twice its weight of water or aqueous solution or aqueous suspension. It forms true emulsions, stable over time with a capacity for water absorption superior to that of lanolin.It also possesses the known emollient, moisturizing and occlusive properties of lanolin.This substitute is usable in all the present and future areas of application of lanolin: in the cosmetics industry, dermatology, and in industrial applications (polishes, lubricants . . . ).It is obtained by hemi-synthesis from a mixture of unsaturated fatty acids, esters of unsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated hydrocarbons or unsaturated derivatives of the latter and compounds comprising or generating hydroxyl functions, such as glycerol, preferably without a catalyst and in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen.Classical thermal treatment or preferably treatment by dielectric heating.
US09139493B2
A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent is phosphorous acid, a phosphorous acid ester, phosphinic acid, a phosphinic acid ester or combinations thereof. Methods of refining natural oils are described.
US09139492B2
The invention relates to a method for processing coke oven gas, said coke oven gas containing hydrogen, wherein the coke oven gas is at least partially integrated into a method for producing dimethyl ether in conjunction with a gas containing carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide, whereby a DME-containing product gas is formed. At the outset of the method for the formation of dimethyl ether, a ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide, weighted with the carbon dioxide concentration (formula (I)), of 0.9 to 1.1 is set, wherein the DME-containing product gas is integrated into a method for converting dimethyl ether to olefins, whereby an olefin-containing product gas is formed, and wherein olefins, in particular ethylene and/or propylene, is/are separated from the olefin-containing product gas by means of separating methods. c [ H 2 ] - c [ CO 2 ] c [ CO ] + c [ CO 2 ] ( I )
US09139487B2
An active composition for a decoy which radiates spectrally as the active composition burns, contains an additive which is distributed in the active composition and which increases the ratio of the intensity of radiation emitted during combustion of the active composition in the wavelength range from 3.7 to 5.1 μm to the intensity of radiation emitted during combustion of the active composition in the wavelength range from 1.9 to 2.3 μm. The active composition contains a fuel having carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, and an oxidizer for the fuel, containing oxygen atoms. The amount of the oxidizer being such that it is not sufficient for complete oxidation of the carbon, and the additive being a catalyst present in the form of particles that catalyzes a redox reaction.
US09139485B2
The present invention provides a slow release granule composition for the delivery of one or more plant treatment agents. The composition comprises an organic solution consisting peat soil liquid obtained from a peat material and urea. The granule composition is useful for the controlled delivery of fertilizers and nutrients to plants and as a soil amendment. Also disclosed is a method of treating a plant with a plant treatment agent, comprising applying a slow release granule composition of the present invention and a method to prepare the slow release granule composition.
US09139482B2
A particlized biotic soil amendment product for preparing a damaged or degraded soil ecosystem to establish a self-sustaining floral/vegetative rhizosphere contains a mixture of inorganic “mineral” material, organic material, charcoal, and small amounts of inoculants to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms including mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These ingredients are prilled to form roughly uniform, spherical, ovoid, capsular or other-shaped particles suitable for handling with prior-art agricultural machines. The prilling should produce particles that are resilient enough to survive standard shipping, handling and application procedures, but thereafter break down under irrigation and weathering so as to release their ingredients for use by plants in the vicinity.
US09139479B2
Honeycomb structure comprising a cement skin composition with crystalline inorganic fibrous material
Disclosed is a honeycomb support structure comprising a honeycomb body and an outer layer or skin formed of a cement that includes an inorganic filler material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion from 25° C. to 600° C. and a crystalline inorganic fibrous material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion from 25° C. to 600° C.
US09139476B2
Cement retarders for well cements are based on hydrophobins. Hydrophobins are proteins or polypeptides that form hydrophobic coatings on surfaces. The size of the hydrophobins is preferably between about 100 and 350 amino acids, and the preferred hydrophobin concentration is between about 0.001% and 1.0% by weight of cement. Portland cement is the preferred well cement. Cement slurries containing hydrophobins are useful for both primary and remedial cementing applications.
US09139468B2
Optical fiber sensors adapted to measure strain or pressure are disclosed. The optical fiber sensor has a lead-in optical fiber having an end surface at a forward end, and a first optical element having a body with an outer dimension, Do, a front end surface coupled to the lead-in optical fiber, a pedestal including a retracted surface that is spaced from the front end surface, the retracted surface at least partially defining an optical cavity, a gutter surrounding the pedestal, the gutter having a gutter depth defining an active region of length, L, the first optical element further exhibiting L/Do≧0.5. Also provided are systems including the optical fiber sensor, and methods for manufacturing and using the optical fiber sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US09139458B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods that can remove, metabolize, or degrade a hydrocarbon in an area that is contaminated by hydrocarbons. Methods for bioremediation of an area such as an area of land, a body of water, or a shoreline that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon, such as from a crude oil spill are also described. The compositions and methods described herein can be used on natural flora and fauna as well as manmade materials that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon.
US09139456B2
Novel compounds useful as chelators, intermediates for their production and methods for removing trivalent and tetravalent metal ions from solution are presented.
US09139450B2
A process for producing fuel cell catalysts includes a step (I) of heating a carbonitride of a transition metal in an inert gas containing oxygen, and a step (II) of heating the product from the step (I) in an inert gas that does not substantially contain oxygen.
US09139449B2
A method for obtaining gypsum using a flue-gas desulfurization system (FGD) having a gypsum suspension, which includes fine materials such as active carbon particles or residual carbonate particles for example, accumulates in the scrubber of a wet flue gas scrubber. The gypsum-containing suspension is thickened by at least one hydrocyclone, and the thickened gypsum suspension is discharged via the underflow of the hydrocyclone. Water is fed to the hydrocyclone in addition to the gypsum suspension via a dedicated feed line such that the content of fine material is thus reduced with respect to the suspension volume in the underflow.
US09139448B2
A heat-insulating material is provided in which thermal conductivity is controlled not to increase and good insulation properties are held even in a high temperature range. The heat-insulating material is formed of a spinel porous sintered body having a porosity of 65 to 90 vol. % and represented by a chemical formula XAl2O4 (X=Zn, Fe, Mg, Ni, or Mn) which is arranged such that large pores having a diameter of greater than 1000 μm occupy 25 vol. % or less of the total pore volume, fine pores having a diameter of 0.45 μm or less occupy 5 to 40 vol. % of the volume of the pores having a diameter of 1000 μm or less, at least one pore-diameter distribution peak is within a range of 0.14 to 10 μm, and is formed of sintered particles having a calculated average particle diameter of 0.04 to 1 μm.
