US09163851B2

An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over the profile and secure a portion of the duct adjacent to the opening against the interior of the access panel.
US09163841B2

A casting (52) for a support housing (50), including: a fuel manifold (56) comprising an a-stage gas gallery (80) and a b-stage gas gallery (82); a-stage and a b-stage rocket bases (60) integrally cast with the fuel manifold (56), the a-stage gas gallery (80) in fluid communication with the a-stage stage rocket bases and the b-stage gas gallery (82) in fluid communication with the b-stage rocket bases; and one oil tube passageway (64) for each fuel rocket base (60), each oil tube passageway (64) spanning from an upstream end (66) of the fuel manifold (56) to an interior (68) of a respective fuel rocket base (60). Each oil tube passageway (64) is disposed radially inward of an inner perimeter (102) of the b-stage gas gallery (82).
US09163840B2

An object of the invention is to provide a reliable gas turbine combustor that can provide lowered NOx and combustion stability. The gas turbine combustor includes a combustion chamber to which fuel and air are supplied; a first burner located on the upstream side of the combustion chamber, the first burner jetting fuel into the combustion chamber and jetting air into the combustion chamber in a swirling manner; a plurality of second burners arranged around the first burner and supplying a premixed gas of air and fuel to the combustion chamber; an annular bulkhead disposed between the first burner and the second burners and having an inclined surface formed to broaden toward the downstream side of the combustion chamber; and a plurality of air jet ports formed in the inclined surface of the annular bulkhead and adapted to jet air into the combustion chamber.
US09163836B1

A cigarette lighter assembly includes a conduit and a reservoir fluidly coupled together. The conduit has a free end positioned distal of the reservoir and the reservoir stores a quantity of fuel. A valve is in fluid communication with the reservoir and is positionable in an opened condition to allow fuel to flow into the conduit. A valve actuator is mechanically coupled to the valve. An ignition actuator is in communication with the conduit and ignites the fuel as the fuel exits the distal end. The ignition actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. A resiliently flexible bulb is attached to the conduit. The ignition actuator is positioned within the bulb and the ignition actuator is actuated when the bulb is compressed.
US09163833B2

A sealing apparatus (22) for use with a traveling grate (18) including a base (44) and one or more legs (42) extending upwardly from the base (44). The sealing apparatus (22) includes at least one flange (52) extending outwardly from one or more of the legs (42). The flange (52) includes a surface (53) extending between the leg (52) and one or more edges (52A, 52B, 52L) of the flange (52). The surface (53) includes a sealing portion (55) adjacent to the leg (52) and one or more discharge portions (56) sloped downwardly from the sealing portion (55) to one or more of the edges (52A, 52B, 52L), for discharge of wear materials therefrom. The sealing portion (55) is positioned proximate to a portion of the traveling grate (18) and defines a gap (G2) therebetween. The gap (G2) is configured to mitigate flow therethrough.
US09163830B2

A sealpot for a combustion power plant includes a downcomer standpipe which receives solids of the combustion power plant, a bed including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end connected to the downcomer standpipe, a discharge standpipe disposed at the second opposite end of the bed, and an orifice plate disposed between the bed and the discharge standpipe separating the discharge standpipe from the bed. The orifice plate includes apertures disposed at a height above the bed which allow transport of fluidized solids and gas through the orifice plate.
US09163828B2

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling a load generated by a power generating system may include controlling at least a portion of the system using model-based control techniques. The model-based control techniques may include a dynamic matrix controller (DMC) that receives a load demand and a process variable as inputs and generates a control signal based on the inputs and a stored model. The model may be configured based on parametric testing, and may be modifiable. Other inputs may also be used to determine the control signal. In an embodiment, a turbine is controlled by a first DMC and a boiler is controlled by a second DMC, and the control signals generated by the first and the second DMCs are used in conjunction to control the generated load. Techniques to move the power generating system from Proportional-Integral-Derivative based control to model-based control are also disclosed.
US09163824B2

A lamp heat sink includes a plurality of heat dissipating fins disposed around a body and extending away from the body. The lamp heat sink further comprises a heat dissipating circumferent skirt surrounding the body and disposed between the plurality of heat dissipating fins. The lamp heat sink further comprises a plurality of channels disposed around the body, formed by the plurality of heat dissipating fins and the heat dissipating circumferent skirt. The plurality of channels each include an intake opening configured to receive cold air and an exhaust opening configured to release warm air.
US09163823B2

A light stand assembly with a base having pivoting legs and a power supply circuit. An adjustable post detachably connects to the base. The adjustable post is configured for telescoping movement between a lower position and a raised position, and secures at a selected position with latches. An adjustable post connector moveably connects to the adjustable post. A pair of light modules detachably connect to the adjustable post connector and operatively connects to the power supply circuit.
US09163822B2

Provided is a light source assembly including: a frame including a device region; a radiator mounted on the device region and detachable therefrom; and a light source including a light emitting device disposed at a position corresponding to the device region above the radiator.
US09163807B2

A light fixture includes a member having a substantially frusto-conical shape. A channel extends between a wide top end of the member and a narrower bottom end of the member. The member includes multiple surfaces (“facets”) disposed around its outer surface. Each facet is configured to receive one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) in a linear or non-linear array. Each facet can be integral to the member or coupled to the member. The channel is configured to transfer heat generated by the LEDs through convection. Fins can be disposed within the channel, extending from the inner surface of the member to an inner channel. The fins are configured to transfer heat away from, and provide a greater surface area for convecting heat away from, the member. For example, one or both of the channels can transfer heat by a venturi effect.
US09163803B2

Disclosed is a hybrid lamp assembly (10) which includes a substantially parabolic reflector (12) having an open end (20) and a circumferential mounting member (18) extending outwardly from the open end (20) of the reflector (12). The mounting member (18) presents a plurality of nonparallel mounting surfaces (22). A primary, non-LED light source (14) is operably assembled with the parabolic reflector (12). A secondary light source (24), comprising a plurality of LED lamps (26), is positioned circumferentially around the open end (20) on the mounting surfaces (22). The LED lamps (26) are each mounted to project in a direction (42) substantially normal to the surface on which it is mounted.
US09163802B2

The present subject matter utilizes solid state sources to pump remote phosphors positioned within lighting fixtures to facilitate visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person. One or more phosphors are remotely positioned in a chamber of a lightguide element, which in some examples, substantially fills an optical volume of the fixture. The chamber includes a solid liquid or gas material for bearing the one or more phosphors. Multiple phosphors, for example, may together produce light in the fixture output that is at least substantially white and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 75 or higher.
US09163801B2

A lamp control system includes: a lamp configured to form a light distribution pattern ahead of a vehicle using a non-illumination region forming unit, wherein the light distribution pattern includes a non-illumination region, and the illumination region includes at least one longitudinal cutoff line; a detector configured to detect a front vehicle in front of the vehicle; an information acquiring unit configured to acquire a displacement direction and a displacement speed of the front vehicle; and a light distribution controller configured to control the light distribution pattern using the non-illumination region forming unit such that the front vehicle is positioned in the non-illumination region. When the front vehicle is approaching the longitudinal cutoff line, the light distribution controller controls the light distribution pattern based on the displacement direction and the displacement speed to increase an interval between the longitudinal cutoff line and the front vehicle.
US09163794B2

An LED-based light for replacing a fluorescent light in a light fixture comprises: an elongate housing, the housing having a first longitudinal portion with a first cross section and a second longitudinal portion adjoining the first longitudinal portion with a second cross section, wherein a shape of the first cross section is different from a shape of the second cross section, such that the housing includes at least one geometric asymmetry; at least one LED arranged in the housing; and a connector at and end of the housing configured for connection to a light fixture.
US09163792B2

An illuminated hand wand carrying a plurality of high intensity LEDs is provided as an improved visual signaling device. The hand wand is provided with multiple modes of use and a unique design that may be produced at low costs with high durability and longevity characteristics.
US09163788B2

LED light bulbs especially suited for use in table lamps or floor lamps with lamp shades. The LED light bulbs include optics which provide more limited but more uniform illumination of the lamp shade and provide more uniform illumination through the top and bottom apertures of the lamp shade. The light bulbs comprise an electrical coupling base (e.g., Edison screw base) coupled via an insulating coupling piece to a tube. Metal Core Printed Circuit Boards on which LEDs with lenses are mounted are mechanically coupled to the tube.
US09163784B2

A device for reducing the temperature of a bombe, which stores liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel and may be connected to a fuel supply line for supplying the fuel to an injector, using latent heat of LPG vaporization, may include a fuel pump installed in the bombe and connected to an end of the fuel supply line for pressurizing the fuel, a cut-off valve installed in the fuel supply line for selectively cutting off fuel supply to the injector, a fuel collection line branched from the fuel supply line to the inside of the bombe for collecting the supplied fuel into the bombe when the cut-off valve may be closed, and an injection nozzle connected to the fuel collection line and injecting the fuel collected through the fuel collection line into the inside of the bombe.
US09163777B1

A lifting litter box comprising a base, where the base includes a lifting mechanism; a frame secured above the base, where the frame is lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism; and a litter box positioned atop the frame, where the lifting mechanism lifts the litter box to an extended position for cleaning and then lowers the litter box once clean. The lifting mechanism may be battery operated and/or manually operated to enable lifting anytime desired by the user.
US09163775B2

A magnetic stand for a tablet device is disclosed. The magnetic stand is configured to rigidly hold a portion of the tablet device in place and to shield the magnetic field from adversely affecting nearby devices susceptible to strong magnetic fields. The shielding portion of the magnetic stand allows for significant increases in magnetic field strength when compared to similarly configured, unshielded products.
US09163767B2

In one example embodiment, a fluid transfer coupling arrangement includes a hollow shaft that is arranged in a housing and rotatable about an axis. The hollow shaft is provided by a wall having radially spaced interior and exterior surfaces. A first passage extends through the wall and is configured to communicate fluid between the interior and exterior surfaces. A fluid coupling is located mid-shaft, sealed about the exterior surface, and aligns to the first passage. The fluid coupling provides a second passage that is in fluid communication with the first passage. The fluid coupling includes a locating feature configured to permit radial movement of the fluid coupling relative to the housing and allowing the fluid coupling to track subtle shaft movements.
US09163760B2

An arcuate member is clamped onto a pipe so that a protrusion or ridge penetratingly engages the outside surface of the pipe.
US09163745B2

A solenoid valve includes: a valve body having a fitting hole; a tubular sleeve fitted in a fitting hole and having a valve hole, a supply port, and an output port; and a spool valve that is accommodated in the valve hole of the sleeve and that changes a flow passage area between the supply port and the output port by moving axially. A pair of recessed portions is formed in an outer peripheral face of the sleeve, at positions on axially opposite sides of the supply port, so as to extend in the circumferential direction of the sleeve. A strip-shaped first strainer is fitted in the recessed portions. A cutout into which a pressure for suppressing an offset of the central axis of the sleeve from the central axis of the fitting hole, is formed in the sleeve so as to be communicated with the supply port.
US09163744B2

A solenoid valve. In a solenoid section forming part of the solenoid valve, a sleeve is provided on the inner circumferential side of a bobbin around which a coil is wound. This sleeve is formed from magnetic material and includes a cylindrical section and a flange section formed at a lower end of the cylindrical section. At an upper end of the cylindrical section, a tapered section is formed in which an outer circumferential face is recessed in the radially inward direction. The tapered section is arranged facing and in close contact with the outer circumferential face of a fixed core such that the magnetic flux density in the tapered section increases when the solenoid section is excited.
US09163725B2

There is described an oil control ring idealized for internal combustion engines and formed by a ferrous body less than 2.0 millimeters high, which comprises two external contact surfaces where each surface contains a first and a second end ridges, two slanted faces where each slanted face contains a third end, a peripheral cross section facing the cylinder wall and an internal circular section facing the side of the piston, where each contact surface has a height (h) between the first and the second end ridges of up to 0.15 millimeters and the angle of the slanted face is comprised between 8 and 12 degrees and also by the peripheral cross section is solid, without the presence of cracks, holes and/or other kinds of oil drainage areas. The ring permits an improved distribution of the contact pressure of the combination and, therefore, a better conformability of the ring with the cylinder wall.
US09163720B2

A hydraulic control system is provided for controlling the actuation of a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms. The hydraulic control system includes an accumulator having parallel feed paths to the plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms.
US09163717B2

A manifold assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a mounting plate configured for attachment to a housing structure and a flow plate that is attached to the mounting plate. One or more flow passages are defined between the mounting plate and flow plate.
US09163716B2

A gear casing heat exchanger has a mounting flange separating the heat exchanger into a first side and a second side. A manifold section is on the first side, and includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. A heat exchange section is on the second side, and extends from the mounting flange in a lengthwise direction. A sealing perimeter is on the second side, and the heat exchange section is entirely contained within a projection of the sealing perimeter in the lengthwise direction. The heat exchange section of the heat exchanger can be inserted through an aperture of a gear casing to provide a cooled gear assembly.
US09163714B2

A bearing arrangement for mounting a gear bolt (1) as the bearing axle for a gearwheel (2) in a transmission housing. The gear bolt (1) is held in the transmission housing by only a single component in the form of an intermediate plate (3).
US09163713B2

A crank pulley decoupling device includes: a crank pulley connected to one end of a crankshaft and configured to transmit a rotational force; a first spring configured to be inserted into the crank pulley and to have one end provided in the crank pulley and the other end provided in the crank shaft; and a second spring configured to be inserted into the crank pulley and to be provided on an outer circumferential surface of the crankshaft. Spring design and design change are freely done by utilizing space in the crank pulley while the first and second springs are spaced apart so that impact therebetween is reduced, thereby improving durability and preventing decrease in efficiency due to friction and thus improving the product value.
US09163710B2

In a hollow wave gear device, a rigid internally toothed gear and a wave generator are disposed adjacent along a center axis line so as to enclose a cylindrical barrel part of a flexible externally toothed gear from the outside. A pushed cylindrical portion adjacent to an external-tooth-formed cylindrical portion of the cylindrical barrel part is pushed from the outside and made to flex into an ellipsoidal shape by the wave generator disposed on the outside thereof, whereby external teeth partially mesh with internal teeth of the rigid internally toothed gear. The inside diameter dimension of a hollow part can be the inside diameter of the cylindrical barrel part of the flexible externally toothed gear, and a hollow wave gear device can be achieved which is formed with a hollow part having a large inside diameter.
US09163708B2

A chain (endless flexible member) is looped over an input pulley and an output pulley. Each of the input pulley and the output pulley includes a pair of a fixed sheave and a movable sheave. The fixed sheave and the movable sheave have tapered faces that are opposed to each other to define a V-shaped groove. A vibration damping plate (vibration damping member) is fixed to each fixed sheave, and is in contact with the outer peripheral face of the fixed sheave. When the fixed sheave vibrates, the vibrations are damped by the friction between the outer peripheral face of the fixed shave and the vibration damping plate.
US09163700B2

A drive unit for an actuator having an electric motor, wherein the drive unit comprises a gear train having at least a first gear stage and a last gear stage, wherein the gear train realizes a transmission ratio of greater than one from the electric motor to an output wheel, wherein each gear stage is formed by a gear drive and wherein in the last gear stage, one gear wheel or alternatively two gear wheels connected in parallel are provided that each mesh with an upstream gear wheel of the gear train and with the output wheel, so as to transmit the torque acting on the last gear stage to this stage via the one gear wheel or alternatively distributed over the two gear wheels connected in parallel, wherein the drive unit is accommodated in a housing of the actuator that has at least a first and a second bearing support for the gear wheels of the last gear stage, and to form this last gear stage, the two bearing supports are fitted with the one gear wheel or alternatively with the two gear wheels connected in parallel.
US09163696B2

A damper device is disposed between an engine and a transmission and has a torque distribution mechanism that is provided with a first input element connected to the engine, a second input element connected to the engine via an elastic member, a first output element connected to the transmission, and a second output element connected to the transmission. The damper device further has a first clutch that is disposed between the first output element and the transmission, and is switched between an engaged state of connecting the first output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the first output element from the transmission, and a second clutch that is disposed between the second output element and the transmission, and is switched between an engaged state of connecting the second output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the second output element from the transmission.
US09163693B2

An adjustable damping valve device for a vibration damper includes an actuator which exerts an adjusting force on a valve body. The valve body has at least one surface acted upon by pressure of a damping medium as part of a pressure space. The surface acted upon by pressure causes an adjusting force on the valve body, and the pressure space is connected to a gas receiving space in the damping valve.
US09163691B2

A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. An electronically controlled valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and is in communication with the first rod guide member.
US09163686B2

A brake-side clutch section on an output side transmits rotational torque input from a lever-side clutch section on an input side, for controlling transmission and interruption of the rotational torque to the output side through lever operation, to the output side, and interrupts rotational torque reversely input from the output side.
US09163680B2

A motor brake includes an actuator fixed to a motor shaft and including spaced peripheral ears including a member therethrough. A fixed plate includes spaced detents and an output about the actuator has spaced ball releasably urged into the fixed plate detents by the actuator ear members. The output has channels for the actuator ears for driving the output with the actuator when the actuator ear members release the output spaced balls from the fixed plate detents.
US09163675B2

The present invention relates to a clutch control device, more particularly, to a clutch control device wherein a mechanical section may be miniaturized and operational errors can be reduced using a non-contact type displacement detection system which uses a linear distance sensor for a clutch clearance and the position of the mechanical section can be accurately controlled by using a plurality of solenoid valves.
US09163673B2

The invention relates to a method for the production of a coupling segment (11) of a segmented, elastic coupling (10), wherein an elastomer body (2) is disposed between two metallic connection flanges (3, 4), and the elastomer body (2) is connected with the two connection flanges (3, 4) in material-fit manner, by means of vulcanization, to form a coupling body (1). In order to be able to produce such a segmented, elastic coupling (10) at the lowest possible costs, it is proposed, with the invention, that the coupling segment (11) is cut out from the coupling body (1) by means of water jet cutting, wherein the water jet cuts the elastomer body (2) and, at the same time, at least one of the two connection flanges (3, 4).
US09163671B2

A connecting device with a drive section having a thread on the end, wherein the connecting device can be used to screw a shaft element to a thread corresponding to the thread of the drive section, wherein, in addition to the thread, at least one positive-locking element forming a positive-locking connection with the shaft element is provided.
US09163667B2

A plain bearing 1 comprising a hollow-cylindrical plain bearing body and a first flange arranged at a first end of the plain bearing body and extending radially outwardly, as well as a plain bearing system comprising the plain bearing and a bearing receiving means and a method of assembling the plain bearing system.To provide a plain bearing which for a press fit in a bearing receiving means allows greater dimensional tolerances in respect of the bearing receiving means, a ring of axially extending and peripherally spaced collar portions is provided at the second end of the plain bearing body, which is in opposite relationship to the first end, which collar portions can be bent over outwardly to afford a second flange.
US09163663B2

A compact and high-precision rotating shaft holding mechanism is provided which can be utilized for a device that requires a small amount of rotation.A rotating shaft holding mechanism includes a plurality of parallel spring links, each of the plurality of parallel spring links including: a movable side connected to a rotating shaft by a hinge at a connection point at a distance h radially away from a center of rotation of the rotating shaft; a plurality of deformable sides which are parallel to each other; hinges each of which connects one end of a corresponding one of the deformable sides to the movable side; and hinges each of which connects the other end of a corresponding one of the deformable sides to the stationary section, the effective length of each of the deformable sides being set to h to permit the rotating shaft, which is connected to the movable side by the hinge at the connecting point at the distance h radially away from the center of rotation of the rotating shaft, to rotate within a range of finite angles, the plurality of parallel spring links including at least two parallel spring links oriented in different directions. A rotational viscometer uses the rotating shaft holding mechanism.
US09163653B2

A fixing mechanism disclosed in the present invention includes a body, a contact portion and an airtight sealing component. The body has a hollow structure and a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite to the second end. The first end passes through an open hole formed on a first object to insert into a positioning portion disposed on a second object, and an outer surface of the body is engaged with an inner surface of the positioning portion in a linear contacting manner. The contact portion is disposed on the second end. The contact portion contacts against a side of the first object opposite to the second object when the body passes through the first object and the second object. The airtight sealing component is disposed on the second end to seal the hollow structure, to prevent external gas from flowing into the hollow structure.
US09163643B2

A suction casing includes a suction nozzle that introduces a fluid from an outer circumferential side to an inner circumferential side in a radial direction; and a chamber that includes a substantially doughnut-shaped space in communication with an inside of the suction nozzle on the outer circumferential side and that guides the fluid, introduced from the suction nozzle, to an inlet opening portion opening in an axial direction and disposed in a substantially annular shape. The chamber is formed so that a radial width is narrower in a circumferential direction from a joint portion in communication with the suction nozzle to an opposite side across a central axis.
US09163642B2

An impeller of a rotary machine, in which a direction of flow is configured to gradually change from an axial direction to a radial direction as the flow goes from an interior in the radial direction of a fluid flow passage to an exterior in the radial direction of the fluid flow passage, includes: a hub surface defining at least a portion of the fluid flow passage; a blade surface defining at least a portion of the fluid flow passage; and a bulge being disposed so as to bulge toward the interior of the fluid flow passage at a corner where the hub surface, which is located at a rear half on an outlet side of the fluid flow passage, is in contact with the blade surface.
US09163628B2

A self-adjusting gear pump is disclosed. The pump may be a crescent internal gear pump, a gerotor pump, or an external gear pump. The pump includes a pump housing, gear housing, first and second gears, a side plate housing with a side plate, a shim and an end plate. The side plate moves between a first position contacting the first and second gears and gear housing, and a second position contacting the end plate. The side plate is spring biased toward the first position. A method is disclosed for match grinding the crescent plate (if used), gear housing and gears as a unit to provide a uniform surface. The side plate housing and side plate are similarly match ground. An assembly method is disclosed which allows the crescent plate to be moved with respect to the gear housing so that clearances between the crescent and the gear teeth are eliminated.
US09163626B2

The invention relates to a gear pump (1) for conveying a fluid, said gear pump comprising a rotatably mounted, external geared toothed wheel (3) and an internal geared annular gear (2) that are meshed in order to generate a conveying action, and are arranged together with an electrically commutable stator (7) in a housing (5). The stator (7) extends concentrically around the annular gear (2) and interacts with the annular gear to generate an electromotive force. The annular gear (2) has a closed, homogeneous cylindrical surface and a plain bearing (13) is provided on the stator (7).
US09163625B2

In order to realize, without inviting cost increase, a control for maintaining a pressure of fluid delivered from a pump at a target value, a pump control unit is provided with a driver control unit controlling a rotational speed of a hydraulic pump through adjustment of a duty ratio of a PWM signal driving excitation coils of an electric motor. Further, the pump control unit is provided also with a signal correction circuit configured to convert a current flowing in the excitation coils to a voltage signal with using a shunt resistor and to divide the voltage signal with using a voltage division ratio setting circuit and to shorten an ON signal of the PWM signal by increasing the divided voltage. The voltage division ratio setting circuit has a characteristics of setting the divided voltage higher, the longer an ON period of the PWM signal.
US09163624B2

A vibration fan includes a base, an electromagnetic actuator and a blade. The electromagnetic actuator is disposed on the base, and includes a movable magnetic component and a fixed magnetic component. The movable magnetic component reciprocates relative to the fixed magnetic component. The blade is connected to the movable magnetic component.
US09163623B2

A pumping mechanism is disclosed that includes a plurality of peristaltic pumping actuators configured to selectively and sequentially compress adjacent portions of a first portion of an at least partially compressible pumping element having an inlet that is upstream of an outlet. The plurality of pumping actuators are further configured to reciprocate at a common drive frequency with a first phase offset between each adjacent pair of pumping actuators. The pumping mechanism also includes at least one compensation actuator arranged to selectively compress a second portion of the at least partially compressible pumping element that is disposed between the first portion and the outlet. The at least one compensation actuator is configured to reciprocate at an optimal displacement and at a modulation frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental drive frequency and with a second phase offset between the at least one compensation actuator and the adjacent pumping actuator.
US09163621B2

A compressor control apparatus, and a refrigerator including the same are provided. Operation of two compressors may be controlled using one inverter, thereby reducing a number of components, increasing compressor capacity, and enhancing operation efficiency of the system. Commonly used switching elements may be switched at an operating frequency, allowing the simultaneous operation of two compressors, reducing switching losses, and improving the efficiency and stability of the system.
US09163607B2

The disclosed embodiments relate to wind and hydropower vessel plant. The vessel plant is configured for generating renewable electrical energy. The wind and hydropower vessel plant comprises apparatus which relates to exposable turbine and/or submersible turbine configuration. Both exposable and submersible turbines are incorporated in a system by reference, comprising a platform for producing renewable electrical energy that is storable and/or transportable. The disclosed embodiments further include a plant for the production of hydrogen, methane, oxygen, desalinated water, salt and supplemental energy.
US09163595B2

An engine is disclosed. The engine may have an air box. The engine may further have an opening into the air box. The engine may additionally have a baffle positioned adjacent the opening. The engine may also have a cylinder defining an intake port, with the intake port positioned in the air box. The baffle may be configured to deflect air that passes through the opening to direct the air away from the intake port of the cylinder.
US09163577B2

To enable, with a simple control, a malfunction of a type wherein the output from a knock sensor becomes excessively large to be detected, a knock-sensor malfunction diagnosis device includes a control section configured to determine that knocking has occurred when the magnitude of a knocking vibration frequency component derived from an output signal from a knock sensor exceeds a first threshold value, and diagnose the knock sensor as malfunctioning when a prescribed diagnostic condition wherein knocking cannot occur is satisfied and the magnitude of the knocking vibration frequency component derived from the output signal from the knock sensor exceeds a second threshold value. The control section is further configured to determine that the diagnostic condition is satisfied for a time interval from a time when a predetermined time period has expired after fuel-cutoff has started to a time when the fuel-cutoff ends, during execution of the fuel-cutoff.
US09163576B2

A system for an engine includes an edge detection module and a correlation calibration module. The edge detection module (i) detects edges of a camshaft of the engine using a camshaft position sensor, and (ii) detects edges of a crankshaft of the engine using a crankshaft position sensor. The correlation calibration module calibrates a correlation between the crankshaft and the camshaft based on the detected edges of the crankshaft and the camshaft, respectively.
US09163573B2

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are enclosed for an internal combustion engine system for industrial applications.
US09163570B2

A method can determine diesel engine airflow in a diesel internal combustion engine using a late intake valve closure (LIVC) strategy. The method includes monitoring the air temperature in an intake manifold to determine an intake manifold air temperature; monitoring a coolant temperature; and determining the air temperature in an intake port of a diesel internal combustion engine. The method includes monitoring the air pressure in the intake manifold and monitoring the engine speed of the diesel internal combustion engine. Moreover, the method includes determining the air density in the diesel internal combustion engine and determining a diesel engine airflow; and determining an intake valve closure crank angle. The method additionally includes determining an adjusted diesel engine airflow based on the diesel engine airflow, engine speed, and intake valve closure crank angle.
US09163560B2

A method is provided for switching over a gas turbine burner operation from liquid fuel to gas fuel and vice-versa, with the burner comprising nozzles for feeding a premixed gas fuel, nozzles for injecting a pilot gas fuel and nozzles for injecting a liquid fuel. According to the method, while the liquid fuel and the premix gas fuel are regulated to switch over from liquid fuel to gas fuel operation or vice-versa, the pilot gas fuel is controlled at a substantially constant flow rate.
US09163549B2

An exhaust treatment device includes an inlet tube having an end in communication with a cavity within a housing. An exhaust treatment component for treating engine exhaust is positioned within the housing. A metal mounting member includes a mounting provision. A retaining plate is engaged with the metal mounting member and fixed to the housing to retain the mounting member between the housing and the retaining plate.
US09163542B2

The invention relates to a reducing agent dosing system for injecting a reducing agent into the exhaust-gas flow of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, wherein the dosing system can be or is connected to a reducing agent tank (1) from which reducing agent is extracted and delivered by means of a reducing agent pump (2), wherein there is a compressed air supply (3) and at least one nozzle (4) is provided which is connected to the pressure line (11) of the reducing agent pump (2) and via which the reducing agent is introduced into the exhaust-gas flow and atomized by means of compressed air, wherein the pressure line (11) of the reducing agent pump (2) issues via an inlet (6) into a valve (5) which, when it is subjected to pressure by reducing agent delivered by the reducing agent pump (2), opens up the inlet (6) to the valve (5) and an overflow duct to an outlet (7) of the valve to a dosing line (12) to the nozzle (4).
US09163533B2

A camshaft adjuster (1), which has a cover element (4), which has at least one deformation zone (7), which, when the cover element (4) is assembled with the input element (2) or the output element (3), is deformed in such a way that a preloading force acts, pressing the cover element (4) and the input element (2) or output element (3) against one another.
US09163530B2

