US09157486B2
A pipe-shaped fixture (100) to be attached to a housing (120) of a work machine includes a fixture body (102) having a front-end projection (110) and a rear-end projection (112) that make front and rear limits of a rubber cushion (104) that encloses the fixture body (102) closely and circumferentially. The front- and rear-end projections (110, 112) are connected to each other by a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges (114) formed at circumferential intervals. The ridges (114), front- and rear-end projections (110, 112) define a plurality of concavities (116) surrounded thereby on the outer circumference of the fixture body (102). The front- and rear-end projections (110, 112) cause longitudinal vibration of an operation rod (130) relative to the housing (120) to act as a compression force on the rubber cushion (104), and thereby suppress longitudinal vibration of the operation rod (130) while maintaining effects of suppressing horizontal and vertical vibrations.
US09157470B2
A draw-pull bar is described which consists of at least one adapter with a metallic tubular end and of an inner and outer tubular body out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). It is characterized thus that the outer CFRP tubular body conically wraps the metallic end of the adapter from the outside in a form-fit manner while the inner CFRP tubular body is form-fit connected with the metallic ends of the adapter. An elastomeric layer is tapered in the contact area between the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body in such a way that both tubular bodies are separated on the one side, but are arranged against each other in a protected and damped manner on the other side.
US09157466B2
A retention clip assembly for connecting first and second components together. The retention clip assembly includes a male member configured to engage a female member. The male member includes a body portion with a tab extending therefrom. A terminal end of the tab includes a flange projecting laterally from a side surface. The female member includes body portion having sides defining an opening into which the tab of the male member is received. A rib of the female member is located adjacent to one of the sides defining the opening so as to form a slot being between the rib and adjacent side of the opening. The flange is constantly biased into contact with the rib when the male and female members are engaged.
US09157460B2
A device, system and method for controlling the fluid flow of a process fluid in a tube with a magnetic field. A ferrogel can be included in the tube with the process fluid. A membrane can encapsulate the ferrogel. A mounting support can secure the membrane within the tube, and a magnetic field generator can generate the magnetic field to deform the membrane and the ferrogel from a natural position to a deformed position.
US09157458B2
An air blowing device 1 includes: a main body housing 2 to open a suction inlet 4a and a jet outlet 5a of an air; and an air blower 3 to be provided in a lower portion in the main body housing 2 and to circulate the air that is sucked from the suction inlet 4a towards the jet outlet 5a. The main body housing 2 is in a column shape from below to above, and the jet outlet 5a is formed in a slit shape in a vertically long rectangular shape along a side wall of the main body housing 2 and also is arranged to expel an air in an approximately transverse direction.
US09157444B2
A supercharger transmission includes a first chamber having timing gears operatively disposed therein. A second chamber has transmission gears operatively disposed therein. An oil fill level is defined in the second chamber. A bearing retention wall is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The bearing retention wall includes a return port to allow fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The return port is an aperture defined in the bearing retention wall below the oil fill level. The bearing retention wall also includes a crosstalk port to allow fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The crosstalk port is an aperture defined in the bearing retention wall above the oil fill level.
US09157443B2
A control unit, which is integrally mounted on a turbo molecular pump, is provided, in which the control unit can be miniaturized or the manufacturing costs are reduced. An upper casing (12) is fastened on a first mounting member (91) of an external device through a fastening member (61) inserted in a through hole (51) of a flange plate (12a). A first base (14) fastened on the upper casing (12) is fastened on a second mounting member (92) of the external device through a fastening member (63) inserted in a through hole (52) of a flange plate (14b). A control unit (70) is fastened on a second base (15) through a fastening member (65). Since torque produced when a rotor (30) is damaged is not asserted to the fastening member (65), strength of the fastening member (65) and a casing of the control unit (70) is small.
US09157431B2
A counterbalance system for a cantilevered beam pumping unit includes a counterbalance support structure adapted to be mounted in an operating position on the cantilevered beam of the pumping unit. A suspension element is connected to the counterbalance support structure so as to depend from a suspension end of the counterbalance support structure, and a counterbalance weight is connected to the first suspension element in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the counterbalance support structure. A stabilizer device is connected to the counterbalance weight via a first pivot connection and is connected to a structure separate from the counterbalance weight via a second pivot connection.
US09157424B2
An electric motor is provided, including a stator having two electromagnetic poles diametrically opposite each other, a rotor including a rotor core configured for being rotatably mounted with a shaft for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor core is formed by stacking a plurality of laminations each of which has a central hole and a plurality of generally radially extending teeth. The stator and the rotor have geometric attributes such that: R1=G*0.9968, wherein G is defined as thickness of a field yoke, and R1 is defined as a distance from an outside edge of a central hole to bases of the teeth. A compressor assembly is also provided that employs the present motor.
US09157422B2
A reciprocating pump includes a motor having a motor shaft, four cylinders, four pistons disposed in the cylinders and reciprocated by the motor shaft, a casing accommodating the motor shaft, and eight ducts. The four cylinders are disposed at positions offset 90 degrees from each other about the motor shaft. Cylinder shaft directions are perpendicular to a motor shaft direction. The eight ducts include four intake ducts and four exhaust ducts. Gas is introduced into the cylinders through the intake ducts and discharged from the cylinders through the exhaust ducts. The eight ducts are disposed in a region surrounded by the cylinders when viewed along the motor shaft direction. The eight ducts are arranged in four pairs with each pair disposed between adjacent cylinders about the motor shaft. The four pairs of ducts disposed between the adjacent cylinders extend along the motor shaft direction.
US09157417B2
The Variable Foil Machine harnesses fluid flow energy and propels fluids. A flexible foil (120) with reversible camber is secured to leading draft member (150) on leading support (122) and to trailing draft member (130). The trailing draft member (130) is secured to trailing guide (132), movable on trailing support (136). Apparatus can be installed on the ground or a craft via pivoting carrier (138), for alignment with fluid flow. In one embodiment, trailing draft member (130) reciprocates between support members 136l and 136r, upon oscillation of the foil (120). In other embodiments, a reciprocation amplitude offset between leading draft member (150) and trailing draft member (130) promotes cyclic translation of the foil (120) and linkage thereto. An energy converter (142) may be cooperatively coupled to produce energy or perform work. Integration of foil oscillations into rotary movement via a crank arm (48) is also embodied.
US09157415B1
The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.
US09157412B2
The invention relates to a stator frame (12) for a submerged linear generator. According to the invention the stator frame (12) includes a cylindrical tube of metal with mounting means (13, 14, 15, 16) for mounting stator packages to the inside wall of the tube. The stator frame (12) also is the external circumferential wall of the linear generator. The invention also relates to the use of such a stator frame (12) and to a method for manufacturing a linear generator with such a stator frame (12).
US09157410B2
Embodiments for a turbocharged engine are provided. In one example, a method for operating a supercharged internal combustion engine including at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger which has a turbine arranged in an exhaust-gas discharge system and a compressor arranged in an intake system, comprises during a load increase Δpme, retarding ignition timing away from an ignition time αZ,opt optimized with regard to efficiency and beyond an ignition time αZ,knock, where αZ,knock is an earliest ignition time to avoid knocking combustion.
US09157409B2
In a control device 50A, an actual compression ratio calculation unit 502 calculates an actual compression ratio ε from an air supply pressure Ps, a cylinder pressure before ignition Pc and an air supply temperature Ts. A deposit deposition estimation unit 504 determines the deposit deposition state of a combustion chamber 18 from a deviation Δε between the actual compression ratio ε and a design compression ratio ε′. When the deviation Δε exceeds a threshold value, ignition timing or air-fuel ratio being operation conditions of an internal combustion engine is corrected based on a correction map 508 so as to suppress deterioration of exhaust gas.
US09157408B2
The invention relates to a starter device (10) for cranking an internal combustion machine in a vehicle, having a pinion shaft (202) comprising a cranking pinion (22) at the front end and a pinion shaft (204) at the opposite end, slidingly guided and supported on a drive shaft (44) of the starter device (10) and received in a bearing by a bearing shell (210) of the starter device (10), characterized in that the cranking pinion (22) has a solid lubricant coating (216) at least in the area of the circumferential toothing (143).
US09157407B2
A starting system for an internal combustion engine automatically operates a starting feature on a carburetor associated with the engine. The starting system includes a cam with a bearing mounted on the crankshaft. The bearing is secured so that its inner race will always rotate with the crankshaft. The cam has bosses on one side and is shaped such that it includes a base and a lobe with an outer surface surrounding the cam. At least one spring-loaded pawl is mounted on the flywheel. The pawl is biased to engage a cam boss so as to cause the cam to rotate with the crankshaft during a start-up process. A spring loaded rocker arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the cam. The rocker arm has a roller assembly configured to ride on the outer surface of the cam. As the cam rotates, the roller assembly riding on the cam surface is pushed outward by the cam lobe. A throttle cable is attached at a first end to the rocker arm and at its opposite end to the starting feature on the carburetor. When the roller assembly ramps up the lobe, the throttle cable is pulled into an extended position to actuate the starting feature of the carburetor.
US09157404B2
The invention relates to a fuel injector (1) having a high pressure region (32) which contains fuel that is under high pressure during operation, and a low pressure region (38) in which a lower pressure is present during operation than in the high pressure region (32). A sensor (12) is located in the low pressure region (38) and a transmission means (9) is arranged such that a force which is equal to the pressure of the fuel in the high pressure region (32) is exerted on the sensor (12) at least some of the time.
US09157398B2
An actuation assembly adapted to protect against overload conditions, includes an active material actuator and an active material overload protection device either with or without a manual reset.
US09157385B2
Embodiments of methods and systems related to operating a mobile asset over a fixed route are provided. In one example, an engine system is provided. The example engine system includes a fuel controller configured to adjust a first amount of at least one of a first fuel of a plurality of fuels delivered to an engine and a second amount of a second fuel of the plurality of fuels responsive to at least one of fuel market information for the plurality of fuels or route information about a fixed route along which a mobile asset powered by the engine is operable to travel.
US09157374B2
A valve skirt is connected to a shaft. The shaft extends in a rearward direction away from the skirt and has rack teeth at a location spaced away from the skirt. A tab is positioned between the skirt and the rack teeth, and has at least one flat surface. A rack support supports the rack for axial movement, and the rack support has a support ear that has a flat surface engaging the flat surface on the rack to prevent relative rotation of the rack when driven by a pinion gear. An air starter valve, a gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed.
US09157362B2
A fan shroud includes a body portion and a barrel portion. The body portion and the barrel portion have a first side and a second side. The barrel portion is adjacent to the body portion and defines a cylindrical opening for a fan. The barrel portion and the body portion define a slot in the fan shroud designed to release excess air pressure from the shroud. The slot extends through at least one of the first side and the second side. Any number of slots of different shapes and sizes may be arranged on the fan shroud to reduce noise radiating from the fan shroud.
US09157347B2
A method of operating an engine includes starting and stopping operation of an internal combustion engine that includes a crankshaft having a bearing journal and a bearing in which the bearing journal is rotatable. The crankshaft is constantly turned when the internal combustion engine is in the non-fueled mode. An oil pump can be driven to lubricate the bearing journal and the bearing while the internal combustion engine is in the non-fueled mode to provide hydrodynamic lubrication. An engine is also disclosed.
US09157329B2
An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes spaced apart pressure and suction walls joined at leading and trailing edges to provide an airfoil. Intermediate walls interconnect the pressure and suction walls to provide cooling passageways. The cooing passageways have interior pressure and suction surfaces that are respectively provided on the pressure and suction walls. Trip strips include a chevron-shaped trip strip that is provided on at least one of the interior pressure and suction surfaces.
US09157320B2
A tool for removing a chisel, in particular from a chisel holder, having a base element which receives an actuating member, wherein the actuating member has an expeller mandrel. The actuating member is adjustable along a displacement direction. In order to be able to perform the removal simply and rapidly, the actuating member of this invention is indirectly or directly coupled to a piston of a fluid-charged cylinder, or to an electric motor unit.
US09157319B2
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for performing stratigraphic modeling using production data density profiles. At least some illustrative embodiments include a production logging tool data processing method that includes measuring one or more characteristics of a formation within a borehole, of fluids within the formation or of fluids within the borehole, calculating a density profile of each of the one or more characteristics, and defining a boundary between two reservoir simulation cells based at least in part upon the density profile. The method further includes performing a simulation of a production field including the borehole using said simulation cells and presenting the simulation results to a user.
US09157305B2
An apparatus is provided for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, a transmission line configured to be positioned in the wellbore and coupled to the RF antenna, and an RF source configured to be coupled to the transmission line. The apparatus also includes a balun configured to be coupled to the transmission line adjacent the RF antenna within the wellbore. The balun comprises a body defining a liquid chamber configured to receive a quantity of dielectric liquid therein.
US09157301B2
A method and apparatus for improving the production efficiency of a well and preventing gas lock. The apparatus is a downhole pump and comprises a barrel, a reciprocating plunger and a body having a plurality of inlet valves. The apparatus does not require outlet valves. The body and inlet valves are positioned above the barrel and plunger, thus eliminating gas lock. Fluids enter the body through the valves and, during upstrokes of the plunger, are forced up the tubing string to the surface equipment. Modularity of the components permits pump components to be changed as the productivity of the well fluctuates and also allows production of more fluids with a smaller casing.
US09157294B2
A wave-inducing device for cementing a casing in a borehole. The wave-inducing device is designed for arrangement in the casing and includes a movable element which, when the wave-inducing device is arranged in the casing, is designed to be moved by cement and/or another fluid flowing through the casing so that wave motions and/or vibrations are provided in the cement during the cementing of the casing.
US09157286B2
A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.
US09157284B2
A shock absorber for attachment between a downhole motor and drill bit for drilling a well. Shafts within the tool's housing are supported by radial bearings outside of the shafts, and slideably and rotationally engaged with each other by mating splines. The lower shaft telescopically extends from around the outside of the upper shaft, the extension limited by an upper shaft mandrel ledge against a lower shaft internal shoulder. A biasing mechanism within the shock absorber's housing dampens shock between the motor and bit.
US09157281B2
A downhole tool, for selectively reaming a wellbore or stabilizing drill string components within a wellbore, includes an elongate tool body adapted to receive reamer cartridges or stabilizer cartridges depending on the function desired. The reamer cartridges are radially insertable into corresponding pockets in the tool body, with each reamer cartridge having a reamer insert with an array of cutting elements. The reamer insert is disposed within a bushing and is rotatable relative thereto, about a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool. However, the rotational axis is offset from the tool body axis, resulting in eccentric contact of the cutting elements with the wall of the wellbore, which in turn imparts rotation to the reamer insert when the tool is being moved axially through a wellbore without rotation. When the tool is to be used for stabilization, the reamer cartridges can be removed and replaced with stabilizer cartridges having stabilizer inserts with hard-faced stabilizer cones.
US09157277B2
A down hole drilling tool for preventing overpressure strain on surface pumping equipment or a down hole drilling motor having a housing and a circulation port and four hydraulic valves positioned on the housing actively working together to effectively open the circulation port to drilling annulus at a high pressure setting and dose the circulation port to annulus at a low pressure setting, the four hydraulic valves include a high pressure setting valve, a low pressure setting valve, a control valve and a fixed setting valve.
US09157275B2
A ladder includes legs (10, 20) and a tread (50). The ladder tread (50) is mounted between two legs (10, 20) and includes a plastic step (52) and a metal support bar (51). The plastic step (52) is supported and connected by the metal support bar (51).
US09157273B2
A mechanism for extending or retracting for a covering for an architectural opening with respect to architectural opening, including a rotatable drive shaft (5); at least one lift cord (11,13), at least one cord spool (7,9) for winding and unwinding the at least one lift cord, the cord spool being mounted for rotation with the drive shaft and being axially stationary. The cord spool has a first diameter end (21, 27) and a second diameter end (23, 29), the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and the spool has a first generally conical circumferential spool portion (33) therebetween, wherein the first spool portion (33) comprises a plurality of steps (35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45) each step having a tread (35A, 37A, 39A, 41A, 43A, 45A).
US09157268B2
The present invention relates to a capped stile for an entry door having an interior backer element and an exterior cap element secured thereto. The exterior cap element is formed from a moisture resistant, foamed polymer composite and has a specific gravity of about 0.9 or less. A door having the disclosed capped stile, and a method of forming a door, are also disclosed.
US09157267B2
A roller assembly including a coupling for connecting the assembly to a panel and a roller for transferring the weight load of the panel to a sill, the roller being received in the sill and oriented for rotation about an axis which extends in a direction parallel to the weight load. The roller including a skirt that includes a brush section for sweeping debris off a surface of the sill.
US09157265B2
A bogey includes a body having only a single set of support wheels, with one wheel positioned either side of the body. A threaded retainer is arranged for threaded engagement with a shaft of a hanger bolt. The retainer is located in spaced relation from the wheels, whereby the bolt is cantilevered from the body.
US09157258B2
A vehicle assembly for housing an unlocking mechanism provided within a vehicle passenger compartment which is operably connected to a locking device of a trunk lid includes an interior body panel having an outer surface including an opening portion for receiving an unlocking mechanism. A lid is removably mounted to the body panel and has a closed position for covering the opening portion and an opened position. The lid defines a lid body having an exterior surface. An edge portion of the exterior surface is continuous and without interruption about a periphery of the exterior surface so that the lid body exterior surface is flush with the body panel outer surface about the entire periphery of the lid body exterior surface.
US09157255B2
The present invention relates to a locking device suitable for allowing or restricting access into an area or space. According to one aspect the locking device comprises locking device comprises at least one locking element, such as a bolt or cam, and a catch arranged to immobilize the locking element. According to another aspect the locking device comprises at least one locking element, such as a bolt or cam, and a blocking member arranged to block the locking element from moving, and a catch arranged to immobilize the blocking member. The locking device further comprises a control member arranged to both move the locking element or the blocking member and to control the state of the catch.
US09157253B2
A portable driving device for permanently driving stakes, survey flags, posts, or the like, of varying sizes and shapes, into the ground. The invention provides for powering the device by a pressurized fluid with a single power cylinder, a valve control assembly including a self-exhausting spool valve controlled by a rod that runs through the spool valve, and safety switches in series for controlling delivery of pressurized fluid to the driving device.
US09157249B2
A field-deployable construction set for the assembly of a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU), used for simulating real world environments without costly construction expenses. The various panels, supports, and accessories used to construct an RHU provide the user with innumerable options for floor plans and building design, further providing significant options for reconfiguration of floor, ceiling, and wall panels without having to disassemble the structure. The exterior composition of the expanded polymer foam is customizable to provide a realistic environment for high quality training in a versatile system that is deployable by truck or aircraft and can be assembled with only a single tool.
US09157246B2
A method for extruding and depositing a slurry or mortar onto a selected work surface uses a mortar gun assembly with a chamber for receiving mortar from a remote supply hopper and an extruder configured to selectively apply a bead or ribbon of mortar of selected thickness onto the work surface. The mortar gun assembly provides mortar from the hopper under pressure and the user selectively applies mortar by controlling a rotating port valve between the hopper and the mortar gun chamber. The rotating port valve provides a “rest state” in which the mortar is not sent to the mortar gun, but is instead re-circulated by the pump back to the hopper so un-dispensed mortar is kept moving and cannot dry or set.
US09157243B2
A plurality of devices used alone or in combination for releasing moisture from a building are provided. The devices are especially suitable for use in new or existing masonry and frame buildings with low-slope roofs, on parapet walls and mansard roofs, and on masonry walls and foundation walls. The devices give buildings adequate wall and roof system ventilation and moisture vapor release portals so as to better prevent mold and other water related damage. The devices may be used individually or in combination wherein the devices are placed on or against a parapet wall, masonry wall or foundation wall of a building. Further, the devices may be used in connection with a joist or truss system of a building to prevent moisture damage to the joists or truss system and to prevent compromises and other structural integrity problems to a building which often occur with moisture.
US09157237B2
A device for securing a roof tile crown or cap to a roof ridge or roof hip is described. The roof tile crown support can be easily and quickly secured to an existing roofing structure. The device contains a main body defined by a plurality of opposing side walls, a top wall, and a pair of leg plate support structures, attached or integrally formed to each of the opposing side walls. Within the interior region of the roof tile crown support, a support structure is secured therein. To aid in shipping, a plurality of like-shaped roof tile crown support units can be adapted to nest within other like shaped roof tile crown supports.
US09157234B1
A free-standing, hollow, prefabricated concrete form for forming a lost form, pre-finished concrete wall having an insulating layer on at least one major surface, typically an outer, earth facing surface thereof. The inside of the form has a rough finished surface. The form provides metal studs, typically on conventional sixteen inch centers, thereby enhancing the strength of the wall. The form allows placement of conduits for wiring, either electrical power or so-called low voltage circuits (e.g., telephone, TV cable, network wiring, audio cables, etc.) within the wall. Water supply and drain lines may also be placed within the wall prior to filling the forms with concrete. Multiple prefabricated sections may be joined to one another end-to-end to fabricate longer walls.
US09157232B2
A construction for insulating the head-of-wall joint between a wall and a floor or roof thereabove which utilizes an insulating gasket construction positionable between the ceiling track and the building structure thereabove. The insulating gasket member includes two L-shaped sections which includes co-operate to firestop both outwardly facing sides of a head-of-wall joint, but which can also be used singly. Each L-shaped section is attached to an associated side section which extends over the outwardly facing surfaces of a ceiling track with being attached thereto. Each L-shaped insulation gasket section can include securement mechanism such as adhesive on the undersurface of the main upper horizontal portion to facilitate attachment to the top of the track therebelow and can be attached to an adjacent similarly configured L-shaped section by one or more connecting straps extending through slits defined therein.
US09157231B2
A sound control mat includes a waterproof separation layer, an entangled monofilament structure, and a meltblown nonwoven. The sounds control mat provides improved sound control such as improved impact insulation.
US09157227B2
An apparatus for continuously controlling fluid flow in a sewer conduit, comprising: a) moisture sensors detecting levels of fluid in this conduit; b) an inflatable bladder, mounted in the sewer conduit for releasably sealing in fluid tight fashion a section of this conduit; an air compressor, for inflating the bladder; and a control box including a CPU, sensitive to the moisture sensor and actuating the air compressor responsively to conduit fluid level conditions reaching beyond a preset threshold value. The performance of the apparatus is independent of the speed of fluid flow in the sewer conduit.
US09157212B2
A corrosion-resistant self-locking manhole cover includes a cover plate adapted to rest on a manhole cover support surface of a manhole frame. An anchor on the cover plate is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a first location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. A locking member on the cover plate is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a second location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. In the unlocked position, the locking member is disengaged from the manhole frame. A quick-latch mechanism is operable without using a key or other tool to release the locking member from its unlocked position to allow the locking member to return to its locked position.
US09157211B2
The present invention relates generally to precast cantilevered retaining walls and methods of using and forming precast cantilevered retaining walls. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cantilevered concrete retaining wall having a base shear key and blockouts for receiving a material that substantially impedes the wing wall from sliding or other inadvertent movement, to a method of retaining a soil embankment with a cantilevered concrete retaining wall, and to a method of manufacturing a precast concrete cantilevered retaining wall.
US09157203B2
There is disclosed a barrier assembly for shoreline preservation or restoration comprising a gabion having opposed side walls connected together at spaced intervals along the length of the gabion by a plurality of partition walls, the spaces between neighboring pairs of partition walls defining, together with the side walls, at least one individual compartment of the gabion, the at least one individual compartment of the gabion being bounded by the respective opposed side walls or by opposed side wall sections of the respective opposed side walls, the partition walls being pivotally connected to the side walls, the individual compartment of the gabion having extending therefrom in a direction away from the individual compartment convergent at least partly open framework panels forming or forming part of a protuberant compartment on the gabion. A method of preserving and restoring a shoreline, and use of a barrier assembly is also disclosed.
US09157201B2
A snow plow includes a control unit for controlling a raising/lowering drive mechanism so that an auger housing becomes horizontal, a relative angle detection unit for detecting the angle of the auger housing relative to a travel frame, and a horizontal detection unit for detecting the horizontal state of the auger housing. The control unit stops the raising/lowering drive mechanism when the control unit assess that either a first condition or a second condition is satisfied, the first condition being that the relative angle be zero and the second condition being that the auger housing be horizontal.
US09157200B2
The present invention is directed to a vehicle barrier system and method of use. The vehicle barrier system includes a control system adapted to pivot a gate arm between a horizontal position and a vertical position to control the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic in control access areas such as parking lots, or parking garages. The gate arm includes inset channels that are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the gate arm and configured to each remove ably receive an array of light emitting diodes to increase visibility and alert drivers or pedestrians to the presence of a gate arm.
US09157192B2
In order to produce a slab track for rail vehicles with an emergency pathway (12) for road vehicles, a prefabricated track section with rails (8) and sleepers (5) is supported and positioned on a substructure (1) by means of a supporting and aligning device (4). Subsequently, a track slab (10) is produced by casting in the sleepers (5). The part of the sleepers (5) that projects from the track slab (10) and the rails (8) are separated by formwork elements, and an emergency pathway (12) is applied to the track slab (10) by casting.
US09157190B2
A method for treating substrates to render them hydrophobic includes penetrating the substrate with a halosilane vapor.
US09157179B2
The laundry dryer (1) of the present invention comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry desired to be dried is placed, a channel (5) having an inlet allowing the cycle air to enter into the drum (2) and an outlet allowing the cycle air to leave the drum (2), providing the cycle air to be circulated in a closed cycle, a condenser (4) that provides the cycle air leaving the drum (2) to be dehumidified by being condensed, a heater (3) that provides the dehumidified cycle air leaving the condenser (4) to be heated and at least one fan (6) that maintains the cycle air to move along the length of the channel (5).
US09157174B2
A vascular device includes a body having a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The body includes a plurality of heat-set strands that are braided such that when the body is in the second configuration, the strands form a plurality of pores and one or more apertures between the strands. The apertures are generally disposed at a longitudinal center region of the body. When the body is in the second configuration, the pores at proximal and distal portions of the body are generally uniform in size and smaller in size than the apertures. The pores and the apertures are substantially the same size when the body is in the first configuration.
US09157171B2
A method for producing n-type SiC single crystal, including: adding gallium and nitrogen, which is a donor element, for obtaining an n-type semiconductor during crystal growth of SiC single crystal, such that the amount of nitrogen as represented in atm unit is greater than the amount of gallium as represented in atm unit; an n-type SiC single crystal obtained according to this production method; and, a semiconductor device that includes the n-type SiC single crystal.