US09139447B2
Process for the joint production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate out of sesquicarbonate, in which the sesquicarbonate is dissolved in water, in order to form a feed water solution comprising both sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, in which at least part of the feed water solution is introduced into all the compartments of an electrodialyser and in which a sodium bicarbonate enriched solution and a sodium carbonate enriched solution are extracted from the compartments.
US09139432B1
A method, apparatuses and chemical compositions are provided for producing high purity hydrogen from water. Metals or alloys capable of reacting with water and producing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions are reacted with one or more inorganic hydrides capable of releasing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions, one or more transition metal compounds are used to catalyze the reaction and, optionally, one or more alkali metal-based compounds. The metal or alloy is preferably aluminum. The inorganic hydride is from a family of complex inorganic hydrides; most preferably, NaBH4. The transition metal catalyst is from the groups VIII and IB; preferably, Cu and Fe. The alkali metal-based compounds are preferably NaOH, KOH, and the like. Hydrogen generated has a purity of at least 99.99 vol. % (dry basis), and is used without further purification in all types of fuel cells, including the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
US09139418B2
An MEMS component includes at least one metal-ceramic multilayer stack as a mechanical functional layer in the layered structure of the MEMS component. The metal-ceramic multilayer stack functions as a mechanical functional layer in which at least one component of the micromechanical structure of the MEMS component is configured.
US09139415B2
A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.
US09139414B2
Systems and methods for fuel dispenser security are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a user seeking access to a protected function of the fuel dispenser is presented with a challenge that is encrypted using a secret key that is unique to the fuel dispenser. To access the secured function, the user must obtain a session password from a server which authenticates the user, decrypts the challenge using a counterpart of the secret key, determines whether the user is authorized to access the secured function, and returns the session password extracted from the challenge only when the user is authorized. The server can thus control access to certain fuel dispenser functions according to a set of user access privileges. The challenge can also include additional information which can be used by the fuel dispenser and/or by the server to store a log of access activity.
US09139401B2
An elevator system includes at least one elevator, at least one call input device and a call controller. The call input device transmits a call to the call controller. For a transmitted normal operation signal, at least one elevator car of an assigned elevator is activated to drive to the call input floor by at least one elevator controller of the assigned elevator. In a peak-time mode of the elevator system, at least one main operation signal is transmitted to at least one elevator. For a main operation signal transmitted to an elevator, at least one elevator car of said elevator is activated to drive between at least two main operation floors by at least one elevator controller of said elevator.
US09139388B2
A device is provided for curling side edges of a sheet of media to be held down by a hold down system in an image production system. The device has a first shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the first shaped element pointing in a first direction; a second shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the second shaped element pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction; a first pinching element adjacent to the first shaped element, a first pathway being formed between the first pinching element and the first shaped element; and a second pinching element adjacent to the second shaped element, a second pathway being formed between the second pinching element and the second shaped element. The first pathway is for forming an edge curl on a first side edge of the sheet of media, the second pathway is for forming an edge curl on a second side edge of the sheet of media, the second side edge is parallel to the first side edge, and the first and second side edges are parallel to a process direction in which the sheet of media is fed into the device.
US09139378B2
The invention relates to a selecting and screening device (15) for sealing elements or for hollow stoppers intended for a sealing station (4), the device being provided in the form of a chute consisting of two portions: a feed portion (17) and an outlet portion (18), and, between said two portions, a transit channel (20) forming an arc and comprising an ejection window (33), wherein said outlet portion (18) is to be connected to the sealing station (4), said channel (20) partially encloses a wheel (21) provided with notches (22) that match the size of said stoppers (2), and the wheel (21) is associated with pins (30), characterized in that the function of said pins (30) is to support the stoppers (2) in the respective notch (22) thereof as the former pass in front of said ejection window (33), if said stoppers are correctly oriented and not defective, and in that said outlet portion (18) is intended to convey said properly oriented and non-defective stoppers.
US09139377B2
A method, control, and tracking system of a charge of material transported by a continuous supply conveyor of a metallurgical furnace, for example an electric furnace for production of steel. The continuous conveyor includes, in sequence starting from its inlet end towards its outlet end, a loading section of the charge of material to be supplied to the furnace, a preheating section of the charge of material loaded, and an introduction section into the furnace of the preheated charge of material, and along the loading section at least a first loading station of material.
US09139368B2
A conveyor for conveying mineral material vertically includes a conveyor frame; at least two conveyor main rolls or pairs of conveyor main pulleys, a plurality of conveyor guide rolls or conveyor guide pulleys and a first and a second endless conveyor belt. The main rolls or pulleys are arranged on top of each other and the guide rolls or pulleys are arranged outside each conveyor main roll or pulley at a circumference of a circle. The endless conveyor belts alternate between being moved on either a main roll or a pair of main pulleys or on a group of guide rolls or guide pulleys. The endless conveyor belts are arranged to be moved at a speed that any material being conveyed stays in contact with the surface of either the first or the second endless conveyor belts when being moved on a the conveyor guide rolls or pulleys.
US09139362B2
A method and apparatus for handling and conveying a material, for example a waste material, in a pneumatic pipe transport system which includes the steps and apparatus for introducing the material to a rotary press device, the rotary press device containing rotating and stationary apertures which are eccentrically arranged with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotating apertures, compacting and compressing the material within the rotary press device and transferring the compacted and compressed material downstream to an output transport system, wherein the material is conducted and transported into the rotary press device and through the rotary pressure device to the output transport system, at least partially, by suction and/or pressure difference in the pneumatic pipe transport system.
US09139357B2
The present invention provides a support frame for packaging a liquid crystal glass panel, which includes: four corner pieces, upper connection bars, and lower connection bars. The upper connection bars are connected to top ends of the four corner pieces to form an upper sub-frame. The lower connection bars are connected to bottom ends of the four corner pieces to form a bottom bracket, which includes a lower sub-frame corresponding to the upper sub-frame and a carriage rack located inside and connected to the lower sub-frame. The support frame is rigid and reinforces a tray so that the problem of deformation of the tray caused by stacking or handling trays can be eliminated. The support frame is of a knockdown arrangement composed of multiple components in such a way that a portion of the components may be shared for contained products of different sizes so as to reduce the manufacturing cost.