The invention relates to a method for operating a steam cycle process for using the heat of an internal combustion engine (2), comprising a conduction circuit (4) in which a working medium circulates. Said conduction circuit (4) comprises at least one pump (6, 13), at least one heat exchanger (8), an expansion machine (10), a feedwater tank (14) for storing the liquid working medium, and a condenser (12). Components of the conduction circuit (4) are frost-proofed by partially evacuating the liquid working medium. After the end of the circulation of the working medium, at least one of the pumps (6, 13) continues to operate in order to evacuate the working medium at least from the pump (6, 13) which continues to operate.
US09163527B2

A system for reducing moisture in a burner pressure sensing line in a gas turbine engine. A water trap is mounted on the burner pressure sensing line with an inlet for receiving burner pressure air and an outlet for transferring burner pressure air to the sensor. A heat sink is positioned inside the water trap for condensing moisture contained in the burner pressure air. Finned tubes are used to passively control the temperature of the burner pressure line. A deadheaded chamber provides an alternative location for the moist air to condense when the gas is compressed at higher pressure.
US09163524B2

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a variable geometry turbine comprising: a turbine wheel mounted for rotation about a turbine axis within a housing, the housing defining an annular inlet surrounding the turbine wheel and defined between first and second inlet sidewalls; and a cylindrical sleeve axially movable across the annular inlet to vary the size of a gas flow path through the annular inlet, the annular inlet being divided into at least two axially offset inlet portions; and a ring-like seal adjacent a free end of the sleeve, at least a part of the ring-like seal being located in-between the sleeve and the inlet portions, or a structure defining the inlet portions.
US09163522B2

A seal assembly includes a seal support, a spring carrier, a plurality of springs, and a seal carrier. The spring carrier is connected to the seal support by a guide assembly. The plurality of springs are disposed between the seal support and the spring carrier. The seal carrier is connected to the spring carrier and is removable therefrom.
US09163520B2

A turbine wheel having an axis of rotation and including: a disk having a periphery and a side face; a plurality of blades assembled on the disk, each blade having a blade root and a first hook oriented radially and defining a first groove that opens radially towards the axis of rotation of the turbine wheel. The disk includes a series of second hooks oriented radially and defining a second groove that opens radially towards the axis of rotation of the turbine wheel. An axial retaining ring for placing in the first and second grooves includes a tab for placing between two adjacent blade roots to limit movements of the ring in azimuth.
US09163518B2

A turbine engine component has an airfoil portion with a pressure side wall, a suction side wall, and a trailing edge. The turbine engine component further has at least one first cooling circuit core embedded within the pressure side wall, with each first cooling circuit core having a first exit for discharging a cooling fluid, at least one second cooling circuit core embedded within the suction side wall, with each second cooling circuit core having a second exit for discharging a cooling fluid, and the first and second exits being aligned in a spanwise direction of the airfoil portion.
US09163512B2

The bladeless turbine includes a case, three or more turbine discs disposed within the case. Each turbine disc has a center opening, and two or more of the turbine discs have a set of exhaust ports positioned annularly around the center opening. A drive shaft passes through the center openings of the turbine discs and is attached to the three or more turbine discs, wherein the drive shaft is positioned within the case along the centerline, free to rotate within the case, and extends through the case for connection to a generator. The one or more fluid/vapor inlets are attached to the main housing such that a fluid/vapor is directed at a specified angle onto the three or more turbine discs. The fluid/vapor outlet is aligned with the centerline. A set of exhaust holes proximate to and connected to the fluid/vapor outlet that are positioned annularly around the drive shaft.
US09163508B2

A gerotor device includes a valving plate, a balancing plate structure, and a rotor positioned between the valving plate and the balancing plate structure. High pressure fluid flowing from the valving plate toward the rotor pushes the rotor toward the balancing plate structure. The balancing plate structure includes a balancing plate and a second plate. A cavity is defined between the balancing plate and the second plate. The balancing plate includes a fluid passage having a check valve and fluid passes through the fluid passage for pressuring the cavity. The balancing plate includes first and second relief holes extending through the balancing plate connected with the cavity.
US09163503B1

A mine scoop machine having a steerable wheeled body provided with a material scoop having a load ejection blade mounted thereon for movement longitudinally of said body between a load position and a load ejection position adjacent an open front end of the scoop, operator controlled power means for moving the ejection blade selectively between the two positions for loading and unloading the scoop, a mine dusting unit mounted on the body rearwardly of the load position of the ejection blade, wherein the dusting unit comprises a dust hopper having a ground rock material feed inlet port and a rock dust outlet port, an air jet means on the unit for fluidizing the ground rock material and ejecting the resulting rock dust out into a mine shaft.
US09163502B2

A chisel holder comprises a body zone (12) having a chisel receiving opening (18) that is open at least in the direction of a chisel insertion end (14) of the body zone (12), and also comprises a fastening shaft (26) which extends from a supporting end (20) of the body zone (12) and has a longitudinal shaft axis. A fastening member-affecting zone is provided on a first side of the fastening shaft (26), and a supporting zone (78) that has supporting surface regions (88, 90) which are inclined relative to each other and adjoin each other in a transition zone (92) extending in the direction of the longitudinal shaft axis is provided on a second side of the fastening shaft (26), said second side lying opposite the first side relative to the longitudinal shaft axis. Said chisel holder is characterized in that the transition zone (92) is designed like a cavity, or/and at least some sections of at least one supporting surface region (88, 90) project radially outward from a basic outer peripheral surface (94) of the fastening shaft (26) in relation to the longitudinal shaft axis.
US09163495B2

The present invention relates to a fracturing system for fracturing a formation surrounding a well tubular structure, comprising a tubular part to be mounted as a part of the well tubular structure, the tubular part being made of metal, an expandable sleeve made of metal, the sleeve having a wall thickness and surrounding the tubular part, a fastening means for connecting the sleeve with the tubular part, and an aperture in the tubular part or the fastening means. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fracturing method for fracturing a formation surrounding a well tubular structure.
US09163494B2

A method for treating a well includes positioning a seat within the well that is capable of catching an obstruction which will prevent flow of fluid downstream of the seat. The seat is formed by expanding a sleeve with a ring positioned around its periphery or as a subsequent step in the process. As the sleeve is expanded over the ring, the seat is formed. Once the seat is formed, an obstruction in the form of a ball or dart is dropped down to the seat. The sleeve may also act as a stop for a secondary valve seat which catches the obstruction. The casing uphole of the seat is perforated so that fluid under pressure will enter the formation surrounding the perforations. The process is particularly useful for fracing a formation in a horizontal well where numerous stages are required to complete the stimulation of the well. There is also potential application in vertical wells.
US09163489B2

A method is described of injecting CO2 into an aquifer or a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir (211) via at least one injection well (202) that penetrates said aquifer or reservoir, wherein the injection well is provided with an injection tubing (203) that is in sealing engagement with the injection well. The injection tubing terminates at or immediately above the interval of the aquifer or the reservoir into which the CO2 is to be injected and the injection tubing is provided with a fluid injection control valve (208) at or near the bottom thereof which is closed or closes when the pressure above the valve is less than a pre-set pressure value and opens or reopens when the pressure above the valve is at or greater than said pre-set pressure value, the pre-set pressure value being selected such that the CO2 in the injection tubing is maintained in a liquid or supercritical state.
US09163483B2

The rod guide and solids control assembly can be mounted on a rod string. The assembly can allow well fluid that contains high solids to pass through the pump under normal operation while eliminating the solids from being swept back into the pump barrel. The assembly can include a body portion coupled to a bristle that extends helically around the body portion. The body portion can be placed on a pump valve rod or hollow valve rod. On an upstroke, the bristles can be locked into place for trapping and lifting the solids. On a downstroke, the bristles can be rotated for leaving the solids higher and away from a pump intake. This can allow the solids to be lifted out of the pump and thereby prevent solids from collecting on a bottom portion of the pump. Multiple assemblies can be incorporated into the sucker rod string.
US09163471B2

An ultrasonic position sensing system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to monitor the position of a device. The system also includes ranging logic. The sensor is controlled by the logic to direct an ultrasonic pulse toward the device. The logic is configured to compute the transit time and the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse. Based on these parameters, the logic computes the path length between the sensor and the device, which corresponds to the location of the device relative to the location of the sensor. In further embodiments, the ultrasonic positioning system may include multiple sensors in communication with the ranging logic for monitoring multiple devices.
US09163459B2

A sealing system includes a first gland in a cone and a first ring mounted in the first gland. A second ring is mounted to a shaft region. A third ring is positioned between the first and second rings. The first and third rings present a pair of metal seal faces. A second gland is formed between the second and third rings, with an o-ring sealing member installed within the third gland and radially compressed in a sealing relationship between the second and third rings. The second gland is sized to permit axial movement of the o-ring sealing member within the second gland in response to pressure changes. An energizer is configured to exert an axial force against the third ring so as to keep the metal seal faces in sealing contact. The axial force is applied at a radial position corresponding to a radial center the metal seal faces.
US09163458B2

A sealing system includes a first gland in a cone and a second gland in a shaft region. A first ring is mounted in the first gland, a second ring is mounted in the second gland and a third ring is positioned between the first and second rings. The first and third rings present a pair of opposed metal seal faces. A biasing spring is configured to exert an axial force against the third ring so as to keep the metal seal faces in sealing contact. A third gland is formed between the second and third rings, with an o-ring sealing member installed within the third gland and compressed in a sealing relationship between the second and third rings. The third ring includes a sealing region supporting the metal seal face and a body region supporting the third gland, with the sealing region pivotally coupled to the body region.
US09163456B2

A vehicle step is disclosed comprising a frame and a plurality of steps. Said vehicle step comprises a first side, a second side, a front, and a back. Said frame supports said plurality of steps. Said plurality of steps comprise, at least, a first step and an adjustable step. Said first step serves as a platform for a user of said vehicle step to gain access to said adjustable step. Said adjustable step comprises a one or more hinges. Said adjustable step is rotateably attached to said frame such that said back of said vehicle step can be placed near a wheel, and said adjustable step can rotate on said one or more hinges over and rest on a top portion of said wheel.
US09163438B2

A door stay for attachment to a door above a floor, the door stay comprising a mounting means, and a floor-contacting element rotatably mounted on said mounting means, the floor-contacting element being biased against said floor by the mounting means. Preferably, the floor-contacting element is a ball and the ball moves over the floor under tension. The door stay provides significant advantages in the positioning of a door so that it will not swing to and fro, but which can still nevertheless be swung open when desired by manual operation of the door. The door stay is attachable to the lower edge of the door, wherever required and removed when no longer required, or when it is required somewhere else. All of these features are provided in a relatively simple low cost door stay which is highly effective in practical use.
US09163437B1

A latch and method for a double sash tilt window includes a locking mechanism and a rack having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the rack is connected to the locking mechanism while the distal end of the rack is affixed to a slide bolt. The latch also includes a cam and a gear, the cam positioned on the gear and the gear enmeshed with the rack so that rotating the gear operates the slide bolt which prevents the window from tilting.
US09163434B2

A closing mechanism of a vehicle door lock apparatus includes a drive, a pivoting body, a close lever, a transmitting member, and a cancel lever. The pivoting body is driven by the drive to pivot when a fork is disposed in a half latched position. The transmitting member is displaceable between an engaging position, where the transmitting member regulates relative displacement of the close lever and the pivoting body, and a releasing position where the transmitting member allows relative displacement. The cancel lever pivots independently of an open lever and displaces the transmitting member to the releasing position. The close lever displaces the fork to a latched position through the pivoting of the pivoting body when the transmitting member is in the engaging position. The close lever does not contact the fork irrespective of the pivoting of the pivoting body when the transmitting member is in the releasing position.
US09163432B2

A locking apparatus for a bicycle is provided. The locking apparatus is for locking with a public bicycle station and includes a body, a locking portion and a controlling portion. The body is connected to the bicycle. The locking portion is located on one side of the body and includes a rotating unit, a locking member and an ejecting member. The rotating unit includes a locking groove, wherein a locking head can be inserted into the locking groove, and the rotating unit is rotated between a first position and a second position. When the rotating unit is located at the first position, the ejecting member is corresponded to the locking member and is ejected from the locking groove. The controlling portion is located on the other side of the body and includes an operating unit rotatably coupled to the rotating unit.
US09163427B2

A collapsible misting tent is configured to cool an animal. The collapsible misting tent includes a structure sufficiently large to accommodate the animal, and having a first vertical support arm expendably attached to a cap. A second vertical support arm expendably attached to the cap and the first vertical support arm. A third vertical support arm expendably attached to the cap and the second vertical support arm. A fourth vertical support arm expendably attached to the cap, the first vertical support arm and the third vertical support arm. A water distribution system is attached to the structure has a hose attached to a tube mechanically further attached to the cap and configured to transport the water to the cap. A nozzle is attached to the cap and configured to dispense the water from the tube such that the animal enters the structure and is cooled by the water.
US09163426B1

A collapsible shelter is disclosed. The collapsible shelter includes a canopy support subassembly, a canopy subassembly and a canopy cover. The canopy subassembly is removably and pivotally connected to the canopy support subassembly. The canopy cover is removably-disposed over the canopy subassembly. A method is also disclosed.
US09163422B2

A seismic bracing assembly has a first subassembly and a second subassembly that are connected by a sleeve. The first subassembly has a structural yoke used to secure the first subassembly to a structural member. The second subassembly has another yoke used to secure the second subassembly to an anchoring member. The first and second subassembly have a sufficient length to allow rough in assembly of the two subassemblies with the sleeve that couples them together.
US09163419B2

This invention provides fall protection systems, in metal building construction, and methods of installing such systems. A given such system comprises a suspension fabric, supported by a grid-work of longitudinal and lateral support bands. At least one of the lateral support bands is a relatively softer steel having greater elongation properties, while having lower yield and tensile strengths. The balanced properties better distribute the force of a falling object to the respective members of the fall protection system so as to limit the force which must be tolerated by the suspension fabric, such that the system can catch and hold a dropped test load, or a worker falling onto such system, without catastrophic failure of the suspension fabric.
US09163415B2

The invention is a mantel or shelf made of a solid block of reclaimed wood with a hidden mounting assembly. The mantel has sufficient thickness, depth and length to accommodate an elongated L-shaped sheet metal bracket with planar horizontal and vertical flanges to allow selective lateral positioning of the mantel relative to its securement to spaced vertical wall studs. An L-shaped opening in the rear of the mantel is formed by a deep horizontal slot and a shallow vertical recess extending down from the slot. The slot is parallel to and near the top of the mantel, and receives the horizontal flange. The recess receives the vertical flange so the mantel is flush with the wall. A mounting fastener inserted into the mantel pierces the horizontal flange to capture the bracket and secure the mantel to the wall. The bracket, slot and recess are hidden from view during use.
US09163408B2

A foam roof of the present disclosure includes a roof having a roof portion with one of an edge, termination, or penetration having a generally upright edge. A foam is received over a region of the roof portion adjacent to and along the generally upright edge. A flexible edge member is received over the generally upright edge and an adjacent region of the foam. The edge member preferably has first and second legs disposed in substantially perpendicular relation, and each leg has a variable or tapering cross-sectional conformation.
US09163395B2

The present invention is an easily mobilized compact module that combines habitable quarters and integrated interior and/or exterior multipurpose storage structures. Mobilization may be via trailer, truck bed, helicopter, adjustable jacks or other conveyance means. The module may be easily and quickly removed and reattached to one of the aforementioned mobilization means via attachable height-adjustable legs, hoist, crane, or forklift with locking turnbuckles, bolts, or other hold-downs. The module is built of a rigid exoskeleton designed for enclosure habitat and for utility as a base for attaching items or equipment. It has various end cap options such as doors, windows, or solid panels, as a user dictates. The interior of a module has modular panels that form many configurations for functional use and/or storage. The interior also has a useful endoskeleton or useful interior storage structure for attaching useful items such as soft stowage and electrical wires thereto. The module may be used as a single unit or attached together to form a larger habitable structure.
US09163388B2

A valve for preventing water hammer includes a speed reduction device for reducing a speed at which the valve may be closed. A method of preventing water hammer includes closing a valve at a fire hydrant after extracting water from the fire hydrant, in which the valve comprising a speed reduction device that increases an amount of time needed for closing the valve, and operating the valve to close the valve comprises operating the speed reduction device.
US09163382B2

The gearbox lock mechanism for a post bole auger has a collar coupled to a lower end of a right angle gearbox, the collar rotatable upon operation of the gearbox. The collar comprises a semi-circular outer edge and a fiat side. A male-threaded nipple extends from the collar and threads onto the auger shaft. A lock bar is coupled to the gearbox and acts as a positive lock to lock the collar in place for removal of the shaft from the gearbox. The lock bar is rotatable from a locked position whereby the lock bar is aligned with and contactable with the flat side of the outer edge of the collar, to an unlocked position whereby the lock bar does not contact the flat side of the outer edge of the collar.
US09163380B2

A hydraulic excavator includes an engine, a rotating frame, a vehicle body frame, a diesel particulate filtering device, a selective catalytic reduction device and a connecting pipe. The rotating frame supports the engine. The vehicle body frame is provided in a standing manner on the rotating frame, and includes a plurality of column members. The a diesel particulate filtering device and the selective catalytic reduction device process exhaust from the engine, and are supported by the vehicle body frame. The connecting pipe has an extendable bellows part in at least a portion. The connecting pipe connects the engine and the diesel particulate filtering device. The bellows part is located further away from the engine as the bellows part inclines further downward.
US09163379B2

The present disclosure provides a plow blade edge device for mounting to a moldboard of a plow comprising at least one adapter blade including a bottom edge having selectively carbide insert(s) along at least a portion of the bottom edge. The disclosure further provides for a method of brazing the carbide insert(s) in a cavity along at least a portion of the bottom edge. The device further includes at least one wear block selectively reversible to present the adapter blade at a first angle or a second angle. The at least one wear block can include a bottom edge having a carbide insert along at least a portion of the bottom edge.
US09163374B2

Despite advances in off-shore oil exploration and drilling technology, accidental oil spills do occur. Depending on their magnitude and location, irreparable damage may be inflicted on marine and coastal ecosystems. Emulsification of a water/surfactant/oil system results in the production of oil droplets and this depends on the formulation and composition variables, mixing characteristics and system preparation. Thus, research is ongoing on improving methods of cleaning up oil spills. Cactus mucilage was used to disperse and absorb oil from a simulated oil slick in different salt concentrations. Results show correlations between emulsion properties and interfacial characteristics of mucilage as function of aqueous phase salinity. Mucilage powder added to the oil floating on the water dispersed the oil film and absorbed the oil while remaining afloat, facilitates removal of the oil-mucilage aggregate. This invention is a competitive treatment for oil spill remediation with the added advantage of being more environmentally friendly.
US09163373B2

A large scale geotextile tube includes a plurality of cylindrical geotextile segments permanently connected end-to-end via circumferential ribs. In one embodiment, each geotextile segment is formed of the sheet of geotextile fabric that has an overlapping region that measures at least 5% of the elongation at break length of the sheet and permanently connected with at least one transverse rib to form an axial closure.
US09163372B1

A three-handled snow shovel is disclosed. The shovel includes a first shaft having upper and lower ends defining a longitudinal axis, a shovel blade having top and bottom edges, a concave front side and a convex rear side, a first handle at the upper end of the first shaft defining a first axis, the first handle having a first grip, the first grip capable of rotating about the first axis, a second handle assembly comprising a second shaft and a second grip, wherein the first and second shafts are selectively connected using a first hook and a first eye component and pivotally connected using a second eye component of the second shaft secured to a third eye component secured to the first shaft, and a third shaft connected to the second shaft at a substantially 90-degree angle.
US09163362B2

Superstructure for a railway, wherein at least one component of the superstructure (8) has a data carrier (7) for digitally stored data readable with a reading device (11).
US09163343B2

Printer driver systems and methods for automatic generation of embroidery designs are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a print command associated with print data representative of a design to be embroidered, and generating embroidery data using a printer driver and based on the print data.
US09163330B2

The invention relates to bifunctional stapled or stitched peptides comprising a targeting domain, a linker moiety, and an effector domain, that can be used to tether, or to bring into close proximity, at least two cellular entities (e.g., proteins). Certain aspects relate to bifunctional stapled or stitched peptides that bind to an effector biomolecule through the effector domain and bind to a target biomolecule through the targeting domain. Polypeptides and/or polypeptide complexes that are tethered by the bifunctional stapled or stitched peptides of the invention, where the effector polypeptide bound to the effector domain of the bifunctional stapled or stitched peptide modifies or alters the target polypeptide bound to the targeting domain of the bifunctional peptide. Uses of the inventive bifunctional stapled or stitched peptides including methods for treatment of disease (e.g., cancer, inflammatory diseases) are also provided.
US09163326B2

A crystal growth device includes a crucible and a heater setting. The crucible has a bottom and a top opening. The heater setting surrounds the crucible and is movable relative to the crucible along a top-bottom direction of the crucible and between first and second positions. The heater setting includes a first temperature heating zone and a second temperature heating zone higher in temperature than the first temperature heating zone. The heater setting is in the first position when the crucible is in the second temperature heating zone and in the second position when the crucible is in the first temperature heating zone.
US09163325B2

A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
US09163324B2

A method for producing a nitride crystal, comprising growing a nitride crystal on the surface of a seed crystal put in a reactor while the temperature and the pressure inside the reactor that contains, as put thereinto, a seed crystal having a hexagonal-system crystal structure, a nitrogen-containing solvent, a starting material, and a mineralizing agent containing fluorine and at least one halogen element selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine are so controlled that the solvent therein could be in a supercritical state and/or a subcritical state to thereby grow a nitride crystal on the surface of the seed crystal in the reactor.
US09163319B2

A method and apparatus are provided for electrolyzing a source liquid in an electrolytic device. The electrolytic device includes a first cathode in a cathode chamber; and an anode and a second, auxiliary cathode in an anode chamber. The anode chamber and cathode chamber are separated by a barrier, and the anode and the auxiliary cathode are separated by a gap that lacks a barrier. While electrolyzing the source liquid with the electrolytic device, a level of current applied to the auxiliary cathode is adjusted in response to pH of an anolyte liquid produced from the source liquid by the anode chamber to maintain the pH within a desired range.
US09163311B2

Provided is a film forming apparatus for forming a film on a substrate maintained within a film forming container by supplying a raw material gas to the substrate. The film forming container includes a substrate maintaining unit, a supply mechanism configured to include a supply pipe with supply holes formed thereon to supply a raw material gas to the interior of the film forming container through the supply holes, an exhaust mechanism configured to include an exhaust pipe with exhaust holes formed thereon to exhaust gas from the interior of the film forming container through the exhaust holes, and a controller configured to control the substrate maintaining unit, the supply mechanism, and the exhaust mechanism. The supply holes and the exhaust holes are formed to face each other with the substrate maintained in the substrate maintaining unit interposed therebetween.
US09163303B2

An iron (Fe)-based austenitic heat-resistant cast steel includes, based on a total of 100 mass % (indicated below simply as “%”): 0.4 to 0.8% of carbon (C), 3.0% or less of silicon (Si), 0.5 to 2.0% of manganese (Mn), 0.05% or less of phosphorus (P), 0.03 to 0.2% of sulfur (S), 18 to 23% of chromium (Cr), 3.0 to 8.0% of nickel (Ni) and 0.05 to 0.4% of nitrogen (N). A ratio of chromium (Cr) to carbon (C) is in a range of 22.5≦Cr/C≦57.5. The cast steel includes one or two or more of vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and niobium (Nb) in a total amount of less than 0.2%.
US09163299B2

A device for producing titanium metal comprises (a) a first heating unit that heats and gasifies magnesium and a first channel that feeds the gaseous magnesium, (b) a second heating unit that heats and gasifies titanium tetrachloride so as to have a temperature of at least 1600° C. and a second channel that feeds the gaseous titanium tetrachloride, (c) a venturi section at which the second channel communicates with an entrance channel, the first channel merges into a throat and as a result the magnesium and the titanium tetrachloride combine in the throat and a mixed gas is formed in the exit channel, and in which the temperature of the throat and the exit channel is regulated to be at least 1600° C., (d) a titanium metal deposition unit that communicates with the exit channel and has a substrate for deposition with a temperature in the range of 715-1500° C., and (e) a mixed gas discharge channel that communicates with the titanium metal deposition unit.
US09163294B2

A method of producing a sugar liquid with a cellulose-containing biomass as a raw material includes (1) hydrolyzing a cellulose-containing biomass to produce an aqueous sugar solution, and (2) filtering the aqueous sugar solution obtain in (1) through an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of 600 to 2,000 to remove a fermentation inhibitor(s) into the permeate side and collect a sugar liquid from the feed side.
US09163293B2

A process for improving phosphatation clarification of sugars can include adding to a sugar liquor a composition having at least one particulate sulfur reagent and at least one or more other particulate solids selected from, a particulate phosphorous reagent, a particulate carbonaceous reagent, a particulate aluminum reagent, a particulate filter aid, and a particulate ammonium reagent. The composition can be added to the phosphatation chemical reaction tank or prior to the phosphatation chemical reaction tank. Phosphatation chemicals, for example polymer decolorant, phosphoric acid, lime and a flocculent, can be added into the process at least five minutes after adding the composition. In using the process, the amount of phosphatation chemicals added is less than the amount of phosphatation chemicals required in the absence of addition of the composition or the purity of the sugar is improved as measured by one or more of color, turbidity and ash.
US09163275B2

The current invention provides a method for directly converting histopathologically processed biological samples, tissues, and cells into a multi-use biomolecule lysate. This method allows for simultaneous extraction, isolation, solublization, and storage of all biomolecules contained within the histopathologically processed biological sample, thereby forming a representative library of said sample. This multi-use biomolecule lysate is dilutable, soluble, capable of being fractionated, and used in any number of subsequent experiments.
US09163270B2

A method of producing hyaluronic acid (HA) in Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium through episomal plasmid vectors wherein the gene is under the control of strong promoter T7, preferably under the control of strong promoter T7 of bacteriophage T7, and a system for the selection of stable bacterial strains producing high levels of hyaluronic acid, are provided.
US09163268B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing organic-chemical compounds, characterized in that the following steps are carried out: a) fermentation of a microorganism secreting an L-amino acid, which microorganism contains an overexpressed polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide having polyphosphate-dependent NAD+ kinase activity, in a fermentation medium, to form a fermentation broth, b) accumulation of said compound in said fermentation broth and/or in the cells of said microorganism. The invention relates to a method for preparing organic-chemical compounds by fermentation of a microorganism in which a polypeptide having polyphosphate-dependent NAD+ kinase is overexpressed.
US09163267B2

Methods of producing olefins, bifunctional molecules, and 7-tetradecene are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise subjecting a omega-7-olefinic fatty acid or derivative thereof to metathesis transformation, wherein the omega-7-olefinic fatty acid or derivative thereof was produced in a genetically engineered microorganism.
US09163265B2

The present invention relates to separation of desired target products from biological, plant, and waste-type material, wherein the desired target products include renewable fuels such as ethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel, wherein the separation is conducted with a cross-flow filtration system having the ability to separate desired products from both non-viscous and viscous medium.
US09163264B2

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for engineering photoautotrophic organisms to convert carbon dioxide and light into fatty acid esters and other molecules, including biofuels. The molecules are then secreted by the organism into a growth medium.
US09163262B2

Described is T4 DNA packaging machine comprising: one or more DNA molecules packaged in a head of the T4 DNA packaging machine, one or more Hoc-fused proteins displayed on the head of the T4 DNA packaging machine, and one or more Soc-fused proteins displayed on the head of the T4 DNA packaging machine. Also described are methods of making and using such a T4 DNA packaging machine.
US09163258B2

The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions for treating or preventing obesity and obesity-related disorders in a subject using immunotherapy to target and eliminate adipocytes.
US09163253B2

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides that alter tocol content in seeds. The invention further provides expression cassettes, host cells and transformed plants containing the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods for altering tocol content in seeds.
US09163245B2

Disclosed herein are compositions for linking DNA binding modules to allow for specific and selective binding to module subsites separated by 1 or more base pairs. Also described are methods of making and using compositions comprising these linkers.
US09163240B2

Methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to de novo synthesis of cholesterol, based on allelic variants of the scavenger receptor class B type I receptor, and kits for use therein.
US09163237B2

The present invention relates to a replication deficient recombinant virus encoding at least one antigen and/or antigenic epitope, wherein expression of said antigen and/or antigenic epitope is regulated by a transcriptional control element comprising at least two elements driving early expression of said antigen and/or antigenic epitope and the use of said replication deficient recombinant virus as medicament or vaccine.
US09163236B2

The present description relates to an inhibitory RNA molecule, comprising an oligonucleotide that selectively knocks down expression of either Nanog or a Nanog pseudogene, a vector capable of encoding such inhibitory RNA molecule, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said vector, and methods of treating cancer by administration of said pharmaceutical composition.
US09163234B2

The invention provides methods of culturing cells, particularly maintaining the differentiation potential of a population of cells with differentiation potential. The methods involve contacting cells with an inhibitor of miRNA-181a* and/or incubation in a serum-free medium. A serum-free medium is also provided. Also provided are progeny stem cells, methods of obtaining them, and uses thereof.
US09163233B2

