US09165021B2

A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product optimize the placement of database objects on a multiplicity of storage devices. A set of database objects are placed on a first storage device in a multiplicity of storage devices. Each storage device comprises differing characteristics. A query workload is run on the set of database objects that have been placed on the first storage device. Profiling information associated with the query workload that is running is collected. A subset of database objects is selected from the set of the database objects to be stored on a second storage device. The second storage device is a separate physical device from, and performs faster than, the first storage device. The subset of database objects is stored on the second storage device and all remaining database objects in the set of database objects on the first storage device.
US09165016B2

For automatic data placement of database data, a plurality of access-tracking data is maintained. The plurality of access-tracking data respectively corresponds to a plurality of data rows that are managed by a database server. While the database server is executing normally, it is automatically determined whether a data row, which is stored in first one or more data blocks, has been recently accessed based on the access-tracking data that corresponds to that data row. After determining that the data row has been recently accessed, the data row is automatically moved from the first one or more data blocks to one or more hot data blocks that are designated for storing those data rows, from the plurality of data rows, that have been recently accessed.
US09165015B2

In one embodiment, a method includes storing files in at least one directory in a first storage tier on at least one random access storage medium, creating an index file which includes entries for each file stored in the directory in the first storage tier on the at least one random access storage medium, aggregating in binary large objects (BLOBs) the files stored in the directory in the first storage tier on the at least one random access storage medium, writing out the aggregated BLOBs of files to a second storage tier on at least one sequential access storage medium, adding location information for each aggregated BLOB of files written to the second storage tier on the at least one sequential access storage medium to the index file, and copying the index file to the second storage tier on the at least one sequential access storage medium.
US09165009B1

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for lightweight storage of content is disclosed. In some embodiments, a request to store a photograph is received from a user. The content of the photograph is then compressed. A list of multi-image container files associated with the user and with sufficient storage space available to store the compressed content of the photograph is then retrieved. The compressed content of the photograph is stored in a multi-image container file. Finally, the modified multi-image file is stored in a storage device.
US09165001B1

Techniques to backup collaboration server data are disclosed. An indication to begin backup of a collaboration server dataset is received. An associated directory is walked in a prescribed order to divide the dataset into a prescribe number of approximately equal-sized subsets. A separate subset-specific thread is used to back up the subsets in parallel. In some embodiments in which the collaboration data is stored in multiple volumes, a volume-based approach is used to back up the volumes in parallel, e.g., one volume per thread. In some embodiments, transaction logs are backed up in parallel with volumes of collaboration data.
US09164998B2

This disclosure provides various embodiments for archiving a business object. At least one particular business object is identified for archiving. The particular business object has associated data including type data corresponding to a business object type of the at least one particular business object, structured business data, and unstructured attachment data. At least one archive-type object is created corresponding to the particular business object by enriching the unstructured attachment data with type-specific metadata including data identifying at least one attribute of the business object type. The archive-type object is archive-system-independent. The at least one archive-type object is exported to at least one archiving system for storage in at least one memory device of the archiving system.
US09164993B2

A system and method for propagating media item recommendation messages on a media item recommendation system is disclosed. A first media item recommendation message comprising a media item identifier and presence information of a recommender is received from the recommender. The first media item recommendation message is sent to a first recipient. A second media item recommendation message comprising the presence information of the recommender adapted by the first recipient is received from the first recipient. The second media item recommendation message is then sent or forwarded to a second recipient. The first recipient may adapt the presence information by including the presence information of the recommender unmodified, by including the presence information of the recommender modified by the first recipient, and/or by including the presence information of the first recipient with or without the presence information of the recommender.
US09164991B2

A document management system that defines an index type for each management unit for managing a plurality of documents, individually selects a search area and an index acquisition area, from which the index type is acquired, displays in a list the index types defined for the management unit in a selected index acquisition area, makes a user select a desired index type from among the index types displayed in a list, sets a search condition using the selected index type, and searches for a document corresponding to the search condition from among a plurality of documents managed by the management unit belonging to the search area.
US09164986B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for real-time multi-lingual adaptation of manufacturing instructions in a manufacturing management system. In one embodiment of the invention, a manufacturing language adaptation method can be provided. The method can include identifying an operator receiving manufacturing instruction, determining a primary language preference for the operator and determining whether or not the manufacturing instructions have been translated into the primary language preference. If it is determined that the manufacturing instructions have been translated into the primary language preference, the manufacturing instructions can be presented to the operator in the primary language preference. Otherwise the manufacturing instructions can be submitted to a translation engine for translation into the primary language preference.
US09164976B2

The present application discloses a method and a system for automatically generating variable sequence data. The method comprises: acquiring a customized ary set by a user for generating variable sequence data, and characters included in the customized ary; converting the characters included in the customized ary into a character array; acquiring relevant parameters of the variable sequence data set by the user; pre-processing the relevant parameters; and generating the variable sequence data according to the character array and the pre-processed relevant parameters. According to the present invention, it is able for a user to automatically generate the desired variable sequence data.
US09164975B2

The present invention is directed to a method and device for obtaining, viewing and marking maps in real time. Maps are obtained from a list of maps, the maps are then viewed on interactive tabletop displays allowing a user to visualize a mapped location and “markup” points on the map. The markup data is captured as a small file and sent out to responders via rapid transmission in both real time as it is developed or as final actionable information. The maps employed in the present invention include land maps or building floor plans that are either in paper or digital formats.
US09164974B2

A method and a mobile device of providing an electronic book (e-book) service are provided. The method can independently create processed data, without altering the original contents, and share it with other mobile devices. The method includes displaying original contents, overlaying and displaying processed data according to a user's input on the original contents, and mapping the processed data to the original contents, and independently storing them, according to a user's selection.
US09164970B2

Various embodiments utilize structured data contained within a resource, such as a web page, to enable a user to define collections of data. Individual constituent parts of a collection or “links” are collected within a collection. In one or more embodiments, a full page viewing experience can be provided which enables users to not only view more details for a given link, but to view multiple different links at a time. Other viewing options and collection interactions are provided.
US09164969B1

Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing efficient access to stream data. The present approach implements a stream reader that supports either reading the entire layout (e.g., loading the contents of the user-specified top cell and all its progeny) into memory, or just a portion of it (e.g., loading only the contents of the user-specified top cell and its progeny that overlapped a user-specified bounding box). Some approaches provide a mechanism to implement parallelized or multithreaded reads of the stream data.
US09164963B2

Data structures, methods, program products and systems for creating and executing an executable file for the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) where the file is capable of causing presentation of a document embedded in the file on a BREW system.
US09164944B2

Highly efficient and low latency network transmission in consideration of a difference in the traffic characteristic and a memory access load which changes moment by moment is realized. A relay device transmits data on a networked communication bus between a bus master and a memory. The relay device includes a delay time processor for obtaining information on processing delay time in other relay devices located on a plurality of transmission routes on which the data is transmitted; and a low latency route selector for selecting a memory and one of transmission routes to the memory, among the plurality of transmission routes, based on obtained information on the processing delay time regarding the plurality of transmission routes.
US09164940B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for variable width data input to a pattern-recognition processor. A variable width data input method may include receiving bytes over a data bus having a first width and receiving one or more signals indicating the validity of each of the one or more bytes. The valid bytes may be sequentially provided to a pattern-recognition processor in an 8-bit wide data stream. In an embodiment, a system may include one or more address lines configured to provide the one or more signals indicating the validity of the bytes transferred over the data bus. The system may include a buffer and control logic to sequentially process the valid bytes.
US09164936B2

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit that includes a processing core and a direct memory access (DMA) engine. The DMA engine is adapted to process descriptors to control DMA communications. The descriptors contain data indicating communication endpoints that are associated with the DMA communications. The DMA engine is adapted to use other data contained in at least one of the descriptors to control branching of descriptor execution among multiple execution paths.
US09164935B2

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining when to throttle interrupts to limit interrupt processing to an interrupt processing time. Upon receiving interrupts from the hardware device, a determination is made as to whether a number of received interrupts exceeds an interrupt threshold during a interrupt tracking time period. If so, an interrupt throttling state is set to a first value indicating to only process interrupts during an interrupt processing time period. Interrupts from the hardware device are processed during the interrupt time period when the interrupt throttling state is set to the first value. Interrupts received from the hardware are masked during a processing of a scan loop of operations while the interrupt throttling has the first value and the interrupt processing time period has expired, wherein the masked interrupts are not processed while processing the scan loop of operations.
US09164930B2

A docking system utilizing a single DisplayPort cable connection to a computer system is provided. In one embodiment, the docking system includes a single DisplayPort (“DP”) input, a management layer module coupled to receive video inputs from the single DP input and to provide video data to at least one video monitor output, and a USB layer module coupled to receive an AUX channel from the single DP input and to couple the AUX channel with a USB hub.
US09164928B2

A technique for locking a cache memory device (or portion thereof) which includes the following actions: (i) writing full traversal branching instructions in a cache way of a cache memory device; and (ii) subsequent to the writing step, locking the cache way. The locking action is performed by adjusting cache locking data to indicate that data in the cache way will not be overwritten during normal operations of the cache memory device. The writing action and the locking action are performed by a machine.
US09164927B2

A memory data protection apparatus including a storage device, a cipher, and a validator is provided. The storage device is embedded in a chip electrically coupled to an external memory for storing an offset value, a signature and a key. The cipher electrically coupled to the storage device and the external memory to receive the key includes an encrypter and a decrypter. The encrypter is capable of executing an encryption to output an encrypted data and an encrypted certified data. The decrypter is capable of executing a decryption to output a decrypted data. The validator electrically coupled to the storage device receives the signature, the offset value and the certified data and determines an access limit of the external memory by validating the certified data with the signature and the offset value. The memory data protection apparatus accesses an original data in the external memory according to the access limit.
US09164921B2

A method according to one embodiment includes selecting, by a processor, one of a WORM logical data object and a read-write logical data object for reuse as a new WORM logical data object, said processor maintaining data attributes bound to said selected logical data object until it is determined that said selected logical data object is available for reuse. At least one temporary data attribute is assigned to said selected logical data object while maintaining said data attributes bound to said selected logical data object The selected logical data object is mounted and a write command to beginning of logical data object is received to bind at least one data attribute to said selected logical data object to replace data attributes and data associated with said selected logical data object to reuse said selected logical data object as said new WORM logical data object.
US09164894B2

Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device and method of programming same. In some embodiments, a memory device can be programmed by partitioning information into a plurality of chunks. Partitioning can be performed by determining a pattern of logic ones and zeroes, and setting a size of an information chunk based on the pattern of logic ones and zeroes.
US09164880B2

Exemplary embodiments provide a technique to offload storage workload. In one aspect, a computer comprises: a memory; and a controller operable to manage a relationship among port information of an initiator port, information of a logical volume storing data from the initiator port, and port information of a target port to be used for storing data from the initiator port to the logical volume, and to cause another computer to process a storage function of a storage system including the logical volume and the target port by creating a virtual machine for executing the storage function and by configuring the relationship on said another computer, said another computer sending the data to the logical volume of the storage system after executing the storage function. In specific embodiments, by executing the storage function on said another computer, the workload of executing the storage function on the storage system is eliminated.
US09164879B2

In managing testing on a testbed environment a test automator executes an operation specified in a test script to be performed on a testbed environment, wherein the operation refers to a particular role identifier identifying one of a plurality of roles hosted within the testbed environment by at least one host in the testbed environment, wherein the operation does not refer to any of the at least one host. The test automator performs the operation on a particular host of the at least one host of the testbed environment using at least one value from a host description file for calling the particular host assigned to the particular role identifier in a configuration file.
US09164870B2

Integrated fuzzing techniques are described. A fuzzing system may employ a container configured as a separate component that can host different target pages to implement fuzzing for an application. A hosted target file is loaded as a subcomponent of the container and parsed to recognize functionality of the application invoked by the file. In at least some embodiments, this involves building a document object model (DOM) for a browser page and determining DOM interfaces of a browser to call based on the page DOM. The container then operates to systematically invoke the recognized functionality to cause and detect failures. Additionally, the container may operate to perform iterative fuzzing with multiple test files in an automation mode. Log files may be created to describe the testing and enable both self-contained replaying of failures and coverage analysis for multiple test runs.
US09164864B1

A primary master node and a standby master node monitor the health of a shared nothing database appliance to afford high availability while minimizing false negatives and duplicate alerts by executing continuously in parallel complimentary processes that determine whether the database is running, and which master node is the active database master node. The active database master node monitors the health of the components of the database appliance by polling each component to detect failures and warnings, and the other master node monitors the status of the active master node. Upon detecting a failure of the active master node, the other node takes over health monitoring. If the database is not running, the designated primary master node performs health monitoring.
US09164855B1

Aspects of the innovations herein are consistent with a storage system for storing variable sized objects. The storage system may be a transaction-based system that uses variable sized objects to store data. The storage system may be implemented using arrays disks that are arranged in ranks. Each rank may include multiple stripes. Each stripe may be read and written as a convenient unit for maximum performance. A rank manager may be provided to dynamically configure the ranks to adjust for failed and added disks by selectively shortening and lengthening the stripes. The storage system may include a stripe space table that contains entries describing the amount of space used in each stripe. An object map may provide entries for each object in the storage system describing the location (e.g., rank, stripe and offset values), the length and version of the object.
US09164842B2

An integrated circuit includes one or more portions having error detection and error correction circuits and which is operated with operating parameters giving finite non-zero error rate as well as one or more portions formed and operated to provide a zero error rate.
US09164839B2

Storage of digital data in non-volatile media such as NAND FLASH needs to take account of the errors in data retrieved from the memory. The error rate tends to increase with the number of write/erase cycles of a cell of memory and with the time that the data has been stored. To achieve a very low uncorrected bit error rate (UBER) a substantial amount of redundancy data needs to be stored for error correction purposes. A method and apparatus is disclosed where a first redundancy data is represented by a second redundancy data computed from the first redundancy data. The first redundancy data may not be stored and is reconstructed from the stored data using a same generation procedure as previously used. The reconstructed estimate of the first redundancy data is corrected by the second redundancy data, and is used to correct the underlying data.
US09164838B2

A disk array device includes hard disks from which RAID groups are configured. Therein, a volume setting unit sets one or more used areas. A data check control unit determines, on the basis of the state into which the used areas have been set, which areas in the RAID groups are subject to a diagnosis. A data check execution unit that executes a cyclical diagnosis on the areas determined, by the data check control unit, to be those subject to a diagnosis.
US09164830B2

A first data set is written to first memory units identified as having a higher data reliability and a second data set is written to second memory units identified as having a lower data reliability than the first memory units. In some cases, the second data set may include metadata or redundancy information that is useful to aid in reading and/or decoding the first data set. The act of writing the second data set increases the data reliability of the first data set. The second data set may be a null pattern, such as all erased bits.
US09164825B2

A computing unit includes an operating system that is connected with another computing unit via an information transmitting medium in a mutually communicable manner, wherein availability management middleware is interposed between a software component and the operating system and launches the software component as a child process, thus serving as a parent process of the software component. The operating system monitors a running status of the software component and reports abnormality information for the software component to the availability management middleware in the case in which an abnormality is detected in the software component. Upon acquiring the abnormality information, the availability management middleware reports the abnormality information for the software component to the other computing unit.
US09164822B2

A method for processing signals from a data server system including generating, by a monitoring module on a monitoring facility, a plurality of frequency data items, where the monitoring facility comprises a central processing unit, obtaining, by the monitoring module, a first signal value from the data server system, where the signal value is a measurement of an element of the data server system, and calculating a plurality of fit errors for the plurality of frequency data items using the first signal value. The method further includes selecting a frequency data item of the plurality of frequency data items with a lowest fit error to obtain a selected frequency data item, removing a cyclic component of the first signal value using the selected frequency data item to obtain a first processed signal value, and displaying the first processed signal value on a graph.
US09164818B2

A computer implemented method to handle events based on historic actions. An event-handler receives an event, wherein the event has an associated event-type. The event-handler records the event to an event-action history table. The event-handler determines a history associated with the event by reading the event-action history table. The event-handler looks up a row entry in an action table based at least in part on the event-type, wherein the row entry comprises an action. The event-handler executes at least one instruction of the action. The event-handler records the event and action data to the event-action history table.
US09164817B2

A mobile communication terminal to provide a widget expansion function using a message communication, and an operation method of the mobile communication terminal is provided. The method includes a configuration of generating an additional function expansion message based on expansion of an additional function of a widget, and transmitting the generated additional function expansion message. The method also includes a configuration of expanding the additional function of the widget by receiving the additional function expansion message, by determining an application programming interface (API) library with respect to the expansion of the additional function, and by calling the determined API library.
US09164812B2

A method, computer program and system for controlling accesses to memory by threads created by a process executing on a multiprocessor computer. A page table structure is allocated for each new thread and copied from the existing threads. The page access is controlled by a present bit and a writable bit. Upon a page fault the access is provided to one thread. The kernel handles the new page entry creation process and set the page present bits to zero which creates page faults. In a second embodiment, two page table structures are created, one for one thread having access to the address space and the other page table structure shared by all the other threads not having access to the address space.
US09164810B2

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for context-aware adaptive computing. In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method comprising receiving a request at a first information handling system (IHS) to perform an application computation. The method also includes determining a user's context, the user operating the first IHS, and ascertaining a battery state of the first IHS. The method further includes allocating the application computation between the first IHS and a second IHS based at least on the user's context and the battery state of the first IHS. The present disclosure also includes associated systems and apparatuses.
US09164804B2

A memory controller of a mass memory device determining that a memory operation has been initiated which involves the mass memory device, and in response dynamically checks for available processing resources of a host device that is operatively coupled to the mass memory device and thereafter puts at least one of the available processing resources into use for performing the memory operation. In various non-limiting examples: the available processing resources may be a core engine of a multi-core CPU, a DPS or a graphics processor; central processing unit; a digital signal processor; and a graphics processor; and it may also be dynamically checked whether memory resources of the host are available and those can be similarly put into use (e.g., write data to a DRAM of the host, process data in the DRAM with the host DSP, then write the processed data to the mass memory device).
US09164801B2

A processor-implemented method, system and/or computer program product allocates multiple resources from multiple organizations. A series of requests for multiple resources from multiple organizations is received. The multiple resources are required to accomplish a specific task, and each of the multiple resources is assigned a probability of consumption. Probabilities of availability of the multiple resources are then determined and transmitted to the organizations.
US09164800B2

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: obtaining a set of compute nodes, a set of data nodes, and a set of edges between compute nodes and data nodes; determining an assignment objective to be achieved in assigning compute nodes from the set of compute nodes to data nodes from the set of data nodes; applying an algorithm associated with the assignment objective to obtain a set of assignments based on a plurality of costs associated with the set of edges; and assigning a compute node of the set of compute nodes to a data node of the set of data nodes based on the set of assignments.
US09164798B2

A method for loading a resource file for a game engine is provided. The method includes: activating a thread to a preload a predetermined resource file, wherein the predetermined resource file includes a texture resource file, and one or both of a structure resource file and a model resource file; and accessing and loading one or both of the structure resource file and the model resource file through memory mapping. The provided method increases a loading speed while loading a game resource file and fully utilizes computer resources.
US09164791B2

In response to a performance parameter of a virtual machine (VM) exceeding a threshold, an operation to be performed relative to the VM is identified. A resource requirement of performing the operation is determined using a resource requirement thresholds hierarchy. The resource requirement thresholds hierarchy is usable for computing the resource requirement of the operation when the operation is performed at a specified level in a hierarchy within a virtualized environment where the VM is executing. A violation value resulting from performing the operation is determined using a violation value thresholds hierarchy. If the resource requirement and the violation value do not exceed a resource requirement threshold and a violation value threshold respectively, a first configuration of the VM is revised to a second configuration of the VM. The second configuration includes a result of performing the operation relative to the VM at the specified level in the hierarchy.
US09164788B2

An automatic para-virtualization apparatus of an OS kernel is provided. The automatic para-virtualization apparatus includes a kernel profiler that detects profile information from a native OS kernel, and a virtualization unit that automatically generates a para-virtualized OS kernel that operates on a para-virtualization virtual machine monitor by combining the native OS kernel and the profile information.
US09164770B2

There is provided a method of performing single instruction multiple data (SIMD) operations. The method comprises storing a plurality of arrays in memory for performing SIMD operations thereon; determining a total number of SIMD operations to be performed on the plurality of arrays; loading a counter with the total number of SIMD operations to be performed on the plurality of arrays; enabling a plurality of arithmetic logic units (ALUs) to perform a first number of operations on first elements of the plurality of arrays; performing the first number of operations on first elements of the plurality of arrays using the plurality of ALUs; decrementing the counter by the first number of operations to provide a remaining number of operations; and enabling a number of the plurality of ALUs to perform the remaining number of operations on second elements of the plurality of arrays.
US09164760B2

A method of virtualizing an application to execute on a plurality of operating systems without installation. The method includes creating an input configuration file for each operating system. The templates each include a collection of configurations that were made by the application during installation on a computing device executing the operating system. The templates are combined into a single application template having a layer including the collection of configurations for each operating system. The collection of configurations includes files and registry entries. The collections also identifies and configures environmental variables, systems, and the like. Files in the collection of configurations and references to those files may be replaced with references to files stored on installation media. The application template is used to build an executable of the virtualized application. The application template may be incorporated into a manifest listing other application templates and made available to users from a website.
US09164758B2

A method for setting change options of software systems of a software system landscape, wherein the systems are interconnected by logical transport paths for the transport of software services therebetween, the software services defining changes to at least one of the code and the data of at least one system, each system having change options that define changeability restrictions pertinent to the system, is described. The method includes providing an interface in each system, the interface allowing read and write access to the change options of the respective system from the outside of the system; providing a central control software system; providing an interface in the central system for communication with the interfaces of the systems; selecting a group of systems based on software service parameter data; and accessing the group of selected systems from the central system via the interfaces and centrally managing a change option in each system of the group.
US09164754B1

During execution of a program, a code patching component may insert a redirection patch into a native-code representation of the program. The code patching component may identify a patch area in the native-code representation, copy existing code from the patch area to another location for subsequent emulation by a trap handler, determine the number of instructions and type of native-code elements within the patch area, and replace native-code elements in the patch area with native-code elements representing a jump type instruction and a target address argument for the jump type instruction (directly or indirectly indicating the location of new code that replaces the code in the patch area). The target address argument may be determined by the code patching component based on the program's characteristics, and may include a collection of elements representing existing code, trap type instructions, NOP type instructions, or arbitrary values.
US09164751B2

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for managing a computing environment, such as a cloud data repository. In some embodiments, this includes modifying an object or a component of an object at runtime and storing the modified object or modified component of an object in a storage device. In some embodiments, the component of an object modified may include traits. In some embodiments, objects or traits may have more than one version.
US09164750B2

An encapsulated file is accessed at a management computer. The encapsulated file contains plural files and a deployment descriptor. The deployment descriptor is used to update the management computer about the plural files. A function is executed using at least one of the plural files.
US09164745B2

An apparatus and method of automatically installing an application in different terminals by storing terminal information of a user and allowing the user to install an application when the user installs an application in at least two terminals, and in which an installation process may be automatically conducted is provided. Information related to an application installed in a first terminal is received from the first terminal; and a second terminal is requested to install another application corresponding to the application, in the second terminal, by using the received information related to the application.
US09164743B2

An optimizing compiler includes a strength reduction mechanism that optimizes a computer program that includes operations that have an unknown stride by analyzing the instructions in the computer program in a single pass, determining whether instruction substitution is profitable for original instructions in the code, and performing instruction substitution for one or more original instructions for which instruction substitution is deemed profitable, including operations with unknown strides. The substituted instructions result in strength reduction in the computer program.
US09164737B2

Described is a technology by which metadata augments a programming language such as JavaScript. Software components such as application programming interfaces are associated with metadata. When a software component is selected for use, such as when putting together a computer program in a graphical programming environment, its corresponding metadata is accessed. The metadata may be used to validate the usage of the software component, such as to validate a constraint associated with a value, provide a default value, validate a value's type, and/or determine whether a value is required. Validation may also determine whether data output by one software component is of a type that is appropriate for input by another software component. In addition to validation via type metadata, the metadata may provide descriptive information about the selected software component, such as to assist the programmer and/or provide further information to the programming environment.
US09164735B2

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses enabling polymorphic objects across devices in a heterogeneous platform. According to the disclosed embodiments, such means include, for example, receiving, at a device aware compiler, source code for a computer program as input; compiling the source code for the computer program, in which the compiling includes at least: generating two distinct sets of executable binary instructions for a method of an object; in which a first of the two distinct sets of executable binary instructions for the method of the object provides first binary instructions for the method executable by a first computing device and not executable by a second computing device; and in which a second of the two distinct sets of executable binary instructions for the method of the object provides second binary instructions for the method executable by the second computing device and not executable by the first computing device. Other related embodiments are disclosed.
US09164729B2

A method and apparatus for generating random binary sequences from a physical entropy source having a state A and a state B by detecting whether the physical entropy source is in the state A or in the state B, attempting to shift the state of the physical entropy source to the opposite state in a probabilistic manner with less than 100% certainty, and producing one of four outputs based on the detected state and the state of the physical entropy source before the attempted shift. The outputs are placed in first and second queues and extracted in pairs from each queue. Random binary bits are output based on the sequences extracted from each queue.
US09164725B2

Various systems, apparatuses, processes, and/or products may be used to calculate an SHA-2 hash function in a general-purpose processor. In some implementations, a system, apparatus, process, and/or product may include the ability to calculate at least one SHA-2 sigma function by using an execution unit adapted for performing a processor instruction, the execution unit including an integrated circuit primarily designed for calculating the SHA-2 sigma function(s), and calculating the SHA-2 hash function with general-purpose hardware processing components of the processor based on the sigma function(s). In certain implementations, the calculation of the SHA-2 sigma function(s) can be performed by the integrated circuit within a single instruction, allowing for a faster calculation of the SHA-2 hash function.
US09164718B2

An output device for providing output service to a mobile information apparatus including a display screen without requiring a device specific output driver installed at the mobile information apparatus is disclosed. The output device may include an operating system, a wireless communication unit for radio frequency communication, a display screen, and a user interface over the display screen, the output device may include features for installing one or more application software at the output device for expanding the capabilities of the output device, registering the output device over a network and providing an identification of the output device for enabling one or more mobile information apparatuses to transmit output data to the output device. Subsequent to registering the output device and providing the identification information of the output device, the output device receives output data associated with the identification information from the mobile information apparatus for rendering.
US09164710B2

A service providing system that provides a service to a service using apparatus includes a management information storage unit that stores management information associating service identification information of the service, user identification information of a user using the service, and device identification information of the service using apparatus; an authentication unit that authenticates user authentication information for user authentication and/or device authentication information for device authentication acquired from the service using apparatus; a service identification unit that identifies the service associated with the authentication information based on the management information and the authentication information that has been authenticated; and an execution unit that executes a process according to a use request for the identified service acquired from the service using apparatus. The execution unit determines a content of a predetermined output request acquired from the service using apparatus and controls output of data according to the output request.
US09164706B2

An information processing apparatus ignores a second setting in a despooling process and generates a print command based on a first setting even if a change from the first setting to the second setting is received.
US09164705B2

An image forming apparatus includes an accumulating unit to accumulate documents, a document selecting unit to receive selection of the accumulated documents to be printed, a screen displaying unit to display on a display unit a printing condition setting screen including default values for selecting plural of the accumulated documents and a list of setting items when the selection received by the document selecting unit indicates plural of the accumulated documents, a reset receiving unit to receive selection of the setting item to be changed and resetting of a default value of the selected setting item, a reset control unit to change a content of the setting item into a resetting content when the setting item is resettable or allow the content to remain unchanged when the setting item is not resettable, and a printing unit to print the accumulated document, the setting item of which is reset.
US09164702B1