US09139356B2
A substantially transparent box is constructed and arranged to include a collared shirt and a necktie in arrangement relative to one another and disposed such that these clothing articles are in registry with a hole in the box. The box comprises a single sheet of substantially transparent plastic having a series of first and second panels each being defined by respective folds. Selected first panels are bonded to another to define a hollow central cavity for the box, whereas selected second panels are folded to define peripheral ends for the box. The hollow cavity is sized to receive the shirt and necktie. The shirt and necktie are optionally arranged with bands that maintain a prescribed relative position to each other and to the box.
US09139354B2
A package for smoking articles comprising a body (3) and a lid (17) hingedly connected to the body to enclose a space defined by the body when the lid is closed, the lid including an end portion and a wall extending from the end portion that overlaps a face of the body when closed, wherein a recess (68) is formed in the wall and a tab (60, 61) extends from said face, such that, when the lid is closed, the tab locates in said recess.
US09139352B2
An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure also prevents any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. This construction results in an insulating chamber impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.
US09139346B2
A can filling process, the process comprising providing a metal can body (1) having first and second ends, the second end being closed by a peelable lid (2), and supporting the can body (1) from beneath the peelable lid including presenting to the peelable lid a support surface having a pattern embossed thereon. The can body is filled with a product through said first end using a compacting ram such that the peelable lid is pressed against the support surface (3) by the product and said pattern is impressed into the peelable lid (2), and a closure applied to said first end.
US09139345B2
A valve assembly (2) intended for use together with a pallet container (1) and a liner. The valve assembly (2) comprises a support member (6). The support member (6) is provided with a guiding hole (63) intended to interact with a lower valve guide member (11).
US09139336B2
A blank includes: two top panels, two side panels, two connecting panels, a base panel, a connecting element for the closing on itself of the blank that is expanded in volume; a receiving part, extending over a part of the base panel, for receiving wedging cartons by their bottom walls, and if necessary extending over the connecting panels; and a spacing/wedging part, coming from the base panel with cutout lines. The continuous spacing/wedging part is formed by a longitudinally median transverse portion of the base panel and a longitudinally median transverse portion, in two sections, of the two connecting panels, one section per connecting panel. The spacing/wedging part is limited in the transverse direction by two continuous and curved edge cutout lines of the spacing/wedging part, advancing overall in the longitudinal direction, whose segments form stopping edges.
US09139332B1
A rapid assembly support structure having a top deck panel with a top surface and a bottom surface, side flaps, and corner flaps, and a plurality of drain apertures formed through the top deck panel at spaced apart locations. Side rail elements are affixed to the top surface of the top deck panel, atop the side flaps.
US09139328B2
A synthetic resin container, in which the bottom part 4 having a bottom plate part 41 which is present at the center of the bottom part and a peripheral part 42 which is positioned at the periphery of the bottom plate part 41, in the peripheral part 42, a grounding part 422 having an inside slope 422a which rises outwardly of the container with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate part 41 being the start point and an outside slope 422b which continues to the side surface of the bottom part 4 is formed, and when a load is applied in the axial direction in the state where the container stands upright on the grounding surface G, the shape of the bottom part 4 changes reversibly such that the bottom plate part 41 is depressed inwardly to the container. As a result, it is possible to avoid deformation of a container into an unintended shape by buckling or the like even if a load is applied to a container in the axial direction, and to ensure the rigidity of a container against a load in the axial direction.
US09139324B1
A metal drawn and ironed bottle type container accepts a conventional glass bottle crown applied by conventional bottle crowning equipment. In alternate embodiments, inserts or outserts may be used in conjunction with metal bottle type containers to provide finish areas that are compatible with either twist-off crowns or pry-off crowns.
US09139323B2
Registration systems for labels in labelling machines, in order to provide the correct positioning of a label on an object, namely on a container are provided. In particular, the registration system of the invention is applicable on a labelling machine of the type that uses a label reel from which single labels are cut and are applied on a container.
US09139317B2
Transforming machines for changing a strip of unopened bag precursors into open bag precursors are disclosed that include a drive motor, a separation station, a sensor electrically connected to a controller that is electrically connected to components of the separation station. The separation station includes a first roller, a separation roller driven by the drive motor, and a pressure device having an actuator selectively activating the pressure device to apply pressure to the strip of unopened bag precursors passing over the first roller. In operation, the controller, based on a signal from the sensor, determines when perforations are located in a gap between the pressure device and the separation roller and at that time signals the actuator to activate the pressure device, with the drive motor driving the separation roller, thereby separating the perforations in a first film layer, but not the perforations in a second film layer.
US09139310B1
Systems and methods are provided for swapping the battery on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may be able to identify and land on an energy provision station autonomously. The UAV may take off and/or land on the energy provision station. The UAV may communicate with the energy provision station. The energy provision station may store and charge batteries for use on a UAV.
US09139295B2
The invention relates to a method of controlling the steering of a steerable portion of an aircraft undercarriage that is fitted both with a steering member for steering the steerable portion and also with at least two angular position sensors for sensing the angular position of the steerable portion in order to deliver respective signals representative of the angular position of the steerable portion, wherein the steering member is controlled by means of servo-control using information that is representative of the angular position of the steerable portion. According to the invention, the information representative of the angular position that is used is a mean of the angular positions sensed by the at least two angular position sensors.
US09139288B2
In the method of communication on a vehicle including an aircraft or a spacecraft, the vehicle transmits an electromagnetic signal from at least one transmitter on-board the vehicle directly to at least one receiver on-board the vehicle and with transmission taking place solely through an environment outside the vehicle. Transmission takes place several times over, and during transmission at least one member from the group including the transmitter and the receiver is set into movement relative to a support in direct contact with the member and with a portion of the vehicle carrying the member.
US09139278B1
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for turning an envelope of a balloon into a parachute. The balloon may include a payload, an envelope filled with a lift gas, and a parachute system. The parachute system may include a fuse couple to the envelope. The parachute system may also include an activation system coupled to the fuse. The activation system may be configured to ignite the fuse. The fuse may be ignitable to melt through at least a portion of the envelope to separate an upper portion of the envelope from a lower portion of the envelope. The upper portion of the envelope may be coupled to the payload such that when separated from the lower portion, the upper portion performs as a parachute for the payload.