Compositions and methods for modulating expression of gene products are provided. Compositions comprise suppression cassettes that comprise a convergent promoter pair operably linked to a silencing element that, upon expression, is capable of decreasing the expression of one or more target polynucleotides of interest. Compositions of the invention also include transformed plants, plant cells, plant tissues, and plant seeds. Methods of transformation and regeneration of plants comprising the novel constructs are provided. The methods find use in regulating gene expression, particularly genes associated with agronomic traits of interest. Further provided are promoter sequences, cells, plants, and vectors comprising these promoter sequences and methods of their use.
US09163231B2

This invention provides expression vectors for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule comprising a double-stranded region of random sequence, sets and libraries of same, methods of generating same, and methods for identifying an RNA therapeutic or RNA molecule that has an ability to affect a biological parameter, for identifying a drug target for a disease or disorder of interest, and for identifying a variant of an RNA molecule that has an altered ability to affect a biological parameter of interest.
US09163230B2

The present invention provides a chromatography column and a method for isolating nucleic acid molecules. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a double-layer column of a first anion exchange membrane and a second serially coupled silica membrane. Upon flowing a nucleic acid-containing solution through the first anion exchange membrane, the nucleic acid binds to and then elutes from the first membrane. The eluted solution then flows serially through the second silica membrane, which the nucleic acid binds to and then elutes from. Due to this novel serial coupled double-layer principle, the present invention is particularly suitable for co-isolating RNA and DNA, for isolating nucleic acid embraced by proteins, e.g., viruses, and for isolating diluted nucleic acid in a large volume, e.g., plasma. In addition, the eluted nucleic acid is ready for downstream applications.
US09163228B2

The present invention relates to a method for isolating and purifying nucleic acids, preferably comprising genomic DNA, from biological samples comprising the steps of lysing the sample using a lysis buffer comprising a source of anionic surfactant ions, optionally disintegrating the RNA present in the lysate, precipitating the surfactant ions from the lysate, and separating the nucleic acids from the precipitate and further contaminants by size-exclusion chromatography. The invention furthermore relates to a lysis buffer, a method of lysing cells and a kit for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids.
US09163225B2

The invention is drawn to a method for purifying membrane-bound proteins expressed in recombinant insect cells using N-laurosarcosine. The invention is particularly suited for expressing cadherin-type receptors cloned from Ostrinia nubilalis, European Corn Borer, and expressed in Sf9 insect cells. The method is optionally adapted for use with 6-his tag proteins.
US09163223B2

The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 82% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 82% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional polypeptide and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.
US09163221B2

The present disclosure provides methods useful for producing fatty alcohol compositions from recombinant host cells. The disclosure further provides variant fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the variant FAR enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising the same.
US09163219B2

The present invention encompasses an expression vector that is capable of generating a virus from a segmented genome. In particular, a single expression vector may be utilized to produce influenza virus in cultured cells. The expression vector can be delivered in a purified DNA form or by a suitably designed bacterial carrier to cells in culture or to animals. This invention increases the virus generation efficiency, which benefits vaccine development. The bacterial carrier harboring such a plasmid encoding an attenuated virus may be used as a vaccine against corresponding viral disease.
US09163211B2

The present invention relates to animal protein free cell culture media comprising a combination of non-animal derived peptides derived from soy hydrolysate and yeast hydrolysate. The invention also provides an animal protein free culture process, wherein cells are cultivated, propagated and passaged without animal-derived components. This process is useful for cultivating cells, such as recombinant cells or cells infected with a virus, and for production biological products by cell culture processes under conditions devoid of animal protein components.
US09163209B2

A pipette member to be attachable to a container capable of accommodating a tissue and a liquid, is used for isolating cells from the tissue by stirring, and includes: a cylinder member which includes a first opening that is to be accommodated in the container, and a second opening that is to be connected to a cell isolation apparatus, and in which a passage for communicating the first opening with the second opening is defined; and a filter member which is disposed inside the cylinder member, and which separates the passage into a first part that includes the first opening, and a second part that includes the second opening.
US09163205B2

A process for making a film from a nonwoven web by converting the nonwoven web into a film and films and unit dose products made therefrom are provided.
US09163204B2

The present invention provides a framed soap containing uniformly entrained bubbles and a method for producing the same. The framed soap of the present invention is produced by cooling and solidifying high-temperature molten soap containing a fatty acid salt or an N-acyl acidic amino acid salt, prepared with the counter ion of which sodium is essential and an organic amine and potassium are optional, in a cylindrical cooling frame and characterized in that 10 volume % or higher air bubbles having a number average particle diameter of 65 μm or smaller are uniformly entrained.
US09163199B1

A linear alkyl benzene product and production of linear alkylbenzene from a natural oil are provided. A method comprises the step of deoxygenating the natural oils to form a stream comprising paraffins. The paraffins are dehydrogenated to provide mono-olefins. Then, benzene is alkylated with the mono-olefins under alkylation conditions to provide an alkylation effluent comprising alkylbenzenes and benzene. Thereafter, the alkylbenzenes are isolated to provide the alkylbenzene product.
US09163197B1

A method of extracting phytochemical products from sorghum is achieved by treating a sorghum bran material composed of removed outer portions of whole sorghum seeds. The removed outer portions constitute those portions of the outer 40% or less by weight of the whole sorghum seeds. By utilizing different treatment techniques, phytochemical products of fats and oils, pigments, waxes, and antioxidants can be obtained from the sorghum material.
US09163195B2

A lubricating oil composition comprising a lubricating base oil, and a mixture and/or a reaction product of (A) 0.01-0.5% by mass of at least one compound selected from among acid phosphates represented by formula (1) or formula (2), and (B) 0.01-2% by mass of an alkylamine represented by formula (3), based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the acid value due to component (A) is 0.1-1.0 mgKOH/g. [R1 and R2 represent hydrogen or straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain alkenyl groups, with at least one of R1 and R2 being a C6-12 straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain alkenyl group; R3 and R4 represent hydrogen straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain alkenyl groups, with at least one of R3 and R4 being a C13-18 straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain alkenyl group; and R5 and R6 represent hydrogen or C4-30 branched-chain alkyl groups, with at least one of R5 and R6 being a branched-chain alkyl group.]
US09163194B2

Lactone/alkylene oxide polymers are useful as additives to inhibit or prevent the deposition of paraffin in hydrocarbon fluids, particularly crude oil produced from a subterranean formation. These polymers are random or block polymers made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer. In one non-limiting embodiment the lactone monomer is optional.
US09163188B2

A process is described for separating a gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) impurities into a hydrogen (H2) rich vapor stream, a carbon dioxide (CO2) stream and an H2S rich vapor stream in an apparatus that comprises a compression and/or cooling system comprising at least one compressor and/or heat exchanger and a gas-liquid separator vessel, and an H2S recovery unit. In examples, the process comprises the steps of: (a) feeding the gas stream to the compression and/or cooling system such that carbon dioxide in the gas stream condenses to form a two-phase stream; (b) passing the two-phase stream either directly or indirectly to a gas-liquid separator vessel and withdrawing a hydrogen rich vapor stream and a liquid CO2 stream containing dissolved H2S impurities from the separator vessel; (c) passing the liquid CO2 stream containing dissolved H2S impurities to an H2S recovery unit comprising an evaporator/condenser in which the CO2 and H2S are vaporized and an H2S absorber in which the gaseous H2S and CO2 are separated, wherein the two phase stream passed to the separator is at a pressure of from 80 bar to 400 bar. In some applications, the pressure of the H2S recovery unit is at least 30 bar. In a preferred example, residual CO2 in the hydrogen rich vapor stream is removed in an optional step by solvent extraction in a CO2 absorber most preferably in a configuration where the H2S and CO2 absorbers share the same (preferably methanol) solvent.
US09163165B2

This invention relates to a primerless removable or repositionable pressure sensitive tape or label comprises a porous substrate material, and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) composition comprising (i) 10 to 90 wt. %, based on the combined weight of parts (i) and (ii), of one or more aqueous adhesive (co)polymer, and (ii) 90 to 10 wt. %, based on the combined weight of parts (i) and (ii), of one of more water-dispersed thermoplastic material, wherein the water-dispersed thermoplastic material is incompatible with the aqueous adhesive (co)polymer.
US09163160B2

Aqueous ink for inkjet contains water; a hydrosoluble organic solvent; a pigment; and a resin, wherein the hydrosoluble organic solvent contains 2,3-butane diol having meso-2,3-butane diol in an amount of 50% by weight or more in 2,3-butane diol and 2,3-butane diol accounts for 5% by weight to 40% by weight of the entire of the aqueous ink.
US09163156B2

Butyl rubber based coating agents for preparing a coated article, such as a glove, wherein a butyl rubber solution is in the form of a dispersion, and methods of using butyl rubber based coating agents.
US09163154B2

Examples provide inkjet printing fluid compositions and apparatuses including such compositions. An inkjet printing fluid composition may comprise a vehicle including at least 50% weight percent water based on the inkjet printing fluid composition as a whole and substantially only one surfactant, the surfactant including alkoxylated alcohol present in the inkjet printing fluid composition from about 0.1 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent alkoxylated alcohol.
US09163153B2

Metallic ink compositions for use in capillary-action markers are provided. More particularly, a metallic ink composition includes a polar solvent, an encapsulated metallic pigment, and a resin component.
US09163134B2

Disclosed is a method for preparing a vinyl chloride seed, comprising adding a vinyl chloride monomer, an emulsifier and a polymerization initiator to an aqueous medium, homogenizing droplets using a homogenizer pump, and polymerizing the homogenized droplets. The method provides a more stable latex by minimizing residual monomers by performing polymerization after adding a higher aliphatic alcohol serving as a monomer absorption enhancer and then performing homogenization, and additionally, improves productivity and reduces amount of scale generated by increasing the efficiency of monomer consumption during polymerization. Further, by applying the vinyl chloride-based seed to seed emulsion polymerization of vinyl chloride resins, polymer reactivity is improved, the reaction time of the seed emulsion polymerization is effectively reduced, the sizes of small and large particles are controlled and the particle diameter of the vinyl chloride resin is thus controlled.
US09163133B2

Method of producing a thermoplastic polyurethane having a light stabilization useful for ophthalmic applications, comprising combining precursors of a polyurethane and at least one antioxidant, and incorporating therein, either before, during or after polymerization, at least one light stabilizer, said method being characterized in that the antioxidant is benzenepropanoic acid, 3(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-2,1-ethanediyl)]ester and the light stabilizer is bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methyl]butylmalonate together with at least one additional component chosen from among phenol, 2-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl and 2,2′-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol).
US09163132B2

Disclosed herein are a nitrile rubber composition comprising a nitrile rubber (a) including an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit and having iodine value of 100 or less, an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid metallic salt (b), and silane-treated fumed silica and/or calcinated wet silica (c); a cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition comprising the above nitrile rubber composition and a crosslinking agent (d); and a cross-linked rubber obtained by crosslinking the cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition. The present invention can provide a nitrile rubber composition and a cross-linkable nitrile rubber composition, capable of giving a highly-saturated cross-linked nitrile rubber having high tensile stress and excellent heat resistance, and a cross-linked rubber thereof.
US09163131B2

The present invention provides a resin composition containing (A) an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and (B) an unsaturated aldehyde (B), in which the content of the unsaturated aldehyde (B) with respect to the resin composition containing the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is 0.01 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less. The unsaturated aldehyde (B) is preferably crotonaldehyde, 2,4-hexadienal, 2,4,6-octatrienal or a combination thereof. In addition, it is preferred that the resin composition further contains a boron compound, and the content of the boron compound is 100 ppm or more and 5,000 ppm or less. Also, it is preferred that the resin composition further contains a conjugated polyene compound, and the content of the conjugated polyene compound is 0.01 ppm or more and 1,000 ppm or less.
US09163129B2

Provided is a novel pigment that has the ability to selectively reflect infrared light. The pigment is a black pigment which comprises a (Cr,Fe)2O3 solid solution, wherein the ratio of the Cr and the Fe (molar ratio) is (90-97):(10-3), the solid solution having a non-spinel structure.
US09163125B2

A method of preparing a transparent polymer material includes i) obtaining composite nanoparticles having mineral nanoparticles at least partially coated with at least one monomer and/or at least one polymer suitable for promoting physicochemical interactions at the interface between the mineral nanoparticles and a thermoplastic polycarbonate matrix, the mineral nanoparticles being surface-modified by the monomer and/or the polymer, either directly by grafting or directly by adsorption of the monomer and/or polymer onto the surface of the mineral nanoparticles; or via a coupling agent selected from a chlorosilane or an organosilane including a functional group that is capable of reacting by a radical pathway. The composite nanoparticles obtained in step i) are mixed with the thermoplastic polycarbonate matrix in the molten state to obtain the transparent polymer material.
US09163121B2

There is disclosed a polycarbonate and polysiloxane block copolymer includes 1 to 50 percent by mass of a siloxane portion derived from a polysiloxane block represented by the following formula (I) and 50 to 99 percent by mass of a carbonate portion derived from a polycarbonate block represented by the following formula (II). There can be provided a novel polycarbonate and polysiloxane block copolymer capable of readily imparting excellent flame retardance, and a flame retardant resin composition.
US09163112B2

An oligomeric condensation product can be obtained from at least one (hydroxymethyl)phenol of general formula (I), in which R1 is hydrogen or —CH3, R2 is —CH2OH, and R3 is hydrogen or —CH3, at least one polyamine, and optionally at least one phenol compound having two centers reactive by means of a reaction with the methylol groups of the (hydroxymethyl)phenol.
US09163108B2

A photochromic polyurethane laminate wherein the photochromic polyurethane layer of the laminate has been crosslinked with a isocyanate-active prepolymer using a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking agent is formulated to have at least three functional groups that are reactive with functional groups of the polyurethane or of the isocyanate-active prepolymer. A method of making the photochromic polyurethane laminate includes steps of causing the crosslinking.
US09163107B2

The present invention is directed to a design of and a method to synthesize polycations for gene (DNA and RNA) delivery. According to this design, the polycations (also said cationic polymers) are formed by polymerization of endogenous monomers bearing sufficient amino groups through degradable bonds with linker molecules. The amino group-bearing monomers are those naturally existing or nontoxic to human body. The linker molecules are those which are not only degradable to nontoxic fragments but also able to release the amino group-bearing monomers in their native state upon degradation. Some examples for the endogenous amino group-bearing monomers are spermine and spermidine (or their derivatives). Examples for the degradable chemical bonds formed between the amino group-bearing monomers are imines. In order to improve degradability or proton sponging effect, low pKa (<8) amino group(s), free amino groups generated by polymer degradation (such as those generated by degradation of imine linkages), or other electron donating group(s) such as imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, or even benzene is incorporated in the linker between the two (or three) reactive groups for linking the amino group-bearing monomers. These polycationic carrier systems can be used for nano-encapsulation and transfection of gene materials.
US09163102B2

Branched polymers are prepared from at least (A) at least one monomer having an electron donor moiety, (B) at least one monomer having an electron acceptor moiety, and (C) at least one multifunctional branching agent comprising a urea moiety and at least two N-vinyl groups. The branched polymers are least 20% (by weight) soluble in a solvent for which the corresponding polymer of equal molecular weight made without said multifunctional branching agent is at least 20% (by weight) soluble. Due in part to the wide range of chemistries and solubility and rheological properties, the branched polymers find application in personal care, pharmaceutical/nutritional, and performance chemicals compositions.
US09163084B2

Antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind human CXCR3 are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies are 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 which employ the antibodies and antigen-binding fragments.
US09163081B2

It is intended to provide an antibody which inhibits the function of midkine. An antibody which recognizes an epitope consisting of amino acid residues 62 to 104 of midkine or a fragment thereof; DNA encoding the antibody or a fragment thereof; a recombinant vector which contains the DNA; a transformant which has the vector or a hybridoma which produces the antibody; a method for producing the antibody by allowing the transformant or hybridoma to produce the antibody or a fragment thereof and collecting the resulting antibody or fragment thereof; a pharmaceutical composition containing the antibody or a fragment thereof as an active ingredient; and a diagnostic agent containing the antibody or a fragment thereof as an active ingredient.
US09163079B2

The present invention relates to a novel antigen-binding protein construct or “modubody”, which contains at least three functional single domain modules of an antibody. The modubodies contain a domain from the heavy chain variable region of an antibody (VH), a domain from the light chain variable region of an antibody (VL) and bind monospecifically to an antigen. The modubodies further contain a domain from the constant region of antibodies. The modubodies can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
US09163073B2

The subject matter of this invention is directed towards chemically and thermodynamically stable single-chain insulin (SCI) analogues that are resistant to deamidation and fibrillation. The invention further discloses improved methods for the recombinant expression, purification and refolding of SCI.
US09163072B2

The invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a variant amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fusion or derivative of said polypeptide, or a fusion of a said derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fusion or derivative retains a biological activity of wild type IL-IRa. In one embodiment, the isolated polypeptide, fusion or derivative is or comprises a polypeptide variant of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising or consisting of substitutions at one or more of the following amino acid mutations of SEQ ID NO: 1: Q29K, P38Y, P38R, L42W, D47N, E52R, H54R, E90Y, Q129L, Q129N, M136N, M136D and Q149K. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions of the above polypeptide, fusion or derivative, as well as uses of the same for treating a disease or condition capable of being treated by an agent which inhibits the function of IL-1 receptors.
US09163071B2

This invention provides a novel pyrin-only protein (POP2), polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them. POP2 is a 294 nt single exon gene located on human chromosome 3 encoding a 97 amino acid protein with sequence and predicted structural similarity to other pyrin domains. Highly similar to pyrin domains in CATERPILLER (CLR, NLR, NALP) family proteins, POP2 is less like the prototypic Pyrin and ASC pyrin domains. POP2 is expressed principally in peripheral blood leukocytes and displays both cytoplasmic and nuclear expression patterns in transfected cells. TNFα-stimulated and p65 (RelA) induced NF-κB-dependent gene transcription is inhibited by POP2 in vitro by a mechanism involving changes in NF-κB nuclear import or distribution. While colocalizing with ASC in perinuclear specks, POP2 also inhibits the formation of specks by the CLR protein CIAS1/NALP3. POP2 is a negative regulator of NF-κB activity that may influence the assembly of pyrin-domain dependent complexes.
US09163070B2

New designed ankyrin repeat proteins with binding specificity for PDGF-BB are described, as well as nucleic acids encoding such PDGF binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins and the use of such proteins in the treatment of diseases.
US09163065B2

The present invention relates generally to novel depsipeptides, to methods for the preparation of these novel depsipeptides, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel depsipeptides; and to methods of using the novel depsipeptides to treat or inhibit various disorders.
US09163063B2

Provided herein are peptides and nanoparticles conjugates thereof useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders mediated by GIPC/synectin, such as cancer.
US09163058B2

A method as well as new intermediates for preparing Ulipristal acetate (a compound I) and a method for preparing the new intermediates are provided. The intermediate in a constitutional formula IV is conductive to reacting with methyl lithium or methyl Grignard reagent, a protective group is easy to be removed after a reaction, side reactions are few, a mid-term treatment is simple, the reagents used are cheap, costs are low and a yield is high, if a compound in a constitutional formula V is obtained by the reaction of a compound in a constitutional formula III and the intermediate in the constitutional formula IV, the yield of a two-step reaction is 75%, a purity is above 98%. wherein R is defined in the specification.
US09163052B2

The invention relates to crystalline forms of 5,6-dichloro-2-(isopropylamino)-1-β-L-ribofuranosyl-1H-benzimidazole, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, processes for preparing the same, and their use in medical therapy.
US09163046B2

A process for producing a substituted metallocene compound comprises reacting a first compound with a transfer-agent, wherein the first compound comprises a complex of a transition metal atom selected from Group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements, or a lanthanide metal atom, or actinide metal atom and at least one monocyclic or polycyclic ligand that is pi-bonded to M and is substituted with at least one halogen or sulfonate substituent and the transfer-agent comprises a hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, silylcarbyl, or germylcarbyl radical capable of replacing said at least one halogen or sulfonate substituent of said first compound under reaction conditions.
US09163045B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing diketonato-rhodium(I)-carbonyl complexes, especially diketonato-rhodium(I)-triorganophosphine-carbonyl complexes, for example Rh(CO)(PPh3)acac. The process according to the invention is a “one-pot synthesis” and features a process procedure without intermediate isolation stages. After introduction of an Rh(III) halide precursor into a solvent and sparging with carbon monoxide (CO), a diketo compound of the R′—C(═O)—CH2—C(═O)—R″ type and a base are added, forming the intermediate compound diketonato-Rh(CO)2. After addition of a triorganophosphine of the PR3 type, the reaction mixture is heated and the diketonatocarbonyltriorganophosphine-rhodium(I) complex is removed. The process enables a rapid operation and a high yield. The complex Rh(CO)(PPh3)acac prepared in accordance with the invention, because of its purity, is particularly suitable as a catalyst or precatalyst for homogeneous catalysis, for example for hydroformylation reactions.
US09163039B2

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acid anhydrides by reaction of a bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acid with phosphorus pentoxide, to novel bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acid anhydrides and to uses of bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acid anhydrides.
US09163035B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical technical field, to melonine bisindole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and preparation methods thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to melonine bisindole compounds of Formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention further relates to method for preparing the melonine bisindole compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and the use of the melonine bisindole compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers.
US09163028B2

Disclosed herein are pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US09163022B2

The present invention relates to chemical compounds of Formula (I) are as herein defined, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use in the treatment of conditions or disorders mediated by TNF-α or by PDE4, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis.
US09163017B2

Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) are described. This invention also relates to processes of making such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HCV infection.
US09163013B2

1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitors. The present invention relates to the 1H-indazole-3-carboxamide compounds for use as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of GSK-3β-related disorders such as, for example, (i) insulin-resistance disorders; (ii) neurodegenerative diseases; (iii) mood disorders; (iv) schizophrenic disorders; (v) cancerous disorders; (vi) inflammation, (vii) substance abuse disorders; and (viii) epilepsies.
US09163007B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts, wherein A, R1, R2, R3 and m, are defined in the description. The present invention relates also to methods of making said compounds, and compositions containing said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as Glycogen Synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), Rho kinase (ROCK), Janus Kinases (JAK), Cdc7, AKT, PAK4, PLK, CK2, KDR, MK2, JNK1, aurora, pim 1 and nek 2.
US09162999B2

Methods and catalyst compositions for formation of furans from carbohydrates. A carbohydrate substrate is heating in the presence of a 2-substituted phenylboronic acid (or salt or hydrate thereof) and optionally a magnesium or calcium halide salt. The reaction is carried out in a polar aprotic solvent other than an ionic liquid, an ionic liquid or a mixture thereof. Additional of a selected amount of water to the reaction can enhance the yield of furans.
US09162998B2

A process for preparing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which comprises a) feeding solutions (hereinafter called starting solution) comprising one or more saccharides and an organic solvent having a boiling point greater than 200° C. (at standard pressure) (called high boiler for short) and water,  and a solvent having a boiling point greater than 60° C. and less than 200° C. (at standard pressure, called low boiler for short) to a reaction vessel, b) effecting a conversion of hexose to HMF in the reaction vessel in the presence of water vapor with simultaneous distillative removal of the HMF and c) obtaining, as the distillate, an aqueous, HMF-comprising solution (hereinafter called distillate).
US09162987B2

Compounds useful for the inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are provided herein, having the Formula (I): wherein A is selected from the group consisting of aromatic or non-aromatic rings, bicyclic rings, polycyclic rings, alkenes or alkynes; B is H, OH, OR, SR, NH2, NHR, or alkyl; R is H or alkyl, and X and Y are independently N or CH, but one of X and Y must be N. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a Formula I compound and methods for the treatment of MIF-implicated diseases or conditions, comprising administering a safe and effective amount of a Formula I compound.
US09162980B2

This technology relates generally to compounds and methods for stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, including post-natal hippocampal and hypothalamic neurogenesis) and/or protecting neuronal cell from cell death. Various compounds are disclosed herein. In vivo activity tests suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, normal aging, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of a neuro-active drug, retinal degeneration, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, physiological weight loss associated with various conditions, as well as cognitive decline associated with normal aging, chemotherapy, and the like.
US09162979B2

1,5-diaryl-2-alkylpyrrole-3-substituted nitro esters, of Formula (I) are provided. Such compounds are potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors which are able to release NO in concentrations that make it possible to counteract the side effects due to selective COX-2 inhibition, without giving rise to hypotensive effects. Formula (I) includes compounds wherein the groups R′ and R″ are: —H, —F, —Cl, —Br, —CH3, —CF3, —OCH3, —SCH3, R1 is methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl and the substituent in position −3 of the pyrrole ring is a chain, where the groups X, Y, Z, W and R2 are: X is a carbonyl or a group —(CHR3)—, Y is an oxygen atom or the group —NR3— and Z is a carbonyl or a group —(CHR3)—, or a [—CH(COOH)—] group, or a group —(NR3)—, W is an aliphatic chain substituted with one or two (—O—NO2) groups, R2 is: —H, —OH, —OCH3, or —NHR3. R3 is: —H, —CH3, —CH2CH3, [—CH2(CH3)2]. R′″ is methylsulphonyl or sulphonamido. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making an using such formulations are also provided.
US09162970B2

Methods and systems for purifying a crude aniline. The method can include contacting a crude aniline that can include aniline, water, and cyclohexanone with a cation exchange resin to produce a cyclohexanone-lean product that contains less cyclohexanone than the crude aniline. The cation exchange resin can be a solid, a semi-solid, or a combination thereof.
US09162963B2

The invention provides novel phenylglyoxylic acid derivatives, which may be useful as intermediates for preparing stereoisomerically enriched drug compounds. The invention also provides methods of making phenylglyoxylic acid derivatives, and uses of phenylglyoxylic acid derivatives.
US09162958B2

Acetic acid is produced while inhibiting increased concentrations of hydrogen iodide and acetic acid in an acetaldehyde distillation column.A production process of acetic acid comprises a step for allowing methanol to react with carbon monoxide; a step for feeding a flasher with the reaction mixture to separate a volatile component (2A) and a low-volatile component (2B); a step for feeding a distillation column with the volatile component (2A), and separating an overhead (3A) containing methyl iodide, acetic acid, methyl acetate, water, acetaldehyde, and hydrogen iodide, and a stream (3B) containing acetic acid to collect acetic acid; and a separation step for feeding an acetaldehyde distillation column with at least part of the overhead (3A) and separating a liquid object to be treated containing the overhead (3A) into a lower boiling point component (4A) containing acetaldehyde and a higher boiling point component (4B); wherein, in the separation step, the liquid object contains methanol and/or dimethyl ether in a concentration of 0.1 to 50% by weight is subjected to distillation.
US09162957B2

A method of producing alpha-tocotrienol quinone or a stereoisomer thereof, the method comprising selective opening of alpha-tocotrienol chroman to alpha-tocotrienol quinone in the presence of non-alpha tocotrienol chromans by oxidizing alpha-tocotrienol with a metal salt oxidizing agent, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of metal salt oxidizing agent/alpha-tocotrienol is at least 4:1 and wherein said metal oxidizing agent is added in sequential additions, in order to reduce oxidation of any amounts of non-alpha tocotrienol chromans that might have been present in the starting alpha-tocotrienol chroman material. This process uses conditions favoring oxidation rates of the alpha tocotrienol chroman vs. the non-alpha tocotrienol chromans.
US09162954B2

A catalyst composition comprising at least an heteropolyacid deposited on a porous titania carrier.A catalyst composition comprising at least an heteropolyacid in which protons in the heteropolyacid may be partially exchanged by at least one cation selected from elements belonging to Group 1 to Group 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements that have been deposited on a porous titania carrier.A method for preparing the catalyst composition, comprising impregnating a titania carrier with a solution of at least one metal selected from elements belonging to the Group 1 to Group 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements or onium, drying and firing the resulting solid mixture, secondly impregnating the resulting solid mixture with a solution of heteropolyacid, drying, and firing the resulting solid mixture.A process for preparing acrolein and acrylic acid by dehydration of glycerin, carried out in the presence of the catalyst.
US09162952B2

A process for purifying at least one product from coal tar is described. The process involves separating a coal tar fraction having a boiling point in the range of about 180° C. to about 230° C. into an acidic portion and a non-acidic portion by contacting the fraction with a caustic compound. The acidic portion is separated into a cresol portion and a xylenol portion, and the non-acidic portion is separated into a naphthalene portion and a naphthalene co-boiler portion. The acidic portion and the non-acidic portions are separated by contacting with an adsorbent comprising small, discrete crystallites, the adsorbent having less than 10 wt % amorphous binder component. The various portions can be separated in a similar manner.
US09162948B2

The invention provides a process for the preparation of 1234yf comprising (a) contacting 1,1,2,3,3,3 hexafluoropropene (1216) with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,1,2,3,3,3 hexafluoropropane (236ea); (b) dehydrofluorinating 236ea to produce 1,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropene (1225ye); (c) contacting 1225 ye with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropane (245eb); and (d) dehydrofluorinating (245eb) to produce (1234yf).
US09162947B2