A distributed cache system including a data storage portion, a data control portion, and a cache logic portion in communication with the data storage and data control portions. The data storage portion includes memory hosts, each having non-transitory memory and a network interface controller in communication with the memory for servicing remote direct memory access requests. The data control portion includes a curator in communication with the memory hosts. The curator manages striping of data across the memory hosts. The cache logic portion executes at least one memory access request to implement a cache operation. In response to each memory access request, the curator provides the cache logic portion a file descriptor mapping data stripes and data stripe replications of a file on the memory hosts for remote direct memory access of the file on the memory hosts through the corresponding network interface controllers.
US09164699B2

A protocol for communicating with the timing facility used in a data processing network to provide synchronization is provided via the execution of a machine instruction that accepts a plurality of commands. The interaction is provided through the use of message request blocks and their associated message response blocks. In this way timing parameters may be determined, modified and communicated. This makes it much easier for multiple servers or nodes in a data processing network to exist as a coordinated timing network and to thus more cooperatively operate on the larger yet identical data files.
US09164689B2

A data storage system includes a plurality of servers, a plurality of external interface providers each deployed on one of the servers, and a plurality of data storage controllers each deployed on one of the servers. Each of the providers is configured to receive a data access request, to identify one of the controllers that can satisfy the request, and to forward the request to the identified controller. The system further includes a plurality of data storage modules independent of the servers. The providers, controllers and modules are in communication with each other. Each of the controllers exclusively manages a portion of data content in at least one of the modules, and satisfies data access requests received from the providers by accessing the portion of data content in the at least one module.
US09164680B2

Systems and methods are provided for improved communications in a nonvolatile memory (“NVM”) system. The system can toggle between multiple communications channels to provide point-to-point communications between a host device and NVM dies included in the system. The host device can toggle between multiple communications channels that extend to one or more memory controllers of the system, and the memory controllers can toggle between multiple communications channels that extend to the NVM dies. Power islands may be incorporated into the system to electrically isolate system components associated with inactive communications channels.
US09164672B2

An image display device and a method of managing contents using the same that can enable the user to quickly access wanted (or selected) contents, when using the contents of the image display device and the mobile terminal, thereby enhancing user convenience.
US09164671B2

Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.
US09164667B2

A system and related method are disclosed for rendering a set of words linked to an n-dimensional vector space in a word cloud rendered from a two-dimensional projection of the vector space, where the user can click and drag a word, and the subspace and projection thereon will shift to place the word where the user has dragged it in a new projection, and the other words in the cloud will shift correspondingly, offering the user new insights. The importance of words in a document set is represented by word size, and relatedness between words demonstrated by color similarity.
US09164663B1

A system and method for displaying a representation of the configuration of a distribution and/or collection system and the operating status thereof, may comprise: a computer receiving an access request; a storage device storing a representation of the elements and configuration of the distribution and/or collection system and storing information relating to the operating state of the elements; wherein the computer generates a displayable representation of the elements and configuration of the distribution and/or collection system in accordance with the operating state of the elements; and a communication port for transmitting the transformed displayable representation of the elements and configuration of the system to a display.
US09164658B2

In one aspect, a method is provided for providing a flexible content selection capability for selecting a specific portion of content displayed on a touch-screen display of a user's computing device. In response to receiving user input including a plurality of touch points detected within a content display area of the touch-screen display, a relative location of each detected touch point is determined with respect to the content display area. Content displayed within a portion of the first content display area of the touch-screen display is automatically selected based on the determined relative locations of the plurality of detected touch points. A content selection region including the selected content is graphically presented within the content display area. A context menu including user options for invoking functions related to the selected content is then displayed in association with the content selection region via the touch-screen display.
US09164657B2

A method performed by a user device includes receiving a request to open a first application associated with a selected file; retrieving, in response to the request, information regarding a user interface (UI) associated with the first application via which multiple operations on the selected file are automatically performed, and a set of second applications automatically associated with the first application based on a frequency of use of each of the second applications in performing respective ones of the multiple operations with respect to other files via the user device, the information regarding the UI including: information associated with a UI icon corresponding to the first application, and information identifying a set of icons, that each correspond to a respective different one of the set of second applications; presenting, via a display, the UI icon and the identified set of icons, based on the information regarding the UI; receiving, via the UI icon, an instruction to move the selected file to one of the identified set of icons; and performing a selected operation on the selected file using an identified application, of the set of second applications, that corresponds to the one of the identified set of icons.
US09164647B2

A graphical user interface device includes an operation procedure information database, a display element information database, an operation determination section, a display element selection section, and an integrated procedure and display-element screen preparation section. Procedure information and a display item to be operated by an operator are registered in the operation procedure information database. The procedure information is text information forming an operation manual. The operation determination section determines a current operation step based on information given from an actual plant. The integrated procedure and display-element screen preparation section prepares a layout of an operation screen allowing the procedure information and the display item of the current operation step to be simultaneously displayed on a single screen of the input/output equipment.
US09164644B2

A touch panel is formed by firstly forming a film layer on a first plate, and next, sequentially forming a buffer layer on the film layer, forming a sensing layer on the buffer layer, forming a second plate on the sensing layer. After the foregoing formation procedures, the first plate is removed from the film layer. Next, a cover is attached to the film layer. In this way, the film layer is located between the cover and the buffer layer. Finally, the second plate is removed from the sensing layer, so as to form a touch panel with the features of light weight, thin thickness and low costs.
US09164637B2

A touch sensing device includes a display panel including a touch screen on which a plurality of touch sensors are formed, a touch sensing circuit including at least one sensing unit which receives self capacitance signals of a first touch sensor and a second touch sensor adjacent to the first touch sensor at differential input method and detects changes in capacitances of the first and second touch sensors, and a touch controller which analyzes touch raw data received from the touch sensing circuit and calculates coordinates of a touch input position. The sensing unit generates delays corresponding to a difference between the capacitances of the first and second touch sensors, accumulates the number of delays, converts an accumulated value of the delays into digital data, and generates the touch raw data.
US09164634B2

A touch screen apparatus and a processing method thereof. In the touch screen apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, a frequency spectrum analyzing unit determines that a frequency domain signal of a signal received by a receiving unit in the touch screen apparatus or of a signal obtained by processing the signal received by the receiving unit for at least once includes a predetermined noise signal feature, and then a frequency control unit controls the frequency of the signal sent by a sending unit, so that there is as little interference of the noise as possible when the sending unit performs transmission.
US09164633B2

A TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function, including: a first electrode layer, having multiple first electrodes and multiple thin film transistors, wherein each of the multiple thin film transistors has a source coupled to a source control unit, a gate coupled to a gate control unit, and a drain coupled to one of the multiple first electrodes and to one of multiple storage capacitors; a liquid crystal display layer, located above the first electrode layer; a transparent electrode layer, being located above the liquid crystal display layer and having multiple transparent strip electrodes; and multiple switches, of which each has a control end coupled with a mode control signal, a first contact coupled to one of the multiple transparent strip electrodes, a second contact coupled to a common voltage generation unit, and a third contact coupled to a touch detection unit.
US09164632B2

A touch panel including a substrate, first connecting pads, circuit units, and ground lines is provided. Each circuit unit includes a signal line, first electrodes, second electrodes, first connecting lines, and second connecting lines. The signal line extends along a first direction and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located between a first side of the substrate and the second portion. The first electrodes are disposed beside the first portion, and the second electrodes are disposed beside the second portion. The first connecting lines respectively connect the first electrodes to the corresponding first connecting pads. The second connecting lines respectively connect the second electrodes to the corresponding first connecting pads through a trace region located beside the first portion, wherein the trace region and the first electrodes are respectively located at two opposite sides of the first portion.
US09164627B2

An acoustic touch apparatus that has a variable thickness glass substrate that permits the transfer of surface acoustic waves between the back and front surfaces, thus enabling transducers to be placed on the substrate surface opposite the desired touch input surface.
US09164624B2

A light-receiving device 10 includes a plurality of light-receiving units 10A, 10B, and 10C, in which, in the element substrate 11A constituting the light-receiving unit 10A, the rear surface of a second terminal forming area 16Ac, upon which a connection pad PAc is formed, is bonded to the front surface of a cover glass 14B covering a plurality of light-receiving elements 12 constituting the light-receiving unit 10B, and in the element substrate 11C constituting the light-receiving unit 10C, the rear surface of a first terminal forming area 16Cb, upon which a connection pad PCb is formed, is bonded with the front surface of the cover glass 14B of the light-receiving unit 10B. As a result, an increase in manufacturing cost and a decrease in yield are mitigated so that it is possible to provide a light-receiving device upon which light-receiving elements are disposed continuously over a long distance at a high density, as well as an optical touch panel device provided with the same.
US09164623B2

A portable device and a key hit area adjustment method are provided. The portable device includes a touch screen and a processor coupled with the touch screen. The touch screen is configured to display an input method editor comprising a plurality of virtual keys. The processor is configured to detect an input event triggered via the input method editor and adjust key hit areas of the virtual keys in response to the input event. The key hit area adjustment method is applied to the portable device to implement the aforesaid operations.
US09164622B2

In one embodiment, a computing device determines a touch gesture on a touch screen of the computing device. The touch gesture includes two or more data points that each correspond to a particular location on the touch screen and a particular point in time. For each of one or more of the data points, the computing device adjusts a time value representing its particular point in time. For each of one or more of the data points, the computing device adjusts a position value representing its particular location on the touch screen. The computing device fits a curve to the two or more data points to determine a user intent associated with the touch gesture.
US09164621B2

A stereoscopic display apparatus comprising a judging part judging the dominant eye of the user inputting the position coordinates via the coordinate input part based on the reference coordinates of the dominant eye judgment image formed of the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image and the obtained position coordinates, depending on whether the obtained position coordinates are near the reference coordinates of the left viewpoint image or the reference coordinates of the right viewpoint image.
US09164608B2

An apparatus for adjusting touch sensitivity in a mobile terminal apparatus includes a touch sensitivity adjuster for adjusting touch sensitivity of a touch screen unit, and a controller controlling the touch sensitivity adjuster to selectively adjust the touch sensitivity according to an input method.
US09164602B2

An electronic device and a screen content sharing method thereof are provided, adapted for sharing screen content between the electronic device and an external display device. The method includes the following steps. A current screen is displayed. A work mode of the electronic device according to connection status between the electronic device and the external display device is determined. A touch position and a touch mode of a touch action on the touch screen are determined according to the touch action received by the touch screen. A connection management program is executed, and the electronic device is controlled to enter a touch pad projection mode. When the connection management program is executed, the current screen is transmitted to the external display device so as to display the current screen, and a cursor is projected on the current screen displayed by the external display device according to the touch position.
US09164600B2

Provided is a mobile device including a magnetic sensor and a posture detection sensor for detecting a posture of the mobile device independently of the magnetic sensor, which acquires output data of the magnetic sensor as a plurality of sampling data items in a plurality of states in which the posture detection sensor determines that the mobile device is directed in directions different from one another, the plurality of sampling data items respectively corresponding to the plurality of states, and calculates an offset value which is estimated to be output by the magnetic sensor when the magnetic sensor is not sensing geomagnetism based on the acquired plurality of sampling data items.
US09164595B2

In combination with an electronic device including a touchscreen with a first user interaction surface and a second surface, a joystick apparatus includes a joystick with a handle portion and a cooperating base portion with an upstanding sleeve. The handle portion includes a skirt portion for operably engaging the sleeve to thereby secure a first magnetic member therebetween. An attachment member is positioned on the second surface of the touchscreen and includes a second magnetic member for engaging the first magnetic member. The base portion of the joystick includes a conductive member for contacting the first user interaction surface of the touchscreen.
US09164591B2

A representation of a user can move with respect to a graphical user interface based on input of a user. The graphical user interface comprises a central region and interaction elements disposed outside of the central region. The interaction elements are not shown until the representation of the user is aligned with the central region. A gesture of the user is recognized, and, based on the recognized gesture, the display of the graphical user interface is altered and an application control is outputted.
US09164582B2

A display control device 1 is provided, which suppresses a display content from being scrolled when a viewer does not consciously pay attention to the display content. The display control device 1 includes: a display unit 16; an image pickup unit 11 that detects an eye position of a viewer from a taken image of the viewer; an attention state determination unit 12 that determines an attention state to the display content, based on movement of the detected viewer's eye position; a gaze position specifying unit 14 that specifies a gaze position on the display content, based on the detected viewer's eye position and the display content; and a display control unit 15 that causes the display unit 16 to display a non-displayed portion of displayed program information, based on the determined attention state and the specified gaze position, when the viewer pays attention to the non-displayed portion.
US09164579B2

Provided are an electronic device. The electronic device includes at least one sensing unit recognizing a plurality of pointing means, a display unit displaying a pointer following a movement of a pointing means having the authority to control the electronic device among the plurality of pointing means, and a controller obtaining context awareness information related to the electronic device, determining the number of pointers required for controlling the electronic device according to the context awareness information, and selecting at least one point means having the authority to control the electronic device from among the plurality of pointing means based on the number of required points.
US09164575B2

Opaque flakes, such as pigment or bright flakes used in paints and inks, have a selected shape and/or other indicia to provide a covert security feature to an object. Shaped opaque covert flakes are not readily detectable by causal observation, but in some embodiments are easily seen at 50× magnification. In manufacturing the flakes a sheet of embossed frames are provided having embossed symbols or indicia within. Upon removing a coating from the embossed sheet the coating material tends to break along frame lines or grooves and the resulting flakes are substantially uniform in size. In order to have the flakes break along frame lines or grooves more readily than along the embossing or grooves defining indicia within a frame, the frames are provided with a deeper groove than indicia grooves. As well a groove having a different shaped profile conducive to breakage can be used for the frame grooves whereas a groove having a profile less conducive to breakage can be used to form the indicia grooves. We have found that the flakes can be further protected from breakage by coating them in a protective coating. This coating may have other features which makes the logo more visible.
US09164571B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first device, a first controller, and a second controller. The first controller transits the apparatus between a working state and a hibernation or stand-by state. The second controller shifts the first device from an ordinary operation mode to a power saving mode when a first condition is established while the apparatus is in the working state. The second controller shifts the first device to the power saving mode without waiting that the first condition is satisfied when the apparatus returns to the working state in which the first device is set to the ordinary operation mode after the apparatus shifted to the hibernation state or to the stand-by state in a state that the first device is in the power saving mode.
US09164563B2

An approach for power supply noise mitigation on a processor is provided. In one aspect, the approach comprises a central computing unit operatively coupled to the processor to execute program operations. The approach further comprises a calibration circuit adapted to determine a first threshold on the processor to be used for comparison performed dynamically through the use of a detection circuit. A detection circuit adapted to dynamically monitor system operation of the processor and indicate if the first threshold is violated and a counting circuit adapted to prevent voltage from drooping if one or more voltage sensing measurements violates the first threshold are also provided.
US09164555B2

A stackable layer is provided for 3-Dimensional multi-layered modular computers. The stackable layer comprises at least one encapsulated chip die. Sets of electrical contacts are provided on each one of the large surfaces of the layer. The encapsulated chip die and the two large opposite surfaces of the layer are substantially parallel.
US09164552B2

A user equipment (UE) comprising a display, a visual input configured to capture motion or stop photography as visual data, a receiver configured to receive network data associated with a network element (NE) from a server, and a processor coupled to the display, visual input, and receiver and configured to receive visual data from the visual input, receive the network data from the server via the receiver, overlay the network data on the visual data to create composite image, and transmit the composite image to the display. Also disclosed is a network comprising a server configured to store network data in memory, wherein the network data comprises the physical location of a plurality of NEs in the network, receive field of view data from a UE, wherein the field of view data defines the field of view of a visual input of the UE, and transmit to the UE a network data response message comprising the network data for each NE physically located in the UE visual input's field of view.
US09164550B2

A portable electronic device port cover. In a first implementation multiple bands can be connected with adhesive in areas where there are no ports in a portable electronic device. In a second implementation the elastic band has a slit that aligns with the ports on the portable electronic device.
US09164548B2

A touch panel including a first transparent flexible substrate, a plurality of first connection lines, a plurality of second connection lines, a first sensing layer, and a second sensing layer is provided. The first transparent flexible substrate has a first side and a second side and includes a first carrying portion and a first leading portion. The first connection lines and the second connection lines are respectively disposed at the first side and the second side and are extended from the first carrying portion to the first leading portion. The first sensing layer and the second sensing layer have plural transparent electrode patterns and are respectively disposed at the first side and the second side of the first carrying portion. The transparent electrode patterns are respectively connected with the first connection lines and the second connection lines. A handheld electronic device with a touch input function is also provided.
US09164540B2

Systems and methods for moving a display during a device flip are provided. More particularly, in response to input or instructions selecting a secondary closed mode, operation of the device can be altered from a normal operating mode. In the secondary closed mode, when a device is moved from an open mode or state to a closed mode or state, the active window while the device was in the open mode is presented by a secondary screen, rather than a primary screen. The secondary closed mode is exited when the device is again placed in an open state or mode.
US09164532B2

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.
US09164531B2

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.
US09164522B2

A wake up circuit includes a bias signal control block configured to receive a sleep signal and to generate a plurality of bias control signals. The wake up circuit further includes a bias supply block configured to receive each bias control signal of the plurality of bias control signals and to generate a header bias signal. The bias supply block includes a first bias stage configured to receive a first bias control signal of the plurality of bias control signals, and to control the header bias signal to be equal to a first voltage. The bias supply block further includes a second bias stage configured to receive a second bias control signal of the plurality of bias control signals, and to control the header bias signal to be equal to a second voltage different from the first voltage. The wake up circuit further includes a header configured to receive the header bias signal, and to selectively connect a supply voltage to a load based on the header bias signal.
US09164521B2

The present invention realizes stabler output voltage variable control in a power supply unit. A power supply unit capable of changing dynamic output voltage has: a first regulator for dropping down voltage, by a switching method and outputting the resultant voltage to a first node; and a second regulator for dropping down the input voltage by a voltage drop and outputting the resultant voltage to the first node. In the case where a target voltage instructed by first information is larger than a predetermined threshold voltage, the power supply unit controls so that the voltage of the first node becomes the target voltage and stops supply of voltage from the second regulator. In the case where the target voltage is smaller than the predetermined threshold voltage, the power supply unit controls the second regulator so that the voltage of the first node becomes the target voltage and stops output of voltage from the first regulator.
US09164515B1

A method for allowing accurate navigation to a target regardless of GPS jamming levels. A method to update the navigation solution of an object being navigated toward a target based upon seeker measurements in at least one of three electromagnetic frequency domains: infrared, visible, and radio frequency (RF).
US09164514B1

A method of patrolling a perimeter of a geographic area, using two or more unmanned vehicles having means for locomotion along a perimeter path. Each vehicle is equipped with at least the following systems: a navigation system operable to autonomously navigate the unmanned vehicle, an anomaly detection system, a communications system, an anomaly tracking system, operable to track, visually or by following, a detected anomaly, and an alert evaluation system. Each vehicle travels the path on a predetermined route, and is operable to broadcast an alert message to all other vehicles if that vehicle detects an anomaly, to perform an evaluation of any received alert message to determine if it will travel to an anomaly based on stored evaluation rules, and to respond to an alert message based on the evaluation.
US09164511B1

Methods and systems for the use of detected objects for image processing are described. A computing device autonomously controlling a vehicle may receive images of the environment surrounding the vehicle from an image-capture device coupled to the vehicle. In order to process the images, the computing device may receive information indicating characteristics of objects in the images from one or more sources coupled to the vehicle. Examples of sources may include RADAR, LIDAR, a map, sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), or other cameras. The computing device may use the information indicating characteristics of the objects to process received images, including determining the approximate locations of objects within the images. Further, while processing the image, the computing device may use information from sources to determine portions of the image to focus upon that may allow the computing device to determine a control strategy based on portions of the image.
US09164500B2

A remotely activatable valve unit having: an inlet port; an exit port; an electronically activatable valve configured and arranged between the inlet port and the exit port; a receiver having an output; and a controller configured to operate the valve as a function of the receiver output. The exit port may be configured to attach to a vacuum means or to a wall vacuum.
US09164492B2

A zero-rest device for a timepiece, including first and second control mechanisms, two zero-reset cams, and two corresponding zero-reset hammers configured to cooperate with the cams. The device also includes two hammer springs exerting a pre-stress force causing a hammer to pivot in the direction of its corresponding cam, a winding and release mechanism and a locking mechanism. The winding and release mechanism is configured to wind the hammer springs during a first phase of an actuation of the first control mechanism and to cooperate, during a second phase of this actuation, with the locking means, such that the locking means passes from a rest position in which the locking means holds the hammers to a release position in which the locking means releases the hammers, which come, in each case under the action of the corresponding hammer spring, into the positions thereof of cooperation with the corresponding cam.
US09164488B2

Case for a timepiece, including a middle part with an upper portion for receiving a movement surmounted by a dial carrying an upper sub-assembly or a crystal, and a lower portion cooperating with a back cover. This middle part includes a device for the removal or adjustment of this upper sub-assembly or crystal, which includes a plurality of pushers each movable in relation to this middle part in a sink of this middle part parallel to an axial direction, to transmit, directly or indirectly via a push plate, only to this dial, a force applied to each pusher in this direction from this lower portion and transmitted by this dial to this upper sub-assembly or crystal.
US09164485B2

An oscillating body made of a copper alloy such as a copper-beryllium alloy or a tungsten-copper alloy for mechanical oscillating systems of wristwatches, having several mass weights arranged at regular angle distances around an oscillating body middle axis that respectively can rotate or swivel on the oscillating body on an axis parallel to the oscillating body axis and have a mass center of gravity that is radially offset to their axis.
US09164476B2

A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a recess provided in an outer wall of a frame for forming the accommodating portion, and a sheet member provided so as to cover the recess. The sheet member and the recess are configured so that an amount of flexure of the sheet member is larger than that of the recess when the cartridge is gripped at the sheet member.
US09164474B2

A toner drum drive assembly is configured to engage a drive mechanism of a printer. The assembly includes a support portion defining an axis, and a drive projection extending axially from the support portion. The drive projection includes three radially outwardly and circumferentially extending arm portions, with each arm portion having an end. The drive projection defines three undercuts, and each undercut is positioned axially between the support portion and a respective arm portion end.
US09164469B2

An image forming apparatus includes a frame, a photosensitive drum, an endless belt disposed above the photosensitive drum, and a pressing member. The photosensitive drum includes a drum body and a flange portion that is provided on one end portion of the drum body. The flange portion has a contacted portion and a pressed portion. The pressing member presses the pressed portion upward to permit the photosensitive drum to be in contact with the endless belt. The frame has a positioning portion disposed above the pressing member and above the photosensitive drum. The positioning portion is configured to be in contact with the contacted portion and to position the photosensitive drum when the pressing member presses the pressed portion. The pressed portion is disposed farther from the drum body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum than the contacted portion.
US09164468B2

An image forming device includes a main casing, a unit, a side plate, a positioning member, and a fixing member. The side plate is formed with a through-hole having a first surface extending in a second direction crossing a first direction, a second surface extending in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and a third surface, and a fourth surface positioned between the first surface and the second surface in a contour of the through hole. The positioning member is in contact with the first surface and the second surface. The third surface is positioned opposite to the fourth surface with respect to the positioning member. The fixing member includes an insert portion configured to be inserted through the through-hole. The insert portion is positioned between the first portion and the third surface to press the first portion toward the fourth surface.
US09164461B2

An image forming apparatus including an endless belt; a driving roller to move the endless belt in circulation; a driven roller to rotate along with circulation of the endless belt; a first bearing arranged on a first-side end of the driven roller along an axial direction to movable and to support the driven roller rotatably; a resilient member to apply a resilient force to the driven roller; and a frame having a first guide to the first bearing to move in an inclined direction, which inclines with respect to a virtual line extending through a rotation axis of the driving roller and the rotation axis of the driven roller, is provided. The first guide is formed to incline with respect to the virtual line to be closer to a virtual plane containing the strained plane of the endless belt as the first guide extends farther from the driving roller.
US09164460B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a development device that develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image using a toner, a density sensor that irradiates a controlling image and detects reflection from the controlling image, and a controller that forms controlling images on the image bearing member. The controller decides whether a mode for correcting toner density is performed or not according to both detection results of a first controlling image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image with the development device, the electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a surface of the image bearing member by an exposure device, and a second controlling image formed by developing with the development device without substantially performing exposure to the surface of the image bearing member by the exposure device.
US09164457B2

An image forming device provided with a restart unit and a deletion unit. If processing requiring a restart of the image forming device is requested by another terminal device that is connected via a communications circuit, the restart unit causes the image forming device to restart. If the processing requiring the restart is requested by the other terminal device while a service process relating to image processing is being provided by a service process provision device that is connected via the communications circuit, the deletion unit deletes data relating to use of the service process before the image forming device is restarted.
US09164454B2

An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to continuously form, on an image carrier, first and second detection patterns for detecting relative registration amounts and a density of each of a plurality of colors; and a control unit configured to control registration and the density. The forming unit forms the detection patterns such that a leading edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a front side among the two detection patterns, in a direction in which the detection patterns are moved by rotation of the image carrier, is the same as a trailing edge developer color of the detection pattern formed on the front side, or a leading or trailing edge developer color of a detection pattern formed on a rear side among the two detection patterns.
US09164453B2

A copy machine 1 is provided with: a main body device includes a main body ejection portion that ejects a target material on which an image is formed; and a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the target material that is fed to a post-processing unit inlet. The post-processing device is provided with a transformation unit that transforms a voltage of power supplied from a main power supply unit inside the main body device to a voltage required for driving of the post-processing device.
US09164452B2

An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion for fixing an image formed on a recording material, the fixing portion including an endless belt, a heater contacted to an inner surface of the endless belt, a pressing member for forming a fixing nip with the heater with the endless belt in the nip, and a switching mechanism for switching a state of the fixing nip between a first state in which pressure at the time of a fixing operation is applied in the fixing nip and a second state in which the pressure at the time of the fixing operation is not applied in the fixing nip. When electric power is supplied to the heater in the second state, the switching mechanism operates to switch the state of the fixing nip from the second state to the first state.
US09164448B2

A fixing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fixing belt, a pressure member, a heating member, a pressing member, and a heat source. The fixing belt is rotational. The pressure member is rotational and is brought into press-contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The heating member is rotational and is disposed to interpose the fixing belt between the heating member and the pressure member. The pressing member is disposed to interpose the fixing belt between the pressing member and the pressure member and presses the fixing belt toward the pressure member side. The heat source is disposed radially inside the fixing belt and radially outside the heating member. Radiant heat radiated from the heat source directly reaches the fixing belt, the heating member, and the pressing member.
US09164446B2

A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a driving member and a slide contact member. The fixing belt is arranged rotatably. The pressuring member comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip and is arranged rotatably. The driving member is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing belt with the pressuring member and rotates the fixing belt. The slide contact member is arranged so as to sandwich the fixing belt with the pressuring member and comes into slide contact with the fixing belt. The fixing belt is engaged around the driving member and slide contact member with a state having looseness at least partially.
US09164441B2

An image forming apparatus is provided with a fixing unit in which flickers can be effectively reduced while inhibiting electric current imbalance. The fixing unit comprises a fixing heater, a switching unit for switching the fixing heater on/off with an AC power source, and a control unit which controls the switching unit to switch in units of the half wave period of the AC power source AC, and a storing unit for storing a plurality of energization patterns which define the ways of performing the switch control. Each energization pattern corresponds to a control cycle which contains a three or more odd number of the half wave periods each of which is either an OFF period and an ON period, and all the half wave periods of the smaller in number of the ON periods and the OFF periods are not successively arranged.
US09164431B2

A developing device includes an agitating member agitating and rotating a developer, a developer amount detecting part detecting the developer amount, and a cleaning member being attached to the agitating member to have has an attachment part, a first cleaning part and a second cleaning part and to clean a detecting surface of the developer amount detecting part. The attachment part is formed by an end part of a wire and attached to the agitating member. The first cleaning part is formed by an intermediate part of the wire, and extends from an end part of the attachment part to reach the detecting surface. The second cleaning part is formed by an another end part of the wire, and is constructed by closely winding the wire, protruded to a location in front of the detecting surface and has a greater width than the detecting surface.
US09164413B2