US09139274B2
An attachment system for attaching shoes having toe and heel areas to a wide variety of sports equipment, in particular to a rowing boat or a rowing machine. The system includes an attachment device that is connected to or otherwise a part of the equipment, and a shoe block assembly that accepts the attachment device. These parts generally removably lock together for use of the equipment, which provides users custom features, better control over the force applied to the equipment via the shoe, and automatic emergency functions. An adjustment device generally fits into the shoe block assembly and is fixed to the shoe block assembly with screws or any other attachment methods, or could be formed as a part of the shoe block assembly, and the shoe block assembly is removably attachable to the attachment device by magnetic force or non-magnetic devices.
US09139272B2
A robust mechanical actuation design for an autonomous sailing buoy (1) is disclosed based on an internal actuation system. The buoy (1) consists of a simple closed body (3) taking the form of a ship hull to which are attached two fixed appendages (2, 4): one rigid wing (4) to catch the wind, and a keel (2). The design is completely rudderless. Steering is performed using only an internal actuation system. This system includes a moving mass system (5, 6, 7), a processing unit (9), and a navigation unit (8). The navigation unit (8) consists of a GPS, accelerometers and gyroscopes, and a wind direction and velocity sensor. The processing unit (9), using information given by the navigation unit (8), automatically controls the moving mass (6) to hold the buoy (1) on a desired course.
US09139265B2
A fin assembly for controlling movement of a buoyant body, including: a base for attaching the assembly to the body; and a fin attached to the base by a hinge, wherein when the assembly is attached to the body, the fin can pivot at the hinge from a first condition to a second condition to allow substantially free rotation of the body in a first rotational direction.
US09139263B2
A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame for supporting a floatation device while the buoyant pool chair frame is floating in water, a pod frame is provided including a rigid base portion and a window having a vertical opening therethrough. A substantially inverted parabolic surface is positioned at the front of the pod frame and a centra including a rigid back is positioned at the rear of the pod frame such that the window is therebetween. The pod frame is sized to accept a floatation device such that the substantially inverted parabolic surface and the centra engage the floatation device in a load-bearing relationship.
US09139261B2
The present invention has been developed to improve the way a payload support platform, such as a mole, is driven between one site and another, particularly when the second site is the interior of a Lift which interfaces with a Pallet Handling System (PHS) of a ship. In a first aspect the invention proposes that the driving means which drives the payload support platform along a rail (10) is also used to move that rail (10) relative to the payload support platform and a support rail (22) so that the position of the rail can be changed during the movement of the payload support platform between one site and another. The payload support platform is lockable to the support rail (22), such that the force which drives the payload support platform along the rail (10) changes to driving the rail (10) relative to the support rail (22). In a second independent aspect of the invention the movable rail (10) is mounted in the gap between ends of fixed rails (62, 82) and is movable along a support rail (22) on which it is mounted between a position in which one end of the movable rail (10) is adjacent an end of one of the fixed rails (62, 82) to another position in which the other end of the movable rail (10) is adjacent the end of the other fixed rail (62,82).
US09139251B2
A mechanism, e.g. for driving a wheelchair, converting oscillating motion of a lever (15) into rotary motion of an output disc (capstans 34) by means of a flexible member (belt 26). In one direction of the lever (15), the belt (26) drives the output disc (capstans 24). In the other direction, the belt (26) slips. This is achieved by a (rotary) drag element (22) providing a (rotary) resistance force (=counter force) upstream the output disc (34) thereby tensioning the belt (26) such that slip is avoided.
US09139241B1
An aerodynamic component is provided in the form of one or more ground skirt sections attached to one or more underbody fairings (e.g., trailer side skirts, tractor side fairings, etc.) of a vehicle. In use, the ground effects skirt sections improve air flow underneath the vehicle, thereby reducing drag.
US09139235B2
A vehicle frame includes an outside rail section having an upper flange, a lower flange, and an inward facing cavity between the upper and lower flanges. An inside rail section is coupled along the upper and lower flanges of the outside rail section and has an outward facing cavity that aligns with the inward facing cavity to enclose an interior volume. A pair of hydroform tubes extending vertically through apertures at spaced longitudinal locations in the upper flange and engage a bottom surface of the inward cavity to define a pillar for supporting a vehicle roof.
US09139233B2
A motor vehicle cockpit is provided that includes, but is not limited to, an instrument unit with an instrument, an at least partially transparent cover arranged on the instrument unit, a shadow region, which is arranged relative to the cover so that the shadow region is mirrored in the cover viewed from a driver's eye. The shadow region is closed on a side facing the driver's eye.
US09139231B2
A drainage device is provided for a motor vehicle, which serves for discharging liquid out of the water box of a motor vehicle. The drainage device includes, but is not limited to a line portion, which is at least partially incorporated in an insulating structure for the front wall of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is also provided with a water box and a drainage device that is fluidically connected to the water box.
US09139230B2
In a vehicle body front section structure according to the present invention, as well as a pair of left and right front side support portions and a pair of left and right rear side support portions that support a suspension member from the vehicle body, the suspension member is also coupled to a dash panel by coupling members. The coupling members are provided in the vehicle front-rear direction between the pair of left and right front side support portions and the pair of left and right rear side support portions, and provided in the vehicle width direction between the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle left side and the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle right side.
US09139227B2
An axle support for a vehicle includes two longitudinal members and at least one cross member interconnecting the two longitudinal members. The at least one cross member is formed as a multi-part tailored blank component and is fixedly welded via its lateral cross member attachment zones arranged opposite in the longitudinal direction of the cross member to the respectively associated longitudinal member. The cross member is coated with a surface coating as a protective layer, in particular with a zinc layer. The lateral cross member attachment zones are each formed by an uncoated, in particular ungalvanized, single-part or multi-part sheet metal component, wherein the cross member midsection adjoining the two lateral cross member attachment zones is formed by a one-part or multi-part sheet metal component, which, when the axle support is installed, has at least one roadway-facing underside that is provided at least in some areas with the surface coating.