Disclosed are processes for a high temperature isomerization reaction converting (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene to (Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. In certain aspects of the invention, such a process includes contacting a feed stream with a heated surface, where the feed stream includes (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or mixture of (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene with (Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. The resulting product stream includes (Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, where the ratio of (Z) isomer to (E) isomer in the product stream is higher than the ratio feed stream. The (E) and (Z) isomers in the product stream may be separated from one another.
US09162943B2

A method of processing a coal feed to produce aromatic hydrocarbon compounds includes providing a coal tar stream and converting the coal tar stream to a conversion product comprising at least olefins, paraffins, and aromatics. The process further includes separating the olefins and C5− paraffins from the conversion product, and contacting the separated olefins and the C5− paraffins with a catalyst to dehydrogenize, oligomerize, and cyclize the olefins and the C5− paraffins, to form aromatic hydrocarbon compounds.
US09162927B2

A process for producing a metallic or ceramic shaped body from a thermoplastic material comprising A) 40 to 65% inorganic sinterable powder A B) 35 to 60% binder B1) 50 to 95% polyoxymethylene homo- or copolymers; B2) 5 to 50% of a polymer dissolved or dispersed in B1) with a particle size of less than 1 μm, and C) 0 to 5% by volume of a dispersing aid, by injection molding or extrusion to give a green body, removing the binder and sintering, which comprises removing the binder by a) treating the molding with a solvent which extracts the binder component B2) from the molding and in which the binder component B1) is insoluble, b) removing the solvent from the molding by drying, and c) treating the molding in an acid-containing atmosphere is described.
US09162900B2

A method for preparing a composition of metal oxide nanocrystals from at least one organometallic precursor in an aprotic solvent in the presence of at least one PEG ligand including a carbon chain having at least one end functionalized by a coordinating group containing at least one heteroatom, and at least one [—OCH2CH2]n, group, such that it is soluble in both the aprotic solvent medium and in water. The resulting water-compatible and organocompatible composition of metal oxide nanocrystals is also described.
US09162899B2

The present invention provides a method for preparing a BaX type zeolite granules comprising: adding a carbohydrate-based molding promoter to NaX type zeolite powder and thereto subsequently spraying and blending alumina sol and silica sol to form granules of the mixture; heating the formed granules to convert the alumina and silica component to aluminosilica so as to generate pores inside the formed granules; hydrothermally treating the resulted granules in a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution under the conditions for zeolite synthesis, thereby converting a portion of the aluminosilica to zeolite; and carrying out ion-exchanging by Ba ions. The present invention also provides BaX type zeolite granules which have excellent strength and can be suitably used as an adsorbent in simulated moving bed (SMB) application.
US09162890B2

A contact process for manufacture of sulfuric acid in which the vapor phase heat of formation of sulfuric acid in the sulfur trioxide conversion gas and the heat of absorption of SO3 in sulfuric acid is recovered by transfer of heat from the absorption acid to high pressure boiler feed water that is fed to a waste heat boiler where steam is generated at a pressure of at least 40 bar by transfer of heat from sulfur dioxide combustion gas.
US09162883B2

Transparent conducting electrodes include a doped single walled carbon nanotube film and methods for forming the doped single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) by solution processing. The method generally includes depositing single walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in a solvent and a surfactant onto a substrate to form a single walled carbon nanotube film thereon; removing all of the surfactant from the carbon nanotube film; and exposing the single walled carbon nanotube film to a single electron oxidant in a solution such that one electron is transferred from the single walled carbon nanotubes to each molecule of the single electron oxidant.
US09162876B2

Disclosed herein is a microelectromechanical device and a process for manufacturing same. One or more embodiments may include forming a semiconductor structural layer separated from a substrate by a dielectric layer, and opening a plurality of trenches through the structural layer exposing a portion of the dielectric layer. A sacrificial portion of the dielectric layer is selectively removed through the plurality of trenches in membrane regions so as to free a corresponding portion of the structural layer to form a membrane. To close the trenches, the wafer is brought to an annealing temperature for a time interval in such a way as to cause migration of the atoms of the membrane so as to reach a minimum energy configuration.
US09162865B2

A self-contained bio fuel trans load has a heating apparatus to allow different feed stock bio fuels to be trans loaded from a rail car to a vehicle or storage container. Several mechanical apparatus are incorporated into a single, self-contained unit which allows a safe and metered trans load of bio fuels from one point to another for the growing alternative energy market. The heating apparatus allows the bio fuel to be heated if necessary due to feed stock and pour point. The self-contained unit allows for distribution and metering of the bio fuel onto a vehicle for resale. The self-contained unit can be located at the most convenient site to achieve a minimum expenditure and liability.
US09162863B2

A method of storing beer kegs and dispensing beer in a commercial bar or restaurant, a method of storing beverage barrels in a commercial bar or restaurant, and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US09162858B2

To facilitate loading-unloading operation of a battery even when a large-sized battery is mounted, in a battery-powered forklift which is driven with power of a battery mounted on a vehicle body including a fork which is arranged at a front part of the vehicle body, a counter weight which is arranged at a rear part of the vehicle body, and a top plate which is supported at a position to cover an area above a driver seat via a pair of rear stays 44 extended upward from both sides of the rear part of the vehicle body, post members arranged in a raised manner at both sides of the counter weight guide movement of the battery along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body between the post members.
US09162854B1

A tree mounted hoist device for mounting a hoist to a tree facilitates lifting of a tree stand or the like. The device includes a bracket having a first section and a second section. The first section is configured for coupling to a tree wherein the second section defines a step extending from the tree. An elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the bracket wherein the elongated member extends from the bracket. A pulley is coupled to the elongated member in spaced relationship to the first end whereby the pulley is positioned in laterally spaced relationship to the tree.
US09162853B2

An assembly for monitoring load on a drum during an operation in a well with a well access line deployed from the drum. The assembly may include multiple line detection mechanisms for acquiring real-time information relative to dynamic characteristics of the lone over the course of the operation. The assembly also includes a processor for computing the real-time information in light of pre-stored information relative to physical characteristics of the line and the drum. As a result, real-time monitoring of a load on the drum may be achieved. Thus, the operation may be adjusted in real-time as necessary to avoid over-loading of the drum. Additionally, a drum load history may be recorded so as to better account for the true condition of the drum following successive operations.
US09162850B2

A door frame of an elevator shaft closure has a chamber in which an elevator control arrangement is arranged. The elevator shaft closure separates an elevator shaft of a building from a story of the building. The elevator control arrangement includes an elevator control unit and at least one electronic power unit, which is connectible with an elevator motor.
US09162845B2

An invented medium delivery apparatus includes a delivery unit, a medium stacking unit, a detection unit, and a sensor. The delivery unit delivers a conveyed medium. The medium stacking unit stacks the medium delivered from the delivery unit. The detection unit is disposed between the delivery unit and the medium stacking unit in a medium conveyance direction, and detects an amount of the medium delivered to the medium stacking unit. The sensor senses a motion of the detection unit. The detection unit has a detachable tip portion. The medium delivery apparatus is able to change the sheet number of media stacked on the medium stacking unit where the medium stacking unit is in a full status with the stacked media.
US09162844B2

An image forming system which is capable of, when a manual stapling process is to be carried out on sheets, reducing waiting time for a user and decreasing power consumption. The image forming system has an image forming apparatus, which forms images on sheets, and a sheet post-processing apparatus. When the sheet post-processing apparatus is to shift into a power-saving state, a movable stapler is moved to a manual stapling position. When it is detected that sheets have been set into a sheet setting unit in a state in which the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus have shifted into the power-saving state, the image forming apparatus is held in the power-saving state, and the sheet post-processing apparatus is returned from the power-saving state.
US09162840B1

A sheet conveying device includes: a conveyor; a stacking surface configured to support a sheet to be discharged by a discharge roller, and a movable member, which is provided downstream from the discharge roller in the discharge direction, is supported so as to be swingable on a swinging shaft, wherein the movable member has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is inclined at a first inclined angle relative to the stacking surface so that the first guide surface is inclined towards the stacking surface, wherein the second surface is inclined at a second inclined angle relative to the stacking surface so that the second surface is inclined towards the stacking surface, and wherein the second inclined angle is smaller than the first inclined angle.
US09162830B2

Apparatus, systems, and methods for fluidizing particulates in a fluid/particulate mixture. A nozzle can include a gas entry segment, a gas exit segment, and an access segment. The gas exit segment can be coupled to the gas entry segment, and a longitudinal axis of the gas exit segment can be oriented at an angle of between about 70° and about 110° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the gas entry segment. The access segment can be coupled to the gas entry segment and the gas exit segment, and a longitudinal axis of the access segment can be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the gas exit segment.
US09162827B2

A device including a supporting structure, at least one scraping member upwardly and downwardly delimited by upstream and downstream sides, and an elastic material that is overmolded on the scraping member and connecting the scraping member to the supporting structure, the upstream side of the scraping member being covered with the overmolded elastic material.
US09162824B2

A belt conveyor having an electromagnetic drive comprising a rotor and a stator sealed in separate nonmagnetic and nonconductive housings. The rotor is mounted to a drive shaft. A drive drum or drive sprockets supported on the shaft have peripheral drive surfaces that engage a conveyor belt. The rotor is coaxial with the peripheral drive surface—either sealed within the drum or sprockets or housed on the shaft axially spaced from the drive surface. The rotor may include conductive rotor bars or permanent magnets. The stator is spaced apart from the rotor across a narrow gap and produces a traveling magnetic flux wave across the gap that causes the rotor and the peripheral drive surface to rotate and drive the conveyor belt.
US09162819B2

In a force transmission belt or a conveyor belt, in particular a toothed belt, having a main belt body or a cord embedding zone made of a customary belt elastomer (20), in particular of polyurethane, and having at least one tension member of carbon cord (10; 1, 2) embedded in the elastomer (20), a material (30) is provided, which is enclosed between the strands (1) of the cord (10), and which could have been introduced by applying coatings onto strands (1) of the cord (10), for example. Said filler material (30), which is different from the elastomer (20) in which the carbon cord is embedded, consists of a composition of hydroxyaromates and aldehydes, without any addition of rubber or rubber latex, a hydroxyaromates-aldehyde resin that does not contain rubber, reaction products from hydroxyaromates or hydroxyaromates-aldehyde compositions with isocyanates or isocyanate prepolymers, and/or aromatically or polyaromatically cross-linked polyurethanes, or contains these substances. The elasticity of the carbon cord (10; 1, 2) is thus successfully maintained, good integration in the belt elastomer (20) is ensured, and the service time of the belt is substantially increased.
US09162811B2

A knife blade dispenser including a plurality of knife blades, a frame, a cover coupled the frame to define a storage volume between the cover and the frame for the plurality of knife blades, a spacer assembly positioned within the storage volume to separate the storage volume into a new knife blade region for the plurality of knife blades to be stored and a used knife blade region configured to store a plurality of used knife blades that is in communication with the used blade slot, and a shuttle to dispense at least one of the plurality of knife blades from within the storage volume.
US09162809B2

A food tray comprising a side wall module, a lid and a bottom, where the bottom and the side wall module are held together in a detachable manner, where the bottom can be removed from the side wall module by the use of a removal means attached to the bottom, where the lid is attached to the upper rim of the food tray, where the tray further comprises a supplementary food container positioned in the tray, which is attached to the bottom in a detachable manner and which is fixedly attached to the lid of the food tray, and where the supplementary food container is opened when the bottom is removed from the side wall module. The advantage of the invention is that an additional food can be held separated from the rest of the food in a food tray but can be heated at the same time and that the supplementary food container is opened at the same time as the food tray is opened.
US09162803B2

The present invention relates to a tamper resistant lid (10) for a container (1). The lid (10) exhibits a center axis (X) and comprises an outer and an inner member (20, 40). The outer and inner members (20, 40) are further adapted to be substantially prevented from displacement along the center axis (X) with respect to each other. At least a part of the inner member (40) comprises threads (48) enabling a threaded connection to the container (1) by means of rotating the outer member (20) in a first direction. The lid (10) further comprises at least one stop member (51, 52, 53, 60) preventing the inner member (40) from rotation with respect to the outer member (20). The at least one stop member (51, 52, 53, 60) is adapted to be controllably disabled with a designated force after said inner member (40) has been connected to the container (1), so that the outer member (20) can be freely rotated with respect to the inner member (40) to thereby prevent removal of the lid from the container (1). The present invention enables the sealing of a container, while substantially preventing the container from being reopened.
US09162802B2

A drink bottle may include a container and a lid connected to the container. The lid may include a spout and a spout cover. Each of the spout and the spout cover may be moved in opposite directions between a stowed configuration and a dispensing configuration.
US09162801B2

A soft sided container that, when filled, is substantially cuboid in shape and has two flaps extending from upper edges of the front and rear panels. The flaps have fold lines such that, the flaps fold together. Holes cut in upper regions of the flaps form handles. Lengthwise across a top panel of the container is an elongated closure device that opens for accessing of the materials stored within and closes to seal the container. The elongated fastener continues at least partially across two triangular side flaps such that, when open, one of the triangular side flaps serves as a pouring spout. In some embodiments, a side flap retainer is connected between the side flaps to removably hold the side flaps in place against the top of the container.
US09162793B2

The present application and the resultant patent provide a carton for a number of articles. The carton may include a top wall, a pair of sidewalls, a rear wall, and a dispenser section. The dispenser section may extend along a top wall portion of the top wall, a side wall portion of each of the pair of sidewalls, and the rear wall.
US09162789B2

A package for display and sale of a card product including a first portion including a first panel connected to a second panel via a first fold line and a third panel connected to the second panel via a second fold line, the first panel including a first opening, the third panel including a second opening, which, in a folded state where the first panel has been folded to overlap the second panel via the first fold line and the second panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via a second fold line and the fourth panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via the third fold line, the first opening at least partially overlaps the second opening, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion displays information about the card product, a first fastener, and a second fastener releasably attached to the first fastener when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed position, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener re-attachably separate from one another when the first portion and the second portion are in an open position.
US09162787B2

A tangential airstream heat shrinking device of plastic film has a chassis, a heating chamber, air blowers, and high-temperature airstream ejectors. The heating chamber is mounted on the chassis and the heating channel is under the heating chamber. The air blowers are mounted to a bottom of the chassis. The high-temperature airstream ejectors are respectively fit into the mounting holes of the heating chamber. Heated air is discharged through a high-temperature airstream discharging opening of the air blade section under a respective high-temperature airstream ejector. A high-temperature airstream discharging opening is located inside the heating channel of the heating chamber. Each high-temperature airstream ejector can be rotationally adjusted so that the high-temperature airstreams are supplied along routes defined by different tangents at different angles along the circumference of a film-packaged article.
US09162781B2

The present disclosure describes a procedure for wrapping an item to be sterilized with a protective sheet in such a way as to allow a rapid unwrapping of the item for use. This procedure saves time in unwrapping and reduces the risk of loss of sterility of the item and stress on medical personnel.
US09162779B2

A method and apparatus are shown for securing a top for a cardboard carton where the carton has a bottom wall and integral sidewalls, an initially open interior and initially open top flaps with outwardly extending ears. The top flaps are folded to a carton closing position which closes off the initially open interior of the cardboard carton. The ears are also folded to a position in contact with the sidewalls of the carton. A set of punches are aligned with the folded ears of the carton and are actuated to force a first layer of cardboard from a respective top flap through an underlying region of the carton sidewall. A set of platens are located so as to underlie and reinforce the sidewalls of the carton as the punching operation takes place.
US09162777B2

Provided is an apparatus and method for monitoring a status of a satellite, including classifying satellite telemetry information and space weather information and storing the information in a storage unit including respective databases, predicting whether a predetermined type of satellite failure occurs based on the space weather information, and generating satellite control command information to change a status of a predetermined satellite configuration when a satellite failure determining index used to determine a possibility of the satellite failure is beyond a predetermined critical alert range.
US09162772B2

A storage tank (25) of a storage system. The storage tank (25) includes a container (30) and a dynamic ventilation line (35) incorporated therein, said dynamic ventilation line (35) being provided with an air-no-fuel valve (45) that shuts off in the presence of fuel, the air-no-fuel valve (45) communicating with an internal space (INT) of the container (30) via an upstream pipe (40) placed inside the container (30), a downstream pipe (50) secured to a wall (31) of the container (30) extending from the air-no-fuel valve (45) and opening out into a dynamic air intake (53) communicating with the outside air (200), said storage tank having at least one communication orifice (300) for communicating with other tanks.
US09162771B2

An architecture for a hybrid power plant for driving a rotorcraft rotor (1). The rotorcraft is fitted with an electrical energy distribution network (17) for distributing electrical energy from a management network (20) that is interposed between the distribution network (17) and electrical energy sources (4, 9, 10). A management computer (21) takes account of information about the working of a combustion engine (3) for driving the rotor (1), about the working of the electrical energy sources (4, 9, 10) fitted to the rotorcraft and including an energy store (9), a reversible electric machine (4), and an electricity generator (10) engaged with the combustion engine, and about the electrical energy needs of the electricity distribution network (17). Electrical energy is distributed selectively by the management computer (21) via the management circuit (20) and to the distribution circuit (17) depending on priorities of maintaining safe flight of the rotorcraft and providing drive assistance to the engine (3) as produced by the reversible electric machine (4).
US09162762B1

The method and system may be used to control the movement of a remote aerial device in an incremental step manner during a close inspection of an object or other subject matter. At the inspection location, a control module “stabilizes” the remote aerial device in a maintained, consistent hover while maintaining a close distance to the desired object. The control module may retrieve proximal sensor data that indicates possible nearby obstructions to the remote aerial device and may transmit the data to a remote control client. The remote control module may determine and display the possible one or more non-obstructed directions that the remote aerial device is capable of moving by an incremental distance. In response to receiving a selection of one of the directions, the remote control module may transmit the selection to the remote aerial device to indicate the next movement for the remote aerial device.
US09162748B2

An aircraft includes a fuselage, wings attached to the fuselage, a door in an aft portion of the fuselage for providing access to an interior portion of the fuselage, a first and second vertical stabilizer attached to the aft portion of the fuselage, and a horizontal stabilizer transversely attached to the first and second vertical stabilizers. The fuselage further comprises a first side member adjacent to a first side of the door and a second side member adjacent to a second side of the door, and the first side member extends into the first vertical stabilizer and the second side member extends into the second vertical stabilizer; additionally both the first and second side members further extend substantially the vertical depth of the fuselage along the aft door.
US09162746B2

An apparatus comprising a latch body and a plurality of locking mechanisms. The latch body has a plurality of channels that extend through the latch body. The plurality of locking mechanisms is housed within the latch body. A locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms comprises a plate and a spring mechanism. The plate has an opening positioned relative to a corresponding channel in the plurality of channels. The spring mechanism is configured to hold the plate in a locked position within the latch body.
US09162741B2

The invention relates to a surfboard assembly that can be controlled, comprising a surfboard (1), which has a stern and a bow and which has a standing surface for a surfer (2), a longitudinal axis (L) oriented from the stern to the bow, a drive having a thrust device, which thrust device can be pivoted in a pivoting plane along the standing surface (13), for producing left and right cornering of the surfboard assembly, and a propulsion unit, at least one sensor (18), which is integrated in the surfboard (1) and detects tilting clockwise and counterclockwise about the longitudinal axis (L) and which controls the pivoting direction of the nozzle (12) in such a way that tilting of the surfboard (1) counterclockwise about the longitudinal axis (L) pivots the nozzle (12) to the left in the pivoting plane.
US09162737B1

A flotation tote bag is designed to bring various items to the beach, river or other water body and serve as a flotation device. In an emergency, the rescuer extends or throws the emptied flotation bag to the person in danger of drowning and pulls the victim to safety with the tether. If the victim is beyond throwing distance, the rescuer can swim offshore to victim and extend tethered flotation bag. The rescuer can then tow the victim to shore or another safe location.
US09162730B2

A motor drive control apparatus for performing motor control that is stable and has a good efficiency includes: a speed processing unit that generates a first value by converting a second value corresponding to a current speed into a duty ratio; a torque processing unit that generates a third value by converting a fourth value corresponding to a target torque into the duty ratio; and a drive unit that controls switching by a switch included in a complementary switching amplifier by an average duty ratio corresponding to a sum of the first value and the third value to drive a motor connected to the complementary switching amplifier.
US09162716B2

An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements each coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door that the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing door of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.
US09162714B2

A front end module for a motor vehicle includes a tubular cross-member and injection molded components made from plastic, which are injected onto the cross-member. At least two of the injection molded components are connected to each other via the cross-member and separately connected to the cross-member.
US09162711B2

A vehicle body side section structure provided with a bracket that is disposed on a connection section between a roof side rail and a center pillar. The bracket includes a rail side member that is joined to the roof side rail and forms a rail closed section in the gap with the roof side rail, a pillar side member that is joined to the center pillar and forms a pillar closed section in the gap with the center pillar, and a linking member that links the rail side member and the pillar side member on the forward side of a forward end wall section.
US09162708B2

A steering hanger assembly for a vehicle, the steering hanger assembly including a beam structure for supporting a steering column. The beam structure includes a first beam that extends from a right front pillar toward the center of the vehicle width, a second beam that extends from a left front pillar toward the center of the vehicle width and that overlaps the front end of the first beam, and left and right beam connection members that connect the front ends of the first and second beams together. The beam structure is connected by vehicle body connection members also to other vehicle body constituting members of the vehicle body, which are different from the left and right front pillars.
US09162705B2

Disclosed herein is an adjustable suspension mount system that includes a first mount link pivotally attached to a mount feature and extending to a device used to support a load on a first wheel, the first mount link pivotally attached to the device. The mount feature is attached to or integrated into the frame of the vehicle. The system further includes a second mount link pivotally attached to at least one of the mount feature and a second mount feature, the second mount link extending to the first mount link, the second mount link pivotally attached to the first mount link. Further disclosed is a vehicle including the system, and a kit including the components to provide the system for a vehicle.
US09162698B2

An input apparatus disposed on a core unit of a steering wheel has an operable body. The operable body has multiple straining bodies that have a transfer surface part. The transfer surface part has a displacement transfer surface formed thereon, and the displacement transfer surface has a detector for detecting a displacement of the displacement transfer surface according to an operation force applied to an operation surface. The straining bodies and the operable body are arranged such that a portion of the operable body extends towards a rim of the steering wheel from, or across, a line connecting two straining bodies that are positioned closer to the rim than other straining bodies.
US09162692B2

A convertible game cart including a first wheel rotatable about a first axis, a second wheel rotatable about a second axis, and a pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism couples the first wheel and the second wheel. The pivoting mechanism is configured to pivot the first wheel relative to the second wheel from a first orientation with the first axis and the second axis being generally parallel to a second orientation with the first axis and the second axis being generally perpendicular.
US09162691B2

A method is provided for detecting broken rail, unintentionally misaligned turnouts, and track occupancy ahead of or behind a railway vehicle traveling on a railroad track. Shunts extend between the rails at intervals along the railroad track. Each shunt has electrical signal transmission characteristics differing from those of adjacent shunts. A test unit on the railway vehicle induces a test signal in a first rail to create a track circuit in which the test signal propagates along the first rail, through at least one of the shunts, returns to the railway vehicle along the second rail, and through the wheels and axle of the railway vehicle. The test signal has electrical properties selected to interact with at least one of the shunts. The received test signal on the second rail is analyzed to identify predetermined conditions concerning the status of the railroad track.
US09162690B2

A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.
US09162688B2

A device for estimating the acceleration of a vibrational component acting on a vehicle body in a lateral direction when a railway vehicle having a vehicle body tilting device runs in a curve section includes a sensor for detecting the acceleration acting on the vehicle body in a lateral direction, a calculation unit for acquiring track information at a running point, a running speed, and ON/OFF information of vehicle body tilting operation, and calculating a theoretical excess centrifugal acceleration αL acting on the vehicle body by equations, and a calculation unit for deriving the acceleration of the vibrational component acting on the vehicle body based on the acceleration detected by the sensor and the acceleration αL determined by the calculation unit. Vibration generated in the vehicle body in a lateral direction is suppressed, so that the acceleration of the vibrational component can be estimated.
US09162669B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling a torque output of a motor/generator via one or more torque commands generated by a controller. The target output being determined by a target torque based upon a low voltage side target of a DC/DC converter including a battery operatively coupled to one or more low voltage loads, a high voltage side target of the DC/DC converter including a supercapacitor operatively coupled with an inverter that is operatively coupled to the motor/generator, and a ripple compensation torque.
US09162667B2

A power transmitting apparatus includes: an electric supplementary drive unit; a torque converting device including a planetary gear set having a first rotation element connected to the electric supplementary drive unit, a second rotation element connected to an engine, and a third rotation element operated as an output element; an input device including a first input shaft selectively connected to the second rotation element through one clutch and provided with at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon, and a second input shaft disposed on the same axis as the first input shaft without rotational interference with the first input shaft, directly connected to the third rotation element, selectively connected to the second rotation element through the other clutch, and provide with at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon; and a speed output device converting torque of the input device and outputting the converted torque.
US09162662B2

A vehicle brake transmission includes a housing unit, a motor assembly, and a speed reduction unit. The housing unit includes a ring gear disposed around a first axis. The motor assembly includes a motor, and a worm rod extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The speed reduction unit is disposed in the housing unit, and includes a driving member, a planet carrier, and a plurality of planet gears. The driving member includes a worm wheel meshing with the worm rod, and a sun gear centered at the first axis and meshing with the planet gears. The planet carrier includes an input shaft connected to a caliper device. The motor drives rotation of the worm shaft, the driving member, the planet gears, and the input shaft, so as to activate the caliper device.
US09162659B2

A method of controlling the braking of a tractor-trailer combination (10) in which the tractor (11) includes a drive train having an engine and at least one ground-engaging member (14, 16) driveably connected thereto via an adjustable-ratio transmission; at least one ground-engaging member (14, 16) of the tractor includes at least one tractor brake; and at least one ground-engaging member (17) of the trailer (12) includes at least one further, trailer brake, comprises the steps of determining (i) the deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination (10) resulting from braking effort applied via the tractor brake and/or (ii) the deceleration of the tractor-trailer combination resulting from engine braking. The method also includes establishing from one or both the said, determined decelerations as a target value in a control system a braking effort of the trailer brake that approximates the braking of the tractor-trailer combination (10) to the braking of the tractor (11) when considered alone.
US09162652B2

A shape-changing spray arch for a “touchless” spray washer for automotive vehicles and the like. A transit frame which can change shape is mounted in a fixed arch frame and connected to an actuator which changes the shape of the side and top spray conduits in a reciprocal fashion as vehicles pass through the arch. In addition, the spray conduits, both side and top conduits, can be twisted or reoriented around their respective longitudinal axes to be aimed more toward an approaching vehicle and then reoriented to be aimed more toward a receding vehicle, the change in angular orientation being effected as the vehicle passes through the arch. These features can be used separately or in combination.
US09162647B2

An object of the invention is to reduce the weight of a pretensioner by reducing the length of a piston and a wire of the pretensioner. A pretensioner (1) is used in a seat belt device and pulls a seat belt. Due to gas supplied into a cylinder (10) from a gas generator (4), a piston (20) is moved in the cylinder (10). A wire (60) is connected to the piston (20) and the seat belt and pulls the seat belt when the piston (20) moves. The wire (60) has both ends that are connected to the seat belt and has a folded portion (63) that is connected to the piston (20) via connecting means (51). The connecting means (51) has a connecting hole (24) that is formed in the piston (20) and through which the folded portion (63) passes and has a detachment preventing member (52) that is positioned between the folded portion (63) and the piston (20) to prevent the folded portion (63) from being detached from the connecting hole (24).
US09162643B2

The invention relates to systems for the detection and identification (and/or differentiation) of objects for use in vehicles (stationary usage is also conceivable, e.g. to combat crime, building protection), wherein objects are detected and identified via ultrasound signals. In particular, the differentiation of pedestrians and cyclists from cars and fixed obstacles such as walls is of key focus. Ultrasound sensors are hereby used. By processing the signals and comparing them with reference signals, a differentiation between living and non-living objects is possible.
US09162642B2

A vehicle comprises an acceleration sensing module and a crash direction-computing module. The acceleration-sensing module is configured for generating acceleration information resulting from a vehicle collision event. The acceleration information includes a first direction acceleration value and a second direction acceleration value. The crash direction-computing module is coupled to the acceleration-sensing module for receiving the acceleration information therefrom and is configured for determining impact direction information resulting from the vehicle collision event. Generating the impact direction information includes deriving a first direction delta velocity value from the first direction acceleration value, deriving a second direction delta velocity value from the second direction acceleration value, determining a first delta velocity threshold value based on a delta velocity threshold angle and the first direction delta velocity value, and determining an impact zone based on the first delta velocity threshold value and the second direction delta velocity value.
US09162641B2

A fascia support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly for a vehicle includes a fascia support structure, comprising: a top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle; and a bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle, the bottom portion attached to the first and second side fascia support members, the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a fascia support structure opening, at least one of the first side baffle, second side baffle or bottom baffle having a seal member disposed on a leading edge. The assembly also includes an aerodynamic shutter system comprising a shutter frame having a shutter frame opening and a plurality of rotatable shutters disposed therein.
US09162630B2