An image forming apparatus, comprising: an attachment unit to which a load for image formation is attached; an applying circuit configured to apply an applying voltage to the load; a voltage detection circuit configured to detect the applying voltage; a current detection unit configured to detect a load current; and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to: subject the applying circuit to constant current control in accordance with a detected value of the current detection unit so that the load current becomes a target current; and switch to a constant voltage control by which the applying voltage is controlled to become a target voltage when an absolute value of the load current is smaller than a determination value and an absolute value of the applying voltage is larger than or equal to a threshold during execution of the constant current control.
US09164411B2

There is provided a carrier core material for electrophotographic developer containing a soft ferrite, expressed by (MgXMn1−X)Fe2O4 (wherein X is in a range of 0.1≦X<1.), wherein an analysis value of P on the surface of the carrier core material is 0.1 mass % or more, an analysis value of Mg is 2 mass % or more, a content of Mg on the surface of the carrier core material is 2 mass % or more by EDS, and when the content of Mg in the carrier core material is expressed by M1, and the analysis value of Mg on the surface of the carrier core material by EDS is expressed by M2, a value of M2/M1 exceeds 1.0.
US09164399B2

A system for operating EUV mask stored in reticle SMIF pod and/or dual pod is provided, wherein the reticle SMIF pod and Dual pod are for storing EUV mask. The system can be a sorter for EUV mask transferred from reticle SMIF pod into dual pod, and vice versa, or an operating system for tools relating to EUV mask, wherein the tools may be EUV lithography, or inspection tool for inspecting EUV mask.
US09164389B2

A patterning method may employ a particle beam, such as an electron beam (E-beam) and an exposure system that may include preparing an exposure layout defining a spatial distribution of an E-beam, performing an E-beam exposure process to a mask layer, based on the exposure layout, performing a developing process to the mask layer to form mask patterns including a first pattern. The first pattern may be a single solid pattern, and the exposure layout may include a first data associated with a plurality of E-beam conditions defined for a first region corresponding to the first pattern.
US09164384B2

A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of formulae (1) and (2) and a photoacid generator of formula (3) onto a substrate, baking, exposure, PEB and developing in an organic solvent. In formulae (1) and (2), R1 is H, F, CH3 or CF3, Z is a single bond, phenylene, naphthylene, or (backbone)-C(═O)—O—Z′—, Z′ is alkylene, phenylene or naphthylene, XA is an acid labile group, YL is H or a polar group. In formula (3), R2 and R3 are a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, or R2 and R3, or R2 and R4 may form a ring with the sulfur, L is a single bond or a divalent hydrocarbon group, Xa and Xb are H, F or CF3, and k is an integer of 1 to 4.
US09164380B2

A resist composition containing a base component (A) that exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid, a photoreactive quencher (C), and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, and further containing an acid (G) having a pKa of 4 or less.
US09164378B2

The objective is to provide a direct drawing-type waterless lithographic printing original plate which is highly sensitive and is not susceptible to formation of blisters, namely a direct drawing-type waterless lithographic printing original plate which has a wide latitude. Provided is a direct drawing-type waterless lithographic printing original plate which has at least a heat-sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer on a substrate in this order. The direct drawing-type waterless lithographic printing original plate is characterized in that the heat-sensitive layer contains non-photosensitive particles and the average particle diameter of the non-photosensitive particles is not less than ½ of the average film thickness of a portion of the heat-sensitive layer where the non-photosensitive particles are not present.
US09164377B2

According to one embodiment, provided is a method for cleaning an imprinting mask including a template having an uneven pattern, a base layer disposed on the template, and a sacrificial film disposed on the base layer. In the method for cleaning the imprinting mask, the sacrificial film is removed, and a contaminant adhered on the sacrificial film is removed from the template pattern.
US09164365B2

Disclosed herein are optical projection systems and related methods for projecting imagery employing shifting image position in-time to mitigate speckle. Exemplary optical systems may include a projector having a light source, a relay lens and at least one projection lens for projecting images. The relay lens or the projection lens may have at least one lens element that may be translated in-time substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system. Alternatively, the projection lens in its entirety may be shifted in-time to reduce speckle. Further, in stereoscopic embodiments, two projection lenses may be employed, wherein at least one element in each projection lens is moveable to shift the image in-time to reduce speckle. Moreover, electronic compensation, such as electronic addressing or image warping, for the image shifting may be employed to shift the image in a direction opposite to the speckle-reducing shift in position.
US09164358B2

The optical system comprises a base plate having a first plate side and a second plate side, a light guide element located substantially on said first plate side and a lens element located on said second plate side. The base plate and the light guide element are integrally formed or are distinct parts, and the base plate is at least partially transparent The optical system forms a light path for light passing through said lens element, across said base plate and through said light guide element, and wherein said base plate comprises at least one mechanical guiding element. The method for manufacturing such an optical system comprises providing a wafer comprising a multitude of said base plates.
US09164357B1

A system and method for enhanced conditioning light so a camera can capture images from it in a variety of brightness ranges is presented. A camera has an optical lens and a photochromic filter. The photochromic filter may be placed in front of the lens. The photochromic filter extends an exposure range of the camera without the need for a mechanical iris.
US09164354B2

A conversion component for arrangement downstream at a radiation-outcoupling face of a radiation-emitting semiconductor chip is specified. The component has a converter element with a first major face, a second major face opposite the first major face and at least one side face. The side face connects together the two major faces. The converter element contains at least one luminescence conversion material, which is suitable for absorbing electromagnetic radiation of one wavelength range and for re-emitting the absorbed electromagnetic radiation in another wavelength range with larger wavelengths than the absorbed radiation. A reflective coating is designed to reflect electromagnetic radiation exiting from the converter element and to reflect it at least in part back into the converter element. The reflective coating covers the converter element at least in places at the at least one side face.
US09164349B2

In an optical semiconductor device related to the present invention, a first light source outputting light having a first polarization, a second light source outputting light having a second polarization, a first optical modulator being optically connected to an output side of the first light source and modulating the light that is output from the first light source to output a light signal, a second optical modulator being optically connected to an output side of the second light source and modulating the light that is output from the second light source to output a light signal, and an optical multiplexer coupling the light signal that is output from the first optical modulator with the light signal that is output from the second optical modulator to output a coupled light signal, are integrated on a semiconductor substrate together.
US09164347B2

A display device (100A) according to the present invention includes a first substrate (11), a second substrate (21) facing the first substrate (11), a first electrode (15) formed on the first substrate (11), a second electrode (25) formed on the second substrate (21), and an electrochromic layer (17) provided between the first electrode (15) and the second electrode (25) and containing an oxidation coloring-type dye and a reduction coloring-type dye.
US09164332B2

A display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a thin film transistor on the first substrate, a color filter and a black matrix on the first substrate, a column spacer on the first substrate and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, a pixel electrode on one surface of the second substrate, a common electrode on the pixel electrode on the one surface of the second substrate, and a transparent electrode on the other surface of the second substrate. The column spacer is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.
US09164326B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which image sticking seldom occurs. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy, at least one of the pair of substrates is provided with an alignment film for vertically aligning adjacent liquid crystal molecules, and a polymer layer formed on the alignment film for controlling the alignment of the adjacent liquid crystal molecules, and the polymer layer is formed by polymerization of at least one monomer, the polymerization being initiated by radicals generated of the monomer upon absorption of light.
US09164322B2

There is provided a display unit capable of reducing deterioration in the 3D characteristics. A phase difference device is bonded to a surface on a light outgoing side of a liquid crystal display panel. In the phase difference device, two kinds of phase difference regions with slow-axis directions different from each other are arranged in correspondence with each pixel. Each of the phase difference regions is arranged in contact with the phase difference region of a different kind, and a side section, of each of the phase difference region, that is in contact with the phase difference region of the different kind has waviness with an amplitude a that satisfies following expressions: 0
US09164318B2

A backlight assembly includes a first light guide plate, a second light guide plate, a light source part and a cover part. The second light guide plate is spaced apart from the first light guide plate. The light source part includes a first light source providing light to the first light guide plate and a second light source providing light to the second light guide plate. The cover part is disposed over the light source part. The cover part overlaps with a portion of the first light guide plate and a portion of the second light guide plate. A display apparatus having the above configuration has a narrow bezel and a thin profile.
US09164317B2

The invention relates to a display device, comprising an illumination means and a liquid crystal display. The illumination means also serves to heat the liquid crystal display, and control means may control the brightness of an image displayed via the liquid crystal display.
US09164315B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a transflective liquid crystal display and a method for manufacturing the same. The transflective liquid crystal display comprises: an array substrate; a color filter substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrate; a plurality of pixels formed on the array substrate, wherein each pixel comprises a transmissive region and a reflective region, and the liquid crystal layer has the same thickness at the transmissive region and the reflective region; a first transparent electrode formed on the array substrate; a second transparent electrode formed on the color filter substrate at the transmissive region, wherein an initial optical delay of the liquid crystal layer at the transmissive region is different from that of the liquid crystal layer at the reflective region.
US09164308B2

An optical compensation structure and a display device are disclosed. The former comprises a front side polarizer and a rear side polarizer arranged at both sides of a VA liquid crystal unit; wherein the front side polarizer includes a front side polarization unit as well as a biaxial film arranged between the front side polarization unit and the VA liquid crystal unit; the rear side polarizer includes a rear side polarization unit as well as a first rear side TAC film arranged between the rear side polarization unit and the VA liquid crystal unit. The region having serious dark-state light leakage can be transferred from a horizontal viewing angle to a vertical viewing angle, which improves the display effect. There is no addition of the number of layers of the biaxial film, which reduces the cost.
US09164304B2

A liquid crystal display assembly including a liquid crystal display module, a backlight assembly and a supporting frame is provided. The liquid crystal display module has a display surface. The backlight assembly has a light guide plate. The supporting frame has a top portion and a bottom portion opposite to the top portion. The light guide plate of the backlight assembly is fixed at the top portion of the supporting frame, the liquid crystal display module is stacked up on the light guide plate and is disposed on the top portion of the supporting frame, wherein a circuit board is applicable to mount to the bottom portion of the supporting frame and electrically connects to the liquid crystal display module, and the circuit board faces a rear side of the backlight assembly opposite to the display surface. An electronic apparatus including the liquid crystal display assembly is also provided.
US09164297B2

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for forming Ophthalmic Lenses with Stabilizing Features, and more specifically, Ophthalmic Lenses that include an encapsulated Insert Device.
US09164292B2

Systems, devices, and methods for image stabilization, more particularly, a track and bogie based optically centered gimbal stabilizing assembly comprising: a ring having an inwardly disposed track (110); a first bogie (130) having an arcuate first chassis member, a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly; a second bogie (120) having an arcuate second chassis member, a third wheel assembly, and a fourth wheel assembly; where the first wheel assembly, the second wheel assembly, the third wheel assembly, and the fourth wheel assembly may each ride in the track (110); and a tilt plate (170) operatively connected to the first bogie (130) and the second bogie (120) and movable therewith.
US09164289B2

A stereoscopic image display device that enables 2D/3D image output conversion includes a display panel configured to display an image and a polarization lens panel disposed on the display panel and configured to transmit as-is or refract light supplied from the display panel according to an image display mode. The polarization lens panel includes: first and second substrates; a lower electrode formed on the first substrate; an upper electrode formed on the second substrate; and a polymer liquid crystal layer formed of a polymer liquid crystal in which a polymer and a liquid crystal are combined, and disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode.
US09164288B2

The presentation of stereoscopic display content for viewing with passive glasses and full resolution is provided. In use, (a) a frame of stereoscopic display content intended for viewing by one eye of a user is scanned, using a display layer of a display device; (b) the scanned frame is polarized utilizing a polarizing layer of the display device, according to a polarization associated with a lens of stereoscopic glasses worn over the same one eye of the user; (c) a backlight is activated to illuminate the polarized frame, in response to an entirety of the polarized frame being scanned; (d) the display device is held for a predetermined period of time in response to activation of the backlight, and then the backlight is de-activated; and (a)-(d) are then repeated for the other eye of the user, with another frame of stereoscopic display content intended for viewing by the other eye.
US09164285B2

A 3D image display apparatus includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels to display an image and a lenticular lens plate disposed in front of the display panel and including a plurality of lenticular lenses. The pixels are arranged to have an arrangement axis inclined with respect to a vertical axis of the display panel, and the lenticular lenses have a lens axis inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the display panel.
US09164283B2

A multi optical-route Head Up Display (HUD), comprising: at least an image display unit, to generate at least two input images, and project them respectively to a plurality of relay lenses, which adjusts reflection angle of said input signals and then transmits them to a virtual image generation unit, said virtual image generation unit produces a plurality of virtual images, and transmits them to a plurality of transmission mirrors, which reflects said virtual images to form a large area virtual image. Based on technical contents mentioned above, size of optical elements of lens and mirrors can be reduced drastically, so that said multi optical-route HUD can be miniaturized, to achieve image display range of large area, thus the moving vehicle information frame required completely overlaps outside view, as such effectively solving defects of a conventional single optical-route image display device capable of only providing small area image display.
US09164276B2

A micro optical switching device is provided, including a substrate, a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the substrate and including a first opening array including having a first plurality of openings, a second electrode disposed over the first electrode and including a second opening array including a plurality of second openings which do not overlap with the plurality of first openings, and a support member disposed on the substrate. The support member has a thickness greater than a distance from the first surface of the substrate to the second electrode and protrudes above the second electrode.
US09164271B2

An endoscope system according to the invention includes a display device including a first connector, plural apparatuses having different functions in which placing sections, on which the display device can be detachably set from a common direction, are respectively provided, and a second connector disposed in common in each of the placing sections and electrically connected to the first connector of the display device to form a pair in a state in which the display device is set on the placing sections.
US09164270B2

An endoscope having a viewing direction which can be pivoted relative to the endoscope includes an illumination beam path for transmitting illumination light and a plurality of reflective surfaces for reflecting illumination light, the reflective surfaces being arranged at least partially next to one another in the illumination beam path relative to the intended light propagation direction of illumination light in the illumination beam path.
US09164261B2

This super-wide lens substantially consists of a positive first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a negative third lens group, in this order from the object side. The first lens group and the third lens group are fixed and the second lens group moves toward the object side while focusing from an object at infinity to an object at the closest distance. The first lens group substantially consists of a negative first sub lens group, a positive second sub lens group, an aperture stop, and a positive third sub lens group in this order from the object side. Conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.15
US09164254B2

An optical component includes a substrate and two optical lenses, and the substrate and the two optical lenses are an integrated and inseparable structure. A groove that can accommodate a required collimating optical element is provided on the substrate, or a collimating optical element and the substrate are integrated. Because fabrication of optical elements is completed during fabrication of the optical component, the number of elements to fabricate and time and cost of fabricating the elements can be reduced. Also, during assembly of an image capturing device, it is only required that the optical component is locked to a body of the image capturing device to complete arrangement of a front panel and the optical elements, which can greatly simplify an assembly procedure and shorten assembly time.
US09164241B2

A node for a low loss passive optical hub is provided. The low loss passive optical hub includes a 1:N-split fiber and a plastic-optical fiber. The 1:N-split fiber has a fused-fractional end and N second-fractional ends. The 1:N-split fiber is formed from N sub-fibers. The N sub-fibers each have a first-fractional end and a second-fractional end. The N first-fractional ends are fused to form the fused-fractional end. The plastic-optical fiber has a first end and a second end. The first end of the plastic-optical fiber is optically coupled to the fused-fractional end of the 1:N-split fiber.
US09164238B2

Provided are an optical coupler and an arrayed-waveguide grating structure including the same. The coupler includes a lower clad layer, a core comprising a slab waveguide region disposed on one side of the lower clad layer and a ridge waveguide region disposed on the other side of the lower clad layer, and an upper clad disposed on the core, wherein the ridge waveguide region comprises a self-focusing region configured to focus an optical signal provided form the slab waveguide region and thus to prevent scattering of the optical signal.
US09164217B2

A linear light source includes a plurality of LED chips that are linearly arranged along a first direction, and a reflector including a first tapered sidewall sandwiching the LED chips in the first direction and a second tapered sidewall sandwiching the LED chips in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The LED chips are surrounded by first tapered sidewall and second tapered sidewall, and the second tapered sidewall is lower than the first tapered sidewall.
US09164215B2

A light guide plate has a light introduction part having an end face configured to have light incident thereon, and a light guide plate body provided continuously to the light introduction part and comprising a thickness smaller than maximum thickness of the light introduction part. The light guide plate body has a light emitting surface configured to emit light incident from the end face. A directivity conversion pattern is provided on at least one of a face on a light exit side and a face opposite to the face. The directivity conversion pattern converts directivity spread in a thickness direction of the light introduction part to a directivity characteristic which is inclined in a direction parallel to a face direction of the light introduction part. A light reflection wall is provided on the end face.
US09164214B2

A system and method of providing an at least two color image with a system where the system has at least two contiguous imaged light print sheets. Each imaged light print sheet has a white light translucent sheet having a volume and a first and second print sheet having pixels within the volume which alter direction of white light transmission through the volume such that at least some light intersecting the pixel is directed towards the first viewable surface. The first and second at least two imaged light prints overlain with respective pixels of a single composite image in registry. A light emitter of a first visible color is positioned to edge-light the first imaged light print sheet and a second light emitter of a second visible color different from the first visible color, is positioned to edge light the second imaged light print sheet.
US09164202B2

A fluidic lens may include an optical surface configured for deflection dominated by bending stress. An adjustable concentric load may be applied to the optical surface to cause a clear aperture region of the optical surface to deflect with generally spherical curvature. Adjusting the concentric load controls the radius of curvature. An adjustable uniformly-distributed load may be applied to the optical surface by fluid pressure that causes the clear aperture region to deflect with an aspheric shape. Adjusting the pressure controls the asphericity of curvature. First and second fluids having similar densities and different refractive indexes may be disposed on either side of a deflectable optical surface to help balance gravitational loading on either side of the optical surface, thereby reducing gravity-associated aberrations.
US09164197B2

A silicone rubber composition having a good transparency and hardness is made of a hydrosilylation-curable silicone rubber composition containing (A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane, (B) a silicone resin, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, (D) a rare earth salt of a carboxylic acid represented by general formula (I): (RCOO)nM (I) (in the formula, R denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, n denotes a number between 3 and 4, and M denotes a rare earth element selected from among cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm) and the like), and (E) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst.
US09164188B2

A method of forming a geological model of a region of the earth includes obtaining seismic data relating to the region, the seismic data including seismic traveltime uncertainty. A seismic velocity model of the region may also be provided and includes velocity uncertainty. Three dimensional positions of a plurality of points of the region can then be determined. The three dimensional positional uncertainties of at least some of the points can be calculated from the traveltime uncertainty and the velocity uncertainty. This can be combined with the positions to form a geological model.
US09164186B2

The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power to drive a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion. Preferably, a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.
US09164181B2

A scintillation crystal capable of emitting scintillation light can have a main body and a feature extending from the main body along a side of the scintillation crystal. The feature can have a dimension that is no greater than 2.5 times a wavelength of the scintillating light. In an embodiment, the feature and the main body can have substantially the same composition, and in a further embodiment the scintillation crystal can be interface free between the feature and the main body. The feature can be formed along the side of the scintillation crystal by removing portions of the scintillation crystal. In particular, the feature can be formed by abrading a surface of the scintillation crystal with an abrasive material.
US09164179B2

Implementations relate to systems and methods for generating compensated speed values for a Doppler-enabled device. A portable wireless device can contain a GPS navigation engine (110) to capture position data (120) and Doppler speed data (118) from positioning satellites. The device can also generate position-based speed values from successive position readings and time intervals, to determine the current speed independently of the Doppler-based speed values. During degraded signal conditions, the Doppler-based speed values can drop to invalid levels. The device incorporates a combiner module (450) which compares the position-based and Doppler-based speed values and performs combination operations on those quantities to produce a compensated speed value (490). By selecting the maximum or otherwise combining those values, extreme excursions in speed values are avoided and accuracy promoted.
US09164171B2

An ultrasonic beamforming method is provided. The ultrasonic beamforming method includes dividing an input ultrasonic signal into a plurality of regions in an observation space, calculating a weight value for each of the plurality of regions, calculating a pixel weight value for each pixel using the weight value for each region, and calculating a beamforming value using the pixel weight value.
US09164168B2

A system is disclosed for wirelessly detecting movement of a target. The system comprises a reference oscillator, a transmitter, a receiver, a demodulator, and a processor, wherein: the reference oscillator generates references frequencies for the transmitter, the receiver, and the demodulator; the transmitter generates a continuous-wave signal at a frequency based on the transmitter reference frequency and wirelessly transmits it to the target; the receiver wirelessly receives a reflected signal from the target having a phase angle corresponding to movement of the target and converts the reflected signal into an intermediate frequency signal based on the receiver reference frequency; the demodulator demodulates the intermediate frequency signal into an in-phase component and a quadrature component; and the processor converts the in-phase component and the quadrature component into a movement signal corresponding to movement of the target.
US09164167B2

A personal electronic device such as a smart phone can include a micro-impulse radar (MIR).
US09164165B2

A system and method for providing warnings and directives based upon gunfire detection is described herein. Specifically, gunfire detection system can comprise a memory that stores an application, and a one or more zone plans, wherein said zone plan comprises directives relating to a one or more output devices spanning across a monitored area comprising a one or more zones. The gunfire detection system can further comprise a processor that, at the direction of said application, determines whether gunfire has occurred and a location associated with said gunfire, and implements one of said zone plans based on said location.
US09164152B2

A power detection apparatus is provided. The power detection apparatus includes a first current processing circuit and a second current processing circuit. The first current processing circuit is configured to provide a dynamic bias voltage at a bias terminal in response to a variation of a system power. The second current processing circuit is coupled to the first current processing circuit and is biased under the dynamic bias voltage for outputting a power good signal at an output terminal to represent that the system power is ready when the dynamic bias voltage is greater than a threshold voltage.
US09164151B2

A system for determining isolation resistances of a battery pack includes a voltage source, a voltage meter, and a microprocessor. The voltage source is disposed external of the battery pack. The voltage source applies an output voltage on first and second electrical terminals. The voltage meter measures a first voltage level between the first electrical terminal and the housing, and a second voltage level between the first electrical terminal and the housing when a resistor is electrically coupled between the first electrical terminal and the housing. The voltage meter measures a third voltage level between the second electrical terminal and the housing, and a fourth voltage level between the second electrical terminal and the housing when the resistor is electrically coupled between the second electrical terminal and the housing. The microprocessor determines a first isolation resistance value based on the first, second, and third voltage levels.
US09164145B2

There are provided an apparatus for testing a semiconductor device and a method for testing a semiconductor device. The apparatus for testing a semiconductor device includes: a temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of a semiconductor device to generate a detected temperature; a controller comparing the detected temperature with a preset control temperature to generate a comparison result, and determining whether to cool the semiconductor device according to the comparison result; and a cooling unit cooling the semiconductor device according to a control of the controller, wherein the controller resets the control temperature, when the detected temperature is outside of a range of an operational temperature of the semiconductor device.
US09164140B2

A method and device for insulation fault monitoring in ungrounded electrical networks. The method includes the following steps: measuring an insulation resistance, determining a responding value for the insulation resistance, and triggering a warning signal if the measured insulation resistance falls below the responding value, wherein the responding value is determined dynamically as a momentary responding value in a warning value establishment process downstream of the insulation resistance measurement.
US09164123B2

The disclosure relates to a micromechanical rotary acceleration sensor including a substrate with at least one anchoring device and at least two flywheel masses. At least one of the flywheel masses is connected to at least one anchoring device by means of a coupling element. The at least one anchoring device is designed in such a manner that the at least two flywheel masses are elastically deflectable from a respective rest position about at least one axis of rotation. The at least two flywheel masses is designed in such a manner that they have different natural frequencies.
US09164119B2

An angular velocity detection device includes an outer frame including fixed portions, outer beam portions connected to the fixed portions, a sensing part surrounded by the outer frame with first slit therebetween, and a joint connecting the outer frame and the sensing part. The sensing part includes an inner beam portion, a flexible portion, and a detector. The inner beam portion has a hollow region inside and is square-shaped when viewed from above. The flexible portion is formed in the hollow region of the inner beam portion, and is connected to the inner edge of the inner beam portion. The detector is disposed in the flexible portion. The first slit is formed to surround the sensing part excluding the joint.
US09164116B2

A wash element for washing one or more reusable fluid manipulators is provided comprising at least one nozzle for connection to a fluid pump to generate a fluid jet and at least one deflector surface positioned to deflect the fluid jet towards a washing zone for receiving at least a portion of the fluid manipulator. The deflector surface is being shaped to broaden the fluid jet. The invention further relates to a wash station having a cavity provided with one or more wash elements. The invention yet further relates to an automated system for manipulating fluids comprising at least one wash station and a controller set up to control washing the fluid manipulator. In a process for washing the reusable fluid manipulator at least a portion of the fluid manipulator is moved in a washing zone, a fluid jet of washing fluid is generated and directed onto a deflector surface shaped to broaden and deflect the fluid jet towards the washing zone.
US09164114B2

The present invention relates to a system and method for continuous loading of consumables into an analyzer comprising a stacker unit which can be uncoupled from the transport system for transporting the consumables from the stacker to the analytical modules and within and/or between the analytical modules.
US09164104B2

The invention involves, inter alia, the use of markers of systemic inflammation to determine whether or not an individual undergoing treatment with a cardiovascular agent to reduce the risk of a future cardiovascular event will benefit from continued treatment with the cardiovascular agent. Further, this invention describes the use of markers of systemic inflammation to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and to assist physicians in deciding on the course of a treatment in an individual at risk of future cardiovascular events.
US09164100B2

Provided are high-throughput detection systems. The systems include a magnetic sensor device, a magnetic field source and a reservoir plate that includes a plurality of fluid reservoirs. The magnetic sensor device includes a support with two or more elongated regions each having a magnetic sensor array disposed at a distal end. Also provided are methods in which the subject high-throughput detection systems find use.
US09164097B2

The invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof specific for insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP7). A method of raising anti-IGFBP7 single domain antibodies is also disclosed and specific antibody clones are described, along with their binding characteristics. The anti-IGFBP7 antibodies may be useful as diagnostic tools for detecting neoplastic diseases involving tumor angiogenesis, and a variety of other angiogenesis associated diseases.
US09164089B2

The instant invention provides an economical flow-through method for determining amount of target proteins in a sample. An antibody preparation (whether polyclonal or monoclonal, or any equivalent specific binding agent) is used to capture and thus enrich a specific monitor peptide (a specific peptide fragment of a protein to be quantitated in a proteolytic digest of a complex protein sample) and an internal standard peptide (the same chemical structure but including stable isotope labels). Upon elution into a suitable mass spectrometer, the natural (sample derived) and internal standard (isotope labeled) peptides are quantitated, and their measured abundance ratio used to calculate the abundance of the monitor peptide, and its parent protein, in the initial sample.
US09164082B2

A substrate for biochips, which does not induce autofluorescence, which can immobilize a biologically relevant substance(s) easily, which can prevent the undesirable spread of a liquid spot which is added dropwise on the biochips when using the biochips, in which the adhesion between a carbon-containing layer and an aluminum material is high, and which can be produced at lower cost than the known substrate for biochips; a method for producing the substrate; and a biochip including the substrate are disclosed. The substrate for biochips comprises a carbon-coated aluminum material, wherein the carbon-coated aluminum material comprises an aluminum material and a carbon-containing layer formed on at least one surface of the aluminum material, and further comprises an interposing layer which is formed between the aluminum material and the carbon-containing layer, and which interposing layer contains aluminum element and carbon element.
US09164078B2

A separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously-collected whole blood into selected blood components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, including prediction of the hematocrit of the whole blood using a light source and an optical sensor.
US09164072B2