US09139221B2
A method of producing a rack is proposed, which comprises aligning a first bar piece, an intermediate piece and a second bar piece in order along a common axis; carrying out a first process in which the first and second bar pieces are stationarily held while showing a predetermined intersection angle between the first rack teeth on the first bar piece and the second rack teeth on the second bar piece; and carrying out a second process in which each of the first and second bar pieces and the intermediate piece are brought into contact with each other at mutually facing ends and subjected to a relative rotation therebetween for a friction welding thereby to join the first bar piece, the intermediate piece and the second bar piece together by the friction welding.
US09139219B2
Construction is achieved that more completely protects the driver of a vehicle during a secondary collision by gradually increasing the impact load that is absorbed by an energy absorbing member 22b the more the steering wheel displaces in the forward direction. The energy absorbing member 22b comprises a base section 27a that is provided in the center section, and a pair of impact absorbing sections 28b that extend in the forward direction from both ends of the base section 27a and have U-shaped bent back curved sections 29b in the middle section. Of these impact absorbing sections 28b , at least the portions that are nearer the tip end side than the bent back curved sections 29b are pressed so that the height of the energy absorbing member 22b with respect to a stroking section 32 gradually increases going in a direction from the bent back curved sections 29b toward the tip end side of the energy absorbing sections 28b.
US09139218B2
A tilt steering column device is provided having construction in which a displacement bracket 16a is provided on the top side of the steering column 6a and that suppresses an increase in operation force for operating an adjustment lever even when the steering wheel 1 is located at the top end of the adjustment range. A wide section 33 having a width dimension that is larger than the width dimension in the forward-backward direction of an anchor section 25 or the top-half section of a pushing member 29 is provided in the top-end section of at least one long hole 17a of a pair of long holes 17a, 17b that are provided in support plate sections 15b, 15c.
US09139217B2
A steering wheel has a rim having an armature encapsulated by a cover of resilient material. The cover has a fixing groove or recess formed therein so as to extend around the rim generally circumferentially with respect to the steering wheel. An outer skin is formed from flexible material and is provided over and around the cover such that two opposed edges of the outer skin are both positioned within the fixing groove or recess and fixed therein. The outer skin includes at least one seam terminating in a seam-end located along one of the opposed edges of the outer skin such that each edge of the outer skin positioned within the fixing groove or recess has at least one seam-end, and wherein each seam-end formed along one of the edges is circumferentially offset around the rim from each seam-end formed along the other edge.
US09139202B2
Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes an evaluation circuit configured to determine a characteristic of an adverse circumstance present in a possible collision avoidance path of a vehicle. The system includes a rating circuit configured to assign a risk value to the possible collision avoidance path responsive to the determined characteristic of the adverse circumstance. The system includes an uncertainty assessment circuit configured to assign an uncertainty to the risk value. The system includes a threshold circuit configured to determine if the risk value of the possible collision avoidance path and the uncertainty in a combination meet a threshold criteria. The system includes a communication circuit configured to output the possible collision avoidance path as a selected collision avoidance path if the threshold criteria is met.
US09139193B2
A power take off system for a hybrid-electric vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a hybrid-electric motor and generator, a power take off mechanism, a hybrid control module, and an engaging mechanism. The hybrid-electric motor and generator couples to the internal combustion engine. The power take off mechanism couples to the internal combustion engine and the hybrid-electric motor and generator. The power take off mechanism receives torque from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the hybrid-electric motor and generator. The hybrid control module is disposed in electrical communication with an electronic system controller. The hybrid control module generates output signals for controlling the internal combustion engine. The engaging mechanism is disposed in electrical communication with the electronic system controller. The engaging mechanism has a first mode and a second mode. The power take off mechanism is decoupled from the internal combustion engine and the hybrid-electric motor and generator in response to an output signal generated by the electronic system controller.
US09139192B2
A method for operating a work vehicle in an automatic speed control mode is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving an input associated with a desired ground speed of the work vehicle, determining with a controller to implement a gear change and an erpm change in order to maintain the work vehicle at the desired ground speed, wherein the gear change includes a gear prep phase and a ratio change phase and controlling a timing parameter of at least one of the gear change or the erpm change such that the ratio change phase and the erpm change occur substantially simultaneously.
US09139191B2
Noise may be prevented from being generated while providing smooth shift operability by preventing the overshoot phenomenon in which rpm of the electric oil pump is unexpectedly increased as the load decreases at the time when shifting ends in controlling the rpm of the electric oil pump to increase in order to increase the line pressure of the transmission as the shifting operation from step N to step D is performed in the hybrid vehicle having the electric oil pump.
US09139183B2
Disclosed is an integrated electronic hydraulic brake system including an actuator having a master cylinder and a pedal simulator, an electronic stability control (ESC), and a hydraulic power unit (HPU) which are configured as a single unit. The integrated electronic hydraulic brake system may include an integrated hydraulic control unit and a power source unit, wherein the power source unit is separately provided to isolate the operational noise, and the integrated hydraulic control unit and the power source unit are connected to each other via an external pipe.
US09139182B2
The invention relates to a reservoir, in particular for hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems, having one or more pressure medium chambers, a filler neck for filling the reservoir with pressure medium and a pressure medium passage, which is connected to the filler neck and has an opening facing the pressure medium chamber. In order to provide a reservoir which reliably prevents the pressure medium from leaking when the vehicle is in extreme positions and which, at the same time, can be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner, the proposal according to the invention is that the pressure medium passage be provided as a lateral channel which extends in the longitudinal direction along the reservoir, starting from the filler neck, and be formed by walls of an upper part and of a lower part of the reservoir.
US09139178B2
A pressure control valve arrangement is described for controlling the fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle in such a way that, while there is a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in at least one associated brake cylinder can be adaptively adjusted, wherein at least one diaphragm valve is accommodated in a housing of the pressure control valve arrangement, said diaphragm valve having a diaphragm as the valve body, which diaphragm can be acted upon by introducing a pressure medium into a control chamber that is covered on the outside of the housing by a respective cover produced by primary shaping, such as injection molding, in such a way that the control chamber is formed between the diaphragm and the cover, and wherein blind holes, which extend in the cover substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the cover, are formed in the cover, the blind hole opening of at least one of said blind holes leading into the control chamber, and the blind hole opening of at least one other of said blind holes leading into a pressure medium channel formed in the housing, and at least one and the other of said blind holes being fluidically interconnected by at least one transverse channel, characterized in that the transverse channel has an acute angle relative to the plane of the cover and opens at one end, by a transverse channel opening, into the control chamber or into the pressure medium channel, wherein the transverse channel opening at least partially overlaps the blind hole opening of one of the blind holes connected by the transverse channel.