US09157163B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeposition paint composition and a method of forming an electrodeposited coating, which exhibit quality of coating deposition even in the interior of narrow spaces of objects subjected to painting. A solution of the object is cationic electrodeposition paint composition in which in an aqueous medium contained are a cationic epoxy resin, a blocked isocyanate curing agent, a hydrophobic agent wherein an SP value of the hydrophobic agent (C) is 10.2 or more and less than 10.6 and is lower by 0.6 to 1.0 than an SP value of the cationic epoxy resin, a viscosity modifier, and a neutralizing acid, and in which coulombic efficiency of the cationic electrodeposition paint composition is 2.0 to 2.5 mg/(μm·C). A voltage boost rate of the voltage in painting is 30 to 70V/10 seconds.
US09157162B2
A method of forming a tool marking structure includes: a coloring step of coloring a predetermined position of the first protective layer so as to form a marking area with a color layer and forming the first protective layer on a bottom surface of the marking area, and a second-time surface processing step of forming a second protective layer on a non-marking area of the tool and forming the first protective layer on a bottom surface of the second protective layer; wherein the color of the first protective layer is different from that of the second protective layer.
US09157160B2
An electropolishing or electroplating system and method for metal conveyor belts is described. As opposed to conventional polishing processes in which the product is guided around rollers which direct the product into and out of an electrolyte bath, embodiments of the present invention pass the product through a housing supplied with a continuous directional flow of electrolyte. Thus, the electroplating or electropolishing can be targeted to specific areas of the product, such as the edges and/or the center of a conveyor belt, and straight products can pass through the housing without deformation.
US09157148B2
In a shadow mask-substrate alignment method, a substrate is provided that includes a grate having a plurality of spaced bars and a shadow mask is provided that includes a grate having a plurality of spaced bars. Also provided is a light source-light receiver pair that defines a path of light therebetween. The grate of the substrate and the grate of the shadow mask are caused to be positioned in the path of the light. Thereafter, the orientation of the substrate, the shadow mask, or both are caused to be adjusted to position the grate of the substrate, the grate of the shadow mask, or both until a predetermined amount of light or a predetermined range of an amount of light on the path passing through the grates is received by the light receiver.
US09157142B2
An aluminization process by vapor phase deposition for high-temperature oxidation protection of a metal turbomachine part. The part including a cavity into which a metal component is introduced and assembled from an opening in the part. A halide is formed by reaction between a halogen and a metal donor containing aluminum, then the halide is transported by a carrier gas in order to come into contact with the metal part, wherein the metal component has first, before the implementation of the process, been surface-enriched with aluminum in order to serve as an aluminum donor.
US09157129B2
The present invention provides probes and methods of use thereof in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of certain types of cancers, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers. The probes are designed for hybridization with genomic material in a manner indicative of one or more aberrations in the genetic material present in the test sample. The identified aberrations are biomarkers of HPV-associated cancer. The methods of the invention comprise contacting a sample to one or more probes, allowing any genetic material in the sample to hybridize to the genomic regions provided in the probes, analyzing the hybridizations, and analyzing the hybridizations to identify detected aberrations as biomarkers indicative of HPV-associated cancer progression.
US09157126B2
The present invention relates to the identification of novel oral cancer and periodontal disease biomarkers. Further, the present invention provides novel methods of diagnosing and for providing a prognosis for oral cancer and periodontal disease. The present invention additionally provides novel methods of distinguishing between oral cancer and periodontal disease. Finally, kits are provided that find use in the practice of the methods of the invention.
US09157121B2
The invention provides methods for the administration of compounds capable of prolonging a QTc interval and methods for predicting whether an individual is predisposed to such QTc prolongation.
US09157120B2
Methods and compositions for reducing expression of a mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in a cell are provided. Such methods include contacting the cell with an effective amount of a nucleic acid silencing agent targeting a differentiating polymorphism in RNA encoding the mHTT.
US09157119B2
The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing cornification disorders and metabolic diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing and/or predicting a cornification disorder in a subject, comprising determining the presence or the absence of a genetic variation in the Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 1 (PNPLA1) gene sequence in a biological sample from said subject, as compared with the PNPLA1 gene sequence of a healthy non-carrier subject, wherein the presence of said genetic variation indicates that said subject suffers from or is at risk of suffering from said cornification disorder. The method according to the invention allows for example diagnosing ichthyosis in dogs of the Golden Retriever breed.
US09157118B2
Polymorphism detection probes that can distinguish polymorphisms that have only one different base are provided. At least one oligonucleotide selected from the group consisting of the oligonucleotides of SEQ ID NOS. 4, 23, 30, 47, 57 and 64 is used as a probe in a Tm analysis. A Tm analysis using such probes allows easy detection of specific polymorphisms of the FCGR3A gene, the FCGR2A gene, the IL-10 gene, the TNF α gene and the TNF β gene that have an effect on the pharmaceutical effects of antibody drugs or the like. Moreover, such probes allow detection of two or more types of polymorphisms in a single reaction system by introducing two or more types of the probes concomitantly.
US09157112B2
Nucleic acid detection probes that comprise a pair of complementary, fluorophore/quencher labeled oligonucleotides, one of which is shorter than the other, are able to detect single-stranded and double-stranded targets in hybridization reactions and amplification reactions with real-time detection. Double-stranded probes of equal length are useful in PCR amplification reactions with real-time detection.
US09157110B2
Methods for distinguishing between an aqueous non-blood sample (e.g., a control solution) and a blood sample. In one aspect, the methods include using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample based on at least two characteristics (e.g., amount of interferent present and reaction kinetics). The method can also include calculating a discrimination criteria based upon at least two characteristics. Various aspects of a system for distinguishing between blood samples and an aqueous non-blood sample are also provided herein.
US09157103B2
This invention provides microbial organisms, particularly yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica, that have one or more disrupted genes. The gene disruption(s) may yield improved production of fatty acyl-CoA derivatives.
US09157087B2
Disclosed are isolated nucleic acid molecules (inducible promoters) capable of directing expression in plant cell. In some embodiments, the promoters include a nucleic acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, or a variant thereof. In some embodiments, the promoter is capable of gene expression in plants of an operably linked nucleic acid sequence. Disclosed are transgenic plants or parts thereof, that can include expression cassettes and/or expression vectors, which can be stably incorporated into the genome of the plant. Methods of regulating the expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a plant cell are also disclosed.
US09157084B2
Compositions and methods to attenuate the immunosuppressive activity of TGF-β through the use of bi-functional shRNAs was substituted therefor described herein. The bi-functional shRNAs of the present invention knocks down the expression of furin in cancer cells to augment tumor antigen expression, presentation, and processing through expression of the GM-CSF transgene.
US09157083B2
Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-122 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modifications that yield potent inhibitors of miR-122 activity. The compounds may comprise conjugates to facilitate delivery to the liver. The compositions may be administered to subjects infected with hepatitis C virus, as a treatment for hepatitis C virus and related conditions.
US09157081B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating splicing of a selected target mRNA. Further provided are uses of the disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. Methods of enhancing cellular uptake, modulating tissue distribution and enhancing pharmacological activity of RNase H-independent antisense oligonucleotides are also provided.
US09157079B2
The present invention relates to a method for storage and subsequent lysis of a sample in which the sample is immobilized on a solid support. The solid matrix is embedded with a low concentration of both a chaotropic salt and a surfactant which act synergistically to efficiently store and lyse a biological sample.
US09157077B2
Disclosed are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing those compounds, and uses of the compounds and compositions as modulators of casein kinase 1 (e.g., CK1γ), casein kinase 2 (CK2), Pim1, Pim2, Pim3, the TGFβ pathway, the Wnt pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway, and/or the mTOR pathway. Uses are also disclosed for the treatment or prevention of a range of therapeutic indications due at least in part to aberrant physiological activity of casein kinase 1 (e.g., CK1γ), casein kinase 2 (CK2), Pim1, Pim2, Pim3, the TGFβ pathway, the Wnt pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway, and/or the mTOR pathway.
US09157075B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US09157074B2
To provide novel β-amylase derived from a microorganism and a gene thereof. β-amylase derived from Bacillus flexus is provided.
US09157073B1
Novel proteins having DNA polymerase are described which have utility in amplification reactions and have improved properties over Bst polymerase such as for example enhanced reverse transcriptase activity.
US09157069B2
Disclosed is a production method of pancreatic hormone-producing cells in a form that mimicks the pancreatogenesis, the method comprising subjecting stem cells to the following steps: (1) cultivating stem cells in a medium containing a Rho kinase inhibitor, (2) cultivating the cells obtained in (1) in a medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor, (3) cultivating the cells obtained in (2) in a medium containing GSK3 inhibitor and an activator of activin receptor-like kinase-4,7, (4) forming a cell mass from the cells obtained in (3), and cultivating the cell mass in a suspension state in a medium, (5) cultivating the cells obtained in (4) in a medium containing a retinoic acid receptor agonist, an inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase and/or activin receptor-like kinase-2,3,6, an inhibitor of activin receptor-like kinase-4,5,7 and a cell growth factor, and (6) cultivating the cells obtained in (5).
US09157067B2
The invention relates to the isolation and propagation of pluripotent cells isolated from the mammalian late epiblast layer, termed Epiblast Stem Cells (EpiSCs). These cells are useful in a range of applications, including the generation of transgenic animal species.
US09157066B2
The present invention includes methods for effecting phenotype conversion in a cell by transfecting the cell with phenotype-converting nucleic acid. Expression of the nucleic acids results in a phenotype conversion in the transfected cell. Preferably the phenotype-converting nucleic acid is a transcriptome, and more preferably an mRNA transcriptome.
US09157055B2
A biochip includes: a first chamber; a second chamber filled with a wax, a melting point of the wax being 25° C. or more and 63° C. or less; an injection path between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a sub-chamber that includes a wall at least partially made of the wax, the sub-chamber is formed inside the second chamber and communicates with the first chamber via the injection path.
US09157054B2
The invention provides a method for preparing microparticles comprising mixing a first cross-linkable reagent in aerosol form with a second cross-linking reagent in aerosol form to thereby to form microparticles.
US09157042B2
Systems and methods for producing synthetic gas are provided. The method can include gasifying a feedstock within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas, and the purification system can include a flash gas separator. The treated syngas and a first heat transfer medium can be converted into a synthetic gas, a second heat transfer medium, and a methanation condensate. The methanation condensate can be introduced to the flash gas separator.
US09157034B2
This invention is related to the use of ionic liquids of general formula C+A−, where C+ represents a cation of organic or inorganic type, specifically of the type imidazolium, pyridinium or ammonium salts, while the anion A− are derivatives which are halides, salts of iron (III), aluminum salts (III), acetate and benzoate, though not exclusively. These agents act as ionic liquid extractants of nitrogenous compounds present in hydrocarbon streams through a process of liquid-liquid extraction thereby can be reduced by more than 60% the content of these contaminants in hydrocarbon streams.
US09157033B2
A process for recovering metals from a stream containing hydrocarbons and carbonaceous residues comprising sending the stream for extraction by mixing the stream with a hydrophilizing agent to remove the hydrophobic components of the stream, sending the mixture of the stream and hydrophilizing agent for separation, separating a liquid phase containing most of the hydrophilizing agent and hydrocarbons dissolved from a solid phase, sending the separated solid phase for leaching with an alkaline solution in the presence of air and/or oxygen, sending the leached mixture for separation, and separating the solid residue from the liquor.
US09157030B2
The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
US09157029B2
The present application relates to a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal cell, a liquid crystal film, and methods of preparing the same. As an exemplary liquid crystal composition, according to the present application can provide a liquid crystal layer aligned without a special alignment layer. According to the liquid crystal composition, all of the liquid crystal cell, in which the liquid crystal layer is maintained in a non-polymerized state, and the liquid crystal film prepared by polymerizing the liquid crystal layer can be provided.
US09157026B2
A photoluminescent sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the photoluminescent sheet has a phosphor, absorbs some light, of at least one wavelength, of light emitted from a light source, emits particular light of a wavelength different from the wavelength of the emitted light and allows the remaining of the light emitted from the light source to penetrates the photoluminescent sheet, whereas the photoluminescent sheet comprises at least a surface comprising a wet preventing layer for minimizing a contracting area between the photoluminescent sheet and another sheet. According to at least one embodiment, wet is not generated on a screen even though the photoluminescent sheet is connected to other sheets.
US09157019B2
A ternary particle size filler composition with addition of nano particles is provided to formulate thermally conductive interface materials such as soft gel having a high thermal conductivity, a relative low viscosity, and a low complex storage modulus. The thermally conductive material containing thermal particle composition and polymer matrix is used to create a thermal transfer path between the electronic component and the heat dissipation member. The composition is a mixture of a ternary particle size fillers constituted of the same or different chemical compounds in a predefined size ranges and volume ratios in terms of low viscosity and thermal interface nominal size. A silicone based polymer used as filler bonding matrix contains base resin, dispersant, cross-linker and polymerization catalyst. Thermal conductivity of the soft gel varied according to the change of volume percentage, particle size, and chemical compound of individual thermal particles.
US09157015B2
A condensation product of at least one (hydroxymethyl)phenol and at least one polyoxyalkylene diamine and a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in the curing of epoxy resin systems are described.
US09157007B2
In one aspect, build materials operable for use in 3D printing systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a build material comprises about 10 to 30 percent by weight of an oligomeric curable material; about 50 to 75 percent by weight of at least one diluent; and about 3 to 15 percent by weight of a reactive component. Moreover, in some cases, the build material is free or substantially free of a non-reactive wax component.
US09156994B2
Coating materials that include at least one microcapsule containing a sensing agent, the microcapsule being configured to release the sensing agent in response to stress applied to the microcapsule, and a reactive reagent configured to react with the released sensing agent to develop color are described.
US09156987B2
The present disclosure relates to new polymethine compounds and their use as fluorescent labels. The compounds may be used as fluorescent labels for nucleotides in nucleic acid sequencing applications.
US09156983B2
A process for producing a solution blend of a polybenzimidazole (PBI) and a polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). The PBI is mixed with sulfuric acid at a temperature between 40° C. and 80° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours to produce a PBI solution then cooled to room temperature to form a cooled PBI solution. Then PEKK is added to the cooled PBI solution to form a mixture and that mixture is stirred from 30 minutes to 2 hours at room temperature to form a stirred mixture. The stirred mixture is poured into an excess of water being stirred swiftly to form an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture is filtered to produce a blend. The blend is washed with water and dried. The resulting blend can yield a blend in all proportion from 1/99 PBI/PEKK to 99/1 PBI/PEKK.
US09156982B2
Polyamide-based thermoplastic polymer compositions that exhibit a good balance among the properties thereof, in particular their mechanical properties, and a high fluidity in the molten state; such compositions contain at least one high-fluidity polyamide and a shock modification agent having functional groups that react with the polyimide.
US09156977B2
The invention relates to processes for producing protective colloid-stabilized polymers based on (meth)acrylate esters in the form of their aqueous dispersions and water-redispersible polymer powders by means of free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization of one or more monomers from the group consisting of the esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and optionally one or more further monomers which are copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of one or more protective colloids, and optionally drying of the resulting aqueous dispersion, characterized in that the emulsion polymerization is carried out in the presence of one or more fully hydrolysed 1-alkylvinyl ester-vinyl ester copolymers as protective colloid.
US09156974B2
A method of preparing a super absorbent polymer (SAP) includes the steps of preparing a first hydrogel polymer by carrying out a thermal polymerization or photo polymerization of a monomer composition including a water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer and a polymerization initiator; preparing a second hydrogel polymer by carrying out a thermal polymerization or photo polymerization of a monomer composition including a water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer and a polymerization initiator; drying and milling the first hydrogel polymer and distributing the first hydrogel polymer into a fine powder having a particle diameter below 150 μm and a base resin having a particle diameter of 150 μm to 850 μm; fabricating a reassembled body of the fine powder by mixing the fine powder and the second hydrogel polymer; and mixing the reassembled body of the fine powder with the first hydrogel polymer, and drying and milling the same.
US09156964B1
A difunctional weather-resistant stabilizer having one terminal semicarbazide functional moiety and one terminal hindered phenol functional moiety is disclosed. The difunctional weather-resistant stabilizer is represented by: wherein R1 represents a C1-C8 alkyl group; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1-C8 alkyl group; and Z is a divalent organic group.
US09156952B2
A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.
US09156943B2
A process for manufacturing a modified polyester, comprising the steps of: obtain a esterification product of diacid, diol, and a branching agent having at least three carboxyl groups , wherein the branching agent is present in an amount of up to 1 mol %, and carrying out a polycondensation reaction of the esterification product and a diamine to obtain the modified polyester, wherein the diamine is present in an amount of about 0.07 to about 0.22 mol %, the diacid comprises a combination of at least one aliphatic diacid and at least one aromatic diacid which is present in an amount no greater than about 10 mol % based upon the total moles of the diacid and the diol. The modified polyester is a thermally induced shape-memory material having an activation temperature of about 40 to 99° C., a percent elongation at break of about 29.9 % to 40.9% and bending modulus of about 40.3 MPa to about 20.1 Mpa.
US09156936B2
Copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide have an inner block that contains from 65-90 weight percent oxyethylene units and from 10 to 35 weight percent oxypropylene units. This block has a molecular weight of from 150 to 350. The copolymer has an outer block which contains at least 95 weight % oxypropylene units and from 0 to 5% oxyethylene units. The equivalent weight of the copolymer is from 800 to 2000. The copolymers are useful in making polyurethane foams that have unexpectedly high tensile and/or tear strengths.
US09156935B2
Polyisocyanate-based polymers are formed by curing a reaction mixture containing at least one polyisocyanate and at least one isocyanate-reactive compound having at least two isocyanate-reactive groups in the presence of a zinc catalyst that contains at least one zinc atom associated with a polydentate ligand that contains at least one nitrogen-containing complexing site.
US09156931B2
There are provided a radical polymerizable composition having a low viscosity suitable for coating, a cured product obtained by curing the composition, the cured product having a high refractive index and high toughness and being not easily cracked or chipped when cutting, and a plastic lens obtained by curing the composition. A radical polymerizable composition includes phenylbenzyl(meth)acrylate (A), a urethane(meth)acrylate (X) having an aromatic ring in its molecular structure, and a radical polymerization initiator (Y) as essential components.
US09156928B2
An object of the invention is to provide a novel alkyl-modified PVA capable of exerting superior thickening properties while maintaining high water solubility, and also capable of having high water resistance in a state being hardened without using an especial crosslinking agent. In addition, another object is to provide a composition, a thickener, a coating material for papers, a coated paper, an adhesive and a film containing the alkyl-modified PVA. Provided is an alkyl-modified vinyl alcohol polymer containing (a) a monomer unit represented by the following general formula (I): wherein, R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 8 to 29 carbon atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and has a viscosity average degree of polymerization of no less than 200 and no greater than 5,000, a degree of saponification of no less than 20 mol % and no greater than 99.99 mol %, and a content of the monomer unit (a) of no less than 0.05 mol % and no greater than 5 mol %.
US09156925B2
A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.
US09156924B2
A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.
US09156923B2
An oxidizing agent useful for oxidative polymerization of high conductive polymers is provided. This oxidizing agent is a kind of organic metal complex formed of metal ion salts having oxidizing capability and nitrogen-containing compound having lone pair electrons with partial π-electron character. This organic metal complex has weak oxidizing strength for monomers at room temperature. As such, a mixture of the organic metal complex and the monomers has long-term stability under room temperature. While, at a high temperature, the organic metal complex provides proper oxidative polymerization capability for the monomers. The conductive polymers synthesized by the organic metal complex have excellent conductivity.
US09156918B2
Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more ionic liquids. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can be contacted with at least one bleaching agent to produce bleached cellulose esters having a ΔE value of less than 30.
US09156917B2
Novel CH2 domain template molecules wherein donor loops from a database of domains are transferred to a CH2 domain scaffold. At least one or up to three loops from a donor are transferred to the CH2 domain. The donor loops may be chosen based on length, e.g., the donor loop may have a length that is similar to that of a structural loop in the CH2 domain scaffold.
US09156915B2
Antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind GCC are disclosed. In some embodiments, the antibodies are humanized, chimeric or human. Nucleic acids and vectors encoding the antibodies or portions thereof, recombinant cells that contain the nucleic acids, and compositions comprising the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments are also disclosed. The invention also provides therapeutic and diagnostic methods utilizing the antibodies and antigen-binding.
US09156914B2
The present application relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind to metalloproteinases from the ADAM family, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences, and to methods of preparing the same.
US09156913B2
The invention provides antibodies against the A2 domain of tenascin-C and methods of using the same.
US09156909B2
The present invention relates to methods of treating pruritic diseases, including but not limited to Contact dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia wereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination thereof by administering IL-31 monoclonal antibodies. The invention further provides the hybridomas that generate the monoclonal antibodies.
US09156908B2
The invention relates to high affinity human monoclonal antibodies, particularly those directed against isotypic determinants of immunoglobulin E (IgE), as well as direct equivalents and derivatives of these antibodies. These antibodies bind to their respective target with an affinity at least 100 fold greater than the original parent antibody. These antibodies are useful for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of disease.
US09156904B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a mutant thrombomodulin is disclosed. The mutant thrombomodulin comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 and has residues corresponding to Ala364 and Ala391 of SEQ ID NO: 2. The mutant thrombomodulin has little or no protein C activation activity, and is effective in promoting wound healing and accelerating closure of an open wound in a diabetic.
US09156899B2
Modified animal erythropoietin polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.
US09156898B2
The invention discloses a method of identifying a gene associated with stage III primary cancer or lymph node metastasis. The genes so identified include CAV1, CST3, LIMK1, MMP2, MMP15, VEGF, ETV4, MMP9, PIK3C2B, and SERPIN1. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. The invention further discloses compositions for preventing and treating diseases.
US09156892B2
The present invention relates to an immunoglobulin-binding protein, wherein at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine or aspartic acid, which mutation confers an increased chemical stability at pH-values of up to about 13-14 compared to the parental molecule. The protein can for example be derived from a protein capable of binding to other regions of the immunoglobulin molecule than the complementarity determining regions (CDR), such as protein A, and preferably the B-domain of Staphylococcal protein A. The invention also relates to a matrix for affinity separation, which comprises an immunoglobulin-binding protein as ligand coupled to a solid support, in which protein ligand at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine.
US09156890B2
Improved anti-HCV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HCV genotype 1a/1b NS3 and NS4A. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HCV are disclosed.
US09156885B2
The present invention provides processes for preparation of eptifibatide that involve coupling of amino acids in a (2+5), (4+3) and (3+4) sequence method. The invention further provides products produced by the described processes, novel compounds that can be used as synthetic intermediates for the preparation of eptifibatide.
US09156880B2
This invention describes an ICE inhibitor prodrug (I) having good bioavailability. Compound I is useful for treating IL-1 mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory peritonitis, septic shock, pancreatitis, traumatic brain injury, organ transplant rejection, osteoarthritis, asthma, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, Huntington's disease, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, leukemias and related disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome, uveitis or multiple myeloma.
US09156879B1
The present invention provides, in part, a chromatographic restricted access media comprising aminopropyl groups derivatized with polysuccinamide that is derivatized with 1-ethylpropylamine and denatured human serum albumin. Methods of purifying polypeptides and complexes thereof are also provided.
US09156860B2
This invention provides novel compounds, methods of using the compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the compounds.
US09156858B2
Disclosed herein are antimicrobial compounds compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, the use and preparation thereof. Some embodiments relate to boronic acid derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents.
US09156846B2
Disclosed herein is a solid oral formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (A) formulated for release of the compound in the intestine, wherein the compound of Formula (A) has the structure:
US09156829B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein L, X, Ra, Rb, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the specification, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US09156823B2
The invention is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US09156821B2
8-Substituted-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines of general structure are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications.
US09156820B2
Polycyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US09156816B2
There are provided a tetrazolyloxime derivative, a salt thereof, and a fungicide, that have excellent control effects against plant diseases. The fungicide contains, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of tetrazolyloxime derivatives represented by formula (6) and salts thereof. In formula (6), X represents a halogen atom, A represents a tetrazolyl group, R represents a halogen atom or the like, D represents a single bond or an oxygen atom, E represents a single bond or an alkylene chain, R2a and R2b each independently represents an alkoxy group or the like, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
US09156815B2
The invention relates to the salt of naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid with (R)-3-(6-amino-pyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl propionate, which can be represented by the following structural formula of formula (I), to methods for the production thereof, to drugs containing said salt, and to the use of said drugs to treat diseases that are accompanied by thromboses, embolisms, hypercoagulability, or fibrotic changes.
US09156810B2
Disclosed herein is a method comprising administering a compound to a mammal suffering from an inflammatory bowel disease for the treatment of said disease, said compound having a structure according to Formula I wherein X, Y, B, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and n have the meanings found herein.
US09156802B2
Method for producing solutions which comprise 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and have a reduced content of starting materials of the HMF synthesis or a reduced content of by-products of the HMF synthesis (hereinbelow called product solution), which comprises treating solutions which comprise HMF starting materials or by-products of the HMF synthesis and an organic solvent having at least two ether groups (for short polyether) (hereinbelow called starting solution) in an evaporator with steam.
US09156795B2
The present invention relates to Compound 1 hydrogen sulfate salt and solvates, crystalline forms and amorphous forms thereof, and to processes for their preparation.
US09156782B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of D,L-methionine, in which carbon dioxide is fed to an aqueous potassium methioninate solution obtained by hydrolysis of 5-(2-methylmercaptoethyl)hydantoin, in order to precipitate out crude methionine, which is separated off and purified, where, for the purposes of purification, an aqueous solution of the separated-off crude methionine is prepared and subjected to a recrystallization, characterized in that the solution from which the recrystallization takes place contains potassium ions and also a crystallization additive, where the crystallization additive is a nonionic or anionic surfactant, or a mixture of different nonionic or anionic surfactants, and that the recrystallization takes place by introducing a 60 to 110° C.-hot methionine solution into a 35 to 80° C.-warm methionine suspension, the temperature of which is lower than that of the introduced solution, the temperature of the methionine suspension being maintained between 35 and 80° C. during the addition.
US09156776B2
The present invention relates to a compound characterized by the following formula: where R1, R2, Y, m, and p are described herein. The compound of the present invention is useful as a precursor to hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide urethane polymers, which are useful as rheology modifiers for coatings formulations.
US09156765B2
A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound is described. The process includes contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising a precursor of at least one ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent to produce an oxidation product comprising at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid.
US09156757B2
A method for oxidizing hydrocarbons, in particular saturated hydrocarbons, for producing peroxides, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and/or diacids is described. Also described, is a method for oxidizing a cycloaliphatic saturated hydrocarbon using molecular oxygen for producing ketones/alcohols, and more precisely for oxidizing cyclohexane into cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone using molecular oxygen.
US09156754B2
A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
US09156749B2
The invention relates to removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures, and more particularly, removal of styrene from hydrocarbon mixtures containing higher than equilibrium paraxylene concentrations.