A sensor element for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of a gas includes a front electrode configured to be exposed to the gas to be measured, a back electrode, and an electrically insulating layer positioned between front electrode and back electrode. The front electrode and the back electrode can be electrically contact connected to an AC voltage source for a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of a gas. The electrically insulating layer is at least locally polarizable in such a way that in a polarized state the electrically insulating layer has a relative permittivity which is lower than in a non-polarized state by a factor in a range of greater than or equal to 1.1.
US09164071B2

A method and system for measuring or assessing the homeostatic relationship between gases in the body, environment or water. The measured or assessed level of gases in the body, environment or air uses the interrelationships of the various components in order to establish guidelines for treating individuals, the environment or water.
US09164066B1

A method and apparatus comprises a sensor structure, a first array of optical fibers, and a second array of optical fibers. The first array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards a test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object. The second array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves.
US09164060B2

Methods and systems for performing mass spectrometry of analytes labeled with isobaric tags are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicants' teachings, the methods and systems can enable enhanced discrimination between an analyte of interest and one or more interfering species when using isobaric tagging techniques.
US09164056B2

Systems and methods for detecting dried test strips are provided, where a dried test strip may be one that has been re-inoculated with a biological sample after having already been previously inoculated with another sample at an earlier time (e.g., hours or days before). In various aspects, a biosensor such as an amperometric glucose biosensor (“meter”) may apply one or more input electrical signals to an inoculated test strip having at least a pair of electrodes in contact with the biological sample. The meter may measure output current value(s) resulting in response to the input electrical signals applied to the test strip. The meter may determine whether the test strip is a dried test strip by comparing a ratio of the measured output current value(s) with a boundary ratio value.
US09164046B2

The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographical method. Projection images are recorded by an image recording unit during a rotational run from recording angles between a start angle and an end angle, with a three-dimensional image data reconstructed from the projection images, with a first perfusion measurement with a first contrast agent injection and a first rotational run and with a further perfusion measurement with a further contrast agent injection and a further rotational run, which is started after the preceding perfusion measurement has concluded, with the start time and/or the start angle of the additional rotational run deviating from one another in respect of the time of the contrast agent injection. The method enables a functional three-dimensional time-resolved imaging of perfusion processes with the aid of flexible C-arm x-ray devices, which allow a functional imaging in an interventional environment.
US09164032B2

A system and method for using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources for identification of counterfeit drugs may perform spectroscopy using a super-continuum laser to provide detection in a non-contact and non-destructive manner at stand-off or remote distances with minimal sample preparation. Also, near-infrared or SWIR light may penetrate through plastic containers and packaging, permitting on-line inspection and rapid scanning. The near-infrared or SWIR spectroscopy may also be used to detect illicit drugs and their chemical composition. Moreover, the spectroscopic techniques may also be applied to quality assessment and control in pharmaceutical manufacturing, thus permitting the implementation of smart manufacturing with feedback control. Fiber super-continuum lasers may emit light in the near-infrared or SWIR between approximately 1.4-1.8 microns, 2-2.5 microns, 1.4-2.4 microns, 1-1.8 microns. In particular embodiments, the detection system may be a dispersive spectrometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, or a hyper-spectral imaging detector or camera.
US09164031B2

An apparatus configured to obtain a physical property of an object by time-domain spectroscopy includes: a detection unit; a delay unit configured to adjust a time difference between generation and detection; a shaping unit configured to collect the electromagnetic wave pulses; a waveform obtaining unit configured to construct a time waveform of the electromagnetic wave pulses; and a collecting position adjusting unit configured to adjust a collecting position. When the collecting position is moved, an amount of adjustment when the collecting position matches first and second reflection portions, respectively, of the object, and a difference by the delay unit required for detecting first and second pulses of the time waveform are obtained, and from an amount of change of the amount of adjustment and the difference, a thickness and a refractive index of a region between the first and second reflection portions of the object are calculated.
US09164030B2

The present invention is applied for an image capturing device having a light source and a camera that captures an image of a measurement subject placed in an optical path that lies between said camera itself and said light source. The image capturing device according to the present invention includes a control unit that subtracts a plurality of frame images captured by said camera during an OFF period of said light source from a plurality of frame images captured by said camera during an ON period of said light source, the number of frame images captured by said camera during the OFF period being the same as that number of frame images obtained by said camera during the ON period and integrates the differences between their images.
US09164022B2

The present invention provides automatic gating methods that are useful to gate populations of interest in multidimensional data, wherein the populations of interest are only a subset of the populations identifiable in the data. The populations are modeled as a finite mixture of multivariate probability distributions, preferably normal or t distributions. The distribution parameters that provide a best fit of the model distribution to the data are estimated using an Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm that further includes a dynamic neighborhood thresholding that enables gating of a subset of the clusters present in the data.
US09164018B2

Embodiments of a method used for determination of inhibition durability index (IDI) of an inhibitive mud system can include multiple stages, with each stage including specific steps. The first stage can include a dispersion test that evaluates the inhibition effects of a stability inhibitor after exposing the test material to the inhibitor. The second stage can include a durability inhibition assessment, which includes assessing the longevity of the effect of the inhibitor. A third stage can be used to graph or otherwise evaluate the results of the second stage or the first and second stages.
US09164017B2

Identification of a material composition. The material composition is configured with a color additive that is embedded or otherwise not visible. The color additive identifies the specific material composition. A discrete section or sub-section of the material is deformed such that the embedded color additive is made visible in the optical spectrum, after which the discrete section or sub-section may be sorted for recycling.
US09164003B2

A force sensor system includes a housing assembly, a sensor, an actuator, and an actuator travel stop. The sensor is disposed within the housing assembly, and is configured to generate a sensor signal representative of a force supplied to the sensor. The actuator is disposed at least partially within, and is movable relative to, the housing assembly. The actuator extends from the housing assembly and is adapted to receive an input force. The actuator is configured, upon receipt of the input force, to move toward, and transfer the input force to, the sensor. The actuator travel stop is disposed within the housing assembly, and between the housing assembly and a portion of the actuator. The actuator travel stop is configured to be selectively engaged by the actuator and, upon engagement by the actuator, to limit movement of the actuator toward, and the input force transferred to, the sensor.
US09164002B2

A method and system for monitoring the flow of heat into and out of a building comprising at least one infrared detector adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a building opening; at least one processor for processing data obtained from the at least one infrared detector; the at least one infrared detector operatively connected to the at least one processor; whereby the at least one infrared detector operates to detect heat transfer through the building opening for processing by the at least one processor, the at least one processor being operative to detect energy usage.
US09164000B2

A core temperature sensor and a method of using such a sensor to non-invasively measure a temperature of a core thermal compartment of a human body or other mammals. A heater of the core temperature sensor heats a peripheral area to a temperature greater than the core temperature. A skin temperature sensor of the core temperature sensor monitors a cooling of the peripheral area to determine the core temperature.
US09163989B2

There is provided a recording apparatus including a colorimeter unit. The colorimeter unit includes a colorimeter including a color-measuring device that acquires colorimetric data from a recording surface of a recording medium; a first member that is a frame that supports the colorimeter; and a second member that is a frame fastened to the first member using a fastening device. The fastening device has an elastic member and fastens the first member and the second member together relatively movably against the elastic force of the elastic member.
US09163978B2

Apparatus and methods for a self-service device (“SSD”) purge-bin weighing scale are provided. The SSD may include a dispenser. The dispenser may disburse one or more tangible items to a customer. The dispenser may retract at least one of the tangible items disbursed to the customer. The SSD may include a purge-bin. The purge-bin may hold at least one tangible item. The purge-bin may hold the tangible item after the tangible item is retracted by the dispenser. The SSD may include a scale. The scale may measure a weight. The weight may be the weight of at least one tangible item. The scale may measure the weight after the tangible item is retracted by the dispenser. The scale may measure the weight of the tangible item prior to a transfer of the tangible item to the purge-bin.
US09163972B2

An apparatus and method is provided to reduce cross-talk between multiple capacitive sensors used in an electronic toilet and between multiple capacitive sensors used in an electronic faucet and an electronic soap dispenser.
US09163968B2

A magnetic flowmeter includes a flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid. A coil is positioned proximate the flowtube and arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid in response to a drive current alternating direction. First and second electrodes are arranged to sense a voltage potential in the process fluid in response to the applied magnetic field. The voltage potential is indicative of flow rate of process fluid through the flowtube. A sensor is coupled to the first and second current paths which has a sensor output related to the drive current. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of a transient change in the sensor output when current flowing through the coil alternates direction.
US09163963B2

A method is disclosed including receiving with a controller at a destination node signal samples and associated sampling time indications. The signal samples and the associated sampling time indications are received from a source node via a mesh network. The signal samples are delivered with sampling time indications generated at the source node to form a series of signals corresponding to one or more characteristic(s) related to electricity supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source. The method also includes applying a time domain convolution procedure to the received signal in the time domain that is uniformly sampled. The weighting of sample values in time domain convolution procedure is determined at least partially based on information indicative of the statistical behavior of a corresponding realized sample process.
US09163960B2

A long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry based on random laser amplification for extending a sensing distance includes a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a distributed Raman amplification based on optical fiber random lasers generated by unilateral pumps, a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a distributed Raman amplification based on optical fiber random lasers generated by bilateral pumps, and a long-distance polarization and phase-sensitive reflectometry of a Raman amplification based on a combination of optical fiber random lasers generated by unilateral pumps and a common Raman pump source, which are applied in optical fiber perturbation sensing and have a capability of greatly improving a working distance of a sensing system and a high practicability.
US09163952B2

A suggestive mapping device may predict, suggest, and/or provide potential destinations to a user. Additionally, the device may store historical location data of the user, determine a travel vector of the user, and predict the destination of the user based at least in part on the historical location data and/or the travel vector. Further, the device may provide hands-free maps to destinations when the user does not know the address at least by receiving contextual data of the user and/or contextual data of the user's contacts. Such hands-free, suggestive mapping devices may facilitate more effective navigation.
US09163949B2

The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a firer, furthermore a system and method for route planning (700). The system is arranged to be mounted on a moving object. The system comprises a position module (702), a firer location estimation module (704) and a route planning module (705). The position module (702) is arranged register the present position of the moving object at request and to determine the travel path of the moving object during a predetermined time period preceding the request, wherein the present position represents a target position for firing. The firer location method and the estimation module (704) is arranged to estimate the location of a firer based on the registered position and the determined travel path and based on map data (701) comprising 3D geographical coordinates data. The route planning module (705) arranged to plan a route of the object based on the determined location of the firer.
US09163948B2

Accuracy of a positioning device may be determined without requiring the device to be at any specific location, such as a test location. Instead of comparing the reported location and directional data to a known location and directional data, the present technology may use multiple discrete location and directional reports for comparison with the reported data at multiple locations. The multiple comparisons are used to assess the relative accuracy of the positional telematics system. The reported location may be a GPS location or from another positioning system.
US09163946B2

A method and apparatus of detecting and using motion modes in a mobile device is described. Movement data is collected from an inertial motion unit (IMU) of the mobile device and compared to two or more sets of training data, each set of training data corresponding to a different motion mode. Then, a motion mode is determined to be the current mode of the mobile device on the results of the comparison. The motion mode is used by the mobile device in a variety of applications.
US09163941B2

Accelerometers have a number of wide-ranging uses, and it is desirable to both increase their accuracy while decreasing size. Here, millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength accelerometers are provided which has the advantage of having the high accuracy of an optical accelerometer, while being compact. Additionally, because millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelength signals are employed, cumbersome and awkward on-chip optical devices and bulky optical mediums can be avoided.
US09163937B2

A new three-dimensional measurement method based on wavelet transform to solve the phase distribution of a fringe pattern accurately and obtain three-dimensional profile information of a measured object from phase distribution. The method includes: projecting a monochrome sinusoidal fringe pattern onto the object; performing wavelet transform for the deformed fringe pattern acquired with CCD line by line, solving the relative phase distribution by detecting the wavelet ridge line, recording the wavelet transform scale factors at the line, and creating a quality map; dividing the relative phase distribution into two parts according to the map, and performing direct-phase unwrapping for the part with better reliability using a scan line based algorithm, and unwrapping the part with lower reliability using a flood algorithm under the guide of the quality map, to obtain the absolute phase distribution of the fringe pattern; obtaining the three dimensional information using a phase-height conversion.
US09163934B2

A gap measurement device 1 comprises a light source 5 for projecting light on a gap 3 to be measured, a lens optical system 6 for focusing on an imaging surface 7 a gap image 3A from light transmitted through the gap 3, and a light-receiving element 9 for receiving light of the gap image 3A formed on the imaging surface 7 of the lens optical system 6. A holed mask 8 provided with a light-transmitting hole 8a having a prescribed aperture size is arranged on the imaging surface 7, and the light-receiving element 9 receives the light of the gap image 3A via the hole 8a. A gap size at a point to be measured in an extended gap 3 can be measured by forming an image of the gap with the lens optical system 6 and placing the hole 8a of the holed mask 8 on the point to be measured on the imaging surface 7 of the lens optical system 6.
US09163932B2

A measuring device is configured to measure a height of a mold. The measuring device includes a laser generator, a raster, a camera module, and a controller. The raster is positioned between the laser generator and the mold. A laser beam emitted by the laser generator is refracted by the raster to divide the laser into two laser beams. The two laser beams cooperatively define a predetermined angle θ. The camera module is configured to capture an image of the two laser beams irradiated onto the top surface. The controller is electrically connected to the camera module, and configured to receive the image and to calculate an actual distance D between the two laser beams, according to the image. The controller is capable of calculating a height H of the mold, according to D and the predetermined angle θ.
US09163931B2

An apparatus for measuring a thickness or wear amount and a temperature of the ceramic member by using a terahertz wave includes a terahertz wave generating unit configured to output a terahertz wave, a terahertz wave analysis unit configured to analyze a terahertz wave and an optical system configured to guide the terahertz wave output from the terahertz wave generating unit to the ceramic member and guide reflected waves of the terahertz wave reflected from the ceramic member to the terahertz wave analysis unit. The terahertz wave analysis unit obtains an optical path difference between a first reflection wave reflected from a front surface of the ceramic member and a second reflection wave reflected from a rear surface of the ceramic member and measures a thickness of the ceramic member based on the optical path difference.
US09163930B2

Systems for extended depth frequency domain optical coherence tomography are provided including a detection system configured to sample spectral elements at substantially equal frequency intervals, wherein a spectral width associated with the sampled spectral elements is not greater than one-half of the frequency interval. Related methods are also provided herein.
US09163926B2

A first reception wiring and a first magnetic flux coupler form a first track having a shape periodically changing in a rotation direction of the rotor at a first pitch. A second reception wiring and a second magnetic flux coupler form a second track having a shape periodically changing in a rotation direction of the rotor at a second pitch. The first reception wiring and the second reception wiring are stacked via a first insulative layer in a direction in which a rotation shaft extends. The first magnetic flux coupler and the second magnetic flux coupler are stacked via a second insulative layer in a direction in which the rotation shaft extends.
US09163923B2

A method of determining alignment of a spring component relative to an upper spring mounting plate of a strut assembly using an alignment system is provided. The method includes placing an alignment gauge component on the upper spring mounting plate at a preselected location. The alignment gauge component has a right angled body with a positioning portion resting on the upper spring mounting plate and a transverse measuring portion having an opening extending therethrough located alongside the spring component. A measuring rod is inserted through the opening of the measuring portion with the positioning portion of the alignment gauge component engaged with the upper spring mounting plate. The measuring rod has a measurement region that includes one or more color-coded areas for determining an alignment condition of the spring component relative to the upper spring mounting plate with the measuring rod extending through the opening and contacting the spring component.
US09163921B2

In some embodiments, an articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a plurality of transfer members and a plurality of articulation members connecting the plurality of transfer members to each other to measure an angle between the transfer members. The machine can additionally include at least one coordinate acquisition member positioned at an end of the articulated arm. Further, the machine can include a harness connected to at least one of the group consisting of the transfer members and the articulation members to support at least a portion of the weight of the transfer members and the articulation members. The harness can also be configured to mount to a human.
US09163914B2

A method for explosive cutting using converging shockwaves, and an explosive cutting device are disclosed. The method includes providing a projectile with an explosive charge, positioning the projectile over the object so it extends along an intended line of cut, and detonating the explosive charge so that the projectile is accelerated toward the object, wherein the projectile either impacts on the object and the projectile includes a wave-shaping element which is shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object to be cut causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut; or impacts on a wave-shaping element in contact with the object, the wave-shaping element being shaped such that the impact generates converging shockwaves in the underlying object causing a crack to be propagated through the object along the intended line of cut.
US09163910B2

An armored cab comprises a top wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall, the cab having a longitudinal axis. The bottom wall comprises a generally centrally disposed downwardly facing smooth concave wall portion extending substantially an entire length of the cab and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cab and forming a power train tunnel of the cab, and a pair of opposite laterally disposed wall portions extending substantially the entire length of the cab and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cab, each of the opposite laterally disposed wall portions extending downwardly and laterally inwardly and terminating in a lowermost portion of the bottom wall on either lateral side of the concave wall portion. The concave wall portion and the opposite laterally disposed wall portions are configured so as to present a substantially reduced surface area of the lowermost portions of the bottom wall in a downwardly facing direction. The armored cab includes various additional features that improve occupant survivability.
US09163909B2

A vehicle comprises a platform, a propulsion system, a communications system, a sensor system, and a computer system. The propulsion system, communications system, sensor system, and computer system are associated with the platform. The propulsion system is configured to move the platform on a ground. The communications system is configured to establish a wireless communications link to a remote location. The sensor system is configured to generate sensor data. The computer system is configured to run a number of control processes to perform a mission and configured to perform operations in response to a number of commands from the number of operators if the number of requests is valid.
US09163908B2

A protected firing platform protection system protects personnel from contact with the protected firing platform. In an embodiment, the protected firing platform protection system is adapted for use with a protected firing platform of a military vehicle. The protected firing platform protection system includes a blanket. The blanket has a carrier and a protective insert. The carrier has an interior. The protective insert is disposed in the interior. The blanket is attached to the protected firing platform.
US09163906B2

A protective garment of elastic ergonomic material with waist and thighs straps, and a central panel made of fabrics and obstacle elements in various patterns and combinations in order to delay, impede and deflect knife and scissors blades. Both waist and thigh structures enable adjustable girth via a lock and as such create a flexible and a non-elastic rigid and connected overall protective structure resistant to forcible attempts of undressing by pulling and or by cutting or shearing the garment.
US09163905B2

Dual mode SAL/IR imaging seekers are described herein. In some embodiments, a dual-mode SAL/IR imaging seeker described herein includes a focal plane array (FPA), an objective optical assembly providing a common optical path to the FPA for incident laser radiation of a first wavelength band and incident ambient radiation of a second wavelength band non-overlapping with the first wavelength band, a first optical filter operable to selectively pass the incident laser radiation to the FPA in a transmissive mode and selectively block the incident laser radiation from the FPA in a non-transmissive mode and a second optical filter assembly operable to selectively pass the incident ambient radiation to the FPA in a transmissive mode and selectively block the incident ambient radiation from the FPA in a non-transmissive mode.
US09163903B2

Systems and methods for boresighting a weapon having a barrel and at least one component to be aligned with the barrel. In one example, a boresighting apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to the weapon so as to lock the boresighting apparatus in a stationary position relative to the barrel, and a holographic laser projector contained within the housing and configured to project an image, the image including at least one boresighting target, each boresighting target of the at least one boresighting target having a geometric shape selected according to a component of the at least one component so as to permit alignment of the component with the barrel.
US09163901B2

A guidance section connector interface system operable with smart or guided rockets to be launched from a rocket launcher comprising a rocket connector of a rocket in electronic communication with a guidance system of a guidance head of the rocket, a connector saver, and a launcher connector of a rocket launcher. The connector saver can be configured to connect the rocket connecter to the launcher connector. The connection between the connector saver and the rocket connector is configured to release upon launching the rocket, wherein the connector saver remains connected to the launcher connector to protect the launcher connector from the extreme conditions within the rocket launcher at launch.
US09163899B2

Among other things, there is shown embodiments of a feedgate for a paintball loader having vanes or paddles that permit supplying paintballs into the loader but limit or inhibit escape of paintballs from the loader through the supply hole. Embodiments can include a frame, which may be a single piece or multiple-piece structure, and an insert with flexible vanes or paddles. Embodiments can include a pivotable cap, and/or the insert can snap into the frame.
US09163892B1

A muzzle brake mounts to the barrel of a gun and reduces the recoil when the gun is fired. The muzzle brake comprises a supersonic nozzle including an expansion chamber configured to accelerate the propellant gases exiting the barrel of the gun and a reverser plate to at least partially reverse the flow of the propellant gases to reduce or mitigate recoil.
US09163882B2

A double-wall heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange plate pairs. Each heat exchange plate pair forms a double-wall structure including two heat exchange plates that are at least partially separated by a leak space. At least one weep hole is disposed through the plurality of heat exchange plate pairs and intersects the leak spaces of the plurality of plate pairs to channel leaking fluid from the leak spaces to a location outside of the heat exchanger. The at least one weep hole is positioned on a surface of the heat exchanger at a location that is spaced from a side boundary of the heat exchanger thereby enabling an operator of the heat exchanger to observe a leakage on the surface of the heat exchanger.
US09163875B2

An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.
US09163872B2

A method (80) of operating a refrigeration system (48) for a refrigerated mobile cargo container (2) includes sensing a temperature outside of the refrigerated mobile cargo container (2), detecting a position of a door (16, 18) on the refrigerated mobile cargo container (2), and deactivating the refrigeration system (48) if the door (16, 18) is open and the temperature outside of the refrigerated mobile cargo container (2) is less than a predetermined value.
US09163871B1

A cooler having at least one bar configured along one side of the cooler lid and/or cooler body is described. A lid and/or body bar is supported by a lid or body support respectively, and has an extended length between the supports wherein a strap or latch may be configured around the bar. For example, a cooler lid may have a lid on the front side of the cooler lid and a cooler body may have a body bar that extends along the front wall of the cooler body. A latch or strap may be configured to pull the lid bar to the body bar, thereby providing for secure sealing of the cooler lid to the cooler body. A strap may be configured around a body bar to positively secure the cooler to an object, such as a vehicle while still allowing for access to the interior of the cooler.
US09163858B2

An optical device capable of concentrating and spectrum splitting electromagnetic radiation for solar energy conversion systems. Two interfaces of the optical device, designed by ray tracing methods, focus the electromagnetic radiation by refraction and chromatic dispersion, such that focal areas of different wavelengths, relative to one another, are not parallel to electromagnetic radiation incident upon the optical device. Energy conversion devices, such as solar photovoltaic cells, may be placed at or near the focal areas to efficiently convert radiation of different wavelengths to other forms of energy. Interfaces may be flat or curved and may be composed of multiple discontinuous surfaces on one or both interfaces in one or two axes. Interfaces composed of multiple discontinuities may be designed such that there is no shading of electromagnetic radiation of selected wavelengths. The optical device may be composed of one material or multiple materials with different Abbe numbers.
US09163853B2

To provide a noise control system capable of generating a noise cancellation field where noise is reduced at a desired position in a space. An error scanning filter generates a noise cancellation signal using an adaptive control algorithm based on error scanning, the signal having a phase opposite to that of an acoustic signal component detected by a reference sensor. A control speaker radiates the noise cancellation signal to create a noise cancellation field near the head of a person receiving sound.
US09163852B2

A modular a bracket which forms a cavity such that the bracket surrounds and supports an actuator. In one embodiment, the bracket is made of multiple pieces and also connects together without the use of fasteners. The pieces are connected together through the use of several attachment features, with a portion of each of the attachment features integrally formed as part of each half. The bracket also includes a plurality of alignment features integrally formed as part of the bracket. The alignment features support and properly position the actuator within the cavity. The design of the bracket reduces and simplifies design and tooling, and also has minimal components and fasteners, which also simplifies and reduces labor time.
US09163843B2

In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.
US09163842B2

A home appliance, such as a range, for floor-standing operation, including an appliance body, a floor-standing frame supporting the appliance body, the frame including a traverse frame member and an anti-tip bracket mounted to a support surface, the anti-tip bracket including a stanchion and an engagement member projecting from the stanchion in an generally horizontal manner and a tooth projecting downwardly from a distal end of the engagement member for engagement with a portion of the traverse frame member.
US09163839B2

Embodiments of the present application can provide systems and methods for a micromixer combustion head end assembly. The micromixer may include one or more base nozzle structures. The base nozzle structures may include coaxial tubes. The coaxial tubes may include an inner tube and an outer tube. The micromixer may also include one or more segmented mixing tube bundles at least partially supported by a respective base nozzle structure. Moreover, the micromixer may include an end cap assembly disposed about the one or more segmented mixing tube bundles.
US09163838B2

Provided is a gas turbine combustion burner capable of uniformly ejecting fuel from ejection holes for reduced NOx emissions of gas turbine combustors. The gas turbine combustion burner includes a plurality of swirling vanes (20) for ejecting fuel from fuel ejection holes (23, 24) into air or a mixture of air and fuel flowing from an upstream side while applying a swirling force to form a swirling mixed airflow and a nozzle (21) having the swirling vanes (20) arranged radially on an outer circumferential surface thereof and having a first fuel passage (26), through which the fuel is guided to the fuel ejection holes (23, 24), provided therein, a cavity (25) communicating with the fuel ejection holes (23, 24) is provided in each swirling vane (20), and at least two second fuel passages (27) are provided between the cavity (25) and the first fuel passage (26) along an axial direction.
US09163835B2

A thermal power boiler includes a furnace having a rear wall. A flue gas channel connected to the furnace includes a vertical back pass arranged on the rear wall side of the furnace. An ash hopper in the lower portion of the back pass has (i) a front wall, (ii) a rear wall, and (iii) two sidewalls. A pre-heater preheats combustion air and is provided with an inlet channel for flue gas connected to the preheater. The inlet channel has vertical portions, with an upper portion being attached to the lower portion of the back pass near the ash hopper. The inlet channel includes two adjacent channel portions connected to opposite sides of the back pass. One of the two portions is directly connected to the front wall of the ash hopper, and the other is directly connected to the rear wall of the ash hopper.
US09163834B2

The invention refers to a forced flow steam generator (10) and to a method for its operation. The forced flow steam generator (10) has a combustion chamber (11) with a burner arrangement (20). A fuel (B) and a mixture (G) consisting of pure oxygen and flue gas (R) are fed into the combustion chamber (11) or to the burner arrangement (20) for combusting. A flue gas duct (27) is connected to the combustion chamber (11) in the flow direction (S) of the flue gas (R), and a flue gas passage (26) is connected to the flue gas duct. The flue gas (R) for the oxygen-flue gas mixture (G) is fed back from the flue gas passage (26) via a flue gas recirculation line (28). The forced flow steam generator (10) is operated in the so-called oxyfuel process. A plurality of auxiliary heating surfaces (35) are arranged in the flue gas duct (27) downstream of the burner arrangement (20). Between the burner arrangement (20) and the auxiliary heating surfaces (35), provision is made for a wall heating surface arrangement (36) which at least partially covers a combustion chamber wall section (38) of the combustion chamber wall (12) which delimits the combustion chamber (11). For this purpose, the wall heating surface arrangement (36) has a plurality of wall heating surfaces (37) which butt against the respectively associated segment of the combustion chamber wall section (38). The operating medium (A) flows through the wall heating surface arrangement (36) and in this way thermal energy is dissipated from the flue gas (R) in order to limit the heating of the operating medium (A) in the combustion chamber wall tubes (13) and therefore to limit wall tube temperatures in the upper section of the boiler.
US09163821B2