US09139175B2
In a vehicle skid recovery system skid recovery can be accelerated when an automotive vehicle begins to skid as a result of ice accumulation on the road surface. The system can control operation of ice removers (e.g., blades or heaters), which are mounted within the wheel wells forward of the wheel, based on information received from the vehicle's outside temperature sensor and anti-lock braking system (ABS). When the temperature sensor indicates that the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature and when the anti-lock braking system is activated as a result of detected skid, a controller activates the ice remover in one or more of the wheel wells and, thereby cause the ice remover to remove ice from the road surface forward of the corresponding wheel. Clearing the ice allows the vehicle's tires to gain traction on the road surface and, thereby stops the skid.
US09139170B2
A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar including a panel. The panel including a body side outer door shut face and a defining an inner cavity and an access opening in communication with the inner cavity. The access opening is positioned in the body side outer door shut face and provides access to the manual park release actuator at least partially disposed in the inner cavity. The hinge pillar assembly further includes a cover removably coupled to the hinge pillar. The cover closes the access opening when coupled to the hinge pillar. The hinge pillar assembly further includes a manual park release actuator at least partially disposed in the inner cavity. The manual park release actuator is operatively coupled to a transmission and is configured to move relative to the hinge pillar to shift the transmission from a Park mode to an Out-of-Park mode.
US09139161B2
A safety device for a set belt includes a retractor having a rack gear on a circumferential outer surface of which the seat belt is wound; a pretensioner operated upon a collision of a car and rotating the rack gear in a direction for winding the seat belt; a release unit installed adjacent to the pretensioner, operated after the pretensioner operates the rack gear, and rotating the rack gear in a direction for unwinding the seat belt; and a switch unit receiving a manipulation force for operating the release unit, generating electricity, transferring the electricity to the release unit, and operating the release unit.
US09139160B2
Provided is an active seat belt apparatus, including: a motor which is driven to fasten or unfasten an active seat belt; a motor driving unit which includes the motor and drives the motor; a current measuring unit which measures a value of a current of the motor driving unit in order to determine whether to perform or stop a belt parking function when the active seat belt is unfastened; and a control unit which sends a signal for performing the belt parking function to the motor when the value of the current measured by the current measuring unit is smaller than a limit current value and sends a signal for stopping the belt parking function to the motor when the value of the current measured by the current measuring unit is larger than the limit current value.
US09139150B2
An assembly of an airbag module includes an airbag housing receiving an airbag cushion and a steering wheel having a mounting plate part. The airbag housing has first hooks, the mounting plate part has second hooks coupled with the first hooks, respectively, and at least one of the first and second hooks has a protective member, at least a portion of which is interposed between the first and second hooks to prevent abrasion and contact noise between the first and second hooks due to the elastic movement of the airbag housing to the mounting plate part. The assembly minimizes the striking noise and the abrasion caused by friction between the airbag housing and the mounting plate part through the preventive member due to the elastic movement of the airbag housing to the mounting plate part.
US09139138B2
A system is configured to expand and secure storage in a pickup truck with a truck cab and a truck tail gate. The system includes a tray floor mechanically coupled to tray sides and tray ends forming an open parallelepiped configured to fit immediately adjacent to the truck cab and the truck tail gate covering a truck bed. The open parallelepiped has a depth that does not go below wheel wells on the pickup truck. The system connects to the truck cab and the truck tail gate in order to secure truck bed storage.
US09139136B2
A van includes an interface element and one or more doors. The interface element can be a frame or connector that is configured to fit a sliding door opening of the van. The one or more doors are configured to fit the interface connector of the van. The one or more doors are configured to be operable by a driver of the van.
US09139135B2
A blind-spot detection and collision avoidance system and method employ a blind-spot camera located between a side-view mirror and an automobile body. A rear view mirror has an integrated display that displays an indication of objects detected in blind spots. Side and rear view cameras are also included and images captured by these cameras are used to track objects as they are moved about the perimeter of the driver's automobile. Additional sensors are used to detect when the automobile is expected to change lanes so the collision avoidance system may be activated.
US09139132B2
A vehicle approach informing device includes: an informing sound output unit configured to output informing sound for informing a pedestrian outside a vehicle that the vehicle is approaching when a predetermined condition is satisfied; a stop operation unit configured to receive an operation for stopping the output of the informing sound by the informing sound output unit; and an information output unit configured to output predetermined information to a driver. When the predetermined condition is satisfied and output of the informing sound by the informing sound output unit is stopped by an operation of the stop operation unit, the information output unit outputs information to the driver, the information indicating that the informing sound is not outputted.
US09139131B2
An illuminative device (100) includes a control circuit (101), an acceleration detector (102) operable with the control circuit, and a plurality of light sources (103) operable with the control circuit. The control circuit is to receive an input (108) from the acceleration detector indicating deceleration (601) exceeds a predetermined threshold (662). Upon receipt of the input, the control circuit is to deliver a time-varying control signal to continuously illuminate the plurality of light sources with an illumination level varying between a first non-zero illumination level (664) and a second non-zero illumination level (665) in accordance with a frequency of the time-varying control signal.
US09139129B2
A vehicle has rear lights (3) attached laterally to the rear of the vehicle (1). To improve the vehicle with regard to the aerodynamics, the two rear lights (3) can be moved in each case depending on requirements between a passive and an active position, in which at least one airflow breakaway edge is activated.
US09139127B2
In one embodiment, left and right frame elements are provided in such a manner as to be movable in a horizontal direction. The left frame element has a shape of the left half of a circular ring and the right frame element has a shape of the right half of the circular ring. The frame elements are horizontally positioned away from each other such that the left frame element surrounds the left side of a circular meter image displayed on a display and the right frame element surrounds the right side of another circular meter image displayed on the display. Two frame interpolation part images are arranged and displayed on the display in a form that the two frame interpolation part images couple upper edges of the left and right frame elements to each other and couple lower edges of the left and right frame elements to each other, respectively.