US09156743B2
A carbon component having a hole therein and an outer surface covered with a ceramic coating, and a method for manufacturing the carbon component are provided. The carbon component includes two carbon plate members joined together. The hole is defined by a groove formed on a mating surface of at least one of the carbon plate members and a mating portion of the other of the carbon plate members, which opposes the groove. An inner surface of the hole including a surface of the groove is entirely covered with a ceramic coating.
US09156737B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a phosphated polycondensate, at least one sulphonic acid being used as catalyst, and to the use of the phosphated polycondensate obtained as an admixture for aqueous suspensions of hydraulic and/or latently hydraulic binders.
US09156734B2
A method for manufacturing fluorescent powder substrate includes (1) providing a fluorescent powder and glass panels of which one forms a through hole; (2) mixing the fluorescent powder in deionized water solvent to form a slurry; (3) applying the slurry to form a fluorescent powder layer on one glass panel; (4) laying flat a loop of low melting point glass powder on the glass panel on which the fluorescent powder layer is formed; (5) laminating the other glass panel on the glass panel; (6) burning the laminated glass panels at a temperature of 400-550° C. to completely combust organic substance therebetween and to have the low melting point glass powder bonding the glass panels together; (7) evacuating interior between the glass panels through the through hole; and (8) sealing the through hole to form a fluorescent powder substrate.
US09156724B2
Alkali aluminosilicate glasses that are resistant to damage due to sharp impact and capable of fast ion exchange are provided. The glasses comprise at least 4 mol % P2O5 and, when ion exchanged, have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 7 kgf.
US09156716B2
A method for the purification of spent sulfuric acid and particularly the purification of spent acid, from titanium dioxide rutile manufacture through a chloride route, is provided. In the chloride route of titanium dioxide manufacture, sulfuric acid is used to clean the un-reacted gaseous flow coming out of the oxidizer, so the spent acid mainly contains un-reacted Ti4+ ions, trace amounts of Fe3+ ions, and NO2 gas. Titanium phosphate can be precipitated using acidic and or alkaline phosphate-containing precipitants in stoichiometric amounts. The method can include the addition of cutting water. NO2 gas evolved during the reaction can be scrubbed in water. The resulting aqueous acid-rich portion, or supernatant, can be separated from the precipitated phosphates and is very clear. Evaporation under vacuum conditions can increase the sulfuric acid concentration. The resultant purified acid can be re-used.
US09156714B2
A self contained energy generating system that comprises a galvanic battery and a power distribution system. The energy generating system is used to purify water by using a reverse osmosis device that draws in a source of water and transfers electrolytes to the galvanic battery. Upon contact with the electrolyte, the galvanic battery produces energy by an oxidation-reduction reaction of the cathode and anode and transfers energy to the power distribution system, which in turn provides power to the osmosis device. Additionally, the system includes a hydrogen fuel cell to increase the amount of energy generated and a power storage device for storing excess energy generated. The system also includes a controller which is configured to regulate the overall operation of the system.
US09156704B2
Reactor for producing silicon by chemical vapor deposition, the reactor comprising a reactor body that forms a container, at least one inlet for a silicon-bearing gas, at least one outlet, and at least one heating device as a part of or operatively arranged to the reactor, distinctive in that at least one main part of the reactor, which part is exposed for silicon-bearing gas and which part is heated for deposition of silicon on said part, is produced from silicon. Method for operation of the reactor.
US09156695B2
A method of fabricating a carbon allotrope is disclosed. The method includes forming an intermediate carbon template from a carbon feedstock; and creating a pressure and temperature in the carbon template suitable for fabrication of the carbon allotrope from the intermediate carbon template. The pressure and temperature may be created from a shockwave resulting from collapse of a bubble formed during a bubble cavitation process.
US09156685B2
The present disclosure is directed to a device and its method of manufacture in which a protective region is formed below a suspended body. The protective region allows deep reactive ion etching of a bulk silicon body to form a MEMS device without encountering the various problems presented by damage to the silicon caused by backscattering of oxide during over etching periods of DRIE processes.
US09156678B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a laminated film enclosing an array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures. In one aspect, a MEMS apparatus includes a substrate having a device region and an edge region surrounding the device region and an array of MEMS structures on the substrate at the device region. A protective layer is disposed over the array of MEMS structures. A laminated film is disposed over the protective layer and in contact with the substrate to form a seal at the edge region, where the laminated film forms a cavity between the substrate and the laminated film at the device region. The laminated film includes a moisture barrier layer facing away from the array of MEMS structures, and a desiccant layer facing toward the array of MEMS structures.
US09156672B2
The system includes a spout and a portable handheld activator insertable around the spout. The spout includes a valve member made of a magnetically-conductive material. The valve member is movable between a closed position and an opened position so as to close or open a fluid passage inside the spout. The spout also includes a core plate made of a magnetically-conductive material. The activator includes a housing made of a magnetically-conductive material, and at least one coil located into the housing to selectively generate an electromagnetic field capable of moving the valve member to the opened position against a spring force biasing the valve member into the closed position. In use, the spout and the activator are configured and disposed so that the electromagnetic field, using only a relatively small amount of electrical energy, creates a substantially uninterrupted toric magnetic circuit for actuating the valve member.
US09156670B2
Systems for storing beverages are disclosed, which include a container for storing, transporting and dispensing a beverage, e.g. beer. In some implementations the container includes a pressure-tight lid closure system including wire bails.
US09156667B2
An apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a jack including a first axle. The apparatus includes a fulcrum wheel disposed on a second axle, the second axle being connected directly or indirectly to the first axle. A lever has a first end connected directly or indirectly to the second axle and a second end having a terminus. A first line intersects the first axle and second axle. A second line intersects the second axle and the lever terminus. The first and second lines meet at an obtuse angle. In another aspect, an apparatus is disclosed including a jack having a first axle, an extension member, and a fulcrum wheel is disposed on a second axle connected to the extension member. A lever has a first end attachable to the extension member proximate the second axle. A method of moving a jack relative to a ground surface is also disclosed.
US09156661B1
A device for holding and carrying a vise includes a block, a handle rigidly coupled to the block, and an engagement element on the block which is configured to be engaged by a vise so as to form an engagement assembly, which in response to the vise being clamped onto the device, prevents the block from slipping from the vise.
US09156643B2
A sheet pressing device enables reliably pivoting a presser lever that presses a sheet material to a feed path surface to a pressure position and a released position. The sheet pressing device has a movable-side presser lever configured to pivot between a pressure position where die-cut label paper conveyed over the feed path surface is pressed by a sheet presser part to a flat surface, and a released position where the sheet presser part is separated from the die-cut label paper; and a lever spring respectively urges the movable-side presser lever to the pressure position or the released position from a neutral point between the pressure position and the released position.
US09156641B2
Detachable sheet feeding units are connected to an image forming apparatus. A transmitting unit transmits a feeding instruction via a signal line to a sheet feeding unit that is to perform sheet feeding. A first sheet detector, which is placed in the sheet feeding unit, detects a sheet that has been fed from the sheet feeding unit. A second sheet detector is provided downstream of the first sheet detector in terms of the sheet conveyance direction. If the feeding instruction is transmitted and a plurality of sheets are fed from the sheet feeding unit, an image formation controller determines whether to cause the image forming operation to continue or stop based upon whether a sheet-to-sheet interval of a plurality of sheets has been detected by the second sheet detector in a state in which the result of detection by the first sheet detector indicates presence of a sheet.
US09156637B2
A tray unit includes a first tray, a second tray, and a cover. The first tray includes a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet. The second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet. The second tray is configured to slide above and along the first holding surface between a first second-tray position and a second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between the second second-tray position and a third second-tray position in which the second tray stands upward with respect to the first holding surface. The cover is configured to cover from above at least a part of the second tray when the second tray is in the second second-tray position, and is configured to pivot between a first cover position in which the cover extends along the first holding surface and a second cover position in which the cover stands upward with respect to the first holding surface.
US09156633B2
A manipulator for flat objects has a robot arm having an outer end, a support on the outer end, and a magazine holding a stack of the flat objects carried on the support. A grab is movable on the support adjacent the magazine between a pickup position facing the stack and engageable with an uppermost flat object of the stack of flat objects in the magazine so as to pull the uppermost flat object off the stack and a transfer position offset from the stack with the picked-up flat object turned away from the magazine.
US09156632B2
To provide a conveying apparatus that includes: a fixed section; a movable section movable with respect to the fixed section; and a pair of linear motors each located so as to be partially included in the fixed section and the movable section. Each linear motor includes a primary magnetic pole section and a secondary magnetic pole section, and these pole sections are arranged to face each other so as to enable the movable section to move with respect to the fixed section. The movable section includes a movable body capable of conveying a conveyed object, and one of the magnetic pole sections of each linear motor. Each linear motor is located at each of opposite ends of the movable body in a width direction that is orthogonal to a moving direction, and the fixed section includes the other of the magnetic pole sections.
US09156624B2
An agricultural device for controlled unloading of grain including an unloader conveyor including an enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, and an opposite outlet end including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged. An unloader conveyor element extends through the housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening. The unloader conveyor element includes a substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment connected to a substantially horizontal unloader conveyor segment. An unloader drive selectably operates a portion of the conveyor element associated with the substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment in a disengaged mode in response to a sensed cumulative loading condition of the substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment and the substantially horizontal unloader conveyor segment exceeding a predetermined value.
US09156614B2
A loading/unloading apparatus includes a cage configured to accommodate an electric appliance stored or to be stored in one of storage compartments provided within a cubicle; and a hoist configured to vertically move and hang the cage. The hoist includes a boom arranged on the cubicle to extend above the storage compartments and a hoisting winch attached to the boom. The cage includes a frame body provided with a seat for supporting the electric appliance, and a connector unit connected to the hoisting winch.
US09156603B1
A dispensing system includes a container securing mechanism configured to secure a container in a fully engaged position suitable for dispensing a substance held within the container and further configured to release the container from the fully engaged position upon the actuation of a container release actuator. The system further includes a container stop mechanism configured to stop the container in a disengaged position upon release of the container from the container securing mechanism, the disengaged position being between the fully engaged position and a position in which the container is fully released from the system.
US09156600B2
Moisture interactive materials and products formed with a polyimide material that includes metal salt (e.g., cobalt salt) portions imbedded therein such that the polyimide material is capable of absorbing, permeating, and desorbing moisture and such that the polyimide material changes in color depending upon how much moisture is currently retained by the polyimide material, the polyimide material being substantially free of oxide.
US09156588B2
A tray includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the base. Each of the side walls includes a plurality of feet providing multiple stacking heights with an identical tray. Each side wall including a recess on an inner, upper edge. A rear wall extends upward from a rear the base between the side walls. A front wall extends upward from a front of the base between the side walls, the front wall including a portion lower than the side walls.A dolly that can be used with the tray includes a deck having a pair of contiguous support surfaces. A reinforcement rod supports the pair of support surfaces. A caster includes a caster plate secured to the deck, the reinforcement rod between the caster plate and the deck.
US09156583B2
Container assembly comprising a container and a top chime fixed to each other, the container having a top part and a peripheral side wall, characterized in that the fixation between the chime and the container is situated at the top part of the container and at a distance from said peripheral side wall.
US09156582B2
A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton. A liner may optionally be at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton and can comprise an inner dispensing feature. A liner patch can overlap the inner dispensing feature and can be mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature of the liner.
US09156581B2
A sustainable packing system is provided comprising a first fiberboard having a substantially flat surface for accepting a first item and at least one scored line for facilitating folding of the first fiberboard, the first fiberboard adapted to form a closed wall; and a second fiberboard adapted to be frictionally secured within the closed wall of the first fiberboard, having a substantially flat surface for accepting a second item and at least one scored line for facilitating folding of the second fiberboard to form a closed wall. A packaging method is also provided comprising the steps of providing a fiberboard having a substantially flat surface; scoring lines in the fiberboard to facilitate folding; wrapping a first item around the fiberboard; and folding the fiberboard forming a closed wall.
US09156578B2
A blank of sheet material for forming a polygonal container is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, two opposing end panels each extending from an end edge of the bottom panel, two opposing outer side panels each extending from a side edge of the bottom panel, and an inner side panel extending from each top edge of one outer side panel of the two outer side panels. Each inner side panel includes a central portion, a corner portion extending from each side of the central portion, an inner end portion extending from each side of one of the corner portions, and a plurality of elongated relief cutouts. One elongated relief cutout of the plurality of elongated relief cutouts is defined between each corner portion and the central portion and between each inner end portion and an adjacent corner portion.
US09156569B2
A package that is configured to store and dispense fluids. The package includes a container and a dosing dispenser for closing an opening to the container. The dosing dispenser includes a body portion having a syringe receiver and a valve assembly that is configured to permit the flow of fluid from the container to the syringe.
US09156554B2
A system component module (100) to be mounted in an aircraft cabin (22) comprises a support (28), to which a PSU duct (34) as well as an individual air supply system (72) are attached. A fastening device (112) is designed to fasten the system component module (100) to a bottom panel (32) of a luggage compartment (26) in the aircraft cabin (22).
US09156552B2
An apparatus, and a method performed by the apparatus, are disclosed wherein the apparatus can be mounted on an unmanned vehicle and arranged to act upon a payload. The payload can be mounted on the unmanned vehicle and, under an action of the apparatus, is able to be activated. The method can include receiving an activation instruction from an entity remote from the unmanned vehicle; determining whether or not the received activation instruction is valid by performing a validation process; and in response to determining that the received activation instruction is valid, activating the payload. In response to determining that the received activation instruction is not valid, activation of the payload may be prevented or opposed.
US09156547B2
The main rotor control system includes a rise/fall swashplate assembly that is coupled to three triplex actuators. The swashplate assembly is configured to provide full collective and cyclic pitch controls. Each triplex actuator includes three piston/cylinder assemblies in parallel. Selective actuation of each triplex actuator is controlled by a fly-by-wire system in conjunction with three flight control computers and three hydraulic power packs. Integrated three function valves can be associated with an individual manifold for each piston/cylinder assembly of each triplex actuator, the integrated three function valve be configured to insure safe operation of the triplex actuator during a failure of a certain piston/cylinder assembly.
US09156543B2
The control system of an aircraft including at least two communication networks and a controlled device control unit connected to one of them. The system determines control commands for the device with a DAL-A quality assurance level requirement and includes a set of at least three physical units each including at least two computers, an electrical power supply and a network interface device. The electrical power supplies, and the network interface devices, are of at least three different types, the computers are of at least two different types and include operating systems of at least two different types; the computers each have a DAL-C, DAL-D or DAL-E hardware and/or software quality assurance level and at least six of the computers are configured to independently determine control commands for the device. A DAL-A hardware and software quality assurance level selection logic unit is configured to select valid control commands used by the control unit to control the device.
US09156541B2
The present invention provides a method of driving a main rotor (2) of a rotorcraft (1) in rotation. A regulation setpoint (C) for a power plant (3) used for driving the main rotor (2) at a variable speed of rotation is generated by a control unit (4) and is transmitted to a regulator unit (5) for regulating the operation of the power plant (3). The value of an initial setpoint (NRini) is generated progressively and continuously depending on variation in the current value of the density (D) of the ambient air outside the rotorcraft (1). The value of the initial setpoint (NRini) is potentially corrected depending on predefined flight conditions of the rotorcraft (1). Prior to being transmitted to the regulator unit (5), the value of the regulation setpoint (C) is preferably limited to a range of acceptable speeds for driving the main rotor (2) in rotation.
US09156540B2
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to obtaining, by a device, data associated with an aircraft, processing, by the device, the data, determining, by the device, that the aircraft is likely to impact an object with a probability greater than a threshold within a second threshold amount of time based on the processed data, and causing, by the device, a change in an orientation of the aircraft based on the determination.
US09156531B2
The invention is a device for holding dive tanks having at least one inflation valve, a top wall including a plurality of top openings, a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls connecting the top and bottom walls, at least one chamber partially enclosed by the top, bottom, and side walls, and a plurality of sleeves. Each sleeve includes a respective top end bounded by a respective top opening, a respective bottom end, and a respective body connecting the top and bottom ends and forming a respective space partially enclosed by the respective body. The inflation valve is arranged to introduce into the one chamber a medium to inflate the device. When the device is inflated, the respective space is arranged to receive and hold a respective dive tank, and the respective bottom end is arranged to support the respective dive tank.
US09156530B2
An inflation device mechanism (10) for inflation of an inflatable article comprises a housing (11) for supporting a container (18) of pressurized fluid and a piercing device (16) displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container to release pressurized fluid, bias means (22) to move the piercing device to penetrate the container, and actuation means comprising co-operating latching elements (26, 30) which, in an engaged, latched configuration, retain the piercing device retracted, said actuation means being actuable by either a first (35) or a second (36) control member to allow the latching elements to disengage and permit the piercing device to penetrate the container under action of the bias means, the first control member (35) comprising a water sensitive member which surrounds the latching elements and has a strength sufficient normally to support the latching elements in the engaged configuration but to allow the elements to disengage when reduced in strength by exposure to water, and the second control member (36) comprising a member which surrounds the co-operating elements and is removable manually (38) whereby the latching elements are free to disengage.
US09156527B2
An anchor pin for anchoring small water vessels is provided. The anchor pin includes at least an upper pole and a lower pole that may telescope relative to one another. The upper pole may include a substantially hollow center in which the lower pole may be inserted into. The lower pole may slide within the upper pole and may thereby telescope relative to the upper pole. The lower pole may be locked in a fixed position relative to the upper pole so that the anchor pin may be set at a desired length to anchor the water vessel. The water vessel may be attached to the anchor pin by a rope.
US09156518B2
A cable operating mechanism is basically provided with a fixed member, a wire takeup member, a wire pulling member and a movement transmission member. The wire takeup member is movably mounted with respect to the fixed member about a first pivot axis to move between a plurality of predetermined wire positions. The wire takeup member includes a wire attachment part. The wire pulling member is movably mounted with respect to the fixed member. The movement transmission member is pivotally mounted with respect to the fixed member about a second pivot axis that is offset from the first pivot axis. The movement transmission member is operatively coupled to the wire pulling member and the wire takeup member such that a movement of the wire pulling member is transmitted to the wire takeup member via the movement transmission member.
US09156517B2
In a rear structure for a straddle type vehicle including a front seat, on which a rider sits, seat rails for supporting a rear seat, on which a pillion passenger sits behind the rider, grab rails, which are attached on a vehicle body on the sides of the rear seat, a backrest, detachably attached to the rear portion of the vehicle, and a space for the pillion passenger to hold the grab rail, which is formed between the grab rail and the vehicle body. The grab rail is configured such that a grip portion extends in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the backrest is disposed inside the grip portion, is supported at the front and rear of the grip portion by the grab rail and overlaps the grip portion in a side view.
US09156513B2
A front cowl stay is enabled to be attached to the vehicle body side without making its structure complicated while sufficiently ensuring the capacity of a member such as an air cleaner and the like disposed in the peripheries of a head pipe and the front portion of main frames and desired to ensure its capacity.
US09156509B2
A door transportation method in a vehicle body assembly line, in which the vehicle body is placed and transported on a vehicle body transportation carriage of a floor conveyer, and thereby components are assembled to the vehicle body, includes: placing and transporting the door, which is detached from the vehicle body, on a door placing section arranged on a base stand of the vehicle body transportation carriage.
US09156500B2
A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.
US09156498B2
A road finishing machine includes a control panel that can be moved between end positions on the left and right sides of the road finishing machine in a control platform. The control panel comprises a bearing roller fixed by means of a thrust bearing, and the bearing roller is engaged with a fixed bearing rail provided at the control platform.
US09156495B2
A driving support device for a first trailer coupling vehicle including a first trailer and a first towing vehicle includes: a leading vehicle driving status obtaining device for obtaining a driving status of a second trailer coupling vehicle; a first towing vehicle driving status obtaining device for successively obtaining a driving status of the first towing vehicle; a first trailer driving status obtaining device for successively obtaining a driving status of the first trailer; and a support device for supporting a driver of the first trailer coupling vehicle so as to bring the driving status of the first towing vehicle and the driving status of the first trailer closer to the driving status of a second towing vehicle and the driving status of a second trailer, respectively, when the first trailer coupling vehicle changes in direction.
US09156490B2
Disclosed is a steering column for a vehicle. According to the present invention, an actuating member and a fixed member can be smoothly coupled to each other without causing a catching feeling during a tilting operation of a steering column and noise generated when the actuating member and the fixed member are coupled to each other can be prevented. Further, the actuating member can be prevented from deviating from a coupling range of the fixed member when the adjusting lever is released or fastened for a tilting operation, increasing a safety of a tilting operation of the steering column.
US09156480B2
An in-vehicle information providing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores therein a station-facility image management table in which station-facility image selection conditions including at least a station name, a traveling direction, and a door opening direction are associated with station facility images, and a station-facility image database in which a plurality of station facility images corresponding to the station-facility image selection conditions are registered for each station. The in-vehicle information providing apparatus further includes an image-display control unit that selects, from the station-facility image database, a station facility image in which train information acquired from a train information management apparatus matches with the station-facility image selection conditions, by referring to the station-facility image management table, and transmits the selected station facility image as station-facility image information to the respective display units.
US09156479B2
Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.
US09156475B2
An actuator control apparatus including a by-wire control circuit, a monitor circuit, a drive determination section, and a prohibition section is provided. The by-wire control circuit electrically controls an actuator acting as a drive source of an on-board apparatus. The monitor circuit monitors whether or not the by-wire control circuit is normally operating. The monitor circuit is provided separately from the by-wire control circuit. The drive determination section determines prohibition and permission of driving the actuator. The prohibition section prohibits the actuator from being driven when the permission of driving the actuator is not determined by the drive determination section. The prohibition section also prohibits the actuator from being driven when the monitor circuit determines that the by-wire control circuit is not normally operating.
US09156469B2
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation for a driveline disconnect clutch is provided. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
US09156461B2
A control unit for a vehicle, which comprises an engine, a driving motor, an engaging/disengaging device, and a voltage raising device, includes a switching control unit and a voltage raising control unit controlling the voltage raising device. The switching control unit switches between a first driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by a driving force of the driving motor with the engaging/disengaging device released and a second driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by the driving force of the engine with the engaging/disengaging device engaged. In a case where a driving mode is switched from the first driving mode to the second driving mode, the switching control unit starts an engagement of the engaging/disengaging device and switches the driving mode to the second driving mode, after the voltage raising control unit starts the voltage raising control in the first driving mode.
US09156458B2
A braking system is provided that enables application and release of a parking brake with fluid control and that also maintains application of the brake during a loss of fluid pressure—all without using springs and using only a single fluid control conduit. The brake actuator for the system includes a housing defining service and parking chambers. A pushrod in the parking chamber is configured for movement with a diaphragm in the chamber. The parking brake is applied by introducing fluid on one side of the diaphragm. A clutch surrounds the pushrod and includes a tooth configured to engage corresponding teeth on the pushrod to hold the position of the pushrod even during a loss of fluid pressure. The clutch is rotated under fluid control to move the clutch tooth into and out of alignment with the teeth on the pushrod to hold and release the parking brake.
US09156457B2
Disclosed is an electro-hydraulic brake system including a master cylinder to generate hydraulic pressure according to pedal force applied to a brake pedal, a reservoir provided at an upper portion of the master cylinder to store oil, an intermediate pressure accumulator to store hydraulic pressure, a first motor and a first pump to suction oil through a channel connected to the reservoir and discharge the suctioned oil to the accumulator to create hydraulic pressure in the intermediate pressure accumulator in braking, a second motor and a second pump provided at an output side of the intermediate pressure accumulator to increase responsiveness in braking, two hydraulic circuits, each of the hydraulic circuits being connected to two wheels, and a flow control valve and a pressure reducing valve provided between the intermediate pressure accumulator and the two hydraulic circuits to control pressure transmitted from the intermediate pressure accumulator to a wheel cylinder installed at each of the wheels.
US09156454B2
A method for transferring brake fluid into a wheel brake cylinder of a brake system of a vehicle includes: controlling a switchover valve, via which a brake circuit having the wheel brake cylinder is connected to a main brake cylinder, into a closed state; subsequently reducing a booster force of a brake force booster, which is exerted upon an adjustable piston of the main brake cylinder; controlling a high-pressure switchover valve to a partially opened state after the reduction of the booster force of the brake force booster; and sucking in brake fluid via the partially opened, high-pressure switchover valve and pumping the brake fluid into the at least one wheel brake cylinder.
US09156453B2
In a motorcycle including a vehicle body frame, an engine supported by the vehicle body frame, an air cleaner box arranged above of the engine, and an ABS module capable of decompressing brake pressures of front and rear wheels, the ABS module is arranged at a position above the engine, rearward of the air cleaner box, in proximity to the left inlet port and a right inlet port of the air cleaner box for sucking outside air, and in suction routes of the left inlet port and the right inlet port. Therefore, a cooling effect with respect to an ABS module to suppress a thermal influence on the ABS module can be secured.
US09156446B2
A method is provided for activating at least one vehicle component of a vehicle in a braking situation of the vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to raking of the vehicle to a halt and monitoring of at least one second vehicle component take place, and the second vehicle component can be actuated by a vehicle occupant. In addition, actuation of the at least one first vehicle component after a predetermined time takes place in the event that the second vehicle component is not actuated by the vehicle occupant within the predetermined time.
US09156443B2
A cylinder portion formed in a caliper supports a pressure receiving portion and a pressing portion of a piston so as to allow the pressure receiving portion and the pressing section to advance and retreat. The piston is provided with a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism includes a reversing member for generating a reversing force when compressed by the pressure receiving portion and the pressing portion. The mechanism further includes a movable element moved in a retreating stroke due to the reversing force, and a first elastic member for generating a restoring force and imparting the restoring force, the first elastic member generating the restoring force when compressed by the movable element and the pressure receiving portion which is moved in an advancing stroke. The mechanism further includes a second elastic member for generating a frictional force for maintaining the compression and deformation of the first elastic member. The reversing member generates the reversing force along with the advance of the pressure receiving portion, the movable element relatively retreats due to the reversing force and compresses the first elastic member, and the generated restoring force returns the pressure receiving portion and the pressing portion along with a decrease in pressure of a brake fluid.
US09156432B2
A latch assembly for driving a closure panel from a closed panel position to an open panel position. The latch assembly comprises: a latch mechanism having a first latch element for retaining a mating latch component in a latched position and for moving the mating latch component from the latched position to an unlatched position when released, the movement of the first latch element biased towards the unlatched position by a latch biasing element; and an actuation system having: a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position; a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy; and a trigger system configured to provide the trigger force to release the stored mechanical potential energy.
US09156429B2
A curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle has an airbag with a receiving portion shaped to clamp onto or around a portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed to assist in securing the airbag in place. The receiving portion is formed by supplementary material adjacent to a seam between inner and outer panels of the airbag, the supplementary material forming a clamping pocket which grips an outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, the receiving portion is formed by first and second overlapping portions of the airbag which overlap one another when the airbag is deflated, the overlapping portions forming a clamping pocket configured to grip the outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag.