A support system for adjustably supporting an object such as an electronic device is provide for use with existing cup-holders, such as those found on automotive vehicles. The system include preferably a rigid yet flexible cup insert, rigid yet flexible extension member, and a fixed and/or adjustable cradle to support the object, where the extension member may be manipulated to permit adjustment of the cradle (and thus the object supported on the cradle) relative to the user and the existing cup-holder.
US09162628B2

A mounting platform attached to a vehicle through an existing opening. A base portion having a clamp is placed through a brake light assembly opening, after the brake light assembly has been removed, and is securely held to the roof of a vehicle. A platform portion is attached to the base portion. The mounting platform is used to mount accessories such as light bars, emergency lights, antennas, or any other accessory desired to be mounted to the vehicle. The mounting platform may be easily installed and removed from the vehicle without any damage or modification to the vehicle and without drilling any additional holes in the vehicle.
US09162621B2

A parking support apparatus includes: a captured image acquisition unit acquiring a captured image from an image capturing unit which images surrounding scenery of a vehicle; a target destination section setting unit setting a target destination section which is located around the vehicle and at which the vehicle arrives, based on the image; a vertex coordinates calculation unit calculating coordinates of a vertex of the section; an intersection coordinates calculation unit calculating coordinates of the vehicle at an intersection between a parallel line parallel to the vehicle in a width direction and frame lines configuring the section in a top view when the vertex is closer to a center side of the vehicle than the parallel line; and a destination frame superposition unit superposing a destination frame onto the image by linearly connecting positions in the image corresponding to the vertex on a side separated farther from the vehicle than the parallel line among the vertexes, and the intersection.
US09162619B2

A notification sound control unit of an approaching vehicle audible system includes a first rotation speed calculation section that calculates a first rotation speed, based on an accelerator opening degree signal of an electric vehicle, a second rotation speed calculation section that calculates a second rotation speed, based on a vehicle speed signal of the electric vehicle, a rotation speed synthesis section that synthesizes the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed, a virtual engine rotation speed calculation section that applies filtering processing to a synthesis rotation speed synthesized by the rotation speed synthesis section so as to calculate a virtual engine rotation speed, and a notification sound signal generation processing section that changes a pitch and a volume of a phoneme signal outputted from a phoneme, based on the virtual engine rotation speed, so as to generate a notification sound signal.
US09162603B2

A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.
US09162595B2

Provided is a vehicle seat structure that is lighter than a steel vehicle seat structure while providing the same function thereof. For this, the vehicle seat structure includes a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame connected to the seat cushion frame. At least one of components constituting the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame is formed of a magnesium plate produced through a rolling process and that has a texture.
US09162594B2

Provided is a vehicle seat by which an impact of rear end collision is reduced and of which peripheral structure of a side frame is simplified. A vehicle seat includes: a seat back frame which includes side portions positioned at the sides thereof, a pressure receiving member which is jointed to the seat back frame through joint members and supports an occupant, and an impact reduction member which is disposed on at least one of the side portions to engage with the joint member and to move by a predetermined amount of impact load applied to the pressure receiving member so that the pressure receiving member is caused to move rearward; in which the side portion includes a convex portion protruding in the movement range of the impact reduction member, and the impact reduction member abuts against the convex portion so that the movement of the impact reduction member is prevented.
US09162588B2

A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes an upper rail retaining a seat above the upper rail, a lower rail retaining the upper rail in a state where the upper rail moves relative to the lower rail, a rolling element arranged between the lower rail and the upper rail and a retaining member configured to retain the rolling element between the lower rail and the upper rail, the retaining member including a protruding portion having a top portion arranged to slidably contact with a rolling surface at which the rolling element rolls. The protruding portion includes a spreading portion extending from the top portion in an elongating direction, the elongating direction conforming to a path of the rolling element formed on the rolling surface, the spreading portion tapering to a sharp end form with an increasing distance from the top portion in the elongating direction.
US09162585B2

Methods and systems are provided for vehicles having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A first sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature for the vehicle. A second sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the RESS. The processor is coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate taking an action based on an expected degradation of the RESS after vehicle key-off based at least in part on the ambient temperature and the RESS temperature.
US09162579B2

A driver circuit and a diagnostic method are provided. The driver circuit includes a first voltage driver, a second voltage driver, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates a first pulse width modulated signal to induce the first voltage driver to output a second pulse width modulated signal to energize a contactor coil. The microprocessor sets a first diagnostic flag equal to a first value if a first filtered voltage value is less than a first threshold value. The microprocessor sets a second diagnostic flag equal to a second value if a second filtered voltage value is greater than a second threshold value. The microprocessor stops generating the first pulse width modulated signal to de-energize the contactor coil if the first and second diagnostic flags are set equal to the first and second values, respectively.
US09162576B2

A power switching apparatus, configured to switch a power supply source that is configured to supply an electric power to an air conditioner that is mounted on a vehicle that can receive a power supply from a plurality of power sources, includes: a selecting unit configured to select the power supply source during execution of pre-air conditioning in which an operation of the air conditioner is started before start of running of the vehicle; and a setting unit configured to set a power supply to be supplied from the power supply source that is selected by the selecting unit, to the air conditioner.
US09162575B2

A device for displaying information in a hybrid vehicle comprises a display instrument that has multiple zones for displaying the current operating state of a combustion engine and of at least one electric motor in the hybrid vehicle. The power that the at least one electric motor can generate in a boost mode can be displayed in one of the zones. The display instrument includes a zone that can display the remaining time during which the at least one electric motor can be operated in the boost mode.
US09162566B2

A power take-off unit (“PTO”) may include a retarder to reduce noise while the transmission PTO output gear is operating at low torque. The retarder may variably load the PTO based on the PTO output load, while disengaging from the PTO while the PTO is not operational. The retarder may also serve as a primary retarder function to slow a vehicle's speed. The retarder may be controlled by a vehicle operator or by a processor.
US09162564B2

A fuel tank comprises an upper-half tank body (7) and a lower-half tank body (8) which are made of bowl-shaped steel plates and which integrally include a flange (7f) and a flange (8f) in their peripheral edges, respectively, the flanges (7f, 8f) being superposed on and liquid-tightly connected to each other. The flanges (7f, 8f) are connected together by crimping into a roll shape to form an annular thick-walled connection (12), and an annular reinforcing rib (7r, 8r) leading to the connection (12) is formed at least in one of the upper-half and lower-half tank bodies (7, 8). Thus, it is possible to provide a fuel tank in which a sufficient strength can be imparted to portions around a flange connection, without particularly increasing the thickness of a steel plate.
US09162556B2

A vehicle is provided with a panoramic sunroof system. A movable roof panel operates to open and define a panoramic roof opening. In a panoramic open position, the roof panel overlaps at least half of the rear-view window. A split-line of a trunk is defined by the intersection of the roof panel and the trunk lid.
US09162555B2

A right reinforcing rib 25 is disposed on a straight line connecting a left hinge attachment location 15 with an inner wall 17 in a region surrounded by a left hinge attachment location 15, a right end of a lower edge of a door inner panel 3, and a right virtual corner 26a. A left reinforcing rib 25 is disposed on a straight line connecting a right hinge attachment location 15 with the inner wall 17 in a region surrounded by a right hinge attachment location 15, a left end of the lower edge of the door inner panel 3, and a left virtual corner 26b.
US09162550B2

The present teachings provide for a wire harness mounting assembly including a first retention member, a first guide member, a second retention member, and a second guide member. The first retention member and the first guide member are each configured to be spaced apart from the second retention member and the second guide member to suspend a wire harness across a space defined therebetween.
US09162547B2

The invention relates to a method of configuring an electronic control unit (140) of a motor vehicle trailer using specific data for the chassis systems and/or chassis components which are installed on the motor vehicle trailer. It is provided that a chassis system (131) and/or at least one chassis component are/is equipped with at least one machine-readable data carrier (160) in which data which can be used for configuring the control unit (140) is stored, wherein, in order to configure the control unit (140), this data carrier (160) is read out and the data stored therein is transferred to the control unit (140). The invention also relates to a chassis system, a chassis component and a motor vehicle trailer.
US09162546B2

A multilink rear axle comprises a wheel carrier, a leaf spring, a first lower control arm, an upper control arm, and at least one member. The wheel carrier can rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle. The leaf spring can extend in a width direction of the vehicle that is transverse to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The first lower control arm can extend in the width direction and is pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier at a rear half thereof. The upper control arm can extend in the width direction and can be pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier at an attachment point that is offset from the rotation axis of the supported wheel in the longitudinal direction by less than or equal to 100 mm. The at least one member can pivotably couple the leaf spring to the upper control arm.
US09162535B2

A pneumatic tire includes sipes extending in a tire width direction on a road contact surface of blocks, the sipes having at least one end open to a circumferential main groove. The sipes are positioned at an edge portion of the blocks, and have a first sipe portion open to the circumferential main groove and a second sipe portion positioned at a center portion of the blocks. The first sipe portion has a linear form when viewed as a cross-section from a direction perpendicular to a sipe length direction, and has a pair of mutually mating, opposing first sipe wall faces with a protrusion and a recess respectively disposed thereon. The second sipe portion has a form bent in the sipe width direction when viewed as a cross-section from a direction perpendicular to the sipe length direction, and has a pair of mating mutually opposing second sipe wall faces.
US09162518B2

Silicon microcarriers suitable for fluorescent assays as a well as a method of producing such microcarriers are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a SOI wafer having a bottom layer of monocristalline silicone, an insulator layer and a bottom layer of monocristalline silicon, delineating microparticles, etching away the insulator layer and then depositing an oxide layer on the wafer still holding the microparticles before finally lifting-off the microparticles.
US09162514B1

A method includes producing an article having a substrate with a plurality of independent taggant layers that each include metal oxide nanocrystals doped with at least one Lanthanide element. Each taggant layer includes metal oxide nanocrystals doped with a different Lanthanide element than each other taggant layer.
US09162512B2

The convertible bookstand cover a pair of inner covers and a pair of outer covers pivotable with respect to the inner covers. A pair of first and second hinges couples each outer cover to the respective inner cover to facilitate pivotable, unfolding movement of the outer covers. Each outer cover desirably unfolds to about 90 degrees from the folded position to form a vertical bookstand support. A pair of third hinges permits the inner covers to pivot between a closed and unfolded position. When unfolded, the inner covers also form a bookstand support in concert with the outer covers. Each inner and outer cover can be provided with magnets to securely latch an outer cover to the respective inner cover and prevent inadvertent unfolding thereof.
US09162499B2

A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, a first and second cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between a tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in the tape containing area, the at least one tape including a first tape disposed in a first area, the first tape having a hole at a center of winding, and the first area being one of two areas formed by dividing the housing with respect to a line connecting the first and second cavities, and a third cavity that extends in the hole of the first tape from the bottom wall.
US09162492B2

An inkjet recording apparatus configured to record images on both sides of a sheet includes a corrugate mechanism configured to form a sheet into a continuous corrugated shaped in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction and parallel to a recording surface of the sheet.
US09162491B2

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of directly determining the type of receiver media loaded in a thermal printer by measurements taken from the receiver media itself. In one embodiment, a tri-color emitter and detector combination work in conjunction to determine the intensity of light transmitted through the receiver media. The type of receiver media may be determined by the voltage response or transmission profile generated by the receiver in response to being illuminated by the tri-color emitter.
US09162487B2

An arrival of a joint member at a detection position provided at an upstream side of a recording unit on a transportation path is detected. A second distance, which is a distance from the detection position to the recording head along the transportation path, is longer than a first distance, which is a distance of a transportation of the continuous medium in the case where, because of an existence of a liquid already landed on an area of the continuous medium at the detection time, the area being located at a position being on the transportation path and facing the recording unit, the continuous medium is transported during a period until at least hardening of the liquid is completed by a light radiation portion.
US09162483B2

A recording apparatus includes a medium supporting section that supports a recording medium, a recording section that performs a recording on the recording medium, and a medium path that has a first face and a second face facing each other, and that transports the recording medium through between the first face and the second face. The first face has a shape which is convex toward the second face. A plurality of rollers which are lined up in a transport direction of the recording medium are arranged on the first face.
US09162482B2

A printing system for printing a repeated pattern of esthetical and/or informative character on a substrate including a plurality of parallel webs is provided. The printing system comprises at least two overlapping non-impact printer units, each of which having a lateral elongation defining a maximum printing width, and a controller connected to each one of the printer units and configured to set an actual printing width extending between a start position and an end position of the lateral elongation, wherein the controller is configured to determine the actual printing width by receiving the lateral position of a non-printed area defined by the interface between two adjacent webs of the substrate and located laterally somewhere in the overlap between two printer units, such that the end position of a first printer unit and the start position of an overlapping printer unit is located within the non-printed area.
US09162468B2

In one example, an ink storage unit for an inkjet printer includes multiple bags to hold ink, a single housing enclosing the bags and configured to fit inside the printer, and an outlet from each bag to connect to an ink flow path external to the housing. In another example, a liquid supply unit includes multiple primary containers each holding liquid, a single secondary container enclosing the primary containers, and an outlet from each primary container. In this example, each outlet is positioned at the middle of a vertical column of liquid in the corresponding primary container.
US09162465B1

An inkjet printer is configured to purge printheads in the printer and clean the purged ink from the printheads. The inkjet printer includes a purge tray configured with a wiper to remove a substantial portion of the purged ink from the faces of the printheads without contacting the printheads. A wiper module rotates wipers through a reservoir of cleaning fluid prior to contacting the printheads to facilitate removal of the remaining purged ink from the printheads as the printheads move past the wiper module to return to a printing position.
US09162457B1

A fluid level sensor is configured for identifying a fluid level in a small volume reservoir, such as a fluid reservoir in an ejector head. The reservoir includes a plurality of vertically arranged chambers. A plurality of piezoelectric transducers is distributed over the chambers in a one-to-one correspondence. At least one electrical conductor is electrically connected to each piezoelectric transducer in the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to enable each piezoelectric sensor to receive an electrical signal to a portion of a wall of the chamber to produce an acoustical wave in the chamber and to transmit an electrical signal from each piezoelectric transducer in response to a fluctuating pressure on each piezoelectric transducer produced by the acoustical wave in the chamber.
US09162455B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a piezoelectric layer is made of a complex oxide having a perovskite structure and containing bismuth, iron, barium and titanium. Further, the driving waveform includes: a polarization stage in which a first voltage larger than a coercive voltage of the piezoelectric layer is applied so as to polarize the piezoelectric layer; a relaxation stage in which the voltage being applied is changed from the first voltage to a reverse-polarity voltage of the first voltage so as to relax the polarization of the piezoelectric layer; and a discharge stage in which the voltage being applied is changed from the reverse-polarity voltage to a voltage larger than the first voltage so as to discharge a liquid.
US09162451B2

An image forming apparatus which reads a test pattern formed by ejecting liquid droplets onto a recording medium to adjust an ejection timing of the liquid droplets is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a reading unit including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit; a sensitivity adjusting unit; a relative movement unit; a first correction unit which detects a position of the test pattern; a second correction unit which detects the position of the test pattern; and a correction method selecting unit which selects the first correction unit or the second correction unit based on adjusting results of sensitivity adjusted by the sensitivity adjusting unit.
US09162447B2

An image forming apparatus includes: and a unit that electrically shuts off a pressure generating unit corresponding to a nozzle ejecting no droplet, from a drive waveform generating unit for a period of a time Tb satisfying a relation Tb≧T2, and that applies, at a time after the shutoff, a voltage of a potential V1 to the pressure generating unit, where a potential serving as a reference for the drive waveform is denoted as V1, a minimum potential difference from the potential V1 required to displace a pressure generating unit to vibrate a meniscus with ejecting no liquid droplet from a nozzle is denoted as ΔV2, a time required for a potential to drop by the potential difference ΔV2 due to self-discharge after a pressure generating unit is charged to a predetermined potential is denoted as T2.
US09162441B1

An inkjet printer includes an inkjet head including nozzles arranged in a first direction, a head scanning mechanism moving the inkjet head along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a feeding mechanism feeding the recording medium along the first direction, and a storage device storing upstream correction information and downstream correction information. A controller performs a first determination process for determining a correction value for a specific scanning operation by using the upstream correction information when an image is printed on an upstream area adjacent to a specific area corresponding to the specific scanning operation and when no image is printed on a downstream area adjacent to the specific area, and a second determination process for determining the correction value by using the downstream correction information when no image is printed on the upstream area and when an image be printed on the downstream area.
US09162440B2

An extractor for placement adjacent to a rotor having processing positions in a circumferential area thereof extracts contaminants arising during container processing. The extractor has a hood forming an interior, an extractor channel, baffles, flow channels, and a joint suction channel. In operation, the hood, which does not move with the rotor, extends over part of the circumferential area. The hood's interior opens radially towards the rotor and is connected by the extractor channel to a suction device. The baffles, which are formed by wall elements in the hood interior, define the flow channels. The flow channels are open on a side of the hood that faces the rotor, and open inside the extractor hood into the joint suction channel.
US09162429B2

A decorative sheet for injection-molding and decorating a resin simultaneously, the decorative sheet containing two resin sheets laminated on each other with at least one patterned layer intervening therebetween, and the two resin sheets having a difference in linear expansion coefficient of 4×10−5/° C. (41 to 50° C.) or less. Even after subjecting to three-dimensional processing, such as vacuum molding, the decorative sheet suffers no warpage, and can be easily released from a mold for the three-dimensional processing, and even when the decorative sheet is set in a mold for injection molding, the decorative sheet does not fall off from the mold, a resin injected does not permeate a gap between the outer surface of the decorative sheet and the mold, and the decorative sheet suffers no peeling between the sheets constituting the decorative sheet.
US09162428B2

A microwave energy interactive structure includes a first susceptor film including a first layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film, a moisture-containing layer joined to the first layer of microwave energy interactive material, an adjoining layer joined to the moisture-containing layer such that the moisture-containing layer is disposed between the susceptor film and the adjoining layer, and a second layer of microwave energy interactive material on a side of the adjoining layer opposite the moisture-containing layer. The adjoining layer may be joined to the moisture-containing layer by a discontinuous adhesive layer.
US09162424B2

A coated article system includes a substrate and a surface coating on the substrate. The surface coating is formed by depositing individual particles of a composite metal powder with sufficient energy to cause the composite metal powder to bond with the substrate and form the surface coating. The composite metal powder includes a substantially homogeneous dispersion of molybdenum and molybdenum disulfide sub-particles that are fused together to form the individual particles of the composite metal powder.
US09162419B2

A laminate design is provided and includes a substrate formed to define through-holes, an initially uncured pre-preg laminate disposed proximate to the substrate and an initially uncured pre-preg staple. The staple includes a main member and legs extending from the main member and being disposable with the legs extending through the through-holes to pierce the laminate. The staple is co-curable with the laminate.
US09162418B2

A method is disclosed for preparing a surface for mechanically securing a spray coating to a surface. A first series of grooves formed in the surface are intersected with a second series of grooves formed in the surface. A plurality of barbs are formed at the intersections. The spray coating is mechanically secured to the barbs that overhang the first series of grooves. The surface includes the first series of grooves and the second series of groves that intersect the first series of groves. The second series of groves form an undercut portion, or barb, at the intersections of the grooves that mechanically anchor the spray coating.
US09162415B2

An assembly includes a polymeric member and a unitary metal casting. The metal casting is engaged with and relatively moveably capturing the polymeric member on the metal casting. The polymeric member includes an opening extending through the polymeric member. The opening defines a rotational axis of the polymeric member and includes a central cylindrical portion and first and second end portions having diameters greater than the central cylindrical portion. The first and second end portions are disposed proximate opposite ends of the opening, and the metal casting substantially fills the central cylindrical portion and the first and second end portions of the opening, thereby rotatably disposing and axially capturing the polymeric member on the metal casting. The assembly can be adapted for use as a crank arm in a transmission shift mechanism.
US09162402B2

A method of continuous curing and post-curing of a plurality of extruded strands is provided. A plurality of extruded strands is wrapped through a plurality of spindle units rotatably connected to a rigid frame structure. A plurality of dual spindles are provided in a plurality of upper and lower spindle units, wherein each dual spindle comprises a free spinning roller and a driven roller. A chamber that comprises a dual function chamber configured for heating and cooling is supported on the rigid frame structure. The plurality of extruded strands is continuously transferred between the upper spindle units and the lower spindle units such that the plurality of extruded strands runs in a vertical fashion that continuously alternates between the lower spindle units and the upper spindle units. Each of the plurality of strands is transferred independently of each other and continuously passed through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.
US09162395B2

A 3-D printing apparatus is configured to make a modeling material form a 3-D object layer by layer. The 3-D printing apparatus includes a printing assembly and a cleaning unit. The printing assembly includes a feeding tube, a nozzle and a driving wheel set disposed between the feeding tube and the nozzle to drive the modeling material transferred to the nozzle from the feeding tube and then exiting from the printing assembly via the nozzle so as to form a 3-D object layer by layer. The cleaning unit has a brush, in which the brush leans against on the driving wheel set to clean out the residual modeling material while the driving wheel set rotates relatively to the cleaning unit.
US09162389B2

A device for hot embossing of a magnetic nanoparticle (N)-containing polymer layer. The device includes an embossing die, a pressure application means and a magnetic field generating means. The embossing die and the pressure application means are made from materials that do not respond thermally to a magnetic field.
US09162387B2

The present invention discloses an assembly and process for creating a co-extruded pipe which includes the steps of extruding a first elongated component exhibiting an open interior. Additional process steps include co-extruding at least one, and typically a pair, of additional elongated components each having an arcuate or lobe cross sectional shape or profile. The additional components are bonded to exterior locations of the first component to establish a pair of additional open interiors between the components and prior to cooling and hardening.
US09162382B2

A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided. The pocket can be a molded pocket including individual molded strings, combined strings, shooting strings and support rails extending around a perimeter of the pocket. Certain pocket elements can include transition parts to smoothly transition components having different cross sections. The pocket can include a pre-formed ball channel and hole units having broadsides for connection to a head or other component. The pocket can be attached to a pocket frame, and optionally constructed from a mesh or other synthetic material that is tensioned with the pocket frame. A mold and related molding method are also provided.
US09162380B2

A method of forming a flat composite charge into a contoured composite part reduces wrinkles in the part as the charge is being formed. Dies are used to form a portion of charge to the steepest contour of the part, while tension is maintained on the charge as the remaining portions of the charge are formed.
US09162373B2

The invention describes a heating system (13) for heating a body (1) of a preform having a material thickness bounded by a first surface (2) and a second surface (4). The heating system (13) comprises at least a light source arrangement (12) which is arranged to emit a number of directed light beams (17) and a coupling arrangement (15, 21) realized to deliberately couple light from the light source arrangement (12) in a specific direction into the body (1) during at least a certain minimum period such that the light is essentially guided along a longer path (19) between the first (2) and second surface (4). Furthermore, the invention concerns a method of heating a body (1) of a preform.
US09162371B2

An object is to provide a drill bit with improved strength of joint between a bit tip and a bit shaft without diminishing dust suction performance of the drill bit. A drill bit 1 includes: a bit tip 3 including at least three cutting edge portions arranged at the distal end of the bit tip 3 such that they are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, each cutting edge portion 3c having a rake face 3s and a relief face 3e forming a joint ridge L1 serving as a cutting edge; and a bit shaft 2 having a distal end face 2F welded to a proximal end face of the bit tip 3 such that the bit shaft 2 rotates integrally with the bit tip 3. The bit shaft 2 includes a dust suction passage 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bit shaft 2, such that the distal end of the dust suction passage 4 extends to a distal end portion of the bit shaft. A dust suction auxiliary passage 6 is formed at the distal end portion of the bit shaft 2, such that the dust suction auxiliary passage 6 extends from the dust suction passage 4 orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the dust suction passage 4, and a radially outer end 6t of the dust suction auxiliary passage 6 is open at an outer peripheral face 1F of the bit shaft 2. A proximal end portion 3b of the bit tip 3 is integrally attached to the distal end face of the bit shaft 2.
US09162370B2

A concrete mixing-and-transport truck is provided, which comprises a stirring cylinder with a rotary sealed feeding/discharging opening. A annularity sealed cavity is formed between the outer wall of a rotary inner cylinder (15), the inner wall of a fixed outer cylinder (6-2), the back end face of a rotary flange support base (6-1) and the front end face of a sealing end cover (7). At least one sealing belt (13) is set in the annularity rotary sealed cavity. The back end face of the last end sealing belt (13) is contacted tightly with the front end face of the sealing end cover (7). The stirring cylinder and the feeding/discharging opening are connected rotationally by reliable rotary sealing so as to make the stirring cylinder keep rotating when feeding, and reduce the center of gravity of the carrier vehicle. The truck improves driving safety, eliminates concrete de-mixing problem and improves the quality of concrete and architecture quality.
US09162362B2

A manipulator mechanism according to the present invention comprises an arm 1 having a tip mechanism 3 attached to its tip part, and an arm paying out device 2 to which the base end part of the arm 1 is coupled for winding and paying out the arm 1. The arm 1 comprises a tape aggregate 4 formed by bundling a plurality of elastic tapes 41, and a plurality of bundling members 5 attached to the tape aggregate 4 with spaces therebetween in a longitudinal direction of the tape aggregate 4. The bundling member 5 is provided with a guiding groove 51, through which the plurality of tapes 41 pass, to keep the relative position of the plurality of tapes 41 constant.
US09162353B2

In a hydraulic tool such as a crimping or cutting tool used by electric utility workers, interchangeability of heads and interchangeability of power units is afforded by connecting a cylinder on the power unit to a receiver on the head. Interlocking lugs allow the head to be secured to the power unit at any selected one of a plurality of rotational positions. A piston and a movable die in the head also have interlocking lugs. To enable the lugs on the piston and movable die to engage simultaneously with the engagement of the lugs on the cylinder and receiver, the piston is secured against rotation by a slotted guide the slots of which receive inwardly protruding pins fixed to the piston. For increased versatility, plural pressure relief valves can be selected by means of a manual selection valve to set the maximum force exerted by the tool.
US09162349B2

A grinder as a power tool has a torque limiter. The torque limiter includes a second bevel gear; a spindle; a flange to which the rotation of the second bevel gear is transmitted, and a plurality of balls which are disposed between the second bevel gear and the flange. The ball is positioned at a first region and the second bevel gear, the ball and the flange rotate integrally thereby the rotation is transmitted to the flange. In a state that a torque exerted on the spindle exceeding the predetermined threshold, a relative rotation between the second bevel gear and the flange is occurred and the ball moves from the first region to the second region while rolling by means of the relative rotation. Therefore, the transmission of the rotation from the second bevel gear to the flange is regulated, and the torque exerted on the spindle is regulated.
US09162348B2

A steering and positioning structure of a ratchet screwdriver has a main body, ratchet assembly, radial holding tank, two upper snapping blocks in multi-tooth meshed pattern and two downward abutting pieces, as well as an elastic abutting member, revolving drum and revolving drum split positioning member. The upper snapping blocks are activated in tune with the downward abutting pieces, such that the upper snapping blocks can be formed by means of powder metallurgy and demolding. Multiple snapping teeth could be formed on the snapping blocks. As the snapping teeth can mated with the ratchets of the ratchet assembly in multi-tooth meshing pattern, the structure can meet the multi-tooth meshing structural demands for convenient forming, and also improve substantially the torsion of the ratchet screwdriver, enhance the ease-of-operation and mass production for higher economic benefits.
US09162341B2

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a chemical mechanical planarization pad including a first domain and a second continuous domain wherein the first domain includes discrete elements regularly spaced within the second continuous domain. The pad may be formed by forming a plurality of openings for a first domain within a second continuous domain of the pad, wherein the openings are regularly spaced within the second domain, and forming the first domain within the plurality of openings in second continuous domain. In addition, the pad may be used in polishing a substrate with a polishing slurry.
US09162334B2

A machining apparatus has a machine frame having a vertical front wall and a pair of vertical side walls extending generally perpendicularly rearwardly from the front wall and a cross slide vertically displaceable on the front wall. A first holder is horizontally displaceable on the cross slide, and respective carriages horizontally displaceable generally perpendicular to the front wall on the side walls carry a mount between and pivotal in the carriages about a horizontal axis generally parallel to the front wall. A second holder is carried on the mount. One of the holders is adapted to hold and rotate a workpiece and the other of the holders to hold a tool. A drive is connected to both of the carriages for synchronously displacing same and thereby aligning the workpiece in the one holder with the tool in the other holder.
US09162332B2

Method and apparatus for assembling, with fasteners, components of a structure having an outboard side, an inboard side, and a supporting frame. The components are placed together on the frame. An electromagnet having a core with multiple openings is positioned on the outboard side. A magnetically attractive member is placed against the inboard side opposite and aligned with the electromagnet. When activated, the electromagnet is attracted towards the magnetically attractive member and the two hold the components together. Multiple drill members pass through the openings in the core of the electromagnet and multiple openings are drilled simultaneously through the components. Subsequently, multiple rivets or huck bolts are simultaneously inserted into the drilled openings. Finally, fasteners are hammered through the drilled openings and rivets are secured by bucking bars provided on the magnetically attractive member. Alternatively, openings are provided in the magnetically attractive member for manually securing huck bolts to the components.
US09162331B2