US09139108B2
In an electric powered vehicle in which vehicle driving force for reverse running is produced by a traction motor, vehicle driving force is set by a product of a base value set at least based on an accelerator opening and an amplification factor. The amplification factor is set at k1=1.0 during reverse running (V<−Vt) and at k1>1.0 at the start of reverse running (V≧0) depending on the vehicular speed. The vehicle driving force at the start of reverse running can thereby be made larger than the vehicle driving force after the start of reverse running at the same accelerator opening.
US09139102B2
An electric vehicle charging station with a field upgradeable communications facility is provided. The invention includes a sealable housing including a first compartment and a second compartment, the second compartment including an access to an upgrade port; a partition within the housing that is adapted to insulate the first compartment from the second compartment, the partition including an opening providing access the upgrade port; and an EVSE charging station control circuit configured to recognize a communication module when coupled to the upgrade port and to use the communication module for communications if the communication module is connected. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.
US09139101B2
An improved charging stand for electric or hybrid vehicles is based upon a two-piece construction. Different top sections may be used, including a plain top with a rounded end or a decorative top which may include an optional ambient light fixture. A single fastener may be placed through the top section and into the pipe to hold the entire assembly together. An upright pipe has a cutout to receive a recharge controller with a recharge cable, the pipe further including a slot to receive the cable. A first plastic sleeve has a height below the cutout in the pipe corresponding the bottom of the slot. The recharge controller is accessible through the cutout with the cable protruding through the slot. A second plastic sleeve with a closed top and an open bottom mates with top of the first plastic sleeve with a cutout corresponding to the cutout in the pipe.
US09139100B2
A vehicular power supply apparatus includes a Scott transformer, a first output port and a second output port. The Scott transformer is configured to convert three-phase AC power supplied from a three-phase AC power source into first and second single-phase AC powers. The first output port is for supplying the first single-phase AC power to a vehicle. The second output port is for supplying the second single-phase AC power to a vehicle.
US09139096B2
A method or algorithm controls a motor in a vehicle having a proportional-integral controller. The controller determines a commanded damping control torque as a proportional output torque value and a commanded motor speed control torque as an integrator output torque value. The integrator torque output value is frozen only if the proportional torque output value saturates against a limit and the direction of the speed error is the same as that of the integrator torque output value. The proportional torque output value is calculated using different error values than are used in calculating the integrator output value. A vehicle includes one or more traction motors and the controller noted above. For two motors, the controller determines the damping torques and motor speed control torques separately for each motor.
US09139094B2
It comprises an operating device (gearshift command) for at least browsing and selecting one or more functions, and output device (e.g. a display) for sending information to an user about at least the selected function. Gearshift command is suitable for further setting a corresponding status of said function (on/off status, adjustable status). Functions comprise at least a function related to driving and other functions (comfort, multimedia, etc). The operating device may be provided with locking device for enabling or disabling operation of functions.
US09139091B1
Methods and systems are provided. One method includes receiving a request, at a server, to define an advisor account for a vehicle associated with a user account. The request identifies an advisor entity, a vehicle aspect to be assigned to the advisor entity, and privileges assigned to the advisor entity for the vehicle aspect. The method further includes generating the advisor account for the advisor entity as a sub-account of the user account that is associated with the vehicle. The method includes sending instruction data to the vehicle from the server, wherein the instruction data defines that the vehicle aspect is associated with the advisor account. The method also includes receiving data updates, at the server, from the vehicle for the vehicle aspect, from time to time. The data updates are displayable on a user interface that is accessible to the advisor entity, the user interface being rendered by the server that provides access to the advisor account.
US09139084B2
A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity.
US09139079B2
A vehicle powertrain system including a differential gear set, a planetary gear set coupled to the differential gear set, an engine coupled to the planetary gear set to transfer power between the engine and the planetary gear set, a first electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a first clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the first clutch, to transfer power between the first electric machine and the planetary gear set, and a second electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a second clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the second clutch, to transfer power between the second electric machine and the planetary gear set.
US09139078B2
A hybrid electric drive system including a hydraulic power system for a hybrid powered vehicle which includes a transmission, and a combustion engine and an electric motor both mechanically coupled to the transmission to provide engine and/or motor drive power for the vehicle. A plurality of hydraulic circuits communicate with an electrically driven hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is configured to provide fluid circulation to the plurality of hydraulic circuits. The hydraulic circuits are each connected to the transmission and other corresponding vehicle components. An electrical power supply is configured to power the electrically driven hydraulic pump, and the electrical power supply is electrically communicating with a rechargeable high voltage (HV) battery system. The electrically driven hydraulic pump communicates with the plurality of hydraulic circuits to provide fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuits.
US09139073B2
A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
US09139072B2
A weather shield is provided. The weather shield may be adapted to provide shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle. The weather shield may include a plurality of elongated panels which may be pivotably joined together along their elongated sides so that the weather shield moves from an unfolded position to a folded position. The plurality of elongated panels may be bookended by two opposing fabric panels and/or sets of pleated material that may be detachably mounted to a vehicle door and the vehicle's frame so that when the vehicle door opens the weather shield extends to the unfolded position, thereby providing shelter. Upon closing the vehicle door, the weather shield moves to the folded position so as to not interfere with the occupant's comfort nor inhibit operation of the vehicle.
US09139063B2
A vehicle suspension device includes a suspension device main body configured to support a wheel of a vehicle to a vehicle body of the vehicle; a varying device configured to cause an upper connecting portion stiffness and a lower connecting portion stiffness to be variable, the upper connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically upper portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body, and the lower connecting portion stiffness being a stiffness between a vertically lower portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body; and a control device configured to control the varying device at a time of braking of the vehicle to perform control which causes the upper connecting portion stiffness to be relatively decreased and causes the lower connecting portion stiffness to be relatively increased, compared to at a time of non-braking of the vehicle.
US09139045B2
A non-pneumatic tire comprising one or more radial regions have differing Shore A/Shore D hardness. The non-pneumatic tire comprises side cavities that are staggered with respect to laterally opposing side cavities, and laterally extending tread grooves that are in substantial radial alignment with or substantially offset relative to the cavities. One radial region may comprising the side cavities, while another radial region with a different hardness comprises the tread grooves. Also provided are processes for making such tires and to off-the-road (OTR) vehicles employing such tires.