US09156427B2
An airbag assembly may include an inflatable curtain airbag with a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The inflatable curtain may have a first chamber and a second chamber that inflates forward of the first chamber. The second chamber may have a height above the height of the first chamber so that a bottom of the second chamber is pressed downward adjacent to a door of the vehicle. A plurality of airbag assembly components may be integrally formed with a non-inflating peripheral region surrounding the first and second chambers. Such components may include a front or rear tether cut from the front or rear of the non-inflating peripheral region, a top tether cut from the top of the non-inflating peripheral region to control deployment of the second chamber, and a fabric shield cut from the top to at least partially wrap around the stowed inflatable curtain airbag.
US09156416B2
A number of variations may include a product including an energy absorbing component for a vehicle comprising at least one of a crush can, an insert for a cross car beam or a front impact extension.
US09156415B2
A wire harness includes a relay box having an external shape that is defined by a frame to which one of a mechanical relay cassette and a communication-function-provided relay cassette is replaceably attached, a junction connector having a space in which a communication module is installable, and a junction box having a microcomputer which works a communication function optionally.
US09156411B2
An apparatus for securing a device to an exterior of a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of rail members spaced apart and substantially parallel each other, each rail member has two ends; a first and second pair of mounting brackets configured to be fixedly or detachably attached to a portion of the vehicle, wherein two rail members are in communication with the mounting brackets; a first and second transverse member having two ends, and the ends of the transverse members are in communication with the mounting brackets; a wagon member, having two ends, and the ends, of the wagon member are in communication with the rail members; the wagon member is moveable, and further comprises a cradle; a restraining member having two ends, and the restraining member is in communication with the rail members; the restraining member is stationary, rotatable, and comprises a restraining arm, which contacts the device to prevent movement.
US09156402B2
A vehicle periphery image generation apparatus for generating a vehicle periphery image with a wide view. The apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires vehicle periphery images obtained by vehicle mounted photographic cameras, a display device, a viewing point position setting unit that sets the position to a viewing point from a perpendicular upward direction, a fish-eye image generation unit for generating a fish-eye image using the periphery images and a position set by the viewing point position setting unit, a self vehicle image generation unit that generates a self vehicle image as the fish-eye image with the position set by the viewing point position setting unit, and a display image generation unit for generating an image to be displayed on the display device using the fish-eye image and the self vehicle image, wherein the position of the viewing point of the fish-eye image can be changed.
US09156399B2
A braking light system mounted on a road vehicle includes at least one braking light, a power source, a detecting unit, and a controlling unit. The braking light includes a light guide plate, a first light source, and a second light source. The light guide plate includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall and a plurality of holes and depressions to release internal light, the holes are arranged to present a decreasing diameter and decreasing density of holes between the light sources and sidewalls. The controlling unit controls the power source to provide power for the first light source at night, and when the detecting unit detects deceleration, the controlling unit is prompted to further control the power source to provide power for the second light source to emit light to provide an effective visual braking warning to any following driver.
US09156398B2
A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle. At least one transport device is rigidly connected to the motor vehicle in an outer region, an object is fastened to the transport device and the motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a sensor. The one transport device in a state in which it is connected to the motor vehicle is partially arranged within a recording range of the sensor. The method includes, but is not limited to determining whether one object is fastened to the transport device takes place based on data determined by the at least one sensor. In the event that it is determined that the object is fastened to the transport device, determining of at least one parameter takes place. The parameter characterizes a possible disconnecting of the one object from the transport device, based on data determined by the sensor.
US09156396B2
A charge port illumination system for a vehicle includes a charge port configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the vehicle. A pocket assembly is disposed at or proximate to the charge port and includes a base and a bezel at an outer region of the base. At least a portion of the bezel is exposed and viewable when the charge port is accessed to charge the power source. At least one illumination source is disposed at or behind the bezel. The illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event, is activated to provide backlighting of the bezel. The activated illumination source is automatically deactivated responsive to a deactivating event.
US09156391B2
The present invention discloses a collapsible rigid shelter for mounting on a truck bed. The shelter includes a floor with a pair of floor extensions, a roof shell, a collapsible roof support and a plurality of rigid wall panels. In the transport configuration, the rigid wall panels overlap the floor. The shelter may be transformed to the deployed configuration by using to collapsible roof support to elevate the roof shell, sliding the floor extensions laterally away from each other, and moving the wall panels to extend between from either the floor or one of the floor extensions to the roof shell, and thereby collectively form an enclosure when the shelter is in the deployed configuration.
US09156390B2
Systems and methods for supplying fresh cooking oil to fryers and removing used cooking oil from the fryers of facilities. The systems and methods include utilizing one or more portable vehicles to carry fresh and used oil for delivery and collection to and from fryers in remote kitchens, or kitchens where hard piped oil lines are not preferred. Also provided are methods of delivering cooking oil to, and removing cooking oil from, the facility via one or more additional vehicles that travels between the facility and one or more depots. In one embodiment, there is provided a bulk cooking oil distribution system having a bulk fresh cooking oil tank and a bulk used cooking oil tank. The system includes a fresh cooking oil tank and a used cooking oil tank, where these tanks are associated with a portable device for delivery and pickup of cooking oil in a facility.
US09156382B2
Provided is a vehicle seat having a sufficient strength against an impact load due to collision in a peripheral structure of a side frame and having a reduced size of the peripheral structure of the side frame. The vehicle seat includes a seat back frame having a side portion located on a lateral side, a load input member arranged on the lateral side of the seat back frame so that a load from another member is input thereto, a pressure receiving member coupled to the seat back frame via a joint member and supporting an occupant, and an impact reduction member arranged on at least one side of the side portion, engaging with the joint member, and moving the pressure receiving member rearward by an impact load applied to the pressure receiving member.
US09156381B2
A device for locking a vehicle seat comprises a locking pawl which may be pivoted about a first pivot between a closed position in which it engages a fitting part and an open position free of the fitting part. A locking element pivots about a second pivot axis to lock the pawl in its closed position by engagement of a first bearing surface of the locking element with a second bearing surface of the locking pawl. The locking element may further be pivoted about a third pivot axis to move it into a clamping position in which the locking element comes to bear with a first bearing point against the second bearing surface and comes to bear with a second bearing point spaced apart from the first bearing point against a third bearing surface of the locking pawl.
US09156368B2
A method and application that utilizes a signal processing algorithm is provided for detecting plug-in electric vehicle charging events through interrogation of smart meter data. The method is a form of non-invasive load monitoring that allows the utility to track plug-in electric vehicle charging events in real time or over extended periods. These parameters are suitably flexible so as to accommodate diverse electric vehicle technologies and a range of electric vehicle owners' charging habits. Application of the method facilitates the integration of electric vehicles into utilities' electrical grids, protection of the utilities' assets, geographic mapping of electric vehicle owners and charging events, managed charging through communication between the utility and the vehicle or owner, managed charging through the offer of time of use rates for electric vehicle owners, and an enabling technology to accompany other Smart Grid functions such as Vehicle-to-Grid distributed energy storage.
US09156360B2
Provided is a battery exchanging type charging station system for an electric vehicle. The battery exchanging type charging station system includes a charging station body formed with a structure in which the electric vehicle freely enters and exits and including a battery loading unit for receiving the battery, a battery replacing robot mounted in the charging station body to perform a battery replacement operation, a charging station control unit to control the battery replacing robot such that the battery replacement operation is performed by controlling the battery replacing robot, an information recognition unit configured to obtain data on an electric vehicle that enters the charging station body and/or data on a type, size, charging state, release date, charging date or the like of the battery, and a charging station control unit that allows a replacement operation of the battery to be performed by controlling the battery replacing robot.
US09156358B2
A hybrid electric vehicle includes at least one wheel, a friction brake, a motor, and at least one controller. The friction brake is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide friction brake torque, and the motor is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide regenerative brake torque. The controller is configured to command the motor to provide a regenerative brake torque to satisfy a low frequency torque component or a high frequency torque component of a required antilock wheel brake torque during an antilock braking event.
US09156357B2
A controller for an electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The controller includes a motor control processor (MCP) module configured to control torque output of the electric motor. The controller also includes a first main processor monitor (MPM) module and a second MPM module. The first MPM module and the second MPM module are configured to separately determine a state of health of the MCP module, and to generate a first fault signal and a second fault signal, respectively, after determining the MCP module is not functional. The controller further includes a voting control module configured to receive at least one of the first fault signal from the first MPM module, and the second fault signal from the second MPM module, and to generate an override command when it receives both the first fault signal and the second fault signal. The override command overrides the MCP module.
US09156351B2
A power transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a first shaft for transferring torque to a first driveline, a second shaft for transferring torque to a second driveline, and a transfer mechanism driving the second shaft. A mode clutch assembly drivingly connects the first shaft to the transfer mechanism and includes a clutch gear driven by the transfer mechanism and a mode sleeve. A sprocket hub associated with the transfer mechanism has external drive teeth meshed with internal drive teeth on the clutch gear with a predetermined amount of backlash therebetween. A ball cam mechanism centers the backlash and permits relative rotation between the transfer mechanism and the mode sleeve to circumvent a blocked mode shift.
US09156348B1
An electric drive for a vehicle includes an electric motor and a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear drivingly connected to a rotor of the electric motor. A ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is connected to a brake that can be released to provide the system with a disconnect. A first transfer gear is connected to the planetary carrier. A second transfer gear is drivingly engaged with the first transfer gear and rotatable about a second axis offset from an axis of the electric motor. A differential is drivingly connected to the second transfer gear and provides drive torque to a pair of drive shafts along the second axis.
US09156346B2
A transmission system for a four wheel drive hybrid electric vehicle includes: an input shaft selectively connected to a front wheel transmission housing while being connected to an output shaft of an engine; a first motor/generator having disposed in the front wheel transmission housing; a second motor/generator having a function of the motor and the generator and connected to a rear wheel output gear disposed in a rear wheel transmission housing; a planetary gear set on the input shaft and including three rotating elements, in which among three rotating elements, a first rotating element is directly connected to the first motor/generator and selectively connected to the input shaft, a second rotating element is directly connected to the input shaft, and a third rotating element is selectively connected to a front wheel output gear; and a connection unit disposed at a selective connection part.
US09156338B2
An elongated molding for a vehicle, including: a main body including, a head portion arranged at a front surface side of a circumferential edge of a window pane, a leg portion protruding from a back surface of the head portion and being arranged to face an end surface of the circumferential edge of the window pane, and a foot portion protruding from a tip of the leg portion toward a center of the window pane, wherein a volume raising portion is integrally provided to at least a portion of a back surface of the head portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein a thickness of the volume raising portion varies at at least some positions in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the volume raising portion is made of a resin material softer than a resin material constituting the head portion.
US09156334B1
A vehicle body structure includes a side wall, a vehicle impact sensor, a window covering assembly and a control mechanism. The window covering assembly is coupled to the side wall and has a plurality of window covering members extending along a window opening in the side wall from a first side of the window opening to a second side of the window opening opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of window covering members is configured to pivot between a window exposing orientation and a window covering orientation. The control mechanism is connected to the vehicle impact sensor and operably coupled to the plurality of window covering members to rapidly move the plurality of window covering members to the window covering orientation in response to detection of a vehicle impact event by the vehicle impact sensor.
US09156332B2
A vehicular heating control system, method, and program acquire an operation value that is a setting by an occupant and, when there is no manual operation, acquire a fuel consumption reduction amount and a fuel consumption amount and, when the fuel consumption reduction amount exceeds the fuel consumption amount and an improvement in fuel economy is expected, execute seat heater control, that is, heating by an electrothermal heater, decrease the wind force of a blower fan, and lower an engine startup threshold value. Heating by an air conditioning system and heating by the electrothermal heater are combined, so a heating effect is obtained while reducing the fuel consumption amount.
US09156329B2
A tubular twist beam comprises a tubular body 20 including a U-shaped groove 22, tubular end sections 28, and transition sections 26 therebetween. The width w of the U-shaped groove 22 decreases continuously from each transition section 26 to a center point C of the tubular body 20 and is narrowest at the center point C to shift stress from the transition sections 26 to an area around the center point C. The tubular body 20 also includes depressions 24 along side walls 38 of each transition section 26 to direct stress to the underside of the U-shaped groove 22 and further balance the stress levels along the length of the tubular body 20. Thus, the tubular body 20 can be formed with a reduced thickness t and thus a reduced weight without sacrificing performance.
US09156318B2
A tire comprising at least one carcass-type reinforcing structure formed of at least one layer of mutually parallel reinforcing elements making an angle, with the circumferential direction, of strictly less than 75° at least in the region of maximum axial width of the tire and of strictly less than 65° at least in the equatorial plane anchored on each side of the tire to a bead, each bead extending radially outwards in the form of a sidewall, the sidewalls radially towards the outside meeting a tread, and comprising, under the tread, a crown reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of reinforcing elements making angles of between 10° and 60° with the circumferential direction and known as a working layer, radially on the outside of the carcass-type reinforcing structure. In sidewalls, the tire comprises at least two axially adjacent carcass reinforcing layer portions, the reinforcing elements of the said carcass reinforcing layer portions being directed on each side of a meridian plane, at least in part of the sidewalls, and the reinforcing elements of at least one working layer crossing the reinforcing elements of the carcass-type reinforcing structure at an angle greater than 40°.
US09156316B2
A tire comprising a reinforcing structure of the carcass type and comprising under the tread strip a crown reinforcing structure consisting of at least two layers of reinforcing elements. The carcass-type reinforcing structure is produced in the form of two half-layers extending at least from the shoulders to the beads and each having an end under the tread strip, the crown reinforcing structure comprises at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements which are distributed in the transverse direction with a variable pitch and the pitch between the circumferential reinforcing elements is at a minimum in the region of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements that radially face the ends of each of the half-layers of the carcass-type reinforcing structure.
US09156303B2
File folders are provided having bent hangers from which a receptacle is suspended so that the top of the receptacle is beneath a rail-engaging portion of the hangers and/or beneath a top of the rail or other supporting structure of office storage equipment. The hangers of the file folder may also be collapsible for use outside the office storage equipment. The hangers may also have a grip, or handle, for removal of the file folder from the office storage equipment.
US09156302B2
This invention is directed to improvements in substrates, such as paper, incorporating a security device, and to documents made therefrom. The security substrate comprises at least one elongate security device, which security device has a series of first regions exposed at a series of windows formed in at least a first surface of the substrate and a series of second regions covered by the substrate at bridges formed between the windows in the first surface of the substrate. Each of the first regions is provided with a first security feature which is substantially of the same appearance in each region and is visible in each window when the first surface of the substrate is viewed ire reflected light. The second regions are provided with a second security feature which is substantially of the same appearance in each second region but is different from the first security feature and is not visible when the first surface of the substrate is viewed in reflected light, but is visible when the first surface of the substrate is viewed in transmitted light.
US09156300B2
The greeting card of the present invention includes a sound and motor module which enable the greeting card to play audio and activate a scroll mechanism which displays a scrolling scene across a window or screen located on at least one panel of the greeting card. The scroll mechanism contains a piece of thin paper or paper-like material which is attached end-to-end, forming a loop. The material is then placed between two rotating spindles or rollers which rotate the material in a loop across the greeting card page as a moving picture, scene or message. The scroll may contain a greeting, message or simply contain artwork or a funny or entertaining scene. The information on the scroll may be coordinated with the theme of the music or audio clip.
US09156298B2
A method is provided for printing graphic designs in-line during manufacture of a vehicle. The method utilizes an ink jet printing system to apply graphic designs over an uncured base coat of paint on the vehicle surface followed by the application of a protective clear coat over the graphic design.
US09156297B2
Marking device (10) having a housing, a stamp pad (13) and an ink reservoir (15), wherein the ink reservoir (15) has a fluid connection to the stamp pad (13) and the ink reservoir (15) is arranged with the stamp pad (13) in a bottom part (11.1) of the housing. The ink reservoir (15) comprises a reservoir region for accommodating an ink and a zone for accommodating the stamp pad (13), which comprises a plurality of outlet holes. In addition, the ink reservoir (15) comprises a plurality of capillary channels, which extend between the reservoir region and the zone, wherein each capillary channel leads to one of the outlet holes, to provide the fluid connection between ink reservoir (15) and the stamp pad (13).
US09156290B2
A system and method for printing on continuous feed media. In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage device is encoded with instructions that when executed cause a processor to: 1) print, via a printer, an image on continuous feed media; 2) compute a compensation factor that accounts for variation in form length of the continuous feed media; 3) compute, based on the computation factor, a distance to advance the continuous feed media such that a succeeding print starts at a top of form location of the continuous feed media; and 4) cause the printer to advance the continuous feed media in accordance with the determined distance to advance such that the succeeding print starts at the top of form location of the continuous feed media.
US09156287B2
A medium transport device includes a medium transport pathway that inverts a medium that is supplied from a processing unit and is capable of transporting the medium to the processing unit again, a plurality of supply units that supply media, and a plurality of convergence units at which the plurality of supply units and the medium transport route converge. A transport roller is provided in each convergence unit.
US09156264B2
An image recording apparatus including: (a) a head assembly including (a-1) recording heads having respective nozzle opening surfaces and (a-2) a head frame supporting the recording heads; (b) annular protrusions each of which is to be brought into contact with the head assembly, so as to surround the plurality of nozzles opening in the corresponding nozzle opening surface; (c) a supporting tray elongated in a supporting-tray longitudinal direction and supporting the annular protrusions; (d) a movement mechanism configured to move the head assembly and/or the supporting tray, and (e) a positioning pin projecting from a pin-located portion of the supporting tray. The pin-located portion is outside the annular protrusions, and is located in a center of the supporting tray in the supporting-tray longitudinal direction. The head frame has a positioning hole, into which the positioning pin is to be introduced upon contact of each annular protrusion with the head assembly.
US09156263B2
A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate for ejecting liquid in response to an externally supplied electrical signal; an electrical wiring board having a first and second part mutually joined via a bent portion, the first part having an electrical joint portion for supplying the signal to the substrate, the second part having an electrical signal input portion into which the signal is input and to which the joint portion is connected; and a housing having first and second surfaces mutually adjoining, the first and second surfaces respectively supporting the first and second parts. The second part is fixed to the second surface at plural first fixing positions around the input portion. The second surface has a depressed portion formed closer to the bent portion than the first fixing positions. The second part is fixed to the housing at a second fixing position inside the depressed portion.
US09156262B2
In an embodiment, a fluid ejection device includes a substrate with a fluid slot, and a chamber layer over the substrate that defines a firing chamber and a fluidic channel extending through the firing chamber and in fluid communication with the slot at first and second ends. The device includes a tophat layer formed as a two-layer stack over the chamber layer, and a nozzle bore over the firing chamber that comprises a greater cavity formed in a first layer of the stack and a lesser cavity formed in a second layer of the stack, the greater cavity encompasses a larger volume than the lesser cavity.
US09156249B1
A recording apparatus includes a plurality of complementing units which form a complementing dot for complementing a dot to be formed using a defective nozzle; and a selection unit which selects any complementing unit from among the plurality of complementing units, in which the plurality of complementing units includes a substitute nozzle complementing unit which forms the complementing dot on the first raster using a substitute nozzle, without using a vicinity formation nozzle; and a combination complementing unit which forms a complementing dot on the first raster using the substitute nozzle, and on the second raster using the vicinity formation nozzle.
US09156244B2
An inking system of a printing press includes an impression cylinder for guiding a printing substrate, and at least one ink-transfer roller. The ink-transfer roller includes a cylinder mandrel, on which at least one cylinder sleeve is concentrically displaceable, and bearing blocks, in which ends of the ink-transfer roller are mounted and which are independently displaceable in the radial direction of the impression cylinder. The ink-transfer roller can be set against the impression cylinder or any other ink-transfer roller, with a bearing block being detachable from one end of the ink-transfer roller and displaceable relative to the ink-transfer roller so that the cylinder sleeve can be removed via this one end. A stop device, with which the cylinder sleeve can be brought into contact, has components that are movable in the axial direction of the print roller. The movable stop device components can be decelerated via a force-providing element.
US09156239B2
A method of assembling a core stiffened structure that includes bonding a composite core to a substructure by utilizing magnetic force to create pressure between a flat surface of the composite core the substructure, and bonding a face sheet onto a surface network of the composite core.
US09156236B2
A vacuum-powered film-applying mechanism for applying a flexible film to a workpiece includes a bracket, a suction member, and a rotating joint. The suction member is rotatably mounted on the bracket, and defines a peripheral surface and a plurality of suction chambers therein, and by virtue of a vacuum created in the interior of the suction member, a length of flexible film is attracted and adhered. The rotating joint on the bracket communicates with the plurality of the suction chamber, through the rotating joint, air is supplied and exhausted from the plurality of suction chambers progressively, on a one by one basis, to pick up and roll the flexible film onto itself, and by supplying air to the plurality of suction chambers one by one, unrolls and releases the flexible film onto the workpiece with a low incidence of trapping air bubbles.
US09156233B2
Waterproof engineered floor and wall planks have a wear layer and an underlayer about an extruded dust and plastic composite core.
US09156232B2
The present invention discloses an environmentally-friendly polyurethane matting and a method of production thereof. The environmentally-friendly polyurethane matting comprises a leather surface, a polyurethane middle layer and an anti-slip leather bottom layer. The present invention is applied with the polyurethane instead of silica gel. The polyurethane avoids oil seepage when the matting is used, as is therefore environmentally-friendly fire proof, and safe. The elasticity and other performance of the polyurethane are hardly changed during usage, and environmentally-friendly polyurethane matting provides comfort and enhances the tactile feeling when people standing on the matting. Further, the matting has a long service life.
US09156228B2
A method for producing a multi-layer plastic film comprising at least one compact cover layer and at least one layer which is arranged under the cover layer and made of extruded foamed plastic (foam layer), wherein the compact cover layer is connected to the foam layer thermally or by adhesion after extrusion and cooling of the foam layer to below the melting temperature. The layer made of foamed plastic is generated by blowing a propellent which is under positive pressure into a plastic melt during the extrusion process and by subsequently relaxing the propellent which is under positive pressure, wherein the foamed plastic is at first not cross-linked and is cross-linked together with the compact cover layer, in particular by high-energy radiation, only after the foam layer and the compact cover layer have been connected.
US09156222B2
A press machine includes a controller including a top-dead-center detector adapted to: rotate a main shaft in a predetermined direction selected from a normal rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction to place a slide at a first position displaced relative to a top dead center of the slide by a predetermined height; while outputting and counting pulses from an angle detector, rotate the main shaft in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction to move the slide to a second position located at the same height as the first position beyond the top dead center; and rotate the main shaft from the second position in the predetermined direction by an amount corresponding to a half of the counted pulses to detect the top dead center.
US09156217B2
A method is provided for making a container having a body and a rim defining an opening for the container, the opening being capable of being closed by a push-on lid, the container being made of a material which is susceptible to deformation when heated.
US09156213B2
The invention provides a method of coating and thereby affecting the surface properties of a substrate such as a contact lens or other ophthalmic device. The method comprises the steps of generating an atmospheric plasma flow from a working gas and controlling the continuity of the atmospheric plasma flow with a power generator, and, introducing the atmospheric plasma flow to a substrate surface.
US09156206B2
The present invention provides a joined body manufacturing method with which the resin material is accurately attached to the first base material. The method includes: an attaching step of attaching a sheet material having resin material on one main surface of a sheet base material to a first base material such that a predetermined area is covered; a forming step of forming a slit for ease of separation on the sheet material attached to the first base material in accordance with the predetermined area; and a separating step of separating part of the resin material inside the slit from the sheet base material such that the part of the resin material inside the slit remains on the predetermined area of the first base material and part of the resin material outside the slit does not remain on the first base material.
US09156203B2
An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.
US09156186B2
A problem is to provide a production method by which a high-strength concrete formed body can be obtained. The problem can be solved by a method for producing a concrete formed body including a defoaming step [1] of holding a concrete composition having a water-cement ratio adjusted to from 14 to 20%, in a reduced pressure atmosphere to obtain a defoamed concrete; a defoaming step [2] of holding a carbon fiber immersed in a cement solution having a water-cement ratio adjusted to 14% or more, in a reduced pressure atmosphere to obtain a defoamed fiber; and a forming step of placing the defoamed concrete and the defoamed fiber within a shuttering, followed by curing to obtain a high-strength concrete formed body.
US09156179B2
Separating and/or sorting processed workpieces cut from a metal sheet, and the remnant surrounding the workpiece, is performed by holding the workpieces and remnant in a co-planar state after processing, moving the held workpieces and remnant away from a processing area, and then, with the workpiece and remnant still held, moving the workpiece and remnant relative to one another with a separating movement perpendicular to the workpiece plane, to such an extent that the workpiece is displaced outside the remnant.
US09156178B2
An electrically operated slicing machine for cutting slices from product has cutting device with a circular knife mounted in a machine housing that rotates in a cutting plane (E; E′) and a substantially flat support plate having a support surface for placement of the carriage carrying the product. The carriage is guided parallel to the cutting plane via a carriage base along a slide rail rigidly connected to the machine housing. The carriage base is supported to be movable relative to the machine housing via at least two support elements that are movably accommodated within a guide space.
US09156173B2
The invention relates to a cutting device (1) for cutting hair, having at least two blades (2, 3) which move back and forth relative to each other. The blades (2, 3) are provided with teeth (8, 9) which extend transversally to the direction of movement (P), and tooth gaps (25, 26) arranged therein. The teeth (8, 9) have contact surfaces (4, 5) on their facing sections which are in gliding contact with each other and which form cutting edges (34, 35) on their sides bounding the tooth gaps (25, 26) such that the back and forth movement (P) of the blades causes the tooth gaps (25, 26), cooperating with each other, to form constantly changing cutting gaps (32) in which hair becomes clamped and is finally cut. According to the invention, the free ends of teeth (9) of one blade (3) project over sections (15) of free ends of teeth (9) of other blades (2), and projections (17) extend from the projecting sections (15) of the teeth (9) on the contact surfaces (5) side. The projections (17) improve the cutting result by erecting the hairs lying flat against the skin surface (29) during the cutting process, feeding them more easily to the teeth (8, 9).
US09156172B2
A robot skeletal component may be configured to support and power a robot. The skeletal component may include an elongated inner core and a battery coupled to and substantially circumscribing the inner core. The robot skeletal component may be configured to connect to a joint via a quick release flange. A casing may enclose the battery. The casing may be configured to seal punctures. The robot skeletal component may include a heating element to heat the battery. The robot skeletal component may be configured to transport fluid, data, and/or electrical power. The inner core may include a plurality of surface elements to transfer data and/or electrical power. The inner core may include a hollow interior, and the hollow interior may include a plurality of non-interconnected chambers configured to transfer fluid. The inner core may include insulators to insulate the inner core from the surface elements and/or the fluid.