A power tool including a motor for rotatably driving a tool bit at an attained rotational speed, a source for supplying an electric current to the motor, a sensor for measuring the current, and a control device. The control component fulfills the task of detecting a variation of the slope of the current in the course of time, and generates a control signal. The rotational speed of the tool is reduced in response to the control signal. The power tool automatically detects whether the work piece operated by the tool bit reaches a predetermined position by electronic control means. It may make sure that the screw is driven into a piece of wood and does not go beyond the predetermined position once it detects that the work piece reaches the position and carries out a changing action.
US09162330B1

A connection is provided whereby a first tube, which may be bent into an elbow, has at least one end flow drilled. During the flow drilling process the first end is shortened, reduced in thickness, and most importantly, the inner diameter is increased to accept a second tube. Before connecting the second tube, the first end is preferably tapped with threads which can receive a nut and the nut captures an end of the second tube, preferably entrapping one of at least one bead and a ferrel to provide a connection.
US09162328B2

A brazing method includes fixing a padding plate on a base material such that the padding plate is arranged in a lower position from a groove formed in a repair region of the base material, and heating the base material such that a base material powder is melt, after a paste that base material 1 contains the base material powder which is formed from a same material as the base material is filled into the groove. The base material powder filled into groove can be prevented from flowing out from the groove even if being fused since the padding plate is arranged for the base material. Thus, a repair region can be repaired more appropriately.
US09162327B2

A method for repairing damaged valve stem assemblies includes enlarging a bore within a body of a valve stem to form an enlarged bore portion and creating a conical hole in an end of the valve stem body around the enlarged bore portion. Internal threads are created within the enlarged bore portion, and a valve stem repair extension is installed in the enlarged bore portion. The valve stem repair extension has a beveled surface that mates with the conical hole to form a hermetic seal between the valve stem body and the valve stem repair extension. The steps of enlarging the bore and creating the conical hole may both be performed using a countersinking drill bit having a beveled cutting portion.
US09162326B2

An incubator is fitted with an enclosure which surrounds the incubator. A cold air generation system supplies relatively cold air to a space formed between enclosure and the incubator. The system supplying the cold air can be embodied in a cart or base upon which the incubator sits. The enclosure is also placed on the base in a manner such that it substantially envelops the incubator. The top of the cart has openings for egress of cold air and return of air so that air may circulate in a closed loop. The incubator, cold air supply system and enclosure present a solution for incubating samples in a nominal 20-25° C. temperature environment. The enclosure, which is preferably insulated, may include a void or opening which exposes doors or other access device of the incubator, allowing direct access to the samples in the incubator while the rest of the incubator is enveloped by the enclosure.
US09162325B2

Provided is a welding apparatus by which a worker can work in a comfortable posture, with which a space can be effectively utilized at a low cost, and which can reliably weld workpieces. Specifically, a pair of jigs are circumferentially provided on the upper surface of a circular rotating table around its outer circumference at intervals, and positions workpieces such that orientations of the workpieces are changeable. A welding robot is provided in a workpiece welded region. A control board outputs an operation signal to the rotating table such that the jigs respectively move into a workpiece set region and the workpiece welded region, and outputs an operation signal to the respective jigs such that the jig in the workpiece set region is inclined toward a side closer to the worker and the jig in the workpiece welded region is inclined according to welded parts of the workpieces.
US09162319B2

The invention relates to a method for removing material by means of a laser, wherein a sequence of laser pulses is generated and an area of material to be machined is irradiated with the sequence of laser pulses. Methods of this kind are used to cut a number of different materials. One problem with this method is that thermal or mechanical damage occurs in the surroundings of the area being machined and causes impairment of areas of material that are not being machined. The invention solves this problem by the pulse energy of a single pulse in the sequence of laser pulses being lower than the laser pulse energy required to produce material removal using an isolated laser pulse in the region irradiated with the single laser pulse of the sequence of laser pulses.
US09162315B2

An electrical conduction mechanism is provided to prevent dust or from adhering to the inside of an electrical-conduction portion main body, so that electrical conduction efficiency cannot be reduced. The electrical conduction mechanism comprises an electrical-conduction portion main body in the center of which a first through-hole to be inserted through by a shaft is formed and in which a second through-hole communicating with the first through-hole is formed in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first through-hole is formed. The electrical-conduction element is disposed in the second through-hole. The electrical-conduction element is configured to include an electrical-conduction chip abutting on the shaft, and a coil spring biasing the electrical-conduction chip toward the shaft, so that current is supplied to the shaft through the electrical-conduction chip to conduct electricity to the bit.
US09162312B2

A drive roll assembly is disclosed for a push-pull MIG welding torch including a handle connected to a power cable assembly at one end, and a gooseneck-contact tip assembly at the other end. The drive roll assembly includes a body block disposed in the handle, a motorized driving gear mounted on the body block, and an idler wheel rotatably mounted on a mounting arm via a mount. The mounting arm is pivotally connected to the body block. The idler wheel is cooperable with the driving gear to pull welding wire from the cable assembly through the handle and towards the gooseneck. One of the idler wheel and the driving gear is made of a highly conductive material that allows for transfer of welding current to the welding wire, providing a secondary current transfer channel in addition to the conductive contact tip. The electric resistance from the body block to the surfaces of the idler wheel and driving gear at which they contact welding wire is below 15 milli-ohms, preferably below 2.0 milli-ohms.
US09162294B2

The present invention provides a drilling apparatus and a method thereof capable of providing an adjustable active backup force to a composite workpiece to effectively reduce the delamination of the workpiece during drilling such that the application of the active backup force in terms of its force magnitude and its application location on the workpiece can adjustably counter the drill thrust force to retard the onset of delamination growth and reduce delamination damage at the drill exit in the workpiece, in particular in situation where large feed rate with short cycle time is desired for drilling of composite materials. A critical drill thrust force of the drilling apparatus and the method of the present invention is advantageously obtained in relation to said active backup force and the application of the active backup force to reduce the crack propagation of the delamination occurred in the composite workpiece.
US09162293B2

A rotary tool includes a housing defining at least one slot and a motor including an output shaft supported within the housing. A collet chuck is coupled to the output shaft that is configured to slidably receive a collet. The collet chuck includes at least one lever arm configured to apply a clamping force to the collet. A wedge is configured to move into and out of engagement with the at least one lever arm to generate the clamping force. A bearing is attached to the wedge, and a yoke member is attached to the bearing. The yoke member includes at least one lever structure that projects outwardly from the yoke member through the slot in the housing.
US09162292B2

A sliding block 31, a tool carrier 1 and a tool holder 3 are presented, providing a high-precision interface that is also adjustable. As a result, very exact positioning of the tool arranged in the tool holder 3 in relation to the tool carrier can be achieved. The repeat accuracies lie below five micrometers.
US09162285B2

A powder metal composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by atomizing a melted iron based alloy including 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon; 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten; 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum; not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen; and at least 40.0 wt. % iron. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming elements to oxidize during atomization. The powder metal composition includes metal carbides in an amount of at least 15 vol. %. The microhardness of the powder metal composition increases with increasing amounts of carbon and is typically about 800 to 1,500 Hv50.
US09162280B2

A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for manufacturing engine cylinder blocks or cylinder head, which have very small internal passages or other very small internal features. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal feature. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal feature.
US09162279B1

The present disclosure relates to a system for fabricating a mold positive via additive manufacturing to form a casting mold. The mold positive material may have a first portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a first temperature and a second portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a second temperature. The first portion may be formed within the second portion, and the first temperature may be low relative to the second temperature. The first portion of the mold positive may thermally decompose at a lower temperature than the second portion, which may create voids within the mold positive so that during the higher temperature combustion of the second portion of the material, the second portion may expand into the newly empty spaces instead of into a ceramic casting mold. This may greatly reduce stress on the casting mold.
US09162276B2

The system and method of the present application can include machining complex part features in a flat metal sheet, and subsequently forming the machined flat metal sheet to have the desired shape and contours. Prior to the step of machining the complex part features, the method can include calculating a scaled location of the complex part features so that the subsequent forming step acts to translate and deform the complex part features into a desired location.
US09162267B2

An extrusion die is provided with a male die through which a billet is extruded from an upstream side to a downstream side and, the male die adapted for forming an inside shape of a hollow material; and a female die for holding the male die and forming an outside shape of the hollow material. The male die is formed of a spider and a holder for holding the spider. The spider is formed of a mandrel and a plurality of bridge parts for supporting the mandrel, and enabling a distal-end outer peripheral surface to engage with a bridge-holding surface. The distal-end outer peripheral surface of each of the bridge parts and the bridge-holding surface of the holder are joined by shrink-fitting.
US09162263B2

A barge system for hydraulic spreading of aquatic capping material is provided. The barge system includes a barge, a piping system, a spreader, a system for moving the barge and a controller. The barge has a deck extending between a front end and a rear end and two opposing sides. The piping system is mounted on the deck and used for the transmission of capping material slurry that includes a capping material. The piping system has a first end and a second end. A source of capping material slurry is connected to the first end and fed through the piping system to the spreader. The spreader has an inlet end in communication with the second end of the piping system and a discharge end. The spreader evenly distributes the capping material slurry from the end of the barge. The controller positions the barge based on the flow rate and density of the slurry. The barge system is used to deposit a predetermined thickness of the capping material on the bottom of the body of water.
US09162262B2

The present invention relates to a system and method for washing gas turbine engines comprising a manifold comprising one or more tubes; a pumping system for providing pressurized washing liquid to the manifold, the pumping system comprising a pump, and one or more valves; and a control unit for regulating the pumping system according to washing parameters associated to a particular engine.
US09162254B2

A method for applying a coating (4) on a substrate (1), includes: —scanning a laser beam (2) along a line on the surface of said substrate. The method also includes supplying a coating forming material from a supply system (3), the system moving along the same line as the laser beam but coming up behind the laser beam, so that the coating forming material is deposited on a spot which has previously been heated by the laser beam to a temperature above the melting temperature of the coating forming material. Substantially no physical contact occurs between the laser beam and the coating forming material. Preferably, the method further includes a second step of scanning the surface a second time with the laser beam, without adding coating forming material during the second step.
US09162252B2

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a polyimide film on a substrate is disclosed. Such method can be easily controlled and form a polyimide film applicable as an insulation film. While a wafer is heated at a temperature at which a polyimide film is formed, a cycle, in which the wafer is sequentially supplied with a first processing gas, for example, containing a PMDA-based first monomer, and a second processing gas containing a non-aromatic monomer, for example, an HMDA-based second monomer, is performed for a predetermined number of times. When the processing gases are switched, a replacement gas is supplied into a reaction tube so that the monomers are not mixed together under the atmosphere in the reaction tube.
US09162250B2

The method for forming a coating film includes: supplying a first liquid from a nozzle to a cylindrical substrate to thereby form the coating film of the first liquid, wherein the method includes, pressing a member including a second liquid, to form a liquid film of the second liquid on the peripheral surface, and forming the coating film of the first liquid includes: supplying the first liquid onto the liquid film of the second liquid formed on the peripheral surface of the substrate to form a bead of the first liquid between the liquid-supplying unit and the liquid film of the second liquid, and extending the bead in a circumferential direction of the substrate.
US09162249B2

A pin (125) is moved down in a nozzle (121), the end of paste (101) protruded from the discharge opening (122) of the nozzle (121) to a target object (102) is brought into contact with the target object (102), and the pin (125) is moved away from the discharge opening (122) to divide the paste in contact with the target object.
US09162246B2

A filling method exhausts gas from inside a slit nozzle that applies coating liquid onto a substrate surface while filling the slit nozzle with the coating liquid. The slit nozzle includes a coating liquid supply opening, a coating liquid discharge outlet, a manifold that is connected to the supply opening and holds the coating liquid inside the slit nozzle, a liquid channel that is connected to the manifold and supplies the coating liquid to the discharge outlet of the slit nozzle, and a ventilation hole for exhausting gas from inside the manifold. The filling method includes: a discharge outlet closing process that closes the discharge outlet while the coating liquid is being fed from the supply opening into the slit nozzle; and a ventilation hole opening process that opens the ventilation hole.
US09162244B2

A check valve for a sprinkler in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a valve body adapted to be positioned at an inlet of the sprinkler, wherein the valve body includes a central opening through which water flows into the sprinkler, a rib extending downwardly from the valve body at a location beyond the margin of the central opening, a valve member configured to cooperate with the central opening to open and close the valve. The valve member includes a valve stem extending downwardly from the valve member, and positioned and configured to be movably supported in a guide ring formed at a lower end of the rib, wherein the valve stem is movable vertically to move the valve member to its open and closed positions. The check valve further include a resilient member biasing the valve stem such that the valve member remains in the closed position until water pressure pushing against the valve member overcomes the bias of the resilient member.
US09162241B2

For the straightforward, easy-to-assemble construction of a metering dispenser (1) for dispensing a substance consisting of a number of components, having at least two containers (6a, 6b) in an outer sleeve (8) for accommodating the components of the substance, and having a pumping unit (2a, 2b) on each of the containers (6a, 6b), and having an adjusting device (3), which makes it possible to adjust the quantity ratio of the components in relation to one another, and having a movable actuating device (4) for the pumping units (2a, 2b) and/or containers (6a, 6b), and having a dispenser element (5) for the substance which is to be dispensed by the metering dispenser (1), it is proposed to provide a force-transmission element (7), in particular in the form of an intermediate wall, which, with the actuating device (4) activated, can be displaced relative to the outer sleeve (8) and in the axial direction (A) of the metering dispenser (1).
US09162234B2

A method of cleaning a filter element includes directing a jet of pressurized gas from a nozzle onto a filter element, with the jet having a non-round cross-sectional shape that is a same general cross-sectional shape as the opening in a tube sheet holding the filter element. The nozzle has a channel for the pressurized gas that is obstruction-free.
US09162220B2

A process for preparing a catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, polyazole-based polymer and a catalytically active material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising a catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
US09162216B2

The oxide catalyst for the direct NO decomposition to N2 and 02 is deposited on the austenitic acid-proof steel substrate and contains the phase with aFe203 structure and the phase with spinel structure and the lattice parameters close to the lattice parameters of NiFe204. Those phases form the micro-crystallites that additionally contain Cr and Mn and eventually Si. The catalyst according to the invention is manufactured by the at least twice heating of the austenitc acid-proof steel substrate in the atmosphere containing oxygen, up to the temperature from the 600-850° C. range, with the rate of 2-6° C./min, followed by the annealing at that temperature for 2-6 hours.
US09162210B2

A SCC (Spinning Cone Column) includes a housing having a rotation axis, a supply part of at least one reactant formed inside of the housing, at least two spinning cones that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis, move reactants supplied through the reactant supply part, and rotate around the rotation axis, a fixed cone that is fixed and formed on the inner side of the housing, and provides a pathway for sequentially moving reactant from a spinning cone at the upper part to a spinning cone at the lower part, a product collection part for collecting reactants moved through the spinning cone and the fixed cone, and a driving part for rotating the spinning cone.
US09162208B2

A system and process for producing synthetic crude oil from produced fluids of an oil well is disclosed. The system comprises a separation plant for producing an associated gas stream from produced fluids a membrane unit comprising a plurality of polymer membranes to provide a CO2 enriched permeate stream and a CO2 depleted product gas stream, a gas conversion plant for converting the CO2 depleted product gas stream into a synthetic crude oil and a heat exchanger adding heat to the associated gas stream so that the membrane unit operates at a temperature of at least 80° C. during separation of the associated gas stream using the membrane unit. A process using the aforementioned components, including separation of the associated gas stream using the membrane unit at a temperature >80° C., into a CO2 enriched stream and a CO2 depleted product stream, is also described.
US09162206B2

Reactor bed component includes a foundation grate, a rigid structure and a fastener. The foundation grate has support plates spaced apart from each other by a distance and having a height with each support plate disposed at an angle. The rigid structure has first structure plates spaced apart by a multiple of the distance and disposed at the angle, and second structure plates secured to and disposed at an opposing angle. Each second structure plate has a horizontal extent to engage an upper edge of a corresponding support plate, and a number of the first structure plates have a length extending below the horizontal extent in overlapping relation with adjacent support plates to prevent horizontal movement of the rigid structure relative the foundation grate in a first direction. The fastener is disposed to secure the rigid structure to the grate against movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US09162205B2

A fluid distribution apparatus is disposed in a fluidized bed reactor and includes a distributor pipe configured to carry a fluid and a centerpipe fluidly connected to the distributor pipe and enclosing an annular space for receiving the fluid from the distributor pipe. The annular space is defined by an interior radius including a cylindrical plug disposed concentrically within the centerpipe, an exterior radius including the centerpipe, an upper end including an upper circular plate, and a lower end including a lower circular plate. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a plurality of inlet nozzles fluidly connected to the annular space and disposed through the centerpipe for distributing the fluid from the annular space to a bed of the fluidized bed reactor.
US09162204B2

The present invention relates to a process for improving the polymerization of ethylene and one or more optional co-monomer(s) in a polymerization loop reactor characterized in that said process comprises the step of controlling the hydrogen/monomer ratio along the path of the reactor by multiple, spatially separated, feeding of hydrogen along the path of the loop reactor. In particular, the invention provides a process for controlling, and preferably narrowing, the molecular weight distribution of the produced polymer particles. In another aspect, the invention relates to a polymerization loop reactor suitable for the polymerization process of ethylene and an optional olefin co-monomer, wherein the molecular weight distribution of the produced ethylene polymer can be controlled.
US09162202B2

A chimney tray for a reactor, wherein a gas reactant and a liquid reactant are mixed in chimneys to improve the dispersion performance of the liquid reactant on the catalyst bed of a fixed bed reactor thereby increasing the contact efficiency between the liquid reactant and the catalyst depending on the uniformity of flow of the liquid reactant, resulting in increased reaction efficiency, and which includes a tray having a plurality of through-holes, and a plurality of chimneys perpendicularly inserted into the through-holes of the tray and having one or more outlets penetrating there through and facing each other, wherein each of the plurality of chimneys includes a conical lower end which is formed such that it extends from the lower surface of the tray to make an angle of 10˜40° with respect to the direction of the normal line of the tray.
US09162189B1

Disclosed are membranes formed from self-assembling diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1 is C1-C22 alkyl, R2 is C6-C20 aryl or heteroaryl, one of R3 and R4 is a C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, and n and m are independently about 10 to about 2000, which find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the diblock copolymer that self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a membrane which involves spin coating a polymer solution containing the diblock copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by annealing the thin film in a solvent vapor and/or soaking in a solvent or mixture of solvents to form a nanoporous membrane.
US09162184B2

An exhaust gas purification system includes a feedforward controller 47, a feedback controller 49 outputting a correcting variable for achieving a target temperature of DPF 7, and a variable adding unit 51 that adds the correcting variable output from the feedback controller 49 to a basic variable output from the feedforward controller 47 to compute a manipulated variable. The system further includes either one of an integrator resetter 55 that resets the integral value of an integrator that forms the feedback controller 49 when the amount of exhaust gas has suddenly dropped, and a basic variable calculating unit that calculates the basic variable to be output from the feedforward controller based on a signal representing the flow rate of exhaust gas.
US09162183B2

Systems and methods are provided for determining and controlling an NO2 to NOx ratio reference target in an exhaust conduit between a first SCR catalyst and a second SCR catalyst. The method includes determining a present NO2 to NOx ratio in the exhaust conduit between the first SCR catalyst and the second SCR catalyst, and providing a reductant doser command in response to a deviation of the present NO2 to NOx ratio from the NO2 to NOx ratio reference target.
US09162182B2

An exhaust-gas cleaning device for an internal combustion engine has a catalytic converter arrangement. The catalytic converter arrangement includes, along the flow direction, a plurality of catalytically active regions which are, in particular, independent of one another. A heat dissipation device includes a heat absorbing device and one heat sink. The heat absorbing device is provided between at least two catalytically active regions. The heat absorbing device is connected to the heat sink. The exhaust-gas cleaning device includes a plurality of catalytic converter arrangements, an, in particular tubular, inner housing with a housing cover, and an outer housing which encloses the inner housing. The inner housing has a longitudinal axis, and the catalytic converter arrangements are arranged separately from one another on the housing cover of the inner housing.
US09162172B2

An air cleaner includes a housing and an access cover. The internal volume of the housing can be reached through an opening in a side wall of the housing. A filter element having fluted filter media is removable and replaceable from the air cleaner. The housing is constructed and arranged to cam the element into sealing engagement with the housing. The access cover includes structure to help support and ensure proper seating of the filter element within the housing. A method of installing the filter element in the air cleaner includes sliding a portion of the filter element against a slide surface in the housing. A method of servicing an air cleaner includes tilting the filter element against a tilt surface in the housing to release a seal between the filter element and the housing. The filter element can have a handle to assist in servicing of the air cleaner. The housing can have a window to allow visual inspection of the internal component of the housing and to determine visually whether a filter element is installed therein.
US09162168B2

A filter device, in particular for fluids polluted with admixtures of water, such as diesel oil, includes a filter housing (1) having a fluid inlet (43), a fluid outlet (44) and a filter element (9). During the filtering process, the fluid can flow through the filter medium (11) of the filter element from the unfiltered side (14) to the filtered side (13) of the filter medium and into its inner filter cavity (17). On at least one side of the filter medium (11), a water-separating system (23) has a separating region (25) for separated water. The water separating system is connected via at least one water opening (35) that is open toward the separating region (25) to a water collecting chamber (45). The filter element (9) has a passage (29) forming a fluid connection to the inner filter cavity (17) and can be connected to an element receptacle (47) of the filter housing (1). A fluid-conveying system (41) forms fluid paths separated from each other. The first fluid path (59/69) leads from the fluid inlet (43) of the housing (1) to the unfiltered side (14) of the filter element (9). The second fluid path (57) connects the respective water opening (35) to the water collecting chamber (45).
US09162162B2

A system for removing oxygen from a fuel is provided including a pressurized gas lumen and a liquid transport lumen having a fuel separation device. The liquid transport lumen is positioned partially within the pressurized gas lumen and includes a plurality of openings formed along its length within said pressurized gas lumen. A shearing feature is formed within the liquid transport lumen and is positioned downstream of the openings and upstream of the fuel separation device. The gas enters the liquid transport lumens through the openings to form a plurality of bubbles removing oxygen from the fuel. The shearing feature collapses the bubbles into larger bubbles prior to flow into the fuel separation device.
US09162154B2

An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
US09162152B2

A storage pouch is adapted for use with an animal body comprising a trunk having a waist and a shoulder. The storage pouch comprises a generally tubular shape garment comprising a continuous fabric panel defining an interior storage space having a top end opening and a bottom end opening. A zippered opening in the panel provides selective access to the storage space. A circular waistband is at the top end opening and is receivable on the trunk waist. First and second straps each have opposite ends secured to a front and a back of the waistband to suspend the garment from the animal body shoulder. A circular cuff is at the bottom end opening. A pair of semi-circular fabric pieces is secured to the cuff to provide a slot opening into the storage space. Articles to be stored can be inserted through the zippered opening and withdrawn through the slotted opening.
US09162150B2

An amusement ride vehicle for transporting multiple passengers is provided. The vehicle includes a movable base, a support, a lift arm and a carrier. The support is mounted on the movable base. The lift arm is pivotably connected to the support at one end and pivotably connected to the carrier at its opposite end. The carrier is provided with multiple passenger seats and includes a restraining device adapted to restrain each individual passenger in a seat. The vehicle is further provided with a first actuator for pivoting the lift arm relative to the support, and thus for lifting and lowering the carrier relative to the movable base while the movable base rides over the substructure, and a second actuator for pivoting the carrier relative to the lift arm, and thus for adjusting the pitch of the carrier relative to the movable base while the movable base rides over the substructure.
US09162142B2

Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. Further, the player need not don any special equipment to play the game. Instead, a user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
US09162138B2

Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.
US09162137B2

A method and apparatus for conducting a comparing-card game belonging to the Finnish 27 family of table-card games is disclosed. Source codes of various software applications are disclosed. Said software applications provide a software means for making a set of game rules. Given a set of game rules, said software applications enable users to do the following. Find the basic strategy. Calculate an estimate of the house edge. Conduct high-speed game simulations. Identify betting, card-counting and/or playing strategies that skilled players might use to beat the game. Apply counter measures against said strategies. Test the game for vulnerability to said strategies with or without the application of said counter measures. Source codes of various software prototypes are disclosed. Each software prototype enables the user to play an optional embodiment of a comparing-card game belonging to the Finnish 27 family of table-card games in real time.
US09162134B2

A lacrosse training and competitive game installation includes an elongated enclosed space having side walls and a goal area adjacent one end thereof and a player area at an opposite end thereof. The goal area includes a rear wall and one or more forward projecting side baffle regions projecting forward from the rear wall of the goal area. Each of the one or more side baffle regions has one or more throwing apertures through which lacrosse balls are hurled into the enclosed space in sequence. A ball projector assembly is mounted behind each baffle adjacent each of the throwing apertures for hurling the lacrosse balls into the enclosed space simulating passed balls between players. A simulated goal is preferably rotatable in the goal area for throwing and shooting of balls at various angles to a goal. Balls are collected from the goal area and delivered to each ball projector assembly.
US09162120B2

Some embodiments include a club head for adjusting vertical spin of a golf ball. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
US09162117B2

Designs and methods of improving aerodynamic performance of golf club heads are disclosed herein. In particular, the designs and methods of the present invention address airflow behavior modification at or immediately adjacent to the counter or edge of the striking face to reduce club head drag while minimizing any adverse effect on the impact performance of the face. The designs and methods of the present invention also address airflow behavior over the crown of the golf club head.
US09162116B2

A golf club head has a striking face with a plurality of scorelines including a first scoreline and a second scoreline adjacent thereto. The striking face also has a plurality of auxiliary grooves each spaced from the scorelines. In a first imaginary vertical plane, a first path is formed by a first intersection between the first imaginary vertical plane and the striking face, and the auxiliary grooves have a first concentration no less than 0.17 measured between the first and second scorelines. A second imaginary vertical plane is horizontally spaced from the first imaginary plane. A second path is formed in the second imaginary vertical plane by a second intersection between the second imaginary vertical plane and the striking face. The auxiliary grooves in the second imaginary vertical plane have a second concentration that is different from the first concentration measured between the first and second scorelines.
US09162112B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core is formed from a rubber composition containing (a) base rubber, (b) an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, (d) a carboxylic acid having 1 to 14 carbon atoms and/or a salt thereof, and (e) a halogen-substituted thiophenol and/or a metal salt thereof as an organic sulfur compound, provided that the rubber composition further contains (f) a metal compound in the case of containing only (b) the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as the co-crosslinking agent.
US09162104B1

An inverted exercise cycling assembly allows a user to exercise their lower body while lying with a back to a ground surface. The assembly includes a support assembly configured for positioning upon a ground surface. A post is coupled to the support assembly. A cycling frame is coupled to the post. A flywheel is rotatably coupled to the cycling frame. A pair of pedals is coupled to the cycling frame and mechanically coupled to the flywheel such that rotation of the pedals rotates the flywheel. A rear axle is coupled to the cycling frame and extends between the pedals. The rear axle is operationally coupled to the pedals wherein the pedals urge the rear axle to rotate. A front axle is coupled to the cycling frame and extends through the flywheel. The front axle is operationally coupled to the pedals wherein the pedals urge the front axle to rotate.
US09162094B2

A door machine mechanism for a rolling door has an electric machine mechanism, a brake mechanism and an output mechanism. In normal power supply condition, the rolling door is opened by the electric machine mechanism. In case of fire, the brake mechanism releases brake so that the rolling door moves downward by its own weight. However, in an emergency condition, if an external force is applied to push the door upward, the rolling door will be reopened by an assistance of spare electricity to the electric machine mechanism.
US09162089B2

Disclosed is a harness system that can be used in both restraining and extracting a wearer. The harness takes the form of webbing that may be integrated into a crewmember worn vest. The webbing includes extraction loops for use in hoisting the crewmember and a release mechanism for releasably coupling the harness to an external restraint, such as an overhead reel. The system can be used within a vehicle, such as a land based vehicle, a water going vessel, or an aircraft.
US09162088B2

Embodiments of methods of assembling an abrasive blast respirator are disclosed. The method may comprise removably attaching an exhalation valve into an exhalation valve port of a facepiece, removably installing the facepiece into a hood, removably attaching a filter to a first inhalation valve, where the first inhalation valve is coupled to the facepiece, and removably attaching a breathing hose to a second inhalation valve, where the second inhalation valve is coupled to the facepiece.
US09162079B2

The present invention relates to novel activatable particles which can be used in the health sector. The invention more particularly relates to composite particles which can generate free radicals or heat when excited by X rays, and to the uses thereof in health, particularly human. The inventive particles comprise an inorganic-based, and optionally organic-based, nucleus and can be activated in vivo, in order to label or alter cells, tissues or organs. The invention also relates to methods for the production of said particles, and to pharmaceutical or diagnostic compositions containing same.
US09162072B2