A high power optical element streetlamp using a thermocouple includes a body unit, a lamp head unit, and a power supply unit fixed to the body unit. The lamp head unit includes a circuit board connected to the power supply unit, at least one optical element installed on the lower surface of the circuit board, a molding, and a heat dissipation plate installed on the upper end of the circuit board and including a plurality of heat dissipation fins to dissipate heat generated and transmitted from the at least one optical element and the circuit board. The thermocouple is arranged in the shape of a checkerboard on the surfaces of the heat dissipation fins and converts dissipated heat into thermoelectromotive force, and forming junctions where two kinds of metals having different thermal conductivities intersect to generate thermoelectric current is formed on the heat dissipation plate.
US09163819B2

A light assembly includes a light source circuit board, a plurality of light sources disposed on the light source circuit board, a housing thermally coupled to the light source circuit board and a lens cap assembly comprising a lens cap and a heat dissipation layer. The heat dissipated layer distributes heat from the light source circuit board through the lens cap and external to the light assembly.
US09163817B2

A ceiling mount occupancy sensor module has a body and a lens cover. The body includes a plurality of locking tabs respectively extending outwardly from side enclosures thereof. The lens cover is attached to the body. With the above-mentioned structure, the ceiling mount occupancy sensor module can be easily installed in a corresponding mounting hole of an apparatus by engagement of the locking tabs of the body with an edge of the mounting hole, and the ceiling mount occupancy sensor can be easily removed from the mounting hole of the apparatus by pressing the locking tabs of the body, thereby facilitating maintenance and replacement of the ceiling mount occupancy sensor.
US09163814B2

A sensor system (20) electrically connected to and controlling at least one recessed luminaire (30). The sensor system housing (22) is externally connected to the luminaire (30) and includes a flexible member (50) projecting therefrom. The flexible member (50) supports detection electronics spaced from the sensor system housing (22) or the coupled light fixture and sensor system housings (32, 22). The flexible member (50) allows a sensor (52) to be horizontally and vertically positioned relative to the sensor system housing (22).
US09163813B2

A lamp (1) has one or more LED's (2), supported above an open structure (7). The lamp (1) is made from thermoplastic material and has a base (3) including threads (4) and a lower contact (5). A thermoplastic body (6) of larger diameter is located above the base and has an open structure portion (7) preferably shaped as a truncated inverted and open cone. An upper part of the cone supports a circuit board (8) with a laminar form that supports the light emitting diodes (2). A upper semispherical element (9) is located over the body (6) and forms a light diffuser. An upper center of the base (3) has an internal electronic circuit (10) for connecting to a power source. The LED lamp with the open structure eases installation, has lower weight and cost, allows easy recycling and provides greater security for users.
US09163812B2

An LED light fixture assembly includes an elongated first support member, an elongated second support member spaced from and substantially parallel to the first support member, and a plurality of elongated LED lighting fixtures coupled to and extending between the first support member and the second support member. Each LED lighting fixture includes an elongated structural frame member having a substantially channel shaped support portion, and a mounting portion opposite the support portion. Each LED lighting fixture also includes a plurality of LED light modules secured to and positioned along the mounting portion, and a cover extending along and supported by the mounting portion. The cover is positioned so light emitted from the plurality of LED light modules passes through the cover and away from the mounting portion.
US09163811B2

An illumination module is provided that can be inserted into a receptacle that includes a wall and may be mounted on a support surface, such as a heat sink, and the illumination module include a cover and an LED assembly rotateably coupled to the cover. The LED assembly seats within the receptacle which causes terminals of the LED assembly to align with contacts on the receptacle. One of the cover and the receptacle can have a plurality of ramps and the other a plurality of shoulders. The cover can be rotated relative to the receptacle to cause the shoulders to slide relative to the ramps so as to direct the LED assembly into the receptacle. When the LED assembly is attached to the receptacle, the terminals on the LED assembly mate with the contacts on the receptacle.
US09163808B1

A outdoor lighting fixture includes an enclosure, a heatsink, and an end-cap. The enclosure includes a cabinet and a cover that enclose control and power circuitry to provide power to illuminate a light source. The cabinet further includes an attachment face, and the extruded heatsink can be coupled to the attachment face. The extruded heatsink includes sides, a discontinuous plane of material formed with sides of the heatsink to provide a recessed mounting tray, and heat-conducting fins extending from the plane of material. The light source, which can include an LED light source, is coupled to the heatsink. The extruded heatsink can be coupled at one end to the attachment face of the cabinet at a position such that a space remains between the plane of material and a bottom edge of the attachment face, to permit water to drain from between the heat-conducting fins of the extruded heatsink.
US09163806B1

An optical system includes a lens and reflector configured to form a wide angle beam from light emitted from an array of LEDs by modifying only the component of emitted light that diverges from a reference plane. A central portion of the lens collimates emitted LED light relative to the reference plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. A peripheral portion of the lens re-directs emitted LED light into an orientation perpendicular to the reference plane. The reflector surrounds the periphery of the lens and re-directs light from the peripheral portion of the lens into a direction parallel with the reference plane. The linear array of LEDs may include sub arrays projecting away from a support plane to enhance visibility of a resulting light signal from vantage points close to or aligned with the support plane.
US09163797B2

An atmosphere light with interacting functions includes a body formed with a plurality of polygon-shaped blocks which are connected to each other, a plurality of lenses respectively covering the blocks, a receiving space defined between the lens and the block, a light source located in the receiving space and mounted at the center on the bottom of the block, a cover assembled in the receiving space and covering the light source, a controller assembled in the body and electrically connected to the light source so that the light source is varied by the controller. Under this arrangement, when the light beams from the light source are transmitted to the lenses, the light beams are refracted by the lenses and passes through the lenses; consequently, the light beam is formed as a virtual image at the center of the body via the refraction.
US09163793B2

A combination lamp and flashlight assembly including a frame; a headlamp attachment and a charging attachment carried by the frame; a cable electrically coupling the headlamp attachment and the charging attachment; a headlamp head; and a battery pack, wherein the assembly is changeable between a headlamp configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the headlamp attachment and the battery pack is mechanically and electrically coupled to the charging attachment, and a handheld flashlight configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery pack to form a handheld flashlight. The assembly is also changeable to a cycle lamp configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to a headlamp attachment of a handle bar mount to form a cycle lamp and the battery pack is mechanically and electrically coupled to a charging attachment of a cycle tube mount.
US09163791B2

In a light emitting device (10) includes a light source (11) which emits near-ultraviolet laser light and a fluorescent member (12) which includes a fluorescent body (13) that is excited by the light emitted from the light source (11) so as to emit light, the fluorescent member (12) includes a substrate (16) which is formed with a highly heat conductive member and a fluorescent body layer (14) in which particles (13d) of the fluorescent body (13) are deposited on the substrate (16).
US09163790B2

An illumination device and a light-emission module suppressing a change in color temperature when light emitted from a light-emission unit passes through an optical member. The illumination device has a lighting apparatus that includes: a first light-emission part emitting light of a daylight color temperature; a second light-emission part emitting light of an incandescent lamp color temperature; and the optical member, which is disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light-emission parts. A correlated color temperature of the light emitted from the second light-emission part is set to 2238 K. Due to this, in a spectrum of the light emitted from the second light-emission part, a maximum intensity within a wavelength range from 400 nm to 500 nm is no greater than one-tenth of a maximum intensity within a wavelength range from 300 nm to 800 nm.
US09163789B2

The present invention provides an attachment base for a lighting unit of a decorative lighting string comprising an upper base member inserted with an LED lamp and mounted onto an lower base member; the upper base member comprising locking hooks extended downward from two lateral sides of a bottom portion thereon; the lower base member comprising buckle holes adjacent to a bottom portion on two lateral sides corresponding to the locking hooks; characterized in that inner bottom surfaces of rear of the two buckle holes on the lower base member comprise blocking plate; a distance between the blocking plate and the buckle hole is slightly greater than a thickness of the locking hook. With such blocking plates, once the locking hooks are secured onto the buckle hole, the locking hooks abut the blocking plate to prevent the looking hook to disengage from the buckle hole under external forces.
US09163786B2

An energy capturing system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a spacer element, a pressurization device, an energy capturing device and a pressure stabilizing device. The first chamber and the second chamber are adapted to contain a liquid. The spacer element is located between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the first chamber via an opening of the spacer element. Two ends of the pressurization device are connected with the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The energy capturing device is located on the opening. The pressure stabilizing device is connected with the first chamber.
US09163785B2

Embodiments of the disclosure may include a fluid dispensing system. The system may include a first tank configured to contain a first fluid and a second tank configured to contain a second fluid. The system may also include a plurality of conduits fluidly connecting the first and second tanks, wherein the first fluid in the first tank is configured to be gravity-fed or pressure-fed to the second tank. The system may also include a conditioning system fluidly connected to the second tank. The conditioning system may include at least one conduit fluidly coupled to a lower region of the second tank. The conditioning system may also include a heat exchanger. In addition, the conditioning system may include at least one conduit fluidly coupled to an upper region of the second tank. The conditioning system may be capable of a first configuration that returns fluid from the heat exchanger to a lower region of the second tank, and a second configuration that returns fluid from the heat exchanger to an upper region of the second tank.
US09163774B2

A support structure is provided that can comprise a central support member and leveling devices arranged in a deployed configuration where the leveling devices are radially offset from the central support member. In one embodiment of the support structure, each of the leveling devices can comprise an actuator assembly for fine positioning of a support plane of the support structure. The actuator assembly can communicate with a control system, and in one example the control system is operatively configured to monitor the position of the support plane, providing feedback in the form of a control that operates the actuator to adjust the orientation of the support plane.
US09163773B2

Insulation for a cryogenic component is described. The insulation includes an inner portion formed of a multi-layer insulating material comprising alternating layers of metalized polymer film and polymer netting. An outer supporting mesh surrounds the inner portion and is formed of stainless steel. The insulation is particularly suitable for insulating cryogenic components that move during operation since the supporting mesh acts to support the inner portion against damage caused by forces resulting from motion of the cryogenic component.
US09163768B2

A return fuel cooling system for LPI vehicle having an engine and a bombe connected to each other through a fuel supply line and a fuel return line in the LPI vehicle using LPG fuel to cool high-temperature LPG fuel returning from the engine to the bombe, may include a heat exchanger mounted on the fuel return line, a bypass line connecting upstream and downstream of the fuel return line, wherein the heat exchanger may be interposed between the upstream and the downstream of the fuel return line to make the LPG fuel returning to the bombe bypass the heat exchanger and supply the LPG fuel to the bombe, and a valve included at a portion in which the fuel return line and the bypass line is connected, and selectively opening or closing the fuel return line connected with the heat exchanger according to a temperature of the bombe.
US09163766B2

A device for connecting interchangeable pneumatic tools to manipulators is provided. The device includes a body, fixable to a manipulator, provided with a plurality of seats for accommodating pins for engaging a tool, ducts for feeding a working fluid to the tool, where the ducts extend in the device body, an engaging mechanism which can be activated for constraining and releasing, respectively, the tool to/from the device, and means for closing the ducts. For safety purposes the device is arranged such that the activation of the engaging mechanism for unlocking the tool is always achievable upon the reaching of the complete closing of the ducts by the respective closing means. This way a quick depressurization of the tool is prevented from occurring at the separation from the device, this latter circumstance being conventionally dangerous for the tool replacement operator.
US09163765B2

A coupling device for connecting a first coupling housing (12) and a second coupling housing (20) is provided. The first coupling housing (12) comprises a guiding element (101; 201; 301a-e; 401b,c; 501b-d) extending from the first coupling housing (12) and having a free end (102; 202; P) at a distance (h) from the first coupling housing central axis (a-a). The second coupling housing (20) comprises a receptacle (123; 223; 323; 423; 523) for the guiding element and pull-in means (8) for pulling the guiding element into the receptacle, said pull-in means (8) being connected to the guiding element free end (102; 202; P). The invention allows the first coupling housing to be pulled towards the receptacle at an angle which is not coincident with the central axis (a-a), and when the guiding element is in place inside the receptacle, the first coupling housing central axis (a-a) and the central axis (b-b) of the second coupling housing are aligned and coincident, and the two housings are rotationally aligned.
US09163763B2

This invention concerns an arrangement (3) that is comprised as a component (4.2) of an airtransport channel where the air-transport channel component (4.2) comprises two tubular sub-elements, a first sub-element (7) and a second sub-element (8), where the second element (8) has a diameter that is somewhat larger than that of the first element (7), which allows the first element (7) to be inserted into the second element (8) such that the two elements (7, 8) can be displaced relative to each other in a telescopic manner. The arrangement (3) is characterised in that it comprises a glide sleeve (11) that is arranged between the first element (7) and the second element (8), that the glide sleeve (11) comprises a first part (12) that retains the glide sleeve (11) at the second element (8), that the glide sleeve (11) comprises a second part (13) that makes contact with the first element (7) under a force (F) that can be adjusted and that is united with the first part (12), and that all parts of the second part (13) are located in front of the first end (8.1) of the second element. The invention concerns also a ventilation arm (2) and a ventilation system (1).
US09163761B2

An automotive engine cooling pipe apparatus for fluid-conducting installation within an engine block of an engine comprising a front tube having a proximal portion configured for at least partially slidably and sealably engaging a front sealing ring seated within a front opening of the engine block, a rear tube telescopically engaged with the front tube and having a distal portion configured for at least partially slidably seating within a rear opening of the engine block, whereby expansion of the cooling pipe apparatus within the engine block seats the proximal and distal portions of the front and rear tubes within the respective front and rear openings of the engine block and so provides sliding and rotational resistance thereby stabilizing the installation of the cooling pipe apparatus within the engine block.
US09163759B2

A compression nut including a retaining tooth for use with a fluid coupling.
US09163754B2

A resin-made fuel inlet pipe that has a light weight, excellent impact resistance, and causes no fuel leakage includes at least one resin layer comprising a resin composition containing (A) a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or a linear short-chain branched polyethylene; (B) a polyethylene polymerized with a metallocene-based catalyst; and (C) a carbon black. A weight mixing ratio ((A)/(B)) is in a range of from 10/90 to 90/10; a content of component (C) is in a range of from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of a total of components (A) and (B); a tissue (Y) comprising component (B) is inserted between linear crystalline tissues (X) comprising component (A) to expand an interval between the tissues (X); and component (C) is dispersed in the tissue (Y).
US09163752B2

A mounting device for mounting a cable or a line on a structural component of an aircraft or spacecraft. The mounting device comprises at least two parts, one of these parts being configured as an attachment part and being provided to be attached to the structural component. The other part is configured as a receiving part and is provided to receive a portion of the cable or of the line. Both parts can be coupled together by means of at least a first ball-and-socket joint. This coupling is configured such that the two parts can be brought into a plurality of spatial positions relative to one another. Also provided is an aircraft or spacecraft, in particular an aircraft, which has a structural component and a cable or a line which is mounted on the structural component by a mounting device of this type.
US09163738B1

Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.
US09163737B2

A check valve is provided for use with variable frequency drives and other applications. In one aspect, the check valve provides a poppet guided by a poppet guide in at least two locations to ensure stability between fully open and fully closed positions. In another aspect, the check valve includes a poppet guide adapted to receive a poppet in a stem receiving channel, the stem receiving channel including guide vanes engaging the poppet and auxiliary channels for self cleaning. The check valve may also include a valve seal. In one embodiment, the valve seal is an o-ring received by a poppet head, based of the poppet guide and valve seat. The valve seat and/or the base may include expansion channels to receive a portion of the valve seat during compression when the check valve is in a closed position.
US09163736B2

A device for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud system from opening at a pressure lower than a nominal opening pressure includes a flow restrictor between a mud pump of the mud system and the primary relief valve. In addition, the device includes a cavity between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve.
US09163733B2

The invention relates to a fluid valve comprising: a body (50) defining a fluid flow duct (60), and a flap (1) that can move between a closed position preventing the fluid from flowing through the duct and an open position allowing the fluid to flow through the duct. According to the invention, the valve also comprises a joint (2) having at least one opening for the passage of the fluid, and the aforementioned flap can close the opening(s) (5) in the joint when in the closed position.
US09163732B2

A magnetic fluid seal includes a pole ring having an inner diameter, a rotatable shaft having an outer diameter, the rotatable shaft configured to extend along the inner diameter of the pole ring between an atmosphere side and vacuum side, at least one magnet coupled to the pole ring, the at least one magnet configured to emit a magnetic field having a strength and a shape, and grooves formed on either the inner diameter of the pole ring or the outer diameter of the shaft, the grooves capable of containing ferromagnetic fluid. The ferromagnetic fluid contained the grooves varies so as to improve the performance of the magnetic fluid seal.
US09163727B2

A sealing member for water cutoff is stuck to a door inner panel of an automobile for joining a door hole seal. The sealing member for water cutoff is long in length and at least a part thereof is curved when used. The sealing member for water cutoff comprises: a body part made of vulcanized sponge rubber, which is extrusion molded and having softness and elastic restoring force for reverting to an original shape when an external force once applied is unloaded; and adhesive layers formed by applying adhesive on surfaces of the body part.
US09163726B2

The present invention refers to a piston ring, particularly for use in the piston channel of an internal combustion engine or a compressor, comprising at least a substantially ring-shaped metallic base (2) having at least a first region (20), at least a second region (21) and at least a gap (22), the first region (20) being positioned in a way substantially opposite to the gap (22), the ring comprising at least a nitrided layer (3) in the second region (21) and comprising at least reduction of the nitrided layer (3) in the first region (20), whereas the reduced nitrided layer (3) is at least partially blocked in the first region (20) due to the previous application of an intermediate layer (4).
US09163724B1

A hydraulic drive unit for use in a vehicle or other application incorporates a motor connected to a pump through a porting system and an output shaft driven by the motor. A mechanical brake is used to brake the motor, while a valve provides a hydraulic brake for preventing flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. A brake actuator is connected to both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake, whereby actuation of the brake actuator causes both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake to be actuated.
US09163711B2

An automated manual transmission apparatus for a vehicle, may include a shifting unit having a plurality of stages between an input shaft and an output shaft and selectively cutting power to the input shaft and the output shaft when shifting between the stages, and a continuous transmission mechanism that may be disposed between the output shaft and a power supply that supplies the power to the input shaft of the shifting unit, wherein the continuous transmission mechanism selectively transmits the power from the power supply to the output shaft with a continuous transmission gear ratio.
US09163707B2

A method for controlling the speed of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease.
US09163706B2

A sprocket box for increasing the gas mileage of a vehicle with an automatic transmission is positioned between the back of an engine block and the torque converter. The sprocket box is fed the rotational motion from the engine and doubles the rotational motion being fed into the torque converter in order to increase the fluid pressure felt within the torque converter. Thus, the sprocket box is used to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle. The rotation motion from the engine is transferred and modified by the sprocket box by using an input assembly of sprockets and a roller chain and by using an output sprocket of more sprockets and another roller chain.
US09163702B2

A shifting device for a transmission unit, in particular for a vehicle which is operated by muscle force is disclosed. The shifting device has a first partial transmission and a second partial transmission, which are connected in series for power transmission. The selecting devices of the first partial transmission are designed as selectable free-running clutches and the second partial transmission has a plurality of selectable gear stages. During shifting from a highest stage of the gear stages of the first partial transmission to a lowest stage of the gear stages of the first partial transmission, the free-running clutches of the two gear stages are actuated simultaneously, and a load change between the corresponding free-running clutches allows a shifting operation of the second partial transmission to a higher stage of the gear stages.
US09163698B2

A protective guide has a long shape and internally holds long members including at least one of flexible cables and ducts. The protective guide includes a flexible curved strip-shaped base and a plurality of flexible sectioning members. The base is made of a synthetic resin, formed into a long plate and has a longitudinal direction. The sectioning members are also made of a synthetic resin, permitted to uprise from both ends of the base and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, the both ends being opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The sectioning members cooperatively define a space for accommodating the long members along the base. The base has a cross section inwardly curved toward the space, as viewed in the longitudinal direction.
US09163690B2

A hydraulic shock absorber having a plurality of tubes (outer and inner tubes), which constitute a multiple-walled cylinder to be inserted inside a damper tube, held and secured between a rod guide and a support piece under a compressive load applied to all of the tubes. In the hydraulic shock absorber (10), a contact surface (P), where an end surface of the inner tube (13B), of the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13), is in contact with a seating surface (201) of a rod guide (21) in the axial direction, is formed intermittently at a plurality of circumferential positions on the end surface of the inner tube 13B in the state where the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13) are held and secured.
US09163684B2

Disclosed is a disc brake including a carrier on which a pair of pad plates are movably installed and a caliper housing, which is slidably installed on the carrier and is provided with a cylinder having a piston mounted so as to move forward and backward by a hydraulic braking pressure, the disc brake including: an adjuster installed in the piston to prevent the pad plates from moving away from a disc and to maintain the pad plates at a constant distance from the disc; a push rod installed in the cylinder, a front portion thereof being screw-coupled to the adjuster and a rear portion thereof being provided with a flange extending toward an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder; a ramp unit into which the rear portion of the push rod is inserted and which is installed in the cylinder and compresses the push rod toward the piston in cooperation with a parking cable to prevent rotation of the push rod; a spring case having an end portion of one side thereof fixed to the cylinder and forming a predetermined accommodation space between the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder and the push rod; a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged in series with each other in the accommodation space of the spring case to provide elastic force to the push rod; and a support plate supported by an end portion of the ramp unit and interposed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member.
US09163678B2

A bi-directional wedge clutch, including: an outer race; first and second inner hubs; a wedge plate, radially located between the outer race and the inner hubs; and an axially displaceable activation hub engaged with the inner hubs and arranged to: for a free-wheel mode, rotate at least one of the inner hubs in a first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, such that the wedge plate is free of contact with the outer race; and for a locking mode, rotate the at least one of the inner hubs in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, to non-rotatably connect the wedge plate with the outer race and the inner hubs.
US09163677B2

The lock-up device includes a piston, a drive plate, a plurality of radial outer side torsion springs, a float member, a driven plate, a plurality of radial inner side torsion springs and an intermediate member. The float member is rotatable relative to the drive plate and causes the radial outer side torsion springs to act in series. The intermediate member is rotatable relative to the drive plate and the driven plate, and transmits torque from the radial outer side torsion springs to the radial inner side torsion springs.
US09163670B2

A rolling bearing includes: a first raceway member having a first annular raceway surface; a second raceway member having a second annular raceway surface opposing the first raceway surface; a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the first raceway surface and the second raceway surface so as to roll; and a guide member formed integrally with or separately from the second raceway surface. The guide member including: an annular guide surface arranged at a position different form the second raceway surface in an axial direction; a plurality of flow paths which are separately provided in the axial direction and in which compressed air for supplying lubricating oil flows; and discharge openings which spray the compressed air to a guided surface. An annular cage that holds the plurality of rolling elements at given intervals in a circumferential direction and has the guided surface which opposes the guide surface such that the guided surface can slidably contact the guide surface.
US09163669B2

To provide a sliding member that improves seizure resistance by restraining any exposure of the porous layer and improves abrasion resistance and load resistance.The sliding member 1 constitutes a bearing having a cylindrical shape, an inner circumferential surface of which is a sliding layer 5 with an axis. In the sliding member 1, a porous layer 3 made of alloy material is formed on a surface of a metal base 2 and this porous layer 3 is covered by resin material 4 so that the sliding layer 5 is formed. In the sliding member 1, a particle size of metal powder 30 forming the porous layer 3 is within a range of 15 through 60 μm, preferably, about 25 through 45 μm. Further, in the sliding member 1, a thickness of the porous layer 3 is within a range of 0.06 through 0.1 mm and a thickness of the sliding layer 5 is within a range of 0.08 through 0.16 mm The thickness of the sliding layer 5 is set to be thicker on average than the thickness of the porous layer 3 so that the porous layer 3 is not exposed.
US09163666B2

An axial passive magnet bearing system utilizes the friction-less characteristic of non-contact type permanent magnet bearing to minimize the disadvantages induced by frictions. For example, both the energy and material loses of the mechanical bearing. Two permanents magnet are made of permanent magnet materials and positioned over two opposite surfaces of two mechanical structures, where mechanical bearing(s) is located therebetween. Hence, the magnetic force between the two magnets can improve some disadvantages among the two mechanical structures and the mechanical bearings, such as friction and energy loss.
US09163660B1

Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may include a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may also include a support ring structure having a support ring that carries the superhard bearing elements. The support ring structure may include at least one erosion resistant region exhibiting a higher erosion resistance than another region of the support ring.
US09163657B2

A remote manipulator of a tool has a body provided with a fixed jaw and a slide provided with a mobile jaw able to be displaced linearly, actuators located at a distance and coupled to the tool via a cable integral with a side of the slide and sliding inside a flexible sheath having one end integral with the body. The actuators have two arms each associated respectively to a handle and able to be separated angularly from each other by rotation about an axis by a value such that the distance between their free ends is at least equal to the maximum linear displacement of the slide bearing the mobile jaw, when the two handles are brought close to one another.
US09163648B2

A rotary actuator includes a housing defining an arcuate chamber including a cavity, a fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity, and an open end. A rotor assembly includes an output shaft and a rotor arm extending outward. An arcuate-shaped piston is disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the arcuate chamber through the open end, wherein a seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber, and a portion of the piston contacts the first rotor arm. A central actuation assembly includes a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the shaft, and an actuation arm removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of a member to be actuated.
US09163647B2

A compact force multiplying actuator 10 and its associated valve 20 are disclosed. The actuator 10 and valve 20 include piston heads 31 and 32 and force multiplying load beams 52 and 53. Belleville springs 81 and 82 are disposed axially between the piston heads 31, 32 and the load beams 52, 53. The Belleville springs 81 and 82 act through an output member 71 to retain a valve member 88 in a closed position. When pneumatic pressure is applied against the piston heads 31 and 32, movement of the piston heads 31 and 32 is transferred through a force transfer member 45 and through the force multiplying load beams 52 and 53 to move the output member 71 against the bias of the Belleville springs 81 and 82 to allow the valve member 88 to open.
US09163646B2

A valve device (14) of a hydraulic system (1) for actuating at least one shifting element (2) of a transmission. The valve device comprising a pilot-controlled control valve device (3) with a valve slide (9) and, functionally connected with this is, an also pilot-controlled switching valve device (4) which is also formed with a valve slide (7). The valve slides (7, 9) are arranged to move longitudinally in a common bore (15) of a valve housing (16) and are positioned coaxially with one another, and an inner valve slide (7) is arranged to move longitudinally at least partially within the outer valve slide (9).
US09163635B2

An electric water pump includes a housing, a propelling mechanism disposed in the housing, and a driving mechanism for driving a driving shaft of the propelling mechanism. The driving shaft has a fluid passage in fluid communication with an impeller chamber and a cooling chamber in the housing. The propelling mechanism further includes a spiral rod disposed in the fluid passage and co-rotatable with the driving shaft, and an impeller disposed in the impeller chamber. During operation of the propelling mechanism, the impeller drives flow of a fluid, and the spiral rod co-rotates with the driving shaft to change the rate of the fluid flowing through the driving shaft.
US09163620B2

A compressor including a hollow housing having a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a crank chamber formed therein. A first fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of the working fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber. A second fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of a mixture of the working fluid and a lubricating fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber, wherein the second fluid flow path is selectively opened and closed by an annular sleeve.
US09163619B2

A valve actuator control system for use with a valve actuator may include two pump assemblies, two control valve assemblies, two transducers, a fluid reservoir, and a controller assembly. The controller assembly may actuate the pump assemblies to direct fluid from the fluid reservoir to the valve actuator, and may actuate the control valve assemblies to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir. A method of actuating a valve actuator using a valve actuator control system may comprise sending a signal to the valve actuator control system, injecting pressurized fluid from a fluid reservoir of the valve actuator control system into a first chamber of the valve actuator, discharging pressurized fluid from a second chamber of the valve actuator into the fluid reservoir, and actuating the valve actuator from a first position to a second position.
US09163616B2

High pressure gas vessels can have a sensitivity to temperature of the compressed gas. Over-temperature conditions in particular may cause decreased durability and/or vessel damage, including gas leakage to the environment. Articles of manufacture, methods, and systems are provided for over-temperature protection using a passive device. The passive closing device does not require electrical power and no controller, sensors, or wiring is needed. This affords cost savings in comparison to other systems. Pressure vessels using the passive closing device can protect themselves, independent of the compressed gas fueling station configuration.
US09163615B2