US09156171B2
A gripper for manipulating tube-shaped specimen cups having a gripper base, at least two gripper fingers each comprising a retaining section for clutching a specimen cup and being arranged to rotate relative to the base about a finger rotation axis. The retaining sections are arranged acentrically relative to the associated finger rotation axis. A first drive twists the fingers. The fingers are coupled to each other so that they are driven by the drive at the same time and with the same rotation speed and direction. A second drive is provided for twisting the base relative to the base body. A control unit controls the drives such that by a movement combination of twisting the fingers relative to the base and twisting the base relative to the base body for each of the retaining sections of the fingers in each case an essentially linear movement relative the base body results.
US09156163B2
A robot system includes: a robot arm; a robot hand provided on the robot arm; a contact unit provided on the robot hand for rotating a rotation body of a rotation device which includes the rotation body capable of housing a work and a fixed part rotatably supporting the rotation body and which performs a predetermined process on the work; a detection unit configured to detect a detection target part provided on the rotation body; and a first control unit configured to control operation of the robot arm and the robot hand so that the contact unit rotates the rotation body up to a predetermined rotational position according to a result of detecting the detection target part by the detection unit.
US09156159B2
Techniques are disclosed for optimizing and maintaining cyclic biped locomotion of a robot on an object. The approach includes simulating trajectories of the robot in contact with the object. During each trajectory, the robot maintains balance on the object, while using the object for locomotion. The approach further includes determining, based on the simulated trajectories, an initial state of a cyclic gait of the robot such that the simulated trajectory of the robot starting from the initial state substantially returns to the initial state at an end of one cycle of the cyclic gait. In addition, the approach includes sending joint angles and joint velocities of the initial state to a set of joint controllers of the robot to cause a leg of the robot to achieve the initial state so the robot moves through one or more cycles of the cyclic gait.
US09156157B2
A tool box includes two pivoted halves and a chamber with a bottom and two opposite walls. A plurality of positioning units formed in the walls each include a positioning cavity located in one direction, a first guide groove located farther from the bottom than the positioning cavity, a first pivot cavity at one end of the first guide groove and located in the one direction, a second pivot cavity formed at another end of the first guide groove and located in another direction, a second guide groove and located between the first pivot and positioning cavities, a third pivot cavity formed at one end of the second guide groove, located in the two directions and disposed between the first pivot and positioning cavities, and a fourth pivot cavity formed at another end of the second guide groove and located between the second pivot cavity and the bottom.
US09156151B2
A tool for use in installation, adjustment and removal of an energy storage device for a counterbalance system. The tool includes a member rotatable to manipulate a spring carriage. One embodiment includes a threaded shaft, an engagement member which engages the slidable carriage, a locking nut disposed on the threaded shaft, and a bearing member disposed to the threaded shaft between the locking nut and the engagement member. A position of the slidable carriage between compressed and extended positions relative the track housing is adjustable by rotation of the threaded shaft. Another embodiment includes a frame, a cable spool rotatably attached to the frame, and having a gear attached in a co-axial arrangement to the cable spool, and a worm gear attached to the frame. The spool gear is rotatable by the worm gear to apply axial force to the slidable carriage by winding the counterbalance cable.
US09156144B2
A ratchet mechanism contains a chamber defined by at least one gear surface, a rotating member positioned at least partially within the chamber, a gear member positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a stop member engaging the rotating member, such that the rotating member and the stop member rotate in unison. A movable pin engages and rotatably connects the rotating member and the gear member, and the pin is movable to disengage the pin from the rotating member and permit the rotating member to be shifted between different drive configurations. The gear member has a plurality of gear teeth around its outer periphery. At least a portion of the gear teeth engage the gear surface. The gear member can rotate freely in one rotational direction, and the stop member abuts the gear member to prevent rotation of the gear member in an opposed rotational direction.
US09156138B1
A bar clamp/spreading tool having a first clamp member with a curved arm that ends in a pad. The first bar clamp is fastened to an elongated beam that extends into and is attached to a beam housing. The beam housing includes a cavity. A variable length external member extends from the cavity into an assembly cavity of a primary housing. The primary housing includes a channel that receives a ratcheting rod. The bar clamp/spreading tool further includes a second clamp member that receives the ratcheting rod. The second clamp member has a ratcheting actuator for causing the second clamp member to ratchet down the ratcheting rod. This configuration results in a clamp. The first clamp member can be removed, flipped around and attached to the ratcheting member to form a spreading tool.
US09156128B2
An object is to provide a burnishing method in which it is possible to reduce the flying height of a magnetic head by improving the smoothness of the surface of a magnetic disk while suppressing contamination of the magnetic disk due to falling-off or crushing of abrasive grains from a polishing tape.In the burnishing method, an alignment process of adjusting the position in a thickness direction of a magnetic disk 10 of an outer peripheral plate 75 installed outside an outer peripheral end 10c of at least one of the magnetic disk 10 and the magnetic disk 10 so as to make the surface of the outer peripheral plate 75 and the surface of the magnetic disk 10 become flush with each other is performed between a substrate installation process and a burnishing process.
US09156122B2
A method is capable of monitoring the polishing surface of the polishing pad without removing the polishing pad from the polishing table. The method includes: conditioning the polishing surface of the polishing pad by causing a rotating dresser to oscillate on the polishing surface; measuring a height of the polishing surface when the conditioning of the polishing surface is performed; calculating a position of a measuring point of the height on a two-dimensional surface defined on the polishing surface; and repeating the measuring of the height of the polishing surface and the calculating of the position of the measuring point to create height distribution in the polishing surface.
US09156121B2
Enhanced methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser and an optical camera generating samples that may be processed in real time into data regarding the surface contours and the diameter variations on the tubular's external surface. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.
US09156113B2
Processes for fabricating components to have two or more regions with different grain structures, and components produced by such processes. The processes entail performing at least one forging step on a preform to produce a profile having at least a first portion corresponding to the first region of the component. The preform is formed of a precipitation-strengthened alloy having a solvus temperature, and the at least one forging step comprises a nonfinal forging step performed at a first strain rate and at a first subsolvus temperature that is below the solvus temperature of the alloy. A subsequent forging step is performed on the profile to produce a final profile comprising the first portion and a second portion corresponding to the second region of the component. The subsequent forging step is performed at a strain rate and at a subsequent subsolvus temperature, wherein at least one of the subsequent strain rate and subsequent subsolvus temperature is either higher or lower than the first strain rate or first subsolvus temperature. A heat treatment is then performed on the final profile to cause grain growth, wherein the first portion of the final profile has a different grain size than the second portion.
US09156102B2
A process and method for welding using an oxygen and propylene gas mixture is disclosed herein. Landing gear components may be welded together using this oxygen and propylene gas fuel source. For instance, an axle beam and/or a post of an aircraft may be welded using oxygen and propylene gas fuel source.
US09156098B2
An outer blade cutting wheel comprising an annular thin disc base of cemented carbide and a blade section is manufactured by disposing permanent magnet pieces on the side surfaces and inward of the outer periphery of the base to produce a magnetic field, providing magnetic coated diamond and/or CBN abrasive grains such that the magnetic field may act on the grains, causing the grains to be magnetically attracted to the base outer periphery, and electroplating or electroless plating whereby the abrasive grains are bound to the base outer periphery to form the blade section.
US09156097B2
A reciprocating saw that includes a spindle including a blade slot configured to receive a saw blade. The saw further includes a blade clamp operable to removably couple the saw blade to the spindle, and the blade clamp includes a first actuator pivotable about the spindle between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a first locking member movable relative to the blade slot between an engaged position and a disengaged position in response to movement of the first actuator between the locked position and the unlocked position. The blade clamp further includes a second actuator pivotable about the spindle between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a second locking member movable relative to the blade slot between an engaged position and a disengaged position in response to movement of the second actuator between the locked position and the unlocked position.
US09156090B2
A method of manufacturing iron-based powder includes providing an iron-based molten steel manufactured through a iron making process and a steelmaking process to a tundish; and performing water atomization over the molten steel discharged through a nozzle connected to the tundish. The iron-based powder is manufactured from the molten steel refined after a molten iron tapped from a iron making process is charged into a converter without a pre-treatment process of the molten iron, thus economically providing the highly clean iron-based powder.
US09156087B2
The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.
US09156086B2
Multi-component vane segment and method for forming the same. Assembly includes: positioning a pre-formed airfoil component (12) and a preformed shroud heat resistant material (18) in a mold, wherein the airfoil component (12) and the shroud heat resistant material (18) each comprises an interlocking feature (24); preheating the mold; introducing molten structural material (46) into the mold; and solidifying the molten structural material such that it interlocks the pre-formed airfoil component (12) with respect to the preformed shroud heat resistant material (18) and is effective to provide structural support for the shroud heat resistant material (18). Surfaces between the airfoil component (12) and the structural material (46), between the airfoil component (12) and the shroud heat resistant material (18), and between the shroud heat resistant material (18) and the structural material (46) are free of metallurgical bonds.
US09156079B2
The invention is directed to a system and method of applying a coating of lubricant material to the surface of a sheet metal blank in a controlled manner such that some areas of the blank have uniform thickness of lubricant while other areas have no lubricant at all or have a variable amount (progressively increasing or decreasing) of lubricant. This is achieved through the use of a mask template that comprises an overspray fence and at least one contact element. The lubricated coated sheet metal blank is utile for superplastic forming to produce specialized complex shaped parts. The invention advantageously lessens the possibility of skid or slip lines appearing in the finished product as well as lessens the likely build-up of lubricant in forming dies—easing maintenance requirements.
US09156072B2
Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic extrusion apparatus which causes resonance of an extrusion die using ultrasonic vibrations, thus reducing friction between the extrusion die and an extrusion material. The ultrasonic extrusion apparatus has an increased number of ultrasonic vibrators provided around the extrusion die in the circumferential direction to increase the vibration output, whereby when extruding a metal material such as a magnesium material, friction between the metal material and the extrusion die can be reduced, thus improving the performance of the extrusion process (preventing a reduction in an extrusion rate, generation of heat, cracking of a product, errors in measurements, etc.).
US09156065B2
A sorting and inspection apparatus comprising a feed system for delivering a product stream sequentially through an imaging zone and a sorting zone, at least one tight source for illuminating a product at the imaging zone, at least one optical sensor and detector circuit for viewing at least a portion of the illuminated product at the imaging zone, for collecting viewed data, for determining a condition of that at least portion of the illuminated product from the viewed data and then for outputting a signal dependent upon the determined condition of that at least portion of the illuminated product, and at least one ejector for ejecting product at the sorting zone dependent upon the output signal. The imaging zone comprises at least two sensor zones, sequentially arranged one after another in a direction of the product stream. The data collected from the at least two sensor zones is temporally delayed between an earlier one of the sensor zones and a subsequent sensor zone, with the temporal delay being set at a time that would match a sensor output for the said earlier one of the sensor zones with a sensor output for the said subsequent sensor zone for a hypothetical product travelling through the viewing zone at a fixed, predetermined velocity. The apparatus additionally determines the velocity of each product that passes through the sensor zones. The determined velocity, or its difference from the predetermined velocity, used in a determination of a shortened but non-clipped sector of each sensor zone from which to use collected data for basing its defect determination.
US09156053B2
A melt system capable of heating hot melt pellets into a liquid includes a melter including a body, a chamber, a collector, channels, and a heater. The thermally conductive body forms an interior with a surface area. The chamber is at an upper end of the body for receiving the pellets. The collector is within the body and located below the chamber for receiving the liquid from the melted pellets. The channels extend between the chamber and the collector to increase the surface area of the interior, and the walls of the channels form heat exchange surfaces. The heater is for transferring heat to the body.
US09156052B2
A hand held shower head with filter replacing pre-display device comprises a round recess socket with hoop female threads created into the reverse side of a shower head shell to let an alerting pod screwing mesh therein. A signal circuit device is embedded in the alerting pod for measuring and displaying function. The alerting pod can be either screwing meshed into the recess socket for normal measuring and alerting function or screwing detached off the recess socket for battery recharging operation. Thereby, not only the shower head shell can be adequately powered but also the alerting pod can be separated out of the shower head shell for independently recharging operation so that shower head shell is unnecessary to discarded and replaced even the power supply in the signal circuit device is running out. Thus, it not only saves resource waste but also conserves economical expense incurred by frequent replacement of the shower head shell.
US09156047B2
A container includes a container body for receiving a liquid, a locking connector, a pump unit and a depressible head assembly. The locking connector includes a locking ring threadedly disposed on a top portion of the container body, a dosage guide ring protruding upwardly from the locking ring, and at least one dosage guide unit. The pump unit extends downwardly into the container body and is drivenable to move in a top-bottom direction so as to draw the liquid in the container body. The depressible head assembly includes a depressible head for driving the pump unit to move in the top-bottom direction, and a biasing member abutting against the depressible head and the locking connector.
US09156046B2
An exemplary plural component heater assembly includes a plurality of heater modules each having a plurality of bores forming at least a first component path and a second component path, and at least one heating element receptacle configured to receive a heating element for heating the first and second component paths.
US09156045B1
A dripless atomizing nozzle may include a nozzle body having a liquid orifice in fluid communication with a liquid inlet, a gas orifice in communication with a gas inlet, and a liquid passage connecting the liquid inlet and the liquid orifice, and a piston body having a piston passage communicating with the gas inlet; the nozzle body may include a connecting portion shaped to enable the piston body to be selectively removed from and attached to the nozzle body. A piston positioned in the piston passage may include a stem and a bias element connected to move the piston and stem within the piston passage such that the presence of gas above a predetermined pressure in the piston passage overcomes a force of the bias element to displace the piston to move the tip away from the liquid orifice to open the liquid orifice.
US09156041B1
A DMMP vapor generator, system, and method includes a mixing chamber that receives heated air; at least one heating coil operatively connected to the mixing chamber, wherein the at least one heating coil receives liquid DMMP and uses the heated air to heat the liquid DMMP; a mist sprayer operatively connected to the mixing chamber, wherein the mist sprayer receives the heated liquid DMMP and atomizes the heated liquid DMMP into a DMMP aerosol; and a tube operatively connected to the mixing chamber, wherein the tube receives and vaporizes the DMMP aerosol. The DMMP vapor generator may further include a heater operatively connected to the tube, wherein the heater maintains a temperature in at least a portion of the tube to continue a steady vaporization of the DMMP aerosol. The heated air in the mixing chamber and in the at least a portion of the tube is approximately 195° F.
US09156038B2
A process and system for the separation of materials from electrochemical cells is disclosed. Electrode materials are removed from electrochemical cells and separated into constituent active materials using magnetic separation.
US09156037B2
A microfluidic device for separating target components from a source fluid includes one or more source channels connected to one or more collection channels by one or more transfer channels. The target components of the source fluid can be magnetic or bound to magnetic particles using a know binding agent. A source fluid containing magnetically bound target components can be pumped through the source channel of the microfluidic device. A magnetic field gradient can be applied to the source fluid in the source channel causing the magnetically bound target components to migrate through the transfer channel into the collection channel. The collection channel can include a collection fluid that is stagnant until a predefined volume of source fluid is processed or a predefined volume of target components accumulate in the collection channel, at which point collection fluid can be pumped into the collection channel to flush the target components out of the collection channel. The target components can be subsequently analyzed for detection and diagnosis.
US09156034B2
A process for treating used absorbent sanitary products, comprising the steps of providing a rotary cylindrical autoclave having an inner surface and two ends, at least one of which terminates in a hatch that can be opened to enable access to said autoclave and sealably closed to enable pressurization of said autoclave; loading said autoclave with closed absorbent sanitary products; heating and pressurizing the autoclave to a sterilization temperature and at the same time driving the autoclave in rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein said step of heating and pressurizing the autoclave envisages a first temperature regime for the products contained in the autoclave and a second temperature regime, higher than the first temperature regime, for said inner surface.
US09156031B2
The present invention relates to a pipette having: a rod-shaped handle body in which a drive unit is arranged for a displacement unit having an operating element in the top end, and having a seat for a pipette tip or syringe in the bottom end, wherein the handle body has a front grip surface that is approximately straight in the bottom part of the handle body in a vertical sectional plane through the handle body, and curves across the handle body toward a thumb rest in the top part of the handle body above the area that comes into contact with the surface of the hand, and the operating element actuatable with the thumb is arranged in the thumb rest.
US09156030B2
A pipette tip having the shape of an elongate small tube with a lower opening at the lower end for the passage of liquid, and an upper opening at the upper end, wherein a seat area exists on the inner circumference contiguous to the upper opening, which serves for plugging it onto a standardized conical attachment piece of a pipetting device, wherein the seat area has a retaining area with axially extending ribs projecting radially towards the inside, and below the retaining area a sealing area and is configured such that when the pipette tip is plugged onto the attachment piece with its seat area by a plugging force which ensures retaining and sealing of the pipette tip on the attachment piece, the ribs are partly plastically deformed, and elastic deformation occurs in the seat area outside of the ribs.
US09156027B2
An exhaust-gas catalyst carrier made of a composite of θ-alumina and a zirconia-titania solid solution, an exhaust-gas catalyst employing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier, and a method of manufacturing the exhaust-gas catalyst carrier are provided.
US09156021B2
The method and nanocomposite for treating wastewater provides a method of treating aniline-containing wastewater with a magnetic nanocomposite. Nickel nitrate, iron nitrate and citric acid are dissolved in deionized water to form a metal nitrate and citric acid solution, which is then pH balanced. The pH balanced solution is then heated to form a gel, which is then ignited to form powdered NiFe2O4. Nanoparticles of the powdered NiFe2O4 combustion product are then mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a magnetic nanocomposite, such that the magnetic nanocomposite includes approximately 75 wt % of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and approximately 25 wt % of the NiFe2O4. The magnetic nanocomposite may then be mixed into a volume of aniline-containing wastewater for adsorption of the aniline by the nanocomposite. A magnetic field is then applied to the mixture to magnetically separate the magnetic nanocomposite and the adsorbed aniline from the wastewater.
US09156020B2
A particulate form carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent, having the following characteristics: (a) CO2 capacity greater than 105 cc/gram at one bar pressure and temperature of 273° Kelvin; (b) CO2 Working Capacity greater than 7.0 weight percent; (c) CO2 heats of adsorption and desorption each of which is in a range of from 10 to 50 kJ/mole; and (d) a CO2/N2 Henry's Law Separation Factor greater than 5. The carbon pyrolyzate material can be formed from a polyvinylidene chloride-based polymer or copolymer, or other suitable resin material, to provide an adsorbent that is useful for carbon dioxide capture applications, e.g., in treatment of flue gases from coal-fired power generation plants.
US09156011B2
A blender system (1) has a container (3) for holding material to be blended. The container (3) has a first portion (2) with blade member assemblies (6, 8). The assemblies (6, 8) are rotationally driveable around axes of rotation (10, 12). The container has a second portion (4) with a guiding surface (18). A cross-section (38) of the guiding surface (18) which encloses said axes of rotation is a convexly shaped closed curve (20). The direction of the cross-sectional curve (20) is continuously varying direction along the perimeter of the guiding surface (18).
US09156005B2
The present invention concerns a semipermeable hollow fiber membrane having an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface and an interior lumen extending along the length thereof and having the selective layer on the outer wall surface with a surface roughness below 10 nm. According to the invention the membrane has the smallest pore size on the outer wall surface, and has an outer wall surface which is smooth, continuous and homogeneous in a nanoscopic scale and four to five distinct layers of different pore size and density. Further the present invention concerns a process for manufacturing thereof and the use thereof.
US09156003B2
A method of making a membrane element adapted for use in water treatment and osmotic pressures, the method comprises providing a plurality of spacer structures having given dimension, placing one or more spacer structures on a hollow fiber (“HF”) assembly platform, extending rows of HFs with spaces having given width therebetween over the one or more spacer structures aligned with the longitudinal axis of the HF assembly platform, forming a membrane element comprising a stack of alternating rows of HFs and intervening spacer structures wherein each HF comprises a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane being adapted to achieve salt rejection of 98.5% or more and exhibiting a surface tension of 35 dynes/cm or more and the given dimensions, a first width and a second width are effective to maintain a Reynolds Number of 3000 or more and the stack maintaining a mechanical integrity at feed pumping pressure of 30 bars or higher.
US09155995B2
The treatment system for a flue gas from a combustion process includes a condenser, a compressor for compressing the flue gas deprived of moisture at the condenser, a NO2 scrubber column supplied with the compressed flue gas from the compressor, a liquid supply line for supplying liquid condensed at the condenser to the NO2 scrubber column, and a liquid recirculation line for recirculating liquid from the NO2 scrubber column to the condenser.
US09155991B2
The present invention provides a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus capable of recovering heat energy of carbon-dioxide-containing gas which includes an absorbing tower to generate and discharge a rich liquid absorbing carbon dioxide as carbon-dioxide-containing gas is introduced and contacted to an absorbing liquid to absorb carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide release devices to discharge semi-lean liquids which have steam containing a part of carbon dioxide released by heating the rich liquid discharged from the absorbing tower, and a regeneration tower to generate a lean liquid which has steam containing remaining carbon dioxide released and separated by heating the semi-lean liquids discharged from the carbon dioxide release devices and to return the lean liquid to the absorbing tower.
US09155990B2
A method for eliminating or substantially reducing emission of amines (amineslip) and alkaline degradation products to the atmosphere from a plant for CO2 capture from a flue gas, where the CO2 is captured by counter-current flow to an absorbent in an absorption zone, the absorbent comprising an aqueous solution of one or more amine(s), to give a CO2 lean flue gas that is released into the surroundings, and a CO2 rich absorbent that is regenerated in a regeneration column to give a CO2 rich gas that is treated further, and regenerated absorbent that is recycled to the absorption zone, wherein the CO2 lean flue gas is washed with an acidic aqueous solution to remove or substantially reduce the amount of amine(s) and alkaline degradation products thereof in the gas, is described.
US09155989B2
A method and system for purification of a pressurized gas stream, wherein the method includes in a first absorption step bringing the pressurized gas stream in direct contact with a first absorption solution absorbing at least part of the acidic gases, in the gas stream obtaining a gas liquid mixture; and separating the gas liquid mixture in a partly purified pressurized gas stream and a first rich absorption solution. In a second downstream absorption step bringing the partly purified pressurized gas in contact with a second absorption solution through a membrane contactor, obtaining a second rich absorption solution and a purified pressurized gas stream. The first absorption solution is a partially lean absorption solution.
US09155977B2
Subject of the invention is a method for the production of a cyanopyridine, wherein (A) a gaseous reaction product comprising the cyanopyridine is produced in a reactor, (B) the gaseous reaction product is quenched with water in a column (2) and a gaseous phase is obtained, which is depleted from at least a portion of the cyanopyridine, (C) the gaseous phase is transferred to a condenser, in which a condensate is obtained, and the gaseous phase is depleted from at least a portion of the water, and (D) the gaseous phase from the condenser is passed through at least one heat exchanger. Another subject of the invention is a device for carrying out the invention.
US09155964B2
A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09155960B2
The creation of a video-game console for use with an allied touchscreen device or device plurality such as a smartphone and/or tablet is described. The allied touchscreen device may serve as the external media source for the video-game console assembly and further in modelling the input and output dynamics of said device under the ascendency of serviceable mapping systems. A series of specialty-input controllers for interaction with the present invention are also advanced by the inventor; including those designed for remote manipulation of an actionable sensor input where salient to the input dynamics of an engaged gaming title.
US09155956B2
A toepiece (10) for a binding device for securing a boot to a gliding board comprises a fixed part (11) which is intended to be secured to the gliding board, and a mobile part (12) which is mounted on the fixed part with a possibility of relative movement (T) with at least one transverse component and on which two jaws (13d, 13g) are mounted so as to pivot about a substantially longitudinal axis (Ag, Ad). The toepiece (10) comprises a lever (16) that is actuable from the outside of the toepiece (10) and takes up a blocking position in which blocking elements (25d, 25g) that are integral with the lever (16) prevent the jaws (13d, 13g) from tilting so as to keep the toepiece (10) in a closed configuration in which the jaws (13d, 13g) retain the boot.
US09155954B2
An apparatus for improving the swing of a batter or golfer broadly comprises a frame, a forward pedestal, a rear pedestal, and a rear pedestal biasing element. The frame may include at least one horizontal member. The forward pedestal may support a forward foot of the user and may couple to the frame. The rear pedestal may support a rear foot, couple to the frame, be operable to rotate, and be biased to pivot forward. The rear pedestal biasing element may couple to the rear pedestal and urge the rear pedestal to pivot forward.
US09155951B2
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a lacrosse training aid comprising at least one glove configured to be placed on the hand of a lacrosse player, the at least one glove comprising an integrated strap mechanism configured to couple the at least one glove to a lacrosse stick in a non-dominant configuration.
US09155946B2
A golf club and golf club shaft includes a tubular member having at least one neck portion with a reduced outer diameter and at least one relatively rigid two-piece sleeve secured to the tubular member in overlying relationship to each neck portion. The two-piece sleeve defines a small central gap filled by a compressible ring to allow the two otherwise longitudinally aligned sleeve pieces to pivot relative to one another under dynamic loading of the tubular member during a golf swing, and then upon reaching a limit point restrict additional deflection or bending of the tubular member.
US09155939B2
The present invention aims to provide a golf ball resin composition excellent in resilience and flexibility, and a golf ball having excellent properties in terms of resilience and shot feeling. The present invention relates to a golf ball resin composition, including: (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of: (a-1) a binary copolymer of an olefin and a C3-C8 α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid; (a-2) a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer of an olefin and a C3-C8 α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid; (a-3) a ternary copolymer of an olefin, a C3-C8 α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester; and (a-4) a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer of an olefin, a C3-C8 α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (B) a compound containing a hydrocarbon chain, a cationic moiety, and an anionic moiety in its molecule.
US09155928B2
A control system for fire prevention facilities is provided, particularly for the type of facilities mounted on buildings and warehouses mounting at least one pressure group and/or one equipped fire hydrant and/or one fire extinguisher. The control system comprises at least one pressure group and at least one equipped fire hydrant with a pressure gauge provided with a LED light and communication means, via radio or wiring, as well as at least one fire extinguisher equipped with a pressure gauge provided with a LED light and communication means, via radio or wiring; a control center with, at least one computer and a database.
US09155924B1
A modular chemical/biological headgear system includes a helmet liner of a resilient shock absorbing material that conforms generally to the shape of a wearer's head, provides a cavity for removable installation of one or more modular filters in the back, and a duct to convey filtered air from the one or more modular filters to a face mask. The helmet liner may be equipped and configured with a variety of interchangeable modular components including hardened outer shells, communications modules, enhanced chemical biological filters, and the like, to meet a wide variety of operational needs.