An implantable medical device with lubricious material permits implantable medical devices to have a reduced friction between the device and at least a portion of the surrounding tissue. The implantable medical device may have a housing or it may have a housing and a member for providing a smooth interface between the device and the tissue. The lubricious material may be provided on or impregnated in the housing or the member. In some embodiments, the device is configured for implantation in the head of a human body. In other embodiments, the device is configured for implantation between the cranium and the scalp. In some embodiments, the device includes a single module while in other embodiments a plurality of modules are coupled together to provide a smaller profile.
US09162060B2

An active retinal implant (10) to be implanted into an eye has an array (16) of stimulation elements (17) that emit stimulation signals to cells of the retina, wherein the stimulation elements (17) are designed as radiation-emitting elements.
US09162058B2

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to power at least one device disposed in a living subject, apparatuses configured to be disposed in a living subject and export power stored in an energy-storage device, and related methods of powering at least one device disposed in the living subject.
US09162054B2

An implantable medical device, comprising a first implantable component having a first interface surface and a second implantable component. The second implantable component has a second interface surface comprising one or more integrated protrusions extending therefrom configured to mate with the first interface surface and to provide a desired spacing between the first and second implantable components.
US09162047B2

A method of manufacturing an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: providing a lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode near the distal end; provide a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing a crimp including a ribbon-like member and extending the ribbon-like member around the conductor; and mechanically and electrically connecting the ribbon-like member to the electrode.
US09162046B2

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a deflectable medical device that includes a catheter shaft having a distal end. An ablation electrode may be disposed at the distal end. A deflection mechanism may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The deflection mechanism may include a deflection body and a pull wire coupled to the deflection body. The deflection body may have a longitudinally-extending furrow formed therein. A flex member may be disposed adjacent to the deflection mechanism.
US09162041B2

A method of performing a procedure on an intervertebral disc includes inserting a cannulated delivery tube through an opening in an annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, positioning an expandable portion of the tube within the opening in the annulus fibrosus, expanding the expandable portion into contact with the annulus fibrosus about the opening to create a seal between the expandable portion and the annulus fibrosus, performing a procedure through the cannulated delivery tube within the annulus fibrosis, removing the tube, and closing the opening in the annulus fibrosus.
US09162040B2

A balloon catheter includes an elongate support member defining first and second openings therein, open proximal and distal ends, and an axial lumen; and a balloon disposed on the elongate support member, the balloon defining a balloon interior through which the support member extends, where the balloon interior has a proximal end region, a middle region, and a distal end region, with the first opening located in the middle region, and the second opening located in the distal end region, such that the support member lumen is in communication with the balloon interior through each of the first and second openings, and such that a pressurized liquid introduced through the open proximal end of the support member will enter the balloon interior through the first opening, and subsequently exit the balloon interior through the second opening, back into the lumen, and out the open distal end of the support member.
US09162038B2

Device and method for puncturing blood vessels while using fluoroscopy. The disclosed device enables improved needle orientation control and avoids direct exposure of the clinician's hand to X-ray during the puncturing procedure.
US09162032B2

A method for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders with a sleep therapy auto-titrator for in-home use by the patient includes the step of collecting, recording and analyzing sleep data in real time with the auto-titrator. Corrective action is provided in real time to the patient to mitigate sleep events based upon the collected sleep data. The collected sleep data is transmitted, via a global computer information system, to a remote server for storage. The stored sleep data is analyzed by a computer programmed with an algorithm to monitor therapy effectiveness daily and for identifying one or more therapy intervention recommendations. An alert is provided to at least one of the patient or a sleep therapy professional associated with the patient communicating the one or more intervention recommendations.
US09162025B2

Disclosed is a therapeutic fluid reservoir to be used with an ambulatory portable infusion device. The reservoir includes a pliable shell defining a varying inner volume that varies based on the volume of therapeutic fluid held inside the reservoir, the varying inner volume having a predetermined maximum volume for containing a corresponding volume of therapeutic fluid and an outlet port for communicating fluid from the reservoir to a patient, the varying inner volume decreasing upon therapeutic fluid being communicated through the outlet port. Upon the reservoir reaching the predetermined maximum volume when being filled with therapeutic fluid, any therapeutic fluid in excess of the predetermined maximum volume driven into the reservoir causes a substantially corresponding amount of therapeutic fluid to exit out of the reservoir via the outlet port and/or at least one other port provided in the pliable shell.
US09162020B2

Apparatus for controlling an extra-corporeal blood treatment in a medical device, comprising a blood treatment device (7), an extra-corporeal blood transport line (4), a fluid transport line (3) for a treatment fluid for the blood, at least a sensor adapted to provide a measure (M) correlated to at least a treatment parameter of the extra-corporeal blood treatment and/or of the treatment device (7) in the medical device (1), at least one storage memory (29), and at least a control device (28), operatively connected at least with the storage memory (29) and with the sensor, and configured for receiving the measure (M) from the sensor, correlating the measure (M) with referential data (R) of the treatment device for the treatment parameter provided by the at least one storage memory (29), and correlating the measure (M) with patient historical data (H) for the treatment parameter for obtaining an information representative of the quality of the extra-corporeal blood treatment.
US09162015B2

A reduced pressure delivery system for applying reduced pressure tissue treatment to a tissue site is provided. The system includes a manifold delivery tube and a balloon having an inner space. The balloon is capable of assuming collapsed and expanded positions. The system further includes a manifold having a plurality of flow channels. The manifold is disposed within the inner space of the balloon. A sharp tip is configured to be delivered within the manifold delivery tube to puncture the balloon.
US09162011B2

Flowable matrix compositions and methods of their use and manufacture are provided. Exemplary compositions may include a flowable, syringeable, putty-like form of acellular human dermal matrix. In some cases, compositions may include a moldable acellular collagen extracellular matrix. In use, the matrix compositions can be used to fill or treat skin voids, channel wounds, and other soft tissue deficiencies.
US09162008B2

Prosthetic implant or component therefor of a magnesium oxide stabilized transformation toughened zirconia (Mg-TTZ) ceramic can be made by providing a bisqued initial green body by compressing powder through a cold isostatic press and heating to a bisque stage. Then, without embedding it in an embedding mass, the bisque is machined to have a shape of the same proportions as the shape of, but larger than, the ceramic portion of a fired prosthetic implant or component product. Firing can provide the fired Mg-TTZ ceramic body product.
US09162006B2

The present invention provides a hemostatic porous sponge comprising a matrix of a fibrous biomaterial and particles of a fluid absorbing, particulate material adhered to said matrix material, a method of producing these sponges and their use for wound healing.
US09162000B2

Introducing ultraviolet (UV) light to activate a light sensitive chemical compound applied to interior portions of footwear alters the environment inside a shoe or other footwear to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Visible light can also be used to prevent further microorganism growth. Introducing forced air flow through the footwear removes dampness in and thereby deodorizes the footwear. A preferred embodiment comprises an adjustable shoe tree equipped with a UV germicidal light source and electronic safeguards that prevent appreciable leakage of UV radiation outside the shoe.
US09161996B2

The various embodiments herein provide a gold coated SPIONs with jagged surface. The gold coated SPIONs have a core and a shell. The core is a SPION molecule and the shell is a jagged gold layer. A non-uniform polymeric gap exists between the core and the shell. The embodiments also provide a method of producing the jagged gold coated SPIONs by mixing a colloidal dispersion of SPIONs with pH sensitive polymers. Adding a gold salt to the above mixture and reducing the gold salt to form jagged gold coated SPIONs.
US09161995B2

Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for alteration of a CFTR gene and generation of cells and animal models.
US09161993B2

The present application discloses a nanoparticle comprising compounds of the formula A-B-C(-D), wherein A designates an anchoring moiety having self-organizing properties in relation to the nanoparticle; B designates a cleavable linker; C designates an anionic moiety having a net charge of at least −2 at pH 6.0; and D, which is optional, designates a polymer moiety which induces long circulating properties of the nanoparticle in mammalian tissue; and wherein the average net charge of the compounds is at least −1 at pH 6.0. The application also discloses the individual compounds of the formula A-B-C(-D) as well as a drug delivery system comprising the self-organized nanoparticle having included in the interior thereof one or more pharmaceutically active agents and/or diagnostically relevant species, and a method of treating a cancerous or inflammatory condition in a mammal, involving the administration of the drug delivery system to the mammal.
US09161956B2

Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US09161953B2

The disclosure provides methods for treating diabetes by promoting graft survival and improved graft function in a patient receiving an islet transplant by treating the patient with a GLP-1 receptor agonist compound prior to the islet transplant. The methods may also comprise treating the islets with a GLP-1 receptor agonist compound prior to transplanting them in a patient. The methods may eliminate the need for immunosuppressive therapy in islet transplants. Any GLP-1 receptor agonist compound know in the art can be used in the methods described herein.
US09161949B2

A method is provided for attenuating free radical formation resulting from a bodily insult. The method includes administering bicarbonate to the body of a subject at a dosage ranging from 1.5 mEq/kg of body weight to 5.0 mEq/kg of body weight within a 24-hour period.
US09161944B2

The present invention relates to the use of a specific family of glycerolipid compounds of formula (I) described in the detailed description or the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or for the treatment of cancer metastasis.
US09161942B2

Disclosed are methods for increasing the rate of healing of a tissue wound by administering a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA). Also disclosed herein are methods of promoting wound healing in a subject in need of such promotion, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CSA. Additionally, disclosed herein are compounds and compositions comprising at least one CSA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of a tissue wound. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein.
US09161932B1

An anesthetic and cooling mixture is sprayed from an aerosol can and onto an injured area of a person. The mixture includes lidocaine, camphor, vitamin E, H2O, polylactic acid and a propellant.
US09161929B2

The present invention provides a sustained release latanoprost implant in the form of a thin film comprising latanoprost incorporated in a biodegradable polymer matrix. Preferably, said implant is an intraocular implant comprising a thin film comprising latanoprost incorporated in a biodegradable polymer matrix wherein said implant is configured as a disc or a rolled film that can be inserted into the eye and unrolls to provide a film having a high surface area to volume ratio.
US09161927B2

The present invention relates to new drug combinations which contain in addition to one or more PDE4-inhibitors at least one NSAID (=non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) (2), processes for preparing them and their use in treating in particular respiratory complaints such as for example COPD, chronic sinusitis and asthma.The invention particularly relates to those drug combinations which contain, in addition to one or more, preferably one PDE4 inhibitor of general formula 1 wherein X is SO or SO2, but preferably SO, and wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings given in claim 1, at least one NSAID (2), the preparation thereof and the use thereof for the treatment of respiratory complaints.
US09161920B2

The present invention is directed to drug dosage forms that release an agent that raises the pH of a patient's gastrointestinal tract, followed by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The dosage form is designed so that the NSAID is not released until the intragastric pH has been raised to a safe level. The invention also encompasses methods of treating patients by administering this coordinated release, gastroprotective, antiarthritic/analgesic combination unit dosage form to achieve pain and symptom relief with a reduced risk of developing gastrointestinal damage such as ulcers, erosions and hemorrhages.
US09161915B2

The present invention generally relates to the transdermal delivery of various compositions. In some aspects, the transdermal delivery may be facilitated by the use of a hostile biophysical environment. One set of embodiments provides a composition for topical delivery comprising ibuprofen and/or an ibuprofen salt, a nitric oxide donor, and optionally, a hostile biophysical environment. In some cases, the composition may be stabilized using a stabilization polymer such as xanthan gum, KELTROL® BT and/or KELTROL® RD; propylene glycol; and a polysorbate surfactant such as Polysorbate 20, which unexpectedly provides temperature stability to the composition, e.g., at elevated temperatures such as at least 40° C. (at least about 104° F.), as compared to compositions lacking one or more of these.
US09161907B2

A modified release composition comprising tacrolimus which is useful for the treatment or prevention of rejection reactions by transplantation of organs or tissues.
US09161899B2

A body wash composition comprising a surfactant, at least about 25% water, a cyclodextrin complex comprising a perfume, wherein 80% of the plurality of perfume raw materials comprise a FDV of at least 0.69.
US09161895B1

Disclosed are oral care compositions comprising selected surface-active organophosphate compounds and methods of use to provide protection of teeth from erosion caused by the action of chemicals, such as harsh abrasives and acids. The surface-active organophosphate compounds are substantive to teeth, the phosphate groups binding the calcium in teeth and thus preventing loss of calcium from dissolution when contacted with acids. The organophosphate compound may also deposit a protective surface coating that prevents contact of teeth with erosive challenges. Selected organophosphate compounds contain one or more phosphate groups and are combined in the oral care composition with one or more of a fluoride ion agent, an antimicrobial agent preferably selected from quaternary ammonium compounds and polyvalent metal salts, an anticalculus agent and additional surfactant, to provide benefits including superior anti-erosion, anticaries, antiplaque and anti-staining as demonstrated by enhanced fluoride uptake, remineralization, resistance to acid demineralization and antimicrobial activities, resulting in improved overall tooth health, structural integrity and appearance.
US09161894B2

This invention provides methods for treating diseases or conditions wherein the inhibition of Kit protein kinase may be beneficial, using pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions comprising N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (FPL-62064) and related compounds. This invention also relates to the treatment of skin disorders, such as hyperpigmentation and cutaneous mastocytosis, and to cosmetic uses such as skin lightening.
US09161893B2

The present invention relates to the use, as an antidandruff agent, of a compound of formula: in which: R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon-based radical; R′ represents a C1-C18 hydrocarbon-based radical, optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; C—X represents C═O or CH—OH.
US09161892B2

The invention provides mouthwash formulations having improved taste, coupled with good whitening efficacy, which comprise a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide together with a combination of a first acid such as citric acid and a second acid such as phosphoric acid. In further embodiments, the mouthwashes may comprise a sucralose and saccharin combination, an acidic polymer, one or more anticalculus agents, e.g., alkali pyrophosphate salts, copolymers of maleic anhydride and methyl vinyl ether and other ingredients.
US09161890B2

An oral care composition having enhanced flavor release comprising an orally acceptable carrier containing a first flavor and a multilayer film for extended or delayed flavor release, the multilayer film including at least a center layer containing a second flavor, the center layer positioned between two outer surface layers, each surface layer including a release modulating agent, the first and second flavor being the same or different. The film is adapted to adhere to an oral cavity surface and the outer surface layers may comprise a mucoadhesive polymer, e.g. carboxy polymethylene, polycarbophil or polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a film forming polymer, eg. hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). Suitable release modulating agents include HPMC and polyvinyl acetate. The carrier may be a toothpaste or mouthwash.
US09161878B1

A method to form a compression garment apparatus for a body part of a human and/or animal. The method includes forming a segmented flex frame and installing a shape memory alloy on struts of the segmented flex frame. The method further includes connecting the shape memory alloy to first and second terminals on the frame creating a mechanical and electrical connection. The method includes installing a controller that applies current to the shape memory alloy at intervals using and executing intermittent, sequenced, or continuous compression therapy using the controller by creating at least one heating phase causing the shape memory alloy to reach a target transition temperature to either lengthen or shorten and at least one cooling phase causing the length of the shape memory alloy at the target transition temperature to lengthen or shorten opposite of the length change caused by the heating phase.
US09161870B2

A heel support for elevating the heel and bony prominences of a patient's lower limbs in multiple patient orientations. The heel support includes a plurality of apertures for floating the ankles and bony prominences when the patient is positioned on her side. The heel support additionally includes one or more edge contours for floating the heel and boney prominences of the foot when the patient is positioned on her back. The heel support has a size and shape which makes it comfortable to the patient whether the patient is on her back or side. The heel support is portable and convenient to manipulate for hospital staff. A washable or disposable cover may be provided.
US09161867B2

A wearing article including a region in which the wearer's skin is not seen-through other than the existence region of the absorbent structure even when an area of the absorbent structure is relatively small so that the existence region of the absorbent structure may be un noticeable from the outside. A region of the absorbent structure of a diaper overlapping with the first waist region has a dimension in the transverse direction corresponding to 20 to 30% of a dimension in the transverse direction of the first waist region, the first waist region is disposed with a hardly see-through panel overlapping with the absorbent structure and includes a first region in which the chassis, the absorbent structure and the hardly see-through panel are laminated, second regions adjacent on both outsides in the transverse direction of the first region, in which the chassis and the hardly see-through panel are laminated and third regions adjacent on both outsides in the transverse direction of the respective second regions and only the chassis is included; and a differential total luminous transmittance between the first region and the second regions is smaller than a differential total luminous transmittance between the second region and the third region.
US09161865B2

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can have a pair of leg opening adjustment mechanisms which a user of the absorbent article can independently adjust to provide a desired tension and/or closure of the absorbent article about the legs of the wearer of the absorbent article.
US09161863B2

An absorbent article, which comprises a fastening element for the absorbent article for fastening the absorbent article to underpants or a stiffening element for providing a relatively stiff region of the absorbent article and for defining a collapse prone portion of the absorbent article to shape the absorbent article as desired. The element defines a Y- or X-shape and comprises a first piece of material defining a bend and a second piece of material defining a bend, wherein the first and second pieces of material and their bends together define the Y or X shape of the element. The first and second pieces define a generally V- or U-shape so that each of the first and second pieces has first and second legs extending from a point of the V-shape or a bight of the U-shape, wherein the second legs respectively provide first and second arms of the Y- or X-shape of the element, and wherein the first legs either together provide a third arm of the Y-shape or respectively provide third and fourth arms of the X-shape.
US09161862B2

The invention relates to an assembly for taking up menstrual fluid. The assembly comprises a fluid absorbing module and a cord of which a first end is connected to the fluid absorbing module and of which a second end is free. The cord further comprises a string and a covering with an open and a closed end which, before use of the assembly, substantially surrounds the string. The closed end of the covering is fixed to the string adjacent the first end of the cord.
US09161856B2

Devices, systems, and methods employ at least one ferromagnetic structure sized and configured for placement in a tissue region. A component is attached to the structure to stabilize its placement in the tissue region. An anchoring structure holds the component in a state of tension. The anchoring structure can, e.g., take the from of an anchoring body that expands in situ. The anchoring structure can be adjustable for adjusting the state of tension. The component can be elastic, to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover an initial shape when unloaded.
US09161836B2

A device for anchoring on biological tissue a prosthetic heart valve, includes first and second anchoring assemblies mutually couplable to secure biological tissue therebetween. The anchoring assemblies include at least one pair of complementary arched portions having anchoring formations for anchoring on the biological tissue. The anchoring formations include integral extensions of the anchoring assemblies extending radially outwardly of one of the anchoring assemblies.
US09161816B2

A fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip for attaching a sterile drape to a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile outer surface on a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape clip includes a generally U-shaped band having a pair of legs and an arm. Each of the legs has a first end attached to the arm and a second end spaced from the arm. The legs extend away from the arm in non-parallel, laterally spaced relation with one another and have inner surfaces facing one another and an outer surfaces facing away from one another. Further, an elastic pad is attached to the inner surface of each of the legs adjacent the second ends.
US09161810B2

Apparatuses, compositions and methods for removing cells which interfere with regenerative processes. The apparatuses, compositions and methods selectively kill partially functional and/or non-functional cells versus functional cells while protecting functional proliferative cells to the extent that, upon removal of the killed cells by disintegration or scavenging, functional cells replace the partially- or non-functional cells.
US09161804B2

This treatment instrument (1) for an endoscope is provided with a treatment section (2) for treatment, an operation wire (2) connected with the treatment section (2), a coil sheath (9) into which the operation wire (3) is inserted, an insulating tube (10) into which the coil sheath (9) is inserted, and an operation section (4) for operating the treatment section (2). The operation section (4) comprises a slider (15) rotatably connected with the operation wire (3), a body (13) to which the slider (15) is mounted movably forward and backward, and a rotational operation section (14) which is so mounted as to be rotatable with respect to the body (13) and has the coil sheath (9) so mounted thereto as to be not rotatable. The distal end of the insulating tube (10) is mounted rotatably and movably forward and backward to the distal end of the coil sheath (9). The proximal end side of the insulating tube (10) is separated in a manner so that the proximal end side is relatively movable in an axial direction with respect to the coil sheath (9) and covered with the operation section (4) so as not to be exposed even when the coil sheath (9) curves.
US09161803B2

An electrosurgical device comprises an end effector, a cutting member, and en electromechanical driver. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws that clamp tissue. The jaws include electrodes that deliver RF energy to clamped tissue. The cutting member cuts tissue clamped between the jaws. The electromechanical driver drives the cutting member. A control module commands the electromechanical driver, and regulates the delivery of RF energy to the electrodes, based on a combination of user input and feedback signals from the electrodes and from the electromechanical driver. The device may provide tactile feedback to the user through the user input feature, based on a load encountered by the cutting member. The device may alert the user when the exterior of end effector makes incidental contact with tissue, to avoid inadvertently burning the tissue. The device may include a removable battery pack to power the electromechanical driver and the electrodes.
US09161797B2

Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.
US09161795B2

A bone plate system for osteosynthesis comprises a bone plate, a swivel screw, a clamping screw, a swivel hole formed in the bone plate as a through hole for receiving the swivel screw polyaxially, and a clamping hole, which is associated with the swivel hole and is formed in the bone plate as a further through hole for receiving the clamping screw. When the swivel screw and the clamping screw are screwed in, they are fixed with angular stability in multiple dimensions, as the screw heads of the swivel screw and of the clamping screw are secured by one another and by the bone plate against relative movement. The swivel screw and the clamping screw are each designed as a bone screw.
US09161789B2

A method for fusing a joint, which includes the step of inserting a first anchoring zone of an arthrodesis device being in a first closed position into a first opening within a first bone. The first anchoring zone includes a first pair of legs. Each leg is capable of transitioning between the first closed position and a first open position for internally gripping the first opening. Also, included in the method is the step of inserting a second anchoring zone of the arthrodesis device being in a second closed position into a second opening within a second bone. The second anchoring zone includes a second pair of legs. Each leg is capable of transitioning between the second closed position and a second open position for internally gripping the second opening.
US09161782B2

A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a proximal head and a distal shaft configured to engage bone, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, an insert positioned in the proximal end of the receiver member having a pair of spaced apart insert arms defining a recess therebetween, and a closure mechanism positionable between and engaging the insert arms to capture a spinal fixation element within the recess of the insert and fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member.
US09161778B2

Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
US09161773B2

Discectomy or disc preparation system that includes a guide member that is changeable from a deployment configuration for insertion into an intervertebral disc space to a deployed configuration upon being deployed into the intervertebral disc. The system also includes at least one tissue manipulator, such as cutting, scraping and extraction elements, that can be moved or tracked longitudinally along the guide member into and through the intervertebral disc space.
US09161772B2

A surgical instrument for performing treatment to a treatment target portion includes a cylindrical elongated member; a treatment part, and a connection part. The connection part includes a first turning axis part provided to the elongated member, a second turning axis part provided to the treatment part, a first rolling guide part that is provided to the elongated member and includes a circular-arc-shaped part coaxial with the first turning axis part, a second rolling guide part that is provided to the treatment part and includes a rolling guide part including a circular-arc-shaped part coaxial with the second turning axis part, the rolling guide part rollingly contacting the first rolling guide part, and an engaging part that brings the treatment part and the elongated member into an engaging state. The connection part is detachable between the first turning axis part and the second turning axis part.
US09161770B2

A surgical instrument can comprise an elongate tube including a camming rod and an actuation mechanism operably connected to the camming rod; a first jaw spine having a first cam slot; and a second jaw spine having a second cam slot, the second jaw spine pivotally connected to the first jaw spine at a common pivot pin connected to the elongate tube. A camming pin rides along first and second interior camming surfaces and closes the jaw spines when the camming rod moves proximally. When the camming rod moves distally, a camming projection rides on first and second exterior camming surfaces on proximal sides of the first and second jaw spines and opens the jaw spines. One camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates closing the jaw spines while the other camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates opening the jaw spines. These two camming surfaces can be widely separated.
US09161769B2

An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.
US09161759B2

Apparatus for introducing an implant into a hollow anatomical structure (HAS). The apparatus comprises a storage unit and an elongate vascular implant stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end. The apparatus further comprises a pushrod at least partially stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end coupled to the implant, and a pushrod drive unit configured to advance the pushrod distally and thereby deliver the implant. The pushrod drive unit includes a drive member having a grip portion that engages the pushrod, and an actuation portion extending from the grip portion.
US09161758B2

An occlusion device and a production process for it are described. The occlusion device consists of a mesh or braiding of at least one wire or thread wherein the occlusion device has been given a suitable design using a reshaping and/or heat-treatment process, is self-expandable, and is configured for secure anchoring in an atrial appendage of the left or right atrium of a heart. The occlusion device comprises a proximal retention region on a proximal end of the occlusion device a distal retention region and a central region between the proximal retention region and said distal retention region and wherein the occlusion device has a closed distal end without a holder, and wherein the occlusion device is at least partly of essentially spherical form, and hollow.
US09161755B1

A repair technique utilizing an elastic loop that is inserted on each side of an annular tear or annular incision following discectomy. The loop is initially an opened linear strand with the open ends inserted on each side of the annular tear with guiding arms in curvilinear fashion. The ends are joined together in the substance of the annulus where the ends are locked under tension. The insertion device is then removed and the elastic loop, which has been under tension, will tighten causing the annular tear to pull together thereby diminishing or eliminating any gap. One or more annular elastic sutures can be used for each annular tear to insure proper closure. The insertion device has guiding arms that push the open ends of the annular suture loop through the substance of the annulus and then forces them together engaging a locking mechanism inside the substance of the annulus. This technique allows for relatively easy and quick repair of the annular defect or tear.
US09161746B2

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.
US09161740B2

When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.
US09161734B2

A method for filtering image data having at least three types of distinct regions from a selected type of region, each of the at least three types of distinct regions being characterized by a plurality of unitary image elements, the method comprising providing the image data; selecting a portion of the image data comprising at least a corresponding portion of each of the at least three types of regions; determining at least one distribution for each of the at least three types of regions in the selected portion; determining at least one function for associating each unitary image element of the selected type of region in the selected portion to another type of region of the at least three types of regions such that the at least one distribution of the selected type of regions in the selected portion is transposed into a corresponding distribution of the another type of region; and applying the at least one function to each unitary image element of the selected type of region of the selected portion to thereby provide filtered image data. Applications of the method for suppressing tagged material in virtual colonoscopy are also disclosed.
US09161732B2

A radiographic apparatus according to an embodiment includes storage, a shape image capture unit, an image acquiring unit, a position acquiring unit, a conversion unit, and a positional relationship adjusting unit. The shape image capture unit captures the shape image of an examinee. The image acquiring unit acquires a shape image from the storage. The position acquiring unit acquires a position in the acquired shape image which corresponds to a region of interest. The conversion unit converts the position in the acquired shape image into a position in the captured shape image. The positional relationship adjusting unit adjusts the positional relationship between a detector and the examinee on the basis of the conversion result.
US09161726B2

An imaging system (400) includes a subject support (412) configured to carry a subject being imaged in an examination region of the imaging system and a subject support controller (418) that positions the subject support and hence the subject in the examination region for scanning the subject based on a motion algorithm which reduces subject support vibration during scanning relative to a trapezoidal or s-curve motion algorithm, for a given translation duration and a given translation distance.
US09161724B2

A method image includes determining an end systolic imaging trigger, acquiring cardiac imaging data including first imaging data corresponding to a first predetermined data acquisition interval surrounding end systole, and post-processing the cardiac imaging data based at least on the end systolic imaging trigger.
US09161723B2

A physiological monitoring system may determine physiological information, such as physiological rate information, from a physiological signal. The system may receive a calculated value indicative of a physiological rate. The system may generate and sort multiple difference signals based on the physiological signal. The system may analyze a first sorted difference signal and a second sorted difference signal to determine at least one first metric, and analyze a third sorted difference signal and a fourth sorted difference signal to determine at least one second metric. The system may qualify or disqualify the calculated value based on the at least one first and second metrics. The segments used to generate the third and fourth sorted difference signals may, for example, be subsets of the segments used to generate the first and second sorted difference signals.
US09161722B2

Remanufactured medical sensors and methods for remanufacturing used medical sensors are provided. Such a remanufactured sensor may include certain components from a used medical sensor and certain new components. For example, a remanufactured regional oximetry sensor may include a padding layer, an emitter and a pair of detectors, a flexible circuit coupled to the emitter and detectors, and a patient-contacting adhesive layer. The flexible circuit, the emitter, the first detector, the second detector, or any combination thereof, are from a used medical sensor, and the padding layer, the patient-contacting adhesive layer, or a combination thereof, are new.
US09161718B2

Cerebral palsy impaired speech in children and adolescents are effectively treated by administration of a psychostimulant. Low doses of the psychostimulant significantly increases the percentage of correctly pronounced intelligible syllables or words and the ability to more intelligibly communicate. The improvement in speech persists after cessation of or prior to continued psychostimulant treatment.
US09161709B2

A method of monitoring target tissue of a biological skeletal system. The method comprises applying a mechanical excitation to a portion of the biological skeletal system to generate a mechanical wave that passes through the target tissue, the target tissue modulating the mechanical wave to produce a response of the target tissue to the mechanical wave, measuring the response; and determining structural or functional status of the target tissue from the response. A system for applying the method is also provided.
US09161702B2