A tubular device including a tubular having a continuous wall and a substantially constant inner radial dimension and an outer surface that varies in radial dimensions configured to lessen a reduction in a longitudinal dimension of the tubular in response to radial expansion of the tubular in comparison to a reduction in the longitudinal dimension of a constantly-dimensioned-inner-and-outer-radially-surfaced-tubular made of a same material as the tubular.
US09163609B2

A boomerang wind blade includes a blade body having a protruding front edge and a recess rear edge. Both sides of the center of the blade body are two wing parts bent at an angle. The wing shape of one wing part is round at the front edge and tapering towards the rear edge. The wing shape of the other wing part is round at the rear edge and tapering towards the front edge. The device with a boomerang wind blade has a shaft fixed to the center of the two wing parts of the blade body to rotate as the blade body is driven by wind. The device also has at least one generator coupled with the shaft to generate electrical power.
US09163608B2

A wind turbine apparatus includes a shaft carrying a plurality of rotor wheels fixed at axially spaced intervals. Each rotor wheel includes buckets at the periphery thereof. First and second generally cylindrical housing are disposed in concentric relationship to define a blind annular chamber surrounding the rotor wheels that directs ambient winds to through the inner wall of the inner cylindrical housing to the periphery of the respective rotor wheels. One extremity of the blind annular chamber is open for receiving ambient air flow and a second axial extremity proximate is closed, whereby axial airflow into the annular chamber is substantially directed in a radial direction toward the buckets carried on the rotor wheels to cause rotation of the shaft.
US09163606B2

Disclosed is a hydro-electric energy system comprised of an inner and outer tube designed to contain and distribute water such that failing water powers hydro-electric turbines located in the inner tube. The system may be located in a body of water taking in and distributing the surrounding water, or on and utilizes natural or/constructed/water sources. A number of different pump types are utilized at the bottom of the inner tube to maintain water levels and water flow within the system. In certain embodiments the pumps are driven by pressure and gravitational forces. In other embodiments supplemental power sources drive the pumps either power generated from the system's turbines or power sources external to the system.
US09163605B2

A method for controlling the surface temperature of any glow plug in an internal combustion engine. A glow plug control device carries out an initialization at the installed and connected glow plug to adapt the temperature model to the behavior of the connected glow plug before the engine is started. Upon initialization, the glow plug is acted on by at least two different voltages and the resistances of the glow plug with these voltages are measured. A resistance gradient is calculated therefrom and the temperature model is adapted to the behavior of the connected glow plug. During the control process during operation of the engine, the momentary surface temperature of the glow plug is estimated by a model temperature, which is established using the temperature model. The effective voltage acting on the glow plug is changed in accordance with the deviation of the model temperature from a target temperature.
US09163599B2

A starting device for at least one combustion engine, in particular cable pull starting device for at least one two-stroke or four-stroke engine, with at least one cable sheave or cable drum rotatably mounted in a housing, which for generating a driving fork for a crankshaft can be put into rotary motion by means of at least one starter handle or pulling handle via at least one force transmission means, in particular via a starter cable or pulling cable and is connected to at least one driving member, in particular to at least one pawl driver via at least one elastic coupling element, by means of which the driving torque can be transmitted to the crankshaft, the coupling link having two ends, wherein an end is in engagement with the driving member and another end with the cable sheave or the cable drum.
US09163597B2

A nozzle assembly for a fuel injector capable of withstanding high-pressures includes a nozzle chamber defined by a high-pressure containment sleeve, a tip component defining a nozzle outlet, and an injector stack component. A leakage path is defined between an injector body casing and an outer wall surface of the high-pressure containment sleeve and a needle valve member that opens and closes the nozzle outlet is out of contact with the high-pressure containment sleeve. The high-pressure containment sleeve has a hollow, cylindrical shape and has an inner wall exposed to fluid pressure inside the nozzle chamber that is free of stress concentrating surface features associated with heart shaped cavities in the prior art.
US09163592B2

A vapor gas discharging apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which includes a vapor line disposed between a canister and a fuel tank, wherein a purge line may be connected to the canister for transferring vapor gas from the canister to an engine, may include a discharging nipple formed to the canister and employed to supply air to the canister, an air supply line connected to the discharging nipple of the canister for supplying the air to the discharging nipple, a two-way valve connected to an end of an exhaust pipe and an end of the air supply line, and controlled for selectively communicating air flow between the air supply line and the exhaust pipe or between the air supply line and the outside of the air supply line, and a conduction member disposed in the air supply line between the two-way valve and the discharging nipple.
US09163588B2

Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
US09163584B2

The present invention provides a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode, a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and wherein the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, and the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle create a plasma that discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle.
US09163579B2

A piston and method of construction are provided. The piston includes a piston body having an upper combustion surface configured for direct exposure to combustion gases within a cylinder bore with an undercrown surface located beneath the upper combustion surface. The piston body also includes a ring belt region configured for receipt of at least one piston ring adjacent the upper combustion surface with a cooling gallery configured radially inwardly and in substantial radial alignment with the ring belt region. The piston further includes a non-stick material contained in or bonded to at least one of the undercrown surface and at least a portion of the cooling gallery, wherein the non-stick material inhibits the build-up of carbon deposits thereon.
US09163575B2

Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas recirculation system and catalyzing and non-catalyzing intake oxygen sensors. In one example, the catalyzing oxygen sensor is utilized to measure and control exhaust gas recirculation while fuel vapor purge is measured and controlled based on the catalyzing and non-catalyzing sensors.
US09163574B2

A sensor characteristic correction device is configured to detect a characteristic of a first sensor arranged upstream of a catalyst 6 in an exhaust passage 4 of an internal combustion engine 2, and a characteristic of a second sensor that is an air-fuel sensor 12 arranged downstream of the catalyst 6, to calculate a first air-fuel ratio based on the characteristic of the first sensor, and calculates a second air-fuel ratio based on the characteristic of the second sensor, to detect, when the catalyst 6 is in an inactive state after start-up of the internal combustion engine 2, a difference between the first characteristic and the second characteristic or a difference between the first air-fuel ratio and the second air-fuel ratio, and to correct the responsiveness of the first or the second sensor in accordance with the difference.
US09163572B2

In a method for determining a pressure at the output of an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine system of a vehicle, a mass flow through the internal combustion engine system and an ambient pressure at a fresh air supply of the internal combustion engine system are detected. The pressure at the output of the exhaust gas system is determined as a function of the mass flow, the ambient pressure and throttling of the mass flow through the internal combustion engine system.
US09163568B2

A cylinder deactivation system comprises a fuel injection module and a cold start control module. The fuel injection module injects a desired amount of fuel into a cylinder of an engine during engine cranking. The cold start control module maintains an intake valve and an exhaust valve associated with the cylinder in respective closed positions while the desired amount of fuel is injected when at least one of an air temperature and a coolant temperature is less than a predetermined cold start temperature.
US09163567B2

When a computer determines that an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are simultaneously stepped based on the signals from the accelerator position sensor and a brake switch, the first switch is turned off so that the accelerator sensor signal which will be transmitted into the computer is compulsorily made zero. A throttle-position command value which will be transmitted from the computer into a throttle actuator is reduced to a value corresponding to the idling state. If an engine output is not reduced, the computer turns off a second switch so that a throttle actuator is de-energized. A throttle valve is compulsorily brought into a position corresponding to an idling state by a biasing force of a throttle return spring.
US09163566B2

A valve actuation mechanism includes rockers moved by a camshaft, each rocker being adapted to exert a valve opening force on at least a portion of a valve opening actuator of each cylinder, via an activation piston, housed in a bore of the rocker and movable with respect to the rocker under action of a fluid pressure raise in a chamber fluidly linked to the bore, from a first position to a second position, in which a cam follower of the rocker reads at least one auxiliary cam sector of a cam of the camshaft so as to perform an engine operating function. Each rocker includes a reset valve adapted to reduce fluid pressure in the chamber. The valve actuation mechanism includes, for each rocker, a reset cam profile adapted to open the reset valve when the activation piston has to be moved from its second position to its first position, and each reset valve includes a cam follower adapted to drive the reset valve as a function of the movement of the reset profile.
US09163561B2

A system for improved emissions performance of a power plant generally includes an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas compressor disposed downstream from the combustor, a condensation collection system at least partially disposed upstream from the exhaust gas compressor, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the exhaust gas compressor and the condensation collection system, where the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the combustor.
US09163546B2

In a power generation facility, there are provided a plurality of diesel engines, a plurality of turbochargers driven by exhaust gas from the diesel engines, a plurality of power generators connected to the plurality of turbochargers, a plurality of converters for converting AC power generated by the plurality of power generators to DC power, one inverter for converting the DC power outputted from the plurality of converters to AC power, and a main controller for controlling the converters in accordance with the AC power from the inverter, by which stable electric power can be generated.
US09163544B2

A unit for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine including an inlet, an outlet, a heat exchanger arranged downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, and a valve capable of being switched between a recovery position. The exhaust gas flows from the inlet through the heat exchanger to the outlet, and a bypass position, in which the exhaust gas flows from the inlet through a bypass to the outlet. The valve includes separate first and second valve bodies and associated separate first and second valve seats arranged upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger, respectively. The first and second valve bodies are adapted to be switched only simultaneously from the recovery position to the bypass position and vice versa.
US09163543B2

Embodiments for controlling exhaust oxygen concentration are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises operating the engine with lean combustion, and when exhaust oxygen concentration is below a threshold, injecting air into an exhaust passage between a first emission control device and an SCR device. In this way, excess emissions may be converted while operating with lean combustion.
US09163540B2

An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a NOx purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and carrying a first catalyst metal on a first catalyst carrier, an oxidation catalyst disposed in the downstream exhaust passage of the NOx purification catalyst and carrying second catalyst metals including a base metal on a second catalyst carrier, an air introduction apparatus introducing air into an upstream of the oxidation catalyst, and a temperature detector detecting a temperature of the oxidation catalyst. When an oxidation catalyst temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas into the oxidation catalyst is controlled to a more fuel lean ratio than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. When the oxidation catalyst temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas into the oxidation catalyst is controlled to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
US09163537B2

An exhaust gas treatment system includes a particulate filter to collect particulate matter from exhaust gas flowing therethrough. The particulate filter realizes a pressure thereacross in response to the exhaust gas flow. A delta pressure sensor determines a first pressure upstream from the particulate filter and a second pressure downstream from the particulate filter. A delta pressure module is in electrical communication with the delta pressure sensor. The delta pressure module determines a pressure differential value based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure and generates a diagnostic signal based on a plurality of the pressure differential values and a predetermined time period.
US09163529B2

A boiler system includes a boiler group provided with a plurality of boilers and a controller for controlling a combustion state of the boiler group. The boiler group has a varied steam flow set to indicate reserve power corresponding to expected increase of a steam flow due to a sudden variation of a required load, and an increase minimum load factor set to indicate a load factor for output of a steam flow corresponding to the required load only from the combusting boilers with no increase of the number of combusted boilers. The controller increases the number of the combusted boilers when a total reserve steam flow of the combusting boilers is not more than the varied steam flow and the load factor of each of the combusting boilers is not lower than the increase minimum load factor.
US09163517B2

An airfoil for a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope crosses an initial axial stacking offset that corresponds to the 0% span position at a zero-crossing position. A first axial stacking offset X1 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a negative-most value on the curve. A second axial stacking offset X2 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a positive-most value on the curve. A ratio of the second to first axial stacking offset X2/X1 is between 1.5 and 2.0 or less than 1.4.
US09163516B2

A fluid movement system that includes an impeller having a blade with a leading edge blade tip angle determined as a function of an increase in mass flow rate due to reinjection of flow from a flow stability device located proximate to the leading edge tip of the blade. In an exemplary method, the leading edge blade tip angle can be determined based on selecting a blade incidence level based on a mass flow gain versus flow coefficient curve. Blade leading edge tip angles determined in accordance with a method of the present invention are typically greater than blade leading edge tip angles determined using traditional methods. The greater blade leading edge tip angles can lead to more robust blades designs.
US09163509B2

A gerotor device includes a rotor having outwardly extending teeth and a stator having inwardly extending teeth. The inwardly extending teeth are formed by rollers each of which is received in a respective roller pocket in the stator. Each roller pocket has a maximum pocket width measured perpendicular to a pocket centerline. Each roller pocket defines a roller bearing surface having a first side that follows a first radius and a second side on an opposite side of the centerline that follows a second radius. Each radius is greater than ½ the maximum pocket width. Each roller pocket has an edge pocket width between a first pocket edge where the pocket transitions to a generally cylindrical section in the stator and a second pocket edge on an opposite side of the centerline. The edge pocket width is less than the maximum pocket width.
US09163499B2

A new approach is disclosed for measuring the pressure of tight gas reservoirs, using information obtain from continuous injection prior to hydraulic fracture stimulation. The technique can be obtained utilizing either bottom-hole or surface pressure gauges and properly instrumented surface injection pumps. The analysis is completed by plotting injection and rate data in a specialized form from terms arranged in Darcy's radial flow equation to obtain a curve or trend. The key component to proper application of this technique is to obtain both baseline and one or more calibration data sets. These calibration data sets are obtained by either increasing or decreasing the injection pressure and/or rate from the baseline data. Initial reservoir pressure is assumed, but the calibration data indicates if the guess was too high or low. Accurate estimates of reservoir pressure may be obtained in a few iterations.
US09163477B2

An insert for a downhole plug for use in a wellbore. The insert can include a body having a bore formed at least partially therethrough. One or more threads can be disposed on an outer surface of the body and adapted to threadably engage an inner surface of the plug proximate a first end of the plug. One or more shearable threads can be disposed on an inner surface of the body. The one or more shearable threads can be adapted to threadably engage a setting tool that enters the plug through the first end thereof and to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined force that is less than a force required to deform the one or more threads disposed on the outer surface of the body. At least one impediment can be disposed within the body.
US09163473B2

An RCD can include a housing assembly which contains a bearing assembly and an annular seal which rotates and seals off an annulus between a tubular string and an RCD body, a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits and prevents relative displacement between the housing assembly and the body, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device. A method of remotely operating an RCD clamp device can include remotely operating a safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device, and remotely operating the clamp device while the safety latch is in an unlatched position, thereby unclamping a bearing housing assembly from the RCD body. Another RCD can include a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits access to an RCD body interior, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively prevents unclamping of the clamp device.
US09163470B2

A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. The launching system may further comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure-relief device or a flow-measurement device, or combinations thereof.
US09163465B2

Method and apparatus for extending the horizontal distance through which wells can be drilled. A horizontal tubular is used to convey a drillstring from a drilling rig toward a target location and a mud return line and pump on the surface is used to pump drilling mud returning from the bit back to the drilling rig.
US09163462B2

A substructure of a drilling rig is positioned above a first wellbore at a first wellbore location, a drilling rig mast is pivotably attached to the substructure and raised from a first mast position wherein an upper end of the drilling rig mast is oriented in a first direction toward a first side of the substructure to a first raised drilling position, after which a first drilling operation is performed on the first wellbore. The substructure is moved to a second wellbore location and positioned above a second wellbore, the drilling rig mast is pivotably attached to the substructure and raised from a second mast position wherein an upper end of the drilling rig mast is oriented in a second direction toward a second side of the substructure to a second raised drilling position, after which a second drilling operation is performed on the second wellbore.
US09163461B2

Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.
US09163460B2

A wellbore conditioning system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one shaft and at least two eccentric unilateral reamers, wherein the unilateral reamers are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other and the unilateral reamers are positioned at a predetermined rotational angle from each other.
US09163457B2

In an oil-sealed bearing assembly in the bearing section of a mud motor, in which a mandrel is rotatably disposed within a cylindrical housing, a cylindrical sleeve is disposed coaxially and rotatably around the mandrel, with the sleeve being non-rotatably mounted to an inner surface of the housing, thereby forming an annular piston chamber forming part of a generally annular oil reservoir. The sleeve provides radial support to the mandrel along the length of the piston chamber by virtue of the flexural stiffness of the sleeve. The mandrel rotates within the sleeve, with a radial bearing being provided between the sleeve and the mandrel. An annular piston is axially movable within the piston chamber in response to variations in the volume of oil in the reservoir. The piston slides within the piston chamber without rotation relative to either the housing or the sleeve.
US09163443B2

A linear center rail structure for a sliding door includes a linear center rail, a roller part, a base, and an arm. The linear center rail is disposed on a side outer panel of a vehicle. The roller part is guided by the center rail, slid along the center rail, and has hinge holes formed at an end portion thereof. The base is fixed to a sliding door panel and has slots formed in a pop-up direction of the sliding door panel. The arm has one end at which a first hinge shaft rotatably coupled to the hinge holes of the roller part is disposed and the other end at which a second hinge shaft fitted into the slots of the base to thereby be slidably and rotatably coupled to the base is disposed.
US09163429B2

An image forming apparatus includes a drawer unit configured to be drawn out from a body of the image forming apparatus. The drawer unit includes a carriage path for carrying a recording medium, a lock unit configured to lock the drawer unit in the body, a driving unit configured to drive the lock unit, the driving unit including at least a driving source, and a drawer unit cover configured to cover at least the drawer unit. The drawer unit cover is a part of an outer cover of the body arranged on a side in a drawing direction of the drawer unit. The drawer unit cover is attached to the drawer unit so that the drawer unit cover is removed from the drawer unit in a state where the drawer unit is attached to the body.
US09163413B2

An attachment strip for attaching lath to a wall and a system for attaching lath to a wall with increased water resistive characteristics. The attachment strip has protruding teeth on an attachment plate that holds the lath in place, and a mounting plate that secures the lath furring strip against the wall and framing. In addition, since attachment strip, instead of the lath directly, is secured to the sheathing, fewer mounting devices are needed compared to when a lath is directly secured to a sheathing, where substantially more mounting devices would be needed. Thus in this arrangement, fewer penetrations are created when installing the lath. Additional water resistive features, such insulation layers, and a drainage space surrounded by two water resistive barriers, create space that not only increases insulation, but protects the inner layers of a wall from damage.
US09163410B2

A roofing laminate includes a roofing membrane, preferably a white roofing membrane, which is covered with a protective sheet. The protective sheet is tinted so that it has a coloration distinguishable from the roofing. The roofing laminate is applied to a roof surface and the release liner protects the outer surface of the membrane from scrapes and dirt during installation. Once the roof is installed the protective sheets are removed from all of the membrane sheets, exposing a clean surface.
US09163409B2

A thermal shingle sealing apparatus for use in cool weather installations of thermally-activated shingles, the apparatus comprising a heat source having a fuel source, a burner, an ignition means adapted to light fuel from the fuel source to produce heat, and a controller adapted to regulate the heat produced; a heat disperser including an enclosure defining a cavity therein adapted to disperse heat from the heat source onto shingles; a chassis having a frame, and at least one wheel, whereby, the apparatus is placed on a roof atop the asphalt shingles and heat is applied to the shingles to activate the sealant, thereby bonding the shingles to one another in the cool temperatures providing nearly instant wind protection to the building owner in lieu of waiting for heat activation from the sun sufficiently to activate sealant.
US09163405B2

A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.
US09163404B2

A truss comprising a top chord, a bottom chord, a plurality of exterior braces, and a plurality of interior braces, wherein the top chord further comprises a plurality of welding slots arrangements, each of the welding slots arrangements including pilot holes and welding slots, wherein the welding slots arrangement is used to securely attach one of the interior braces and the exterior braces to the top chord.
US09163402B2

A suspended architectural structure includes a plurality of fin support members configured to couple with one or more architectural structures, e.g. ceiling structure. A plurality of flexible fins, with each flexible fin including a plurality of attachment points that is configured to be coupled to the plurality of fin support members. The plurality of fin support members includes a rib frame and a plurality of lateral rib members. The flexible fins are coupled to the ribs by the attachment points using removable pins.
US09163392B2

A reinforcement rib for an overhead structure comprises a pair of sidewalls and a top wall that bridges one end of each sidewall. A lower flange extends outwardly from an opposite end of each sidewall. Each lower flange is adapted to be secured to the overhead structure.
US09163391B2

A modular connector element has a hook, a catch, and fittings for connection to an end of a hollow log for assembly into a wall or building superstructure. In assembling three such connector elements in a sequence conforming a corner between two structural walls, the hook of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a catch formed on a second such connector element positioned on one side of the middle connector element, and the catch of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a hook formed on a third such connector element positioned on the side of the middle connector element opposite the second connector element. The connector elements with their respective logs are thus rapidly, securely and manually click-locked together to erect walls and building superstructures.
US09163384B2

A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
US09163381B2

A wheel loader includes: a floor for a driving operation; an operator's seat for an operator to be seated; and a trainer's seat for a trainer to be seated, the operator's seat and the trainer's seat being provided in parallel to each other. A footrest of the wheel loader includes an operator's footrest and a trainer's footrest respectively having placement surfaces on which adjacent feet of the seated operator and trainer are respectively placed. The operator's footrest and the trainer's footrest are integrated with each other.
US09163375B2

A synthetic ground cover system for erosion control to be placed atop the ground, including a synthetic grass which comprises a composite of one or more geo-textiles tufted with synthetic yarns. The synthetic ground cover also includes a sand/soil infill ballast applied to the synthetic grass and a binding agent applied to the sand/soil infill to stabilize the sand/soil infill against high velocity water shear forces.
US09163371B1

A snow removal system utilizes a towing frame having a towing device such as a winch or winch crank. A towing line extends in a straight line path directly from the towing device to a uniquely shaped snow shovel having dual, concave shaped blades. Actuation of the towing device pulls the snow shovel towards the towing frame, causing snow on the ground surface to accumulate on and slide off and to the side of the blades.
US09163364B2

A composite surface material comprising a permeable substrate and a permeable surface layer bonded to the substrate so that the material is permeable.
US09163360B2

The invention concerns a method for the aluminothermic welding of rails, comprising the steps of: triggering an aluminothermic reaction in a crucible (2), casting the metal derived from said reaction into the mold (1), so as to fill the molding cavity starting from the foot of the rail, after filling of the molding cavity, triggering a second aluminothermic reaction above the rail head, and casting the metal derived from said reaction into said molding cavity in the region of the rail head. The invention also concerns a mold (1) adapted to fit over the two rail ends to form a molding cavity (10), comprising a crucible (4) arranged above the region of the rail head so that it is fed with molten metal from the molding cavity (10) via a secondary channel (42).
US09163347B2

Disclosed herein are a door lock control device and method of a washing machine which sense opening or closing of a door using a door lock switch. Since the door is locked or unlocked and the closing or opening of the door is sensed using one door lock switch without adding a separate switch to sense the closing or opening of the door, cost may be decreased.
US09163342B2

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mineral fiber-containing composite and the novel mineral fiber-containing element produced by that method. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of the invention.
US09163333B2

A method for making a graft layer is provided. The graft layer has at least two layers with different porosities. The two layers are applied by electrospinning. The parameters of the electrospinning may be varied when applying the first and second layers in order to achieve different porosities of the first and second layers.
US09163323B2

A vibration feeding device includes a mounting seat, a vibration feeding mechanism, and a pressing mechanism. The vibration feeding mechanism includes a driving member, a rotating shaft, a rotation wheel, and at least one adjusting member. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the driving member. The rotation wheel is non-rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft. The at least one adjusting member is fixed between the rotating shaft and the rotation wheel to adjust an eccentricity of the rotation wheel. The vibration feeding mechanism is mounted on the mounting seat. The pressing mechanism is connected to the rotation wheel of the vibration feeding mechanism and is driven by the vibration to adjustably move close to and then away from a workpiece.
US09163321B2

A method for making a gasket (32) for an internal combustion engine (20) includes forming a generally annual stopper (38) on a metallic gasket body (40) through the process of electrochemical deposition. An electrolytic cell is completed with the gasket body (40) forming a cathode. The stopper (38) is formed with a contoured compression surface (42) by selectively varying the electrical energy delivered to selected electrodes (70) over time. Electrolyte (48) rich with metallic ions is pumped at high speed through the inter-electrode gap. A PC controller (82) switches selected electrodes (70) ON at certain times, for certain durations, which cause metallic ions in the electrolyte (48) to reduce or deposit onto the gasket body (40), which are built in columns or layers into a three-dimensional formation approximating the target surface profile (106) for the compression surface (42). The subject method for building a three-dimensional formation can be applied to work parts other than cylinder head gaskets (32).
US09163320B2

An electrolytic cell is provided. The cell includes a housing having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet outlet, an anode and a cathode positioned within the housing and defining a reaction chamber therebetween, and a liquid flow path, from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, which passes through the reaction chamber. A transition duct is positioned at the liquid outlet and has a duct inlet, a duct outlet and a transition section along which internal side walls of the transition section converge along the liquid flow path to define a smooth transition from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area of the transition duct. The first cross-sectional area is at least two times greater than the second cross sectional area.
US09163317B2

A method for producing a diffusion layer of an electrochemical device, including: superimposition of multiple unidirectional webs of carbon filaments, filaments of each web positioned parallel with, and next to, one another; needle punching of the webs, breaking a proportion of the filaments such that broken portions of the filaments are tangled with other filaments of the webs; and cutting a proportion of the multiple unidirectional webs, the carbon filaments forming one electrically conducting outer surface of the diffusion layer. The needle punching is accomplished all the way through the multiple unidirectional webs, and/or through two principal opposite faces of the multiple unidirectional webs, and/or with an impact density against the multiple unidirectional webs of between approximately 100 and 300 impacts/cm2.
US09163314B2

The present invention relates to a CMP slurry composition for polishing tungsten comprising a abrasive and a polishing chemical, wherein the abrasive comprises colloidal silica dispersed in ultra-pure water, and the polishing chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate and iron nitrate. The slurry composition is not discolored and has good etching selectivity, so as to be applied to a CMP process.
US09163309B2

Generation of byproducts is inhibited in a buffer space even in a single-wafer-type apparatus using the buffer space. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes (a) loading a substrate into a process chamber; (b) supplying a first-element-containing gas via a buffer chamber of a shower head to the substrate placed in the process chamber; (c) supplying a second-element-containing gas to the substrate via the buffer chamber; and (d) performing an exhaust process between (b) and (c), wherein (d) includes: exhausting an atmosphere of the buffer chamber; and exhausting an atmosphere of the process chamber after exhausting the atmosphere of the buffer chamber.
US09163308B2

Light reactive deposition uses an intense light beam to form particles that are directly coated onto a substrate surface. In some embodiments, a coating apparatus comprising a noncircular reactant inlet, optical elements forming a light path, a first substrate, and a motor connected to the apparatus. The reactant inlet defines a reactant stream path. The light path intersects the reactant stream path at a reaction zone with a product stream path continuing from the reaction zone. The substrate intersects the product stream path. Also, operation of the motor moves the first substrate relative to the product stream. Various broad methods are described for using light driven chemical reactions to produce efficiently highly uniform coatings.
US09163307B2

Disclosed are simple, efficient, and scalable methods of patterning polymeric or metallic microstructures on planar or non-planar surfaces. The methods utilize initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) technology. Also disclosed are patterned articles produced by these methods, and methods of using the articles.
US09163306B2

A patterning slit sheet frame assembly includes a patterning slit sheet having a pattern, a patterning slit sheet frame supporting the patterning slit sheet, and a tensile force application unit that applies a tensile force to the patterning slit sheet after the patterning slit sheet is disposed on the patterning slit sheet frame.
US09163298B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for condensing vapor phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
US09163292B2

This invention relates to compositions and processes for improving the carbonatation clarification of sugar liquors and syrups. The improved processes involve adding compositions to a sugar liquor directly in the carbonated liquor holding tank (after the final carbonatation saturator), upstream of the carbonated liquor holding tank but downstream of the final stage Carbonatation saturator, before filtration of the carbonated liquor, or at any stage in the sugar purification process. The compositions provided in this invention are mixed intimately into the sugar liquors or syrups, and allowed sufficient time to react to impart an improvement in the clarified liquor obtained therefrom. Compositions can include combinations of one or more of a particulate sulfur reagent, particulate phosphorous reagent, particulate aluminum reagent, silica reagent, particulate carbonaceous reagent, particulate filter aid, a polymer decolorant, and particulate ammonium reagent.
US09163290B2