US09155919B2
An information display and control device of an air purifying respirator comprises: a blower motor; a pulse width modulation drive unit controlling rotation of the blower motor; a temperature sensor; an air flow sensor; an oxygen sensor; a voltage detection unit for a battery; a differential pressure sensor detecting a differential pressure value of a filter; a switch input unit for a user to input predetermined temperature, air flow, and oxygen amount and operation commands; a controller executing a diagnostic mode, calibrating the oxygen sensor, calculating a detected value of the voltage detection unit to determine whether the voltage is low, comparing the detected value of the differential pressure sensor with a reference to determine whether the filter is absent or clogged, and comparing the detected value of the oxygen sensor with a reference to determine whether oxygen is insufficient or excessive; and an alarm output unit outputting an alarm.
US09155915B2
An anti-aging composition is provided that contains high potency retinol along with anti-irritant properties. In particular, an anti-aging composition includes a base, from about 0.001% to 20.0 vol % retinol, at least one anti-irritant agent, at least one antioxidant, at least one anti-inflammatory agent, and a moisturizing complex. In one non-limiting illustration, the anti-aging composition contains about 1.0 vol % retinol, plantago lanceolata, hypericum perforatum leaf extract, phytosphingosine, leontopodium alpinum extract, glycyrriza glabra root extract, sambucus nigra flower extract, nordihydrognaiaretic acid, oleanolic acid, spiraea ulmaria flower extract, evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract, boswellia serrata extract, and additives.
US09155913B2
An in-line MRI-linac apparatus is provided that includes an MRI magnet of an MRI scanner, where the MRI magnet generates a magnetic field, where the magnetic field has a quasi-uniform fringe field, where the fringe field is proximal to an axis of symmetry of the MRI magnet, and a magnetically unshielded dynamically moveable linac that includes a treatment beam that is aligned with field lines of the fringe field in a quasi axial symmetric configuration, where a position of the linac in the fringe field continuously adapts according to a target position to enable continuous dose delivery to the target.
US09155905B2
A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for moving a fluorescent substance through the waveguide. The fluorescent substance includes a fluid base and a fluorescing agent and is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation. A method is described for removing the fluorescing agent from the fluorescing substance and replacing it with a second, different fluorescing agent.
US09155898B2
A combination charging and telemetry circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a single coil for both charging and telemetry. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one or more capacitors are used to tune the single coil to different frequencies, wherein the coil is used for multiple purposes, e.g., for receiving power from an external source and also for the telemetry of information to and from an external source.
US09155897B2
Generally, the disclosure is directed one or more methods or systems of cardiac pacing employing a right ventricular electrode and a plurality of left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using the right ventricular electrode and a first one of the left ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using the right ventricular electrode and a second one of the ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Computing a first degree of resynchronization based on a sum of differences of activation times and corresponding activation times. Pacing using the right ventricular electrode and a second one of the ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Computing a second degree of resynchronization based on the sum of differences of activation times and corresponding activation times. Selecting one of the left ventricular electrodes for delivery of subsequent pacing pulses based on the computed degrees of resynchronization.
US09155896B2
Devices and methods for improving cardiac efficiency involve measuring, patient-internally, an oxygen saturation parameter indicative of oxygen usage of myocardial tissue of the heart. A cardiac electrical therapy is adjusted to cause a change of the measured oxygen saturation parameter, and the adjusted cardiac electrical therapy is selected for delivery based on a changed oxygen saturation parameter indicative of an increase in cardiac efficiency.
US09155891B2
A current management system for use in the stimulation output stage of a neurostimulation system can be programmed to steer different amounts of current through different stimulation electrodes to vary how strongly the tissue adjacent each electrode is stimulated during a particular programmed stimulation episode. An stimulation electrode drive circuit associated with each electrode that is available for stimulation allows independent control of the flow of current through that electrode. A reference electrode is provided in the circuit to source or sink current as necessary to balance the currents going into and out of the patient, so that no stimulation electrode is required to serve that purpose. More specifically, by configuring the circuit to maintain a constant potential at the reference electrode (e.g., a potential that is approximately half way between a top and bottom voltage rail), the reference electrode will source or sink currents as necessary to cause the net current flow into the patient to be equal to the net current flowing out of the patient, thus satisfying Kirchhoff's current law.
US09155890B2
A system for stimulating facial nerves in a subject includes an electrode having a plurality of contacts configured to be placed in a parotid region of the subject's face and a processor in communication with the electrode. The processor has program code for stimulating one or more facial nerve branches by stimulating each of the plurality of contacts separately in order to determine which nerve branch activates which facial muscle, for identifying one or more contacts from the plurality of contacts that cause the one or more nerve branches to activate a desired facial muscle, and for selecting the identified contacts to stimulate the one or more nerve branches.
US09155887B2
An interface relay system for use with a fully implantable medical devices that permits transcutaneous coupling of the implanted medical device to a consumer electronics device. In one embodiment, coupling the implanted medical device to the external electronics device provides a back-up source of power for operating the implanted medical device. In another embodiment, coupling the implanted medical device to the external electronics device allows for providing unidirectional and/or bidirectional data transfer between the devices. In one arrangement, the consumer electronics device may be connectable to a communications/data network to allow for network communication between the implantable medical device and a remote processing platform/server.
US09155882B2
A tine portion of an implantable medical device includes a hook segment and a distal segment extending therefrom, wherein the hook segment is pre-set to extend along a curvature and is elastically deformable therefrom to an open position. The distal segment includes a tooth and an end that surrounds the tooth, wherein the end includes a pair of legs and a distal arch. The legs extend along a length of, and on opposing sides of the tooth, and the distal arch extends between the legs, distal to a tissue-piercing tip of the tooth. When the hook segment is in the open position, and a force is applied along a longitudinal axis of the device, to push the distal arch of the distal segment against tissue, for initial tissue penetration, the legs of the end of the distal segment bend in elastic deformation to expose the tissue-piercing tip to the tissue.
US09155880B2
A cochlear implant electrode includes an electrode carrier having an electrode array with a groove disposed in a longitudinal direction along the electrode carrier, and a stopper positioned around the electrode carrier. The stopper has a protrusion on its inner surface that is configured to be positioned within the groove such that the stopper is movable with respect to the electrode carrier and a skirt disposed on a portion of its outer surface. Another configuration includes an electrode carrier having an electrode array with grooves disposed in a transverse direction along the electrode carrier, and a stopper positioned around the electrode carrier and configured to be positioned within each groove and movable with respect to the electrode carrier. The stopper has a skirt disposed on a portion of its outer surface.
US09155867B2
An intravenous catheter device is provided which includes an integrated adhesive strip whereby to secure the catheter adapter to the skin of a patient following catheterization. Some aspects of the present invention further comprise an adhesive strap that is coupled to the catheter adapter of a catheter assembly. One end of the adhesive strap is removed from the catheter adapter and wrapped around a body part or surface of the patient, and secured back to the catheter adapter. Thus, the catheter assembly is secured to the patient via the adhesive strap.
US09155862B2
A medical catheter assembly includes a catheter tip coupled to a distal end of an elongate catheter member and is symmetric about a plane defined by a septum of the elongate catheter member. The catheter tip defines first and second lumens, and the catheter tip defines first and second openings in the distal portion of the catheter tip. Each opening of the catheter tip is defined by a respective side surface of the catheter tip. Each opening is in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second lumens of the catheter tip and with a respective one of a pair of lumens defined by the elongate catheter member. The distance between upper and lower surfaces of the catheter tip decreases from a distal end of the proximal portion toward a closed distal end of the catheter tip.
US09155861B2
A neural drug delivery system with fluidic threads implantable into tissue, including: a plurality of fluid delivery conduits configured to transport fluid and having an array of fluid delivery ports through which the fluid is selectively released; a plurality of port gates each including a mesh structure coupled to a corresponding fluid delivery port and coated with an electroactive polymer; a voltage source providing a conductive signal; and an interconnect network that carries the conductive signal to the port gates. In response of the electroactive polymer to the conductive signal, each port gate is selectively operable between a closed mode that prevents transfer of fluid through its corresponding fluid delivery port to the tissue, and an open mode that allows transfer of the fluid through its corresponding fluid delivery port to the tissue.
US09155851B2
An inhaler including an outlet and a plurality of sealed compartments containing medicament is disclosed. An opening mechanism is provided to open the compartment presently aligned with the outlet. An indexing mechanism sequentially aligns the compartments with the outlet. A latch is provided for latching the opening mechanism in an energized position. The latch cannot latch the opening mechanism before the indexing mechanism has aligned the next compartment with the outlet. A method of priming an inhaler and a method of dispensing a medicament from an inhaler is also disclosed.
US09155850B2
A detachable cap is disclosed for an inhaler apparatus having an inhaler housing and a canister configured to hold a first substance that is aerosolized on demand from the user. The apparatus' canister is engaged with the inhaler housing to convey the aerosolized first substance into the user's mouth via a mouthpiece. The detachable cap includes a cap body having a first end and a second end. The detachable cap also includes an actuation surface arranged at the first end, wherein the actuation surface is configured to be depressed by the user to actuate the canister and aerosolize the first substance. The detachable cap additionally includes a feature arranged at the second end and configured to be engaged with at least one of the inhaler housing and the canister to secure the detachable cap to the inhaler apparatus. An inhaler apparatus having such a detachable cap is also disclosed.
US09155847B2
A nebulizer includes a main body unit, an atomization unit, and a breath detection unit, which is a function unit for realizing an additional function of the nebulizer. The main body unit and the atomization unit are separable. The atomization unit includes a storage section for storing the medicinal solution, and an atomizing section for spraying the medicinal solution by atomizing the medicinal solution in the storage section. The main body unit includes a control circuit for performing control to operate the atomizing section. The breath detection unit is attachable between the main body unit and the atomization unit.
US09155846B2
A dosage inhaler includes an active liquid container, which contains a liquid having an active ingredient dissolved therein, and an atomizer by which the liquid is transformed into an aerosol and can be introduced into an aerosol dome, in which there is a baffle plate and to which an inlet tube and an outlet tube are attached, and an electronic control. The atomizer can be intermittently operated by a user and the user command readout is visible to the user. The generation of the amount of aerosol inside, and below, the aerosol dome is able to be separated in time from its eventual inhalation by the user.
US09155838B2
A medicated module (100) is attachable to a drug delivery device (102). The medicated module (100) includes a housing (104) having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end has a connector (110) configured for attachment to a drug delivery device (102). The distal end contains a shuttle (112). A first needle (114) is fixed in the housing (104) and a second needle (116) is fixed in the shuttle (112). The medicated module (100) also includes a reservoir (118) in the housing (104) comprising a medicament (12). Further, the medicated module (100) includes a guard assembly (122) positioned in the housing (104) and configured to move in an axial direction during application to an injection site. Preferably, the medicated module (100) is locked out after at least two injections of the medicament (105) contained in the drug delivery device (102).
US09155833B2
Systems and methods for monitoring the use of a fluid over the lifecycle of the fluid, said systems including a plurality of fluid identification stations, each station having one or more sensors to detect and identify a parameter of a fluid, wherein a each station is operably interconnected thereby permitting each station to access and verify the identity of a fluid as determined by each independent fluid identification station.
US09155832B2
An irrigating cannula includes a hub having an inner passage and a side port extending through the hub and connecting to the inner passage. The inner passage is configured to receive an instrument, and a fluid passage is defined between the hub and the instrument. The fluid passage is configured to deliver a fluid through an incision in a body.
US09155824B2
A concentrate container for preparing a medical fluid, preferably for preparing a dialysis solution, is provided, the concentrate container including at least two concentrate compartments, wherein at least one of the concentrate compartments has a medical fluid outlet, and at least one of the concentrate compartments has a diluent inlet. Further, systems for preparing a medical fluid and a method for preparing a medical fluid are described.
US09155823B2
A method performed on a dialysis machine includes receiving a first value that represents a pre-dialysis body weight of a patient and receiving a second value that represents a volume of liquid (V) inside a body of the patient. The method also includes administering dialysis to the patient, calculating an instantaneous body weight (W) of the patient based at least in part on the first value, determining a length of time (t) for which the dialysis was administered to the patient, determining a dialyzer clearance (K) associated with the dialysis, and calculating, based at least in part on the length of time, the instantaneous body weight, the volume, and the dialyzer clearance, a urea reduction ratio (URR) associated with the dialysis.
US09155820B2
An improved skin substitute production method is presented that minimizes destruction of the nylon weave netting that comprises the skin substitute at the pore holes of the skin substitute membrane, The skin substitute is comprised of non-biological materials produced with a series of regularly-spaced pores and a nylon weave netting. The top component is a thin (approximately 0.001″ thick) silicone elastomer in which pore holes have been vacuum-pulled; physically attached to the silicone elastomer is a fine knitted nylon fabric (12/1, 15/1 denier).
US09155817B2
The present invention presents methods for making oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and medical implants made therefrom. Preferably, the implants are components of prosthetic joints, e.g., a bearing component of an artificial hip or knee joint. The resulting oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and implants are also disclosed.
US09155814B2
This invention uses mesoporous silica nanoparticles and other nanostructured materials to formulate polyacrylate-based bone cement for achieving an enhanced and controlled elution of active ingredients such as antibiotics. This invention overcomes the limitation of low antibiotic release from commercial polyacrylate-based bone cements using for example, PMMA. In certain aspects, the formulation enables a sustained release of antibiotics from the bone cement over a period of 80 days and achieves 70% of total drug release, whereas the commercial antibiotic bone cement (e.g., SmartSet GHV) only releases about 5% of the antibiotics on the first day and subsequently an almost negligible amount. In addition, the mechanical properties of our formulated bone cements are well retained. The inventive bone cement exhibits good antibacterial properties and has very low cytotoxicity to mouse fibroblast cells.
US09155806B2
A method for medical device sterilization comprises staggering a stack of packages so that a back surface of each package partially overlaps a front surface of another of the packages. Each package contains a medical device. The stack of packages are positioned so that the front surfaces of the packages face toward a radiation source. The packages are then exposed to radiation.
US09155790B2
Methods for modulating eye damage associated with a disease or disorder, and/or damage incident to trauma including but not limited to trauma associated with ocular surgery are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include administering an effective amount of a modulator of a migration inhibitory factor (MIF) polypeptide biological activity to a subject. Also provided are methods for modulating the severity of delaying the onset of and/or inhibiting and/or preventing the development of an ocular disease, and methods for modulating the severity of delaying the onset of and/or inhibiting and/or preventing the development of scarring and/or other consequence of wound healing incident to ocular surgery, as well as modulating the survival, function, and/or differentiation of engrafted cells that can be employed as part of tissue engineering procedures to correct structural, functional, and/or cellular defects of the eye.
US09155780B2
The invention is directed to beta-defensin-derived peptides and their use in modulating the activity of hematopoietic cells and other CXCR4-expressing cells. Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods useful in the treatment of cancer. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for promoting mobilization and transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells.
US09155773B2
The present invention provides an antiobesity composition comprising extract of Melissa as an active ingredient, use of Melissa extract, and a method for suppressing obesity using the composition.
US09155771B2
A resin extract from the Ficus pertusa L.f and/or Ficus eximia Schott tree and method of use as an active principle in the production of a pharmacologically active product for the treatment of acute and/or chronic tissue lesions in both bone tissue and soft tissue. A method for obtaining the extract is also disclosed.
US09155770B2
Extracts of various species of the Moraceae family have estrogenic properties. For example, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Scutellaria barbata D. Don of the Labiatae Family species possess estrogenic properties in both ERα+ and ERβ+ cells. These estrogenic effects include estrogen response element (ERE) stimulation as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) repression. Methods are provided for treating climacteric symptoms, breast and/or uterine cancer, and osteoporosis.
US09155766B2
Disclosed herein are probiotic compositions comprising a mixture of at least two probiotic bacteria, including Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) and at least a Lactobacillus bacteria. The Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) may comprise Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) BAA1024. The Lactobacillus bacteria may be selected from those known to be suitable for oral administration, for example from those known to improve recipient health, particularly recipient oral health.
US09155765B2
A composition and method for generating patient- or person-specific proliferative and substantially pure cardiac myocyte cell lines from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is described herein. The patient-specific cardiac myocyte cell lines of the present invention find applications in research, drug screening and autologous cell-based therapy. The method of the present invention is simple and reproducible and generates cardiac myocyte cells having high purities and proliferating capacities.
US09155758B2
The invention provides a method for treating or preventing heart failure in a subject, which includes administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a Poloxamer (e.g., Poloxamer 188).
US09155745B2
The present invention is directed to combination formulations of monoclonal antibodies with anti-inflammatory agents, related methods and uses thereof.
US09155738B2
The present invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing mucostitis with one or more compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, disclosed herein, or compositions comprising the same.
US09155736B2
Provided herein are methods for treating a cancer treatable by inhibition of phosphorylation of PRAS40, GSK3β or p70S6K1, comprising administering an effective amount of a TOR kinase inhibitor to a patient having a cancer treatable by inhibition of phosphorylation of PRAS40, GSK3β or p70S6K1.
US09155733B2
Provided are tris-quaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nociception and pain.
US09155732B2
A composition for pulmonary administration comprises a fluoroquinolone betaine, such as ciprofloxacin betaine, and an excipient. In one version, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter from about 1 μm to about 5 μm, and the fluoroquinolone has a half life in the lungs of at least 1.5 hours. The composition is useful in treating an endobronchial infection, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is particularly useful in treating cystic fibrosis.
US09155729B2
The present invention relates to thiazolidinedione analogs that are useful for treating metabolic inflammation mediated diseases such as diabetes.
US09155727B2
The invention concerns compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 to R5 have any of the meanings defined hereinbefore in the description: processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders.
US09155726B2
Methods of treating cancer by administering a DNA damaging agent and a CHK1 Inhibitor on a dosing regimen are provided.
US09155724B2
In some aspects, the invention provides compositions and methods of use for treating a variety of diseases. In some aspect, the compositions and methods involve combined modulation of transcriptional modulators.
US09155722B2
Biodegradable and bioabsorbable block copolymers, which can be in the form of solid powder or powder wax compositions that can be easily reconstituted into an aqueous polymer solution and exhibit reverse thermal gellation properties upon exposure to elevated temperatures, are provided. Methods of making using these copolymers are also provided.
US09155712B2
A transdermal drug delivery system for the topical application of one or more active agents contained in one or more polymeric and/or adhesive carrier layers, proximate to a non-drug containing polymeric backing layer which can control the delivery rate and profile of the transdermal drug delivery system by adjusting the moisture vapor transmission rate of the polymeric backing layer.
US09155708B2
An orally administrable immunostimulant product comprises a microencapsulated cytokine and an enteric protection polymer to protect the cytokine, the cytokine is a fish, mollusc or crustacean cytokine, preferably a recombinant cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) over-expressed in a host microorganism.
US09155694B2
A stabilized composition comprising at least one adrenergic compound and at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of a bisulfite, a metabisulfite and a sulfite compound.
US09155691B2
Disclosed is a composition effective in reducing skin wrinkles. The composition comprises or uses a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor as an active ingredient. Further disclosed is a method for reducing skin wrinkles using the composition.
US09155689B2
Agents for coloring keratinic fibers, containing (a) at least one compound of formula (I) and (b) at least one amphoteric surfactant are disclosed and described.
US09155688B2
Described herein are whitening compositions comprising a peroxide source, and an adhesion system comprising a hydrophobic component comprising a silicone adhesive; and a dental surface adhesion enhancing agent, which are physically stable and effectively provide whitening. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described herein.
US09155687B2
Silicon particle nano-clusters formed with crystalline cores and amorphous shells are used for absorbing ultraviolet wavelength radiation. Silicon nano-particles are synthesized by plasma-chemical sputtering of bulk silicon crystal to form particles which are then quenched in an atmosphere of oxygen or oxygen and nitrogen. Analysis of these particles is presented for their scattering and absorption properties for use as ultraviolet protection elements.
US09155683B2
An oral hydration system includes a mounting fitting configured to be mounted to a mounting structure and a holster rotatably coupled to the mounting fitting. A hydration liquid bladder is removably disposed in the holster. A feed tube has a proximal end communicating with the hydration liquid bladder. A backflow-prevention bite valve is coupled to a distal end of the feed tube.
US09155681B2
A medicine feeding device is configured by providing a first rotor 23 that rotates around a first shaft 24, a second rotor 35 that rotates around a second shaft, a partition wall 18 extending from the second rotor 35 towards the first rotor 23, a medicine discharge port 73 provided on the outside of the second rotor 35, a medicine guide section 65 located in the downstream of a movement section 37 in the medicine transport direction, and a height regulator 41 disposed between the movement section 37 and medicine guide section 65. In addition, the width regulator 52 that is disposed between the medicine guide section 65 and the height regulator 41 is further provided. Also, the medicine counting device is further provided with a medicine detection means 70 for detecting a medicine that is supplied from the medicine discharge port 73, and a counting means (central control unit 83) for counting the medicines based on the detection by the medicine detection means 70.
US09155659B2
Methods and systems for correcting presbyopia using a surgical excimer laser include activating the laser once and transmitting a pre-defined three dimensional ablation profile to treat presbyopia based on the single activating step.
US09155657B2
A laser-assisted method for fully or partially separating tissue such as collagen-containing tissue is provided. In one embodiment, the method pertains to a capsolurorhexis whereby the laser-assisted method is applied to the lens capsule. A light-absorbing agent is added into or onto the tissue. A light beam with a wavelength capable of being absorbed by the light absorbing agent is then directed at the tissue to cause a thermal effect at the tissue following a predetermined closed curve with the goal to avoid irregularity or potential tears in the resulting rim of the tissue.
US09155640B2
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent is a non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large-diameter state where the stent, in the furled small-diameter state, includes a plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, the plurality of central lobes defining a cylindrical plane of the stent. The stent also includes at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the plurality of central lobes, the peripheral lobe oriented along the cylindrical plane.
US09155636B1
A prosthetic socket liner. A liner of the prosthetic socket liner has an inner and outer surface, the inner surface configured to engage skin of a user's residual limb and the outer surface configured to engage a surface of a socket of a prosthesis. An air channel coupled to the liner and to a valve extends downwardly towards a closed end of the liner and is configured to transfer air between an outer surface of the liner and ambient air through the valve. In implementations the air channel is configured to channel air between an inside of a cavity and a location outside the cavity. A method of donning a socket of a prosthesis includes donning a liner of a prosthetic socket liner over a residual limb, opening a valve on the liner, inserting the liner into a socket of a prosthesis with the valve open, and closing the valve.
US09155635B2
A clamp for a prosthetic limb includes a first section configured to couple to a first portion of a prosthetic limb and a second section being separate and spaced apart from the first section and configured to couple to a second portion of a prosthetic limb. The clamp further includes a plurality of pins extending between the first section and the second section and connecting the first section to the second section, each pin having a first end connected to the first section and a second end opposite to the first end and connected to the second section.
US09155632B2
An orthopedic instrument for installing a new reverse hip prosthesis, particularly the acetabular cup thereof, wherein the cup can be affixed to the pelvis with or without screws. The acetabular cup is releasably attached to the instrument and the instrument is used to position the cup in the pelvis. Optional screw guides are provided in the instrument in case the surgeon wishes to use screws to affix the cup to the pelvis.
US09155627B2
A knee joint endoprosthesis is provided which consists of a femur component and a tibia component having cooperating joint surfaces in contact with one another. A rotation guide arrangement is provided for forcing the femur component and the tibia component to rotate relative to each other about a medial center of rotation as a result of a flexure of the knee joint endoprosthesis. The rotation guide arrangement having a first guide element with a first guidance surface and a second guide element with a second guidance surface which cooperates with the first guidance surface. A projection of the tibia component comprises the first guide element and a transverse extension connecting condyles of the femur component comprises the second guide element. The first guidance surface defines a first radius of curvature and the second guidance surface defines a second radius of curvature. The first and second radii of curvature are identical.
US09155618B2
An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel comprising an elongated support dimensioned and configured to be implanted in a blood vessel. The support includes a linking member linking axially spaced apart portions to one another. A valve membrane extends between the axially spaced apart support portions and includes first region folded over the first linking member and attached thereto and a second region adjacent the first region and unattached to the first linking member. The second region is movable between a first position to enable blood flow and a second position to inhibit blood flow.
US09155614B2
A lens including a flexible refractive optic having a fixed refractive index, an electro-active element embedded within the flexible refractive optic, wherein the electro-active element has an alterable refractive index, and a controller electrically connected to the electro-active element wherein when power is applied thereto the refractive index of the electro-active element is altered.
US09155607B2
Disclosed are bioscaffolds and methods for use in soft tissue repair.
US09155603B2
A medical device and a method for delivering a bodily implant are disclosed. The medical device includes an insertion member, an adjustment member and a button. The insertion member further includes a tip. The insertion member has a curved portion proximate the tip and a straight portion distally located from the tip. The curved and straight portions are configured to be placed into a channel within a housing of the insertion member. The adjustment member is coupled to the insertion member distally and is configured to be advanced and retracted, thereby advancing and retracting the insertion member with respect to the housing. The button is moveable coupled to the housing of the insertion member.
US09155600B2
The invention is about the dental post system designed to protect the dental tissues left and is aimed to use for the treatment of teeth with excessive dental material loss in the fields of endodontic, prosthetic dental treatment and pedodontics.
US09155598B2
A blank for manufacturing molded dental components includes a blank body that includes tooth repairing material. A molded dental component is manufactured by removing portions of the tooth repairing material using a tool. The blank is encoded with at least one structure as a carrier of information regarding properties of the blank body. The at least one structure is arranged such that at least one of a position, dimensions, or a type of structure can be determined by sensing or measuring the blank. In this context, the position, the dimensions, or the type of the structure are embodied such that a value acquired during a determination of the above corresponds to information about a property of the blank body.
US09155596B2
A manual device, in particular for dental use, for dispensing a pasty filler, may reduce the viscosity of the filler by the introduction of vibrational energy. The device may include a device housing, a detachable container for the pasty filler that includes an outlet nozzle at a front end thereof, a vibration generator with an oscillating body, and pressure generating means for exerting pressure on the pasty filler, wherein the oscillating body is detachably connected to the container in a middle region thereof.
US09155594B1
The dental extractor includes a housing coupled to a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough; a dental bridge coupled to the flexible shaft, the dental bridge having a top portion coupled to a first elongated member, including a first bottom support member, and a second elongated member, including a second bottom support member; an opening between the first bottom support member and the second bottom support member adapted to receive the tooth; a gripping mechanism having a top portion pivotally coupled to a first gripping member and a second gripping member, the gripping mechanism being slidably positioned between the first elongated member and the second elongated member of the dental bridge; a control mechanism positioned inside the housing to control the opening and closing of the gripping mechanism; and a selectively movable member coupled to the housing.