A power supply unit of an electronic sphygmomanometer includes a dry cell as a primary battery, a rechargeable battery as a secondary battery, and a power supply control circuit. A voltage detector detects a voltage (characteristic value) of the rechargeable battery, and a voltage detector detects the voltage of the dry cell. A switching control unit performs switching control of the dry cell and the rechargeable battery based on a detection result by the voltage detectors.
US09161700B2

The present invention provides a technique for continuous measurement of blood pressure based on pulse transit time and which does not require any external calibration. This technique, referred to herein as the ‘Composite Method’, is carried out with a body-worn monitor that measures blood pressure and other vital signs, and wirelessly transmits them to a remote monitor. A network of body-worn sensors, typically placed on the patient's right arm and chest, connect to the body-worn monitor and measure time-dependent ECG, PPG, accelerometer, and pressure waveforms. The disposable sensors can include a cuff that features an inflatable bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, three or more electrical sensors (e.g. electrodes), three or more accelerometers, a temperature sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light source and photodiode) attached to the patient's thumb.
US09161694B2

Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.
US09161691B2

Provided is a scanning laser ophthalmoscope capable of accurately superposing multiple photographed images. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope comprises an image generating unit that generates first images based on the light reflected from first laser light and second images based on the light reflected from second laser light. An associating unit associates the first images and the second images based on the first laser light and the second laser light parallelly scanned by the scanning unit. A displacement calculating unit calculates displacements between images regarding multiple first images. The position matching unit matches the positions of multiple second images based on the processing results from the associating unit and the displacements. The superposing unit superposes the multiple second images that have undergone the position matching. The display unit displays an image obtained by superposing the multiple second images.
US09161679B2

The invention relates to an image processing system, containing an optical digital camera (1) having means (4) that produce information representative of a specified geometric distance within the image using laser light in the detection range of the optical digital camera (1), said information representative of the specified geometric distance being processed together with the image information. Separating means (8) are arranged downstream of the digital camera, said separating means separating the information representative of the specified geometric distance from the image information. Subsequent evaluating means produce a distance value therefrom. Image storage means (9) additionally arranged downstream of the separating means are used to store the recorded image information. Adjustment means (14) automatically change the image size on a display in the form of a digital zoom for the purpose of setting the reproduction size according to a specified scale factor in such a way that an object contained in the image content, the physical dimension of which object corresponds to the specified geometric distance, is reproduced in a corresponding dimension that is multiplied by the specified scale factor.
US09161663B1

A precision pour drink shaker is disclosed herein. The precision pour drink shaker includes a first means for containing one or more liquids, and a second means for measuring an amount of matter placed into the first means. In one aspect, the first means may include a shaker and the second means may include a post extending from the first means, for example, from an interior surface of a base of the first means.
US09161660B2

A deep fryer apparatus including a gas burner for heating cooking oil. The burner includes a venturi inlet for receiving fuel and combustion air that communicates with a main chamber having an expanding cross-section. A balancing plate is disposed in a flow path of the fuel air mixture that is located intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The balancing plate defines a region of reduced cross-section in the flow path. A flame cap located at the outlet defines at least one secondary chamber between itself and the balancing plate that defines a flow path cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the flow path at the balancing plate. The balancing plate is preferably tapered to compensate for variations in the length of the flow path due to an angled orientation between the burner inlet and the outlet.
US09161659B2

A fryer apparatus includes a cooking chamber, at least one heating element in the cooking chamber, a filter pan that filters cooking medium from the cooking chamber, a drain valve that controls flow of cooking medium from the cooking chamber, and a filter pump that pumps filtered cooking medium from the filter pan to the cooking chamber. Inlet orifices are disposed in the cooking chamber, and selectively eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. A controller controls the drain valve to adjust the rate of flow from the cooking chamber, and selectively activates at least inlet orifice of the plurality of inlet orifices to eject filtered cooking medium into the cooking chamber. The controller is configured to control the drain valve and the selective activation of the at least one inlet orifice to maintain a substantially constant level of cooking medium in the cooking chamber throughout a filtering operation.
US09161656B2

An espresso coffee dispensing system including at least one espresso coffee production machine including at least one espresso coffee dispensing unit, the unit comprising a filter for containing ground coffee powder and hot water feeder; a coffee grinder having an exit port for coffee powder and a temperature sensor disposed in proximity to the exit port to measure the temperature value of the ground coffee powder leaving the port; electronic controller associated with the coffee grinder to determine the water temperature value.
US09161655B2

A system (1) for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (2, 102), and an apparatus (4) provided with a fluid dispensing device (6) which is detachably connected to the holder (2, 102) for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable holder (2, 102), wherein the exchangeable holder (2, 102) is provided with at least one storage space (8, 108) which is filled with a second fluid, such as a concentrate, the holder (2, 102) further being provided with at least one first mixing chamber (10, 110), the exchangeable holder (2, 102) comprising a first holder part (198) and a second holder part (199), the first holder part (198) comprising a substantially flat contacting surface (166), and the at least one storage space (8, 108) and the first mixing chamber (10, 110) each comprising a wall (167, 168) offset relative to the contacting surface (166), which, each, form part of the first holder part (198), while the second holder part i(199) s of substantially flat design.
US09161652B2

An exchangeable capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption is disclosed. The exchangeable capsule comprises a circumferential wall, a bottom, closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid closing the circumferential wall at a second end opposite the bottom. The wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space comprising beverage ingredient for preparing the beverage. The bottom comprises an entrance area for supplying fluid to the ingredient, wherein the lid comprises an exit area for draining beverage from the capsule. The beverage ingredient comprises at least a soluble substance. The exit area comprises an exit filter that is adapted to substantially prevent non-dissolved soluble substance from leaving the capsule. A system for preparing a beverage comprising such a capsule and a method for preparing a beverage is also disclosed.
US09161644B2

A unique beverage holder is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall surface, and includes a cantilevered beverage holder platform and an advertising display, preferably including a slot or other arrangement for receiving an advertising media and an outwardly facing window for viewing the advertisement. The device is preferably installed in bathrooms, and the like, such as above urinals to provide bathroom users with a place to set their beverage, and at the same time attracting attention to the advertisement while the user is captive. In one embodiment, the beverage holder is adapted to be reversibly mounted on a wall bracket such that the shelf unit may alternately be at the top or bottom of the device. The reversible beverage holder is preferably secured to the wall bracket by release tabs.
US09161628B2

A rocking chair including a base portion having at least one retaining member, a rockable seat portion mounted upon the base portion, an axle mounted on the seat portion, the axle being arranged for pivotal movement about an axis, at least one toothed rack mounted upon the axle and arranged for pivotal movement about the axis between a locked closed position and a locked open position, the toothed rack having a multiplicity of forward facing grooves arranged for selectable retaining engagement with the at least one retaining member, the selectable retaining engagement being operative to selectably limit forward and rearward extents of the rocking movement, and at least one adjustable forward limiting member operative, to limit the extent of forward pivotal movement of the at least one toothed rack in the first plane to be rearward of a second plane which intersects the at least one retaining member.
US09161621B1

The inventive device disclosed in the present application is a convenient multi-purpose restroom storage and dispensation device. The device stores many common household toiletries and dispenses toilet paper in a more aesthetic manner, allowing the user to effortlessly have any necessary utilities at their disposal in one location. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US09161612B2

A device for cleaning a surface, such as a barbeque grill, has a substantially hollow enclosure that has at least a lower side, an upper side, and a peripheral edge, and contains a plurality of motors that each has a rotational shaft selectively fixable with a rotatable brush. At least a portion of bristles of each brush projects below a plane of the lower side of the enclosure. The enclosure further contains a power source and a circuit adapted for connecting power to each of the motors for a preset period of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connected thereto. The circuit is adapted to run each motor in a first direction and then an opposing direction, such that if the device becomes stuck at an obstruction, it will eventually turns around due to the alternating directions of the motors.
US09161609B2

Provided are a device, system, and method for distributing a weighted load carried by an operator to a waist-belt worn by the operator, and a quick-release feature for quickly discarding and separating a portion of a load from a waist belt and/or accessories on the belt.
US09161607B2

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an form which holds a hair extension and maintains the order and curl of the strands of hair. The form provides optimum display of the wig or hair extension evaluation by the prospective user. In addition, after purchase, the form provides a means for convenient space-saving storage of the hair extension which maintains the appearance of the hair extension.
US09161605B2

The rotary pumping type cosmetic container is provided, which makes it possible to easily discharge a certain amount of contents by rotating a rotation member in such a way to perform a pumping operation of a pumping member as a guide protrusion of a stem moves along a slanted surface of a bent portion of an inner side of a rotation member when a rotation member rotates.
US09161604B2

A pen dispenser for dispensing flowable and non-flowable material, comprising a pen body and an optional push button applicator for the pen, a universal cartridge, optionally having a disposable cartridge, and capable of accepting a multitude of interchangeable tip applicators.
US09161602B2

The present device relates to a dryer for curling eyelashes. The dryer according to the present device may prevent a user from being burned and also has a novel structure that effectively curls the eyelashes. Since the dryer for curling the eyelashes indirectly heats the eyelashes by using air heated by a heater 20, the dryer may prevent eyes or skin of the user from being burned and may also heat the eyelashes at an adequate temperature to effectively curl the eyelashes.
US09161598B2

Contact lenses comprising phosphorylcholine groups release beneficial polyionic or guanidinium-containing agents.
US09161595B2

An adjustable-length walking aid provides a hollow tubular body having a top and a bottom. A spring-biased gripper arm at the bottom is connected to a tension gripper actuator filament that is spooled around a flywheel spool. A lamp housed in the base of the body is connected to a power supply in the handle by a conductive filament that is also spooled around the flywheel. The tension on the gripper actuator and conductive filaments is maintained by the flywheel regardless of the length to which the cane is adjusted.
US09161586B2

A mounting clip for attaching objects, such as flashlights to an article, includes a clipping portion dimensioned for attaching the clip to the article and an object mounting portion formed with the clipping portion. Objects of different widths are removably yet snugly grasped within the object mounting portion. The clipping portion includes upper and lower members defining a slot for receiving the article through a lip of the slot and frictionally securing the clip to the article.
US09161573B2

An electronic cigarette includes a liquid storage component and an atomization device. The atomization device includes a hollow spiral tubular electric heater coil and a liquid guiding member passing through the electric heater coil. The liquid guiding member is made from non-glass fiber material. The atomization device further includes a smoke guiding tube passing through the liquid storage component for supporting the same and working as a smoke path. The smoke guiding tube includes an external casing and an internal casing one of which is inserted into another one so as to hold the liquid guiding member between the two. The two ends of the liquid guiding member extend out of the smoke guiding tube and are tightly pressed against an inner wall of the liquid storage component. This kind of electronic cigarette is safe to human body and has stable internal construction.
US09161567B2

A portion tobacco product includes a tobacco filler containing leaf tobacco or a leaf tobacco component, and a first pouch containing a wrapping material having a function of controlling the permeation of a compound contained in the tobacco filler, wherein the tobacco filler is included in the first pouch.
US09161565B1

Dietary vitamin-mineral supplements featuring various vitamins and minerals for benefiting individuals suffering from conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies, aging, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease, fatigue, and stroke. Vitamins and minerals may include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, pregnenolone, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin K2, acetyl L-carnitine arginate, L-glutathione, among others.
US09161562B2

The invention relates to extracts, in particular non-nutrient phytochemicals, form sugar cane or sugar beet waste products, such as molasses, sugar mud and bagasse, which have Glycemic Index (GI) lowering properties and their use as sweeteners and in foods containing sugar.
US09161557B2

A dry composition for oral ingestion characterized by comprising as an active ingredient a gas-releasing substance which releases gas by soak with water, and further comprising a gel base in an amount sufficient for gel formation; a gel composition for oral ingestion formed by adding water or a liquid diluent to the dry compound when taking; and a mixed feed obtainable by mixing the gel composition with a feed, are disclosed.
US09161546B2

Compositions and methods for repelling biting midges, sand flies, and mosquitoes comprising applying to human skin compositions comprising neem oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and monoi oil. This composition is non toxic to mammals, marine vertebrates or invertebrates and other forms of aquatic life.
US09161540B2

This invention provides compounds of Formula 1, N-oxides and suitable salts thereof wherein R1 is Me, Cl, Br or F; R2 is F, Cl, Br, C1-C4 haloalkyl or C1-C4 haloalkoxy; R3 is F, Cl or Br; R4 is H; C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C4 alkenyl, C3-C4 alkynyl, C3-C5 cycloalkyl, or C4-C6 cycloalkylalkyl, each optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, CN, SMe, S(O)Me, S(O)2Me, and OMe; R5 is H or Me; R6 is H, F or Cl; and R7 is H, F or Cl. Also disclosed are methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1, an N-oxide thereof or a suitable salt of the compound (e.g., as a composition described herein). This invention also pertains to a composition for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1, an N-oxide thereof or a suitable salt of the compound and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a solid diluent and a liquid diluent.
US09161537B2

Compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof in which R1 and (R2)n are as defined in Claim 1 are suitable as herbicides for the control of harmful plants or as plant growth regulators. The compounds can be prepared by the processes of Claim 7.
US09161535B2

The present invention generally relates to color stable formulations containing the potassium salt of (S)-(+)-abscisic acid, the color stabilizers sodium citrate and sodium acetate, the antimicrobial agent potassium sorbate, and do not contain an acrylic copolymer surfactant. The present invention is also directed to methods for using the present formulations in organic farming.
US09161531B2

This invention relates to an antimicrobial sanitizing composition in the form of a gel or cream that contains an alcohol in an amount of at least 55% by weight. The sanitizer is capable of disinfecting and providing prolonged antimicrobial property to a variety of surfaces, including the skin, without causing, drying, cracking, redness or irritation. In addition to alcohol, the sanitizer contains an anionic phospholipid in a controlled concentration as well as components conventionally found in skin creams and gels such as emulsifiers, emollients, moisturizers, rheology modifiers, and neutralizers. The anionic phospholipid enables use of the composition without the user experiencing dryness or irritation and the feeling of a greasy and unpleasant residue on the skin following use.
US09161521B2

A fishing lure assembly is disclosed which comprises a blade free to oscillate, yaw and produce a trailing wake as the fishing lure assembly is displaced through water. A weight is affixed to the fishing lure assembly, but affixed to an associated wireform where it is inferiorly disposed relative to the blade such that the blade is free to oscillate and have side-to-side action, substantially unaffected by mass and inertia of the weight. The fishing lure may be variably constructed to include one or more hooks and artificial or natural soft bait and hard bait bodies which are disposed to follow behind the trailing wake of the blade. A compound lure is disclosed wherein the weight is replaced by a jig hook.
US09161512B2

In certain embodiments, robotic attacher comprises a supplemental arm comprising a fixed portion and a gripping portion. The fixed portion comprises a pivot assembly and a rotating assembly. The pivot assembly pivots the gripping portion between maximum-left, maximum-right, and centered positions. The rotating assembly rotates the gripping portion between upright and upside down positions. The gripping portion comprises a gripper comprising claw arms operable to open and close.
US09161500B2

The invention provides a self-watering system for a potted plant comprising a liquid container and an insert with an in use position against the potted plant pointing upper part (9), which extends at least partially through an opening in the pot (4) bottom. The invention is primarily intended for use in watering of potted plants ready for sale from e.g. horticultural greenhouses, but can obviously also be used for both the subsequent watering during the rest of the plant's life from end-users and for watering during the cultivation of a potted plant.
US09161499B2

Embodiments of the invention provide wireless irrigation control systems and related methods. In one embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a wireless irrigation control system comprising: at least one water flow control device; a watertight housing; and a wireless receiver within the watertight housing and adapted to receive irrigation schedule related signals. The system also includes a memory within the watertight housing and adapted to store an irrigation schedule established or modified by the received irrigation schedule related signals; and a controller within the watertight housing and coupled to the memory, the controller adapted to execute the irrigation schedule to cause the water flow control device to operate according to the irrigation schedule. Additionally, a power supply is within the watertight housing and adapted to supply power to at least the controller.
US09161498B1

A greenhouse environment control system generates a CO2-enriched air which is supplied to a greenhouse at a controlled temperature suitable for plant growth. An absorption chiller reduces temperature of a CO2-containing stream of processed gasses from an engine. A mixing and blending unit maintains CO2 at an acceptable concentration for enhanced plant growth and human occupation. An HVAC system modulates temperature and positively pressurizes the greenhouse with the CO2-enriched air to reduce risk of contaminant intrusion. Misting further controls temperature. Retractable shades regulate light supplied to plants and solar gain.
US09167736B2

A wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes. An electromagnetic shield for a wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers, in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers are arranged circumferentially about the wire with the fiber axes parallel to the wire. A self-shielded wire includes 1) a wire that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes; and 2) an electromagnetic shield that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The axes of the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the wire and the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the electromagnetic shield share are parallel.
US09167735B2

Provided is a method for manufacturing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding film, including: (a) providing a single insulating layer on a first protective film, the insulating layer being made of an insulating layer composition including at least one resin selected from a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin and at least one filler selected from a flame-retardant filler and an abrasion-resistant filler; (b) providing a metal layer on the insulating layer; (c) providing a conductive adhesive layer on the metal layer, the conductive adhesive layer being made from a conductive adhesive layer composition including at least one resin selected from a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin and a conductive filler; and (d) providing a second protective film on the conductive adhesive layer, and an EMI shielding film manufactured by the method.
US09167732B2

A vehicle-mounting charging apparatus includes a body case adapted to be mounted to a ceiling part of a vehicle, and a charging coil for contactless charging that is provided in the body case. A shielding part for shielding electromagnetic waves is provided on a lower side of the charging coil.
US09167718B2

A server system is disclosed. The server system comprises a motherboard and a server power system. The server power system comprises a power transmission interface, a power supply, a battery backup unit (BBU) and a signal transmission interface. The power supply converts an AC power into a DC power and then outputs the DC power to the motherboard via the power transmission interface. The BBU provides parallel or redundant power to the motherboard via the power transmission interface. The BBU and the power supply have the same size. The signal transmission interface is electrically connected to the motherboard, the power supply and the BBU.
US09167712B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an RRU device and an assembly thereof. The RRU device includes: an enclosure, where the enclosure includes a front-end plate and a back-end plate that are respectively set on two lengthwise ends of the enclosure, multiple parallel spaced heat sinks are set on two widthwise sides of the enclosure and between the front-end plate and the back-end plate, and the front-end plate and the back-end plate extend along a widthwise direction of the enclosure by a length which is greater than a length by which the heat sinks extend; and a joint part set on the enclosure, where the joint part is used to fasten two side-by-side radio remote unit devices together.
US09167710B2

Microelectronic assemblies and methods of making the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly includes a microelectronic element having edge surfaces bounding a front surface and contacts at the front surface; rigid metal posts disposed between at least one edge surface and a corresponding edge of the assembly, each metal post having a sidewall separating first and second end surfaces, the sidewalls have a root mean square (rms) surface roughness of less than about 1 micron; a encapsulation contacting at least the edge surfaces and the sidewalls; an insulation layer overlying the encapsulation; connection elements extending through the insulation layer, wherein at least some connection elements have cross sections smaller than those of the metal posts; a redistribution structure deposited on the insulation layer and electrically connecting first terminals with corresponding metal posts through the first connection elements, some metal posts electrically coupled with contacts of microelectronic element.
US09167709B2

An electronic module (10) designed to be installed in a vehicle, comprises a casing (11) containing at least two circuit boards (12, 13) connected together by at least one electrical conductor (14), the conductor having one of its ends bonded to one of the circuit boards and the other of its ends bonded to the other circuit board, the ends of the conductor being bonded by a “wedge bonding” technique, the casing also containing a protective resin (17) coating at least one of the bonded ends of the electrical conductor. This resin is a polyurethane resin.
US09167707B1

A holding mechanism includes a stand, a frame, a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The frame is slidably disposed on the stand and has an engaging portion. The first mechanism is installed on a side of the stand and provides the frame with a first force. The second mechanism is installed on another side of the stand and opposite to the first mechanism, and the second mechanism is capable of switching between an engaging status and a released status. The second mechanism engages with the first mechanism as being in the engaging status, so as to be connected to the frame and provide the frame with a second force. The second mechanism separates from the first mechanism as being in the released status, so as not to be connected to the frame and not provide the frame with the second force.
US09167706B2

An electronic flight bag retention device for use within an airborne vehicle. An electronic flight bag includes a tablet computer that can be retained within an airborne vehicle cockpit by configuring a rigid substrate to retain the electronic flight bag. The rigid substrate can include, for example, three clips upon the edges of the rigid substrate, two of which retain the electronic flight bag. A top edge of the rigid substrate can be angled to form a weight supporting member of the retaining device. Two elongated slots can be formed or cut into the rigid substrate to facilitate a clipboard spring clip insertion through one of the two slots in order to retain the retention device to a cockpit side window clipboard.
US09167696B2

An electronic component module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board including a low-profile plug and at least one memory component thereon, and a connector for connecting the printed circuit board to a motherboard, the connector being mateable with the plug on the printed circuit board and having a z-height of no more than about 1.5 mm. The low-profile plug includes one hundred seventy pins and the number of pins allocated for VSS is no more than twenty-two and the number of pins allocated for VDD is no more than sixteen. Further, the low-profile plug includes an insulative portion protruding from a surface of the printed circuit board and having a “”-like or inverted “”-like profile in its center. The connector includes two sub-connectors, and an insulative portion having a “”-like or inverted “m”-like profile in the center.
US09167692B2

A wiring board includes a first via hole in a first insulating layer to expose a first wiring layer. A first via in the first via hole includes an end surface. A second wiring layer is arranged on the first insulating layer and the end surface of the first via. A second insulating layer covers the second wiring layer. A second via hole in the second insulating layer exposes the second wiring layer. A second via in the second via hole is arranged above the first via through the second wiring layer. The outer surface of the first insulating layer is lower in surface roughness than an inner surface of the first via hole.
US09167688B2

Micro-wires are arranged to form an electrical conductor connected to an electrode structure. The electrical conductor includes a plurality of spaced-apart first micro-wires extending in a first direction, wherein one of the first micro-wires is a connection micro-wire. A plurality of spaced-apart second micro-wires extends in a second direction different from the first direction. At least two adjacent second micro-wires are spaced apart by a distance greater than the spacing between at least two adjacent first micro-wires. Each second micro-wire is electrically connected to at least two first micro-wires. The electrode structure includes a plurality of electrically connected third micro-wires electrically connected to the connection micro-wire at spaced-apart connection locations and at least some of the adjacent connection locations are separated by a distance greater than any of the distances separating the second micro-wires.
US09167682B2

An electronic component includes a circuit board that includes a ground terminal connected to a ground potential, a coil component that is assembled on the circuit board, the coil component includes a T-shaped core and an air-core coil, a ground connection electrode that is assembled on the circuit board next to the coil component and that is connected to the ground terminal, and a mixture of a metal composite magnetic material and a resin that is formed on the circuit board and that covers the coil component and the ground connection electrode as a package. A part of the ground connection electrode is exposed outside the mixture.
US09167681B2

Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the electron beam current applied to an electron gun.
US09167679B2

A system for an extreme ultraviolet light source includes one or more optical elements positioned to receive a reflected amplified light beam and to direct the reflected amplified light beam into first, second, and third channels, the reflected amplified light beam including a reflection of at least a portion of an irradiating amplified light beam that interacts with a target material; a first sensor that senses light from the first channel; a second sensor that senses light from the second channel and the third channel, the second sensor having a lower acquisition rate than the first sensor; and an electronic processor coupled to a computer-readable storage medium, the medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive data from the first sensor and the second sensor, and determine, based on the received data, a location of the irradiating amplified light beam relative to the target material in more than one dimension.
US09167678B2

A system includes a chamber, a laser beam apparatus configured to generate a laser beam to be introduced into the chamber, a laser controller for the laser beam apparatus to control at least a beam intensity and an output timing of the laser beam, and a target supply unit configured to supply a target material into the chamber, the target material being irradiated with the laser beam for generating extreme ultraviolet light.
US09167675B2

A high frequency pulse generator, a distributed parameter coupling line, a sequential pulse variable voltage ignition system using a standard HMI lamp or a specialized ultra high frequency HMI lamp to provide a high Color Rendering Index, to reduce or eliminate audit lamp and igniter resonance and provide for a wide range of color correction from 7000° Kelvin to 3000° Kelvin from a standard HMI lamp.
US09167664B2

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a system and method for providing compatibility between a load and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer driven by a trailing-edge dimmer may include predicting based on an electronic transformer secondary signal an estimated occurrence of a high-resistance state of the trailing-edge dimmer, wherein the high-resistance state occurs when the trailing-edge dimmer begins phase-cutting an alternating current voltage signal and operating the load in a high-current mode for a period of time immediately prior to the estimated occurrence of the high-resistance state.
US09167658B2

The light emitting element lighting device in accordance with the present invention, includes: a light emitting unit including a light emitting element; and a power supply circuit configured to supply a supply voltage to the light emitting unit. The power supply circuit is configured to increase the supply voltage from a first voltage lower than a lighting start voltage of the light emitting element to a second voltage higher than the lighting start voltage to light up the light emitting unit. The power supply circuit is configured to, in a process of increasing the supply voltage from the first voltage to the second voltage, decrease a rate of increase in the supply voltage as the supply voltage gets closer to the second voltage.
US09167654B2

A solid light source lighting device includes: a step-down chopper circuit including a switching element and outputting a DC power by turning on and off the switching element; a capacitor connected in parallel to a solid light source connected across output terminals of the step-down chopper circuit; and a control circuit determining a control value for a switching operation of the switching element based on a dimming signal for indicating a dimming ratio of the solid light source, and performing switching control of the switching element based on the control value. When performing switching control of the switching element so that the dimming ratio becomes high based on the dimming signal indicating a first dimming ratio, the control circuit performs the switching control of the switching element based on the control value that becomes a second dimming ratio higher than the first dimming ratio for a prescribed time period.
US09167652B2

An illumination device (1) comprises: at least one low-power light source (50); a power input stage (20) suitable for receiving AC low voltage from an electronic transformer (ET); a power buffer stage (30) having an input (31) connected to the input stage output (29); a driver (40) for driving the light source and receiving electric power supply from the power buffer stage. The power input stage generates output current pulses for charging the power buffer stage at a relatively low frequency, and during each output current pulse, the power input stage draws input current, the input current always having a current magnitude higher than a minimum load requirement of the electronic transformer.
US09167629B2

The invention relates to an electric heater comprising a fluid-conducting housing, in which at least one, preferably helical, heating unit, preferably a wire resistance heating element, is accommodated. The heating unit can have a tubular outer body, in which a heating element electrically contacted with a control circuit accommodated in an electronics housing is embedded. According to the invention, end sections of the heating unit extend in a sealed manner through the fluid-conducting housing to, and preferably into, an electronics housing. The invention further discloses a method for actuating an electric heater and to a heater that can be operated according to such a method, wherein said heater is designed with at least one resistance heating element, which acts as a temperature sensor, so that the temperature thereof can be used for actuating the heater.
US09167627B2

A method for making a heater is provided. A support and a flexible substrate are provided. The flexible substrate is fixed on a surface of the support. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from a carbon nanotube array. One end of the carbon nanotube film is attached on the flexible substrate. The carbon nanotube film is wrapped around the support by whirling the support to form a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes aligned in a first direction. The flexible substrate is heated to a temperature of about 80° C. to about 120° C. The flexible substrate is then shrunk along the first direction. A plurality of electrodes are electrically connected with the carbon nanotube layer.
US09167606B2

A network connection control method and apparatus of a mobile terminal maintains or releases connection to a wireless network based on the existence of downlink traffic from the wireless network. The method preferably includes connecting to a wireless network transmitting a signal greater than a predetermined value in strength when an Internet access request is detected; requesting the connected wireless network for traffic; determining whether the traffic is received from the connected wireless network; and releasing the connection to the wireless network by determining the wireless network as an idle wireless network when no traffic is received. The determination as to whether to maintain or release the connection to the currently connected WLAN based on whether actual traffic is received from the WLAN. When the mobile terminal is connected to an Access Point not coupled to the Internet, the mobile terminal immediately switches the connection to a cellular network.
US09167601B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for a modified MAC protocol which can facilitate communications with both full-duplex and half-duplex devices. A system configured according to the disclosed method can enable communications between an Access Point (AP) and a client in either full duplex or half duplex. The system can similarly enable peer-to-peer communications in both full duplex and half duplex communication modes.
US09167580B2

For use in a wireless network, a method for scheduling a Downlink Pilot Time Slot (DwPTS) subframe is provided. The method comprises expanding Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) in a subframe prior to a DwPTS subframe to include resource elements (REs) of the DwPTS subframe, a number of OFDM symbols of the DwPTS subframe being less than or equal to a threshold OFDM symbol number. The method further comprises facilitating for a UE to demodulate REs in a DwPTS subframe based on DeModulation Reference Signals (DMRS) transmitted in a downlink subframe prior to the DwPTS subframe.
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