A method for in vitro detection of the presence of a C-terminal truncation mutation of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface (S) gene encoding a small S protein in an isolated nucleic acid sample is disclosed. An in vitro diagnostic kit for use in the aforementioned method is also disclosed.
US09163289B2

A method is described for the real-time detection of HIV-1 gene target DNA in a sample, including obtaining HIV-1 specific cDNA by reverse transcription, amplifying a portion of the cDNA, and detecting the amplicons so produced using probe labeled with a detectable marker.
US09163286B2

The present invention provides methods to obtain dry compositions of reaction compounds that maintain the biological activity of the compounds upon re-solubilization after a certain storage time. Preferably, the dry composition comprises a polymerase, and the dry composition is usable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification after re-solubilization.
US09163284B2

Some aspects of this disclosure provide strategies, methods, and reagents for determining nuclease target site preferences and specificity of site-specific endonucleases. Some methods provided herein utilize a novel “one-cut” strategy for screening a library of concatemers comprising repeat units of candidate nuclease target sites and constant insert regions to identify library members that can been cut by a nuclease of interest via sequencing of an intact target site adjacent and identical to a cut target site.
US09163274B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a means for efficiently obtaining mammalian embryos having high conception rates. A first aspect of the present invention is a method for selecting a mammalian embryo prepared by in vitro culture from a fertilized egg, comprising a step of selecting an embryo using two or more of the following indicators: the time from fertilization to the completion of first cleavage; the morphology at a stage after first cleavage and before second cleavage; the morphology at a stage after third cleavage and before fourth cleavage; and the amount of oxygen consumed at the early blastocyst stage, the blastocyst stage, or the expanded blastocyst stage.
US09163263B2

The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties.
US09163259B2

The present invention relates to viral vectors that are capable of delivering a heterologous gene to the retina and in particular delivering RLBP1 to RPE and Müller cells of the retina. The invention also relates nucleic acids useful for producing viral vectors, compositions comprising the viral vectors and uses of the compositions and viral vectors. The invention also relates to methods of delivering and/or expressing a heterologous gene to the retina, improving the rate of dark adaption in a subject and treating RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy.
US09163257B2

A process for high expression of protein of interest using an expression vector. The process comprises at least the following regulatory elements: a) a CMV promoter, or its functional variants, b) an intron, c) TPL or its functional variants, d) VA genes or functional variants, and e) a bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence or functional variants.
US09163252B2

The present application discloses a chimeric gene comprising a promoter region consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 1437 operably linked to a nucleic acid coding for an expression product of interest, and a transcription termination and polyadenylation sequence. Also disclosed herein are a vector, a transgenic plant cell, a transgenic plant and a seed comprising such a chimeric gene. Methods disclosed herein relate to the production of a transgenic plant, growing cotton, producing a seed, effecting fiber-preferential expression of a product in cotton and of altering fiber properties in a cotton plant using the chimeric gene described.
US09163248B2

The present invention provides targeted lentiviral vectors that are psuedotyped with mutated Sindbis envelopes. For example, mutations in the Sindbis E2 protein are used to alter viral titer, specificity, specificity index, tropism, and susceptibility to host immune response. Typically, one or more of the E1, E2, or E3 proteins can be mutated at one or more amino acid positions. The psuedotyped, targeted lentiviral vectors of the invention are used to transduce heterologous genes into a cell and can be used for in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications, as well as for diagnostic and research tool applications.
US09163244B2

The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating an immune-mediated disorder, such as, but not limited to, an autoimmune disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide. Also disclosed are methods of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.
US09163241B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivery of siRNA to specific cells or tissue. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for cell type-specific delivery of anti-HIV siRNAs via fusion to an anti-gp120 aptamer.
US09163239B2

Provided herein are oligomeric compounds with conjugate groups targeting apoplipoprotein C-III (ApoCIII). In certain embodiments, the ApoCIII targeting oligomeric compounds are conjugated to N-Acetylgalactosamine. Also disclosed herein are conjugated oligomeric compounds targeting ApoCIII for use in decreasing ApoCIII to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to ApoCIII. Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to ApoCIII include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The conjugated oligomeric compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.
US09163232B2

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a recombinant polyclonal protein composition, in particular a recombinant polyclonal antibody composition. The method comprises obtaining a collection of cells transfected with a library of variant nucleic acid sequences, wherein each call in the collection is transfected with and capable of expressing one member of the library, which encodes a distinct member of a polyclonal protein that binds a particular antigen and which is located at the same single site in the genome of individual cells in said collection, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is not naturally associated with said cell in the collection. The cells are cultured under suitable conditions for expression of the polyclonal protein, which is obtained from the cells or culture supernatant. The present method is suitable for manufacturing recombinant polyclonal antibodies, thereby making available a superior replacement of plasma-derived therapeutic immunoglobulin products.
US09163222B2

Modified amino acid sequences of OAS1 proteins in non-human primates, and genes related thereto, are provided.
US09163218B2

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells by utilizing genes Jhdm1a that modify histone. By utilizing Jhdm1a, and a stem cell inducing factor, the present invention increases the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells and increases the quality of induced pluripotent stem cells. The stem cell inducing factor is a combination of Oct4 and Klf4, or a combination of Sox2, Oct4, and Klf4, or a combination of Oct4 and Sox2, and Oct4 alone. The method further comprises exposing the cells to vitamin C, which further increases the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells as compared with the case where no vitamin C is used. By using less stem cell reducing factors, the method of the present invention reduces the potential carcinogenicity, obtains a high inducing efficiency, and provides high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells capable of germ-line transmission.
US09163208B2

Novel bioreactor systems, adapted to provide continuous batch incubation of microbes, especially bacteria, are provided. Bioreactor bags are preloaded with inert microbes prior to being shipped to the user. The inert microbes may be substantially dry or in other inert forms, and are stored in soluble containers within the bioreactor bags. Multiple sterile, preloaded, disposable bioreactor bags are used in a self-contained housing. The bags are automatically incubated in the housing and dispensed, preferably into an irrigation system. The system provides serial batch production of useful microbes for a week or more, without further supervision or intervention. Methods of manufacture, methods of use, methods of sales, and methods of farming are also provided.
US09163201B2

A composition comprising abrasive particles derived from inorganic-based foam, wherein said abrasive particles are non-spherical having a form factor from 0.1 to 0.6 and a solidity from 0.3 to 0.9, and wherein said abrasive particles comprise one or more inorganic materials and have a MOHs hardness of from 1 to 4.
US09163200B2

The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles.
US09163189B2

Balanced unleaded fuel compositions exhibiting: a pump octane rating of greater than 93; a T50 (maximum) of 104.4° C. (220° F.) and a T90 (maximum) of 165.6° C. (330° F.), as required under the CARB Phase 3 model; and, producing a higher average torque and/or higher average power output than commercially available fuels stated to meet the CARB Phase 3 model.
US09163183B2

The present disclosure is directed to a method and system of removing solubilized metals from a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor product. The FT reactor product is contacted with a chelating agent to form metal complexes. The FT reactor product containing metal complexes are subjected to centrifugal separation to form a heavy phase and a light phase containing less than 500 wppb solubilized metals.
US09163181B2

Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In one example, a method comprises the steps of separating a low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent into a low-oxygen-pyoil organic phase stream and an aqueous phase stream. Phenolic compounds are removed from the aqueous phase stream to form a phenolic-rich diluent recycle stream. A biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream is diluted and heated with the phenolic-rich diluent recycle stream to form a heated diluted pyoil feed stream. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to deoxygenate the heated diluted pyoil feed stream.
US09163175B2

β-SiAlON represented by a general formula Si6-zAlzOzN8-z with Eu dissolved therein, whose spin density corresponding to absorption g=2.00±0.02 at 25° C. obtained by the electron spin resonance method is equal to or lower than 6.0×1016 spins/g. A method of manufacturing the β-SiAlON includes: a mixing step of mixing β-SiAlON materials; a baking step of baking the β-SiAlON having undergone the mixing step; a heating step of increasing the ambient temperature of the materials having undergone the mixing step from 1500° C. to a baking temperature of the baking step at a rate equal to or lower than 2° C./min.; an annealing step of annealing the β-SiAlON having undergone the baking step; and an acid treatment step of acid-treating the β-SiAlON having undergone the annealing step. The objective of the present invention is to provide β-SiAlON capable of achieving high luminescent efficiency, a method of manufacturing the β-SiAlON, and a light-emitting device using the β-SiAlON.
US09163170B2

Disclosed is an impact resistant adhesive composition including silica and core-shell polymer particles. The impact resistant adhesive composition includes: (a) a first component including an epoxy resin and a polymeric dispersant, or an epoxy resin-polymeric dispersant prepolymer; (b) a second component including silica and core-shell polymer particles having a particle diameter of 20 to 250 nm; and (c) a third component including a curing agent and an additive mixture. The polymeric dispersant is a flexible polyether monoamine or polyether diamine which includes a mixed form of a lipophilic alkyl oxide chain and a hydrophilic ethylene oxide chain in the main chain, and has a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 4,000.
US09163163B2

A multilayer film is provided. The multilayer film includes a barrier layer and an adhesive layer underlying the barrier layer. The adhesive layer contains a block copolymer that can phase separate into two or more different domains. The multilayer film has good gas and moisture barrier properties and is highly flexible. Therefore, the multilayer film can be effectively used in manufacturing encapsulation structures for electronic devices. In addition, the multilayer film is suitable for use as a substrate for a device. Further provided are a method for producing the multilayer film and an encapsulation structure including the multilayer film.
US09163161B2

Provided is a polyurethane aqueous dispersion characterized in having practical utility in terms of processing suitability when a formed film is produced by salt coagulation method, and characterized in that a formed film obtained from the same has practical utility in terms of resistance against ethanol water. A polyurethane aqueous dispersion for a formed film, the formed film being obtained by using the polyurethane aqueous dispersion and a coagulant liquid in combination, is obtained by: neutralizing an isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer obtained by reaction of a polyisocyanate (A) composed of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and alicyclic diisocyanate, a random copolymer (B) of ethylene oxide and tetrahydrofuran, a polyol (C) having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 5000, a polyhydric alcohol-based chain extender (D) having a number average molecular weight of 400 or less, and a diol compound (E) having a carboxyl group; and dispersing the obtained neutralized substance in water, and thereafter causing a chain extension reaction using an amine-based chain extender (F).
US09163144B2

The invention provides a silicone resin composition for producing a silicone laminated substrate by being impregnated in a glass cloth and cured therein, comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane with a 3-dimensional network structure composed of an R1SiO1.5 unit and an R2SiO1.5 unit and a T unit represented by an RSiO1.5 unit; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane composed of an R1SiO1.5 unit, an R12SiO unit and an R1aHbSiO(4-a-b)/2 unit; (C) a platinum group metal catalyst; and (D) a filler. There can be a silicone resin composition having a high glass transition temperature, a silicone laminated substrate excellent in properties such as heat resistance and weatherability having low thermal expansion coefficient and suppressed warp and deformation, a method for producing the same and an LED device.
US09163142B2

Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.
US09163135B2

A composition includes an elastomer and a ketoximo silane or a ketoxime additive. The ketoximo silane corresponds to Formula I: where D is selected from a C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl group, or when A is 0 or 1 a hydrogen, or the structure in Formula III; and wherein n and j are independently 1, 2, or 3, m and q are independently 0 or 1, z and t are independently 0 or 1 and (n+m+z) is equal to 3 and (j+q+t) is equal to 3; A is 0 or greater than or equal to 1; R1 and R2 are independently Ci to C60 divalent organic groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms with the proviso that when A is 0 either of R1 and R2 may be a chemical bond; R3, R4, R8 and R9 are independently a hydrogen, or a C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl or alkoxy group optionally including O, N, S, Si and/or P; R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms, and may optionally be bonded together to form a cyclic ring; R10 and R11 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms, and may optionally be bonded together to form a cyclic ring.
US09163124B2

A system and method for producing solid pellets from a slurry HDC pitch is disclosed which utilizes a polymer additive that is mixed with the pitch to increase the softening point of the solid pellets.
US09163122B1

Disclosed are self-assembling block copolymers including 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 C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, n and m are independently 2 to about 2000. The copolymers find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the diblock copolymer in a self-assembled nanostructure of cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.
US09163117B2

Provided is a polyamide resin having excellent color tone and elastic modulus, excellent gas barrier properties and low water absorption. The polyamide resin comprises a diamine structural unit and a dicarboxylic acid structural unit, wherein 70 mol % or more of the diamine structural unit is derived from xylylenediamine (A-1) and/or bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane (A-2) and 50 mol % or more of the dicarboxylic acid structural unit is derived from sebacic acid (B), characterized in that it has a sulfur atom concentration of 1 to 200 ppm by mass.
US09163106B2

A straight-chain unsaturated hydrocarbon group having equal to or more than 10 carbon atoms is bonded to at least one or more of meta positions of all of phenol structure units.
US09163101B2

The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion.The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.
US09163099B2

This invention relates to polybutadiene modified polymer polyols which comprise one or more base polyols, at least one preformed stabilizer, one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and polybutadiene, in the presence of at least one free radical polymerization catalyst, and optionally, one or more chain transfer agents. The polybutadiene present in these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols may be carried into the polymer polyol through the preformed stabilizer, by a polybutadiene containing component that is added separately from the preformed stabilizer to the polymer polyol, or a combination thereof, with the total amount of polybutadiene ranging from 0.03 to 1.0% by weight of polybutadiene, based on 100% by weight of the polymer polyol. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols, to foams prepared from these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols, and to processes for producing foams from these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols.
US09163094B2

The invention, in some aspects relates to synthetic, light-activated fusion proteins and their encoding polynucleotide molecules. In some aspects the invention additionally includes expression of the light-activated fusion proteins in cells and their use in methods such as therapeutic methods and candidate compound screening methods.
US09163089B2

The present invention relates to a cell for producing a secreted protein comprising a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fast cycling cdc42 mutant and a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a secreted protein. It also relates to a method for producing said cell and to a method for producing a secreted protein using said cell.
US09163088B2

The invention provides novel antigens, MPD5, PV13, and PV65, which belongs to the group of cryptic antigens without conventional genomic structure and is encoded by a cryptic open reading frame located in the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of myotrophin mRNA. The antigens elicit IgG antibody responses in a subset of PV patients, as well as patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and prostate cancer. The translation of MPD5, PV13 and PV65 was mediated by a novel internal ribosome entry site (IRES) upstream of the open reading frame. Eliciting anti-tumor immune response against MPD5, PV13 and/or PV65 antigen in patients with myeloproliferative diseases is a novel immunotherapy.
US09163087B2

Described herein are novel compositions comprising bispecific and multispecific polypeptide agents, and methods using these agents for targeting cells, such as functionally exhausted or unresponsive immune cells, that co-express the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and TIM-3. These compositions and methods are useful for the treatment of chronic immune conditions, such as persistent infections or cancer.
US09163057B2

The present invention provides a method of myocardial perfusion imaging using reduced doses of (1-{9-[(4S,2R,3R,5R)3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-6-aminopurin-2-yl}pyrazol-4-yl)-N-methylcarboxamide.
US09163055B2

This disclosure relates to prodrugs of uridine diphosphate (UDP) derivatives, compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of those prodrugs of the UDP derivatives and methods of using those prodrugs or compositions in treating disorders that are responsive to ligands, such as agonists, of P2Y6 receptor, e.g., neuronal disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and traumatic CNS injury, pain, Down Syndrome (DS), glaucoma, and inflammatory conditions.
US09163050B2

Disclosed is a process for the production of d-mannose from fermented palm oil kernel meal using a continuous SMB separation process. The process is useful for providing a simplified processing route to providing high purity d-mannose. The SMB process and the SMB cycle was operated to provide a high purity mannose stream comprising d-mannose, salts, and color agents, a primary raffinate comprising glucose, other sugars and salts, and a secondary raffinate consisting essentially of the mobile phase desorbent. In the SMB cycle, the secondary raffinate was recycled to the SMB process as the mobile phase desorbent without further desalination. The highly pure mannose stream was further treated to remove color agents and salts prior to subsequent steps of precipitation or crystallization and drying. D-mannose is useful as a food additive, as a sweetener, as a texturizer, as a stabilizer, or as a humectant.
US09163049B2

The invention relates to a medicament comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40, said medicament being preferably intended to regulate inflammatory mechanisms. The reducing sugar is preferably selected from the group containing rhamnose, fucose and glucose. The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method involving the topical application of a composition comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40.
US09163044B2

Provided herein are novel carbon-monoxide releasing molecules (CO-RMs) of the Formula (I): and esters, amides, salts, solvates and hydrates thereof; wherein R1 and R2 are as described herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of their preparation, and their use in the treatment of liver disease and inflammation.
US09163042B2

The invention relates to prodrug compounds of formula I: wherein R2, R3, R5, R7 and X are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders, including pain. The compounds of formula I possess advantageous solubility and physicochemical properties.
US09163041B2

Generally, the present invention relates to improvements in metal utilization in supported, metal-containing catalysts. For example, the present invention relates to methods for directing and/or controlling metal deposition onto surfaces of porous substrates. The present invention also relates to methods for preparing catalysts in which a first metal is deposited onto a support (e.g., a porous carbon support) to provide one or more regions of a first metal at the surface of the support, and a second metal is deposited at the surface of the one or more regions of the first metal. The invention further relates to use of catalysts prepared as detailed herein in catalytic oxidation reactions, such as oxidation of a substrate selected from the group consisting of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof, formaldehyde, and/or formic acid.
US09163038B2

The present invention relates to novel and concise process for the construction of chiral 3-substituted tetrahyroquinoline derivatives based on proline catalyzed asymmetric α-functionalization of aldehyde, followed by in situ reductive cyclization of nitro group under catalytic hydrogenation condition with high optical purities. Further the invention relates to conversion of derived chiral 3-substituted tetrahydroquinoline derivatives into therapeutic agents namely (−)-sumanirole (96% ee) and 1-[(S)-3-(di-methylamino)-3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-quinolin-1(2H)-yl]propanone[(S)-903] (92% ee).
US09163036B2

The invention describes a crystallized hybrid solid with an organic-inorganic matrix, of a three-dimensional structure, containing an inorganic network of aluminum-based metal centers that are connected to one another by organic ligands that consist of the entity —O2C—C6H3—N3—CO2—. Said solid is called MIL-53-Al—N3 and has an X-ray diffraction diagram as given below.
US09163029B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) its salts, isomers or prodrugs thereof useful in the treatment of viral infections, in particular respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds and intermediates used in their preparation.
US09163015B2

Pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrazine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazolothiophene and pyrazolothiazole compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.
US09163014B2

A crystal of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt having peaks at 2θ of 9.1°, 10.3°, 13.8°, 17.7°, 18.3°, 24.0°, 27.4°, 31.2° and 39.5° (±0.2° for each) in powder X-ray diffractometry using Cu Kα radiation, or a crystal of pyrroloquinoline quinone trisodium salt having peaks at 2θ of 6.6°, 11.4°, 13.0°, 22.6°, 26.9°, 27.9°, 37.0°, 38.9° and 43.4° (±0.2° for each) in powder X-ray diffractometry using Cu Kα radiation.
US09163001B2

The present invention provides calcium sensing receptor modulators (CaSR). In particular, the compounds described herein are useful for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of calcium sensing receptors (CaSR). The invention also provides herein the pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of CaSR. The invention also relates to process for the preparation of the compounds of the invention.
US09163000B2

Compounds of the formula 1 wherein, R is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, are useful intermediates in the synthesis of fragrance ingredients such as Ambrox 2
US09162991B2

A compound of Formula I or Formula II:
US09162990B2

Provided is a novel heterocyclic compound which can be used in a light-emitting layer of a light-emitting element as a host material in which a light-emitting material is dispersed, i.e., a heterocyclic compound represented by a general formula (G1). Any one of R1 to R10 represents a substituent represented by a general formula (G1-1); another one of R1 to R10 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl group, or a substituent represented by a general formula (G1-2); and the others separately represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl group.
US09162983B2

The present invention relates to organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators with central nervous system (CNS) bioavailability and their associated methods of preparation including their use for treatment of exposure to AChE inhibitors such as an organophosphate (OP) insecticides and nerve agents.
US09162977B2

Provided herein are self-assembling compounds that can form ion channels in lipid bilayers or cell membranes and ion-channel-forming compositions comprising the self-assembling compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the ion channels formed from a plurality of molecules of the self-assembling compounds. Further, provided are methods of treating or preventing conditions and diseases that are related to the dysfunction of ion channels, including chloride channels.
US09162972B2

A method for production of hydroxycarboxylic acid amide compounds, including performing amide condensation between an α- or β-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound and an amine compound in the presence as a catalyst of an alkylboronic acid represented by R3B(OH)2 (wherein R3 is a primary alkyl group) or an arylboronic acid compound to produce a hydroxycarboxylic acid amide compound, the arylboronic acid compound being represented by Formula (1): (in Formula (1), —(CH2)nNR1R2 is bonded at an ortho position or a para position, n is 1 or 2, R1 is a tertiary alkyl group, R2 is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group, and —NR1R2 may be a ring).
US09162965B2

The present invention relates to an industrial process for producing a lactic ester containing in total at least seven carbon atoms, from a fermentation liquor containing ammonium lactate in order to avoid the inherent production of gypsum, with a high yield and according to which the loss of lactic ester in the form of lactamide is limited as much as possible.
US09162950B2

Provided is a method for efficiently producing high-purity hydrogenated biphenol based on a simple method that can be industrially utilized using easily-available biphenol as a starting material. The method for producing hydrogenated biphenol according to the present invention is a method for producing hydrogenated biphenol by hydrogenating biphenol represented by the following formula (1): to obtain hydrogenated biphenol represented by the following formula (2): the method including: a reaction step of hydrogenating the biphenol represented by formula (1); and a purification step of washing or crystallizing a reaction product obtained from the reaction step using an aromatic hydrocarbon.
US09162949B2

A method for the production of aliphatic alcohols and/or their ethers, comprising the step of reacting a substrate of the general formula (I): in which m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 and n is 1 or 2; R1 is hydrogen, a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl rest, a primary alkanol rest, an aryl rest or one of the following radicals: and R2 is hydrogen or —CH2OH; with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst system, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst system comprises: a hydrogenation catalyst comprising Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd and/or Pt; and an acidic additive selected from the group of organoperfluorocarboxylic acids, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid and/or organic compounds comprising sulfonic acid groups, phosphoric acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups; with the proviso that the acidic additive is a liquid and/or at least partially dissolved in the substrate (I) during the reaction of (I) with hydrogen in the case that R2 is CH2OH.
US09162945B2

Provided is a process for preparing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, wherein at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of chloropropane represented by formula (1): CX3CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, chloropropene represented by formula (2): CClY2CCl═CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, and chloropropene represented by formula (3): CZ2═CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, is used as a starting compound, and said at least one chlorine-containing compound is reacted with hydrogen fluoride while being heated in a gaseous state in the presence of 50 ppm or more of water relative to the chlorine-containing compound. The process of the present invention makes it possible to produce 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) in a manner that is easily conducted, economically advantageous, and suitable for industrial scale production.
US09162939B2

The present invention provides cycloparaphenylene compounds, their macrocyclic precursors, and methods for making the compounds. The cycloparaphenylene compounds can be used to prepare armchair carbon nanotubes.
US09162938B2

A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include: reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-water-hydrogen mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides and recovering a reaction effluent comprising water and one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics; hydrotreating the reaction effluent to form a hydrotreated effluent.
US09162935B2

A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit includes at least one FT reactor tube. The FT reactor tube is configured to convert syngas into one or more hydrocarbon products. Inside the tube is a nano-sized catalyst particles dispersed in a micro-fibrous substrate. The FT reactor tube may be positioned within a cooling block that may be made of aluminum or another metal. The cooling block includes an aperture, wherein the FT reactor tube is housed within the aperture. At least one cooling channel is located on the cooling block. The cooling channel houses at least one cooling tube that is designed to dissipate the heat produced by the FT reaction.
US09162928B2

A sintered ferrite magnet comprising (a) a ferrite phase having a hexagonal M-type magnetoplumbite structure comprising Ca, an element R which is at least one of rare earth elements and indispensably includes La, an element A which is Ba and/or Sr, Fe, and Co as indispensable elements, the composition of metal elements of Ca, R, A, Fe and Co being represented by the general formula of Ca1-x-yRxAyFe2n-zCoz, wherein the atomic ratios (1-x-y), x, y and z of these elements and the molar ratio n meet the relations of 0.3≦(1-x-y) ≦0.65, 0.2≦x≦0.65, 0≦y≦0.2, 0.03≦z≦0.65, and 4≦n≦7, and (b) a grain boundary phase indispensably containing Si, the amount of Si being more than 1% by mass and 1.8% or less by mass (calculated as SiO2) based on the entire sintered ferrite magnet, and its production method.
US09162924B2

A novel mortar mix and mortar formed therewith. The mortar contains sand, lime, cement and microtubes in a mixture thereof. The microtubes assist in wicking moisture directly through a wet mortar compound formed by adding water to the mortar mix. Wicking moisture directly through the mortar decreases the reliance on a continuous, unobstructed cavity behind the masonry wall, as well as prevent cracking from water's freeze-thaw cycle. It also allows water to pass through the mortar in a similar manner as the masonry, creating two in-sync cycles, rather then two disparate cycles for water flow. In various embodiments, the microtubes could be composed of cellulose, fabricated polymer or graphite.
US09162919B2

Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) and active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs). In accordance with certain of its aspects, the glasses possess good dimensional stability as a function of temperature.
US09162917B2

An amplifying optical fiber includes an inner core, an inner cladding, a depressed trench, and an outer cladding (e.g., an outer optical cladding). Typically, the inner core includes a main matrix (e.g., silica-based) doped with at least one rare earth element. The depressed trench typically has a volume integral V13 of between about −2200×10−3 μm2 and −1600×10−3 μm2. Exemplary embodiments of the amplifying optical fiber are suitable for use in a compact configuration and high power applications.
US09162911B2

A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.
US09162910B2

A fluid treatment system includes a fluid source, at least one anaerobic reactor vessel, and at least one aerobic reactor vessel. The anaerobic reactor vessel contains retaining a set of retaining structures that are at least partially coated with an anaerobic biofilm. The aerobic reactor vessel contains an aerobic biofilm. When fluid from the fluid source is exposed to the anaerobic biofilm, the anaerobic biofilm removes one or more metal substances from the fluid. When the fluid is exposed to the aerobic biofilm, the aerobic biofilm may cause organic materials in the fluid to metabolize. The system also may include a precipitation reactor that separates divalent metals from the fluid, a settling facility that forms a slurry comprising separated metals, and a neutralization reactor that modifies the fluid to a substantially neutral pH.
US09162908B2

A separator device for removing particles from suspension in a fluid comprising: a housing, having a central axis extending between first and second opposing ends; an inlet and an outlet provided in an end of the housing; a separation chamber for separating solid particles from the fluid, including obstruction means to slow the flow of fluid within the chamber.
US09162907B2

An ion exchanger according to a non-limiting embodiment may include an open cell polymer support and a microporous polymer matrix charged within the open cell polymer support. The microporous polymer matrix includes an ion conductive polymer. The ion conductive polymer may be obtained by polymerizing monomers having at least one ion exchange functional group and at least one cross-linkable functional group with a cross-linking agent having at least two cross-linkable functional groups.
US09162896B2