US09155590B2
A medical system is provided, including an ablation system having at least one ablation element and a sensor, a generator operable to deliver radiofrequency ablation energy to the ablation element. A power supply defines a duty cycle and provides a voltage to the generator, and the power supply has a duty cycle modulator and an amplitude modulator. A processor is connected to the power supply, the generator, and the sensor. The processor obtains a feedback signal from the sensor, and adjusts the duty cycle modulator and the amplitude modulator according to the feedback signal.
US09155587B2
Visual electrode ablation systems are described herein which include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. An electric current may be passed through the fluid such that it passes directly to the tissue region being imaged and the electrical energy is conducted through the fluid without the need for a separate ablation probe or instrument to ablate the tissue being viewed.
US09155583B2
A device carries a use monitoring element that possesses a state or condition that changes in response to use of the device and that is sensed when the device is presented for use. Reuse of the device is not permitted, if the use monitoring element indicates a prior use.
US09155580B2
A cannulated bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, and a closure mechanism to fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member. The bone anchor includes a distal shaft having a first threaded section distal to a proximal head, a second threaded section distal to and adjacent the first threaded section, and a third threaded section distal to and adjacent the second threaded section. The first threaded section having a constant major and minor diameter. The second threaded section having a tapering major and minor diameter. The third threaded section having a tapering major diameter and a constant minor diameter.
US09155576B2
A bone anchor, orthopaedic device and orthopaedic system are described. A bone anchor for use in an orthopaedic procedure which comprises a bone fixation portion provided with a plurality of fixation openings, the fixation openings each being adapted to receive a fixation device for fixing the bone fixation portion to a bone of a patient, and a device attachment portion provided with a first attachment opening and a second attachment opening, the first attachment opening and the second attachment opening being connected to each other by a solid stabilizing portion and being adapted to receive an attachment device for attaching the device attachment portion to an orthopaedic device.
US09155570B2
An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.
US09155569B2
A vertebra implant is provided that includes an elongate body with a first end configured to mate the first end to a first location on a vertebra, and a second end having at least one fastener configured to mate the second end to a second location on a vertebra. The elongate body also includes a deformable portion extending between the first and second ends that has an unexpanded configuration in which the deformable portion is configured to allow a tool to cut bone extending between the first and second ends when the first and second ends are mated to first and second locations on a vertebra, and an expanded configuration in which the deformable portion is deformed to increase a distance between the first and second ends such that a gap is created in the cut bone. The deformable portion is configured to maintain the first and second ends at a fixed distance apart when the deformable portion is in the expanded configuration. A vertebral implant is also provided that includes an elongate member configured to extend into a vertebra and form a hinge therein using a breakage point located along a length of the elongate member.
US09155565B2
A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.
US09155555B2
A surgical cutting instrument comprises an outer tubular member having a proximal section, an intermediate section and a central lumen. An inner tubular member is rotatably received within the central lumen and includes a distal end forming a cutting member extending distally beyond, and exposed relative to, the distal section of the outer tubular member. A bearing assembly is coupled to the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member.
US09155552B2
The invention relates to systems for removing obstructions and other objects within a blood vessel or other interior lumen of an animal. The system may be deployed in the lumen from a catheter and includes a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal body having a proximal hub, a basket, and a distal hub. In some embodiments, the distal body includes a plurality of proximal strips that form a closeable claw that is used to capture the obstruction. In other embodiments, the basket includes an enlarged opening that allows the object to enter the basket. Optionally, the basket includes x-ray markers adjacent to the enlarged openings to allow the operator to locate the openings, as well as twisting strips that connect the basket to the proximal hub. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using such systems.
US09155551B2
A treatment instrument has a longitudinal-axis member having a longitudinal axis, a curved portion formed on a distal end side of the longitudinal-axis member, a lumen formed along the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal-axis member, and a through hole that communicates with the lumen, and opens toward the inner side of a curve of the curved portion when the curved portion is curved.
US09155545B2
A system includes a handpiece and a removable tool assembly including a holder body, a shaft, a cutting bur, a guard, and a sleeve. The body engages the handpiece and defines a bore. The shaft extends within the bore and the bur is provided to the distal end of the shaft. The guard is coupled to the body via a threaded mating at the bore, such that rotation of the guard relative to the body longitudinally displaces the guard. The extends within the bore of the body and the guard. The guard is positioned relative to the body by a distance to define a working length of the bur between the distal end of the guard and the distal tip of the bur. The working length of the bur is used to cut tissue, without concern that cutting will be deeper than intended.
US09155542B2
An arthroscopic method for reattaching a rotator cuff tendon to a humeral head may include creating a trough in the top of the humeral head, creating a cavity in the lateral portion of the humeral head, creating one or more tunnels between the cavity and the trough, retrieving sutures affixed to a loose end of the tendon through the trough, at least one tunnel, and the cavity; and passing the sutures through a tensioning and securing device, which is then implanted in the cavity, and the sutures are variously pulled or released to pull, tension, or release the sutures until the tendon is secured in the trough. The trough is preferably created using a unique extendable, angled surgical burr.
US09155541B2
A method of inhibiting hypotensive symptoms in a patient undergoing treatment or a procedure involves elastically constraining the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient while applying non-pulsating, compressive pressure to the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient. The method may also involve one or more of infusing fluid, applying the compressive pressure using compression device, or applying the compressive pressure based upon bio-indicator measurement parameters.
US09155536B1
An exemplary circular stapler may include an anvil; a staple holder connected to the anvil; and a feeder belt ring held within the staple holder, the feeder belt ring including staples frangibly affixed thereto. An exemplary surgical method for treating tissue may include possessing an anvil, a staple holder connected to the anvil, and a feeder belt ring held within the staple holder, the feeder belt ring including a plurality of staples frangibly affixed thereto; clamping tissue between the anvil and staple holder; and sequentially deforming and then breaking from the feeder belt ring at least two staples.
US09155535B2
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a suturing device. The suturing device includes a length of suture that will be delivered to the site of the PFO and placed through the tissue adjacent the opening to close the PFO. As described in greater detail below, the suture is advanced through the tissue surrounding the opening by a pair of needles that penetrate the tissue adjacent to the opening. A knot is then loosely tied with the length of suture and advanced to the site of the PFO. The tails of the suture extending from the knot are then cut and removed. It is also contemplated that a pre-formed or pre-tied knot may be disposed on the device, wherein after deployment of the suture through the tissue adjacent to the PFO and removal of the device a loop of suture having a pre-tied knot will remain, wherein the pre-tied knot may then be tightened to close the PFO. Further still it is contemplated that other means may be utilized to retain the sutures. For example, it is contemplated that a suture clip or other clip like device may be utilized to retain the suture in a position such that the PFO is closed.
US09155529B2
A surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity. The outer housing shell defines an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half. The upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis. An instrument module is selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, a control board being in electrical communication with the at least one motor, and an energy source being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.
US09155528B2
Methods, instruments and systems are provided for separating opposite walls of the stomach by extragastric application of suction. Plication of the stomach can be performed between the separated walls after which the separate walls are brought back toward one another. In another aspect, methods, instruments, devices and systems are provided for reducing the effective volume of a stomach by performing one or more extragastric plications of the stomach.
US09155525B2
A urine sample collection device having a collection vessel for capturing urine from a patient, and an associated sample collection container portion for gathering the urine sample in an assured manner without the need for manual transfer. The urine sample collection device can be easily mounted inside a toilet bowl, so that the patient can deliver the urine stream to the toilet in the normal manner to produce the urine sample. The device avoids splashes of residual urine after the sample container is remove from the collection vessel, and a urine flow barrier shield for automatically accommodating the clean-catch method for delivering a urine sample.
US09155522B2
Methods of detecting and predicting ovulation and a period of fertility include determining a series of measures indicative of the basal body temperature of a female human user to identify a temperature change event. The method includes obtaining, within a first 24 hour period, a plurality of first readings of the temperature of the female human user at intervals over a first extended period of at least an hour. The plurality of first readings are then processed to determine at least one first representative temperature reading representative of the basal body temperature of the user for the first extended period and the at least one first representative temperature reading is stored. The method is repeated for at least second and third 24 hour periods and the representative temperature readings are provided for analysis to identify a temperature change event for the female human user.
US09155521B2
Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.
US09155516B2
A method for photon count-loss calibration in a computed-tomography (CT) scanner, including capturing incident X-ray photons via a plurality of energy-discriminating detectors, determining photon counts of the captured incident X-ray photons in a plurality of energy windows at each energy-discriminating detector, and adjusting the determined photon counts in each energy window for each energy-discriminating detector based on a pre-determined photon count-loss look-up table and the determined photon counts.
US09155515B2
A method is provided for determining, for a fourth-generation computed tomography (CT) scanner that includes a third-generation X-ray source and detector system and a plurality fixed, sparse photon-counting detectors (PCDs), a position of each PCD of the plurality of PCDs. The method includes determining, for a given PCD, a set of view angles at which the PCD will cast a shadow on the third-generation detector; determining, for each view, by analyzing projection data obtained from a reference scan, a corresponding shadow location on the third-generation detector caused by the given PCD; generating, for each view, a line connecting a position of the X-ray source at the view angle, and a corresponding shadow location of the set of shadow locations; determining locations of all intersection points of the set of lines; and determining a PCD centerline of the given PCD based on the locations of the intersection points.
US09155510B2
Described here are systems and methods for generating x-ray phase contrast images from conventional x-ray attenuation data. X-ray attenuation coefficients generated over a range of x-ray energies are used to compute the x-ray phase signal up to a calibration constant. This calibration constant is computed from provided calibration data, which may be obtained using a dedicated x-ray differential phase contrast imaging system to measure the decrement of the refractive index of a calibration phantom.
US09155509B2
A radiography system for obtaining a radiographic image of a subject has a radiation source energizable to direct radiant energy along a radiation path and an imaging receiver sensitive to the radiant energy for forming the radiographic image. A sensor apparatus is disposed to provide one or more output signals that are indicative at least of centering of the radiation path with respect to the receiver, of an angle of the receiver relative to the radiation path, and of a source-to-image distance along the radiation path. A display apparatus generates, in response to the one or more output signals, a display that indicates the centering of the radiation path with respect to the receiver and that provides one or more values indicative of at least the source-to-image distance and the angle of the receiver relative to the radiation path.
US09155508B2
In a multi-source X-ray CT scanner having multiple X-ray sources, an imaging FOV size is fixed. In the X-ray CT scanner, a position of at least one of multiple X-ray generators is movable in the Z-axis direction (in the rotation axis direction). It is further possible to configure such that while shifting the X-ray generator, the rotation speed of the rotating plate is kept to be a predetermined value or less. Highly precise CT measurement is implemented as to various imaging FOV sizes, without exposing the test subject to ineffective radiation.
US09155505B2
A sensor device comprises a sensor (1) to be held against the wearer's skin. The sensor (1) is arranged on one side of a housing (2), and the housing is connected to a band (5) for mounting it to a body part, such as an arm or leg. Various stopper devices (10, 14, 20) are arranged on the side of the housing (2) and the band (5) that face the skin. The stopper devices improve static friction, thereby holding the housing (2) in place.
US09155504B1
A method and system to monitor a prisoner in a prison is disclosed herein. The prisoner's vital signs are monitored and the movement of the prisoner. The monitoring device measures real-time data for the at least one vital sign of the prisoner, calculates at least a real-time heart rate data, and transmits the real-time heart rate data to the receiving device for display on the display screen.
US09155501B2
The present invention relates to methods and devices for analyzing x-ray images. In particular, devices, methods and algorithms are provided that allow for the accurate and reliable evaluation of bone structure and macro-anatomical parameters from x-ray images.
US09155500B2
A method for determination of mechanical integrity of bone includes embedding a threaded rod into the bone, extracting the threaded rod out of the bone, and measuring the force required to extract the threaded rod from the bone, wherein the force required to extract the threaded rod is indicative of the mechanical integrity of the bone. A device for determining the mechanical integrity of bone includes a housing, a rod holder mounted to the housing and configured to hold a threaded rod which is embedded in the bone, a pulling force applicator which applies a pulling force to the rod holder to extract the threaded rod from the bone, and a pulling force measuring instrument which measures the pulling force applied to the rod holder by the pulling force applicator as the threaded rod is extracted from the bone.
US09155495B2
A syringe-based device includes a housing, a pre-sample reservoir, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume between a substantially open proximal end portion and a distal end portion that includes a port couplable to a lumen-defining device. The pre-sample reservoir is fluidically couplable to the port to receive and isolate a first volume of bodily fluid. The actuator is at least partially disposed in the inner volume and has a proximal end portion that includes an engagement portion and a distal end portion that includes a sealing member. The engagement portion is configured to allow a user to selectively move the actuator between a first configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to the pre-sample reservoir, and a second configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to a sample reservoir defined at least in part by the sealing member and the housing.
US09155491B2
A graft device comprising a layer of synthetic non-metallic material having a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The device further includes a radiopaque marker at least partially embedded in the layer.
US09155471B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for imaging tumor resections.
US09155461B2
A handheld vision tester and a method of self-testing vision of a user of the handheld vision tester are provided. The method ensures that a display of the handheld vision tester is within an acceptable distance to eyes of the user. Variations of the acceptable distance are compensated for. The method further displays different shapes, either dynamically or statically, on the display to the user. The method also allows for input to the handheld vision tester by the user in response to the different shapes displayed. Results of the self-test are determined from the inputs to the handheld tester by the user.
US09155452B2
Complex shape steerable tissue visualization and manipulation catheters and their methods of use of disclosed herein. The deployment catheter may be articulated utilizing various steering mechanisms to adjust a position of a visualization hood or membrane through which underlying tissue may be visualized.
US09155450B2
A guiding apparatus includes a magnetic field generation unit, a translation mechanism that translates the magnetic field generation unit relative to a subject, a rotation mechanism that rotates the magnetic field generation unit relative to the subject, an input unit that receives first and second information about operations for changing a position a posture of a capsule medical device, respectively and a control unit that controls the translation mechanism and the rotation mechanism on the basis of the first information and the second information such that the magnetic field generation unit is translated and rotated relative to the subject, wherein, when the input unit receives the second information, the control unit corrects a change in the position of the capsule medical device caused by the rotation of the magnetic field generation unit relative to the subject by translating the magnetic field generation unit relative to the subject.
US09155448B1
A portable washing and drying apparatus useful for washing and drying baby bottle components and other baby-feeding accessories in limited spaces. The apparatus has a flexible membrane to place baby-feeding accessories so that the apparatus can lie in sink basins that have a variety of sizes and shapes. The membrane has a plurality of interspersed holes and a plurality of projections to hold accessories. The membrane may have vertical partitions that separate the flexible membrane into drying and washing regions. The membrane is supported by at least two frame members secured to opposing sides of the membrane and can be spatially adjusted from each other. In one configuration, the frame members have hooks that extend therefrom and attach to an external support, such as a towel bar. In another configuration, the frame members are connected by a chain and hook, so that the apparatus can hang from a shower rod.
US09155447B2
A dish rack for use in a dishwasher is provided. The dish rack includes a front wall, a pair of spaced apart and opposite side walls, and a back wall interconnected so as to bound a space. A hydraulic circuit is disposed within the walls of the dish rack and a spray nozzle is mounted on the wall.
US09155444B2
A dishwasher that enables a user to adjust a load of a spring depending on material and weight of a cover that is attached to a door of the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a housing having a bottom, a rear, and side covers, a door rotatably installed on a front surface of the housing, a door hinge installed onto each lower end of the door while being rotatably coupled to the housing, a spring configured to adjust a rotation of the door, and an apparatus of adjusting the spring configured to adjust a load of the spring. The apparatus includes a movable bracket connected to the spring, an adjustment member which enables the movable bracket to move up and down, and a support bracket configured to support the adjustment member. A position verification hole is perforated through the housing such that the apparatus is checked from outside the housing.
US09155441B2
There is a need to reduce raw materials used in the manufacturing of wet mops, to reduce the weight of the wet mop which will decrease user fatigue and related injuries and to address the difficulty of attaching standard wet mops to commonly used mop handles. The improvement is a tubular headband wet mop with yarn strands on only one side of the headband, reducing the amount of unused yarn incorporated into the wet mop while not reducing floor surface coverage area. The tubular headband also eliminates the possibility of exposing the bottom side of the mop handle which can damage or mar the floor surface, coatings and finishes. This reduction in raw materials results in a lighter product, which reduces effort required to lift and wring out the wet mop, and reduces fatigue and injuries associated with mopping.
US09155436B2
A vacuum cleaner with a separation module comprises an exhaust grill positioned fluidly between a separator chamber and an air outlet. The exhaust grill can comprise a body having a plurality of louvers and a plurality of inlets defined between adjacent louvers.
US09155434B2
According to the present invention, a device for connecting a vacuum cleaner bag is capable of using a regular garbage bag as a bag for collecting dust and garbage inside, and conveniently mounting and removing the bag on a lower side of a dust collecting device.
US09155423B2
A roasting rack for cooking fowl comprising a horizontally disposed U shaped stand having integrally interconnected and spaced apart mutually parallel legs, a vertically disposed post detachably connected to the stand, said post having first and second vertically spaced apart branches projecting over the stand where the first and second branches are situated in a vertical plane that bisects the space between the legs of the stand, a handle pivotally attached to the first branch and a fowl supporting saddle attached to the second branch.
US09155418B2
A brewed beverage appliance uses a specialized pre-packaged beverage container and a related method of brewing a beverage. The container comprises a cup-shaped base having openings at the bottom. A plurality of roasted, whole coffee beans are contained therein. The appliance has a blade that punctures the cup and then grinds the beans while they are still in the cup. Heated water is delivered to the cup and passes through the ground coffee causing brewed coffee to emit from the openings in the bottom of the cup and into a container such as a coffee mug.
US09155413B2
A sizer for a hanger lacking a hook boss includes a pair of longitudinal walls spaced apart from each other by a pair of end sections. The sizer may include a pair of protrusion, wherein a first is disposed on a first wall of the pair of longitudinal walls and directed toward a second wall of the pair of longitudinal walls. A first jaw is disposed on one of the pair of end section. The pair of longitudinal walls flexes apart when the jaw passes over a flange of the hanger. The first jaw includes a lower portion having a curved edge. The first jaw further includes an upper portion. The lower portion and upper portion meet at an abrupt jaw point.
US09155407B2
To provide either a facility comprising a plurality of stores that offer food and drink, and that treats customer seating for the plurality of stores as a shared space, or a method of attracting customers to said facility. This facility comprises: a traveling wheeled vehicle, which is capable of carrying customers on a tour of the shared space; and rotating tables. The rotating tables are configured such that tables are positioned upon rotating devices. The rotating devices comprise upper rotating bodies, further comprising central gears which are positioned in the centers of bases. The rotating devices further comprise: drive motors that are capable of rotationally driving the central gears; and casters that support the upper rotating bodies. The traveling wheeled vehicle and the rotating tables are positioned in the shared space.
US09155403B2
A child motion apparatus includes an upright column defining a vertical axis, a carriage assembled with the upright column and including a swing shaft portion operable to rotate about a pivot axis, a swing arm affixed with the swing shaft portion, a first motor drive unit assembled with the carriage and having an output shaft, a drive transmission respectively connected with the output shaft and the swing shaft portion, a second motor drive unit assembled with the upright column, and an actuating mechanism respectively connected with the second motor drive unit and the carriage. The drive transmission can transfer an output drive provided by the first motor drive unit at the output shaft to the swing shaft portion to impart rotation to the driven swing arm. The actuating mechanism is drivable by the second motor drive unit to vertically move the carriage relative to the upright column.
US09155402B1
A folding playpen has a frame assembly including a plurality of parallel uprights arranged in a geometric configuration and a plurality of upper rails pivotally affixed to and extending between a top portion of adjacent ones of the uprights. A co-planar grid of braces extends between said the uprights and includes a central support block at a center of geometrically configured uprights. The braces being pivotally attached to the central support block and to a respective one of the uprights. A flexible covering extends about a periphery of the frame assembly and a pad is supported by the co-planar grid. The frame assembly is selectively collapsible from a usable configuration to a storage configuration by vertically translating the central support block from a lower position to a position proximate to a top of the uprights.
US09155400B1
A horizontally expandable bed rail having a guard rail frame that confronts a first side of a bed to prevent a child from falling out of the bed. The guard rail frame includes a pair of vertical support members interconnected by upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members that slide horizontally in and out such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a first distance and a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
US09155398B2
Articles of furniture with a system of heating and cooling that can be integrated into a building environmental control network are provided. The heating/cooling system of the article has surfaces of a porous or non-porous, moisture-permeable material allowing convective and evaporative heat exchange from the body surface to the environment. The material covers a plenum that has reflective surfaces to reduce radiant losses and low-wattage fans to circulate air that convectively cools the occupant. Resistance heating may be incorporated at key occupant contact areas in the seat and backrest. Temperature, occupancy and other sensors can be incorporated. A control interface controls the actions of the heating/cooling system of the article and can interact with a network server to transmit measurements of environmental temperatures and occupant selection of control settings that are useful for control of the building's indoor environment.
US09155397B2
A furniture cover assembly comprising side portions interconnected to define an interior area, wherein at least one side portion has an edge portion adjacent to an access opening to the interior area. The edge portion has a belt tunnel with opposing first and second open ends. An adjustment member is adjacent to the first open end, and a belt is slideably disposed in the belt tunnel. The belt has first and second free end portions projecting from and exterior of the belt tunnel. The belt's first free end portion is adjustably connected to the adjustment member and forms a first adjustable loop exterior of the belt tunnel and is configured to connect to a support structure of a furniture unit when positioned in the interior area. The belt's second free end portion forms a second loop exterior of the belt tunnel adjacent to the second open end and is configured to connect to a second support structure of the furniture unit with the belt tunnel extending between the first and second support structures.
US09155396B2
The present invention provides a cup holder assembly adapted for a seat and the seat with the cup holder assembly. The cup holder assembly includes a lateral cover installed on a lateral side of the seat, a main body, and a connection portion connected to a lateral side of the main body. The connection portion hangs on the lateral cover so as to hang the main body on the lateral cover, and a cup can be disposed inside the main body of the cup holder assembly. It not only has simple structure and convenient operation but also can prevent from overturning the cup.
US09155392B2
A castor apparatus having a body, a first wheel, a second wheel and an impact dissipation device. The castor apparatus can be positioned at the end of an arm of a chair base. The castor apparatus includes an impact dissipation device that redirects force transmitted through the arm and the castor onto the ground. A method is also disclosed.
US09155391B2
A linear actuator (8) in which a squeeze protection device is arranged, where the device is located in connection with the rear fixture (17) on the motor (10). The squeeze protection device is based on a piezo element (23), which as a module (22) is built into the actuator (8), so that it is passed through by the forces, exerted by the actuator (8). The piezo element (23) is equipped with cables (30), which are connected to a printed circuit board (31) in the actuator (8), where the connections for the actuator (8) are collected, so that the signal from the squeeze protection in an easy manner may be communicated to a control device (6), which can stop the motor (10) or briefly reverse the direction of the movement and thus release a trapped object.
US09155384B2
A cabinet has a base and a first side wherein one of the base and the first side has a male portion and an other of the base and the first side has a female portion for mating with the male portion. The cabinet has a second side, such that the second side may be attached to the base, wherein one of the base and the second side has a male portion and an other of the base and the second side has a female portion for mating with the male portion, such that the second side may be attached to the base. The cabinet also has a back for attaching to the first side, the second side and the base.
US09155383B2
A rack assembly includes a base frame having a base member, a lateral brace along a first edge of the base member, and a vertical stub extending upward from a corner of the base member, the vertical stub including first and second stub walls oriented substantially perpendicularly to each other; a side frame including a generally U-shaped vertical bracket; and a generally U-shaped gusset having an upper portion and a lower portion in which the one gusset wall is substantially parallel to and offset with respect to the upper portion. The upper portion of the gusset is attached to the vertical bracket so as to form a first gap between the one gusset wall and a corresponding vertical bracket wall, and a second gap is formed between another bracket wall and the lower portion of the corresponding gusset wall, the gaps being adapted to receive the vertical stub walls.
US09155382B2
In a clamping chuck (1) for holding clamped a brush body (2), in particular a toothbrush body in its head region, including at least two clamping jaws (3a, 3b) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the brush body (2) to be held, at least one of the clamping jaws (3b) is movable and is adjustable between an open position and a closed position which holds the brush body (2) clamped between the clamping jaws (3a, 3b). There is provided a brush body support (5) which is arranged between the clamping jaws (3a, 3b) and which is adjustable between a closed position acting on the rear side of the brush body (2) and an open position which is retracted with respect to said closed position. A common actuating mechanism (6) is provided for jointly adjusting the clamping jaw(s) (3b) and the brush body support (5) against a restoring force from the respective closed position into the open position (FIG. 5).
US09155368B2
A waterproof protection pouch for mobile devices comprises a coupling set, a pouch, a sealing member and a retrieval tray. The coupling set includes a rigid ring, an opening and a clamping ring. The rigid ring has an annular latch groove on the outer circumference thereof. The pouch includes a connecting portion connected to the coupling set and a pouch opening. The sealing member includes a cap, a latch portion latched on the latch groove and a plug to wedge in the opening. The plug includes at least one annular sealing ridge on the outer circumference thereof. The retrieval tray has a carrying plate to hold the mobile device and a retrieval portion running through the pouch opening and opening of the coupling set to connect to the sealing member. Through the rigid ring and sealing member, the waterproof protection pouch can provide watertight and pressure withstanding effects.
US09155366B2
A portable electronic device set is disclosed and includes a portable electronic device and an auxiliary assembly. The portable electronic device has an operating surface. The auxiliary assembly includes a frame body sitting on one side with respect to the operating surface of the portable electronic device. The frame body forms a holder extending outwardly from one sidewall of the frame body.
US09155352B2
A shoe sole 3 of the present invention comprises a midsole 4 and an outsole 5, in which the outsole 5 includes a cushion member 10 formed beneath the midsole 4, in a shape of a series of zigzags, with a determined thickness and width. The cushion member may disperse the wearer's weight uniformly to the whole area of the shoe sole and may provide comfortable deformation of the shoe sole according to the wearer's walking behavior due to spaces defined in the cushion member. Since the cushion member gets opened and shrunk repeatedly while walking, the wearer can propel one's round walking, thereby that the shoe sole can reduce the fatigue of the wearer's feet and protect the wearer's joints like ankles and knees safely.
US09155351B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.
US09155350B2
In various embodiments, the footwear comprises a sandal or a flip flop and the eyelet may be located anywhere on the footwear, for example on a strap. In some exemplary embodiments, an embellishment extends over one or more straps of the footwear without being coupled at the eyelet.