US09139037B2
A reusable and replaceable tool label has a thin rigid body, an adhesive coating, and a removable liner. The thin rigid body is built from first face and a second face, which are connected by a lateral surface. The first face is a writable surface, and is used to record measurements, notes, and other information to the label. The second face allows the label to be attached to tools and other surface, by means of the adhesive coating that is placed on the second face. To prevent the label from sticking to a surface during packaging, transport, and storage, a removable liner is placed over the adhesive coating. The removable liner has a linear cut that makes the removable liner easier to grab. A tab may be connected to the removable linear to make peeling the removable liner away from the adhesive coating even easier.
US09139035B2
In a production method for a booklet having an over-size cover sheet, first all the pages of the booklet are joined together and connected. Thereupon the cover sheet is at first folded aside and the remaining sheets are cut to the desired format. Subsequently, the cover sheet is brought to the desired over-size format in a special method, preferably using a laser beam. A booklet in which the cover sheet is cut in different manner than the remaining stack of sheets is produced according to the production process indicated above.
US09139022B2
Provided is a recording apparatus that includes a setting portion in which a recording medium is set, a head portion which discharges ink onto the recording medium, a transporting roller portion which is provided at a portion between the setting portion and the head portion in a transporting path of the recording medium and transports the recording medium, a blower which blows air to a recording surface side of the recording medium transported by the transporting roller portion and to a portion between the transporting roller portion and the head portion, and an ion generator which is provided at a portion between the blower and the recording surface side of the recording medium, in the air blowing path of air blown by the blower.
US09139017B2
A printing device and a positioning method of a printing device can accurately compensate for deviation between the intended conveyance of the print medium and the actual movement of the print medium when conveyed. A printer 5 has a conveyance motor 32 that can selectively convey print media forward and reverse; and a control unit 101 controls the conveyance motor 32 to convey the print medium. The control unit 101 executes a specific sequence, and calculates the difference in the conveyance amount of the print medium in each direction when the conveyance unit is operated the same amount in both directions. This sequence includes changing from forward to reverse and from reverse to forward the same number of times, a first conveyance of the continuous paper M forward or reverse, and a second conveyance in the opposite direction as the first conveyance.
US09139014B2
Conveyance of a sheet in an inkjet recording apparatus may be stopped under various conditions. In one example, a control device of the inkjet recording apparatus may stop conveyance on the sheet depending on the image to be formed in one or more portions of the sheet. Alternatively or additionally, conveyance may be stopped based on an amount of ink ejected or to be ejected onto a sheet, or portion thereof. The conveyance stoppage control may be used in conjunction with a corrugate mechanism in some arrangements.
US09139007B2
There is provided a head cleaning method in a liquid discharging apparatus which includes a head, a storage section that stores liquid, a circulation flow path that includes a first flow path which supplies the liquid from the storage section to the head and a second flow path which refluxes the liquid from the head to the storage section, a circulation pump, and a wiping section. The head cleaning method includes: a first step of setting a flow rate per unit time of the liquid which flows through the circulation flow path to a first flow rate which is greater than a flow rate in a case in which the liquid is discharged to the recording medium; a second step of the wiping section performing the wiping process after the first step; and a third step of setting the flow rate per unit time of the liquid which flows through the circulation flow path to a second flow rate which is lower than the first flow rate after the second step.
US09139006B2
A wiper device allows a liquid ejecting head that ejects a dispersion liquid in which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid from nozzles and a wiping member to move relative to each other so as to wipe the dispersion liquid that adheres to a nozzle formation surface using the wiping member. The wiping member includes a first layer positioned on the nozzle formation surface side, and a second layer positioned on the opposite side to the nozzle formation surface with respect to the first layer. The first layer guides liquid droplets which are dispersion media of the dispersion liquid that adheres to the nozzle formation surface to the second layer through a capillary action and has voids that are able to capture and accommodate a dispersoid of the dispersion liquid. The second layer absorbs the dispersion media.
US09138999B2
An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including amounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface, the substrate having a first expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface of the substrate, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, an opening portion open to the pressure chamber, a first portion having a second expansion coefficient different from the first expansion coefficient, and a second portion having a third expansion coefficient different from the second expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the second surface of the vibration plate and configured to deform the vibration plate to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber.
US09138996B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow channel-forming substrate in which a pressure generating chamber that communicates with a nozzle opening is provided; and a piezoelectric element that includes a first electrode provided on one surface side of the flow channel-forming substrate corresponding to the pressure generating chamber, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer, in which the first electrode configures a separate electrode that is independent for each active portion that is a substantial driving portion of the piezoelectric element, the second electrode configures a common electrode shared with the active portion, the piezoelectric element extends up to the outer side of the pressure generating chamber in at least one end of the pressure generating chamber, and the piezoelectric element includes a weighting film provided to overlap to one end of the pressure generating chamber on the second electrode in a region extended up to the outer side of the pressure generating chamber, where (film thickness of weighting film×Young's modulus)/(film thickness of piezoelectric layer×Young's modulus) is in a range of 0.6 or higher and 1.2 or lower.
US09138992B2
Data transfer is realized to support a high-speed and complex driving control of the driving element. A driving device includes a driving unit configured to supply a driving element with a pulse signal that determines a driving period to drive the driving element, an input unit configured to receive, in synchronization with a trigger signal, a data signal containing first information, second information, a first flag and a second flag that determine a waveform of the pulse signal, a first setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the first information that is input to the input unit, a retaining unit configured to read and retain the second information on the basis of the first flag, and a second setting unit configured to set in the driving unit the second information that is retained in the retaining unit on the basis of the second flag.
US09138990B2
A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of address lines and a fire line for communicating a fire signal. The device also includes a plurality of nozzle circuits coupled to the fire line and the plurality of address lines. Each nozzle circuit is configured, when enabled, to eject fluid via a different one of a plurality of nozzles in response to the fire signal. A subset of the plurality of address lines is coupled to each pair of the plurality of nozzle circuits. Each subset that is coupled to one of the pairs of nozzle circuits is selected so that simultaneous activation of every address line of that subset simultaneously enables each nozzle circuit in the pair or pairs of nozzle circuits coupled to that triad and none of the other nozzle circuits of the plurality of nozzle circuits.