In one embodiment, a method for producing a graphene-containing composition is provided, the method comprising: (i) mixing a graphene oxide with a medium to form a mixture; and (ii) heating the mixture to a temperature above about 40° C., whereby a graphene-containing composition is formed from the mixture. Composites of polymers with disperse functionalized graphene sheets and the applications thereof are also described.
US09162895B2

A method for manufacturing a graphene powder capable of minimizing aggregation of graphene particles and a graphene powder manufactured using the same are disclosed. The method includes preparing a graphene solution in which graphene particles are dispersed in a solvent, aggregating the graphene particles, separating the aggregated graphene particles from the solvent, and drying the graphene particles.
US09162892B2

A carbon nanotube array suitable for use in labeling is provided. The carbon nanotube array includes at least two different isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-arrays. Each isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes in different isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-arrays are composed of different kinds of carbon isotopes.
US09162886B2

The invention relates to a process for the production of synthesis gas by the use of autothermal reforming in which tail gas from downstream Fischer-Tropsh synthesis is hydrogenated and then added to the autothermal reforming stage.
US09162875B2

An inertial sensor is described in which a resonant element is driven by control electronics into resonance. The control electronics includes an oscillator. A circuit is provided for matching the frequency of the oscillator with the frequency of the output of the resonant element such that the time to operation from start up of the sensor is minimized and the requirement of frequency matching a given sensor to the control electronics is removed.
US09162873B2

A packaging concept for MEMS components having at least one diaphragm structure formed in the front side of the component is provided, according to which the MEMS component is mounted on a support which at least laterally delimits a cavity adjoining the diaphragm structure. In addition, at least one electrical feedthrough is formed in the support which allows electrical contacting of the MEMS component through the support. To achieve the largest possible rear volume for the diaphragm structure of the MEMS component for a given chip surface area, and also to simplify the processing of the support, according to the invention the electrical feedthroughs are integrated into the wall of the cavity adjoining the diaphragm structure, in that at least one section of such a feedthrough is implemented in the form of an electrically conductive coating of a side wall section of the cavity.
US09162867B2

A process of forming a through-silicon via (TSV) in a die includes forming a movable member in the TSV that can be actuated or that can be a sensor. Action of the movable member in the TSV can result in a logic word being sent from the TSV die to a subsequent die. The TSV die may be embedded in a substrate. The TSV die may also be coupled to a subsequent die.
US09162855B1

A wheel lift system for efficiently lifting and positioning a wheel and tire onto a wheel hub includes a support structure configured having three legs, and a wheel mounted at the end of each leg. A base block is mounted on the support structure, and a gas actuator is mounted on the base block. A wheel carriage is mounted on the air actuator, the air actuator being configured for facilitating vertical lift of the wheel carriage.
US09162847B2

Wire used for beading is coiled on a rotably mounted reel in a dispenser having a reel brake bearing against the reel with the wire passing through a channel as extended to the exterior of the dispenser with the wire frictionally engaging both the walls of the channel and a resilient element pressing against the wire to modulate the force required to withdraw the wire from the dispenser to a value which is high enough to prevent spontaneous unwinding of the wire from around the reel but still allowing easy removal from the dispenser when desired.
US09162842B2

Provided is a medium receiving cassette that includes a medium receiving portion in which a medium is received, a medium support tray which is pivotally provided on the medium receiving portion and of which a state can be switched, in a pivoting manner, between a received state in which the medium support tray is positioned above the medium receiving portion and a medium support surface for supporting the medium is directed downward and an expanded state in which the medium support surface is directed upward and at least a part of the medium support surface is expanded outside the medium receiving portion, and a drawer portion which is drawn out from the medium receiving portion to extend a length of the medium receiving portion in a medium discharging direction.
US09162841B2

An approach is provided to cause an operation comprising one or more of a substrate tamping process, a substrate offset process, and a mechanism actuation process. The approach involves determining an instruction to cause the operation. The approach also involves causing a movement of one or more of a slide element and a shaft based on the instruction. The slide element and the shaft are configured to move in a first direction and a second direction along a length of the shaft. The movement in the first direction and the second direction of one or more of the slide element and the shaft corresponds to the operation.
US09162837B2

The first remaining amount holding unit stores the remaining amount of sheet detected by the remaining amount detection unit before a sheet adding operation to the sheet stacking surface. The second remaining amount holding unit stores the remaining amount of sheet detected by the remaining amount detection unit after the sheet adding operation to the sheet stacking surface. The determination unit determines a sheet adding position based on the respective remaining amount of sheet stored in the first remaining amount holding unit and the second remaining amount holding unit. The feeding speed control unit changes a sheet feeding speed of the pickup roller based on the sheet adding position determined by the determination unit and the sheet remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit.
US09162836B2

A driving force transmission device includes a first rotating portion having a first facing portion, and a second rotating portion having a second facing portion. The second rotating portion has an operation range partially overlapping with that of the first facing portion. A cushioning member is provided between the first facing portion and the second facing portion. The cushioning member is deformed by being applied with a pressure. The first rotating portion and the second rotating portion transmit a driving force in a state where the cushioning member is deformed by application of the pressure.
US09162833B2

A medium feeding apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a medium cassette removably inserted into the apparatus main body. The medium cassette is configured to store a medium. The medium cassette includes a medium positioning unit for determining a position of the medium, and a locking unit that locks a movement of the medium positioning unit when the medium cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body and before the medium cassette reaches a predetermined position in the apparatus main body.
US09162825B2

A machine with a series of three operating stations, of which the first station arranges the full trays in a predetermined pattern while the second station closes the full trays with a film and in which the third station discharges the full trays. The stations are equidistant from each other. A transfer structure has combs that have a length such as to occupy simultaneously two consecutive such stations and that are provided with the teeth that can grasp the trays, lift the groups of trays and then move longitudinally to transfer the groups of trays from one station to the next, then lower the tray to deposit the groups of trays in the new stations.
US09162818B2

Modular conveyor mat (1), comprising a number of rows (2) of modules (3), successive in the conveying direction (P) of the conveyor mat, which modules are provided with a body part (4) from plastic extending transversely to the conveying direction, which is provided with an upper surface (5), and which is provided, viewed in conveying direction, at the front (8) and rear (9) with a series of coupling elements (11) spaced apart with mutual interspaces (10). Coupling elements and interspaces of modules successive in conveying direction interdigitate, and are hingedly coupled with the aid of pins (12). The conveyor mat is provided with reinforcing strips (14) included in the body parts of the modules, spaced apart at a mutual intermediate distance transversely to the conveying direction, which extend in conveying direction between successive hinge pins, and which are provided adjacent their ends (15) with recesses (16) in which the hinge pins successive in conveying direction are received. The reinforcing strips extend at least locally through the upper surface of the modules and form a grid (20) of discharge contacts (18). The reinforcing strips and the hinge pins are manufactured from electrically conductive material, and form an electrically frame for carrying off electrostatic charge.
US09162812B1

An aerosol composition for facilitating drying of oil paintings comprises a solvent system, an acrylic binder, one or more drying agents, one or more anti-skinning agents; a UV absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, and a propellant. The aerosol composition is sprayed from an aerosol container onto an oil painting to aid in drying the top surface of the paint.
US09162806B2

The system and method discloses a cleanable connector system for a Bag-In-Box (“BIB”) type package having a valve arrangement that prevents the mixing of product within the bag and in the line. Various embodiments provide a connector system including a valve arrangement having a line-side valve and a bag-side valve, wherein the valve arrangement allows connection to a bag and to a line-side connector while preventing the product within the bag and in the line from mixing. The system improves the user experience by only requiring a relatively weak connection force between the line-side valve and the bag-side valve. The system and method improves the shelf life of products within the bag and reduces the risk of contamination of the bag, the line, and the product within the bag by minimizing the risk of introducing biological and other foreign material into the system when connecting the bag and the line.
US09162804B2

The present invention provides a dispensing cap for attaching to a container, which includes a dispensing chamber having an interior compartment for holding an ingredient to be dispensed into the container. The top end of the dispensing chamber has a flexible diaphragm and an actuator button and the lower end of the dispensing chamber is connected to a frangible membrane. The dispensing chamber includes a threaded bottle cap for attaching the container to the dispensing cap. A piercing shaft includes four rectangular shaped vanes which engage and pierce the center of an s-shaped frangible section of the frangible membrane at the bottom of the dispensing chamber. This causes the s-shaped frangible section of the frangible membrane to rupture and thereby form an opening in the bottom of the interior compartment of the dispensing chamber so that the ingredient housed within the compartment freely passes through the dispensing opening and into the container.
US09162800B2

A device includes a pressure container, a pressure reducer, and a valve. The pressure container contains a liquid container deformable under pressure. The pressure reducer provides a liquid which bears with a first (e.g., lower) pressure against a first connector of the pressure reducer and with a second (e.g., higher) pressure at a second connector of the pressure reducer. The first connector is connectable to the liquid container, and the second connector is accessible from outside the pressure container. Due to the pressure reducer, liquid from the liquid container can be provided with a second pressure at the second connector. The valve adds a gas to at least part of the interior space of the pressure container remaining after receipt of the liquid container, the gas having an overpressure, such that a liquid in the liquid container bears with the first pressure against the first connector.
US09162799B2

In the present application, a storage container is configured to provide a sealed portion for the storage of identification material. The storage container includes a container for holding various elements and a sleeve coupled to the container. The sleeve has an opening to accept the identification material. The sleeve is configured to be selectively sealed such that the interior of the sleeve is isolated from the interior of the container and the exterior of the container.
US09162791B2

A safety brake device for a theatre hoist to prevent the uncontrolled release of a load that is suspended above or below people includes an overrunning clutch and a torque disc. The torque disc only rotates with the overrunning clutch when the load is lowered, but must overcome friction forces applied to the surface of the torque disc to do so. The friction forces are constantly applied to the torque disc by maintaining friction material in contact with the torque disc. The friction material is a non-asbestos, non-metallic composite saturated with a lubricant.
US09162786B2

A flexible, stackable container for storing a quantity of a product may include a sealed package formed from a single sheet of film and retaining the quantity of the product disposed therein, and a lid fitment attached to a first side of the package. The first side of the package may have an outer first surface of the film and outwardly extending first corner seals formed in the film at the edges of the first side and surrounding the first side of the package. The package may also have a second side disposed opposite the first side and outwardly extending second corner seals formed in the film at the edges of the second side and surrounding the second side of the package.
US09162785B2

A method, an installation and a nozzle (1) for suppressing the generation of iron-containing vapor during filling or emptying of a container (2) for an iron-containing metal melt with the aid of CO2 snow, a CO2 snow jet (22) being applied by means of the nozzle (1) dispersing in a substantially planar manner onto a surface of an iron-containing stream (23) which is poured into or out of the container (2). The invention consequently at least partially solves the technical problems outlined in connection with the prior art. In particular, a device is proposed which allows cost-effective and space-saving suppression of the generation of iron-containing vapor during the filling or emptying of a container 2 with the aid of a reduced CO2 snow quantity.
US09162780B2

A method of preparing a sealing surface of a container for application of a seal. A lip of the container may be heated, rinsed, and dried to establish the sealing surface. Then the seal may be applied to the sealing surface.
US09162774B2

A method and apparatus for reducing an intensity of an electrical discharge that occurs within a fluid transport system in an aerospace vehicle. The aerospace vehicle is operated. The fluid transport system in the aerospace vehicle is comprised of materials selected such that the fluid transport system has an electrical configuration. The intensity of the electrical discharge that occurs within the fluid transport system during operation of the aerospace vehicle is reduced to within selected tolerances by the electrical configuration of the fluid transport system.
US09162769B2

An occupancy sensor has three layers. The bottom layer contains two electrodes, and a resistive element between the electrodes. The middle layer is a spacer. The top layer is a third electrode, divided into two parts. When a person sits on the sensor, both parts of the third layer contact the resistive element. This causes current to flow through all of the electrodes. Accordingly, occupancy can be detected by measuring current flow through the electrodes. The device additionally provides heating via the resistive element. The sensor can be arranged in a vehicle seat.
US09162768B2

Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
US09162767B2

An aircraft passenger seat device comprises an aircraft passenger seat with at least one armrest element which is provided for delimiting a seating area of the aircraft passenger seat, and a seat blocking device which is provided for blocking a seating area of the aircraft passenger seat in a mounted state. The seat blocking device is designed to be connected to the at least one armrest element by a toolless form fit.
US09162764B2

This invention relates to a craft designed to move through or on a surface of a fluid. It is believed to be principally of use in relation to airborne craft and missiles but the theory behind the invention is equally applicable for example to submarines.
US09162761B2

A partially-inflated rigid-structure glider is a portable or collapsible gliding apparatus that a user can transport in a carrying case. The gliding apparatus includes a rigid yet collapsible frame, tension membranes over both on the wings and tail, and inflatable bladder, a pair of drogue brakes, and a left and right steering mechanism. The pair of drogue brakes is located on opposing sides of the gliding apparatus and create drag on its respective side in order to turn the gliding apparatus either left or right. The user can activate either drogue brake with the left and right steering mechanism, which are control lines attached to each drogue brake. The tension membranes are fitted over the frame so that the gliding apparatus has an airfoil shape in order to create lift with the wings and tail while the gliding apparatus is in flight.
US09162756B2

A landing gear (10), including: a bogie beam (12); an axle (14) pivotally connected to the bogie beam (12); a locking member (40) coupled to the axle (14) such that movement of the axle (14) invokes movement of the locking member (40), said movement of the locking member (40) defining a swept volume; and a locking mechanism (60) coupled to the bogie beam (12) and including first (65a) and second glide members, (65a, 65b) the locking mechanism (60) being arranged to move the glide members (65a, 65b) between locking positions, where glide members (65a, 65b) are within the swept volume on opposing sides of the locking member (40) and in which position the locking mechanism (60) is arranged to lock the locking member (40) in a predetermined position, and non-locking positions, where the locking mechanism (60) is arranged permit movement of the locking member (40).
US09162752B2

A system and method to control hovering flight of a rotary aircraft. The system including a lateral speed hold loop, a longitudinal loop, a vertical control loop, and a directional loop. The method includes defining a first flight envelope having a first groundspeed threshold; defining a second flight envelope having a second groundspeed threshold, the second flight envelope being defined within the first envelope; engaging a hover hold with a control law hover hold architecture as the aircraft enters the first flight envelope; and engaging a position hold with a control law position hold architecture as the aircraft enters the second flight envelope.
US09162747B2

The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a sound attenuation panel having a first cellular core structure and a second cellular core structure joined in a junction area (J). The method includes: a) a joining edge of the first cellular core structure is joined to a corresponding joining edge of the second cellular core structure, thereby forming the junction area; b) the first cellular core structure and the second cellular core structure are placed between an inner skin and an outer skin of the panel.In particular, the method further has a step prior to step a), in which one junction reinforcement is inserted between the joining edge of the first cellular core structure and the corresponding joining edge of the second cellular core structure in the junction area.
US09162743B2

Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are disclosed. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.
US09162733B2

A marine aft bulkhead and window system in a fully framed assembly includes a port side glass assembly that is fully retractable below a lowest edge of a window opening, a starboard side glass assembly that is fully retractable below the lowest edge of the window opening, a door glass assembly that is fully retractable below the lowest edge of a door opening, and a door assembly that is fully retractable to port or starboard horizontally.
US09162725B2

A frame unit for a bicycle may include a left frame body in which a part of a head tube, a part of a seat tube, a part of a frame, and a left stay are integrally formed, and a right frame body in which a part of the head tube, a part of the seat tube, a part of the frame, and a right stay are integrally formed, wherein the left frame body and the right frame body may be coupled so as to integrally form the head tube, the seat tube, and the frame, and a seat pipe formed to have a cylinder shape by step-by-step press processing may be inserted into the seat tube and then coupled to the seat tube.
US09162724B2

A scooter having a handlebar assembly that includes a vertical portion supporting a handlebar. The vertical portion includes an opening at its top end and the opening is configured to receive an elongate portion of a toy. The assembly also includes a ring portion at the opening of the vertical portion and the ring portion frictionally engages the elongate portion of the toy. The vertical portion and the ring portion are configured to securely support the elongate portion of the toy.
US09162718B2

In some aspects, an endless track for traction of an off-road vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle, an industrial vehicle, a construction vehicle, or a military vehicle) includes an elastomeric belt-shaped body having an inner surface for facing wheels of the vehicle and a ground-engaging outer surface. The endless track also includes elastomeric lugs, such as drive/guide lugs projecting from the inner surface and/or traction lugs projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface. The elastomeric lug may have a material defining an arrangement of zones of different materials (e.g., different elastomeric materials) to exhibit a desired variation of a material property (e.g., a modulus of elasticity) across the arrangement of zones of different materials. A zone of the elastomeric lug may have a dedicated function, such as a wear indicator zone. An elastomeric drive lug can include an uneven drive surface for engaging a drive member of a drive wheel.
US09162712B2

A vehicle upper-body structure having a pillar reinforcement member which connects an upper portion of a pillar member and a roof reinforcement member to be reinforced, includes at least one latch portion (hook-shaped member) which is latched to the roof reinforcement member when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by an external load, and the latch portion is provided to pass through the roof reinforcement member as a portion of the pillar reinforcement member. According to the vehicle upper-body structure, when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by the external load, since the latch portion is latched to the roof reinforcement member, load transmission efficiency from the pillar reinforcement member to the roof reinforcement member can be improved. Moreover, compared to a case where joining is performed at one point, the number of components is not increased.
US09162710B1

In a vehicle rear structure, flange portions disposed on an end portion of a front skeleton that extend in the vehicle width direction along a front edge of an upper back panel are joined to a joined flange portion between a wheel well outer member and a wheel well inner member of a rear wheel well. The joined flange portion is a region whose rigidity is high in a vehicle body side portion. Moreover, the flange portions of the front skeleton are joined to flange portions of the wheel well outer member and the wheel well inner member in a three-layer overlay. Because of this, the rigidity of the joint between the front skeleton and the vehicle body side portion is better than heretofore.
US09162707B2

A motor vehicle column includes an inner shell and an outer shell made from a metal, which are connected to each other in respective flange regions and which enclose a hollow space between them. In the hollow space a reinforcement element having a basic body made from a fiber composite plastic is arranged to strengthen the body component. The reinforcement element includes a metallic insert, which connects the reinforcement element to the inner and/or outer shell.
US09162700B2

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a friction plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a locking member having a toothed portion, a bolt extending through the locking member, and a friction plate configured for frictional engagement with the locking member. The friction plate receives the bolt therethrough and includes at least one biasing member configured to bias the bolt and the locking member in a first direction. When a predetermined force acts on the at least one biasing member, the friction plate is configured to force the locking member toothed portion into engagement with an object to facilitate preventing movement of the bolt in a second direction.
US09162696B2

An electric assist cart includes: a body frame where a burden can be loaded; a drive wheel provided in the body frame; a control handle by which an operator can input a driving force to the body frame; a torque sensor that detects a driving torque applied to the body frame by pushing and handling the control handle; an electric motor that applies an assisting force to the drive wheel depending on the driving torque detected by the torque sensor; and a controller that computes the assisting force applied to the drive wheel and supplies an electric current to the electric motor depending on the assisting force, wherein the controller has a plurality of modes having different characteristics for a change of a magnitude of the electric current depending on the driving torque, and the electric current can be supplied to the electric motor by switching the mode.
US09162693B2

A mounting structure for a hand truck is described. Embodiments of the present invention include a mounting structure adapted to be secured to a hand truck. Generally, the mounting structure can be implemented to secure a strapping device to the hand truck. The mounting structure can generally include a body, a first member, a second member, and a spring. Typically, the first member can be slidably coupled to the body and the second member can be fixedly coupled to the body. The first member and the second member can include concave faces to interface with a frame of the hand truck. The mounting structure can couple to the hand truck in a variety of locations to ensure that the strapping device is optimally positioned to secure a particular load.
US09162687B2

The present invention relates to a membrane for secondary air suspension of a land or rail vehicle, in particular of heavy truck or passenger wagon type, this secondary suspension incorporating it, such a vehicle which is provided therewith, and the method for manufacturing this membrane.This substantially toroidal membrane (103) comprises two attachment areas (110) and at least one corded layer (106) of fabric and/or metallic threads which is situated between two radially internal (104) and external (105) elastomer layers and which extends between these attachment areas.According to the invention, said at least one corded layer has its or each of its thread(s) individually sheathed by an elastomer sheath compatible with the internal and external layers.
US09162683B2

A method of starting an engine when a starter motor of a hybrid electric vehicle has a failure includes identifying a request for starting the engine in a state where the starter motor has the failure. When the request for starting the engine is made in the state where the starter motor has the failure, a torque or a load of an engine clutch and a pressure of the engine clutch are determined. A torque of a driving motor is set to a smaller torque between a driving motor demanded torque and a torque obtained by subtracting the torque of the engine clutch from a maximum torque of the driving motor. The engine starts with the set torque of the driving motor while controlling the engine clutch.
US09162678B2

A method for controlling a motor vehicle including driven wheels, a mechanism recovering energy generated by braking, and a torque transmission chain transmitting torque from the driven wheels to the energy recovery mechanism, the method including: a) acquiring a braking instruction and dynamic characteristics of the motor vehicle, b) controlling the energy recovery according to a control set point calculated as a function of the braking instructions and the dynamic characteristics acquired in a), and c) controlling the brakes according to a control set point calculated as a function of the braking instruction and the dynamic characteristics acquired in a). In b), the control set point for energy recovery is calculated by a preventive filter that filters the braking instruction to attenuate amplitude thereof around the resonant frequency of the torque transmission chain.
US09162670B2

A vehicle includes an engine and a motor generator generating driving power for running, and an ECU for controlling the engine and the motor generator. If user requested power and a vehicle speed are substantially constant when inertial running control is selected by a user, the ECU causes continuous driving power operation to be performed on the engine in which the engine is driven to continuously generate constant driving power, and causes driving power variation operation to be performed on the motor generator in which the motor generator is alternately switched between a low output state and a high output state in terms of driving power, thereby running the vehicle. As a result, energy efficiency during vehicle running can be improved.
US09162663B2

The present invention provides a method of controlling input torque of a powered vehicle. The vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a countershaft. The method includes providing input torque to the input shaft, determining a rotational acceleration of the countershaft, and measuring vehicle speed. The method also includes determining a threshold based on the measured vehicle speed. The measured countershaft acceleration is compared to the threshold and the input torque is controlled based on the result of the comparison.
US09162660B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic hydraulic brake device, including: a pedal cylinder configured to generate an oil pressure by a pressure of a pedal; a master cylinder configured to generate the oil pressure by sensing the pedal; wheel cylinders configured to be each mounted at a plurality of wheels and provide a braking force to the wheels; a storage configured to store a fluid; a mixing circuit configured to connect the pedal cylinder to some of the wheel cylinders, and communicate with the storage and the master cylinder; a master circuit configured to connect the master cylinder to the wheel cylinder and communicate with the storage; and a hydraulic compartment configured to connect the mixing circuit to the master circuit and limit a movement of the fluid.
US09162658B2

There is provided a brake control device for a brake device including a basic fluid pressure generating unit which generates a basic fluid pressure according to an operation to a brake operating member, a hydraulic pump which generates a fluid pressure to generate a differential pressure, a pressure regulating valve which regulates the differential pressure, and a friction brake mechanism which applies a fluid pressure obtained by adding the differential pressure to the basic fluid pressure, to a wheel cylinder. The control device includes a regulating unit which regulates the differential pressure according to an operating amount correlated value and which decreases the differential pressure according to an increase of the basic fluid pressure due to an increase of the operating amount correlated value when the vehicle is stopped and the differential pressure is regulated to a value larger than 0 by an operation to the brake operating member.
US09162657B2

An automotive braking system includes a windshield wiper system, a traction wheel, and a non-friction brake system configured to apply a braking force to the traction wheel. The system also includes one or more controllers operatively connected with the windshield wiper system, and configured to, in response to a braking request, command the non-friction brake system to apply the braking force to the traction wheel. The braking force has a magnitude that depends on whether the windshield wiper system is active.
US09162656B2

A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
US09162654B2

The invention concerns a motor vehicle (1), preferably a truck or a lorry, comprising a battery exchange station (2), the battery exchange station (2) comprising at least one battery (3), an actuator element (4) and a connecting element (5) arranged between the battery (3) and the actuator element (4), the actuator element (4) being movable from a first to a second position, such that in the first position the at least one battery (3) is arranged completely under the motor vehicle (1), while in the second position the at least one battery (3) is arranged completely outside, preferably behind, the motor vehicle (1).
US09162653B2

A toolbox device for actuating locking and/or unlocking of a power battery of a drive motor of a motor vehicle, the device including a supporting structure supporting a plurality of separate modules, each including at least one system for gripping a mechanism for locking/unlocking the battery and at least one actuator, a number of actuators being relative to a number of movements to be performed to implement the locking/unlocking the battery.
US09162650B2

A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper blade assembly includes a connector mounted on a blade support element. The connector has a receiving portion shaped to receive a first part of the end portion of a wiper arm and further has a securing portion shaped to secure a second part of the end portion of the wiper arm.
US09162631B2

Devices, methods, and systems for storing a plurality of coiled tubes as well as features for storing or securing brazing rods and other similar items. One example such system/device is modular and includes a rack support and bin-like units for retaining and providing easy identification and access to coiled tubing, such as coiled copper tubing of differing diameters. In this example, the bin-like units are attached ladder-like so as to form adjacent, angled receptacles for different diameter tubing coils, such that each coil type is quickly visable and easily retrieved.
US09162624B2

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element attached at a mirror back plate, which includes a mirror actuator attaching portion established at the back plate by a plastic injection molding operation. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. An indicator associated with a blind spot detection system has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When the mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light diffuser and through an aperture of the mirror back plate and through a light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting window of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
US09162623B1

A wide view mirror expands the field of view for drivers of commercial trucks and other large vehicles. The wide view mirror comprises a single piece of material formed into a planar surface immediately adjacent to an inner contoured surface and an outer contoured surface. The inner contoured surface is formed with a first arc having a first constant radius of curvature and a first width. The outer contoured surface is formed with a second arc having a second constant radius of curvature and a second width. The second radius is greater than the first radius; and the second width is greater than the first width creating an expanded field of view.
US09162620B2

The present invention relates to a method of determining a position of an obstacle, an apparatus of determining a position of an obstacle, a parking assist method, and a parking assist system, and more particularly, to a technology of determining a position of an obstacle by comparing propagation distances a direct signal and an indirect signal.
US09162617B2

A pivot bin assembly configured to receive luggage and be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The pivot bin assembly includes an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels, a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side panel and the bucket, and a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side panel and the bucket. The first and second pivot mechanisms are axially aligned along and are rotatable about a pivot axis such that the bucket pivots about the pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position.
US09162615B2

A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator may include: a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a direction indicator switch and a lighting means; a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is designed to provide the lighting means with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by a voltage at the capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit has a first and a second circuit, wherein the capacitor provides the supply voltage for the first and second circuits during the on state; wherein the current which flows through the first circuit has a negative temperature coefficient, and the current which flows through the second circuit has a positive temperature coefficient.
US09162612B2

A brake testing device include a remote operated control module which is installed on a towing vehicle to remotely actuate the brake and turn signal lights for testing purposes. When installed on a truck with air brakes and a connection to air brakes on a connected trailer, auxiliary valves are installed on the truck brake pneumatic control line and the trailer brake pneumatic control line which are controlled remotely through the control module to test activation of the air brakes on the truck and trailer respectively.
US09162609B2

A vehicle headlight can form a variable light distribution pattern with a simple structure including a favorable fail-safe. The headlight can include a movable mirror facing a light source unit, a static mirror between the movable mirror and the light source unit and a controller to emit light from the light source unit and to scan the light toward the static mirror using the movable mirror having a default position, where receives the light at a position substantially perpendicular thereto. The controller can enable the headlight to provide various light distribution patterns by varying a scanning method and the movable mirror is configured to return the light toward the light source unit even if it fails to operate properly. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a vehicle headlight that can form various light distribution patterns in accordance with surroundings and can have the simple structure including the favorable fail-safe.
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