US09155346B2
The subject invention is related to a method for preparing a reflective film, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first substrate and forming a releasable adhesive layer thereon; (b) applying reflective particles onto the releasable adhesive layer, where the reflective particles are partially embedded in the releasable adhesive layer; (c) applying a pigment onto the reflective particles and the releasable adhesive layer; (d) removing part of the pigment so that the pigment does not completely cover the reflective particles; and (d) forming a reflective layer on the pigment and the reflective particles. The invention further pertains to a method for manufacturing a reflective article by using the reflective film prepared according to the above-mentioned method.
US09155341B2
A convertible cover includes a cover and first and second panels. The first and second panels each have first and second sets of opposing sides. One of the first and second sets of opposing sides are attached to a front side of the cover and the other of the first and second sets of opposing sides are not attached to the cover. An alternate convertible cover and a method of converting a cover into a cape are also disclosed.
US09155339B2
A garment for a nursing woman includes at least partially overlapping layers of material. The layers extend between lateral sides of the garment. Some edges of the layers may be attached to edges of other layers or components, while at least one edge of each layer is a free edge. Free edges at least partially define nooks into which the funnels of breast pumps may be received. The free edges of the garment provide multi-directional support to the funnels to enable hands-free pumping. In some embodiments, medial edges of components of the garment cross one another and extend to contribute to the support of the funnels during use of the garment.
US09155338B2
Certain embodiments provide a variably-sized removable portion integrated into an object. The object may include a surface and a variably-sized removable portion that includes separation edges that define a shape of the variably-sized removable portion. In certain embodiments, each of the separation edges is a different size and is concentrically-aligned with each other. Certain embodiments provide that each of the separations edges is separable from the surface of the object such that a size of an opening left when one of the separation edges is separated from the surface is variable depending on the size of the separation edge selected to be separated from the surface.
US09155337B2
An electronic cigarette includes a housing, an atomizer disposed in the housing, and a control circuit disposed in the housing and configured to control operation of the atomizer based on time data regarding a current time.
US09155332B2
A retort system for heating product to a specified temperature for sterilization is provided. The system includes a vessel having an associated heating system. A frame within the vessel for securing the baskets during reciprocation of the baskets may include a progressive latch mechanism. A roller arrangement for supporting baskets within the vessel may include both a plurality of transfer rollers and a plurality of support rollers.
US09155330B1
A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blender pitcher. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blender pitcher are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.
US09155326B2
A process for forming a syrup product that is suitable for use in a food product. A base formulation is prepared having a major amount of an oat material or waxy barley hybrid. The base formulation is mixed with water to form a slurry. At least one enzyme is mixed into the slurry. The slurry is cooked to convert the slurry into an intermediate product. The intermediate product is evaporated to produce a syrup product having a solids level of at least 65 Brix.
US09155322B2
The present invention relates to a frozen confectionery product and to a method of manufacturing same. It furthermore relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a frozen confectionery product by rotary vertical extrusion. Said apparatus comprises a nozzle (14) at least one ice-cream passage (20, 22) with at least one inlet port (24, 26) and an outlet port (28), and at least one chocolate passage (30, 32) with respectively an inlet port (34, 36) and an outlet port (38, 38′). The outlet ports are provided in the nozzle (14) and have elongated cross-sections, and each chocolate outlet port (38, 38′) extends in parallel to an ice cream outlet port (28), so as to form annular or helical chocolate layers upon rotation of the nozzle and the container with respect to each other.
US09155321B2
A meltable smokeless tobacco composition configured for insertion into the mouth of a user is provided. The smokeless tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and a lipid having a melting point of about 36° C. to about 45° C. An associated process is also provided. The process includes melting a lipid having a melting point of about 36° C. to about 45° C. to form a molten lipid composition, mixing a tobacco material with the molten lipid composition to form a molten smokeless tobacco composition, and cooling the molten smokeless tobacco composition to form a solidified smokeless tobacco composition.
US09155320B2
Operating a database system comprises: storing a database table comprising a plurality of rows, each row comprising a key value and one or more attributes; storing a primary index for the database table, the primary index comprising a plurality of leaf nodes, each leaf node comprising one or more key values and respective memory addresses, each memory address defining the storage location of the respective key value; creating a new leaf node comprising one or more key values and respective memory addresses; performing a memory allocation analysis based upon the lowest key value of the new leaf node to identify a non-full memory page storing a leaf node whose lowest key value is similar to the lowest key value of the new leaf node; and storing the new leaf node in the identified non-full memory page.
US09155305B2
The present invention relates to active compound combinations, in particular within a fungicide composition, which comprises (A) prothioconazole and (B) fluxapyroxad and optionally (C) a further fungicidally active compound. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops (e.g. cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet and triticale; soya beans; rice; com/maize; oil seed rape including canola; beans, peas, peanuts; sugar beet, fodder beet, beetroot; potatoes; cotton), and to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and not at least to the treated seed.
US09155304B2
A pesticidal composition comprises a synergistically effective amount of a chloride channel activator compound and a pesticide selected from N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio) propanamide (I), N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-((3,3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) sulfinyl)propanamide (II), or any agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. A method of controlling pests comprises applying the pesticidal composition near a population of pests. A method of protecting a plant from infestation and attack by pests comprises contacting the plant with the synergistic pesticidal composition.
US09155301B2
The invention relates to an antimicrobial agent where a cysteine compound is covalently bound to a substrate, in particular by binding through an S—S bridge via a spacer molecule to the substrate. The spacer comprises a carbon chain, optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, e.g. O, S, N, P and Si; the chain is optionally substituted with one or more alkyl groups, preferably lower alkyl groups with 1-5 carbon atoms, hydroxyl groups or alkoxy groups. Also, the invention refers to a substrate that is coated with the antimicrobial agent of the invention. The agent has excellent antimicrobial properties and can be used to coat surfaces and substrates of various devices, such as medical devices or devices used in food handling, in order to prevent or inhibit accumulation and/or growth and/or proliferation and/or the viability of microorganisms and/or formation of biofilm.
US09155300B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving plant health. In particular, application of dicamba or another substrate of DMO, or metabolites thereof including DCSA, to a plant confers tolerance to, or defense against, abiotic or biotic stresses such as oxidative stress including herbicide application, and plant disease, and enhances crop yield. Such application may be in combination with the application of another herbicide such as glyphosate.
US09155288B1
The present invention discloses a fish tank with a function of discharging waste water from a bottom thereof. A side at a bottom of the fish tank body is provided with a drain hole which is connected to an L-shaped tube, such that by rotating low the L-shaped tube, the waste water at the bottom of the fish tank can be discharged and by rotating high the L-shaped tube, the fresh water can be stored in the fish tank. Moreover, by providing a V-shaped transparent baffle, a bottom mud plate, a submerged motor and a breeder box which is hung up outside the fish tank, a closed food chain system is formed in the fish tank, allowing aquarium breeding to be simpler and easier.
US09155282B2
An apparatus is disclosed for applying a chemical, such as an ammonia control chemical, in an animal house. The apparatus includes spreading apparatus adapted to be installed at an elevated position in the animal house and adapted for spreading the chemical onto the floor in the house. The apparatus also includes feeding apparatus adapted for feeding the chemical from a supply to the spreading apparatus. A method of controlling ammonia emissions from an animal agriculture operation includes applying an ammonia control chemical during both the early part and the late part of the grow out of the animals so that the chemical contacts ammonia from animal waste and reduces or prevents its emission into the air.
US09155281B2
A milking plant includes a milking member to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked during a milking operation. A milk container is connected to the milking member and adapted to collect the milk extracted during the milking operation. A milk pump, being a part of a milk transport conduit, defines a suction side and a pressure side. A milk tank is connected to the milk container via the milk transport conduit and adapted to collect the milk from the milk container. A milk sample discharge device is connected to the milk transport conduit at the pressure side. The milk pump is adapted to transport during a milk transport operation the milk extracted during the milking operation from the milk container in a major flow to the milk tank and in a minor flow via the milk discharge device.
US09155278B2
The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated WB4614. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar WB4614. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar WB4614 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar WB4614 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.
US09155269B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035300. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035300. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035300 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035300 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09155268B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026287. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026287. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026287 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026287 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09155267B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035341. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035341. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035341 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035341 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09155265B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046875. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046875. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046875 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046875 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09155259B2
A soybean cultivar designated S100325 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100325, to the plants of soybean cultivar S100325, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S100325, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S100325. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100325. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100325, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S100325 with another soybean cultivar.
US09155251B2
The present invention provides a producing method for the artificial peat moss from natural cellulose fiber. The producing method comprises following steps in successive order manner. Firstly, blend natural pulp with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as dissolving solvent and 1,3-phenylene-bis 2-oxazoline (BOX) as stabilizer in proper mixing ratio to yield a preliminary quasi-dope. Secondly, stir and dehydrate the preliminary quasi-dope to form dope. Thirdly, spin the dope by dry jet wet spinning method to yield filament bundle of cellulose. Fourthly, orderly perform coagulating with regenerating, water rinsing, twisting with plying and cutting processes on the filament bundle of cellulose to yield a preliminary artificial peat moss of natural cellulose fiber. Finally, per drying process of post-treatment on the preliminary artificial peat moss of natural cellulose fiber to obtain final artificial peat moss of natural cellulose fiber of the present invention.
US09155249B2
Combine harvester comprising an axial separating device and method for operating a combine harvester
A combine harvester operates with an axial separating device for separating a crop flow picked up by the combine harvester into a plurality of partial flows. A partial flow composed of grain and non-grain components is fed by a separation surface of the axial separating device to a cleaning unit disposed downstream. The axial separating device is configured to manipulate a local concentration gradient of the partial flow that is output by the axial separating device caused by a tilt of the combine harvester. The extent of the manipulation is controlled individually depending on the tilt of the combine harvester.
US09155248B1
Apparatus and method for harvesting plankton and/or other biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby at least one support float is provided to float on a surface of the body of water. At least one support structure is coupled to the at least one support float, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within a dead (e.g., hypoxic) zone below the surface in the body of water. A main funnel is coupled to the at least one support structure within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is preferably disposed within the lower funnel, and is configured to store the descending biomass. A guide float is configured to float on the surface of the body of water, and hauling structure is preferably coupled to the guide float, and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface to harvest the biomass.
US09155247B1
A mobile platform based biomass powered harvester has a header, a biomass processor, a heated storage container, a guidance system, a biomass gasification reactor, a syngas engine, an electric generator, and a guidance system. The header harvests biomass. The biomass processor includes a shredder, a press, a dryer, and a densifier. The densifier compacts the biomass into a multitude of compressed biomass pieces. The heated storage container receives compressed biomass pieces from the biomass processor. The guidance system guides the mobile platform at a speed determined by the operating capacity of the densifier. The biomass gasification reactor generates syngas from compressed biomass pieces. The syngas engine generates shaft power. The electrical generator converts the shaft power to electricity to power the guidance system.
US09155238B2
A stabilizer serves for stabilizing a link of a three-point suspension system of an agricultural tractor. The stabilizer has at least one telescope consisting of a tube and a piston held displaceably therein. Said tube and piston are coupled elastically by at least one spring. The piston is designed such that it can be adjusted in length by means of at least one thread. In order to retain the telescope, the stabilizer has at least one pivotably held retaining clip. In a retaining position, said retaining clip engages over an abutment of the piston whereas, in a release position of the retaining clip, the piston can be freely moved. In order to obtain simple handleability of said stabilizer, the abutment is formed by at least one substantially rotationally symmetrical disc. The piston length can therefore be adjusted in or in the vicinity of the retaining position.
US09161485B2
The system contains a lamination press. The first cavity is formed in a chassis. A film assembly is fitted within the chassis. A buffer mounts over the film assembly and within the chassis. A tool set is shaped to fit within the first cavity. The tool set and chassis are positioned within the lamination press to confer heat and pressure from the lamination press to the film assembly and chassis.
US09161460B2
Disclosed herein are a printed circuit board and a method for manufacturing the same. The printed circuit board includes: a base substrate having a metal pattern for a circuit; and a surface roughness provided on the metal pattern, wherein the surface roughness has a first surface roughness in an anchor structure and a second surface roughness having a black oxide layer in a needle structure formed on the first surface roughness.
US09161457B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a camera module, the apparatus including: a base jig holding a PCB from below; a bonding head picking up an image sensor and attaching the image sensor onto the PCB; and a housing bonding tool picking up a housing assembly and attaching the housing assembly onto the PCB so that the image sensor attached onto the PCB is received in the housing assembly, wherein the base jig is constituted in a structure where the base jig is tension-movable in a vertical direction (Z-axial direction), so that an upper surface of the PCB is an identical reference plane for attaching the image sensor and the housing assembly when the image sensor is picked up by the bonding head and attached onto the PCB.
US09161452B2
A method of forming a component-embedded printed circuit board includes: preparing a first layered structure; preparing a second layered structure that includes an adhesive film and a releasable film; attaching the second layered structure to the first layered structure to form a layered stack, the releasable film releasably covering a mounting region of the first layered structure; heating and pressing the layered stack; cutting the second layered structure through the adhesive film; removing the releasable film together with a portion of the adhesive film from the mounting region to form a hole in the second layered structure; and mounting an electronic component in the hole.
US09161449B2
An image sensor module is provided. The image sensor module includes a circuit board, a flat material, an image sensing chip, a holder and a covering plate. The flat material disposed on an assembling surface of the circuit board has a supporting surface and a bottom surface opposite thereto. The image sensing chip with its base surface facing to the supporting surface is configured on the supporting surface. The holder is disposed on the flat material, and the bottom plane of the holder faces to the supporting surface. The supporting surface is used to make the base surface parallel to the bottom plane. The covering plate is arranged on the holder to seal the image sensing chip.
US09161443B2
Provided are a wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, a polymer film containing the wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, a flexible metal clad laminate containing the polymer film, and a flexible printed circuit board employing the flexible metal clad laminate. The disclosed wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin includes 5-25 parts by mole of a repeating unit (A) derived from an aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acid; 20-40 parts by mole of at least one repeating unit selected from the group consisting of a repeating unit (B) derived from an aromatic amine having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a repeating unit (B′) derived from an aromatic diamine; 20-40 parts by mole of a repeating unit (C) derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid; 5-20 parts by mole of a repeating unit (D) derived from an aromatic diol; and 5-20 parts by mole of a repeating unit (E) derived from an aromatic amino carboxylic acid.
US09161441B2
The present invention provides a glass cloth suitable for producing a printed wiring board to be used in the electronics and electric fields, which has small anisotropy in dimensional change and is free from warpage and twist, a prepreg using said glass cloth, and a printed wiring board using said glass cloth. The glass cloth relevant to the present invention is characterized in that the warp yarn and the weft yarn are configured with a glass yarn of 1.8×10−6 kg/m to 14×10−6 kg/m, a (breadth/length) ratio of an average filament diameter of said weft yarn to an average filament diameter of said warp yarn is 1.01 or more but less than 1.27, and a thickness is 10 μm to 40 μm.
US09161439B2
A display device includes a laminated wiring formed of a low-resistance conductive film, and a low-reflection film mainly containing Al and functioning as an antireflective film which are sequentially arranged on a transparent substrate, a wiring terminal part provided at an end part of the laminated wiring and has the same laminated structure as that of the laminated wiring, and an insulating film for covering the laminated wiring and the wiring terminal part, in which the insulating film side serves as a display surface side, the wiring terminal part has a first opening part penetrating the insulating film and the low-reflection film and reaching the low-resistance conductive film, and an outer peripheral portion of the first opening part has a laminated structure of the low-resistance conductive film, the low-reflection film, and the insulating film, in at least one part.
US09161436B2
In order to improve the signal integrity, for a connection device for twinax cables the connecting pad belonging to the respective drain wire is disposed directly between the two connecting pads of the two leads belonging to the same data line. Groups of connecting pads can be disposed so that they are offset with respect to one another in order to prevent crosstalk. To this end the data lines can be fastened to the connection device, which for example consists of a circuit board.
US09161431B2
In the case of a multilayered printed circuit board (20), more particularly a flame-resistant and/or smoke-suppressing multilayered printed circuit board, consisting of a plurality of interconnected layers (2, 3, 12, 13) composed of incombustible, conductive material and layers (1, 11) composed of non-conductive material, two layers (2, 3, 12) composed of a conductive material in each case being separated by at least one layer (1, 11) composed of a non-conductive material, it is provided that the printed circuit board (20) contains in its interior at least two layers (2, 3, 12) having a surface proportion of at least 50%, more particularly at last 70%, composed of the incombustible, conductive material, as a result of which a multilayered printed circuit board (20) having improved flame resistance and reduced smoke evolution can be made available.
US09161429B2
A neutron generator includes a conductive substrate comprising a plurality of conductive nanostructures with free-standing tips and a source of an atomic species to introduce the atomic species in proximity to the free-standing tips. A target placed apart from the substrate is voltage biased relative to the substrate to ionize and accelerate the ionized atomic species toward the target. The target includes an element capable of a nuclear fusion reaction with the ionized atomic species to produce a one or more neutrons as a reaction by-product.
US09161423B2
The invention describes a method of driving a gas-discharge lamp (1) according to conditions in a specific region (R) of the lamp (1), which gas-discharge lamp (1) comprises a burner (2) in which a first electrode (4) and a second electrode (5) are arranged on either side of a discharge gap, which lamp (1) is realised such that the position (PCs) of a coldest spot during an AC mode of operation is in the vicinity of the first electrode (4), which method comprises the steps of initially driving the lamp (1) in the AC mode of operation; monitoring an environment variable of the lamp (1), which environment variable is indicative of conditions in a specific region (R) of the lamp (1); switching to a temporary DC mode of operation at a DC power value on the basis of the monitored environment variable, whereby the first electrode (4) is allocated as the anode; and driving the lamp (1) in the DC mode of operation until the monitored environment variable has returned to an intermediate environment variable threshold value (TDCAC). The invention also describes a gas-discharge lamp and a driver for a gas-discharge lamp.
US09161419B2
Intelligent lighting is provided to motorists traveling down a stretch of road by sequentially turning on adjacent lighting devices in a lighting segment only when required, such as when vehicles are approaching the lighting devices, and turning off the lighting devices or decreasing a light intensity output of the lighting devices to a predefined minimum lighting intensity output level when no vehicles are present. In addition, which bulb to use in a multi-bulb lighting device is determined, as well as the optimal lighting intensity level of the selected bulb. Further, it is determined which lighting devices in a lighting segment may be turned off or dimmed while maintaining a predefined minimum safe light/brightness level along a pathway associated with the lighting segment.
US09161411B1
A vehicle display illumination system includes a controller controlling a constant current source. The constant current source receives a variable voltage input and outputs multiple constant current channels to one or more light sources for the vehicle display. The controller is further operable to alter a color or brightness of the light sources in response to a change in status of another vehicle system, thereby providing an indication to the user of the change in status.
US09161395B2
An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.
US09161392B2
In a heating apparatus for X-ray inspection which heats at least one surface of a sample (7) by convection to perform an X-ray inspection, a planar heater 1 formed of an X-ray transmitting material having an opening 1b for passing gas is provided at a window part 22 for making an X-ray observation of the sample. Thereby, a board can be subjected to convection heating uniformly without enlarging or complicating the apparatus.
US09161391B2
An electrical heating device includes a housing, which encloses a circulation chamber through which a medium can flow and into which heating ribs extend essentially parallel to one another. Each of the ribs has a U-shaped recess which opens into a uniform connecting chamber, which is separated from the circulation chamber by a partition wall provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses, and which accommodates at least one PTC heating element that abuts oppositely situated inner sides of the U-shaped recess in heat-conducting contact. The heating ribs protrude inwards alternately from the oppositely situated inner sides of the housing. A flow passage of a meander-type flow channel is formed in the housing between the free ends of the heating ribs and the adjacent inner wall of the housing. The flow passage is closed off by a covering element on the side oppositely situated to the partition wall.
US09161389B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for providing a voice call service in a Circuit Switching (CS) domain to a User Equipment (UE) being in a Packet Switching (PS) domain in a mobile communication system. A first message for paging to provide the voice call service in the CS domain to the UE is sent to an evolved Node B (eNB) in the PS domain. A second message including a cause associated with a domain change from the PS domain to the CS domain, is received from the eNB. A third message requesting suspension of the service being provided to the UE in the PS domain, is sent to a gateway in the PS domain.
US09161385B2
Embodiments relate to methods and systems of controlling and operating a wirelessly controlled solar field. By placing a higher density of access points in regions close to the solar field border, communication interference may be mitigated. A method of mitigating interference between an access point and a heliostat in a wireless communication system located in a solar field, may include in a first section of the solar field, deploying a first plurality of access points such that each of the access points is a first distance from its neighbor; and in a second section of the solar field, deploying a second plurality of access points such that each of the access points is a second distance from its neighbor. The first distance is greater than the second distance and the second section of the solar field may be closer to a perimeter of the solar field.
US09161378B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate multiplexing communications from multiple downstream access points to one or more mobility management entities (MME). In particular, a concentrator component is provided that can establish a single transport layer connection with an MME along with multiple application layer connections over the single transport layer connection for each of multiple downstream access points and/or related mobile devices. The downstream access points and/or mobile devices can provide identifiers to the concentrator component, which can utilize the identifiers to track communications with the MME. In this regard, the MME can additionally include identifiers received from the concentrator component in subsequent communications to facilitate identifying the appropriate downstream access point and/or mobile device.
US09161373B2
The present invention relates a User Equipment, UE (204) and a Radio Base Station (202, 206) and methods therein for contention resolution in general. Based on measured and analyzed measurements of a radio connection establishment response from each of at least a first and a second Radio Base Station, a UE receiving said radio connection establishment response can resolve the contention by selecting a RBS based on the received power of a set of DL reference signals as received by the UE, of the received power of the radio connection establishment responses, on timing of the received sets of reference signals, on timing of the radio connection establishment responses, on historic RBS selections, on priority level of the RBS, to mention a few alternatives.
US09161366B2
Methods and devices for configuring transmit antenna mode for a user equipment that can transmit in the uplink using at least two transmit antennas are provided. In accordance with embodiment a transmit antenna mode of the user equipment can be configured in response to a measured transmit antenna imbalance. Methods and devices for configuring transmit antenna mode for a user equipment that can transmit in the uplink using at least two transmit antennas are provided. In accordance with embodiment a transmit antenna mode of the user equipment can be configured in response to a measured transmit antenna imbalance.
US09161363B2
A network node, user equipment, and corresponding methods can support non-contiguous cell configuration of the downlink in at least one frequency band of a telecommunications system. The network node configures cells for non-contiguous downlink operations based on a signal received from a user equipment. The signal comprises information about the user equipment's radio access capability in non-contiguous downlink operation, including: a first indication that indicates the maximum number of cells supported by the user equipment; a second indication that indicates the maximum gap bandwidth between cells supported by the user equipment; and a third indication that indicates whether the user equipment supports an equal number of cells, or a different number of cells, on each side of a gap between the maximum number of cells.
US09161352B2
A method for transmitting a physical channel in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication system capable of carrier aggregation is provided for supporting aggregation of carriers having different TDD configurations. The communication method of a terminal in a TDD radio communication system accomplishing broadband through carrier aggregation of primary and secondary cells, of which aggregated carriers have different TDD Uplink-Downlink (UL-DL) configurations, includes receiving Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) through the secondary cell, and transmitting acknowledgement information corresponding to the PDSCH to a base station, where acknowledgement information is transmitted on a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) of the primary cell.
US09161351B2
A method and device are disclosed for transmitting uplink control signals in a wireless communication system using at least one subframe comprising two slots, each slot including a plurality of symbols, the wireless communication system configured to transmit a first uplink control signal via an assigned first physical uplink control channel resource and to transmit a second uplink control signal via an assigned second physical uplink control channel resource. The method can include generating a modulation symbol by modulating the second uplink control signal, and transmitting the modulation symbol in a subframe via a physical uplink control channel resource which is assigned for the first uplink control signal if it is determined that the first uplink control signal and the second uplink control signal are to be transmitted in the subframe.
US09161347B2
A wireless communication base station apparatus that allows the number of times of blind decodings at a mobile station to be reduced without increasing the overhead caused by notifying information. In this apparatus, a CCE allocation part allocates allocation information allocated to a PDCCH received from modulation parts to a particular one of a plurality of search spaces that is corresponding to a CCE aggregation size of the PDCCH. A placement part then places the allocation information in one of downstream line resources, reserved for the PDCCH, that is corresponding to the CCE of the particular search space to which the allocation information has been allocated. A radio transmission part then transmits an OFDM symbol, in which the allocation information has been placed, to the mobile station from an antenna.
US09161346B2
Disclosed is a method for transmitting a control channel in a multicell cooperative wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention comprises the steps of: a 1st transmitting end transmitting a control channel and a data channel, and at least one 2nd transmitting end transmitting only the data channel, in a 1st subframe; and the 1st transmitting end transmitting only the data channel and the at least one 2nd transmitting end transmitting the control channel and the data channel, in a 2nd subframe, wherein the data channel transmitted by the at least one 2nd transmitting end in the 1st subframe is decoded on the basis of the control channel transmitted by the at least one 2nd transmitting end in the 2nd subframe.
US09161342B2
In a method for transmitting control information in a wireless network, a wireless resource allocation module assigns at least one of (i) a first plurality of enhanced resource element groups to a first set of enhanced control channel elements, and (ii) a second plurality of enhanced resource element groups to a second set of enhanced control channel elements; and a transceiver transmits the control information to at least one radio frequency equipment using at least one of the first and second sets of enhanced control channel elements.
US09161333B2
Advantage is taken of adaptive allocation techniques by intentionally creating multi-user diversity in an otherwise flat fading environment in order to improve system capacity. In one embodiment, multi-path distortion can be resolved to determine subscriber station (SS) diversity gain. Overall network capacity can be increased by allocating channel assignments to SSs within the network based on determined SS diversity gains. In one embodiment, intentional multi-path distortion is produced by transmitting a signal and a time-delayed version of the signal from a base station (BS).
US09161332B2
A wireless communication network system includes: a location estimation device includes: a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute: collecting information, for each wireless device in a pair of wireless devices communicating with each other in the wireless communication network, as to the number of occurrences of duplicate reception caused by the data retransmission performed when the reception acknowledgement does not reach the transmitting wireless device; and estimating the location of an interference source of radio wave in a wireless communication network based on the collected information as to the number of occurrences of duplicate reception such that the location of the interference source is closer to one of wireless devices in the pair with a less number of occurrences of duplicate reception than to the other one of the wireless devices in the pair.
US09161329B2
Method, apparatus, and system for communicating location of a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining information at the mobile device from a marker associated with an object, generating a location request in accordance with the determined information, and communicating location information in response to the location request generated.
US09161317B2
Provided are a transmission power reporting method and apparatus. A terminal determines a configured maximum transmission power based on a maximum power reduction (MPR) and transmission power configured by a base station and determines whether reporting of the configured maximum transmission power is triggered. If reporting of the configured maximum transmission power is triggered, the terminal transmits a reporting message including the configured maximum transmission power to the base station.
